Warning: OOC, weirdness, sexual references and foul language. Now with added fluff and angst. Any misspellings or wrong grammar is unintentional. I am my own beta. I could have missed some stuff.
I do not own Naruto.
ROOM-MATE
Days passed and he never saw Kakashi or even a trace of him in the room. Since he walked out that rather enlightening Sunday night, Iruka managed to somehow sort out his thoughts three nights later. In the past three days, he spent them worrying over where Kakashi went and when he came back in to the room. His sexual problems acted up during his evening showers, when he was alone in the stall in the midst of the hot spray; he would then quickly turn on the cold water once the white splatter hit the walls and dripped down to the floor. He'd stay under the cold shower for long minutes (pretty much like the first night Kakashi roused his sexual needs with his words and light touches).
He was surprised he didn't catch a cold.
He busied himself with work, only thinking about Kakashi and what to do with him while he was in the shower. He thought of Raidou's advice (which sounded more like a warning to him) and how to go on about it. He kept his promise in thinking about if or a 'few' days. He didn't want to tell anyone about his feelings so he did his best to know more about Kakashi through the eyes of the student body.
Kakashi didn't have a 'bad' reputation on campus except for being a complete weirdo; he read porn in public. If anything, he was in nearly all the instructor's good graces, along with the library staff for always being found reading there in the mornings. Apparently he was usually the first person there and would read till the second person (or group) came in. He was also quite notorious for putting up a good fight during a food fight in the mess hall and was also known to be a good sportsman (soccer, basketball, tennis, hockey and water polo to name a few - they used him as a substitute whenever any of the teams were short on players - Iruka didn't find it surprising that he and Genma were inseparable when it comes to sports and 'hanging out').
Other than that, he couldn't find anything personal about the man. As much as he was popular, he was also an enigma. He helped people get jobs around campus by sweet talking the staff (Iruka assumed that's how Yamato got the job at the pizza place - the owner of Pizza House was very fond of Kakashi for being one of his loyal customers) to support themselves among other things. While lots of people said that he was nice and helpful (some said, 'But not as helpful and as sweet as you, Iruka.' at his face), they also said that he was very distant and while Kakashi would usually help, many hesitated in approaching him because he was a very private person.
Iruka was surprised that no one knew Kakashi was a dog-lover.
He also found it quite odd that ever since Kakashi someone wormed his way in to his 'life', the nightmares were less frequent (once in a while, it'd visit him). He didn't know whether to be guilty or grateful to the man for having his thoughts pulled away from Mizuki.
Iruka turned off the cold spray and started to dry himself, pulling on a fresh pair of clean clothes and started to brush his teeth. He stared at his reflection, noting his slight paleness and his sunken eyes. The whites around his pupil were slightly bloodshot from the lack of sleep, his eyelids slight puffy. With his lack of sleep and increase of studying and research, Iruka didn't find it surprising that he looked horrible. When he saw Ryuuken that evening, the doctor was concerned and prescribed him with pills to push some sleep in to his system
The two yellow pills were sitting on his table in a small glass container, waiting to be swallowed.
Rinsing his mouth, he started to dry his hair, running the comb through it and wiping it with a towel, repeating the process a few times. He pushed the window open to let in a cool breeze and sat on his bed, leaning against the wall and waiting for his hair to dry. He reached for the pills and swallowed them dry, waiting for the drug to take effect.
He thought of Kakashi's face and his silent acts of kindness towards him. He thought of how Kakashi lent him his clothes, how he shared his dinner (the Route-66 burger) and how he dropped him off to the hospital and the city. He thought of Kakashi's kindness towards his stray dogs and how he loved every single one of them.
The more he thought of the man, the more he wanted to spend time with him and get to know him better. If everything he knew about Kakashi was a lie, he was hell-bent to know the truth. He wanted to peel the layers and look underneath the underneath. He was determined.
Yawning, Iruka pulled the covers over himself, lying on his side so that he was facing Kakashi's bed, his mind conjuring up an illusion of the man lying on his back, holding up one of his Icha-Icha books and flipping the pages with his index finger. He eventually fell asleep with the image of Kakashi in front of him; it was a great comfort to him.
Iruka woke up the next morning with a pounding head and bloodshot eyes (more so than the previous night); they were dry and sandy - he was not expecting to feel like he was run over by a train. He rolled off to one side of the bed, forgot how big the bed was and landed with a loud and painful thud on the floor. He hissed a pained 'fuck' as he buried his face in to his arm, body sore from fall and the cold shower he spent more than fifteen minutes in the other night. A painful whine made it's way out of his throat that stopped midway when he was quickly lifted off the floor and placed back on the bed by the very person he worried and thought about.
"Oi! Are you hurt?" A hand came up to his cheek, fingers parting his mouth and mismatched eyes peering in the said mouth. "Are you bleeding? Did you bite your cheek?"
Iruka stared dumbly at Kakashi who was wet from a cold shower (the hand on his cheek was icy), a smear of toothpaste on the side of cheek from what seemed like a hasty wipe and towel wrapped tightly around his waist. The image of how Kakashi's hair plastered of the sides of his face instead of its unusual messy spikes and fluffed up state made Iruka's heart slow down. The ticking of the clock faded away in to the background as he continued to stare up at Kakashi's concerned eyes, as he continued to check the sides of his face and his inner lips for any signs of blood from the fall. Kakashi repeated his question, asking more urgently if he was okay.
Iruka wasn't hearing what Kakashi was saying. He was too busy trying to digest Kakashi's concern to the point that he'd forget to wipe the toothpaste foam off his lips properly and dress modestly. He was too busy trying to understand Kakashi's concern and how the shaking cold fingers that were on his face touched him as if he were made of glass while checking for injuries. He was trying to figure out what made Kakashi forget to cover up his body after what he's so openly confessed the other night. Out of reflex, Iruka glanced at Kakashi's arms, finding no tattoo of any sort.
Kakashi shook him again.
Iruka opened his mouth without thinking, the words rolling naturally and honestly off his tongue.
"I'd like to take you out to the movies." Iruka said, looking up at Kakashi's stunned expression. "I'd like to buy you popcorn and apple soda. After that, I'd like to take you to dinner." Iruka clearly saw how Kakashi blinked slowly and his hands slid down his cheek to rest limply on his lap. "And then I'd like to take a walk with you. Anywhere and everywhere." Iruka finished, looking down at the cold hands on his lap.
"You're just -"
"I don't think I'm fit enough to be in a relationship, but I think I like you and I want to try to be in one again. I - I want to try to be a - a good boyfriend with you. I think I'd like it if I could call you my boyfriend." Iruka finished, biting on his lower lip in punishment for letting that slip out.
There was a heavy silence before the cold hands touched his cheek again. "Are you hurt?"
Iruka closed his eyes; the blow of what he assumed was a rejection settling like undigested food in his stomach. It ached. "No, I'm not." He choked out, hands fisting on the bedcovers.
"Good." Kakashi nodded. Iruka didn't dare to look up to stare at Kakashi's expression. He was too busy trying to keep his expression neutral and to hide the obvious hurt he felt with the way Kakashi ignored what he just said.
"I'm fine." He whispered, mentally counting one to ten calm down his racing mind. When he felt the cool hand against his cheek, he nearly jerked back from surprise.
"I'm busy all week." Kakashi said, sinking lower on his knees and peering up at him.
"I understand. I'm sorry that I even said such a -"
"But I am free all weekend." Kakashi said, a small smile tugging at his lips. "I'd like the sweet popcorn, if you don't mind. I'll drive us."
Iruka blinked slowly, wondering where his brain went as the words finally stamped themselves firmly on the gray matter in his head (that seemed to have run out, did a hundred laps around the parking lot and came back). By the time it clicked in his head, Iruka's heart started beating again.
"Friday? At eight-thirty?" Iruka offered, quickly recalling his schedule to make sure that he covered all the work during the weekdays so that he'd be completely free all weekend.
"Friday, at eight-thirty." Kakashi repeated, with a small dip of his head. "It's a date?"
Iruka nodded, a silly grin making its way to his lips. "It's a date."
XXX
Iruka returned to his room in a hurry that Friday evening after his session with Ryuuken, quickly tossing his backpack aside and jumping in to the shower. He initiated the date and he intended to smell good, look good and be good. He used just a little too much shampoo and conditioner and soaped one to many times to make sure he didn't smell of paint (he was helping out the fine arts students in their volunteer effort to raise money for charity before he headed off to Ryuuken in a hurry - they needed extra painters). He stepped out of the shower, dripping wet and started brushing his teeth. Once he was satisfied with his teeth and breath, a problem came up.
