XV. I Exist
A/N: This takes place during Harley's reunion/first visit with Gaara after Rasa dies (they are 14).
Gaara was standing with his dear friend, along with Ryan who had accompanied her to Suna, painfully preparing to say goodbye. He trusted that he would see her again (for real this time), but given what had happened last time… the familiar pain on the left side of his chest was surfacing.
What if something different happened this time? What if he truly wouldn't ever see her again?
What if… this was all his imagination after all? She was too good to be true. Maybe he was losing it. Perhaps out of desperation he was creating an illusion of an ideal best friend.
"Harley…" he whispered to break the silence, as they all stared out to the distance waiting for the shuttle to arrive.
"Yeah?"
"Can… can you just tell me one thing?"
"What is it?"
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
"...Tell me that you exist. That this is real."
"I exist, Gaara. And I'll be back again and again to remind you."
"These past six years… I came to believe you were an imaginary friend. A miraculous dream. I couldn't believe there was someone out there who would actually-"
She gently took his hand and raised it towards her. She had a sharpie in her other hand.
"I'll help you out," she said with a smile. A confused expression took over Gaara's face as she began to draw on wrist.
When she was done, she returned his hand to him.
"Whenever you start having doubts, just look at your wrist and remember. Of course the ink will fade over time, but at least for now..."
She had drawn a smiley face, a heart, and a love kanji.
He was caught off guard as she pulled him into a comforting hug.
"You'll never be alone again, Gaara. I exist."
A/N: This idea was 100% inspired by the Space Boy webcomic. SO good btw.