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Even a blind man could know when Kisame Hoshigaki is in love with them. Itachi is not yet blind. He stays impassive as he tends his hand for Kisame to give him a dango.
The taller man has always been a gentleman, a tranquil force of nature in the chaos and bloodshed that is the Akatsuki, not that Kisame didn’t have his bloodthirsty moment, but laid back between missions, he was level-headed and you could approach him. He had this openness the other members didn’t. He was interested to meet him, not just interested in his genetics or his power like Orochimaru was, no he genuinely wanted to know his partner and be on good terms with him.
Uchiha had opened up slowly to his comrade. In the beginning, he acted almost as mute with the mist nin, but he quickly realized Kisame was the least insane of the group and accepted to chat for the sake of his sanity. Which unfortunately brought… unwanted feelings in the middle of his loneliness.
Itachi had noticed the respect and the friendliness the other fallen nin had with him slowly but surely morph into something… warmer. The way his voice slowly rumbled to say his name like a wave crashing on the beach, the way he smiled softly each time Itachi spoke to him whatever the subject, the way he stole glances and touches.
Itachi says nothing when his fingers brush Kisame’s as he takes the bamboo stick, there are two other way to give the stick, but Kisame chose this one. He takes a bite in contemplation. They are in a small village, just coming back from a bounty.
‘’Itachi-san, we should get an inn instead of camping. I have yet to feel a ninja here.’’ Comments Hoshigaki.
Itachi nods. Sleeping in a real bed for once will be a blessing. There is only one inn in the village and it comes with a hot spring. A luxury.
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Itachi lets a loud exhale once he dips in the warm water. His skin prickles from contentment. He sinks until his shoulders are in, letting the vapor soothe his face. He opens his eyes when he hears Kisame get in the water as well. He watches him massaging the muscles of his shoulders. He looks down at the water when Kisame’s gaze meets his. In their silence, he contemplates the idea of reciprocating Kisame’s affection once again… Each time his reasoning is the same: He has a mission, he has his way of dying and he cannot stray from this path for his brother and Konoha. His abnegation means he will break Kisame’s heart.
The leaf nin could go say to his partner to drop it and lie he doesn’t like men, but he can’t bring himself to do it, like a coward, or perhaps clinging to a futile hope.
Itachi feels his partner watching him. He opens his eyes and makes a soft smile in response.
‘’You’re quite in deep thoughts, what troubles you?’’ Asks Hoshigaki.
‘’Nothing you could help, unfortunately. Has leader contacted you?’’ Asks Itachi.
‘’Not yet.’’
Uchiha dips the back of his head in the water to wet his hair and scalp. ‘’I’ve bought matcha tea. You mentioned it’s been a long time since you had some.’’
‘’Ah, you remembered that. Thank you.’’
Itachi gets out of the water. He can practically feel Kisame eating him with his eyes as he wraps a towel around him. He enters the bedroom without noise and inspects every corner for any traps or ninjas hiding, but it’s safe. He lies down in his futon and the tiredness creeps on his mind. He barely hears Kisame coming back before falling asleep.
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Uchiha startles awake, hand on a kunai, chakra flaring, sharingans activated and ready to attack. He heard Kisame make a loud noise. He does not know what exactly yet, but it was too loud and too peculiar to ignore. He walks silently toward the bathroom of their bedroom. He frowns in concentration; he cannot discern any other chakra signature other than Kisame’s. The mist nin opens the door covered in sweat, his eyes darting everywhere.
‘’Sorry… I woke you up.’’ Says Kisame, voice hoarse.
Itachi lowers his kunai perplexed.
‘’I… I’m sick. I’ll go see a medic tomorrow. You can go ahead if you want.’’ Continues Kisame, swiping his mouth.
‘’It’s that bad?’’ Whispers Itachi.
‘’Yeah… It’s unusual, let’s say.’’
‘’I’ll wait for you.’’
Uchiha lets it go. Kisame seems defensive about the subject. He gets back in his futon and tries to ignore Kisame coughing and throat scraping, a ball of stress in his stomach.
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Uchiha waits for the mist ninja outside the clinic. He went to get some supplies for the road. The shark man gets out of the building and makes a loud sigh, looking at him with melancholy.
‘’It’s not grave, but it’ll be chronic.’’ States Kisame coughing slightly.
Itachi frowns, perplexed. ‘’Does it hinder you? Is there medications?’’
‘’It’s uncomfortable, but I’ll manage.’’
Itachi is slightly relieved to hear. He would not be thrilled to be paired with any other Akatsuki members.
