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powerful-niya · 2 months ago

Text

— (írrєsístíвlє.)

︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶

˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ 𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚍𝚘𝚗’𝚝 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚗 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚍𝚘 𝚝𝚘 𝚖𝚎, 𝚍𝚘 𝚢𝚘𝚞? 𝙹𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚠𝚑𝚒𝚏𝚏 𝚘𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙸 𝚕𝚘𝚜𝚎 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢 𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚝𝚛𝚘𝚕.

Link to One-shot Below ↴ Wattpad | AO3

Pairing˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚Naruhina

Synopsis˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡Naruto wasn't much of a fragrance guy. He didn't care about designer colognes or fancy scents—as long as he didn't smell like a woman, he was good to go.

But when Shikamaru mentions a cologne that can make women—particularly his wife, Hinata—obsessed with him after just one whiff, it catches his attention. Curious about the possibility, Naruto starts to rethink his stance on cologne, particularly on the recommendation, wondering if it could take his marriage to a whole new level.

Content Tags˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚Alcoholic Drinks • Body Worship • Bold!Hinata • Boob Job • Casual Intimacy • Cock Worship • Cologne • Cologne Arousal • Cum-Marking • Cumplay • Deep Throating • Dirty Talk • Domestic Fluff • Domesticity • Fantasies & Fantasizing • Fellatio • Fluff • Food Play • Free Use • Frottage • Hand Job • Handsy Behavior • Heat Kink • HEAVY Scent Kink • Husband/Wife • Innocent Teasing • Loss of Control • Love Affirmations • Marriage • Masculinity • Men Being Men • Modern AU • Multiple Orgasms • Mutual Arousal • Obsession • Oral Fixation • Oral Sex • Overstimulation • Praise Kink • Power Play • Sensory Intimacy • Sensory Overload • Sex Pollen • Simple Pleasures • Size Difference Kink • Slice of Life • Slow Burn • Soft Dom/Sub Undertones • Strip Tease • Teasing • Titty Fuck • 2025

Overall Word Count˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚20K

Tumblr Post: Word Count˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚6.7K

Preview ༘♡ ⋆｡˚

"Total bullshit," Kiba grumbled, stuffing a handful of fries into his mouth, "His foot was clearly inbounds."

Here we go again.

Naruto kicked back in his seat, an ever-present grin stretched across his whiskered face. A half-full glass of cold beer dangled loosely between his fingers, his grip lazy, thanks to the pleasant buzz already coursing through his veins.

He wasn't completely blacked out, but he was just about there. The warmth in his chest, the lightness in his limbs—yeah, he was good and tipsy.

He was definitely feeling it now.

His hooded blue eyes flicked between the football game on the mounted screen and the usual rowdy banter among his friends.

Another game night.

And that could only mean one thing, and one thing only.

Chaos.

Complete and utter chaos.

All around him, glasses clinked and clanked in the bar, the sounds mingling with the cheers and groans of the crowd, everyone's eyes glued to the flashing TVs. The sports commentators kept up their endless chatter, their voices droning on and on over the speakers, breaking down every play, every move, dissecting every little detail they could.

Their thoughts echoing through the already hella noisy room.

But Naruto didn't mind—not one bit.

Lee shook his head dramatically, setting his drink down with a force that made the ice clink, "Come on, Kiba. The referee's judgment must be respected! A true athlete—"

"—gets screwed over by a blind ref," Sasuke cut in smoothly, swirling his iced whiskey with a lazy shake of his hand, his gaze still glued to the screen.

"Typical."

Sai, ever unfazed, took a slow sip of his gin and tonic, his expression unchanged, "It's amusing how emotionally invested you all get into this."

"Man, I'm just here for the beer." Shikamaru sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.

Naruto snickered.

Ahh, yeah.

The Kuroyama Bar—his regular stomping ground, his go-to joint…

His home away from home.

Like every weekend, after planting a quick goodbye kiss on his sweet wifey back home, Naruto followed through with his usual routine—swinging by the bar to catch up with the fellas.

Same old, same old.

Nothing really new.

After all, they had been hitting bars together since high school, and at Kuroyama, they might as well have been part of the damn furniture. For years, they hadn't just frequented the place—they'd practically haunted it, a long train of bodies at the bar, always taking up the seats, always holding court like they owned the joint.

They were the kind of crew the staff both loved and dreaded.

The kind of guys who knew every bartender by name, who had their usual orders ready before they even sat down. The ones who could turn just a quiet little night at the bar into absolute chaos.

Yeah, they'd racked up their fair share of eye-rolls, caught a few stern looks, maybe even a couple of warnings from the customers, but hell—when you're drunk, having a good damn time, you don't tend to give a shit.

