Pick Up The Pieces

Trapped

He wasn't sure if it was guilt or remorse that ached his stomach more, but either way, Kotetsu felt ashamed of that he had done. He couldn't help but feel a little bit troubled at how nonchalant Iruka was being about all this.

'...Iruka-' He started.

'Kotetsu, really, it's fine.' The tanned chūnin smiled carefree at him. 'These things happen.'

'But not when-'

'But nothing!' Iruka interjected, placing a steaming cup of tea in front of the raven-haired. 'Honestly, you're making a bigger deal out of this than you should. It was a little making out. That's it.'

'That's not the point I'm trying to make.'

'Then what are you trying to say?'

'I-I...hmm.' Kotetsu faltered. 'I guess I don't want you to think that I've taken advantage of you.'

He blinked as Iruka scoffed and then collapsed into small giggles.

'Honestly, that wasn't taking advantage of me.' Iruka concluded, ceasing his laughter at Kotetsu's impassive face.

'Look, alcohol and loneliness are a bad mix. Things like this always happen when you don't want them to. Just laugh it off and move forward with it. Trust me, there's more important things in life to worry about, you know.'

Iruka sipped his tea and sighed.

'Kotetsu, it's not going to be anything more than what it was. I'm...I'm sorry but as I said last night, if you remember, I love someone else...And I can't see myself ever being in another relationship. And I know that last night we were caught up in the moment-.'

'So why'd you kiss me back?'

Iruka shrugged.

'I just roll with things. It seemed like a good idea at the time.'

'Oh.'

'I think that, hypothetically, if something were to happen...I would only be your rebound...geez, that sounds so harsh.'

'No no, I get it...you never did tell me who you were with.'

'Hmm? Didn't I?'

'Nope.'

'Hmm, I'm sure I did.'

Iruka scratched his scar and retreated to the sitting room, leaving a befuddled Kotetsu at the dining table. He sipped his tea to test the temperature before downing the entire mug in record time.

'I'm going for a run!' He called to the open air.

'Some of your clothes are still drying from the wash.' Iruka chanted back to him.

'Can I borrow a top then?'

'Yeah, there's a hoodie on my desk. Borrow that. Have you got pants?'

'Yes Ruru. They're on me.'

'...Want me to go with you?'

'No...I'm actually feeling...alright.'

'...Okay. Come straight back here afterwards.'

'Yes "dear".' Kotetsu laughed and pulled on the fleecy top, his mouth twitching slightly at how the top of his navel peeked out every time he moved. Geez Iruka was short. And a mother hen.

"Attractive." He thought, and stepped out into the bitter wind.

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-x

Sharp, icy air forced itself to inflate his lungs as his feet pounded heavily through the undergrowth. The forests surrounding Konoha were a beautiful colour palette of moss, lime and emerald greens that blended so precariously by nature that it almost seemed impossible. Streaks of pale light gleaned across crisp leaves and foliage and beamed onto the earth underfoot. A scent of woody oak and grass danced on the breeze and with every intake of breathe filled his sinuses and cleared the grime and heaviness in his brain. It felt so good to be out in the fresh air, instead of being cooped up indoors.