Disclaimers: Naruto is not mine, sadly. This is purely a fanfic using someone else's characters.
Warnings: This story includes strong language, violence, sexual assault, explicit sexual content (yaoi), & angst.
Crazy About You
Chapter 13: Breathe
"I'm right where I should be."
-Adventure Time
--
Sasuke dragged a hand through his hair before letting it fall limply to his side. "Holy shit" he breathed. "That was.. something."
"You know, I'm not even sure that Kiba's Native American."
Sasuke gave him an incredulous look. "After everything that just happened that's what you find odd about this."
"I never said it was the only thing."
Sasuke shook his head. "You are something else." Then a thought occurred to him. "You've been here for like a year, right?"
Naruto nodded.
"So, have you seen Kiba do that before?"
"I mean, I've seen the wolf transformation thing that he does, but most of it was during a full moon. Wait- is it a full moon?"
Sasuke pinched the bridge of his nose. "It's the middle of the day, Naruto."
"Hmm. Well, then that's definitely surprising."
"And the 'pretending to turn into a wolf' thing- that didn't strike you as odd?"
"We live in an insane asylum" Naruto pointed out. "We're all odd."
"Plant guy isn't looking too bad right about now.." Sasuke muttered under his breath.
Naruto tilted his head and looked up at him with those wide blue eyes, far too naïve for his own good. "Does that mean you want to go hangout with him again? He's still by the window if you-"
"Absolutely not."
"Hmph" Naruto grumbled, his lips pouty. Sasuke stared at his mouth with the utmost focus and Naruto quickly pressed his lips together, hiding the temptation. "Fine" he muttered, "but I want to talk to that one."
He gestured to an empty corner of the room- to a being only he could see.
"Ah, yes, that's very helpful Naruto. Now I understand perfectly."
The blonde rolled his eyes, another very Uchiha-like thing to do.
Sasuke grinned. "I like seeing you act like me."
Naruto's lips lifted slightly, a trace of his own cocky smile. "Can't wait to see you do the same."
"I'm not sure this place could handle two of you, Naruto."
The comment earned him another jab to the ribs, but Sasuke didn't seem to be the least bit bothered by it.
Naruto narrowed his eyes at the far too amused raven beside him. "Shut up…
Teme."
--
Kakashi gripped Iruka's hips and jerked him forward, pulling his ass off the edge of his desk as he buried his cock between his legs.
"Mmnhghn.. fuck."
His eyes rolled as Iruka's hole clenched tight around his length. His tip pulsed with need, already craving a release that he was trying very hard not to give into. Kakashi dropped his forehead against the brunette's, a long exhale cooling his brow.
"Baby, I need you to breathe. You're so.. nnhgn.. fucking tight. You're going to make me cum."
Iruka trembled, his eyes wide as he stared up at him. "I- I'm trying.." he choked. "It's so big, 'Kashi.."
"Shhh, just breathe."
Kakashi pulled back to get a better look at his face, but kept his want fully sheathed inside, unwilling to part with him now.
"Breathe for me, baby."
Kakashi took in a deep breath and watched Iruka echo it. He exhaled, a long slow exhale, and Iruka did the same.
"Good. That's right. Again. In-"
He breathed deep and pulled his hips back a little.
"And out."
And as Iruka exhaled, Kakashi slowly pushed himself back inside. Iruka gasped but Kakashi insisted he keep going, breathing slowly for him- in and out, in and out, as he pulsed his hips, matching Iruka's agonizingly slow pace.
"God, you feel s-so good" he moaned, his voice trembling with the effort it took to keep himself in control.
Iruka couldn't speak. He could barely manage to breathe. But every time he stopped Kakashi pushed him to keep going, just like he showed him. He could feel strong fingers dig into his hips as Kakashi gradually started to move faster. Iruka gripped him hard, his legs trembling violently as Kakashi thrust into him over and over and over..
His eyes rolled and passion soon replaced pain. Iruka wrapped his legs tighter around Kakashi's hips and lifted himself up to meet each thrust, impaling himself even deeper. Kakashi groaned and rolled his hips, stretching out his hole more, and then he stopped holding back. He shoved his little brunette flat on his back, jerked his hips close, then fucked him hard- ramming his cock into him with all the force of his relentless desire.
