One Eye Between Them

Ladydhampir: I’m always happy to hear from converts! ^_^ I shall have to read your stories as well.
Whimsical-to-core: I’ve always loved this pairing because they seem to fit each other the best, mature and sedate. I’m so happy I’ve exceeded expectations!
KawaiiRogue: Thank you! The second sex scene took a while to write.
1CarinoInu: You may be the reason Shisui’s in on this one. ^_- I love this Sasuke too. He’s comic relief for once.
lilbit1016: I write on the fly, so I’m not entirely sure if Shisui will be getting an ass-kicking yet. Thank you so much for your complements. We writers thrive on such things. ^_^
MadaSasu: Awwwww, thank you! Good ‘ole incest. ^_^ More than jealousy.

Beta-ed by PhoenixInnocence
----------
Shisui was there when Kakashi came over after work a few days later. He’d picked up Itachi for dinner and a shag at his place in the meantime, but tonight he was having dinner with the family.

Inoichi opened the door for him. “Itachi-san is in his room.”

“Thanks, Inoichi.”

Shisui intercepted Kakashi before he put a foot on the stairs. “Can I have a few minutes?”

“Sure.”

Kakashi let Shisui lead him to the lounge. Kakashi took a seat.

“So, you’re a Snake Eater?” Shisui asked as he settled in across from Kakashi.

“Yeah.” Kakashi never particularly liked that nickname for the Special Forces.

“Uncle said you were in Afghanistan.”

“I was.”

“I was in Iraq. Lot of you guys running around that desert too.”

“Getting at something, ‘Spook?’”

Shisui chuckled. “You’re serious about my cousin?”

Kakashi held up his hand with the ring. “I’m a poor man and those are real diamonds.”

“You know what they did to him?”

“Of course.”

“Uncle seems to like you. Tell me why you want my cousin.”

“Honestly, his looks drew me first. He was so graceful and I loved his voice. Then when he told me he was blind, I wanted to protect him. I love him entirely. Don’t worry about your cousin. He’s adapting well and I won’t let anything happen to him.”

Shisui’s eyes were intense. He was trying to detect something in him.

“Tell me something,” Kakashi said, “why does Sasuke hate you so much?”

That threw him. His face went slack and he hesitated. “That’s between us.”

“Fair enough. Excuse me, Itachi’s expecting me.”

“Harm him and I will destroy you.”

“Harm him again and I’ll destroy you.”

“I didn’t.”

“Of course you didn’t.” Kakashi stood and left Shisui to wonder what he knew. He went up to Itachi’s room and knocked.

“Come in!” Itachi yelled over his music.

Kakashi smiled and entered the room, shutting the door behind him. Itachi was lying on the bed. Kakashi crawled over him. “I love Meat Loaf,” Kakashi said near Itachi’s ear. “Unfortunately my car is too small for ‘Paradise by the Dashboard Light.’”

“You need to check out my Bentley. We’d have more than enough room. The stick shift will be a challenge, but it’s removable.”

Kakashi felt a jab of jealousy, imagining Itachi and Naruto leaning over that stick shift to make out.

“Speaking of which, the Konoha Theater puts on a Shakespeare play every April; know which one it is this year? I’d love for you to take me and I’ll let you drive my car.”

“I don’t, but that sounds like a wonderful idea.” Kakashi got up and turned on the monitor of Itachi’s computer and turned down the music. He checked the local theater’s website. “There’s nothing.” He searched for other productions in the area to take Itachi to.

“That’s impossible, they always do Shakespeare in April.”

“You don’t want to go to that one,” Kakashi said.

“What is it?”

“It’s King Lear, Itachi,” Kakashi finally admitted softly.

It took Itachi a few seconds to remember why Kakashi didn’t think he should see it. “’Out vile jelly,’” Itachi said with a fragile voice. “Yeah, you’re right, I shouldn’t go to that.”

“I’m sorry, Itachi.”

“It’s not your fault.”

Kakashi found something else. “How about ‘Out, out damned spot?’”

“It’s ‘Out, out brief candle.’ ‘Damned spot’ only had one ‘out.’”

“Ahh, yes. Hamlet had ‘Out, out, thou strumpet Fortune.’ He really loved that phrase.”

“I’m happy that my mechanic, army grunt boyfriend is so literate. So someone is playing Macbeth?”

“In Suna. We can make a day of it Saturday. It’s opening night, so there’s a party afterward.”

“Alright.” Itachi reached up to pull a black braided rope. “Don’t pay for these; I’ll pay. I never liked King Lear anyway, not just because how it ends. Edmund was the only character that really interested me and only in the first act.”

“A bell rope? Really? I didn’t notice it before.”

“It’s an old house and really handy. It’s actually hooked up to a more sophisticated system than a bell. Goes to Inoichi’s mobile and tells him which room. Awesome, huh?” Itachi was actually enthused over the system; he was adorable.

“Clever.”

“I came up with it when I was ten.”

Okay, Kakashi was now duly impressed.

There was a knock and then Inoichi opened the door without waiting for a summons. “Sir?”

“Could you get father’s credit card number? We want to buy theater tickets.”

“I’ll return in a few minutes.”

“Thank you.”

“Daddy’s credit card?” Kakashi asked teasingly.

“I don’t have my own account. Not anymore. He or Sasuke pays for everything.” Itachi was suddenly depressed.

“What did you do before all this? I gather you worked for your father.”

“VP in charge of Research and Development. Sounds more impressive than it was; I just shepherded great minds.”

“You basically designed a modern cell phone app fifteen years ago, before there were smartphones, before you entered puberty, and you’re saying you had no active part in Research and Development?”

“Okay, I came up with a few things. It wasn’t that innovated. It was based on text messages; not that advanced. I haven’t been back at all. I just couldn’t face everyone there when they all know what happened to me. It’s so humiliating. Even when I came home, I was so humiliated that my family knew. You know I thought you’d leave me if you knew, but I was also embarrassed. Why did the press have to include the rape? Beaten and blinded is bad enough, isn’t it?”

“The media didn’t report on the rape.”

“Huh?”

“I read the newspaper reports and they never mentioned rape. They said ‘tortured’ though.”

“But then . . . So no one knows I was raped outside the family and the Feds?”

“As far as I know. But people can draw their own conclusions with a word like ‘tortured’.”

“That makes me feel better.” Itachi relaxed. “I assumed everyone knew everything. I’m still so ashamed of what happened. I thought everyone knew and thought of that when they saw me.”

Kakashi sat on the bed and pulled Itachi up to hold him. “God, I love you so much. I wish just one of them was still alive so I could avenge you. You have nothing in the world to be ashamed of.”

Itachi turned his head to tuck under Kakashi’s chin. “Kakashi, I—” He broke down.

Kakashi slipped a hooked finger under Itachi’s chin to raise it. Itachi let him at first, but then lowered his head again, not wanting Kakashi to see his squinched up, sobbing face. And he wasn’t wearing his glasses.

“You remember that film Bram Stoker’s Dracula, the Coppola one?” Kakashi asked.

“Yeah.”

“I’m reminded of when Dracula turned Mina’s tears into diamonds. When Inoichi gets back, I should ask him for a bottle of absinthe.”

Itachi chuckled and put a hand on his shoulder, but he kept his head down. He sniffed. “Please tell me you killed a series of hookers a few years back. Perfection is too eerie.”

Kakashi used a little more pressure this time and Itachi gave in and tilted his head up. Kakashi kissed the tear tracks.

“Tell me, beside your family, the Hyuuga, Naruto, and your servants, have you seen anyone from your past? Friends, co-workers?”

“No.”

“Did you not have any close friends?”

“None. I was too arrogant. Too good looking, too intelligent, too wealthy, too good for everyone else in the world, too busy with school or working. I almost deserved it.”

“Deserved it?”

“I told you, I was a shallow, arrogant ass. You love me because I’m timid. You would have hated me. Everyone hated me. I liked being hated. I liked being envied. I liked being superior.”

