Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto
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Chapter 01: His Return
Naruto Uzumaki stood in front of his childhood home of eighteen years without any sign of wanting to knock on the door. He took in the sight of his home. The chipped yellow paint that seemed to have peeled even more to reveal the former brown, the yard filled with various flowers and herbs that he couldn't name to save his life if he were to go back in time, and the wooden tire swing still hanging from the large willow tree. He smelt the familiar scent of his favorite take out ramen wafting from the open windows, and couldn't help the curl of his lips.
It's been seven years since he's come back home despite the numerous invitations from his omega father Iruka that he had to turn down. He just couldn't bear to return to this city that had been the bane of his existence for as long as he could remember. Many scenes of his childhood came rushing back to him, the happiness of Iruka finding him and raising him as his own and many more equally tragic memories.
The door opening pulled Naruto back from memory lane.
"My sweet baby!" Iruka exclaimed with his arms wide open, ready to embrace his son that he hasn't seen for almost 7 years. Unshed tears were brimming at the corner of his eyes as he enveloped his blond Angel into trembling arms. The tall Naruto had to bend his back in order for Iruka's arms to go around his neck, and closed his eyes as the familiar scent of his father's sweet pheromones wafted into his nostrils. The blond gathered his short father into his embrace and held on tight.
This was the only other person who cared about him in this hellhole. No one could take his place in Naruto's heart, not even his biological parents who gave birth to him only to abandon him at an orphanage that didn't treat him right. "I'm back," the blond man murmured into Iruka's ears, not bothering to place him down as he walked into the house with his father in his arms.
Iruka didn't struggle to get down but waited until his and Naruto's emotions regained balance before he felt his feet touch the floor. It was hard not seeing his son for so long, but it was entirely understandable for Naruto to leave and not want to come back. He himself even contemplated leaving with him, but due to unforeseen circumstances, he had to depart with his beloved child.
Iruka quickly ushered the 6'4 blond Alpha into the living room and offered to take his coat from him. Naruto gladly handed it to his father before sitting down on their leather couch. He looked around his childhood home with melancholy and took a deep breath to stop himself from exhibiting the feelings that were roiling around his heart. He truly missed this home more than anything else.
"Baby, will you be staying with me?" Iruka asked in concern, watching his child glance about the house. He had apprehension towards Naruto staying elsewhere because of all the bullying he's faced and his hatred towards this city and its discriminatory people. He bustled towards the open kitchen to get him a cup of chamomile tea.
"Just until I can find a place," Naruto replied vaguely. He was here to conduct business and wasn't too sure if he'd be settling or not. So he added a more honest answer, "I'm not sure I'll be staying too long."
"Then you'll definitely stay with me. I have your bedroom all clean and ready for you to occupy," Iruka said with a grin as he sat right next to Naruto on his left and handed him the cup of tea. Naruto took it from his hands and brought the cup close to his nose to inhale the familiar aroma of his favorite childhood tea. He took a sip and smacked his lips with satisfaction as the sweet taste kissed his tastebuds. He flashed a thumbs up at his dad.
Iruka let out a chuckle before slipping his arm around Naruto's waist, clinging to him. He was so happy to have his son home.
"So," Iruka began slowly and Naruto threw an inquiring glance at him, "any significant other I should know about?"
Naruto chocked on his tea and began to cough. He placed the cup on the coffee table, and pounded on his chest. "H-how many times have I told you no?" Naruto gasped, his face tinging red. There was someone in his heart, but that person was unattainable in his eyes and therefore irreplaceable.
Iruka gave him a look and sighed. This was the umpteenth conversation they've had about this, and yet it hadn't yielded any results. Maybe he needed to intervene? "You're so young, attractive and successful. Dad just doesn't understand how anyone can look at you and not want to jump your bones. It just doesn't make sense," Iruka griped, completely unhappy at such blind people. Anyone would be lucky to have Naruto as their mate.
Naruto laughed and couldn't help but feel sorry for his dad. "It's not time yet. Let's just leave it up to fate. I'm hungry, anything for dinner?"
"Ah! How could I have forgotten to feed my growing darling? Don't worry, dad got you your favorite takeout from Ichiraku's Ramen. Let's go to the dinning table and eat."
Naruto let out a sigh of relief. He was able to get his dad's mind off of their previous conversation. It would be never ending, and it was his first day home. He'd rather not ruin their reunion through this topic cause it would just bring about memories of his first love and his childhood.
As Naruto got up to go help his dad set the table, Iruka who was rummaging through the cupboard to grab chopsticks and bowls looked back at Naruto who was walking towards the dining table. "Don't worry about not having a significant other. Dad has your back. I'll definitely help you find the cream of the crop," Iruka boasted, settling the cutlery down before heading back to grab the takeout. Naruto froze in his seat and mentally face palmed. He glanced warily at his dad who was bustling about. Apparently, he wasn't as successful in trying to change the topic of conversation as he thought he was.
"And what do you m-mean by that exactly?" The blond gulped. A mantra was playing in his head, "Please don't mean what I think it means. Please don't mean what I think it means."
Iruka placed his hands on Naruto's shoulders. "Don't worry you're beautiful head about it. As I've said, leave it to dad. I'll take care of everything." He placed a kiss on his sons head, before taking a seat himself.
"B-but I'm not willing to date anyone. I'm not even sure I'll be staying for long," Naruto argued, opening up the takeout carton. He was slowly losing his appetite until the scent wafted into his nostrils, immediately invigorating him.
"I'll discuss relocation with them. If they're fine with it then there's nothing for you to be fussing about. I just can't wait to have grandchildren, you see," Iruka dropped this bomb so randomly and suddenly that Naruto instantly chocked on his noodles in surprise, and began to feel his nose burn. His eyes bulged out of its sockets as he coughed and hacked.
