sunshineverse | [Closed] We have to stop meeting like this.

Kakashi spared Tenzou a fleeting look, gaze dwindling particularly on the rate at which his sake was disappearing. It had been a long time ago, but Kakashi could remember quite clearly how little it had taken for sixteen year old Tenzou to become wobbly and loud the last time they'd exposed one another to alcohol.. Clearly his own tolerance hadn't been the only one to mature.

"I do?" Kakashi asked innocently once he'd finished his mouthful and started picking at his rice bowl. "What kind of advantage might that be?"

"If we carry on with full cups, I'll always be half of one behind, so you'll win by default." Tenzou explained in a sulking tone, tending to the grill and snagging the last of what he could comfortably manage to eat as he did so.

"So it's only fair that you let me catch up." He shot Kakashi a winning smile and topped his own cup up enough to even the score. Tenzou downed it in a smooth motion, knowing instinctively that he was going to regret he recklessness later, but sake and food warm enough then not to care.
He set the glass back down with a small cough at the burn of the liquor and caught up his bowl, intent on finishing his meal before it went cold.

At that, Kakashi knew it was probably time to stop. Tenzou had looked at him and smiled as bright as ever, unabashed and unashamed without the polite diversion of his eyes away from Kakashi's uncovered face. He was definitely drunk, or at least would be if Kakashi let this little challenge spiral out of control. He'd had his fun, the niggling need for a challenge had been sated enough to put him on for a few more days, and besides.. His own food was in danger of getting cold, too.

He finished quickly, using his typical trick of eating fast enough to not be caught with his mask down, and slid his empty cup up to Tenzou's till they clinked.

"That calls it," he announced, mask firmly back in place. "It's a draw. Congratulations."

Tenzou blinked as Kakashi called the challenge, gnawing absently on the last strip of beef and eyes scanning from the cups, to the bottle and empty grill.

Distantly, the sensible side of him huffed a sigh of relief, but the bratty side of him wrinkled it's nose at the draw. His former captain looked hardly affected at all and Tenzou swallowed the last bite of his meal with an expression verging on a pout, picking up the sake bottle to asses the contents.

"You wouldn't be ducking out on the last of the bottle now, would you Senpai?"

It was underhanded and yes, that was definitely the sake talking, but Tenzou still shook it and, finding somewhere near a full measure left, split it evenly between their two cups. He pushed Kakashi's glass back to towards him, expression turning scheming and took up his own drink without hesitation.

"One for the road?"

Edited 2014-09-12 13:37 (UTC)

Kakashi's eyebrow disappeared under his headband. Tenzou baiting him like that was definitely something he'd have to get used to. He seemed to enjoy the power trip; a vast difference from how he used to act but an endearing one nonetheless, so Kakashi didn't mourn the loss too much. He wouldn't, however, let his impertinence go unpunished.

In an abrupt movement the copy-nin rose to his feet. He snagged the cup out of Tenzou's grip with one hand, hooked his mask down with the other and downed the contents only to pick up his own fill and do the same.

"There," he said, slamming his empty tumbler down next to Tenzou's just as empty one. "I'd rather a one than a half. Loser pays, don't you agree, Tenzou?" he smiled bright, then slipped his mask back up over his nose before turning.

"See you outside!" he called, a hand over his shoulder in a wave before he disappeared down the stairs.

Tenzou vaguely processed that Kakashi must be drunk if he was smiling, unmasked like that and then the full scope of what his former captain had done, sunk in.
He gaped, open mouthed at the the empty cups and was struck speechless; that is, until their server returned with the bill and Tenzou flushed and flustered long enough to settle the payment, before retreating outside.

Walking turned out to be somewhat more of a challenge than when they'd first arrived, but he navigated the stairs without so much as a stumble and stepped out into the early evening air.

And instantly regretted it...
But Tenzou stalled the rush of drunken light headedness, long enough the pout mournfully at Kakashi's relaxed figure.

"That was unfair, Senpai.."

Kakashi was leaning leisurely against the frame of the building, arms folded and head dipped slightly as he let the rush of warmth flood his body, the contrast making him feel kind of tingly against the colder air.

When Tenzou approached, he looked up and smiled.

"Don't pout," he tutted, but his voice was affectionate. He wasn't drunk enough to stumble or fall into step with how he usually acted when drunk, but he was loose enough to show his friend a little more care.

"Here, I'll walk you home?" he offered, and held out his arm as he pushed away from the building.

