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Chapter Text

Kakashi didn't know what it was that made Tsunade suddenly think they needed to check in on the projects they were funding. Though it probably had something to do with how she had neglected to check in with over half of their grantees for about a decade. Regardless, field visits were quickly becoming something he never wanted to do again. They were interesting and informative but there were only so many sea lice one could pull off of salmon before one started to scratch. As Kakashi unlocked the door to the apartment he was certain that he was going to be shedding fish scales until the end of time.

"I'm home," he called out. It was quiet. Too quiet. 

The scuttling of an army of dog paws as they skittered on the hardwood was absent.

And to top it off his boyfriend was missing. Kakashi glanced to his side and saw all eight dog leashes. Then glanced down where his shoes sat and saw that Iruka's shoes were there as well.

"Hello?" he called out again. He heard a faint noise coming from the direction of their bedroom. He pushed open the door to find all eight dogs piled on the bed. There was general interest at his arrival with a few lifted heads and tail thumps but no one moved. The source of the noise was coming from the tv where the main menu screen of a movie was playing faint music.

"Iruka?"

Iruka's head popped out amongst the dogs, startling Kakashi. His brown hair was tangled where it was still tied up and his eyes seemed to take a moment to focus on Kakashi as if he'd been asleep. "you're home," he said in a sleepy soft voice.

"I'm home."

"How was the drive from the airport ?"

"not bad."

Iruka made a noise of acknowledgment before he disappeared back into the dogpile. Kakashi chuckled and put his stuff down.

"Do I want to know how you've managed to coerce my dogs into loving you more than me?"

"I bought a heated blanket. They haven't budged since I put it on."

"Why’d you buy a heated blanket?"

"To warm the bed up before we go to sleep. Your toes are always so cold."

Kakashi chuckled, he had stopped noticing his cold feet years ago. 

"Come over here so I can kiss you. Bull fell asleep on my legs like 2 hours ago and I haven't been able to feel them since."

"I doubt you want to kiss me right now. Let me shower so I don't offend you with my smell. Everyone on the plane complained until they moved me to the back."

"Can't be worse than dog farts and dog breath." 

Kakashi laughed again and stepped over to the side of the bed where he could see Iruka clearly. His boyfriend’s face was flushed. he looked up at Kakashi as he moved closer a grin on his face that mirrored the fluttering of Kakashi's heart. 

Kakashi leaned down and kissed Iruka slowly, one hand on his cheek. When they parted Iruka's eyes opened slowly. "hi." Iruka said

"hi."

Iruka scrunched his nose, "you do smell."

Kakashi laughed again, "I warned you."

"If you unbury me from the dogpile, I’ll join you."

Kakashi hummed before leaning down and kissing Iruka again. 

"that can be arranged." Kakashi reached down and pushed dogs off of Iruka before lifting him up and off the bed.

Iruka yelled as he was lifted, "Kakashi!" 

"what? you said your legs were asleep."

"I just wanted you to get the dogs off of me!"

"like you said. I don't think they're budging." 

"put me down!"

"hmm. No." Kakashi said as he crossed into the bathroom and shut the door.

Later, after Kakashi was mostly fish scale and smell free, the two of them were laying on their stomachs in bed, having moved the heated blanket to the couch in order to get the dogs out. Kakashi sat up and kissed Iruka's bare shoulder, "I missed you."

Iruka made a pleased noise, "I missed you too."

"what did you do when I was gone?"

"thought of you."

Kakashi laughed into his pillow, "aside from that."

"I helped Kotetsu and Izumo with some wedding planning."

"sounds…"

"stressful?"

"maa, I was going to say fun," Kakashi grinned.

"liar." Iruka laughed, turning his head into the pillow. Kakashi felt like a kid. All of his nerves were singing while in the presence of the other man, just being allowed to share these moments with Iruka was something Kakashi couldn't have dreamt up if he wanted to. 

"What's been so stressful about it?" Iruka let out a groan into the pillow, "that bad huh?"

"Ko wants to invite his entire extended family, Zumo wants a small wedding. They can't pick colors to save their lives. They both keep jumping around from wanting a destination wedding to wanting something local. No flowers, yes flowers, some flowers. Costume wedding. Traditional wedding. Fall wedding. Spring wedding. They just keep changing their minds on things. Just the other day I had to talk Ko out of wearing an inflatable dinosaur costume down the aisle to surprise Izumo at the altar."

Kakashi chuckled, "you have to admit, that would be really funny. and really on-brand for them."

