- it's Nejilee week so the piece must be focused on Neji Hyuga x Rock Lee. no other ships(polyamorous with them, background ships are ok)
- No incest / adult x minor (Due to some people making questionable content)
- Nsfw is allowed, but tag it properly + if it's art, you can put a preview then the full piece (with censoring because of Tumblr being Tumblr) under a read more
Tag @ nejileeweek for me to see the post, and you can also use #nejileeweek or #nejileeweek2025 , I'll be checking them and reblogging.
NGL i started this because i was having period cramps. Giving my Boy my own Pains
Life became pretty monotonous once he stopped going on missions, and he was grateful for that no matter what others might think or say.
His new job only consisted of mopping the floors of Tenten’s weapons shop, arranging kunai and shurikens however he pleased and sometimes dealing with customers whenever his friend was on her many mineral-research trips. Neji was thankful that his teammate gave him something to do and, unlike what many people believed, he quite enjoyed doing the same thing over and over again every single day.
Predictable was nice, it felt safe and controlled. Plus, Tenten was pretty much the only employer in the whole village that was willing to adapt to his disabling chronic pain without reducing his pay… so he had nothing to complain about. At the end of the day Neji would always return to the little home he shared with Lee, who was still an active Jounin through it all.
His partner was on a mission, yet sometimes he arrived way earlier than he was supposed to just to surprise him– his husband liked doing little things like preparing a warm meal for his arrival and flooding him with kisses, gentle smiles and hugs reserved for him and him only. It made the brunet feel special and loved, his heart warm with joy.
Though the house was empty when he returned, but he didn't mind – Neji was aware there was a possibility of his partner not being able to speed up his assignment, so he'd just wait for him to return while preparing some meals to not worry about that in the future. Arranging them by ingredients and colors, else he'd be pissed upon opening the fridge and noticing such a lack of order. He tended to use the same things; chicken and fish and whatever seasonal vegetables were available, mixing them in different ways.
As long as his muscles allowed it, the brunet liked to prepare things in advance; it helped for those days where humidity was extreme and his joints refused to move no matter what. In any case he'd be ready for any kind of unexpected flare-ups, so he'd have less work to do later on in case of a flare-up. It was one of the many ways he'd learnt how to help his future self, however small or routinary it could be. He enjoyed knowing what would happen when and how, though some said he focused too much on the littlest details…
What he wasn’t ready for was something completely different– an unrelated discomfort suddenly struck his lower abdomen, pain radiating through his body and making him stop right where he was. A quick look towards his calendar on the fridge confirmed his suspicions; it was already that time of the month, albeit he'd forgotten with his job and tasks on hand.
That would explain his tiredness and increased craving for sweets, which were… admittedly more intense than usual, even if he didn't feel too much pain. Neji just let out a tired sigh as he went to change into more comfortable clothes, preparing for his period without delay. He took some pain medicine in advance and laid down on the couch, not feeling like going to his bedroom for now.
Curling up on the sofa was always nice. His eyes closed on their own, the exhaustion of his work and period taking over anything else– yet a familiar chakra signature soon alerted him, and a smile decorated his lips as soon as he recognized it. How could he doubt his intuition so much?
“I am home!” his husband exclaimed as soon as he entered, a bright grin on his face showing up once their gazes met. “My dearest, I have missed you so much! Sorry, Sakura wanted to talk and that is why I am late… please forgive my unexpected delay!”
“Well, I'll think about it… if you come here with me,” Neji replied with an exaggerated frown and a pout, chuckling when the other man obeyed, sitting down beside him and patting his lap. A silent invitation that he enjoyed with all of his soul.
He didn’t think twice before laying down on top of his husband instead– resting his head on Lee’s legs was probably the best part of his day, and it became even better as his husband began to caress his hair from his scalp to the back of his neck, rubbing gentle circles through his skin. His body relaxed on its own, a content sigh escaping from his lips, eyes closing more and more with every passing second. Neji couldn't ask for anything else in the world.
Albeit his cramps had the worst timing of them all– a sharp pain invaded his stomach, and a grunt escaped from his lips without him even realizing it. His medicine wouldn't have any effect until after some tedious minutes that would feel eternal, though Lee’s caressing his back did help his muscles relax.
“What is wrong, handsome?” his beloved mumbled, though the brunet didn't quite have the will to respond in words, rather just shuffling his position to face him. “Oh no… is your pain bothering you? I need to get your medicine, dear, please allow me to–”
“It’s not that, Lee– it’s just… the worst time of the month,” Neji replied, noticing that his companion seemed confused. Until he placed his hand on his low abdomen, then realization struck Lee as a soft ‘oh’ escaped from his lips.
