Previous Chapter

Kakashi’s nose twitched. There were cookies nearby. A wide smile stretched across his face as he glanced down at the street below. Cookies and Iruka-sensei, what could be better?

He landed on the street without a sound, ten paces behind the teacher as he made his way to the Academy. Target sighted. The teacher held a small Tupperware container, but the smell seemed to be coming from Iruka himself. He wondered if the chuunin would taste like sugar cookies too.

The nape of Iruka’s neck peeked out between Iruka’s shirt and his ponytail. Two questions stuck in Kakashi’s mind. First, if he snuck up behind Iruka, let his tongue lap at the exposed flesh, what would it taste like? Second, exactly how many kunai would he have to dodge immediately thereafter?

Instead, Kakashi crept quietly up behind the teacher, carefully lifted the lid of the Tupperware, and pulled out a cookie. They were still somewhat warm. Kakashi popped the entire cookie in his mouth and had to bite his lip to keep from making any noises that would give away his position.

He pulled out another cookie.

“Kakashi-sensei, may I ask what you think you’re doing?”

Apparently he hadn’t been as quiet as he’d thought. Two quick steps brought him even with Iruka. “Who me?” His innocent smile was probably made slightly less effective by the fact that Iruka couldn’t see it and by the cookie crumbs sticking to the front of his mask.

Iruka made a show of glancing around. “I don’t see any other jounin sneaking around.”

“I’m not sure if that actually qualifies as ‘sneaking’ per se. Perhaps ‘following inconspicuously’?”

His fingers twitched towards the Tupperware. Those cookies were really good. Almost worth the risk of kunai.

“Kakashi-sensei.” Iruka’s voice carried an unmistakable warning.

He reached for another cookie.

“Two.” Kakashi discarded two cards into the pile, slipping the new cards Azuma handed him into his hand. His luck was running foul tonight. So far the best he’d managed was two pair and that was a world better than the cards staring back at him now.

“Anyone want a beer?” Anko called from Genma’s kitchen.

Kakashi raised a hand, fingers closing around the beer that smacked into his palm. “Nice throw,” he complimented without looking up and sighed. “Fold.” He dropped his cards onto the table. There went another twenty.

Genma looked up as a soft knock sounded from the door, almost drowned out but the pouring rain outside.

“I fold.” Genma tossed his cards down as he stood.

Kakashi glanced surreptitiously around the room, wondering who they were missing. All the regulars were present, scattered on the couch or floor around Genma’s table. Kurenai sat between Kakashi and Azuma, with Anko watching from the couch. Raidou sat on the opposite side of the table.

The door was opened. Genma’s body momentarily blocked sight of the visitor. Soft words were exchanged and then Genma moved aside, ushering his visitor in. Kakashi blinked. He almost didn’t recognize the chuunin teacher as he walked in. The scar across Iruka’s nose gave him away, but that was where the similarities ended. Loose, wet black hair hid most of Iruka-sensei’s face, clinging to the sides of his face. Iruka was drenched, his clothes dripping water onto Genma’s hardwood floor.

Iruka glanced into the living room and did a surprisingly good impression of a startled deer before swinging his wide-eyed gaze back to Genma. “I-I can leave. You have company and I…”

Genma’s hand was on Iruka’s back, guiding the chuunin into the room. “We can talk in my bedroom.” Iruka tugged nervously at his sleeves but didn’t look over again. Genma shot a look over Kakashi’s head. Anko stood and followed Genma into the bedroom. The door shut behind them.

Iruka stared at the closed door, his lips trembling. Genma’s fingers moved through a familiar jutsu. Green light flashed along the corners of the room and that was Iruka’s breaking point. His breath escaped in a loud gasp and then he was falling onto the bed. He sobbed into Genma’s shoulder, only barely aware of Anko’s hand on his back.

“It’s okay,” Genma murmured into his wet hair. “It’s okay.”

Anko moved away and then there was a heavy cloth on his head. Fingers rubbed along his scalp, drawing the moisture from his hair before moving down to his shoulders. His tears seemed to dry along with his skin. He almost felt like he could breathe as Anko and Genma peeled his wet clothing away, toweling his skin dry before dressing him in some of Genma’s old clothing.

Iruka’s head ended up in Genma’s lap with Anko on the floor in front of him. The both were watching him, concerned.

“What happened?” Genma asked softly.

They had to have noticed the bruises. The t-shirt did nothing to cover his forearms and they would have seen the ones along his back, the dark marks down his legs. Genma pulled Iruka’s hair away from his face, revealing a large bruise on Iruka’s cheek.

They were waiting for him. Memories of the fight with Maki pressed in around him and he whimpered, shivering in remembered fear. “I…” He wasn’t sure where to start, what to say. They were going to blame Maki, no matter what he said. His instincts screamed to protect Maki, even now, but his head, the logical part of his brain, knew better than to lie to jounin.

“W-we were alright. He was over for dinner, and things had been… good. I mean he gets a little moody sometimes but he’d never… but he wasn’t really touching his food, just drinking sake, and then h-he… he said something about rumors and how he’d heard about Miyuki and Hayate and I…” Iruka shuddered and brought his legs up closer to his chest. Genma pulled a blanket over him. “I didn’t know what to say. I mean, some of it was true but the rest… I think he was just making it up because I’d never… and then he said… he called me…” Iruka swallowed quickly and forced himself to keep his eyes open. He could still hear how angry Maki sounded, could still feel his hands and… Anko’s fingers entwined with his, grounding him back in the present.

“He said I was a whore and asked me how many other guys I’d slept with before him. It’s not like he didn’t know. I mean, those relationships ended a long time ago. Did he think I’d been celibate the entire time up until we met? I said as much, and then he got really mad.” He remembered the way Maki’s face had turned bright red and the table may have broken. Then Maki’s hands were on him. Iruka tightened his grip on Anko’s hand. The fight had been over hours ago but the fear hadn’t yet left him. “He pushed me down. I tried to fight him but he was stronger and then he hit me on the back of the neck, did something to my chakra and…” Iruka let the words die of.

He should have fought harder. He should have used jutsu first, sorted out hurt feelings later. They could have fixed that, when Maki was sober. This… he wasn’t sure he wanted to fix this.

“Did he… force you?” Anko’s face was dark. He didn’t have to look up to know Genma was just as angry.

His lack of response told them everything they needed to know.

Raidou stared at the closed door and sighed. “I hope Makitomo likes the cold.”

Kurenai snorted softly. “Assuming he makes it that far. Accidents do happen, and it’s a dangerous time of year to travel.” She took a rather vicious swig from her beer, setting it back on the table far harder than necessary.

Kakashi stared at the suddenly grim faces all around him, confused. “I think I’m missing something here.”

“You know Makitomo?” The name sounded like a curse on Kurenai’s lips.

