Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

Pairings: Neji/Gaara; implied Sasuke/Naruto

Warning: AU; Yaoi/Slash/etc.

Rating: M (As in, 'mmm, that was friggin hot')

Twitterpated

Walk away

I could never walk away from you

X

"What the hell is your problem?" Gaara opened the bedroom door that had just been slammed in his face, walking into the room that he shared with his boyfriend. "Am I really that vile to you, Naruto?"

The blonde in question laid back on the bed, his eyes closing as he sighed. "Please, Gaara... I'm just exhausted from work, and-"

"Uh-huh. As if I don't have a life, despite the fact that I actually go to college. I think I'm a little more stressed than you are, especially with midterms coming up." Naruto gripped the sheets, and Gaara visibly winced. Why did I have to say that?

"Naruto-"

"No, I'm sorry for being such a dumbass, Gaara. God forbid my lack of intelligence might start influencing you one of these days."

"Naruto, you know that I didn't mean it that way.." Gaara chewed on his lower lip, trying to think of the right things to say. Why did Naruto always have to make things so difficult?

"Bullshit. You meant every word and you know it." Naruto opened his eyes to glare at his lover, whose face remained as expressionless as ever.

"Stop overreacting. I was just upset, and I wasn't even thinking about what I was saying," He said calmly. "I didn't mean to hurt you." He half expected Naruto to get up, continue swearing, and even throw a few punches around like he normally did. Instead, he regarded the redhead with a look of exasperation.

"Just.. get out. I don't want to argue right now."

Gaara opened his mouth to object, but decided against it. Maybe Naruto would cool down if he gave him some space for a while. Shutting the door and retreating into the kitchen, the redhead inwardly frowned as he sat down at the table. Naruto was acting rather distant lately, and to put it simply, Gaara was worried. There had never been anything that they couldn't talk about before..

"Maybe it's really just stress from work," He mused aloud. The tinge of hope in his voice went unnoticed.

XXX

The next morning, Gaara awoke to the smell of pancakes. Burning. He scrunched his nose ever so slightly at the familiar stench, sitting up and cracking his back painfully. Gaara made a mental note to try and avoid any future nights on the couch at all costs.

Standing, the 19-year-old shuffled into the kitchen and wrapped warm arms around his beloved, burying his nose into the blonde locks.

"Morning," Came his muffled greeting. Pulling back as Naruto turned around, Gaara quirked a brow and sighed when he didn't receive a reply. "Are you still mad at me?"

"No." Naruto's expression changed completely, his usual happy demeanor clicking back into place. "I'm sorry about last night.. I just had a really bad day. It started raining on my way to work, and I forgot my umbrella.." He trailed off and handed Gaara a plate, picking up another. "You know, the usual."

Gaara placed a gentle kiss on his boyfriend's cheek before walking towards the table, picking up the silverware and syrup on his way. "Don't worry about it. I shouldn't have been patronizing you like that. I'm sorry," He added, looking up to meet Naruto's gaze as the blonde sat across from him.

"It's fine," He chirped, nearly drowning his pancakes in syrup as Gaara looked on with amusement. After drizzling some of the sticky substance on his own plate, he dug in. It was rather odd to have crunchy pancakes, but believe it or not, Gaara was a big softie. He would gladly eat a plate of dirt if Naruto served it to him.

Once breakfast was over, Gaara set about to washing the dishes. They had a routine: Gaara washed, dried, and returned all the dishes to their respective places, while Naruto simply watched (all of this to ensure the safety of the dishes, of course).

However, sometimes Naruto didn't particularly feel like 'watching,' and such a time happened to occur that very day. Naruto walked up and allowed his arms to encircle the taller boy's waist, much like had been done to him not too long ago. "Gaara," He breathed, causing the redhead's skin to tingle. Naruto slid his hands beneath his lover's shirt, letting his hands ghost over the taut stomach.

Gaara suppressed a shiver, nearly dropping a glass in shock when Naruto began kissing his neck. Not just any part of his neck, either. The extremely sensitive part of his neck, that only the blonde happened to know about. This immediately produced a moan on the elder's part, his head tilting to provide better access.

Naruto leaned forward to turn off the sink, thus proceeding to lure the pale teen to their bedroom.

Gaara never stood a chance.

XXX

Closing his eyes, a very pleased Gaara smirked a Very Satisfied Smirk. Beside him, a rather exhausted Naruto watched on with delight, for all of Gaara's smirks were incredibly sexy, and when a sexy (and naked) man is lying next to you, you have no choice but to enjoy it.

"Gaara?"

He opened his pale eyes, turning his head to give Naruto an inquiring look. "Hm?"

"What are you thinking about?" The blonde peered at him curiously, and Gaara found himself staring into the sapphire orbs before him. Only minutes ago those eyes were intense and swirling with emotion; passion. Only minutes ago Naruto had been slick with sweat and thrashing beneath him, his name imprinted on the other boy's full lips..

Blinking, Gaara turned his gaze away as a distinct blush settled on his cheeks. "Nothing."