He found himself staring at two different bottles of cologne; both were his favorite. He didn't know which one to use and continued to hop from one foot on the other, clutching the towel tightly against his waist. "Which one? Which one? Oh fuck it!" Iruka grabbed the second bottle, splattering a generous amount all over himself. When the realization of the act finally registered in his mind, he felt rather stupid.
He peeked his head out of the door and glanced at the clock. He had exactly fifteen minutes before eight-thirty to pick what to wear and to dry his hair. Shoving his cologne back in to its proper case, he bounded for the room, threw open his closet and noted that he only had two pairs of clean jeans left. Two of which he didn't really like wearing; a glance at the pair of jeans he was wearing previously that day told him that it was out of question because of large splatter of washable yellow paint on the side. Grumbling, Iruka pulled out the two pairs from the hanger, spreading it on the bed and debating which one to wear. Both were a snug fit (not skin-tight) and were low waist; a quick ini-mini-miny-mo decided that he was going to wear the blue one (instead of the dark gray). He pulled out his underwear drawer and picked the first pair of boxers he saw (turned out to be his lucky black ones with yellow seams); he was going to have to wear them low.
A few minutes later, he was dressed in his pants and socks and debating what shirt to wear. He was pacing the room back and forth, eyeing the three shirts on the bed, wondering which one would go well with his high collared black jacket. He was starting to get frustrated when Kakashi decided to show up. Before the door opened fully, Iruka quickly pulled the towel off the back of his chair and wrapped it around his shoulder, effectively hiding his bare skin from Kakashi's curious gaze.
"Something wrong?" Kakashi asked, noting Iruka's troubled expression.
"No." Iruka shook his head, glancing at the bed. "Was just uhm getting ready."
"Oh." Kakashi got rid of his sneakers and pulled out his boots from under the bed. He also draped the jacket he was wearing over his chair and picked out fresh clothes from his closet. "Trouble choosing?"
"A bit." Iruka admitted, shrugging.
Kakashi glanced at the bed, eyed the shirts and pointed at the dark blue v-neck shirt with a very urban print on the side. "That one looks good."
"Done." Iruka said, smiling a bit.
Kakashi chuckled and grabbed his towel from the foot side of the bed. "Ten minutes."
"Take your time." Iruka said and only allowed the towel to drop when Kakashi shut the bathroom door. He towel dried his hair once more and pulled the shirt on. Ten minutes later, Kakashi came out to find Iruka sitting on the bed, lacing up his boots, hair up in a ponytail and ready to go. Iruka peered up to find Kakashi tugging his own boots on, eye covered by his hair and dressed in all black. Iruka felt his stomach flutter with a thousand excited butterflies. Black was a sharp contrast against Kakashi's complex and with his built; the dark clothes gave him an almost vampiric feel, full of mystery and secrets.
Iruka managed to tear his eyes away, willing the heat in his belly to disappear and his nerves to calm down.
"Ready?" Kakashi asked, straightening up and pulling on a jacket.
"Yeah." Iruka stood up and pulled his jacket on as well. Kakashi didn't budge from his position, staring at Iruka instead. "What?" Iruka asked.
Kakashi smiled and shook his head. "Nothing. You look fantastic."
Iruka felt his cheeks heat up. "You do too." Kakashi didn't seem to hear Iruka's words; he looked like he was lost in thoughts. "Come on. We'll miss the movie."
XXX
Iruka found himself sandwiched between Kakashi and a pair of love birds making out rather noisily beside him. The loud sucking noises irritated the hell out of him and made the hair at the back of his neck stand. Kakashi was quiet beside him, completely absorbed with the Icha-Icha-Violence movie, only moving to put some of the sweet popcorn in to his mouth, the cup of empty apple soda Iruka got him earlier lying between them on the floor. The man beside him elbowed Iruka on the side of his arm (not intentionally) as he shifted to - what Iruka assumed - push his face further in to his girlfriend's face, emitting a pleased moan from the lady (which went unheard by the rest of the theatre since the speakers were quite loud - it was just unfortunate for Iruka because he was right next to them while they were huddled in to the corner seat against the wall).
Feeling absolutely put out, Iruka rubbed his arm (which he was sure was going to bruise later) and sunk lower in his chair, staring blankly at the screen and quietly sipped the remnants of his soda at the bottom of the large cardboard cup; it tasted more like flavored water due to the melting ice. A funny scene played out in the large screen and Kakashi started to laugh; it was a pleasant sound to Iruka's ears as he turned to watch Kakashi cross one leg over the other, smile on his lips as he chewed more popcorn.
Despite the rather imperfect seating arrangement, lack of enough sodas and a rather silly choice for a movie, Iruka thought that it wasn't too bad - not perfect, but likeable and tolerable if the guy beside him would just keep his tongue in his own mouth and have more control over his feet and elbows.
The Icha-Icha-Violence movie wasn't as bad as Iruka thought it would be. It was what he could dub 'funny-porn' (the porn part used very loosely - the violence and fights within the story was done through humor). He could finally see why the novels itself were in the adult section of the bookstore and weren't sold to minors. There were too much skin and dirty dialogues. The sex scenes were erotic, Iruka would admit that (the cast were also gorgeous and beautiful people with the most amazing bodies). When Kakashi picked the movie, he agreed without thinking; his lack of reluctance surprised Kakashi. He reasoned that they were both men and that they've probably seen and done pretty much the same thing; he paid for the ticket and there he was, trying to enjoy the movie but kept getting elbowed and kicked from the sudden jerks of the man's leg beside him.
Iruka found himself starting to sulk.
Somewhere after the last sex scene (which started to bore Iruka that he yawned and lifted his aching leg against his chest to save it from more kicking), Iruka felt Kakashi bend and set the empty popcorn container underneath his own chair and wrap an arm around Iruka's shoulder casually.
"Do you want me to beat them up for you?" Kakashi asked, fingers rubbing the sore spot on Iruka's arm in a soothing massage.
Iruka felt his cheeks heat up and glanced at the couple beside him and sighed. "No, let them be. At least their date isn't ruined."
"Who said ours was?" Kakashi said, turning his gaze to Iruka and gesturing towards the exit. "Let's go. I've read the book several times and I know how that's going to end. Let's save you from more abuse before I really beat the crap out of em'."
Iruka feared the couple's health rather than his and nodded, quickly getting to his feet and following Kakashi through the exit. Not a word was said until they reached the parking lot. Iruka still remained under the protective hold of Kakashi's arm until they reached the bike. Kakashi let him go then, moving to lean against the seat of the bike and waited patiently for Iruka to speak.
Iruka shoved his hands in to the pockets of his jacket, chewing on his lower lip in thought. "Would you like to get dinner now? I know it's past nine already but I just thought that - you know - because the movie was all - that is -"
"Dinner sounds good. What do you have in mind?"
Iruka felt his cheeks color. Ever since Kakashi agreed to go out with him, he's been planning the evening step by step. He wanted everything to be perfect; the movie may have been ruined but that doesn't mean the other parts of his plan would follow the same path.
"There's a seafood grill house around Ninth Street." Iruka chewed his lower lip again, hoping that Kakashi didn't mind grilled seafood.
"Sounds good." Kakashi said, mounting his bike and releasing the lock on the helmets, handing Iruka his. "You should relax a bit."
"Who said I wasn't?" Iruka quickly answered, even though he knew that he was far from relaxed. His shoulders were stiff and knotted, his entire body wracked in nervousness with how slow and 'boring' their date was going.
Kakashi turned to look at him after switching the engine on. He plucked the helmet away from Iruka's hands. "Really?" He looked amused.
"Really."
"Sure?"
"Sure."
Kakashi said nothing more and handed the helmet back. He placed his own over his head as Iruka buckled the strap in place and mounted the bike behind Kakashi. He automatically wrapped his arms around Kakashi's middle, completely surprised when Kakashi pulled his hand up to his lips and placed a light kiss on the thin digits. Iruka felt the breath clog in his throat at the very soft and intimate gesture as Kakashi drove away from the parking lot.
Just when he thought that things were going smoothly (the ride was perfect with Kakashi leaning back against him affectionately, them reaching the restaurant and their drinks being brought and their orders being placed, them having a wonderful and fun conversation about campus activities) and perfect, Iruka could think of nothing that could ruin their evening.
