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At sixteen it was 12:03 standin’ at her front door
At some point without even realizing it, Kakashi had begun accepting Gai’s challenges. For a while, it was because of his dad. He’d never forget that day at the Academy, his dad telling him that this boy, who couldn’t do ninjutsu, was working so hard that one day he would outdo him. He thought having this weird rivalry with Gai kept his memory of his own father alive.
He doesn’t quite remember when that changed.
How it went from being just about his father, to genuinely enjoying his time with Gai. But it did, and it wasn’t upsetting, just strange. He didn’t quite know what to call this friendship. One moment, it was intense fighting and even more intense rock, paper, scissor competitions, and the next they would be sitting by the river, having deep conversations. About their lives as shinobi, their fathers, though that was more Gai than Kakashi, he still had a difficult time even thinking about him. But their time together was nice. He didn’t even talk to his own squad about half the things he would talk with Gai about.
“How could he humiliate himself like that? I mean, that’s not what youth is about.” Gai lamented, having just watched his own father make a fool of himself in front of not only him, but his squad. He knew the things people in the village would say about his dad, especially from higher ranking shinobi, it hurt seeing his father like this.
“Maybe. Isn’t that how he raised you, though?” Kakashi interrupts his train of thought, both of them staring out into the river. They’re both silent for a moment, Gai not sure what to say about Kakashi’s comment. Then of course, because he is his rival, Kakashi surprised him in his own way.
“I don’t think there’s a cooler shinobi out there. There’s no one quite like your dad.”
Katie’s Gai’s dad said midnight, but we needed just a little more
They spent the rest of the day doing their challenges that would change absolutely nothing in their friendship or rivalry. Not everyone could say the same. Gai bet Kakashi couldn’t swim across the river faster than him. They both took their clothes off until they were simply in their underwear, before plunging themselves into their freezing spring waters, and taking off across the river. Neither of them thought about the fact they would have to swim back to pick up their clothes. Kakashi won, but not by a whole lot. The corners of Kakashi’s lips lifted ever so slightly at this. He’s already catching up to me pretty quick, dad, he thought, Gai breathing comically heavy.
They took their time swimming back, the sun slowly bidding them goodnight before disappearing into the other side of the village. They both laughed at each other, once they realized they would have to sit there until they were mostly dry, which took about another hour. Kakashi had nowhere to be though, and he didn’t mind if this was how he spent his time. Being here with Gai, he didn’t have to think about how lonely he felt at home. Or the nightmares that would plague him once he fell asleep.
“I love my dad, I really do. I just, in some ways,” he pauses, “ I don’t want to turn into him.” Kakashi thinks about this, about how he vowed to never make the same mistake his father made, that he would always focus on the mission, and nothing else.
“I get that. I don’t think anyone wants to end up exactly like their parents.” They stay silent for a while, Gai not wanting to pry, knowing how Kakashi feels about his dad at the moment, not wanting to ruin the moment between the two of them. Gai appreciates it when Kakashi is vulnerable with him, though rare, but he would never do anything to ruin the trust between the two of them, at least never intentionally. Gai pulls out his watch to check the time, and quickly stands up, rapidly putting his clothes back on.
“Fuck, it’s almost midnight, my dad’s gonna kill me.” Kakashi chuckles, standing up and putting his own clothes back on.
“I highly doubt that, but let me walk you home, at least. If he is mad, which is unlikely, maybe he’ll be less mad if he knows you were with me.”
“He does like you a lot! Good thinking rival!” Gai tries not to think about how his heart fluttered at Kakashi wanting to walk him home. Kakashi tries not to think about the fact that he doesn’t want this night to end.
Yellow light flippin’ on and off, interruptin’ that goodnight kissin’
The walk still takes some time, Gai trying to rush home and Kakashi taking his time, constantly reminding him that Maito Dai is not the type of man to be angry, like ever.
Gai didn’t know what to make of this situation. Kakashi, spending most of his days off with him, indulging in his challenges, and now apparently, walking him to his house. He had so many questions he wanted to ask Kakashi. Was this a date? Was Kakashi aware that this could even be perceived as such? Did he even care? Was he also slowly losing his mind about him the way Gai was losing his own mind?
But nothing came out. They simply walked in silence, with the exception of the sounds of Konoha’s nightlife. Many of the shops had closed up for the night, with others slowly falling behind as well, couples ended their nightly strolls, the village was going to sleep. As they continued walking, Kakashi took notice of Gai’s silence, which made him nervous.
Was he okay? Did he not want Kakashi walking him home?
Maybe they should have parted ways at the river, but Kakashi hadn’t wanted to say goodbye just yet. He should have respected Gai’s wishes, despite not quite knowing what those were. He didn’t have to think for much longer, as they made their way to the front of Gai’s home.
“Well, we’re here. Thanks for walking with me.”
“Sure.”
They both stand there, not sure what else to say. Then, at the same time
“Everything okay?” “Was this a date?”
Kakashi and Gai stare at each other, stunned.
“Sorry, nevermind, I shouldn’t have asked. Forget I said anything. Goodnight. And thank you again.” Gai rushes out the words, turning around and getting a head start to his door. Kakashi grabs him by the arm, with a gentle grasp.
“Did you want it to be?” He’s not quite looking at Gai, and if Gai were to squint and if the porch lighting was any better, he could see a small blush peeking from Kakashi’s mask, but he wouldn’t tell him that.
Gai slowly pushes his arm down from Kakashi’s grasp until their hands are holding onto each other.
“Only if you do.” Kakashi turns his face to the side, a pretend pout almost, but his eyes stay on Gai, almost daringly so.
Naturally, as rivals, everything must be a challenge, including their love.
They both gravitate towards each other, without much thought, and their lips press together, in a most gentle kiss. For Gai, despite its gentleness, he felt like there were a million fireworks going on in his head at that moment. Kakashi however, the final piece of the puzzle had just been found. They continued to hold to one another, separating ever so slightly, just to join together by pressing their foreheads against each other.
“Is this real?” Gai whispered, afraid of what would happen if he were too loud right now.
“Only if you want it to be.” Kakashi whispered, echoing Gai’s earlier sentiment
Gai smiles, fully reaching his eyes, and begins to lean in for another kiss.
“Gai, it’s late my son!”
Right at the porch stood Maito Dai, flickering the lights on and off.
We wanted five more minutes.