Notes:
Warning: teeth may fall out due to the level of fluff in this chapter.
It's a long one. Enjoy, my loves!
Oh! I'm not sure if this qualifies as a trigger warning, but there are some events revolving around an abusive relationship and the resulting trauma near the end. Just wanted to put that out there.
09.
Kakashi was standing in the locker room at the Academy in nothing but a pair of black leggings, towel drying his hair, the tile cold against his bare feet. He had just gotten out of the shower after a rather grueling training session. His sparing partner had really given him a work out today. He wasn't sure if his opponent had gotten better, having gone at it with him before, or if he had been slacking off, not having as much time to train anymore. Both were equally likely.
Being a Dad was, well, time-consuming. Not that he was complaining, having Naruto in his life fulfilled him in a way he wasn't expecting. He didn't even know something had been missing, until Naruto wiggled his way into his heart and made a home there.
Having come to the Academy straight from work, he told Iruka not to count on him being home for dinner, which felt sort of sacrilegious. Iruka had become extremely adamant about family dinners, wanting to solidify it as a tradition. A place where they came together and connected, no matter how hectic their days had been. If you were going to miss dinner, you better have a good reason.
Kakashi thought this qualified as one. He had started to feel wound up. Irritated. Claustrophobic. He always felt like that if he'd been absent from the Academy for too long. He not only needed the exercise physically, but mentally, too. It cleansed any toxic energy and thoughts from his system. He had needed this time alone.
He tugged on a pair of gym shorts over his spandex, slipped into a thermal and a grey hoodie, before sitting down to dry off his feet and get into his shoes. He packed his bag, stuck in his headphones (clicking on Set Your Goal's Mutiny!), pulled his hood up over his head, slung his bag over his shoulder, and headed out the door.
He crossed through the gym, paying no mind to what was going on around him (his peripheral vision blocked by his hood), so it surprised him when he felt a tug on his elbow.
He pulled a headphone out of one of his ears and turned to face whoever it was.
"Kakashi!"
"Hey, uh, Gai, right?"
"You remembered! I thought I'd run into you sooner than this."
Kakashi gave him a shy smile, not really knowing what to say. He skills at small talk were slim to none.
"Do you want to spar? I just got here, so I'm full of fresh energy!" Gai said, bouncing on his feet while punching at the air, even though it was rather obvious Kakashi was on his way out.
"I can't. I've gotta get home. Maybe some other time," he said, making to put his earphone in again, but Gai kept on speaking.
"I see you have a match on Saturday. If I win my next one this week, it'll be me you're facing."
"Then I definitely don't want to spar. I don't want to show you what I can do. Not that it'll help you," Kakashi teased.
"I forgot you were an arrogant son of a gun," Gai laughed.
"Confident," Kakashi corrected him. And okay, maybe a little arrogant, but he had reason to be. He was undefeatable.
"Coach!" someone yelled from the ring.
Kakashi peered around Gai to see a young boy that looked eerily similar to Gai himself.
"That's one of my students, Lee," Gai said, noticing his gaze. "Well, I hope to put that confidence of yours to the test this weekend then," he said, giving a punch to Kakashi's shoulder, still bouncing on his feet.
"I hope so too," Kakashi said, feeling an urge to fight him now, if only to just make him shut up about it. "I'll see you around, Gai."
He put his earplugs in and headed out to his car.
The rest of the week went by quickly, bringing several inches of snow with it. Friday had arrived, marking the beginning of Naruto's holiday break. Kakashi was on his way home from work, minutes away from picking Naruto up at Mikoto's.
He pulled into the Uchiha's driveway and hopped out of the car, walking up to the stoop to ring the bell.
The door was pulled open by Fugaku, who didn't give him much of a greeting aside from a small nod, before opening the door to let Kakashi step inside. His eyes went straight to Kakashi's empty hostler. Their branch of the Humane Society was associated with the police force. Kakashi had been encouraged to go through all the training, certifying him to carry a gun. He didn't like it though, and never brought it home. He kept it locked up at the office.
"I'll let Naruto know you're here."
"Thanks," he said, wiping his feet on the doormat before sitting on a bench to his left.
Kakashi stood up when he saw Naruto shuffling down the hall.
"Hey, Naruto," Kakashi said, as Naruto wrapped his arms around his legs in a hug. It shocked Kakashi every time. "How was school today?" he asked, lightly placing a hand on top of his head.
"Good! Can we go sledding?! Sasuke didn't want to."
"We're going to the Arboretum soon, remember? Maybe tomorrow."
"Oh yeah! See you later, Sasuke!" Naruto shouted, even though Sasuke was nowhere in sight.
Kakashi made a simple snack of apples and peanut butter for Naruto while they waited for Iruka to come home. Tonight, they were going out to dinner with Itachi, Kisame, and Sasuke, before going to the light's display at the Morten Arboretum.