Kakashi nodded slowly. “I think so. He’s a jounin, a couple years older than me. I don’t think I ever actually talked to him.”

“Yeah, well, he’s a bastard, apparently, so don’t be surprised if he’s transferred out of Konoha very soon.”

That didn’t really explain much at all. Kakashi strained his ears but he couldn’t hear a sound from the other room. Silencing jutsu, most likely, though Kakashi wasn’t sure why they’d need one.

Azuma leaned across the table. “Iruka and Makitomo were an item. Considering Iruka’s here, like that, that means things just ended, and rather messily from the looks of it.”

“So, Iruka’s going to make Makitomo leave the village?” That made even less sense to Kakashi. From what he knew of the teacher, he was overprotective of his children but he’d seemed like a rather pleasant person overall.

Kurenai shook her head. “No, Tsunade is, as soon as she finds out.”

This is why he stayed out of politics, Kakashi thought. Far too confusing. “So Tsunade’s going to send Makitomo out of the village because he broke up with a teacher?”

The others shared a meaningful glance.

“Iruka has a type,” Raidou explained slowly. “It’s hit or miss sometimes, I mean, it’s not like Iruka always falls for assholes. There were a few decent guys scattered in there, but when it ends like this…” Raidou pointed at Kakashi with the mouth of his beer. “Don’t ask about the bruises.”

The door opened again, cutting off the question Kakashi was about to ask. Genma and Anko emerged, trailed by a now-dry Iruka. The chuunin wore what Kakashi assumed was an old t-shirt of Genma’s and a pair of sweatpants. Dark bruises in the shape of hands decorated Iruka’s arms and it looked like he had a rather impressive bruise on the side of his face, mostly hidden under his loose hair.

The chuunin didn’t look up as he settled on the couch next to Anko, his head on Anko’s shoulder. Kakashi found himself acutely aware of the teacher’s presence behind his back.

Raidou set his cards down. “Call.”

Kurenai and Azuma echoed it. Cards revealed, Raidou collected chips and added them to his already massive pile.

“Did you want dealt in?” Azuma asked Iruka.

“No, thank you.” Iruka sounded slightly hoarse.

Kurenai leaned back. “Can I get you anything?”

“I’m fine.” Anko’s arm was around the chuunin, rubbing softly along his arm.

New cards appeared in front of Kakashi. Raidou drained the last of his beer and stood to get more, returning with a full six pack. He passed two to Kurenai, who opened both and handed one to Iruka. The chuunin accepted it without a word. Kakashi wondered if he should leave. The others seemed much more familiar with the chuunin. He felt like he was in the way, but if he left now, they’d know why he was leaving. He wasn’t sure he wanted to leave Iruka with that kind of impression.

Cards moved, more beer appeared. Kakashi continued to lose spectacularly. He blamed it on the beer, like he always did. Kurenai was the first to leave, dragging a drunk Azuma off with her. Raidou took over the deck, dealing yet another round and handing Kakashi back a few of his lost chips when Kakashi ran out of cash. Anko finally uncurled from the couch, ruffling Iruka’s hair as she stood and Kakashi figured that was his cue to leave as well. He folded, handing the rest of his borrowed chips back to Raidou as he stood. Muscles popped as he stretched. He handed Anko her umbrella as he pulled his coat from the closet.

Kakashi couldn’t help glancing back at Iruka as he left, strange emotions swirling in his stomach.

Iruka said nothing as Raidou packed up the poker equipment, sliding the cards back into their box and sorting chips into a tin. Genma moved around the room, tossing beer bottles and paper plates into a large garbage bag. Raidou stood and circled the table.

“Up we go.” Hands under Iruka’s armpits lifted him to his feet and then Raidou was pushing him towards the bedroom. Behind them, lights went out. He could hear Genma locking the door and moving around the apartment, checking to make sure it was secure.

Iruka crawled under the covers while Raidou changed.

“Does he think I’m weak?”

Raidou glanced down at him. “Who?”

“Kakashi.”

The jounin shrugged. “I don’t think so. Do you know each other?”

Iruka thought about that for a second. “I… I know Kakashi. He was Naruto’s teacher, but… I think we’ve only ever really spoken twice, and I yelled at him when he nominated Naruto for the Chuunin Exams and…” Was that all there was between them? The list seemed too short.

“He doesn’t think less of you, or at least if he does, we’ll set him straight,” Genma said as he walked into the room, closing the bedroom door behind him.

Cold air ghosted over Iruka’s front as the covers were lifted. Raidou’s arms went around Iruka’s waist, pulling him close. The sheets rubbed against Iruka’s bruises, reminding him of Maki. He bit his lip and told himself he wasn’t going to cry. He’d done enough of that already tonight. The blankets moved again as Genma settled behind him, draping an arm over both Iruka and Raidou.

“Think you can sleep?” Genma asked.

Iruka nodded slowly and closed his eyes. This wasn’t the first time he’d ended up in Genma and Raidou’s bed. He doubted it would be the last. But right now, it was warm and comfortable and made him feel safe. As he drifted off to sleep, he couldn’t help but remember the way Kakashi’s eyes had constantly darted back to him during the night and the way Kakashi had looked at him right before he left.

He really hoped the jounin didn’t think less of him after tonight.

Next Chapter

Previous Chapter

Iruka was dreaming. He felt like his body was floating. It was warm, like he was basking in the sun. He could feel the warmth all the way down his body, the source of this pleasant heat pressed along his back, stretched head to toe against him. Iruka moaned. Even in his dreams, it felt like Kakashi was molesting him. He could feel lips soft on his neck and hands moving slowly down Iruka’s stomach. Inside… it felt like Kakashi was inside of him, moving languidly, their hips gently sliding together.

It felt perfect, like only a dream could.

One of Kakashi’s legs pushed between Iruka’s, spreading his hips slightly wider. Iruka could feel pleasant heat building in his belly as he started the inexorable rise to climax. A hand circled him, drawing down his length slowly, matching the push of Kakashi’s hips inside of him.

“Ruka.” Kakashi whispered in his ear before licking the rim of his ear. He moaned again and tilted his head to the side, allowing Kakashi easier access to his neck. Gentle fingers brushed Iruka’s loose hair over his shoulder. Wet kisses pressed down his neck, pausing occasionally as Kakashi would bite down, leaving a trail of kiss marks along Iruka’s skin.

“Ruka.” Kakashi’s hand sped up slightly as he started to pump more firmly. Iruka gasped as Kakashi’s other hand scratched his chest lightly before stopping to tease one of Iruka’s nipples into a hard nub.

“Kakashi,” he gasped, feeling suddenly helpless under Kakashi’s onslaught. He was getting close, just a little more, a little harder. “Kakashi, please…”

“What do you need, Ruka?”

He couldn’t think that far ahead, he just needed more of any of it, all of it. He needed Kakashi. “Please,” Iruka repeated.

