Time with You

15. Sunset

Shikamaru awoke to the sound of his mother calling him for dinner. He sat up, yawning as he looked around. 

How'd I end up in my bed..? Wait. Dinner?

He looked over at his desk, squinting to read the time on his clock. 

5:30. Did I really sleep for that long?

His eyes widened as he remembered he had left Naruto behind. He jumped out of bed, practically sprinting down the hallway to the front door. 

"Shikamaru! Where do you think you're going? Come eat dinner!" Yoshino called out from the kitchen, confusion mixed with irritation evident in her voice. 

He ignored the footsteps making their way towards him. He began yanking on his shoes, as he stood up and took a step towards the door, he was whipped around by the arm.  He came face to face with his mother, she wore an annoyed expression. 

"Didn't you hear me?" She sternly stated, glaring at him.

"I heard you, but I was doing that thing where I pretend I didn't." Shikamaru sarcastically said. "I have to go." 

He used the time while she was too shocked by his reply to do anything, to wiggle his arm out of her grasp. Once done, he turned and burst through the door, running to the path that led up to the hill top.

The sky had yet to become extremely dark, however that still didn't make the journey up any easier. 

He tripped a few times as he scrambled up the hill, scuffing his jeans with grass stains. He didn't care though, all he could focus on were the short glimpses of blonde hair he could catch poking out from the grass. 

He didn't mind being yelled at by his mother for his stained clothing or bad attitude. All he wanted was to be with Naruto.

He paused before slowing his pace as he walked over to Naruto.

Ah. He sighed. Even if I want to forget these feelings for you, they'll never truly go away will they.

Shikamaru sadly looked down at Naruto's curled up figure in the grass. He had fallen asleep waiting for the Nara.

He bent down, brushing Naruto's hair out of his face before gently shaking him awake.

Naruto stirred, eyes fluttering open.

He sat up, rubbing an eye with one hand as he sleepily smiled at Shikamaru.

"Shika, you're back."

Shikamaru felt a warm feeling spread through his chest as he heard the nickname come out of the blonde's mouth. However, it was quickly overshadowed by guilt.

"Sorry it took me so long." 

Naruto shook his head, now looking wide awake. 

"It's okay! I knew you'd come back."  

Shikamaru averted his gaze, solemn expression falling upon his face. 

I have to tell him.

Naruto tilted his head to the side, "What's wrong Shikamaru?"

Shikamaru forced himself to meet the other's gaze, causing Naruto to smile once more.

"Naruto." He hesitated. 

Tell him. 

Taking a deep breath, he continued. "Temari and I...are going to get married." 

Naruto stared at him in silence, smile still resting on his face. 

It was a few moments before anything happened, the silence tortured Shikamaru. He wanted Naruto to say something, anything. He hated this silence more than anything and everything in the world. 

Naruto let out a shaky laugh, eyebrows furrowed as he tried to stop the tears forming in his eyes from falling out.

"Naruto..?" Shikamaru rose a hand, moving to place it on his shoulder.

Naruto flinched away, lowering his head as he raised a hand, silently pleading for a moment.

He swiftly clasped his hand over his mouth as a gut-wrenching sob made it's way out from his body. 

Shikamaru could no longer hold himself back. He silently crawled over to Naruto and wrapped his arms around his now trembling figure.

This set Naruto over the edge. He stopped fighting down his cries and let them all out. His body jerked as sobs continuously left his mouth. 

"You..you were going to reject her." He cried, words occasionally being spaced out by hiccups.

Shikamaru thought of what to say, he had never been one to help others during times like these. What does one even say when their friend starts crying after you announce your engagement?

Naruto..why is this affecting you so much..

"You weren't...you weren't supposed to be with her.."

"You were supposed to be with ME!" He sobbed, covering his face with his hands.

Shikamaru sat there, stunned. His mind replaying the sentence over and over.

As Naruto's wails slowly calmed, he gently pushed away from Shikamaru. Scooting back a bit so that there was some room in between the two.

Shikamaru followed him with his eyes. 

Naruto wiped the remaining tears away, looking down as he turned so that his whole body was now facing Shikamaru.

"I'm sorry I said those things. I have no right to speak on your personal affairs." He spoke softly.  He was so vulnerable in that moment, as fragile as a flower.

Shikamaru wanted to tell him he had nothing to apologize for. He wanted to tell him he felt the same way, he wanted to apologize for being selfish and an idiot for not saying anything, or warning him about the decision before hand. Yet when he tried opening his mouth to speak, his body didn't cooperate with him, all that came out was silence. 

Naruto lifted his head, locking eyes with Shikamaru.

"Don't worry, I get it. You have to do what you feel is right. For the sake of yourself, and your clan. Although I understand...I don't think we should continue seeing each other like this..one on one, I mean. I don't think it'd be good for either of us, ya know?"

Naruto let out a hollow laugh, lips slightly trembling, as he lifted himself off the grass. Standing straight above Shikamaru, he became backlit by the now setting sun.

He looked down at Shikamaru, sad smile displayed on his face. There were tear streaks on his cheeks, eyes were as red and puffy as they could get. Yet he still managed to give Shikamaru a genuine smile, as he ended whatever "relationship" they had built.

"I've enjoyed my time with you, Shikamaru."