Kakashi was about to tell him a story of himself and his dogs (a very personal glimpse in to a very private man's life - Iruka was looking forward to hearing the story), when something loud and explosive shook the entire building. Iruka was thrown off his chair and on his side against the carpeted floor, the same force knocking the other patrons off their own chairs, cries of surprise filling the warm ambience of the restaurant. There was another loud explosion and Iruka found himself being pulled up by Kakashi's strong grip. He briefly saw one side of the restaurant being engulfed in flames as the other patrons started panicking and rushing out of the restaurant at the same time, blocking the door and ignoring the Maitre'D's pleas for them to calm down.
He watched as Kakashi climbed over one of the tables and aimed a powerful kick against the glass window of the restaurant, creating another exit and quickly jumping out, dragging Iruka with him and started helping the others escape through the window. Iruka did the same, quickly escorting the frightened children away from the burning building and using all the skills he obtained to keep the panicking and crying little ones quiet and behaved till everyone was evacuated and the fire trucks pulled over and started putting the flames out.
He was carrying a two year old against his chest, rocking the sobbing child's body to calm the frightened boy when Kakashi found him. He had soot all over his face and half of his silver hair was the color of ash. Parents came rushing towards them at the sight of a large cluster of children sitting on the sidewalk, watching as the fireman bravely (Iruka was telling them stories of brave men to keep their minds off the panic) put the fire out. The child was taken out of Iruka's grasp by a sobbing mother and a worried father. Iruka watched as the kids were led away by their parents and the paramedics approached them and did routine checkup.
Kakashi casually wrapped an arm around him again and quickly led him away to the parking lot around the corner. Iruka let himself be led and allowed Kakashi to check him for injuries as he did the same to the slightly taller man. He reached out and started dusting the dust and ash off Kakashi's hair, no longer able to keep the disappointed look off his face. He could have died, could have gotten trapped under fallen debris, could have been killed trying to get out or even burn to death and the only thought that was going through his mind was: My date is ruined! Ruined! I shouldn't have done this! This is a sign that Kakashi isn't right for me! I swear it is!
The hand against his cheek made him stop in his attempts to dust his jacket clean. Kakashi tilted his face up and caressed his chin with his thumb. "Pretty explosive date, don't you think?"
Iruka felt his heart shatter. He knew it was supposed to be a joke but he couldn't help but feel his hopes crush with the simple statement, along with his plans and his will to make the evening go smoothly. He pulled Kakashi's hand down and took a step back quietly, pulled his jacket off and started dusting it clean again.
"I'm sorry things are just messed up." Iruka mumbled, finding it futile to dust his jacket any more than he already did. "We should just head back. It's getting a bit late and - and I doubt our evening can get any better than this." His tone was sarcastic; it pretty much summed out and oozed out how he was currently feeling.
A failure.
Kakashi grasped his chin again and tilted his face upwards so that he was staring in to a pair of mismatched eyes. "I think tonight was perfect."
"Stop it."
"I'm not joking." Kakashi said, looking serious. "Because, tonight I learned a lot of new things about you. Like how selfless you are when it comes to other's comfort." Iruka knew Kakashi was referring to the theatre incident and noisy-kissing-couple. "And that you love children and would some day make a wonderful father." Iruka's face fell visibly but he caught himself just in time and quickly smiled. Kakashi noticed this and quickly corrected what he said, his shy boyish nature creeping in to his tone. "I mean, if you want to be a father that is. I just think that if you do, and you do become one, I think you'd be great."
Iruka found himself nearly melting at the uneasiness and almost adorable nature Kakashi was trying to reassure him. "I understand. It's okay. I'm - I'm flattered you think of me as such."
"It's not a thought. It's a fact." Kakashi corrected, tucking his hands in to his jacket pocket. "So, like I said, I don't think this date has gone to the pits just yet. I think it's perfect. Besides, wasn't that little experience thrilling? You can narrate that kind of story to your kids in class. I'm sure they'd oooh and aaah."
Iruka blushed and rubbed at his scar in an embarrassed fashion. "No matter what you say, that doesn't change the fact that our dinner was ruined."
Kakashi hopped on the bike and started the engine. "No it isn't. Want a burger?" He handed Iruka his helmet.
Iruka took the helmet and pulled it on. "Sure."
XXX
They stood in front of the small burger joint, staring at the Route-66 sign board that wasn't glowing in all its neon glory and the 'closed' sign flipped over against the glass door. Iruka could hear a pin drop at the sudden silence all around them. Kakashi looked just as dumbfounded before Iruka growled, turned around and started walking towards the bike, irritated, pissed, annoyed and all around disappointed. He knew fate's sign when he saw it; it didn't have to smack him in the face.
Kakashi caught up to him and took hold of his arm. "Hey, hey, hey. Come on. Don't be mad."
"No, I can't be. I don't want to be. I refuse to be, but I am! Maybe you and I aren't just supposed to be -" Iruka made a wild gesture with his arms. "You know! Together. Couple. Relationship. Fucking each other silly. Once is a coincidence. Twice is a complete and oh-my-goodness-what-a-coincidence! Thrice is a charm! And this is not good! I'm going back to the room." Kakashi burst out laughing in the middle of the empty street at what Iruka just let out. If possible, it irritated Iruka even more while at the same time it made him feel sadder. "Fine. Laugh. I know I would as well if circumstances were different." He sighed tiredly, still looking at Kakashi's hunched over figure, laughing his guts out. He didn't want to be a spoilsport and a killjoy and fiercely fought down the bitter and angry traitorous watering of his eyes.
Kakashi moved to stand in front of him, laugh completely disappearing when he saw the amount of strain on Iruka's face as he tried to keep his emotions in. "Hey, come on. What's the matter?"
"This was a bad idea." Iruka said, swallowing thickly and dropping his head down. "I hoped that things tonight would go like a normal date and we'd both somehow enjoy it but - but now it's just ruined. We can't even go to a decent place to eat!"
Kakashi wrapped his arms around Iruka tighter, pulling him close and touching his chin against the dipped head. "No, it wasn't a bad idea." He reassured and pulled back after a few minutes and quickly pressed a kiss against the corner of Iruka's lip (Iruka quite literally gaped and stared up in to Kakashi's face with very wide eyes). "I like tonight. As imperfect as it may be, I am enjoying it. And I am enjoying it because it is imperfect. Do you know how boring it'd be if things were just perfect-perfect?"
Iruka bit his bottom lip and quickly, without thinking, pressed a quick kiss on Kakashi's cheek before he wiggled out of his grasp and started walking towards the parked bike. He waited there quietly, twirling the helmet in his hands and staring at his shoes. When Kakashi appeared beside him a minute later, he looked up at him, feeling extremely shy and very embarrassed. He also found himself shamelessly thinking what it would be like to kiss Kakashi.
"There's a small convenience store a few blocks down. I doubt something that's a twenty-four-hour-service would close down." Iruka said, avoiding looking in to Kakashi's eyes. "W-We can just head back if -"
"Let's walk." Kakashi said, smiling at him. It was a rare smile that left Iruka's legs feeling weak. "Didn't you say you wanted to walk around with me? The park is nearby."
Iruka wordlessly tugged Kakashi's hand towards the direction of the convenience store. It was a quiet and rather comfortable walk, with Kakashi's arm relocating itself from his shoulders to around his waist. Iruka didn't mind the close proximity; in fact he welcomed it. He was content walking with his hands on his sides, perfectly happy with being snuggled up beside Kakashi. Halfway through their walk to the convenience store, he wrapped his own arm around Kakashi's waist as well, noting at just how warm and comfy holding the other man was.
Kakashi seemed to have gotten the silly grin permanently glued to his features.
Up until they reached the convenience store.
"You have got to be shitting me." Iruka said, arms dropping limply on his sides as he stared at the large 'we're undergoing an extension and renovation' sign erected in front of the convenience store entrance.
Kakashi seemed just as speechless. "What is it with managers these days?"
"You mean today." Iruka grumbled sarcastically, tugged away from Kakashi's hold and started walking the other direction that would take him towards the dormitories. "I am seriously heading back. Date is cancelled, if you can even call tonight a date."
"You can't possibly be serious." Kakashi caught up to him, blocking his path.
"I am absolutely serious. In fact, I am going back right now and I'm leaving you alone. You and I aren't meant to be together. I can tell that much, judging by how everything seems to blow up in face. Or behind. Literally!" Iruka side stepped and continued down the quiet road.
Kakashi caught up to him again and stood in front of him. "But it's only been one date!"