When Iruka came up the stairs, he saw Kakashi and Naruto building something out of K-nex on the rug in the sitting room.
"Hola, mi familia," Iruka said, slipping out of his jacket, hanging it in the closet.
"Ru!" Naruto yelled, jumping up to pull him towards their invention. Naruto had made a habit of dropping off the I in Iru, settling with the one syllable, Ru.
"Look what we made!"
Iruka dropped to his knees on the rug, leaning over to give his husband a quick kiss in greeting.
"What's this?"
"It's a house. For Pakkun."
Iruka saw one of Naruto's shirts bundled up on the bottom.
"That's the bed," Naruto said, pointing to the shirt. "And his water goes here. And food here."
"Should we see if he likes it?" Kakashi asked.
"Yeah!"
"Pakkun," Kakashi called.
The dog come trotting into the room obediently, tail wagging.
"Here, Naruto. Put that in there," Kakashi said, handing him a treat.
Naruto placed it on top of the "bed" and watched as Pakkun walked skeptically into the structure, grabbing the treat, before backing slowly out of it.
"He fits! But he doesn't like the bed. I guess 'cause it's not real. It's only my shirt. It's not that comfy," he said, sadly.
"Or maybe he's not tired," Iruka suggested.
"Prolly! It's not night. Can we leave it here until night?"
"Sure," Iruka smiled.
"I'm going to get cleaned up," Iruka said, using Kakashi's shoulder to lift himself up. "We should leave in 30 minutes."
By the time they walked into One Ten Thai, they found the other three already seated, all on one side of the table. Naruto took the seat across from Sasuke, as they slid into the other two.
"Have you been waiting long?" Iruka asked.
"Forever. I'm starving," Itachi said, sarcastically.
"We just got here," Kisame laughed, "we did order some dumplings though, to start with."
"Sounds great."
"Did you see the e-mail from Tsunade?" Kisame asked, as Iruka settled into his seat.
"Uh, no?"
"It just came through. She wants us to submit our evaluations of all the volunteers before the end of the year. Which is like, in a week. I've worked with over 15 volunteers this year. She is aware of that, right?"
"She's probably very aware of that. But she's looking for a new keeper for the otters, so I'm sure that's what this is about. I thought about inviting her over for Christmas Eve. She doesn't have any family here, and since her and Shizune split..."
"You can try. I doubt she'd come," Kisame said, leaning back from the table, as their waiter dropped the dumplings off. "You know how she is."
"Have you decided what the two of you are going to do?" Iruka asked, after they had all placed their orders.
"Nothing," Itachi deadpanned. "Christmas is cancelled. Indefinitely."
"Your family doesn't even celebrate Christmas," Kakashi said, stopping Naruto's hand as it went to dip into his water glass, fishing for ice.
"Exactly."
"But I like Christmas. I've celebrated it my whole life," Kisame said.
"Why didn't you guys fly to California, then? To spend it with your family?" Iruka asked.
"Why doesn't my cup have any ice?" Naruto whined,
"Because you always take it out and play with it," Iruka said, before turning to his husband. "Corta uno de estos para tu hijo." (Cut on of these for your son.)
"Sorry, you were saying?" Iruka said, meeting Kisame's eyes again.
Kisame looked down at his plate.
"My Dad's not too thrilled about our engagement," he said, before shoving a soy sauce soaked dumpling into his mouth.
Kakashi's eyes moved to the black band adorning Itachi's ring finger. Kisame had asked him to marry him almost a month ago now (without Kakashi spoiling it, thank you very much). He had obviously said yes, clearing up his whole cheating theory. Kisame almost split his stomach in laughter, when Itachi told him about it, much to Itachi's annoyance.
"Why don't you spend it with us? My mom always cooks way too much. She can't help herself," Iruka said. "It's not a cliché American Christmas either. We're a bunch of Puerto Ricans. The food will be different, and the music. It'll barely be recognizable." Iruka added, in case this persuaded Itachi.
"I don't want to impose…" Kisame said, even though his face had lit up at the thought.
"You wouldn't be. We'd be happy to have you, Sasuke, too." Iruka said, meeting Sauske's eyes. "Think about it."
"Aren't you glad I reserved tickets?" Iruka said, smiling sweetly at Kakashi.
They had pulled into a packed parking lot at the Arboretum. Kakashi had told Iruka that he didn't think it was necessary to pre-order tickets, harping on him for worrying too much. There was no way it would sell out, he said. It was cold, he said. And snowing.
He glanced at the sign that read SOLD OUT in big, bold, black letters.
"You were right. As always," Kakashi said, leaning in to give him a chaste kiss. When Iruka pulled back, Kakashi tugged him in for a second one by the collar of his coat, not having gotten enough.
"Let's go, let's go!" Naruto said impatiently, taking off his seatbelt, trying to pry open the locked car door, and failing.
Iruka got out of the car and circled around to Naruto's door, before he unlocked it by reaching through the driver's side. A precaution he had taken to making, since Naruto had made a habit of jumping out and running off in excitement.
