Chapter Text
“You know,” Sakumo looked up from his puzzle at this son, pride practically radiating off the older man, “I met your mother on my first day as Captain.”
Kakashi rolled his eyes at his father’s quip. “Yeah, yeah, I know the story. It was her cat in a tree and you got all scratched up because you’re a ‘dog person’.” Kakashi had never known his mother, but with all the stories he’s suffered through from his somehow still love-sick father, he thought he had a pretty good idea of the woman.
Sakumo rolled his wheelchair toward his son, finally abandoning the puzzle of a comical scene of a pack of dogs fighting a fire. “It’s just been a long time since a Hatake was fire captain…” Sakumo’s eyes were welling up and Kakashi looked up to the heavens for help. He couldn’t help but think if his mother were around, she would tame the emotional man. But alas, it’s only been him.
“Yeah, I’m sure Tsunade will be grateful to step down. She hated having to take over, though she’s done an amazing job. I don’t know what we’ll do without her crazy strength actually.”
Sakumo looked troubled at his legs. The man had lost his mobility after a building collapsed on him. He saved his fellow firefighters from a similar fate though. Kakashi probably should have told him more often how proud he was to have such a strong and self-sacrificing person as a father. But then, he would probably be drawn into a big hug full of tears and he didn’t want to deal with that.
“Ok, well, I need to get going Dad,” Kakashi turned away and high-tailed it out of their humble home. He was never great at motivational speeches or uplifting his father when he got in moods about his accident.
Kakashi thought back to his father’s suggestive wiggling eyebrow at the thought that he would meet his wife today. He highly doubted that. Especially since the bright yellow, orange and red fires he fought were not the only thing flaming in his life.
“You’re on time, brat!” Tsunade looked up from her seat at his new desk and smiled. “I was just keeping it warm for you. Are you sure you’re ready? I’ll be here for the next month to help you transition anyway, so, I’m sure you’ll be fine.”
Kakashi knew the woman had tried to take on a pseudo mother role for him, but, if he was being honest, his father was enough of a parent to count for both.
“I’m sure I’ll be-” Kakashi’s retort was dramatically interrupted by the loud warning bell. They had different noises for different calls, this bell was the worst: large, uncontrolled fire in a civilian heavy area.
Kakashi didn’t hesitate one second before jumping onto the fire-pole and down into the garage. Gai was just behind him, and they both were neck-in-neck in suiting up. Shizune, their EMT, was already in the truck, starting it up and getting the alarm blaring.
Gai leapt into the front of the truck with Shizune and Kakashi gripped the side, ready to jump into action. The back-up trucks were also gearing up and Kakashi waved to Tenzou and Genam as they suited up as well.
“Shit…” Kakashi muttered as they pulled up to the elementary school. It was already burning wildly in hot, bright yellow, just tinting to orange at the ends. It was a bad sign. The hotter the flame, the lighter the coloring.
Gai and he attached the hose to the hydrant by the curb and Gai started to soak the area around the exit of the building, hoping to allow that area to get wet enough to not catch flame.
There were a bunch of children all around the entrance. A man with a high brown ponytail was kneeling amongst them, counting and giving them comforting touches. His hands looked so gentle.
He finished counting and jerked toward the building. One of the kids whispered something to him and the man went from kneeling calmly, to sprinting back into the building in a flash.
“STOP!” Kakashi yelled at his back. The man turned for just a moment at the command, but didn’t listen as he disappeared into the building.
Kakashi was frozen. He had never seen such a determined look on such a stunning face. Kakashi unconsciously reached up and rubbed his scared eye. The man had a scar as well, a large one, like his, but instead of down over his left eye, it was across the bridge of his nose from sharp cheek to sharp cheek. Kakashi’s heart pulsed and it snapped him out of his thoughts.
The little boy who had whispered to the man before his sprint was in front of him and Kakashi tried not to startle. He really didn’t like children. Especially sneaky ones.
“Are you a professional?” The boy asked, sounding incredibly like an adult.
