◜ 切り札 ◞

[kikaichv-blog]

i finally cleared out everything. so... mandatory starter call!

[kikaichv-blog]

Knowing she did not know him as well as she should, Temari greeted the birthday boy with a wide grin. "I don't want to bother you, I know you && Kank have some plans." Fingertips drummed casually against a neatly wrapped gift. It's wrapping soft browns brought together with a gold ribbon. The gift itself ], a book on insects found only in the land of fire. "I wasn't sure what you'd like, but I hope this would be interesting."

     hes so happy his birth was remembered but it was so long ago // not accepting

     This was more than just a surprise. Shino had never expected Temari (though, he didn’t expect anyone to offer him a gift) to be handing off a birthday present to him, let alone remembering the occasion. She was Kankurou’s elder sister, of course, but he couldn’t say that he knew her as well as he should have considering his relationship with her brother...

     An opportunity presents itself.

     “Thank you,” he says as his fingers trace the book cover. He... already owned a copy, but there was no reason for him to shrug off her thoughtfulness. The book was exactly what he would have wanted, regardless. “Kankurou decided on inviting some friends to dinner to celebrate, I would enjoy if you and Gaara...--” Saying the Kazekage’s name so casually made his expression sour, but it seemed it was allowed when she chuckled at him for it. “... If you both would come to celebrate as well.”

          // @karukv

[kikaichv-blog]

"Hey, Shino." Shikamaru waves him down, and putting that same hand on his shoulder after he finally catches up to the man. "Happy birthday."

          god these are so old can we pretend its still his birthday // not accepting

     Not too long ago Shino would have been more than a little surprised if his birthday had been remembered by so many friends -- he had grown used to fading into the background (albeit begrudgingly and bitterly). Now, however, everyone he’d call a friend had sent him well-wishes and a smile and he could only do the same in return.

     “Thank you, Shikamaru,” he nods.

          // @inumbratte

[kikaichv-blog]

here comes the obligatory birthday kisses, humming as he runs his hands through the other's hair, before pulling back if only to whisper a content, " happy birthday to my favourite bug boy ~ " god he's so in love

          ancient birthday asks // not accepting

     “Kankurou-- that isn’t-- necessary--...” Shino complains gently between the barrage of kisses he was receiving. He certainly didn’t mind them, but the occasion they were for only made him feel... old.

     His students had all thrown him a surprise party in their classroom and he’d gotten more than a little emotional because of their actions. Being at the academy himself had only felt like last week, but the realization that so many years had gone by had the Aburame feeling sentimental. His own class had thrown Iruka-sensei a very similar party for the same occasion.

     And now having his beloved spoil him with affection only seemed to worsen the feeling of age. At least the puppeteer was two years his senior.

     “--... But thank you. I’d rather we didn’t do anything extravagant.”

          // @kabukv

[kikaichv-blog]

when he gets to his place, he'll find kank passed out from fatigue on the floor in the middle of the hallway. yup, too much paperwork & political bullshit does this to a guy.

     Shino sighs. He knows Kankurou had been in the village, but he also supposes he had gotten his hopes up in being able to spend time with his beloved. Even the fact that the puppeteer was able to be at Shino’s home was a blessing in itself; typically there wasn’t any time at all for them when the Kazekage was around for meetings.

     He runs his fingers gently along the man’s face paint, stirring him to consciousness. Though, he knew better than to expect Kankurou to remain like that for long. “Come to bed. The reason is because I would prefer not to trip over you.”

          // @kabukv

[kikaichv-blog]

"You're an... /insect/ user??" Misaki wrinkles up her nose as she looks him up and down, unsure of what to think. Insects aren't something she cares to have near or on her, for fear that she'll have an unladylike freak-out, but at the same time... she can't bring herself to just walk away. As afraid of insects as she is, she does actually think some of them are interesting. "... Huh. What... kind of insects are they?" (( here's Misaki to *cough cough* BUG Shino <3 <3 <3 ))

     This was not the first time that Shino would be sneered at for his techniques, nor would it be the last. As an Aburama there were certain predisposed notions that he could not change -- and the dislike of insects was one of those things. He could change people like her one by one, but there would always be another with judgement in their hearts.

     Shino had long since disregarded the feelings of those particular people. He was a proud Aburame.

     “I am.”

     “They are called kikaichu... Destruction Beetles.” As he speaks, Shino lifts his hand, palm facing upward, as a few of those beetles scuttled across his skin.

          // @variantia // misaki

[kikaichv-blog]

i forgot how much i loved this ship and im disappointed in myself for that

[kikaichv-blog]

laces their hands together, pressing a quick kiss on the hand he was currently holding, " hey, i'm gonna go on a walk. wanna join ? " not that he had an option, 'cause kank was already gently guiding him towards the door, offering him a joy-filled smile in attempt to encourage the other into joining him.

     Kankurou’s enthusiasm was both infatuating and infuriating for the insect-user, especially considering how difficult it was to deny him. Both he and Kankurou knew that the puppeteer would stop on a dime had Shino given any real complaints about their publicity.