Iruka stood in front of him, readjusting the frog hat on his head.
"Dame tus manos," Iruka said, tapping Naruto's hand.
He was teaching Naruto Spanish the same way he had taught Kakashi: by constantly speaking it until he could infer the meaning. Since the language wasn't primary in their house, it wouldn't make him fluent, but he could at least understand and respond when Iruka spoke to him, just like Kakashi did.
Naruto held out his hands and Iruka slipped gloves over them. He attempted to try and re-tie his shoe, too, but Naruto was bouncing anxiously in his seat.
"Naruto, hold still for a minute."
"But Sasuke's already out of the car," he whined, "I can see him!"
"Pues muchacho, the faster you sit still, the faster you'll get out."
At that, Naruto went stiff as a board, his face oddly serious. As if keeping it blank was also required. Iruka couldn't help but laugh.
"Ok, you're done," he said, tapping his shoe. "You have to stay with me until we're out of the parking lot."
When they were safely inside the entrance, Iruka let go of his hand.
Kakashi and Iruka had been coming to this light show ever since it debuted three years ago. It was truly a fantastic sight, and the best part about it was, you could enjoy it whether you celebrated Christmas or not.
There was no lit up Santa's or reindeers. No over-played worn out songs sung by Mariah Carey. It was, for all intensive purposes, a work of art; one that focused solely on highlighting the beauty of trees in winter.
Iruka grabbed a map before they stepped onto the one-mile path that wound through the grounds.
Their first stop was a group of sycamore trees that lit up when you hugged them.
Naruto thought it was a riot. He stepped back and hugged it three times in a row, the color changing each time, before he grabbed Sasuke.
"Hug it, Sasuke!"
"I'm not hugging a tree," Sasuke scoffed. "That's stupid."
"Do it, look!" Naruto said, hugging it tightly again, his face pressed against it. "Ah! Green this time!"
Naruto backed away and pointed at it.
"Give it a hug! The tree likes it!"
"No."
Before Sasuke knew what was happening, Naruto had pushed him into the tree, hugging him from behind, the two of them smashed up against the trunk, Sasuke's cheek smushed into the cold bark.
"Blue!"
They continued on down the path, bringing them to grove of fir trees. Two dozen or so elegant chandeliers were suspended from their snow-covered branches. It was nothing short of magical. It looked like some sort of grand ballroom for fairies and sprites.
"Wow," Kisame said. "I feel like I'm in the woods of Lothlórien or something."
Iruka looked at him in amused surprise.
"Did you really just make a Lord of the Rings reference?"
"Hey. I read. Don't act so surprised," he laughed, "I might get offended."
"It's our favorite roleplay," Itachi chimed in.
"Oh my god, Itachi," Kisame said. "You don't just tell people that."
Itachi shrugged as if it were no big deal.
Kakashi barked out a laugh.
"Part of me wants to know who is who but at the same time, I really don't," Kakashi said.
"Don't act like it's weird," Itachi said. "I'm sure you and Iruka have your kinks. In fact, I know you do," he emphasized.
"What's that suppose to mean?" Iruka said, eyeing his husband questionably, wondering what private secrets Kakashi had revealed to his best friend.
Kakashi shrugged his shoulders, a smirk on his face.
"For the record I'm-usually-Galadriel-or-Elrond-and-Kisame-is-Thorin-or-Kili," Itachi said quickly, before running away, Kisame at his heels.
"What! How is Kisame a dwarf?!" Kakashi called at their backs.
"He would be a pompous ass elf," Kakashi said to Iruka, laughing.
Iruka shook his head as if to say I don't want to picture this anymore.
Kakashi lifted Naruto up onto his shoulders to get a closer look at the intricate pattern engraved on the chandelier's case, his head now level with the lights. The design shone onto Naruto's face as he poked at it softly, causing it to gently swing on the branch.
Iruka's heart expanded twice it's size. He pulled out his phone, camera at the ready.
"Kakashi," Iruka called.
When he turned around, he snapped it. Kakashi wasn't a huge fan of being in front of the camera, but if Iruka could catch him candidly, it always took his breath away.
He glanced down at the photo. Kakashi had a content smile on his face, his nose tinted pink from the cold, with his hands holding onto Naruto's ankles. Naruto's face was lit up with pure joy. All of this was framed by the glowing chandeliers. Iruka wondered how fast he could get this printed and hung in their house.
He pocketed his cell phone and slid an arm around Kakashi's waist, before leaning in to kiss him. He had meant for it to be quick, but he got lost in the way his body heated up from the inside, cupping Kakashi's face with both his hands, not wanting to part from his lips.
Naruto bounced a gloved hand off the top of Iruka's head.
"Eww!" He giggled, "Stop kissing! I'm right here."
