I’ll Be Alright
The last stack of documents for the day was dropped onto Kakashi’s desk with a dull thud.
“That should be the last of it,” Shikamaru said with an exhale.
Kakashi gave the stack a long, tired look before letting out a breath of his own. “For today, maybe.”
Shikamaru’s hands slid into his pockets. “That’s the Hokage life for you.”
Kakashi reached for the top document, already skimming the front page, but paused when he noticed Shikamaru hadn’t moved. He looked up. “Something else?”
Shikamaru shifted his weight, scratching the back of his neck; like a thought had been nagging at him that he didn’t quite know how to express. “Well, uh... I was just going to offer my help with that last pile.”
Kakashi raised a brow, a faint smirk tugging at the edge of his mask. “That’s unusually generous of you.”
Shikamaru gave a lazy shrug, trying too hard to look casual. “Yeah, well, I’m not that busy. Figured you might want to leave earlier… spend some time with your family.”
There was a brief silence.
Kakashi knew what he was referring to, and his eyes softened towards the younger man.
“That’s thoughtful,” he said, his tone initially gentle before returning his gaze to his desk. “But I can manage a little paperwork.”
Kakashi didn’t want Shikamaru to worry about him—didn’t want anyone to worry. Especially not to their own detriment.
“You’ve already stayed later than I expect you to. You should be heading home yourself—spend some time with your family.” Kakashi finished.
More silence. Still no movement.
Kakashi glanced up again, his look pointed. “Temari’s due in a few more months, isn’t she?”
Shikamaru’s expression faltered. “Ah, well—yeah, but…” His words died on his tongue.
Kakashi’s brows slightly furrowed, eyes steady. “Then you should spend time with her,” he said, more firmly this time. “The third trimester is supposed to be a lot harder on the body.”
No response.
Shikamaru didn’t flinch, but something in his eyes flickered—like a window catching just a sliver of light. His gaze dropped, his mouth opening slightly, then closing again.
Kakashi exhaled through his nose, already regretting the phrasing. He knew better.
“Shikamaru—”
“I mean—” Shikamaru jumped in, voice low and rushed, “We’ve still got a couple weeks before then, and everything is going perfectly fine, so… it’s really no big deal if I stay later.”
Too quick. Too practiced. Kakashi had seen shinobi lie under pressure before—but Shikamaru’s brand of discomfort wasn’t the kind trained for missions or war. It was personal. Awkward in the way vulnerability always was—especially for him. Especially when it came to other people’s lives.
Kakashi leaned back slightly in his chair, his gaze softening as he caught the flicker of concern in Shikamaru’s eyes.
“I’ll be alright,” Kakashi said, quieter now, the edge in his voice replaced by something warmer. “An extra hour or two of paperwork won’t matter. I already contacted the babysitter that I’d be a bit late.”
Shikamaru let out a breath through his nose, shoulders loosening in the smallest way. He finally looked at him, “Yeah, ok… ok, I get it.” He rubbed the back of his neck, the edge of worry still lingering in his voice. “I’m just saying—with the Chūnin Exams coming up, it’s not just tonight you’ll end up staying late.” He paused, then added with a little shrug, “If you ever change your mind later on and want me to pick up the extra workload… just let me know.”
Kakashi gave him a small nod, appreciative but unreadable.
Shikamaru turned, heading for the door. “Guess I’ll head out now.”
But before he reached it—
“Shikamaru.”
He paused, glancing over his shoulder. “Yeah?”
Kakashi’s expression softened, his eyes steady. “They’re doing a lot better now, for the record.”
Shikamaru blinked, then nodded once, sincere. “That’s good. I’m glad to hear it.”
Kakashi leaned forward again, flipping open the next document with a faint rustle. “Now go have a good night—and spread the message to Temari, would you? So she stops pestering you to bother me about it.”
Shikamaru gave an awkward little laugh, pushing the door open.
“No promises.”