The men had a reputation, not always a good one, for being the drunk dumbasses who could make any night unforgettable, for better or for worse.

And in recent times, nothing's really changed.

They were still the same rowdy crew—the kind of guys who could always be counted on to fill a room with laughter, toeing that fine line between charming regulars and absolute menaces.

And honestly?

Naruto wouldn't have it any other way.

The Kuroyama Bar in the heart of sweet ole Tokyo was just that place, the spot where he and the guys could unwind after a long week. A place where the burdens of life—jobs, relationships, marriages, responsibilities, and all the bullshit that came with being an adult—could be forgotten, even if only for a couple of hours.

Naruto wasn't gonna lie.

He always feels it the second he walks through the door—the weight of his troubles instantly lifts, the way his shoulders drop, and his thoughts just…clear.

Like clockwork, he would call out to the bartender up front, order a beer or two, before settling into his usual spot with his fellow comrades.

Here, he could just be another guy—not the provider, not the problem-solver, not the breadwinner. Not the husband, not the employee, not the man with a million expectations hanging over his head.

No, no, no.

This was his reset button, the place where he could let loose, where the world outside felt a little less heavy, and where the only thing that mattered was the next round of drinks and the game on the screen.

Here, he was in his element.

And he was enjoying every second of it.

Naruto shifted toward Shikamaru, giving his shoulder a quick brush, "Speaking of beer," He smirked, tilting his own glass toward the stack of empty ones crowding around the ponytail-haired man's side of the bar table.

"What's up with you? You've been throwing those shits back like nobody's business." The blonde pouted mockingly, blue eyes sparkling with mischief.

"What? Temari-san's making you sleep on the couch again?"

Shikamaru huffed, shaking his head, "Not even close. If anything, she's been all over me lately."

Naruto raised a brow, "Huh?"

"Yeah, doubt it." Kiba snorted, eyes still glued to the TV as he stuffed more fries into his face.

Shikamaru leaned over and shot a bored look down at him before crossing his arms over his chest, "Don't be a drag, moron."

Kiba just shrugged, unbothered, "Hey, I'm just sayin' what everyone's thinking—sounds too good to be true, that's all."

Shikamaru let out a long sigh, rubbing the bridge of his nose.

"I swear… all I did was change one thing—my damn cologne—and suddenly, Temari’s acting like a whole new woman."

Now that got everyone's attention.

All the men at the bar snapped to life, heads turning in unison as their eyes ripped away from the TVs—now locked entirely on Shikamaru.

Naruto nearly choked on his drink, "Wait, did you just say cologne?"

"Hm, I'm not buying it," Neji groaned, crossing his arms over the table.

"I agree, sounds sketchy as hell," Sasuke shook his head, clearly skeptical.

"Just let him explain, guys," Lee spoke up, ever the diplomat, always the one trying to keep the peace.

Shikamaru took a casual sip of his beer, letting the silence hang for a moment as the rowdy crew shifted in their seats—rocking, fidgeting, practically burning holes through his skull, just waiting for him to speak.

The wait?

Oh, that was completely intentional.

A petty little move on Shikamaru's part—but he didn't give two fucks. They'd clowned him earlier, cracked their jokes, brushed off his words. He wanted their undivided attention from the start, and now that he had it?

He was gonna make 'em wait.

Make 'em squirm a little.

So, only once he'd had his fill of dragging it out, he set his beer down with a satisfying thud, the thick glass landing solid against the bar.

"Alright," Shikamaru began, his tone as nonchalant as ever, "So a few weeks back, I grabbed this cologne from a shop in Kyoto—real lowkey place, kinda tucked away, but definitely high-end." He said it like it was no big deal, just another day, just another purchase.

Like it wasn't the catalyst for his entire love life doing a 180.

"It's called 'Imperium Noir.'"

And just like that—the colgune's name was revealed.

Shikamaru shrugged lazily, "Saw an ad for it. Turns out, it's pretty popular with men here in Japan. Supposedly, it works like some kind of 'sex pollen' for women—whatever the hell that means."

A few of the guys exchanged glances, some interested, others skeptical.

"Figured I'd give it a shot, but…if I had to be honest?" Shikamaru continued, clicking his tongue, "Didn't think it'll actually work…but," He paused, letting the words hang for effect before finally speaking again.

"Let's just say Temari proved me wrong."

Kiba raised a brow, his expression flat, clearly unimpressed, "Sounds like some boujee-ass shit."

Shikamaru hummed, "Maybe, but I swear on my life, I tried a few spritz of that stuff, and now I've got Temari damn near hooked. She keeps sniffing my neck every chance she gets, asking me all these questions about my day, why I smell so good—then she's grabbing my dick up whenever she gets close—" He took another sip of his beer, looking completely troubled now, "—damn near wouldn't let me leave the house today."

