Downpour (DISCONTINUED)

Maybe

Kakashi shifted around under the blankets, lying on his side on the couch. Yamato had given him several blankets and pillows from around the house, and had made him a veritable nest of comfort to sleep in.

However, despite the sleepy warmth, and his full belly, Kakashi was wide awake. He stretched, reaching for his phone on the coffee table, which was blowing up with texts and calls from Naruto. Kakashi hadn't read any of them, or responded. He opened his phone, and started going through the texts, one at a time.

10:13 AM- Where the hell are you?

11:02 AM- Kakashi, please, tell me where you are?

12:23 PM- Kakashi... Iruka told me what happened. We need to talk.

12:46 PM- I don't think Iruka wants me here much longer. I think I remind him of you.

1:03 PM- Kakashi, please, I'm worried about you. Where are you?

3:36 PM- Kakashi where the fuck are you!?

4:05 PM- Kakashi, please...

5:46 PM- Kakashi, I know you messed up, but I need you to come home to me, I need you to come back.

7:02 PM- Kakashi please!

The texts stopped after that, and Kakashi felt his heart twist in his chest. It was almost two in the morning, and Kakashi wondered if his little brother would be okay.

His phone vibrated suddenly in his hands, the screen lighting up as he received a new text. It was from Iruka.

Kakashi's hands shook slightly as he opened the message, the screen illuminating his face in the darkness.

1:56 AM- Listen, the only reason I'm contacting you at all is for Naruto's sake. As much as it pains me to say this, he's not my responsibility. He's yours. And your hurting him by staying away like this! He's terrified that your not coming back, and I swear to god Kakashi if you don't come back for him, I'll hunt you down. Come and get Naruto tomorrow, and all your shit too, and after that, don't come back.

Kakashi sat up, hunched over the phone. He was shaking now, that familiar sense of self loathing had sprung up again. Kakashi hung his head, and let go. He let the tears begin to flow freely, landing in tiny droplets on the screen, distorting the text.

Oh god, oh god, what's happening. Everything is spinning out of control, what am I going to do?

Kakashi allowed a small, strangled sob escape his chest. His heart hurt dammit. The situation with his mother hung in the back of his mind, the images from his fight with Iruka replayed behind his eyes constantly, and worst of all...

Kakashi was making his little brother scared.

I cannot break down here. I cannot break down here.

He repeated the phrase over and over to himself, chanting it in his mind like a mantra to keep the hysteria away. He continued to cry quietly, rocking himself back and forth in the darkness.

"I'm fine." He whispered to no one. "I'm fine." He almost laughed at himself, he must look absolutely pathetic. Crying and talking to himself in the darkness. Pathetic.

"Kakashi?" A soft voice whispered from the hallway. Kakashi looked up in horror, he'd woken Yamato.

Yamato strode quickly to his side, sitting on the couch next to him.

"Kakashi, hey, let go." He had taken hold of the phone, which Kakashi had been slowly crushing in his grip. He allowed Yamato to pry open his hands, taking the phone and turning it off before placing it on the coffee table.

Kakashi continued to rock himself back and forth, hiccuping softly.

"Kakashi, what in the world is going on?" Yamato whispered to him, one hand on his shoulder. Kakashi grimaced, and told him everything in one big rush.

He was still crying, hiccuping and sobbing, so it made it harder to speak, but he still told Yamato everything there was to tell. Yamato listened with shocked, wide eyes, still holding onto Kakashi's shoulder. When he finished, Kakashi drew in a massive breath, and started rocking himself again.

"I punched him." He sobbed. "I hit my boyfriend." He curled forward, pressing his forehead into his knees, and shivered. The room suddenly felt cold.

Then something happened that Kakashi hadn't expected. Yamato leaned closer, wrapping his arms over Kakashi's back and holding him close. Kakashi froze momentarily, then sat up. Yamato kept one hand on his back, searching his gaze worriedly.

"Was I too, forward?" He whispered, beginning to remove his hands. Kakashi didn't speak, but leaned forward, pressing closer so he could rest his head on his shoulder. Yamato sat frozen for a moment before wrapping his arms around Kakashi and holding him closer.

Kakashi closed his eyes, burying his nose in Yamato's plain white t-shirt. He didn't wear cologne, which Kakashi liked, instead he smelled of soap and fresh laundry. Comforting.

They stayed like that for awhile longer, Kakashi leaning against him in the darkness, silent.

Maybe...

Yamato rubbed his back slowly, and Kakashi relaxed farther with a sigh.

Maybe...

"Maybe." He whispered aloud.

"Maybe what?" Yamato whispered back. Kakashi felt the other mans heart leap a little, thumping against his chest.

"Maybe this, will turn out to be something."

Neither of them spoke after that.