"I love him Kurenai," Shikamaru admitted softly as they both watched the blonde actively entertain Mirai. The former kunoichi didn't seem surprised at the revelation. 

"You know Asuma always spoke of your bond with Naruto," She started softly. Shikamaru blinked as he turned to look at her. "He always wondered why you actively denied it when it was so obvious Naruto could bend you to his whims. Though Naruto was never aware of this. He said the closeness between you and Naruto was not of best friends. It was an intimate closeness not seen in male friends and even I had to admit that was the case." 

"But Naruto's like that with everybody," Shikamaru argued and Kurenai shook her head. 

"You should know better than anyone that Naruto is rather reserved when he's around others. Though he considers them all friends he cannot forget the fact that at some point growing up all of them held resentment towards him for his pranks. They were kids yes but along comes children like Naruto. Children with the ability to look right through you and gain your full intention towards them. Naruto is such a child and due to how this village treated him during his childhood this ability has been mastered so quickly that by the time things started to change he couldn't forget the past." 

"If anything when I watch Naruto fight I'm glad he has such a kind heart. His treatment is how all those other Jinchuriki end up turning rogue or becoming overrun by bloodlust like the Kazekage in his earlier years. But you kept him from that path, you weren't disgusted by him, you didn't resent him, you treated him like a friend and in return, he gave you his loyalty and love. I don't know how you didn't see it but ask any one of your friends, they'll tell you this as well," She smiled at him as he quickly wiped his tears. "Naruto might not be aware but he's reciprocating Shikamaru. It is mutual love." 

"Mama!" Mirai ran over with a sunflower flower crown on her head. "Look what Uncle Naruto made for me. Isn't it cute? It's cute! I find it cute," She babbled excitedly as she climbed in her mother's lap. 

Naruto approached Shikamaru who was still trying to hide his tears. The blonde frowned and leaned down as the Nara was sitting. "Why are you crying? Did something happen?" He asked worriedly as he cupped Shikamaru's cheeks and wiped the tears. Shikamaru's heart was in his throat and to give his answer he just kissed Naruto. He could feel the blonde's hands stiffen but he only pressed his lips fully to his before pulling back. 

"I love you," Shikamaru cried softly as he tried catching his breath. 

"Mirai it's time we give them some space," Kurenai could be heard saying as she got up and left them on the back porch. Once they were gone Naruto kissed Shikamaru just as softly. He was trembling before he finally gave the Nara a proper kiss. Shikamaru reached up and grasped his blonde locks as the kiss got deeper. One of Naruto's hands slid down from the other's cheek to slip around his waist to bring him out of his seat and to full height. Shikamaru balanced himself by grasping Naruto's shirt. When they pulled back Naruto was taken aback by how alluring Shikamaru was in his eyes. 

"Say it again," Naruto demanded as he traced Shikamaru's lips with his thumb. "Tell me you love me." 

"I love you, I love you Naruto," Shikamaru grasped the blonde's jacket as he leaned into him. Pressed his chest to the other as he leaned up for another kiss. Naruto obliged him, he was slowly getting addicted to the softness of Nara's lips. 

"I love you too darling," The nickname rolled off Naruto's tongue and Shikamaru was hooked. He gave a soft moan as Naruto pulled on his ponytail. "I'm glad you made your move." 

Shikamaru gave him a look of disbelief and Naruto smiled at his confusion. "I felt you kissing my forehead, it was sweet and I connected the dots to what you said to Temari." 

"And you didn't say anything?" Shikamaru cocked his head to the side as he glared at Naruto. 

"I didn't know how to," Naruto sheepishly replied. "You can't blame me, I'm the one who receives confessions. I don't give them. I only give them after I receive them," He explained but judging from Shikamaru's darkening expression he wasn't making much headway in cleaning up his image. "I'm making it worse by sounding like a douche aren't I?" 

"Yes," Shikamaru snapped. "Now shut up." 

"Shutting up now," Naruto nodded and swayed him and Shikamaru on the porch before Mirai rushed back out to send her blessings. With a toddler around Naruto and Shikamaru packed away the physical affection for later that night when they got back to their shared apartment. Naruto sat on the threshold to take off his shoes and before he could stand back up Shikamaru straddled him. Naruto moaned softly as Shikamaru was sitting right on his cock. He looked up at the Nara who seemed to be working up the courage but Naruto took the initiative and pulled him down into a kiss as he slipped his hands underneath Shikamaru's shirt.

"Ah~" Shikamaru moaned as Naruto fondled his nipples. He wrapped his arms around the blonde's head as Naruto traced his body so easily before flipping them around so Shikamaru now rested beneath him. "I don't just want kisses and touches."

"What do you want?" Naruto murmured in his neck heatedly as he grasped Shikamaru's joggers, along with his underwear, and pulled them right off in a fluid motion. Shikamaru became embarrassed as Naruto looked down at him through hooded eyes, he tried to cover himself but Naruto held down his arms. "Don't. You look so alluring."

Shikamaru hearing that nodded and slowly opened his legs to allow Naruto to settle between them as the blonde tugged off his jacket as Shikamaru did the same to his top. Now fully unclothed and underneath the half-dressed blonde, he could say what he wanted as Naruto kissed down his body, those rough hands trailing his every curve. "I want you inside me, I want you to love me."