It didn't stop the caresses or the kisses– rather, his husband gently picked him up just for a big hug, making sure not to put pressure on uncomfortable places. The brunet ended up hiding his face on the crook of his neck, not caring about Lee’s state after a mission or anything in the world. He'd lived through worse than some sweat and dirt.
“I see, my love! Then, I will do whatever you need to feel better…” Lee whispered, kissing the top of his head as he talked. “Do you need food? Or only some hugs? Anything you want, darling.”
“Mm, it's fine. I'm just really tired…” Neji replied, closing his eyes as the other man held him tightly in his arms, humming a song he didn't know in the meanwhile.
Still rubbing gentle circles on his back, on his scalp. Exactly what he needed to close his eyes once more, pure bliss in his soul– he fell asleep on top of his beloved in mere seconds, snoring calmly in less than a heart beat. Lee couldn't help but smile, kissing his partner's bare forehead as he gently picked him up and brought him to bed without a word.
His original plan was to take a shower and change into fresh clothes, but Neji just… refused to let go of him no matter what. A sleepy pout appeared on his face every time the taijutsu master tried to untangle himself from his hold, grunting unintelligible things.
Well, Lee didn't mind cuddling with the person he loved the most in the whole world– it wasn't too hard to give in, much less when he saw the joy in Neji’s being just by being able to hug him once more. He cried out of happiness as well, sobbing and kissing the brunet’s face while he slept, making sure not to bother him too much.
His head hurt like hell, eyes stinging as if someone had tried to stab him and crush his skull with a sword of sorts. From head to toe he had scratches and other injuries from the recent fight with a criminal, someone who had killed another person or so their client said… Neji had been forced to close his eyes due to the pain, unable to see anything at all anyways, colors blending into one undescribable blur.
Overusing his Byakugan tended to do that, so the brunet wasn't worried about that– he was accompanied by his teammates, who were also exhausted like him or perhaps even more. Still Gai made the effort to hold his arm firmly, guiding him as his sight was temporarily useless with all the blurriness and the headache that would torture him even further.
“There’s a rock,” his mentor would say in a whisper, describing the things around them that could hinder his way somehow. Making sure to help him avoid obstacles without getting hurt.
In the past, Neji would be enraged upon the mere suspicion that someone might think of him unable to do something so simple like walking on his own, back when his missions only involved chasing dogs and plucking out weeds. He never had such an extreme usage of his kekkei genkai before, making a simple task like blinking something impossible.
Gai made everything seem easy, even walking while blind– he was thankful for his mentor’s support, quiet yet efficient ways of not making him feel left behind somehow. They reached the inn in no time, judging by the unknown voice chatting with his mentor, whispering just to not bother anybody else.
He blinked and was met with blurry shapes that kind of resembled his teammates, colors that blended with each other and became nothing.
“Neji, it is me. We are sharing a room, so I will bring you there,” Lee exclaimed beside him, carefully tapping his elbow before holding his arm, a quiet warning that the brunet didn't mind. Soon they began moving towards seemingly somewhere more spacious, perhaps the hallways.
“There is only one bed… so I can sleep on the ground, if you would prefer that?”
Before the Chunin exams took place, the brunet would've spat a venomous ‘yes!’ without thinking twice– but Neji knew better now, he'd grown. Sweet Lee, he worried about his comfort although he was a physical fighter; if anyone deserved to have a bed all for himself, it was him, yet he would be offended by the mere suggestion of Neji being the one sleeping on the floor.
His muscles had to recover from using the first couple of Gates, from punching and kicking without a break. The brunet hummed and denied with his head, the sound of keys opening a lock reaching his ears.
“Don't worry about it. Just don't kick my back like you did last time,” he joked, smiling towards a random green shape beside him which probably was his rival, judging by the lack of other voices around them.
Lee just chuckled, helping him sit down on the bed before leaving a set of fresh clothes on his lap, not saying much– he was exhausted like him, and the Hyuga didn't find it too hard to dress himself despite the slight blindness. It was an automatic task, something he could do without eyes.
In just a couple of blinks, Neji was able to start distinguishing his hands from his fingers, and soon other shapes became clearer and clearer with the passage of minutes. He caught sight of his friend’s naked back, his muscles visibly tensed up and tight. Probably not looking towards him just to not make him uncomfortable by mere accident, or perhaps Lee was just feeling a bit shy about his scars, the same ones that were exposed to his friend unknowingly.
Which would be surprising yet not unexpected– he'd been acting weird with him since his surgery, always wanting to be close or clinging to him, blushing whenever the gesture was reciprocated while nobody else was around. As if he couldn't believe that Neji could be affectionate from time to time, hugging him and staying close, doing his own meditations while Lee trained.