Kakashi tried to suppress his sigh, but it was difficult to hide when Itachi was pressed against his chest. He quickly explained. “You’re so hard on yourself. If you were such an asshole, your brother wouldn’t be so devoted. No one would be. They’d just stand aside and let you take your desserts. Like Feste letting Malvolio sit in that dark room for an act.”

Itachi was silent for a minute then his ears perked up. “Inoichi’s coming back.” He wiped his cheeks and lay back down. Kakashi moved to the chair.

Inoichi knocked briefly before opening the door. “Your father said you can return it at dinner.”

“Thank you,” Kakashi said taking the card.

Inoichi left.

“Choose whatever seats you like,” Itachi said. “I won’t know any different and money is no object.”

Kakashi typed in the credit card number and printed the tickets.

“Look up the number of the Suna Grand Hotel and dial it for me.”

Kakashi obeyed, taking Itachi’s phone from his outstretched hand and then handed it back.

“Thank you,” Itachi said and put the phone to his ear, taking a final sniff to clear his sinus. “Can I reserve a suite for this Saturday evening? . . . Itachi Uchiha . . . . the name on the credit card is Fugaku Uchiha.” He turned on the speaker and held the phone out towards Kakashi. “Read out the credit card number for me, love.”

“We’ll see you on Saturday,” the woman said after Kakashi read her the number and the CVV on the back and then Itachi ended the call.

“Why didn’t you just have me do it?” Kakashi asked.

“You’d balk at the price. Get used to this: money is not an issue with this family. My ransom was a measly twenty million. My father had it all in cash within a few hours. Yahiko could have easily asked for fifty. Hundred and my father would hesitate, but he’d still be willing and able to pay it. It wasn’t the money, it was the damned government that was the cause of all this.” Itachi gestured to his face. “I never bought you that tie I promised.”

“If it’s diamond studded, I’m just going to pawn it.”

Itachi laughed.

“Since we’re having such a bipolar conversation, can I ask: was Shisui your first?”

Itachi gave a rye chuckle. “You’re better than Shisui. How’d you know?”

“Sasuke’s attitude and the way he paled when he saw our matching rings. So Sasuke knows.”

“He’s kept our secret; I expect you to do the same. Statute of limitation might not be up yet.”

“Just how young were you?”

“Twelve?”

“Twelve?!”

“Maybe Thirteen.”

“I’m totally on Sasuke’s side.”

“He thinks Shisui turned me gay and he really didn’t like the time we spent together and how close we were. It’s not true. Yeah, I was young, but I think I was tending toward gay anyway.”

“Let me throttle him.”

“No. Statutory, but not really rape.”

Kakashi shook his head. Kakashi had suspected Shisui, but he hadn’t realized Itachi had been so young. If Shisui was the master manipulator everyone said he was, he probably had been pressing Itachi in that direction and made sure Itachi was willing. The predation on his own first cousin was certainly one thing, but a child made Kakashi ready to rip Shisui’s cock off. He couldn’t even be grateful that it was because of him that Itachi was gay and now his boyfriend.

“Well, forgive me if I side with Sasuke on this one, but I’ll keep your secret.”

“Thank you.”

“But you did have a falling out with him.”

“I wasn’t the only one he was screwing. He tried to convince me that it was okay, that he loved me, but he had needs he didn’t want to subject me to. Blah, blah, blah. I only had casual sex after that. Until Naruto asked me out. Starting something with my little brother’s best friend gave me pause, but he was cute and persistent. The little pissant,” Itachi spit the word out.

Kakashi dropped down on the bed next to him. “No matter your history, I love you.” But a thought occurred. “How casual?”

Itachi chuckled. “I forgot: jealous. Four, five? Half a dozen?” Kakashi growled. “Heel, boy.” Itachi turned and rubbed Kakashi’s stomach. “Stay the night?”

“I’m going to have to commandeer space in your wardrobe.”

“Do. I think I have space in here for an additional dresser.” His hand slid a little lower. “I’m hungry.”

“Dinner will be ready any minute now.”

“Not hungry for food.”

“I know.”

“Unfortunately, I’ll not be in the mood for sex right after dinner. We’ll have to wait even longer. But I’ll give you that blowjob you wanted.”

“Don’t give me a boner in front of your parents.”

“I won’t. On purpose.”

They stopped flirting at a knock on the door, Itachi’s hand darting up to lay chastely on Kakashi’s stomach again. Mikoto poked her head in. “Dinner’s ready.”

Kakashi helped Itachi up and they followed Mikoto downstairs.

“Sasuke’s gone out with Hinata and Shisui already left, so it’ll just be the four of us.”

“Good,” Itachi said. “Maybe he’ll ask her tonight.”

“Ha!” Kakashi let out. “I don’t think he’ll be able to ask Hinata anything with Neji around. I haven’t met the kid yet, but he sounds more intimidating than Sasuke himself.”

“Oh, he is,” Itachi said.

“Neji’s a good cousin,” Mikoto said. “Loves Hinata like a sister.”

“I have to meet him. Preferably before the wedding,” Kakashi said. “We shouldn’t tease the kid too much at his own wedding.”

“When Sasuke asks Hinata, we’ll all have to have dinner. Meet your other in-laws.”

-----

Kakashi snuggled with Itachi after dinner in the living room. They were just ‘watching’ the Science Channel; something Itachi could listen to and appreciate.

They heard the front door open. Kakashi looked over the sofa back and saw Sasuke moving slowly.

“Sasuke?”

Sasuke looked toward him and headed in his direction, a creepy smile on his face.

“Sasuke?” Kakashi repeated.

“What’s wrong?” Itachi asked, turning around even though he couldn’t see anything.

“I asked her,” Sasuke said.

“And?” Itachi pressed. Kakashi knew from the stupid smile what happened.

“She said ‘yes’.”

Itachi reached out to him. “Sasuke, I’m so happy for you.”

Sasuke staggered forward and put his hands in his brother’s. Itachi pulled him down to hug him.

“Mother!” Itachi yelled.

Inoichi rushed in. “Itachi-san?”

“Sasuke finally asked her.”

“I’ll inform your parents.” He rushed up the stairs.

“He has a stupid grin on his face,” Kakashi told his lover. “I hope you didn’t look at her like that; it’s creepy.”

“Shut up.” Sasuke was still smiling.

“You look drunk too. How’d you get home?”

“I’ve been lightheaded since I decided to ask her. I sort of drove on autopilot. I don’t remember the drive here.”

A wildebeest stampede was slower and quieter than Mikoto rushing down the stairs to her baby. Fugaku was much more sedate.

“Sasuke, you finally asked her!” Mikoto was more excited about Sasuke than she was about Itachi and Kakashi. She expected Kakashi to do something; she feared Sasuke would do nothing and force the poor girl to propose. She grabbed Sasuke and kissed her youngest son on the lips then nearly crushed him in a hug.

“Finally,” Fugaku said. “Hiashi can rest easy. His daughters, wife, and sister-in-law have nearly the entire wedding planned. Set a date?”

“Father, I just asked her.”

“And we’ve all been waiting. Call her tomorrow and get a date set.”

“Chichi,” Sasuke whined.

“I’m glad I’m gay,” Itachi sighed, “none of this wedding nonsense.”

“It amazes me how wonderfully un-romantic you are, aniki,” Sasuke said.

“That’s my job,” Kakashi said.

“So, did she faint?” Itachi asked.

“No, but I thought she might hyperventilate. I didn’t know if she was hugging me or if she collapsed in my arms.”

“I’m proud of you, Sasuke,” Fugaku said. “Be sure to talk to her about where you want to live: here, at the Hyuuga estate, or on your own. If you decide to establish your own home, I’ll pay for it. Though I’m sure Hiashi will give his little girl plenty of money.”

Sasuke looked a little overwhelmed by just how much everyone else had already taken care of things and thought them through. “At least I don’t have to worry about anything.”

Fugaku watched Itachi. He worried that Itachi might be depressed, losing his precious baby brother, but he looked happy for him. He worried about his own reaction if Sasuke moved out. He hoped Kakashi would consent to live here on the estate so he and Mikoto would never lose both sons and be left with the proverbial empty nest. Especially after Itachi’s kidnapping, they both feared losing their sons even if it’s just to their own homes.

