His body felt drowsy and heavy, as if he were still underwater, and he had to push himself up...

He blinked at the bleary world around him, trying to make sense of the soft light and the pastel colors that bled and melted together. The world was a mess.

Which meant he was too. Naruto swallowed, his throat swollen and itchy, and groaned. The bed was soft, and he was warm and comfortable, though his body was tired and aching. Moving his head felt beyond him, let alone keeping his eyes open.

Naruto groaned again and used every ounce of his willpower to turn so he could lie on his side. He tried to move his hand, but something warm and unyielding flexed against his fingers, resisting his pull.

Naruto looked up, still drowsy, and sighed into the pillow.

Sensei. The man leaned against the wall, sleeping yet again in what looked like a very uncomfortable position. His blanket fell to his knees, though the man did not seem to mind. His hand held his tightly, the long fingers curling around his palm, and Naruto wondered what he said that convinced him to stay.

He looked exhausted. His lips were slightly parted, and his skin glistened, covered with salt. His hair was a knotted mess as well – silver strands brushed back and tousled. He smelled like the ocean, and all Naruto wanted was to, somehow, pull him closer…

Sensei's one black eye opened wide. The man tensed, scanning his surrounding, and noted the hand holding his. His eye found him, then darted to the door.

Which was knocked on.

Sensei met his dazed eyes again. "Seems you have a visitor."

Naruto pouted slightly and pulled Sensei's hand closer. "Most people say, 'good morning,' y'know?" he grumbled.

Sensei's brow tilted upward, and Naruto felt his face heating up. "Good morning, Uzumaki," the man said dryly. "Can you handle a visitor?"

Naruto groaned into the pillow. "If it's not Iruka."

Sensei hmmed. He untangled his hand and helped Naruto sit up, propping him against what felt like six pillows, then walked to the door and opened it. "Good morning, Haruno," he said politely. "You came alone."

"Sasuke's showering. Yesterday was rough," the girl admitted. "I brought your clothes, Sensei! I couldn't find your eye patch, so I made you a new one." She gave him a folded pile and his shoes. "Can I see Naruto?"

The man nodded. "Thank you, Haruno. I appreciate it." He led her inside, put the pile on the bed, and slumped his way to the small kitchen.

"Naruto!"

Sakura jumped on him and hugged his neck, so he had to tear his eyes away from Sensei and focus on her. He groaned but leaned into her arms.

"Hey," he mumbled. "Sorry."

"You should be! What the hell were you thinking?! Do you know how worried we all were?! Everyone was freaking out! Even Kiba started crying!" Sakura chastised him, still hugging his neck.

Naruto blinked. "Really?" he managed.

"Yeah! Iruka freaked out too. I think he tried to call the army, at some point. And Sasuke disappeared to goodness knows where trying to search for you on his own!" Her face darkened. "Don't look so surprised, you ass. We care about you! Stop doing reckless stuff! We – oh. Thanks, Sensei!"

Naruto blinked slowly when Sakura sat beside him and then at the pale hand that offered him a steaming cup of tea.

He accepted the tea carefully, using both hands, and looked up at the black eye that scrutinized him.

The same pale hand brushed away his hair and pressed its back against his forehead. "Congratulations, Uzumaki," Sensei said dryly. "You have a cold."

"Um," Naruto managed. "Thank you."

Sensei sighed and dropped his hand. "Can you watch over him while I take a quick shower?"

Sakura nodded.

Naruto stared. "I wanna shower too."

Sensei picked up the clothes Sakura brought. "Keep that thought on hold until you can stand on your own." And disappeared into the bathroom.

He stared at the closed door, his mind slow and empty, until Sakura punched his shoulder. "He risked his life for you," she stated. "He jumped from a cliff into the raging sea in the middle of a storm – "

"Seventy feet." Naruto blinked, then realized he was the one speaking. "Oh, um. Sorry. I don't know why I said that."

Sakura sighed. Her face softened and so did her shoulders. She sat next to him and caressed his hair. "Well, at least it's very romantic. Drink your tea."

Naruto did. It was bland, but it warmed his stomach.

A knock on his door caused Sakura to jump. She glanced at him. "Can I open it?"

Naruto paused to contemplate. "If it's Sasuke."

