Note: I do not own Naruto or any of its characters. I have no affiliation with The Shedd Aquarium. All the content came from my own brain. This work is purely fiction.
01
Iruka was putting on his wetsuit, reaching around to pull the long zipper up to the base of his neck. No matter how many times he'd done this over the past three years, he still felt nervous excitement every time. He threw his hair up into a tight bun, slipped the thin sliver whistle over his head, and closed his locker door.
He grabbed his bucket of prepared fish by the handle, which he had retrieved from the prep kitchen before changing, and made his way to the rocky alcove to begin his training session. He had two shows tomorrow, on top of hosting an overnight camp that same day, and wanted to rehearse some of the newer skills he'd recently taught her.
He placed his bucket down near the edge of the water, the wet ground squishing beneath the material on his feet. He crouched down, stuck his hand in, and wiggled it back and forth, creating a small splash. She surfaced a few moments later.
"Buenos días, cariño," Iruka said, tossing her a fish.
She gulped it down, bobbing in the water, as Iruka gave her a quick rub on her beak.
After running through the daily husbandry behavior (checking her fins, eyes, mouth, teeth, etc.), Iruka grabbed a long pole tipped with a red ball.
"Estás lista, Isla?" Iruka asked.
When he was alone, he tended to defer to Spanish. He considered it his first language, even though he spoke English just as fluently. Spanish was spoken at home when he was growing up, but English was ever present.
Isla stared at him, as if to say she was in fact, ready. Iruka held the pole out over the water, as she jumped up to bump it, prompting a whistle blow and a few fish, as a reward. Once he was finished with the basics, he retired the pole.
Standing near the edge of the water, he raised one hand up over his head and cut it sharply down, causing Isla to blast out of the water, completing a flip, before diving back in.
"Excellent, Isla!" Iruka praised, as she swam up to the edge for her fish.
He had been really happy with their training sessions lately. Isla learned quickly and their relationship had a nice dynamic. The show they were to perform tomorrow was new, having debuted two weeks ago, after a year in the making. Iruka was proud of it, having pushed it into this new direction himself.
The old show felt too staged. Too perky and presentational. It focused solely on the training aspect; it's main goal was to entertain an audience. The new show however, felt more natural and conversational. The videos between the animal segments had been updated to highlight the current rescue and rehabilitation efforts, the prioritization of animal care, and the emphasis the Shedd placed on conservation, instead of the old romantic narrative.
It also put the trainers on the mic, which was different, and came with it's own risks, one of them being that the dialogue wasn't super polished. However, no one knew these animals better than the trainers who worked with them. They could offer new information or quirks about a specific animal that only they experienced. As long as the trainers hit the cues for the music, the curators allowed room for improvisation in the dialogue.
When Iruka was satisfied with the run through, he tossed a ball and a hard plastic ring with 'kelp' strips attached to it, into the middle of the tank, before slipping into the fifty-five degree water. This was his favorite part of the day, the short "waterwork" sessions, which allowed free play between trainer and dolphin, designed to strengthen their bond.
Isla came up to Iruka first, exposing the thin black line that sharply demarcated her pale gray sides from her white belly, asking for a rub down. Iruka gave it to her gladly, before swimming over to the ball and clutching it in his hands against his chest. Isla pressed her beak into it, pushing Iruka backwards through the surface of the water.
She released him and went over to grab the plastic ring between her teeth, before diving below the water. Iruka submerged himself too, swimming alongside her, watching her play for a while. She'd release the ring, let it float towards the surface, and then grab and drag it back down again.
Iruka loved being beneath the water. Any sort of water. Whether it was the clear blue of the aquarium, the colorful reefs of the ocean, the icy cold of Lake Michigan, or simply the swimming pool at his gym, he felt most at home when buoyant.
—-
It was 5:00 on a Friday evening and Kakashi was putting his keys into the door after a long day at work. He climbed the stairs to his apartment, slipped out of his boots, and went to change out of his work uniform. He had texted Iruka about dinner over an hour ago and still hadn't gotten a reply. Not that he was surprised, Iruka rarely checked his phone while at work. It was probably sitting in his locker, turned off.
