Supervision

[kasarin]

TITLE: Supervision
AUTHOR: kasarin (kasarin/kasarin)
FANDOM: Naruto
RATING: General Audiences
CHARACTERS: Hoshigaki Kisame, Senju Tobirama
RELATIONSHIPS: Hoshigaki Kisame/Senju Tobirama
TAGS: AU - Modern Setting, Getting Together, Halloween, Flirting
SUMMARY:

Every year, Kisame takes Suigetsu trick-or-treating. Every year, he spends his night chatting with Tobirama, trying to work up the courage to ask Tobirama on a date.

Maybe this will be the year Kisame finally does it.

Supervision

If he's entirely honest, Kisame knows that Suigetsu is too old to go trick-or-treating. The kid is too big for most costumes, too rowdy for most parents, and too embarrassed to be seen in Kisame's company. The days when Suigetsu would proudly introduce Kisame as his big brother Mangetsu's best friend are long gone; now, Kisame is lucky to get a vague wave before Suigetsu runs off with his friends. However, Mangetsu still works every Halloween, and Suigetsu would get into far too much trouble unsupervised. So Kisame continues to don a costume and take the kid trick-or-treating, watching from the street as Suigetsu runs from house to house, a bucket full of candy swinging from his hand.

"Back again, I see."

The low, smooth voice is familiar, even if Kisame only hears it once a year. Turning, he grins down at Tobirama, the man with whom he has struck up a friendly acquaintanceship.

"Yes, I'm back for another year," Kisame says, trying not to stare too openly at Tobirama's gorgeous face. Even with wolf ears perched atop prematurely gray hair, Tobirama manages to strike an impressive image, his sharp features never failing to send a thrill down Kisame's spine. "You're out with your niece again?"

Tobirama nods, gesturing to the little blond girl racing down the sidewalk, her princess dress sparkling. "Tsuna insists on coming to this street. There's no arguing with her."

"Takes after her father, I presume?"

Tobirama snorts. "No, my brother spoils her rotten. She takes after her mother."

"Ah, I see," Kisame says, though he doesn't see as much as he'd like. He knows precious little of Tobirama's life, settling for the snatches told during their yearly rendezvous. It's a shame: if they saw each other more often, he might have figured out whether or not Tobirama is interested in men. As it is…

… Well. Maybe this will be the year Kisame finally asks. After all, there's no telling how much longer Suigetsu will consent to an escort.

"You skipped the blue paint this year," Tobirama says, sharp eyes on Kisame's face.

"Oh, yes. I ran a little short on time… I suppose I'm less a shark man and more a generic monster this time." He grins, flashing his artificially sharp teeth.

Tobirama makes a considering noise, his eyes on Kisame's face. "You still look good."

Kisame's grin falters, surprise overtaking him. Then he giggles, more flustered than he'd like to admit. "Thank you, Tobirama."

The corner of Tobirama's lips twitches up in a smirk, an oddly victorious look in his eyes. "So that's what you look like when you blush."

This time, Kisame feels his face go hot, another high-pitched giggle bursting out of him. It certainly answers the question of whether or not Tobirama is interested in men—but goodness, who knew Tobirama would be so straightforward? And who knew skipping the blue paint was all it would take to receive such compliments?

"Oh?" Kisame manages after he stifles his giggling. "You sound as though you've wondered that for a while…"

Tobirama shrugs. "Not as long as I've wondered when you'd finally ask me out." He gives Kisame a shrewd look, filling Kisame's stunned silence. "Suigetsu is growing older. You're running out of time."

Kisame ducks his head, letting out a quiet chuckle. "You've read my mind, Tobirama. I was just thinking the same thing." Then he lifts his eyes, watching Tobirama from beneath his lashes. "And if I did ask such a question, how do you think you would respond?"

Tobirama raises his chin. "Ask and find out."

"Well, in that case…" Kisame ignores the butterflies in his stomach, an entirely irrational fear of rejection seizing him. He clears his throat, then asks, "Would you like to go on a date sometime?"

"Yes."

Just that. Just one word, and Kisame finds himself grinning, a heady rush of relief and excitement flooding his body.

Then Tobirama reaches out, pale fingers tugging Kisame's collar. "Suigetsu is almost done with this row of houses, and Tsuna needs wrangling. Come on."

"Oh, yes. By all means, lead the way."

Tobirama gives him an approving look. "You read my mind." Then he starts off toward his niece, Kisame happily following in his footsteps.

Author's Notes:

crossposted to ao3 here.