Shikamaru's POV

I wish you were here to see your prank unfold. You're such a genius when it comes to pulling elaborate schemes. If only your grades reflected that. I don't think that to be cruel, I just miss you. I always find myself missing you whenever you aren't by my side or in my field of vision. I've become dependent on your company, maybe we're two lonely souls glued together. Co-dependency is a dangerous thing but I don't care. Being with you has changed my views on a lot of things. I have you to thank for that. 

I've always been pessimistic and rather jaded about things around me. But you, you're different. You smile and see the little beauties of the world. You share them with me, your little treasures. I'm honored you place me so high in your heart. I guess my experiences have made me this way. I'm still just as jaded but looking at you, I see my resolve crumbling. I want you to break me and pull me into your world. To look through your eyes and see what I'm missing. I know you love showing me your little beauty spots around Konoha. 

The small niche restaurants with nice caring small families running them, the secret spring in the forest behind the suburb, the patch of rabbits at the mountain top behind the school, the clearing of bluebells that made the best flower crowns, and even a secret lake that we went swimming in the summer for. These places you hold dear in your heart opened up to me. I'm grateful for that. Show me more, show me how you see the world and maybe, just maybe I can finally understand.

End of POV

Naruto was waiting for him at the entrance of the school, he wasn't in uniform and looked bored as he kicked the sand at his feet. Shikamaru walked up to him and the blonde smiled. "Did I do good today?" 

"You had the school on lockdown for an hour because you flooded the hallway in fish guts," Shikamaru giggled as he reached for Naruto's hand. Naruto held it tightly, smiling that he had amused Shikamaru in his absence. The silence fell between them, both looking at their intertwined fingers. 

"I missed you today," Naruto admitted softly. 

Shikamaru blushed at that. "I missed you too," He mumbled before hugging the blonde, clinging to him tightly. "Don't ever do that again." 

"I promise, next time I'll bring you with me," Naruto ruffled his hair, not willing to let him go. "Okay?" 

"Okay," Shikamaru pulled back and willingly tilted his head back. 

Naruto was surprised to see tears brimming in Shikamaru's eyes and wiped them before they fell. "Are you okay?" 

"No," Shikamaru snapped. "I missed you like missed you. I don't want to go home now."

Naruto shook his head in amusement. "Then just stay with me, you know I live alone." 

"Are you sure?" Shikamaru perked up immediately. 

"Yeah, just come home with me," He shrugged. "I did the shopping today so it should be homier." 

Shikamaru smiled and nodded. "Okay, come on, it's getting late." 

Naruto led him by his hand and Shikamaru was content like this. With Naruto leading him to wherever he saw fit. He picked up his pace and held onto the blonde's bicep but Naruto seemed preoccupied to notice the intimate hold Shikamaru now had on him.