Disclaimer: I don't own the Naruto universe.
Characters: Iruka, Kakashi
Relationships: Kakashi x Iruka
Rating: K+
Summary: Iruka understands what Kakashi needs after a mission.
Prompt: "Pajamas" for Christmas Fest
World Count: 620
Seeking Warmth
At some point during the evening, Iruka must have nodded off waiting for Kakashi to come home, because he wok to his lover hovering over him and fumbling with a blanket. "Kakashi?" Iruka stood, shrugging off the offered blanket. Gingerly, he reached up to brush the few snowflakes out of the jounin's wild hair. "What time is it?"
"I dunno… late…" Kakashi mumbled, almost disoriented. Cold hands gripped at Iruka's hands, pulling them down from his hair. Long fingers slid up the chuunin's arm until the strong arms were able to curl around Iruka's shoulders. Kakashi pressed his face against his lover's neck.
Iruka stood still, letting Kakashi process for a moment. And, then, gently, Iruka brought his own arms up to wrap around Kakashi, holding him close. "Have you checked in with Hokage-sama, yet?" he asked quietly. He massaged his lover's shoulders gingerly as he backed down the hallway, towards the bathroom.
"Yeah… I, um… she cleared me… said I needed a shower… and bed rest…" it seemed almost difficult for the jounin to complete a thought.
Iruka frowned ever so slightly, trying not to fret over Kakashi too much. "Okay, okay," he was half talking to himself.
Carefully, Iruka eased Kakashi into the bathroom and helped him to sit on the counter. He gingerly started to strip Kakashi of his mission gear, checking for injuries as he went. "You get yourself cleaned up, alright? And I'll go find you some nice warm pajamas." Then, Iruka started running the water, just hot enough to warm Kakashi, and helped his lover into the shower.
Once he was sure that Kakashi wouldn't collapse, Iruka turned and head for the bedroom. He found what he was looking for after a few minutes of searching: the softest, warmest flannel pajamas in the house.
When he got back to the bathroom, Kakashi was already out of the shower. The jounin was wrapped in a thick towel and leaning back against the counter. Sluggishly, Kakashi turned towards Iruka.
Smiling, Iruka stepped up to his lover. He set the pajamas to the side and then gently started to help Kakashi dry off. Then, Iruka helped his lover into the pajamas, cautiously aware of the jounin's painfully slow movements. With that accomplished, Iruka gently pressed a kiss against Kakashi's lips.
Silently, Iruka then helped Kakashi back into the bedroom and into bed. He tucked his lover in and pressed another kiss against his lover's lips. "I'll let you get some rest," he murmured, starting to move away from the bed.
Kakashi's slim fingers—still too cold for comfort—caught Iruka's wrist, and the chuunin sat on the edge of the bed. "My mask…" Kakashi mumbled, words slurred. "Need my mask… can't… can't go to sleep without it…"
Somehow, Iruka thought he should have known that. Except that, he supposed, he was so used to the other man being around day and night that he no longer noticed if Kakashi was wearing the mask or not. "Yeah, okay. Shh…"
The jounin was starting to get distressed, though, fidgeting with the blankets and mumbling abut masks.
"Shh," Iruka murmured again. "I've got it, right here." He fished an extra mask out from the nightstand and gingerly pulling it on over Kakashi's face. "There, all better." The chuunin smoothed the blankets before moving to get up again; he needed to get tea for the jounin, or maybe some warm food.
"No." The fingers grasped Iruka's wrist again. "Stay… please… just stay…"
Nodding, Iruka crawled into bed next to his lover, pressing close. "Okay, I'm here. Just rest, please." He wrapped his arms tight around Kakashi, trying to warm the jounin a little. It wasn't long before Kakashi was sound asleep.