Iruka screamed and Kakashi quickly slammed his hand over his mouth, stifling his passionate cries as he fucked him harder. Iruka dug his nails into the desk, holding on for dear life as Kakashi drilled him into it. He closed his eyes tight, overcome by the feel of him, until he couldn't hold out any longer. Iruka moved his hand between them and grabbed his own length, pumping in time to match Kakashi's pace, but Kakashi quickly shoved his hand to the side and grabbed his cock for him. Iruka shuddered at the jarring intimacy of it, the new sensation that rolled in his core as Kakashi's hand moved up and down faster and faster..
"Mmmnphh!" Iruka screamed behind Kakashi's hand as his climax abruptly shot through him, thick cum spraying across his stomach. Kakashi went to pull out of him to do the same, but Iruka just tightened his legs around him and forced him deeper.
Kakashi's hand fell from his lips in time to hear Iruka breathe the sexiest thing he's ever said to him.
"I want you to cum inside of me."
"Oh my fucking- mmnhn.."
Kakashi's hips went still and a sudden warmth flooded through his little brunette, saturating that place that belonged to him and him alone. Kakashi leaned forward, his cock still buried deep inside, and captured Iruka's lips. He slipped his tongue between them, and fresh desire flared in his core. The taste of him, filling both his enticing holes at once..
It was enough to drive a man to madness.
Iruka pulled back with a shaky breath and gave the silver fox an incredulous look. "You have got to be kidding me."
Kakashi gave his uke his most charming smile as he lightly pulsed his hips. "Just one more time."
"Kakashi!"
"Are you really going to pretend you don't want it?" he said, a mischievous smirk pulling at his chiseled face.
Iruka gave his boss a pouty look, though it was far from convincing. "Maybe.."
"I'll be gentle?" Kakashi tried.
Iruka rolled his eyes. "No, you won't."
"Ok, I won't. But I'll make sure you like it."
Iruka sighed. "Fine. But after that you should probably let me go do my job."
"And eventually I will."
Kakashi stared at his perfect uke, desire slamming into him with every flinch, every pained gasp that fell from Iruka's kiss-swollen lips.
He smiled.
"Just not yet."
--
Kakashi received the news of what happened in the community room later than he probably should have, but in his defense he was a bit.. preoccupied.
Luckily he had the foresight to tell his secretary that he had an important meeting and should not be interrupted under any circumstance. Arguably, this was probably one occasion that she should have made an exception for, but it was a little late to point that out now. Plus it meant he wouldn't have to try to figure out how to explain away their violent and highly inappropriate lovemaking. Was it unprofessional? Yes. Was he going to lose any sleep over it?
Probably not.
After their second round of passion, Iruka was quick to shut down a third and the two made their way into Kakashi's private bathroom to wash off the remnants. They adjusted their wrinkled clothes, smoothed back disheveled hair, and then unexpectedly walked out into absolute chaos.
"Kakashi! Fuck, thank god!" The frantic orderly paled, instantly horrified. "Shit. I mean, sorry, I'm sorry sir, it's just- it's been insane."
"That doesn't surprise me" Kakashi replied, a hint of a smile on his lips. "Why don't you just tell me what's going on."
It didn't take long for the news to tumble out of the orderly's mouth, and when it did all humor dissipated. Kakashi immediately went into boss mode and Iruka quickly ran off to tend to what he could.
He raced through the halls and came to an abrupt stop at the end of the corridor- his eyes darting around the main room, taking account of all of the patients and their present conditions. The staff seemed to have managed their panic well, by the looks of it. The blood had already been scrubbed away, furniture put right-side up, and the few that weren't handling it as well as the rest had a team of people talking them through it.
Iruka considered his next move for a moment before finally making a decision. He would usually have to get permission for what he had in mind, but he didn't want to wait that long. Besides, Kakashi would likely say yes- so why bother with semantics?
Iruka knew Kiba's case well and he was sure that he could make himself useful. Kiba was usually one of the patients on his morning rounds and Iruka had gotten to know him a bit because of it. And, on multiple occasions, Iruka had been able to calm him down when this wolf-like persona of his came through.
Granted, he's never seen Kiba this out of control before. But he wasn't going into it with the misconception that this would be an easy feat. Iruka was well aware that the likelihood of facing a feral patient and leaving unscathed was pretty low, but he was still willing to try. And he had a feeling that not every orderly could say the same. He couldn't exactly blame them for being hesitant, though.