Naruto's eyebrows shot up, "For real?" He gave his head a small shake, trying to piece it together with what little brainpower his buzzed brain had left, "A cologne that works like a damn aphrodisiac?" He let out a soft laugh, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Man, the world's getting wild."

Shikamaru shook his head, tapping the table, "For real, man. I mean, it's like I'm living with someone else. Temari's way more into me now, like she can't get enough."

Sasuke smirked, "Tsk, and you're complaining?"

"I'm just saying," The ponytail haired-man muttered, raising his hands in defense, "if you ever want your girl obsessed with you, Imperium Noir is the way to go."

Naruto's smirk faltered, his thigh hopping underneath the table. The gears in his head was already turning.

He couldn't help it.

He'd never heard of anything like that before. A cologne with that kind of power.

Sex…pollen?

Naruto's face scrunched up.

Is that even legal?

That sounded dangerous.

And…kinda tempting.

He snorted.

….nah.

He deserted his beer to lean back in his seat, throwing his arms casually behind his head, "Man, I don't need no cologne to impress Hinata-chan. I get pussy just fine." A grin stretched across his whiskered face, and with a lazy tilt of his head, he shot a pointed glance at Sasuke.

"Can't say the same for some people."

Kiba burst out laughing, nearly spilling his drink, catching onto exactly what Naruto was throwing.

And so did Sasuke.

The dark-haired Uchiha didn't so much as flinch, leveling Naruto with a flat, unimpressed stare.

"You really wanna start that conversation?"

"Ahhh shit, here we go." Kiba barked out a laugh.

"Nah, nah," Naruto chuckled, waving him off. "Just checkin' in, man. Heard things aren't exactly smooth between you and Sakura-chan—especially after that big argument you two had."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed, but he didn't take the bait.

Instead, he took a slow sip of his drink, keeping his voice even, controlled.

"Tch. You have a funny way of 'checking in.'" He huffed, setting his glass down with a dull clink, "Besides, I'm fine. It's really none of your damn business anyway, dobe."

Naruto grinned, leaning over and nudging Kiba's shoulder.

"Tough guy doesn't wanna talk about it, huh?"

Kiba snickered.

Sai simply blinked, his voice dry, "Ah, yes. The desperate mating displays of men." He shook his head, the motion causing his dull black hair to fall slightly over his equally dull eyes, "We're using cologne to turn our women into rabid animals now?"

"Yeah, that sounds dangerous. I'll pass on that." Neji sighed deeply, rolling his pale eyes in exasperation,

"It sounds… like cheating," Lee muttered, giving his bushy head a firm shake. His cheeks were bright red, and though he tried to keep a straight face, his embarrassment was obvious—this kind of talk was miles outside his comfort zone.

Naruto, on the other hand, merely scoffed, throwing a teasing glance at Sasuke, "Cheat or not, that sounds like something right up Sasuke's alley." He hummed playfully, feigning thought, "Yeah, maybe he needs some of that cologne too. Who knows, it might patch things up with Sakura-chan—get 'em back in the sheets again."

"Shut the hell up, dobe."

"Nah, you shut up and be a man." Naruto snickered, "Get your cock out of your hand, get that cologne, and reclaim your woman's pussy, teme!" He laughed, unable to hold back his amusement.

"I said shut the hell up."

Shikamaru smirked, shaking his head, clearly entertained, "Tch. You act cocky now, Naruto, but when you're on the train to Kyoto tomorrow, dropping hella cash on a bottle of Imperium Noir, I don't wanna hear it."

Those words stopped Naruto's laugh dead in its tracks.

The weight of Shikamaru's words sank in deep, and the playfulness that had been coursing through him moments before vanished in an instant.

"Nah, bet your ass I won't." Naruto shot back, trying to shrug it off.

"Yeah, yeah, alright." Shikamaru rolled his eyes, finally drifting his attention back to his beer.

Naruto scoffed, trying to dismiss the thought—but damn it, the idea had already wormed its way into his head. He couldn't shake what Shikamaru had said. Couldn't shake the way he described Temari's transformation—how one bottle of cologne had supposedly changed everything for him.

And Temari?

She wasn't just any woman.

She was fierce, independent, and, above all else, stubborn as hell. When it came to anything even remotely emotional or affectionate, Temari wasn't exactly the go-to girl.

That just wasn't her thing.

Hell, if you asked Shikamaru—and he's certainly bitched and moaned about it enough—she was about as affectionate as a damn cactus. Tough on the outside, spiky all over, and just enough warmth buried deep down that you would have to be incredibly brave or just straight up stupid to go digging for it.

