Requested By: n/a
Prompt: Shikamaru, your best friend since the academy days, has always had a crush on you. You were dating an abusive civilian, you were kicked out of your house after your boyfriend went too far.
TW: slight verbal and physical abuse / attempted suicide manipulation.
Shikamaru x reader
(Not following the Naruto plotline)
WC: 3606
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You're eyes closed as the cool air brushed by your face. The mission you had just gotten back from was, in fact, a success. It was time for you to relax, and you had chosen to do so alone, laying by a big tree under the sun.
"Gosh, Shikamaru. You know, you can't scare me," you joked as your best friend stepped out of the shadow of the tree. "What are you doing here anyway?"
"The same thing as you," he said, laying next to you with his hands behind his head. "You didn't tell me you were back," he mumbled, also closing his eyes.
"I didn't think you would care so much. Besides, I wasn't even gone that long," your response was less than satisfactory to him.
"You were gone for a month, of course, I wanted to know if you were back," he looked at you with a small smile. "You're such a drag," he knew that you hated it when he complained that everything is a drag.
"Man, you're one to talk," you sat up and looked down at him. "I'm going home," you shifted to your feet and felt a tug on your pant leg.
"Stay here with me?" He pleaded.
"No thanks, pineapple man. You know how to piss me off too quickly," you shook off his hand and began walking home.
"Damn woman. You're lucky that I hate actually bothering you," Shikamaru mumbled to himself as he watched you walk away. "What a drag," as soon as you were out of sight, he stood up and began going home to. He couldn't get his mind off you, the thought of wanting to make you fall in love with him. You've been friends since the academy, but he always wanted to be more than that.
He opened the door to his apartment and sighed, wishing that you were there with him. He found himself laying on his couch, still thinking of you, upset that instead of him, you had chosen to date a civilian, even if it was dangerous. The idea of it made him mad, almost.
"Eiji, can you-" you were about to ask your boyfriend to hand you the book you had been reading before you left on your last mission.
"No. I'm not doing anything for you anymore. You're so... Lazy. You're always gone and never do anything for me," he had been acting like this since the mission before your last one. Refusing to do any small task that you would ask of him, which made it difficult to live with him.
Not to mention the fact that he had recently become more verbally aggressive, and had tried to tear you down. It's gotten much more difficult for you.
"In fact, if you're just going to cry about it, why don't you just leave!? You are good for nothing! You just sit and read all the time, like nothing even matters to you!" He yelled, throwing the book at your face, where the heavy spine hit your nose, breaking it and making it bleed. Tears stung at your eyes, threatening to fall.
"Alright! Fine! I'll go!" You yelled back, face bright red from anger. You grabbed your bag that you kept by the door in case of emergencies, and the need to leave. You slung it over your shoulder and walked out the door, slamming it behind you before the tears started rolling. You held your pained nose and left his house.
The only place you could go to was the hospital, so they could fix your nose. You stepped into the emergency room and the nurses immediately brought you into a room so they could see what was wrong. Your face was wet from tears, not from the physical pain, but realizing you just got kicked out of your house.
"It's definitely fractured. How did this happen?" One of the nurses asked, still inspecting your nose.
"I fell down some stairs," you lied, not wanting to get your boyfriend in any kind of trouble. The nurse began healing your fractured nose.
"Okay, well be more careful... She paused to focus more on healing, and noticing how terrible a lie that was. "It's not fractured anymore, but it'll be sore for a few days. You're free to go now," she smiled, leaving the room. You thought for a moment, where to go next. You couldn't go crying back to your parents, they would just laugh and slam the door in your face. You weren't particularly close with any of the girls, and you didn't want to bother Shikamaru.
You left the hospital and looked at the dim sky and realized how cold it was going to be tonight. You found a nearby bench and curled into a ball for the night so you could figure out what was going on, and where to go next.
Footsteps were heard from a little ways away, so you turned to see who it was.
"(Y/n)? What are you doing here?" Shikamaru came and sat next to you and talk.
"S- sorry. My boyfriend's house is being renovated, so I can't stay there for tonight," you grit your teeth, hoping that he wouldn't notice the bruise on your nose.
