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misssunflowersandsangria · 3 years

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Please Have Snow and Mistletoe- Chapter 3

My deers! Merry Christmas Eve, eve from my little corner of the world. Thanks again for going on this journey with me. I hope you’re enjoying it so far. Just two more chapters! Enjoy babes!

Summary: Sweet treats lead to honest hearts.

Chapter 3: Sweeter than a Sugar Plum

The next morning Shikamaru tried to make up for his behavior. It wasn’t fair to keep Temari at a distance just because he might have some confusing feelings for her. So instead of having breakfast altogether, he had it made so they wouldn’t have to leave the warm bed. Now though they were just lying there together enjoying the peaceful morning.

Temari thoroughly enjoyed being spoiled by him and having more time to talk. She learned more about his past and just what he’d managed to accomplish in just a few years. She was completely impressed by him but he was pretty dazzled by her as well. It was very affirming to have him be in just a bit of awe of her.

“I just don’t understand how you can stay away from all of this?” She gestured around the room. Thinking of his parents and his friends who were over the moon to have him home. “Work is important but there’s just so much more.”

Shikamaru looked up at Temari from where his head was resting on her lap. “I wanted to prove myself. I’ve lived with the pressure of being the Nara family heir. I wanted to show the world that I was worthy of carrying that name. But also that I could accomplish things without my last name. If that makes sense. I’ve silenced a lot of those naysayers and critics. There’s little else that I need to accomplish. I’ve done what I set out to do.”

Her hand was gently carding through his hair. “Are you happy?”

He considered his response carefully. “I think so, but something still feels like it’s missing.”

“Think you’ll ever figure out what that is?”

“I might be getting closer to knowing.” She settled back against the headboard analyzing everything she’d learn about him.

For Temari, Family had always come first. Moving away had been the first selfish thing that she’d done but it was what was for the best. What she needed to grow. But she always came back to them.

Shikamaru was just a little lost. It wouldn’t be hard to find his way back.

“So what’s on the schedule for today?” She was able to go through the number of clothes he’d ordered for her. It was far too many things for just two more days but he was insistent that she take it home with her. The uneasiness of the previous evening was long gone and they were back on familiar and comfortable ground.

“Christmas cookies with the Akimichis”

An amused grin crossed her face. “Really?”

“Yup, ever since we were kids we’d have a gingerbread house decorating contests and decorate cookies for Santa.”

She couldn’t help but think about how sweet of a tradition that was.

Choji and Karui’s home was incredible. Welcoming and inviting a delicious smell filled the air. The decorations reminded her of a winter wonderland.

“Temari!” Ino eagerly gathered her into a hug and Temari easily reciprocated the affection. It was easy to love the blonde.

“Welcome to our place. I’m so happy that you could come. Shikamaru hasn’t been around to do this with us. I doubt that he’s going to be very good at it.” Karui teased giving Temari another welcoming hug.

“Ya, ya, don’t listen to them Tem. They’re all mean to me.” Temari just grinned and followed Karui into the kitchen. It was huge, state of the art, and outfitted with the newest technology. On the counter and the island were icing, sprinkles with trays of cookies ready to be decorated. Along with supplies ready for them to make their own batches.

“Okay team Nara, here’s your aprons. Feel free to use anything in the kitchen.” Temari couldn’t help but laugh at the matching cheesy reindeer themed aprons they’d been given. She still hadn’t quite learned what the obsession was with deer.

“Let me help you with that.” Temari felt her skin warm at the casual way he brushed away her hair to tie the apron around her neck. His fingertips lightly touched the skin there. His hands grazed along her sides to pull the ties around her waist.

“Than-thank you.” She stammered flushed and felt a little too warm. He nodded before securing his own apron.

“You look ridiculous.”

He chuckled and while that might be true she looked absolutely adorable.

“I don’t know, I’m pretty sure I’ve never looked better.” Temari laughed before taking his hand to drag him towards their supplies.

“Okay Nara, let me see what you can do.”

—

“Those look terrible.” Ino criticized Shikamaru while holding up a goblin looking elf creature.

Shikamaru rolled his eyes. “I’m sorry that we can’t all be as artistic as Sai.”

The named man just grinned showing off another perfectly decorated snowflake-shaped cookie with elaborate icing.

“I’m sure they taste better than they look!” Temari interjected trying to be supportive.

Temari bravely took a bite before her expression changed into one of horror. She swallowed it down before taking a large drink of cocoa.

“Yup, delicious.”

The group all began to laugh out loud offering her pats of comfort and refilled her drink.

“She must really love you if she’s willing to eat a cookie you made Shikamaru.” Chouji grinned, throwing an affectionate arm around her.

“Come on they can’t be that bad.” After taking a bite his expression matched hers as she sent him an amused look.