Kakashi went into the kitchen and opened the fridge. There were a few white cartons of take-out from last night that seemed tempting, but he decided to do something nice, and cook. He reached for the two salmon filets he had defrosted yesterday (and had fully intended to use for dinner but got held up at work, hence the take-out).
Out of the two of them, Iruka was the better cook. Kakashi could cook too, but Iruka was more versatile and intuitive, where as Kakashi had a few concrete things that he cooked really well. Fish, was one of them. He whisked soy sauce, rice vinegar, a touch of sesame oil and honey, with some minced ginger and garlic, before pouring it over the fish. He put it into the fridge to marinate, grabbed a bundle of asparagus from the produce drawer, and placed it on the counter, along with a cold beer. He'd cook that, and a pot of rice, closer to when Iruka got home, which probably wouldn't be until around 7.
He popped the cap off his beer, sidled over to the couch, and sunk into it. Pakkun leapt up next to him, sniffing Kakashi animately. Even though Kakashi had changed, he knew his skin still smelled of other dogs. He had had a particularly stressful house investigation today, involving a young man who was illegally breeding pitbulls in his basement. They had to evacuate fourteen puppies, all of which were sick and malnourished. No matter how many terrible things Kakashi had seen, it never got any easier.
He rubbed Pakkun behind the ears.
"I'll never understand people," he said to his dog, who began to lick his palm.
Kakashi had promised his sister Rin, that he'd come and see her band play tonight. He slightly regretted it, considering the day he had, but he wasn't about to back out. He'd already done that the last time. Besides, he did want to hear the new material. He wasn't going there just to support her, he actually liked their music, too. If he had to describe it, he'd say somewhere between punk and hard rock. Similar to the Dead Weather or The Kills. Rin had been their drummer for over a year now, and they were gaining some traction in the Chicago music scene.
—
Kakashi had just turned off the rice and left it to steam, when Iruka came through the door.
"It smells amazing in here," Iruka said, while climbing the steps.
He hung his coat in the closet before entering the kitchen.
"Hi," he said, giving Kakashi a kiss in greeting.
"Hi."
"Do I have time for a quick shower?" Iruka asked, wrapping his arms around Kakashi's torso from behind.
"Sure. I still have to sear the asparagus. I'd say you have about ten minutes," Kakashi said, snapping the hard ends off the spears.
"Perfect," Iruka said, planting a kiss to his shoulder before releasing his arms from around his waist.
—
Kakashi was putting the second plate on the table when Iruka walked in, his damp hair cascading over his shoulders. It ended just above his navel.
"Sorry I didn't answer your texts," Iruka said, taking a seat. "But maybe I'm glad. You seemed to figure out dinner well enough on your own. It looks delicious."
"I almost pulled out the leftovers," Kakashi teased, squeezing a wedge of lemon over his asparagus. "How'd it go today?"
"Great. Isla executed everything perfectly."
"I can't wait to see it tomorrow."
Even though Iruka's new show had opened two weeks ago, Kakashi had yet to see it. Work had always gotten in the way. In fact, he specifically requested tomorrow off, solely for this reason. It was also why he was allowing himself to go out tonight, since he didn't have to wake up early in the morning.
"I'm going to be nervous, knowing you're there," Iruka said.
Kakashi laughed.
"You won't even be able to see me, among all the other people."
"Not true. I'd notice you anywhere."
Kakashi smiled at his husband.
"I'm assuming you're not coming tonight?" he asked, knowing the answer. Iruka had given him a non-committal 'we'll see' the night before, but Kakashi knew that usually meant no.
Iruka sighed.
"As much as I'd love to, I don't think I should. If I didn't have to work the overnight camp tomorrow, then maybe I'd consider it. It's going to be a long two days. I'm sorry."
"It's alright. I understand. Rin will be disappointed though, I'm sure."
Iruka smiled at that.
"You'll be okay by yourself?" Iruka teased.
"I think I can handle it. I'm a big boy."
"Oh, do I know it," Iruka flirted.
Kakashi laughed.
"Pervert," he said, before taking a swig of his beer.