"And the last! And if a convenience store closing - which never happens, even after that wild protest in campus during the re-election of the Daimyo of Fire, and even then everything closed down except that store - isn't a sign, then I don't even want to know what could be a sign!" Iruka brushed past him and started walking quicker, taking longer strides.
"Maybe the stars aren't in their right spots today." Kakashi reasoned, quickly coming to stand up in front of Iruka again. "Or maybe there's an apocalypse we didn't know about - in which in both cases and other wild cases, I find 'em completely whack and full of bullshit - but you can't blame everything on fate!"
"Look!" Iruka gritted out. "Everything that's happened in my life has been fate's twisted game, twisted humor and fucking twisted way of saying, 'Iruka, this is just not meant to be for you'. I'm a good person!" Iruka placed his hands on his own chest to emphasize on the statement. "And I'm not saying that to sound full of myself. I am a good person! I give more than I get and I don't mind. I'd give anything and everything to anyone if they deserve it! I'd give my eyes away willingly if I know it'd serve some good in this godforsaken world of ours and after all that, all that I've given away willingly -
"Calm down a minute and -"
"- I never - never - get enough slack." Iruka inhaled sharply and squared his shoulders. "So let me save myself the trouble of wallowing over this entire mess like some smitten-school-girl than I already am, and save you the trouble of getting dragged around and involved to what seems to be my side of bad-bad-terrible luck and just let me get back to the room. Preferably alone. Next thing you know, you'd be crashing in to a lamp post or swerving off the street and maybe loose a limb or two."
"Do you have any idea of just how much nonsense you're babbling out?"
"Newsflash: I. Don't. Care." Iruka side stepped Kakashi for the umpteenth time and started crossing the street to the other side. He was in the middle of the street when he felt Kakashi grab his arm and pulled him against his larger frame.
"Do you honestly think that I'm going to just let you go like this? This easily?"
"We're in the middle of the fucking street, Kakashi!"
"Newsflash: I. Don't. Care." Kakashi mimicked and moved to cup Iruka's face in his hands. "Really, fate or whatever bullshit you think it is, I don't care. I am going to make this work and if it means going on a date in the Earth or Water country, so be it."
"You're lying again." Iruka said bluntly, and tugged Kakashi's hands down.
Kakashi seemed to not like what Iruka said and forced Iruka's face to look in to his. "Why do you accuse me of lying?"
"Because you are!"
"I am not!"
"Yes, you are! You may be a complete poker face when you babble and act or pull a stupid stunt like that crazy act you've been pulling on me since I moved in, but you can't hide things in your eyes."
"I am not hiding anything."
"Oh please." Iruka grumbled and rolled his eyes. "Can we at least continue this conversation on the fucking side walk? Before some -" The loud honking of a speeding car made Iruka turned to look sideways. "There's a car coming."
"Why do you think I'm lying?"
"Kakashi, that car is moving more than a hundred kilometers per hour! Let go of my face!"
Kakashi's grip on his face only tightened. "Why do you think I'm lying?" He repeated with more force and demand in his tone.
"Kakashi! The car is coming! Fuck! Let go!" Iruka panicked, eyes widening as the honking got louder and the headlights blinded him.
"Tell me!"
Without thinking, Iruka put enough force on his legs and threw them both backwards, bottom hitting the asphalt and back hitting the edge of the black and yellow painted pavement. The wind got knocked out of his lungs with Kakashi's weight dropping on him like a bomb. He gasped and wheezed, wincing as the sharp pain of the pavement digging in to his back. He remained still and staring at the starless evening sky.
"You weigh a ton. Can you get off me?"
Kakashi placed both hands on the sides of Iruka's head and lifted his weight off him slightly, staring down at him. "You didn't answer me."
"I don't know how." Iruka sighed, wincing as he tried to move his leg. "Really, get off me. My back is killing me and no doubt this fall is going to leave its mark."
"How can you not know how?"
Iruka sighed again and simply slumped against the side walk and road. "Because I really, really don't know. It's the way you look. The way you just - just say things. It could just be me you know."
Kakashi didn't get off him and another car honked and passed by. "Maybe it's just you."
Iruka closed his eyes and shuddered in the cool evening air. "Maybe."
Kakashi placed a light kiss on the corner of Iruka's lip; the next thing Iruka knew, he was on his feet and being held against Kakashi's larger frame. "I'm going to get us dinner. And you're coming."
"Kakashi -"
"My love-seat is boring without you. It's nice to be held by you, just so you know." Kakashi said, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. "I like being held on to by you."
Iruka looked at him suspiciously. "I still think I should head back."
"I think you should shut up and let me kiss you." Kakashi said, shrugging and speaking with a very as-a-matter-of-factly tone.
Iruka's heart slowed down to a stop, staring wide eyed at Kakashi at what he just said. He couldn't find a trace of emotion in his eyes except for pure honesty. Whether Iruka's mind was busy conjuring up illusions that led him to believe the statement so readily or because his lust was starting to seep out of his skin pores, Iruka didn't know.
His stomach growled loudly at that point.
"I need food." Iruka said lamely, shoulder drooping and lust completely winking out of his system as it was replaced with complete humiliation; he was starting to dislike his stomach more and more. "I am going to go look for food and then head back."
"I am going to kiss you. Now."
"And I am going to hit you up the head if you even dare to - mmph!"
All thoughts decided to scurry away the moment Kakashi pressed his lips against Iruka's and his hot tongue run over his bottom lip before slipping in to the surprised buds of flesh and filling Iruka's mouth. Iruka found himself swallowing with difficulty as Kakashi proceeded to turn him in to mush, the skillful tongue making his knees weak and his manhood stir. Kakashi's dirty talk decided to echo in his head then, the tongue dueling with his own active one not helping things. Iruka kissed back, pushing his face upwards in a fight for dominance, the kiss turning in to a contest in his head. He won't have his own tongue rolled to the back of his throat and let Kakashi have all the control and fun.
When Kakashi sunk his teeth on his lower lip in slow and gentle manner (and started nibbling on them), Iruka forgot his competitive nature and groaned openly towards the open mouth that stole his breath away. Hot long fingered hands traveled around his shoulder blades and down to Iruka's backside, cupping both firm cheeks in a tight and firm squeeze. Iruka arched in response, breath hitching in his throat in a loud and rather breathy moan, eyes shutting close. When he caught himself, he glared at Kakashi.
Kakashi pulled back then, rosy lips pulling back in to a wide grin. "You liked it."
"You groped me!" He sputtered, torn between being angry and pleased. "In public!"
"I owe you that grope, remember? Besides, no one's around." Kakashi licked the bottom of his lip again like one would to a melting ice cream cone. "But you liked it."
Iruka opened his mouth to deny that (even if his head screamed, 'I loved it! Do it again!') when his stomach beat him to it by growling loudly again. He glanced down at his stomach and pitifully up at Kakashi. "I want food."
Kakashi threw his head back, laughed and kissed his cheek. "Let's go find food."
Iruka nodded and followed Kakashi back to the bike, hoping that they'd find food as quick as possible. He skipped lunch that day.
When they did make it to the bike and drove around the city, they decided to stop in the first food joint they saw (or convenience store/supermarket). In the end, they did manage to stop in front of a supermarket. Iruka left Kakashi alone in the bike, carried the sissy looking helmet under his arm and made a wild run for the sliding glass doors. He grabbed the first plastic yellow basket from the stack by the entrance and quickly went for the first isle of food he saw.
He could feel his mouth water at the sight of all the ready made sandwiches, roasted chicken, bento boxes (even if he hated them), and little pastries and cutlets lined in what seemed like an endless stretch of heavenly food. He could just feel the hunger melt away as he stared at the different mini pizzas and cutlets, reading the fillings and toppings' names as fast as he respired.
"May I help you sir?" The sales help with a cook's hat and white uniform asked, hands behind his back, pleasant smile on his face. Iruka didn't even know he was there (or existed) and this made the poor man frown. "Sir? Would you like to order something?" Iruka was still going googly-eyed over the mouthwatering and freshly roasted chicken sitting in a neat line behind the glass. "Uh sir, are you okay?"
"We'll have two orders of roasted chicken, half a dozen of vegetable cutlets, two slices of cheese pizza, two slices of chicken pie, half a dozen quiches, one order of mashed potatoes and one order of fried rice." Kakashi said, appearing beside Iruka and smiling pleasantly at the disturbed looking salesman (who was looking at Iruka like the man lost his brain on his way in to the supermarket). "Can we have them as fast as possible? We've got guests and the kids are starving back at home."
