Work Text:
"Come in, Iruka.” The leader announced at the stomped knock. The door opened revealing the familiar face of Iruka Umino, who walked in with his face covered in paperwork. He effortlessly shut the door behind him, and walked straight towards the desk aligning the paperwork with the various other stacks on his desk.
Kakashi frowned.
He expected a scolding or three, as he’d been taking a break from paperwork to embellish in the rare Make Out Tactics Series 4: Hiroto Kanji and his Love for Three Woman which he’d read about four times. But Iruka remained silent, almost troubled.
The current leader of Konoha raised an eyebrow, the book falling down in his lap, already knowing by default what page he was on, “Iruka, what’s on your mind?”
This seemed to snap the former teacher’s attention, looking back at him softly, “Nothing for you to worry about, Ka-Kakashi-san.” He grinned awkwardly, “Sorry.”
Kakashi was not convinced in the slightest, “Really? I beg to differ.” He rolled his seat back and stood up, walking around the desk. Iruka blinked, watching his every move and taking a cautious step back, “I will definitely worry if it’s something that is affecting one of my favorite shinobi’s moods.” Kakashi could see the heat roll up the man’s face by his flirtatious comment, and couldn’t help but languish in one of his favorite expressions of all time, “A drink?”
“No tha-” Iruka’s expression fell suddenly, his eyes twisting into the tiniest of glares, “Kakashi-san,” He said in his best teacher’s voice.
“Right, right, no drinks in the gown.” Kakashi waved him off, thankful that the man wasn’t acting completely out of character, “But I can see something’s troubling you and I would like to help if I can.” He paused for a moment as the other looked doubtful, “Remember when you said I could talk to you about anything? The feeling is mutual, I hope you realize that.”
Iruka remained nervous, though he still seemed to consider it, “I mean, it would be nice to talk to you...” He looked past his shoulder briefly at the multiple stacks of paperwork on his desk, “But from the looks of it, you’re probably busy.”
Kakashi didn’t look back, “Are you free today? Say after nine… well, ten is probably better. It’s been a while since we’ve had a friendly conversation, and I certainly do need that drink outside of work.
“Unless you intend to reject the Rokudaime’s request.” Kakashi finished, though it was obvious he was joking.
Iruka looked surprised, before giving him his best unimpressed look, “All I have is light shochu at my home.”
“Perfect,” Kakashi replied, “Until then?”
Iruka’s frown slowly melded into the faintest of smiles, “Alright, I was hoping to catch up with you too. Try not to be late, okay?”
“Me?” Kakashi gasped, feigning ignorance, “Never.”
Iruka rolled his eyes, “Till then, Rokudaime Kakashi.” He said, and laughed at the man’s scowl as he strolled out.
***
Kakashi was 30 minutes late, but Iruka was too busy cleaning out his house to realize.
After eating the extra delicious takeout brought by Kakashi, who did a quick touch-up with spices, and washing dishes together, the two old friends sat on separate ends of the couch with a drink in their hand. Iruka was on his second, while he didn’t know how many Kakashi had, only everytime he turned his glass would be empty and he would be pouring himself a new one.
His mask completely down.
“So, care to share what’s on your mind?”
Iruka tapped his fingers over his glass gently, and looked over at the older man. He’d been ready for this conversation though his face dampened slightly as he thought more about it. Kakashi took in his demeanor.
“Promise not to laugh?”
“I would never laugh at you, Iruka.”
Iruka flushed slightly, ducking his head and feeling the light buzz hit him, “The other day… I went on a blind date. ” He was almost embarrassed to say it. Though they spoke about personal topics all the time, there was just something about it that felt odd.
Kakashi blinked at him slowly. “Now I know it’s weird and totally uncharacteristic of me, but Izumo-san was insistent and it’s not like I actually put myself out there a lot.” He sighed, leaning forward with the same troubled look he had earlier that day, “After Naruto got married, I promised myself I would like to find someone who cared about me as much as Hinata cared about him. But I was so busy after my promotion, which came with a whole new set of problems on top of the ones I already had, I… I… just didn’t have the time -”
Kakashi tried to look hopeful and understanding, he’d known about a lot of this, “And what happened? Did you croak?”
