Early Morning Escapades

Disclaimer: Any and all characters/places/ etc belong to Kishimoto-sama.

These are my puppets

Welcome to my Theatre

Song: The Taste of Ink by The Used from the Album: The Used

-- General P.O.V. --

Shikamaru groaned as his alarm clock blared in his ear. He cracked open an eye to find it still pitch black out. ‘Why is my clock set so early…? What day is it…? September… the twenty-second… why is that important…?’ hey mulled over this for a few more seconds. ‘Shit! It’s my birthday!’ he thought, jerking up into a sitting position.

Shikamaru was now wide awake and well aware of why he had to be awake at oh-my-god in the morning. He yawned suddenly, hair getting into his mouth.

Okay, so maybe he wasn’t wide awake, but he was awake enough to know that he had to leave as soon as he could possibly manage. Grumbling as his body replied sluggishly, he managed to fall out of bed and get a lovely bruise on his arm.

He sighed, lying on the floor of his bedroom, and got up. He got dressed quickly and opened his window as silently as was physically possible so that he wouldn’t notify his parents of his departure. He exited his bedroom and took to the roofs of Konoha, headed towards his usual haven on his birthday.

Once he reached his destination, he opened the window and slid inside, closing it quietly behind him. Glancing around, he found Chouji sitting on his bed watching him.

“Good morning.” Chouji said, smiling at Shikamaru and patting spot on the bed beside him.

“Morning.” Shikamaru replied, sitting next to Chouji. “How did you know I’d come here?” he asked, though he already knew the answer. It was the same every year.

“Because you always do.” Chouji replied, watching Shikamaru yawn and slump against him, head on his shoulder. “Do you plan on sleeping the whole day?” This was part of their routine, as well.

“Probably. Or at least until my parents send out a search party…” Shikamaru replied, already beginning to doze off.

“Before you fall asleep… I have something for you.” Chouji told him, which broke their pattern.

“Hmm?” Shikamaru lifted his head so that he could look at Chouji, who looked up, blushing slightly. He accepted the black velvet jewelry box with a raised eyebrow. “I know we’ve been going steady for years, honey, but I really don’t think I’m ready for commitment.” He told Chouji in a high-pitched voice and ending with a giggle.

“Just open the box love, and maybe you’ll reconsider.” Chouji replied, following suit and making his voice deeper.

Shikamaru did so, and found himself unable to move, much less speak.

Nestled inside the box was a small blue butterfly pendant, attacked to a thin silver chain.

“Happy birthday.” Chouji told him, looking at Shikamaru and the necklace alternately, slightly nervous. “Um, if you don’t want it, then I can get you a different present…” he said when Shikamaru remained still for over five minutes, still staring at it.

Shikamaru suddenly grabbed Chouji’s face and kissed him full on the lips. “I love it, thank you, Chouji.”

Chouji blinked and they both blushed. “I hope you have a very nice birthday.” He told Shikamaru, unable to say anything else.

Shikamaru grinned, now fully awake. “Oh, don’t you worry. I’m sure I will.” He replied, leaning closer to him and kissing him again.

They stayed like that for a while, just enjoying the pressure of the other against them. Then they moved on to more interesting activities.

Shikamaru had to admit, this was probably his favorite birthday.

Even though both of their mothers had walked in on them. And Ino had asked him why he wore so much girly jewelry at the party everyone threw him. And Chouji just laughed when he got a pack of condoms from his father. And he didn’t get to go back to sleep until that night.

Owari

A/N: This is for all of the people who read In and Of Regret and were upset about how it ‘ended’.

A/N the second: HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHIKAMARU!

finis

-acid