“Are you going to come for me, Ruka?”

He was so close. Kakashi’s fingers tightened, pulling high-pitched moans out of Iruka with each stroke. “Yes, Kakashi, please… please…”

His head was turned until warm lips fitted over it, Kakashi’s tongue settling inside and pressing hard against the roof of his mouth. Iruka keened in desperation and sucked on the invading tongue. So close, so close he just needed… needed…

Kakashi briefly released Iruka’s erection as he switched hands and reached down to grab Iruka’s leg, pulling it up to Iruka’s chest. Kakashi slammed inside of him, hitting deep, and that was exactly what Iruka needed. He cried into Kakashi’s mouth as he came.

The kiss broke as they rolled, Iruka’s face pressed into the pillow as Kakashi reached down to pull Iruka’s other knee up to his chest. Kakashi bucked hard into him, once, twice, another hard slam and he came, fingers digging into Iruka’s hips and pulling him back tight against Kakashi.

Iruka opened his eyes and struggled to catch his breath as he finally woke up fully. Kakashi was draped over Iruka, an uncomfortable weight considering the way Iruka was curled up. Reaching back, Iruka swatted lightly at Kakashi’s hip.

“I need to move.”

“No problem.”

Kakashi rolled onto his back, arms around Iruka’s waist bringing Iruka with him. Iruka shuddered as he felt Kakashi slide deeper inside of him. “Kakashi…”

They were both still for several minutes, their erratic breathing slowly steadying. Iruka stared up at the ceiling and tried to work up the energy to move. He had to be heavy. He couldn’t imagine that Kakashi was actually comfortable like this, and Kakashi was still inside of him. He needed to move, clean off the sheets before they stained, but he couldn’t quite seem to get his heart rate to settle and his limbs still felt sluggish.

The jounin’s knees came up between Iruka’s legs, slowly parting to spread Iruka wide. Iruka’s eyes widened as he realized Kakashi wasn’t as limp as he should be. “Ah, no…” He couldn’t, not this soon. “Kakashi… stop.”

Hands on his hips lifted him just enough to give Kakashi room to thrust up. “No,” Iruka moaned, his head rolling back against Kakashi’s chest. It was too soon. He felt like his nerves were on fire, each touch amplified on his over-sensitized skin.

Kakashi’s muscles strained on either side of him, lifting him and then slamming up before letting their hips down onto the futon again. He wasn’t sure what to do with his hands, not without getting in the way and as much as he wanted it to stop he couldn’t bring himself to. It felt like he was going to shatter, to break apart under Kakashi’s hands and hips but if he had to die, that was the way to go, with Kakashi deep inside of him.

“Aaah! Kakashi! Kakashi…”

Iruka wasn’t the only one moaning. He could hear Kakashi groaning in his ear and there was no way he could make Kakashi stop, not when the jounin sounded like this.

Reaching up, Iruka twisted his fists into the pillow case on either side of their heads. He brought his feet flat against the futon, lifting his hips with Kakashi. There was no way it could last long, not this soon. Kakashi bit his shoulder, hips slamming up, and Iruka was coming again, his voice filling the room and drowning out Kakashi’s low moan as the jounin came with him.

When he woke again, the bed was clean and Kakashi was gone. Iruka rolled over, wincing as pain shot through his hips.

“Kakashi?”

White hair and a brightly smiling face peeked around the doorway. “Merry Christmas, love.”

Iruka smiled back. “Merry Christmas.”

“I made breakfast. Want me to bring it to you?”

Iruka shook his head and started to sit up. He froze before he got more than a few inches off the mattress and fell back with a groan. He knew that familiar ache. Iruka glanced at the jounin and then held up his arms. “Help me?”

“My pleasure.” Kakashi was only chuckling a little as he slipped an arm under Iruka’s knees and another behind his back. The jounin lifted Iruka easily, carrying him over to the couch. Iruka blushed as he realized they were both still naked.

“Kakashi…”

A box landed in Iruka’s lap before he could protest their current state of undress.

“Here. You might want that.”

Iruka raised an eyebrow as he stared at the brown wrapped package. Slowly, he pulled the bow apart and untied the ribbon, setting it on the coffee table next to a plate of eggs and bacon.

“Can I open this?” Kakashi waved his own present.

“Of course.”

Paper tore under Kakashi’s hands while Iruka slipped his finger under the edge of the wrapping paper on his own present, carefully unwrapping the package. Kakashi had his box open while Iruka was still sliding off the wrapping paper. Iruka paused to watch as Kakashi lifted the lid and pulled back the paper.

“Pajamas?” Kakashi picked up the pajama top with great care, turning the brown fabric over in his hands to study the scarecrow pattern.

“I figured those might fit you better than mine.”

Kakashi’s smile was blinding. “Thank you, Ruka.” Kakashi stood quickly, pulling the pajama pants on. “They’re warm and soft, kinda like you.”

Iruka blushed and tugged the last of the wrapping paper off the box. It was about the same shape as the box Kakashi’s pajamas had come in, but taller. Iruka pulled off the lid and stared. His hand shook a little as he set the lid on the floor and reached inside, running his finger along the black silk.

Reverently, Iruka pulled the black silk yukata out of the box, marveling at the blue waves embroidered into the fabric. Tiny silver dolphins frolicked among the waves at odd intervals, almost hidden in the elaborate pattern formed by the waves.

“Kakashi, I can’t… it’s… it’s beautiful…”

“It’s yours.” Iruka could feel the box being pulled off his lap and then Kakashi’s hand on his elbow was forcing him to his feet. “Here, try it on.” Kakashi pulled the yukata from Iruka’s hands, holding the garment open for Iruka to slip his arms through.

“I can’t! I haven’t showered and-”

“It’s meant to be pajamas, Ruka.” The fabric slid smoothly along Iruka’s arms. Kakashi folded the fabric around him, tying it loosely with a thin black obi.

Kakashi pulled him back down onto the couch, settling Iruka on his lap and then handing the box back to Iruka. It wasn’t empty.

“What…”

Kakashi held him tight around the waist as Iruka pulled out another black kimono, this time decorated with faint grey leaves and tiny purple flowers. Underneath laid a light purple juban then a matching obi and cord. Iruka blushed as he realized there was no hakama to accompany it.

He had no idea what to say.

“I noticed that you didn’t have any kimono in your closet, so I figured I should remedy that. Do you like it?”

“Kakashi…”

The jounin frowned and pressed his fingers against Iruka’s lips. “Don’t even think about saying you can’t take it. I had it made for you, so it’s yours.”

Iruka placed a light kiss on Kakashi’s fingers. “I love it. Thank you.”

Reaching forward, Iruka pressed his lips to Kakashi, trying his hardest to convey all the emotions he couldn’t find words for.

Kakashi nuzzled Iruka’s cheek and held him close. “Will you wear it for me on New Years?”