"I'm going to kiss your Dad as much as I want," Iruka said, rising up on his tip-toes to place one on Kakashi's forehead. "And you, too!" Iruka said, grabbing Naruto's gloved hand to smother it in kisses, before attacking his leg.
"Ahh!" Naruto laughed. "Stop! It tickles!" he said, flailing, as Kakashi clutched his ankles tighter, so he wouldn't go toppling backwards.
"Ru, lift Sasuke up! Then we can be up here together!"
Iruka glanced at Sasuke, not opposed to the idea, but Sasuke shot him a look that said don't even think about it.
"Hey, where's 'Tachi and Kis'me?" Naruto asked, now walking beside Sasuke.
"How should I know? Probably making out somewhere in the woods," Sasuke said, irritatingly.
"Gross!"
They found them a few minutes later sitting on a bench beside the trail, in front of a frozen pond, looking rather pleased with themselves. The chances that they were making out in the woods, was probably pretty high.
Their next stop was Symphony Woods, where lighting fixtures on the ground synchronized, beat by beat, to a soundtrack of The Nutcracker, recorded by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. It cast thin beams of colored light on groups of trees as if they were ensembles of the orchestra itself. Percussion hit the trees in the back, strings on the left. It felt like walking inside an amphitheater.
"This is incredible, I have to admit. Thank you for inviting us," Itachi said, smiling at Kakashi.
"Anytime. I knew you'd like this part the best."
Kakashi was aware that Itachi's parents used to take him to see the Chicago Symphony every year for his birthday when he was growing up. He had even been invited once, but had declined. He couldn't even remember why. It was in high school, so he probably thought he was too cool for it. He laughed at himself. What a shame.
"What time's your match tomorrow?" Itachi asked, jostling him out of his thoughts.
"7 pm."
"I think we're going to come this time. Kisame's been wanting to see you fight forever," Itachi said, taking his eyes off the trees to glance at Kakashi.
"Ha. You're going to subject yourself to that? Man, you must really like this guy, huh?" Kakashi teased.
"I better. I agreed to be his husband not too long ago," Itachi said. "As much as I don't see the point in men trying beat the shit out of each other for sport, I have to admit, it is rather impressive to watch you. I don't know how Iruka does it, though. I'm surprised he even goes, with his anxiety."
"His anxiety would be a million times worse if he stayed at home. His theory is, if he's there, and I'm on the brink of death, he'd be able to take me to the hospital, or at the very least, be with me on my last breath," Kakashi joked, flashing Itachi a wide grin.
"Please. No one ever leaves so much as a scratch on you."
Kakashi shrugged, as if to say, you never know.
"So, have you thought about the wedding at all?" Kakashi asked, changing the subject, watching as Naruto spun around in a circle with his tongue out, trying to catch snow. He ended up tripping over his own feet, falling flat on his butt.
"I thought about not having one, if that's what you mean. No one would come, at this rate," Itachi said, dryly.
"Fugaku still being a pain in the ass?"
"He's not being anything. After the big blow out, he's been refusing to talk to me. As if marrying a man is some sort of big freaking shock. I've only been out since I was 16. He'd rather me be privately gay."
"Well, we would come," Kakashi said, slinging an arm around his shoulder, pulling Itachi into him. Itachi was a head shorter than Kakashi, making this position a very comfortable fit. "And Mikoto would definitely come. I'm sure some of Kisame's family would, too."
"His mom wants us to have it in a church," Itachi said, his lip curling.
"And how do you feel about that?"
"Can you see me getting married in a church?" Itachi asked, shivering dramatically.
"Definitely not," Kakashi laughed, knowing full well that Itachi was agnostic.
"I like what you and Iruka did. It was small and different. Beautiful, yet classy."
Kakashi and Iruka had gotten married inside the Japanese Botanical Garden, walled in by a bamboo forest, beneath a red torii.
"It was pretty special," Kakashi said, in remembrance.
"If we do anything, outside would be nice."
Itachi's eyes moved to Sasuke's back, who was currently in an argument with Naruto as to whether or not Christmas lights produced enough heat to melt snow. Guess who thought what.
"I want to start spending more time with Sasuke," he confided. "Now that my thesis is over with."
Kakashi looked at him, dropping his arm.
"I think you're off to a good start."
"I know our age difference is… quite big, but I want to be there for him. Sometimes I think he looks at me as more of an authority figure, than a brother."
Itachi and Sasuke were nearly 20 years apart. Their parents had had Itachi when they were very young and Itachi knew Sasuke was, well, not exactly planned.
"I wouldn't say that. He may think he's an expert at hiding his emotions, but I've seen him look at you a few times, the same way I've caught Naruto looking at Iruka. He loves you. Looks up to you. And, if we're being honest here, Fugaku's not going to win the best dad award anytime soon."
"He may be cold, Kakashi, but he tries sometimes. Not everyone is lucky enough to have a father like Sakumo."
"Had," Kakashi corrected him, feeling an ache at the base of his throat.