So the very thought of Temari—the same woman who once gave Shikamaru the cold shoulder for forgetting to take out the trash—suddenly getting touchy, clingy, and openly soft with him?

All because of a bottle of cologne?

Now, that was wild.

Damn near unbelievable.

And yet…

Naruto couldn't help but think about Hinata.

His eyes drifted to the side, the constant hum of conversation around him fading into a dull blur—voices blending together, indistinct, background noise.

He was there physically—but his mind?

It was somewhere else entirely.

Lost in thoughts of…her.

His wife.

For as long as he could remember, Hinata had always been timid.

From the very first moment he met her to now—married and all—she had always remained the same. It was simply who she was, a trait so deeply ingrained into her being that he doubted it would ever change—especially when it came to expressing herself.

Hinata was… for lack of a better word, just too careful.

In their relationship, he noticed she always played it safe—never stepping beyond her comfort zone. And by that, he meant she never truly let herself open up.

Now, don't get him wrong—Hinata checked off a hell of a lot of boxes. She was sweet, gentle, and soft—always there when he needed her, ready with a comforting smile, the warmest hugs, and the kind of support that never needed words.

She was, in every way, the perfect wife.

Some would even say the definition of one.

Always thoughtful, always attentive—like how she'd press his suits and button-downs to perfection, every crease smooth and ready before he ever had to ask. Or the way she'd have his favorite meal waiting on the nights he came home late from work, or always keeping his shoes polished and neatly lined up by the door.

She paid attention to the small things, the kind of details that most people overlooked.

She made his life easier.

Made it better.

But still...

Something was missing.

As incredible as Hinata was—as much as she gave—there was always a part of her that still…held back.

Hinata never asked for much.

She was never demanding or bold—always reserved, always considerate of him and what he needed, what he wanted. In fact, she often put his needs before her own, always focusing on his comfort rather than pursuing what she truly desired.

And now that he really thought about it, she never actually…did that before.

Chased her own desires.

Naruto thought about the moments they shared—those intimate nights.

He remembered how she would get so shy when he'd touch her, how her words were always soft and hesitant. Even when he could see the flicker of desire in her eyes, she was always careful with it, as though she wasn't sure if she was allowed to want, allowed to ask for more.

He loved her deeply, he did—there was no doubt about that.

But that frustrated the hell out of him.

In bed, it was never wild, never over-the-top, never that flash of heat that took them both by storm.

It was just…Hinata holding herself back.

Most of the time.

Hell, all of the time.

There were times when he'd try to draw it out of her—gently coax it, ease her into opening up. But damn, it was like pulling teeth just to get her to admit what she really wanted. Even when she did say something, admitted just a grain of her desires, it was hard to tell if she was being completely honest or if she was simply trying to make him happy.

He was never quite sure if he was actually scratching her itch, or just getting played by that cute smile of hers—mainulpated ever so sweetly into believing that she was satisfied when deep down…

…she really wasn't.

"Am I… doing this right?"

"I—I don't know if this is okay, Naruto-kun."

"No, no, Naruto-kun, that's embarrassing!"

Naruto could hear her now—that soft voice of hers.

Questioning him. Chickening out on him. Swatting him away.

It had taken everything in him to keep his patience, to fight the urge to grab her, give her a good shake, and tell her that it was fine—that she didn't need to be so unsure. But it was moments like that—when she questioned her own desires—that made him wonder if he was truly connecting with her in those moments in bed, or if he was just making her feel even more subconscious.

His thigh started its bouncing again.

The crazy part was, he could sense it in her—Hinata wanted more. She did.

It was clear in the way she'd look at him, the way she'd melt when he was buried between her thighs, when he held her wrists above her head and gave it to her slow and deep—just enough to hear the faintest tremor in that sweet voice of hers.

But she never said a word.

Maybe… it was an insecurity thing.

Or maybe ignorance.

Or… fear?

Was she just scared to ask for more? Did she feel like it wasn't something she deserved? Or did she just not know where to even begin to ask?

His fingers dug into his face, his palms pressing hard against his eyes, frustration rolling off him in waves.

Damn it.

He didn't want to sound like a douche, but damn, it was getting harder to ignore. He wanted to give his wife everything—he wanted to be the one who made her feel like she could truly be herself, unafraid to ask for what she wanted, no matter what it was.

He wanted her to be selfish with him, to let herself take without hesitation.

But how could he, when she wouldn't let him in?

Naruto bit his lip, lowering his hands from his face.

Maybe, just maybe…

His thoughts wandered again, drifting back to the conversation from before, to the idea that had started to take root in his head. He couldn't shake the feeling that maybe something like this—this cologne—could be the thing that finally changed everything.

