Chapter 10
Itachi glanced up at the clock in his office for the tenth time in that last few minutes. He growled a little and went back to the paperwork in front of him. He used nearly all of his effort not to glance at the clock again. But eventually he couldn't help it. The steady tick in the background was driving him insane. He glanced up at the clock again.
School was already over. Usually the silver haired man was nearly breaking down his door to catch a glimpse of him as he left. But not today. The day they were supposed to go out drinking together Kakashi decides to be late.
Itachi sighed heavily, the tick of the clock emphasizing his growing frustration. Eventually Itachi gave up waiting and stood to grab his jacket. Just as he was pulling it on his door opened. Itachi glared at Kakashi.
"Don't come into my office without knocking again."
Kakashi smiled bashfully, rubbing the back of his head, "I'm sorry I'm late Uchiha-san."
Itachi grunted in return and finished pulling on his jacket before side stepping Kakashi and leaving the front office. He didn't bother to look back. He could hear Kakashi behind him as they walked out into the parking lot.
"Which one of us should drive?" Kakashi asked as he jogged to catch up to Itachi.
"You will." Itachi decided. He didn't want to waste gas on driving to some bar. Not that he couldn't afford it. But that he'd prefer Kakashi's wallet take the brunt of their "date".
But then as Kakashi unlocked the door for him he realized that if something went wrong he'd have to walk back to the school to get his car. Otherwise he'd be stranded at some bar that was god only knows how far away.
Itachi hesitated as Kakashi opened the door. But Itachi had already verbally announced that Kakashi would drive. He didn't want to take it back. So he slid into the passenger seat and fastened his seatbelt. He had a feeling it might be a bumpy ride. Kakashi walked quickly around to the drivers seat and got in smiling widely at Itachi has he put his key into the ignition. Itachi refused to keep prolonged eye contact with the teacher. He didn't want him to think anymore of this date than necessary.
Itachi was doing this so that when he came home late Sasuke would wonder where he'd been. That was the only reason. It had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that he rather he thought Kakashi's windswept hair looked like it might be soft… or the fact that the man was so very persistent… or that Itachi had-
Itachi cleared his throat and straightened himself in his seat. Dangerous thoughts there. He'd have to be more careful.
Luckily the small tavern that Kakashi had wanted to take him to really wasn't that far from the school. Still Itachi looked at the establishment with a grimace of apprehension. This certainly looked like some seedy little bar, and not like any place that Itachi would ever go willingly. But out of obligation, he hesitantly fallowed the silver-haired man inside.
Luckily, the inside of the bar was definitely much better than the outside. The furniture looked clean and the only smells in the air were of alcohol and cigarette smoke. It seemed that despite the neighborhood, someone took very good care of the interior of the building. Kakashi pulled out his chair for him and Itachi felt his frown deepen. Was Kakashi blind? Pulling out his chair for him basically announced to everyone in the bar that they were together. Still Itachi sat and sighed.
A barmaid quickly came to their table and gave them a half hearted attempt at pleasant smile. But with her two missing teeth, even if she had really tried it might not have mattered. Itachi stared at the girl rather rudely and ordered a screwdriver, and told her to put more alcohol than juice. It wouldn't taste very good. But if he drank enough maybe he might forget where he was and who he was with.
Kakashi ordered but Itachi wasn't paying much attention After the barmaid walked away Kakashi looked at him and Itachi glanced back. He was surprised to see real sorrow in the teacher's dark eyes.
"You don't want to be here with me, do you Uchiha-san?"
Itachi scowled, "Took you long enough to figure it out. I thought I made it clear from the first day that I wasn't interested."
Kakashi smiled sorrowfully as he stared down at the table between them, "I suppose you did. But I'm the kind of man who doesn't like to take 'no' for an answer."
Itachi looked away. For whatever reason he found he felt the tinniest bit of guilt for using the man this way. But Itachi wanted Sasuke. He'd always wanted Sasuke; for as long as he could remember. Kakashi simply wasn't an option.
The barmaid came with their drinks and Itachi grabbed his quickly, taking a large swig. She'd certainly listened to his order. The drink tasted more like orange flavored jet fuel than a screwdriver. He hated the taste, he suspected that everyone did, but he could put up with it. Especially if it would help to loosen him up. He'd been rather tense recently. What with Sasuke's refusal and all, he'd hardly even gotten any sleep. He'd stayed up pondering over his brother's odd behavior.
"You don't have to stay." Kakashi nearly whispered.
Itachi looked up at him, "I want to." He replied simply. And it was true; he wanted to make Sasuke jealous.
Kakashi's face grew even more pained, "Don't send me mixed messages Itachi."
Itachi sat back and eyed the man before him. He'd apparently finally worn through the silver-haired teacher's patience. Not once since Itachi had told him to refer to him respectfully had Kakashi called him Itachi.