Not everyone was willing to get bit twice.
Iruka rubbed at his wrist, tracing the scar Kiba had left last time.
It's fine, he told himself. He's probably already sedated and restrained.
At the very least, he's probably back to himself again. And if that's the case, you have nothing to worry about.
When Kiba wasn't embracing his inner wolf, he was a kind and rather sensible person. There were many times when Iruka had seen him talking other patients through their problems, counseling them better than half the orderlies who worked here. Watch the kid long enough, and it was easy to forget why he was in here in the first place.
Kiba usually had such a calm demeanor. He was composed, thoughtful- he understood people. He looked past their walls, through the anger and pain- he saw what was really there. Patients were drawn to him, and very rarely was that a problem. He'd howl at a full moon, snarl when someone pestered a helpless patient, but nothing like this. Iruka wasn't sure what was different this time, why he went after Gaara so savagely, but he fully intended on finding out.
For both of their sakes.
Iruka quietly padded his way down the hall, avoiding conversation with the other orderlies along the way. This time he wasn't looking for any help. In fact, he'd prefer to handle this patient alone.
He rounded a corner and continued walking until he was about halfway down the corridor. He paused before a door, took a deep breath, then slid back the small panel to take a look. Kiba had been restrained to his cot, which wasn't surprising. What did surprise him though was that the sedatives had failed to knock him out.
Must be the adrenaline rush, Iruka thought. They didn't give him enough to account for it.
He mentally took note of that, storing it away for future reference.
Maybe he's built up a bit of a tolerance to the meds, he thought further.
Or maybe he's always had one.. and we just never noticed before.
Whatever the case, even with Kiba awake he clearly wouldn't be putting himself in danger by joining him. Iruka gently slid the panel back into place, then unlocked the door and stepped inside. He made sure to close the door as quietly as possible, then turned to face his semi-conscious patient.
"Hi Kiba."
After a brief pause Kiba slowly let his head fall to the side to meet his gaze. Disheveled walnut-colored hair spilled lightly across his face but managed to stay clear of his eyes. Those cinnamon depths peered through, brimming with curiosity. His brows furrowed over them as Iruka approached, clearly not sure if he should trust it.
It saddened Iruka to know that he didn't.
"Why.. are you… here?" Kiba murmured, his voice heavy, faded- like lost words scrawled across aged parchment.
Iruka gave him a small smile, hoping to ease any discomfort his presence might give him. "I just wanted to check on you" he answered softly, "make sure you're ok."
Kiba gave him a pained look before sliding his eyes away from him. "I'm.. not the one that… you should be.. checking on."
Iruka pulled a chair over to the cot and took a seat, settling in beside his despondent patient. "I heard what happened" he admitted. "Want to tell me about it?"
Kiba swallowed. "I hurt him…"
"He said he hurt you first."
Kiba looked up. "I thought.. it was right" he forced out, fighting the drugs incessantly rushing through him. "But now.. now I'm not so.. sure."
Iruka paused, searching for the right words. He knew he'd have to proceed with caution if he was going to get any answers from him and avoid setting him off again.
"What made you think it was right to begin with?"
"An eye… for an eye."
Iruka gave the brunette a sad look. "Then why does it seem like you regret it?"
Kiba's eyes faded, the light inside steadily growing dim, but not enough to hide the guilt flickering inside.
"Because I do" he said quietly.
"So then tell me" Iruka pressed, "how would you like to make it right?"
Kiba thought on that for a moment before responding. When he finally did his voice was just as weak but there was a resolution to his words, as if his mind was made up and utterly incapable of changing.
"I need to.. see him."
Iruka sighed. "Kiba-"
"Please. I need to.. make it… right."
Iruka could see that he was sincere, but after such a vicious attack the likelihood of that happening was pretty slim. Protocol called for those two to stay separated for a while before allowing any sort of interaction. And even then, it would have to be closely monitored. Iruka just couldn't imagine that anyone would make an exception for Kiba now, no matter how guilty he felt.
"I'm sorry, Kiba, but I don't think that will be allowed for quite some time."
"Can I talk to.. Dr. Kakashi..? I just.. want a chance to… to…"
His eyes rolled and for a second Iruka thought he'd passed out. But Kiba managed to force it back somehow.
"We were.. supposed to… just be even" he choked. "But I.. took it too far."