The girl grinned, ran to the door, and revealed the moody teen.

Sasuke glowered at him and dropped Naruto's bag, quite unceremoniously, on the bed. "What the fuck, Naruto."

"Sorry," he mumbled. "I didn't know about the storm."

Sasuke still glared. "Hatake jumped seventy feet to save you," he blurted. "You nearly died and killed him in the process."

Naruto's heart began to drum painfully against his chest. The world slowed down.

"Sasuke!" cried Sakura. "Don't say – Naruto. Oi, Naruto!" She cupped his cheeks. "Good job, Sasuke! He's as pale as a ghost!"

"He needs to know not to do things like that."

"You don't even know why he did it!"

"Because there is a good reason to enter a dangerous ocean without a lifeguard present and without telling anyone about this?!"

"Don't fight."

His two friends, staring daggers at each other, turned to face him.

Naruto realized he had spoken out loud. "M… I'm sorry," he mumbled. "I thought I could do this. I didn't mean to worry anyone. I…." His voice died. Naruto stared at his empty cup and wished he could turn back time.

Sakura sighed and sat next to him. "Why didn't you tell us?" she asked quietly. "We would've told you it's a bad idea."

Naruto rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, because of that," he admitted.

"At least you are aware of how dumb you are," Sasuke muttered, still glowering. "I'm starting to think you put yourself in harm's way to get his attention," he added, voice quieter and fierce.

Naruto's ears burned red. "I do not!" he protested hotly. "I just – I thought I could do this!"

The bathroom door opened. Sensei emerged, dressed in yesterday's clothes with his hair dripping wet. He shook his head and stared at them. "Morning, Uchiha."

Sasuke stuffed his hands into his pockets. "I'm fine."

Sakura pulled his ear. "You are supposed to say, 'good morning' back, you know."

Sasuke swallowed, looking uncomfortable. He tsked and looked away.

Sensei picked up his phone and scrolled through it. "Seems they are serving breakfast. Haruno, Uchiha, would you like to eat here? I can arrange for the meals to be brought to the room."

Sasuke said nothing, so Sakura nodded for both of them. "Yes! Will you eat with us, too, Sensei?"

"I need to speak with Iruka about some things," the man said, distracted. "Don't let Uzumaki eat anything other than soup."

Naruto scowled. "I'm not a dog!"

Sensei tucked his phone into his pants. The look he gave him was illegible. "No, but I still prefer to have Haruno in charge." He walked to the door without a second glance. "Call me if there's trouble." He opened the door and left.

Naruto frowned at the door that closed all on its own. Damn it.

Sasuke and Sakura gazed at him, then at each other, and the argument was dropped and forgotten. The conversation slowly shifted to an awkward banter that had Sakura blushing and Sasuke's ears reddening, and though Naruto tried to follow it so he could make fun of them later, his foggy mind refused to focus. He drifted away.

He remembered the moment he realized that the whole thing was a bad idea. He kept pushing and pushing, trying to reach the shore. He did not mean to swim so far away from safety. But the water sucked him deeper, pulling him away from the camp and his friends and anyone who might see him.

The waves seemed intent on crushing him underneath them at one moment and shattering him against the rocks the next. He was trapped. He refused to give up.

Caves, he remembered thinking. Sensei said there were caves.

Since he could not swim out, he swam in, trying to reach the wall of stone – anything solid, really – and rest. He was tired. He was so, so tired.

But he could not give up. He had to keep going. He had so much left to do – go to college and get his license and kiss Sensei…

A part of him dreamed, feverish and desperate, that he heard his voice calling to him.

Naruto kept swimming until he couldn't. Until the world went dark and his lungs filled with water and he kept falling, so cold he could barely feel anything, deeper and deeper below the waves.

When he opened his eyes again, Sensei leaned over him. His eye was wide and terrified and his entire face was twisted into a sharp, tense growl. He was so close.

Naruto remembered blood dripping slowly from his mouth and unto his chest. His lips looked bizarrely red against the pale skin. Sensei caressed his cheek and for a second, Naruto thought he might kiss him.

He remembered Sensei holding him, cradling him against his chest. His entire body was engulfed by him, by strong muscles and warm limbs and his furnace of a chest. Naruto was weak, but he pushed himself into his embrace, desperate and shivering. A part of him remembered Sensei holding him just as tightly.

