A = Affection (how affectionate are they in day to day life? Do they show affection publicly or keep that more in private?)
In public, Shikamaru keeps his display of affection on the subtle side. At the beginning of the relationship, he is hesitant to even hold your hand. Sometimes when he is feeling possessive he will keep a steady hand on your back or loosely hanging around your waist. In private, it's a whole different story. Man lives to cuddle and nap with his S/o. A big thing that becomes tradition is 'hello' and 'goodbye' smooches. Its something he looks forward too when going to see you.
B – Best (What would they say is the other's best trait?)
One of the things he loves most about his S/o is the way their eyes light up. Whether it's eating a cake from the new shop down the street or when they're receiving flowers from him. Their eyes ever so slightly widen and begin to change into a lighter iris while a smile grows of their face. A simple smile that causes his heart to flutter.
C = Cuddle (How do they cuddle?)
It just depends on the situation and where you guys were at. Some nights your back can be against his chest with his arms secured tightly around your waist. Other times, you'll be at his favorite napping spot, curled against his side as the soft breeze sweep across the grass. Shikamaru doesn't have a favorite way to cuddle. As long as he can hold his S/o while their snuggling against him.
D = Dream (What do they dream of with their S/o?)
Shikamaru wants to grow old with his S/o. He wants to live lazily with them, waking up late in the morning. It's a simple dream of his. Shikamaru wants to share intimate moments with them, show them a side of him that no one else will know. Which will be their little secret. He wants to be able to let down his guard while let go of his duties without worries. Shikamaru sometimes dreams of their future with little ones. Waking up to their children peaking in the room wondering if their parents were awake or coming home to see his S/o and kids making dinner together.
E – Early (What was the first month of dating like?)
The first month of dating was a little awkward more so for him than you. Shika hadn't been in a relationship prior, he was still learning. He didn't have a positive outlook at relationships always thinking they were a drag. This man would watch his words, not wanting to upset his S/o. He would observe them seeing what they disliked and liked. Lowkey would ask Ino for help when deciding on flowers or other gifts. Any concerns he had, Shikamaru would express them to Choji or Asuma rather than you. Early on it's difficult to see how soft Shikamaru is for his S/o but his friends know how devoted he is. This man would skip a nap or two for his S/o.
F = Feelings (When did they know they were in love?)
Everyone close to him knew he was in love before he did. It would show in the way his eyes soften seeing his S/o out in the streets. He figured it out for himself when he realized how addicting it was to be in their presence. How every time they spoke, he gives them his undivided attention or how his napping spot was more lonesome without them.
G = Gentle (Are they gentle? If so, how?)
He is so soft for his S/o. The tone of his voice is gentler when addressing them. Shikamaru doesn't use 'what a drag' as often when they ask something of him or when they're around. It often shows when Shikamaru interrupts you to brush your hair behind your ears before leaning forward grazing your lips with his.
H = Hands (How do they like to hold hands?)
Holding hands depends on his mood. Sometime he will have his hands in his pockets while his S/o is loosely hanging off his arm. Other times, Shikamaru takes your hand, and firming interlocks your hands together. Almost like he's scared to lose you. Palms pressed tightly together. There are times where you can be walking down the street with him, swing your hand while fingertips are loosely intertwined.
I = Impression (What was their first impression?)
Honestly, the first impression was a mix of 'troublesome women' and 'what a drag'. Shikamaru didn't expect much from someone he just bumped into as you were apologizing for not watching where you were going. He wasn't going to see you again most likely and went on his way to his napping spot. Little did he know.
J = Jealousy (Do they get jealous?)
Honestly, this is a tough one. Shikamaru trusts his S/o so much that getting jealous is just too much of a drag. He doesn't expect you to get jealous and he has no reason to be. Of course, if someone isn't backing off after you've told them too, he will step in. But it would take a lot to make Shikamaru jealous.
K = Kiss (How do they kiss? Who initiated the first kiss?)
This is no surprise but his kisses are lazy. Soft, maybe, chaste kisses. Though there are moments where Shikamaru will kiss them like he'll lose them or they might disappear from his life. Coming back from a mission, he will give his S/o a passionate kiss saying 'I'm home' or a goodbye kiss promising 'I'll come back.' The first kiss was all him. You were chatting away while he rests in your lap. It was a subconscious decision while he gazing up at you. The breeze making your hair float in the wind. His hand gently placed on your face, bringing you down till your lips descended upon his. His lips brushed yours, softly and delicately like you were going to fade away. It was long enough that he could feel the warmth of your skin, confirming you were here to stay.
