Author's Note: I do not own the Naruto characters.
Lee looked at the knocker on the front door and sighed a little, scuffing the heel of one shoe against the step. He really didn't know why he was so nervous… He'd babysat Matsuri several times now, and talked to Mr. Sabaku regularly. But being around there for dinner was somehow…different. And Christmas dinner was…wow!
He took a deep breath in and raised his hand to knock on the door…
"Are you going to stand out here all day?" a voice asked dryly behind him, amusement in the tone.
Lee turned around and pouted furiously at the red head behind him.
"You ass! How long have you been standing there?" he demanded.
"Long enough. Why are you nervous?" Gaara questioned, moving in closer and raising a hand to gently rub at Lee's nose. Lee was grateful; his nose was freezing cold!
"Because…it's like meeting the boyfriend's family!" he huffed quietly.
Gaara gave a quiet "ah" and slipped his arm through Lee's.
"We're going for a walk first," he informed Lee with a tiny smile. "Father won't mind. Temari and Kankuro aren't getting here until later anyway."
He led Lee around the back of his house, into the large garden. The Sabakus owned quite a few acres past their back gate. Lee had never ventured out that far, but he'd always been curious. His eyes lit up as Gaara opened the gate and led him through into the fields beyond.
The entire county was blanketed in snow, for the first white Christmas in decades! Lee had been utterly delighted when he'd realised the fallen snow would last through until new years. The fields looked like a huge blanket had been dragged over them, putting the world to sleep until the spring brought new life.
"Yes, it does, doesn't it?" Gaara commented.
Lee blushed, not realising he'd been speaking his words out loud, but glad that Gaara could see the poetic side of it as well.
"It's beautiful…" he sighed.
"So are you." Gaara murmured, bringing them to a stop under an old oak tree. He kicked his foot backwards and grinned as the snow on the branches fell on top of them, making Lee laughed and hold his hands out to catch the snowflakes.
He was so innocent in some ways…Gaara almost felt like it made up for his own darkness. And he looked so very pretty when he blushed. It made Gaara want to…
"Lee…can I kiss you?" he asked softly, stepping closer.
Lee's blush turned so red, Gaara swore he could feel the heat.
"Um… Alright," he murmured softly, shoulders hunching a little in nerves.
It made Gaara smile as he stepped in closer, and raised himself on his toes a little to press a soft, firm kiss to Lee's lips.
It wasn't fireworks, or any such nonsense, but it was by far the best kiss he'd ever had. Lee's lips were a little chapped, but he felt the way the other boy pushed into the kiss and felt a tiny shiver run down his spine. He lifted a hand to stroke the backs of his fingers over Lee's frozen cheek, warming it with his touch.
They might be standing in the middle of a snow-filled field, but Gaara had never felt so warm…
When he finally pulled back, he kept his fingers on Lee's cheek, smiling as he admired the slightly dazed face of his companion.
"Guess I got you before Christmas, huh…?" he smiled quietly.
"I guess so…" Lee smiled back shyly. "I suppose this means you want more than one date."
Gaara chuckled and slipped an arm around Lee's waist, pulling him in close.
"Absolutely."