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The smell of cigarette smoke lingered in the air, although he couldn’t see the source. He turned his attention back to the rose and vanilla scented perfume that his wife wore, his fingers running along her thigh just below the hem of her skirt. He still wasn’t sure how he felt about the idea of a public meeting, how it would go, but it was better than just him outright moving in. She reached forward and squeezed his hand affectionately, reassuringly. They had been married for just shy of a year, but together for longer. She had been introduced to him by his girlfriend and boyfriend at the time. A new face to their what others claimed unconventional relationship. She had helped him cope with their deaths, first Obito’s, and then Rin’s. They had come home to find Rin.
“Do you still want this, my love?”
The question had Kakashi frowning. He had missed life with a man, even though he loved his life with her. Obito’s place would never be filled, but he missed having that type of presence. Try as she might, Shizuka would never fill the role of a protector. She was far from timid, but she didn’t get into fights often and he knew she preferred to be submissive to his dominance. A kiss was given to her temple when he leaned over and said, “Of course. We’re here, aren’t we?” A smile graced her lips and she nodded. He squeezed her knee. The date had been set for two weeks. Kakashi tried to consider what he knew about their mystery man.
He was younger, a fourteen year old difference between the couple and their date. He had been recently divorced, his wife hadn’t been able to appreciate him enough. Shizuka had frowned when she had heard the words, clearly not happy to hear them. “I guess we’ll have to be extra appreciative, then, won’t we?” Kakashi wasn’t always the most aware partner, but he made a point to be more appreciative after they had lost Obito and Rin, after he had been concerned about losing her, too. “He’s late.” Kakashi finally made himself look at his watch. Shizuka shook her head softly. He felt her hand on his knee move a bit higher. She squeezed him through his pants slyly, a quiet hum escaping past her lips.
“You are the one person that cannot judge someone about being late, Kakashi, you were late to our wedding.”
He made a face.
“And, you still waited for me.”
“And, we’ll wait for Naruto, too. Good things come to those who wait after all.”
Her eyes twinkled in amusement.
She leaned in to kiss him, slow and encouraging. They broke apart when someone cleared their throat, and the couple turned towards him. Kakashi knew him to be Naruto from a picture. He felt his cheeks grow slightly hot. He looked a lot like Kakashi’s favorite teacher when he had been younger, the first time he had been attracted to another man. Minato had been married and in love with a woman, Kushina, but also kind. His blue eyes were the color of the ocean as they darted between the couple, his blond hair spiked. “Hello.” He looked awkward, as if he were clearly uncertain about being there.
“Hi there.”
Shizuka smiled and let go of Kakashi. She slid off her stool, her silky brown hair falling down down her back. She was pretty, she had always been pretty to Kakashi. Obito had made a point of mentioning the way he stared at her, mostly so he could draw Rin’s attention away for himself. The couple had never minded. She had dressed up for the night in a white dress, making her sun kissed legs look alluring to him. The scoop neckline highlighted her breasts, and as he glanced at them, Kakashi didn’t think she was wearing a bra. He could see the way her nipples pressed against the fabric. As Naruto glanced down at her, he wondered if the young man noticed, too. “It’s nice to finally meet you in person, Naruto.”
She asked if he minded if she hugged him, and he didn’t mind at all. Kakashi watched as the blond squeezed his wife in an affectionate hug. She had been excited enough for the two of them. Shizuka would later liken the hug as if he were an old friend, and it looked as if he was, too.
“None of the photos you two sent do either of you justice.”
Naruto teased.
Kakashi stood and the two shook hands, unlike his wife, he wasn’t fond of hugs.
“And look at you, you’re so handsome, isn’t he, Kakashi?”
Shizuka squeezed Kakashi’s arm. He murmured in agreement. He did look handsome. He had worn an orange button down shirt with a few undone to show some smooth, muscular bronzed skin and black pants that were pressed neatly, as if he wanted to impress them. It did. It had been good timing, he thought. The couple had just moved into a larger home. They had an extra room that they wanted to rent out - Naruto had been looking for a place to live. Their conversations had rolled from there, and the actions seemed to repeat themselves as Shizuka suggested they move to a booth. The bar didn’t allow for proper conversation. “How old are you, Naruto?” She asked as they took a seat. The tenant application had said twenty-three, and he said the number as if he didn’t know they knew. Shizuka was thirty-eight, Kakashi was thirty-seven. “And, your occupation is?”
