Nothing has changed about their rivalry. They still complete missions together, compete in wildly dangerous challenges that are ridiculous to everyone but the two of them, spar with each other whenever they're both in the village, and have unnecessary eating contests afterwards.
Nothing has changed about their rivalry. Except for the fact that these days Kakashi seems to go home with Gai more nights than not, always leaving before morning comes, and it feels like an unspoken rule between them that they don't ever mention their nighttime activities in the daylight.
But Gai is fine with it.
And so is Kakashi.
Except that sometimes Kakashi will catch Gai staring at him for too long in public, eyes affectionate, and he has to look away because it makes something in his chest flutter and hurt all at once, and it feels like there's a tug of war going on inside of him. Sometimes he feels the urge to return that gaze, but cowardice and fear win out, always.
And sometimes Gai notices that Kakashi seems to touch him more often; a tentative brush across the back of his hand here or a too-long shoulder grip there. But then Kakashi acts like it was nothing and shrinks back into himself, and Gai has to pretend like he doesn't notice. Each time it happens, it diminishes the flicker of hope that he has allowed to stow away in his heart against his better judgement.
Lately it feels like maybe everything about their rivalry has changed.
And this unspoken thing between them - whatever it is - somehow feels like too much and not nearly enough at the same time.
AN: Just a heads up, there will be mentions of sex as well as mild descriptions. However, there won't be anything too explicit as I can't write smut to save my life:)
I thought that making this fic would be a good way to practice writing Kakagai. Most of these will probably be very short. If you like them, please leave follows/favorites/comments. Any type of feedback makes my day and is very encouraging. Thanks for reading!