Now there's an understatement, Iruka thought dryly- though he kept the comment to himself. It wouldn't pay to rub it in. Kiba clearly regretted his actions and was determined to fix it. Iruka saw no reason to make him feel any worse than he already did.
"I'll see what I can do" he replied. "But Kiba- I can't make any promises."
"I know."
The light in Kiba's eyes went out again and this time he closed them, resigning himself to it.
"Thank.. you" he breathed.
Then he fell limply against his restraints, completely unconscious.
Iruka studied the brunette a moment longer before rising to his feet. He put the chair back where he found it and stepped across the room. Before he left, Iruka gave his patient one final look, wondering over his words. He hadn't expected to already find him this calm. Usually getting Kiba back to this state took far more effort on everyone's part. And yet this time he had managed to find himself again on his own, and it seemed to happen faster than it ever had before.
I wonder why that is.
Iruka didn't have to ponder that for long. The answer occurred to him pretty quickly once he thought about what was different this time.
Gaara Sabaku.
Looks like he's managed to get under Kiba's skin.
Iruka smiled.
Good.
It's about time someone did.
--
"I still can't believe you agreed to this."
Kakashi quirked a brow at his boyfriend. "Isn't this what you wanted?"
"It's what I asked for" Iruka corrected, "but I didn't really expect you to say yes."
Kakashi gave his boyfriend his most dazzling smile and watched him swoon beneath it. It took everything in him not to shove him down on his desk again.
"I'm full of surprises, darling. I'd have thought you'd know that by now."
Iruka blushed. "I.. yes, I can see that. I just assumed.. ahem, nevermind."
"Assumed what, my little Iru, hmm? That I was only unpredictable with you?"
"I didn't say that."
Kakashi rose to his feet and slowly sauntered across the room, his smile widening as Iruka stared back at him nervously.
"Kashi, they're going to be here any minute.."
"Have you forgotten?"
Kakashi closed the distance between them and placed his hand against the wall, trapping Iruka against it. Those hazelnut eyes blinked up at him and he could hear his breath catch in his throat. Kakashi leaned in, bringing his lips against his ear, and watched out of the corner of his eye as Iruka shivered against him.
He smiled. "I can do a lot of things in a couple minutes."
"Kashi-"
A light tap on the door made him practically jump out of his skin. Iruka shoved his boyfriend back fast, eyes wide with panic.
"Sir?" a voice called out from the hall, "the patients you wanted to see are here now."
Kakashi sighed. So much for a few minutes.
He eyed his anxious brunette.
Actually..
"Give me a minute, Shizune."
Iruka threw his hand out, his head already shaking before Kakashi could take another step. "Don't even think about it" he whispered.
"Fine. I won't."
Then Kakashi grabbed hold of his wrist and yanked it towards him. Iruka yelped in surprise as he fell right into his boss' arms. He managed to regain his footing, but he wasn't fast enough to break free. Kakashi wrapped a powerful hand behind his neck and silenced him with an equally forceful embrace.
"Mnnhn!"
Kakashi snaked an arm around his waist and held him close, his body pulsing with desire. And despite Iruka's attempt at resistance, he found himself melting against him. He buried his hand in hair the color of starlight and tilted his head to deepen their kiss, resigning himself to the man he couldn't possibly refuse.
After their minute of passion was up, Kakashi reluctantly pulled back and stared lovingly into Iruka's face. He wished he could do more, a lot more, but he also knew that now wasn't the time for that.
"Let's pick this up again tonight" he murmured, "my place."
"What makes you think I'll just agree everytime?" Iruka muttered.
"Because so far you have."
"That-! That's besides the point."
Kakashi grinned and kissed his uke's cheek before turning back to his desk. "You may want to sit down, Iru-darling. It might be awkward for you if our patients see that."
Iruka's face reddened and his hands quickly covered his rather pronounced erection.
"And who's fault is that in the first place" he grumbled as he moved over to a chair in the corner of the office.
"Mine, of course. Who's else would it be?"
Iruka stuck out his tongue and the humor in those eyes shifted to something entirely different.
"Don't tempt me, Iru. I have a lot of things I want to do with your mouth."
Iruka quickly pulled his tongue back inside. "God, Kakashi- will you just calm down already?"
"I'm trying" he argued, "but you're making it extremely difficult."
"Fine. I'm sorry. Just- stop looking at me."
"You know that's impossible."
