#shipping template

I saw this wonderful ship meme template by gibb_arts on twitter and decided to do it for one of my most beloved rarepair OTPs, ItaKabu! I hope this gives you some insight into why I love this ship so much <3

More detailed headcanon descriptions below the cut!

Age/Height: Canon, actually! I think it’s really funny that they’re almost the same height but Itachi is juuuust a little bit taller.

Gender: I see both of these characters as cisgender male, but while Itachi hasn’t questioned things much, I feel like Kabuto went through an entire roller coaster about his gender identity at one point in his life. He eventually settled back where he started, but it’s now that purposeful cis perspective that only comes with intense questioning. (I’d also consider Kabuto nonbinary male, but he probably prefers to be called a man)

Sexuality: Itachi demisexual, Kabuto bisexual. Not much additional detail here!

Big/Little Spoon: I think they’re both pretty cuddly but Itachi is gentle and passive and Kabuto is happy for any kind of attention, so Itachi probably meets him halfway and they trade spoons back and forth. Kabuto’s horns might make it hard to have your face behind his head lol.

Lends Clothes/Borrows Clothes: They mostly have their own stuff but Kabuto is slightly smaller, so he fits in Itachi’s things better.

Uses Pet Names: Kabuto is incredibly respectful and feels very weird calling Itachi by anything but his actual name. Itachi doesn’t tend toward pet names but might call Kabuto “honey” just to see how red his face goes.

Introverted/Extroverted: Kabuto is generally shy but wants to have connections with people. Itachi likes having company but is low energy–I’d classify him as more of an ambivert.

Affection through Words/Actions: Kabuto does try to make deliberate gestures, but he feels like it doesn’t come across well, so he’s constantly telling Itachi how wonderful he is and making sure he understands exactly how he feels. Itachi of course reminds Kabuto that he really does love him, though a lot of his affection comes in warm gestures like bringing him tea when he’s working or covering him up with a blanket when he falls asleep.

Confesses First/Waits: Kabuto would never imagine anyone could possibly have a crush on him, so only at the very last minute would he even consider telling Itachi how he feels. Itachi is slow to get attached but once he’s in deep he realizes exactly how resistant Kabuto is to making the first move, so he does it for him.

Screams about Bugs/Squashes: Neither of them are afraid of bugs. Kabuto goes to swiftly whack it with a rolled-up newspaper, but Itachi stops him and scoops the bug up to put it outside. As long as it’s not a mosquito. No mercy for mosquitoes.

Drives the Car: If they had a car, Kabuto would do the handling and maintenance. Itachi can drive but often doesn’t because they usually travel together.

Can’t Cook/Cooks: Kabuto can functionally feed himself and it tastes alright. Itachi enjoys cooking as a hobby and is happy to make dinner basically every night.

PDA: Itachi is a bit shy but doesn’t care much if people see him being sweet with his S/O. For Kabuto, the idea of someone proudly showing their affection for him in public makes his bones turn to jelly. Itachi often humors him by taking his hand when he’s not expecting it and kissing his cheek.

Overprotective: Both previously dealt with narcissistic control complexes and are prone to trying to solve problems by themselves. They are also both aware that their boyfriend has disaster tendencies and do their best to look out for each other.

Relationship Experience: Itachi might possibly have dated someone when he was very young but he doesn’t really count that. At the very least he loves his brother and does have friends like Kisame. Kabuto has not had a single human interaction that did not devolve into terminal backstabbing disorder and/or brutal death. He is starting from entry-level and Itachi is prepared to tell him as often as he needs to hear it that he loves him and isn’t going anywhere.

Horny Level: Kabuto is way too awkward to be thirsty 95% of the time. Itachi is more relaxed and thinks it’s funny when Kabuto gets flustered, so he’d probably make the first move. That being said, as soon as Itachi made it clear what his intentions were, Kabuto’s meter would shoot through the roof.

Awkwardness Level: Itachi is a resurrected undead paper mache lantern man who feels like everything is borrowed time, so as long as people can be okay with some of his past mistakes he’s pretty chill about most stuff. Kabuto has only recently come down off his tirade of unchecked terrorism and mass murder, and is largely of the opinion that while he really really wants people to like him, he completely understands if they just want to lock him in prison forever.

Jealousy Level: Itachi is not the jealous type at all and would let Kabuto do his own thing. Kabuto also respects Itachi’s choices, though he is a bit envious of the people who seem closer to him.

— That’s it for this! Feel free to add any headcanons in the tags or let me know if you want to hear more of mine! :D