“Of course.” Iruka let his head fall back on Kakashi’s shoulder. A wide smile split his face. “Do you think we could take Naruto with us, if he’s still in town? I… I think it’d be nice, kind of like a real family.”

“I’d like that, Iruka. I’d love to be your family.”

Previous Chapter

Iruka laid awake long into the dead of the night. Beside him, Kakashi snored softly, his arms holding Iruka close like a teddy bear. Faint light filled the room from the living room, the soft light from the Christmas tree overflowing into the bedroom. Only three presents were left under the tree. The children’s gifts had been distributed on the last day of school and Iruka had spent part of the morning delivering the rest to his chuunin and jounin friends.

One of the boxes would be waiting a few more days until Naruto finally came home. The other two… Iruka was slightly worried whether Kakashi would like his present. It would be fine, most likely. After all, it just seemed to fit Kakashi and he was positive he’d gotten the size right. As for his present… he really hoped Kakashi hadn’t gotten him anything perverted. Hopefully Kakashi had better sense than that, but it was Kakashi so…

“You’re thinking too loud.”

Iruka jumped in surprise. “K-kakashi? You’re awake?”

“As are you. Do you need me to help remedy that?”

Iruka blushed and hid his face against Kakashi’s chest. “I… um… no, that’s alright…”

Kakashi laughed softly and squeezed one side of Iruka’s ass. “Okay, but the offer’s still open. Can’t sleep?”

“My mind won’t settle down.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll love whatever you got me. I’m thrilled as it is, just knowing you want to spend Christmas together.”

“How did you-”

“Ruka, you can be a little obvious when you worry.”

“Oh.” Iruka’s blush darkened and he was glad for the lack of light in the room.

“If you’re really worried about it, you can just tie a bow around your-”

Iruka counted to ten before he pulled the pillow off of the jounin’s face.

“I hear they make candy cane flavored-”

Ten seconds was not long enough.

Suddenly, Iruka was in the air, his back hitting the futon as the pillow fell away. One of Kakashi’s hands pinned both of Iruka’s above his head. “Are you done worrying now?”

“Y-yes.”

Kakashi leaned down to kiss Iruka softly. “I don’t suppose you want to…”

It was tempting, but Iruka was tired and they really did need to get some sleep tonight. “Maybe in the morning?”

Kakashi smiled and planted one last kiss on Iruka’s cheek before rolling them back over. “So you mean I get my present early?”

Iruka slapped Kakashi lightly on the arm and settled back down to sleep. He was looking forward to Christmas morning.
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Comment On This Story Day 23: Lights
Disclaimer: Naruto is copyright Masashi Kishimoto. Characters used without permision.

Iruka laid awake long into the dead of the night. Beside him, Kakashi snored softly, his arms holding Iruka close like a teddy bear. Faint light filled the room from the living room, the soft light from the Christmas tree overflowing into the bedroom. Only three presents were left under the tree. The children’s gifts had been distributed on the last day of school and Iruka had spent part of the morning delivering the rest to his chuunin and jounin friends.

One of the boxes would be waiting a few more days until Naruto finally came home. The other two… Iruka was slightly worried whether Kakashi would like his present. It would be fine, most likely. After all, it just seemed to fit Kakashi and he was positive he’d gotten the size right. As for his present… he really hoped Kakashi hadn’t gotten him anything perverted. Hopefully Kakashi had better sense than that, but it was Kakashi so…

“You’re thinking too loud.”

Iruka jumped in surprise. “K-kakashi? You’re awake?”

“As are you. Do you need me to help remedy that?”

Iruka blushed and hid his face against Kakashi’s chest. “I… um… no, that’s alright…”

Kakashi laughed softly and squeezed one side of Iruka’s ass. “Okay, but the offer’s still open. Can’t sleep?”

“My mind won’t settle down.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll love whatever you got me. I’m thrilled as it is, just knowing you want to spend Christmas together.”

“How did you-”

“Ruka, you can be a little obvious when you worry.”

“Oh.” Iruka’s blush darkened and he was glad for the lack of light in the room.

“If you’re really worried about it, you can just tie a bow around your-”

Iruka counted to ten before he pulled the pillow off of the jounin’s face.

“I hear they make candy cane flavored-”

Ten seconds was not long enough.

Suddenly, Iruka was in the air, his back hitting the futon as the pillow fell away. One of Kakashi’s hands pinned both of Iruka’s above his head. “Are you done worrying now?”

“Y-yes.”

Kakashi leaned down to kiss Iruka softly. “I don’t suppose you want to…”

It was tempting, but Iruka was tired and they really did need to get some sleep tonight. “Maybe in the morning?”

Kakashi smiled and planted one last kiss on Iruka’s cheek before rolling them back over. “So you mean I get my present early?”

Iruka slapped Kakashi lightly on the arm and settled back down to sleep. He was looking forward to Christmas morning.

Next Chapter

There was nothing quite as nice as coming home and knowing he wasn’t not alone, even if it wasn’t really his home. Matt smiled as he opened the door, yawning with exhaustion as he locked the door behind him. His jacket went over the back of the recliner, his bag dropped on the floor beside it. He kicked his shoes into the hall closet, not caring that they rolled off to separate sides of the closet, lounging awkwardly on top of rows of neatly line shoes.

The lights were off but that didn’t bother him. He liked the dark, sometimes, and he’d spent enough time in this house over the years that he knew where the furniture was supposed to be – not that it was always there, things happened, sometimes rooms needed rearranged but normally it was Matt freaking out over the feng shui whenever he was in the midst of a writer’s block.

He unbuttoned his shirt as he walked. The bedroom door stood open, a faint bit of light from the street trailing in through the open curtains. Matt tossed his shirt into the laundry basket before unbuckling his belt and slipping it out of his pants. The belt joined many others like it on a hook on the back of the closet door. He dropped his pants, kicking them in the general direction of the rest of the dirty clothes. The bed dipped as he sat on the edge, tugging off one sock, then the other and sending them sailing through the dark.

Arms snaked around his waist from behind. “You finally finish?”

Reaching behind him, Matt threaded his fingers through short hair. “Yeah, it’s done, at least until tomorrow.” Neither moved. “You know, you’re going to have to scoot over if you want me in bed. I’m not sleeping standing up.”

The arms pulled away. Matt slipped under the covers, rolling until he could settle his head on a broad chest.

“Good night, Danny.”

“Good night, Matt.”

He closed his eyes and smiled. It was good to be home.

The clock on the wall was mocking him, ticking away every new second of his entirely unfunny life and reminding him in big, bold, red numbers exactly how much he was going to blow this episode. Blow or get blown, but that would have to come later, because right now he had to write. No sex until the writing was done. That was the rule.