Iruka started laughing, a light laugh that quickly picked up in intensity. "It's even, it's even funnier be- because not even a minute later Izumo messaged me the same thing."

"wait they had the same idea?"

Iruka nodded into the pillow still laughing uncontrollably.

"And you didn't let them?" Kakashi feigned outrage also laughing.

Iruka shook his head into the pillow now clutching his stomach where he lay on it.

"How dare you. I would have gone to the wedding just for that. Now the only reason I have to go there is to see you looking sexy in a suit."

"Actually," Iruka turned his head to look at Kakashi now, his laughter subsiding into giggles, "they asked me to officiate. You'll be seeing me in a tux. I have fittings tomorrow after work"

"you're going to be the death of me. Did you know that?"

"I hope I can be your reason for living too," Iruka said as he leaned in and kissed Kakashi's nose.

"you're my everything." As soon as the words left his mouth Kakashi felt his face heating up. Iruka's face also turned an interesting shade as they both just stared at each other.

A few tense seconds passed before Iruka yelled out, "You can't just say that sort of thing!" and tried to smother Kakashi with a pillow. 

Kakashi woke up late in the morning when he heard Iruka, not quite cussing as he dug through the kitchen. He smiled to himself before sitting up and stretching. It was good to be home. 

“Shall we go make sure he doesn’t forget to turn the stove off Pakkun?” The pug lifted its head from where he was sleeping and looked at him before setting back into his spot. “I’ll go myself then.”

Upon entering the kitchen a few moments later, it was clear that Iruka had woken late. He was leaning on the counter near the coffee pot as it brewed, glaring at his phone. His dusty worn work bag sat with half of its usual contents scattered across the kitchen island, and the other half sticking up out of the bag clearly having been thrown in, in a rush.  It was the start of the school week and Mondays were hard. 

Iruka groaned and looked away from his phone in defeat. Kakashi heard him mumble the words, “I don’t know”, “I don’t care”, and  “Why me?” as he kept looking back at his phone and swiping from one thing to another. 

Kakashi slid in next to him as the coffee finished and took down two mugs, pouring some for the both of them, “Goodmorning to you too.” 

“Here. You decide.” Iruka held out his phone to Kakashi and exchanged it for his favorite flavored creamer from the fridge. 

“What exactly am I deciding?” Kakashi cautiously looked at the phone screen. On it was a place setting for a party. A similar one to some of the dinners he had attended at conferences. Looking at who sent it, he scrolled down and noticed three more photos of various settings. 

“Pick a setting for the wedding. I can’t do it. They all look the same.”

“I wouldn’t say they all look the same ,” Kakashi scrolled through them again, he liked the rustic contemporary style of the third one down, and the way it seemed to incorporate antique plates and silverware. But he also figured it would be out of the price range of the other couple. “Why aren’t they picking it themselves?”

“Izumo said everything that Ko picked looked, and I quote, tawdry . ”

“Big word,” Kakashi hmmed as he scrolled through the list again.

“Yup. But I just don’t care enough to decide. So pick one but don’t get too attached to it they will probably change their minds.”

The third one. Kakashi thought as he handed back the phone and shrugged, “doesn't matter which one you pick. And I really don’t care.” 

“Ugh.” Iruka hung his head and Kakashi couldn’t help but smile. “I swear if you leave me to make all of the decisions for our wedding I will not hesitate to uninvite you to your own wedding.”

Kakashi laughed as Iruka looked at his phone again for a moment, “Shit! I’m late.” He kissed Kakashi as he threw the rest of his stuff in his bag.

“Bye, have a good day,” Kakashi said as he took a sip of his coffee. 

“Love you! Message Izumo with your choice!” Iruka called out from the door before it shut behind him leaving a cloud in his wake. 

Kakashi shook his head and laughed before pulling out his phone. He pulled up Izumo’s number from when he had helped him prepare for his proposal dinner. 

Kakashi: Hi, Iruka showed me the placements. I think you should go with number three but see if you can use the plates from one to save on money.

The three dots appeared that said Izumo was typing before a thumbs-up emoji and a Thnx .

Kakashi huffed, he would have to get Iruka’s phone to send the photo of the place setting to himself. He moved to the couch and sat down as his mind wandered. He pictured Iruka in a tuxedo standing at an altar looking down while he said his vows before looking up and meeting Kakashi’s eyes.  Even though he was alone the image was enough to set his face ablaze and his nerves to skitter with anxious energy. Kakashi took a deep breath to try to steady himself.

