It finally was the 19th of December, Gaara's birthday. And Kiba was a bit anxious.

Kiba ringed at the door, hoping someone will open quickly. It was very cold outside and he was sure he was about to become a freaking ice cube.

"Hi, you must be Kiba! We're all here already! How are you?" A pink haired woman was smiling at him. If he was right, she was Sakura, Temari's girlfriend.

"Close the door, I'm cold!" Temari yelled, sitting on the couch.

"Come on, you don't want a pregnant woman to be cranky. Well, you don't want her to be crankier." Sakura said, stepping back to let him go inside.

He laughed a little and was happy to come in. He took off his cloak and beanie. It was so good to be somewhere hot!

"Hi Kiba."

"Gaara!" Kiba hugged him tightly. "So, do you feel old already?"

"No."

"You should you're a dinosaur now! Hi Temari! It's an interesting way to sit."

"Be pregnant and you will see, it's a bitch to sit correctly."

"Language, Babe."

"Sakura, be nice and hug me, don't reprimand me!"

Seeing Sakura rolled her eyes but kissed and hugged Temari nonetheless made Kiba smiled. Someone was missing though. The someone that was not responding to his texts or calls. The door of the kitchen opened and here he was.

"Hi Kankuro."

"H-hi!'

The older man ran off and sat next to Temari. What the hell was wrong with him? A hand in his back pushed him a little and he turned his head to Gaara.

"Go sit down. Want to drink something?" Gaara asked.

"Yeah a soda will be good. I try to limit alcohol now." Kiba explained when Gaara gave him a surprised look.

"Yay, someone that is nice and will not drink with me!"

"You miss beer that much sis?" Kankuro asked and put his beer under Temari's nose to make her sniff it.

"You little..."

"Please, not yet. Wait a little." Sakura pleaded at her girlfriend.

"I told you to sit. Here, your drink." Gaara handed Kiba a glass and pushed him again in the living room.

He saw his redhead friend sit on the floor and the only seat left was... Next to Kankuro. Of course. Not a cliché situation at all.

Kankuro was still not looking at him and Kiba sighed, taking a sip of his soda.

"Fuck, I need to go to the toilet. Again. Seriously, being pregnant is a pain. I can't wait to have my baby."

"I know Babe, there are only five months left."

"May seems so far away..."

Sakura kissed her temple and Temari left them while mumbling.

"Shit, I forgot the cake!" Sakura said all of a sudden and ran to the kitchen.

They were now just the three of them. Kankuro wasn't looking at Kiba at all and the young man seemed desperate to have his attention. It was annoying. Why people couldn't just talk things out and be okay? Gaara sighed a little. It was easy to think that when he was not in the situation. If he had, he will not be living with his brother, his body craving for some shit – even though it was less and less, and he would still have Naruto by his side, smiling happily while saying to him happy birthday and giving him a gift, blushing a little. Even after two months, it still hurt like hell. It was easier to deal with it but nonetheless, he really regretted losing him for that. It wasn't worth it at all.

The thought made him smile. It was the first time he was saying something like that to himself. He didn't feel anger towards Naruto anymore, or anything bitter.

"Are you okay Gaara? You're smiling, looking at nothing." Kankuro said. Screams from the kitchen made them turn their head.

"I'm gonna help Sakura." Gaara got up and left the two men to leave them alone. They were annoying to just sit there, not talking to each other. Maybe if he wasn't around, they would talk a little. Or at least, it would make them blush like teenagers. It was so good to torture them a little. Maybe he was missing Konohamaru. It was fun to see his secretary being all impressed by him and letting some yelp out every time Gaara was staring at him for too long or throwing pencils at him when he was angry. Maybe that was just harassment. He should ask his legal department one day.

An awkward silence set between Kiba and Kankuro once they were alone in the living room. The older man could feel Kiba's gaze on him. He wasn't able to look at him without blushing and he was so embarrassed. They kissed and it was not more than that. It's not as if it had been his first kiss after all. Well, it was the first one he actually enjoyed, but not the first. It also was the first time he wanted to really kiss someone else. It hadn't been disgusting at all. He could still remember the warmth of Kiba's body against his own, how soft his lips were, how... Okay, why was the room so hot all of a sudden?