Two scenes. All they needed was two more scenes of something at least reasonably funny. He was good at funny, sometimes. Not today it seemed, but today was all he had left because they needed to practice and he could pull off something last minute but he hated doing that. It never turned out the same as something rehearsed. But he was running out of time, which meant he didn’t really have a choice, he just needed something and they could fix it after rehearsal. He’d settle for anything really. Hell, right now, he’d settle for funny’s ugly but kind of nice second cousin twice removed, the one with the buck teeth and awkward smile that still knew exactly what to say to make everything alright. He’d take funny’s drunken uncle that wasn’t really funny at all but you couldn’t not laugh because that was the quickest way to make him go away.

Matt stared at the blank document in front of him and groaned. He was making up a fake family for funny. This was so not good. He felt like he needed a cigarette, except he didn’t smoke, which meant he needed sex, which he wasn’t going to get. A good roast beef sandwich would probably make a decent substitute, but he was fairly certain none of the delis nearby were open this late.

Red numbers continued to turn, counting down the end of his life.

He drummed his fingers along the keys, enjoying the faintly musical sound. Maybe something about musicians? …Geek musicians that composed music to the sound of typing. Was there a way to work computer games into it? Maybe a Christmas tune…. Did they have anyone who played computer games on staff?

The door to his office swung open and shut. The hallway disappeared as the blinds slid shut. There went his hope of catching his assistant’s eye and asking for a sandwich. He could have just paged her, but paging meant he wasn’t writing.

“How’s it going?” Danny moved around the room, systematically covering all the windows.

“The clock’s going to kill me. Do you know anything about computer games?”

“It’s a clock, it can’t do anything to you, and no, I don’t.”

Matt jotted the idea down on his pad for later and forced his brain to move on. Was it too late to do something with animals? Probably, but they had animal suits. The idea of something singing stuck in his head and he quickly tapped out the beginning of a parody of caroling. Maybe if they had people in animal suits and then the songs could go like… The room disappeared around him as he typed furiously, finishing the lyrics then going back and adding in stage directions. They’d need someone to come in from the left, and then there’d be a porch, fake snow, dog suit, basket of apples…

“That’s pretty funny.”

Matt jumped, accidentally erasing the last line he’d typed. Two quick key presses and the line was back. He saved and closed the document, attaching it as an email to his assistant for inclusion in the script. One down, one to go.

He dropped his head back on his chair to glare at Danny. The other man’s hands rested on the back of his chair. “Haven’t I told you not to do that?”

Danny just smiled down at him. “You did, I just didn’t feel like listening. You make this really funny noise when you jump. I’ve never heard anything else like it.”

“Oh, thanks, glad I could amuse you. I have…” Matt glanced at the clock, subtracted in his head. “…an hour and a half until rehearsal and you are not making me funny.”

“Don’t worry, you’re funny enough already.” He had a feeling he was being insulted.

“Haha. I’ve got one scene left. One.”

“Any ideas?”

Matt opened his mouth as he searched his brain. His lips snapped shut. “Nothing.”

“I thought so. Need some inspiration?”

“I- Danny, I need to…”

His chair was pulled back from the desk and spun until he was looking at Danny. The cursed clock ticked away behind his back. Danny’s lips covered Matt’s, swallowing his protests and for a brief second he let himself stop thinking long enough to enjoy Danny’s tongue sliding into his mouth. A kiss would be enough, it had to be because there wasn’t time and they’d come looking for the last scene in….

Cool air ghosted over him as his pants were suddenly opened. Danny’s hand was… Danny’s hand was reaching inside, his thumb stroking lightly over Matt as he felt the beginnings of an erection stirring inside of him. With one hand, he pushed Danny’s mouth away.

“Danny, I-”

“No talking now. Just enjoy it.”

Danny’s mouth moved and he thought Danny was going to kiss him again but instead Danny slid down to his knees and his mouth… “Wow.” They didn’t do this often, not here, but Matt suddenly figured out why Danny had closed all the blinds. Calculating bastard.

Matt bit his lip and groaned, trying not to move as Danny swallowed him, his mouth hot and wet and so goddamn perfect around Matt. He wished he had time to return the favor, that they could do more than just this but there was the script and… maybe tonight, if they weren’t too tired and they actually made it back home – either of their homes would work – and into bed.

He wished he was in bed. It’d been at least a week, though that was becoming their usual schedule. Matt’s rule was no sex until the script was done, but sometimes, like now, Danny broke it. He called it ‘finding inspiration’ and Matt had to admit, he was inspired though not quite in the way he needed to be.

Danny’s tongue circled his head, bringing Matt so very close to where he needed to be. “Oh, god, Danny…” His fingers curled in Danny’s shirt.

Hands pulled at his hips, sliding him forward on the thankfully large chair and then tugging his pants down enough that Danny had room to reach up and roll Matt’s balls between his fingers, pushing lightly with his palm.

Then Danny’s mouth was gone briefly and he heard Danny spit before his erection was swallowed down again. Wet fingers pushed inside of him and that was all he needed to force him over the edge. Matt bit the back of his hand as he came in Danny’s mouth, trembling as Danny swallowed around him and then licked Matt clean.

He moaned as Danny’s fingers pulled out. That was a tease, really, since now Matt wanted more but he couldn’t have that until they were in bed much, much later.

Danny pulled his pants back up, settling Matt back in his chair as if nothing had happened and then turning his chair back to his desk. Barely an hour left, the clock reminded him. Matt stared at the computer for a brief second, sizing up his rival before reaching forward. Words flowed across the page.

A hand ruffled Matt’s hair. He barely acknowledged it, didn’t even look away from the screen.

“See you at rehearsal. You coming back with me tonight?”

Matt grunted his ascent. The door opened and closed. Matt continued writing.

Taki sighed as he stepped under the water, eyes closing as he let the water wash away the blood – thankfully not his or Goh’s – and dirt staining his skin. Reaching down blindly, he adjusted the hot water tap until the water was as hot as he could stand it. He could already feel his muscles relaxing with the heat. Slowly, his body unwound from the tension of the mission.

He hated how worked up he got sometimes. He forgot, occasionally, how stressful missions could be when there was danger involved and he was worried not only for his own safety, but Goh’s as well. They’d been shot at this time, and then they’d gotten into a hand-to-hand fight with a couple of the security guards that had been chasing them. Somehow they’d gotten out of it alive and relatively unhurt this time, mission accomplished. In the morning, Taki’s bruises would remind him just how close they’d come to being caught. For now, he had the water to wash away the pain and lingering fear.

The door opened and Taki couldn’t help but jump, his nerves still somewhat on edge.

“Just me.” Goh’s voice echoed off the bathroom walls. The door shut again.

Taki blushed and glared at Goh around the shower curtain, careful to keep everything but his face covered. “Get out.”

Goh just smiled at him and started pulling off his shirt, tossing it on top of the pile of Taki’s own filthy clothes. “You don’t want some company?”

