sunshineverse | [Open] Finally an afternoon to himself!

Where: Konoha's Ichiraku
When: From about noon to a leisurely 3pm before he wandered off to read a book on a bench nearby.
Notes: For the first time in what felt like forever, he was free. Freeeeee.

He had started to think he'd never escape the vortex of paperwork that had become his life in the last few months. If it wasn't his class, it was the mission desk, if it wasn't the mission desk, it was running files from intel to the Hokage tower. If it wasn't that then by all that was sane, he was asleep and may mercy be on the soul of anyone who thought it a good idea to wake him for anything less than an emergency.

But now, now, he had a day free and clear of all paperwork. Not a bit of grading was to be had, he was on an official weekend for anything to do with the tower in any capacity, and that left him able to fully, truly, relish the sensation of eating well made noodles as he savored them.

It was a perfect, brilliantly sunny afternoon, and the only thing that could improve it was some good company stopping by to say hello.

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Yes, help. He knew this was going to happen. As long as Iruka's instructions were concise (he knew they'd be), they'd have an enjoyable dinner.

"Quite." He agrees, bending down to remove his sandals and leave them by the door, neatly side by side. He's on his way behind him, only taking a moment to suddenly sneeze.

Hopefully a sneeze by itself.

He looked back to him for a long moment at that, then hummed, slipping intot he kitchen to start taking things out. "Feeling alright Tachi-kun?"

"Yes, fine." Even he doesn't know if that's a lie or not. It's just one sneeze, but one sneeze could be harmless dander or the beginning of one of his bouts of illness.

There's no comment on the pet-name. Used to it. So many people he grew up with that all somehow have pet-name rights.

He follows once more, wrinkling his nose to hopefully stifle whatever sneeze might want to follow. Past that, he awaits direction.

Evaluating him for fitness, he shoved over some onion and carrots. "You cut those up. When was the last time you got a good night of rest?"

"I find this question unfair." You knew the answer to that, Iruka. You know how to read his eye-bags. Every answer was wrong or he was lying, he knew this game.

He did reach for a small knife to cut off the end of the carrot anyways.

"Of course you do." He heaved a dramatic sigh, giving him a once over. "You're sleeping here tonight." It wasn't a request, and he seemed satisfied with the decision as he turned back to start preparing other parts of the meal, starting up chatter about what he was doing and why to override any protests Itachi might attempt.

Not that they would have gotten anywhere, but better not to make that obvious when avoidable.

He had those excuses ready, yet they'd be half hearted, because he knew Iruka was prepared for them and how to counter them. His worst enemies, if he had to be technical, were the people that knew him the best.

So the protests died with his breath, and he cut vegetables as instructed, arranging them into a small, neat pile when through, and awaited further instruction.

He passed over other things for him to cut up, then heated the pan to start throwing things in, apparently making something relatively simple. "Tell me about what you've been up to Itachi?"

"Guard duty, and seeing what I had missed." Others were worried about how long he'd been gone and whether he was taking care of himself. (Spoiler: just barely.)

He wouldn't even get the chance to leave again, with things dwindling down and Obito worrying about his health and where they stood, it seems like he was being taken off missions so he could feel like he belonged to the Leaf again. He can chat while chopping, sliding over the small piles when they're ready.

"You don't sound too happy about that." There was a touch of humor there, and he turned to add Itachi's contributions to the pan, flipping the contents deftly in the pan.

"Bored?"

"Adjusting." That was the word he'd use. He was adjusting to it. He had little choice, so he had to. Perhaps it wouldn't be as bad, and it was good to see people still cared about his well being, during the time he was gone and the time he returned.

He's through for now, unless you'd like him to do something else, Iruka.

"Go ahead and wash up the cutting boards. This will be done in just a minute. I started the rice just before you got here so it's done."

He could do that. He picks them up both and settles them in the sink, drawing his sleeves back as he turns on the tap and grabs himself a sponge to thoroughly clean them through, glancing around for a spot to hang them.

He listened to him move around, thoughtful as he kept any of the food from burning. When the water was shut off, he spoke. "You've been visiting less this year. Now that you're in the village more maybe drop by?" He glanced over. "It's a bit disappointing when I have to kidnap you to see you, you know."

"I should, and apologies." He'd been rotating places that he slept, but really, Iruka's was his best option.

He looked over, a soft smile on his lips as he turned off the burner and gave the food a last stir. "No need to apologize for it Itachi, you've had other things on your mind, I can tell." He shook his head on a soft laugh.

"It doesn't help that you're so polite. You probably noticed how busy I was recently and let it get the better of you."

That gets him looking away, though it's true, he won't bother Iruka if it looks like he's too busy, he'd rather let him finish his work.

"In that case, I'm glad you managed to get some time off."

He noticed the glance, then huffed a breath, slightly exasperated, and moved over, tilting his head to glance into Itachi's face. "I'll always make time for you Itachi."

Satisfied he'd been heard, he continued to get down dishes.

[Open] Finally an afternoon to himself!

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