“Umm… Yes?” Kakashi looked down at his suit and his helmet under his arm.
The boy scoffed, his sass was almost commendable for such a tiny human. “I told Mr. Iruka that Naruto was hiding in the classroom.” The boy looked worried and it seemed foreign to him, like the emotion confused him. “I told him to tell the professionals, but he ran off…”
“Umm… that was very smart of you. What room is it? I’ll try to help.”
“I hope you do more than try. Room 220,” and with that, the boy left him. Kakashi didn’t have time to question it. He had to get moving.
Kakashi went back to Gai and told him there was an adult and child still in the building and he was going in to rescue. “Look out for room 220.”
Gai nodded and handed off the hose to Genma, backup arrived and it was all hands on deck to try and contain the flames. Saving the building seemed like an impossible task, but saving all the people and stopping any spread was the goal.
Kakashi put on his helmet and put on the O 2 mask and ran as fast as he could into the building.
“Naruto!!!” Iruka was coughing. Sasuke had let him know that Naruto was in the classroom still, but he had no clue where. He opened all the closet doors and started to really worry when the second door into the classroom became blocked by falling ceiling beams.
“NARUTO! Please, I don’t want to lose you, please Naruto Uzumaki, come out!”
“You mean it?” It was a small voice, just barely heard above the roar of the flames and the sound of wood creaking and cement cracking.
Iruka rushed to the sound. The boy was crumpled and crying and coughing under his desk.
“Naruto, thank God.” Iruka pulled the boy into a tight hug as he hiccupped and coughed.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Iruka, I didn’t mean to start it, I just wanted to show Sasuke that I could start a match for your birthday candle! I…”
The boy’s confession was interrupted by a huge crash, very close-by. Almost everything around the doors was in flames. How would they escape?
“It’s already Naruto, don’t worry, it isn’t your fault. Accidents happen. You’re the only one left in here. No one got hurt…” Iruka didn’t want to promise that they wouldn’t get hurt. He wasn’t sure how they would get out. Iruka lifted the boy into his arms and looked around for any ideas.
He ran to the window and opened it, the rush of smoke escaping almost stole his breath. He looked side to side, the fire trucks were a little off to the right.
He looked around for some way to get their attention and Naruto pointed to the student’s birthday gift to him, two long steamed sunflowers. They were sitting in a tall thin vase on his desk, barely wilted despite the heat and smoke.
Iruka put Naruto down by the window and told him to stay there and to try not to breathe in the smoke. Iruka plucked the long flowers out of the vase and started wildly flailing them, leaning as far out the window as he could. “HELP!”
Iruka looked toward the trucks and one was driving their way. He breathed a sigh of relief. There was a splintering noise and a firefighter was stepping over the threshold of what used to be his bright yellow classroom door.
Iruka ran up to the suited man, barely able to see any of his face through the shield of the helmet.
“The truck is coming!” Iruka yelled above the noise and the man nodded and gestured for Naruto. Naruto walked up to them and the fire-fighter took the O2 mask off from under his face shield and gave it to Naruto to breathe with.
Iruka’s heart leapt to his throat. Naruto looked relieved as he breathed in the pure life-giving molecule. They would be okay.
There was a subtle noise from above them, and before he even knew what he was doing, Iruka shoved the man and Naruto toward the window as a large support beam fell onto his back. It was the last thing he saw that day.
Iruka hurt everywhere. It was the first thing he thought when he regained consciousness. His back in particular, but also his lungs and his hands and his skin. Had he ever noticed his skin hurt before?
“Mr. Iruka?!” Naruto yelled and jumped from the chair he was sitting in and into Iruka’s arms. Iruka tried not to make the noise, but he let out a pained hiss and Naruto backed off.
“Sorry, but you’re awake! You were super heroic! The city is going to give you an award and everything.” Naruto puffed up, as if Iruka’s award were a reflection on himself. It made Iruka’s eyes soften with affection.
