Work Text:
The door swung open as Kakashi and his sons entered their dwelling. The boys were dirty from sparring or what they considered to be sparring. Toddlers attempting to spar can be quite humorous.
Kasumi squealed at seeing his mother. He and Roka ran over to her. Kakashi saw Mei sitting at the table, cheek resting on her fist. He frowned as the boys’ excited voices woke her. The woman’s head jerked up and off of her hand and she turned, smiling at her sons even as she stifled a yawn. As she heaved herself to the side to receive their hugs, the boys didn’t fit on her lap anymore, Kakashi approached.
Mei looked up at her husband and he tilted his head in a silent question.
Mei sighed, exasperated. “I’m fine Kakashi, just a little tired.”
“You should go to bed if you’re tired,” Kakashi said trying to mask the anxiety in his voice. He fingered the scroll she’d been reading. “This isn’t that important.”
“News from the Mist is always important,” Mei responded automatically. “Besides, I don’t think I could sleep.”
Kakashi pointedly looked at the color of the scroll and raised an eyebrow. “So you don’t mind if I read the important news?” He scanned the document as Mei looked guiltily at the floor. “Aha, I can see why the refinishing of main street demanded your immediate attention,” Kakashi chided.
“Okay, so it wasn’t an urgent matter,” Mei confessed, “but I always read Chojuro’s reports.”
“And you can,” Kakashi agreed, taking her hand and pulling her up. “In bed.”
“Kakashi, it’s the middle of the day,” Mei stated, irritated with being babied.
“You were sleeping at the table!”
“Only a little.”
Kakashi sighed. “My pregnant wife, my very pregnant retired wife, doesn’t need to sleep at the table. She can rest in bed, where she’ll be comfortable. Now don’t make me carry you,” Kakashi added as Mei resisted his guiding hand.
Mei gave in and allowed Kakashi to lead her to the stairs with his left hand holding hers and his other hand on the small of her back. “Boys,” Kakashi said, “your mother is going upstairs to rest so please play quietly.”
At this Roka jumped up, followed closely by his little brother. “Can we help Mommy up the stairs too?” Roka asked, grasping Mei’s free hand. Kasumi also gripped her right hand.
Mei wanted to say something but Kakashi beat her to it. “Oh Mommy doesn’t really need the help but I do it anyway,” Kakashi informed his sons. Under his breath he added, “even though it’s for her own good.”
Mei snorted and playfully glared at her husband.
So the entire Hatake family traversed the stairs. At the landing the boys raced back to their toys. By the shouted exclamations from downstairs, Roka had won.
“I do believe I told them to play quietly,” Kakashi said to Mei as he turned down the covers.
“Oh they’re fine,” Mei said sitting down heavily on the mattress. “They’ll be quiet in a minute I’m sure.” She ran her hand over the sheets contentedly.
Kakashi frowned at her, “are you fine?”
Mei rolled her eyes at him as she laid herself down. “Yes I’m fine,” she snapped back, “will you stop asking me that if I take this nap?”
Kakashi eyed the fading red mark on her cheek from where her face had planted itself on her fist. He said nothing and sat down next to her.
“No you won’t,” Mei grumbled in defeat. She rubbed her belly as somebody on the inside kicked. Kakashi took a breath to speak but she cut him off. “I am fine. I’m not a porcelain doll you know. I’m your wife. I’m the former Mizukage for crying out loud.”
Kakashi tried the logical approach, “would we be arguing about this if you weren’t tired?”
Mei’s eyebrow twitched.
Kakashi immediately changed tactics. “I’m just worried about you. This pregnancy has been more difficult for you than the boys’ were. I just don’t want you to overdo it.”
The worry was actually showing on his face and Mei softened. “I will let you know when I get to that point.” She paused, thoughtful. “We can ask Sakura to come monitor the last few weeks, whatever we need to do.”
Kakashi ran a hand through his hair distractedly as he listened.
“You don’t trust me to make that call,” Mei challenged, getting irritated again.
Kakashi sighed. “No Mei, I trust you, I’m just so worried-” He trailed off and stood up to pace.
Mei leaned into her pillows and closed her eyes. “Relax Kakashi, you’re making me nervous.” She smirked and opening her eyes said, “let’s say you carry the baby next time. Then I can fret over you.”
Kakashi didn’t respond, he just continued to pace.
Mei frowned, her teasing usually got some sort of reaction. “Kakashi.”
He continued to pace; he didn’t appear to hear her.
Mei raised an eyebrow in irritation. It was annoying to have all of his attention and then suddenly none of it. It gave her whiplash. Without thinking, Mei pretended to cry out in pain. She immediately regretted it as her husband, eyes wide, flew over to her in a whirl of leaves. She took a split second to marvel at how they had gotten in the room before she had to confront the idiocy of what she’d just done.
“What was that? Are you alright?” Kakashi worried over her, hovering like a bee.
Mei bit her tongue. If she told him that she’d done it just to get his attention… Revulsion swept through her making her feel sick.
Maybe I am tired, Mei thought. I’m not thinking clearly. What a wicked thing to do, and he was already so worried. Mei bit her lip. She scrambled for words as Kakashi’s wide eyes stared into hers.
Taking a breath Mei said, “I’m alright Kakashi. I’m sorry for making you worry.” Mei reached out and cupped his check. “You’re right though, I should be resting more. I’ll rest if you don’t worry so much, okay?”
Kakashi nodded, some tension leaving his shoulders. “Okay.” He kissed her forehead and rose. “Let me know if there’s anything you need. I’ll try to keep the boys quiet.”
Mei smiled in response and Kakashi turned to leave. “Kakashi,” Mei called just before he shut the door. Said ninja stuck his head back in the room immediately, eyes alert. “I love you.”
Kakashi’s eyes softened. “I love you too.” He closed the door and Mei slept.