“I’m buzzed,” Sasuke said. “I’m going to try to sleep.”

Mikoto smoothed his hair. “Goodnight, dear.”

“Goodnight.”

Sasuke went to his room. Mikoto pulled out her phone and hurried to the lounge to gossip. Fugaku sat down in his chair.

“Well, both my boys are all grown up, both as good as married. You two should consider the same issue: live here or allow me to set you up in a new home. And I don’t want to hear the wounded masculine argument that you want to pay your own way, Kakashi; I will ensure my son’s comfort.”

“I couldn’t afford what he deserves anyway,” Kakashi conceded.

“Wait until Sasuke’s settled here or elsewhere before you give me an answer. I can’t stand the idea of losing both of you at the same time.” Fugaku stood. “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight,” Kakashi and Itachi echoed.

Alone, Itachi snuggled closer into Kakashi’s side. “I’m so glad he finally asked her. I can stop worrying about him.”

“I still need to warn Hinata about him being an emotional drunk.”

Itachi hummed then sighed. “I’m probably best man. Guess I have to plan the stag party. You get to help.”

“If you want strippers, I have a friend who can probably recommend some good ones.”

“No, I don’t want to tempt my brother to do anything stupid. He’s been celibate for a year or so. No drinking either; Uchiha are not good drinkers.”

“I can confirm that.”

“We’ll scare him and tell him it’s an afternoon of Shakespeare in the park and then a wine tasting.”

Kakashi laughed.

“It’s not something I want to attend anyway,” Itachi said. “We don’t have friends in common.”

“I’m not close to him,” Kakashi understated.

“I’ll give the honor to Suigetsu then. With the warning about the strippers and alcohol. Naruto would have been best man a year ago.” He yawned. “Guess it’s time to head up. Do you want to live here with my parents and potentially my brother and sister-in-law?”

“I do. I feel you’re safe here even when I’m gone. But if you want to strike out and get something of our own, I’ll gladly follow you anywhere.”

“I’d like to stay here too; it’s always been my home.”

“We’ll wait until the newlyweds are settled and then I’ll move in.”

“We’ll need a larger room. There are several here. Sasuke will be doing the same thing. We still live in the smaller ‘kid’s rooms’.”

Not being able to see if they were truly alone, Itachi didn’t flirt. Once in the safety of his sanctuary, Itachi pulled off his shirt. “Strip and sit on the bed.”

Kakashi obeyed. He was used to following orders, but this was the first time he was turned on by it. He liked the assertive side of Itachi.

Itachi stripped then held out a hand toward the bed for Kakashi to take and guide him. Instead of getting on the bed, Itachi found and lowered himself between Kakashi’s legs. Kakashi let go of Itachi’s hand. Itachi ran his hands up Kakashi’s thighs and carefully found his erection.

Itachi wet his lips before touching them to the head of Kakashi’s cock, a gentle kiss to the tip. Kakashi could feel the younger man’s breath puff against him. Like the last time, Itachi slid his lips over the head a little and flicked the slit with his tongue, tasting a bead of precum that had already leaked out. His lips retreated and advanced a few times, teasing Kakashi mercilessly while his tongue flicked and swirled around. Itachi pulled away to rewet his lips, then he took more of Kakashi’s cock. He sucked at the head as his lips slipped over the taut flesh.

Kakashi’s breathing accelerated; he had to take a deep breath to hold off panting. The teasing was maddening, making him harder, but not getting him near orgasm. He looked down at Itachi and where his lips encapsulated his cock. Itachi was still wearing his sunglasses and had his hair up. Kakashi carefully removed his glasses and the red hair tie then leaned back, bracing himself with his arms.

Itachi, meanwhile, moved further down. His lips were strong, gripping him tightly. His tongue moved sinuously against the underside of his cock, caressing all the right spots, especially that wonderful spot just below the head. Itachi was skilled.

Itachi pulled away to wet his lips again and was obviously summoning up as much saliva as possible then went in for the kill, taking Kakashi all the way in his mouth, quickly fucking his extra wet mouth on his cock. The head battered the back of his throat. He kept his mouth open just enough to make the dirtiest and sexiest slurping noises. He slowed down and made more languid motions and sounds.

He switched to Kakashi’s balls. Itachi’s hand replaced his mouth as he started licking Kakashi’s scrotum. He took one in his mouth and sucked and licked as he pumped Kakashi’s cock with his hand.

Itachi didn’t focus on Kakashi’s balls for long, going back to sucking him, but he continued to use his hand on the lower part of his shaft.

Kakashi couldn’t take it anymore and put his hand on Itachi’s head. He didn’t push, though he wanted to, he petted him, letting him know how much he was enjoying it along with his moans. Slowly, tentatively, Kakashi lifted his hips. Itachi didn’t protest. They found a good rhythm.

After a few minutes, he let Itachi move off his cock. “Go ahead and fuck my throat. But just for a few seconds.”

“Sure?” Kakashi’s voice was dark with lust.

“For a few seconds.”

Kakashi threaded his fingers in Itachi’s hair and gripped his head. Itachi opened his mouth and lowered it nearly all the way down Kakashi’s cock. Kakashi lifted his hips and pulled Itachi’s head down to meet his thrusts about a dozen times before he let Itachi go.

“All right?” Kakashi asked, panting.

“Not the most brutal I’ve had,” Itachi said, but it did sound like it was pretty brutal.

“I’m so close, love,” Kakashi panted. “Finish me off, please.”

Itachi went back to quickly thrusting his tight lips up and down his cock and used his hand as well. As Kakashi was about to cum, Itachi just sucked on the head, letting his hand continue to stroke him. He stopped neither as Kakashi came, sucking out his cum and milking it out.

Itachi ran his hand down Kakashi’s length lovingly and gave the deflating organ a kiss as he pulled away.

“Fuck,” Kakashi said. “That was amazing.”

“Can’t go another round, can you?”

“I think you milked my balls dry,” Kakashi said slowly. “I wouldn’t be surprised if you still had my last load still inside you.”

Itachi smiled, then pouted. “What about me?”

“Get up here.”

Itachi lay down on the bed with Kakashi’s hands to guide him. Kakashi lubed up his hand and stroked Itachi’s cock.

“Fuck, that feels good,” Itachi said.

“Not as good as that blowjob,” Kakashi countered.

He eagerly stroked his lover’s cock and watched him writhe and pant.

“God, you’re beautiful,” Kakashi said.

He moved down to Itachi’s scrotum, taking it in his hand and applying gentle pressure and stroking them.

“Faster,” Itachi pleaded. “Make me cum. I’ve been hard this whole time, taking your cock in my mouth.”

Kakashi did speed up. He didn’t really want to get hard again. They’d be having sex this weekend and he wanted to pace himself and sleep tonight.

Itachi was close to cumming. The lube was eatable so Kakashi took the head of Itachi cock in his mouth and sucked on it. Itachi came with a whine, trying to keep his voice down with his brother and parents in the house.

Itachi hummed when his orgasm subsided. “Sleepy.”

Kakashi kissed him and lay down beside him.

-----

Saturday morning, Kakashi came over with a small suitcase. Inoichi led Itachi and Kakashi to the family garage.

“I had it serviced,” Inoichi said. “Just the basics.”

A red Bentley Continental. A two door, four passenger, two hundred mile per hour piece of awesome. Fake side vents and chrome piping down the sides were things only foolish young men added to a two hundred thousand dollar car. Itachi was officially a foolish young man with too much money.

“Twelve cylinder, W configuration,” Itachi said. “All wheel drive, forty/sixty split power ratio, 567 horsepower with a top speed of 198 out of the box. I’ve got a NOS installed on her with aftermarket tires so she can reach about 210. Zero to sixty?” Itachi dismissively waved that off. “Zero to one hundred miles an hour in 4.5 seconds. To sixty in 4.4. It comes with a steering column shift paddle, but I also have a old school stick shift. Eight gears, moon roof, Electric Satiability Control, ceramic brakes . . . I even upgraded the sound system and had the cream leather interior all dyed black and had our company logo stitched into the headrests. With the right tires,” Itachi gestured to the side, but there was nothing there, though there was a stack of tires against another wall, “she drifts like a Nissan 200SX. I could make love to this car,” Itachi sighed.

