Day 1 - Broken Heater

They had just moved in together and already the heater was broken. Any other time, he would have taken this as a foreboding omen for the approaching holidays. But somehow, with Kakashi by his side, everything seemed like it was going to be alright. He snuggled close to the other man to drink in his body heat and felt compelled to whisper to his sleeping partner, "I love you."

Barely were the words out of his mouth when Kakashi farted. It wasn t anything audible. He could only have described as a hot breath on his leg. Somehow, that made it that much worse. He bit his lip to restrain himself from taking his pillow and smothering Kakashi with it that instant. Instead, he rolled him unceremoniously off the mattress and onto the floor. Kakshi landed with a thump. It sounded like it hurt. Iruka didn't care. He pointed to the door.

"Out. Get out."

"What happened?" Kakashi glanced about nervously as he sprang to his feet in a way that said I'm ready to kick ass and take names.

Still, the pillow Iruka threw at him hit him square in the face. "Sleep on the couch or I'm going to kill you."

Iruka turned over on his stomach and watched Kakashi pad obediently out of the room. He joined his pack on the sofa with the announcement: "I'm in the dog house and I don't know why."

"You farted, boss." Pakun answered without lifting his head or opening his eyes. "You farted."

"Are you sure that wasn't one of you?" he whispered loudly.

The dogs all spoke over one another:

"It was you," one accused, voice heavy with disappointment.

"Unmistakable. I've never met another human with an ass like yours."

"Yeah, you're heinous. Why's he have to make you sleep with us? We don't deserve this."

"Right after he said I love you too," another added.

"You farted on him."

"It was unholy!"

"We could smell it all the way out here."

"Boss, are you okay?" one whimpered. "What did you eat?"

"Oops, my bad." Kakashi admitted. He didn't sound sorry at all. He followed up with, "If I let you get even by farting on me can I come back to bed?"

"Of course!" Iruka answered.

It was difficult for him to keep a straight face. But he knew that's exactly what Kakashi, who with his quick witted humor and way with words had the ability to get out of almost any situation even if it meant stooping to the absurdly juvenile, wanted. He couldn't let Kakashi know he thought this was funny. It would be the death of him.

"Really?" the voice from the other room was hopeful.

"No!" Iruka pretended not to realize that Kakashi was kidding. "What planet are you from that makes you think that would make me feel better?"

"I know you warned me it would give me gas. I promise not to eat any more chili." Kakashi bargained. "Can I come back to bed?"

"Go back to sleep," Iruka grumbled, fully aware of how childish he was being but unwilling to loose the argument.

"Don't blame me when you catch cold," Kakashi rebutted.

Iruka smothered the giggle rising in his chest and pretended to have drifted off. The holidays were off to an inauspicious start.