Iruka rolled his eyes. "Shizune, you can let them in now!"
"You can't tell my secretary what to do."
Iruka grinned. "And yet.."
He waved his hands dramatically as the door opened before dropping them back to his lap to hide his fading.. problem. Several orderlies stepped inside, their hands tightly wrapped around the arms of two highly unpredictable yet equally disheartened patients.
Kakashi gestured to the chairs he had already placed before his desk and his staff led them to it. He had situated each chair so that his patients would be sitting across from each other at a slight angle, ensuring that they would be able to look back at him as needed while spending a majority of their shared visit looking at each other. There was definitely a chance that chaos would erupt once they faced each other like this, but it was a risk he would have to take.
This was a chance for them to make amends, after all. One that they had both requested through Iruka. How could Kakashi possibly deny such a request?
Besides, it's been a few days. Maybe whatever hostility they felt before was out of their system now. It was definitely possible, though just as likely that he'd have to pull the two apart. But Iruka knew those risks just as well as he did, and he had still asked despite them.
Kakashi was willing to go out on a limb if Iruka was already out there waiting for him on it. And he was pretty sure Iruka had figured that out by now.
The patients were shoved down onto their chairs before the orderlies finally released them. When they did they all turned to Kakashi, ready to receive further orders.
"You are free to go" Kakashi instructed.
The men looked at each other, their shock palpable. "Umm.. sir? Is that really such a good idea?"
Kakashi raised a brow. "Are you saying that I'm wrong?"
Asuma raised a hand in defense. "Not at all, sir. That's not what I meant."
"Good. Then I'll say it again- you are all free to leave."
The orderlies still seemed hesitant to do so, but all of them knew better than to refuse Kakashi's orders twice. The team filed out without a word and closed the door behind them with a resounding click. Of course, they couldn't help but notice that Iruka had stayed behind when the rest of them couldn't, but they wouldn't speak of it yet. At least, not this close to Kakashi's office. If they were going to gossip about the two, they weren't stupid enough to do it within earshot. Their many theories could wait a bit longer.
A hush fell among the team as they stepped away from Kakashi's office and moved down the hall. One that had also made its way deep inside of Kakashi's office. A deafening silence that settled between them, and stressed Iruka out to no end. He worried at his bottom lip, wondering if it would have been better if he had left with the others. There was no way they hadn't noticed that he stayed, and he was sure they were all wondering why.
So much for not drawing attention to ourselves..
But it was a little late to act on that now. Besides, it wasn't like he could just leave Kakashi alone with these two. The man was highly capable but it wouldn't take much for things to fall apart in here. So, he stayed. And, like his patients, he waited for Kakashi to start.
"Don't make me regret doing that" Kakashi said, gesturing to the door the majority of his staff had just walked out of. "I'd hate to have to tell them that they were right."
Neither patient looked at him. In fact, they weren't looking at anything apart from their own clasped hands. Kakashi sighed.
"Kiba. Gaara. You're here to reconcile. That is what you wanted, isn't it?"
Kiba's head shot up fast, but Gaara spoke first. "Yes" he said firmly. "I want to reconcile."
Kiba turned his surprised stare to the redhead across from him. "But I'm the one who hurt you" he pointed out.
Gaara finally looked up, and the haunted look in his eyes only made Kiba feel more confused. "I hurt you first" he said resolutely.
Kiba shook his head. "Not like this."
"Kiba-"
"No. I know what I did, Gaara. Don't lie for me."
"I'm not lying!" Gaara shot back. "What made you want to attack me in the first place, huh? Just because you felt like it? No. You were getting back at me for what I did to you."
"You were just trying to push me away" Kiba insisted, though it was a flimsy argument and they both knew it.
"I didn't push you, I fucking punched you!"
"Because I was getting too close."
"I was the one who wouldn't back off, Kiba. You never went near me!"
"That's not what I mean, and you know it" Kiba shot back, meeting each of Gaara's quick comebacks with one of his own.
Kakashi's dark eyes flitted back and forth between the two, watching the exchange with the uninterrupted focus of a tennis enthusiast. When the two finally paused to catch their breath and reset for the next match, he decided to step in.
"Gaara, did you hurt Kiba with the intention of scaring him off?"
The redhead grated his teeth, his eyes sharp as they shot towards him. "That's no excuse."
