Title: Midnight Swimming

30 Kisses Prompt #29: The Sound of Waves

Rating: PG-13 for naked bodies

Summary: Obito drags Kakashi out for a late night swim, with an ulterior motive in mind.


Obito had wandered along the road and into the trees, leading Kakashi around somewhat randomly as they headed towards the sound of running water. He had woken Kakashi up with the desire to go swimming in the middle of the night, and Kakashi had complied, not really knowing why. Somehow, Obito could convince him to do nearly anything. When Obito stepped into a clearing, Kakashi was surprised. He had expected a lake, but Obito had lead them to a small bathing pool instead. The opposite side of the bathing pool was surrounded by the tall trees of the forest. Where they had appeared was a small clearing, with soft looking grass and a few rocks. The water looked very cool, and he could see the moon reflecting on the surface of the water, rippling in the slow flow of the current.

"We're not going to the lake?" Kakashi asked.

"Ah, no. I know it's small and pretty worthless looking, but the water here is really nice," Obito said. He pulled his shirt over his head, and dropped it on the ground. "The lake farther up is usually crowded with people."

"Crowded? At this time of night?" Kakashi asked, toeing off his sandals.

"Hey, we all keep late hours," Obito replied, smiling. "But yeah, the lake usually gets a few people during the night, so you don't want to get naked there unless you have a party. I went with Genma and some others once, that was fun."

"So why didn't you invite them?" Kakashi asked.

Obito shrugged, and bent over to remove his shoes. "Wasn't in the mood for their company," he said. "Just wanted to relax." Taking off his pants, Obito quickly slipped into the water, and grinned up at Kakashi. "Besides, it's big enough for us. Would have been cozier with Rin, but oh well. Get in."

Kakashi shook his head, and took off his shirt. He could feel Obito's eyes staring at him, watching him undress. It was slightly embarrassing. "Why are you so obsessed with what I look like?" Kakashi asked, tossing aside the rest of his clothes and slipping into the water. Obito shrugged, his eyes still fixated on his friend's face.

"No reason, really," he said. "I just hardly ever see it. You like to hide it all the time."

"I don't see why that bothers you," Kakashi said. "It's just clothing. It just covers my face as well as covering my body. No big deal. You certainly aren't excited to see the rest of me naked."

Obito blushed a little in the moonlight, and swam back a little. "Well, maybe not, but your face is different. Everyone shows their face to the world. But you never do. I just don't get it. What are you hiding?"

Kakashi sighed. "I'm not hiding anything, all right? I just wear a mask. I do that. I might have stopped by now, had you not been so interested."

"You've been wearing a mask for the past fifteen years just to annoy me?"

Kakashi smiled. "It worked, didn't it?" Obito laughed.

"You jerk," he said. "Only you would do something as crazy as that just to annoy me."

"It's because we're friends," Kakashi said. "I just care that much."

Moonlight shimmered across the small bathing pool, rippling against the current as the young men waded in the water. Kakashi estimated that it was little larger than two body lengths around, and contented himself with submerging himself up to his neck. He watched Obito sit in the water, looking deep in thought.

"You're quiet tonight," Kakashi said, looking at Obito. Obito was leaning against a rock, looking up at the moon. He looked over at Kakashi, and shrugged.

"I just came out to relax," he said. "I wanted company."

"I'm touched you thought of me."

"Aw, come on," Obito said, grinning. "You're my teammate. My friend. You and Rin would be the only people I'd want to be around tonight."

Obito ran his right, scarred hand through his hair. Creeping slowly towards him, Kakashi reached out, and touched the arm. Obito jumped at the touch, and Kakashi pulled back.

"I, uhh—"

"It's nothing," Kakashi said. "I was just . . . Curious."

Obito stretched out the damaged arm again. Kakashi ran his hand up Obito's arm, and felt Obito quiver at his touch. Kakashi's eyes followed his hand, feeling the rough skin, remembering the mission when it happened. Slowly, his eyes lifted up to Obito's face, looking at him, questioning.

"Kakashi, what—"

"Three years," he said. "It's been three years, hasn't it? To the day."

Obito swallowed, looking nervous under his Kakashi's gaze. Hand resting on Obito's shoulder, Kakashi's thumb moved back and forth over the rough skin. Obito turned his head to look at Kakashi's hand, and turned back to meet his friend's level gaze.

"Yeah," Obito replied, softly. "Three years." He bowed his head, and raised his hand to touch Kakashi's cheek. Kakashi felt his heart leap as Obito's thumb brushed against the scar of his ruined eye.

"Obito," Kakashi said, leaning a little closer, his chest pressing against Obito's legs. Obito's eyes met his, and Kakashi felt his stomach flutter, unexpectedly. Obito's finger traced the course of his scar, over the eye and down his cheek, lingering for a moment at the corner of his mouth.