     Shino had always been an extremely private person -- not even Kiba or Hinata had managed to see the inside of his home until Kiba had practically barged in during the latter months of their time as Genin. And yet the puppeteer had managed the same in a fraction of the time that Shino had known his teammates.

     To say the Aburame was confused was an understatement.

     It wasn’t Kankurou himself that made Shino pause at the door, but the idea that he was allowing this relationship that he cared for so deeply into the eyes of passerby's and friends alike. Not that it was secret to begin with... He merely enjoyed his privacy.

     -- But he also knew Kankurou enjoyed preening and showing off just as much as any bird of paradise. What a conundrum.

     Shino took just one more moment of thought before he gave a gentle squeeze to Kankurou’s hand. “... Yes, I would like to join you.”

          // @kabukv

[kikaichv-blog]

pouts at him, " do you love me ? "

     “Of course,” comes Shino’s immediate response. There was no need to take the time to consider his answer for such a simple question. And while he finds Kankurou’s pout rather cute, he can’t help but feel disappointed in himself.

     “... Have I done something to make you doubt that?” he finally asks.

          // @kabukv

[kikaichv-blog]

"My brother NEVER stops talking about you."

     Shino can count on one hand the number of times he’s been embarrassed in his life, so when he felt heat radiating from his cheeks he knew he’d have one more to add to his short list. He was thankful for the swiftness in which he was able to rein in his emotions, however, and cleared his throat in the moment it took him to calm the redness.

     His and Kankurou’s relationship was no secret, and he’d overheard the puppeteer gushing about the Aburame on multiple occasions, but suddenly realizing that he was even spoken about to his family... The embarrassment was definitely intermingled with a certain amount of pride.

     “... I’m sorry for his behavior. The reason is because it must be troublesome hearing about me so often,” he apologizes, borrowing a word a certain Nara enjoys using to a certain degree.

           // @karukv

[kikaichv-blog]

… i cant actually find any drafts here that i need to reply to, so for now i only have an inbox full of asks to answer. if anyone would like to plot, please dont hesitate to ask!

[kikaichv-blog]

also i realize that 90% of these asks are for shino’s birthday... lets pretend its his birthday for those........

[kikaichv-blog]

... i cant actually find any drafts here that i need to reply to, so for now i only have an inbox full of asks to answer. if anyone would like to plot, please dont hesitate to ask!

[kikaichv-blog]

its been so long im a failure

[kikaichv-blog]

when shino comes back home he's going to find that kank's already invited himself inside-- seen as how he pops his head out from the kitchen when he hears the door open, " welcome home ! ! i made cake ! well i say i /made/ it but it's the, pre-made add-water-here-&-flour-there-&-you're-done type but it's edible at least. thought you might want to get some energy for later ♡ " & really, what was a birthday without a cake ?? & birthday decorations ?? & fancy petals on scatted on the bed ? ?

     He supposes he shouldn’t tell Kankurou that his appearance inside his home wasn’t as much of a surprise as the puppeteer likely hoped. Insects housed within the Aburame had warned him of a presence, although they had become as familiar with Kankurou as they had Kiba and Hinata despite his love’s continued dislike of all things with more than four legs.

     “I’m home,” he says as he closes the door behind him, removing his shoes to place them next to the additional pair near the door. There were decorations already plastered all over his home, from banners and balloons to confetti and table runners all with ‘HAPPY BIRTHDAY’ painted on their surfaces. Really, this was far too much.

     “I appreciate it, but you didn’t need to go so--...” Shino trails off, line of sight landing on the trail of rose petals that started in the kitchen and ended in what he was sure was his bedroom. A brow raises at the puppeteer, who only responds with a cheeky grin and a wink.

     “Cake first, Kankurou. This is because you get too ahead of yourself sometimes.”

          // @kabukv

[kikaichv-blog]

" i, uh, got you a present-- " he says as he sheepishly gives shino a small wrapped box, " there was a workshop in suna not too long ago-- they taught people how to make accessories ! ! i tried to make you a beetle brooch 'cause i know you're not really a necklace type of guy but, uh, it's not the best quality. but hey-- it's the thought that matters ? ? happy birthday ? ? " hopefully ? please ? he at least Tried

     Shino says nothing as he takes the small box and allows Kankurou to explain himself and the choice of gift. Kankurou could have handed him an empty box and the Aburame still would have been content with the gift -- Kankurou’s presence was enough, especially after so long of being apart.

     Deft fingers opened the gift easily and Shino found himself smiling gently as he sees the beetle brooch contained inside. It was smooth and red, oval and fit within Shino’s palm nicely. He studied it closely and even felt the hive within him buzz their contentment at their nest’s feelings of joy.

     “... Thank you, Kankurou,” he says, finally letting his gaze land on his beloved. “It is of the best quality; the reason is because you were the one who made it.”

     He takes the time to pin it to his jacket before closing the distance between them. Shino presses a kiss to Kankurou’s painted lips, his smile likely felt against the puppeteer’s mouth.

          // @kabukv

[kikaichv-blog]

     Birthday.

[kikaichv-blog]

i know shino sleeps like a log and doesn’t move an inch but pls imagine if he did, esp when hes older. pls imagine the bed head. the disaster.