Naruto's typical cocky grin slid into place, and he leaned over to place a chaste kiss on Gaara's swollen lips before standing. "I'm going to take a shower before work," He informed him, knowing that the other boy didn't have a class until three. When Gaara nodded and closed his eyes, Naruto scurried into the adjoined bathroom and shut the door. He could have at least offered to join me… No, Naruto! Bad thoughts! Scowling at his reflection in the mirror, the blonde felt something familiarly unpleasant churning in his stomach. Guilt. He traced his fingers over the marks left behind from their lovemaking, absently wondering what Sasuke would say.

"Why haven't you left him? Don't you love me, Naruto?"

"You know I do, Sasuke! I just.. I can't bear to do it. It'll break him, Sasuke, it really will.."

"Damnit," Naruto hissed, reaching over and turning the shower on to the coldest temperature it would go. The freezing water felt oddly hot against his skin. Tears burned down his cheeks, falling as he hung his head in shame. "Damnit," He repeated. "Why do I keep doing this to him?"

XXX

Naruto wandered into the kitchen after dressing into his work clothes, finding Gaara doing homework at the table. "Do you think you can put that away for a bit?"

Gaara glanced up as Naruto sat down across from him, frowning. "Why, what's up?"

"We need to talk.." The blonde leaned forward in his chair awkwardly, taking a deep breath. "I've been putting this off for too long.. I don't think there is a right time for something like this."

Gaara slowly closed his book, setting his pen aside. "Naruto.. What are you talking about?"

"I.." He buried his face in his hands, shutting his eyes. "I don't know how to say this." Lowering his hands, Naruto kept a firm gaze on the table. "Gaara.. I'm in love with someone else."

"...What?" Naruto finally raised his eyes, biting his lip at Gaara's scathing expression.

"I'm in love with some-"

"Who?" Gaara stood now, his fist slamming against the wooden table. "Who is it?"

Naruto lowered his gaze again, his knuckles white from gripping his pants. "Sasuke."

Gaara stilled, seeming at a loss for words. When he spoke again, his voice was quiet. "Did you sleep with him?"

"Gaara…"

"Did you?"

"..Yes." Gaara felt his temper rising, sanity going AWOL.

"When?"

"Please, Gaara, don't-"

"When, Naruto?" The blonde heaved a sigh, already preparing for the worst.

"Last year's New Year's party."

"Last years?"

When Naruto said nothing, Gaara ran his fingers through his hair in an attempt to calm down. "That's almost two fucking years ago!"

"I'm sorry.. I didn't want to hurt you, Gaara.."

"Right, so you just have sex with me, then tell me that you're in love with that fucking Uchiha bastard? What, you just wanted one last fuck, huh?"

"No! Gaara, that's not-"

"Shut up.."

Gaara dropped back into his chair, fingers lost in his hair. "What did I do..? Did I hurt you, Naruto?" The blonde stood now, kneeling next to Gaara's chair and taking the redhead's hand.

"It isn't your fault, Gaara."

"Naruto.." He pulled the blonde close against him, pressing his face into the crook of that ever-so-lovely neck. "Please, don't leave me.."

"Gaara.."

"Please, Naruto!" He pulled back enough so that they were facing each other, eyes wide and pleading. "You're all I have.. I'll forget everything you've said; can't we just be together?"

Naruto shifted away, getting back onto his feet. His eyes were threatening to spill tears, yet his fists shook with anger. "Why can't you just hate me? You deserve someone better than me, Gaara."

"But you're the only one I want!" Gaara stood as well, taking both of Naruto's hands into his own. "I'll never love anyone but you.. Don't go!"

Naruto yanked his hands free without saying a word, turning away before he could see Gaara's pitiful expression. He grabbed his jacket from the hook by the door, already wearing his shoes. "I'll move out by the end of the week."

With those few words, the only person that Gaara had ever loved-

..disappeared from his life.

Gaara tapped his fingers against the steering wheel, absently wondering why it was already so dark when it was only six o'clock. His headlights were off, the radio was silent, and he was driving on the wrong side of the road.

Suicidal, much?

The redhead looked up with mild interest when he saw lights approaching, not at all intimidated by the eighteen wheeler racing down the hill towards him. That is, until the driver honked the horn wildly; until his vision became obscured by white light and he jerked the wheel. The honking dissipated as the tractor-trailer proceeded down the road, but it echoed continually in the Sabaku's ears.

Gaara stared at his hands blankly; they felt as though they were glued to the wheel. When he finally pried them free, they shook uncontrollably, not unlike the way his shoulders were violently quivering. "Jesus Christ.." He muttered, pressing his forehead against the wheel.

"What the hell was I thinking?"

XXX

Neji wrinkled his nose as he entered the on-campus bar, used to the stench of smoke but despising it nonetheless. If you didn't know him well, you would think that Neji was the type of guy who would never be caught dead in such a place. However, it was quite the contrary. Neji enjoyed the horribly loud music, the ridiculously drunk crowd, and the absolutely disgusting food. Who didn't?

He started for the make-shift stage where the next band was already setting up, pausing when a familiar voice reached his ears through the loud chatter and clinking of glasses.

"Come on, I really think you've had enough."