He could not recall much, but in every memory he retained, Sensei held him in his arms or guided him into his lap, rubbing his back and cradling his head.

"You are never out of my sight."

Naruto blinked. He wondered what made Sensei say that.

They canceled the plans for the last day. Iruka was busy calling insurance companies and answering worried – and sometimes furious – parents. The hike they planned no longer seemed that important.

Kakashi decided to stay and help. He needed a break from Naruto, no matter the form.

He could already hear the rumor mill working, churning absurd claims (and some that hit too close to home) about his relationship with the teen.

Several students saw him arriving with Naruto in his arms and taking him to his room. That much was, unfortunately, true. But then some concluded that Naruto might have suffered from hypothermia, so they had to share the bed. And there were further claims that to keep each other properly warm, they had to lie naked, clasped around each other underneath the blankets…

Which was also partially correct, but huddling in a cave was undoubtedly unromantic enough for the hormone-fueled teens.

Everyone was in agreement that he gave Naruto CPR.

Everyone was giggling.

Even Iruka seemed uncomfortable around him, but Kakashi hoped that was only because he accidentally kicked him out of his room last night.

For the final night, he arranged for Naruto to sleep with Sasuke and Aburame. He lay on the bed, stared at the ceiling, and kept his answers to a minimum. Iruka tried to be friendly, but everything around him smelled like Naruto.

Just be mine. The words rang hollow in his mind. Just be mine.

Damn it.

The next day arrived, and Naruto looked better. He joined his friends for breakfast in the dining hall and was immediately surrounded by well-wishers, worried know-it-alls, and curious gossipers. Eventually, Ino and Sasuke drove the horde away – Ino so she could feed the teen while Sasuke simply seemed annoyed by the whole commotion.

He could feel Naruto's eyes on him, so he smiled in response but kept his distance. Iruka found plenty of tasks to keep him busy – and close – and this time, Kakashi was grateful for it.

They headed to the bus. Iruka droned about some insurance policy that Kakashi could not care less about when they reached the seats, and the man looked up at him expectantly as he made room for him.

Well, at least he still had his book –

"Sensei! Oi, Sensei!" Naruto's voice pierced his thoughts. "I saved you a seat!"

The bus giggled.

Kakashi blinked and looked behind him, noticing the teen waving his arm stubbornly. Even from here, he could see the tension staining his eyes. The clenching of his jaw.

Iruka sighed and rolled his eyes. "That brat…" he mumbled, then smiled. "Don't worry, I'll handle him – "

"It's fine," Kakashi interrupted before he could think properly about his actions. He smiled at the surprised man. "I don't mind."

He walked to the back of the bus – cocking a brow at whoever decided to coo – and loomed over the grinning teen. "Are you sure you don't want to sit next to a classmate, Uzumaki?" he asked quietly. "It seems you can pick whoever you want."

He was so close.

Naruto rolled his eyes. "And that's what I did. Sit." He patted the seat next to him.

Kakashi sat. He felt like an idiot, sitting surrounded by teenagers, but Naruto always managed to distract him. He gazed at the blond hair, still coated with salt, and breathed in the scent of summer and sun and… him. He could smell himself all over the teen. "How are you feeling?" he managed.

"Better," Naruto replied. He gazed at the changing view and smiled weakly. "Guess I'm just really lucky." His eyes darted in his direction. "Thanks, um. For saving me."

Kakashi looked away. He could not think of anything to say. His mouth was dry.

Naruto was still looking at him. "Are you mad at me?" His voice was soft and quiet.

Kakashi took his time. He wanted to be mad – the teen was reckless and too carefree with his life – but Sasuke and Sakura already yelled at him, as did Iruka and Ino and even Aburame. And the way Naruto's eyes gazed at him, wide and blue and hesitant…

"You seem to have repented enough," Kakashi muttered in response. "Just… don't do that again."

Naruto winced and looked down – and Kakashi's resolve broke. He sighed and ruffled the teen's hair.