"Then where is he?" See now, you hadn't thought that far ahead.
"Umm.. well..."
"And what the hell is that bruise from?" You could feel the heat rush to your cheeks as he raised his concerned voice. Instinctively, you covered your face, preparing to have him try and hit you. His eyes widened when you did this. "The house isn't being renovated, is it (y/n)? He kicked you out, didn't he?" His voice softened, and you removed your arms from your face to reveal the tears that stained your eyes.
You nodded your head yes. He scooted closer to you and placed his hand on your face, and wiped away a tear as it dropped. After knowing him for so long, you haven't ever seen this soft side of him before.
You held his hand over your cheek, his gentle touch bringing you comfort. You leaned your head into his palm, not wanting to let him go. Something about this made you realize he was here all along, and you chose to love a civilian who had put his hands on you, and hurt you, instead of someone so kind.
Shikamaru came closer to you, and to your surprise, awkwardly hugged you, trying to comfort you. He wasn't like this. He never hugged you before.
'why would he want to help someone as worthless as me?' you thought to yourself as you cried into him.
"(Y/n)," he gently whispered, not to startle you. "You can come to stay with me if you need to," he rubbed circles on your back, trying to calm you down.
"I d-don't want t-to bother you and be a d-drag," his movements stopped and he put his hands on your shoulders, and looked into your eyes.
"You are not a drag," he sighed, bringing you back into a hug, as you sobbed harder. He had only just realized how calling her a drag, really actually hurt. "Are you coming with me?" You nodded.
"Yes, I'm sorry,"
"Don't be," Shikamaru stood up and pulled you to your feet, grabbing your bag, and placing it over his shoulder.
You and him began walking to Shikamaru's apartment. You leaned on his shoulder, and eventually, he slipped his fingers into yours, making your stomach flip inside out. Is this really what you wanted?
It must have been, as you didn't let go try and say no.
Shikamaru kept a light blush over his face, finally holding hands with the girl he had been in love with for so many years, even if it was just to support you in your trials.
The door creaked open as you walked in. He leads you to the couch where you sat, and curled into a ball, trying to hide.
"Why are you helping me?" You asked, not wanting to bug him too much. "You're my best friend, but you don't have to do anything for me," you looked at your knees. Shikamaru handed you a bowl of miso soup.
"Because I care about you," he replied, sitting next to you.
"You shouldn't, I'm so sorry,"
"Don't be sorry. I don't mind at all,"
"I just don't see why; I'm pretty useless,"
"That's it. What did he do to you?"
"What do you- I mean what are you talking about?" You stuttered out.
"Your "boyfriend," he made you like this. The (y/n) I know wouldn't ever say she's useless," you turned away from him. Thinking back to it, he was right. Self-worth issues never came like this before. But you couldn't tell him that. After all, he still loves you, and you want to love him so badly.
"He tells me that he loves me. And I have to love him too. Maybe I should go back. It's not like he's ever hurt me,"
"You- still love him?" Shikamaru was let down but didn't want to admit that he loves you. You rubbed your nose.
"He loves me,"
"What happened to your nose, (y/n)?" He demanded.
"...I...I fell down the stairs," you looked at your feet.
"(Y/n)." He stared at you, knowing that it was a lie.
"Nothing happened. I need to go home," you stood up, only to be pulled back down by Shikamaru.
"Stop lying," you tried not to cry. "He hurt you. What happened?"
You sighed, becoming more anxious to get back to your boyfriend.
"If I don't get home soon he's gonna..."
"He's going to what? (Y/n). What happened to your nose?" He held your hand, not letting you go.
"He threw a book at me, but it was my fault. He's gonna yell at me if I don't get back soon. I don't want him to yell at me again," you covered your mouth, realizing what you let slip. "Ahah, I'm kidding!" You brushed him off, not wanting to let him believe you. He still didn't let you go.
"You need to get away from him, not go back. He's hurting you," a tear slipped out of your eye.