He tried to look at Kiba as discreetly as he could and he saw that the young man was looking at him with concern.

"Kankuro, is ev-"

"I'm going to see if they need help" Kankuro interrupted him and tried to get up but Kiba's hand grabbed his wrist.

"It's becoming ridiculous. We kissed. Big deal." He got upset by Kankuro's silent and he just continued speaking "What about you talk to me a little? I don't understand anything about you! It was one week ago and you didn't even respond to my texts and calls! We talked for hours every night and just for that, nothing?"

"Maybe it's nothing for you, but for me it is a big deal!"

Kiba looked surprised and he took him a few seconds before speaking. "Why?"

"Because... I don't want to talk about it."

"Well, I do! I miss you, Kankuro! Err, well, I mean... No, I mean it. I miss you. And I had a great evening and it had been the best kiss I ever shared and I want things to be okay between us."

"It's just... It was the first time I... No, don't smile like an idiot, it was not my first kiss." Kankuro added and Kiba looked a bit disappointed, "it was the first time I truly enjoyed it. It's scary."

"Kissing is not scary when you want it. It's one of the most wonderful things in the world. With sex."

"Well, kissing often involved... Sex", Kankuro closed his eyes and puked the word. "And I don't do that."

"I know. And I don't ask for it."

"You will, eventually. Everybody does." Kankuro smiled and it wasn't a happy one.

"I won't. I know you're not into it at all. I didn't kiss you because I hoped you will change your mind. I did it because I wanted to, yes, but I knew you wanted it too."

"You will want to have sex and I can't give you that."

"It will be hard, yes but I like you. I mean, not just because I find you really hot, but because I like talking to you and seeing you. You're funny and smart and you give a shit about what I say", Kiba scratched the head of his head, blushing a little. He was so confessing to a guy he saw and speak to once a week. "Anyway, I want to speak to you again. I don't care if we don't kiss. I'm even willing to be just your friend."

"Just friends, huh?"

"If that's what you want."

Kankuro couldn't respond to that. He didn't really know what he wanted from Kiba, but a part of him didn't want to just be friends. After all, the kiss had been something. And he knew he wanted it again, but it was scaring the shit out of him.

"So... Peace?" Kiba asked.

"Yeah, peace." Kankuro smiled and it grew wider when he saw the happiness lighting up Kiba's face.

"Cool! Next time, talk. You will see, things will be easier! And is it me or everybody is very long? Do you think the cake is that disastrous?"

"Maybe Temari drowned in the toilets..."

"Hey, I'm back!" Temari shouted at the exact same time.

"Is everything okay?"

"Yes of course!"

I swear to God, next time you will be the one waiting in the toilets. I have so many pins and needles in my legs!

Blame it on Gaara, it was his idea! And you're the best, babe.

Yeah, you can say that. God, why can't I have easy brothers?

Life's a bitch, you know that. We're coming now.

"Hey, in the end, the cake was great!" Sakura said, opening the door, followed by Gaara.

"Why did it take you so long?" Kankuro asked suspiciously.

"It just needed some adjustments!" She was such a good liar. At least it was what she thought.

"Okay..."

"Kankuro, can you make some room for me?" Temari asked, still standing. "Come on, move away, I need to sit!" She finally said when she saw Kankuro's hesitation to go towards Kiba. He was such a child.

He pushed himself to let her sit and he didn't think Kiba was this close and one of his hands ended up on Kiba thigh and when he realized it, Kiba was red and he didn't know where to hide but for nothing in the world he was going to move. Kankuro quickly took off his hand and sat innocently next to him.

"Why are you so red, Kankuro?" Gaara asked and tried to be as emotionless as he could.

"I think I'm just hot. It's hot in here, right?"

"No." Temari, Sakura and Gaara answered at the same time and Kankuro really wanted to be somewhere else.

"Don't listen to them, it's hot in here." Kiba said.

