#btbaskshikaneji

[okamirayne]

Hello! I hope you and your loved ones are well in this difficult time 🙏 You might have answered something like this before but I'm so curious about Neji and Shikamaru's relationship post U.T.S and pre H.H.U. Did they get to try normal dating and being a couple? 💕

Hello my sweet,

Thank you for your warm wishes.  All ok at my end, I’ve been very blessed and lucky.  I truly hope that you and yours are safe and well? <3

I'm so curious about Neji and Shikamaru's relationship post U.T.S and pre H.H.U. Did they get to try normal dating and being a couple? 💕

As always, so many potentials for one-shots (which I really need to learn to write...seriously, I SUCK at these). I can tell you that “normal” was never going to be part of their dynamic, given the demands of their world, plus their attempts to keep their relationship private.  Their stolen moments were everything to them.

With what time was granted to them before The War, they certainly made the most of it. 

[okamirayne]

Hey this might be a strange question but in your BtB series I notice that neji and Shikamaru seem to switch sexual roles throughout the series. Specifically, neji is the “bottom” in Break to Breathe but the “top” in Under These Scars. Is there any reason for this, or was it just a random choice in your end? Either way, love your writing! Sorry for the crudeness of this question haha

Heya Anon!

Thanks for the question and the kind words about my work. 👍🏼💗 Hope my response finds you well!

As bizarre as it may sound to many (and my brain is nothing if not biz-to-the-zaarrooo) I rarely ever write slash with the top/bottom, uke/seme mindset at the forefront of my approach. It’s not something I consider, I just write what plays across my brain-screen and go with the character flow.

That being said, in BtB Shikamaru’s reservations of being on the receiving end of intimacy stemmed from his past with Shuken — whereas Neji’s came purely from his struggle to cede control. There’s usually a reason for the dynamics. As with Kakashi and Genma, they also “switch” (hope I’ve got that phrasing right). That being said, I’m sure if I were to write certain characters in the BtB verse I’d come up against a dynamic where one prefers/refuses/insists on being a top rather than bottom. I never know for certain where it’s gonna go during a sex scene until I’m writing it.

[okamirayne]

How were you able to portray the characters of Neji and Shikamaru so well? Like, I re-read your BTB series when I get the chance and it’s just mesmerising... I can’t wrap my head on how much I feel as if they were the //real// Shikamaru and Neji and not just fiction. I know authors do re-search for their works but still, your story feels like you created Shikamaru and Neji and not Kishimoto. I’m intrigued! And I won’t believe you if you answer this question with just “doing research” -same anon

Hello again my lovely!

Oh... wow....damn...my brain is completely...

....seriously, I don’t even know how to respond to this....I’m massively touched and very happy that my portrayal of these two much-loved characters felt authentic to you and resonated with you...I wish I knew how to answer your question....

Yes, I definitely did my research; I’d watched the series and certain repeats of specific episodes to get into the “feel” of the Characters and create art to help explore this more. The very gritty and organic way that stories and characters tend to play out when I write make it difficult to pinpoint a precise strategy or model that I use...especially when it comes to the characters. One thing that baffles me Anon, is how the male characters always feel easier to write 🤣 and as a woman writer you’d think the opposite might hold true... though I know that’s not the case for all....but I digress...I really do wish I had a better answer for you, sweetie...

All I can say is I’m just really happy that they hit the mark for you. That’s so awesome to know!! Thank you! 💜

[okamirayne]

Will you ever write another shikaneji fic which is not in the BTB series? Asking for a friend! Love your writing 😭😭🥰

Oh Wow,

I think my brain might finally mutiny on me if I tried, luv. And my sanity is pretty touch and go as it is 😂 Maybe if I ever learned how to write one-shots??? Aww. 🥰 Thank you kindly for the very warm and encouraging words! So happy you enjoy my word-madness 💗💗💗

[okamirayne]

“…the passage of pale Hyūga moons orbiting his nightly world, searching his shadows…but none of those moons are tinctured the exact shade of his eyes…”

this line made me cry 😖 i love the idea that shikamaru can pinpoint the exact shade of neji’s eyes

also this may be a tough question, so i understand if you’re not able to find a suitable reference, but what exactly would this shade of neji’s eyes be?

Aww, Anon what a beautiful question…

Wow…🤔

From Shikamaru’s sharp-eye perspective …I’d say the shade of Neji’s eyes would be…the very palest skein of violet-white hue at the bottom end of an uncut amethyst (more white than violet) combined with the nacre tint and lunar hue of a clear quartz under moonlight. ☺️