If Neji didn't know him better, he would've thought that his rival was in love with him or something akin to that. But his friend liked Sakura… right? They had grown closer through the years, spending a lot of time together. It wouldn't be strange if suddenly they confessed that they were actually dating, in his mind.
Lee deserved something nice in his life, someone who would make him smile and laugh everyday.
A person who had never hurt his body or soul, engulfed by his own anger. Someone who would be there and not away in special missions that the Hokage herself assigned, tasks that required long weeks and even months away from home.
Neji closed his eyes again, resting his head on a pillow in silence, only letting out a tired sigh– it wasn't his place to continue thinking about whoever his friend could love, and that would only give him a headache. Not his business, not his problem.
“Mmnight, rival… Sleep well,” Lee muttered behind him, letting a yawn escape from his lips. “I challenge you… to…”
Whatever his friend wanted to say was interrupted by a snore. Then just like that, an arm carefully wrapped itself around the brunet’s abdomen, never reaching anywhere close to his chest. His cheeks became warm in a second, his heart beating so fast that it made Neji feel like his chest would explode at any moment– it was worse when his companion moved closer, resting his chin on his back in silence, his facial hair scratching his neck after days of having no access to shaving tools. Focused on finishing the task on hand and nothing else.
“Huh…? Lee?” was all he managed to mumble, receiving only a hum in response. “What's… what are you doing?”
“You are warmg, and I am soh coold,” Lee said as if that was a good explanation, huffing on his skin and barely awake now. He was already slurring his words, mixing mumbles and random sounds that resembled sentences and somehow Neji still understood him perfectly. “I can make sure you dom not fallmm, like this, yes. Mhm, night. I louve youh.”
Prey of his own exhaustion, his rival was making no sense, hugging him as if his life depended on it. Making sure to avoid his chest even in his severe fatigue, respecting his privacy and comfort through it all. Neji was unable to speak afterwards, his face turning bright red, trembling hands reaching for the other boy’s arm.
His fingers doubted, barely touching Lee’s forearm and wrist, fidgeting with his naked skin, bandages reserved only for daily living– a content-sounding mumble motivated him to hold his rival’s arm, rubbing gentle circles on his muscles in an attempt to relax his tensioned body. The taijutsu master hummed and got closer, snuggling his face against his neck with a smile pressed on his skin.
Was he actually asleep, or was that a way of hugging him without being disturbed? Perhaps Lee wasn't so in love with Sakura as he believed at first, judging by the tight embrace and how his rival refused to let go of him even in his sleep.
Neji wasn't sure why… but it seemed he was the one occupying his rival’s heart. It was like the pieces of a puzzle turned in his mind and finally clicked– the insistence of silly challenges, the countless hugs, his faint blushes that went away as soon as they had appeared.
God. He had just recovered his sight and it was as if he could see through the other boy's mere soul, unable to actually speak about it. More snores soon reached his ears as Lee slowly fell asleep once more, this time not babbling anything else and just resting while hugging him from the side.
“... Good night, Lee,” the brunet whispered, unable to do much else apart from trying to relax, holding his companion’s arm in an attempt to return the embrace. “You're probably asleep, but… love you too.”
Such words felt foreign in his lips, his tongue, yet that was the truth. His face burnt, and it was hard to stop thinking about how close Lee was hugging him, complaining in sleepy grunts whenever he moved too much. Well, it was fine– he didn't want to leave anyways. His own exhaustion soon took over and no matter how embarrassed Neji felt, his yawns were interrupting his own mind. So he tried to stop overthinking and meditate in silence, slowly allowing his own body to rest without any more delay, a yawn escaping from his lips at last.
~
The room was still dark around him when Lee opened his eyes, noticing that once more he'd risen before the sun even started to show up high in the sky. It was time to train!
Though something felt… off, a foreign warmth pressed against his chest, clinging to his body. Just by looking down he managed to recognize a familiar dark brown hair resting on him, not minding anything at all. Breathing in and out calmly, still asleep.
His cheeks started to burn in a moment as he noticed another small detail– Neji was smiling in his sleep, his hands tucked underneath one of his cheeks. Lee was hugging him from the side, and apparently they had fallen asleep just like that.
Memories from the previous night soon invaded his mind, though they were short and incomplete due to his exhaustion– Gai had rented three rooms for him and his kids, the last ones available for the night. It wasn't hard to place both boys together, as they had begun to get along more and more compared to their early Genin days, guaranteeing they wouldn't fight over the littlest things anymore.
Neji wasn't able to see anything at all, so Lee made sure to guide him towards their shared bed and gave him some clean clothes, turning around to give his friend some privacy. Until he turned eighteen, his uncle wouldn't allow him to get the… chest surgery, was that its name? He just let him be, trusting that he could change without help– he let him be and then the two fell asleep, side by side. Yes, that was it. He couldn't remember anything else.
