AUTHORS NOTE: Both Kakashi and Shikamaru (and Gai as well) are clearly on to the fact that Iruka isn't doing so well. So then, why not step in? Well, this is what Kakashi has to say about it…
I will take requests for side notes throughout the main story, if there's a moment you feel like you've missed, let me know in either the reviews of by dropping me a note. I make no promises, but I'll consider every prompt ^.^
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Side notes to
Hidden Feelings, Hidden Lives
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Addition to Chapter 115: The Beginnings Of A Dom
Drabble title: We Will Keep Him Safe
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"He's not treating him right!"
"Hmm?" the man didn't look up from the book he was reading.
"Izumo!" a deep frown appeared on the Nara's face, "He's not treating Iruka-sensei right…"
"I know," the silver-haired man calmly flipped the page, "Iruka's old enough to make his own decisions though."
The book was ripped away from him, thrown to the other side of the bed where the orange cover lay in sharp contrast with the dark-blue bedspread. His younger lover cupped his face roughly, forcing Kakashi to look up at him, "He's your friend! Don't you fucking care about what happens to him?!"
"Shikamaru," he gently removed the hands from his cheeks, keeping them in a comforting hold, "Of course I care. But it's Iruka who has to decide when enough is enough. No-one else can make that decision for him. You have to understand that. Yes, Iruka is my best friend and I love him. Yes, it pains me to see him like this. But even so I respect him, Shikamaru. I respect him enough not to meddle in his sex life, not to meddle in his very private affairs. You told him once that you have the utmost respect for the man. If that's actually true, then you'll stay out of this as well."
Tears welled up in the Nara's eyes, "But he's hurting him!"
"I know that, Cuteness. I know that. But we have no right to interfere. Not unless Iruka decides he's had enough. You have to understand that this isn't about Izumo forcing himself on our friend; the relationship they have is still consensual. And as long as Iruka consents, there's nothing we can do."
"But…"
"No more but's, Cuteness," Kakashi's tone was strict, "Iruka has to make his own decisions."
Shikamaru yanked his hands back, tears streaking the young face, "But he's hurting him! Kakashi, he's hurting Iruka-sensei! He's hurting him so much the guy can barely even walk anymore!"
"I know, Cuteness. But like I said –"
"Fuck that!" hands clenched to fists at his sides, the Nara stood trembling, "Doesn't he realize it doesn't have to be like this? That he damn well deserves a while lot better than that asswad turd-digging shit-cock?!"
Kakashi's tone remained soft, his gaze never leaving his lover's heated features, "He should. The first part at least. I did go through painstaking lengths to explain all of the nitty-gritty details to the both of them."
"Wait," Shikamaru was too surprised to even be angry anymore, "You did? When?"
A light chuckle escaped the silver-haired man, "They probably wouldn't appreciate me telling you this, but yes. That day when they were both here? When you so clearly stated your claim on me? After you left for work, we talked some more. And after a little while…" Kakashi hesitated for only a moment, "One of them admitted to not being at all knowledgeable as to the how and the other conceded to the same fact. This wasn't long after they'd apparently decided that they'd found a… let's say sparring partner in the other and… well, I guess I did for them what I'd done for you too – before you jumped me and practically forced me to give you a hands-on demonstration, that is."
"Right…" Shikamaru's fury seemed to die down and he dropped himself beside his lover on the bed, "It's not like Iruka-sensei likes it that way though, so… maybe you messed up…"
A sad smile appeared on the older man's face, "I didn't, Cuteness. If I had to guess, I'd say that Izumo likes a rough fuck and Iruka's either too ashamed or too insecure to tell him that he doesn't."
"Didn't you go over the whole 'talk to your partner' thing with them?" genuinely curious, the Nara cocked his head.
"I did. But it would seem that Iruka didn't quite pick up on it the way I intended."
"Then try again!" upset, he reached for the cigarettes.
Kakashi grabbed one too, lighting both and taking a deep drag before responding softly, "I tried. Multiple times. But he just won't talk about it, which logically means that according to him, it's none of our business. And as for Iruka deserving better… he doesn't seem to think that that's ever going to happen. I think he's resigned himself to the fact that this is all he's ever going to have."
A raven-haired head fell to the jounin's shoulder, "And that makes it even harder to say no…"
"I think it makes it nigh impossible for him, Cuteness."
Shikamaru moved, crawling into the older man's lap, he hugged Kakashi tight, "But if he ever wants to get out of this –"
"We'll be there for him, Cuteness. As will Gai. If need be, the three of us will form an impenetrable wall around Iruka. We'll keep him safe. All he has to do is let us know that he's done with Izumo."