#farty fic

Why did he have to run errands on his birthday anyway?

His mind of course supplies the series of events that lead to his current situation. Of course. His brain can’t just shut the hell up for one goddamn second.

He feels the small hand in his tighten their hold on his.

Ah.

At least he had company for his errands.

Shikadai’s attention was on his surroundings, bright intelligent eyes taking everything in.

Shikamaru loved watching his son. The little guy was growing up so fast and with it growing up to be so smart.

Then again, Shikadai was his son after all.

He smiles down at the little guy and they continue their little trip through the market place.

--

It’s when they’re finishing up that Shikamaru realizes his son had an ulterior motive to accompanying him to the market.

Pressed against the shiny capsule gacha machines was Shikadai, looking at each one with stars in his eyes. He was probably calculating and weighing his options on which machine to stick his money into.

Aw well. Shikamaru could hardly fault the kid. He had been the same way when his mother dragged him around when he was Shikadai’s age. A reward always made such mundane tasks feel worth it.

He feels Shikadai’s little hand tug on his pant leg. “Daddy I can’t reach.” He pointed to the machine he wanted to put his money into.

Shikamaru just feigned exasperation before smiling, leaning down to pick the child up. He leans them over to the requested machine and he watches as Shikadai’s little hand began turning the dial.

Huh.

What kind of a prize would he get?

Shikadai held the capsule with pride then looked at his father with a smile. “Happy birthday, daddy.”

“Ah...?”

He pushes the capsule closer to his face.

“For me?“ He honestly hadn’t expected that.

Shikadai nods.

A balancing act has to be achieved as he continues to hold his son and groceries somehow.

He opens the capsule and inside is...jewelry?

Oh...a ring? Well, it was an awkward size to wear on one’s finger. It could work as a bracelet for Shikadai’s little wrists.

“You like it, daddy?”

Shikamaru beamed. “I love it.”

Shikadai’s face lit up, pleased that his father liked his gift.

--

When they return home, Shikamaru ties a piece of leather around the ring.

 He wears it then shows his son the new accessory. “Whatcha think?”

Shikadai gave a thumbs up.

Shikamaru grinned and returned the thumbs up.

He was close to the gates of the village. He...at least- he thinks so? The trees look familiar. He smiles despite himself. He just needed to check in, he’d remember his mission after checking in. It would come to him quite easily, he was sure of it.

He passes by...lots of trees. Was he moving forward?

His legs burned. He had to be moving. Right foot. Left foot. Right foot again.

--

Right foot...left foot...keep moving. He had to keep moving...it's not like anything hurt anymore he was just tired. His eyes were more focused on his feet and the grass and...well, that looked awful comfortable didn't it? Maybe just a little sit wouldn't hurt, then he'd get back up and-and report in. Just a little rest.

It's ungraceful how he sits down, it makes his wounds angry but the action of resting made it worth it. He let out a breath. Just...a little bit...

--

Lee opens his eyes, unaware he had even closed them.

“Jeez, Lee,” he hears a familiar voice say. “What the hell happened to you?”

His vision was fuzzy but he finally manages to focus on the owner of the voice...Shikamaru! Shikamaru? Where did he come from?

“You’re lucky I was out looking for food pill ingredients,” he hears the other man mutter. The other man’s voice draws close, he feels them kneel beside him. “I see you’re bleeding. Let’s get you to the hospital.”

Hospital? He shakes his head. “No...I have to,” pauses, vision blurring again, “have to...check in.” He finally finishes in a whisper.

“Yeah, to hell with that. Paperwork can wait.” He feels fabric getting pulled aside from where blood had dried, it had stuck to the wound. He must have stopped applying pressure when he sat down to rest. He hisses reflectively. “Yeah. Hospital.”

“Just need to rest,” he insisted weakly. “Then...check in.”

“You’re so stubborn, in a different situation it might be endearing but not right now.” He feels the other man move and shift. Their hands held on to him. “Right now, you’re just being dumb.”