Lee hummed, one of his hands slipping towards his companion’s hair, his fingers caressing his scalp without thinking much about it– Neji hummed and somehow the taijutsu master was reminded of a content cat, joyful tears forming on his eyes. It was so cute to see… he knew well that his rival relaxed immediately upon having someone caressing his hair, but he'd never sighed like a kitten. His heart hurt with all his happiness, a blush appearing on his cheeks once more as he saw his companion’s sleepy smile become bigger.
He was so, so beautiful. Lee still couldn't believe his own heart; in the past, he'd never imagined to ever call another boy ‘attractive’, having only liked girls like Sakura before. They'd grown closer with the passage of time… as good friends, though sometimes they'd mess around just to make Ino feel jealous for fun.
After his severe wounds and the life-changing surgery to fix them, something in his soul had started to grow more fondness towards his rival, more than ever before. The way Neji had held him while he remembered how to walk once more, how to go through stairs without tripping… keeping him company through it all, not making many rude remarks towards him anymore. Only when provoked.
His stern mask had begun to slip, if only slightly. Seeing his rival’s true nature, caring and kind with those close to him, that was what had won his heart once more like when they'd just met. Not like he'd ever told him about that little detail– it just wasn’t relevant, in his mind.
“Mmorning… what time is it?” he heard Neji mumble in his arms, and their gazes finally met– his eyes were still half-closed, smiling and unconsciously leaning towards his touch. Relaxed and unbothered, a quite uncommon sight on his rival. So adorable…
“Good morning, Neji. Did you sleep well? It is still quite early,” Lee whispered, receiving a soft hum in response. Only then did a pair of lavender eyes meet his gaze, seemingly content.
“Yes, and… wait a second,” the brunet began to say, his cheeks showing a reddish tint upon noticing where he’d fallen asleep– he hid his face on the crook of Lee’s neck, trying to avoid looking at the other boy at any cost, though his face was so warm that he could feel it through his skin. “Lee, you– yesterday you said something, and I… I need to know. Is that true? Do you really love me?”
Gosh, so that hadn’t been a dream after all– his exhaustion had made the black haired boy say things he couldn’t remember very well, things that he wasn’t ready to say just yet. Lee gulped, unable to look away from those lavender eyes that made him feel lost every time without fail.
There was hope in that gaze he loved so much, nothing but a nice kind of expectation… eagerness. It helped him relax– more as Neji cupped his cheeks with his hands so, so gently. Not rushing him despite his curiosity.
“Yes, I do. From the first time I saw you, I thought you were a pretty girl– when you told me you were a boy, I tried to stop thinking that. But you are so… nice,” he began to explain, and words continued coming out and out of his lips without control once he started speaking. “Well, you were not always the nicest to me– but you have changed. Or rather, you are not hiding yourself anymore… I can tell. And I love it! I adore you, Neji. Your smiles, your eyes, how you always try to protect me, Tenten and your cousins– I love you so much. If you do not feel the same–”
“Don't say that, Lee– I've been waiting for this moment for… a long time,” Neji exclaimed, interrupting the younger boy before he could go on. He could see tears forming on his rival’s eyes, and his first instinct was to dry them, smiling as the brunet placed his bare forehead against his own. “It’s just, well… I don't know what to say. I thought you were dating Sakura, so I didn't… Can we just stay like this for some time?”
“Of course, Neji! My dear Neji,” Lee whispered, making both of them blush with the nickname though his companion didn't seem to mind much.
Neji just moved his body so he could rest his head on his rival’s chest, his lavender gaze fixated on him with every move; Lee grinned at him and did a thumbs up, trying to soothe any possible nerves he might've had. Though perhaps he was more anxious than his rival was, judging by how the brunet simply leaned in towards his face, pressing his lips on his nose in complete silence before letting out a soft smile, still red.
Normally, Lee would’ve gotten up without bothering his companion just to do some early morning training, but now that his little secret had been revealed– and his feelings were reciprocated, he just… didn’t want to leave from Neji’s side anytime soon. He only wanted to hold him forever, cuddling without worrying about anything else; soon they’d return to Konoha and wouldn’t be able to spend so much time together, with life and Hiashi’s constant watch over his nephew. “Protecting” him in his own twisted ways, angry at how Neji liked to be his own person and not who people wanted him to be.
They’d find a way to maintain a relationship without punishments or anything, somehow– he was sure of it! For now they just cuddled together, resting as the sun slowly rose up in the sky, chatting and trying to exchange some inexperienced kisses with chuckles every now and then.
