Growing Pains

now

Minato's heart was pounding harshly against his chest, almost leaving him breathless as he carried Naruto all the way to the doorstep of Nanami’s flat, his palms feeling sweatier with every step he took. How one woman could make him this nervous, Minato couldn’t tell, his legs wobbly as the front door came into sight.

It wasn’t even a date Minato had asked Nanami to, just a simple dinner (as he had put it) to thank her for taking such good care of Naruto. In his mind, however, it was as close to a date as he could get at the moment, his nerves frayed at the mere thought of that.

The wide grin Nanami wore on her sun-kissed features nearly sent Minato’s heart into an overdrive as it skipped one beat too many, a light blush beginning to crawl up his neck.

Maybe Jiraiya really had been correct, he truly was a lovesick fool .

“You cleaned up nicely,” Nanami said in a teasing tone. “A rare sight, may I add.”

Minato chuckled, not noticing how the blonde woman opposite him tensed up. “You don’t look bad yourself. Isn’t that right, Naruto?” He asked his son, pressing a kiss to the boy’s cheek. “Nanami looks lovely today, doesn’t she?”

Naruto clapped his hands joyfully, reaching out for Nanami as he chanted, “Nana lovely! Nana is lovely!”

How his son could charm the woman he loved better than he himself could, Minato would never know. Maybe it was the undeniable cuteness Naruto had (obviously) inherited from him, or the way the young fella charmed Nanami with every word he joyfully spoke as she took him into her arms, cuddling him close.

“Aren’t you a cutie pie?” She said, pinching his cheek lightly. “Yes you are, Naruto. You’re the cutest cutie pie in the world. Did you know that?”

Minato’s heart could burst right then and there, and honestly, he wouldn’t mind at all because it is Nanami making him feel that way, a way no one else can make him feel.

Not since Kushina.

“Are you ready to go, Nana?”

Nanami nodded with a smile, holding Naruto closer to herself. “With you? Always .”

***

"You know, Minato, when you said you invited me out to eat something, I didn't expect this !" Nanami said as she laid her eyes on one of Konoha's most expensive restaurants. Even the outside already looked as though even a bite would cost a fortune. “I can’t say that I would say no to getting some lunch together, I never say no to free food, you know that, but this is an elaborate thank you , Minato.”

"You're worth the elaborate thank you, Nana," Minato said, his heart beating harshly against his chest. He was just glad that he could still form coherent sentences in her presence. “You always have been.”

Her cheeks felt hot as she stared at him with her lips parted, the beat of her heart unsteady. Had it not been for little Naruto moving around in her arms, Nanami would not have been able to speak even a word in response.

She swallowed the lump in her throat, doing her best at sounding effortless in her teasing. “You old charmer.”

Minato’s head snapped to her instantly, a dramatic gasp leaving his lips. “Me? Old ?”

“You heard me,” And promptly ignored her hidden compliment. “Or does the Yellow Flash need to improve his hearing?”

Naruto, still settled in Nanami’s arms, let out a loud, joyous laugh, clapping his hands together in delight.

“See, even your son agrees with me,” Nanami said. She shifted the young blond in her arms and leaned down to press a kiss to his cheek. At that, he let out another laugh that had her grinning from ear to ear. “Don’t you, little Nart? Hm ?”

Kami, how she adored her godchild, the bundle of joy in her arms. Even if she never got to be with Minato, having Naruto in her life would be enough.

And yet, opposite of her, Minato’s heart skipped a beat. He shook his head with a smile tugging at his lips, “That’s cheating, you’re spoiling him.”

“Me? Spoiling my one and only godchild?” In faux thought, Nanami clicked her tongue. “Oh no, how dare I?”

“ Nanami .”

She barked out a laugh at his mortified expression. “You did this to yourself, Minato. You knew this was coming when you made me his godmother. Spoiling him comes naturally to me,” Could he blame her? With a face like Naruto’s, it was difficult not to spoil the child with love and affection. “What does not come naturally to me, however, is carrying him. You have grown, haven’t you, little Nart?” She pinched his cheek lightly, noting how much fuller it was than the last time she did. “You’re getting heavier.”

“Shall we go in, then?” Minato offered. 

Nanami flashed a smile. “I’d love to.”

***

Nanami was well aware that as the Hokage, Minato was quite the wealthy man. She could only assume how much he was paid per month, as they did not talk much about their respective incomes, but the sight of the restaurant from the inside took her breath away in the most literal sense.

The inside of the restaurant was absolutely magnificent in every way possible, from the fitting decorations that adorned the wine-red walls to the marble design that stretched across the floor. Every detail she could set her eyes upon was classy, nothing short of expensive and elegant. Never in her life had she stood in a more exquisite room than today.

As soon as they had entered, a waiter rushed over to greet them in a polite tone, a wide smile sitting on their face. Their uniform perfectly matched the interior, a deep red accentuated by a brilliant white. “What can I do for you today?”

“ We have a reservation for Namikaze, please.” Minato spoke in a polite tone, one Nanami quickly realized he utilized when in meetings or doing business as the Hokage of Konohagakure, not the Shinobi Namikaze Minato.

For a moment, the waiter appeared to be surprised, a look of shock flitting over their features. Though quicker than Nanami anticipated, they recovered from their initial reaction. “If you would follow me, please. I will lead you to your table.”

The waiter led them through the restaurant, weaving between tables adorned with flickering candles and elegant floral arrangement. Silent stares followed them, and Nanami did her best to ignore the pricking feelings they left on her skin. 

They were just friends. Friends going out to get something to eat, catching up. Nothing more than that. 

