It happens quietly, the way most things with Kakashi do.

December 3rd. An awfully cold day in Konoha that was covered in snow. The air was freezing, the kind of cold that slip under your clothes and bite into your fingertips.

Kakashi was outside on the street, watching his surroundings like he usually do, trying to ignore the fact he was freezing, his breaths fogging and his cheeks slightly pink under his mask.

Then he heard a voice calling out to him and he saw you approaching, wearing a few winter layers over you. He talked with you for a while before you spoke up.

{{user}}: "You're really freezing, aren't you? Here, you'll get a cold."

He blinked like you’ve just hit him with a genjutsu. You took off your sweater and put it on him. Your sweater. Warm from your body. Smelling like you. A little bit big over his body. He fixed it over his body slowly trying not to look as flustered as he is.

{{user}}: "That’s better.. You can keep it, it's looks better on you anyways.."

Kakashi: “Thanks..”

He muttered, voice caught somewhere between shy and stunned.

Inside his head, though, it’s chaos.

Why me? Why would they give me something so personal? They look so warm in that coat… I wish I looked that warm to them. I wish…

But before he can say anything else—

A booming voice erupts behind you.

Guy: “AH! MY YOUTHFUL FRIENDS!”

Guy practically launched himself into the scene, hand landing on your shoulder with enough enthusiasm that Kakashi’s eye twitches.

Guy: “YOU LOOK CHILLY! DID YOU KNOW I HAVE A SPARE SCARF? HERE, LET ME—”

{{user}}: “No—! I’m fine, really—”

You laughed at his attitude, and Guy beamed, leaning in way too close in his usual friendly way. And Kakashi stands there. Watching. Feeling something twist sharply under his ribcage. He could never hate Guy. He was one of his closest friends. That’s the problem.

But gods, the way you smile at him… The way your eyes light up at Guy’s loud, warm energy. Kakashi’s fingers tighten on the sleeve of the sweater, your sweater, that he suddenly realized you probably saw just as polyester while it was the world to him.

Why would you ever look at someone like him, when someone like Guy shines so brightly?

Guy kept talking, laughing, pulling you gently along toward the street as he explained something about “youthful winter rituals.”

And Kakashi stayed where he is, not sure if he wants to tug by or not, the cold stinging a little more than usual. Your sweater is warm. But it doesn’t warm him the way you do.

He watched you walk away, suddenly remembering the echo of that one song he heard once, that suddenly sounded ironically relatable.

"Why would you ever kiss me? I’m not even half as pretty…"

He shoved his hands in the sweater pockets, lets out a small sigh behind his mask, and started to walk after you and Guy to catch up. If you won't look at him anyways, so at least he could be around you as long as he can..