Disclaimer: I do not own, nor do I make any money from Naruto. Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto.

Summery: A gentle smile graced the younger mans lips and Kakashi felt himself smile in kind.

Written for the KakaIru Community Drabble Challenge: 100 Ways to Fall in Love. The rules were for a maximum of 500 word drabble, describing the exact moment Kakashi and/or Iruka falls in love with the other. This comes in a 428 words. ^^

Without Thought
Romance. General. G.
kakashi x iruka

Clutching to the toilet with one last dry heave Kakashi's stomach twisted. He spat into the basin, a putrid mix of saliva and bile clinging to his tongue. As the cramps eased he reached up, hand quivering, for the lever. His lithe form had already half collapsed against the tiled walls, and now, with the slap of his full weight, he hissed, the chill stinging his flushed skin.

His fever had risen in a tidal wave of vertigo and nausea almost three hours ago. He couldn't keep fluids down let alone food, and his one and only attempt to jutsu himself to the hospital ended with spotted vision; his hands clutching his chest, mind willing his lungs to keep breathing.

After that it had taken six failed attempts, and two and a half hours of retching, before he could summon Pakkun. Then he'd been hit with the last bout of nausea, his orders coming up with the rest of his organs, until finally his body had nothing left to give. He figured it was okay, even though Pakkun had gone deathly silent and then fled without a second glance. He had to trust the pug would know to find help.

Kakashi gave one last bone-weary sigh before leaning his head back, eyelids fluttering. The apartment was silent, his own husky breathes echoing throughout the room. In a matter of minutes darkness claimed him.

With a start, the jounin woke. Years of training allowing him to do so without physical movement. He swallowed thickly, inwardly cringing at the taste, while his mind worked to register each inconsistency among his surroundings.

While he had been in the bathroom, he was now in his room, on his futon, surrounded by blankets. There was a damp washcloth covering his eyes, something furry against his feet, and a comfortable warmth nestled against his back.

He tried to remember how he had gotten there but couldn't. Hours must have passed since he'd fallen asleep.

The warmth along his back shifted; a silent sigh ghosting across his skin as a pair of soft lips pressed against the nape of his neck. He relaxed upon hearing the familiar, albeit muffled, voice.

"Hey,"

"Hey."

He rolled himself over, muscles protesting each movement, washcloth falling to the mattress. Blinking against the dim lighting, Kakashi focused his blurred vision on the scar that traversed his lovers cheeks and nose. A gentle smile graced the younger mans lips and Kakashi felt himself smile in kind.

Without any thought, he shuffled his aching body closer, freely surrendering to the others affections.