The pout didn't last long under the warmth of Kakashi's smile and Tenzou looked away, huffing his most put upon sigh, while still accepting the offered arm. He really was quite unsteady on his feet and if the Jounin was offering to get him back in one piece, he wasn't about to refuse, especially given the rarity of the gesture.

Arms linked, Tenzou smiled, wide and happy, expression unhindered by his usual bashfulness and tugged Kakashi in the direction of his apartment.

"It's the least you can do."

The walk back to Tenzou's apartment was a short one; Kakashi knew the way almost instinctively even after all these years, and despite the woozy feeling in his feet his walk was a lot more sturdy than Tenzou's. It had definitely been a good idea to refuse him the last few mouthfuls of sake, otherwise Kakashi might have had to carry him home - and that definitely wasn't a good idea.

Their linked arms became more like a life-line than the display of affection Kakashi had first intended it to be, but as they reached the set of stairs leading to the door of Tenzou's apartment Kakashi had no choice but to break their hold and instead wrap his arm around the younger man's shoulders to guide him better and ensure he didn't drag them both down if he tripped.

He successfully deposited his self-proclaimed kouhai outside his door, and smiled at a job well done.

Tenzou's mind was everywhere and nowhere as they walked, companionable silence wrapping round him like a blanket, adding to the lethargic feeling that food and sake had already started. He was grateful for Kakashi's steadying presence, something that he would, no doubt, be embarrassed by come morning and even more so when they only mounted the stairs successfully with his guidance.

For the moment though, he was blithely ignorant of any potential shame and wrestled his door open on the second try, dispelling security seals almost as an after thought as he went.

Tugging Kakashi in after him, felt like the most natural thing in the world after that and Tenzou had the stray thought that it was especially fortunate, considering the small chakra expenditure had his world sloshing dizzily not a moment later.

In all honesty Kakashi had been expecting to say goodbye there; perhaps a clap on the shoulder and some vague arrangement to see each other again soon before he made his way back to his own abode, drowsy and in need of a good sleep to stave off the effects of the sake. It would be a good end to a good night.

Therefore, when Tenzou's hand wrapped around his forearm and yanked him forwards through the doorway he was caught entirely off guard and stumbled on sake-clumsy feet, sending him ploughing straight into Tenzou's side as he lost his balance.

Already off balance, Tenzou flailed under the extra weight, catching his shoulder against the hallway wall and slid down it in an ungainly sprawl, thoughtfully taking Kakashi with him.

It took a moment for his mind to sluggishly process the sudden change in altitude, but once it had, Tenzou promptly burst out into a fit of drunken giggling. Here they were, two trained killers, one a veteran of their village and they had failed in the simple act of crossing a threshold.

To his sake warmed brain, it was far too reminiscent of the first time they had gotten drunk together and he laughed all the more, thankful that this time around, he didn't have a head full of long hair to get tangled up in and pushed words out between his giggles.

"Why do I only ever make a complete fool of myself in front of you, Kakashi? I thought I'd grown out of it.."

Kakashi almost went down with an almighty bump, but at the very last moment his brain caught up with his feet and he flew his footing wide; wobbling and careening forwards, but staying - for the most part - successfully on his feet.

Tenzou's laughter caught him off guard at first, but what really surprised him was what he'd called him..

Kakashi had always found it curious that Tenzou used only the utmost respect when referring to him by name despite the fact that they were friends, and had often wondered if there were some crossed wires and misunderstandings going on between them... So to see Tenzou relaxed to the point that he called Kakashi by his name, and only by his name, was a welcome shock.

"Ah, don't worry about it. That was my fault, anyway.." he said as he used the arm still in Tenzou's grip to latch onto his hand and get him standing again. He couldn't help but smile along with Tenzou's giggling, perhaps a little embarrassed at his own clumsiness too.

Between the wall and Kakashi's hold on him, Tenzou made it unsteadily to his feet, rocking forward until his forehead rested tiredly against the older man's shoulder.
His giggling died down to a helpless smile and he grumbled quietly at the assessment of blame.

"Mnh, It's just like you to get me into trouble.."

It was only half true; historically they were pretty even for misadventures, but it was always comforting when Kakashi himself owned up to his half of it, without teasing him for him own failing.

The thought was followed with that wave of nostalgia that had been dogging his steps all afternoon and Tenzou huffed a small sigh at himself. He was too sauced, too warm and too aware of the fact that Kakashi smelt like long away missions and comfortable silences and that he didn't want to move.

Edited 2014-09-16 20:03 (UTC)

Kakashi let the quiet linger. Moments like this were rare only because Kakashi hardly ever allowed himself to be weak to them, but this came surprisingly easy. Tenzou wasn't pushing him or tripping him up, he didn't feel like he'd be disappointing anyone if he pushed away, and that knowledge made him want to stay, want to reciprocate.

