Time with You

17. Everlasting

Shikamaru skidded to a halt as he reached Ichiraku's.

He lifted one of the flaps lining the stall's exterior, peeking inside. He had expected to find Naruto sitting on one of the stools, scarfing down a bowl of ramen.

His face fell as he was greeted by a row of empty stools.

Not here either.

He stood in front of the shop, head moving from side to side as he looked around for any sign of Naruto—shoulders heaving with every pant.

He wiped his forehead with the back of his hand before running off to the last location he imagined the other could be.

The hill.

As he reached the base of the hill, he looked up at the top. As his eyes adjusted, he noticed a familiar silhouette sitting against the tree.

He clambered up the hill, pace quickening as he heard sniffling.

He reached the top, hands and knees still pressed deeply into the ground as he looked at Naruto, eyes filled with worry.

Naruto stared back at him, eyes wide, filled to the brim with tears.

"Shikamaru-"

He was cut off by a pair arms being thrown around him.

"I'm sorry."  Shikamaru mumbled, face pressed against Naruto's shoulder. He tightened his grip, feeling guilt press down onto him.

Naruto sat in silence, arms still resting at his sides.

"I'm so sorry." Shikamaru repeated, louder this time.

He kept his hands on Naruto's shoulders as he pushed himself back, creating a space between the two.

Now face to face with Naruto he exclaimed,

"I love you!"

He stared into the other's eyes, desperation evident on his face.

Upon hearing those words, Naruto snapped out of the trance he had been in.

"Huh?"

"I love you." Shikamaru repeated, words laced with all the sincerity the world could provide.

Naruto's eyes once again began overflowing with tears.

He wrapped his arms around Shikamaru, holding on for dear life as he sobbed into the other's shirt.

Shikamaru embraced Naruto, chest tightening as he felt his body tremble.

They sat like that for a while,  just holding onto one another. Various thoughts running through both their minds.

Shikamaru had just begun getting lost in his thoughts when he caught a small whisper come from Naruto.

"I love you too."

Shikamaru began whispering back a stream of apologies, voice often being muffled by the blonde's clothing as he dug his face deeper into Naruto's shoulder.

After a few moments of this, Naruto hiccuped, gently pushing away as he rubbed the remaining tears out of his eyes.

He swallowed the lump forming in his throat as he locked eyes with Shikamaru.

"What...what about Temari..?" Naruto lowered his head, fearing the response he'd receive.

Shikamaru placed his hand on Naruto's cheek, lifting his head as he began speaking.

"The engagement has been broken. I couldn't go through with such a thing knowing my heart was already taken by someone else."

He offered a small smile, retracting his hand.

Naruto smiled weakly, feeling drained from the days of non-stop crying he had endured.

Of course a part of him was still upset with Shikamaru, but those feelings were nothing in comparison to the euphoria he felt from knowing his Shikamaru loved him back.

He looked down at his hands, playing with his fingers as he tried to convince himself this was really happening.

What if he gets tired of me? What if he wants to go back to Temari?  What if...I become too much of a bother...

"Won't this be too troublesome for you..?" Naruto's voice was barely above a whisper. He wasn't sure if he had really wanted Shikamaru to hear.

But he did.

Naruto's eyes widened slightly as a hand was placed upon his. He rose his head, finding Shikamaru already looking at him.

"Naruto."

"..Yes?"

Shikamaru stood, pulling Naruto up along with him.

He held Naruto's hands in his own, looking into the blue eyes he had realized he would be delighted to stare into for the rest of his life.

Then, with all the love and affection held within his being, Shikamaru spoke.

"I never want my time with you to end."

With that, he pulled Naruto closer.

Both boys smiled as their eyes fluttered shut, inching closer and closer until they reached the other's lips, sharing a soft kiss.

In that moment, the two's fears and worries faded away. They knew that as long as they had each other, they could overcome anything that came their way.