“That speech could get any gear head hard,” Kakashi muttered.

Inoichi handed Kakashi the retractable key.

“There’s a bloody TV in the back, but I’ve never even turned it on.” The whimsical tone had vanished when it came to the crap Itachi didn’t care about. “The mechanic who supped her up might have disconnected it, but I think it’s still there. There’s a navigational system of course. Overall, a beauty, don’t you think?”

“She is.”

“I decided not to get the special edition Le Mons model. Considering what I planned to do with her, it seemed like sacrilege. I think every Bentley fan would have hunted me down.”

“She’s stunning.”

“I want to give her to you; I have no need of her anymore. I’d like to know she has a good home and being put to use. She’s been sitting here for several months.”

“I don’t want to take your car. You and brother seem very attached to them.”

“But she’s not really going anywhere if she’s with you. Take her. She’s just rotting in my possession. You can appreciate her.”

“Okay.”

Kakashi unlocked the car and helped Itachi in.

“There’s a full tank,” Inoichi said. “Have fun.”

“Thank you.”

Kakashi slid into the driver’s seat and just took it all in. He was too manly to giggle so he chuckled. Itachi smiled. Kakashi reached for Itachi’s thigh and gave him a squeeze. Then he turned it on. Red mood lighting added to the ‘little boy with a new toy’ feeling. He played with the navigation system, punching in the hotel they’d be checking into, setting it to silent, and played with the other options. He approved of the modern alternative station on the radio, so he left the stereo until later. Itachi just snuggled in the soft leather and smiled at how happy Kakashi seemed to be.

Finally, Kakashi eased this powerhouse out of the garage. The security gates opened for him and he eased onto the public street. He was nervous, but he handled it with skill which kept Itachi at ease.

Still too scared to go over the speed limit, they were nevertheless pulled over by a cop.

Kakashi rolled down the window, prepared to give the cop his license and Itachi’s registration. The cop had his hand on his gun as he approached. He looked first at Kakashi, then at his passenger. The cop was startled.

“Mr. Uchiha! I’m very sorry, sir. We recognized your car and thought it was stolen.”

“Understandable.”

“You are alright, right?”

Itachi laughed a little. “I’m fine. This is my boyfriend. You can call my brother and confirm that.”

“I think Sasuke would tell them I was a kidnapper just to see me spend a night in jail for dating you.”

The cop smiled. “That sounds like Sasuke. Have a good day, sirs.”

“Is that the downside or upside to having such a unique car?” Kakashi asked as he put his ID back in his wallet. He then turned the Bentley back on and pulled back out onto the street.

“Upside. It gets stolen and it’ll be found in moments. And I got away with murder. I’m the son of Fugaku Uchiha after all. I never sped too much on city streets, but the freeways . . .” Itachi gave a little maniacal laugh. “I am notorious among the highway patrol. You shouldn’t get any trouble. As long as I wasn’t being too reckless, they let me go. How do you like driving it?”

“Sweet is the only word.”

“Good. I’ll have Sasuke handle the transfer.” Itachi snuggled deeper in the seat on their way to Suna.

Itachi fell asleep to the hum of the W12 engine while Kakashi put it through its paces on the freeway. It purred like a happy lion with a belly full of zebra. He almost drove through Suna, wanting to drive this amazing car further. A trip to Vegas might be in order.

The Suna Grand was swanky. Itachi was right, Kakashi would have balked at spending even Fugaku’s money on a place like this. Itachi had melted into the seat and Kakashi didn’t want to wake him, but he rubbed his thigh and Itachi woke up.

“We’re at the hotel.”

“Hmmm.”

Kakashi got out and took the valet ticket. Another valet opened Itachi’s door and helped him seeing the identification cane. A bell boy helped with the two bags they brought and Kakashi gave both valets tips that Itachi had handed to him that morning.

They were taken up to a suite with a sitting room and bedroom with a king size bed. It even had a small kitchen. Kakashi gave the bell boy a tip and then guided Itachi to the bedroom.

Finding the bed, Itachi threw himself on it.

“What are you, a cat?” Kakashi teased. “You slept most of the way in the car.”

Itachi reached a hand toward Kakashi’s voice. Kakashi took his hand and allowed himself to be pulled onto the bed.

“We’re going to have a late night.”

“Are we?”

“Dinner, a play, an after party, a night of sex.”

“Night of sex?”

“You owe me for the gift of a two hundred thousand plus car.”

“Yes, sir.”

-----

Kakashi set his alarm to wake them in time to get ready for dinner.

Itachi told Kakashi the name of a restaurant and Kakashi punched it into the navigation and drove them there. They had a pleasant meal, then went to the theater. It was early so they had a drink at the bar next door.

They had just started their drinks when a very peculiar trio approached. The shortest, a redhead, spoke.

“Itachi?”

Itachi instinctively looked toward the voice. “Gaara?”

“It’s been a year. We haven’t seen—I mean . . .”

“Don’t worry about words like that. This is Kakashi Hatake, my boyfriend. Kakashi this is Gaara Sabaku.”

“Pleasure to meet you. This is my brother Kankuro and my sister Tamari.”

“Pleasure’s mine.”

“All three of you are here?” Itachi asked. “What about your father?”

“He’s chatting with a friend in the back. Are you here for the play?”

“We are.”

“No one’s seen or heard from you since . . . How are you?”

“I’m okay. Adapting. I don’t like being the subject of pity and it’s embarrassing that people know what happened. I’m sure Shikamaru’s been in contact with you.”

“He doesn’t talk about you and your family, you know that,” Tamari said. “He may be Sasuke’s friend, but he also works for you; he has tact.”

“I meant nothing against him. I don’t think he’s forbidden from talking about us. How are all of you doing? Still in contact with Naruto?”

“We’re all doing fine,” Kankuro said.

“Naruto’s still a friend,” Gaara said. “What he did was reprehensible, but he’s still my friend.”

“I don’t hold it against you.”

Itachi was about to say something else when another voice broke in. “Itachi?”

A man, definitely the trio’s father, approached them. He wasn’t hesitant or embarrassed to pull a startled Itachi into a hug. “I’m so glad to see you. I wasn’t sure if it would be appropriate to visit you.”

Kakashi looked at the siblings: Tamari was frowning and Gaara’s eyes narrowed, but Kankuro’s expression didn’t change. Kakashi thought it was weird and two of the siblings apparently did too.

The older man still hadn’t let Itachi go, but Itachi didn’t struggle, but he also didn’t try to hug him back.

“Our father, Masahiko,” Gaara said to Kakashi. [AN: Gaara’s father is never given a name, so I gave him the name of the seiyu, Tanaka Masahiko]

Even that didn’t prompt the man to release Itachi. Kakashi could see Masahiko’s face, he looked very concerned for Itachi and very relieved that he was here and alive. Kakashi wondered if this was the concern of a father figure—considering the age difference—or that of a lover.

“Masa,” Itachi whispered. “Let go.”

Masahiko finally released him. “I’m so happy to see you.” He was still ignoring everyone else in the room. He brushed fingers along the earpiece of Itachi’s sunglasses. “Can I take these off?”

“No, I don’t like anyone seeing them.”

“Are they bad?”

“I really don’t know. I sort of can’t see in a mirror.”

That made Masahiko look grieved. He started to stroke Itachi’s cheek, but Itachi stepped back towards Kakashi. There was a blush on Itachi’s cheeks; Masahiko’s attentions were embarrassing him. On instinct, Kakashi caught the hand Itachi reached back slightly and threaded his fingers in his.

“I’d like you to meet my boyfriend, Kakashi Hatake,” Itachi said.

“Boyfriend?”

“Yes.”

Kakashi had to release Itachi’s hand to put it out for the man to shake. Masahiko took the offered hand. His eyes were hard toward Kakashi.

“Masahiko Sabaku,” Masahiko introduced himself.

“Nice to meet you,” Kakashi said.