"He's not- I'm only of use when I help him. I have to go ba-" you were cut off by Shikamaru's lips pressed softly against yours. Your eyes widened at the sudden feeling of relief that you didn't know you needed. Your face reddened, and you melted into the kiss, and after a few seconds later you felt so guilty. You pulled away, and wiped your lips, removing his saliva. "He's going to kill me if he finds out-"
"Just- don't go back. I can't see you hurt again," you rested your other hand on his. He held your fingertips.
"But-"
"You're a shinobi. You need to leave him. You're so much stronger than him," you weren't sure how to respond. "If you have to go back, I'll go with you and make sure he doesn't touch you. We can get your stuff and come back, but you can't go back to him, you can stay with me for as long as you need. But please break him off," he finished and look at you, and saw that you were actually crying.
"I'm... j- just scared-" you blubbered, absolutely terrified that Shikamaru would leave and let you get hurt again. He cupped your face and looked you in the eye.
"He won't hurt you, I'll be there the whole time," he assured you.
"Why do you care so much?"
"Because unlike your boyfriend, I actually love you, and really care about you," he put his hands back in his lap. Your face flustered. Was that what he really meant? "I've loved you since we met. I can't see you like this anymore," he pleaded. "I am not asking you to love me, I just want you to be safe,"
"I-" you were speechless. That's what it was. You loved Shikamaru. You always have, but never want to admit it, so you wouldn't get in his way. "Didn't want to get in your way,"
"What?"
"I didn't want to get in your way of becoming great," you whispered before looking back at him. "I- always loved you, Shikamaru." Your lips curled into a slight smile for the first time since you left your house a few hours ago. "I'm sorry it took me so long. I just figured it out," Shikamaru looked at you with wide eyes and blushed cheeks, before grabbing you for a hug. He held you around the neck, and you slowly placed your hands on his back and rested your head on his shoulder. As guilty as you felt about the whole situation, you couldn't help but be relieved.
"So then, what are you going to do?" He asked, still holding you.
"Can I stay here until I find my own place?" Shikamaru sighed.
"Do you have to find your own place?" He finally let you go but kept hold of your hands with his. "Oh... I guess I should ask you after you break up with him... Will you be my girlfriend? I'll make sure nothing ever happens to you, and I won't call you a drag, and-" you cut him off, finally knowing what to say.
"Yes," you took a breath, knowing that it was the right thing to do. "And, I don't have to find my own place if you want me to stay,"
"I really want you to stay," he ran his thumb over your hand. "And, I want you to know that everything is going to be alright. He won't ever lay a finger on you, or make you feel useless," he finally stopped.
"I believe you. But I still need to get my stuff back, I don't have much, but a few little things my father gave me before he passed," you looked at his masculine hands and smiled. "And I don't want him to break them, so I think I'll have to get them tonight," your voice went quiet.
"We," Shikamaru corrected. "We will go get them tonight," he pulled you to your feet and bent kissed your forehead. "You are not alone,"
"Okay, we," you agreed as you slipped your shoes on and grabbed your bag. You followed Shikamaru out the door, holding his hand the whole time.
You found your way the house you once thought you belonged in. Shikamaru knocked on the door frame.
A very intoxicated Eiji opened up.
"Damn. Took you long enough to come back-" he looked at Shikamaru with a lazy eye, and then down at you, holding Shikamaru's arm, almost hiding. "-so you think- HIC -you think,, that you can do better than me, huh?" He finished.
"You- can't hurt me any more-" you sputtered, still hiding behind Shikamaru. "I just came to collect my things, if you would let me, no, us in,"
"Didn't take long to replace me- hic - bitch. I'm s- I'm surprised anyone would want you-" Shikamaru tensed up, hating the idea of someone calling you a bitch. Or hurting your self-worth. Without a second thought, he threw a solid punch at Eiji, making him lose consciousness for a few minutes.
"I-"
"It was payback," he defended himself and smiled, as he led you inside to grab your stuff, like your clothes, and an old kunai that your father had your name engraved on that was kept in a box. Everything else you didn't need.