The poor salesman sputtered, quickly nodded and scampered about putting what Kakashi just ordered in to plastic containers. "Would you like to them warmed, sir?"
"Yes. We'll be back in five minutes." Kakashi said, and stirred Iruka (who was still counting the food types and deciding that he wanted all of them) away towards the bakery section. "Sweets?"
"Cake. And maybe pudding." Iruka said, blinking and eyeing the packed desserts.
"We can have ice cream you know." Kakashi suggested.
"Good idea! Come!" Iruka grabbed Kakashi's hand, dropped the helmet he was cradling in to the shopping basket he was carrying and walked quickly towards the refrigerated goods section. He found the ice cream brand he wanted in the bottom shelf of one of the fridges and pulled the door open, crouching down. "Let's see. Chocolate, vanilla, caramel, strawberry, chocolate chip, cookie dough, bubblegum and cotton candy - that sounds sick!" Iruka made a face and continued sifting through the flavors. "And butter pecan. What do you want?" He grabbed two containers of ice cream for himself (strawberry and caramel) and dropped them in to his basket.
"No mint?"
"Nope. No mint." Iruka double checked and found none. "I don't think they pack the minty ones."
"Well, chocolate then." Kakashi said, shrugging.
"Chocolate it is." Iruka reached out for the chocolate flavor and dropped it in to his basket. "You ordered a lot of food."
"I'm starving. And when I'm starving, I eat a lot."
"Won't you get fat?"
"I work out." Kakashi grinned, hauling Iruka up to his feet and kissing his cheek. "That's why I'm as big as a 'tree'. I like to stay fit."
Iruka thought back to all the times he saw Kakashi shirtless and felt the heat creep up to his cheeks. Kakashi had a fantastic figure. "Yes, well, don't we all."
"Soda?"
"Sodas!" Iruka nodded and tugged him two isles down. He couldn't help but notice how Kakashi allowed him to drag him around. Iruka reached for two cans of apple and orange sodas, his gaze catching one of the blue colored sodas. Curiosity made him study the blue liquid within the funny-shaped bottle. "Do you like being dragged around?"
"Only by you."
"So you don't mind?"
"I would have stopped you if I did." Kakashi said, leaning close and touching his lips against Iruka's ear, arms looping loosely around his narrow waist. Iruka felt his ears burn from embarrassment and the affectionate gesture. "Let's just say that I find it sexy when you drag this 'tree' around. Makes my 'roots' quiver with excitement."
Iruka was about to reply (cheeks coloring once more at the thought of just which part of Kakashi's body represented 'roots') when he felt a stare boring in to his body. He glanced around and found the isle empty, except for a pair of small eyes of a little girl cradling a stuffed bear to her chest, curious brown eyes and an explosion of dark curls on her head staring up at them. The little girl was smiling.
Iruka stared back. The girl wasn't really smiling; she was leering.
"Are you two married, mister?" She asked.
"And if we are?" Kakashi asked quickly, beating Iruka in answering.
"I think it's cute." The little girl burst in to frantic giggling and started skipping down the isle. "Mommy! Mommy! I found two married men snogging!"
Iruka dragged Kakashi away from the isle and back to the cooked food section. "Are you insane?" He hissed, stopping in front of the salesman who was tying a large plastic bag of food, thumbing the barcode sticker on one side. "Thank you." Iruka said, taking the bag (completely ignoring how the salesman eyed him weirdly).
"What? It was a very rhetorical question."
"It was a very stupid question!" Iruka corrected. "She's a child! You can't go corrupting little kids -"
"She was giggling! She thinks we're cute together!"
"If her mother - oh god, she's coming!" Iruka turned around and started unloading their purchases on to the counter of the express-line cashier, pulled out his wallet and took out the right amount. Kakashi remained beside him, silent and looking pleased.
"Excuse me!" The woman said, the girl with her stuffed bear giggling behind her mother's skirt.
"Yes?" Iruka said, swallowing thickly. "Ma'am?"
"What have you two been teaching my daughter? Snogging in public and two men at that! This is scandalous! She is only five years old and I will not have -"
"Hey!" Kakashi frowned, glaring and fell silent when Iruka stomped on his foot.
"Ma'am, Ma'am, please calm down. What your daughter saw was not snogging. This is my patient. I am a physiotherapist at the University of Konoha. He's very ill and is suffering from a disorder that makes him want to be near someone constantly. If he does not get enough physical attention, he gets very unstable and sometimes dangerous." Iruka explained, putting on the best apologetic look he can conjure up. "He was in an accident. Hit his head pretty bad."
"Oh." The woman blinked (along with the cashier). "Is he all right now?"
"He's fine. We were just buying dinner. He's in the special needs ward of the hospital and I am allowed to take him out for exercise. The reason I picked the late hour is because there will be less people out. Makes it easier for me to keep control on things, you see."
"Of course. Of course." The woman nodded. "I am very sorry. It seems that my daughter misunderstood things."
"She is a very charming young lady. No offense taken ma'am." Iruka beamed. They bid goodbyes (and apologies) as Iruka lead Kakashi away. "Slowly now, dear boy. Wouldn't want to trip now. Easy there."
Once they reached the parking lot, Kakashi burst out in to chuckles. "Was that rehearsed? I can't believe she bought that crap!"
"I've had too much practice doing that." Iruka said. Mizuki used to grope him in public and he used the same excuse (and variations of it) to get out of accusing trouble. He turned his back to Kakashi, shifting the bags in his grip and quickly squelching down the sad feeling welling up in him.
Kakashi kissed his cheek. "It wasn't a complete lie you know?"
"Oh?"
"I do want to get physical with you and I'd definitely go crazy if I don't." Kakashi whispered, kissing the side of his jaw and mounting his bike. "Hop on. We're heading back and eating."
"Drive fast. I'm really, really starving."
"Ditto."
XXX
They changed their clothes and washed their hands and face (and all the other soot particles that managed to get on their skin from the explosion) before settling down in front of Kakashi's small TV in his side of the room, several open plastic containers of food between them, ice cream stored in the small fridge by the door. Iruka divided the rice into two portions, handing Kakashi's his along with a pair of disposable chopsticks as he dug in to his share like a starved man (which he was anyway).
A documentary on octopuses and their habitat was playing on TV, the words going over their heads as they enjoyed the supermarket food between them. None spoke until they had a decent amount of food to grind in their stomachs, slowing down only when they could feel the satisfaction settle in their bones. Kakashi was chewing on one of the quiche from the containers while Iruka emptied a sachet of ketchup over his pizza slice.
"In the end, we have supermarket food." Iruka said, taking a large bite off his ketchup doused pizza slice. "I normally avoid feeding my 'date' supermarket food."
"Hey, I'm not that demanding." Kakashi said, shrugging and reaching for one of the cutlets. "Besides, supermarket food ain't bad. I like their cutlets."
Iruka licked the corner of his lips to get the ketchup smear off them. "I suppose food is food when you're starving."
"Pretty much." Kakashi chuckled, swallowing a mouth full of rice and cutlet. "So how many times did you take your dates out for supermarket food?"
"You're the first." Iruka said, not looking up from his plastic container of rice as he took a large bite off his roasted chicken.
"Oh?" Kakashi raised an eyebrow, reaching for the chicken wing on the container between them and started nibbling it. "Don't date much?"
"Nope." Iruka shook his head, chugging down his food with his chilled orange soda.
"I see." Kakashi mumbled. His eyes were roaming over Iruka's old t-shirt clad shoulders. Iruka could feel Kakashi watching him eat.
"I am eating, Kakashi."
"I know." Kakashi grinned, dropping his chin against his palm.
"Please stop staring. At least wait till I'm done eating."
"So you don't mind if I stare at you?" Kakashi asked in a sing-song voice.
Iruka rolled his eyes and helped himself to another portion of the grilled chicken. "Nothing I do or say would stop you from staring anyway."
"True."
"So stop staring already."
"You're so cute when you eat! Like a cat."
Iruka threw him an amused look. "And you're a dog."
"I'm your dog."
"Yes, yes. Of course." Iruka mumbled, continuing with his food.
"You don't like me very much, do you?" Kakashi asked a minute later, face growing serious.
Iruka sighed and set his makeshift plate down. "I wouldn't have asked you out if I didn't."
"You just want me to fuck you."
Iruka could feel his temper climbing new heights in a new speed record. "You're attractive. You're desirable and damnit, you started this whole mess. Wanting to tie me up and make me bleed and all that shit you babbled out."
