Lily: just so you know, the reason i can so easily write yaoi using the Naruto characters, is that i always imagine them older than they are. other writers and artists say that a lot, too. i think it's because they go through things that we might never go through. such as seeing your parents murdered by your own brother... annnyyyywaaaayyyy.

Can't you see them?
Chapter Eight
You don't love me more than I love you because I say so

Naruto panted in the heat of his bed. Stupid sheets, stupid shirt, stupid heat. Naruto tore off the sheets and lay on his back, staring at the slowly rotating fan. It was so damn hot and it wasn't making thinking any less painful.

Gaara had kissed him and told him he loved him and Naruto had kissed back and had asked and ran away. Why were things so confusing? Naruto wanted all the affection he could get and Gaara seemed to understand, but Naruto was scared. Scared? Of what? That maybe things would stay hopeless, even with Gaara there, that it would make things worse. Naruto worried too much, dammit.

Naruto rolled onto his side.

He could sense Gaara's chakra, above him, on the roof. Gaara had been there a lot lately, almost every night. Naruto had thought he merely needed a place to stay, but now he wasn't so sure. But... Naruto had to admit... it was comforting to know that someone was near. Someone who could help him if he needed it. Someone who wouldn't judge him for wanting comfort, knowing that it wasn't a weakness. Someone who could chase away the loneliness. Someone who understood...

Naruto rolled onto his stomach.

Hell.

Screw it. There was no way he was going to sleep if he didn't do something.

Naruto got out of his bed and went to the window, he pushed it open and leaned out, twisting around so that he was looking up.

Gaara sat on the roof, thinking hard, the fingers of one hand twisted in his short red hair. What had he done wrong? He had done what his heart -did he have one?- told him to do. Naruto had kissed back... didn't that mean he wanted it too? Didn't that mean that he loved Gaara?

Is that what I want?

Do I want him to love me the way I love him?

Yes, that's what I want.

Naruto's voice came from below him. I know you're up there. Come down... the voice hesitated, ... please?

Gaara went to the edge of the roof and swung down, so that he hung, bat-like, in front of the windowsill. Naruto looked at him and gave a small smile. The Kyuubi's face was slightly flushed from the heat and droplets of sweat ran down the dip in his collar bone.

Gaara, you know... if you wanted a place to stay at night you could just ask...
Gaara stared at Naruto impassively.
Come on. You can stay with me.
Naruto moved back from the window, allowing Gaara to enter cautiously.

Why was Naruto doing this? Didn't he not want Gaara around?

You don't have any night clothes, right? My other pairs are in the wash, so I guess you'll just sleep in your boxers or something.
Gaara blinked at Naruto.

Gaara obediently pulled his shirt and scarf off, leaving him wearing only a sleeveless shirt and a pair loose pants that were held up by a lax waist band.

Naruto walked to the bed, looked back and said, Come on.

Why, oh, why was Naruto doing this to him? Was he torturing him on purpose?

Naruto curled up on his side and Gaara lay down next to him on his back, arms crossed over his stomach. Naruto rolled over to the other side and flung an arm around Gaara, whose eyes widened. Naruto nuzzled is forehead into Gaara's shoulder.

... sorry... he whispered.
Sorry for what? asked Gaara, trying to keep his voice calm, but failing.
Sorry for making you upset. Sorry for being stupid. Sorry I didn't realize sooner.


Those stupid butterflies were back and this time they seemed determined to get out of his stomach.

Sorry I didn't say that I love you too.

Gaara sat up, his mouth open and eyes wide.

You... you...

Naruto gave a close eyed grin.
You look funny when you're surprised.

You do.
That isn't the point. You love me?
Naruto couldn't help but blush under Gaara's continual stare.

Without another word, Gaara wrapped his arms around Naruto and pulled him so that his spine was curved back against Gaara's chest. Gaara leaned his head down so that his lips touched the back of Naruto's neck.
Love you...
Naruto shivered as Gaara's lips moved against his skin.
Love you most.
said Gaara, slightly surprised.
I love you more than you love me.
No you don't.
Yes, I do.


Shut up and go to sleep.
Naruto laughed,

Naruto smiled and fell asleep quickly, safe in the arms of someone who truly loved him. Gaara remained awake, watching Naruto as he slept. Gaara pressed his lips gently to Naruto's neck, he whispered softly, his breath tickling Naruto.

Naruto, do you remember that first night at your favorite spot? You said that the stars made you feel like you knew where you belonged, that you know everything will be all right, that you feel like you're a part of something important. Naruto, you make me feel like that. To me, you're brighter than any star could ever be.

For the first time, Gaara was glad that he was an insomniac.




Lily: Aww. i do that with my jason, argue over who loves who more...
Phantom: *chokes on fluff*
Fly-Girl: shut up. thanks to everyone who reviewed, you know who you are...
Phantom: there will be another chapter. more icky fluff. christ i need to write a fight scene.