Was he seriously thinking about getting married? I mean maybe one day… In a few years maybe. I mean Iruka had just moved in… but Iruka had talked like a wedding was inevitable between them. 

Oh god. Was Iruka planning on proposing? Had all of this wedding planning gone to his head? He does act impulsively like that…. 

Or worse, was he expecting Kakashi to propose? 

Kakashi stood up abruptly causing Akino and Bisque to jump and glare at him. “Sorry.” Kakashi made his way to the kitchen and poured his coffee down the drain. He started a kettle for tea instead. He didn’t need the caffeine at the rate his heart was beating. 

What Kakashi did need however was some guidance. Someone to set his head straight.

He pulled out his phone and looked at his calendar. He had meetings for the next two days until late in the evening. And another field visit at the end of the week, which was thankfully a local biological lab. He messaged Gai to see if he had time to meet the following morning for a run. When Gai sent back his usual enthusiastic response Kakashi tried to distract himself and calm his heart as the water for his tea started to boil.

Chapter Text

Despite the minor panic attack, Kakashi’s day was rather mundane. Most of it was spent exchanging messages with Iruka and sending emails about work.

Iruka messaged Kakashi regularly about the wedding planning. It started off with Iruka sending him the final colors so they could match for photos. Which turned into a polite conversation about color preference, with Iruka preferring navy blue and non-traditional or warmer colors while Kakashi saw the appeal of classic black and white. Then it was, what dish did Kakashi want for the dinner and if he thought the other couple should have a ring bearer, and then if they could borrow one of the dogs for the ring bearer. Kakashi was trying very hard not to let it get to him by the time he got home. It was just Iruka being excited about his friends’ wedding. It was just him including Kakashi. 

But then as Kakashi was washing their dinner dishes Iruka came up beside him with a look that Kakashi knew was trouble. Iruka scrolled innocently through a series of photos he had taken at the Tailor's, asking Kakashi's opinion on them. What started off as innocent photos, Iruka in various tuxedos, quickly progressed into ones that were most definitely not so innocent taken from inside the changing room. Nothing overly explicit just Iruka with enough skin showing, and enough of a disheveled look that Kakashi’s mind flashed back to his daydream from earlier that morning. 

That daydream was decidedly a lot less innocent now. 

That night the panic returned full force as Kakashi stared at the ceiling wide awake.  Iruka snored to his side, and the dogs snored around them and it was with creeping anxiety that he reviewed the day's events. There was no longer any doubt in his mind. Iruka wanted him to propose. And Kakashi had no idea what to do about it.

He met Gai outside the building just as the sun was rising. Gai was, of course wearing a bright green tracksuit, and he was busy stretching his legs when he spotted Kakashi, yelling out a greeting far too loud for the early hour. Kakashi got the impression his friend had actually run the five miles between their apartment buildings. 

“Good morning my dear friend! I am honored that you have asked me to join you for a most youthful morning run! It has been too long since we have engaged in exercise together!”

“Morning Gai.” Kakashi stretched some before he nodded at his friend and the two of them took off. 

They ran for about five minutes before Gai stopped his one-sided discussion on the weather and broke through Kakashi’s thoughts by bumping his shoulder, “What is troubling you friend? You have been extra quiet this morning and seem to be lost in your thoughts more than normal.”

Kakashi sighed and with dread decided to just say it straight. “I think Iruka is expecting me to propose.”

 “That’s wonderful! When will you do it?”

“Well, that’s why I needed to talk to you.”

“You need my expert advice on love?”

“Uhh. No, I need you to help me figure out how to go about this.”

“You should of course do it when the moment is right and passion overtakes you! There should be flowers, and music, maybe even poetry.”

“Of course… But, uh. One problem. I couldn’t even ask the guy out. How am I supposed to ask him to marry me?”

“Indeed your shy nature did seem to become an obstacle when you were first pursuing love.” Gai seemed to think for a moment, even bringing his hand to his chin in contemplation, “But you have already won Iruka’s heart! Trust that you two are meant to be together and go forward with your plan!”

“That would require me to have a plan.”

“Do you not wish to marry him?”

Kakashi paused at that, “No, I do. It just seems very quick. I feel like we just got into a routine and he just moved in, and. And I want to do it right.” 

Gai seemed to think about this for a few moments before gently asking, “Have you discussed this step with Iruka?” 

Kakashi shook his head, “Not really. He’s been dropping hints though.”