"Hmm.." Kakashi folded his hands under his chin and leaned forward. "So you don't want an excuse for your actions, but you'd like to give one for Kiba's?"
Kakashi watched Gaara clench his fists, but the redhead managed to keep his anger under control. For the time being, at least. Kakashi could see Iruka tense when he noticed the same thing, but one look from him seemed to settle his nerves.
"That's not what this is" Gaara finally said.
Kakashi tilted his head slightly, his focus unrelenting as he studied his patient once more. "Is that so.. then what is it?"
"I deserved it!" Gaara shouted back. "He doesn't!"
"And why do you feel like you deserve it?"
"This is stupid."
Gaara stood up and Iruka shot to his feet with him.
"Sit down, Sabaku."
"Fuck you!"
"Gaara!" Kakashi stood up fast, his own temper flaring. "You will not talk to him like that. Iruka is the one who organized this get together in the first place. You owe him your gratitude."
The anger in Gaara's eyes seemed to soften at that. He turned to look closer at the orderly. "Why..?"
"Because both of you asked me to" Iruka answered gently. "And I can see that you two need to talk this out."
Gaara gave him another curious look before finally finding his seat once more. He looked over at the brunette he hurt and watched those sad eyes slowly lift to meet his. "Kiba.. why did you want to see me again?"
"Because my people were wrong" he murmured.
"Your people?"
Kiba bit his lip and for some reason the gesture worried Gaara. He couldn't help but remember those inexplicably sharp canines sink into his neck, tearing at his throat. He didn't want to see Kiba hurt himself.
Gaara shifted forward, his hand raised, intending on stopping him, but another grabbed his wrist halting him instead. Gaara gave a displeased look to the orderly who turned out to be a hell of a lot faster than he looks.
"Don't push your luck" Iruka said firmly. "Hands to yourself."
Gaara glared at him but let his hand fall back all the same. "Fine. Then tell him not to bite his lip like that."
Kiba blinked. "What?"
Gaara shifted his focus back to him. "I said, don't bite your fucking lip like that."
"Why?"
"Because I don't want you to hurt yourself!"
Iruka looked between the two then over to Kakashi to find that he seemed just as surprised by the redhead's concern as he was.
"You seem to care a great deal for him" Kakashi said slowly, taking a seat before his patients once more.
Gaara ignored the comment, his focus wholly on his brunette. "Why did you say your people are wrong?" he asked, refusing to let the comment fall between the cracks.
Kiba met his gaze as he finally answered him. "An eye for an eye. I thought I was doing the right thing, but... I wasn't."
Kiba gave him a heavy look- one that bothered Gaara immensely. He had no desire to see him look so sad, so.. lost.
"I never should have attacked you, Gaara."
"Your people weren't wrong."
"Gaara-"
"No, shut up. Don't let pity come between you and your beliefs. I hurt you first, and you hurt me back. We're even."
Kiba gave an incredulous laugh but there was no humor in it. No teasing in his voice or spark in his eyes- only that same flash of pain that's been there ever since the orderlies dragged him away, when the meds finally hit along with the reality of what he had done.
Gaara wouldn't change his mind about this- none of them would.
"Even.." he repeated. "Gaara, I tried to tear your throat out."
"I deserved it."
Kiba grimaced at that. "You're only saying that because you expect people to hate you."
"Maybe they have good reason to."
"You give them reasons to, Gaara. The same as you tried to give me one. And I did exactly what you thought I would, what they all do, didn't I." Kiba shook his head. "All I did was prove you right.."
"Because I am right!"
Gaara shot to his feet again, but Iruka pushed him back down onto his chair. He had expected another reaction and knew better than to leave his side now. In fact, he wasn't going anywhere until all of this was over.
Gaara shook off his hand, but Iruka stayed close- a fact he would just have to accept for now.
"Alright, I get it." Gaara growled at him. He looked back over at the stubborn brunette. "Kiba, stop. Just.. stop. I don't want your pity or your fucking apologies or whatever else you planned on doing. And you know what? I'm glad you did it."
Kiba dropped back in his chair, another incredulous sound falling without any semblance of amusement behind it. "And I'm supposed to believe that?"
"Yes" Gaara grated out. "You are."
"You tried to stop me."
"Because it fucking hurt" Gaara argued, "not because I didn't deserve it."