Could this be the key to make Hinata feel more comfortable? To dissolve that lingering cloud of hesitation—to gently pull back the curtain and finally get her to open up more? To make her feel like she could truly ask him for what she wanted, without fear, without doubt—without holding herself back?

Could something as simple as a bottle of cologne really change everything between them?

Naruto's mind raced.

Maybe a little nudge, a little help from something like this, could finally let her embrace her own desires, instead of always worrying about his.

He smirked.

Kyoto, huh?

Naruto's grip tightened around his beer glass as he leaned back in his chair, the thought lingering in his mind, the seed now planted.

Maybe, that's not a bad idea, after all.

He actually did it.

He's actually… here.

With a shaky grin tugging at his lips, Naruto stood outside a small, upscale boutique, his blue eyes flicking nervously between the minimalist sign above the door and the glowing screen of his phone in his hand.

The shop was exactly where Shikamaru said it'd be—tucked in a quiet little corner of Kyoto's bustling district. And yeah—this place was definitely fancy. The kind of fancy that made you feel underdressed just by breathing near the entrance. From the polished black glass doors, to the matte finishes, to the complete absence of any flashy signage—everything about this place screamed one thing: exclusive.

Even down to the clientele.

Sharp-dressed, sleek, and clearly loaded—the kind of men whose wallets were probably thicker than Naruto's forearm, who wore custom-tailored suits, drove imported cars, and likely never touched instant ramen a day in their lives.

The bougie aura rolling off every man who walked in and out of the entrance made one thing painfully clear—this place wasn't built for the everyday man. Definitely wasn't built for 'commonor's.' This was one of those "you touch it, you buy it" establishments.

But that wasn't enough to scare Naruto off.

Because no matter how out of place he felt…if this cologne could really do what Shikamaru claimed?

Then…it'd be worth it.

With a wider and far more confident smirk, Naruto glanced back down at his phone, staring at the text thread with Shikamaru.

Naruto: Yo, what was the name of that store again? You know, the one with the fancy cologne you were raving about.

Shikamaru: Haha, I knew you'd cave. You had that look on your face the second I mentioned it.

Shikamaru: You just couldn't resist, could you?

Naruto rolled his eyes.

He wasn't sure what bothered him more—the fact that he'd spent over two hours on a train just to stand in front of this uppity store, all for a damn bottle of cologne, or the fact that Shikamaru was being so damn smug about it.

He shook his head, reading on.

Naruto: Shut up, man. Just give me the goods.

Shikamaru: Alright, alright.

Shikamaru: Like I said, it's in Kyoto. The store's called Scented Dreams. Pretty easy to find once you're there.

Naruto stood there for a moment, taking a deep breath.

Kyoto.

Damn.

It felt almost surreal that he was even here. He hardly ever visited this side of Japan—never really had a reason to.

But it was worth it…right?

He was honestly hoping so.

He stared at the storefront again, and there it was, the name glowing on the sign: Scented Dreams.

He was really here.

His gaze shifted back to his phone as he scrolled through the last few texts, refreshing his memory of what he'd sent and received while riding on the train earlier.

Naruto: Sweet.

Naruto: And the cologne's name again?

Shikamaru: Imperium Noir.

Naruto clicked his tongue as he stared at the final text.

"This better be worth it, Shika," He muttered under his breath, pocketing his phone. With a deep breath, he finally turned his full attention to the shop in front of him.

Well, it's now or never.

Taking yet another deep breath, he took the first step forward.

The door seemed to loom larger as he walked toward it, the soft chime of the bell above ringing out as he finally pushed it open.

"Hello! Welcome to Scented Dreams!" A feminine voice greeted warmly as Naruto stepped through the door.

But he barely heard her.

His attention was immediately grabbed by the overwhelming sight in front of him.

Colognes.

So many colognes.

Rows upon rows of elegant bottles.

Gleaming glass shelves stretched wall to wall, stacked high with fragrances in every shape, size, and color imaginable. To the left, to the right, and all around him—bottles everywhere.

Scents for days.

Naruto's left eye twitched.

How the hell was he supposed to find Imperia-whatever in all this?

He barely acknowledged the woman at the counter, giving her a half-hearted nod without even glancing her way as he stepped deeper inside.

Just take one aisle at a time.

With that thought in mind, he began at the first row, taking a slow, steady approach—section by section. It seemed like the best strategy to navigate the place. Just work his way through until he found what he was looking for.

Should be simple enough.

He gave the first sign above a brief glance.

"Floral & Fresh Scents."

The first row he passed was filled with light floral, delicate, soft scents. Like lush gardens or the crisp, refreshing breeze of spring.

