Work Text:
He hates the rain.
Kakashi grumbles, pulling the hood of his jacket further over his head. Of course it had to rain while he was out- it couldn’t wait for five more minutes?!
His eyes scan his surroundings, he lived in a small town, so most places closed up shop when the weather was particularly bad. He curses under his breath.
He could feel the water begin to soak into his sneakers, grimacing at the sound of his rubber soles screaming at him to stop and get out of the rain. Kakashi stumbles, tripping over the pavement that was only just a little uneven.
The wind blows straight through his jacket, pierces his bones and leaves him shuddering and begging for a break. Finally, he spots it; his saving grace- a café with it’s lights on and sign turned to ‘open’.
Kakashi doesn’t hesitate, tripping over himself as he rushes to the door, counting his lucky stars.
The glass door opens easily and as soon as he makes it into the warmth of the small building he sinks into himself. Thank God.
The first thing he notices is the abundance of plants. Real plants.
His eyes wonder curiously, he hadn’t seen a place with so much greenery. Usually the cafés he visited had plastic leaves and flowers adorning the walls and corners, but here he can practically choke on the pollen.
“Oh- Hello, I didn’t think anyone was coming in today- not in this weather at least.”
Kakashi’s eyes fall onto a stranger behind the counter, who is misting a cute little potted succulent.
Kakashi can’t help but drop his jaw; the man looks like the last kind of person he would expect to own a quaint place like this. His shoulders are broad, jaw fairly cut and his hands despite being muscular held the spray bottle gently… Kakashi shuts his mouth, realising he hasn’t yet responded.
“Oh, uh.. Yeah. Just trying to get out of the rain.”
The owner quirks a brow, watching Kakashi carefully shuffle into a booth, who is now self-conscious of the other’s attention.
The brunette finishes misting the plant, walking around the counter and cocking his hip as he stands in front of Kakashi. “Well..?”
Kakashi blinks, “….Well? Well what?”
The man simply sighs, dropping his crossed arms to his hips. “I have a business to run, at least order a coffee.”
Kakashi’s face drops into a scowl. He really doesn’t want to buy anything, he was only planning on being here until the rain let up- however, the man’s eyes pierced him and he worries that if he refuses; he’d be kicked back into the rain- to be helplessly watered, like one of the many plants accompanying the space.
“Sure. Uh. Just a cappuccino, please.” He grumbles, sliding down further in the booth petulantly.
The man hums, relaxing and clearly satisfied. Now that Kakashi looks at him, his eyes appeared quite soft and welcoming.
The man smiles, “Name?”
“Pardon?” Kakashi blinks.
The man grins cheekily. “For the order.”
Kakashi quirks a brow. He knows what this man is playing at and he is not interested whatsoever. However, he decides to humour him. “Kakashi.”
The man pauses, seems to think the name over- perhaps committing it to memory in case Kakashi became a regular- something he silently promises not to be.
“Tenzo.” The man finally responds, turning away, “I’ll get you that coffee soon.”
Kakashi sighs, burying his face in his hands as he leans against the table booth. He hated everything about this. He isn’t even a big fan of coffee.
It isn’t long before he hears the most dreadful screeching noise, grimacing. Coffee machines were much too loud for his taste.
Kakashi taps his fingers on the wooden table, humming in thought. He hopes the rain will stop before he finishes the coffee- he certainly doesn’t want to have to order another.
The screeching eventually slows to a quiet whisper, the machine losing breath as it finishes frothing the milk. Tenzo soon comes back out, coffee in hand as he moves to hand it to Kakashi. However, rather than place it on the table, he passes it towards Kakashi directly, who hesitates. This Tenzo guy is… Odd.
He reaches his hand out, moving to take the coffee when their fingers brush- immediately a bolt of lightning shoots through his fingers, up his veins and settles into his thumping heart. He nearly chokes at the sensation, suddenly trembling from the aftershocks of it all.
That was painful yet… Unusually pleasant. He shivers.
Kakashi looks up to Tenzo, checking if he felt the same thing- Tenzo’s eyes are wide, but he quickly replaces the expression with a smile Kakashi finds surprisingly sweet. He hates sweets.
He coughs, looking away with a flush as he takes a sip of the coffee. “…Thanks.” He mutters.
Tenzo only nods, hesitating before going back to his plants.
