Chapter 6

I was still trying to figure out how the blonde persuaded me to accept his plea as we headed towards my dorm. Was I really this soft? Why did I agree? After his question a long silence followed. I think I was too stunned to react. Did I mishear what he just said? Or made it up in my head? But the look on the boy's face made me stop questioning my sanity, at least in this case – he really did say it. If I was to give him the benefit of the doubt I'd say he was just pushing his luck. Suddenly it also made sense why he wanted to stay outside all night – he really didn't have other alternatives. I suppose other departments did not have an open door policy, or perhaps he didn't know about it which was equally as likely.

Either way, considering the fact I already slept that night I was sure I would not be getting any more sleep. Of course the blonde didn't know that. For some reason though I knew that if I said 'no' this time he wouldn't insist much… And maybe that's what made me answer:

"…Okay." I didn't even attempt to hide the resignation in my voice but considering I just agreed I don't think the blonde noticed it anyway.

He let out a happy squeak of sorts, run up to me and hugged me. My body immediately stiffened but it seemed he didn't care. He let me go, but I could still somehow feel his warmth. I don't think anyone has ever hugged me properly before.

"You are a really nice person after all, Gaara!" he proclaimed happily. I snorted at the thought, he clearly forgot the last time he met me here at night.

It's peculiar how easily I changed my mind about things with the boy around. Maybe I was much more influential than I thought? We approached my dorm building. Majority of the lights were off, probably because it was Sunday. I lead the way, and I could feel him walk closely behind me.

My room was on the 4th floor at the end of the corridor. As we walked in his eyes grew wider.

"Wow…" For once he seemed speechless. I didn't do much to alter my room but apparently it was enough to surprise the blonde. Even before I came I was sure I would not be happy with the 'standard' look of the room so I sent a parcel to myself due to arrive on the same date as I did. I changed the hideous blue curtains for black velvet ones. My bed covers were also black with the exception of one red pillow. I also had a large set of speakers and a few paintings on the walls. The paintings weren't particularly disturbing, there was no blood or pieces of ripped out flesh, they were just very dark and surreal… Although one of them did depict a corpse of a woman with a skull instead of head, maybe that alone was enough to be seen as gloomy by some.

I watched the blonde as he looked around my room. Examining other people so closely wasn't something I did often. I already noticed before that he was taller than me, he also had a stronger built. Not fat or beefed just.. appetising.

…Appetising? What kind of word was this? I averted my gaze from him before any other odd adjectives came to my head.

"You can use the bathroom first." I pointed him towards the door in the corner of my room.

"Wow, seriously? You have en suite? " He looked impressed but I just rolled my eyes. By now I noticed that he was very easily impressed with just about anything.

I took a spare towel out of my wardrobe and handed it to him, together with a pair of tracksuits and a tank top. I didn't do it out of friendliness, rather I was afraid the blonde would sleep in his clothes or worse – his underwear.

He went to shower and I contemplated my strange behaviour once again. The sound of running water was suddenly interrupted by a different kind of noise. The blonde was… singing? I found myself strangely curious to listen. His voice wasn't earthshattering, but he could hold majority of the notes. He seemed to be singing some kind of pop song, including imitating the instruments.

"Man, thanks Gaara, it was so good to take a hot shower after sitting outside!" he walked out of the bathroom, towel around his neck. My clothes were of course too small for him. The pants sat low on his hips but they were still a little bit short. The tank top tightly wrapped around his wide chest, emphasizing his muscles. 'Why am I staring?!'

He looked at me.

"What, do these look odd on me?" He examined himself, as if it mattered. "They are a little bit on the small side for me, but hey, better these than no clothes!"

Yep, definitely better. I grabbed my sleeping clothes (which was just a pair of pants, really) and went to the bathroom without saying anything else. I let cold water run over me for a while, it always cleared my head. I was a bit worried about leaving the boy free to roam around my room. I didn't think he would invade my privacy in any way, but you never know. I washed myself quickly and walked out of the bathroom to find him standing by the shelf with a book in his hands. He seemed focused on reading, but as I approached closer he turned to me. His eyes grew wider. This was the second time it looked like he didn't know what to say. A silence followed.

"Are these… real?" He eventually pointed at tattoos on my hipbones. I probably should have known he would ask, I could have put a shirt on, but it was too late now. I guess ultimately it didn't mattered if he saw them or not.

"Yes." I walked past him towards the wardrobe to fold my clothes away. I knew his gaze was now on my back piece. Maybe he thought I was showing off, but I honestly didn't care, I tried to pay as little attention to him as possible.

That's probably the reason why I didn't realise that all of a sudden he was standing right behind me. His fingertips just barely brushed along my spine, and it made me shiver inside. I turned towards him with a stare.

"Did it… hurt?" for some reason he was almost whispering, and the sound of his voice gave me goosebumps. He was standing closer than necessary I was sure of it. The boy was looking at me with the same expression which made me freeze in front of the Art Department before, the kind of look I could not describe. My pulse seemed to have simultaneously risen and stopped. I stared into his blue eyes not understanding at all what was happening. Was I starting to feel dizzy? I tried pulling myself together.

"No."

I cursed myself, why was I whispering now as well? He didn't look convinced. Honestly, compared to the pain I felt before, this one was almost liberating. Seconds passed and neither of us moved. The blonde seemed to be contemplating something his eyes focused on mine, as for myself… I don't even know what I was doing. Finally I managed to snap out of it.

"It's past 2am, you should sleep." I told him and walked towards the desk where I had my textbooks. Thankfully my voiced returned to natural levels

"Wait, what about you? I'm not gonna steal your bed, I can sleep on the floor!"

"I won't sleep anyway." I told him, my voice monotone. He looked at me blankly.

"Why?"

"I don't sleep much." I told him in a voice which indicated that I really didn't feel like talking about it. I let him stay in my room, I didn't say I was going to entertain him for the whole night.

Maybe he read between the lines or was simply getting sleepy because after a yawn he decided to drop the subject.

"So is it ok if I…?" he pointed at the bed.

"Yes."

He quickly wrapped himself in the covers, lying on his side facing the desk, and yawned again.

"I can sleep through anything, don't worry about the light" he told me and closed his eyes. "Goodnight, Gaara."

There were a lot of 'firsts' this week for me. First time living on my own, first time someone asking about my name and act like he cared, first time someone hugged me… I guess this was the closest thing to 'sleepover' I would ever experience as well. Another first. I tried to rationalise it all with the whole talk about 'starting to live your life once you go to college' but… Part of me suspected college itself had little to do with it. I looked at the blonde, his barely audible snoring the only thing breaking the silence.

"…Goodnight."

Thank you for reading and following the story so far!

Nala87: Thank you for being so nice! The reasons for Naruto's Bucket List will be revealed in a couple of Chapters! :)

Rayie 159: Once again a warm thank you, your support means a lot! I'm glad you enjoy it so far :)

TBC