Kiba tore his eyes away from the mulish redhead and instead tried his luck with the doctor- a man of reason. "Dr. Kakashi, will you please explain to him-"
"Don't drag him into this" Gaara snapped. "He's not going to change my mind."
Kakashi slid his gaze over to the exasperated brunette, his chin perched on his hands as he studied him. "Does that bother you, Kiba?"
"Of course it bothers me. It would bother anyone."
"Gaara doesn't seem to agree."
The redhead rolled his eyes, but Kakashi chose to ignore the gesture.
"Kiba, why do you think Gaara doesn't want an apology from you?"
"Because he expects people to hate him."
"But you don't" Kakashi pressed.
Kiba looked at him briefly before returning his weighted gaze to the man in question. "No" he said softly. "I don't."
"And why do you think that is?"
"Because he shouldn't have been hated in the first place."
Gaara laughed though the sound came out mangled and insincere. Broken- revealing far more than he would have liked it to.
"You don't know anything about me" he growled, wanting the anger to stay. Hating how much pain he could hear in his own voice, knowing that Kiba could hear it too.
"Do you.. hate me?" Kiba asked quietly.
Gaara leapt to his feet again, and again Iruka forced him back to his chair. "Alright, alright! Get off of me, dammit." He shot his eyes back to Kiba. "And no! I don't hate you. Don't even say something so fucking-"
"Stupid? Is it stupid?"
"Yes, it is!"
"Gaara, you saw me.. like that. I changed. I attacked you." Kiba swallowed hard. "You could have died."
Gaara scoffed at the thought. "Don't be dramatic. I wasn't going to die."
"Why don't you hate me for hurting you?"
"Goddamnit- I already told you! I deserved it! But you didn't!"
"Gaara, Kiba regrets his actions" Kakashi interjected, seeing that the two weren't getting very far on their own. "Why are you unwilling to hear him out?"
"I don't want his fucking pity, that's why."
"Do you want his forgiveness?"
"I-" Gaara paused. He looked over and found those wide brown eyes, and all the fight seemed to slip away from him. "I don't know.." he murmured.
"You seem to think you don't deserve it" Kakashi pointed out.
"Because I don't."
"But that's not the same as wanting it."
"I want a lot of things I shouldn't..."
Kiba was surprised by the sheer longing he heard in Gaara's voice. In fact, they all were. Kakashi wasn't sure that he should pry any further, but the question was out before he could think on it more.
"What is it that you want, Gaara?"
Gaara's heart heaved in his chest, a sensation that sent goosebumps down his arms. He could feel tears gather in the back of his throat, and heat rise to his face with the shame that followed.
"I…"
He looked over at the brunette sitting across from him. The man he had teased and hurt. The guy who went feral on his ass and nearly tore his throat out in the process. The person he couldn't stop thinking about.
That he didn't want to stop thinking about.
"I want him" he said quietly.
Gaara cleared his throat, forcing back the emotions lodged inside, then met those warm eyes and said what he knew he didn't have the right to say.
"I want you, Kiba."
Iruka's eyes shot over to Kakashi's, his shock blatantly apparent. Kakashi seemed to be just as surprised by the admission as he was.
"Gaara.." he said slowly, "I understand that you feel a connection to Kiba, and that can-"
"You don't understand anything" Gaara snarled over him. "I have never wanted anything more in my life."
He looked over at the shocked brunette again. "Kiba, I know I don't deserve you. And I'm not asking you for anything in return. I just.. I needed you to know."
"I knew."
Gaara blinked. "You did..?"
Kiba nodded. "I mean, you already told me, remember? You wanted me to take my clothes off and-"
"He said what?!" Iruka grabbed the redhead, pulling his focus away. "Did you do something to him?!"
"Iruka."
Kakashi's voice cut through his bout of panic and Iruka quickly released the patient. "I'm sorry" he muttered.
"Gaara" Kakashi said calmly, "did you do anything inappropriate to Kiba?"
"No" he eyed the brunette across from him, his gaze heavy, penetrating. "But I wanted to."
"I must remind you that actions like that are not permitted in my hospital."
Iruka nearly rolled his eyes at that considering what the two of them had done in Kakashi's office three days ago, but he managed to maintain his professionalism. He could jest about it with his boyfriend later- preferably not in front of their patients.
"I know that" Gaara growled.
"And I expect you to follow those rules" Kakashi said firmly. "I want you to stay, Gaara, but if you can't do that I will have to have you brought to a different facility."