He lifted his arms with little to no deliberation, wrapping them about Tenzou's shoulders and holding him close. He was warm and smelt like comfort, like nostalgia, and the scent brought back a wave of memories he didn't know he still had; long hair draped across his arm, alert and hardened eyes staring at him while hands moved fast in the dark, a laboring sigh as Kakashi foisted his paperwork off on his young subordinate... Tenzou was a precious friend, and only now did Kakashi understand what he'd been missing by avoiding ANBU, and avoiding contact.

It wasn't clear how long they stood like that, but eventually Kakashi broke the silence with some quiet words, muttered over Tenzou's head.

"You should sleep. You don't want to wake up regretting this tomorrow." he said, patting the man's shoulder gently.

Tenzou swayed forward into the embrace and something that had been tight and painful inside of him, uncoiled in the pit of his stomach in response.
His hands came up to tangle in the front of Kakashi's flack jacket, still uncertain despite the arms around his shoulders and allowed himself a moment to breathe.

Like this, Tenzou could imagine that the past five years hadn't happened, that he hadn't been nursing the ache of absence under his ribs the whole time and that it hand't been just another thing he'd gotten used to. Like this he was still twenty, still had a comrade, a friend even, that he could rely on and could pretend he didn't still wonder at times, why things had collapsed the way they did.

Tenzou blamed the sake and the Hokage and definitely Kakashi, for the morose slide of his thoughts and especially blamed the first one for his next faltering words.

"..Stay? I- it doesn't have to be long, just..until I fall asleep or the last of the hour, either just-"
He cut himself off, self aware enough to know he was babbling and closed his eyes against the dizzy wave of emotion and fatigue that hit him in the wake of his own words.

Kakashi patted the other man on the back, stifling curious emotions in his chest in favor of being the emotional designated driver. He could think about how he felt later; when he was alone, when it was dark, when he could let the walls fall without worrying that anyone might see inside. For now, he had to make sure Tenzou rested, and did so happy.

"Of course," he said brightly behind his mask and pushing the other man back from his chest to study him. "It would be reckless of me to leave you at your weakest, Tenzou."

And with that he forcibly turned the younger man on his heel, ushering him bed-ward without another word.

Kakashi's blithe acceptance had him more than a little bewildered and Tenzou was easily manipulated after that, allowing himself to be steered to his room without complaint.
His dazed mind was elated, of course, but luck had never really been his strong suit and he couldn't help but feel so very fortunate now; the Jounin was under no obligation to indulge him and yet there he was..

Once inside the other room and stationary, Tenzou fumbled his way free of his happuri and flack jacket, setting them across the trunk at the end of his bed.
The weight of Kakashi's amused gaze, had him feeling small again; awkward and lost in a way that he'd only ever felt during those first months of finding his feet in ANBU.

He offered a weak smile; some of the melancholy in his expression, no doubt, mistaken for tiredness, but he couldn't hide it all and sunk down gratefully onto his bed, kicking off his sandals in the process.

"..Thank you."

"Mhm," Kakashi answered, his hands tucked into the pockets of his uniform as he cast his lazy gaze around the room. He took in the wardrobe and the chest at the foot of the bed, the small amount of books and personal items... and finally wandered over to the dresser holding the little bonsai tree and a couple of small whittled wood figures.

It was curious how their rooms differed but were still startlingly similar. Kakashi's room was probably just as bare as Tenzou's was - he didn't see much need for too many homely touches when he was hardly at home in the first place - but this room seemed to have an almost military clean to it, like Tenzou was afraid to settle down.

His eye lingered on the curve of a pale mask sitting to the side of the dresser.

Tenzou tilted his head to follow Kakashi's gaze, flushing lightly as his one sentimental exception was noticed and promptly passed by.

A twenty year old Kakashi and sixteen year old version of himself stood huddled in the open roots of the nearby bonsai. Clad in uniform but unmasked, their heads bent in a silent conversation, they had been his first successful attempt at Mokuton grown figures and the only ones he had personally kept. The two had been set there on a whim and he had carefully cultivated the tree around them; letting it grow naturally, with little of his own input and only now did he see the security issue and felt almost embarrassed at Kakashi seeing them now, after all this time.

Flopping sideways onto his bed seemed as good a cover as any for his sudden nervous thoughts and Tenzou let the fatigue and warm sake feeling, drag him down, closing his eyes against the half light and Kakashi's assessing gaze.

