Time with You

16. Truth

"Are you fucking stupid?"

Shikamaru whipped his head up, mouth slightly agape as he stared at Choji. 

"Listen Shikamaru, I-" Choji took a moment to sigh, rubbing his face with both hands. 

"You were doing great. You managed to spend some time alone with him, ya basically held hands MULTIPLE TIMES, and THEN you tell him you're interested in blondes. YOU. LIKE. HIM. I'm just so confused as to how this went downhill so fast." He turned to look at Shikamaru, eyebrows furrowed, mix of confusion and frustration present on his face.

He sighed once more, eyes closing as he lowered his head. "So, I will ask you again. And I can deal with it if you are.." 

He placed a hand on Shikamaru's shoulder, lifting his head as his eyes opened. "Are you, Nara Shikamaru, fucking stupid?"

Shikamaru was in shock. Choji had never spoken to him in this way before. 

I must've done something insanely idiotic for Choji of all people to call me out.

"I.." Shikamaru couldn't even form a sentence, instead he chose to turn away from Choji. He stared ahead as he replayed every moment he'd had with Naruto so far. It had been exactly two days since he had made the decision to marry Temari, resulting in a heartbroken Naruto.

Choji turned away as well, giving Shikamaru space as he scooted away, looking instead towards the sky. The weather was nice, sleeping weather as Shikamaru would put it. 

Choji took a deep breath, shutting his eyes as he laid back on the platform's surface. He placed his arms behind his head as a makeshift pillow, getting comfortable.

I feel bad for swearing and calling Shikamaru stupid...but it had to be said to get him into his current reflective state. Realize what you did quickly Shikamaru, I just want you to be genuinely happy and fully support your choices.

As Shikamaru intensely stared at a certain spot ahead of him, his thoughts began to take over. 

Choji's right. You really fucked up big time, Shikamaru. 

He sighed, furrowing his brows as he realized what he had to do.

I gotta break off this engagement.

He stood up, causing Choji to open an eye, staring over at the Nara.

"I've got to go Choji, thank you for your help." 

Shikamaru walked away, toward the rooftops exit.

Choji closed his eyes once more, smile now placed upon his face. 

You can do it Shika.

Shikamaru placed his hands in his pockets, taking his time walking home. 

Dad should be home, don't back out. 

Shikamaru took a deep breath as he entered the gates, strolling over to his front door. 

He stepped inside, taking off his shoes. He flinched slightly as he heard his mother's call.

"Shikamaru, is that you? Come eat lunch with us!" 

He scratched the back of his neck, walking over to the kitchen he found his father sitting at the table. His mother was starting to get out of her seat next to Shikaku, going to set Shikamaru's food at the table for him.

Shikamaru nodded over at his father, motioning for his mother to sit back down. 

"I'm not hungry." He took a seat across from them. 

Shikaku set down his chopsticks, sensing his son had something to say.

Shikamaru stared at them for a few moments, letting the silence marinate in the room before stating in a matter-of-fact tone, "The wedding's off." 

Yoshino, who had begun eating, stopped. She set her utensils down as she slowly rose her head up to stare back at Shikamaru. 

"What do you mean the weddings off?" She slowly questioned.

"I mean, I will not be marrying Temari. I'm not interested." Shikamaru met his mother's gaze, tension in the room rising.

Shikaku cleared his throat, causing the the two to turn their attention over to him. 

"Shikamaru, why have you changed your mind." 

Shikamaru looked from his father to his mother then back to his father before replying.

"I'm not interested in women." 

Yoshino sighed, shutting her eyes in frustration. 

"Shikamaru, if you aren't interested in Temari this much we can find you a different wif-"

Shikamaru cut his mother off.

"Perhaps you didn't hear me correctly. I'm not interested in ANY women." 

He paused as her eyes opened, staring into them he continued. 

"I'm gay." 

She stared at him, eyes wide in shock. 

"Now, the wedding's off. Feel free to tell Temari in whatever way you'd like. Probably letters right?" He let out a hollow laugh, pushing his chair out as he stood from the table. 

"I've got to get going now." He walked over to the kitchen's exit, pausing before turning around. 

"Just once more for clarity, the wedding is. not. happening. See you later." He rose a hand as he turned back around putting his shoes on as he stepped out of the house.

He looked up, taking a deep breath before running off to find Naruto.

As Shikamaru ran away, his mother sat there at the table shellshocked. 

"Are you really all that surprised Yoshino?" 

She looked over at her husband, eyebrows raised.

Shikaku returned the gaze, shrugging his shoulders as he smirked. 

"Have you..known..?"

"Somewhat. I also have a feeling I know exactly where he's running off to, or rather, who he's running off to." 

Yoshino stared at her husband in disbelief. He crossed his arms, letting out a laugh as he sat back in his chair. He turned towards the kitchen's exit, smile still resting on his face. 

Good luck Shikamaru.

Shikamaru huffed as he continued running, relief washing over him as a certain building came into view.

He quickly climbed up the stairs, turning towards the hallway leading to Naruto's apartment.

He paused, eyebrows furrowing as he saw Sakura standing outside the door.

As he neared, Sakura turned towards him. 

"Oh! Shikamaru? What are you doing here?" 

"Is Naruto home?"

"No, I don't think so. I haven't been able to reach him for the past few days. I've been knocking but no answer.."

She trailed off as Shikamaru turned away from her running back down the hallway, practically jumping down the steps. 

She tilted her head to the side, watching the Nara run away. 

"Hm?"