“Why would you people let me make these things every year?” That cookie was absolutely disgusting.

“It’s a tradition. Besides you just usually ended up eating everyone’s cookies while we kindly fed yours to the trash can.” Chouji explained

“Ugh fine, Tem let me try one of yours then.” She gladly handed one over, and the delicious flavors floored him.

“Is there anything you’re not good at?” She grinned, flicking her hair over her shoulders.

“Probably not.”

The other two couples watched them with delighted eyes. Their teasing jabs, casual touches, and heated looks were signatures of a couple that was in love.

“How have we never met her before?” Sai whispered to Ino. His Love was the mother hen of their group. If Shikamaru had been seeing someone she’d have been the first to know.

“I don’t know. He clearly knew how to keep her a secret and I’ve been busy with work. Oh well. She’s here now and he’s happy.” Was there much else she could ask for her friend?

“These are delicious!” Temari groaned happily taking a bite of a snowman shaped cookie. Shikamaru just smiled at the bright and content look across her face.

“Let me get that.” Shikamaru’s thumb moved towards her mouth to rub away some red icing.

His thumb lightly traced along the soft skin of her bottom lip while Temari held her breath. His hand curved around her chin slowly moving her face towards his.

Temari’s eyes looked up, meeting his gaze before he dropped his hand in surprise.

“I got it.”

“Thanks.”

“Ahem, well all this sexual tension is really hot so why don’t we finish up here so I can go fuck my husband,” Ino announced shamelessly. Shikamaru rolled his eyes but appreciated that the attention was no longer on him.

They cleaned up and packed up all the treats they made except Shikamaru’s. Karui gave Temari a full batch of her famous cookies to take home with her.

After their moment in the kitchen, Temari intentionally tried to keep some distance between herself and Shikamaru. Her feelings toward him were already confusing. Each moment they shared together was only making it worse. She didn’t know how many more almost-kisses she could take.

“Drinks tonight!” Ino announced her great idea before everyone left.

“Ino-“

Ino leveled Shikamaru with a look. “No, you’re not invited. Just me Karui and Temari. You and the boys can stay home.”

“I don’t-“

Temari placed a hand on his arm. “Shikamaru, it’s okay. Ino I’d love to.”

“You’re so much more fun than him. Okay, I'll pick you up tonight.”

—

“You know you didn’t have to agree right.” Drinking with Ino could be classified as an extreme sport.

Temari rolled her eyes “Come on. I’ve only known her for a few days, it’s obvious that you can’t say no to that girl. Besides, it would look really weird if I didn’t want to hang out with your friends. I promise I won’t say anything that will reveal our secret. I’ll be fine.”

Turns out that high altitude and strong drinks were a lethal combination.

“I really like him!” Temari complained out loud. She wasn’t sure how many drinks in she was but she was feeling giggly and happy.

Karui laughed while taking another drink. “Of course you do, he’s your boyfriend!”

“He’s so annoyingly handsome and he’s smart, that's so hot,” Temari complained with a frown.

“We need to make this a new tradition! Drinks with the girls on Christmas Eve, eve!” Ino declared and they raised their glasses in agreement.

Ino threw her arms around Temari. “I’m glad he met you! There were some real bitches that were trying.”

Temari’s eyes sharpened “Where are they? Shikamaru is mine! I’ll kill them.”

Karui’s fist tightened. “Ya let’s go get them!”

Ino stood up before sitting right back down. “Wait, I can’t drive. Let me call Sai and then we will go get those bitches! “

“Hello?” Shikamaru groaned answering his phone. He’d text Temari a few hours ago and she assured him that she was fine. With nothing else to do, he’d gone to bed.

“Hey, Choji and I are coming to get you. My girl got your girlfriend and Karui drunk. This isn’t a job for one person.” Sai explained on the other line.

Shikamaru sighed, how did he know this would happen. “Of course she fucking did. Okay, I'll be ready.”

—

The girls were the loudest in there and would have probably been kicked out if everyone didn’t know who they were.

Temari stumbled into Shikamaru’s arms with a grin.

“You okay Tem?”

“Yes! Ino gave me a drink that tasted like a cookie. Now we are going to go after all those bitches that tried to hook up with Shikamaru.”

He rubbed at his tired face. In her drunken haze, she didn’t seem to recognize him. Chouji and Sai both had their hands full too. “We don’t have to do that.”

“Yes, we do! He’s mine, they need to know.”

“It’s okay Tem. He knows that you are his too.”

An adorable but unsure look crossed her face. “Shh, that’s a secret. Don’t tell Shikamaru that I think he’s cute.”

He grinned amusedly. “Okay I won’t, ready to go home? I’m sure Shikamaru misses you.”

“Yes!”

“Sai! I want to keep drinking.”

“Beautiful I think it’s time to go.” Sai tried to reason with her.

