Naruto let out the breath that he had been holding as he stepped into the somewhat hidden alcove under the stairs. This had become his usual hiding spot whenever he was invited to the Uchiha's for some party. He liked Sasuke's family, Mikoto and Itachi had always been kind to him but he knew Fugaku only barely tolerated his presence. He knew that Sasuke's dad thought that he was holding him back, especially when they were younger and spent more time getting into fights and trouble than talking or studying. But he could only take so much of the stern Uchiha gaze and he always felt too loud, too clumsy, for these parties. He sighed again, moving to take a sip from the beer he had nabbed from the kitchen, yelping as a hand appeared and grabbed the bottle.
"Maa I'm pretty sure you're not old enough to drink Naruto," Kakashi said coolly.
"Holy shit! What are you doing here?" He asked, glaring at the man, at least he had forgone the silly mask this time. His mind went back to the neon orange mask he had found dangling from his doorknob on his birthday just a few days after their encounter at the bookstore. He hadn't had the chance to ask him about it, or thank him, since midterms and work had started to take up his time.
"I was invited," he answered simply, drinking Naruto's beer. "This is my hiding spot." He flapped his hand at him as if to shoo him away.
"Oi! I was here first!" Naruto hissed.
"I've been dragged to more of these parties than you," he stated. "I have seniority."
"But I've known Sasuke my whole life!"
"But my life has been two years longer than yours," he smirked down at him and Naruto felt his scowl deepen. "Why are you hiding?"
"Why are you?" He shot back and Kakashi just arched an eyebrow down at him that basically said, 'I asked you first'. "I just needed a break. I always feel…" he hesitated. "Like I'm gonna break something y'know?" He scratched at the back of his head, suddenly feeling embarrassed. It wasn't his fault that Sasuke's parents had so many freaking antiques out in the open. He hadn't actually broken anything in years, but he still felt like he was being watched carefully the second he stepped over the threshold.
"No, I don't know," Kakashi drawled and Naruto growled in annoyance. Of course, Mr. Cool-and-collected wouldn't understand. "I understand needing a break though," he seemed to soften a bit. "But I didn't think you were the type."
"What the hell does that mean? Type of what?" He asked suspiciously while Kakashi leaned against the wall of the alcove.
"The type that needs a break, you always seem so… energetic," he shrugged and gray eyes met his. Naruto wasn't sure what to say to that. He hadn't thought that Kakashi paid that much attention to him. He opened his mouth to argue. "I don't think I've seen you at one of these parties before." Naruto cringed, and while he had been wondering something similar as to why he had never met Kakashi before, he wasn't expecting the question.
"I dunno, I, uh, I took a break from coming to family events for a while," he answered a bit awkwardly, looking out at the various Uchiha family members and friends, the hairs on the back of his neck stood as he felt Kakashi still watching him. He felt uncomfortable with this topic, he hated how he felt uncomfortable, period, at the family events that he used to enjoy before his parents died. He shook his head slightly, trying to shake the thought and the feeling of sludge creeping in, seeping up under his walls and threatening to lap at his heels. He didn't want to have to leave, he wanted to be able to handle it.
"It can be a bit much. All the people, the family." The second part was said softly, and he looked back up at Kakashi, there was something like understanding in his voice and on his face. Did he?
"Kakashi, do you-?"
"What the hell is going on here?" They were interrupted by Obito's sharp voice. Crap, Naruto thought as a few pairs of dark eyes turned to the stairwell.
"It looks we need a new hiding spot Naruto," Kakashi murmured and Obito's eyes went between both of them, an incredulous look on his face.
"What the hell are you talking about?" He sputtered, "What are you doing? Naruto is he harassing you? You can hit him, no one will blame you." Kakashi just shook his head, stepping forward and saying something in Obito's ear that Naruto couldn't quite catch but his dark eyes narrowed at Kakashi's retreating back as he walked away.
"Naruto! What are you doing over here?" Sakura called, bounding over to him, threading her arm through his. "Sasuke's been looking for you. He thought you might have left, are you okay?" Her voice dipped low and she gave his hand a light squeeze.
"Yeah, of course, I'm fine!" He said, trying to sound reassuring as he smiled down at her. "C'mon let's go." He let her lead him through the crowd and towards where Sasuke was with Itachi. He wasn't feeling as tense as he had before, and he found himself relaxing and not feeling the sharp gazes as much anymore. Occasionally he scanned the crowd, eyes landing on lopsided silver hair across the room, chatting with Obito and a girl with short brown hair that he didn't know. Kakashi's gaze met his and he tipped his drink towards him and Naruto scowled, barely resisting the urge to flip him off from across the room. Smug bastard, he thought turning back to his friends. But still… he couldn't help but think of how he had sounded in the alcove.
"The family." It was almost like an afterthought, or that he hadn't meant to say it out loud at all. Just what is his deal? He thought, letting his eyes drift once more. He would figure it out though, otherwise, it would drive him crazy.
AN: I hope everyone had a fantastic new year and start to 2021!
There may or may not be a chapter next week, I need to try and catch up on some other things. But we shall see!
Just a note at this point in the story Kakashi is now 21 and Naruto is 19
Thank you for reading!