—
Kakashi walked into his bedroom in a towel, having just gotten out of the shower. He changed into a pair of black skinny jeans, and a light grey, crew neck, long-sleeve shirt. He pushed the sleeves up to the middle of his forearms, revealing sections of his tattoos. Both arms were covered in ink from shoulder to wrist. Not even the top of his right hand had escaped the needle.
He found Iruka curled up on the couch, nestled beneath a blanket. It was the end of August, but the temperatures had already started to drop.
"What are you going to do tonight? Fall asleep watching Blue Planet?" Kakashi teased.
Iruka blushed. That's exactly what he planned on doing.
"Maybe. I was going to continue Fullmetal Alchemist, but I don't want to watch it without you."
"Watch it if you want, babe. I can always catch up on my own."
"Nah, it's better with you."
Kakashi leaned down to kiss him.
"I'll be home late."
Iruka yawned.
"I know. Thanks for dinner."
Kakashi swiped a finger down his nose.
"Sure," he said, before grabbing his keys and heading out the door.
—-
Kakashi was sitting at the bar, having arrived at the break between the opening band and Rin's.
A man sat down on the stool to his right. Kakashi felt his eyes glance at him before leaning into the bartender to order something to drink. When his drink arrived, he turned to Kakashi, sliding him another beer. His was almost empty.
"So is this band any good? I've never seen them before."
"I think so. But I might be biased. My sister's the drummer."
"Oh? Well, I've heard good things. I came to see if they were true."
Kakashi grabbed the second beer, lifting it towards the stranger in thanks.
"This might sound weird, but do you box?"
Kakashi turned to him in surprise, wondering what gave him away. Kakashi was built, but not overtly muscular, like most boxers, not that that had anything to do with his skill.
"I swear I've seen you at the Academy. In fact, I know I have."
Kakashi looked at him fully for the first time. He was wearing a pair of tight plaid pants tucked into black combat boots, a plain white t-shirt, and a black beanie. He was olive-skinned and rather attractive, but he didn't recognize his face. He gave him an apologetic look.
"It's fine," the stranger chuckled. "I wouldn't expect you to remember me. It was in passing. You have some pretty recognizable features."
"Ah," Kakashi said, pointing lazily to his scar.
The stranger laughed.
"I was talking about your tattoos. But yeah, I guess there's that too. So you do box, then?"
"I do. MMA."
"I started teaching classes at the Academy two weeks ago."
Kakashi let his eyes rove over the man, sizing him up unintentionally.
"You think you could take me?" the stranger teased.
Kakashi smirked at being caught, and shrugged his shoulders, taking a swig of his beer.
"I'd say we're equally matched."
This time Kakashi laughed. Please.
"I doubt it."
"Well, aren't you a cocky bastard," the stranger said, giving the leg of Kakashi's stool a light kick.
"I like to call it confidence."
"Oh is that what that is? Well, I have it, too. I think I could take you."
Kakashi opened up his posture, amused.
"That's highly presumptuous of you," he said.
"Maybe it is. But maybe it isn't," the stranger flirted, twirling his finger around the neck of his beer. He leaned towards Kakashi. "You… wouldn't happen to know of any gay bars around here, would you? I just moved here and I don't know the city well."
"Do I look like I'd know?" Kakashi asked, fully aware this guy was only asking in order to find out whether or not Kakashi himself was gay.
"Am I being too presumptuous again?"
Kakashi let out a soft laugh.
"I'm sure you're aware of Boystown in Lakeview. You can pop into any bar over there and the chances of it being gay are very high."
This vague answer didn't seem to satisfy the stranger.
"You don't have a favorite?"
"I don't really frequent them. My sister might know more than me."
The stranger bit his lip, not sure how to rephrase the question a third time. Kakashi was enjoying stringing him along. He wasn't usually this conversational, but for some reason, he decided to indulge the man.
"But…" he said, giving up the game, "Sidetrack has a nice rooftop deck. Big Chicks has great food. Progress has the best craft beer selection. And, if you like drag or dancing, I'd try Berlin. It all depends on what you're looking for."
The stranger eyed him, as if Kakashi was exactly what he was looking for.
"Duly noted. How did you get that scar, by the way?"
Kakashi furrowed his brow, slightly annoyed.
"Tch. What's your name?"