“No, no…nothing like that! Well, I was just so nervous that I - didn’t pace myself, and drank myself into oblivion. I acted like a total amateur, and I can’t even remember half of it!” Iruka started to feel the alcohol creep up on him, he wasn’t much of a heavy drinker unlike his counterpart, “I was honestly so worried until she reached out to find me after I saw you, and told me that she wanted to know when the next one was. But I don’t think I’m going to go.”
Kakashi sipped on his drink, he didn’t exactly know how he felt about this…“Why is that?”
“Because,” drawled the younger man, downing his drink a little faster, as if he didn’t learn from the last time,, “I mean… I really didn’t know what to say! Work is one thing, but I’ve never really understood the basics of wooing someone.” Wooing, really? Kakashi tried to keep a straight face, “ Like how far can I go, what kind of things should I say to make myself look interesting, are my children at school an appropriate topic?”
“Maybe talking about children on the second date isn’t in your best interest, “ Kakashi tried not to look so amused, Iruka groaned in his stead, “I’m kidding, it’s a date, something you do to get to know the other person so I don’t think any conversation is really off the table. You just being yourself is more than enough to get people to fall for you, I’m sure.”
Iruka flushed hard, though it may have just been the drinks, “Oh sure, said by the babe magnet himself.” Iruka hit the side of his arm with his drink and looked shocked when it almost spilled over. Kakashi quickly took it and placed it on the table, “Kakashi, just look at you. You look like you haven’t aged a day and you practically have people groveling at your feet while myself...
“I think because they want something out of me, more than they’re attracted to me,” Kakashi fancied a light joke, but unsurprisingly didn’t get the same reaction; instead Iruka had a concentrated look in his eye as if he was wallowing in his self-pity. He had been so insecure since he overheard a bunch of kids ridiculing his growing wrinkles, “Oh Iruka,,” He wiped the sweat off the vice principal's face, “How could you even doubt yourself? You have the most envious of positions and incomes, not to mention you’re one of the most loyal, genuine, heartfelt human beings I’ve ever met and relied on.”
“And what are you saying? Have you seen yourself in the mirror? Do you have any idea how infectious your smile is? How contagious your laugh is?.”
“Kaka-”
“Iruka, any woman, man, or child would be lucky to have you in their presence, I know of no one else who I would rather be at my side, sharing drinks with.”
He felt his arm grasped and his mouth being covered by Iruka’s palms- looking at the poor man who looked flush and overstimulated by his friend’s declarations. It was torture not to do anything about it.
“Kakashi…” Iruka whined softly, dropping his hand. Kakashi stared back at him, slowly closing the distance between them.
He suddenly felt a heavy weight on his chest when Iruka fell over, his forehead hitting the middle of his throat. Kakashi looked up with a blank expression, though didn’t mind it in the slightest, “Thank you, Kakash-san. If only she was you...”
Something stirred in Kakashi even though this time he knew it was the drinks. Even so, he happily wrapped his arms around the other while holding him close.
***
Hours later, Iruka found himself in bed with a bad headache. He groaned as he sat up, trying to remember the events of last night and finding that he couldn’t. To his horror, he soon realized he’d been stripped down to his boxers, feeling the light breeze from the opened window to his uncovered legs. As he held the blankets close to him, he noticed a single note on his night table, along with a bottle of water and two pills over a handkerchief.
The note read:
‘Had to leave. Have fun at your date tomorrow.
P.S: You took your clothes off yourself ;)
Iruka blushed a deep red, and crumpled the paper, throwing it in the trash. He then took the two pills and gobbled them down with water before going back to sleep.