There were lavender and rose-based colognes, their bottles so carefully designed they looked like they belonged in a perfume ad.

He read the gold lettering on the labels as he moved past them:

Lavender Whispers.

Pure Bloom.

Soft Reverie.

Naruto couldn't help but wrinkle his nose.

Hell nah.

These scents felt a bit too…feminine for his taste.

He shook his head and moved on.

"Earthy & Woody Scents"

The next row was filled with exactly what the sign above promised—deep, dark bottles that gave off the rich, grounding scents of pine trees, oak, and sandalwood.

Now, this was more his speed.

A few of the labels caught his eye as he walked down the row.

Deep Oak.

Sandalwood Silence.

Oak Ember.

The names were simple, but they spoke to him. Perfect fit for his style. For a brief moment, he had the urge to pick up a few bottles, the temptation almost too much to resist.

But then his eyes drifted to the prices underneath the labels.

Deep Oak – ¥15,000

Sandalwood Silence – ¥18,500

Oak Ember – ¥20,000

He put his hand right back down.

Double hell nah.

He didn't come here for any of these overpriced bottles. He only came here for one cologne, and one cologne only. He wasn't about to drop half his paycheck on a bottle just because it smelt good.

Maybe some other time.

So, he moved on again.

He took a few more steps and passed by a section filled with spicy, citrusy colognes, the kind that smelled sharp and refreshing, like orange zest and cinnamon.

"Spicy & Citrusy Scents"

The bottles were vibrant and bold, a few of them in fancy little vials, elegant flacons, and sleek black bottles. They looked more like decorative pieces of art than mere cologne containers.

Citrus Blaze.

Spiced Ember.

Naruto clicked his tongue, shoving a hand in the pocket of his white slacks.

Damn.

There were so many—amber, patchouli, vanilla, earthy—the list felt endless.

Naruto's blue eyes flicked from one row to the next, each scent more overwhelming than the last.

But no sign of Imperidum Nort anywhere.

He ran a hand through his spiky blonde hair in frustration, his mind spinning. It felt like a game of chance now, a search for a needle in a haystack of scents.

Where the fuck is it?

Naruto finally reached the far end of the aisle and paused, exhaling a small sigh of relief when his eyes landed on a staff member—a tall man, carefully stocking rows of sleek bottles onto the shelf.

Without hesitation, he made a beeline straight for him.

"Sumimasen!" He called out, nearly breathless, "Mind if I steal a minute of your time, sir?"

The attendant straightened at the sound of Naruto's voice, turning in his direction. The spiky-haired blonde stepped in front of him, drawing in a deep breath as his eyes flicked down to the neatly pinned name tag on his chest.

Hiroshi.

"Of course! How can I help you, sir?" Hiroshi asked, offering a polite smile, "Is there anything I can help you locate today?"

Naruto hesitated for a moment before blurting out, "Actually, there's something I was hoping you could help me with," He glanced at his name tag again, "Hiroshi-san."

The ginger-haired man nodded, clearly eager to assist.

"This is actually my first time here," Naruto said. "A friend recommended the place to me—"

Hiroshi's face lit up with enthusiasm.

"Excellent! You're certainly in for a treat!" He said brightly, "We've got a huge selection here—amber, sandalwood, fresh citrus blends, spicy musks, and don't even get me started on the florals!" He briefly glanced down, his eyes catching the ring on Naruto's finger.

"Ahh, yes, I'm sure you and your significant other will love—"

"No, no, I'm looking for something very specific," Naruto interjected, feeling his impatience grow. He noticed the male attendant's enthusiasm waver just a bit, and a small pang of guilt hit him.

"No, no, I'm actually looking for something pretty specific," Naruto interrupted, his tone firmer than intended as a flicker of impatience crept in. He caught the way the male attendant’s smile dimmed just slightly—and fuck, that made him feel a little bad.

He couldn't deny that it did.

"Gomen," He said with a slight bow of his head before straightening up. Maybe he should just to get straight to the point then.

"I'm actually looking for Imperia Norm—"

Hiroshi blinked, a bit confused, "Imperia norm? I don't think—"

"No, no," Naruto said, shaking his head, "It's Imperidum Norma or… maybe Imperium Norp?" He muttered to himself, trying to get the name right.

Hiroshi's brows furrowed, clearly confused, and Naruto could feel himself getting more tangled up in the name.

"Imper... Imperidum... Imperia—fuck." Naruto cursed under his breath.

He let out a frustrated sigh, reaching into his pocket, "Hold on, hold on, just give me a sec."

He pulled out his phone, quickly scrolling through the texts from Shikamaru. When he found the message he needed, he turned the screen toward Hiroshi, pointing at the name with his index finger.