Lee didn’t argue. Too tired. Cold. Shikamaru’s presence was warm.

His vision shifts and oh- he felt nauseous. He was hanging off Shikamaru in a fireman’s carry. He focuses on the grass. Grass...green and soft...he liked...the grass.

“Sorry, sorry,” he hears Shikamaru say before cursing. “Just- just hang on, okay?”

Shikamaru smelled nice. Like...the woods and earth and- tired. He was so tired.

Lee’s eyes flutter close.

--

He opens his eyes again he immediately finds himself shutting them close. Too bright.

“Ah you’re awake,” he hears.

Slowly he reopens his eyes, quietly hissing as they adjust.

“You almost bled to death,” the unimpressed voice continued. “We made it in time.”

Lee smiled sleepily. “Shikamaru...hi...”

Gaara placed a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “What is it?”

Naruto audibly gulped. “Okay. Um. I need you to pretend to date me.”

He didn’t expect that.

“I know, I know! It’s strange but-” Naruto’s shoulders sagged. “I got invited to a wedding and I’m expected to have a plus one, y’know? Everybody else is dating and doesn't wanna pretend for me or they’re busy or just being a dick, y’know? But you’re single like me so it’s perfect! No one knows about our friends there but I know it’s weird- I mean-”

“Yes.”

Naruto opened then closed his mouth. “Yes?”

Gaara’s stomach felt twisted and awful but he pushed the unpleasantness aside. “Yes.” He turned away. “We’ll discuss details later? I am on the clock.”

“O-Oh right, you’re working right...sorry! Okay! Um! I’ll text you!”

--

“I’m going to kill him.” Temari’s voice is icy, almost making Gaara shiver. “Who the hell does he think he is?”

“I said I would help.”

“Well tell him you changed your mind!”

Gaara sighed. “I shouldn’t have told you.”

His sister growled. “Your feelings are hurt! If you’re not going to express how you feel I gladly will!”

“I just want your help in looking nice for the wedding.” He rose from his place on her bed. “If you don’t want to help I’ll seek Ino’s advice.”

Temari’s expression softened. “You deserve better.”

“That’s why I chose you-”

“No. You know what I meant.”

Gaara averted her gaze.

--

He’s used to Naruto wearing obnoxious orange clothes so to see him in a subdued charcoal grey suit is a pleasant surprise. He knew Naruto wasn’t going to wear an orange suit beforehand but seeing it in person was different than a picture sent via text. The suit was stylish, yes, but it was the wearer that Gaara found attractive.

Well, at least he could play his part well.

“Gaara! You look- you’re-”

Gaara just took his hand, giving it a squeeze. “Thank you. You look very handsome.”

Naruto swallowed. “Ah! Thanks! Um, yes! You’re handsome!” He proceeded to laugh nervously before taking his hand back. “Um? Ready for the-the wedding?”

Gaara nodded, trying his best to mask his disappointment at Naruto’s actions. “Of course.” He moved to get into his friend’s car. “Boyfriend.”

Naruto just laughed awkwardly.

--

The ceremony is a quiet affair, it's the afterparty that’s loud.

Lively music blasted through the stereo system as friends and family danced.

At least Gaara didn’t feel like an outsider among the sea of redheads that was Naruto’s family on his mother’s side. There were a few brunettes in the mix but no one else was blonde like Naruto.

“You’d think I was the plus one, not the other way around,” Naruto had joked quietly.

Gaara just smiled.

“Um, you wanna dance? They probably think it’s weird that I haven’t asked my boyfriend to dance.”

“You just want to dance.”

A blush spread across Naruto’s cheeks. “I-I mean-”

Gaara stood up. “I’m going to step on your feet.”

“I think I can handle that.”

The music grows softer and slower the later it gets. Gaara sways against Naruto and for a moment he pretends. He pretends he actually is Naruto’s boyfriend. He pretends that it’s comfortably mutual between the two of them. Another date between the two of them-

“Hey, Gaara?”