“No, I don’t. Get out.” Taki ducked back around the shower curtain as Goh dropped his pants. He’d seen Goh naked a number of times, but that was in the bedroom. This… this was different. This was in the light, where Goh could see all of him.

“Don’t be like that. I’ll wash your back for you.”

“I don’t need your help!”

The opposite end of the shower curtain moved. Taki stepped under the spray again, careful to keep his face forward to hide his blush. He could hear the curtain swish closed and the soft splashing as Goh stepped closer, though that didn’t stop him from jumping slightly as Goh’s hands settled on his hips. Two hands pulled him back out of the water and against Goh’s chest.

“It is okay, isn’t it? I really want to be near you right now.”

“I…” He should complain, he should shout at Goh to get out and stop embarrassing him, but Goh’s hands were sliding up along his sides, their bodies pressed tightly together. His blush only worsened as he felt something hard pressing against the back of his thigh. He didn’t really want Goh to leave.

It felt good, much as he didn’t want to admit it. He’d been scared on their mission. There had been a moment where he’d thought Goh had been shot and he’d almost lost it until Goh had assured him that he was fine. A bit of that fear still lingered inside of him, making him want to turn and check for himself that there really weren’t any new holes in Goh, that he wasn’t hurt or bleeding or….

Goh’s hand moved over Taki’s stomach, sliding down until Goh wrapped a hand around Taki’s member. There were lips on his ear, pressing lightly but not quite biting, tugging softly as they pulled away before returning again.

“Can I?”

He didn’t think he could refuse now, even if he wanted to. Taki took one step forward and flattened both palms against the tile in front of him, spreading his legs as wide as he could in their narrow tub to give Goh room. He couldn’t bring himself to actually say it, but like this… Goh would understand the invitation. Sometimes it seemed like Goh knew Taki even better than Taki knew himself.

Bottles rattled behind him as Goh grabbed the shower gel, the cap opening with an audible pop. Then Goh was back, one hand stroking lightly on his hip while the other… Taki gasped as two fingers pressed inside him, opening him up as easily as if they belonged there. His hands curled into fists against the tile as Goh’s fingers moved apart and a third joined them.

“Does it hurt?”

Taki belatedly realized he was trembling. Quickly, he shook his head. “No.” His voice came out barely above a whisper. It’d been a few days since they’d last had a chance to touch like this. Taki hadn’t realized how much he’d missed it until Goh was touching him again. That need and the hot water were combining to make him feel a little light headed.

All three fingers spread inside of him, opening him up wide. Taki couldn’t hold back the loud moan that escaped his lips.

“Feels good then?”

Taki closed his eyes and nodded. It was embarrassing, but he wanted Goh to know… he wanted Goh to touch him more.

Goh’s hands moved away, leaving Taki feeling slightly bereft. He let his head fall forward onto his forearms, not quite trusting himself to stay upright on his own. He was panting softly, legs trembling in anticipation as he waited for Goh to come back. Warm water poured down his neck, running in rivulets down his back and trailing along his thighs, reminding him of Goh’s touch.

“Is this what you’re waiting for?” Goh’s hands spread his cheeks and then suddenly, Goh was inside, pressing in with one quick thrust.

“Ah! Yes!” He could worry about embarrassment another day. Right now, it just felt good, reassuring him that they were both still alive and safe and whole. Goh filled him, fitting perfectly inside. This is where Goh was meant to be – not out fighting and dying, but here, close to Taki and chasing away the emptiness that Taki hadn’t even realized was inside of him.

“I was waiting, too, waiting to be in you since we finished that assignment. You have no idea how good you feel, so tight.” Goh’s breath tickled against his ear, lips pressing along his shoulder at random intervals. “So wonderfully tight, taking me in, swallowing me up. So fucking perfect. You like it like this, don’t you?”

Goh was pounding inside of him, moving fast and hitting that spot inside of him that made it hard to think. “I… yes.”

“Touch yourself.”

Taki was breathing hard, his forehead rolling against his arm. He wasn’t sure he could move and yet somehow he managed. He reached down, taking his own erection in hand and stroking slowly. It felt so good. He couldn’t keep his voice down anymore. His mouth fell open wide as he gasped for air, a cacophony of embarrassing noises escaping his lips.

Goh’s hand joined Taki, stroking him in union with Taki’s own movements. Taki shuddered. It was too much, too many feelings, too many sensations. He came, spilling seed onto their enjoined hands. Behind him, Goh moaned, his hips thrusting erratically and he neared his end. The minutes seemed to stretch out as Goh pressed into him, seeming to take forever before he finally collapsed against Taki’s back.

For a short while, the only sound in the bathroom was the sound of falling water and their harsh breathing. Goh slowly slid out of Taki and stepped away. Taki closed his eyes. It would be several more minutes before he could move. His legs didn’t seem steady enough to hold him just yet.

“Just relax.” Slick hands rubbed soap into Taki’s skin, starting with his back and then moving up to his shoulders. “Let me take care of you.”

Taki didn’t move, humming softly in pleasure as Goh’s hands massaged his arms, fingers carefully relaxing muscles as they moved along Taki’s body.

“Shower, then bed and sleep. Sound good?”

Taki slowly pushed himself away from the shower wall and tilted his head back to share a gentle kiss with his lover. “That sounds perfect.”

There were a number of things Rin did not talk about. He wouldn’t talk about his life before Blue Boy, or what had brought him to join. He did not talk about the previous owner, but then few hosts did. And, he did not talk about his feelings, at least not honestly where Ian was around to hear them. It wasn’t that he intended to lie to Ian, but rather that he didn’t want to put into words what part of him already knew. The rest of him, however, denied it resolutely.

He was not in love with Ian. Absolutely not. There was no way that he was falling in love with that loud-mouthed, obnoxious, idiotic brute. And yet here he was, far away from his home and all the people he knew, waiting in their hotel room for Ian to get back from work. Even if he never said it, never thought it, the fact that he was here, in a foreign country he knew next to nothing about, still meant something significant.

Rin shifted his legs over the edge of the chair as he flipped through the channels on the TV. He needed something to distract him from his thoughts, though he doubted the TV would provide much of one. Italian, Italian, Italian, English. Finally! Rin put the remote down. He didn’t care what the show was, as long as he could understand it. His knowledge of Italian was practically non-existent, but he was decent enough with English to sit through a movie. It was something involving horses and men with guns. Not something he would normally watch by choice but it was enough to silence that voice in the back of his head that kept reminding him why he was here.

Maybe he could ask Jin if he’d brought some books, or see if Ian could pick up something while he was out. Then he wouldn’t be stuck alone and bored in the hotel room all day. Rin closed his eyes and listened to the TV drone on. A girl was singing some strange, bawdy song while a piano accompanied her.

