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Naruto had been travelling for about 2 and a half days.
“Today’s the day.” He exhaled deeply.
Today was the day that Naruto would complete the mission at the forefront of his mind , the goal that he had been far too apprehensive to reach, the most nerve-wracking experience he may ever go through. Asking Gaara out.
See, Gaara and Naruto were good friends - their times together were always full of smiles and laughter and overall warmth. However, lately, it had developed into something more. More abstract. More interesting. More intense.
For instance, every time the mere idea of Gaara was even mentioned, Naruto’s whole being would light up, all at once. His eyes would shine brighter, pupils more dilated, his grin grew greater, his dimples even more prominent, the corners of his eyes crinkled, his heart would jump out - it would rush away from his grasp, as if trying to reach the man who had made it sing in the first place.
Or how suddenly, Naruto would just get the urge to repeat that gorgeous name over and over to let everyone know of the stunning soul that is Sabaku no Gaara.
Or how every time Gaara was anywhere close by, his body felt a million times more bouncy, every inch of him twitched near him as if every part of him was magnetically attracted to every chunk of Gaara.
So, what had Naruto decided to do about this? Tell him, of course. He was already imagining Gaara’s reaction, it’d be the most romantic scene, Gaara would blush and Naruto would be all suave and cool and smooth, Gaara would immediately accept his confession and then they’d become the best couple ever, hehe.
Having said that, Uzumaki Naruto was many things but cowardly was not one of them; at least, that’s what he liked to think. So, when he tells Gaara his feelings, he wouldn’t just hide behind a letter. He wouldn’t write words in his messy handwriting that could easily be misunderstood, and then wait days, maybe weeks, maybe even months! Just to get a reply. Waiting weeks and weeks, not knowing if he was about to be absolutely rejected or have his feelings accepted - no way, not for him! He was going to go to Gaara and tell him - face to face! Besides, Naruto was never the best with writing down words.
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Monotonous and prolonged. Signing papers, reading official documents, making records. As grateful as Gaara was for getting this position, he could not help but feel like these tasks were somewhat tedious. Putting brush to ink, ink to paper. He wondered if Naruto would ever be able to deal with all this paperwork in the future; it was a lot.
The corners of Gaara’s mouth lifted ever so slightly. Naruto. What was he up to right now? Probably something foolish… and endearing. … Gaara blinked a couple of times, snapping out of his daze, realising that he still had his brush raised above the paper. Quickly, he moved his hand away from the filings - not wanting to create any ink blotches on the, presumably, significant papers.
Just as Gaara was collecting himself, in the distance, he heard some sort of bickering - from the council?
Suddenly, “Gaara!” The booming, blaring, boisterous boy’s voice was music to his ears - a heavenly chorus. The rays of Naruto’s presence heated up his heart.
He finally set the brush down, and glanced up at the other, “Naruto. I wasn’t expecting you; this is a surprise. A pleasant surprise, nonetheless.”
His hand instinctively went to the back of his head, “Haha, yep, I wanted to surprise you- oh, well, I guess you already said that, but yeah.”
For a moment, they just sort of stared at each other. It should be awkward but… it wasn’t?
“Well, what is the purpose of your visit, Naruto?” Naruto’s name rolled so smoothly off his tongue.
Naruto was lost for a few seconds, “Hm?” He blinked. “Oh- uh- yeah, are you free right now?”
“Naruto. I am in my office right now.”
He pursed his lips, “Yeah, so? I mean, can’t you just like— I don’t know, postpo- uh- put off your work? You’re the Kazekage! You should be able to make your own rules!”
“Hm. It doesn’t really work like that, but I think I can make some time. For you. I suppose, I can bend the rules a little.”
Naruto grinned. For him? That Gaara…
Within seconds, Gaara was already standing up, walking towards Naruto. “So, what is it you wanted to do?” He smoothed out his robes.
“Um.” Naruto did not think he would get this far. “We could… go for a walk? Or— uh- yeah.”
Gaara nodded and began to go ahead. Naruto just followed his lead.
Naruto closed his eyes and inhaled. He should say it now. When else would there be a better time? His hand went to the back of his neck. Already, his nerves were eating at him even just looking at the back of Gaara’s head.
Gaara stopped. He turned his head halfway. His eyes darted to Naruto. He could sense his anxiety and so he grabbed Naruto’s hand. “It’s okay, Naruto. You don’t have to be nervous around me.”
Woah!
Naruto was not expecting this.
Despite being from the literal desert, Gaara’s hands were a bit cold, but somehow, still warmed Naruto. Gaara’s hands were dry and feeling the firm fingers intertwined with his own was surprisingly magical. How the hell was Naruto supposed to think straight enough to coherently confess now??
They continued to tread through the coarse terrain now hand in hand. Naruto couldn’t help but look at Gaara, admire his unusual beauty.
“You’re staring. Why?”
“Huh? Oh, uh, you… just thinking.”
“About?”
You. Yeah, right! As if Naruto would let himself say that…
His eyes darted away from Gaara, “Nothing important.”
Gaara squeezed his hand. “If you’re not ready to discuss it, I understand.” His steps continued, dragging Naruto along with him.
Naruto’s eyes lowered.
“Hey, Gaara?”
“Yes?” They stopped moving again.
“I’m gonna be so honest, right now… I’ve been trying to say something super, super important for ages now, but uh every time I try, I keep messing up. And well, you know, I’m not very good with words-“
Gaara furrowed his brows at that, lips thinning, willing himself not to interrupt.
Naruto’s cheeks flushed, eyebrows furrowing, his lips pursing, feeling embarrassed. “Ugh. Okay, okay, what I’m trying to say is… will you- I mean, do you wanna go out with me?”
Gaara blinked.
“Wait…”
Naruto blinked and turned to him. Was he getting rejected?
Gaara let go of Naruto’s hand, “Wait, wait, wait… What?” His eyebrows crinkled.
“What?” Naruto’s brows also creased in response.
“You’re asking me to be your boyfriend?”
“Yes?” Naruto glanced around while dragging out the syllables.
Gaara chuckled softly, his hand raised up to his mouth.
Naruto was so confused right now, although he tried to, awkwardly, laugh with him.
“Sorry, sorry, it’s just… I assumed we were already together.”
…
“WHAT?!” Naruto’s jaw fell to the ground.
“WAIT- huh? Since- SINCE WHEN??”
Gaara’s hands fidgeted with the fabric of his clothes. “Well, I’m not sure exactly but… you’ve gotten more, I don’t know, affectionate? Or maybe, the more recent jitteriness that you have displayed around me… or the casual closeness? I just assumed you didn’t want to label it or you weren’t ready to talk about it? Realistically, I should have asked you but you already seemed so apprehensive, I didn’t want to-“
“ARE YOU SERIOUS?! All this time- I- I’ve been trying to ask you out! And- Oh my Kami…” Naruto groaned, his hands dragging down his face.
“I apologise. If I had known, I would have said something.”
“No, no, it’s not your fault, Gaara. I just feel so stupid right now!” Naruto whined.
Gaara’s eyes flickered between the surrounding sand and Naruto’s face. “Alright then, would you like to confirm our relationship status?”
Naruto sprang up. “Yes! Uh. Yeah. Sooo, we’re dating?”
“Yes.” He nodded.
“Sooo, I’m your boyfriend and you’re my boyfriend.”
“Yes. Of course.” Gaara smiled gently.
“Then-“ Naruto paused, grinning, “This is a date, right?”
“Was that not obvious?”