“Here for the play tonight?” Masahiko asked them.

“Yes,” Itachi said. “They’re playing King Lear in Konoha so if I wanted to attend a play this spring, I had to come here.”

“You don’t like that play?”

It was obvious Masahiko was not a fan of Shakespeare.

“It’s not appropriate. Actually I wonder what possessed them to put that on this year. Anyway, I assume you’re just here as mayor or something?”

“Yes; I was invited.”

“Mm-hmm,” Itachi hummed. “My drink?” he asked Kakashi. Kakashi retrieved the glass from the bar and placed it in Itachi’s hand. He took a gulp. “Are you all going to the reception afterward?”

“I’m stopping in, but not staying.”

“It’s an election year, isn’t it?”

“It is.”

“Uh-huh.” Itachi looked disgruntled. “We’ll see you at the reception then.”

Masahiko and his children left. Kakashi could tell the two siblings were as confused by their father’s behavior as he was. Kankuro pulled out his smartphone and was lost to it as they walked away.

Itachi searched for the bar stool with a hand. He sat down and leaned forward on the bar and said. “Don’t ask.”

“Alright.”

Itachi drained his glass. “Another, please.”

Kakashi signaled to the bartender and his glass was refilled.

“So, have you been to this theater before? Do they have a good troupe?” Kakashi asked.

“Some tend to be a little stilted, others overdo it, doing Shakespeare like they’re Dr. Frankenstein when the monster raises his hand for the first time. I’m waiting for them to do Hamlet and take his speech about over acting to heart.”

Kakashi put a hand on Itachi’s upper back and rubbed it comfortingly.

“Yes, I slept with Masahiko,” Itachi spat out. “It was before Naruto. His kids didn’t know. Now they do. He’s never lost his cool like that before.”

“He’d never had a lover kidnapped before.”

“He kept our relationship secret because of his position.”

“Hence your annoyance with him just now.”

“Being mayor meant more to him than me. I wasn’t that serious about him—he’s my father’s age—but I felt like a married man’s mistress whom he was ashamed of. His wife’s dead by the way. That was embarrassing. I really didn’t think we’d run into any of them here.”

“It’s okay.” Kakashi continued to rub his back. “Neither of us are virgins, it’s okay.”

“I didn’t want his kids to know. I’m the same age as Tamari, his eldest. Sasuke and Gaara are nearly the same age.”

Kakashi pressed against him, leaned his head against his, and put his arm around him.

So Itachi admitted he slept around, admitted his cousin Shisui had had underage sex with him, had a relationship with Naruto, and now he had an older lover. It didn’t bother Kakashi. Maybe it was because Itachi was blind; he wouldn’t have a wandering eye and didn’t go out unless it was with his family or him. Or maybe he was just so sure how much Itachi loved him.

“Well, you don’t have to worry about me. I trust you too much to be jealous. At first I thought he was just concerned about you. Even knowing you were lovers, it doesn’t bother me. Tonight, if I start thinking about how he touched you, I might get jealous then. I know who you love now. And considering what I used to do for a living, I assume all who know, including you, would fear a jealous rage,” he said playfully.

“True,” Itachi agreed with a smile. “I don’t think Gaara and the others will like me anymore, having had a relationship with their father. Not that we were ever close. Our fathers know each other, as does Naruto’s father. Naruto and Gaara are good friends and Shikamaru is dating Tamari. You haven’t met Shika yet, have you? He’s a genius. Used to play shogi with him.”

Itachi’s smile fell away.

“Miss playing shogi? You can always learn to memorize the board and play in your head.”

“That’s not it, but that’s a great idea. Masa didn’t come to see me. No one did. Just Naruto. Shisui wasn’t told—I can understand that—but no one came to see me. Maybe my family told them not to, I don’t know. I told you I was an asshole. No one visited me. Masa says he wanted to, but he didn’t. Only Naruto. And his parents.”

“What about the Hyuuga?”

“Well, yeah, but they weren’t friends of mine. They are friends of my parents and Sasuke was already dating Hinata, but they weren’t so much there for me as for my parents and Sasuke.” He sighed. “Poor Hinata, now that I think about it. Seeing her boyfriend so distraught.”

“Stop worrying about everyone else. Time to be selfish.”

“I was selfish most of my life. I don’t want to be a burden.”

Kakashi stroked Itachi’s hair. “Drink up. Doors have already opened.”

-----

It was a very good production that focused a lot on Lady Macbeth and a non-canon stillborn son. Towards the end, Itachi leaned his head on Kakashi’s shoulder and slipped his hand his Kakashi’s. With his eyes perpetually closed and the dark glasses ever on, it was hard to tell if Itachi ever fell asleep. He got up easily enough when the play ended though and Kakashi never stopped his whispered commentary when important information was only provided visually. Kakashi guided him out, Itachi never letting go of Kakashi’s hand. The after party was right next door in the bar they were in earlier.

Several patrons and members of the cast came over and expressed their relief that Itachi was alright and out and about. Itachi introduced Kakashi with pride. They ended up getting into a lively discussion with Macbeth, Duncan, and McDuff about who was the most evil villain in Shakespeare and whether it was fate, the frailties of man, Lady Macbeth, or the witches who were the greater evil in Macbeth.

Itachi was really enjoying himself. Since he couldn’t drive, he was drinking quite a bit, but he was still able to have an intelligent conversation. Kakashi was thinking that with Itachi’s good looks and love for Shakespeare, he would have made a good actor.

“Once we finish these drinks, you want to go to the hotel?” Itachi asked.

“Yeah.” Kakashi was nearly done with his drink and Itachi was half through his.

Masahiko came over to them. “Itachi, you enjoy the play?”

“I did. Kakashi described some of the scenery and costumes to me. With good plays, the artistry is in the words and the way they’re spoken. Shakespeare had little more than a balcony and costumes.”

“Bloodier than I expected.”

“With Macbeth and Titus Andronicus, you have to expect a lot of bloodshed. Did you manage to stay awake?”

“Yes.” He turned to Kakashi. “So, you’re former Special Forces?”

“I am.” The way Kankuro was constantly on his phone, Kakashi assumed he’d done some research for his father.

“Were you one of those who rescued Itachi?”

“No. I wish I was. I regret I’ll never get a shot at those bastards.”

“Decorated?”

“Purple Heart and Silver Star.”

“Silver Star, that’s for valor, isn’t it?”

“Yes.”

“Impressive. Itachi, can I have a few minutes alone?”

Itachi sighed. “If there’s a table and we stay in Kakashi’s sight—he’s responsible for me after all.”

“Okay.”

Masahiko took his hand and led him to a table. Kakashi looked in their direction about every ten seconds.

“I love you, Itachi, I really do. Please reconsider.”

“No. I’m deeply in love with Kakashi. And would you really risk your career for me?”

Masahiko took his hand rubbed the back of it. “I would. I always cherished you, Itachi.”

“Honestly, Masa, I never really loved you. I enjoyed our time together, but it was just sex for me. Anyway, I’m a liability now. I’m blind. Are you really prepared to take care of me and make allowances for me for the rest of your life?”

“Yes. As much as that soldier of yours.”

“But there’s one big difference between you.”

“Our age. Since when does that matter to you?”

“Not your age. I love Kakashi, that’s the difference. You were always good to me and I like you, but I don’t love you. And I think my father would have you killed if he knew about us. He’d probably ask Kakashi to do it. I told Kakashi—I had to, you made it pretty obvious. What about your kids? Did they say anything? I can’t believe you did something so blatant in front of them.”

“Kankuro knew. Tamari’s been glaring at me. Gaara always glares at me.”

“I was embarrassed, but I’m glad you care.”

“I love you. When I heard you were kidnapped, I was frantic. I was afraid to show it to your father, but I called him to offer my support and offered to help pay the ransom. If I wasn’t afraid of your father, I would have been at your side the moment you came home.”

“You would have had to fight my brother.”

Masahiko added his other hand, holding Itachi’s between both of his. “Come spend a few days with me. Let me show you how much I love you. If you want me to hold you at my side and declare my undying love for you in front of every news camera in the country, I’ll do it. I’ll even stare down your father. I love you.”

