Disclaimer: I lay claim only to my family, cat, house and car.
No picture inspiration per se. the little comment Iruka makes to Genma about getting involved with Hayate did spring from the precious pencil sketches of the addicting couple, courtesy of Sideburn004.
Picture This
Chapter 15
"It's not too late to back out."
Kakashi's lips quirked into a lopsided grin as he emerged from the bedroom freshly showered and dressed.
"Do you want me to go?"
"Of course not. I just….I understand if you don't want to. I mean, you'd have to remove your mask if you wanted to eat and drink and I know how sensitive you are abo--"
Kakashi reached out and snagged Iruka around the waist, smashing their lips together.
"I don't want to hide anymore. Being with you gives me strength to face the world."
Iruka was speechless and he bowed his head, swallowing hard. This man….
"If this is the way it's going to be all night I'm leaving."
Iruka started at the sound of Genma's voice coming from behind, but Kakashi's lips just quirked.
"Genma! What the hell?!"
"What? It was unlocked and I walked in. Like I always do."
Genma ignored the frown on Iruka's face and prepared to shoot Kakashi a dirty look until the jounin turned around to face him and he froze, just staring, mouth agape.
"Hey, Genma."
Kakashi walked past the shocked shinobi and started pulling out the cards, a wry smile on his face.
Iruka chuckled at the look on Genma's face.
"Is there a problem?"
"I….he's….no."
Genma blinked himself back to normal and shook his head a few times as he entered the kitchen depositing the beers in the fridge less one which he quickly opened and began drinking. Oh my god. I had no idea he would look so….so….
Iruka lost his smile and regarded his friend seriously. He wasn't pleased with Genma's behavior and he wanted to nip it in the bud before things got worse.
"I'll throw you out myself if you can't behave."
Genma could see Iruka was serious and he sighed as he leaned back against the counter, and took another deep swig of beer. This is a big deal for all of us I suppose and he'll never forgive me if I screw things up. Who am I kidding? Hayate will be royally pissed too and I can't afford for him to be angry with me. Jeez, it's going to be a long night.
"Sorry."
Iruka felt a twinge of sympathy for his friend and he shook his head as he too retrieved a beer and came to rest next to Genma, his lips quirking as he caught a glimpse of Kakashi walking past the kitchen doorway.
"You should invite Hayate next week."
Genma paused, his beer inches from his open mouth. That damn, Kakashi! What did he tell 'Ruka?
"Hey, Genma."
"Hm?"
"It's scary…..but it's worth it."
Genma saw the sly smile just before Iruka pushed off the counter and he shook his head. I don't think he knows how scary Hayate can be.
A flash of big brown eyes and a dangerous smile invaded Genma's mind and he felt a jolt in his chest and he smiled. But yeah….he's totally worth it.
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"So where's Kakashi?"
"Mission."
Asuma could tell by the distracted sound in Iruka's voice that Kakashi was on a solo mission instead of with Team 7. He's trying not to think about it. But that's the reality of our lives.
"At least we won't have to listen to Asuma whine about being odd man out tonight."
Iruka's lips twitched as he kept his focus downward, shuffling the cards. He knew his friend felt somewhat awkward once Hayate joined their group so he'd made other arrangements for the evening even though Kakashi wasn't there. But it appears my plan is falling through. I wonder what happened.
"The only whining we ever here is yours, senbon-for-brains."
Genma made some disgruntled noise as he slowly picked up his cards dealt by Iruka.
"I mean, it's not like we're a group of genin on some group date. We're here to play cards and get drunk."
"Speak for yourself. I hate that stuff. Excuse me."
Hayate stood up and went to Iruka's balcony to smoke one last cigarette before they started playing. About a month ago Genma had started his campaign to get Hayate to join the foursome for their weekly get together and Hayate had finally relented after Genma had kissed him roughly, pushed him away and stormed off in a huff declaring he would never bother Hayate again. He's such a drama queen sometimes. But…I kinda like that about him.
He took a deep drag and slowly released the smoke, admiring the snake-like dance. This would be his second week and although he had a nice enough time, he still preferred the quiet nights on the roof with Kakashi. There he didn't have to pretend to be sociable. Besides, they play Uno. Not poker, or gin, or spades…..Uno. A children's game!
"Get your ass in here!"
The swordsman rolled his eyes as he took one more last precious drag on his cigarette before stubbing it out in the sandy tray Iruka had provided him and heading back inside. But just as he reached his chair a knock sounded at the door.
"I'll get it."
"No, that's ok. Sit down. Asuma, would get that please?"
The older jounin looked at his friend suspiciously and Iruka couldn't hide his smirk.
"What did you do?"
"I ordered some entertainment for the evening."
All eyes fixed on Iruka with a mixture of shock and horror. Asuma just sighed and went to answer the door after the person on the other side knocked again. When he opened the door his eyes went wide and his cheeks became a little warm at the sight of Kurena standing there in a pair of tight jeans and a t-shirt, a six pack of beer in hand.
"Hey, Asuma."
"H-hey."
"Here's my entry fee."
She pushed the bottles of beer into Asuma's gut and walked past him into the apartment, greeting everyone with smiles as she took the empty seat between Iruka and Asuma.
"Glad to see you could make it."
"Thanks for the invite. I'd have been here sooner but a friend was having a bit of a crisis."
"Well thank goodness you showed up, 'cause now Asuma can't complain about being-- Ow! Shit, that hurt!"
Genma growled and shot Asuma a deadly glare as he rejoined the table after placing the beers in the fridge but making sure to bring one to the table for their newly arrived member.
Kurena shot Iruka a wry smile and Iruka just chuckled quietly.
"All right everyone, we ready to get this show on the road?"
To be concluded….