"So this is all about sleeping with me?"
"Then how do you justify your actions? Your words? You threw me against the door and said things that a room-mate shouldn't even think -"
Kakashi started pushing the containers aside. "You can't make me look like the bad guy here. You want it badly. You moan my name when you're asleep."
"I do not!" Iruka said, eyes widening and looking horrified. He was a silent sleeper, he knew that. He never thought about the fact that he may have indeed said Kakashi's name out loud when he had dreams about the man. "You're not all that! If I wanted a quick fuck, I would have paid someone to do me than be with you!"
"You disgusting -"
"You sick sonofa -" Iruka pulled his hand back and threw it forward with enough force for his fist to connect squarely with Kakashi's nose. Kakashi caught the fist easily with a lightening fast reflex that surprised Iruka.
"You gotta do better than that."
"You want to sleep with me, Kakashi? You want to fuck me?" Iruka asked, eyes darkening with determination to throw Kakashi off the loop. "Do you want to touch me? Feel me around you? Want me to bend over and beg for you?" Iruka gritted out, knuckles turning white in between Kakashi's firm hold of his fist. "Want me to scream your name?" Kakashi was silent and Iruka dropped his voice an octave lower and glared at Kakashi hotly. "Want me to spread my legs for you?"
Kakashi didn't look happy. He looked angry and irritated. "You have no idea what you're talking about."
"Believe me, I know what goes on in my head more than you'll ever figure out. If I wanted a quick and hard fuck, I know more people who would be more than willing to get in to a proper relationship with me and not be a complete fake about it."
"Fake?" Kakashi growled, squeezing Iruka's fist with enough force to break the bones underneath the tanned skin. Iruka fought tooth and nail with his facial expression to not look pained. "You think what I feel for you is fake? Do you even know what I feel for you?"
"How should I know?" Iruka asked, grinding his teeth hard from the sweltering pain of the force Kakashi had on his balled up fist. "You're too busy irritating the hell out of me for me to figure you out! The only thing I know for a fact is that you want to fuck me so bad that you can't even stand seeing me shirtless!"
"What's there about me that you need to figure out?" Kakashi hissed, leaning forward, other hand sweeping all the plastic containers aside so that his knee came in to contact with Iruka's calves. "What makes you think that I'm being fake with my feelings for you?"
"I don't know. I don't care. I was long passed that stage when I asked you out days ago!" Iruka replied, Kakashi's weight pushing him back against the wall bellow their window. He lifted his arm when Kakashi pushed the fist back, the back of Iruka's wrist grinding against the wooden window sill. "I'm acting on impulse. I hate acting on impulse but I am. Because that's what you do to me! And I fucking hate you for it!"
"Take that back!" Kakashi grounded out, pushing Iruka's wrist some more against the windowsill, the hand bending back till Iruka felt the cool glass against his white knuckles, the pain in his wrist was starting to make him dizzy, the force blocking the blood circulation and making his entire arm numb. "Take that back!"
"Fuck you!"
Kakashi crushed their lips together biting Iruka's lower lip till it bled and red crimson drops trickled down Iruka's chin. He pulled back and watched Iruka shake under his hold, the other tanned hand gripping corner of the small rug they were sitting on too tightly. Iruka didn't want to fight Kakashi because the hold the taller and bigger man had on him was too strong that it shook his bearings. He sucked on his lower lip, applying pressure with his teeth to stop the bleeding.
"Take it back." Kakashi repeated slowly.
Iruka raised angry and watery eyes at him, lips trembling between his teeth. He stared in to both of Kakashi's eyes, the thick amount of lust and unidentifiable emotion that he's been trying to figure out glowing as bright as day in the mismatched depths. The pain in his lip and wrist and the close proximity of Kakashi's breath against the copper-coated lips was doing wonders with his libido.
"No." Iruka shuddered, blinking back the water in his eyes. He was afraid while aroused at the same time.
"I am not going to make love to someone who hates me. Especially when I don't hate the person." Kakashi repeated, closing both his eyes and leaning against Iruka's shoulder, the hand holding Iruka's in a firm and pressing grip loosening, allowing the flood to flow again and washing away the numb feeling that spread all over Iruka's raised arm. "Please don't say you hate me. Not you of all people. Please take it back."
Iruka sat there feeling confused at the sudden change of tactic. Something about how Kakashi just flipped from being controlling, demanding and rough to small, vulnerable and begging unsettled him. He couldn't stop the sorry feeling from turning in his stomach when Kakashi buried his face in the crook of his neck, a well toned arm moving to wrap around his narrow waist. Iruka started to tremble a bit again. "Kakashi -"
"Don't say you hate me. Please? Please, 'Ruka."
"Get off me."
"No!" Kakashi said and released his hold on Iruka's fist completely to wrap both his arms around Iruka's shoulders, pushing Iruka down on the floor, pillowing his head against his shapely forearm. "I won't! I refuse to! You're mine! No one can touch you! I hurt you." Kakashi whispered against his neck, trailing an open mouth kiss towards his lips and apologetically licking the drying blood away.
The childish possesive note in Kakashi's tone set off loud warning bells in Iruka's head. He couldn't stop his body from reacting to Kakashi's touch, lips involuntarily parting as Kakashi licked at his bruised and wounded lip. "S-Stop ..."
"I'm sorry ..." Kakashi whispered desperately. Iruka kept staring at the ceiling as Kakashi moved to press his cheek against his ear. "I'll take care of you. I swear to you I will." Kakashi mumbled, kissing Iruka's neck, his free hand roaming down Iruka's side and looming over the waistband of his sweatpants. "I'll make you feel good and happy. I'll do anything for you."
"Kakashi -"
"I want to touch you, 'Ruka." Kakashi said, kissing the outer shell of his ear. "Can I touch you?"
"No." Iruka gritted out and started to struggle against Kakashi's hold. "Pull back, Kakashi. Now!"
"No!"
"Now!" Iruka yelled, using all the force he could muster to put some space between them, arousal completely forgotten. "Let me think! Let me decide! Give me time!"
"One week." Kakashi said, reluctantly releasing his hold on Iruka, kissing his nose and trailing his tongue down towards Iruka's lips. He kissed Iruka hard, tongue delving and choking Iruka with its feverish want and need. "Think about me, for one week. Then - Then come to my apartment. I'll make you feel so good." Kakashi said, the lips brushing against the corner of Iruka's lips promising so much pleasure and too many secrets. "So, so good. I'll make you fall in love with me."
Iruka turned his face away. "Fine. One week."
"One week." Kakashi repeated, kissing Iruka's forehead one more time before backing up.
"One week." Iruka repeated, heart skipping several beats at the mere thought of being made love to by Kakashi. "In a week."
"In a week. Saturday evening. Come any time after five."
That said, Iruka briefly wondered if the look Kakashi gave him as he got on his feet to wash his hands was the reason why he thought he 'loved' the guy so much. It was a look no one ever gave him - a look of a man who found some sort of sanctuary in someone else.
It took pure will power on Iruka's side to not jump Kakashi and kiss him for all he was worth when the taller man handed him his ice cream along with a spoon. Kakashi kissed his wrists and led him to his own bed, sitting side by side and quietly eating ice cream. Watching Kakashi sitting cross legged on his pillow, holding the pink and golden yellow container of ice cream while he shoved spoonful after spoonful in to his mouth, eyes sparkling with childish glee while eating the treat, Iruka knew then and there, that he had fallen for Kakashi faster and harder than he thought he would.
XXX
Iruka sat in the middle of Izumo's shared room, reaching for some ridged-potato chips from the clear bowl in the middle and dipping a large piece in to the yoghurt dip Kotetsu mixed earlier. Izumo was already laughing like an idiot, pointing at Kotetsu who had a chunk of pizza topping sitting on top of his nose. Iruka counted the empty beer cans on Izumo's side (five cans) and knew that Izumo was beyond comprehending. On a good day (when things are at stake), Izumo could hold his alcohol well. It usually took about eight cans for Izumo to get completely smashed. Things were different that night because Kotetsu managed to sneak in a bottle of strong rum (Iruka didn't want to know how he managed to sneak it in) and mixed a small amount with their beer. Iruka choked on his chips when Izumo started stripping in the middle of their meal, the diamond stud glinting on his navel.
"Okay, okay, stop!" Iruka laughed, waving his arms and prying Izumo off Kotetsu's lap who was completely enjoying the whole show. "No, Izumo, you may not have sex with 'Ko with me watching!"