“Shi, you’re making him nervous before he even sees the house.”
Kakashi squeezed her leg under the table. She blushed. Naruto laughed. The sound was warm and cheerful. “She talks when she’s excited. We’ve been looking forward to this since you’ve mentioned you were coming for business.” And more. His letter had said as much. They had made up the guest bedroom, leaving the room that would be his empty so he could evaluate it properly. Naruto looked between the two of them, wetting his lips lightly as he heard the words. He swallowed. Was it a lot? Were they a lot? “At least I didn’t pull out the rent contract.” Shizuka muttered. When she pouted, her action showed off more cleavage. Naruto noticed. His cheeks turned pink. Kakashi was used to it, although he still received a nosebleed from time to time if he wasn’t expecting it.
When the server came by, they ordered food. Naruto had never been there, so the couple made suggestions, but he decided with sushi rolls, like the other two.
“I spent a semester in college where we ate nothing but bugs, so I honestly will eat anything these days.”
Shizuka snickered as Naruto spoke. Kakashi lifted an eyebrow, but he said nothing as they ate. Afterwards, they paid for the meal. “Is the address to the house right here? I don’t want to get lost in the taxi again-.” Naruto was cut off by Kakashi making a snorting noise. “As if we would let you take a taxi home, Naruto.” Shizuka frowned, touching his arm gently as she held onto Kakashi’s, “Come on. Kakashi’s car is this way.”
“I don’t want to be any troub-.”
“Naruto, it’s easier if you just get in the car. I’ll have to listen to her the entire way home about how rude we are as hosts, if you don’t.”
He shifted the bag he had been carrying over his shoulder. Kakashi could see it in his eyes that he was as new to being picked up by a couple than they were. It had been a long time. Finally, the young man sighed and they made their way to the car. There was a bumper sticker that identified his pick up truck as MY BEST FRIEND HAS FOUR LEGS. Shizuka hated it. Obito had found it funny until then the joke had been made clear he was Kakashi’s best friend, next to a man he worked with named Gai. “Now we do have dogs. Eight to be exact, if you recall. Kakashi fosters them, too.” Shizuka began, and Kakashi began to tune them out as she took a seat in the back, letting Naruto have the front.
He could smell something clean like linen coming from the young man as he got in, a difference from the sweet, floral combination coming from his wife. It reminded him of their bed sheets, the soap that he washed everything with. He wondered how Naruto would look in them and -
“Is he not paying attention or -.”
“I’m driving.”
“Kakashi has selective hearing often. You’ll get used to it. So, tell me more about Suna! I’ve never been. Kakashi’s been there a few times, we spent our honeymoon in Kiri before it went to shit.”
Kakashi tuned them out until they got home the moment he caught sight of the way blue eyes studied him. Naruto watched him as they turned into the gateway, the pavement disappearing into a wall of trees where in the distance, the roof was visible.
“It’s stunning out here, the views alone…”
Naruto was in awe.
Shizuka’s pride was in her voice as she said, “He does photography and found this place about six months ago, we fell in love with it immediately.” It reminded them of their past, but gave enough freedom for the two of them to move forward, away from the life that they once had. “There’s a river less than a mile away filled with fish. We like to sit and have picnics together, sometimes we do a little more.” A teasing smile. Their letters hadn’t been very closed off, after a while. Naruto had wanted to know about them and the couple weren’t shy, but they had their reasons to prefer to live outside of the prying eye. They had talked on the phone a few times, given and received scantily clad photos after it became clear that Naruto was interested.
The internet made things easier for connections to be made.
When they got out of the car, Kakashi grabbed Naruto’s bag. Shizuka took hold of Naruto’s hand. The two chatted amicably as they walked, with Shizuka pointing out aspects of the house and giving little tidbits. Their home had been found by accident on a hike, Kakashi had admitted to her, with floor to ceiling windows that allowed natural light to enter. There were dark curtains to block out the sun, as he liked to sleep in while Shizuka was the opposite, often up early so that she could work on her novel. Between Kakashi and his dogs, the woman often got easily distracted and would never get anything finished, otherwise.