“Father’s already given his consent to Kakashi and we’re as good as married.” Itachi lifted his free hand with the ring. “I’m Kakashi’s.”

“If I had come, if I had faced your father when you came home, if I had told you how much I loved you, would you have become mine?”

“It would have meant more, but no. I would have given you the chance to make me love you—I gave Kakashi that chance—but no, I would not have loved you out of hand just because you visited me. No, I’m happy. If you loved me that should be all you need.”

“Damn that selfless love crap,” he said harshly, but didn’t raise his voice. “I love you and I want you.”

“It’s been months. You didn’t even call.”

“You didn’t call me.”

“I don’t love you.”

“Right then.” Masahiko hesitated, but then he left him.

Kakashi was at Itachi’s side within seconds.

“He doesn’t take rejection well,” Itachi said when Kakashi put a hand on his shoulder.

“As long as our tires aren’t slashed.”

“I’d be more worried about parking tickets or being pulled over for no reason.”

“Happens anyway. Ready to head back to the hotel?”

“Yeah.”

As they were leaving, the blonde and redhead siblings stopped them. “No hard feelings, Itachi,” Gaara said. “We know our father.”

“Just don’t tell Shikamaru. I think we all don’t want my father to know.”

“Agreed,” Tamari said. “He may be a jerk, but we don’t want our father killed.”

“We’ll stop him from doing anything rash to take you back,” Gaara said.

“I’d appreciate it. For Kakashi and my father’s sakes, I’ll deny everything. He never wanted to be seen with me in public so there’s no evidence.”

“Son of a bitch,” Tamari whispered in disgust with his father. “Did you have feelings for him?”

“No, not really. I like him, but it was just a bit of fun. Naruto and Kakashi are the only ones I’ve ever been serious about. And Naruto’s been asking to be assassinated.”

That made Gaara smile. “My friend is a fool. Please don’t hold it against him forever.”

“I won’t. Probably.”

“Take care, Itachi. But if you weren’t blind, I’d be angry with you.”

Itachi smiled. “Goodnight. Don’t let your father drive tonight.”

Kakashi gave the valet the ticket and they waited.

“Speaking of forgiving Naruto in this lifetime,” Kakashi said. “I forgot to tell you, he approached me on campus. He wanted to apologize to you in person.”

Itachi scoffed. “I don’t know if I can stand to see him again so soon. He really hurt me. That’s why I didn’t want a relationship.”

“That’s why you kept trying to get out of this one.”

“Exactly. Fear of being hurt. Can you blame me? The first man I gave the chance to and he dumps me when I needed him most.”

“I can’t blame you. I hope I’ve reinstated your faith in humanity.”

“Yes, you have.”

The car arrived and the valet opened the door for Itachi and Kakashi helped him in.

As they walked through the hotel lobby, Kakashi asked for a bottle of champagne and extra pillows. Once they were in the room—Itachi couldn’t be sure when they were alone before that—Itachi asked what the extra pillows were for.

“Shock absorbers.”

The pillows and chilled champagne were brought and then Kakashi pulled the bed away from the wall and dropped the pillows in the gap.

“Now we shouldn’t keep the neighbors up. Now convince me I please you more than Masahiko ever did.”

Itachi gave him a devilish smile. “If I do that, I’ll still keep the neighbors up.”

“True. But this way it won’t be from the bed knocking against the wall.”

Kakashi guided Itachi to the side of the bed and started stripping him, running his fingers along the skin he exposed.

Knowing now about how Itachi was raped and mistreated explained the scars on Itachi’s body. Kakashi followed a few of the scars, hating the men who gave them to him. It didn’t kill his libido in the slightest. He would fuck those memories from Itachi’s mind, replace all the memories of abuse with his adoration.

Kakashi kissed him, easing him down to sit on the bed. As he drew back, he took off the glasses. “So beautiful. You’ll get a tan line if you don’t take them off more.” He kissed him between his elegant eyebrows. “Give me a second.”

Kakashi stripped and sought out the lube.

Itachi pushed the covers back further to the bare sheets and laid himself out on the cool surface and hugged the pillow to his warm cheek. The coolness even felt good on his half hard erection. He snuggled in to the bed. Foreign beds felt good from time to time.

His body was suddenly covered by another. “It’s not fair to make me jealous of an inanimate object,” Kakashi whispered. He took an audible sniff of his hair and then ran his lips down the silky strands. He snaked an arm around Itachi’s waist and Itachi lifted his hips up, keeping his head down on the pillow.

Kakashi slid his lips down Itachi’s back until the hand under him could reach Itachi’s entrance. He licked at the smooth back as he lubed and stretched him. Itachi groaned.

“Fuck, I love you,” Kakashi said against Itachi’s skin. His body slid back up Itachi’s so their hips touched. “You have no idea how much restraint I’ve shown in not molesting you or taking you all evening. You looked so sexy in that coat and suit. Let’s go to a horrible, poorly attended play so I can molest you during the performance.”

“I agree. Fuck me already. I want that hot cock inside me.”

Kakashi straightened and pushed into him. Itachi’s body easily accepted him.

Itachi loved being penetrated. He loved the feeling of someone else’s heat forcing its way into his body. It was like being completed, like he was supposed to have something inside him. He wished he could say Kakashi’s cock fit better than anyone else’s, but it did feel so fucking good. He let that slip through his lips.

“I agree,” Kakashi said. “You are heaven incarnate.”

Kakashi’s hands stroked Itachi’s back, up and down, stopping at his hips. He gripped him and started to move within him.

Itachi groaned with pleasure and moved his hips to find the perfect angle. He pulled the pillow away to free up his breathing from the plush.

“Hmmm, yes.”

To see his lover writhing under him like that and meeting his thrusts enflamed Kakashi more. He grew rougher, thrusting harder into Itachi’s heat. Itachi didn’t mind at all, just fisted the sheets to keep his body from being moved too much as Kakashi hammered his body.

Kakashi slowed down as he got closer and leaned over Itachi’s body and laced his fingers with Itachi’s. His head was closer to Itachi’s now and his panting filled his ears, making Itachi’s skin crawl pleasantly.

Itachi sighed Kakashi’s name as his stomach tightened and he released onto the sheets. He whined as he let it out. Above him, Kakashi reached climax as well, but he grunted, it was deep and Itachi could feel it in his lungs. Itachi would have cum again if it were possible.

Kakashi put his arms around him and fell sideways so he could curl up with him on their sides.

“Second round?” Kakashi asked.

“Give me a minute.”

Kakashi rubbed Itachi’s stomach. Still bony. More chocolate for this one, Kakashi thought. He started kissing Itachi’s long neck, finding every sensitive spot and licking at the near perfect hairline behind his ear.

After a few minutes of completely mapping the right side of Itachi’s neck with his lips and tongue, Kakashi pulled Itachi onto his back and took his limp cock into his mouth. He was in no hurry to get Itachi hard; he took his time and enjoyed playing with the growing cock in his mouth. Not being fully engorged, he was able to run his teeth against it, avoiding the points and edges.

“Hmmm, Kakashi.”

He liked the teeth. Kakashi took a chance and opened his jaw to gently run the sharp ends of his teeth against the firming flesh. Itachi cooed. That surprised Kakashi. After all the pain and being violently raped, Itachi liked a little bit of pain. He was actually proud of the little prince; he didn’t let his bad experiences ruin everything for him. He did let him throat fuck him. Itachi did have a bit of a kinky side.

To further explore this, he moved down to Itachi’s balls and nipped at the loose skin there. Itachi hissed, but he didn’t protest, he actually pressed his hips further up to Kakashi’s mouth. Kakashi racked his teeth against the skin and Itachi pressed impossibly closer.

“You like a bit of pain?”

“Just a little. I’m just afraid to remember.”

“They’re all dead, they can never harm you again. Just enjoy.”

“Use your hand.”

