Chapter Text
That surely wasn’t what he was hoping to find when Minato got back home from a long meeting with the Hokage.
He was so tired when the Hokage finally let him go home and when he opened the door to the apartment, he saw Naruto’s shoes which made him happy, because he was looking forward to seeing his son, but he also saw another pair of shoes. He didn’t recognize them immediately and he simply went inside the living room which definitely was a mistake. When he entered the room, he saw Kakashi, his protégé, and Naruto kissing on the sofa. He gasped and almost fell over his own feet. Kakashi’s arms were wrapped around Naruto's shoulders and their lips were pressed against each other. Naruto's eyes were closed in pleasure while Kakashi’s lips moved gently against his.
The silver hair was softly falling on Naruto's blushing cheek while his hand tightly held onto his partner's. When Minato heard a sigh of pleasure escape his son, he could no longer take it and moved closer. He couldn’t believe what he saw in front of him. He loudly cleared his throat and tapped his foot on the ground.
It must have shocked his son and his student when they heard a noise because they looked up and stared at him with wide open eyes.
His student stared at him with his usual slightly annoyed and bored expression and his son looked at him with an embarrassed and horrified face. They quickly pulled apart and Naruto moved away from Kakashi. Minato wasn’t so sure how to feel about this. Maybe he should ask the Hokage for a law that would forbid kissing between teenagers or something. Minato grunted angrily when he looked at the two teenagers in front of him.
“Da- Dad! Why are you home?!” Naruto squealed and pressed his body into the couch, in a desperate attempt to hide himself.
“Because I live here! Much more important… What the hell are YOU doing here?!” He pointed his finger at Kakashi who was practically all over Naruto. Well, he wasn’t really ALL OVER Naruto he was properly sitting next to his son, but his HANDS WERE all over him.
“Stop touching you two!” Minato really needed to calm down.
“Dad! We are just holding hands!!” Naruto yelled. His face was burning red.
“Holding hands? Is that what you are calling that now?”
“DAAAAD!!”
Minato had raised his son with so much love and care that it kind of pained him to realize that his ‘little boy’ wasn’t so little anymore. Naruto had never really given him any indication that he was starting to get interested in anything remotely sexual, but … he was 16-years-old and he was growing up after all.
Minato groaned and rubbed his forehead. He looked at the two teenagers in front of him. This just couldn’t be happening. He heard about those kinds of horror stories from other parents when Naruto was still a little boy.… Talks about kids kissing , making out, boyfriends and … DATES ?!
Why?! Why does my cute little sunshine have to … kiss??? He’s way too young!!
Minato’s eyes wandered over to Kakashi’s face. His student looked at him with defiance and annoyance and Minato rolled his eyes. He just didn’t understand why Naruto fell for Kakashi of all the people in Konoha. It wasn’t that he completely opposed Naruto’s crush, but Kakashi was two years older than his sweet little son and his student wasn’t the easiest of all people.
It wasn’t that he didn’t like Kakashi – actually, it was quite the opposite. He was a brilliant student and an extraordinary shinobi. He’d be promoted to Jonin soon as well and Minato had to admit that, as Kakashi’s Sensei, he was quite proud that he had brought forth such a prodigy. Sakumo had told him many times about how thankful he and his wife were that he had taken Kakashi under his wing and into his Genin team, because they knew that Kakashi wasn’t the easiest boy. He had to leave several Chunin teams because they had trouble with his attitude.
Minato simply had taken the time to get to know the angry teen and listen to the things he had to say and tried to always answer his question to the best of his abilities. Minato quickly realized that even though Kakashi was a genius, he was still a normal teenager – and Minato knew all about teenagers. Not only because he was a Sensei, but because he and his wife, Kushina, had their own wild hormone-raging-teenage-beast at home.
He was just worried about his son and his feelings. Naruto was such a sweet and happy person and Kakashi was always trying to fight his own feelings and everyone around him. He didn’t really understand how they found each other.
“Do you have anything to say?!” Minato grunted and waited for the teenagers to say anything.
“Yes. You are super embarrassing, dad!!” Naruto yelled.
“I am … I am what?”
Naruto moaned angrily and pulled Kakashi up from the couch. The teenagers left the living room. Minato wanted to follow them but he was still too shocked that his cute little son called him embarrassing. Hadn’t he always been the cool dad?
The door to Naruto’s room slammed shut and Minato winced at the sound. “What just happened?” He blinked a few times. “Kushina?? Kushina, my love? Are you hooome?” He called into their apartment and hoped that his wife was home to explain to him what he had done wrong just now.