The teen's eyes immediately darted up, soft underneath the canopy of gold, and he smiled at him. "Yeah, well, at least I saw lots of cool stuff." He took out his notebook – worn by now – and revealed vivid images of the ocean waves and the sharp rocks hiding underneath. "I've never left the town," he admitted quietly. "I thought the ocean was like… a salty pool." The bridge of his nose bloomed red. "I didn't know about the whirlpools and the rocks below n' stuff, or about the forest, so…."

"That's why you asked me about trees," Kakashi hazarded a guess. "I see."

Naruto nodded, still shy, gazed at the view, and began to draw. "I wanna travel more, now," he said suddenly. "I wanna see lots of stuff."

Kakashi chuckled. "Anything in particular?"

Naruto looked up, scrunching his nose. "Disneyland."

Kakashi blinked, then chuckled again. "Which one?"

The teen turned to gaze at him, excited. "There's more than one?" When Kakashi nodded, his eyes tripled in size. "I wanna see all of them!"

He huffed. "Calm down, Uzumaki. You're not well enough for this much excitement."

The teen scoffed, his eyes still lit with wonder. He drew the changing view, but his movements were slow and uncoordinated. He was still feverish, and the bus's rhythmic movement lulled him to sleep.

Kakashi took the notebook and pencils from his hands and put them in the magazine net. He took out his book, opened it, and –

Naruto's head dropped against his arm, and Kakashi's hand jumped to catch him. His fingers curled around his cheek and his chin and guided him to rest against his shoulder as he leaned down in his seat to make sure the teen was comfortable.

It was a familiar gesture – and far too intimate to be initiated by a teacher – but Naruto simply nuzzled at his neck and breathed deeply, so Kakashi decided to allow it.

He kept his hand poised, ready to catch him should he fall, and held his book with the other.

Luckily, everyone was tired. The bus that buzzed with life on the way to the camp now felt quiet and sleepy. No one was looking, and no one cared.

Kakashi used his thumb to turn a page.

"Wait," mumbled a soft voice against his throat. "M'not done."

Obediently, he moved the page back.

Naruto huffed, his breath hot against Kakashi's skin. "Why are you reading this trash?"

Kakashi closed the book and showed him the name of the author. "Jiraiya wrote it. Your godfather."

Naruto winced with a sigh. "Seriously? I have no respect for him at all." He exhaled weakly against his neck. "Are you trying to get points with him, or something?"

Naruto's head bobbed, so Kakashi caught him with his hand and guided him back. "I like it," he admitted.

Naruto scoffed. "It's just porn."

Kakashi flinched. "There's romance," he said quietly.

"Cheesy romance," Naruto muttered, turning his nose. He rubbed his forehead against Kakashi's shoulder. The sensation of his hair, knotted and tousled, brushing against his neck… "I thought you'd like murder mysteries, n' stuff."

Naruto's voice snapped his back to reality. "I've had enough of violence," he muttered quietly.

He did not mean to say that. The admission was too personal, too –

Naruto closed his eyes. His lashes danced against Kakashi's skin. "But not enough romance," he mumbled. He took out his notebook and a standard pencil, scribbled something, tore the paper, and handed him the note.

Kakashi hoped the teen could not hear how his heart began to race at the soft, whispered words. He cleared his throat. "What's that, Uzumaki?"

The teen groaned, "I don't know," and drifted back to sleep.

Kakashi opened the note, half-dreading what he'd find, and blinked when the paper revealed the beginning of a proof encoded in Naruto's messy handwriting.

Relieved, he took the pencil from Naruto's unresponsive hand and added a few more lines, almost like a reply. He folded the note and hid it in Naruto's notebook, then put the notebook and the pencil back in the magazine net. He was also, though he refused to admit it, slightly disappointed.

His mind shifted back to the teen, who had all but confessed to him three times in less than two days. I've had more than enough romance, he thought.

And closed his book.

Naruto stared, dazed, at the changing view. He kept staring, even when the world around him stopped moving.

"Naruto." A hand shook his shoulder. "Oi, Naruto."

Naruto turned around and blinked stupidly at Sensei, then noticed they had reached the apartment complex. "Oh, right," he mumbled and unbuckled his seat belt. He got out of the car, walking unsteadily, and managed to make his way to his door.

"Not this one. The next one."

Naruto blinked. He was quite certain that was his door. Still, he obediently moved to the next door and tried to open it with his key. It didn't work.

