enslaved

“It’s settled, then,” he replied, feeling a little awkward about how businesslike he sounded. Certainly, he’d had his fair share of relationships in the past. Perhaps the time he’d gone without one had taken a toll on his social graces, he thought; wouldn’t Genma find that just hilarious? Better not to tell him. “You’re making it sound a lot more difficult than it actually is, Captain. There isn’t a need for tactical manoeuvres or strategic planning. We’re alright. When we’re together like this… we aren’t shinobi. We’re just people. Don’t think like a shinobi. Not right now.”

Iruka smiled, playing with the cat on his lap. “I don’t care how much experience you have or not. You aren’t applying for a job, you know. I… like you quite a lot. That’s how it is. And if you like me, too, then… it’s enough.”

Looking up, Iruka gave Yamato a patient look, expectant. He pat at the couch idly; Yamato’s stiffness as he stood was thoroughly amusing, though he said nothing of it. “Don’t you think?”

the entire encounter did seem like some sort of transaction. yamato’s shoulders slump, a decidedly dreadful character flaw of his that needed to be rectified in some way ... or at the very least, made better. he offers a tired smile in the response to the offer to sit and joins him not a moment later.              ❝ it’s enough, ❞ he agreed, his arm resting along the back of the couch, mostly behind iruka’s shoulders. he turned that same smile on the cat currently in the chuunin’s lap, reaching out with his free hand to stroke beneath its chin.  ❝ geez, i haven’t even offered you anything. well, i’ve got tea, and water and beer. ❞

he gestures towards to the front door then.

            ❝ i'm assuming you came straight from work? makin’ you run over here and not extending anything seems a little... ❞ his voice trailed off into a small, desperate laugh, head tipping over for a moment as he did but when he looked up again, his embarrassment was present in his cheeks. he was overthinking things, and he doubts quite a bit that that’s what caught the sensei’s attentions about him.