It was something of an open secret.
One heavy lidded eye watched from the corner booth, took note of the figure that walked in and who he looked to when he paused in the doorway.
Of course, it was only an open secret amongst the jounin. They kept it to themselves, though whether that was from a sense of decency, (he doubted it), or a sense of embarrassment he could not say.
A lot of people would be involved if it became common knowledge. A lot of powerful people.
And, of course, one chunin.
His gaze followed the man across the room to the waiting jounin, who stood and pulled out the chair for his companion.
Some of them were downright chivalrous towards their little secret. Maybe it was their way of alleviating their guilt over what they did. Would do. He wasn't sure.
They sat down together, close enough to be together but still be respectable.
He watched one hand discreetly squeeze the younger man's thigh, too high to be anything other than the grope it was. The waiter took their orders, he was not surprised when the younger ordered only salad and miso soup.
He always did on these nights. Nothing heavy. Nothing filling. Just enough to be polite and guarantee that he wouldn't be choking when he was sick in the morning.
He already knew exactly how tonight would go, and it had nothing to do with any supernatural precognition.
He watched the pair eat, the elder talking loudly about meaningless mission details and political situations. The other kept up the perfect veneer of civility, laughing and smiling at the right moments, nodding and agreeing with the open statements that really brokered no other response.
When it came time for them to leave, he discreetly followed them, shrouded in shadows. Not that it was really necessary, one simply didn't have the training or skills to see him and the other...
The other only had eyes for what he was getting tonight.
They walked back to the elder's house. He studied them at the door, the way that the younger hung his head when the other's back was turned to unlock the door, the way he smiled that blank smile the moment his companion turned back.
They went inside, a possessive hand on the smaller's lower back, a little too low to be proper.
He didn't go closer to see more. He didn't need to. He had, once, when he had disbelieved the entire affair and needed proof.
It still made him sick, to think about what he had seen.
That resigned look still haunted him. Pained, resigned... almost indifferent to what was being done.
He sat out the front, watching the movement in the other windows. Avoiding glancing what was happening in the house.
It was no more than an hour later, though it seemed much, much longer, that the young man stepped out once more. He was straightening his mesh shirt, shrugging on his short jacket over the top, tucking loose strands of hair behind his ear.
He glanced around, eyes lingering for a moment. He almost seemed to know someone was out there, watching him.
Then, the young man slowly started walking home, limbs stiff and face blank.
He knew, had he gotten closer, he would have seen shame burning in those hazel eyes.
He watched him leave and did nothing.