Eiji woke back up to see you and Shikamaru grabbing the kunai. He quickly stood up and grabbed the box from your hand, and refused to give it back. You weren't exactly sure what to do as he opened the box, and grabbed the knife and pressed it against his throat, threatening to kill himself on the spot.
"If you leave, I'll kill myself. You're the only thing I care about, (y/n)," you looked at Shikamaru, guilt flowing through you. He shook his head no and did the hand signs for his shadow possession jutsu to stop Eiji from going any further. He forced Eiji to place the knife back into the box, and give it back to you. You took the box and shoved it into your bag, hiding it away.
"This has gone on long enough," Shikamaru released the jutsu, and Eiji fell backward. Shikamaru picked him up and used the teleportation jutsu to drop him at the police station, and explain why he was there. He flickered back in an instant. "Let's go home," he said, taking your hand and some of the clothes you planned to take with you.
You found yourself back at Shikamaru's apartment, back on the couch, snuggled into his chest taking in his scent as he held you in his arms. It took you everything you had not to fall asleep. It's so quiet and peaceful. No words were being spoken, and at some point, rain had started falling. The soft pitter-patter of the drops on the window sang a song of peace, keeping the air chilly, but you stayed warm laying on top of your best friend, and boyfriend. He kept his arms around you and stayed propped up on the armrest.
You stared into each other's eyes, not saying anything. Shikamaru kept a small smile on his face, knowing that you were finally his. You couldn't help but giggle at him, that he was so soft for you now, unlike how he was like you knew him until today.
Your eyelids became heavy and too difficult to keep open. You let them fall as you let out a big breath, knowing you had been basically saved before you got too hurt and too mentally damaged. There was a hope that Shikamaru would help you regain your self-confidence and show you that he would keep you safe.
He's always been so cold around everyone else, so blank and almost distant. Smart as hell, but never open about his own emotions. You still can't figure out what actually changed.
"What changed?" The sound of your tired voice filling the room.
"I couldn't see you hurt anymore. Don't think I didn't notice how long this has been bothering you. When I saw you earlier, with the bruise on your face, I knew Eiji had gone too far," he took in a breath and looked at you again. "Nothing really changed I guess, but I didn't want to see you in any more pain," he finished and closed his eyes again.
"...Thank you," you buried your face in him again. A yawn escaping your mouth.
"(Y/n), are you comfortable sleeping in the same bed with me?" Reminding you of how you almost never slept in the same bed with your ex. It just never seemed right to you. "You don't have to be,"
"I'm fine with that. I just... Didn't bring any pajamas," you opened your eyes and looked at his smirking face. Your heart began racing. He realized that he might be suggesting something he didn't mean to.
"You can just use my clothes," you shifted off him and stood up, wanting to go to bed. "My room is the door after the bathroom, you'll find the dresser pretty quick," he said, sitting back where he was. He watched you walk into his room and close the door.
You found his clothes and changed into a plain shirt and a pair of his shorts. It was then when you noticed just how much taller than you he is. The shorts you put on looked like he had them when you two were in the academy, and he was just too lazy to throw them out. You giggled that the sleeves went all the way to your elbow, even if they were supposed to be short sleeves.
You stepped back out of his room, folding your clothes and shoving them into your bag. You locked eyes with your boyfriend who was now standing, stretching his arms up. You walked to him, and placed your arms around his chest and hugged him. His muscular arms now holding you, keeping you warm. He kissed your head and let you go. You two went back into his room where you slid into his bed under the covers. You rolled over to avoid seeing him change.
The bed creaked as he joined you. You rolled over to look at him, all the way under the covers up to his shoulders. You scooted closer to him and snuggled into him.
"I never expected you to be much of a snuggler," he said, putting his arms around you.
"You thought about if I liked to snuggle?" You teased.
"W- well... I mean... I didn't really think about it... But-"
"I'm kidding, it's cute... But I'm pretty cold," you replied as he held you closer.
Shikamaru just hummed, keeping you quiet. He decided it was time to go to sleep.
"I love you (y/n)" your face reddened hearing him saying it again.
"I love you too, Shikamaru," your voice became hoarse, as you finally fell into a comfortable sleep.