***
Kakashi yawned as he finally left his six hour meeting, having blanked out for four. Thankfully, Shizune had taken notes for him, and he knew he definitely owed her one or ten. For now though, he would rather not even think about it. Stretching his sore arms, his stomach growled signaling he was hungry and perhaps in dire need of a distraction. He thought about his good friend, who he left in a rather troubled state, and decided to pay him a visit. He remembered how Iruka talked about himself which suddenly made Kakashi angry and he intended to end those thoughts once and for all.
As he got outside of his house, he noticed Iruka’s lights were on, and gave a relieved sigh. It took everything in him not to use the window that he knew Iruka was not a fan of. But a gut feeling inside him was telling him to use the door.
He waited as he cradled an unopened, but expensive sake bottle conveniently tucked against his chest in case anyone noticed the Rokudaime outside the vice-principal’s door with it (not a good look, Iruka had constantly reminded him in frustration.)
Almost two minutes later, which by the time made Kakashi extra curious, wondering if he should have used the window afterall, the door opened. Iruka blinked at him widely as he didn’t expect him, “Kakashi-san!”
Kakashi tried not to look too gobsmacked at the vice-principal. Iruka looked like a complete snack, wearing a white crisp shirt and jeans that accentuated a lot of his good parts, something which his blue uniform did not./p>
“My, my sensei,” Whistled the words before Kakashi could stop himself. Iruka looked confused for the moment before Kakashi pointed down to his clothes, “Don’t you think you’re a little too dressed up for me?” Iruka blushed about to disagree when there was rustling within the house.
As Iruka, who was momentarily distracted, looked over his shoulder, Kakashi’s smile dropped. It was then the leader noticed the size six pumps sitting on the side of Iruka’s mat, which definitely did not belong to the owner of the house in question. It didn’t take a genius to find out what was going on.
Kakashi would suddenly rather be in that hellish meeting having his ear talked off by elders rather than standing there right at that moment, “Maa, Iruka, don’t you work fast.”
Iruka turned back to him confused, but Kakashi didn’t let him take another second to ponder as he practically shoved the bottle in his hand and poofed away.
***
Shizune could tell the leader was in a very bad mood.
He’d barely said anything the past three days. Sitting in his chair, slumped with his hand in the corner of his face, continuing his paperwork. He’d been getting progressively worse as the days went on, seemingly focused on his work than anything else with barely any breaks in between. Shizune didn’t even know if he’d gone home but he smelled freshly showered every morning.
He collectively made her shoo away anyone who wanted to see him unless for emergencies, emergencies that consisted of the village being burned to the ground or worse, and gave her the responsibility to deal with it anyway if it were the case. Certainly being the rokudaime’s assistant was a lot of work, especially since Shikamaru was currently on paternity leave, but she’d agreed anyway.
She went through worse with Tsunade anyway, but at least Godaime had been somewhat forthcoming with her. Kakashi was another story, she could never tell what was bothering him because he was so distant about what was bothering him.
As she shut the door behind her, she looked up as she heard footsteps from a person who had surprisingly bypassed security, Realizing who it was, she gave a sigh of relief.
Kakashi barely looked up when there was a knock on the door, and didn’t say anything when it opened and a familiar figure walked in, shutting the door behind him. Iruka looked at Kakashi, dressed in his usual uniform, looking rather hesitant as if he didn’t know he should be there. Kakashi decided this wasn’t just a simple pit stop.
“Kakashi-san,” Iruka muttered, his voice filled with concern. He pushed himself off the door and walked over to the man’s desk, a bit surprised. The months worth of paperwork was almost finished, and he realized that Shizune hadn’t been exaggerating afterall, “Shizune just told me that you’ve been running yourself vapid in here, overworking yourself, are you alright?”
“It’s nothin, don’t worry about it.” His voice was so obviously monotone as he barely looked up.
Iruka frowned at his dismissive tone. “You know you can tell me anything,” He started, not liking this in the slightest, and realizing he really wasn’t going to get a true answer, continued, “I haven’t seen you in a while. Why don’t you just put down the pen and we can go out for drinks, eh? My treat.”
“I shouldn’t drink in my gown.”