As Kakashi tuned them in, he listened to her introduce his beloved pets. He had raised them all from puppies himself, starting with Pakkun, a gift from Obito. Bisuke had been a gift from Rin. He had collected the others overtime before adopting Uhei with Shizuka, finally.
“Your room will be here,” Kakashi spoke, drawing attention to himself as he pushed the door open. Shizuka grinned and bounced as they walked, letting go of Naruto’s hand long enough that Kakashi was able to reach out and grab her by the hips, drawing her back to him so that the young man could pass them. The couple kissed quickly, with Shizuka leaning into him a moment later as the two watched the way Naruto walked slowly into the room. “This place could fit my current apartment…” They heard him mutter. “Well, if it makes you feel better, it’s half the cost and you end up with some pretty fun housemates?”
Kakashi rolled his eyes.
Naruto laughed.
“Shi, give him time to unpack before you start trying to sell him on the offer.”
He reached out to pat her on her backside encouraging her afterwards to go find a bottle of wine.
“She’s very sweet. It’s good to see that translated in person.”
Naruto spoke awkwardly after the woman left the room. “It’s what drew me to her in the first place.” Kakashi admitted, tapping his fingers against his upper arm. They stared at each other for a few minutes. Naruto was a little bit taller than he was, so Kakashi had to glance upwards slightly at him. Obito had been the same way. He had been the first one to point out their personalities were similar, while Shizuka had pointed out that Kakashi had a type of man: strong, warm hearted and clever in an out of the box way. They were intelligent, and handsome, with a smile that could light up a room, let alone a mood. He had never been able to stay mad at his past boyfriends, something that Shizuka often gave him crap about.
Kakashi shifted his weight.
Naruto stared out the window.
He didn’t notice when Kakashi walked away, closing the door behind him and went to find his wife. He found her standing in the kitchen. She had gone and changed into something more comfortable, one of Kakashi’s shirts and a pair of jeans. He kissed the side of her neck. When he touched her side, Kakashi found that she was wearing a bra, after all. “What are you doing?” He asked, slipping his arms around her as they stood in front of the dessert she had begun to make. “I figured you two would talk longer. You’ve been wanting to talk to him in person for a while, my love.” She touched a blueberry to his lips and he parted them, accepting the fruit. When he kissed her next, she tasted of kiwi. “You’re supposed to decorate with the fruit, darling, not eat it.” He commented, in between the quiet, “Shut up, Kakashi” that brushed against his lips before she kissed him again.
She kissed him once more before telling him to go away.
In other words, she was baking.
Kakashi squeezed her through her jeans and headed towards their room to change. Their blankets were still messed up from before they’d gone to meet Naruto. Excitement had led to sex. A lot, Kakashi thought, often led to sex between the two - not that either minded. Kakashi changed into a pair of lounge pants that were plain and black, but comfortable. He pulled on a simple gray t-shirt, heading back into the main area of the house where he found Shizuka and Naruto chatting once again. They sat together on the couch, her legs crossed while he listened to the blond man beginning to talk about his occupation as a counselor. He had originally wanted to be a social worker after losing his parents young. It was something that the couple found refreshing.
“Irony is, as good as I am talking to people with their own problems, I couldn’t save my marriage…”
He tapped his fist against his thigh. Shizuka frowned. Kakashi said, “Chances are Naruto that your wife had her own problems and projected them onto you. There’s nothing you could do about it but try to hold on, if she was worth it.” He explained. Shizuka nodded. Naruto sighed quietly. “Marriage isn’t easy, and if one or more partner isn’t willing to work with you, it’s never going to work.” Kakashi glanced at his wife. “I don’t know how I put up with him most of the time.” Shizuka frowned. Kakashi smacked her with a pillow, causing her to giggle at him. “Must be his cute butt.” That time, the pillow hit her chest, she laughed and smacked him lightly on the thigh. They caught Naruto smiling as she laughed. “Have you been together long?”
“A few years. Our girlfriend and boyfriend introduced us when we were younger.”
“You’ve always been polyamorous?”
He seemed surprised. Kakashi suspected it was because of their age. Shizuka didn’t seem to mind. “I wasn’t, admittedly. Their girlfriend, Rin, at the time and I met at a bar, and then I met her boyfriend… and then I met their boyfriend to become their girlfriend. I considered myself a one woman, woman until I met them. Kakashi and Obito were wonderful to me, and it helped me become interested in men.” This made Naruto blink. “You were gay?”
