A/N: hiya! I just started watching Naruto this year and now I'm at Shippuden, the Kazekage Rescue Arc to be precise. of course, I easily got smitten with the one and only Kakashi Hatake so here is a lil contribution from me to the fandom!
this got kinda long so the rest is under the cut
Dating Kakashi Hatake Would Include:
BEFORE DATING HIM
I think you've been friends for a loooooong, long time
so the perks are you know each other like the back of your hand!
MAJOR con is it's been REALLY hard to hide the growing crush you have on him!
there's an agonizing struggle of "will he? does he? what does THAT mean????" from your end bc you're only human and attraction to Kakashi is inevitable (lmao)
how can you not fall for him when he's accustomed to every quirk and facial expression? sometimes he can tell what you're needing before you even realize
Kakashi always has a piece of candy that you like with him; he buys something for you while he's out in the market himself because he noticed you're running low on it; he can tell when you're way in your head and if you're looking for just a listening ear or some advice
the both of you are very familiar with each other's apartments, and have gone as far as having certain snacks or drinks in case the other would crash or randomly visit
and, to be fair, in Kakashi's mind he's just behaving how he would around friends or people he trusts
until he gets annoyed when other people start hitting on you (in front of him, too!) he has to convince himself it's just him "being protective"
but then comes a time where you're actually considering going on a date with someone that asked you out (you're just trying to be open on your part, thinking it was a good way to move on anyway)
and that's the moment he realizes his feelings for you... and he'd start avoiding you
which would then confuse the HELL out of you
to be fair he's just as confused as you are, and frustrated too! Kakashi is a full grown man into his late 20s and now he's dealing with something he thought he'd never have to worry about with you
but of course it's you—the one who has listened to him talk about anything, the one with the no-fail jokes that made him laugh, his best friend, the one constant in his life for years
he'd try and push it down, try and get rid of his feelings, but there was no use denying it because he realizes he's about to lose you too
because you're taking his distance as it is, and the confusion feels too much of a betrayal
the realization is enough to send his stomach in flips—he'll lose you if he doesn't do something
so Kakashi snaps out of it and shows up to your door. and you're stunned but angry, rightfully so!
he lets himself in and you're about to bite his head off but then you notice his demeanor: a little more reserved than usual. the hands in his pockets usually make him look nonchalant, but now it makes him look a little awkward.
and then he's apologizing, and you're immediately pinned by the way he's looking at you (it's the first time in weeks since you've seen each other)
“I'm an idiot, there's no other way to go about it. but I realized...” he pauses, and you could see his adam's apple bob from under his black turtleneck. “I don't want you to be with anyone else, but me. I'm sorry it took me this long, I'm sorry I pushed you away.”
honestly, he's not expecting much after that. he just wanted to get that out of his chest, let you know.
but then your brow furrows—you're still furious at him, he could see that. he braces himself when you take a step forward, but all you do is just wrap your arms around him.
“Yeah,” you tuck your face into his neck, and his arms just wrap around your waist. you're not going anywhere. “You're an idiot.”
“Really, that's your takeaway?”
YOU'RE DATING HIM NOW
subtle, meaningful touches and gestures that aren't really PDA-level but it's SO intimate it makes your knees weak
his knee touching yours because he's facing you while you eat at the ramen shop; a hand at the small of your back or lightly squeezing your arm when he passes by you in public; knowing that while you're with him his focus and attention automatically puts you at a priority
sparring and training together. can you imagine the banter? the teasing? OOOOOOH!!
you smirking down at him when he ends up on the ground looking up at you, “Maybe if you didn't stay up late reading, you'd be faster today. Want to take a nap?”
the poof of his shadow clone makes your smug expression drop and you flinch when Kakashi pokes your side, tickling you. “Nah, I'm good. Do you?”
nursing each other's wounds!!! Kakashi would be doting on you a lot when you come back injured, you wouldn't lift a finger when he's around
and you make sure he stays put and really rests when the doctors prescribe him bed rest—he's so stubborn when he wants to be
sorry babes, but I think he's (very) emotionally constipated. that's one of the major things I think the two of you need to work through together. but!! you go about it by talking to each other and really practicing communication and cooperation—all that jazz.
he loves loves LOVES your scent btw, it helps calm him down
his dogs know you and what you smell like too (not to keep tabs on you without knowing! more like a Just In Case thing)
one of the things you'd be so surprised with is how touch-starved Kakashi actually is
in private he is very much a velcro boyfriend: spooning you in bed, his arm around your waist and his face tucked into the back of your head or your nape and falling asleep like that
sometimes you wake up in the middle of the night and find that he hasn't slept at all yet, so you play with his hair and that's how he falls asleep (“You should've told me you couldn't sleep.” “I didn't want to wake you.”)
also—him not being able to sleep when you're away on missions (it probably takes all of him not to follow you)
he's a very Acts of Service type of guy, this was already a bit evident when you were friends but it's escalated now that you're dating
he'll do the chores you hate doing
the two of you cook together but on days where you come home from a gruelling mission your favorite meal is prepared and the bed you both share has fresh sheets
I don't think he's the type to be jealous
Kakashi trusts that when someone else flirts or confesses to you that you'd handle the situation yourself
but when anyone crosses a line? gets handsy or forceful? any sign you're uncomfortable because of someone else while he's around, he's by your side before you finish blinking and the situation's already taken care of
the both of you delve into each other's hobbies and interests. you like reading? you exchange favorite books and have a growing shared shelf. is it art that you like? Kakashi takes note of the art supplies stash you need and prioritizes buying from the brands or types you like. is it music? then he's listening to your CDs, vinyls, playlists with you and LOVES the playlists you make for him.
and at home, there are days when he just doesn't wear his mask and it just takes you aback a bit
sometimes you catch him just staring at you with so much emotion in his eyes and it just pins you on the spot
“What?” you ask, smiling at him a little. “It's nothing. And everything.”
the look of confusion on your face vanishes when he pulls you in for a kiss
and one time while he's reading some Icha Icha in bed with you, you notice that he uses a picture of you as a bookmark