Ok, something was definitely wrong.
Iruka was so taken aback by it all, he’d never seen Kakashi in such a state. If he was unhappy or angry, he would usually tell him to give him some space. This was different, “Did I do something wrong?” He asked after a moment. Kakashi sighed in annoyance, before he looked up realizing how truly hurt he was making him. Alright, maybe he was being a bit too much.
“Actually… Let’s go out, afterall.” Kakashi said, standing up abruptly which surprised the younger vice principal who backed up in surprise at the quick mood change. Kakashi quirked an eyebrow, but Iruka nodded not wanting to pass up the opportunity, and followed him out.
***
Their time together was quiet. They walked around the neighborhood for a bit and got approached by some interested civilians who’d wanted their chance to interact with the rokudaime - Iruka remained to the side, allowing them to have their peace. Kakashi sounded formal, and Iruka almost forgot that side of him as he was so used to the other side of the leader he shared a nightcap with almost every other weekend if they weren’t busy at least.
Kakashi was acting so differently with him.
It really stung.
Eventually they stopped at Iruka’s place, just short of night. Iruka was about to invite him in, but Kakashi simply turned to leave, “I’ll see you around.”
“Wait!” Iruka yelled, grabbing him just underneath his dark green vest, “Please, can’t you stay a bit?”
Kakashi didn’t want to turn to him, knowing he would lose to those eyes. He really didn’t want to be there.
“It’ll only be for a bit,” Iruka begged, “Please.”
Damnit. “Just for a bit, but I really have to go. I have a meeting in the morning.”
It never used to stop him.
Iruka nodded, and slowly led him inside the house.
Kakashi regretted it the moment he stepped in. Taking in the scent around him, he immediately realized his mistake.
The two sat side by side on the couch. Iruka had fetched him a couple of shot glasses, but neither one of them had touched them, nor the unopened bottle of the expensive sake.
“How long are you going to keep me here?” Kakashi asked, after the long silence between them.
“Till you tell me what’s going on with you,” Iruka didn’t miss a beat, and grew impatient when Kakashi didn’t say anything, “Why are you avoiding me? I’ve tried to get in contact with you, but I couldn’t even enter the floor. You know how worried I was!?” Iruka was practically yelling now, but Kakashi acted like it didn’t affect him, “Do you hate me?”
“I’d never hate you, Iruka.” Kakashi replied, his voice cracking ever so slightly.
“Then what is it?” Iruka asked, grabbing him by the sleeve as if he’d magically poof away again, “What did I do? Why can’t you look at me?!”
“It’s not what you’ve done.” Kakashi sighed, unable to hold the charade any longer, not when Iruka was obviously suffering thinking he had suddenly hated him. He changed the subject quickly, “That woman you were with. How is she?”
“Woman...? You mean Haruki?” Haruki Shinobe. He learned everything about her in less than a day. She was certainly a catch, and probably everything Iruka was looking for in a spouse. Intelligent, beautiful, can cook rather well, and was practically every man’s wet dream, “She’s fine, but what does she have to-”
“Please understand.” Kakashi tried not to sound bitter realizing the two were on first name basis. He ran his fingers through his hair, sighing. There was no point keeping it from him any longer, not when it pissed him off this much, “I can’t be your friend anymore.”
“W-What?!” Iruka stuttered, absolutely gobsmacked and taken off guard,, “Is it something I did…?”
“No, you didn’t do anything. It’s me.” The Rokudaime was adamant about that. He couldn't allow Iruka to blame himself.
“I don’t understand…“ Iruka pondered off.
“I can’t be your friend anymore because I’m in love with you.”
Poof. Suddenly the Rokudaime was no where to be found, leaving the vice principal to himself.
Iruka’s jaw dropped.
***
A few hours later, Kakashi heard a knock on the hokage’s chambers. He had delved immediately back to work, needing to sooth his mind. Yet, nothing he was doing helped. At this point he was signing things without reading it which, every so minutes, realized what he was doing, but forgot when the memories came back and hit him again.