“I prefer pansexual. I love the person, not what’s between their legs. Kakashi?”
“I dated a man, first, but I knew them from my childhood - Rin and Obito.”
Their names were embedded in his memories, the sounds they made. He had loved Obito, but he didn’t think he had ever really been in love with Rin, the way she had wanted him to. He loved Shizuka. The thought rolled through his mind. “I don’t remember how it started, truthfully, a drunken night in college.” He glanced at Shizuka. It had been the story Rin and Obito had told her, after all. She shrugged. When she didn’t add anything, he eyed her and he continued. He knew she was trying to make him talk more, daily. She didn’t like all the attention on her, she never had. “Eventually, I began to realize that I didn’t really care for the gender of who I slept with, but the people, their minds, what they enjoyed. I love the strength of men, but the beauty of women.”
When Shizuka did speak, she disappeared to check on her tart and came back with a bottle of wine, asking Naruto if he wanted any as she poured some for herself and Kakashi. The wine was sweet, crisp pear. He wondered where she had bought it, but before he could ask, she said, “Kakashi will think this rude, but, I’m curious - how long have you been interested in being with a couple, Naruto?” She must have had a few sips of wine in the kitchen, her cheeks were flushed. Naruto rubbed the back of his head. “My wife and I have been… down hill for a while. Ex-wife, I should say. I started to realize that I didn’t feel complete. No, that’s not the right word. I felt restricted? Restricted.” He frowned, thinking of it.
“I wasn’t happy. I missed being able to see more than one person. I’ve had girlfriends. I’ve had one boyfriend… I realized I liked both when I was in high school.” He wet his lips. As he did, Kakashi noticed him glance in his direction. “I want to say first and foremost, I didn’t expect you to pick up that I was getting flirty. I had been drinking and if you didn’t like it-.” Kakashi cut him off by raising his hand. “We noticed before that. It’s okay. Shizuka had to ask me if she was reading the text right when you sent it.” He could still remember the surprise on her features. Naruto had said he’d become intoxicated by them. It had been stupid. Normally, a man should have been annoyed, but Kakashi had drawn her into bed and rubbed her hip as they talked with him back. He hadn’t been drunk, when they’d called him.
“We actually enjoyed it, didn’t we, Shi?”
“More than enjoyed it, really.”
Kakashi still had the pictures that were exchanged on his phone. The clean and the racy ones as they’d picked up the pace over the weeks that followed. They had started with an “accidental” text that had been meant for Kakashi, and then Kakashi had done the same by accident. When Naruto had realized what they were doing, it had started a game. It was usually one where the couple were winners, having each other. At least until they knew where he wanted to be.
Unknown to them, he was there, at that minute.
“I do want to be clear, Naruto, that we aren’t a make or break situation. If you want to be involved, say so. We won’t force you. We’re interested. But, you don’t have to if you aren’t comfortable or if you find yourself uninterested. We were looking for a housemate, first and foremost.”
Shizuka said softly, Kakashi glancing at his wife as he watched the skin on Naruto’s face glow red.
“What Shizuka is trying to say, do you want to be with us?”
Naruto’s lips fell open at the question from Kakashi. He had expected to hear it from her. She was usually the instigator, the one to push them together. When she wanted to play, the three had a group chat together. It usually started with a lingerie picture. “Does it bother you that I’ve slept with only one man before?” He asked to Kakashi, who shrugged his shoulders. “You’ll learn.” Shizuka hit her husband in the face with a pillow. She frowned at him. Kakashi sighed. “No. It doesn’t bother me. I’m pretty easy going in the bedroom.” When Naruto looked at Shizuka, she made a so-so motion. Kakashi grabbed the inside of her thigh, a habitual motion when they were at home that he didn’t think of the soft moan that would slip past her lips that would make both of the men tense up.
The silence was broken with Naruto cracking a joke of, “At least he bought you dinner first?”
Kakashi snorted a sound of amusement.
Shizuka laughed.
“I wouldn’t mind giving it a try.” Naruto finally said.
They saw her run her tongue across the front of her teeth in thought. Kakashi watched her look over her shoulder to where a hot tub sat on the balcony. The temperature was supposed to be lower that night, but the views of the stars were breathtaking away from the village they lived near. “So… with that in mind… why don’t we start with a little soak?”