Gaara returned to his office, thinking about what Lee had just explained to him. Relationships, friendships. Everything was so new to him. But he was making an effort. Whenever he spent time with Lee, he felt...well, he felt. That's what made it so confusing at all. It was as though the darkness in his heart was receding. And what would be left of him after that?
He sat at his desk pondering the meaning of relationships, and the silliness of tokens of affection. But his face softened when he thought of Lee's smile, and his constant blush. Gaara's thoughts were interrupted by the sudden weight of a kitten in his lap. It wasn't his, but he allowed it to come and go as it pleased. Although the only place it seemed to want to be, was with Gaara. The kazekage absently stroked the kittens ears as he looked out the window and noticed the sun rising.
Lee had been talking about love. Gaara was sure of it. Atleast as sure as he could be about such a foreign topic. Although the leaf ninja didn't actually say the 'L' word, it had been almost implied. As a leader of a village, Gaara wasn't stupid. It was somewhat implied you had a brain to make decisions for the families residing in your village. He needed to know what someone was talking about, he had to de-code messages, had to learn to read between the lines...and he definitely had to do that when he and Lee had talked. The ninja had been too nervous talking about this subject... The orange kitten started purring as Gaara scratched under it's chin...still deep in thought.
Gaara sighed to himself and lifted the sleeping kitten from his lap. He needed comfort. He was clueless as to what to do. He walked over to his coffeepot to make a pot of the strongest coffee in Suna. He then walked over to his desk, opening a drawer to get a plate of chocolate chip cookies he kept hidden from prying eyes. His favorite comfort food...
He sat down and sunk his teeth into a soft cookie, sighing contentedly. "Love. What is it anyway?" Gaara asked himself inquisitively. He was still thinking it over when he was suddenly struck by an idea. He set down his cookie and reached for a dictionary. " Love...1. a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person. ..."Hmmm..." Gaara said to himself, and continued reading.
. a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection, as for a parent, child, or friend. ... . sexual passion or desire. Gaara stopped reading for a brief moment... "That's love?" He asked himself incredulously, before continuing reading.
A person toward whom love is felt; beloved person; sweetheart.
Affectionate concern for the well-being of others: the love of one's neighbor.
To have a profoundly tender, passionate affection for (another person).
He put down the dictionary and pinched his nose, sighing. "Love is complicated." he stated. He reread a line..."Love...to feel affectionate concern for the well being of another..." he repeated, appearing to think it over. "Well, I do worry for Lee. The fool is reckless. Does that mean I love him?" he asked himself as his office door opened.
It was Lee with a stack of papers...he looked nervous and fidgety. Gaara smiled. 'If caring is what love is...then I guess I could say I love him. I wish I was more sure...But I do know I don't want anything to happen to my friend.' Gaara thought to himself. 'My boyfriend.' he mentally corrected himself.
Lee walked over to the Kazekage desk and dropped off the papers without meeting his eyes. "Lee..." Gaara started. The leaf jounin looked up, turning red. "Thank you." Gaara stated warmly. He was grateful to Lee for alot of things...but mostly for being his friend, and for explaining things no one else would.