A hush fell on the crowd as Yoshino Nara asked the bride to recite her vows. The eagerness to hear her say something so intimate had everyone on the edge of their seats. But for once, Temari didn’t feel shy or nervous to talk about the man that stood before her.
She cleared her throat and smiled playfully at him, a sparkle in her eye. He replied with a smirk, squeezing her hand to signal her to start.
“You had some nerve Shikamaru Nara; waltzing into my imperfect life like you did, creeping up into my heart and refusing to budge even when I tried to push you away. How dare you ruin my miserable routine and call me beautiful.
I wasn’t looking for love, and I was definitely not asking to get attached to you; in fact, I know you tricked me,” she giggled, letting the threatening tears fall freely down her cheeks. He watched her with rapt attention, memorizing each blink and each movement of her lips as she confessed her love for him.
“I was trying so hard not to fall in love...but you pushed me and I just couldn’t get back up and decided to let myself go, let you pull me to wherever you wanted to go, and never question it.
So, all I ask of you is that you take care of me and handle me with caution because I didn’t give myself easily. I’ve had my heart broken before and I had promised myself I won’t hurt anymore. But I tore down my walls, opened my doors, and made room for you.
You melted this heart of iron... it would’ve had the old me pass away. And I would be lying if I said I wasn’t scared of falling right now. But if you promised to catch me then I’d be just fine. I would spend my days daydreaming of when I’d see you again, I’m not used to this.
But, I can promise you this here and now, in front of all these people, that I, Temari of the Sand, love you with all of my heart; so much that it sometimes leaves me paralyzed. I love you, so so much Shika, and I’ll devote the rest of my life to showing you what you’ve untapped; let me stand by and hold your hand while we walk together and grow closer. Let yourself be the last thing I see when I close my eyes because that’s a picture I’d like to remember even while I dream…from this day I am wholly, utterly, and unconditionally yours... ”
The tears were flowing like a fall at this point, both from hers and Shikamaru’s eyes, heck, everyone present was a complete mess thanks to her sincere words.
Shikamaru didn’t wait for the cue and swooped in to steal the most earth-shattering kiss she had experienced and channeled all the feelings he couldn’t express into it. Feeling lucky would’ve been the biggest understatement he’d have heard, he felt euphoric. This woman didn’t heal his tattered heart, no; but she made it ten times easier to bear.
Inspired by Alessia Cara’s ‘I’m Yours’