When we were little,
Did you think you would be
Living in the middle
With someone like me?
I won't care for myself.
I can't care for myself.

He'd considered just never getting married, but the disappointed look his father had given him at the prospect had dissuaded him from pursuing that option, even in thought; that is why Shikamaru had settled on the less troublesome path: He'll just marry a simple girl.

But that was before he knew anything of love and marriage. (It was also before he really knew Temari.)

Nevertheless, he'd thought that once that sort of choice came to him, it would be as simple as picking a path to go down at a crossroads.

That is the reason why sometimes, he couldn't help but wonder wether Temari was disappointed in herself for marrying him. Neither of them had ended up in the relationship they'd expected for themselves.

Shikamaru certainly wasn't complaining, he loved his wife and was happy with her and their son, not that he'd ever voice that thought aloud-he and Temari weren't that type of couple.

It just struck him that they'd never spoken of wether or not they were happy with each other. Temari had never heard his "Grand Plan", but he'd never heard hers either.

He peered down at the blonde that was curled up in his arms, asleep. It was a fairly rare occurrence -for her to be asleep longer than him in the mornings.

Did she love him?

He couldn't just ask that, could he? She'd said it to him once before, but that was during their wedding vows, so he didn't know how much that counted. He had said It a few more times, but she seemed to ignore it every time. He had to admit that it stung a little.

He was completely and utterly in love with her, there was no doubt about that. But did she feel the same?

When she was little, did she see herself as someone who'd stay at home and look after the house while waiting for her husband's return?

As someone who had a lazy husband who was home after she fell asleep, and who she had to wake up in the mornings?

He subconsciously held her closer as he continued to think. He wanted to make her happy, but he had no idea wether she was or not.

He couldn't take care of himself without a catastrophe incurring, and if it weren't for her existence he would probably be out doing shitty low-rank missions on a weekly basis. Maybe he'd have the plain wife and two non-descript children, but he wouldn't be strong or brave or anywhere near as happy as he was in reality.

Could anyone love her as much as he did?

She could have had a great future, and he knew how much she missed having missions. She could have married a richer man. A more attractive man.

Someone from Suna.

"Is this really what you wanted from life?" He whispered into her hair, holding her closer still.

He was, quite simply, a better person when he was with her.

"Of what?" She murmured, half-opening her eyes.

He bit his lip: He hadn't intended to wake her up.

"Are you happy, Tem?" He sighed, figuring there was no point in lying about his question.

She looked slightly taken aback and she brought her hands up to rub her eyes.

"Sure I am. I slept well."

"No... I mean." He sighed and loosened his grip slightly. "Are you happy in this marriage?"

Her eyes narrowed instantly.

"Shikamaru... What are you getting at?"

He realised that his sentence hadn't been cleverly phrased and he shook his head.

"I just want to be sure that you're not disappointed. In me."

Her look softened and she chuckled.

"You're not what I had in mind when I was a kid, but no. I'm not disappointed in you. Yes, I'm happy."

His curiosity got the better of him and he couldn't resist the temptation to ask her-"What was your plan?"

She blushed a little bit and looked away from him. "It's not exactly the most conventional wedding dream. I wanted to marry someone from Suna who would be a stay-at-home guy. That changed ages ago though."

"My plan changed too, I guess."

"Oh? Do explain."

"I wanted to marry a plain girl who was as far from troublesome as I could get. And I wanted a daughter, then a son."

"When did your plan change?"

He sighed and masked a smile as his eyes settled on her concerned expression.

"During the war."

They didn't talk about the war, it was an unspoken rule that they both seemed content with.

"Same,"

"Did you get your changed plan?"

"Yes," she smirked. "You?"

"Yup."

Temari brushed her fringe out of her eyes and moved up so that they were at eye-level.

"Do you know what my new plan was?"

"Do tell."

"I wanted a guy who would actually give a damn about me. Someone who could accept the fact that I'm not perfect, and I don't want to be. I wanted someone who would work hard for the right things, and not fuss over the rest."

He smirked and pulled her in close so that he could kiss her.

"Do you want to know what mine was?"

"Of course."

"I wanted Temari,"

She chuckled and rested her head on his shoulder. "Charming, Nara."

"Thankyou, Nara."

They lay in silence for a while until Shikamaru spoke up again.

"We don't talk enough."

He felt her nod in his arms and he continued.

"If I told you what I'm feeling, do you promise me you'll stay?"

"Always,"

"I love you, Tem."

She hesitated for a moment before lifting her gaze to meet him.

"I love myself too. You're alright as well, I guess."

He laughed out loud and placed a kiss on her forehead. There was no doubt about it-she wasn't disappointed.

"I'm alright?"

"Hnn, if I were a more open person, I would go as far as to say that I love you too. But I'm not sappy like you."

"So you love me?"

"I might just be in love with you."

He pressed his lips to hers and felt her smile.

"I'm glad."

"Indeed, Nara."

"Thankyou, Nara."

A/N: Inspired by the song "Care" by Bry. I would definitely recommend it!

These updates aren't going to be regular or anything, just random one-shots in no particular order. Please tell me if you have any scenarios you'd like me to write!

Please Review!

~Lee ;)