L = Love (Who says 'I love you' first?)
It was you. You two would be cuddling on the couch, just lovely staring at him as he was napping. Shikamaru opens one eye to give you a questioning look. "Is something the matter?"
"Hm?" You gave him a simple smile. "No." He closes his eye. "I just thinking about how much I love you." It took him a moment before he jolts with reddened cheeks.
M = Memory (What's their favorite memory together?)
Teaching you how to play shogi might be one of his favorites. He can't help but laugh as you were stressing about your next move, looking at him for confirmation that you moved a knight the right way. The way you pout every time he wins as you declare that you'll win the next round.
N – Nicknames (Things they call each other)
Yours: Princess, Troublesome, Brat
His: Handsome, Shika, My love, Sir (if we're getting spicy)
O – One (Tell us about the moment they realized they were with the one.)
When it hit him that his S/o was the one is after coming home from a mission. He had walked through the door, the air was a familiar smell of his mother's cooking. All Shikamaru wanted to do was go to sleep until he heard the familiar chime of his S/o laugh only to find his father teaching them how to out strategize him in shogi and his mother nagging them to finishes up since he was home. You look up from the board, smiling brightly. "Welcome home, Shika!"
P = Planning (How are dates planned out? What do they do? Where do they go?)
Dates with Shikamaru go two ways. Meaningful and romantic or casual and lazy. The first one is something that is planned, more an anniversary dinner or trip. It usually is an occasion in which he puts a lot of effort into it. The second one is how dates normally happen. Shika will take you down for a walk around the Nara forest or you talk him into going to a festival with you. This could also mean going out to eat only to have Ino and Choji joining you guys not realizing it was a date. Ino is mortified when she finds out.
Q = Quirks (Little things they do in the relationship)
Shikamaru will bring you flowers randomly when stopping by the Yamanaka's flower shop. He could be talking to Ino about a mission and stare at roses while thinking about you. Ino notices and gives them to him, insisting he doesn't have to pay. He checks up on his S/o once a day, if you guys haven't had time to spend together.
R = Rainy Day (What do they like to do on a rainy day?)
Sleep. He likes listening to the rain while drifting off. Once in awhile, he might read a book.
S – Soft (Something one of them did that turned the other into absolute mush)
One of the quickest ways to turn him to mush is letting him sleep on your lap while you comb through his hair, singing/humming to yourself subconsciously. He lives for the quiet moment with his S/o.
T = Talking (What do they like to talk about?)
Shikamaru is more of a listener than a talker. He loves to hear about your day when settling for the night. Hearing his S/o softly chatter about the adventures they had is soothing to him. Some nights, he talks about the future with you. Talking about where you wanted to travel too, when you want to marry, how many kids you would have or what kind of house would you wanna grow old with him in.
U = Unencumbered (What helps them relax?)
When he can be an old man in peace without anyone nagging at him. Watching his clouds and napping the day away. However, he isn't opposed to having a relaxing meal with his S/o and best friend.
V – Vanity (Something they're proud of in themselves and their partner)
The ability to settle an argument calmly. Shikamaru isn't a fan of being yelled at or yelling. It's all just a drag and exhausting. He also likes to keep it between the two of you. What the disagreement is about isn't anyone else business. He's proud of the fact that you two can sit down and talk it out. If the argument gets too heated, you guys stop and separate to calm down before resuming.
W = Wedding (When, how, where do they propose?)
He did it casually. Shikamaru talks about it with you beforehand. Asking if you wanted to get married or wait another year. You knew he was going to propose, there wasn't a point in hiding it much to his mother and Ino's demise. He didn't tell them about it beforehand, not wanting to get nagged over it. Hearing you laugh about it while getting fitted for a ring was enough unless you wanted something different. The wedding on the other hand wouldn't be a courthouse wedding like everyone thought.
X = Xperience? (Experience in romance?)
Shikamaru has no experience previous to his relationship with his S/o. The man has only seen how Asuma and his dad act. He occasionally asks Ino for help.
Y = Yes (Do they ever think of getting married/proposing?)
Absolutely. You both don't want to rush into the marriage but it's a topic that is often discussed before bed.
Z = Zoo (Are animals apart of the present/future)
Shikamaru is indifferent about having a pet. If his S/o wants one and understands how much work it will be, they can go ahead. If you do get one, he has a soft spot for it. The deers in the forest are also something that will become a responsibility after marrying him.