"Stop hitting on my brother" Gaara tried not to smile. It was so funny to see these two like this.

"I'm not! I swear I'm not Kankuro, I-Wait... Gaara, you suck! How can you have such a fucking terrible humor?"

"It runs in the family." Gaara said, pointing at Temari.

"Hey, not nice Gaara!"

"I never wanted to be nice."

"You do that to your own pregnant sister. You monster."

"Okay, you two, that's enough! We have a cake and some gifts to open!

"Why is she such a mother already?"

"Kankuro, don't start!"

They kept on bickering in a good mood. Sakura lit up the candles on the cake and suddenly, the room was loud and everybody was singing "Happy Birthday" in unison. More or less.

"Blow the candles now Gaara! I'm starving" Temari whined.

The redhead rolled his eyes, but did it. Everybody applauded him and they were all relieved when they finally could eat the cake. Temari wasn't the only one that needed to eat something.

"Gosh Babe, your cake is good!" Temari spoke with her mouth full.

Gaara could only agree and took another bite and he realized the pink haired woman made him his favorite cake. He wasn't someone that liked sweet food but he could kill for a lemon cake.

"Soooo, now the most interesting part... Tada!" Temari laughed and gave him a big package. "When we saw it, we thought about you!"

Intrigued, Gaara opened carefully the present and then, he looked at the two women, very annoyed.

"Will you stop one day?"

"Never! Don't tell me you don't like your raccoon collection! Now you have as a lamp! How cute is it? You look so much alike!"

"It's a raccoon. I'm a human being."

"So much alike" Temari whispered, truly proud of herself.

"Where are the other raccoons? I don't see any here." Kiba asked, looking around.

"I always threw them away." Gaara answered, putting the lamp on the floor carefully. He was lying, of course. He actually was found of the most of the items the two women gave him, but he was too embarrassed to accept it and show it to everybody. He kept them sheltered in his closet.

"Well, errr... I noticed you liked Kubrick's stuff, so..." Kiba said, uncertain as he handed his present to Gaara.

"Thank you. I can't wait to read it." Gaara put his hand on Kiba's shoulder and squeezed it a little before reading the resume of Kubrick's biography.

"This one is from me! I'm sure you will like it." Kankuro smiled, handing him a small present.

His eyes widened when he could see what it was. Three cacti, very different were in his hands. He always loved it and he couldn't remember why he didn't get any. He remembered when Kankuro had offered him so many cacti when he was a little child. It stopped, because of their father. He dismissed the thought. He didn't want to go all gloomy. It was a waste of time and he wanted to enjoy it as he wanted to.

"I didn't choose them randomly. This one will make red flowers, this one yellow and the last one purple. I named them Gaa, Tema and Kanku." Kankuro was very, very pleased with himself.

"Did you think about it a lot?"

"Actually, yes. It wasn't easy."

"I really love them. Thank you Kankuro." Gaara smiled at him and put them somewhere safe.

"Oh, come here you!" His older brother took him in his arms and pulled him in one of his famous monstrous hug. "You're so cute when you smile!"

"Kankuro, he can't breathe", Temari tried to push him away a little, "hey, let me suffocate him too!"

"Hey, wait for your turn!"

"I have my turn when I want!"

"You two really have a brother complex..." Sakura shook her head as she saw the siblings bickering at each other while hugging a desperate Gaara which was in the middle of it.

"Stop now. I can't breathe." The redhead finally pleaded a few seconds later.

"Shh, you don't know what you're saying."

"We have other presents here, stop it now!" Sakura commanded, and with some grumbling, Temari and Kankuro got back to their place.

Kiba couldn't help but feeling jealous. His family wasn't like this at all. They were so uptight and cold, even when they didn't know he was gay. It was much worse after that, but he didn't complain. His father had brought him a flat just to make sure he will be away from them and he paid for everything.