"That one right there," Naruto said, pointing. "That's the one I've been looking for."

Hiroshi's eyes widened the moment he caught sight of the cologne name on the phone screen.

"Ah!" He exclaimed, his expression lighting up, "I knew it! I wasn't totally sure, but I had a feeling that's what you were asking for." He nodded, excitement in his voice, "Imperium Noir, that's one of our best sellers!"

Naruto's face brightened with relief, "Hah, yes! That's the one."

Hiroshi smiled, his excitement evident as he stepped forward, "Follow me, I'll take you right to it."

Naruto bowed respectfully, lower than before, "Arigato gozaimasu."

He let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding and stepped onward, following Hiroshi as he led him deeper into the store.

"Thank you for shopping at Scented Dreams! Come back again sometime!"

Naruto barely heard the cashier's cheerful words as he stepped out of the store, the bag containing his new cologne now dangling in his hand.

He had it. He really had it.

The Imperium Noir.

Naruto moved quickly through the crowded streets of Kyoto, the bag in his hand feeling heavier than expected. He actually felt…excited, but there was also an undeniable sense of disbelief gnawing at him too.

Of course there was.

The cost of that damn cologne was now a permanent stain in his mind—the image of the moment he brought it to the counter, watched the cashier scan the barcode, and then saw that godforsaken price flash up on the register screen. The price had been astronomical—he could hardly wrap his head around how much he'd just spent.

A hefty ¥30,000.

Nearly two hundred damn dollars.

Yeah, that fucking stung.

And now, he was just eager to hop on the train and get his ass home. He'd already blown enough cash for the weekend.

With a few swift strides and the help of his long legs, it didn't take long for Naruto to have his wish granted.. Grinning, he stepped through the familiar entrance of the Shinkansen—the sleek bullet train prepped and ready to depart for Tokyo.

His last stop.

Naruto quickly slid into one of the empty seats—by the window, of course. Hands down the best seat in the entire train, no question. He sank into the cushioned chair with a long, relieved sigh, the tension of the day slowly unraveling as the padding welcomed him with the kind of comfort only a tired body could appreciate.

Two more hours, then he'd be home.

Once the train doors slid shut and the last passenger settled into their seat, Naruto didn't waste a single second. He barely spared a glance at the woman and child seated beside him—his attention was zeroed in on one thing and one thing only.

His new purchase.

With barely contained excitement, he reached for his bag and placed it onto his lap. His fingers traced the smooth surface, gliding slowly back and forth, as if savoring the anticipation. Slowly but surely, it all began to sink in—the reality of what sat inside this very bag was finally hitting him.

And it was finally his—all his.

And now that it was, he had to see it again. Touch it. Maybe even get a little whiff.

So, without hesitation, his fingers worked at the ribbon's knot, tugging it loose. The wrapping sighed as it parted—a whisper of sound that seemed too loud in the quiet of the train. His breath caught, ribs pressing tight against his lungs as he leaned closer, gaze dropping into the darkness yawning within the bag.

And there it was—right there.

Waiting for him.

His hands trembled slightly as he slid the cologne out of the bag and carefully removed it from its sleek black case, his eyes finally getting a good look at the bottle.

The cologne container was completely blue—a color so rich, it reminded him of the ocean at night. If he were being honest, it was actually pretty damn beautiful.

The surface of the bottle had a subtle shimmer, catching the bright light in the rocking train like a glint of ice. The label was sleek and elegant, with the name "Imperium Noir" etched in gold lettering, boldly standing out against the deep blue of the bottle, right across the center.

Naruto turned the bottle over in his hands, blue eyes narrowing as he gave it a thorough once-over.

At first glance, it didn't look like anything out of the ordinary.

Just fancy.

Expensive as hell.

The kind of bottle you'd see sitting on some billionaire's vanity—not something you'd expect to be a certified woman magnet though.

Still, he took his time, studying it, the weight, the feel, the high-end finish of the glass. And as he did, Hiroshi's words—the store clerk from Scented Dreams—came echoing back to him.

"Imperium Noir is a signature scent..." Hiroshi's voice played again in his mind, crisp and smooth.

"Deep, icy notes... a spicy undercurrent... and just a touch of woodsy spazzazz."

Naruto hummed under his breath, tilting the bottle slightly.

Sounded simple enough.

Nothing too crazy. Nothing over-the-top.

But then—his brows furrowed.

Because the rest of Hiroshi's words came rushing back as well.

The warning.

The part that didn't feel quite so… simple.

"Just a heads-up—Imperium Noir comes with a bit of a…disclaimer," Hiroshi had said, his voice dipping into something a little more serious.