"Try this one." Sensei handed him a key. That was his key. Why would Sensei's key open his door?

Still, Naruto tried, feeling slow and somewhat stupid, when the lock clicked and the door opened. He felt even stupider when eight dogs rushed to greet them, jumping on him and nearly toppling him to the ground –

Sensei's hand on his back stopped him from falling and slowly guided him inside.

Wait. That wasn't his apartment.

Naruto's ears burned red. "You're making fun of me," he accused him.

He turned to glare at him, but Sensei smiled in response, and the usually dry expression was tinged with warmth. His hand ruffled Naruto's hair. "Just a little," he admitted, his voice even softer.

He walked to his room and returned with a towel, another set of oversized pajamas, and a hoodie. "Take a shower. I'll make you soup."

Naruto clumsily accepted the clothes. His mind felt rusty. "Um. I got clothes."

Kakashi tilted his head. "Clean ones?" He sighed, probably because Naruto glared in response. "Don't worry about it. You can return them to me later. Here, you brat," he added, pulling on Naruto's shoulder and directing him toward his shower when Naruto tried to, quite clumsily, make his way to his own apartment. "You seem rather capable of drowning in your own shower in your current condition."

Naruto wanted to argue he wasn't that bad, but Sensei's hand felt warm as it stirred him, so he failed to come up with something clever. He stared, mouth slightly agape, as Sensei filled the bathtub with steaming water.

Sensei whistled, and Bull entered the bath and sat next to him.

Naruto petted him absentmindedly. "You wanna shower, too?" he asked the dog. "You'll have to wait till I'm done, though."

Bull licked his nose.

Sensei got up. "He's here to watch over you," he said, his voice drier than before. Naruto looked to find he was smiling. Half smiling.

Did he say something half-funny?

"Um," Naruto stared. "I need my swimming suit, then."

Kakashi blinked, then ruffled his hair. "I promise you he's not interested," he replied. "Can you handle the rest by yourself?"

Naruto nodded, though he wasn't sure what the 'rest' was.

Sensei patted Bull. He left and closed the door behind him.

Naruto stared, slightly confused, until Bull nudged him. The dog gazed at him, then at the bathtub.

Right.

Naruto stripped and entered the bath, breathing deeply when the hot water caressed his skin and warmth seeped into his bones. Bull leaned his head on the edge of the tub, gazing at him.

"Oi," Naruto protested, "Gimme some privacy."

He tried to shove Bull's head, but the dog wouldn't budge.

Eventually, he gave up, huffing in annoyance. He splashed Bull, but the dog still didn't move. "Did Sensei put you up to his?" he demanded, embarrassed.

Bull blinked, so Naruto took it as a yes.

"I have my own dog, y'know," he informed him. "He can watch over me. I bet he'll do a better job, too."

Bull didn't seem offended. He licked his cheek.

Naruto grumbled, then decided to ignore Bull and wash his hair instead. At least his dog moved his ears and barked and stuff. He was a better conversation partner. Well, for a dog.

The water turned tepid, so he decided to get out. "Oi," he glared at Bull. "Close your eyes."

Bull didn't comply. Instead, he fetched him a towel while slowly waggling his tail.

Naruto exhaled in frustration. "Fine," he muttered. He accepted the towel and wrapped it around himself, then tried to get out of the tub – he wobbled –

And Bull supported him, using his giant body to help him regain his balance. He guided him to sit on the small bench next to the bathtub.

"Thanks," Naruto mumbled as he dried himself. He got dressed as quickly as he could. "You did this before?" he asked the dog.

Bull didn't answer, so Naruto clarified, "Helped Sensei?"

Bull didn't respond again. He leaned his head on his paws and watched him dress.

"Fine. You're a tough one, y'know." He got up and made his way to the door – and Bull immediately got up and pressed his body against him, matching his pace and… helping him walk, he realized belatedly.

Naruto brushed his fur and made it to the kitchen, and the scent of… something made his stomach growl loudly.

Sensei turned around, still stirring whatever it was he was making. He gave him quite a thorough look over, then smiled. "I'm almost finished. Sit," he added, nodding toward the kotatsu.

Naruto wanted to see his progress, but Bull nudged him toward the living room.