"Kakashi, I—"

"I should have listened to you, then," Kakashi said, moving closer as Obito moved his legs to the side. "You lost your arm, because of me, and I—"

"Idiot," Obito said, leaning his forehead against Kakashi's. "I would have given my life for you. Stop beating yourself up over the past. I'm alive. You're alive. And if I had to sacrifice my arm so you could live, that's okay." He grinned at Kakashi, his nose bumping against Kakashi's skin. "Besides, if I use my sharingan, I don't even worry about it. Sure, it hurts later, but I'm alive. That's all that matters, right?"

Kakashi shook his head, and laughed. "I suppose," he said. "I'm not beating myself up over it, Obito. I just—"

"Blame yourself for everything, not counting for the fact that people make their own decisions as well," Obito said. Kakashi looked up at Obito, and rolled his eyes.

"Maybe."

Obito started to laugh, but stopped as Kakashi met his eyes. Kakashi could feel his heart racing, filling him with an anxious emotion that was not entirely unwelcome. He felt a rush as Obito leaned closer, fingers brushing Kakashi's short hair behind his ear.

"Kakashi," he said softly.

"Obito?" he replied.

The air was cool against their skin, despite the season. Shivering, Kakashi found himself moving closer to Obito, for warmth. Swallowing, Kakashi felt nervous as Obito's finger lingered against his scar, and slowly ran across his lips.

"I—"

"Shh," Obito whispered, looking at him. Kakashi swallowed hard as Obito leaned towards him, hands slipping into Kakashi's hair, pulling their heads together. It seemed natural to Kakashi to close his eyes as Obito's lips touched his. For a moment, Kakashi stood there, his hand gripping Obito's arm for support. Their lips stayed together, neither moving for what seemed like an eternity in the water. Kakashi slowly moved away from Obito, felt his friend's hands slip through his hair and fall quietly into the water.

Kakashi's heart was racing, not entirely sure at what just happened. Standing, he suddenly felt very conscious of the fact that they were alone, naked, and had just kissed. Something in the air had changed, and Kakashi hadn't found it an unwelcome one. It was just unnerving and slightly uncomfortable.

"I should go," Kakashi said, turning in the water, his head spinning. He started to move away, and felt a cool hand grab him around the wrist.

"Don't."

Obito had grabbed Kakashi, and was gently pulling him back. Kakashi could feel himself terrified as he turned to face Obito, nervous about what could come next. It was strange, allowing Obito to get so close, he'd let his guard down and Obito had slipped through. But Obito put his arms around Kakashi, and did nothing more but hold him close.

"Don't go," Obito said, whispering. "Kakashi I . . . like you."

There was something exhilarating in those words, the fear Kakashi felt melted away. The rush of the moment before came back, quieter this time. He felt Obito pull away, his eyes lowered and not quite looking at Kakashi. Moonlight fell on Obito's face, casting him in an almost unearthly light. Kakashi felt Obito's hands slide up his arms and neck, into his hair. Only a lifetime of training managed to help Kakashi keep from shaking.

"What . . . what are you doing, Obito?" he asked. "I don't understand—"

"I said, I liked you," Obito said, looking Kakashi in the eye. "This . . . this moment, Kakashi. Every moment with you is amazing. I want to . . . to be with you."

"Obito—"

"Can I kiss you again?"

"Obito," he said, voice quiet and thick with uncertain emotions. Raising a hand, Kakashi traced the arch of Obito's lips with his fingers, deep in thought. Obito opened his mouth, hesitating to speak. Kakashi let his fingers drop down into the water.

"Kakashi," Obito said again, "I like you."

"I know," Kakashi said softly, not trying to be rude. The way Obito had kissed him was so sweet and tender, wholly unlike anything they had shared before. Obito was always fighting and loud and brash. This side of Obito, this softer, more vulnerable side was different. Kakashi liked it.

"I mean it," Obito said, his forehead resting against Kakashi's as he spoke. "I want to be with you and spend time with you. To kiss you and be close to you like this."

"You're already close," Kakashi said softly. "Maybe too close."

Kakashi was sad when Obito stepped away from him, and he wished he hadn't said anything. Though Obito's hands had slipped off of his waist, Kakashi caught them with his own. Standing in the water, holding hands, Kakashi could still feel the connection he'd felt with Obito so close. It was unnerving and thrilling, a strange emotion that Kakashi had felt during a mission, but never so personally.

"You've been too close for a long time," Kakashi continued, his tongue feeling heavy in his mouth. Obito was silent, but when their eyes met, Kakashi felt something jump inside of him. He knew, in that moment, that Obito knew exactly what he was feeling. It wasn't rejection, it was hesitation. Kakashi had finally realized it himself.

"Can I be closer?" Obito asked, tilting his head toward Kakashi. The distance between them was miniscule, but Kakashi closed it.

"We can try," Kakashi said softly. He felt Obito's forehead against his, and Kakashi closed his eyes. The moment seemed perfect, and Kakashi could almost feel the gentle caress of the moonlight on them, lingering against their skin, like Obito's kiss had lingered on his lips.