"Gai."
"That's personal, Gai. Don't you think?"
"Is this not the place to get personal? Maybe if you join me at one of those gay bars later? I wouldn't want you to miss your sister's show."
"How generous of you. But…" Kakashi flashed his wedding band at him.
"Ah, married." Gai said, clearly disappointed.
"To a man," Kakashi clarified, in case his knowledge of gay bars wasn't satisfactory enough. God help him if he was pegged as straight. He cringed at the thought.
Gai looked at him, surprised.
"What? Surprised that I'd conform to such a heteronormative tradition?"
Gai laughed.
"No, it's not that. I haven't met many out, MMA fighters, besides myself. It's still a pretty straight sport."
"Then you were surprised I'm married to a man? Didn't you just ask me out to a gay bar?"
"Well, yeah. But I didn't know how gay you were. You never know these days. People are more open to new experiences. That could have been what you were looking for. A new experience," Gai said, raising an eyebrow at him, before taking a sip of his drink.
"I'm married-to-a-man gay. I don't know where that falls on your scale."
"I'd say pretty fucking gay," Gai laughed. "Whats your name? Since you know mine."
"Kakashi."
Gai laughed heartily, again. Jesus, what was with this guy? He laughed at everything.
"And that's funny to you…why?"
"You've made quite a name for yourself at the Academy."
"Have I?" Kakashi asked, intrigued.
"If you've never lost a fight, people are going to talk. Your name sits on the upmost bracket on the wall. Everyone pines after that spot. It's like the Holy Grail," Gai said, flashing him a toothy smile.
Kakashi grinned.
"Still think you could take me?"
"I'd like to try."
"I bet you would," Kakashi said, not intending for it to sound as flirtatious as it did. But hey, this man was cute, and it was rather harmless.
The band started to soundcheck in the background.
"Well Gai, thanks for the beer. And the conversation. I'm going to get closer to the stage. My sister won't believe I came unless she sees me." He downed the remainder of his beer, setting it down on the bar with a clack.
"Could I get your number before you go?"
Kakashi glared at him slightly.
"I'm married, remember."
"But you were flirting."
"Casual flirting is where it stops for me."
"What if it stopped there for me, too? I could use a friend. Having just moved here and all."
Kakashi laughed and stood up.
"I don't think so. Besides, I'm sure we're bound to run into each other at the Academy again." Kakashi placed a hand on his shoulder and gave it a squeeze. "And then I'll kick your sorry ass."
"I'm looking forward to having a rival!" Gai yelled at his back, taking the moment to check him out as he walked away.
—-
By the time Kakashi got home, it was well past midnight. He climbed the stairs to find Iruka asleep on the couch. Pakkun jumping down from his side, caused him to stir.
"How was your night?" Iruka asked, sitting up to rub his eyes.
"It was good," Kakashi said, plopping into the couch. "Rin's band played some new songs. They sounded really good. She's excited about them. They're talking about recording another EP."
Pakkun jumped into Kakashi's lap and curled up.
"That's great. I hope I can make it to the next show."
"Yeah, you'll like them," Kakashi said, rubbing the tip of Pakkun's ear between his fingers. "I was hit on."
"You always get hit on when I'm not around."
"That's not true," Kakashi said.
Iruka shot him a look.
"Ok," Kakashi laughed. "Maybe it does happen a lot."
"Who was it this time? Another straight girl?"
"Nope. A guy named… Gai. He recognized me from the Academy."
"Oh, a superfan, huh?" Iruka teased. It wouldn't be the first time that happened. Kakashi's gloves had a small pride flag sewn into them.
"Hah, no. He just started teaching there. I guess he saw me leave one day, after training or something."
"Hmm," Iruka said playfully, tightening the messy bun on top of his head.
"He seemed eager to fight me."
Iruka rolled his eyes.
"Of course he is. Who wouldn't want to be close to your hard, flexing, sweaty body?" he said, scooting over to slip a hand beneath Kakashi's shirt, brushing his fingers across his abdomen.
Kakashi laughed.
"The only body I want pressed up against me is yours," he said, before enveloping him in a kiss. "Right this second, in fact."
