They spent the day together, talking. Iruka was both rather taken aback and oddly charmed by Kakashi's focused, intensive grilling. When he said he wanted to get to know me, he wasn't kidding, Iruka thought. But Kakashi was willing to answer questions too; he answered everything that Iruka asked with open, painful honesty, never shying away or hesitating. By the end of the day, Iruka felt he knew him better than anyone in the city. And what he learned surprised him-underneath his cavalier, laid-back front, Kakashi was a complicated, deep man.
They were sprawled on the couch, Kakashi on his back and leaning against the armrest, Iruka on his stomach, resting his head on Kakashi's chest. Kakashi had just finished telling him about his teacher Minato and was gently running his hand through Iruka's hair. They sat in silence for a time. Iruka sighed, then said, very softly, "Kakashi?"
"Mmm?" Kakashi asked, smiling.
"If I said…if I told you I'd decided not to have sex with you, would you still…do this?" he asked slowly.
Kakashi hesitated. "By 'this', do you mean help you? Or…" he asked, sounding a little confused.
"No." Iruka said, turning his face up so he could look at Kakashi. "This. Hold me…"
"Oh." Kakashi laughed and stroked his hair. After a moment, he sighed. "Yes. I'd still do this, if you wanted it, but I couldn't promise that occasionally I'd not forget and do something a little perverted. You're too sexy…" Kakashi teased. Iruka laughed and shook his head, then laid his head on Kakashi's chest again.
"So…" Kakashi said slowly. "Does that mean you've decided then?"
"No." Iruka said, closing his eyes. "I just wanted to know."
"Ah." Kakashi said, stroking his hair. "Ok."
…
Iruka stood in front of the mirror, staring dully at himself. He wasn't wearing a school uniform; Kakashi had loaned him some clothes, a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. He looked…weird in them. It'd been awhile since he'd worn anything but his uniform. Kakashi appeared behind him, dressed similarly but with a black scarf tied over his face. "Hey. Ready to go?" he asked, resting his chin on Iruka's shoulder.
"Yeah." Iruka said, sighing. He turned away from the mirror and pushed Kakashi gently, smiling.
Kakashi laughed and grabbed his arm. They left the apartment and strolled to the market, Kakashi slipping his arm around Iruka's waist as they arrived. Iruka silently tucked his hand into Kakashi's back pocket, leaning into him a little.
They attracted quite a lot of attention; Kakashi was well-known in the city, and Iruka blushed at the number of stares and muttered conversations. Kakashi seemed oblivious, cheerfully pointing out stuff to Iruka. Iruka forced himself to relax and started steering Kakashi away from the sweets, firmly making him buy some vegetables to go with all the sugary crap he'd already put in the basket.
Kakashi was fun; Iruka found himself laughing and joking with him, and when Kakashi teasingly nuzzled his neck, Iruka blushed but bit his ear. The shopkeeper who they were in front of laughed at Kakashi's wounded aura and Iruka winked at him before pulling Kakashi further down the road.
The basket was starting to get full. They'd bought enough food to last the rest of the week, and Iruka was thinking about asking Kakashi to head home when he saw Mizuki heading in their direction. Iruka stopped, his body stiffening, and Kakashi followed his eyes. "Calm." Kakashi murmured, pulling him back against his body. "Play the part. This is the important bit."
Iruka nodded and slid his arm around Kakashi again, bending to inspect a pile of tomatoes. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Mizuki see him. Mizuki didn't even seem to notice Kakashi at first; his expression darkened, and anger radiated off him. He stalked towards Iruka, clearly intending to grab him and drag him away. But Kakashi shifted, leaning over to put his head on Iruka's shoulder and make some pithy comment about the tomatoes. Mizuki halted, his expression at first completely shocked, and then darkening with anger. Then paling when he realized exactly who it was nuzzling his Iruka in public.
