Chapter 7: I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm
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Memories of walking home
From the Christmas party in the falling snow
Exchanging gifts, exchanging smiles
Hanging pine cones in the hall
Merry Christmas meant lots of whispering
Special feelings to bridge the difference
All the years we came together
For Christmas at home
And the radio played in the distance
O Night, O Holy Night
Memories of old Jack Frost
Frozen pictures upon the glass
Changing right before your eyes
With a warm breath from the happy child
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"Thank you for hosting the party, Kurenai. It was great." Iruka smiled as the kunoichi gave him a hug.
Kakashi lounged against the wall beside the door, waiting for the short conversation to come to an end. Asuma stepped up beside him and lit his cigarette.
"You know, you are going to have to make up to him." The bearded jounin took a puff from his cigarette. Kakashi raised an eyebrow.
"So, are you going to fill me in on the details now?" Kakashi muttered as his gaze fixed on his lover.
"I told you. He wasn't happy being at the party. At least that is, until you turned up." Asuma smiled. "Kurenai said he was worrying the entire night, for your safety."
Kakashi smiled behind his mask as he watched his lover interact with Kurenai. "I know. But there's something else, isn't it?"
Asuma stared at the ceiling. "Well, I heard that he made a wish at the Christmas tree."
Kakashi shifted his glance from the tanned chunin to his friend. Asuma grinned before leaning over to talk to him in a low voice.
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"Well, we've got to get going now." Iruka stepped towards the door.
"A pity you can't stay longer." Kurenai smiled.
"I would love to. But Kakashi is tired. And not to mention he is still in his uniform. He definitely needs a good bath and change out of those dirty clothes." Iruka laughed. Kurenai nodded in agreement.
"He definitely does."
Kakashi came up behind the chunin and reached out his arm to grab Iruka's coat off the rack, before he place a soft kiss on the nape of the younger man's neck.
"Shall we go?"
Iruka gave a nod.
"We will be off then, Kurenai. Merry Christmas!"
Kurenai laughed. "Merry Christmas to the two of you too. Be sure to be early for tomorrow's Christmas lunch and gift exchange."
"We will." With a polite bow, Iruka exited the apartment with his boyfriend's arm wrapped around his waist.
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Iruka pulled his coat tighter as he walked beside Kakashi, heading down to the older man's apartment. Kakashi tightened his grip around the chunin's waist and pulled him closer.
"Ruka?"
"Hm?"
Kakashi paused in his steps, halting the chunin as well. Iruka looked at him, puzzled.
"Remember this place?" Kakashi stared at the streets ahead. Iruka blinked for a moment before following his gaze.
The chunin broke into a smile. They were walking down the same street as they had two years ago when they had first exchanged their kiss and made the silent promise to stay together.
"Yeah." Iruka wrapped his arms around the jounin's waist as he leaned in. "How can I forget? It brings back so much memories."
"Yes." Kakashi raked a hand through his silver crown and he turned to his lover. "Ruka, on this same street, I will make you a promise. I can't assure you that I will always be fine when I'm out on a mission. All I can say is that I will try my best to come home safely to you after every mission."
Iruka laughed softly. "What's up with you? You aren't yourself. When did you become so sappy?"
Kakashi snorted. "I'm not."
"But I'm glad that at least you bothered telling me. You know, I wouldn't exactly mind hearing you say that again." Iruka buried his face into the crook of the jounin's neck. Kakashi smiled and rubbed his lover's back in soothing strokes.
"Well, I guess it's worth being the sentimental fool every once in a while then." Kakashi nuzzled the chestnut hair. "But only for you." He whispered. "Only for you."
There was a moment of silence as the two stood on the snow-covered pavement, in each other's arms.
"Thank you, Kakashi. That means a lot to me." Iruka finally muttered.
"I'm glad."
"How did you know?" Iruka asked as he inhaled the scent of his lover.
"What?" Kakashi smiled.
"What I wished for." Iruka kissed the covered neck.
Kakashi laughed softly. "Santa told me."
Iruka smiled and closed his eyes as he tightened his embrace. He had no idea how long they stood under the snow on that path. All he knew was that everything felt right now. The night wasn't cold anymore, because right before him, he had the only warmth that he will ever need.
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