Home

The quiet knocks at the door startled Iruka. It was nearly midnight and he was just thinking of going to bed after his long night. He really didn't want any visitors, but he would never ignore someone who wanted to see him, so he got up to find out who it was. When he opened the door, he was surprised, but also half-expected to see Kakashi waiting for him. Iruka didn’t know if he was pleased or annoyed, but Kakashi had never visited his house before - he didn't even know Kakashi knew where he lived; and he figured it couldn’t hurt to find out what he wanted, so he invited him in.

“Um, sorry for running off earlier…” Iruka began awkwardly. "I overreacted to what those men said."

“Don’t worry about it.” Kakashi replied. "I sorted them out."

"W-What?! You didn't get into a fight, did you? You know you can get in trouble for that."

"Mah, you don't think very highly of me, do you, Iruka?" Kakashi playfully pouted.

"Then what did you do, if you didn't get into a fight with civilians?" Iruka asked, crossing his arms.

"Nothing, really. I just look scary."

“Right…" Iruka sighed in exasperation. "Anyway, I don’t mean to sound rude, but what are you doing here?”

“I just have a few things to say, so I won’t keep you up too much longer…” Kakashi hesitated. “Pakkun told me about his visit with you, and I had a feeling you would still be up, so I figured visiting now might be better than later.”

Iruka looked nervous and a whole jumble of other emotions that made him look like he would crumble any minute, and Kakashi hated seeing him this way, and wanted things to go back to normal. There was this innocent, optimistic presence that Iruka always brought, no matter where he went, that reminded Kakashi of… home. Yeah, that was it. Iruka reminded him of home; of a warm, blissful place that anyone could return to and be comfortable in their own skin; of a place that sapped away the emptiness and loneliness of solitude, and replaced it with support, care, and companionship from someone thinking of you. Kakashi was addicted to this aura that Iruka projected; but in that moment it looked like the home he wanted to return to was becoming abandoned; and he wanted to do what he could to liven it up again.

"Pakkun told me what you wanted him to report, but he also said that you seemed distracted by something on your mind." When Iruka didn't say anything, Kakashi filled the silence again, speaking hesitantly.

"You know when I said I'd listen to you and support you, I meant it, right?" He gently placed a hand on Iruka's shoulder, noticing that he hadn't flinched that time; and it made him wonder whether it was just in public that he had a problem being touched. It made sense, considering the events of that evening.

"I know. It's just…" Iruka faltered. "I don't want you to think of me any differently. I can't lose anyone else…"

"Iruka, you're the last person I'd ever want out of my life. There's nothing you could say or do that would make me abandon you - you're too important to me." Kakashi declared, pulling his mask down as he spoke. "So please, give me a chance to stand by your side. You're the one I call 'home'."

"K-Kakashi, I…"

"It doesn't have to be right now, but I do want you to talk to me, okay?" Kakashi planted a kiss on Iruka's cheek before putting his mask back on, satisfied with the deep blush he had caused.

"I'll be around when you're ready."