Kakashi crawled back up to be face to face with Itachi and grabbed his cock. Kakashi stared at Itachi’s scarred eyelids and long, thick eyelashes while their breaths mixed. If his cock wasn’t already soiled, Kakashi could have rubbed their cocks together. He stroked Itachi’s hard cock, slicked by his saliva. Itachi’s breath came faster and deeper. Kakashi then stroked his balls and then gripped them with a little force, enough for Itachi to feel, but not enough to really cause pain.

“Harder.”

Kakashi complied. He watched Itachi’s face to gauge when it was too much. He let go when Itachi started to wince.

“I love you, Kakashi, you don’t think I’m too fragile and delicate. Everyone thinks I’m about to shatter.”

“I know you aren’t fragile, but we’ll all treat you like that. You’re too beautiful. You’re too precious to all of us.”

Kakashi sucked and bit at a nipple and fisted his balls again, varying the pressure.

Kakashi stopped and licked and kissed his way down Itachi’s ribs and thin side. He kissed his navel and dipped his tongue into it, giving it a wet, intimate kiss. Itachi threaded his fingers in Kakashi’s hair. Kakashi moved to lick at his hipbone and rub his inner thigh.

“Please put your cock inside me, I need it.”

“You want my cock?”

“Yes, please. Fuck me good.”

“You are the sexist thing I’ve ever seen or heard.” He lined up to penetrate his lithe lover again and pressed in, slick muscle sliding over his hard cock. “Fuck, baby.”

Itachi drew his leg back to give Kakashi more room to pound the shit out of him. Kakashi caressed the back of his thigh. Surprisingly, it was perfect and unmarred. But the thought still occurred: how many men’s fingers had caressed this same expanse of skin? He swore he would be the last.

“Tell me you love me more than the others,” Kakashi asked.

“I didn’t love any of them except Naruto. I love you far more.”

“I love you so much.”

Kakashi hadn’t stopped his thrusts. Itachi was already close because of all of Kakashi’s foreplay, so he tightened up and moved to increase Kakashi’s pleasure, wanting them to cum together.

“Oh, god, fuck me. I love you. Cum inside me, fill me. I want to be filled with your seed.”

“Fuck, baby, I’d be a madman to ever leave you.”

“I’m so close; cum with me, please.”

Itachi could feel Kakashi’s cock throb as he came inside him. Itachi let himself go between them. Kakashi lay on his back next to him to catch his breath.

“Thirsty?” Kakashi asked after a minute of cuddling. “Your father has paid for this fine bottle of chilled Champagne, we should drink it.”

“My mouth is a bit gummy.”

Itachi sat up while Kakashi hopped out of bed to uncork the bottle and fill a pair of glasses. It occurred to him how freeing it was to have a blind boyfriend; there was no reason to be embarrassed or ashamed to walk around nude, the twig and berries swinging in the breeze.

Itachi pulled the shoved aside bedding around him and made a nice little nest. Kakashi settled in next to him and gave him one of the glasses. They snuggled in close together even though it wasn’t all that cold in the climate controlled room.

“You like the cold?” Kakashi asked. “I’m having visions of a ski lodge wrapped in blankets, hot coco, and depending on each other’s body heat for warmth. With your pale skin, I don’t think you’re a fan of the tropics. A sea breeze might be nice though.”

“Why the sudden interest in a vacation?” Itachi took a sip. Something cold and sparkling was refreshing after sex.

“Just the situation. We’ll not have a honeymoon since there’ll be no wedding; we have to take a trip. After the brat’s. Can’t leave your parents all alone. They’d worry.”

“How about a small cruise ship and all six of us? Plus a few family friends and security. Alaska to Panama or something, get a little arctic and tropic?”

“Brilliant.”

They drank and Kakashi trailed his fingers through Itachi’s long hair and rubbed his scalp gently with his fingertips. He stiffened when he found a scar. He tried not to pay it too much attention. He kissed Itachi’s temple. Masahiko didn’t bother him, it was those bastards who took him that bothered Kakashi. They left physical scars along with the psychological ones.

Then again, Kakashi didn’t know much else about Itachi’s life; he could have acquired any number of scars in his life. A cut like that to the back of the head though.

“This might not be the greatest topic, but I’m curious—you don’t have to answer—with the others, were you the bottom?”

“With Naruto I was mainly the top, but I did bottom for him. I was totally the bottom for Masahiko. With the others, I went either way depending on how I felt or whether the guy was a top or bottom. I’m flexible, in both meanings of the word. You don’t think me a slut, do you? I know you said you only had one lover before me.”

“I don’t think you were a slut. You just hadn’t found someone you loved. I thought I had. I can’t begrudge you having fun. One of the reasons I was so angry with Iruka was that if it hadn’t been for him, I could have been having fun like you did. I don’t hold it against you.”

“I was such a brash, arrogant—oh, let’s face it—slut. But you’re right, I just hadn’t found someone I loved. I loved Naruto though. I really wanted to settle down with him. But I didn’t feel this way for him. I love you. It hurt when he abandoned me; it would kill me if you left.”

“Me too. I love you dearly.” Kakashi snuggled in closer and nuzzled his nose in Itachi’s hair. “If someone tried to take you from me . . . I might actually relish a return to my military days. It’s been months since I killed someone.”

“Don’t go getting creepy on me.”

“You said you wanted me to admit to some horrible murders, didn’t you? Something about me being too perfect? Well, I did kill over a dozen Taliban fighters. If anyone hurts you, they’ll see firsthand how we deal with trash in the Berets.”

“Not some House of 1000 Corpses shit, right?”

“Naw. More like Rambo. House of 1000 Corpses kinda sucked anyway. I was expecting more from Rob Zombie. Haven’t seen Devil’s Rejects; Halloween was good.”

“I don’t like spatter films. Even if I could see, I don’t think those films could even creep me out now. Unless they were going for the eyes; I sympathize too much. Now I can’t appreciate anything without good dialog.”

Kakashi chuckled. “Sucks to be you now a days. It’s all about special effects. All glitz and no substance. I’ll read to you when you want. More substance.” He brushed Itachi’s hair back with his hand. “Forget about horror films. No nightmares tonight. You should feel completely safe in my arms. I’ll take it as an insult otherwise.”

“Demanding, aren’t we?”

Kakashi kissed his cheek. “Yes.”

Itachi had a peaceful night.

-----

They drank quite a bit last night. They woke up late and Kakashi babied Itachi, practically pouring water into his mouth to make sure he drank to keep the hangover at bay. Kakashi called the front desk to add a night even though they’d be leaving that evening and ordered a hearty room service lunch. They didn’t get out of bed except Kakashi to open the door for the food.

A shower ended their lazy day. They checked out and waited for the valet to bring the car. Itachi leaned against Kakashi.

Itachi stiffened but he didn’t move when he heard a commotion; there was nothing he could do so he just trusted Kakashi to protect him. Then, he recognized the voice.

“Father, you’re being ridiculous! Leave them alone.” Gaara.

Kakashi saw them coming and moved Itachi to his other side to be between Masahiko and Itachi.

“Itachi!”

“We’re going home, Masahiko,” Itachi said around Kakashi’s body. “Now is not the time.”

Itachi could tell from the stiffness of Kakashi’s body that Masahiko had come closer.

“Get out of the way,” Masahiko growled.

“Father, let’s go home before you cause a scene,” Gaara said trying to pull his father away.

“I don’t give a fuck about a scene!”

“The rest of us do.”

“I love you, Itachi!”

“You made that clear already and I said ‘no’.”

The car arrived. The distraction gave Masahiko an opening and he grabbed Itachi and kissed his lips hard. Kakashi wedged himself between them, pushing them apart. Itachi was off balance and thought he’d fall, but Kakashi grabbed his arm firmly, keeping him on his feet.

“Open the door,” Kakashi told the valet and handed Itachi off to him to sit him in the car. The car was still running and Itachi lowered the window so he could hear what was going on.

“If you touch Itachi again, without his consent, I will relish the jail time,” Kakashi growled.

Itachi liked the shiver Kakashi’s growling threat sent up his spine. He liked older men before—Masahiko, for example—even gave in to Yahiko; he liked this harder, dominate side of Kakashi. Especially the protective part. He was happy. And slightly turned on.

