Gaara entered his lonely apartment, the moonlight from the naked windows competed with orange streetlight. The small studio had no chance but have a faded light showing how empty it really was. Twin mattress hugged the cheap laminate floors and tall lamp beside that. Clothes, CDs and possessions from his home littered the place. Unframed pictures and warm clothes from his siblings anticipating his move sat neatly folded in the corner. They still smelled just like them.

It was just past eight, he had closed the bookstore for the night and made it back safely. The ceiling light fixtures didn't work as he flicked them on instinctively. They haven't worked since he moved in. Opening up his laptop that was tucked under the covers, since it was the only things of real value in his place it was best to hide it. He turned up some music so the loneliness didn't set in early. He carried it to the washroom where he proceeded to undress. Mumbling along with to the words he followed a new crack on the wall leading to the next apartment.

The scolding water hit his skin and he sighed finally, letting the day's anxiety fall out. It was almost two months of dating Neji, he was a much busier guy than Gaara first thought. He could go days without seeing him. Now that they were established as a couple Neji didn't come into the bookstore by his previous schedule. He said he had been missing classes and study groups to see the redhead before. That also, Neji had holiday family matters to attend to. It's been over a week now since Gaara had seen his boyfriend.

Boyfriend, a foreign word to his vocabulary. Neji wanted to bring him along to meet his family but Gaara politely declined. He was far to intimidated by his wealthy, powerful family. Besides, he wasn't even going to see his own family during the holidays.

Instead, he stayed over at Naruto and Iruka's home Christmas Eve night. They ate and stayed up all night and opened small presents in the late morning. It was comfortable, it was like a real home.

He wished Neji was there though, to share that feeling with. But he understood the pressure his family kept on him, and he knew that soon he would have to face them.

Family, such a ridiculous concept.

Gaara wrapped himself with a towel and wandered back out into the kitchenette. The cold air punished his wet chest and arms as he reached in for a drink.

The moon dimmed as the night got darker and he decided to turn his lamp on. Warmth took over as he sat on the bed with his laptop.

His phone buzzed in his coat pocket and he dug around on the floor for it.

Neji: Come meet me.

Neji: I miss you.

Gaara bit his lip, he was back already? He said he would be another few days.

Gaara: Where? I'll be right there

Neji: I'm near the University on my way back from the airport, I'll be there.

Gaara stood up quickly, finding his clothes again. He glanced at the warmer ones handed down to him, it been colder lately. No, he wouldn't let them have that.

[x]

Gaara ran up the steps to the university, he breathed heavy looking around for familiarities. He'd only been there a few times to see Naruto and meet up for coffee dates with Neji. The red head thinking he arrived first slowed down, taking out a cigarette and lit it. Strolling around the tall buildings circling the main garden, it was eerily empty for a weekday. He wondered when school started back in again.

He inhaled as he made back to where he entered, maybe they were suppose to meet in a different part of the university. He took out his phone to confirm.

Gaara: Where are you?

Neji: Behind you.

Gaara swiftly turned his head, a smile breaking through his perpetual fowl look. Running over to him he wrapped his arms apprehensively around his neck, cigarette still burning.

"What is this?" Neji questioned, taking the stick out of between his fingers.

"Ah, don't worry about that." Gaara took it back and smushed it with his left boot, "I've missed you, you were gone so long."

"When did you start smoking?" Neji pouted rightfully back, wrapping his arms around the smaller one's waist.

Gaara nuzzled his face into his collar, that safe feeling never fades there, "When I was in middle school, I usually don't. So don't worry about it."

"You really shouldn't." Neji caressed red hair, there was still so much they didn't know about each other. "Come with me, I want to show you something." He smiled soft at him, taking his bare hand into his gloved one.

They followed up the hill behind the University, the path was dirt and seemed old as bushes pushed their way in. "Where are we going?" Gaara asked, keeping close.

"Just a little bit more, patience." Neji squeezed his hand as they pushed dense tree foliage to revel an overlook of the small town lit up with Christmas lights.

The blanket of white snow glistened as it shone back on it, "What do you think?" Neji pulled Gaara close, feeling warm breath on his neck.

Gaara smiled for him. He missed his voice, his warmth. "I love it here." He pulled him down for a kiss.

"This may be silly now, but I got you a Christmas gift. I'm sorry I wasn't able to be there with you." Neji backed up a bit and took out a small wrapped box.

Gaara's face light up red matching the lights below, "Ah, you didn't have to." He took the box into his hands and untied the festive ribbon carefully.

"I did. This isn't just a Christmas gift, our two month anniversary is…" Neji checked his watch, "In three hours."

"It's a bracelet.." Gaara bit his lip, slipping it past his knuckles. The silver shined bright all around except black along the sides focused it.

"It really suits you, like I thought it would." Neji smiled softly, "You're not alone, I wanted to give you something to remind you of that."

Gaara unclipped it to inspect further, "This is really… I love it…" Was all he could make out, turning it inside out he read a small inscription.

Textbooks?

"Textbooks?" Gaara asked, trying not to laugh, "That's the first thing you said to me."

"Yes it is, I'm glad you remembered." Neji grinned, taking it and putting it back around the boy's wrist. "It was between that and something truly corny."

"Textbooks…" Gaara sang quiety, "Ah, I didn't bring anything to give you."

"That's alright, this wasn't exactly planned."

"I did get you something, for Christmas and our anniversary." Gaara nodded, "I'll bring it with me next time. It's not something I can really put in a box."

"That's intriguing. What is it?" Neji pulled him close stealing a kiss.

"I can't tell you, or it won't come true." The red head whispered against his mouth, taking it back.

Neji laughed lowly, "That's only for wishes."

"It is my wish for it to be a secret."