In exchange, he wasn't allowed to come to their home except for Christmas and some shitty diner to look happy in front of the other members of the family. With a ban on saying he was gay. It would have brought shame on them. Recently, his sister tried to get in touch with him more often, apologizing about how she had behaved but he didn't buy it. He answered some times, but he was still angry. Especially at her. She had been so quiet when their parents were yelling that he wasn't normal and that he was sick.

But now wasn't a good time to think about it. He was happy his best friend had such lovely siblings. He smiled when he saw the look on Sakura and Temari's faces as they discover how much baby clothes the two men had brought them. His heart skipped some beats when the face of Kankuro enlightened when his brother offered him the new connected watch he had hoped for and he was hugging Gaara again.

"It's not only from me. Kiba helped me too." Gaara informed him and his brother turned to the brunet who was blushing. Again.

"Thank you Kiba, I wanted it for a long time" and when Kankuro's arms closed around his body, he couldn't breathe. The scent of this man was driving him crazy and he hoped it would end soon but it seemed that Kankuro had other plans. It was a really long hug.

"Hey lovebirds, they are people in the room!" Temari brought them back in reality.

"Temari, you really say a lot of nonsense!" Kankuro said and he moved away from Kiba who felt a little disappointed.

The rest of the day went fast and Kiba was having a good time until his phone started vibrating. His sister. Again.

Are you free tonight? What about you come home? Mom and Dad aren't there.

Good, it was what he truly wanted. To be a dirty little secret.

No, I'm not.

What are you doing?

Things.

What about tomorrow?

Mom and Dad will not be there?

No, they're away for two weeks.

I will come the day you will tell them you want to see me.

After that he didn't bother to respond to her texts. But she was harassing him so much, his phone was vibrating like crazy.

"Do you have some problems?"

"Yes, it's called having a sister." Kiba said and Temari gave him a look. "She's not as nice as you. She wants me to come at my parents house because they're not there. I'm only good enough if I'm a secret."

"Go to her." Gaara said.

"No! I don't want it that way! Errr, she pissed me off so much!"

"If you never make an effort when she tries, it will never be better. Trust me."

"But..."

"No but. Go to her." Gaara's tone was implacable.

"You're not nice. You're making me grow up." Kiba pouted, crossing his arms.

"That's a good thing."

"Okay, I'll go. You will miss me though."

"No, I won't." Gaara said amused.

"Asshole!" Kiba laughed and got up.

"Have a nice time with your sister. I'm sure she will be happy to have you with her. I'm always happy when I'm with Gaara."

"What about me?" Kankuro whined.

"Someone's talking?"

"You're so mean to me..." Kankuro falsely cried.

"Be safe on the street! See you soon!" Sakura said with a smile.

"Thanks. I will text you" Kiba hugged Gaara and turned to Kankuro. "Well, hm... Have a good evening." And he was out of the apartment.

Silence fell in Gaara's flat.

"Why are you still here, Kankuro?" Temari asked.

"Well, because..."

"Oh my God, go to him and kiss him for fuck's sake!" and she threw him out.

"What the hell is wrong with them? Kiba? Kiba, wait!"

The young man was on the stairs and he stopped when he heard someone calling his name. "Kankuro? Do you need something?"

"Well, I... I wanted to say goodbye to you." Kankuro said, a little short of breath because of the running.

"Just for that?" Kiba smiled, happier than he should be.

"Yeah, just for that and... To tell you I hope we will see each other soon."

"I'm free tomorrow night."

"Okay! I didn't think it would be that quick but okay."

Kiba bit his lip. He felt happy and he wanted to kiss Kankuro again, but he didn't know if he could. Kankuro wanted them to be friends, didn't he? So he just took Kankuro's hand and squeezed it gently but he couldn't guess Kankuro will start to stroke his hand with his thumb and leaned them in a hug. Once again, the scent emanating from the older man was driving Kiba crazy, but all he did was caressing Kankuro's back gently.

They stayed like this a long time and when Kankuro's breathe in his neck became a torture, he pushed him away and Kankuro looked at him surprised.

"If we keep going I will want to kiss you and I'm not sure it will be appropriate for a friend to do that." Kiba said, a hand on his face, trying to hide his embarrassment.

