Chapter Text
Kakashi pushed the curtains apart to reveal the hubbub of the restaurant, with stirring murmurs of “It’s the Rokudaime!”.
He sighed internally and managed a casual wave and a nonchalant eye smile, before heading deeper into the restaurant towards his regular private booth. There, a familiar brunette ponytail bobbed as the man in question hummed while he poured over the menu.
“You’re late.” Iruka stated, not even bothering to glance up.
“Well see, there was an old lady who needed help and I- ”
“Save it,” Iruka rolled his eyes in fond exasperation. A practised move that was becoming well acquainted with Kakashi’s throbbing heart.
“Miso or Shoyu?”
“Miso.”
Nodding, Iruka turned to a passing waitress and earnestly recited their order: A bottle of sake, a broiled miso saury, chicken and leek skewers, gyoza, steamed eggplant and a side of edamame. Kakashi watched him with a fond smile. The fact that Iruka knew his food preferences well enough to order for both of them spoke volumes of their growing familiarity with each other ever since the war ended.
With the role of the Hokage thrust upon him since then (“It’s yours now kid! Im retiring!” Tsunade cackled as she made a run for the casinos, a frantic Shizune in tow), and as Iruka advanced to the role of vice-principal of the Academy, they both saw an increased workload. Yet, Kakashi noticed that they met more than ever, with discussions of academic curriculum changes, welfare support for orphans and budgeting plans that the existing headmaster was more than willing to put Iruka up to.
And indeed, Iruka rose up to his role quickly, with his fiery temper and passion causing nothing but a headache for conservative elders and only more amusement for Kakashi during drole meetings on budgeting.
“So Chūnin san, while we appreciate your enthusiasm, perhaps the Academy can tighten its belt this year. The new ornamental gates for the central square-”
“- will do wonders for the children’s literacy rates, I’m sure.” Iruka cut in smoothly.
The elder blinked. “The ornamental gates attract visitors. Visitors bring ryo.”
“And children with outdated textbooks become unprepared genin. Which results in higher fatality rates on missions. You must forgive me if I think that’s a higher cost than a slow tourist season.”
The elder spluttered with a reddening face, “Now you listen here Chūnin san-”
Iruka held up his hand. “Actually, I must correct you there. It’s Vice Principal Umino now. And I believe my case has been made.” He sniffed and took his seat next to Kakashi again, leaving the elder fuming.
“Senpai…” A chiding whisper from the Anbu Cat prompted Kakashi to become aware of the wide smile that stretched across his face, his mask doing little to hide his amusement.
“Oh… too much?” Kakasi tried to readjust his expression but to little avail. Cat could only sigh.
Clearing his throat, Kakashi turned to Iruka with a gleam in his eye. “Well then, it seems that we have much to discuss about Academy curriculum changes. How about dinner?”
And so it commenced. From a strictly professional conversation revolving around test scores, funding requests and teacher training, Kakashi managed to offhandedly pivot the conversation topic to how Naruto was settling into his relationship with Hinata, which Iruka was more than happy to contribute to. It quickly evolved into a night of laughter as they swapped stories about their former student.
2 weeks later, Iruka coughed and cited a “draft proposal” on which he needed the Hokage’s input on, preferably over dinner. This time, they talked shop for about 30 minutes, before the conversation pivoted again to Naruto, then to Academy gossip, and Kakashi’s latest (mental) battles with the council. Kakashi left that night feeling pleasantly buzzed, a feeling that arose from more than just good sake, but also good company.
From then on, their dinners had developed into somewhat of a casual unspoken habit, especially when Iruka was working extra afternoon shifts at the mission desk, or when they just had a particularly nasty meeting with the council.
With his previous roles as the Hokage’s watchdog and a general of the Fourth Great Shinobi War, Kakashi never once entertained the possibility of settling down. Not when life was a lot more unpredictable and he had to be constantly on the move. Any infatuation with Iruka had to be locked in the depths of his heart with the key purposefully misplaced.
Now, as the Hokage, he found that ironically, he had more breathing room in a new age of peace. Well, that's if he could ignore the weight of diplomacy, paperwork and a very, very irate council. And so, with each bright laugh Iruka exuded, Kakashi felt his feelings for the brunette slowly bubble and rise to the surface once again, threatening to spill out at any time.
With that in mind, Kakashi found himself going to lengths to ensure that he could end work at a reasonable time and even carve out pockets of his leisure time just to spend them with Iruka. After all, Kakashi was only a gay, gay moth drawn to Iruka’s undying bright Will of Fire.
This earned him a smug look from Shikamaru who offhandedly commented that the Hokage’s newfound time management skills were looking very promising for their never-ending paperwork. That brat always did know too much, Kakashi grumbled internally.
Back to the present, Kakashi found himself enraptured by the sight of a pretty pink flush overtaking Iruka’s features as he poured himself another glass of sake. It was rare to see, as Iruka was usually cautious about drinking in public, knowing what a lightweight he was.
“Is something the matter, Iruka?”
“Kakashi saaaan.” The man’s words were already starting to slur together. Kakashi found it cute that he was adamant about keeping up his use of Kakashi’s formal title at work, but was willing to drop it in a private setting. “As you know, Naruto’s wedding is this weekend and- ” Iruka looked down, formulating his words.
“He’s building a family with Hinata now and it wasn’t easy for him to come this far, to achieve all he’s ever wanted. I’m genuinely so, so proud.” Iruka looked up, his bottom lip wobbling. “B-but-”
Another deep breath. “Change is scary. And it’s been the two of us alone, for the longest time. I know that it’s irrational of me but I’m scared of being alone again, or that I’ll be left behind- Gods what am I even saying-” He let out a broken laugh, burying his head into his hands. “It’s so selfish of me to feel this way, and to think the boy even entrusted me to be his father figure…!”
