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Taking the steps two at a time, Kakashi cursed himself for oversleeping as he rushed up the library’s staircase. He was late for his tutoring session which was something he looked forward to twice a week. The extra help had improved his grade in physics though he spaced out from time to time soaking up the dreamy looks of his tutor. The chocolate brown hair pulled into a ponytail made Kakashi want to run his fingers through the luscious locks to see exactly how thick they were. The tan skin the shade of caramel made him want to kiss every inch of it. The deep brown eyes that crinkled when his tutor smiled sent his heart into overdrive. He knew he should pay constant attention to the lesson but he couldn’t help it that his tutor was so darned attractive.
“Hey, Iruka. Sorry I’m late,” Kakashi said as he burst into the study room.
“Let’s dive into chapter thirteen since we’re short on time,” Iruka said, Kakashi detecting a hint of disapproval in his voice.
“Sure. Let me get my book out,” Kakashi said.
The session went well, Kakashi learning the topic better than he ever would in a lecture. The way Iruka explained the subject made it easy for Kakashi to grasp, the latter grateful that he had such an insight thanks to Iruka. Placing his belongings into his backpack, Kakashi smiled when he was ready to go.
“Thanks, Iruka. Sorry again for being late,” Kakashi said once they were finished.
“Is everything all right?” Iruka asked, “That’s the third time this month that you’ve been late. It’s not like you.”
“Just not sleeping very well,” Kakashi replied, recalling the daydreams he had where Iruka was the star, “I’m sure it’ll even itself out soon.”
“I’ll cross my fingers for you,” Iruka said, smiling at Kakashi, “Hate to do it but I have to run. Quantum physics is calling my name.”
“I still don’t see how you understand that,” Kakashi muttered, his heart skipping a beat upon hearing Iruka’s melodic laughter.
“I don’t understand how you can take three foreign languages at the same time and not confuse them. We each have our strengths,” Iruka said, standing and slinging his bag onto his back, “Tuesday?”
“Tuesday,” Kakashi answered.
“Wonderful. See you then and have a great weekend,” Iruka said.
Kakashi went about his day as usual, attending the three classes that were scheduled on Fridays and diligently taking notes in each one. Physics had become bearable since Iruka started tutoring him and he had some semblance of what the professor was trying to impart upon them. As he was packing his belongings at the end of class, the professor dropped a bombshell on them.
“We’re having a test on Monday to go over the material we covered this week,” she said.
Cursing his bad luck, Kakashi knew he would never be prepared and was doomed to fail the test. An inkling of an idea came to mind, one that could advance both of his hopes. Pulling out his phone, Kakashi typed out a quick text.
Are you busy this weekend?
My physics prof sprung a test on us
It’s on Monday
Would we be able to get together to study?
I’ll pay you double since it is the weekend
~*Kakashi*~
How does tomorrow evening sound?
I’m busy during the day but will be free around 6
You don’t have to pay double
I promise
**Iruka**
That’s perfect
My address is 824 Warner Way
See you then
~*Kakashi*~
Smiling to himself as he exited the room, Kakashi couldn’t help but think the stars were aligning to put his more important plan into action.
Kakashi felt like he was going to drop from exhaustion by the time Iruka arrived.
He spent the better part of the day cleaning his tiny apartment. He wasn’t by any means a messy man but wanted every inch to be spotless. Grocery shopping was next, Kakashi selecting the ingredients for a dish he had never made before. He picked up a bouquet of flowers on a whim though he wasn’t certain if he’d give them to Iruka or not. Returning home, Kakashi got started on a meal that he hoped would knock Iruka’s socks off..
Dinner was nearing completion by the time Kakashi heard a knock at the door. Wiping his hands off on a kitchen towel, he answered the door and ushered Iruka inside. He was all smiles as he watched Iruka take in his apartment.
“I’m glad you could make it. Sorry for such a short notice,” Kakashi said.
“You couldn’t help it and I was free,” Iruka said, “Something smells delicious.”
“I’m making ramen. I figured since I was monopolizing part of your weekend the least I could do was feed you,” Kakashi said.
“Ramen is my most favorite dish ever,” Iruka said, Kakashi’s inner self cheering at his choice of the meal.
“It’s just about done. Want to keep me company while I add the finishing touches?” Kakashi asked.
After a quick nod from Iruka, Kakashi led him to the tiny kitchen in his apartment. He had scallions to cut and eggs to boil before his masterpiece was complete. Hoping he’d wow Iruka with his amazing culinary skills, Kakashi snapped out of his reverie when he heard his name.