“For the little one.” The waiter placed a high stool by the table, and Naruto practically lit up at the sight of it.

“Thank you.” Nanami placed Naruto in the high chair, making sure that he was seated comfortably. The waiter smiled at her before leaving them with the menus to look at.

Nanami sat down and took one of the menus into her hand, flipping through the first few pages. “So,” She began, dragging out the word. “what would you recommend?”

Minato bit his lip, “I always like to try something new. Be spontaneous, you know?” 

She let out a hearty laugh. “Oh, I know .”

Back when they were still children, she could remember him always daring to try something new when they went to grab a snack after an exhausting mission. While Nanami was always the one to stick with her safe choice, Minato instead preferred to almost always try something else. “Makes life more fun.” He had always explained. 

“But if I had to choose,” He looked at the menu, his brows knitted together. “I would probably choose Shoyu Ramen.”

Nanami’s hand froze mid-turn of the menu, her eyes darting over to Minato. Shoyu Ramen … she hadn’t expected him to go for something so simple. Ramen was always a very comforting food, but in a fancy restaurant? There were dishes on the menu which sounded very elaborate, ones she could barely picture in her mind. This kind of place didn’t just serve ramen.

She shook her head slightly and opened her mouth to respond, but was interrupted by their waiter returning to their table. “Are we ready to order?”

Nanami blinked, her mind still on Minato’s recommendation. She looked up at the waiter, then at Minato and then back to the menu. Before she could make up her mind, the waiter turned their gaze toward Naruto, who was giggling as he placed with the cloth napkin placed on the high stool.

A smile spread across the waiter’s face. “ Your son is so adorable. You two must be proud of him.”

Nanami’s head snapped up, and her cheeks took on a shade of pink immediately, the woman growing embarrassed under the assumption. “Oh, he isn’t-”

Minato cut her off before she could finish, a warm smile playing on his very kissable lips. “Thank you.”

What ? 

“Your welcome,” The waiter smiled at Naruto. “I didn’t mean to get distracted. Have you decided on what you want to eat yet?”

Nanami opened her mouth and then closed it again. 

“I can give you a moment to decide, if you would like?”

She nodded. Her gaze wandered over to Minato, who nodded as well.  

“Alright. I’ll be back then.”

She stared at Minato as the waiter left. “Why did you say he was our son?”

Minato looked at her, hesitating. He opened his lips and closed them again. Then, he swallowed. “It was easier than correcting them. It would be a lengthy explanation.” 

Would it though? Nanami could barely focus on anything anymore, the conversation still ringing in her ears. A son? Was that what they looked like together? Her mind raced. 

“Nanami-”

“Someone could recognize you,” She hissed, interrupting him. “that sounds like the start of a political disaster, or whatever!” 

Her heart began to race. Imagine! Kami, what would they do? She desperately hoped that the waiter wasn’t all too chatty.

“It will be alright,” Minato assured her. He reached out and ran his fingers through the little tufts of blond hair on Naruto’s head, his lips lifting into a smile as he looked at this son. “I can always say it was a misunderstanding.” 

Nanami stared at him blankly. “ That’s your solution?”

“Is something wrong with it?”

She let out a sigh. Kami, what did she get herself into? “Never mind.” 

“Great. Let’s order then. I’m starving .”

***

Naruto sat snugly against Nanami’s hip as Minato opened the door to the large family home. The key jiggled loudly as he pushed the door open, beckoning her inside.

Naruto let out a big yawn, bringing his hand to his mouth. At that, Nanami smiled at the little boy clinging to her. “I’ll bring the little guy to bed.” 

Minato smiled, his eyes focused on his sleepy son. “Thank you. That would be very helpful.”

A small pang sparked in her chest at the tenderness in his voice. “Of course.”

“Nanami, wait,” She turned to look at him, her brows knitted together in confusion. “You don’t have to leave,” Minato said with a flush coating his cheeks. “You can stay in the guest bedroom. I don’t mind.”

Nanami played nervously with the hem of her sleeves, looking anywhere but at the man of her dreams. “I don’t want to take up more of your time today. I can walk home.”

“It’s late. You can always go home tomorrow, after you get some sleep.” He said pointedly.

“I-” Nanami bit the inside of her cheek. “I guess?” she continued, sounding anything but assured. 

Minato clapped his hands together, a grin pulling at his lips. “Great! I’ll prepare the guest bedroom then while you tuck Naruto in.” 

There was no escaping the situation.

***

Nanami was already familiar with the guest bedroom in the family home, having spent numerous nights there when taking care of little Naruto. Often enough, exhaustion had veiled over her and made it impossible for her to venture home. Instead, she had opted to sleep over just in case the little rascal chose to scream through the night again (which he admittedly, did a lot ). 

In the bathroom, Nanami got dressed with a nightgown she had left at Minato’s place after one of those nights. She never knew when the last one would be, so just in case, she decided to be prepared. Nanami thanked her past self under her breath. 

The blanket was just as soft as she remembered, almost as though she was enveloped by a cloud. She felt drowsy, the warmth creeping under her skin. Her heart, however, felt as though it would jump right out of her chest at any moment. It was beating much quicker than it was supposed to, the thought of her childhood best friend making it speed up and skip a beat. It wasn’t just the way his smile lit up the room or how his laughter seemed to dance around her, her infatuation went much deeper than that. It was a warmth that enveloped her like a soft blanket on a chilly night. 

And now here she was, sleeping in his guest room, thinking of him. The blonde pulled the blanket over her face and let out a muffled scream. 

She was so screwed.