He was going to move away when Kankuro blocked him.

"What if I want to?"

"Want what?" Kiba didn't seem to understand.

"Kiss you... Again."

Kiba's eyes were so wide open, he thought they were going to fall off the floor. Kankuro was a little shocked by his attitude too, but a part of him didn't want to hold what he wanted anymore and Kiba seemed to be a good listener, a very respectful person. He will never try to have anything else than what Kankuro could give him. At least, Kiba gave him this impression. An impression no one ever gave him before.

"Are you sure?"

"You don't want to anymore?"

"Kankuro... I really, really want to kiss you now..." Kiba's face were so close to Kankuro's, their breathe were merging. He licked his lips and he saw that Kankuro was hypnotized by the move and he did it again, slowly. And all of a sudden, Kankuro's lips kissed his softly. The older man had put his hands on his waists like that time at the bar. There was nothing needy in this kiss and it amazed Kiba once again. Nobody ever kissed him with such care and without sexual intention. His hands were in Kankuro's hair and neck, stroking it gently.

It was so good he could cry.

He smiled in their kiss as he felt Kankuro pushed him again the wall of the stairwell carefully and Kiba couldn't help but try to deepen the kiss, knowing he was going to be pushed away. But Kankuro's mouth opened and let him go in and he could feel a shiver running down the older man's body as their tongue met one another. He could feel that Kankuro didn't have the habit of kissing like this, but his clumsiness was so cute, Kiba melted. He was going to teach him anything he was willing to learn. As time went by, Kiba moaned and the urge of pressing his body against Kankuro's grew in him. He started to feel blood rushing in his cock.

He was starting to lose control.

"Okay, stop now." Kiba broke the kiss, panting hard.

"Something's wrong?" Kankuro asked, worried. "Did I do something wrong...?"

"No. No, no, no. It was perfect, believe me. But my hormones are crazy now and I don't want to make things weird. But let's do that a lot."

"If it's making you like this, maybe it's not a good idea."

"I don't care. I can control myself. I just did. And I'm fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. Do you want us to never do it again?"

"... No. I... I definitively want to kiss you again." Kankuro said laughing a little in embarrassment.

"Good. I want it too. We can try to do it again tomorrow. Want to do something special?"

"Well, movie night at my place? Do you like "Back to the future"? It's been a while I didn't watch them and well, it's always better when there is someone with me."

"I would love to do that with you. And I would love to stay with you too, but I really have to go, I said to my sister, I will be at home as soon as possible." Kiba lied. He just needed to go away because Kankuro was still driving him crazy at the moment.

"Okay. I will text you tonight to give you all the things you need to know."

"Yeah, don't hold back. I will answer you." Kiba smiled.

Kankuro leaned towards him and pecked him on the lips.

"See you tomorrow."

Kiba ran in the stairs looking at Kankuro multiple times, a little red.

And Kankuro just thought he was the cutest guy he ever met.

*'*

When Kankuro was back at Gaara's flat, three people were staring at him with some smile on their face.

"Why are you all smiling like that?"

"Well, it took you ten minutes to come back. We were wondering if you were going to come back or if you just flew away with Kiba." Temari laughed.

"It didn't take me... Really that long?"

"Yes, we were counting. So... Were you all kissy-kissy?" Temari asked. She loved teasing Kankuro so much.

"Shut up, Temari."

"Oh my God it's a yes!"

"Kiba just text me to say they kissed."

"Does he tell you everything?" Kankuro asked with a high voice.

"Yes. I told you. I will know everything. Even if I don't want to."

"God..."

"And I also know that you will see each other tomorrow night. You're a fast guy, Kankuro."

"Gaara, don't be like her! Stay cute!"

"Because I'm not cute?" Temari yelled.

"No and you're fat!"

"I'm pregnant!"

"STOP! Ah, thank you. Temari and I have to go home now. I start early tomorrow." Sakura said, already putting her cloak on.

"Yeah, make her go away!" Kankuro said and Temari stick out her tongue.

"See you soon guys!"

