Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.


LOVE

"I love you," Gai says, nuzzling his nose into the hollow of Kakashi's collarbone. There's only a soft exhale of breath as a response, but Gai will take what he can get. He isn't really readyto pronounce his undying love for his (undying–youthful–spirited–lovely–gorgeous–thoughtful) rival for all to hear.

Especially Kakashi.

He knows Kakashi isn't the most sociable person. He isn't the most emotional, either, so it falls onto Gai's shoulders to be both–and he has been, for a very long time, ever since they were kids. But this? Gai isn't ready to say it to Kakashijustyet, until he knows Kakashi can deal with the consequences. Kakashi's loved before (his father–Rin–Obito–Minato), but they've all ended in tragedy.

Gai wants to give Kakashi everything,but only when he knows that Kakashi is ready.

He sighs and wraps a leg and arm around Kakashi and closes his eyes. Someday, he'll tell his rival his undying love. Someday, Kakashi will reciprocate and say "I love you, too". Someday, Gai won't have to worry about being too much or too little.

Someday, Gai will have what he's always wanted from Kakashi–love.

(He just doesn't know that Kakashi has loved Gai for a very long time, and has always thought Gai has known this, so he doesn't say it in words–he says it in his actions.)