A/N: I have a lot of mixed feeling about this chapter, I can't think enough to make it better (your ideas and opinions are therefore very very appreciated), but all the same I'm not sure about what I think with regard to this.
In any case, welcome to everyone who's just dropped in, especially Tabby, if you've finally decided to read this. To everyone who's been following me, and have added this to your favourites as well, thank you! I hope this chapter meets everyone's expectations, and that you will all stay with me till this fic is complete.
Disclaimer: I have no money and own nothing.
In the aftermath of the 'Incident' as Naruto had begun to refer to it in his head, he had found himself safely wrapped up in the slender arms of his not-just-friend-not-quite-lover. Gaara was more, so much more than just a friend to him, although he had never really considered him as a potential lover. Growing dizzy with all the confusion Naruto sat himself down again. He had been put out of active duty for an indeterminate period of time, to which he had agreed only grudgingly. There really wasn't much he could say when his denials of ill health had been silenced by the raise of a non-existent eyebrow and a pointed look at his arms which were slow to heal after all the damage he had done to them in his enraged state. Naruto shuddered. If anything, it was the loss of control which had convinced him. If it had been anyone but Gaara... he really didn't want to think about what could have happened.
So here he was, free to go wherever he pleased to in Suna, as long as he spent the evenings with Gaara. Gaara never said anything of course, he seldom had need to. Unlike Sasuke's constant scowl, Gaara really didn't have much of any expression on his face. In the evenings with his friend and Kazekage he often rambled on about meaningless things. It was at dusk though, with the room in shadows that he cried and let out his deepest fears and imagined failings. At times he would rage and scream, blame everyone for his sorrow and grief, blame himself for not being strong enough, trying desperately to cling to the the past which was merely half forgotten memory. Sometimes he was quiet, grieving silently. All through his tantrums and shifting moods Gaara stayed quiet. He would never say a word, never interfere, only listen. The only time he had stepped in was when he had started tearing at himself with his nails again, unconsciously as the last time. Sand had gripped his arms and held them till he stopped, held them even as he had yelled furiously at Gaara, alternating between muttered insults and loud threatening. In the aftermath though, as the sun finally set and the cold began seeping in, Gaara would hold him as he had done at Sasuke's grave, and whisper promises of companionship, tell him he wasn't alone, and never would be again. The tenderness would be his undoing, no matter how often it was repeated, and he would cry himself to sleep in his friends arms and would wake up the next day comfortable in his very soft, large bed.
Not that he didn't have anything to do mind, as he recuperated. Gaara had determined that Naruto was to accompany him on all diplomatic missions, simply because of the blond's ability to inspire and unite. To draw others to him and bring even the worst enemies together. It wasn't his fault that Konoha had chosen to ignore Naruto's talents.
Naruto thus found himself assisting the Kazekage with paperwork and reading scroll after scroll of documents related to Suna's relationship with the other villages, of Suna' own politics with the rest of the Wind country. Knowing that he would not be mocked or reviled for his ideas and opinions allowed Naruto to openly speak and expand his diplomatic skills, always flavoured with his own twists and impulsive ad-libbing of course. Gradually as another two months passed Naruto was slowly re-instated into active duty, having to start over with D-ranked missions to allow himself time to learn with Gaara and assist him before moving on to the higher levels as it became apparent that he had finally moved on to a grief that that was more healing than destructive. His knowledge of Suna's foreign policies had also grown exponentially, and there really wasn't much left to learn. Now all that was left was for him to take the jounin exams before he became a permanent attachment by Gaara's side professionally. Not that he already wasn't.
Naruto isn't stupid. He knew what Gaara felt for him, but also recognized that his friend would not ask for more than he could give. Sometimes, Naruto believed that he would willingly give Gaara anything he wanted, even if it wasn't strictly what he wanted, he isn't healed enough for that yet. A large part of him was crushed with Sasuke's death, and he only has broken pieces of himself to give in a relationship. But if Gaara asked, he wouldn't refuse. He would never refuse Gaara.
Perhaps that is why Gaara never asked.
A/N : Please let me know what you thought!