"Aiya, what's the matter with you that you keep on chocking on everything today?" Iruka exclaimed, jumping out of his seat to thump Naruto on his back to help him out. The blond was finally able to dislodge the noodle from his throat and nostrils before calming down. What the heck? Grandchildren? It's the first he's heard about this. They only ever discussed whether or not he's found any Alpha, Beta or Omega who've caught his interest. With his trust issues and insecurities about the timeline of his differentiation into his second gender, he wasn't ready at all to tackle a relationship. But here's Iruka spouting how much he wants grandchildren. He was only 25 years old!
"I'm not the one dropping bombs here," Naruto explained with a hoarse voice. He wiped his mouth and nose before taking a gulp of water. "Dad, please don't tell me you're trying to set me up on blind dates." He pleaded, placing his chopsticks down on the table. He needed to put a stop to his dad's increasing interest in him settling down.
"Please Naruto. Just this once, indulge dad. I won't bring it up again and who knows. You might just click with the person I find for you," Iruka implored, using his effective puppy eyes on his large son.
Naruto stared at those big brown eyes that he knew he couldn't refuse, and sighed. Whatever. He guessed, anything to please his father. He'd just make sure to bomb this date with Iruka none the wiser. "Okay, fine. Just this once. When you figure things out just text me the date, time and place." Naruto acquiesced begrudgingly.
Iruka clapped his hands and let out a victorious laugh. "Good boy! You have a reservation under Umino at Shining Moors in the shopping district with a girl who is a Beta named Sakura Haruno tomorrow at 6pm. I'll text you a picture of how she looks just so you don't end up embarrassing yourself. " Iruka fired rapid details about the date, forcing Naruto to look at him in askance.
He pinched the bridge of his nose, and glared at his giddy father. "So you're telling me you've already had this all planned out before I took even a step out of my house in Suna?" The blond questioned angrily.
"Oh baby. Please don't be mad at me. I was just sick and tired of seeing you all lonely that I asked Kak- Ahem, I mean a friend of mine to help me set you up." Iruka fidgeted in his seat, hoping Naruto would not catch the name that almost slipped out of his mouth. If he realized Iruka still had contact with him, his beloved son would eventually blow up on him.
Naruto caught his slip of the tongue and decided to make things harder for Iruka. "And exactly what friend hooked you up?" He asked innocently, and caught the guilty expression his father was trying so hard to hide.
"Don't worry about who. You wouldn't even know them."
"You never know, dad. What's their name? Being in the business world tends to come hand in hand with gaining connections. If I wanted I could find out who they are with a few phone calls," Naruto stated with some arrogance, side eyeing his dad with a certain faux pompousness.
Iruka couldn't muster up any joy and opted to let out a fake laugh, his brown eyes looking everywhere but at the blond man sitting next to him. "I've got connections of my own, and that's all you need to know," he replied, willing in his heart for Naruto to just drop it.
Naruto knew what Iruka expected of him, so he just decided to let it slip.
"Sure. Whatever you say, but best believe if I catch him anywhere near this house he's done for." The blond threatened. There was no need for the person who played with his father's heart to ever feel comfortable in this town while he's around. Iruka's heart dropped and he knew that he would never be able to conceal things from him.
"Baby, please. You really don't have to worry about him. Dad has everything in control. You trust me right?" Iruka asked pleadingly. He could solve his own messed up issues without needing to involve his precious child. His and Kakashi's relationship was too convoluted at this point in time, and he needed some space and time to figure things out before coming clean. Iruka placed his hand on top of Naruto clenched fist, and exerted a small amount of pressure to reassure him. He could see in Naruto's eyes that he was upset, but he currently required Naruto to mind his business and wait things out. "Don't stress."
Naruto huffed before relinquishing his hand. "He marked you! He marked you as his and after fucking you he all but ditched you to marry some rich omega. Do you remember what that did to you? The pain I felt watching you in agony, spiraling out of control and almost killing yourself? You were ready to leave me! Abandon me just like my bio parents, and all because of that scum and his mark. I hate him for what he's done and I want you to stop associating with him." Is what Naruto wanted to scream, but kept to himself. It was his first day back, and he didn't want anything to ruin the merry atmosphere. "Okay, dad." He soon continued eating his lukewarm noodles and settled in a complex mood. He knew his dad was too soft hearted when it came to that man, but he was dead set against seeing his father hurt again. This was another reason why he was hesitant to get into relationships. It was seriously too damn complicated. Iruka could feel the dark gloomy cloud hanging over Naruto's head, and sighed.
He loved that Naruto worried for him, but he just wanted to see his son settle down and do what he couldn't.
After a few moments of silence where all you could hear was slurping noises, Naruto got up and voiced that he was going to go take a shower and hit the hay. "Goodnight dad," Naruto said, slipping his arms around his fathers waist and squeezing him. He looked at the bandage covered neck with a glower before glancing away. He'd rather end the day happy than let that man sit in his and his father's thoughts.
Iruka wiped the soap off his hands with a towel before ruffling Naruto's hair and ruining those perfect spiked tips. "Dad," Naruto whined while letting go of him. Even though he was about to take a shower, he'd rather let his hair be as perfect before it ended up all floppy and weird looking.
Iruka watched him grumble as Naruto walked away, letting out a gentle laugh. After watching that broad back disappear, his brows furrowed as he thought of how to mend things and explain to Naruto the truth of the matter and why he and Kakashi were now in contact. Relationships were truly hard, and he wished Naruto a happy and stable one with no problems at all.
