"The key word there is when," Shikamaru murmurs, eyes dropping briefly down to the curve of her smile, his own lips quirking at her slight admonishment. Or maybe it's better described as advice.

Where women are concerned, Shikamaru admits, he's still not the best at reading them. Outside of combat, at least.

"I thought there might be time for this after the war. Presuming that war itself didn't prevent it. And now I find myself still settling into life here. What I should prioritize, how hard I should push. I don't hate it here, even if the city worries me," he confesses, leaning in to trail his lips over the curve of her cheek, then down to the softer skin at the side of her neck, gentle for the time being.

If she grows impatient, he can always adjust.