*
*
When Minato was asked to take his own Genin team he didn’t hesitate, because he loved kids and he loved teaching. Especially when he had married Kushina and they had started to talk about having kids themselves one day, he really felt that something shifted inside him. He couldn’t wait to have his own Genin team, and wrap his wings around his students and teach them everything he knew.
Rin was lovely and such a good student. Obito was… well, he was a little rascal, but he was a good kid. Kakashi on the other hand… Minato groaned. Kakashi joined their team, because he had trouble fitting in with the other teams. He had finished the academy early and quickly ascended the ranks. He was already a Chunin when he joined their team which really pushed Rin and Obito to work hard on their missions. Which was great, but on the other hand it was really rough on Minato, because Kakashi was always criticizing everything, he was always questioning every move, every mission and everything they were doing. He was a natural protégé, just like his father and everyone from the Hatake Clan. Minato was sure that there was a lot of pressure on his young shoulders but sometimes he thought that his young student was just a little pain in his butt. He was constantly fighting against Obito, who got riled up too easy by Kakashi’s attitude and Minato had started to realize that he only truly calmed down when Naruto was around. It really confused him at first and he watched them closely. He frowned deeply when he realized that his cute, little, innocent son was blushing and stuttering around Kakashi.
After what happened yesterday in the living room he decided that a little distance would be good between Naruto and Kakashi. How did that saying go? – ‘ Distance made the heart go fonder?’ – or something like that. He would send Kakashi on a mission and maybe Naruto would forget all about love.
Kushina tried to explain to him that it wasn’t the first time that Kakashi had ‘visited’ them to see Naruto. Minato had been shocked to find out that his son had been seeing Kakashi without talking to him about this. Had they been dating? Had they been doing more than just kissing?
No. This just couldn’t be happening!
He decided that he would send Kakashi and his other Genin on a joint mission with one of the other Genin teams. Kakashi’s friend, Gai and his team would be going on a month-long mission soon and his Sensei had asked Minato for help anyway. That would be perfect. Minato decided that he would send Kakashi, Rin and Obito with them.
Did he want his team to gain more experience? Yes.
Did he want Kakashi away from Naruto? Maybe.
Was he overreacting? Definitely.
He didn’t want to be the stereotypical helicopter parent, who was all over their child and started to try controlling every move and aspect of their lives, but he really felt like Naruto was way too young to be in love. He had often talked with Kushina about this and his beloved wife told him that he was way too worried about this, because if something developed between Naruto and Kakashi, they wouldn’t be able to stop it. Love always finds a way.
Kushina would always laugh at him, when he pouted at her. He was well aware that he worried too much, but he just loved his son so much and he didn’t want anyone to hurt Naruto. Minato thought back to when Naruto was still a little kid… It was killing Minato to see his child cry or hurt. He swore to himself that he would do everything in his power to protect his precious child and his family.
No one would hurt him.
*
They met on training ground three and he told his team that they would be going with Gai and his team on the joint mission. He laughed when he heard the groans. He looked at them and explained what they would be doing, but he stopped when he saw Kakashi’s angry face.
“Kakashi? What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, Sen-Seiii.” He drew out the honorific and leaned against a tree behind him. Kakashi kicked the ground in front of him. He lowered his eyes and stopped looking at Minato.
Minato decided that he would leave Kakashi alone and went back to explaining their mission. “I am sure that you will be successful. I am looking forward to seeing you all again by the end of this month. Get some rest tonight, you will be leaving tomorrow morning.”
When he was finished with his little speech he watched with surprise as Kakashi quickly disappeared in a cloud of smoke. He shook his head and looked at Obito and Rin who started snickering.
“What’s wrong with him?” He asked them.
“Oh, it’s probably about his booooyfriend.”
“His WHAT?” Minato thought that his eyeballs might drop out. “Kakashi has a… a BOYFRIEND?”
Rin giggled. “Yes. He’s so in love, it’s cute! He’s probably mad at you, Sensei, because he doesn’t want to go on such a long mission.”
Obito laughed out loud. “Yes, Baka-Sensei!”
Minato gasped and looked at his students like they were aliens. Boyfriends?
Did Kushina know about this? Did Kushina know that Naruto and Kakashi were boyfriends?
*
Minato stared out the window. He watched the clouds slowly move over the beautiful light blue sky and his thoughts were drifting. He may have been acting a little harshly when he sent Kakashi and the others away on that mission. Maybe he should have talked to Naruto and Kakashi first. He didn’t even know that Naruto was in a relationship… Relationship – that sounded serious. Why didn’t Naruto talk to him about this? Was he ashamed? Was he scared? Did he think that he didn’t approve? Did Naruto think that he would not support him? Minato felt how anxiety took a hold of his heart. Maybe he acted completely wrong when he sent Kakashi and the team away. It was a month long after all… but he was worried when he found out that his student was seeing Naruto. Kushina called him a helicopter-father. He grumbled and decided to look at Naruto’s baby photos.