“Are you OK, Naruto?” Iruka’s voice was super scratchy and he was impressed when Naruto picked up on that and brought him a glass of water with a straw.
“You aren’t supposed to sit up yet or something, so the nurse told me to give you this,” Naruto held up the glass and Iruka sucked up as much water as he could handle. It was amazing for his throat.
“How long has it been? What happened? Is everyone OK?”
“You should have seen it! The fire-truck was so cool and I got to climb down the ladder myself.” Naruto puffed up again. The boy was so predictable. “You didn’t wake up and that firefighter was real worried. He gave you the mask to breathe better and had to carry you down the ladder. It was soooo cool. Because of your back, he had to carry you like this,” Naruto put his arms out in front of him, “and he WALKED DOWN THE LADDER. It was so cool. I never seen someone do that without using their hands before. I wanna be a fire captain just like him one day and save people!”
Iruka blushed. He was carried bridal style down a ladder unconscious by the Captain of the Fire Department. He would have to thank the Captain properly. “That is a noble dream, Naruto,” Iruka tried to hide his embarrassment.
“Yeah, Captain Kakashi said I could ride-along when I’m older! He’s real cool, but his bushy-brow friend is a little weird…”
As with most of his conversations with the enthusiastic 7-year-old, Iruka wasn’t sure what he was talking about, but he nodded sagely anyway.
There was a knock on the door and Naruto opened it for Iruka.
“Captain Kakashi! I told Mr. Iruka about your promise,” Naruto let the man in and Iruka tried to get control of himself. Kakashi was extremely handsome. So a handsome, strong, Captain had carried him bridal style out of a burning building.
“Did you.” Kakashi said to Naruto, and his voice was deep and Iruka looked up, praying for the strength to not embarrass himself further.
“Since you’re here and will make sure Iruka is safe, I’m going to go get a snack!” And Naruto ran out the open door.
There was a pregnant pause.
“I… I got you these, I heard it was your birthday yesterday and… Well,” Kakashi didn’t finish his sentence, and when Iruka looked back at him, he was putting a fresh vase of sunflowers on the side-table.
So a handsome, strong, deep-voiced, thoughtful Captain had saved him on his birthday.
“That’s awfully romantic of you.” Iruka’s eyes widened. Had he really said that outloud?! How could he get the earth to open up and shallow just him without harming anyone else in the hospital?
Kakashi blushed and Iruka smacked his hand over his mouth. It took him a moment, but he eventually found his voice again.
“I’m so sorry, I… Thank you… for… you know.’ Iruka looked at his hands, now fidgeting in his lap. How could he properly thank the man who saved his life and was now here wishing him well?
There was a long silence and then Kakashi spoke again, “Are sunflowers your favorite flower?”
Iruka looked up at the odd question, though he was thankful for a question he could answer and stop thinking tradorious thoughts about kissing that beauty mark just below the Captain’s lips.
“Yes, they are bright and give me hope.”
“Is that why you like Naruto? He looked kind of like a sunflower with that hair and personality.”
Iruka laughed, but hissed in pain as the spasum of his sternum hurt his sore back. Kakashi stepped forward as if to help him through the pain, but stopped, hand outstretched awkwardly.
The door opened and a doctor stepped in, “Hello Mr. Umino, your scans look great and you're awake,” she approached him, completely ignoring Kakashi, while she did some tests of his eyes and reflexes. “You seem good! Just in pain I see. We’ll keep you here for observations one more night, but you should be OK to leave and recover at home. You just need time to heal.” Her eyes drifted to Kakashi and back, “Do you have someone to help take care of you?”
Iruka blushed, “Oh, no he’s not… I…” He couldn’t admit he was all alone in front of Kakashi.
Luckily Naruto burst into the room then, “Me and my new mentor Captain Kakashi will make sure he recovers! Right, Cap?”
Kakashi gave Iruka a look that he could only describe later as sly.
“I would love nothing more than to take care of Mr. Iruka.” The heart rate monitor spiked suddenly and the doctor smiled, knowing it had nothing to do with any medical issues.