Iruka turned a bit and shook his head at Kakashi, then selected three tomatoes and Kakashi paid for them, slipping them into the basket. Then Kakashi pulled Iruka along, right past Mizuki, and Iruka pretended to not even see him, his eyes fastened on Kakashi. Peeking at him over his shoulder, Iruka saw the tension in Mizuki's shoulders. Then Mizuki spun around and disappeared, and Iruka let out a breath, his body trembling.
"Home." Kakashi said, pulling Iruka to him and heading down the street. They paused on Kakashi's front porch and Kakashi opened the door, ushering Iruka in gently. Taking the basket, Kakashi set it on the counter, then pulled Iruka into the living room and down onto the couch, snuggling him against his body. Iruka sighed and closed his eyes, allowing Kakashi to stroke the tension from his shoulders.
After a time, Iruka opened his eyes and gently patted Kakashi's chest. "Thank you." he said quietly. "We should put the groceries away now."
Kakashi smiled and nodded, brushing his fingers over Iruka's cheek. "Yeah. What shall I make for dinner?"
Iruka stood, stretching, and offered Kakashi a hand up. "Whatever. That fish looked good…maybe that, with some rice and a few of those vegetables…you could make a sauce…"
"Sounds good." Kakashi said, pulling himself up. He hesitated, then tipped Iruka's face up and kissed him very gently on the lips before moving to the kitchen.
Iruka stood silently, his fingers going to his lips. Brushing over them, he stared after Kakashi, a blush rising on his face. So very, unexpectedly…
Sweet.
…
They finished dinner and then curled back up on the couch, watching a movie and nibbling on popcorn that Kakashi made for them. Iruka felt slightly guilty about not doing any homework, but he found his eyes kept wanting to slide shut; he was still very tired from the beating and his desperate dash through the city to find Kakashi. Kakashi, noticing Iruka's fight to keep his eyes open, shut the movie off and carried him into the bedroom, helping him change into some pj's and somehow managing to keep his hands to himself. It was getting harder and harder; Iruka was so very sexy, and having him cuddled into his chest and snuggling with him all the time wasn't helping. Adding to that, Kakashi found himself actually, truly liking the man. He had a wicked sense of humor and a very intelligent mind, and he was a genuinely nice person. Almost…gentle. But not weak; Kakashi didn't think he was weak, even with the situation he was in now. Just…flawed.
He gently arranged them in the bed and felt Iruka sigh, then watched as Iruka slid soundlessly into sleep. Kakashi sighed too; the temptation was almost too strong. Uncurling from Iruka's body, he walked to the window and looked out, leaning on the frame wearily. He'd always prided himself on his control, but he could feel it cracking around the edges.
It doesn't matter, he told himself fiercely. He doesn't need you pawing at him; he needs you to be his friend, and to help him, and you're going to behave if it kills you.
…
Iruka sat up in bed, feeling the loss of Kakashi's body heat acutely. Flicking his tongue over his lips, he turned and saw Kakashi leaning on the window, staring out over the sleeping city. The moonlight bathed him in silver light and his skin almost glowed. The sight took Iruka's breath away; he'd always known Kakashi was attractive, but right now, he was almost…ethereal.
Iruka rose, padding over to Kakashi silently. Kakashi turned, catching a sound, but Iruka kept him facing the window and pressed against him, resting his head on his shoulder and slipping his arms around him, hands pressed flat against his chest. Kakashi drew in a sharp breath and Iruka smiled, stroking his fingers down his chest gently.
"Iruka…" Kakashi said, his voice tight and a little shaky.. "I…"
"Shh." Iruka said softly, kissing his shoulder. "I know. It's alright…I've made up my mind."
Kakashi turned and Iruka let him, smiling as Kakashi slipped his arms around his waist and bent to press their lips together. It was slow but deep, their tongues twining around each other's, their hands moving slowly over each other's bodies. It was almost dream-like; there was no real urgency, only the now, the touch and the taste, the feelings. Kakashi slowly worked him backwards to the bed, his fingers sliding down his body to hook under his waistband. Iruka arched his back, smiling as Kakashi slowly lowered him to the bed.