Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this innocuous interlude. Oodles of respect for Masashi Kishimoto, the creative force behind Naruto. Please do have patience with me and with the ninja who has no reason to resist.
SIX: HELLO, YOURSELF
During the stroll back to the inn, Kisame was distracted for long enough that Iruka could whisper a warning. "He changed our rooms."
"I know."
Iruka supposed he shouldn't be surprised. This was a mission, after all.
Sukea favored him with a searching look. "I hope you really did miss me, Sensei. Because we'll be getting reacquainted tonight."
And then Kisame was calling, and they parted in the usual way, with Sukea walking—and talking—with the Mist nin. At his side, Itachi murmured, "You seem glad."
"I am." Iruka would be candid when he could. "I've been wanting to see him again."
"Hmm."
Iruka jostled him with an elbow. "I missed you guys, too."
Itachi studied him briefly. "You mean that."
"You know I do."
"Why?"
With a wry smile, Iruka said, "Depends on who you ask."
Which was an oblique reminder that he was under orders, and probably under observation.
"Hmm."
Iruka had the distinct impression that his wasn't the answer Itachi had been hoping for.
They reached the inn, and there were bags to collect and stairs to climb. Sukea inspected the suite, complimenting Kisame on his acquisition. But it was all cursory. The photojournalist was clearly on a mission, like all he could think about was getting Iruka alone. With the barest of parting courtesies, the door to their suite closed behind them with a definitive snap.
Alone, at last. Or close to it. For all he knew, Kisame already had an ear to the door.
Sukea wrapped him in his arms and held on tight.
Nothing was said, so Iruka focused on other things, like his friend's heartbeat, which was fast enough to make him wonder.
"Talk to me."
"Err… hi?"
A low chuckle. "Hello, yourself."
Iruka linked his hands behind Sukea's back and softly admitted, "I don't know what to say."
"Without words then?" He leaned back enough to offer a small smile. "I suppose that's the expected thing."
The kisses were far from ardent. Sukea dropped goofy little pecks all over, pulling faces and prodding Iruka into participating.
"Where's my glad welcome, hmm?"
Iruka snorted and rose to the challenge.
"There, now," Sukea praised. "No reason to be shy."
He immediately switched things up, coaxing Iruka into a kiss that took itself far more seriously. Slowly, Sukea uncovered weeks of pent-up longing, and Iruka gave in … even though he should probably be holding something back. Surely, Sukea would think him foolish or desperate or unprofessional.
"Maa, Sensei," he breathed against Iruka's ear. "You make this too easy."
"Why would I resist?"
"Oh, I could think of a few reasons, but you're right. No resisting. I won't allow it. Let me have my way tonight."
"I'll try to keep up." Iruka closed his eyes and murmured, "I'm so glad you're here."
Sukea chuckled. "Those guys too much to handle on your own?"
"It's not that. It was harder than I expected, not knowing if or when I'd ever see you again."
"You actually did miss me!"
"How could I not? You're … you."
"What a nice thing to say." His smile was ironic. "I almost believe you."
They changed into the soft yukata provided by the inn, and though their room had two beds, Sukea crowded in with Iruka.
"Have you been well?" he inquired, possibly for the sake of an audience.
"Better than I've felt in a long while. Kisame thinks the sea will do me good."
"Let's hope so. I want you at full vigor."
Iruka smothered a laugh against his pillow.
Sukea pulled him into his arms and quietly asked innocuous questions. About his family home. His doctor's assessments. His trip through Tide Country. Plans for the days ahead. It was surreal in a way, because they really did need to catch up. Iruka the Convalescent and Sukea the Photojournalist might have been swapping details about fictional cover stories, but this is who they'd been when they first met. And only when they were these versions of themselves could they be this close.
Curious, Iruka pressed a hand sign into Sukea's palm, asking if they were alone.
A coy smile left him in suspense.
Maybe Iruka should have pressed for an answer, but … did it matter if they had an audience? It should. There was no reason to keep up the pretext of being lovers unless they had voyeurs. But his whole body was tight with anticipation.
"I'll go easy on you tonight." Sukea stole the belt from Iruka's yukata and used it to loosely tie his hands to the headboard. "I'm going to teach you a game."
Iruka tensed, then forced himself to relax.
"Concentrate on me." Sukea kissed his ear and whispered, "This is useful for undercover assignments."
"Are there rules?"
Sukea hummed. "It's a little like follow the leader, but we'll take turns. Show me what you like, and I'll do that to you. Then I'll show you something I like, and so on."
Iruka worried that his experience was dismally limited, but all he said was, "How am I supposed to do that with my hands tied?"
"Start small," Sukea urged. "Where do you like to be kissed? How do you like to be kissed?"
He managed a small nod.
Another nuzzle and a whisper that was probably meant as encouragement. "Training with an ally can bring out their best, but only if you go all-out."
Textbook advice. Iruka had said it himself to classes of pre-genin. But in this context …?
Sukea bent over him. "How do you like to be kissed?"
It wasn't something to which he'd given much thought. He'd done a bit of kissing, but he wasn't often being kissed. This mission was a towering exception.
"Not sure?" Sukea cheerfully listed, "Soft. Rough. Slow. Deep. Teeth. Tongue. Nibble. Flutter."
Iruka mumbled, "I hadn't realized there was a checklist."
"That's all right. We'll take it from the top, then narrow the field until you've found your favorite."
"You."
Sukea hesitated, just for a moment, then kissed him softly. "Maa, Sensei. You really do make this easy."
End Note: originally posted on October 27, 2021. 1,028 words.
