This is the part of the post where stuff happens. :|
Naruto had allowed the spirit of the party to absorb into his system, a Styrofoam cup of cheap alcohol held lazily as he made his rounds, accepting the happy pats on the shoulder and occasional hug. He was sure he knew every person there by name, recognizing their faces and engulfing them with a bright smile and arms too eager to hold them close. For them having shown up at all was such a big deal to him. A majority were friends from back in the day, or better yet acquaintances that he didn't bother with much since grade school and stayed in touch with as a poor excuse of keeping a hand on the past. Though it didn't matter much when they were all grown up, celebrating this silly day like it was something important.
This was different. Unlike the immature parties he'd snuck into once upon a time. They were all adults now. Not stupid kids from high school that would sell their souls for a taste of alcohol or wore their frail sense of confidence on their sleeve. At least not to the point where it was pathetic or inexcusable. This was nice. He could get used to this sense of peace and closure. It wasn't much, but it was indeed a start.
He'd made it to his third cup by the time he'd set out to find a familiar face to better enjoy his time with, the excitement of the party not as fresh as before. A big crowd in his honor was amazing, and he appreciated it. But having Tenten or even Kiba by his side would settle his nerves. Too many people in too little space was starting to make him uneasy and when it got past that point there was nothing his alcohol enriched drinkies could help.
Naruto squinted through the crowd, frowning when the woman couldn't be spotted. He continued his search to find someone, anyone he knew that he could latch onto until the mass started to thin out, probably later in the night.
What he had found instead was a stoic, awkward man around the general vicinity of the wall away from everyone else. Of course Naruto was shocked, his body straightening out on alert and a bit in defense. Was it appropriate for Neji to even be here? Amongst normal people who
liked Naruto and celebrated his existence? Curse his life for Hyuuga to be standing in the only people free zone in the whole damn room. This being his only choice he begrudgingly worked his way forward, adjusting his suit jacket as he approached the man. He noticed only then that he was still in his
costume from the play and held back his grimace by working a hand through his hair.
Like it was planned; didn't matter.
Neji didn't matter.
Naruto's hair mattered, dammit. Look at him brush it.
"You found time to spare," Not the best conversation starter and yet he couldn't stop himself. When was the last time he even saw Neji? He couldn't be entirely sure right then, his attention on that big, awkward bow around the man's neck... and then slowly back up to meet those eyes he had once been so familiar with. "Didn't think fun was your cup of tea."
Rather
he was not Neji's first choice when it came to personal enjoyment, that much he was sure. But he didn't need to bring that up right now.
After all, they were all grown up. No reason for petty details.