Ino stomped her foot. “You never let me do anything I want.” She pouted. They all knew that was a lie.

Temari intervened and wrapped her arms around Ino. “Ino, stop I want to go home. I miss Shikamaru.”

The other blonde perked up and nodded. “Okay, let’s go.”

Chouji already had Karui asleep on his back.

Shikamaru drove Ino’s car back while Sai and Chouji took the other. Temari was sitting content in the passenger side with a grin on her face.

“Do you think that Shikamaru likes me?” She wondered out loud. He was still amused that she didn’t realize who he was.

“You don’t think he does?”

Temari shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s so fast but he makes me feel special. I feel all floaty when I’m around him. He could have anyone though. Why me?”

His hand reached out to hold hers comfortingly. “Because you’re you. That’s enough for him.”

Her loopy grin was far too cute. “Thank you, stranger. I think I really like him too.” She leaned her head against the window and with that he heard her breathing even out.

Temari had unknowingly pushed him to face his feelings about her. She was someone different that was for sure. Beautiful, kind, smart, and wonderful.

This wasn’t supposed to happen. Their arrangement was only meant to last for a few days, easy and simple. Sing some carols, eat a few meals together. That was it. Now though, his heart felt tied up in knots.

This wasn’t realistic. You didn’t just fall for someone after knowing them for a few days. He’d gone his entire life never feeling this way about anyone. And yet Temari had so easily brought these emotions to the surface in such a short amount of time.

This couldn’t be real? He was just getting caught up in Christmas and being home. In a few days, everything would be back to normal and life could continue on.

—

“Why are you up?”

Shikamaru looked up seeing his father standing there. “I just got back. Ino got Temari drunk so she's sleeping it off right now.” Shikaku just chuckled and took his spot across the Shogi board from his son.

“It’s been nice having you home Shikamaru.”

“I, I’m sorry I know I haven’t been home much.”

“I understand, I don’t particularly like it but I get it. Your mother though.”

“I know.”

Shikaku moved his piece before looking out towards the forest. “I haven’t seen her smile as much as she has the last few days. Having the house filled with people and laughter. You and Temari helped me give her back her smile.”

“Dad…” Shikamaru struggled with not revealing the truth and just admitting everything.

“I’m not trying to pressure you. That’s your mother’s domain. I’ll just say that if you can find someone that can make you smile, who pushes you to be better, that inspires and supports you. Well, don’t let them go. You’re my son, that’s enough. I’m proud of you regardless of what you’ve accomplished not because of them. The Nara name is safe with you.”

They played well into the night. As busy as his father was when he was younger he was always up for a game of Shogi. For Shikamaru, he couldn’t remember the last time he’d let himself play. It was a sobering realization.

Shikamaru made his way back to the room thinking about what his next moves would be. He couldn’t imagine on the 26th returning back to his busy lonely life. The world wouldn’t end if he stepped away from the fast-paced existence he’d built for himself. The new year would bring with it a new and better way of living. What remained to be seen was who would be standing next to him.

“Temari?” He was surprised to see her sitting up holding onto his stuffed deer.

“I woke up and didn’t find you here. I got worried.” She admitted.

He nodded and settled under the covers before pulling her in close. His hand rubbed up and down along her back. Temari sank into his warmth.

“How are you feeling?”

“I’m okay, I took the medicine and water you left out. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

“I didn’t say anything embarrassing did I?” When she drank she knew that she became loud and talkative.

“Nothing too bad, just that you think I’m cute.” He replied with a cheeky grin.

Even in the dark, he could make out the blush across her cheeks “Oh my God.” She ducked her warm face against his chest.

“You, Ino, and Karui were also planning on going after anyone that tried to date me in the past.”

“Ahh! Say no more.” He chuckled pulling her in close.

There was a little more but he’d keep that information to himself for now. “Christmas Cookie cocktails will make anyone a little loopy. Thanks for going out with them.” He never thought about how important it would be for his significant other to get along with his friends.

“They’re both great, in another lifetime I’m sure that we would be great friends.” It could be this lifetime but that wasn’t the case.

“Get some sleep Tem, it’s Christmas Eve, we'll have a busy day.”

Christmas Eve, their last day together. Their inevitable end.

Temari reached up to place a soft kiss against his cheek. Her lips lingered against his skin for just a little longer.

“Good night Shikamaru.”

Please Have Snow and Mistletoe

Chapter 1: Flight 4XMAS

Chapter 2: A Scene from a Snowglobe

Chapter 3: Sweeter than a Sugar Plum

I want to believe that in the Naruto-verse the InoShikaCho moms all hang out. I’m working on the last two chapters right now because I want them to be out by Christmas. Alas, I’m a procrastinator and have gifts to wrap too so :fingers crossed: it all comes out on time. Again, my sincere thanks for your support my sweet loves.

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