Pain gives them more missions to accomplish between eliminating targets and collecting information. As the weeks go by, Itachi notices Kisame is out of breath quicker and struggles to perform some of his ninjutsu.
After a mission that almost went to catastrophe, they unwind near a fire. Itachi looks at a weakened Hoshigaki with his arm in a makeshift cast.
‘’Thank you for saving me, Itachi. I… ‘’ Begins Kisame softly.
‘’Rest, Kisame.’’
‘’I’m feeling like a boulder.’’ Chuckles the mist nin. ‘’I might need to use Samehada more often if I want to keep up with you.’’
‘’Is there really no medication for your condition?’’
‘’No… Not really. I should not… I cannot have you working two times harder because of my state. I’ll ask the leader to…’’
Kisame coughs loudly and sits up to cough harder. Blood splatters on the ground along the petals. One more cough and a red carnation stick on Hoshigaki’s bottom lip. The flower falls on the ground and the silence following is deafening.
Itachi can feel blood draining from his face. Hanahaki. Kisame is dying from being in love with him. He stares at the mist nin and Kisame looks mortified.
‘’I-I… Well, I can’t hide it anymore, can I? I’m dying.’’ Says Kisame in a low voice.
‘’K-Kisame… What about the operation?’’ Asks Uchiha.
Itachi knows it is a cruel thing to ask, but he feels like the rug was pulled under his feet. His stomach is twisting from conflict. Kisame has been coughing for weeks. Kisame has been with him the entire time and being near the person the affected love only worsens the growth of the flower.
‘’No… I can’t bring myself to do it.’’ Answers Kisame, grimacing.
Panic. It’s something Itachi hadn’t felt since Danzo gave him the faithful choice. He has to make a decision now, and it’s crushing him. Does he let his partner die or does he take a leap of faith? Just the thought makes his head spin and he stares at Hoshigaki, opening his mouth to say something, and then closing it.
‘’Itachi-san. Let’s sleep. We have a lot of road to walk tomorrow.’’ Says Kisame, rolling on his side.
Uchiha lies in his futon and stares at the sky. He tries to chase off the panic from his mind, to evaluate his choices again. Stress is painfully twisting his guts.
The last embers of their fire extinguish and the sky is getting deep purple and blue from the beginning of the sunrise. Itachi is still staring at the sky. He wonders if he will ever be able to sleep in the future.
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Kisame doesn’t bother hiding the carnations anymore when they walk to their destination. Itachi can’t prevent the pang of guilt in his stomach each time he sees them. No amount of training to stave off his emotions is enough to stop it.
Each time they cross eyes, Hoshigaki opens his mouth to say something but closes it looking down. Uchiha is waging a war inside him, his internal debate going in circles without any answer. It should be easy to let go, it really should. He thinks briefly about killing Kisame, killing his partner no less painful than his parents, and waits until Sasuke kills him for peace, but Kisame deserves an honorable death.
The leaf nin quickly grabs Kisame before the man falls on his knees. There’s blood on the shark man’s lips and the colors have drained from his face. They’re in a busy city, supposed to meet one of Kakuzu’s men. They really can’t stand around.
‘’I-Itachi I need to lie down. I’m sorry.’’ States Kisame with what seems to be the last of his strength.
Uchiha can hear Samehada make a concerned noise under its bandages. He lifts his partner and drags him to the closest motel.
Once Kisame is in bed, he brings a bucket and looks at the carnations accumulating at the bottom.
He stares at Hoshigaki’s lips stained with blood and petals sticking to them, mind blank.
‘’Oh… This one is rough.’’ Begins Hoshigaki, coughing again.
Itachi can hear the foreign object stuck in his partner’s trachea when he coughs. He holds the glass of water ready for Kisame to take it and dilute the vegetal aftertaste. The mist nin coughs three whole blooms and swallows the water.
Itachi goes rigid when his partner’s puts a hand on his shoulder and looks at him with a feverish gaze.
‘’… Itachi-san.’’ Whispers Kisame. ‘’I’ve got nothing more to lose at this point.’’
The leaf nin knows he should move his head or push back, but he can’t. He makes a shaky exhale when Kisame presses his lips against his. He wills himself to not deepen the kiss, to endure it and not enjoy it. But it feels so right.
The mist nin breaks the kiss, panting like someone stabbed his lungs. Uchiha catches his back by reflex and watches with fascination a bouquet of carnations falling on his partner’s lap, stems, leaves and roots included.
However, panic rises when he sees Kisame’s eyes widening at the revelation. Even with his fantastic reflex, the leaf nin can’t dodge Hoshigaki grabbing his shoulders and pinning him on the bed, his body covering him.