“Like what?”

“Like asking what color I would want for a wedding. Or insisting that when we do get married we will not have a traditional wedding cake. Things like that.”

“And how long has this been occurring?”

“Since I got back from my trip the other night.”

“I do not mean to offend you friend, but could it be that you are looking into things too deeply?”

“I don’t think so Gai.”

“You do know Iruka far better than myself so if you believe that to be the case it must be so! But I think we may need a second opinion.”

Kakashi was confused for a few moments before he realized what Gai was doing, “No!” But he was too late.  When they had stopped to stretch before turning around, Gai had pulled out his phone and typed away for a few moments. Kakashi had mistakenly assumed that his friend was checking his time against his previous records. He realized too late what was actually occurring. His own phone vibrated as a text came through. 

Tenzou: What is this I hear about you getting married, Senpai?

Kakashi was tired as he slid into the corner booth at the bar. Iruka was with Izumo and Kotetsu trying to pin down.. anything, for their wedding. Which left Kakashi free for the evening. It had been two weeks since Kakashi had spoken to Gai, and today was the second time that he and Tenzou had gone out to stare at rings. Kakashi buried his head in his arms on the table groaning. Every time he closed his eyes his vision was just shining metal rings and his brain kept just supplying terms that the jewelers threw at him like he should know what they meant. And when it wasn’t doing that it was trying to come up with the perfect plan to “pop the question”. He was lost. 

He lifted his head at the sound of bottles hitting the hardwood, reaching for one of the two that Tenzou had brought over. Tenzou pulled it away from him with a look, “Only one. And I am never going ring shopping with you again Senpai. I can’t take it anymore.”

“That’s fine. I don’t think I can handle any more myself.” Tenzou gave up the bottle and Kakashi sipped from it before laying his head back down. He could feel Gai’s concerned gaze. 

“Maybe I should just do the proposing and then have Iruka pick out his own ring.”

“That would be very thoughtful,” Gai nodded as he drank his beer.

“But I’m his boyfriend, aren’t I supposed to know him well enough to buy him a ring?” Kakashi drank some more of his beer while his two friends exchanged a look. 

“What?” He asked wearily. 

“Senpai, could it be that you can’t find a ring because you aren’t ready?”

“If I don’t propose he’s going to leave me.”

“Iruka would never do something like that. Anyone who has seen you two together can tell you are both deeply in love.” Gai put a reassuring hand on Kakashi’s arm.

“But,”

“Senpai, you should just talk to him. You’ve been so stressed about this for weeks but you haven’t even broached the topic with him yet. He might not even want to get married.”

“Ever?”

“It is possible. But! That’s something you both need to discuss!” Gai said and he removed his hand from Kakashi’s arm signaling a waitress for more beers. 

“I suppose. We’ve both just been so busy. And I leave for my next trip in two days and I’ll be gone for a few weeks.”

“You should talk to him before you leave then. Give yourself some peace of mind so you can focus on work.” Tenzou added.

Kakashi nodded in acknowledgment, “Yeah,”

“Good. Now that that’s been said. I do believe this place has Karaoke night tonight, and senpai you still owe me from last time.”

Kakashi sighed before drinking the rest of his beer. He was going to need a lot more beer before he was going to get up there and sing. 

Kakashi knew that the fifth beer had been a mistake the minute he had tried to climb down from the small stage and nearly fell into one of the, thankfully unoccupied, tables. To his credit, Tenzou and Gai were worse off. But Gai would burn through his intoxication in an hour and Tenzou was just a lightweight (he had three beers and was up singing some old love song that made Kakashi think of Iruka). He knew eight beers had been too many when he couldn’t remember his address to tell the taxi driver and instead insisted he “bring him to Iruka.” Eventually, they got that sorted and they were on their way.

On the way back to his apartment, Kakashi was thinking. Truthfully, he was always thinking. Always turning problems over in his mind. How best to distribute the money for the field season. What he needs to buy at the grocery store this week. What the dogs need. What to do about Iruka… or to Iruka. 

At the moment he was thinking about whales, Humpback Whales to be exact. Megaptera novaeangliae. The Big Winged New Englander. He was thinking about how the males will sing to attract mates. And probably for a lot of reasons actually. He was thinking about how it’s been shown that whales in one ocean, no matter how far apart, will sing the same song. A little different due to translation error, but it still is the same song. Creatures of music. 