He must have drifted off at some point because when he woke there were fingers brushing through his hair, pulling him back into wakefulness. Opening his eyes, he tilted his head back to look up at Ian.

“Good morning, Sleeping Beauty.”

Rin glanced at the bright sunlight streaming through the open windows and forced his lips to keep from smiling. Ian didn’t need any encouragement. “It’s afternoon, idiot, and you’re not supposed to be back until the evening.”

Ian shrugged easily. “I finished up really early so they let me come home. Oh!” Ian was suddenly gone, dashing off behind Rin’s back. He sat up and turned to watch the young model as he picked up a plastic bag from the corner of the couch. “You won’t believe what I found!” Ian pulled a handful of movies from the bag. “My agent told me about this really great place that rents all sorts of movies. Look! They even have some in Japanese!”

That was possibly the best thing Ian had ever brought him. Rin swung his legs to the floor and stretched a hand out for the movies. Hopefully Ian had picked at least a few decent movies.

“Un-uh.” Ian waved the cases in one hand. “I want to watch at least some of these together.”

He could very easily smack the idiot, take the DVDs, put one in and return to his chair. Somehow, though, that didn’t seem quite fair. Rin sighed, more for effect than any real emotion, and slowly stood. The hem of his kimono swayed as he walked – Ian had bought him western style clothing for whenever they went out, but Rin felt far more comfortable in a kimono when they were alone.

Rin sat demurely at the far end of the couch from Ian and waited. The idiot was grinning as he put in one of the DVDs, something that Ian had stared in judging from the cover. Ian moved the bag of movies onto the coffee table and sat right next to Rin, his arms snaking around Rin’s waist and pulling him close.

It was the jet lag, he told himself, making him docile. He let Ian shift them until Rin was half sitting in Ian’s lap, his head on Ian’s chest. Japanese voices spoke from the TV. Oddly, Rin found it was somewhat comfortable sitting like this.

“I’m only scheduled for a half-day tomorrow, so do you want to go out to dinner somewhere? Obviously, it’s mostly Italian food here, but I can look around if there’s something else you’d like.”

He could hear Ian’s heartbeat through the thin fabric of his shirt, beating slightly irregular. “Italian’s fine.”

Ian was on screen. His character was a professor, of all things, and yet somehow the idiot managed to act like there was a brain somewhere in the vast space between his ears. Rin almost believed the character.

“Is there anywhere you want to go while we’re in town? I know it’s going to be a while, so I picked up some guide books and-”

“Ian?”

“Yes?”

“Shut up and watch the movie.”

It was sweet, really, how Ian tried so hard to please him sometimes. One of the few things that actually endeared him to Ian. Rin knew that he wouldn’t be in control like this in any other relationship. He’d been lucky to have Ian as his patron. He knew what the other hosts went through sometimes and Rin knew he couldn’t handle that type of treatment well. Ian… Ian he could handle. Ian may be a brute, but he was a predictable brute.

Take right now for an example. One of Ian’s hands was toying with the edge of Rin’s kimono. It didn’t take a genius to figure out what Ian was thinking – the idiot had sex on the brain constantly.

The movies would still be there to watch later, hopefully without Ian trying to distract him. Rin stood, ignoring Ian’s protest and headed towards the door to the bedroom. He paused in the doorway and turned to look back at Ian, still sitting on the couch, probably thinking of something to say in protest that wouldn’t make Rin slap him.

“Well, aren’t you coming? Make sure to turn off the DVD.”

Rin turned back and dropped his kimono to the floor. In his head, he counted. Five… four… three… There were Ian’s hands, right on cue, and then lips trailing over his shoulder.

“Wait until we get into bed first, idiot.” Rin smiled while Ian couldn’t see it, schooling his face back into a slight frown before he turned to sit on the bed.

Ian stared at him, wide eyed, taking in every inch of Rin’s exposed skin. He slid back on the covers until his back hit the headboard. “Are you just going to stand there all day or are you going to join me?” Sometimes, he really had to hold Ian’s hand through everything.

Ian’s shirt flew through the air back towards the living room, gone almost as fast as his pants. The bed dipped as Ian crawled towards him, lips and hands eagerly devouring every inch of Rin they could reach. Rin chuckled as Ian kissed a path from his shoulder to his ear and lifted one leg to wrap around Ian’s hips.

“I’m sure you can figure out the next part on your own.”

They hadn’t done this much, but Rin was slowly getting used to Ian’s erratic kisses and the feel of Ian inside of him. He wouldn’t admit it to Ian, but he liked the way Ian fumbled at sex, almost dropping the lube as he reached for the small tube in the nightstand. The cap flew off somewhere – they’d have to go looking for it in the morning, and by ‘they’, he meant Ian.

Slick fingers pushed inside carefully, first two and then a third after a few minutes. Rin liked it like this, when Ian was being careful and not in a complete rush to get to the finish. Blunt fingernails dug into Ian’s shoulders, scratching lightly as Rin was shifted until his back was on the mattress. He lifted his other leg over Ian’s hips and kicked Ian lightly on the ass.

“Get on with it.”

“My pleasure.”

Ian lifted his hips, lining up and sliding home in one smooth motion. Rin sighed and let a smile slip onto his face. Above him, Ian moaned, his hips twitching while he got used to the feeling of being inside of Rin. He laid back, breathing slowly while he waited for Ian to continue.

“Any day now,” Rin chided softly, running his nails down Ian’s spine.

Ian moaned, bucking his hips sharply up into Rin and causing Rin to do the same. Their lips met, tongues entwining as Ian slowly started to move, sliding into Rin in an ever increasing motion. He tightened his legs, bringing their hips slightly closer and forcing Ian deeper inside. Ian didn’t stop kissing him, pulling away the barest minimum to let them both gasp in a quick breath before sealing their mouths together and hungrily devouring Rin’s mouth.

He loved this, the slide of tongue on tongue, Ian filling him and yet trying to be oh so careful to not hurt Rin. It was almost enough to make him think he loved Ian. Almost, but he knew better.

Ian shifted, lifting Rin’s hips higher and pulling away so he could stare down at Rin. He let his hands slide up to Ian’s shoulders gripping tightly as he pushed back into Ian’s thrust. He knew that look on Ian’s face.

Rin pushed Ian back onto his knees. Wrapping his arms around Ian’s neck, he smiled at the look of shock on the idiot’s face. Rin lifted himself up on his knees before slamming his hips back down. This… this is what he needed. He panted as he moved, his head resting on Ian’s shoulder.

“Oh, god, Rin…”

His smile widened. Ian’s hands were tight on his hips, helping him move. So close… he just needed… he needed…. Ian nuzzled Rin’s cheek until he turned, opening his mouth for a kiss. One of Ian’s hands moved around to settle at the base of Rin’s spine. Suddenly, it was enough. Rin came, gasping into Ian’s lips as his body tightened. He could hear the answering moan from Ian as hot liquid filled Rin, Ian’s fingers digging into his skin.