Itachi groans in the almost violent kiss. He tries to push his partner away. Kisame breaks the kiss again and looks at him with his bloodthirsty gaze.
‘’You’re mine.’’ States Kisame in a low grumble.
For an instant, Itachi anticipates Kisame will literally eat him, but his lips crash against him again, utterly possessive. He scrambles to get a kunai. He can’t. He can’t. He’s overjoyed Kisame is cured, but he can’t break Kisame’s heart when he’ll inevitably die.
Kisame stops kissing, very softly, and stands back on his knees, staring at his partner with a somber expression.
‘’You and your secrets… You preferred to watch me die than admit you loved me back.’’ Spits Kisame.
Itachi’s heart is in his throat. He takes a breath, trying to compose himself among his conflicted feelings, then another one. ‘’You can’t understand.’’
‘’You don’t know that.’’ Responds Kisame with barely contained anger.
The mist nin takes his coat and slams the door while getting out of the bedroom. The whole bedroom shakes from the force. Uchiha lets a ragged exhale out. He hadn’t felt tears at the corner of his eyes for a very long time.
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They don’t utter a word at each other the first week. Kisame is ignoring Itachi completely. The leaf nin has accepted his fate of having another Akatsuki member with him. He mules over and over apologies in his head, but he knows he must let Hoshigaki approach him first.
In the second week, Kisame speaks with him civilly. The shark man still seems on the defensive, but he is cordial with his partner, and Itachi answers accordingly. There is palpable awkwardness when they lay down at camp or in the bedroom of their dubious inn.
The day had been long and strenuous. Itachi is watching the fire at their camp, hugging his knees on his chest, trying to empty his head. He can practically feel the tension coming off Kisame tonight. He unglues his eyes from the fire to look at his partner and Kisame is staring at him. He holds the gaze.
‘’Why?’’ Simply asks Kisame after a long silence.
Itachi shifts, uncomfortable. He looks back at the fire. ‘’I will die, soon.’’
The mist nin’s squints his eyes. ‘’How soon?’’
‘’Two years. Maybe three.’’
‘’How?’’
‘’There is nothing you can do and I won’t let you.’’
Itachi stares back at Kisame’s silver eyes, holding his gaze with resolve. His partner makes a loud sigh, understanding nothing he says now will change the Uchiha.
‘’Three years, it’s a promise?’’ Asks Hoshigaki.
‘’I can’t promise.’’ Answers Itachi, apprehension tightening his guts.
‘’I want it. I want those three years.’’
Itachi’s heart skips a beat. He can’t bring himself to look at Kisame. ‘’It’s going to make everything complicated…’’
Uchiha fears it will make him hesitate when the time will come to meet his end.
‘’Maybe, but I think it’ll be worth it. You have let your regrets and self-flagellation dictate your path far enough. The three years you have, I want you to live Itachi. I want to help you do it.’’ States Kisame.
The mist nin had always been perceptive, but this made Itachi’s breath stop. He lifts his hand, holding it toward the shark man. Kisame gets up and takes his hand, pulling him to stand up.
Uchiha is leaning against his partner, neck craned to look at Kisame’s, staring at him with unbridled intensity. He closes his eyes and lets out a shaky exhale when he feels lips against his.
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Itachi sits on the soft bed with a sigh. It had been a hectic two weeks. Leader had sent them on the trace of a rogue ninja to collect information. The cat and mouse chase had drained the duo. But now, they had a short respite. They both had splurged on an upscale inn and they are not regretting it. They had a private little house with access to the river with all the amenities.
Kisame went to get some food at the village and Itachi took a moment… to unwind, watching the sunset by the window. He rarely allows himself to do so, but Kisame insisted he had to take care of himself or he’ll force him to do so. He smiles when he hears the heavy steps of his partner.
Itachi looks at Kisame coming back to their room with a box of dango… and a bouquet of carnations.
‘’I didn’t peg you for the romantic type.’’ Says Uchiha with a hint of amusement.
‘’I have my moments. ‘’ Responds Kisame with a grin.
The leaf nin takes the bouquet and watches Kisame kicking his shoes and removing his vest. He watches his partner’s blurry face, trying to formulate his want in his head. The only thing that happened was the soft kisses exchanged on the night of their heart-to-heart. He puts the flowers on his Akatsuki’s coat.
‘’What is it, Itachi-san?’’ Asks Kisame with a purr.
Oh, he knows what he wants. ‘’Can we kiss again?’’ Asks Itachi in a low voice, almost embarrassed of his desire.
