Gai knew this was dangerous.

The Jonin stood a mere fifteen feet away from where he wanted to go, the canopy of leaves hiding him from the moonlight. His right hand gripped at the bouquet of flowers he had bought just for tonight. His jaw clenched as he thought of the possibilities resulting from his actions. He was afraid. He was nervous. Most of all, though, Gai was incredibly hopeful.

The ninja could see the person that held his affection through the window. Instead of causing his nerves to become even more chaotic, the sight brought a smile to Gai's lips, his jaw loosening slightly. He couldn't help but smile. This person had become his everything, in more ways than one. Gai had chosen today, on this very night, to approach his love and express how he honestly felt. He knew the other ninja would never reject him completely, that they would always be together.

So why was Gai nervous?

For many reasons, really. First, the man did not want to scare his love. That was the last thing the ninja wanted to do; it would ruin Gai to see the young prodigy be afraid of him. Second, if anyone else found out, things were over for Gai. He would most likely be taken off his post as teacher. He would not be trusted by people who wouldn't understand the bond he had. No one can truly understand, he mused. It was just… something that came to him. It wasn't planned or actually wanted. It just… happened. Slowly but surely, Rock Lee became the one person Gai could never get enough of.

Gai would be all right with remaining the boy's teacher if he wanted. Rock Lee was eighteen now, he could make his own choices. If the younger male rejected the Jonin, well, he knew they could easily slip back into a teacher-student relationship. Well, if Rock Lee doesn't become afraid or angry at him, that is. And if he did…

The thought of losing Lee forever came back to the man's mind. He didn't want that to happen, not ever. But the would stick together forever, right? Yes of course, Lee and Gai were inseparable. Like he had thought before, like he had thought since Rock Lee became so determined, Gai knew they would never separate completely.

Right?

Gai's body tensed again. He bit the inside of his cheek, uncharacteristic self-consciousness coming into his head. What if he was wrong…? What if Rock Lee decided to break away? What if-

The ninja's thoughts were interrupted by the surprised voice of his student. He looked up to see Lee right in front of him on a branch, his smile bringing out a smile on Gai's lips. Who could resist that smile?

"Gai-sensei, what are you doing here?" Lee asked, tilting his head at him, his big eyes glancing at the flowers in Gai's hand.

"I- well, you see-" Gai honestly couldn't form an explanation right then, his eyes darting away from Rock Lee to try to think clearly.

Rock Lee looked closely at the man he called his teacher, his inspiration. He had never seen him like this, and he had half a mind to ask a hundred questions. The only thing stopping him was his knowledge of how Gai acted when he was uncomfortable. The young man did not want to bring his teacher any more discomfort than he was already feeling, so he wouldn't ask. Not asking was a very hard thing for Lee to do, but he would. For his teacher.

The flowers, though… beautiful red roses, thorns cut away, a card- …A card with Lee's name on it. His eyes widened as he slowly looked up at the man, a bit of fear running through him.

"Lee, let me explain-"

Gai was interrupted by a kiss from his favorite student and immediately kissed back. Neither of the two knew where Lee's kiss came from, but let it be known that they were very happy it happened.

It seemed Rock Lee really was the one to stand by Gai forever.