"He may not physically be here anymore, but he's still your father. You still have everything he left you with. Which is more love than I've ever seen a father exude," Itachi said, giving him a stern look, colored lights reflecting off his glasses.
Aside from Rin, Itachi was the only person close to Kakashi who had known his father. He was extremely grateful for that. He found comfort in it. Iruka never had the chance to meet him. He died before they had started dating, much to Kakashi's remorse. He knew Sakumo would have loved Iruka, embraced him like his own son.
"But you're right," Itachi sighed. "Fugaku is absent a lot. And so was I. I've been away at college, and then graduate school, since the day he was born essentially. "
"Yeah, well, you've still got plenty of time. He's only 8, Itachi. I have a feeling our hang outs are going to be psuedo-dad dates now," Kakashi joked, nudging him with his elbow.
"What a coincidence he gets a long with Naruto so well, huh?" Kakashi mused, looking at the two of them.
"You know," Itachi laughed, something close to a sparkle in his eye, "I don't think it's a coincidence at all."
They stopped at one of the warming tents, to grab hot chocolate and sit by a cracking bonfire. Iruka almost refused Naruto a s'more, but Kakashi had it off the stick and into Naruto's hand before Iruka could stop him, a smug, satisfied look on his face.
Their last stop before leaving was Tinsel Harmony. An interactive exhibition that had you sing to the trees, in order to make them light up and dance with different colors. The colors changed based on the pitch and notes sang.
Iruka had to pry Naruto away from the microphone after ten minutes, so other people could take a turn, receiving a roaring applause from the surrounding crowd. Even though his singing was more like wailing, and horribly off-pitch, it was still adorable, only because it came from an eight year old.
"You were terrible," Sasuke said, trying his best to hide a smile, but it wasn't working.
"No way! Did you see all the colors I made? Everybody clapped!"
"They clapped because you finally shut up," Sasuke teased.
Naruto burst out singing at the top of his lungs again, chasing Sasuke around, as they made their way back to the entrance.
The following morning brought more snow, much to Naruto's delight. The three of them had suited up and spent a frigid two hours sledding down a hill at the local park. No matter how many times Naruto ran up the hill, he never seemed to get tired.
Pakkun had finally warmed up to Naruto. In fact, that was an understatement. He adored Naruto, so much so, that he had allowed Naruto to bring him onto the sled, clutching his body, as they zipped down the hill together.
The rest of the afternoon was spent huddled beneath blankets on the couch, as homemade chicken soup simmered on the stove. They introduced Naruto to their favorite holiday movies, starting with Nightmare Before Christmas.
After several steaming bowls of hot soup, Kakashi retired to their room to change and get ready to go. There were still several hours before his match, but he always got there early (surprisingly), leaving him plenty of time to complete his pre-match rituals that mostly revolved around stretching and meditation.
"I'll see you later," Kakashi said, giving Iruka a kiss at the sink, while Naruto was standing on his footstool shouting I, JACK, the pumpkin king, with a pot over his head.
"Naruto, eso estaba limpio. That was clean." Iruka said, wiping his hands on a dish towel before leaving the kitchen to catch Kakashi at the top of the stairs.
"'Perate," (Wait,) he said, grabbing onto the back of his shirt before he could descend.
Kakashi turned around, and Iruka wrapped his arms around his waist.
"Buena suerte, mi cielo. Ten cuidado," he said, leaning in to kiss Kakashi.
(Good luck, my sky [term of endearment. Be careful)
"I will."
"Don't let anyone touch you. Or they'll answer to me."
"Is that so?" Kakashi smiled, looking as his husband lovingly.
"Mhmm."
"I better win then," he said, releasing himself from Iruka's hold.
"You better," he said, giving him a final kiss, before he watched him jog down the stairs.
"I love you!" he called, as Kakashi slipped out the door.
Iruka arrived with Naruto, to find Rin and Konan already seated, their blue and purple hair sticking out easily in the crowd, reminding Iruka of swaths of cotton candy. He had called and asked her to reserve seats for them all, since she lived closest to the arena.
"Hola," he said in greeting, leaning in to kiss them each on the cheek. Iruka greeted everyone this way. A holdover from his Puerto Rican family that never seemed to leave, no matter how uncomfortable some people in the states were with it.
"Hey buddy!" Rin said, crouching down to Naruto's height. "I made something for you."
She unfurled a small black jersey with HATAKE printed on the back in bold white letters, an exact replica of the one she was wearing. If it wasn't obvious, she was Kakashi's biggest fan, two thick purple lines of what looked like war paint, streaked down her cheeks for the occasion.
"That's your Dad and mine's last name," she said. "Now we can cheer him on together!"
"Cool!" Naruto said. "Can you help me?" he asked, turning to Iruka.
"Claro. Ven acá," Iruka said, as Naruto came over to him.