Kakashi shoved Pakkun off his lap to go and straddle his husband. He pushed him back against the couch, deepening the kiss. Iruka slid his hands over Kakashi's hips and then around to his ass, giving it a hard squeeze, before pulling him down and rocking his own hips up.
"Mmph," Kakashi moaned into his mouth, before tugging on his lower lip with his teeth.
Iruka brought his hand up to Kakashi's hair, winding his fingers in it, as he pushed his tongue deeper into his mouth. Kakashi broke free from his lips to kiss down his neck, only to drag his tongue back up to his ear, nipping at the lobe.
"Let's go to bed," Iruka whispered.
Kakashi gave him another kiss, before hopping up off the couch, causing some loose change to rattle in his pocket. He held out his hand to Iruka, who took it, and followed him into the bedroom.
"How do you want me?" Iruka asked, kneeling on the bed to reach towards their nightstand.
Kakashi stopped him before he opened the drawer, pulling him flat onto his back.
"In my mouth," he said, while crawling on top of him. He pulled out the band around Iruka's hair, causing it to pool around his head on the pillow.
"Oh?" Iruka replied, raising an eyebrow and lifting Kakashi's shirt up over his head. He wrapped his hand around his hair, pulling it over one shoulder.
"Mhmm," Kakashi said, attacking the exposed side of his neck with a series of wet kisses. He slipped a hand beneath Iruka's sweatpants to stroke him. "I was fantasizing about tasting you the whole drive home."
Iruka's breath hitched at the thought.
Since Iruka was already sufficiently hard, Kakashi removed his hand to yank his sweatpants off. He lowered himself to Iruka's hips and gave him a smoldering look before running his tongue slowly up his length, circling the tip, causing Iruka to shudder. Kakashi raised his eyes to meet his, flashing him a smirk, before taking him in his mouth.
Iruka pushed his weight back into the bed, as Kakashi's hand snaked up beneath his shirt, rubbing his palm flat against his nipple, and giving it a pinch.
"Mmm," Kakashi groaned around his dick, fully enjoying every second of pleasuring him.
Iruka let his eyes rove over his husband's gorgeous muscled back, coming to rest at the dimples above his waistline. The barest hint of his crack was exposed, but it was enough to push Iruka closer to the edge. He closed his eyes and tilted his head towards the pillow.
"a-ah," he moaned, collecting the comforter in his fists.
Kakashi brought his hands to grip and massage his thighs, before grazing his fingers across his balls. When he teased his hole with his thumb, Iruka was done for.
He clutched Kakashi's hair in his hands, arching his body forward in release.
"K-ka-shii," Iruka moaned, as his orgasm rocketed out of him and into his partner's mouth.
He felt Kakashi swallow twice before releasing him, swiping his tongue over his slit to clean him off on his way up. He propped himself up on an elbow beside Iruka, wiping the corner of his mouth.
"Is that how you envisioned it?" Iruka teased, grazing a thumb against Kakashi's bare chest.
"Nope. Better."
Iruka rubbed a hand against Kakashi's black jeans, feeling his erection.
"I'm perfectly content stopping here. I know you didn't want to stay up late tonight."
Iruka looked into his eyes for a moment, contemplating that. It's true; he did have to be up in a few hours.
"God, you're so sexy," Kakashi crooned, pushing Iruka's hair behind his ear. "How did I manage to capture such a fucking fox of a husband?"
If there was more light in the room, Kakashi would have seen Iruka blush. After 6 years of being together, he still got shy when Kakashi complimented him so strongly like that. Besides, capturing implied there was some sort of resistance on his part, and there definitely hadn't been. He was wildly attracted to Kakashi the first time he had ever laid eyes on him. Iruka wondered if all couples felt this; this electric, hot, lightening, or if it was something unique to them. He felt it every time Kakashi touched him.
Iruka rubbed his foot up Kakashi's calf and gave his cock a squeeze. Fuck it. He'd already gotten several hours of sleep on the couch anyway. He pushed Kakashi back against the bed, unbuckling his belt.
Yeah, no. Like hell he was going to let Kakashi go to sleep with a hard on.
He leaned over him to retrieve the lube.
He was going to ride Kakashi into oblivion.