Both patients turned to look at him fast.
"No, please" Kiba said, "Gaara doesn't need to be sent away."
"I understand that you feel guilty, Kiba, but I cannot allow relations between my patients. If that does happen, I do expect you to report it."
Kiba glanced over at the redhead and something flashed between them. Some shared understanding that made Kakashi feel on edge.
"I understand."
Gaara nodded, though his eyes never left Kiba's face. "So do I."
Kakashi gave the two a disbelieving look, but neither saw it. He shook his head. Shit, this isn't going the way I thought it would.
Let's see if we can get this back on track.
"If forgiveness is out of the question right now, maybe the two of you can settle for mutual understanding. Your actions hurt someone else, and neither of you are proud of that. Would you agree?"
They nodded, their eyes still locked on each other.
"And neither of you hate the other."
Another nod. Another uninterrupted look.
Kakashi glanced over at Iruka. "I think that's as good a start as any. Gaara, you are free to go to the community room during the day now. Kiba, you still have a few more days before you'll be permitted to return."
"What?!"
Gaara shot to his feet again, but this time Iruka's hand wasn't enough to make him stop.
"No! Don't touch me! That's not fair- I told you it was my goddamn fault! He doesn't need to be punished for this!"
Kakashi leapt to his feet and came around his desk to help Iruka regain control, but Gaara dodged both of them. He rushed over to Kiba and pulled him into his arms.
"I won't let them do this to you" he breathed in his hair, arms tightening around his waist. "They can't."
"Gaara, it's ok."
"No! It's not fucking ok!"
Iruka grabbed one arm and Kakashi grabbed the other and the two wrenched him away from the startled brunette. Gaara screamed, desperation writhing under his skin and tearing from his throat as they pulled him further away.
"Stop!! Stop! Don't take him! Please! Don't take him!"
"Gaara, you need to calm down. Kiba will be back soon."
They pulled him back another step and tightened their hold as Gaara struggled to break free. He threw his head back and howled with rage, and Kiba took a fast step towards him.
Kakashi threw a hand out, his eyes as sharp as his voice. "Kiba. That won't help."
"He's upset."
"Yes, I can see that. But your actions are going to make him more upset if you're in your room longer, right?"
Kiba paused as he considered the doctor and his threats. "There are other patients who have gotten close, Dr. Kakashi. Is it really so wrong for Gaara and I to do the same?"
An image of Naruto and Sasuke, tucked close on that dingy orange chair, came to mind and Kakashi couldn't deny that he had a point.Maybe I've been too lenient with them..
"You'll see Gaara in two days" Kakashi said. "Unless you give me a reason to keep you two separated longer."
Kiba looked over at the restrained redhead. Gaara was livid, clearly desperate to be with him, and it would only make things worse if Kiba did the same.
"I understand."
He took a step back and Gaara lurched against the men holding onto him, anxious to see Kiba pulling away. "No, wait!"
Kiba gave him a soft smile and another step back. "See" he said quietly. "You don't really want to be hated, Gaara.
You never have."
A strained sound fell from Gaara's lips as the brunette continued to move further and further away from him. Kakashi looked alarmed when he grabbed the door handle, but he had no need to be.
"Asuma, sir, I'm ready to go back to my room."
The orderly on the other side of the door looked surprised, and suddenly sheepish when he caught his boss' eyes. "I'm sorry, sir. I just thought you could use some back up.."
Kakashi waved away his concerns. "It's fine, Asuma. You can escort Kiba back to his room."
"No!! Wait! Just let me talk to him!"
Asuma gestured to the irate redhead between them. "Want any help with him?"
"Iruka and I will escort Gaara to his own room once you're gone."
Asuma nodded then grabbed hold of Kiba's arm and guided him down the hall. Gaara's distressed cries followed after them, but Kiba didn't look back. He knew it was better for Gaara if he didn't.
Kakashi had made it perfectly clear. The only way they would be able to get closer was if the people around here thought they'd grown further apart. That was probably what Sasuke and Naruto had figured out, and the exact reason they were able to be so close now.
The less attention they drew, the more they could get away with.
Kiba smiled to himself, careful to let his long unruly hair hide it from the man beside him. A plan was forming in his mind, one that he would make sure to keep to himself.
Don't worry, Gaara. I'm not going anywhere.
And neither are you.