Iruka slipped the jersey over his head, and pulled his arms through it. He had contemplated whether or not it was okay to bring Naruto to Kakashi's match at his young age. Mikoto wouldn't allow it, which is what made him question it in the first place, and the only reason why Sasuke wasn't here with them.
He thought about telling Naruto that it wasn't a real fight, but technically, it was. Or that it wasn't dangerous, but… it could be. That Kakashi wasn't going to get hurt, but he might. So, he settled on not explaining anything. If Naruto had any questions, he'd ask, and Iruka would do his best to answer them.
Itachi and Kisame showed up a few minutes later. Kisame was trying hard to balance a hot dog and tray of nachos as they made their way to their seats, while Itachi was clutching on to his travel thermos that was probably filled with herbal tea. He looked comically out of place, in his turtleneck and long braid, like he was going to the opera, instead of a boxing match.
"I like your spirit!" Kisame said, upon seeing Rin. "I wanted to buy one of those foam fingers but Itachi refused to walk beside me if I did."
Konan reached down below her seat.
"You can use ours," she said, handing it to him.
Rin had bought it for her but she really had no intention of using it.
"Alright!"
20 minutes later, the lights began to dim, save for the ones illuminating the ring.
"Welcome, ladies and gentlemen!" A voice rang out over the speakers. "We've got an interesting match lined up tonight that is sure to have you on the edge of your seat. Without further ado, let's bring out the challenger first: a newcomer, who has blazed his way to the top, in a matter of mere months. Break out your tricolor flags, because this Italian is here to make some ruckus, Gai Might!"
Gai entered the ring to some rather loud applause, having accumulated his own fans already.
"And now, this next man needs no introduction, our very own Chicago legend, reigning champion for three years running, you all know him, you all love him, Kakashi Hatake!"
The crowd stood up as Kakashi entered the arena, breaking into deafening cheers.
"I can't see!" Naruto cried.
Rin picked him up and balanced him on her hip, pointing at Kakashi.
"That's Kashi!" Naruto said in amazement, recognizing him.
Kakashi came together with Gai in the middle of the ring. Gai flashed him an enormous grin, and Kakashi couldn't help but laugh to himself.
Let's see what this guy's got, Kakashi thought, as he raised his fists in front of his face, excitement beginning to build in his gut.
The match started and Gai came at him right away, with almost inhuman speed, barely giving Kakashi enough time to dodge.
Oh? Kakashi thought, his eyes moving rapidly over Gai's body, calculating.
He knew from that first move, that this match was going to be different than his others.
Hm, he grinned. This is going to be fun.
"I've never seen him have this hard of a time before," Iruka said nervously, looking down at his husband. He had just finished trying to convince Naruto that Kakashi was okay, after taking a rather hard hit to the face.
Kakashi and Gai were circling each other, chests heaving, sweat glistening over their bodies, both looking exhausted.
Gai came at Kakashi with a burst of energy, reigning one move after the other down on him, backing him into a corner, before trapping him in a move that dragged him down hard onto the floor, ending with his neck locked between Gai's thighs.
Iruka gasped in surprise.
"That doesn't look good," he said to Rin, grabbing onto her hand.
"COME ON HATAKE!" she shouted, jumping up from her seat.
Fuck, Kakashi thought, in pure disbelief.
He had definitely underestimated Gai, and now he was stuck in a position that almost always ended in defeat. No matter which way he maneuvered his body, he couldn't seem to get any traction.
If I could just get my shoulder beneath me, he thought, struggling against Gai's grip. He knew he had to do it quick, or he'd have to tap out. His neck was really starting to ache.
He attempted to move again, using his torso and legs to try and get some leverage.
His shoulder shifted a miniscule amount. Just a little bit more…
Yes!
That's all he needed.
He was out.
The crowd went wild.
In a flash of movements, he had reversed their positions, pinning Gai against him. Gai's back was against Kakashi's chest, and Kakashi was using his whole body to trap him there, wrapping his arms and legs around him, rendering him completely incapacitated.
He got him, Iruka thought, some of the tension leaving his body.
"It's over!" Rin said, excitedly.
"That was badass!" Kisame cried.
"Let's see you get out of THAT, Gai!" Rin hollered, rather aggressively.
Konan looked at her with comical surprise.
They all watched, on the edge of their seat, even Itachi seemed to be holding his breath, each second ticking by incredibly slow and then…
Gai tapped out.
"YEEEAAAA KAKASHI!" Rin cheered, as she got up from her seat, along with everyone else.
As the referee held his arm up in victory, he looked over at his family among the cheering crowd, only to find a scene he wasn't expecting. They were all standing but still, facing someone whose back was to Kakashi.
It looked like Itachi was pissed?
Rin had recoiled into Konan, as if to hide.
Something wasn't right.
He eyes shot to his husband. Observed him. His posture was tense. He was holding Naruto against his leg, protectively.
Okay.
Who was that?
And then the stranger turned to glance at Kakashi, revealing his face.