Maybe Iruka was a creature of music and Kakashi should serenade him. That wouldn’t do any good though because Kakashi can’t play any instruments. And his voice, while not horrible, left some things to be desired in its ability to convey emotion. No, he couldn’t propose in song. 

What about dancing? Many birds will show off a dance. Blue-footed Boobies (heh. Boobies) will parade around with their heads high and do a little dance to show off their feet. Kakashi could do that. Strut around the apartment. Maybe get some blue socks… Kakashi had a rather vivid image of himself trying to dance in socks and slipping… Maybe not. 

The taxi pulled up to the building and Kakashi paid and got out. After about three tries he got the door to his building open (when did that get so difficult?) and then he began the boring task of climbing the stairs to his apartment. 

Seals don’t really court each other, the males just fight other males for dominance. Turtles just do the do and move on. And dogs are well dogs. They love each other and are loyal but also are rather open and not committed. Kakashi didn’t want an open relationship with Iruka. He and Iruka were meant to be. And he was a selfish person who wanted Iruka all to himself. That’s why he was proposing, after all. Not to mention he got very jealous very easily. 

Kakashi stumbled through his doorway. The kitchen light was still on and he smiled at the sight. A light had been left on for him. Iruka was truly the best. 

“I’m home.” He called out in what he thought was a whisper, “shhh,” He really needed to be quieter.  Kakashi saw a few dog heads lift in curiosity before padding over from the living room. 

 “Heeey. What are you doing up?” He asked Shiba as he fell down to his knees with a loud thud to better greet his dogs and remove his shoes, “ow.” He started to laugh as Guruko licked his face, one shoe half untied and off his foot. He lay down as the other dogs all came over to see what the fun was, which only further caused him to laugh. 

“Kakashi?” 

Kakashi tilted his head back to stare at his boyfriend who came into view from the living room. He was in wrinkly sleep clothes, his hair a mess. He rubbed his eyes and stared at his boyfriend before frowning at the clock. 

“It’s nearly two in the morning.”

“It’s no use Iruka,” Kakashi said as he threw his arms out at his sides, the dogs following. A few of them rubbing themselves on his hands to get him to pet them.

“What?” Iruka’s brows crinkled in confusion and Kakashi found it adorable. 

“You’re going to have to pick out your own ring. I just can’t find one.”

“Kakashi, what,” Iruka crossed his arms and looked down at his boyfriend who drunkenly continued. 

“Also I can’t dance. Or really sing. Or play an instrument. So I can’t propose. Though Gai and Tenzou keep telling me to just talk to you. Cause you might not want me to dance or sing. Do you want me to dance or sing?”

“I want you to make sense. You’re drunk.” Iruka smiled slightly as he crouched down to his boyfriend’s level getting the attention of Uhei who came over to get ear skritches and lick Iruka’s face.

“I know. Eight beers was a bad idea.”

“You had eight beers? Over how long? Did you eat?” Iruka looked concerned at Kakashi. 

“No. And I’mma lightweight. Tenzou’s worse. He had only three and he was singing. He sang a song that reminded me of you by Dolly.”

“Dolly? Dolly Parton?”

“Yeah. Goes like this,” Kakashi tried to poorly hum part of the song to which Iruka laughed. 

“Alright. Let’s get you to bed.” Iruka shook his head and came over to help Kakashi off the floor.

“Me shoes,” Kakashi said before laughing. “I’mma pirate.”

Iruka laughed lightly as he came around Kakashi to finish removing his shoes for him since the other man seemed content to merely lay on the floor. Kakashi watched with his head turned as Iruka untied and removed his shoes. 

“I can’t find a ring.” He said again. 

“You keep saying that but I still don’t know what it means. Why do you need a ring?”

“So I can ask you to marry me,” Kakashi said as he closed his eyes. Sleep was really looking like a great idea. 

Iruka’s movements stopped and Kakashi, in the very back of his mind, knew he messed up somewhere. So he cracked open his eyes and looked at his boyfriend who was kneeling with one of Kakashi's shoes, foot still inside, in his hand.

“Ru?”

“What did you say?”

Kakashi felt the all too familiar feeling of panic forming. He was considerably sober now, sort of. 

“Do you not want to marry me?”

Iruka took a breath through his nose before letting it out through his mouth. He finished with Kakashi’s shoes and put them aside. 

“Kakashi can you please sit up and look at me?” Kakashi didn’t want to. He closed his eyes and shook his head on the floor.

“Kakashi.” Iruka’s voice was calm and there was something in it that made Kakashi open his eyes and sit up finally. 