"If you don't give me another drinking.. fucking drink.., I'm going to bash your fucking ground into the.. the.. euurgh.."

Stifling a laugh, Neji slowly turned and made his way to the bar. There, sitting slumped in a chair, was him. Him, the boy from his psych class; the boy who stood out in every way imaginable. The boy who.. just vomited on the bartender.

"Jesus! Now look what you've done, you little shit!"

"Calm down, Jack. Mind if I take this guy home?"

"Is he a friend of yours, Neji? Tell him not to come back until he learns to hold his liquor."

"Sure thing.. Just put all of that on my tab." Neji guided Gaara's arm over his shoulders, heaving the smaller teen out of the seat. "Saa, let's get you home now, Gaara.."

XXX

Gaara awoke with a pounding headache. His vision took a while to adjust, and the bright light made his head hurt even more. Nausea swam around in his stomach, while his throat burned and his tongue felt like a fat wad of sandpaper. "Nng.."

"Ah, are you awake? Sorry about the light." Click. Ahh, sweet relief.

Gaara sat up, banging his head into the bottom of the bed above his. "Shit!" He ducked his head, wincing. What moron had a bunk bed, anyway?

"Are you okay?" The redhead looked up, scowling when he was faced with an obviously amused.. uh, guy.

"Who the hell are you?"

"You don't remember?"

"Well, obviously not, considering I just asked you, dumbass."

"…" Neji's smile widened before he laughed quietly, almost appearing a little evil, in Gaara's opinion. "My name is Neji. I took you back to my dorm last night after you threw up at the bar and passed out when I asked you where you lived."

"Oh." There was a short period of silence, where normally, an exchange of 'Thank you' and 'No problem' would occur, but failed to for this certain situation. After approximately two minutes, Neji retrieved a bottle of water from the fridge and handed it to the red-haired boy.

"So, what happened?"

Gaara unscrewed the cap and took several long gulps, afterwards wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "What are you talking about?"

"Well, you don't seem like the type of person who would go out and get totally drunk just for the heck of it."

"You don't seem like the type of person who would take a totally drunk person home just for the heck of it, and you don't see me criticizing you, do you?"

Neji raised a brow, sitting in a chair across from his guest. "You seriously don't know who I am?"

"Correct."

Sighing, Neji felt his heart sink a little in his chest. "I'm in your psychology class."

After a moment, realization hit as Gaara finally linked face and name together. "Ah, right! You're Neji!"

"…That's what I said."

Gaara scowled, setting the water bottle aside. "I know that.. You sit behind me, right?"

"That's right."

"Ahh, well.. Thanks for taking me here, I guess." He said, seeming to become more relaxed now that he had an idea of who this guy was. Neji smiled brightly, watching as Gaara looked around his room.

"Do you have a roommate?"

"Nope, he flunked out already. They don't allow you to move any furniture out, so I'm stuck with an extra bed and desk.. Hence the bunk beds."

"Ah.." Suddenly thinking of an idea, Gaara leaned forward excitedly, his nausea and headache long forgotten. "Hey, do you think I could move in with you?"

Move in? Neji froze as his brain began to think of numerous perverted things that included him, Gaara, and a lot of whipped cream.

"Neji?"

"Huh? Oh, er.." Clearing his throat, Neji shrugged his shoulders casually. "Sure, but what happened to where you're living now?"

"Thanks to a certain Uchiha, I no longer have a home," Gaara muttered, unaware that his expression had darkened to an almost frightening degree.

"Did you just say Uchiha? As in, Sasuke Uchiha?"

Gaara raised a nonexistent brow. "Yes.. Let me guess, you just happen to be his best friend, right?" He sighed, silently cursing his life.

"Actually.." Neji frowned, disgust lining his voice. "He happens to be more like my life-long enemy."

If Gaara were a dog, his ears would have perked at this amazingly fortunate news. Then his tail would have wagged, and he would have pounced on Neji and probably even licked his face. Fortunately (or unfortunately for Neji), Gaara was not a dog, so instead his eyes grew wide and all shiny-looking in surprise, making Neji's throat tighten uncomfortably.

"Really?" At Neji's nod, Gaara stuck his hand forward with a grin. "Well then, it's a pleasure to be rooming with you, Neji."

Dropping his gaze to the hand extended before him, Neji felt a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

"The pleasure is all mine."

A/N:

Another new story! Ahhh, kill me. I have absolutely no motivation for Ditto at the moment, so give me some good fic recommendations that will hopefully pull me out of my slump. I actually started this fic a long time ago, then I found it and just happened to finish this chapter today. Unlike my other stories (haha), I have a lot of this one planned out, so hopefully there won't be random 1-month delays in updating. Then again, there might be, considering I have another story (NaruSasu!) that I'm in the process of writing.

I feel bad for Gaara in this story.. Naruto is pretty cruel. Sorry about that. XD I didn't have any.. ahem, graphic mmsmex in this chapter since I think GaaNaru is gross. Do not bug me about it, because I will neverrrrrr write it! (evil laughter) o.o

Anyway, please review, reviews are like little mountains of incredibly hot Naruto doujinshi that completely make my day..

Or not, but you get the point.