If there was any doubt before, than there was none now: Naruto Uzumaki was gay.

And surprisingly, so was Gaara Sabaku.

How did these rumors spread?

Well they were helped along by Suigetsu Hozuki who liked to boast that he had been right all along and had known it all along.

But mostly, it was because everyone had seen.

At the end of the day on Tuesday, Gaara and Naruto had been seen stumbling out of a closet together.

Out of a closet, oh the irony.

It should be noted that Naruto looked as happy as ever, ecstatic and he couldn't stop smiling broadly.

It should also be noted that Gaara looked dazed and stunned and when he was done packing, all he could do was lean against his locker staring at his knees.

But of course, teenagers liked the spread gossip and rumos, not actually investigate or care about other people. They cared more for the drama. If Naruto Uzumaki had kissed Gaara Sabaku in the janitor's closet, than it was dramatic to them, positively or negatively depending on the person, never mind the emotion and feelings behind the event. It wasn't their business and it wasn't like any of them really cared.

Gaara couldn't move for a few seconds. He loved Naruto Uzumaki. There was no way to describe how he was feeling right now. He felt so warm inside at the thought of seeing Naruto's face, so good, so happy. But Gaara, being Gaara, couldn't believe it would last. How could he be in love with the blond? It seemed so sudden and now, without Naruto to confirm said feelings, he wondered if it was only lust. That seemed more probable. But didn't they say love wasn't probable or predictable or easy to define? No, he wasn't in love, he couldn't be. It was too quick, he told himself sternly. No way can anyone fall in love instantly like that.

But it hadn't been instant, had it, Gaara? Hasn't he been trying all year?

Gaara pressed his fingers to his temple. Amazing. He was confused, but he was happy. Truly happy.

Happy without Shukaku.

The words brought a pit back to his stomach.

Shukaku. How could he have forgotten about him so quickly? I thought I meant more to you, he could almost hear Shukaku saying.

He knew he would never hear Shukaku speak again and the thought bit his heart. Now that he was away from Naruto, however briefly, he felt that icy nothingness, that incomplete, emptiness creeping back. He wanted so desperately to live, to hold on to this happy feeling, but his mind, his body wouldn't let him. Why? Why couldn't he ever have happiness? Happiness that lasted? They said money can't buy real, everlasting happiness, but what on earth could buy happiness? How did Naruto do it? He always seemed happy.

"Hey, Gaara."

Gaara looked up as a pair of familiar knees appeared in his line of vision. Bright blond hair blinded his closet-darkened eyes for a moment and he blinked owlishly. "Remember me?" Naruto laughed. Gaara smiled. Wow, it was hard getting used to that. Smiling was something he never did normally and before, if he tried to smile, it would be forced and painful looking. But now, it came surprisingly easy. "You ready to go home?" Naruto asked, sounding slightly suggestive as he offered Gaara a hand.

Immediately, that warmth flood back. And he basked in it.

But in the corner of his mind, he kept that chill. To him, the cold and darkness made sense, was comfortable, felt more real than this warmth.

In the corner of his mind, his pessimistic was sure this warmth could only be temporary.

But the rest of his mind was going to enjoy every step of the ride he was going to get. Every second he had with the warmth, with Naruto, he was going to enjoy before it all ended. The corner of his mind reminded him that when it ended, it would end painfully and abruptly. It was going to hurt more than anything he'd ever experienced, to balance out the happiest thing he'd ever experienced. But Gaara accepted this. All good things came to an end. He knew it.

But... love what you've got while you've got it. That was the phrase wasn't it?

Before then, Gaara had always been confused when hearing things like that. What was the point in loving if it was going to leave you eventually? What could be worth that pain of loss?

The answer was right in front of him. He'd just never seen it because he'd never understood or experienced it.

The pain of loss was equal to the joy of love. That was what caused the heartbreak. The love you felt, and the feeling when that love was gone combined was enough to break hearts.

Gaara smiled at Naruto as they walked home. He was going to enjoy every step he took until the moment it ended.

Am working on the next update right now, so hang on.

Special Thanks to Sukaretto Miyuki, DarkAngelJudas, CeruleanRipTide, Rinaty, Battenburg507, Mantinas, nerdboy316, Bitches Love Reno, HeartsNaruto and others for being so nice and awesome about my attempts at yaoi. Hopefully completely truthful as well.

Thanks to anonymous reviewers and anyone who read my attempt at yaoi without banging your head against your computers in disappointment.