Iruka took a breath again and Kakashi couldn’t help but think he was beautiful. He wanted to say as much but didn’t think Iruka would appreciate it since it looked like he had something to say.

“Kakashi why were you looking for rings?”

“To propose?”

“Why? I just moved in. Naruto just started school. You are still in the process of taking over for Tsunade. Why do you want to propose?”

“Do you not want me to?”

“Why are you asking me that?”

“I thought you wanted me to.”

“What on earth made you think that?”

“You keep asking what I want for a wedding.” Now that Kakashi said it aloud he couldn’t fight the way his face reddened in embarrassment. 

“I was talking about the future, love. Not anything immediate.” Iruka took Kakashi’s hand in his own.

“Oh.” Kakashi looked down at the way their fingers tangled together

“Do you want to get married now?” Iruka asked as he played with Kakashi’s fingers, not making eye contact.

Kakashi shook his head and regretted it as the room spun. “No.”

“Okay. Then let's wait until we are both ready. And let’s not worry about it until then. In the meantime let’s get you some water and get you to bed.”

“Okay,” Kakashi said as Iruka hauled him up to his feet. Once there he grabbed Iruka and buried his face into the other man’s neck. “Thank you.”

Iruka laughed and ran his free hand through Kakashi’s hair, “There’s nothing to thank me for. You can always just talk to me. About anything.”

“I love you,” Kakashi whispered. 

“I love you, too.” He could hear Iruka smile and he felt his heart unburden itself as he smiled as well. 

Chapter Text

Izumo and Kotetsu didn't have firsts.

Not that Kotetsu could remember at least.

He vaguely recalls a kiss somewhere before they dated, and obviously, there was the first time they had sex but even that had just seemed so natural. Like they had already lived a dozen lives together.

He stared at the notebook half full of scribbled notes, distracted doodles, and crossed-out lines. Izumo was asleep in their bedroom none the wiser to the maelstrom swirling in Kotetsu's mind. 

How the fuck was he supposed to write vows ?

How could he possibly condense their relationship, friendship, and love into words ?

Izumo could, Kotetsu knew. Izumo could. In fact, he probably already had found the exact right words and statements that would turn Kotetsu into a love-sick mess and immediately make him hate everything he had written down no matter how good it was. And this wasn’t a situation where Kotetsu could use his actions to convey his feelings. He had to use words and Kotetsu knew he wasn’t very good with words. Or planning things in advance. And forget mixing the two things together.

“Ko? You still awake?” Izumo stood in the doorway to their bedroom and rubbed his eyes before stumbling over to his fiancé and leaning tiredly on him, hugging him from behind.

“I’ll be in soon. Just finishing up some work.” 

“You don’t have to worry about it so much, ya know?” Izumo muttered tiredly as he placed a kiss on the top of Kotetsu’s head. 

“Worry about what?”

Izumo slapped his hand down on the notebook on the table, “This. I don’t care. I know how you feel. I don’t even care if we have a wedding. I just wanna be with you.”

“You don’t want a wedding?”

“I don’t care. Just want you to cuddle with me. Every night. Forever.”

Kotetsu chuckled, “Okay. I’ll cuddle.”

“Good,” Izumo said as he pulled Kotetsu out of his chair and back to bed.

“Those bastards!” 

Kakashi was startled out of his book, his head whipping up to his boyfriend who stood in their kitchen. He seemed okay and there was no immediate cause for the exclamation as far as Kakashi saw so he relaxed and sank back down into the couch. 

“Come again?”

“Izumo and Kotetsu!” Iruka marched over and Kakashi moved his legs so he could sit, “Those two bastards got married without telling anyone!” Iruka held his phone out for Kakashi to see a photo of their two friends holding their wedding certificate outside city hall. 

“Oh? Good for them.”

“After all the months of planning.”

“To be fair, they never actually decided on anything.”

“Still,” Iruka lamented, “I tried on suits!”

Kakashi chuckled. It had been a few months since Kakashi had come home drunk and rambling about rings. He and Iruka had discussed things further the following day, and while Kakashi felt more at ease now, the memory of that night was still a rather embarrassing one for him. He pulled his boyfriend toward him so that they were laying on the couch together. 

“You’re happy for them.”

“Of course.”

“But?”

Iruka rubbed his face on Kakashi’s chest, nuzzling into him before mumbling. 

Kakashi chuckled, one of his hands coming to rest on Iruka’s head.

“Use your words dear.”