"What exactly if it you want from me Hatake-san."
"For the last time, just Kakashi is fine. And… I'm not sure what I want from you. Just sex? A relationship? Something…else? I don't know. But right now the only thing I really want, I know you'll never give me."
"You can't be sure of that." Itachi said, watching as Kakashi took a swig of his beer.
"I'm sure Itachi. And I guess I'll have to be satisfied with only being your friend."
Itachi glowered a little, surprised at how guilty he felt. He'd never felt guilt before. Not really. He'd shown remorse, but he'd never felt guilt. He quickly drank down his screwdriver and set the glass back down before calling for another drink. Yes, alcohol was a nice way to unwind.
Xx--xX
Two hours later Itachi was smiling. He felt blissfully happy and couldn't care less about Kakashi's frown. The world seemed much nicer. Much simpler. He liked it, and it's new slightly distorted look.
"I think it's time I took you home…" Kakashi started for the third time but Itachi waved him off and called for another drink. He was barely over tipsy anyway.
"So Kakashi, it's not that I don't like you *hiccup*, it's just that I like someone else. And I've liked him for a really, really, really long time."
"Oh really?" Kakashi said as though he didn't really care.
Itachi nodded, "Yup, an' you know 'im too."
"Itachi, I really think you've had one too ma- … I know him?"
Itachi smiled goofily, "Yup. He's in your class."
Kakashi's eyes widened almost comically, "A student?"
Itachi nodded again and giggled, "But you can't tell anyone cuz it's a secret." He whispered loudly before putting to his finger to his lips clumsily.
"Wanna know his name?" Itachi asked as he drank a little more.
Kakashi paused and then nodded slowly.
"It's Sasuke… I love him." Itachi said before leaning back in his chair and closing his eyes.
Kakashi sighed, "Of course you love him. He's your brother."
"No, no, no. I had sex with him."
"What?!"
"Well… kinda… he pushed me away.. stupid brat. But god I love him."
Kakashi swallowed hard trying to digest this information. Itachi had sex with his brother? That's… that's pedophilia. But then again there was only a five year difference between Itachi and Sasuke and there was nearly an eight year difference between Itachi and Kakashi. But… brothers shouldn't have sex. It was immoral. Then again, homosexuality is supposedly immoral so…
Kakashi put his head in his hands. He was confused. But he was also… slightly turned on. The thought of watching Itachi and Sasuke kiss? God, it sent fireworks straight to his groin. He couldn't deny that he still wanted Itachi as his own, but he wouldn't mind watching him with Sasuke.
"Kakashi…" Itachi whispered, "I think you're right… I need to go home."
Kakashi nodded and rose, going to the bar to pay on their tabs. Itachi had racked up quite a bill, but Kakashi paid it dutifully. He had asked the man out after all. He helped Itachi out to the car since he was just a bit too drunk to walk. Itachi cursed him the entire way there, claiming that he could walk just fine. It wasn't his fault the table decided to move in front of him at the last minute.
When they got into the car Itachi seemed to sober a little, finally recognizing the change in scenery. His movements were still slowed and he didn't seem any less chemically drunk. But at least he was actively trying to act like the arrogant bastard he usually is.
**Cute arrogant bastard** Kakashi reminded himself.
Kakashi knew that he couldn't take Itachi back to his car in the school parking lot so he'd simply have to drive the man home. Which would be a lot easier if he knew where Itachi lived. Everyone knew where the Uchiha Estate was. It was too huge to miss. But getting there, figuring out if he lived in a house on the estate or in the main mansion, and getting past security were major problems that Kakashi wasn't sure he wanted to deal with.
"Itachi, I'm going to take you back to my place. You can stay the night there."
Itachi looked at him and for a moment, Kakashi actually thought that Itachi wasn't drunk at all. His face was perfect and calm, bearing no signs of impaired thought process. And his eyes, though they did seem slightly shinier, looked just as endless as always. He expected Itachi to say something scathing, as was his normal demeanor, he even expected Itachi to demand to be taken home. But instead,
"Otay Kashi-chan."
Kakashi was shocked beyond words, but not beyond laughter. Itachi giggled along with him, but Kakashi suspected he didn't know why they were laughing. But it was such a rare thing to see the Uchiha laugh, let alone giggle, that Kakashi didn't question it.
Kakashi's apartment wasn't far and they reached it in record time. Getting Itachi up the stairs was another task that Kakashi took on dutifully. Though he wouldn't deny, that getting to touch (Okay, grope) a drunken Itachi was more than enough reason not to complain.