He had finally did it.
He had ruined his decade long relationship with Iruka.
And then he ran away. Unbefitting of a hokage really, but he just couldn’t be there. Now that everything was out in the open, he couldn’t pretend anymore; how weak he was when it came to him, and how people may use that against him.
It was one of many reasons he hadn’t completely taken Iruka as his own a long time ago, during those dreaded chuunin exams. Again when they became closer after Naruto left. Again, when he left for the war.
But then, suddenly, that woman came into the picture and Kakashi couldn’t take it at all. He knew Iruka had dated other people before, but no one had even gotten close to his house except Haruki Shinobe, 29 years old, a Medical assistant at the Konoha Hospital. They were even calling eachother without formalities too.
He despised her even before he met her.
Kakashi suddenly sensed a familiar chakra which had been there for a good two minutes, only he was too distracted to notice. He was surprised for the moment before he felt a slight groan pass his lips Goddamnit Tenzou,“Come in,” He replied, “Iruka.”
The door opened, revealing one of the same. Kakashi didn’t look up, pretending to be busy with his paperwork and Oh, I accidentally drew a duck on these payroll documents.
Iruka rubbed the side of his sleeve, feeling rather awkward. He hoped the older man would say something, but he way too much into his work.
“Kakashi,” he cleared his throat, causing the other to look up suddenly, “I just want to know one thing… Is what you said at my house true?”
Kakashi dropped the pen he was holding. He slid his hands together and placed his chin ontop of them with a contemplative expression, “I’ve said a lot of things at your home before, please be specific.”
Iruka paused, scrunching up his face, “That’s not funny.”
“Yes, The morbid hokage, who just proclaimed his love for you, is unfunny.” Kakashi said again, not realizing how much it meant saying those words. It was like a combination of relief and anxiety washing over him, that he didn’t have to hide it anymore. Though he practically avoided Iruka’s gaze the entire time, now he’d been staring straight at him, gauging his reaction.
“Kakas-”
“Why are you here?”
Iruka fell silent, once again, looking completely shocked by it all. His face turned hard, as if he was rethinking everything, “You seriously love me?” He sounded doubtful.
“Yep.” No need to deny it.
“Really?”
“Yes.
“And you were avoiding me because?”
Kakashi rose his head at him, quirking an eyebrow by his nonchalantness. Usually it was the other way around, “Because I was trying to spare your feelings.”
Iruka gave him an incredulous look. Kakashi just shrugged. After a very long pause, Kakashi sighed and stood up, feeling the pressure of his presence long enough, “Iruka, let’s just forg-“
“You’re an asshole.” The frustrated vice-principal deadpanned.
Kakashi blinked, not expecting it. He’d been called a lot of things before, things worse than asshole, but it really did sting somewhat after everything that went between them.
“If I had a 5 gallon watering tank I would throw it at you! I literally thought the worst, and now you’re telling me it’s just because you’re in love with me?!”
“Just??? Iruka, this isn’t some-”
“I love you too, you foolish man!” Iruka yelled suddenly.
Kakashi’s eyes widened to saucers at the others proclamation, “Come again?”
“I said what I said!.” Iruka replied, deciding to be difficult for a moment, huffing.
“Iruka,” Kakashi said trying to remain as calm as possible, “Are you being serious right now?”
Iruka puffed up, trying to look confident but failing, "You heard me-" Kakashi would have jumped him right there, but having been so close to Iruka for a long time, he had successfully practiced self-restraint.
“Say it, again, please.”
Iruka would have refused against, but seeing the serious and anticipated expression on Kakashi’s face, he suddenly understood everything the other had been feeling these past few days, “This pissed off sensei, who just proclaimed his love for you, is in love with you idi-mmph!”
Before he could finish, the distance was broken as Kakashi jumped over the desk in front of him to smash their lips together. Iruka’s eyes widened as he bounced against the wall, face growing hot as Kakashi took complete control of him. Kakashi was a good kisser, definitely more experienced and Iruka found he could barely follow his movements. Iruka felt like his chest was about to burst in his chest. Kakashi felt the same sentiments.
