kasarin | Repose

TITLE: Repose
AUTHOR: kasarin (

kasarin)
FANDOM: Naruto
RATING: General Audiences
CHARACTERS: Kisame, Obito
RELATIONSHIPS: Kisame/Obito
TAGS: AU - Pacific Rim Fusion, The Drift, Cuddling & Snuggling, Getting Together, Confessions
EVENT & PROMPT: Kisame Week 2022; prompt: any au
SUMMARY:

There is no window by which to see the sunrise. Even so, Obito wakes with the dawn, his head tucked beneath Kisame's chin, his nose filled with the scent of his new partner. He closes his eyes, trying to make sense of the feeling in his chest; then, recognizing it, trying to fight back his trepidation.

Repose

When he moves into the Shatterdome, Kisame is assigned his own quarters. It is a modest space, little more than a berth and a few shelves, but there is enough room for him and his dachshund, Samehada. Kisame owns few possessions aside from Samehada's bed, toys, and grooming supplies. Still, Obito helps him unpack, and they spend the afternoon making Kisame's quarters as homey as possible.

Lights out comes too soon for Kisame and Obito's tastes. They part reluctantly, hands and eyes lingering, biting back the urge to grab hold and refuse to let go. Logic dictates that they cannot spend every single second together. Better, then, to adjust to nights spent in their separate rooms.

That line of thinking lasts half the night. Then Kisame scoops Samehada into his arms and strides to Obito's quarters, the door opening before his first knock.

Obito's room is clearly intended for a single occupant, his berth just as cramped as Kisame's. They squeeze onto it anyway, curling around each other, legs entangled, arms clutching each other tightly. Samehada makes herself at home behind Kisame's knees, taking up the last remaining bit of space. And there they lay for the remainder of the night: two men and a dog crowded onto a narrow mattress, perfectly content.

There is no window by which to see the sunrise. Even so, Obito wakes with the dawn, his head tucked beneath Kisame's chin, his nose filled with the scent of his new partner. He closes his eyes, trying to make sense of the feeling in his chest; then, recognizing it, trying to fight back his trepidation.

Kisame stirs, arms holding Obito a little tighter, eyes fluttering open. Sensing his partner's distress, he instinctively ducks his head, pressing his lips to Obito's hair.

He has never kissed the top of a person's head before. It feels more natural than he could have dreamed.

"What is it?" Kisame asks, his voice rough with sleep, lips still brushing Obito's hair.

Obito releases a long, shaky breath. Dread cinches tight around his chest, cloying his mind, telling him to stay silent or expect the worst. He squeezes his eyes shut, finally forcing out the words:

"I think I love you."

The cold sting of rejection does not come. Instead, there is a wave of warmth, wonder, and joy. Then Kisame chuckles, quiet and breathless.

"I'm relieved to hear that," Kisame admits. "Because I think I love you, too."

Obito draws back, tilting his head up to meet Kisame's eyes as best he can in the dim light. He waits for the catch; he waits for the moment Kisame explains that despite whatever they might feel, they cannot be together; he waits for history to repeat itself.

Instead, Kisame smiles, sharp teeth a flash of white in the dim light. "I've never been in love before, though… So, if I do some things incorrectly, I apologize."

That startles a laugh out of Obito, and with it comes a glow of relief. He curls closer, hands fisting in Kisame's shirt, his body feeling boneless as tension drains away. "You're already perfect," he says, meaning every word.

Kisame grins and dips his head, pressing his lips softly to Obito's forehead. Then they snuggle together, Obito's head tucked beneath Kisame's chin, their breaths synchronized, their Headspace serene. And there they remain, choosing to ignore the rest of the world; choosing to bask in each other's warmth until Samehada stirs, signaling the beginning of a new day.

Author's Notes:

crossposted to ao3 here.