#shinolee

His fingers seemed to tickle due to his excitement, as if electricity ran through his veins– his bugs were fluttering around his jacket, buzzling intensely underneath his clothes. They were pressing on his skin, his scalp, nervously flying through his body while he changed into nice clothes. Shino breathed in, out, and put his glasses on; the sun was shining brightly outside, so protection against it wasn't too crazy.

Although he always wore glasses and big, loose clothes for his bugs’ comfort. Even if it was late Spring already, almost Summer– what a perfectly timed event. Lee had asked him out some days before, twiddling with his bandages and a deep blush on his face, and the Aburame had agreed without wasting a second.

But… he'd never dated anyone. He'd never expected anybody to find him attractive or interesting, already assuming that he'd die single without being able to do a thing about it. Shino didn't think of himself as beautiful or ugly, he just… had never seen anyone be romantically inclined towards him.

His own bugs’ buzzling was deafening for the first time in a while, even if his expression remained neutral– the sound was even more intense as he walked through the village streets, finding Lee at the forest’s entrance like they'd agreed on earlier that week; for once he wasn't wearing his green jumpsuit and rather a casual shirt and pants, waving at him with a grin.

“You arrived! I have brought some snacks for you, Shino– you like wild grass salad, though I was not able to get winter melon… I hope you enjoy what I prepared!” the taijutsu master exclaimed, approaching him quietly– extending his hands towards the other boy’s, who held them without a word.

The buzzling intensified, even if only rhe faintest pink decorated Shino’s cheeks– he'd only gotten some fresh juice and water, not quite prepared for an improvised picnic. His fingers tickled once Lee entwined their hands, his smile becoming warmer somehow… he was like the sun, and Shino was a moth. Attracted to his light.

“I'm happy with whatever you brought,” was all the Aburame replied, nodding as they started to walk around the forest, trying to find a clearing to sit down and eat their snacks. However, before that could take place, they found a special tiny insect with green sharp blades walking on a tree ehich made Shino start infodumping without realizing it. “Ah, that's a mantis. Also known as Mantodea, they've got more than two thousand, four hundred species. And… oh, sorry. I don't want to bore you.”

“It is fine! I like when you tell me about things you love, even if I do not understand. You look happy,” Lee replied with a smile, cheering him up just like that. That was enough for Shino to continue, his gaze focusing on the mantis now, else his cheeks would become even warmer.

“... The largest family is the Mantidae. Sometimes, after breeding, the females eat the head of the males. Nobody knows why they do that, it's just… their instincts.”

Being observed with so much attention during his rambling was strange, to say the least. Those dark orbs were focused on his every word, even if perhaps his terminology was too specific to be understood– Lee even pointed at different bugs and asked about them, their diet, their behavior. There was a nice warmth on Shino’s chest, a joy that he'd never felt before.

Someone was interested on bugs, or rather, on what he had to say. They sat down for their picnic and Lee chatted about his missions, his training routine, and it was so… charming? Was that what the other boy felt about his own infodumps? Because it was nice, to be heard at last.

At some point, a blue butterfly decided to rest on his companion's nose, who froze on his spot– not quite wanting to annoy the bug, or to scare it away.

“That's a Morpho butterfly. It's beautiful,” Shino exclaimed, gently offering it his hand, to which the butterfly decided to rather fly off without delay. “You really attract them, don't you? It liked you. You smell sweet, like nectar.”

Lee just chuckled and grabbed his hand, caressing his skin with his thumb – Shino felt himself blushing all over again yet said nothing as his insects buzzled, flying around his hair.

“I have that effect on animals! And now, bugs as well– and also a bug enthusiastic! Tell me more about these butterflies, please! What is your favorite one?” his companion asked with a blush on his cheeks, making the Aburame feel even more embarrassed somehow.

Or impressed, excited… feelings were confusing to decipher, more when it was something he'd never sensed before. Was that how having a crush felt? Such happiness was… nice. He liked how he felt with Lee by his side, knowing well that his words would be heard.

Was that love? Shino wasn't sure, but he liked it– he wasn't quite ready for a kiss, though Lee didn't push him for one. A warm hug was enough for now, until he felt more comfortable with such… affectionate gestures. Everything was too new for him, and his companion had all the patience in the world.

Boyfriend. They had agreed on another date, on a little tea shop next weekend; so they were partners now, perhaps. His bugs were buzzling around Lee as they parted ways, welcoming him as well– that was a good sign, in his mind. If his companions accepted his partner, that meant that he was good for him. One of their tasks was to protect the host, and they'd allowed the taijutsu master to get close, to hug him and kiss his cheek, so they didn't deem him a threat.