Working

Disclaimer: Naruto isn't mine.

It was only as they reached the shop that day that Obito realised, this was technically the end of his temporary work period. Obito had gotten so used to doing this job and his new day to day routine that he didn't think about it at all. It was weird when he'd complained so much and hated it.

Hiruzen was sat behind the counter when the two boys arrived, but he soon got to his feet when they entered the shop. Of course, Obito's first thought had to be 'I'm in trouble'. There was nothing he would have done to earn this (maybe) but he still couldn't be sure.

"Ah there you are."

"Are we late?" Kakashi was eyeing up the clock; it was the same as the usual time.

"No, nothing like that. I just wanted a little talk with Obito." Fuck! "Did you say something?"

"N-Nothing!" He couldn't believe he'd said that out loud.

"Idiot," Kakashi whispered to him as he traipsed reluctantly towards the door to the back, following the old man.

I hope he isn't mad at me… I'll blame Deidara for anything bad! Most of the things going wrong in the shop were down to him anyway so it wouldn't be a lie!

"Have a seat." Hiruzen gestured to the little seat by the filing cabinet and reluctantly Obito sat. "Now I know this job was only supposed to be temporary…"

"Yeah?" He was confused; why was this being brought up now?

"I was going to keep an eye out for someone else but you're getting on so well here and you work well with Kakashi too so, would you just like to keep on with this long-term?" …What.

"Really?!"

"Of course! You don't have to give me an answer right away if you don't want to."

"I…" Obito only paused for a second. He didn't need any more time to think did he? He knew what he wanted. "I want to stay." He couldn't believe it but he did. Hiruzen's face brightened.

"Wonderful! Welcome to the team young man." And he clapped him on the shoulder. Hard. The old man was too strong!

"Thanks!" He'd signed away his free time… But he would have money and get to spend time with Kakashi so those were some persuasive features. When he walked back into the main shop he sat beside Kakashi, a somewhat dizzy smile on his face.

"All OK?"

"I am gonna keep on working here." He was pleased to see that Kakashi was smiling too.

"That's good news. It'd be hard for you to find another job with your level of competence."

"Don't ruin a good moment!" Kakashi chuckled at his outrage.

"I couldn't resist. Here." He handed him a little pink lollipop. "Congratulations on keeping your part-time, minimum-wage, low-skilled job."

"Wow a lollipop? You spoil me."

"You don't want it?"

"I want it!" He snatched it quickly. He wouldn't turn down free sweets, especially not a delicious raspberry flavour one. "Are you glad I'm gonna keep working here?"

"You're… in the top three of co-workers I've had."

"I will take that!" In Kakashi shit-talk, this meant he was ecstatic of course.

They sat in a comfortable silence, Kakashi reading his book and Obito enjoying his lollipop. How had this ever felt stressful? It was an easy job! And he did like doing it. It was a good atmosphere they had going and Obito was in such a good mood he didn't think anything would bring it down. So something had to of course.

When the bell above the door went, Obito looked up at the newcomer and froze. An older man. An older man who looked a hell of a lot like Kakashi… He glanced at his boyfriend to see what he thought of this. Kakashi had been enthralled in his book but had also quickly checked to see who had walked in.

And then his eyes shot up again, whole body going still. Obito had only seen him like this once before except this time, there was no escape. Kakashi's eyes were fixed on the man, his hand gripping the book so tight, his fingers were turning white with the strain. He had no idea how to react to this situation.

"Kakashiii…" He was slurring. That could not be good. "There ya are. Can ya get me some beer?"

"I… I can't do that." It sounded weird to hear him so small.

"Yeah ya can." The way he was smiling was not right… like he was barely aware he was there.

"I…" Kakashi looked like he needed help. And Obito knew he needed to do something about this.

"We can't sell alcohol, we're underage!" He finally blurted out. It was the best he could think of.

"That'ss OK, I won' tell."

"But we can't." And Obito wouldn't let him have any either. Kakashi suddenly pushed to his feet and darted out the back door. Did he just leave me?!

"I jus take thisss." Ah! Kakashi's dad had opened up the fridge and was rifling through the alcohol.

"You can't do that!" What do I do now?! Do I spray him with a water bottle or something?!

"Put that back." Oh thank fuck. The cavalry had arrived and it was called Hiruzen Sarutobi. "We've talked about this; you can't just come in and take goods."

"It'ss OK, I can-."

"No." Hiruzen was already walking around the counter and straight at the man. As he took the bottle from his hand, Obito slipped out the back door.

The old man clearly knew what he was doing in dealing with this guy and Kakashi still had not reappeared. He had to support his boyfriend. Kakashi was sitting in the chair Obito had just vacated not too long ago, head in his hands and taking deep breaths.

"Kakashi?" What do I do? He just felt awkward floating around here.

"…Is he gone?"