And to Gaara's happiness, his flat was silent again. Too silent. He looked at Kankuro who was touching his lips and grinning like an idiot and texting someone and Gaara was sure it was a certain brunet.

"You look stupid Kankuro."

"Hey, not nice!"

"Hurt Kiba, I will kill you."

"He really is your friend... That's so beautiful Gaara!"

"Don't hug me."

"But it's your birthday!"

"I'm tired."

The redhead went to his bathroom and took his medicine. It didn't have the impression it was making things easier. He still craved for a fix, his body was numb most of the time and he still was very tired. It had been weeks till he hadn't been to work, but he couldn't go back now. He would be useless and a burden. Even more than he was now. Anger grew in him and his hands had become fist. He was breathing hard and he didn't hear Kankuro enter the room. He noticed his presence when his hands took gently his.

"It's okay Gaara. Everything is fine."

"I'm a fucking burden, so no, it's not fine."

"You're not a burden. I never thought you were. Temari either. And I'm sure Sakura and Kiba are proud of you."

"You can't even work at the office. You're always with me, making me food and be sure I'm not doing any shit. It's not a life for you."

"I'm not going to lie. It's hard but, I don't regret it. At all. You're more important than work. You always will be."

"I'm so tired Kankuro..." Gaara let himself fell on Kankuro and enjoyed the safety of his brother arms. He sighed when Kankuro hugged him, looking sad.

"I... I miss Naruto so much..."

"I know."

"I really fucked it up this time. "

Kankuro didn't respond, just keeping on hugging him.

"I really loved him, you know? I don't want to be with someone else..." He closed his eye. He was so tired.

"Why don't you go to bed? You have to rest. Tomorrow night, Temari will come." Kankuro suggested, leading him out of the bathroom.

"I can't stand to be here. It makes me sick. I hate this place. I have the impression I'm going to suffocate." Gaara said, wrapping himself in the blanket.

"What about we ask her tomorrow if you can crash at their house for a while?"

Gaara nodded weakly and fell asleep right away. Kankuro messed with his hair a little to tease him, but Gaara just wrapped himself like a maki. The older brother smiled and laid next to him. He grabbed his own blanket and closed his eyes when he heard his phone vibrating.

Okay, so I will bring beer tomorrow as you ask. I can't wait to see you. It will be fun.

Can't wait either. Hey, look how cute your friend is when he's asleep!

Kankuro took a picture of Maki Gaara and send it to Kiba.

You should draw something on his face like: you're old now! And some cocks too.

You really are a brat.

Hey, I'm twenty already.

What? You don't even reach the age of majority in every country in the world!

You're a little bit of a drama queen, huh? I like that.

Hey, be nice or I will never send you embarrassing pic of Gaara ever again!

Okay, okay, master, I will be nice, I promise. Don't be to harsh on me please!

Good boy. So, how is it with your sister?

As usual. I'm annoyed. She's acting as if nothing happens.

What happened exactly?

I'm gay, I'm the shame of the family.

I'm sorry. They're stupid to not see how great you are.

Stop the compliment, I'm blushing.

You're cute when you're blushing.

Why the hell did he send that?

You're pretty cute too. Even more when you want to kiss me.

Brat. Now stop texting and be with your sister.

What will you do tonight?

I was thinking about video game night since Gaara is asleep and I can play all I want on my laptop without him complaining about something. And stop now!

Enjoy! It's the last text, I promise.

Good Boy.

Kankuro smiled and grabbed his blanket and went to the living room, closing Gaara's door without a sound. He sat down on the couch, maki like in his blanket and started up some games. It's been a while since he hadn't had an evening for himself and it made him relaxed. Even though he will always be there for Gaara, it hadn't a break for almost a month and he needed to revitalize himself a little.

He didn't feel that he had fallen asleep since his phone vibrated against him.

I'm home now. I just wanted to say good night to you. See you tomorrow.

Kankuro's heart beat faster.

So, I know, there is a lot of Kanku and Kiba lately but... I love those two so much 3

Don't worry, Gaara and Naruto will come back cooner than you think :p

See you next Sunday!