The front door clicks shut behind Kakashi, the sound echoing softly in the quiet house. You hear the familiar shuffle of his feet as he kicks off his sandals, your ears catching the faint clinking of metal as his uniform and gear are discarded piece by piece. You’re not exactly awake, but the subtle sounds have always been a comforting lullaby, a signal that he’s home and safe.

You can almost picture the tired slump of his shoulders as he moves through the house, each step a little heavier than the last. Team 7 must have been a real handful today, you think with a sleepy smile.

Finally, there’s a slight creak as the bedroom door opens, and a featherlight warmth enters the space. You pretend to be asleep, a small, almost imperceptible tremor running through you as he moves further into the room. You can feel the weight of his gaze, even through your closed eyelids, a familiar sense of being cherished.

He stops just beside the bed, and you know he’s noticed you are curled up with a book on your lap, a classic case of falling asleep mid-chapter again.

A gentle breeze brushes past your face as he carefully lifts the book from your grasp. You can practically feel the softness of his touch as he places the bookmark and sets it on the bedside table, the movement so light it barely disturbs you. Then, his fingers ghost across your cheek, pushing a stray strand of hair from your face and tucking it behind your ear. His touch is feather-light, a silent promise of affection.

You feel the bed dip as he climbs in beside you, your awareness slowly focusing on the warmth emanating from his body. He’s over you now, but as always, he takes his time. You can sense the slow descent as he lowers himself down, his face nestling into your chest, the soft fabric of your shirt a welcome comfort. You feel a heavy sigh vibrate through him, a sound that speaks volumes of exhaustion and contentment.

He's home. And he's here with you.