safety [Kakashi Hatake x OC]

ninety-six

Naturally, Kakashi and Eri went public; at least now that they had the chance to. The girl, however, was slightly overwhelmed by the fact that everyone seemed so invested in the fact that the "finally" got together.

The jonin was starting to be called to some elusive meetings and short, single-manned missions, leaving Eri to herself quite a bit. She started visiting Kurenai and her young daughter, Mirai. She got the sense that the dark-haired woman was a friend to her prior to losing her memory, so she had no problem feeling close to her. It also seemed that the woman appreciated any kind of help she could get with her infant.

Eri picked up on the clues around Kurenai's home, and coupled with a sense of knowing without remembering, she didn't need to ask questions to understand that Mirai's father was gone. Kurenai often gazed longingly at a picture on one of the shelves, and there was a candle next to it that always remained lit. There was also a lingering, faint scent of cigarette smoke, but Eri knew that Kurenai didn't smoke.

Eri couldn't imagine what it would be like to lose Kakashi, and she didn't even have a child with him - yet.

Any time the mauve-haired girl could be there for her friend, she would be. Then she would go home to her own empty apartment and wait until Kakashi would come home.

That particular night, he dropped his shoulders as soon as shut the door behind him. The tired look on his face was particularly dramatized as he released a heavy breath. He headed straight for the girl on the couch.

"Hello." She hummed, but he just grunted as he fell onto her. His weight forced her on her back and she released a startled chirp. "You okay?" She asked through stifled words as her body was crushed under the much larger man.

He responded with a groan and nuzzled his nose into the space between her chin and clavicle.

She tried to make him feel better but got the sense he just wanted to wallow in whatever he was feeling for a few moments. Still, after a couple struggling breaths, she whined, "Kakashi, you're heavy..."

"Rude." He huffed, but didn't move.

"I mean, it's good weight." She reasoned, recalling his very well-formed masculine figure. "But you're still heavy."

He grumbled again and squeezed Eri more tightly.

"I can't breathe." She confessed.

He sighed defeatedly and stood, running a hand through his thick hair while tension twisted in his arms.

Eri stood up on the couch so that she was taller than the already tall man. She leaned over and wrapped her arms around his broad and defeated shoulders. She rested her chin on top of his head and he solemnly held her waist. "This is better." She whispered.

"Yeah, guess I like you better alive." He hummed, trying to joke off the stress that he was holding onto.

"I'd hope so." She laughed lightly.

After a few more quiet moments, Kakashi's muscles has loosened and his mood was becoming lighter. Eventually, he squeezed her waist as tightly as he could without hurting her, earning a yelp of shock from the calmer girl.

He easily lifted her over his shoulder, and she tried to balance herself, yelling, "hey!"

"Hey what?" She could hear the smirk that has formed on his lips.

"Put me down!"

He breathed out a short chuckle, and as she requested, he dropped her. He dropped her right on top of the mattress.

Eri tried to pout, but she couldn't bring herself to be mad at him. In all of the comfort he felt around her, he had removed his mask and grinned cheekily.

"Oh, so I'm just stress relief now?" She rolled her dark eyes, but couldn't help but smile.

Kakashi crawled on top of her with half-lidded eyes. "The most beautiful and all-around amazing stress relief I know."

"That's just an excuse to use me." She still laced her arms around his neck and looked at him with adoration in her eyes.

One of his hands found her hip, and the other pinched her chin. "I think you like being used." He hovered over her ear and whispered, "at least, by me." His fingers traced her side to her inner thigh.

She could feel the heat rush to her face, and the sly man chuckled in victory.

Leaving her waiting long enough, he leaned down and kissed her, and every time he did, be constantly reminded himself of the fact that her kiss was his most favorite thing.