“Well then, I’ll have the nurses continue to check in and give you pain management, but I can see you’re in great hands,” she left with a wink and Iruka thought he would implode.
“I’ll take good care of you, Iruka, don’t worry!” Naruto boasted, but Iruka’s gaze hadn’t left Kakashi’s.
“By the way, I’m Kakashi Hatake. You should know it.”
“Hatake. I’ll remember, but you don’t have any obligation to take care of me.” Iruka looked away from that handsome face down at his still fidgeting hands.
“It’s entirely my pleasure,” Kakashi took Iruka’s hand in his and placed a chaste kiss on his knuckles. “I’ll come pick you up tomorrow and take you home. As long as I’m not taking someone else’s job?”
The hopeful look Kakashi gave him caused a lump to form in his throat, but he somehow croaked out, “No, no one.”
The man smiled and Iruka melted, unable to keep a reciprocating smile from his lips. “Perfect. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Iruka watched Kakashi Hatake saunter out of the hospital room.
“What was that about?” Naruto asked, giving Iruka a grossed out look.
“I have no clue.” Iruka answered honestly. He had never before in his life experienced that kind of instant attraction. He couldn’t help but feel excited and nervous about the next day.
A sea of yellow swaying flowers framed the landscape around the clearing.
“First of all, I want to thank all of you, friends and family, for attending the wedding of my beloved son and his wonderful partner,” Sakumo dabbed the tears collecting in the corners of his eyes.
“As you know, I met my wife on my first day as Captain of the Konoha City Fire Department, and it was love at first sight. Kakashi has followed in my footsteps in so many ways that made me proud…” Sakumo took a shaky breath and Iruka reached over to pat his forearm, tears brimming in his own eyes. “But I was always worried. You take after her, Kakashi. She was always guarded and cool, almost aloof. I’m so proud that you found someone that brings out so much joy in you. And, Iruka, son, I am equally as proud to have you in my family. Thank you for loving my son like I know he deserves.” And with that the dam broke and Sakumo was crying loud messy tears, pulling both Iruka and Kakashi into a big bear hug from his decorated wheelchair.
“I’m so proud, I’m happy everyday that I lived to see you grow, son, and I’m even happier now that I lived to see this day.” Kakashi even had tears in his eyes. Iruka was a helpless mess of tears.
“Thank you so much, Dad,” Iruka whispered through the hiccups as Sakumo’s grip loosened. Fresh tears streamed down his face. He knew Iruka’s parents had tragically passed away when he was young and he didn’t take it lightly to be filling that role for the amazing young man marrying his precious son today. He gripped Iruka’s hand and squeezed it, both smiling goofily at one another.
Kakashi straightened up, he was the only one with even an ounce of control after the emotional speech and so he addressed their guests, wiping their own tears away, “Thank you all for being here to celebrate this day.”
He looked down at his father and Iruka and couldn’t help but smile, “I’m one lucky man.”
There was a cheer of “hear, hear” from the guests and they all lifted their champagne flutes and cheersed the happy couple. Kakashi pulled Iruka toward him and twisted his arm around Iruka’s, drinking his champagne while hooked to the younger man.
Once they both had a sip, there was an annoyingly loud tinkle of silverware hitting glasses. It took no effort for Kakashi to oblige the request and passionately kiss his husband.
“Is it strange to say that I’m grateful the school burned down 5 years ago?” Iruka whispered against his lips.
Kakashi smiled, “Don’t let me hear you say that again, or I may suspect you of setting the next fire!”
Iruka's smile was brighter than all the sunflowers surrounding them combined, and Kakashi fell again, almost as hard as he did that first day, when Iruka pushed him out of the way.
“Only if the next Fire Captain is cuter than you,” Iruka countered.
“Then I guess we’re safe, since the next one will be Naruto,” Kakashi laughed and Iruka joined him.
They both had those same giddy smiles etched onto their faces the whole rest of the day.