"He's leaving now I think." He had faith in their boss.

"Good." Kakashi sat up a little but he looked so tired.

"I'm sorry…" What else could he say?

"It's not like it's your fault."

"I know." He looked at his boyfriend and gulped. "How come I've never seen him here before?"

"He only comes when he runs out of money."

"Oh…"

"I'll be alright. I'm… not rushing home tonight though." Now this was something he could help with.

"Come stay at mine."

"You don't have to do that."

"Yeah but… I want you to stay!" Kakashi raised an eyebrow, a normal expression again. "Aunt Mikoto is making chicken tonight."

"I can do it. For the chicken."

"Only the chicken?"

"What else?"

"Dick!" It was a relief that the air wasn't so heavy between them again.

-Page Break-

Obito dragged Kakashi up to his room as soon as dinner was finished. Aunt Mikoto had been too irritating that night, asking lots of questions and plying Kakashi with more and more food so he'd stay longer. Yes, she was cute and loving but this was too embarrassing and she needed to calm down!

"Good food again." Kakashi patted his belly as he slumped on the bed.

"She always goes all out for guests. It's all gruel and stale bread when no one else is here." Kakashi stared at him. "OK, it's still awesome but we had double portions tonight."

"You're lucky."

"I am…" He may have lost his parents but he'd never lacked love or support, something he'd almost taken for granted up to now. "You know you can come here whenever right? Aunt Mikoto wouldn't mind."

"If it's to see your aunt then I'll consider it." Obito shoved him. "Thank you for this. Really." It was rare he showed any kind of gratitude but when he did, it was meant.

"…You said… You said he does that when he runs out of money?"

"Yeah?"

"Does that mean he doesn't… y'know?"

"What do I know?"

"Pay bills?" It had been a niggling thought at the back of his head but it hadn't clicked up to now. Obviously he didn't get on with his dad but the idea of him having to struggle in other ways…

"Oh. That." Kakashi lay back down on the bed. "Sometimes. He usually fixes it quickly but it can be a bit of a bitch when you're having a shower and the water goes off."

"That's happened?!"

"A couple of times." He was making light of it but it sounded so hard.

"What about food?!"

"That's why I got the job. Keeps me going when he forgets to buy anything."

"Oh…"

"It's not as bad as it could be. We just don't have a lot to do with each other and when we do, it's pretty… clinical I guess?"

"That's still bad! He should be looking after you!" Obito just couldn't understand any parent acting that way.

"He didn't deal well when my mother died. Apparently he used to be pretty together before that."

"I didn't know it was that bad…"

"I don't like to talk about this stuff much. People tend to pity you and I don't want pity." His eyes narrowed. "I've had enough of that."

"Sorry…" He had been pitying him hadn't he?

"You can make it up to me."

"How?"

"Letting me have the bed tonight."

"Hey!" Sleeping on the floor for one night wouldn't kill him but what a pain in the ass!

"I see your willingness to help me only lasts when you're not inconvenienced."

"You…Screw you!" Yes it was a very mature response, he knew. But it made Kakashi laugh so that was good right?

"You're too easy to annoy."

"Because you're mean! But I like you so…"

"I know. And it means a lot." Kakashi was smiling at him. He knew genuine feelings made him go all weak and fuzzy.

"You can sleep in my bed if you want!"

"Good. You want to sleep in with me?" For a moment his brain seemed to malfunction. That was the only way he could explain the weird stuttering feeling he had.

"…Eh?"

"We can share? So you don't have to sleep on the floor."

"But-!" Obito's eyes darted all over the place. "We can't do that!"

"Sleep next to each other?"

"Aren't we too young?"

"What the hell did you think I meant?!" For once even Kakashi had a flushed look on his face. Well if it meant seeing him like that, he would feel better about his own embarrassment.

"M-Most couples sharing a bed do… stuff…" His age was really showing here.

"I didn't mean that!"

"So you just meant…?"

"Just lying in bed together! You're an idiot!"

"I know…" Obito wilted under the criticism from his flustered boyfriend. "…Do you not want to now?"

"You have made it awkward."

"I'm sorry!" The pair of them were fumbling, awkward messes by this point. They did their best but they were still kids at the end of the day. They were young enough to still feel odd.

"I should have expected this from the king of misunderstanding."

"Yeah! Actually you should! Bakakashi!" Kakashi flicked him on the forehead. "Ow!"

"Don't try my patience. Idiobito."

"Hey! That's… Actually that's pretty good. Shit."

"I do insults well."

"Try and be bad at something dammit!"

It was with some distance between then that they slept in Obito's bed that night. They didn't get much sleep however… It was hard when you were trying to keep out of someone else's space.

The next chapter of this is likely going to be the last one. I think I've gotten to a good point with this and I know how I'm going to be ending it but I hope anyone who has read it, has enjoyed it :)