“He was mine first,” Masahiko insisted.

“Itachi’s body is not first come, first serve. Nor are his affections. Take no for an answer. And sober up.”

“Fuck you, bastard!”

“I beg you to hit me,” Kakashi said. “No jail time that way.”

“Kakashi, even if he swings first, I really want to sleep in my own bed tonight,” Itachi said.

Kakashi looked over at him, amused. Masahiko took that opportunity to sucker punch him. Kakashi was ready for it though and let his body twist with the impact.

Masahiko wasn’t as adept at dodging and took a hit to the jaw, but Kakashi didn’t put much strength into it.

Gaara grabbed his off-balance father and pulled him away. “Take Itachi home,” Gaara said.

Kakashi handed the valet an extra tip as he got in the car.

“You okay?” Itachi asked.

“I’ll ice it, but I’m fine. Hiko’s going to have a rough night and morning.”

Itachi chuckled. “If we weren’t spent, I’d be really aroused. I love you.”

Kakashi grabbed his hand and kissed his fingers. “I love you.”

“Just don’t tell my family about any of this.”

“I won’t.”

-----

It was just after sunset when they arrived at the Uchiha estate. Kakashi shouldered Itachi’s small luggage and Itachi occupied his other arm, coiled around it tightly.

“Let Inoichi look at your cheek,” Itachi insisted.

“If I do, I have to come up with an excuse for how it happened. I put my mask on so no one can see the redness.”

“It’s that bad?”

“Probably not; he’s not a fighter.”

“Ha. I’m blind; I either accidently hit you or mistook you for someone else when you touched me.”

“That would make your brother happy.”

Itachi laughed.

The door was opened by Inoichi before they got to it. “Itachi-san, your father would like a word with you. He’s very . . . disturbed.”

“Stay,” Itachi asked Kakashi.

“Until you tell me otherwise.”

Makoto was standing anxiously by the stairs and Sasuke was fidgeting on the other side.

“How’s your hand?” Fugaku asked from the door to the lounge.

“Fine,” Kakashi answered.

“Your cheek?”

“Didn’t hit me that hard.” There was no use denying it.

“Masahiko’s scrappy, but he’s too light to do any real damage I expect.”

“Who called you?” Itachi asked.

“Kankuro.”

“Not who I expected.”

“I want to talk to you alone.”

Fugaku didn’t step up to lead his blind son and though Itachi knew his way around his own home pretty well, he unfolded his identification cane and headed toward his father’s voice, using the cane to keep him from taking a wrong turn into a wall. Fugaku shut the door behind him. Itachi sat in the center of the sofa, Fugaku stood in front of him, a few paces away.

“Masahiko Sabuku.” Fugaku’s voice had a tremor of anger to it. “How old were you?”

“Eighteen,” Itachi answered without a moment’s hesitation.

“Eighteen? Tell me the truth, Itachi.”

“Eighteen.”

“You answered too swiftly; I know you’re lying.”

“If I had hemmed and hawed you would have said I was lying.”

“That any person I ever let into this house would have assaulted a son of mine . . .”

“I wasn’t assaulted.”

“Was he the first?”

“That’s not really your business.”

“If it was before you were an adult, it is very much my business.”

“It wasn’t assault, it wasn’t rape, it wasn’t even statutory rape, he was also underage. We were ‘experimenting.’”

“Who was it?”

“No. Even if there was no crime committed, you’d hunt him down.”

“Itachi.” Fugaku stepped closer and kneeled in front of him. “I love Sasuke; he’s my baby. But you, Itachi, are my first born; you’re my little boy. I was concerned when you were kidnapped, but you were smart and capable of taking care of yourself. I underestimated your captors; I nearly died when that second ransom demand came with the photograph and . . . I had your mother and your brother, but it was only that I had to see you come home alive that kept me alive. I love you dearly. I adore Sasuke even though he has a stick so far up his ass I can see it when he opens his mouth. But you are my pride and joy. The thought of anyone harming you . . . If it had been Sasuke I would have been equally devastated, but I think it pains me more that it was you. Then to find out a friend dared touch my son . . .”

“He didn’t assault me. I noticed his attention and I encouraged it. I was just as guilty as he was.”

“But he was an adult!”

“I encouraged him. I slutted it up for him; I drew him in because I wanted to sleep with him. Masahiko probably should have exercised more self-control, but you can only expect so much from a man. He made the mistake of falling in love with me; I told him I didn’t love him and it was purely fun on my end. I think I’m probably the more reprehensible of the two. He actually cared for me. Cares for me. It was disrespectful of me to seduce one of your friends, but I was an arrogant fool. For that, I apologize.”

Fugaku reached out to touch his son, but he couldn’t. He knew Itachi wasn’t so fragile to shatter at being touched, but maybe it was a dream that he had his son back. Or maybe touching him would trigger something. He was afraid to get close to him or touch him.

“Don’t blame yourself,” Itachi said. “It wasn’t need for affection or attention or anything like that. I had gotten a taste of sex and Masahiko was attractive and showed interest and the idea of an ille—affair like that was exciting. I also wasn’t trying to get revenge on you. I was arrogant, stupid, and full of hormones. I’m sorry. I should apologize to Masa too, but he knew better.”

“Even now you’re perceptive. I did wonder if it was because I didn’t spend enough time with you.”

“It wasn’t a cry for attention. I’m sorry I embarrassed you and . . . I didn’t foresee the problems. I am sorry. I liked Masa; I just didn’t love him. I left him when Naruto approached me. I might have remained his . . . whatever if I didn’t see the possibility for a love relationship with someone close my own age.

“Anyway, I told Kakashi about him. Had to since Masa came up to us like that. There are others, but there should be no issues there. My first I don’t think he should be named because there might be complications to his life.”

“People don’t know he’s gay.”

“I don’t think so. It’s his prerogative to tell those around him, not my father looking to stick his head on our front gate.”

“Understood. I won’t go to the police about Masahiko or take any other recourse, just tell me the truth: how old were you? Please, be honest with me.”

Itachi took a few seconds. “Seventeen. Just after my birthday. Forgive him. He actually cares.”

“You didn’t love him?”

“No.”

“You love Kakashi.”

“I do. He’s been so wonderful. I told him about Masahiko and told him there were others and he just said he could begrudge me having fun.” Itachi smiled. “I can’t see, but I hear and feel. He loves me too much to hold it against me. And he knows I love him absolutely. It’d be really hard for me to carry on an affair now anyway.”

“At least I won’t have to worry about you further. I wasn’t happy you told me you were gay and hearing about the things you’ve done does anger me. But your brother slept around too, but it was with women; I know he was underage with older women too. It bothers me that I didn’t care what Sasuke did because it was with women, but it really bothers me because you’re . . .” He sighed. “Yet, all things being equal, I’m glad you have Kakashi.”

“I understand. And I feel safer with Kakashi than I have with anyone else. I’m very glad he found me.”

“Indeed. You know, those glasses do allow me to forget what happened to you at times, other times they remind me. I sometimes want to see your eyes just so I can see that you’re healing. I love you so very much, Itachi.”

“I love you too, chichi. If I had foreseen my actions would hurt you, I wouldn’t have done them.”

Itachi’s posture screamed that he wanted to be hugged. Fugaku leaned forward and took his son into his arms. It felt wonderful to hold his son.

“I’ll leave Masahiko alone.”

“Thank you.”

-----

Sasuke had his ear against the door. Mikoto and Kakashi were leaning their heads against it.

“I do not have a stick up my ass,” Sasuke hissed.

“Shut up,” Kakashi whispered. “And yes you do.”

“I do not!” he hissed again.

“You do,” Mikoto whispered.

“Mother,” he hissed.

“Shhh,” Mikoto and Kakashi hissed back.

They couldn’t hear everything, but all three were near tears by the end. They scurried away when they heard Fugaku’s solid footsteps approach. Fugaku opened the door. Itachi had his arm looped around Fugaku’s.

“Will you be staying for dinner, Kakashi?” Fugaku asked.

“Since I don’t have to hide the fact I was in a fistfight earlier, then yes.”