Izumo and Kotetsu worked well together. Always had; coming up with their own special jutsu by simple accident. And even though the world they lived in may not be simple, they kept their heads down and did their work, and whenever a mission came up they would do their job as best they could.
But their involvement in Team Ten's fight against Kakuzu and Hidan had almost cost them their lives. If it hadn't been for Shikamaru, Kakuzu would have crushed both their necks. They had been shaken to be sure, but Asuma had lost his life and it just went to show how things could go. They had to be thankful for each and every time they came home in one piece because they could never know when their luck might run out.
They'd always known the risks, of course, but sometimes it just took another wake up call to put things into perspective. And it's this realisation that lead Kotetsu to the front door of Izumo's apartment.
Izumo opened the door up after a moment, looking casual in his pyjamas, hair falling as it always did over his right eye.
He smiled as he spoke. "Hey. What's up?"
"Been thinking." Kotetsu said simply.
Izumo raised an eyebrow. "Oh really?"
"Yeah." He took a deep breath and plunged in head first. "I think that maybe I want to see if there could be more... here. Between us." Kotetsu peered at him.
He knew what must be going through Izumo's mind. It wasn't like they'd never considered it before, not so much in words though. It was usually on late nights when they'd been drinking a little too much sake. He and Izumo would stay up all night, laughing until their eyes watered and their stomachs hurt. And then suddenly they would be leaning in for almost kisses until they realised what they were doing. It didn't make them uncomfortable; it just meant taking that extra step into the unknown. So instead Izumo would fall asleep on his shoulder and Kotetsu would wonder, not for the first time, that maybe it would be nice for this to be their normal life. Their normal, simple, perfect life.
Izumo swallowed thickly. "And you've come to this conclusion… recently?"
"In a way. I've always… we've always…" Kotetsu sighed; he didn't quite know how to go about this.
"Where's this coming from? Not that I'm complaining… but… you're so serious. What happened to carefree, happy-go-lucky Kotetsu?" Izumo laughed, good naturedly, and was maybe just a little overwhelmed.
Kotetsu shrugged. "Life's short, Izumo." He looked into the other man's eyes with unwavering resolve. Izumo nodded slowly, and Kotetsu saw the acknowledgement.
Then Kotetsu's lips quirked up in a smile. "I'm still me. Just… thinking about what I want. I started thinking that maybe being together will make us happier." He paused. "It makes sense, right?"
Izumo stared at Kotetsu, looking him over. "Do you want to come in?"
"I was wondering when you'd ask."
Izumo stood aside and let Kotetsu walk past him. After closing the door, Izumo turned to face him. He moved closer, lifting his hands to Kotetsu's arms; holding him.
"Actually, I was wondering when you'd ask me." Izumo's warm breath ghosted over his lips. Being this close gave Kotetsu the most pleasurable little jolt in his chest. This was their beginning. This was how it should be: just the two of them, like it had always been.
"Ask you what exactly?" Kotetsu whispered.
"About us." Izumo said simply.
Kotetsu smiled, circled his arms around Izumo's waist, and asked playfully, "Wanna be happy with me?"
Izumo just closed the distance and kissed him.