Listen

Because Naruto is the only person whose voice reaches Gaara. A collection of 10 cute drabbles and my fav pairing – Naruto/Gaara! Dedicated to Gaara X Itachi

Drabble 9 – "Love"

"Come on Gaara just try saying it, you might find you like it," Naruto pleaded.

"Naruto you know I can't, you know how I feel why do I have to say it?" Gaara said exasperated.

Naruto pouted. "Because I always tell you I love you and it'd be nice to hear it back for once," he said.

Gaara gathered him close. "Naruto…" he sighed. "I care about you so much, you know that, don't get upset I'm just not very good at saying it and I don't want to disappoint you by saying it wrong,"

Naruto sighed unhappily. "Yeah I know. I just…no never mind, it's okay."

But Gaara knew it wasn't okay. Wouldn't be okay until he could get a grip and tell the blonde he loved him.

Naruto let go of Gaara and stood up. He began making ramen to eat, while Gaara watched in silence.

Was he afraid of commitment? No of course not, that's ridiculous.

Was he afraid of rejection? A little bit, but that shouldn't be a problem he knew Naruto loved him.

Was he afraid of the memories those words brought? Yes but he should be over that by now.

Was he afraid of the words themselves? Now that's just stupid.

Alright then why could he say it? Does it look like I know? It's his head not mine, Gaara's just messed up.

Wait a minute….messed up…yeah that's it!

Gaara knew why he couldn't say it. He was messed up, so all he had to do was un-mess himself up.

But how?

"I'm gonna go find Sasuke, I'll be home after training okay Gaara?" from his tone, Gaara could tell Naruto was still unhappy.

"Okay. Have fun," he said swallowing a lump in his throat.

He couldn't let Naruto go out unhappy like that.

So he Naruto was walking away to the door, he swallowed and took a deep breath.

"I love you."

Naruto froze.

There was dead silence.

Gaara feared he'd said it wrong like he was afraid of doing before, but then Naruto turned, a huge grin on his face.

"You said it!" he cried.

He ran to Gaara, gripping him in a bone-crushing hug.

"Thank you thank you thank you! You have no idea how happy this makes me!" he squealed.

Yes, Naruto was the only Hokage on the planet who still squealed at the age of nineteen.

"I'm pretty sure it's a little like the feeling I got when you turned and I saw the smile of your face," Gaara said.

Naruto smiled up at him, and Gaara leaned down to kiss him.

He never had a problem with saying it after that.