"S'matter, 'Ru?'S gd' porngh ..." Izumo slurred, licking his finger and swaying in his kneeling position.
"No, no, no porn." Iruka mumbled and released his hold on Izumo's shoulder to reach for the box of tissues behind Kotetsu (who was already rolling on the floor with laughter, pointing at Izumo who managed to poke himself in the eye with his fingers). He wasn't expecting Izumo to fall with a thud on the wooden floors, getting knocked out in the process. A glanced behind his shoulder made him scamper back next to the thin unconscious man. "Hey, 'Zumo?"
"He's sn'ring." Kotetsu babbled, blindly feeling for the pizza box a few feet away from him and picking up one of the cheese stuffed crust that Izumo left out. He started nibbling on it, leaning against Gai's bed post.
Iruka sighed and lightly kicked at Izumo's ankle. The unconscious man only made a brief snort-snoring sound before sleeping continuously. No doubt, Izumo will be scrubbing caked and dried drool off his floor the next morning. "Stupid killjoy."
"Le've him." Kotetsu waved a hand and grabbed the rum bottle, taking a large chug down till his throat burned. "Want some?"
"Give." Iruka grumbled and took an equally long swig till he drained the contents of the bottle. Kotetsu gave a sputtering and hiccupping cheer and clapped his hands. "We should do this more often." Iruka burped, blinking away the watering of his eyes that was the result of his burning throat. "G'd stuff."
"Real g'd stuff." Kotetsu giggled (which he never does even when drunk - it made Iruka giggle in return).
"You giggled."
"Yer' sulking." Kotetsu fired back, coughing as he grabbed the bowl of yoghurt dip and started eating it with his index finger.
"'M not!" Iruka denied, frowning at the bowl Kotetsu was hogging. "Oi! Leave some!"
"Go away, sulking bitch." Kotetsu cackled, hiding the bowl away from Iruka's prying hands.
"Shut the fuck up you dirty little -" Iruka toppled over and end up taking Kotetsu down with him. The bowl slipped from Kotetsu's grasp and ended up spilling all over the floor. They both giggled like crazed lunatics and when they tried to sit up, their hands slipped from the spilt yoghurt and ended up getting a faceful of the sour white dip. "Cum-face!"
"Speak fer' yerself, bitch." Kotetsu said with glee, pointing at Iruka's white covered face. "Oh that looks tasty."
"Wha -"
In his drunken stupor, Kotetsu reached out clumsily and pulled Iruka's face down for a kiss, sucking the yoghurt off Iruka's lips and chin, laughing all the way. Iruka burst in to his own fit of drunken laughter, licking the yoghurt off Kotetsu's cheeks as the slightly larger young man got rid of the smears under his jaw. Sometime in between their kisses, licks and crazy giggling, Iruka managed to sneak some sense in to his so-called-thinking-brain and stared up blankly at Kotetsu. Kotetsu managed to stop as well, blinking down weirdly at Iruka.
"What are we doing?" He asked, sounding miraculously sober.
"I don't know." Iruka mumbled, blinking slowly before sitting up and pushing Kotetsu aside. "Not a word."
"Hell yeah!" Kotetsu fidgeted, looking around for more beer. "I'm obviously not drunk enough to be doing this."
"Duh!" Iruka coughed and blindly reached for the cigarettes under Izumo's limp wrist. He shook out a stick and lit it, sucking a deep breath and shakily letting it out. "I think I'm in love with Kakashi."
Whatever beer Kotetsu managed to chug down his throat came spewing out of his nose and mouth again, making the young man give out a pained whine as he clutched his burning nose and coughed at the sensation of having the swallowed beer come out of his throat. "W-What?"
Iruka took his time before he repeated what he just said, sucking three deep breaths off his cigarette and exhaling them slowly, enjoying the feel of the nicotine making him slightly headier than usual. He was not a smoker and the aftereffects of nicotine in his system did wonders to calm down the raging rapids in his stomach; said rapids wouldn't calm down since Friday evening and it's been four days since then.
"I said I think I'm in love with Kakashi."
Kotetsu stared at him dumbly before going on another quest to search for more beer. He got lucky and found an unopened can under Izumo's shoulder. He took a long swig, giving out a disgraceful burp before blinking wildly at Iruka. "Why?"
Iruka stubbed out the cigarette and lit another one. "I don't know."
"Why?"
"I just said -"
"No, why Kakashi of all people? You hate the guy, remember?" Kotetsu grumbled, chugging down the remnants of his can and started searching for another one. "We need more beer."
Iruka nodded and pointed at Izumo's bag. "There's more in there."
Kotetsu quickly grabbed the grey backpack and pulled the zipper open. He snagged one the beer cans, not caring that it wasn't cold and took a large gulp. "When did this happen?"
Iruka motioned for one of the beer cans and Kotetsu tossed him one. He managed to catch with a lit cigarette between his fingers and popped the ring open. He swallowed a good amount, dribbles of beer trickling down his chin and down his shirt before he replied. "Don't know. Don't even know how. I think I do." Iruka related their 'disastrous' date to Kotetsu, along with a brief account of the things that lead to that point. "We were eating ice cream, on his bed and I don't know how. But there was just something - something small like, like when you find the perfect shirt to wear to an interview. Or when you find your dream house or the feeling of buying that goddamn expensive car you've always wanted. That - that weird feeling. I don't know."
Kotetsu fell in to a coughing fit. "You were in that explosion and you didn't tell us? You could have died! And with Kakashi? Are you insane?"
"I think so." Iruka replied, stubbing the cigarette out and lighting his ninth one. He didn't realize how fast he was smoking the small white sticks and couldn't bring himself to care.
"You've kicked the bucket didn't you?"
"He's nice, Ko'. He - He's kind to me. He tries to and I - I like it. The dreams started again." Iruka said, making Kotetsu look up at him in alarm. "Long time ago, after that scene in the mess hall. But it stopped. I think it's because of Kakashi."
"Why didn't you tell us?" Kotetsu shrieked, dropping his beer can, the yellow liquid spilling and creating a small puddle on the wooden floors. "Why, Iruka, why? So much happened and - goddamnit, what retard would bite someone they 'want to make love' to on the lip and make it bleed? Why didn't you say a thing?"
"I didn't want to -"
"To what?" Kotetsu yelled, kicking the bowl of chips in front of him. "Why didn't you say anything? Why?"
Iruka looked away. "I didn't think it was that important. Besides, I'm getting help -"
"Not that important? How can it be not important? Remember the last time you said 'it's not that important', you ended up in the hospital with half your back open! By a potato peeler! You're not thinking. You're asking for trouble. You can't - can't love that bastard!"
"I want to be with him. Is it that bad?" Iruka asked, shoulders slumping tiredly.
"Do you know who this guy is? He's notorious! He's broken hearts before! He's a user!"
Iruka glared up at Kotetsu's direction. "No, he didn't! I've asked around! He's not that type of guy!"
"Fuck you, Iruka!" Kotetsu screeched. "You're not using that fucking head of yours!"
"Yes, I am!" Iruka yelled back, stubbing the cigarette he was holding with brute force against the wooden floors. Without thinking, he flung the cigarette but against the wall, kicking at the empty cans in front of him. "Stop talking to me like I'm stupid! What's wrong with loving someone?"
"There's nothing wrong with liking or loving someone. But he's Hatake fucking Kakashi! That's what!" Kotetsu yelled back, and lunged for Iruka.
"It can't be just that! There's more to it than that!" Iruka swung his arm out in an arc to fend off Kotetsu's hands that he knew were going to punch him to oblivion. "I've asked him out! He's good! I swear!"
"No, he's not! What do you know about him?" Kotetsu growled and grabbed Iruka by the neck hem of his shirt and threw him against the wall, punching him in the gut. "Think goddamnit! Think before I beat some sense in to you!"
Iruka choked and heaved, the pain in his gut spreading till it reached his throat. He fought down the resulting gag reflex and kicked out. His sock clad foot got Kotetsu on the shoulder, sending the man a good few feet away from him. With alcohol in his system, Kotetsu tripped on his own sense of balance and landed on his side, taking down a stack of books from Gai's table with him. The mess made a series of loud clunks that stirred Izumo off his sleep. Izumo shifted and lay on his other side, hair soaking in the puddle of beer Kotetsu made earlier.
"I want him. I do, Ko' and I can't stop thinking about him. I can't get my mind off him." Iruka babbled, crawling away from the wall with the support of one hand, the other rubbing the pain away from his stomach. "I've asked around. Everyone says he's a nice guy."