“Yes?” He ignores his stomach sinking as his idle musings halt.

Naruto’s expression is quiet and earnest. “I like dancing with you.”

He almost wants to laugh but he doesn’t. “I like dancing with you too, Naruto.”

“I-I know I’ve been weird and it’s like- I didn’t want it to be,” his tone is hushed as they continue to sway. “It’s not usually this hard to talk.”

It was surprising if Gaara was honest.

“This whole thing- I have so many, like, thoughts y’know? Thoughts I’ve never thought of before about you and-and I can’t keep them inside me and it’s so stupid because you’re one of my best friends but I- this whole thing-”

Gaara stopped dancing. “Let’s not ruin the night, Naruto.”

“But- I wasn’t-” He feels bad interrupting his friend, he does.

Smiling cheerlessly Gaara leans up to kiss Naruto on the lips. “I think it’s time we go home, dear.”

He pretends that isn’t his first kiss as they pull apart, silently making their way to say their polite goodbyes.

--

“You can’t keep avoiding me, y’know.” There’s no bite to Naruto’s tone but he swears there’s some hurt mingled in. “I just want to talk.”

Gaara gathers the amount of plant food he needs. “Then I suppose I can’t stop you.”

“I didn’t want this, I miss you Gaara.”

He distributes the plant food, mouth firmly shut in a thin line.

“I miss you and I just-I don’t want things to be like they were before, y’know!”

He nearly drops the scoop of plant food.

“I want you to be my boyfriend for real! Not pretend!”

Gaara really drops the plant food then.

“I understand if you don’t want to and-”

“I do.”

Gaara finally meets Naruto’s gaze, making his way towards him. “I don’t want to pretend. I want it to be true.”

Naruto stares at him before smiling hesitantly. “Yeah?”

He nods as he stands before him. “Yes.”

“Then...then...okay! Yeah! We’re together?”

Gaara rips the gloves from his hands before grabbing the sides of Naruto’s face. He smirks at the other boy’s shock before brushing their lips together. “I’d say so,” he whispers. “Wouldn’t you?”

Neji has watched his teammate use the 8 inner gates throughout the years and never had anything past the 6th gate been used. It was excessive, in his opinion, to even use five of the damn things. His logical mind saw the advantage of them especially for someone like Lee but he absolutely hated the aftermath. 

I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself if anything happened to you. 

“The gate of shock, huh?” Neji closed his eyes. “I hope the next time you use such measures it won’t be for my sake.” 

“Neji…”

“Shut up.”

“Mm.”

--

Neji moved ready to deflect the upcoming blows from his opponent but stopped short, seemingly paralyzed. It’s at this moment the Hyuga realizes that while trading blows with the enemy that their hands had some sort of poison that was just now affecting him. Of course. 

There is no chance to dodge the volley of kunai and shuriken so he takes a strained breath and closes his eyes. 

Except nothing ever makes contact. 

“If you die, I would have to kill you!” he hears and with effort he opens his eyes back to see Lee repelling the projectiles. “That would be unpleasant so please! Do not die!”

Rock Lee, you’re lucky I’m paralyzed-

His thoughts are interrupted when he sees a green aura rise from his teammate’s body. 

Well, at least it wasn’t the overkill blue.

--

“You two need to figure out better threats to each other because I’ve heard it twice and it still sounds stupid as hell.” Tenten is holding the both of them up and she looks less than pleased.

Lee laughs tiredly. “I suppose I will have to run some of these by you later.”

“Whatever.”

Neji snorts. “You’re an idiot.”

“Takes one to know one, Neji," Lee proudly retorts.

Tenten lets out a blast of laughter. “See? Much better.”

Neji sighs before glancing at Lee and the two make eye contact.

“Hey no goo-goo eyes while I’m between you. Gross.”

“G-goo-goo eyes?”

“Yeah, it’s gross so save it for later!”