Why was being a parent so hard?
He didn’t really have a plan of what to do when his students came back from their mission and when Kakashi and Naruto would be reunited. His head sank down on one of Naruto’s pictures where he took his first steps. He looked so cute and innocent there. He smiled at the camera and his tiny cubby hands reached out to Minato. Kushina held him in her arms and helped their son with his first steps.
His first steps away from me…
Minato couldn’t help his thoughts. He just loved his precious little son. He wanted to protect him, but maybe he did the complete opposite by sending Kakashi away. He groaned.
“Minato… what are you doing?” Kushina laughed and sat down next to her husband.
“I am just drowning in misery.”
“Oh my god. Stop it! So what… He likes Kakashi… Please get a grip of yourself. We knew that this day would come one day!” The red head giggled and took her husband into her arms. “He has a boyfriend – it’s cute!”
The blond Jonin looked up into the face of his most beloved wife and sniffed. “But he’s still a baby!”
“Oh Minato… That’s why I love you so much. You care so much about your family and your friends.” She smiled and leaned in for a soft kiss. Their lips melted against each other and Kushina moaned when Minato pressed his lips a little harder against hers. When he pulled away, she blushed and smiled shyly up at her husband. “Don’t worry Minato. Kakashi is a good kid. I think that he really loves Naruto.” She stopped herself before she went on. Her voice dropped a little. “You know, Naruto came to me a few days ago to talk about ‘ Love’ . – I think that they are really serious about this.” She pressed her soft body against Minato and leaned her head against Minato’s shoulder. “Minato… Do you remember when we were their age?” Her cheeks were colored with a soft pink blush and her hand was gently moving over Minato’s strong chest.
“Of course, I remember.” He whispered. “When you moved to Konoha and started at the academy I remember thinking that I had never seen a more beautiful girl than you.” His hand moved gently over to her cheek to caress her soft skin. “I was so in love with you… I still am, Kushina.”
“Minato.” When she looked at him her eyes were swimming with so many feelings that she wasn’t able to speak out loud.
“I knew that I would marry you one day, because I would never love anyone else like you…” He leaned down to capture her sweet lips again. They were locked in that passionate kiss for a few moments before he pulled away. “Are you sure about Naruto and Kakashi?”
She giggled and wrapped her arms around her husband. “Yes. I am. You don’t need to send Kakashi on make-believe-missions anymore. Also… please stop looking at Naruto’s baby photos.”
He groaned and nodded. “I will try.”
“That’s a start.” She smiled. “Go and talk to Naruto. He’s still angry because you sent his boyfriend away.”
“Haaa…. Alright.” He huffed and slowly moved his body to get up from the couch. When he stood upright, he stopped. His face was hidden by his long blond bangs. “You know that he called me embarrassing? I always thought that I would be a cool dad?”
Kushina laughed heartily and took his hand in hers. “You are a cool dad and you’ll be even cooler if you go and promise your son that you won’t send his boyfriend on month long missions anymore.” She giggled happily and squeezed his hand to show her support.
“Alright alright. I’ll go.”
*
He knocked on Naruto’s door and waited a few moments. “Naruto? May I come in?” When he heard an angry grumble, he chuckled and slowly opened the door. “Excuse me…” He said and moved inside. “I wanted to talk to you. I know that my reaction wasn't right when I saw you two kissing a few days ago.” He said and moved closer to Naruto who was laying on his bed. He had his face buried in his pillow and his body was turned away from his father. Minato quickly realized that Naruto was wearing one of Kakashi’s shirts. It was a little big on Naruto. His face grew soft. Kushina had been right. It was pretty serious between those two. He sat down on Naruto's bed and took in a deep breath beforeh he went on.
“I am sorry Naruto. I was worried… I am your father. I love you and I always worry about you no matter how old you are. Please forgive me. I understand it now... you really like Kakashi. I don’t oppose your relationship. I will always support you. Kakashi is a very good student, and I am sure that he will be a good and strong shinobi one day. He’s trustworthy, loyal and honest. You have chosen a good partner.” He stopped and chuckled. “I only reacted that strongly when I saw you two kissing because to me… to me you will always be my little boy… I am sorry. I know that you don’t want to hear that. You find me embarrassing and – “
“Dad.”
Minato was stopped when Naruto turned around and quickly moved closer to Minato. His eyes were swimming with unshed tears. The blond teenager moved closer to his father and quickly wrapped his arms around Minato. “Do you really mean that? Are you really ok with me and Kakashi being together?"
