#asks btb

Hey there @idreamofflight 😊 Thanks for dropping in with your ASK, luv! It is not a dumb question at all!

[…] in the BtB universe do most of the characters know/suspect the relationship between ShikaNeji, or have they been really successful in concealing it?

I can confirm that they had been very successful at concealing it, although by the time Heaven Hold Us starts (post War), these surviving characters know for certain:

Plus my ANBU OC, Tsuno

Are there any characters that have their suspicions other than the characters said to have known (Hiashi/Shikaku?)

These characters had/have their suspicions:

Ino & Chōji for sure, though they never pushed Shikamaru on this (well…maybe Ino…just a little bit 🤏 )

Kiba suspected/suspects on a deeply subconscious level — an animal instinct feeling but he never let(s) that instinct bubble up consciously, namely because he and Neji clash so much and it’s not something he would’ve been able to logically square in his head. He was/is still hung up on Shikamaru’s adventures in Suna with those lady twins 😉

😅 Now, all that said, bear in mind I am sometimes surprised by a certain revelation a character can come up with whilst writing. So there may be one or two more with lurking suspicions that haven’t come to mind just yet.

Sasuke, for example, could presently rate in both the knows about Shikamaru and Neji and/or the suspects category at this point. I’ll know for certain when writing his interaction with Shikamaru. 👍🏼

Hey there, Anon! Thank you for dropping by with your ASK, Luv ☺️

I was curious if you would ever write something else for NejiShika? […] if you ever got another idea for NejiShika would you write it? Or is the BTB series a "just kind of happened" one time thing?

Do you mean would I write more about them together in the BtB world? As in, additional stories to add to the BtB series. Or do you mean would I write an entirely different NejiShika/ShikaNeji fic outside the BtB-verse? Because yes to the former, no to the latter.

I think I remember you once said you were inspired to write BTB because of a dream you had of Shikamaru and you found that Neji was just the perfect other half for that version of him and that's the only reason you started writing the pairing.

Correct! I couldn’t see who Shikamaru was chasing in the dream, but when I began to follow the plot bunny consciously all roads led to Neji.

It was such an organic and intuitive thing, as well as a logical one. It was always meant to be.

I guess I was just curious if you would ever write something else with the pair since BTB is such an amazing series and I love your characterization of them.

Oh yes, I believe I would. Aww! Thank you so much! I’m super excited and happy to know their characterisations hit the spot for you. The characters are always my primary concern and I try my best to do justice to them, bearing in mind any creative leeway/divergence from canon with the story/pairings.

Also, is HHU the last one in the series?

Yes, insofar as a post-war conclusion. That said, the BtB story, right the way through from the first instalment to UtS, is meant to be a standalone series regardless of HHU. HHU is pure masochism on my part 🤦🏻‍♀️

Or are you planning anything else?

I never say never. Ideas pop up. It’s just hard to commit for several reasons.

1) Severe bloody Burnout recovery 😭 🔥

2) My brain currently holds 3 separate novel series, all of them big-world stories. Which is a hell of a lot to hold in my brain cavern.

These original characters and their worlds are my heart and my kismet 💜

3) I am clearly challenged when it comes to writing one-shots…I fail so hard…

4) The investment of time/energy vs the payoff of writing fanfic (especially when you’re a masochistic moron like me who writes LONG SHIT). Understandably, and rightly so, fanfic doesn’t pay for the investment put in, so a lot of the payoff for me (and a lot of fanfic writers) is the reader-feedback exchange regarding the story/characters (otherwise I guess we’d just write it for ourselves, you know?) and sadly readers don’t necessarily engage as much anymore even though they may devour the content. Which is why I absolutely adore, admire, and am so grateful to reviewers 💜; to those who did, still do, and who were so outstandingly supportive of me in the past and still are to this day. They are beautiful treasures. That’s why I always aim/aimed to deliver the best I can/could for them and not short-change them. I’d never have finished the BtB series without them. 💜

As for Rambling? No way! Absolutely no need to apologise!! I’m very, very touched you care enough about the series/characters to ask 💜

Whoa, hold up… is FFN legit shutting down???

And…

…is Livejournal still…ALIVE???? 😱 I honestly thought it gave up the ghost years ago?? 🤯

Ah yes, I’ve been asked re: AO3 before and while that’d been the plan, I’m now very reluctant about it due to my work having been stolen/downloaded repeatedly from AO3 and posted elsewhere.