Somehow they ended up under the covers, Rin’s legs still around Ian.

“Thank you for coming to Milan with me.” Ian was smiling like a loon, happy and sated.

Rin let his fingers trail over Ian’s smile before placing a chaste kiss on Ian’s lips. “It would have been boring in Tokyo without you.” There were other things he wanted to say – like how he would have missed Ian, or that he would have followed Ian to any corner of the world as long as Ian asked. He couldn’t bring himself to give voice to those thoughts, at least not yet. Their relationship was still too new and he didn’t want to think about how much Ian’s ego would inflate if he heard that. Instead, he stuck to their usual banter and saved those other words for another day.

Previous Chapter

It was strange staying home on a Wednesday without calling in. Still, he wasn’t about to complain, not when he had a cup of hot chocolate in hand and Kakashi’s arms around him. They were stretched out on the couch, a blanket over their legs and Iruka’s back against Kakashi’s chest. Kakashi was reading – thankfully not any of the Icha Icha books, it seemed to be about samurai in the old days from the few bits he’d caught – while Iruka dozed lightly, enjoying the quiet.

“Kakashi?”

“Hmm.” Kakashi’s chest rumbled beneath him. A page turned.

“Is there anyone you usually spend Christmas with?” Did Kakashi still have family he spent time with? He remembered hearing about Kakashi’s father’s death but he couldn’t remember if Kakashi’s mother was still alive or not.

“No, not really. Sometimes Gai stops by, or I go visit some of the other jounin.”

“Hmm.” Would Kakashi want to spend Christmas with him? They’d been spending so much time together recently. He was probably worrying about nothing. Maybe he could go with Kakashi to visit his friends.

“How about you?”

“It’s usually just me and Naruto.”

“Did you want to spend Christmas with me?”

Iruka looked up slowly, smiling. Apparently they were thinking the same thing. “Yeah, I would.”

“Y’know, we’re both orphans, so would you like to be my family, Iruka?”

He couldn’t help the blush that swept across his face. “Yeah, I’d love that.”

“Good. So would I.”

Kakashi turned the page. Iruka close his eyes, still smiling.

Next Chapter

Previous Chapter

Something was different. Iruka studied the room carefully as he set the groceries on the island that separated the kitchen from the living room. Walls were the same, nothing crooked, nothing missing. Furniture was all where it should be, tree was lit, decorations hadn’t changed. Kakashi placed the bags he’d been carrying on the island. He was grinning far too widely.

He walked into the center of the room and turned slowly. His eyes narrowed. Under the tree, one present stood out among the others. It was long and flat, wrapped in plain brown paper and tied with red ribbon. Iruka knelt next to the tree, confused. He hadn’t wrapped this.

“If I can’t peak, neither can you.”

Iruka glanced up. Kakashi’s fingers ran over his hair. He was smiling.

“This is from you?”

“Unless you have some other lover that would sneak into your house while you were in classes and leave presents under your tree, then yes.”

Iruka smiled back. “I’m a one-at-a-time kind of guy. There’s just you.”

Kakashi squatted and pulled Iruka back against him. “Good to know.”

Comfortable as he was, there were groceries to put away and dinner to be made. Twining his fingers in Kakashi’s, he pulled the jounin with him as he stood.

“Help me put away the groceries?”

“Of course.”

Kakashi pecked Iruka lightly on the cheek before heading into the kitchen to start pulling items out of bags, shelving the groceries in their proper spots with no hesitation. Moments like this still gave Iruka pause. It seemed strange to him still that the jounin, or any jounin really, would be that familiar with his kitchen. But Kakashi knew more about him than that. Kakashi could probably list every item in Iruka’s apartment without much thought, as well as Iruka’s schedule for the entire week and his favorite food at over a dozen restaurants within Konoha.

It was… unbalancing. They’d been dating for just over two weeks and he’d yet to even see Kakashi’s apartment. He wasn’t even sure what building Kakashi lived in. At least he was starting to learn what Kakashi liked, both in the bedroom and out.

He’d known Kakashi was a private person before their relationship had started. It was enough that he could see Kakashi, all of him, without the mask. It was enough to have Kakashi with him.

The can of green beans was pulled from his hand. Belatedly, Iruka realized he’d been staring at it for several minutes.

“Allow me to rescue you from the temptation of canned beans.”

He couldn’t help but smile. “Sorry. I got distracted.”

“By green beans?” Kakashi looked at him like he’d turned purple.

“Not quite.” Iruka stepped around Kakashi to shelve several packets of instant ramen under the sink. Tsunade had hinted that Naruto may be passing through in a week or two. It would be good to see Naruto again.

“Just so you know, you’re the only lover I have as well.” Kakashi rested his chin on Iruka’s shoulder and snaked his arms around Iruka’s waist.

“I wasn’t worried about that, but thanks for the reassurance.” His fingers found Kakashi’s again.

“What are you worrying about, then?”

It seemed silly to say it when he was in Kakashi’s arms like this. “It’s nothing.”

“If it was nothing, you wouldn’t have those cute little wrinkles on your forehead that you get every time you start worrying about something.” Kakashi leaned around Iruka to kiss his forehead, right over said wrinkles.

Iruka stared at the countertop, blushing in embarrassment. This was almost as bad as the things Kakashi wanted him to say in bed. “I… I was just wondering why we always come here. N-not that I don’t like having you with me. I love having you here, but I… I don’t even know where you live and you know so much about me and… and… I know I’m being stupid, so feel free to ignore everything I just said.”

Kakashi’s arms tightened around him. “Do you want to come to my apartment sometime? It’s not anything special, really, just a place to sleep occasionally and store a few things.”

“Oh.” He was being silly. It made no difference if they spent time at his place or Kakashi’s. Either way, they were together.

“Besides, I like your place better. It’s pretty.”

He couldn’t help but laugh a little at that. “Pretty?” He didn’t think anyone had ever called his apartment ‘pretty’.

“You have,” Kakashi waved a hand at their surroundings, “pretty things all over the place and it’s comfortable here. Plus your bed’s a lot better than mine, though the fact that you’re in it probably has a lot to do with it.”

That was possibly one of the sweetest things Kakashi had ever said to him. He turned in Kakashi’s arms and cupped Kakashi’s face in his hands, pulling the jounin slightly to him so he could reach Kakashi’s lips.

“My bed’s not the same without you in it either,” Iruka whispered softly.

“I’ll do my best to make sure your bed is never lonely for long.”

Iruka grinned and kissed Kakashi on the cheek. “Thank you.” He was almost overwhelmed. Quickly, he turned back to the groceries before he started spouting more embarrassing thing. For now, he was only going to worry about dinner. The rest he could think about later.

Next Chapter