Kakashi can’t help but find the amount ridiculous- how did a man, who ran a coffee shop- seemingly on his own- find the time to care for all that greenery?
He huffs, taking tentative sips of his drink, It’s not bad, but his mood is far too sour to admit that.
The rain had stopped a while ago, yet Kakashi can’t help but take his time with his coffee. Something about the café’s atmosphere relaxes him. Excites him even. Every glance at each plant left his heart palpitating, the well-maintained green reminding him of Tenzo’s… large yet.. careful hands- he groans, standing up and slapping a bill on the table. It’s definitely more than what one measly coffee would cost, but he’s in a rush to get out of there and away from that- that green witch of a man.
The next week Kakashi finds himself in the area again. Before the café wasn’t even on his radar, but ever since that day he can’t stop thinking about it. There’s something about the place, or rather about Tenzo that drew him in, and he finds that despite his earlier and rather childish promise to himself, he had quickly began visiting regularly.
Stepping into the atmosphere, he finds that there was only one other customer there beside him. He walks past their booth, looking at the glass cabinet by the counter.
Kakashi hates sweets. He always has.
Yet…
“Oh, Kakashi! I was beginning to wonder if you were ever going to come back.”
Kakashi jumps, stumbling backwards. When had Tenzo gotten behind the counter?
“Uh, yeah.. Well, I was in the area so..” he flounders for an excuse. Why did he even need one to begin with? It isn’t like he knew this man, or cares about what he thinks of him.
Kakashi shakes his head simply, “Uh, just a slice of cheesecake. The strawberry.”
Tenzo grins, “Of course.” He bends down to open the cabinet from his side of the counter and… damn. Kakashi thinks, not-so subtly admiring the view, he hears a cough behind him, startling as he turns to find the other patron looking at him, unimpressed. Kakashi flushes, averting his gaze immediately.
Tenzo stands back up, placing the cake on a small plate on the counter and Kakashi finds himself frowning at the fact he didn’t hand it to him directly this time. He pulls out a bill, holding it out towards Tenzo, who blinks a few times. “Oh- Don’t worry about it!”
Kakashi tilts his head, and his confusion must be obvious because Tenzo laughs lightly. “You gave me a fifty last time you were here, that definitely covers a simple coffee and cake.”
“Oh.” The tips of Kakashi’s ears warm, his fingers trembling around the note. He shuffles, putting it back into his pocket. He grabs the plate and turns, hoping to avoid any further embarrassment today, moving back to the booth he had sat at last time.
After a few tense moments of mulling over what had just happened, he finds himself staring at the cake, a pout perpetually glued to his face.
Why did he get a cheesecake? Especially a strawberry one. He knows it’s going to be much too rich for his stomach as he frowns down at it, twisting the tiny fork in his hand as he tried to work himself up to taking even a single bite.
He sighs heavily.
Finally, Kakashi uses the side of his fork to scoop the tiniest amount from the cake and brings it to his mouth.
The cake is creamy and smooth on his tongue. He swallows as quickly as he can, shuddering as nausea temporarily squeezes at his throat.
Definitely too rich.
A few days after, Kakashi finds himself deep in thought. What was going on with him? He’s never felt this way with anyone before. He twitches his fingers, remembering that unusual jolt that had hit straight into his heart- he isn’t stupid, he knows the signs of a soul-mate link, yet… Kakashi shakes his head. This is ridiculous. He couldn’t have possibly become soulmates with this man he had just barely met.
He trips, stumbling and only just barely catching himself with a light curse.
Wait a minute… He recognises that uneven pavement. Slowly, Kakashi’s eyes trail upwards and he catches sight of that dreadful yet wonderful place- Tenzo’s café.
He laughs to himself. Had he really just subconsciously travelled here? He lets out a weak, yet giddy breath. Stopping by just once more can’t hurt right?
The door lets out a little jingle as he scrapes his sneakers on the welcome mat, feeling his lips twitch with excitement. Maybe he could feel that electric feeling again.
Today has a few more customers, but still not many. He wonders how Tenzo could afford to run this place.
He steps up to the counter when he sees a flutter of long brown hair.
A girl.
His heart sinks, watching as she chirps and chatters to Tenzo, who laughs pushing her lightly. They seem… close.