A face Kakashi hoped he would never see again, let alone mere inches from everyone in his life that he loved.
His stomach turned over, followed by an intense spike in adrenaline.
He wretched his hand out of the referee's grip, slid under the rope, and threw off his gloves. If he needed to throw a punch, he wanted it to fucking hurt.
He made it to where they had been seated in a few seconds flat, despite everyone trying to give him a slap on the back in congratulations.
"Kakashi," the stranger said, an amused look on his face.
He shamelessly ran his eyes all over Kakashi's sweaty muscled chest.
"How is it that you only get sexier as you get older?"
Kakashi heaved in a deep breath through his nose before removing his mouth guard.
"Iruka. Get Naruto out of here. All of you, go."
Nobody questioned him, except for one tiny, little voice.
"Kashi…" Naruto started, confused, but Iruka shushed him, picking him up and carrying him out.
When they were at a safe distance, Kakashi flashed his eyes up at the stranger.
"How the fuck did you find me, Obito?"
Even though he was Itachi's cousin, Itachi wouldn't dare.
"It's amazing what typing someone's name into Google can do now a days," he replied. "Your name was all over The Chicago Tribune. Local MMA Champion Kakashi Hatake takes to the ring this Saturday to defend his title," he said, changing his voice to resemble that of a reporter.
"What do you want?"
"I just wanted to see you. See how you're doing."
Bullshit, Kakashi thought.
"Seems like you got yourself a nice wife. And a kid? You, a father?" he threw his head back in a laugh, as if it was the biggest joke in the world.
"And here I was thinking you only left me to satiate a fetish. Fuck around with a Puerto Rican. I heard they're… feisty."
"Fuck you, Obito. I swear to…" Kakashi trailed off, feeling like white hot lightening was building up in his arms. He didn't want to give in to his anger, even if this asshole was disrespecting his husband.
"See, that's really what I want from you. I haven't found anyone else whose as much fun, and damn have I tried. You could really fuck, I'll give you that. We were good together."
Kakashi laughed, almost manically.
He wanted to puke.
Obito was the worst thing that had ever happened to him.
"You're fucking delusional, Obito. And a toxic, manipulative, piece of shit. I'm no longer a depressed, impressionable, 20 something year old that you can leech onto and suck the life out of."
"I thought you'd come back to me. Like all the other times we broke up. I waited, for a long time, actually."
"Yeah, well, surprise. I grew a fucking spine." Kakashi spat out, before saying, "Seven years later and you're here to what? Try and get back together with me? Are you fucking serious?"
"What can I say? I'm still in love with you. I can't quit you, Kakashi. I tried. Cold turkey didn't seem to work. It never has for me."
Yeah, no shit, Kakashi thought, remembering all too well Obito's other addictions.
But…In love with him? Please. He didn't know what they had back then, but it definitely wasn't love.
"You're not in love with me, Obito. You're in love with the control you had over me. You always were."
"Well… that, and your body. You're so fucking hot Kakashi, you have no idea. Seeing you like this…" he said, referring to Kakashi's bare chest and tight boxing shorts, sucking in a breath so it hissed through his teeth. "I mean, our sex was explosive."
"Because I fucking hated you," Kakashi said, fuming.
"You don't miss it?"
"Not for a second," Kakashi instantly replied.
"Hm," Obito laughed, "I never would have thought Iruka could satisfy you. Or handle you, for that matter. He looks like too much of a fuckin' fag. Or maybe you like being held, now, huh? Is that it? You've gone soft?"
"That's the second time you've disrespected Iruka in front of me. Do it again and I'll knock your fucking teeth out."
Was Obito really expecting Kakashi to talk about his sex life with him? To talk about anything with him?
He didn't owe Obito a fucking thing.
He wasn't going to waste any more of his time.
If he had to spend one more minute looking at Obito's face, he was definitelygoing to punch it, provoked or not.
"If you ever come near me or my family again, you'll wish you hadn't," he warned, before turning his back on him.
"You know it only turns me on when you threaten me, just like old times," he said, trying to get a rise out of him, but when Kakashi continued to walk away, he added, "By the way, your sister's looking pretty fit…" he said, knowing full well that could be the final straw.
Kakashi stopped in his tracks, rage threatening to blind him. He took a few breaths to steady himself. To clear his vision. Obito was baiting him. He wanted Kakashi to lose it. He got off on it. He always had.
Fuck that sick bastard.
He continued down the steps, picked up his discarded gloves, and left the arena without looking back.
When he got home, Kakashi hopped into the shower without saying much to anyone, the hot water bringing relief to his tired muscles. Gai had really given him a run for his money tonight. That was the hardest he'd had to fight in a long time.
A different type of exhaustion washed over. He inevitably thought about Obito again, a wave of nausea overtaking him. He steadied himself on the tile, placing both palms on the wall, letting his head fall towards his chest, as the water rained down on him.