Iruka pulled his face off of Kakashi’s chest and pouted at him.

“But I really wanted cake.”

“I’ll buy you a cake when I get back.” Iruka put his head back down.

“You better. I’m holding you to that.”

Kakashi went back to his book, his free hand still petting the top of Iruka’s head. 

“Do you have to go?” It was a quiet question. 

“Unfortunately, yes.” Kakashi put his book down again, “But I’ll be back in a few weeks.

“This time each year the birds come back to the same islands to mate. This project is aiming to re-establish more mating habitat for them.”

It was less an island and more a pile of rocks. Kakashi looked through a pair of binoculars as the boat rocked watching the black and white birds as they hopped and dashed about. A collection of mosses and lichens clung to the sides of the cliff face. There were about a dozen bird species nesting on this island. This particular group of researchers was interested in the Atlantic Puffin.

“These birds are monogamous. Each pair meets back up at the same nest each season. Which is why preserving these nesting sites is so important.” The ornithologist was at the helm and yelling toward Kakashi and a few new interns as he steered the boat around the rock and toward the small dock by the research buildings.

The sun was beginning to set as the small group unboarded the boat. The interns hoisted bags of supplies, as well as their own gear over their shoulders and trekked up the hill, still full of excited energy. There was a small covering of grass at the top of the cliffside, and three small squat buildings stood the same color of the rock. A cafeteria, a laboratory, and a dormitory.

The bird biologist, Aoba, came up alongside Kakashi and bumped his shoulder to get his attention.

“Poor suckers don’t know what they’re in for. They think it’s going to be all cute birds and pretty scenery.” He shook his head, then gestured over to a small shelter made of two-by-fours camouflaged into the ground well enough that Kakashi hadn’t even seen it until it had been pointed out, “it’s all bird blinds, bird shit, and cramped legs.” He grinned in the way only a field biologist could and began to hum a song as he marched on. Kakashi paused and took a breath of salt air. He couldn’t help but think how much Iruka would love this place. It was so much like the island where they’d met, albeit smaller but with the same feeling of wildness and seclusion.

The inside of the dormitory was a hive of activity. Interns were laughing and talking, getting to know their new bunkmates. Kakashi was provided with a bed in one of the supervisor’s rooms. He tossed his small duffle bag onto the bed before pulling out his phone and connecting to the wifi to let Iruka know he had made it safe and that he would be home in two days. When he was sure it was sent he put his phone aside and began to unpack his few items. Getting things ready for field training first thing in the morning. He was tired enough that he was debating skipping dinner. But as soon as the thought went through his head he heard Tsunade scolding him for being anti-social and making the company look bad… like she has room to talk .

He could hear everyone getting ready to head to the cafeteria, so with a sigh, he took off his jacket and pulled out the hoodie he had stolen from Iruka. Pulling it on he smelled the collar which still smelled like his boyfriend. He put his shoes back on and put his hands in the pocket of the sweater preparing to catch up with everyone when something inside the pocket caught his attention.

Pulling his hand out he found it to be a speckled rock about the size of an almond. Kakashi grinned and his heart ached at the realization that Iruka kept one of the pebbles Kakashi had “given” him in his poor attempt at flirting when they first met. He rubbed his thumb on it distractedly as he made his way outside and to the cafeteria.

The following morning had them all rising as the sun rose to trek out into the cool wind to hide in a few of the blinds. It was three per blind, two interns, and one scientist. There were four blinds the last containing Kakashi an intern and Aoba. Each scientist was tasked with explaining behaviors the interns would be looking for and how to conduct counts of individuals. Kakashi listened for the most part, but already knew most of what was happening based on his previous research.

A few puffins flew down and landed clumsily by Kakashi’s blind. The intern gave a sharp inhale of excitement as they hastily jotted down notes on the datasheet. Kakashi watched as one of the puffins hopped towards another one before rubbing its beak on the other.

“That’s how they greet one another. Sort of like a mating dance. If you watch the other puffins around them you’ll see it spread. They’re very social animals.”

Kakashi had stopped listening, he was once again reminded of Iruka. His hand unconsciously rubbed the pebble in his jacket pocket as the two birds greeted one another. He could practically see Iruka nuzzling into him as they cuddled on the couch. Or after Kakashi had been away and Iruka greeted him at the door. Throwing himself at Kakashi before nuzzling into his chest like he could burrow there and live next to Kakashi’s heart.

As Kakashi rolled the cool stone between his fingers, a plan began to form.