Truthfully, he had loved Kakashi for a very long time, but their titles had made it extremely hard to justify any sort of relationship with him. He pushed it to the recesses of his mind, distracting himself with other things, even though he always felt a pang in his chest when he noted other kunoichi’s try to flirt with the man who seemed geniusly oblivious to their motives.
He was merely happy to stay by his side.
And now knowing Kakashi’s true feelings, why, it was too much to bare… especially when the man all but jumped him, and it felt incredible.
“I can’t believe this is real…” Iruka blinked as Kakashi hung his head suddenly, looking like he was about to crash. He’d barely slept for three days afterall
“Kaka-“ Was the last thing he heard before it all went black.
***
After some hours of rest, the two men sat on the couch, side by side, currently in the hokage chamber. Iruka’s head was leaning on Kakashi’s shoulder and Kakashi had his arm loosely over his waist, leaning close.
They barely looked at eachother after the guards left and called the Rokudaime an idiot under their breath.
“Iruka,” Kakashi said, finally breaking the silence between the two, “Forgive me, but why didn’t you say anything?”
“Probably the same reason as you…” Iruka replied, going back to laying his hand on his shoulder, before admitting, “I was scared. I mean you’re the Rokudaime, and I’m-” Before Kakashi could refute, Iruka continued, “I just didn’t want to risk what we had.
“But if I knew you were such a good kisser, I would have.” Iruka smiled shyly.
“Ma, ma, Iruka. What scandalous things am I hearing,” Kakashi teased in amusement before sighing. Something was still bugging him, that woman, “Honestly, Don’t take this the wrong way, but it’s taking everything in me to stay calm.” Iruka looked at him confused, “That lady with the pumped shoes. Haru whatever. When I saw her in your house I just about th-“
“Oh god…” Iruka eyes widened. He suddenly realized what had gotten Kakashi all wiled up all those days, “You got it all wrong! I accidentally spilled my wine on her and that’s why she came over- since my house was nearby and such a stain needs to be dealt with as quickly as possible!” Iruka had taught him a lot about random facts like that. Kakashi, himself, had given some tips on how to cook a proper meal other than ramen.
“But, you guys are still together?”
“No,” Iruka said, halting his murderous thoughts altogether, “You don’t actually know this, but she saw you from my window, and asked all sorts of questions. I caught on real fast and broke it off with her, asking to be friends.” He rubbed the back of his head sheepishly, “She called me an idiot and told me not to come in front of her again.”
“That’s better than what some of my conquests said to me,” Kakashi replied and Iruka looked at him weirdly. It was as if he was proud about it.
“I couldn’t lie, it really made me uncomfortable.” Iruka muttered, “Kakashi-san attracts a lot of attention, so it’s really difficult sometimes seeing it knowing that they had a chance and I-“
“Iruka, you should have said something.” Kakashi said before pulling him into another embrace, “It would have saved us a whole lot of grief, we may even had been married by now.”
“Married?”
“With three kids.”
“Kids!???” Iruka looked at him, shocked, “Isn’t it to early to talk about kids on the first date!?”
“Iruka,” Kakashi rose an eyebrow, “We’ve known eachother long enough to know this isn’t the first date. Don’t you think?”
Iruka stuttered a bit before nodding, looking down. It was almost invigorating, thinking about it. He felt like he was 15 again having met Kakashi the first time on that mission. And getting a head injury.
“Iruka?”
“Yes, Kakashi-sa…. Kakashi?”
“I love you.”
Iruka stared back, feeling rather light.
“I love you too,” He replied warmly.
Iruka would soon find out; that despite his loud and proud declarations, Kakashi had absolutely no idea what it meant to be in a relationship.. But that was okay, because they had forever to figure everything out and Iruka was definitely patient enough, as proven by this entire charade.
“So when’s the moment I can rip your clothes off?”