He shoved his head off only to find himself being dragged to the table. "What are you making?" he asked, resisting Bull's pull. "S'that ramen?"

Sensei smiled. "Pho. It's better than ramen – "

"No, it's not!"

" – for curing colds." Sensei's smile widened. "Have you had pho before?"

Naruto stared, distracted by Sensei's smile. Bull took advantage of the opportunity and finally got him to sit at the table. He sat beside him, softly waggling his tail and looking quite pleased with himself.

Naruto wrapped the heated blankets around him and patted Bull. "Um. No."

Sensei walked over with a tray. "Then how do you know it's not as good as ramen?" he asked as he set the table.

Naruto sniffed the bowl and swallowed. It smelled delicious. "Well, cuz nothing is as good as ramen. Um, I mean. No offense." The bridge of his nose bloomed red.

Sensei huffed, his one eye amused. "Can that claim be challenged?"

Naruto grinned. "It's an axiom!"

His heart danced in his chest when Sensei laughed in response. "I see." He poured him tea, then brushed Naruto's hair and pressed the back of his hand against Naruto's forehead. "Well, let's eat."

Naruto blushed, heart hammering faster after Sensei's fleeting touch, and mimicked Sensei as he sipped from the soup.

Warmth spread inside him, and the rich, delicious taste took over his mouth. He groaned softly, closing his eyes as he savored the flavor, and reached for another spoonful –

And flushed bright red when he noticed Sensei was watching him. The man smiled softly, his one eye brimming with fondness that flashed like fire within Naruto's chest, warming him far better than a bath or pho ever could.

His breath shivered at the edge of his lips.

Sensei blinked and even though his expression didn't change, it didn't warm Naruto like the one before. "Well, it seems you like it," he said conversationally. "Even if it's not as good as ramen."

The heat that shot through him now had more to do with embarrassment than Sensei's expression. "Um, it's really good. And I think it's working – I'm already feeling better!"

That part was true; his mind did not feel as dazed as before. He swallowed another spoonful and quickly reached for another one.

The look Sensei gave him was illegible. "I'm glad to hear it. Eat as much as you like. There's more on the stove."

Naruto nodded, cheeks still slightly flushed, and observed Senser as he ate. The man looked tired, though Naruto didn't blame him. The pho made him sleepy.

And yet, he felt perfectly at ease, warm and sated, with Sensei by his side. He didn't mind the silence. The companionship was enough.

He couldn't take his eyes off Sensei. a part of him knew he shouldn't be staring, but he couldn't bring himself to look away. Sensei ate gracefully, apparently at ease despite the dogs that sat beside him, licking their snouts and nudging him for treats. He couldn't look away from his neck and how it moved with each swallow, his lips as they parted, his long fingers curling around the spoon… the cuts marrying their skin. One of them was bright red, so it must have been recent.

His heart shivered. Without stopping to think, he reached and grabbed Sensei's hand. He traced his thumb over the small cut, almost entranced, and looked up to find Sensei staring at him, his eye wide.

Naruto realized, belatedly, he was holding Sensei's hand.

He removed his offending hand and hid it underneath the heated blankets. "Um," he tried to come up with an excuse. His face burned hotter the longer he drew blank. "Um. You should be more careful," he blurted. "When you. When you cook. You cut yourself too often."

He glanced up hesitantly, his eyes flickering up and flickering away, and then stared.

Sensei's cheeks looked pinkish. The soft color, almost unnoticeable, was a stark contrast to the pristine paleness that usually defined his face. And since Naruto stared at him so often, the change was unmistakable.

Sensei was blushing.

The man got up, rather abruptly, and carried his bowl and cup to the sink, then started to wash it,

Naruto stared, confused, then gulped down the remains of his soup and brought his dishes as well. He stood next to Sensei, feeling hesitant, and –

"You should go and rest," Sensei muttered, interrupting his jumbled train of thought. "You'll feel better when you wake up."

Naruto nodded stupidly. Then an idea sprung into his mind. "Can I stay here? I mean, in case I feel worse."

He half expected Sensei to turn to gaze at him, either with fondness or exasperation, but Sensei kept his focus on washing the bowls for what must have been the third time. Huh. Maybe he didn't let Naruto wash the dishes because he didn't think he cleaned them well enough.