Kakashi takes a step back, but Tenzo is looking up at him- his face brightening. “Kakashi!” He smiles, practically running to the counter. “You’re back already, I thought I’d have to wait a while before I saw you again.”
Kakashi laughs, but it’s uncomfortable and forced. “Yeah…” his eyes drift to the woman, Tenzo following his gaze before he grins.
“Oh, that’s Yukimi. I’ve known her since I was little, she just moved here recently so I thought I’d help her get some work experience.”
Kakashi nods slowly, embers flickering low in his stomach.
Weeks pass by and Kakashi finds himself visiting Tenzo’s café more and more. He sits down in his booth for the third time that week, the atmosphere that he had quickly grown to love was stifling today and nervously, he scratches at the table.
Over the past month or so, he had learnt quite a bit about Tenzo. The man had grown up in the foster system, trading home after home before he had finally been taken in permanently by his adoptive father.
Kakashi could tell by his awkward smile, that Tenzo didn’t particularly get along with his father. He described that during the constant change, Yukimi was the only other child he got to see often in the system and so the two had quickly grown close.
In turn, Kakashi revealed his own past- how his mother passed before he was old enough to remember her, and how his father had taken his life quite a few years after. How he had grown up with his uncles and aunts as mothers and fathers.
He found that when he had looked up, Tenzo was reaching for his hand in what looked like an awkward attempt at comfort.
Kakashi had quickly withdrew his hand then and muttered an apology before leaving.
Now, a few days later, he was kicking himself. He had wanted to feel Tenzo’s hand again- ever since that first electric jolt and he ruined his chance.
Kakashi plays with his fingers nervously, he hasn’t seen Tenzo come out just yet- and Yukimi was busy cleaning the booths while she apologised to a customer- promising that his order would be done soon.
Maybe Tenzo’s avoiding him now, hiding in the back and hoping Kakashi would give up on his coffee.
He deflates, standing up and preparing to leave when he hears something shatter in the back room.
“YOU ALWAYS DO THIS!”
Kakashi stiffens, immediately running around the counter- he knows he’s not supposed to be back here, but something about the crack in Tenzo’s voice gives him panic.
“I simply don’t think a café is the best use of your time and money, Kinoe.”
“THAT’S NOT MY NAME!” Tenzo shrieks. It’s the first time Kakashi has ever heard him raise his voice. He rushes into the room, freezing as he spots Tenzo, red-faced and eyes puffy, a white plate shattered at his feet. “I DON’T CARE WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT MY CAFÉ, THIS IS WHAT I WANT!”
Kakashi’s eyes catch on an older man, dark hair and a nasty scowl. The man lifts his cane, shifting the broken ceramic on the floor with the end. “Do not be childish. Look at yourself, you can barely afford to keep this place afloat, much less make a living.”
That must be Tenzo’s father, Danzo. Kakashi grits his teeth and before he can make better judgement, he steps forward. “Tenzo, you okay?”
Tenzo jumps, his eyes full of horror when they land on Kakashi’s, his face immediately blooms a scarlet red, humiliated at being caught losing his temper. “O-oh, Kakashi. I’ll be out in a minute, I’m just dealing with…” Tenzo hesitates, looking at the old man in front of him.
The man turns, looking at Kakashi. “Danzo. Kinoe’s father.”
Tenzo clenches his hands, tensing as he shrinks away. Kakashi narrows his eyes, “I think you mean Tenzo.”
He hadn’t known that Tenzo ever had a different name, but if Tenzo doesn’t want to be known by that- then Kakashi wouldn’t question it.
Danzo sneers, looking Kakashi up and down. “And who might this be?” He side-eyes Tenzo, who stiffens. There was something more going here.
“Just a customer.” Tenzo speaks carefully, his eyes darting away with a slight flush.
Danzo hums, “Do you let all your customers waltz back here? Seems terribly unprofessional.”
Tenzo opens his mouth to speak, but nothing comes out. He struggles, looking to Kakashi- maybe for reassurance.
Something about the look breaks Kakashi, sending an uncomfortable sensation through his fingers and up into his heart- settling there and squeezing. He’s openly glaring at Danzo, taking a step forward, ready to defend Tenzo when Yukimi steps into the room nervously, “Hey, Tenzo; Ibiki is still waiting on his order and-” she stops staring at Kakashi, she obviously hadn’t noticed him sneak into the back. She quickly shakes her head, looking back to Tenzo.