“I’m sorry. I was spacing out,” Kakashi apologized.
“You seem to do that a lot,” Iruka said amusedly, “I see you bought flowers but left them on the table.”
“Yeah…I…um…” Kakashi stammered, his mind searching for a way to give them to Iruka.
“If you hand me a vase I’ll arrange them for you. A friend and I took a floral arrangement class last summer. It was a lot of fun,” Iruka said.
“I don’t have a vase,” Kakashi said.
“A bucket?”
“I have a red plastic one. Would that work?” Kakashi inquired.
“That’ll work perfectly,” Iruka answered with a twinkle of amusement in his eyes.
Once Kakashi retrieved the bucket from the hallway closet, the two talked about their weekend so far. Iruka had been busy studying for a quantum physics test while Kakashi had two chapters of Greek to go over. Both had skipped lunch in order to save room for the meal Kakashi was preparing. Now that the time was upon them, Kakashi couldn’t wait for his plan of Iruka falling head over heels for him at first bite. Serving both of them, Kakashi put the finishing touches on their meals and scooted Iruka’s bowl closet to him. He waited for him to take a bite, frowning when Iruka coughed and reached for his glass of water.
“Are you choking? Do I need to do anything to help you?” Kakashi questioned in alarm.
“N-no,” Iruka said, coughing a few times and taking another sip of water, “It’s very salty but otherwise the flavor is great.”
“Salty?” Kakashi said, taking a bite and feeling his tastebuds wither from salt burn, “This isn’t edible.”
Shoving the bowl away, Kakashi dropped his head on his propped arm while his other arm rested on the table . The first part of his agenda had crashed and burned, leaving him grasping at straws. While he had a few other items that would complement dinner, he didn’t know if they would stand on their own. Exhaling slowly, he was mid-breath when he felt a hand on his own.
“It’s not that bad. We can dilute the broth and enjoy it,” Iruka said.
“How much would we have to dilute it?” Kakashi asked.
“Quite a bit,” Iruka said, wincing when Kakashi’s expression turned forlorn, “You can freeze a lot so you can have ramen again. I’ll even come over and help you eat all of it.”
“Promise?” Kakashi said, his heart fluttering when Iruka nodded, “Will you help me? I’ve never done this before.”
“It’s all about trying the broth before you put more water in. Let’s drain the noodles first,” Iruka instructed.
Kakashi followed Iruka’s instructions to a T, the duo filling three large bowls, four all-purpose containers, and two freezer bags full of broth. Once that was finished, they sat down to eat the second version of ramen they had created together. It was delicious, Iruka stating that it put some restaurants to shame. Kakashi couldn’t help but grin.
Once the leftovers were put away and the kitchen tidied, they relocated to the living room to begin studying. Iruka was explaining torque when the lights flickered before going out completely. A miserable groan fell from Kakashi’s lips as he lamented his horrendous luck of trying to reveal his feelings to his tutor.
“Do you have any candles?” Iruka inquired.
“Yeah, I have one in my room,” Kakashi answered, “It’ll be too dark to get anything done though.”
“Not if we sit next to each other,” Iruka said, “Imagine how romantic that could be.”
“R-romantic?” Kakashi stuttered, “What makes you—”
“I know you have a crush on me, Kakashi. You haven’t hidden it as well as you thought you had,” Iruka said gently, “Truth be told, I have a thing for you too.”
“You do?” Kakashi asked, dumbfounded.
“Yep. You try so hard at whatever you put your mind to, you’re funny and make me laugh more than most people,” Iruka replied, “You’re very handsome and have the most beautiful grey eyes.”
“I was that obvious?” Kakashi questioned, Iruka humming in reply, “My plan tonight was to make dinner for you, give you the flowers you arranged, and tell you I have a thing for you. Nothing went the way it was supposed to.”
“Imagine the story we’ll be able to tell our friends about our first date,” Iruka said.
“First date?” Kakashi asked in amazement.
“Yep. That’s what this feels like. Instead of studying in the dark, how about we take our date out for some dessert? I’m craving cupcakes and this place on the main drag makes the best cupcakes I’ve ever had,” Iruka suggested.
“I’d love to. I have to ask you something though so it’s concrete in my mind,” Kakashi said.
“All right,” Iruka said.
“Would you like to date me? We can get to know each other even better and go from there?” Kakashi inquired.
“I’d love to,” Iruka said.
Fumbling for Iruka’s hand in the dark, Kakashi squeezed it gently and thought of the unorthodox and completely unexpected way that he had won his tutor over.