"If I were you, I'd go light with it—just a couple of sprays. Trust me, a little's all you need."

Naruto remembered how the guy had paused then—leaned in close too, which honestly creeped him the hell out at the time.

"Because if you're not careful? It doesn't creep up. It hits. Fast. Hard. And then? Things get… intense."

Another pause.

"Not for you, necessarily—"

"—but for the woman waiting for you at home."

Naruto smirked, running the tip of his tongue quickly across his lips.

Intense, huh?

The cologne sounded so perfect in the store—right up his alley, in fact. But now, with the bottle in his hands and the reality of his purchase settling in, Naruto couldn't help but wonder if it could really live up to all the hype.

By hype, he meant Shikamaru, and how much he'd been gassing it up.

Naruto gave the bottle a gentle shake, listening to the faint swish of the liquid inside, "Alright… what's so special about you, huh?" He murmured to himself, more out of curiosity than any real expectation.

With a quick flick, he twisted off the cap. The soft click of it coming loose cut clean through the quiet hum of the train. He hesitated for a moment, bottle hovering near his face, then brought it closer to his nose…

….and finally took an inhale.

Instantly, the first whiff hit him like a wall—bold, rich, almost overwhelming.

Indeed, it was woodsy, with a subtle icy spice that instantly gripped his senses, pulling him in completely. He took another sniff, this time catching a citrusy note, light and refreshing, cutting through the deep richness of the scent.

He pulled the bottle away from his face, his mind racing as he gave it another once-over, the scent still lingering in his senses.

That… wasn't so bad.

Naruto couldn't stop himself.

He brought the bottle back for another sniff.

Then another.

And another.

With each inhalation, the layers of the fragrance seemed to reveal something new—deeper, more enticing. It drew him in—layer by layer, more intense with every breath.

And then, it happened.

He felt his body…relax.

The initial sharpness of the scent, which had completely blindsided him at first, gradually began to mellow, easing into something…more. The icy bite faded into a warm, spicy undertone like the cologne was opening up to him, to his senses—adapting to him.

It was strange… soothing, even.

His shoulders, tight since the moment he'd stepped foot into Scented Dreams, finally began to loosen, the tension bleeding out of him as he sank further into the plush train seat. He could feel it—his body melting, his thoughts softening at the edges, the scent wrapping around him like a silk noose he didn't want to escape.

…like a spell.

He tried—fuck, he tried—not to moan.

There was just…something about it—something almost addictive. Like no matter how many times he breathed it in—once, twice, three times—it still wasn't enough.

He needed more.

A craving he couldn't satisfy.

"Damn.." Naruto muttered to himself, almost in awe.

This… was more than he expected.

With a slight shiver running through him, he lifted the bottle to the light once more, watching the liquid shimmer inside it.

He shook his head in disbelief, "This... this is fucking good."

Just as he was about to take another sniff, a soft clearing of the throat snapped him out of his trance. He quickly turned his head to the right, where the woman and child had been sitting before. But now, the woman was staring, no, glaring at him, her expression tight and disapproving—most likely because of his language.

Naruto sweat droppped, and he let out a nervous laugh, realizing he might've gotten a little too carried away.

He quickly bowed his head, apologizing, "Gomenasai, miss."

The woman's eyes softened slightly, though the protective edge remained, especially with her child nearby, "You're fine... just please watch the language."

Naruto straightened up, a sheepish grin tugging at his lips, "Right. My bad."

The woman nodded curtly, her eyes briefly glancing at the cologne in his hand before she turned away, returning to tend to her child.

Minding her own business once more.

Naruto did the same.

He straightened back up in his seat, feeling the tension melt away just as quickly as it had come. Inevitably, his attention shifted right back to the cologne in his hand. His fingers traced the smooth glass of the bottle, marveling at its sleek design.

Yeah, it's official.

His decision to buy the cologne—despite the jaw-dropping price tag—actually felt worth it. Yeah, it had cost him a lot. A whole lot. But now, sitting there with the sleek bottle cradled in his hands, after just experiencing that scent, he didn't regret a thing.

Shikamaru was right—this stuff was the real deal.

Naruto's fingers curled a little tighter around the bottle as he leaned back into the plush seat, the smooth hum of the train fading into the background.

For the first time in a long while, he felt like maybe, just maybe, he'd made the right choice.

Now, the only thing left is to give it a try.

With a smirk creeping across his whiskered face, he pulled the bottle up to his neck and gave himself a spritz.

Continue Reading on Wattpad Or AO3.

||🖤𝓚𝓲𝓼𝓼 𝓜𝓮, 𝓣𝓱𝓻𝓲𝓵𝓵 𝓜𝓮 𝓒𝓸𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓬𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷🖤||

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