She flushes, squirming and twisting the hem of her apron. “I’m sorry, I didn’t want to interrupt while you were talking to your father, but Ibiki seems to be getting impatient, so I just thought…”
Danzo raises a hand, cutting the poor girl off. “I was just leaving. I have seen enough.” He huffs, looking to Tenzo with narrowed eyes. “I’ll speak to you some other time… Tenzo.” He spits the name like it’s a personal attack on himself before turning around and passing Kakashi and Yukimi with an eery grace.
Tenzo sighs, his shoulders slumping slightly before he rubs his forehead. He grabs a broom and begins sweeping up the ceramic shards. “Kakashi, I’ll take your order soon, Yukimi tell Ibiki I’m coming out with his coffee now.”
Kakashi frowns, but nods regardless. He turns, feeling his throat tighten. He feels almost floaty as he makes it to his usual booth, sliding into his seat.
Stupid. Stupid!
It takes the self-control of a monk for him not to bang his head against the table. He sulks silently, lips pursed as he looks over his shoulder and watches Yukimi bring Ibiki his coffee. She smiles and laughs, Ibiki relaxing as he finally takes his first sip.
Yukimi seems like the kind of girl to be all over soulmates. Maybe she was secretly Tenzo’s, and Kakashi had only imagined things-
He startles as he hears a puff of air expel from the opposite booth cushion. Tenzo sighs, sinking into the seat. “Sorry about that, he’s been here all morning.”
Kakashi feels his heart deflate. Why was he assuming everything when clearly Tenzo had his own issues to deal with?
“It’s fine, are you okay?” He prods, his eyes soft. Tenzo laughs weakly, crossing his arms over the table as he leaned over. Kakashi’s his fingers twitch at the sight.
“Define ‘okay’?” Tenzo jests lightly, before shaking his head. “I’m fine, it’s just my father can be very… difficult sometimes.”
The brunette’s fingers tap at the table absentmindedly, “He wants me to succeed, but I don’t think he cares about what I want. Just whether or not it’s reputable and sustainable.”
Kakashi exhales slowly. It sounds messy. “Is that why he gave you that look when I came in?”
The other man tilts his head, letting his eyes drift off. “Sort of… He’s very funny about who I get close to. It’s really frustrating.”
Kakashi awkwardly shifts in his seat, “I’m sorry, I don’t know how to um… comfort you with that.”
Tenzo’s eyes light up and he smiles warmly. “Oh, I’m not looking for comfort, just… Felt like sharing.” He bites his lip nervously, and Kakashi’s eyes can’t help but follow the motion.
“Actually, there’s something else I’ve been meaning to get off my chest…” Tenzo takes a deep breath and Kakashi tenses.
“There... is?”
Tenzo nods, reaching his hand out hesitantly before stopping himself. Immediately, Kakashi shoots his own hand out before the brunette can retract completely- their fingers interlock and suddenly there’s that intense painful yet addictive bolt of lightning again. Kakashi shivers, feeling the sensation buzz in his veins.
Tenzo lets out a shaky breath, a nervous chuckle bubbling from his throat at the situation's absurdity. They barely knew each other, really. “I was hoping to go out for lunch sometime? Something other than coffee...?”
Kakashi swallows thickly, hands shaking. “But- But what about Yukimi? You two seem very…”
Tenzo gags, letting go of Kakashi’s hand, “Ew- What?! No! She’s like my sister!” He laughs, reaching over the table and shoving Kakashi’s shoulder lightly. “Is that why you keep staring at her? You’ve been jealous?”
Kakashi’s face burns. He turns his head to cough awkwardly, before he shrugs. “Lunch sounds… good.”
The brunette chuckles, “You’re cute when you’re all red like that.”
Kakashi huffs, pouting, “Well, you’re cute all the time.”
It’s Tenzo’s turn to bloom a bright flush, as he sputters, a nervous yet light laugh bubbling straight from his chest.
Kakashi reaches out for the other’s hand again, and instead, finds a pleasant hum between their interlocking hands. He pulls his mask down and brushes his lips against Tenzo’s flushed knuckles, savouring how oddly soft they are for such a hard-working man.
Tenzo melts into the touch, making Kakashi’s lips smile against the hand.
Maybe he actually loves the rain