Ah, was that it?
“Iruka.” Kakashi reached across the table to grasp his hand, smoothly running his thumb over his knuckles in a reassuring gesture. “Don’t beat yourself up for feeling this way. It’s normal to feel scared in the face of change. But what will always remain constant is your love for Naruto and his love for you. You were there for him when no one else was. And even as Naruto gets busy with parenthood and starting a family, I have no doubt that above everyone else, he would want you to be part of the whole process.” He cleared his throat, looking embarrassed. “A-and if it ever gets too much, you can always talk to me about it.”
His eyes flickered back to Iruka’s, holding it just a beat too long, when-
“Ahem. Your dessert, sirs?” They hastily separated as the waitress threw both of them knowing looks.
“Oh but I didn’t order this-”
“I did. You enjoy the warabimochi here, don’t you?”
A shy wondrous smile slowly overtook Iruka’s face like a rising sun. “You remembered.”
“Hmm.” Kakashi pulled down his mask to sip at his green tea, slightly embarrassed.
“…Kakashi san?”
“Mmhmm?”
“Thank you.”
It was well into the night and three bottles of sake later when they finally came stumbling out of the restaurant, Kakashi keeping a firm grip around Iruka’s waist as the latter giggled into his shoulder, absolutely plastered.
Cat materialised in front of him. “Do you need help getting him home senpai?”
“No, I can handle it. You guys are dismissed for the night.” Kakashi rolled his eyes at the badly concealed snicker. “Shut it, Tenzou.”
Cat tilted his head in a mocking way, before blipping off into the darkness.
Bringing his hands together, Kakashi formed the handsigns for shunshin, teleporting him and Iruka right in front of the brunette’s house.
“Iruka, your wards-” Unfortunately, the brunette was in no state to be manipulating any chakra. He giggled as he leaned more heavily into Kakashi, sighing as his eyelashes fluttered close. “You’re… okay. Good to go. Keyed in.”
Kakashi raised an eyebrow. The teacher had better not be lying. Iruka had once recounted his triumphant tales against his student who had tried to barge in to prank him, only to leave with funky coloured hair while smelling like a skunk’s ass. Kakashi certainly did not want to get on the wrong side of the wards, knowing full well what they could do.
Oh well, only one way to find out. Sighing, Kakashi raised a hand and cautiously pushed through the faint shimmer of wards, laying his hand on his doorknob. True to his word, he felt Iruka’s powerful wards come alive and envelope him like a warm hug. The faint licks of Iruka’s chakra brushed against him like the soft puffs of a summer breeze. His heart squeezed painfully at the thought that Iruka had gone out of his way to key his chakra in.
After a few stumbles and a large ‘oomph’, Kakashi finally deposited Iruka into his bed. Slightly embarrassed, he took care of Iruka’s vest, wrappings and weapon’s pouch in an attempt to make it more comfortable for the man.
Now, the brunette lay shivering slightly on top of his bedcovers as he dozed.
"Must I do everything for you?" Kakashi teased fondly as he lifted him up in a half hug carry, gently shifting the covers over him. Iruka snuggled into them, smacking his lips before rolling to face Kakashi, still unconscious. Drinking in the sight as much as he can, Kakashi eventually forced himself to turn around, making to leave when suddenly, a hand shot out and grasped his sleeve
“Stay… on’t ’eave me…” A small tear trailed down his cheek. Kakashi smiled sadly. Reaching out, he shook out Iruka’s ponytail and carded his hands through the loose locks, his thumb swiping away Iruka’s tear in a slight caress.
Iruka’s furrowed brow cleared as the tension visibly left his shoulders, his grip on Kakashi loosening.
Brushing his cheek with the back of his hand once more, Kakashi whispered, “If only you knew. Leaving you is the last thing I wanna do.”
Giving his hair a final tender caress, Kakashi finally tore his gaze away and left.
**
The next day, Iruka woke up with no recollection of the previous night, only a note signed with a signature henohenomoheji, instructing him to take the pills and water laid out for him, with hangover soup waiting in the fridge.
**
On a beautiful spring day with sakura blossoms spiralling gracefully through the air, Naruto and Hinata held the most beautiful ceremony.
In all honesty, Kakashi only had eyes for the man in front of him while he fretted over his speech for Naruto. Iruka looked like a vision in his suit that accentuated his waist and the curves of his thighs and Kakashi was thankful for his mask for hiding his blush when he realised they had pulled up coincidentally with matching outfits (but his ass certainly fell flat in contrast to Iruka’s.)
“Listen up, dattebayo! I now want to pass the mic to someone very dear to me. He gave his time to teaching me, his resources to feeding me LOTS of ramen,” This earned a chuckle from the audience. “And most of all, his love. For pulling me out of a dark spot and giving me his unconditional love when no one else would, I wouldn’t have made it this far without him. Iruka sensei, for always scolding me when I need to hear it, for always eating less to pay for my meals and for making sure that I grew up properly just like how my parents would have wanted me to, thank you. All I ever wanted to know was the love of a parent and- you’re the best dad I could ever ask for.”
There wasn’t a single dry eye at the ceremony at this point.
“It was only the two of us then, but now our family will keep growing so there’s no need to be lonely anymore! This may be weird to say but please continue to be my family from now on too Dad!” Naruto sent a bright beam his way, as the audience whooped and applauded for Iruka to take the mic.
Kakashi glanced down to see Iruka trembling and hastily wiping at his unrelenting tears. “Oh my- these tears just won’t stop-”
“Go on, he’s waiting for you.” Kakashi murmured, pressing the palm of his hand into Iruka’s back as a grounding, unmoving support. With bright eyes, Iruka nodded, pulled himself together and went forth.