I am a big fan of AO3 but good god I wish they’d offer authors the option to prevent their works being downloadable. At least give the choice, you know?? Sadly stories end up posted elsewhere (I’m looking at you, Wattpad) without permission or credit, just blatant plagiarism. UtS is my biggest BtB project and I’m reluctant to see it stolen that way given everything that went into it. It was irritating and upsetting enough dealing with that with the other fics. 🤦🏻‍♀️

That being said, I haven’t ruled out AO3 for UtS or HHU. 👍🏼 I’m firmly on the fence atm and will consider it should FFN go up in flames. Hopefully not 🙏🏼

Ha! Fun question, Anon. While the Birthday tradition 🌈 ☕️ would remain just the Team 10 trio, Shikamaru would, without remorse, psychologically strong-arm Neji into that establishment with him…

Hey there, Anon!

Thanks for your patience as I get round to responding to ASKs. 🙏🏼

Let me see if I can try to clarify the timeline. Bear with me, as it was quite a while ago.

Requiem takes place about a couple of weeks after OtC. As the hint of Hidan and Kakuzu’s imminent arrival (and Asuma’s death) is hinted as fast approaching at the end of OtC.

Requiem itself is set 2 days after Hidan and Kakuzu’s defeat.

UtS comes along relatively fast after these events, about a week later.

Then there is a relatively large gap…during this period is where Shikamaru and Neji’s relationship deepened into a sustainable bond. Also Kiba and Ino’s. And Genma and Kakashi’s.

Hey there, Anon!

Oooh….! Very interesting question, luv. Thanks for the ASK and for the love and interest for their dynamic. 💗

Hypothetically speaking?

Hmmm…

This is so tough…because it would depend on a few factors, namely regarding Genma and what kind of mental or emotional state he was in.

If of sound mind, he’d immediately question Raidō’s motives and probably assume he was joking…

Especially as Raidō is straight. Genma would find it oddly threatening to their dynamic if Raidō actually hinted seriously at that involvement — for several reasons:

1) Genma’s track record with heartache

2) how much he values and loves Raidō as his partner/friend and wouldn’t ever want to compromise that…as he almost did a few times in the past…Raidō means too much to him to risk it.

3) “sexy fun times” is normally a banter-point with Genma dicking about and teasing Raidō because he feels safe enough in the dynamic to do it

However…if Raidō caught Genma in a weak moment, where he was strung out emotionally or mentally…I can’t say for sure that he wouldn’t react to that offer, as he wouldn’t be thinking rationally at all.

Similar to how he was with Kurenai in the latest HHU chapter. Although he has far more to lose with Raidō.

Nevertheless, still have a late night thought for you. I was thinking lately, Neji tends to be sweet yeah? Between him and Shikamaru, I feel like Neji is the one to initiate some cuddles when they are alone. On good days, I can imagine him being openly affectionate. Im guessing his love language would be more on action and skinship.

I really enjoyed those kinds of tender scenes in BtB. When he suddenly kissed Shikamaru that morning before they caught Hibari and in the mines when he invited Shikamaru to sit beside him and lean on him. Both catching Shikamaru off guard and it's too cute! You know I kinda understand that it's not him being out of his character but it's his childhood self reflecting and he deserves to find someone who would accept it for everything he's suffered for so far.

It really just proves how comfortable he is around Shikamaru. With all the crazy stuff they have to deal with, may it be at work or within themselves, it really does define it when you said they give each other "rest". I mean it's not everyday that Hyuga Neji makes someone see his fragile parts yeah? haaa.. I just really want to give these 2 a huge hug!

Hello Late Night Anon!

Catching up on messages here. Glad to hear you’re catching up on those Zzz’s! 5 hours of sleep is INDEED an achievement. 

I was thinking lately, Neji tends to be sweet yeah? Between him and Shikamaru, I feel like Neji is the one to initiate some cuddles when they are alone. On good days, I can imagine him being openly affectionate. Im guessing his love language would be more on action and skinship.

I’ve never heard/read the term ‘skinship’!  Brilliant.  Funny you should mention this -- Neji often feels more tactile when I write him...and there were many moments of touches on his part both stolen and acknowledged.

Though that being said, Shikamaru sometimes surprises me when writing or envisioning a scene. I’m so glad you enjoyed those tender moments between them -- that certainly developed later on in their relationship and if I get the chakra to continue on with HHU, I’m sure some of these moments will be revealed.  And yes indeed, that ‘letting the guard down’ thing isn’t something Neji would do with anyone else. <3