He felt negativity and panic starting to spiral inside him. Why was Obito showing up now? Why? Why, dammit! When his life was so… perfect. Stable. Happy.
Was Obito here to stay? Did he know where he lived? His mind started racing at the thought, already wondering how he could file a restraining order against him. Obito had harassed Iruka in the past, Rin too, but that was six years ago, before Obito had left the country. Could that still be used as evidence?
And Naruto. What if he came after Naruto? Kakashi wouldn't put it past him.
He lifted his head, letting the water pummel his face. He ran his hands through his hair, before turning off the water and stepping out.
Once he was dried and dressed, he entered his bedroom to find Iruka sitting up, waiting for him, the blankets pooled around his waist.
"Itachi called while you were in the shower," he said, holding out his phone to him.
Kakashi took it, and called him back, sitting down onto the bed in the process.
"Kakashi," came Itachi's voice.
"Hm?"
"I did some investigating. Obito's only in town a few days. He goes back to Amsterdam on Monday."
Kakashi felt a sense of relief wash over him.
"Thanks," he said, before hanging up.
He powered off his phone and placed it on the nightstand, before curling up in bed.
Iruka remained sitting up, looking down at his husband's back in worry.
"Kakashi…" he started, unsure. He knew the extent of the damage Obito had inflicted upon him. It couldn't have been easy to be confronted with that again, especially so unexpectedly.
Kakashi turned to look at him, before pushing Iruka down against the bed. He lifted Iruka's arm up, curling into him, nestling into his chest.
Iruka adjusted himself, wrapping his arms around Kakashi. He ran his fingers through his hair, planting a soft kiss to his forehead.
Yes. Kakashi did like to be held now, but only by one, very specific man.
Tears spilled out of him, old wounds threatening to open up and consume him.
Goddammit, Obito.
"Are you alright?" Iruka whispered, his voice cracking, as he struggled not to cry at the sight of his husband's pain.
Kakashi took in a deep breath, reminding himself that those wounds had been tended to, had healed and scarred over, leaving nothing but clean, fresh skin in it's wake. Skin that Obito had never touched. All with the help of this incredible, beautiful man, whose heart was beating beneath his ear.
Kakashi tilted his head up and kissed Iruka, hard. Pressing his hand into the back of his skull.
Yes. He was alright. He would always be alright, as long as Iruka was beside him.
A presence appeared suddenly in the doorway. It was Naruto, with his blanket Iruka gave him clutched near his face, some of it dragging on the floor.
Kakashi tried to wipe away any evidence of his crying, but it didn't fool him.
Naruto came over to the bed and lingered there, not sure what do, a little scared, a little confused, never having seen Kakashi cry before.
"Kashi," he said softly, "What's wrong?"
"Kakashi saw someone who caused him a lot of pain in the past, Naruto," Iruka said gently, knowing Kakashi wouldn't be able to answer.
"The man at the end?"
"Yes."
Naruto contemplated that, rubbing the corner of the blanket on his face, never taking his eyes off Kakashi.
"Naruto…" Iruka started. "Would you…do you want to lay with us?" he asked, nervously. This would be crossing an intimacy boundary they hadn't quite managed to get to yet—cuddling.
Naruto shifted on his feet. He placed a hand on their bed, as if testing the water, before nodding his head.
"Come here," Iruka said, moving a few inches away from Kakashi, creating a little nook between the two of them.
Naruto crawled in. It was a tense few moments, until everyone relaxed into how good it felt.
"We're not going to let anything happen to Kashi, right Naruto?" Iruka said, raking his fingers through his blonde hair.
Naruto shook his head vigorously.
"He can't hurt you," Naruto said, looking at Kakashi. "You're so strong. I saw you. You won! I'll get strong, too."
Kakashi laughed, sniffling as he wiped his nose with the back of his hand.
"You will?"
"Yeah! Believe it!"
For some reason, this made Kakashi cry even more. In a gesture that surprised even himself, he pulled Naruto into his chest, hugging him tight.
"I'm being smushed!" came Nartuo's muffled laugh.
Sleep overtook them all not long after. One of Naruto's legs was hooked over Iruka, while his head was buried somewhere near Kakashi's armpit. Kakashi looked at his family one more time, through sleep-laden eyes, feeling like the luckiest man alive. His hand crawled beneath the covers, searching blindly, until he found the thing that he wanted.
He slid his hand into the safety of his husband's warm palm, all of his worries fading away, Iruka's fingers interlacing with his own in response, the last thing he felt before drifting peacefully off to sleep.
TBC
End notes:
Wooof. So much going on in this chapter!
Ay, Obito. Ugh.
Does this have you wanting to read the prequel yet?!
I made the boxing match a little more theatrical than realistic, but I like it that way!
NARUTO IS THE SWEETEST.
I think there are only four chapters left. T-T
Idk how to make "notes" on here, so.. eh. I just added them to the document!
