Disclaimer: I don't own.

A/N: I meant to update this sooner but real life got in the way.

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Kakashi paused in the tree outside Iruka's bedroom. He'd just gotten back from a month long mission and the only thing on his mind had been the burning, pressing need to see the dark haired man. He was covered with blood, it had rained for most of the journey home and there was a long gash on his forearm that was probably going to require stitches.

His breath caught in his throat as Iruka rolled over into the moonlight, gilding his features in silver. He dropped to a lower, closer branch, eyes going to the scars on the tan chest that marked the other as his. Part of him always flinched at the sights of the scars, a silent reminder of how he had practically attacked someone he was sworn to protect.

Ignoring the responsible part of his mind telling him he needed to see a medic and report to Tsunade he slipped into Iruka's apartment, trying not to wake the man. In the bathroom a change of clothing and towel was resting on the sink as though Iruka had known he would stop by.

Unable to keep from smiling the jounin stripped, leaving his clothing in a sodden pile on the floor. He cranked the shower on as hot as it would go and stepped in, hissing with pain as the water cascaded over the shallow cut on his arm.

Once all the blood was gone he got out, not wanting to stay away from Iruka for any longer. Using some creative wrapping techniques he bound his wound before slipping on pants and eschewing his shirt, mask and hitai-ate. He never wore his mask when he slept and he trusted the dark haired man to not sneak a peak.

Shutting the lights off he made his way back to the bedroom in the darkness.

"Welcome back Kakashi-San."

Kakashi jerked back into the shadows, hand reflexively coming up to cover the lower half of his face. "Thank you." He stepped back again thinking to retrieve his mask.

"Don't. I promise I won't look."

The jounin stared at the other man, slowly going over the words in his mind. Part of him, pushed to the edge of paranoia by the years in ANBU was telling him not to trust the quiet voice and dark eyes. The part of him that wanted and had marked the younger man won out and he slid into the bed. "Thank you Iruka."

Soft fingers brushed over the bandage around his arm that was already stained with blood. "Why didn't you got to the hospital?"

He shrugged. "It isn't too bad and I wanted to see you."

Iruka muttered something he couldn't quite make out before leaning over to open the drawer on the bed stand. He pulled out a small first aid kit and set it down before starting to unwrap the stained gauze. "Serious or not it needs to be cleaned up and stitched shut."

Silence fell between them as Iruka proceeded to clean and close the wound, his hands as steady as any medi-nin's. Setting aside the needle he wrapped it again in gauze to provide extra protection. "All done."

"That was much better than many medi-nins. Where did you learn to do that?" Kakashi shifted so Iruka could get off the bed without having to look at him.

The Chunnin disappeared into the bathroom for a moment before coming back, wiping his hands on his pants. "All Academy teachers have to take first-aid classes. Never know what is going to happen when small children have sharp weapons." He slid back into the bed and stretched out on his back, waiting for Kakashi to join him.

Moving slowly Kakashi straddled the younger ninja's thighs, feeling Iruka tense. Once the tension eased out of the tan body he stretched out on the Chunnin, face pressed against his throat. He couldn't help but smile as he felt strong arms settle across his back.

Iruka took a deep breath and relaxed. While they'd shared a bed many times in the months since their strange relationship had started, Kakashi had never strange relationship had started the silver haired man slept quite so close. For being so tall the Jounin was surprisingly light and his weight was oddly comforting.

The sound of the renewed rain beat a steady tattoo against the window, helping to relax the two ninja. Kakashi brushed a soft kiss across Iruka's neck, shivering when the younger man's fingers trailed down his spine, tracing old scars. "I love you."

Tension shot through Iruka and Kakashi slid his arms under broad shoulders, keeping the Chunnin from moving. "Don't move. I know you don't feel anything for me but I had to say it. Never know when a mission is going to go bad."

The stroking along his back slowly resumed though the tension never completely left Iruka's body.