Minato smiled softly and pulled Naruto closer to his chest. “Yes. I am alright with you two being together. Also… Your mother wants me to tell you that I promise that I will not send Kakashi on long-term-missions anymore.”
Naruto laughed and snuggled closer into his fathers embrace. “I know. I may have eavesdropped when you two talked.”
Minato shook his head and let his hand brush through Naruto’s warm, soft blond hair. “You are so much like your mother.”
*
Kakashi came back from his mission and he was very surprised when an invitation from Minato-Sensei was waiting for him at home. He had to read the letter twice to understand what was going on. Minato-Sensei was inviting him for a family dinner.
“What’s going on, son?” Sakumo looked over Kakashi’s shoulder.
“Minato-Sensei is inviting me over to dinner tonight.” He stared at the letter.
“Oh? That’s nice. Why are you so surprised? You have been invited before.”
Kakashi swallowed hard. “Yeah. Well. You and mom are invited as well.”
Sakumo stopped in his tracks. “Why? What have you done?” Sakumo sat down next to Kakashi and took the letter from his sons’ hands. He quickly scanned the letter and read the lines written in Minato’s fine delicate handwriting.
“…we are happy to invite you over for an informal family dinner, to talk about our sons’ relationship –“
Sakumo blinked a few times. “Relationship? Kakashi, who do you have a relationship with?”
Kakashi blushed and pulled on the seam of his dark blue shirt. He bit his lip. He didn’t know how his dad would react. “I am in a relationship with ... with Naruto.” He mumbled quietly and tried to hide the fear he suddenly felt.
“Naruto? Uzumaki Naruto?”
“Yes.”
Sakumo smiled softly and reached for Kakashi’s shaking hand. “That’s wonderful, son. Tell me about it. Do you like him?”
Kakashi felt his father’s warm strong hand on his, and he felt how all his worries fell off his shoulders. “Yes. I – I really love him.”
*
Somehow Kakashi felt very nervous when he and his parents walked over to Naruto’s apartment that night. He felt his heart beating fast and wild and he really hoped that he wouldn’t make a fool of himself in front of Minato-Sensei and Kushina-san tonight. He wanted his Sensei to approve of their relationship and he wanted Minato-Sensei to see how much he loved Naruto.
“Don’t worry so much, son.” Sakumo chuckled and gently patted Kakashi’s shoulder. “Everything will be alright.”
Kakashi looked at his father’s gentle face and he took a deep breath. “I really like him. A lot.”
Sakumo and his wife smiled at each other. They were happy that Kakashi found someone that meant so much to him. They had been worried about their son and his angry attitude for some time, but when Team-Minato took him in, he finally seemed to calm down.
Minato’s guidance and his new teammates seemed to bring more stability to Kakashi. – But finding love and a partner was what truly centered the young Hatake.
Naruto had such a happy nature. His light was always brightly shining on everyone who was around him. Sakumo and his wife watched how their gloomy son was changing whenever he was spending time with Naruto.
He started to smile and laugh.
Their hearts were rejoicing when they witnessed how their son was starting to show signs of affection for the young Uzumaki boy. Maybe Kakashi’s heart was slowly opening up to someone?
“I am so happy for you, Kakashi.” His mother said and reached for his hand.
Kakashi tried to hide his embarrassment, but he also really enjoyed the tenderness from his parents, and he decided to just enjoy the moment. “Thank you, mother.” He quietly said and smiled.
*
Sakumo sat down next to Minato. Their wives were still busy in the kitchen. Dinner would be ready soon. He was very hungry. His eyes wandered over to the boys who were quietly talking among themselve at the other side of the table. He watched how his son reached for Naruto’s hand and he had to smile when he saw how Naruto blushed. The blond smiled shyly at Kakashi. Sakumo was able to read Naruto’s lips when he whispered something to his son.
‘I am so happy that you are back home. I missed you so much, Kakashi.’
‘I missed you too, Naruto.’
“Young love is something wonderful. Isn’t it, Minato-san?” Sakumo said.
“Ha…Well, I guess. Kushina is always making fun of me, because I worry too much.” The blond Jonin sighed.
The leader of the Hatake Clan laughed and clapped Minato on his shoulder. “Your wife is as wise as she is strong, Minato-san. You are a happy man. You are blessed with a wonderful family. Naruto is a good kid. I always hoped that my son would find someone like that.”
Minato turned to Sakumo. “Thank you, Sakumo-san. You are blessed as well with your son and your wife.” He looked over to their children. “They will be alright, right?”
“Of course, they will be.”
***