Iruka woke slowly, blinking against the sunlight. Turning his head slowly, he saw Kakashi sprawled out in the chair, reading his book.
"Hey." Iruka licked his lips. "Did you catch him?"
Kakashi closed his book and sat up. "Yes. He's taken care of now."
"Good." Iruka closed his eyes. "So everyone knows…it was just a rumor?"
"Yes." Kakashi slipped his book into his pockets. "It's all sorted out. By the way, Naruto was here earlier. He'll probably stop by again."
"Thanks for the warning." Iruka grinned.
They sat in companionable silence for a moment. Then Iruka opened his eyes. "Kakashi?"
"Hmm?" Kakashi asked.
"Uhm. When I get out of the hospital, you want to…maybe go get ramen some time?"
Kakashi looked at Iruka for a long moment. "Iruka…are you hitting on me?"
Kakashi wondered if blushing that hard hurt, with all those bruises.
"NO!" Iruka yelled.
Good lungs for someone lying flat on his back in a hospital room, Kakashi thought with amusement.
"I just…I just thought…" Iruka floundered.
Kakashi considered continuing the joke, but he reluctantly decided to take pity on the poor kid. "I know. I was just kidding, Iruka. Yes, I would like to have ramen with you when you get out of the hospital."
Iruka closed his eyes and sighed. "Good. Now go away so I can get some sleep."
Kakashi laughed and stood. As he left, he looked back and grinned.
"Bye, sweetheart."
"KAKASHI!"