"I'm sure the dogs will be glad for your company," was all he said.

Naruto couldn't tell from his tone if he was joking or not. "Just the dogs?" he blurted.

Sensei dropped the bowl.

The sharp sound caused Sensei to wince, but the bowl didn't break, so he washed it again and left it to dry. He washed his hands, dried them, and walked away. "I'll open a mattress for you," he managed, walking so quickly that Naruto had to jog to keep up with him.

He felt flustered. And his mind, though not as muddled as before, refused to help. "Um, I meant – I only meant – "

Sensei quickly arranged a makeshift bed for him. When he finished, he got up and, after a deep breath, turned to gaze at him. His cold expression softened, although something about his eye seemed… pained?

The man reached and ruffled his hair and the moment was gone. His eye was as calm and undecipherable as before. "Rest," he said quietly. "You've been through quite an ordeal."

Naruto nodded, feeling dumb. He sensed he had missed something but couldn't tell what.

Maybe it was just his sick mind playing tricks on him. Maybe he only imagined Sensei blushing. Maybe… suddenly, he realized Sensei was still watching him, perhaps expecting a reply.

And his fingers were still caressing his hair.

"Um," he managed. "Will you stay?"

Sensei sighed. He dropped his hand. "Yes," he exhaled. He sat beside Naruto as the teen settled into his bed and took out his book.

Naruto grinned, curling under the blanket and into the soft pillow, and immediately dozed off.

He felt, or perhaps imagined, a soft touch brushing his hair and a softer voice muttering, "I can't seem to leave."

He fell asleep.

For the second time today, Kakashi found it impossible to focus on his book. His mind constantly drifted back to Naruto. His eye couldn't look away from the somewhat ridiculous sight of the teen sleeping underneath his table.

He can't even fit, he thought, noting the way Naruto curled onto himself, hugging his knees against his chest. How on earth was he comfortable?

Biskue joined the teen, snuggling near him, and Naruto immediately lifted his hand and hugged him closer, holding him like a child would a stuffed animal.

Right.

Kakashi looked away. He closed his book and decided to be productive. He could… do the laundry. Probably. He got up and retrieved the dirty clothes from his bag, then added Naruto's as well. Hopefully, the teen won't be angry he went through his things.

He's sick, he told himself. He needs someone to care for him. He needs –

Naruto's notebook tumbled out of his coat.

Kakashi stared, confused for a moment as to why the notebook was there in the first place, then he bent down and picked it up. He intended to put it back, pretend – as he always did – that he had no idea the teen had drawn him over and over and over again…

His hands, quite on their own, opened the notebook and flipped to the last page.

Kakashi closed the notebook, cheeks burning red. The teen said it was private and he should've respected it. He no longer needed the notebook to know what he was thinking. He had no excuse. He –

He opened the notebook again.

The teen had drawn him with care and surprising precision. The drawings were not sexual, despite his apparent nudity, but intimate; and precise. Naruto drew each of his scars, his hand almost gentle as he carved them into his body. He doesn't mind them. He didn't try to erase them.

The notion blazed though his skin, filling him with – he shook his head as if to remove the thoughts from his mind, and then – If someone sees this, I'm going to be in trouble, he thought, scoffing at his predicament. It looks as if…

Still, he closed the notebook and hid it in the teen's backpack. He couldn't bring himself to ruin the drawings.

Guy's right. I can't go back. I've gone soft. I'll end up making a mistake.

His phone vibrated; Tanzo's name appeared on the screen.

Kakashi hesitated, but one glance at Naruto's golden hair hardened his resolve. He picked up.


Nots:


I'm back! Finals were tough, but I survived!

Can't believe I have to go through that... 5 more times. Yay!

Anyways, Naruto finally got Kakashi to sit next to him and Kakashi got to take care of Naruto, so I think they both had their share of fun.

Kakashi, stop reading porn in front of kids. You're giving Naruto ideas (like holding hands)

Haha I'm kidding but it's a headcanon of mine that Kakashi reads those books because secretly he's actually very romantic, he's just too closed off to show it (and also totally kinky but I think that's everyone's headcanon)

So that's it! What did you guys think? I missed y'all so please let me know! ❤ See ya next Friday!