A/N: Written as a gift for Nununununu for Multifandom Drabble 2020.
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Sand scattered across their feet. Naruto secured the man from kicking him before he knocked him out. Ceasing to struggle, he slumped in a pitiful heap on the ground.
Naruto clenched his fist. Subduing the assassination attempt hadn't been strenuous, but he had been too blissfully unaware to believe it would happen to them in broad daylight.
"Don't strain yourself. He won't be the last to try ending my life," Gaara said. His eyes drooped, the familiar lethargy of resignation spreading throughout his mind and heart.
If only Naruto hadn't seen the extent to which bloodthirst haunted him. For that, he would fight ten assassins elsewhere. Their perfectly romantic stroll through the desert had turned hectic.
"Yeah, but—!" Naruto said, voice pleading.
"It's natural. I'm a target for a faction of vitriolic disbelievers," Gaara injected. "My fair share of enemies is persistent. Rightfully so, my leadership is in a brittle position."
Naruto scowled. His fist lifted, then fell, and lifted again. Accepting and rejecting pain.
With his wide open arms, without thinking about consequences, Naruto bolted forward. Arms tightened around Gaara's waist.
Gaara stiffened in astonishment. His brain didn't connect the dots immediately; he hadn't been hugged in so, so long, since childhood. Shocks of gold, the ticklish mop of hair gently falling against his lips like a tantalizing kiss, snapped him out of lightheadedness.
Naruto didn't have fitting words. He always had something smug to boast, or a strong-headed declaration. No matter how small, he had to deliver his heartfelt feelings. Gaara shouldn't weather unseen dangers of peaceful change alone.
"Dunno about political stuff, but ya know where to call me if I gotta beat somebody up for saying something stupid," Naruto said, grinning toothily.
Gaara's heart skipped a beat. He leaned into his warmth. "You're my first number."