Kisame is on him in a flash. Uchiha grabs the side of the mist nin’s jaw and hesitates briefly before kissing his partner and Kisame kisses back enthusiastically. The taller grabs him in a hug and deepens the kiss. Itachi groans at the tongue in his mouth. He’s utterly inexperienced and he flushes in embarrassment when Kisame chuckle at his clumsy attempt to use his tongue.
‘’Just follow my tongue. There is no rush.’’ Comments Kisame with a soft smile.
Itachi nods and when the mist nin kisses back, he relaxes and follows his partner’s movement. He lets Kisame dip him on the bed. He grabs his partner’s shoulders, feeling the firm muscles.
‘’Itachi… You’re gorgeous.’’
‘’You’re…not living up to the reputation of the Mist village.’’ Admits Uchiha.
‘’I know. People usually assume I will eat them. I can, but I prefer to take my time.’’
Itachi uses his strength to change positions with his lover. Hoshigaki is lying on the bed, his hands quickly grabbing the leaf nin’s hips and straddling him. Uchiha slides his hand under the shark man’s shirt, his fingers brushing his abdomen, lifting the tissue above his pecs.
Kisame shivers and Itachi zeroes on him. He brushes his fingers against his pecs again, relishing in the way his partner makes husky grunts. He slides both hands on the shark man’s sides, goosebumps following. He helps Kisame to remove the shirt completely and gets his hands back on him, to grope, caress, and rake his fingernails. He can barely discern Kisame’s face with his fading eyesight, he needs vocal cue.
‘’Kisame. Don’t be so silent.’’ Asks Uchiha, his nails raking on his partner’s nipple.
‘’I-I fear I might sound a little too desperate.’’
Itachi hums. Could his partner be touch starved? The entire Akatsuki are hardened criminal with barely anything remotely romantic going on. The only exception is their leader with his faithful Konan, but even their relationship is shrouded in mystery.
Uchiha bends down lick a stripe of skin and is met with a soft exhale. He nibbles the skin and is rewarded by a desperate grunt.
Kisame is docile and lets himself caressed, bitten, and groped to Itachi’s heart's content with the patience of a saint.
Itachi lifts up, lips swollen, and looks down at his flushed partner. He finally opens his trousers, letting out his rock-hard erection, and unbuttons Kisame’s pants. He uses the sharingan to make sure it’s not an error when he feels two erections in his hand. His hands fly against Kisame’s arms in defense, reflexes from ninja training even with a person of trust, when his partner suddenly flips them over.
‘’Let me take care of you now.’’ States Hoshigaki.
Itachi relaxes and nods. The mist nin leaves butterfly kisses on his chest and belly. He shivers when he feels a hint of teeth against the skin of his hips.
Itachi moans lowly when Kisame wraps his calloused hand around his erection and pumps it slowly. He closes his eyes, arm above his eyes when he feels tongue swiping from bottom to top. The sensation gives a jolt of electricity from his cock to his lower back. He’s going to come embarrassingly fast.
Itachi takes a sharp breath when Kisame nibbles on the side of his thigh and lifts his hips near his face. The taller man grabs his erection with his free hand, the other supporting his hips. He is very exposed to the shark man.
Itachi cries out when Kisame puts his tongue on his entrance, then plunges it inside. He groans while clutching the sheet, then the sensation goes straight to his cock. He clenches around his partner’s tongue fucking him, his erection throbs. Kisame twists his hand while stoking him and he comes. He groans loudly, shaking in his partner’s grasp.
Uchiha sighs when the mist nin puts him down on the sheet. He sits up and slides his hands on the taller man’s chest. He’ll cool down when his partner will be satisfied. He grabs the twin erections and kisses his lover. Kisame groans and bucks his hips to his touch.
Itachi begins to stroke, twisting and pressing his thumbs on the underside.
‘’Itachi…!’’ Warns Kisame. The Uchiha can barely discern his face, but his trait seems to be crunched in pleasure.
The leaf nin bends down quickly, swallowing one of the erections in his mouth the farthest he can while stroking the other rapidly. Kisame gurgles a moan while coming. Itachi is not able to swallow all and chokes. Some dribbles from his mouth down his partner’s length while the rest of the cum from the erection in his hand lands on the bed and his shoulder.
They both fall on their side to catch their breath looking at each other. The mist nin chuckles and gets up to get some water and a rag to clean them both before sliding under the sheets and pressing Itachi against him.
‘’Well, that was nice. Mind I wake you up earlier tomorrow for another round?’’ Asks Kisame.
‘’It wouldn’t be wise, but… I won’t stop you.’’ Answers Uchiha.