i’ve been overanalyzing shikatema for years, but one thing i’m absolutely certain of is this: temari loves him because he allows her to be herself. she’s never forced to shrink or soften or dilute her presence. she keeps her loud, volatile, disruptive persona .. the whole storm of who she is — and he never once asks her to quiet down.
he even says it himself: she’s cruel, she’s troublesome, she’s scary. but he never says these things with contempt — he says them like he’s stating a basic truth of the world. he just accepts who she is, without trying to change a single part, and still decides she’s worth every bit of the “trouble.”
a lot of men would have cowered, he didn’t. he saw the fire, the sharpness, the fury — and then he saw the warmth woven underneath it all. and instead of backing away, he stepped closer. he thought she was warm, and he wanted to bask in that warmth.
like she’s a storm and he’d just stand there, he’d just take it all. am i making sense? i don’t think so lol but these songs are making me feel things again
I chose 57.) Heart eyes when the other talks, sings, dances, argues, does literally anything especially things which others make fun of them for or find annoying
It’s in Shino’s POV but Shikamaru has the heart eyes I promise. It’s another long one. I like this pair tbh.
Ao3 Link
“What insect is that again?” Tenten asked, leaning closer to Shino.
“Not an insect. A bug. There's a difference between the two.” Annoyed Shino immediately regretted joining everyone for dinner. They were all piled in a private room waiting for the food to arrive.
He really only came for Shikamaru, who surprised everyone by showing up. He felt comfortable next to the Nara. Like he knew that if Shikamaru was there, someone would be listening.
“Either way they’re gross.” Ino shivered at the sight of the insect on the table.
“I just squash them. It makes Shino sad but it’s a reflex.” Kiba frowned, he already wanted the bug on the table dead.
“Please don’t hurt my beetle. I’ll put him away.”
“Him? Do you name them?” Lee asked, meaning well but it just made the table erupt in laughter. All except Shikamaru. He looked at Lee and rolled his eyes.
“You name your weights. What’s the difference?”
“You got me there Shikamaru!” Lee sat back and smiled. “I have several weights and it’s easier to name them. I don’t know any other way to organize them.”
“By size?” Neji snorted. “Or by color? Maybe?”
Shino let out a sigh of relief as the conversation shifted to Lee. He always felt like a monster when they discussed his collection. They have no issue when they save them but he’s used to it.
The food came and Shino’s appetite left him. He just watched as his teammates ate. He was going to make an excuse, anything so he can leave and not come back.
Someone tapped the table in front of Shino, throwing off his thoughts.
“What’s the difference?” Shikamaru asked. Shino furrowed his brows and tried to understand the question. Shikamaru didn’t roll his eyes or let out a long sigh like others do when they have to repeat themselves. He just smiled and reworded his question. “Between insects and bugs, what’s the difference?”
“Oh. Uh, insects are of a different class. They usually have six legs and three visible sections in their body.”
“Like ants?”
“Yes, like ants.” Shino smiled. Shikamaru was engaging in the conversation. “Bugs are also separate from arachnids.”
Shikamaru shivered. “I’m sorry Shino but I hate them.”
“Not many do.” Shino’s appetite came back and he added a few pieces of beef to the grill. “I’m trying to find a certain beetle, it’s rare but not extinct. Our clan wants to revive them.”
“What does it look like?” Shikamaru waited patiently for Shino’s meat to cook before he added his own pieces. He seemed to be listening so Shino continued the conversation.
“They are small and have a metallic shell. They are good for tracking chakra sources on a smaller scale.” Shino’s bugs can only feel for chakra if it’s in large quantities.
“Still talking about bugs?” Ino huffed. “I’m trying to eat. At least save that for after dinner.” She usually spoke for the whole table.
“Kiba talks about eating dog food and no one bats an eye.” Shikamaru matched Ino’s glare.
“Dog food is different.”
“How?” Shikamaru asked and then held his hand up. “Don’t elaborate. Whatever.” The Nara looked at Shino and smiled. “We can talk about it later. That bug sounds familiar.”
The rest of the dinner dragged on. When the separate bills came Shikamaru snatched Shino’s and paid for his food. He didn’t fight or argue, instead he accepted it.
The Nara walked next to Shino on their way home, allowing Shino to talk more about the elusive bug.
“I know I’ve seen something like that but I can’t remember where.” Shikamaru rubbed the back of his neck, sounding apologetic.
“It’s okay. They were around a lot more when we were kids.” Shino stopped in front of his house and turned to Shikamaru. “Why are you being so nice? You don’t owe me anymore for leaving me behind for that mission.”
Shikamaru shrugged. “I think it’s fucked up how they treat you sometimes. I like when you talk about bugs because you smile and you look genuinely happy. I might not understand the love but I like you so I’ll listen” Shikamaru’s eyes drifted away from Shino’s face and towards the ground. The sun was setting but Shino could still see the faint blush creeping on the Nara’s face.
“Thank you.” Shino smiled wide and placed a hand on Shikamaru’s shoulder.
“It’s no problem.” The Nara laughed and then waved goodbye. Shino wandered into his house and to his room, his mind empty of all thought. He landed face first in his pillow and let out a cry of happiness.
~~~~~~~
“Hey! Shino!” Shikamaru shouted at Shino, stopping the bug user in his tracks. The Nara was holding a box that looked suspiciously like a specialty bug box. The clear plastic was catching the sun’s reflection, blocking Shino’s view of its contents.
“Shikamaru?”
“I remembered where I saw them. My Clan forest has a few. They hang around a tree I like to nap by.” Shikamaru held out the box for Shino to grab. Sure enough there were a few of the rare beetles sitting inside.
Shino looked up and Shikamaru who was still smiling about his find. The Aburame couldn’t help it. He kissed him right in the middle of the street.
“I’m glad you like them.” Shikamaru laughed when Shino pulled away.
“Sorry I should’ve asked.” Shino’s embarrassment was written all over his face.
“Hey, it’s okay.” Shikamaru’s face was just as red.
They stood around, not really knowing what to say to each other. Then Shino got an idea.
“Since you paid for my dinner, let me pay for lunch. You can tell me how to play shogi.”
Shikamaru raised an eyebrow. “You sure? It’s boring as hell. I put Ino to sleep once.”
Shino just smiled and nodded. “I want to hear about it. Maybe we can play a round or two.”
The Nara laughed and led the way to Ichiraku’s. Shino felt elated, finally having the bugs in his possession and Shikamaru.
Ino - *looking pissed off because she's not on Team 7*
Shikamaru - *annoyed* Why do girls like such a guy anyway?
Ino - You don't even know that, Shikamaru?
Shikamaru - I'm not a girl!
Ino - *coyly* Well I guess you can't help it, I wouldn't want to team up with a guy like you.
*Iruka pairs up Team 10*
Shikamaru - *smirking* Guess you're on my team, after all.
Chouji - "All that hard work and she's cheering for Sasuke already? I feel sorry for Shikamaru."
Shikamaru - *looking up at the stadium grumpily* "I'm being treated like nothing now. I guess it can't be helped, I've been waiting to see this too."
Jealous much?
Poor Shika has to work for Ino's attention when Sasuke could be a frickin' rock and he'd get it.
XD Again, poor Shika
I know... poor poor Shika. :lol: Ino, snap out of it!
I think it's funny how he has some serious disdain for Sasuke. Everytime Sasuke pulls some crap, Shika makes a snide comment in his head, and even outright says that he doesn't like the guy. Then he gets even more upset when Ino talks about him.
