A/N: Welcome to the third installment of fluffy madness!

If you haven't already, read the first two: "Where I Want To Be" and "Reminiscence." Otherwise this one might not make a whole lot of sense.

"And we've got to find other ways to make it alone, but keep a straight face

And I've always lived like this, keeping a comfortable distance

And up until now I have sworn to myself that I'm content with loneliness

Because none of it was ever worth the risk

Well, you are the only exception…"

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It had been three years since the end of the Fourth Great Ninja War. Almost a year had passed since Naruto's wedding and all of the chaos that led up to it. Sunagakure was calmer than ever, now that enemies were minimal and alliances with other lands remained strong. And for the first time, Gaara was finally able to focus completely on bettering his village and not having to worry so often about threats to it.

Largely due to the alliances, as well as the Kazekage's commitment, Suna's economy had improved significantly. Buildings were renovated, new attractions were built, and Harley had made it her own personal project to work with a team of volunteers to plant trees and flowers all around the village, making it greener and much more pleasing to the eye. Naturally, as it was a desert, most of the trees were small and not all that impressive, but they still looked nice. One probably wouldn't recognize Suna now, had they been there a few years prior.

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It was getting late. Harley was practically swimming in paperwork, figuring an all-nighter was a definite possibility. She sometimes wondered how Gaara could ever do all of this alone before she became his assistant. Especially after he could sleep.

It was quiet and seemed as if everyone else had left for the night. She continued to work in silence, but was soon abruptly interrupted.

"Harley!" Kankuro shouted as he burst through the door.

"Um… yes, Kankuro?"

"What are you still doing in here? It's about to start!"

"What's about to start?"

"The meteor shower! Didn't anyone tell you? The whole village is gathered down at the park to watch it."

"Oh. Well, no, I didn't know about it."

"Probably because you've been cooped up in here. There's no time for you to get to the park, so just go up to the rooftop. Quickly!"

"I don't know, I still have a ton of work to do..."

"Come on! This is a once in a lifetime opportunity!"

She sighed in surrender. "Okay, but just for a few minutes."

He hastily took her hand and started dragging her out of the office. "I swear, you become more like my brother every day…"

They sped through the hall and up the staircase to the door leading to the rooftop balcony. Then she suddenly felt Kankuro nudge her towards the door while he stayed behind.

"What are you doing?" she asked. "Aren't you coming?"

"Don't worry, I'll be right there."

She opened the door and stepped outside, expecting the supposed meteor shower.

But instead…

There were handfuls of lit candles placed all over the balcony, as well as various assortments of flowers and scattered rose petals. And at the very end of it all, standing near the railing, was Gaara.

Taking it all in, slightly confused, she slowly moved closer to her beau, who was smiling so warmly. "The Only Exception" by Paramore was playing quietly in the background. It was their song.

"Gaara… what is all of this?"

"You look beautiful," was his only reply.

"Well, thank you, but…"

He started approaching and met her halfway, gently taking her by the hand.

"Seriously, what is all this?" she repeated.

"You once told me that you didn't want to spend your life with anyone else," he began. "It may have been a given, but I don't think I ever told you that I feel the same way. I really, truly wouldn't want to spend my life with anyone besides you."

He pulled out a small box from his crimson coat.

"I've never been much good at expressing these things," he continued, "but I just want you to know that you are, and always have been, my best friend and the dearest person in the world to me."

She brought her hands to her mouth as she quietly gasped, watching him get down on one knee.

"Gaara…" she muttered, eyes beginning to water.

"You inspire me to be a better man every day, and I cannot imagine life without you, nor do I want to. So, Harley… will you be my wife?"

"Duh! Are you kidding me? Yes!"

Gaara's eyes were almost sparkling, as he stood back up, taking her hand again and gently placing the ring on her finger. She then proceeded to kiss him while wrapping her arms around him, almost too tightly. Not that he minded.

After a few moments, Harley suddenly heard a very familiar voice, seeming to approach them.

"That's good, hold it right there. Just let me get a couple more shots in."

Turning to the source of the voice, her eyes widened in shock.

"Hayley! W-when did you-"

Loud applause began to sound from behind Hayley, as Kankuro, Temari, Shikamaru, Baki and Matsuri entered the scene. Hayley kept taking pictures of the happy couple, and within seconds Harley started crying.

"Congratulations!" they all shouted in unison.

Harley turned back to Gaara, wiping tears away. "You planned this whole thing? And you invited my sister all the way out here?"

"I asked her to assist me in finding the right ring for you. And… I thought it would make you happy to see her."

She glomped him once again, heart overwhelmed.

"You are my favorite person…"

A/N: just wanna say, all of this is happening while Temari and Shikamaru are dating but they're not married yet. So Temari still lives in Suna, but they visit each other often.

Song referenced at the beginning was obviously The Only Exception