Edited 2014-09-21 22:15 (UTC)

Kakashi eventually managed to tear his eyes away from the mask, leaving the strange feelings it conjured up behind as he looked at Tenzou instead. Everything here was a reminder of ANBU, even Tenzou himself; a reminder of what he left behind and what he escaped. He had mixed emotions on the subject, and it was that uncertainty that made him want to avoid dwelling on the matter entirely.

The melancholy in the other man's expression was glaringly obvious, and Kakashi fumbled with himself slightly, feeling a little awkward in the quiet. How was he to deal with this? Here, he was like an unwelcome change, a ripple in the contented waters that had been Tenzou's life as an ANBU captain.. He'd already been thrust into uncomfortable change, and here Kakashi was like a ghost of his former self to harsh the blow.

Suddenly he was struck with a nostalgic wave of memory. On a dark evening in ANBU when the pair had a third who had taken watch to leave them both to rest, they'd found solace in a tree and the same melancholy expression had been present on Tenzou's face. To this day Kakashi didn't know what had been troubling him, but when he'd pressed against the other boy in an effort for comfortable space in the small hideaway they'd made in a tree, the sadness had dissipated with the comfortable touch of a warm friend.

Kakashi moved almost on instinct, kicking off his sandals and his flak as he got closer, and settling himself beside the curve of Tenzou's back, one gloved hand pressed lazily into his hair.

Eyes closed, Tenzou absently noted the dip of the mattress beside him but only roused properly at the touch to his hair. He hadn't expected Kakashi to linger much longer, let alone make himself comfortable and the gesture wasn't lost; the much ignored ache under his ribs, eased in response and his frame relaxed accordingly.

Tenzou could count the softer moments that had happened between them on both hands; rare and strangely precious moments when he had truly felt his age and less like the carefully honed killer that ANBU demanded of him. Like this he was small again, fragile in some way that only Kakashi had noticed and soothed away with action and few words.

Just as he had done the times before, Tenzou responded hesitantly in kind, reaching out to tangle the fingers of one hand into the fabric of Kakashi's uniform and holding on in a childish gesture of security.

Kakashi let the silence linger for a handful of moments, because around Tenzou it was a comfortable silence and this was one of the very few places Kakashi could find that rare kind of content quiet that both parties enjoyed equally. It had been much too long. This was one thing he missed about ANBU, because it was difficult to find anything that compared out of it... Or perhaps just without Tenzou. They were on the same line of thinking, and Kakashi had never found anyone like that in the village, except Gai - but Gai didn't know ANBU, he didn't have that history, that understanding. Not like Tenzou did.

He was glad that Gai was outside it though; because the nightmares that plagued Kakashi would always keep him at arms length, and if Gai was ever exposed to that...
Tenzou was capable enough to flourish in ANBU and that knowledge was relieving, especially to Kakashi's over-active worry impulse.

He delved his hand into dusty brown locks, petting like he would the tummy of one of his dogs. Like this he'd usually have an orange book in hand, eyes trained on the words while his hand moved instinctively... But he didn't need the distraction or facade of his book now, not here where his own thoughts couldn't reach him.

"Sleep, Tenzou. You'll feel better."

The quiet stretched on and Tenzou finally breached the gap between them; tired and comfortable enough to squirm closer, he extending his arm across Kakashi's lap in a loose hug and pillowed his head against his thigh.

He fully intended to follow the Jounin's quiet advice, lulled as he was by the hand in his hair and the slow burn of sake, but something had been tumbling at the back of his mind since Kakashi had mentioned it.

"Senpai.. how does, 'Yamato' sound?"

Tenzou's words were quiet and a little slurred, but the name had been the one that stood out amongst the one's he'd been considering all evening and it felt right to seek out Kakashi's approval, after all it was somewhat like tradition at this point.

Kakashi was half on his way to dosing himself when Yamato spoke, and the sound surprised him awake with a soft mumble that he managed to disguise as a noise of thought. Was he really going to end up falling asleep in Tenzou's bed? He hadn't slept beside or even close to the man for five years, and now they were going to wake up tangled together. Typical.

The thought made Kakashi chuckle a little, and then he realised he had a decision to confirm.

"Yamato.." Kakashi mused, testing the name out on his tongue. It was a good name. Strong but simple.. He supposed it suited Tenzou well, although...

"I'll never be able to remember that.." he muttered, smoothing his hand through Ten- Yamato's hair softly, the closest to 'I like it' as Kakashi was willing to get.

[Closed] We have to stop meeting like this.

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It's an essay, I'm sorry. (I'm not sorry.)

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The morning after.....~

Kakashi noooo..

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