"Nobody knows him! He's too clean, Iruka! You and I both know that being too clean isn't good! It isn't safe! Mizuki was too clean too, remember?" Kotetsu gritted out, pulling himself up and stumbling a bit. He stubbed his toe against one of the hardcover books and kicked at it in anger, hissing in pain. "Are you listening to me?"
"How the fuck do you know?"
"Unlike you, I put the effort to fucking check before I jump. Are you that smitten over the bastard that you're loosing all common sense?" Kotetsu bit out.
"You can't just keep looking at people's records like that, you sick fuck!"
"If I don't do it for all three of us, then the fuck will?" Kotetsu got up and lunged for Iruka again, temper getting the better of him. He grabbed Iruka's shoulder and threw him against the floor. "You? You can't even take care of yourself!"
"That's not true!" Iruka winced, pushing himself off the floor and leaning against the wall beside the door. "That's not fucking true!"
"Yeah?" Kotetsu yelled, throwing his arms in the air. "For fuck's sake, Iruka, what are you thinking? Hatake Kakashi? Why? Why him?"
Iruka picked up one of the cans close to him and flung it with brute force, watching with a pleased smirk at how the unopened can made a sharp connecting thunk against Kotetsu's forehead, leaving a large red mark and a howling man in its wake. "Stop talking about him that way!"
"Now you're defending him? This guy is the reason why you're going to the shrink again!" Kotetsu cursed loudly, pulled his fist back and gave Iruka a good punch in the face. Iruka fell against his side from the powerful force, his lip splitting open and his nose starting to bleed from the force.
"You fucking bastard!" Iruka pushed himself on his feet, pulled his own fist back and punched Kotetsu in the face as well. When Kotetsu stumbled, clutching his nose, Iruka kicked at the back of his knee caps, watching with pleasure as Kotetsu sank on his knees. He gave the spiky haired man a good blow with the back of his forearm between his shoulder blades and shoved him down the floor. Iruka knew he packed quite a punch, because judging by how profusely Kotetsu's nose was bleeding, he was pretty sure he broke it.
"You pathetic sob!" Kotetsu kicked out and got Iruka on one of his thighs. He kicked higher and managed to get Iruka on the side of the face. Iruka stumbled back with a cry, clutching at his face that he was surely going to bruise later. "You fucking, ungrateful son of a bitch!"
"Shut the fuck up!" Iruka yelled back, sliding down against the wall and fighting down the angry tears welling in his eyes. "I shouldn't have told you! If I knew you were going to react t-this w-way, I - I wouldn't - " Iruka kicked at empty rum bottle near his feet; it managed to roll against the floor during their fight. Iruka buried his face against his shirt, staining the white sleeveless cotton material a dark red as he applied pressure against his nose and lip.
The room fell silent; the only sounds filling it were Izumo's light snores and Iruka quiet sniffling. Kotetsu remained lying on his back, staring at the ceiling, the blood from his nose trickling down the sides of cheeks and soaking his hair, somehow managing to get to the floor as well. A few minutes of tight silence (with Iruka furiously wiping at his eyes with the back of his hand while willing his nose to stop bleeding) passed by before Kotetsu got to his feet, tied a towel around his nose and crawled up to Iruka. He wrapped his arms around the small trembling shoulders, kissing Iruka's cheek in an apologetic manner and touching his forehead to Iruka's rather bony shoulder.
"Sorry. I didn't mean it that way."
Iruka swallowed thickly and sniffled. "Yes, you did. I know you hate him but it's not his fault. It really isn't." Iruka managed to fight down the sob coming out of his throat; it ended up coming out as a choked whine. "You can't just hate him. You don't even know him."
"I know more about him than people here do! I looked remember?"
Iruka coughed and wiped at his nose, causing the slightly slower flowing blood to smudge all over one side of his face. "If you get caught -"
"I won't. And you know that." Kotetsu grumbled, breathing through his mouth. "He was in the 'secret service'."
"'Ko, there are reporters, business men and even nurses and doctors who are affiliated with the secret service these days. It's nothing new."
"Wrong." Kotetsu corrected, his hold around Iruka tightening in an almost protective manner. "People affiliated with the secret service are listed so in their secured database along with what they are affiliated with. Kakashi is simply listed. He's not stated as what."
"It can't be bad."
"It can be bad." Kotetsu countered, kissing Iruka's temple again. "Just don't do anything stupid. At least till we know more. Okay?"
"Why are you doing this?" Iruka asked after a long moment of silence passed between them.
"Because I don't think neither of us can handle another Mizuki case. Hate me if you will, but I'm going to do everything to make sure that he's good enough for you."
Iruka knew better than to argue with Kotetsu. He kept quiet and simply leaned against Kotetsu's hold, lifting a cleaner part of his shirt to wipe at his nose and mouth. The blood wasn't flowing as fast as it was a few minutes ago and Iruka doubted that his nose was broken. He turned his head to find Kotetsu tentatively touching the soaked towel he tied around his nose.
"Let me see." Iruka said. Kotetsu sat back on his heels and slowly unwrapped the towel. Iruka cringed at the mess the bloody towel made around Kotetsu's nose. He stared at the slightly crooked cartilage and hissed.
"Is it broken?"
"I think. Uh it's kinda tilted more to the left." Iruka said, peering at the nose some more. "I'm so sorry."
"No harm done. Can you set it straight?" Kotetsu asked, starting to chew on his lower lip.
Iruka blinked and pressed his fingers against Kotetsu's face. He positioned his thumbs on either side of the misshapen nose and swallowed. "On three."
"Right. Three."
Iruka cleared his throat. "Ready?"
"Yeah."
"Sure?"
"Just fucking do it!"
"One, two!" Iruka pushed the nose back in to it's straight position, firmly holding Kotetsu's face in place as the other man shrieked in pain, hot breath that reeked of alcohol scorching Iruka with all its stink-glory right in the face.
"Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!"
"Don't be such a woman!"
"Oh shut the fuck up!" Kotetsu stumbled back when Iruka let go of his face, clutching his nose while his eyes watered.
"Sorry." Iruka said meekly, leaning against the wall and shoulders slumping. "It's straighter now. But we should still go to the clinic."
"After we clean up." Kotetsu grumbled, fussed over his nose for a few more minutes before getting to his feet and showing all the mess in the room in to a large bag.
Iruka followed suit, wiping the stains clean and taking the liberty of changing Izumo's clothes. He didn't bother putting a pillow under Izumo's head, simply opting to lay the man face up on the bed, pillows by his side. He knew Izumo wouldn't appreciate his pillow smelling like the beer and yoghurt that was on his hair. He figured Izumo can simply change his sheets the next morning. Once the room was 'clean' enough, Iruka and Kotetsu gathered their belongings and left (after Kotetsu kissed Izumo good night) for the clinic two buildings away.
The nurse shrieked at the sight of them and pulled them by the ears towards the nearest available doctor who then proceeded to lecture them for their carelessness in climbing stairs after 'partying too late and having too much to drink in the local club'. Through it all, Iruka held on to Kotetsu's hand, silently glad that he was never alone.
When the doctor turned to fetch some medicines from his cabinet while the nurse prepared the bandages, Iruka leaned over and whispered. "Thanks."
Kotetsu gave him a quiet contemplating look before his lips twitched in to a strained smile. He understood what the thanks was for (somehow). "Just don't do anything stupid."
Iruka smirked tilted his head back. "I won't."
"Good." Kotetsu squeezed his hand back, looking the other way, refusing to let Iruka see his face. He didn't like it when people saw his 'kicked-puppy' or 'embarrassed-kicked-puppy' face (as Izumo put it). "You're welcome by the way."
TBC
Date scene is a personal-personal-favorite I've had way too much fun typing that scene up. So anyway …
Notes and Credits:
- Pizza House is a parody of Pizza Hut. Great pizzas, great deals, great salads and side dishes. (Author has been DYING for a pizza for weeks).
- Pink and golden packaging of the ice cream containers belongs to no other than Baskin Robins. (Chocolate Chip for Kakashi, Pralines n' Cream and Very Berry Strawberry for Iruka).
- Convenience store courtesy of Mini-stop.
- Supermarket food and its menu courtesy of Carrefour and Spinneys.
That last scene with Iruka, Kotetsu and Izumo was added in the last minute. Chapter is probably the longest out of all that I've posted so far! And yes! I can see an ending nearing! I'm kind of surprised not many picked up on the little, little (and repetitive) details. But oh well ...
Love to hear what you think as usual. Makes me giggly and happy