Kakashi quickly settled the Uchiha on the couch and went to go make coffee hoping to sober up the man. If Kakashi was left to his own devices with an easily influenced Itachi he wasn't sure what would happen. And he'd regret it for the rest of his life if he ruined their budding relationship with undue lust. Even if that relationship was only friendship, Kakashi knew that it could one day turn to more. If he just stayed diligent…
He sighed as he turned on the coffee pot. What had he gotten himself into? Falling in love with a man who would never want him…
He heard a rather loud thump and immediately ran to the living room calling out Itachi's name. The man had fallen from the couch and was now laughing on the ground. Kakashi sighed again. This wasn't nearly as fun as he'd first thought it would be. Itachi wasn't acting like the man Kakashi loved. He was acting like any other drunken man would. It threatened to shatter Kakashi's perception of the Uchiha. He'd always assumed Itachi was like no other man on earth. Itachi was better than all of them.
Kakashi quickly helped the man up and sat him again on the couch.
"Itachi," He said firmly hoping to garner the man's attention. He did. Itachi's glazed eyes focused directly on him, "Stay on this couch. I'm making coffee and you need to have some. You're making a fool of yourself, and you'll thank me once you've sobered."
Itachi stared at him, "Kakashi, this is me trying to forget all of my problems. Excuse me if my attitude is an inconvenience to you. Or… foolish."
Kakashi stared at the man in front of him. Itachi was definitely drunk, but maybe he was overacting it a bit?
"Even still…" Kakashi started lamely, "I'd prefer if you acted like you usually do."
Itachi teetered forward precariously and Kakashi pushed him back on the couch. Struck by a sudden idea, Kakashi lifted the man's legs as he turned him so that Itachi was in a reclining position, resting against the arm of the couch. He smiled a little before going to get the coffee which he was sure had to at least have made a cup.
He was right and he poured it quickly, burning his fingers in the process.
"Cream and sugar?" He called and heard Itachi's muffled answer.
"Yes and yes."
Kakashi was a little surprised, Itachi always drank his coffee black in the teachers lounge. But he figured it was only polite to ask… In any case, he put in both the cream and sugar mixing it well before taking it back out to Itachi.
Itachi took the proffered mug without any objection sipping it carefully though he stared at Kakashi over the rim. Kakashi was slowly becoming unnerved by those eyes.
Itachi licked his lips, "You want me to act like my usual self?"
Kakashi nodded slowly as he watched the Uchiha take another sip.
Itachi laughed and then smirked, "Like a pompous ass, hm? That's how you'd like me to act?"
"No Itachi, just that… I suppose I'm used to that side of you. So maybe… that is what I was expecting. But any way you act is fine really. As long as you don't hurt yourself falling off of the couch."
"What is the one thing you want Kakashi. You never told me." Itachi whispered as he let his head tilt back.
Kakashi caught the half empty mug as it tilted in Itachi's lax hand. He sat it down on the coffee table and turned back to Itachi. He intended to answer the question this time. Maybe, just maybe, Itachi would give it to him.
When he looked back at Itachi his eyes were closed.
"Itachi?" Kakashi asked shaking the man's shoulder slightly, but that didn't rouse him.
Kakashi smiled a little finding that Itachi's face while he was asleep was a thousand times more relaxed than normal. It took years from him, not in a way that made him seem young in years, but young in spirit. It took years of harsh adult life from him, giving him back, for only a moment, the face of someone who sees good in the world. The face of someone who is peaceful.
Kakashi took the mug of coffee back into the kitchen before going to his hall closet and getting a pillow and blanket. He wouldn't let Itachi sleep on the couch though. No, no, Itachi deserved better. Kakashi set the pillow and blanket aside before quickly lifting the Uchiha and cradling him carefully.
He strained a little under the weight, he'd assumed because of Itachi's slight frame that it would be easy to carry him. But still, Itachi was a fully grown man. Kakashi moved slowly and carefully into his bedroom before sitting the man down on his soft bed.
Itachi didn't stir, he didn't even make a noise. But he smiled. Kakashi was so startled at the genuine innocent smile on Itachi's face that he stopped and just stared at him. He was truly beautiful. Kakashi was reluctant to move but eventually, he positioned Itachi correctly in the bed and pulled the covers over his prone form.
He stared down at the peaceful face for a moment, "To answer your question Itachi, the thing I want most from you right now is… a kiss."
Kakashi glanced behind him once as though afraid someone might see what he was about to do. He leaned down slowly giving his heart time to adjust to the sudden closeness with the man of all his dreams. He lightly pushed some of Itachi's silken hair from his forehead before closing his eyes and pressing his lips softly against Itachi's.
Kakashi nearly moaned aloud at the feeling. And the temptation to do more was so strong that it nearly overpowered him. But though he was an amorous man, he would never take anyone without their consent. He pulled away quickly almost burned by what he had done to a helpless Itachi.
But still he licked his lips slowly, savoring the taste.
"Good night Itachi." He whispered standing and leaving the room.
Xx--XxX--xX
There was gonna be more to this chapter but I keep making my chapters too long! I'm tired of over working my poor beta. You all need to send her Christmas cards because she's so amazing!
Please leave me a review. :]