It started innocently enough, Kakashi had begun locking his office shortly after the first box had arrived from Kotetsu.

Iruka assumed that Kakashi had work he wasn’t allowed to share with anyone and Naruto was home for a bit for the holidays, and boy did he love to snoop. Also Iruka also assumed that Kakashi was probably hiding gifts.

But then another box arrived.

And another.

Over the course of the last two years, Iruka counted seven mystery boxes from his friend. And they were all decently heavy.

But then Kakashi started to “burn his fingers” on the stove with a frequency that had Iruka worried. In the time they had been dating Kakashi had only ever hurt himself when he was doing things for other people. Moving boxes while helping Gai. Snagging a boat line as it slid out of someone’s hands. That type of thing.

And then Iruka kept catching Kakashi hiding something away whenever he came home without Kakashi expecting him.

And there was dust on every surface no matter how often he dusted, especially by Kakashi’s office.

Iruka didn’t think he was the paranoid type, but he was starting to think he was going a little crazy.

“What are you hiding in there?” He finally asked as Kakashi sheepishly stepped out and seemed to brush even more dust of his pants, “why are you all dusty?”

“Nothing. Just a project for work. It’s almost done and I’ll tell you about it as soon as I can, I promise.” He closed the office door behind him and pulled Iruka in for a kiss.

“Alright.” Iruka glanced at the door with unconcealed curiosity, “if you say so.”

“I do. Now, what do you want for dinner? Eat in or take out?”

Iruka hummed as he thought, “Eat in. Dealers’ choice as long as it’s warm.”

“Sounds good,” Kakashi said as he kissed Iruka’s forehead and went into the kitchen to start preparing dinner. Iruka pretended to go to the couch and talk to the dogs.

“Yuhi, do you know what he’s hiding in there? No? What about you Pakkun, you’re looking rather guilty.” Iruka heard Kakashi chuckle. Once the sound of something on the stove cooking became loud enough, Iruka quietly opened the office door. As he stood there looking at the room he felt a little guilty. The thought occurred to him that Naruto must have picked up the snooping from him just before curiosity took control. Iruka saw empty boxes by the walls that had been sent by Izumo and Kotetsu. Everything was covered in a fine layer of dust, that looked like it was attempted to be cleaned up. There were some off tools on the desk. Drills with bit ends that Iruka hadn’t seen before, and then there it was, off to the side by some long-forgotten paperwork.

“Do you want chicken or fish? Iruka?” Iruka looked up to find Kakashi frozen in the doorway.

“Kakashi, what is this?” Iruka held the unpolished stone ring.

Kakashi looked torn between running away and snatching the ring from Iruka’s hand. “A ring.”

“I can see that.” Iruka turned it over carefully in his hands before looking back at the small sanding drill he had found it by. It suddenly all clicked into place, the dust, the weird behavior.  “Have you been making this? Is this your project?”

“Uh, I. Yes. Yes, I have. It’s not done yet though.”

“It’s gorgeous. I can’t believe you made this.”

“It’s made from a stone from your island. Seal island.”

Iruka gave a sharp inhale and clutched the ring tighter before meeting Kakashi’s eyes. “My island?”

“Well. Not yours, yours. But you know. It’s yours in all the ways that matter.” Kakashi stepped into the room and took the ring from Iruka’s hands. “I guess the cat's out of the bag now.”

“How long have you been working on this?”

“About two years. There were some attempts before this one that didn’t turn out right. Too big, too small. Ugly. I had to keep getting stones from Kotetsu.” Kakashi gestured to the boxes as he closed the gap between them and turned the ring over in his hand.

“Why?” Iruka whispered.

Kakashi chuckled, “Well. I guess now’s as good a time as any,” He said as he got down on one knee and held the ring out to Iruka while taking his other hand.

“Umino Iruka,” Kakashi began

“Yes.” Iruka blurted out.

“I haven’t even asked yet.” Kakashi laughed.

“ yes ,” Iruka said more forcefully as he bent over to kiss Kakashi on the lips. “A million times yes.”

“Even when I am unbearably frustrating and give you rocks instead of talking to you?”

“Yes.”

“Even when-”

“Kakashi, yes .”

Kakashi stood up. “It’s not quite finished yet. I need to polish it some more.” He slid the ring onto Iruka’s finger. Iruka laughed, giddy before pulling Kakashi in for another kiss.

“Now do you want chicken or fish for dinner?”

“Let’s get takeout instead.”

“Okay.”

And they lived happily ever after.