XxGaaraloverxX
Gaara's eyes widened as he stared at the floor and listened to Lee decline the guards offer. He was confused. He was certain that Lee would accept the offer, and live out his dreams to be a part of the castle. Wasn't that his dream?
He gasped softly, when he felt Lee wrap an arm around him, gripping his shoulder gently, and giving his reason as to why he refused. He had a feeling that Lee's excuse wasn't the whole story, that there was something else that lay underneath of what Lee had said. That couldn't be the sole reason that he didn't want to be a part of the castle. Knights get good benefits. They get a room in the castle if they wish, their taxes are lowered greatly, and they get to serve the mighty king and queen themselves. But best of all, Gaara would have appointed Lee as his personal knight. They would have seen each other every day. Yes, Gaara would have been miserable, being back into that horrid castle that he ran from, but as long as Lee was happy, then so would he.
He looked at the guard's feet, and noticed them walking away, and ultimately hearing the dinging of the door bells as the door opened and closed, signaling his leave. Gaara looked up at Lee, with disbelief in his eyes, but also with a hint of happiness. Lee protected him. It made his heart jump, when he looked into those dark eyes. Right now, he didn't care if the "Hinata" girl saw him; all he wanted was for Lee to look at him. Gaara wanted to ask so many questions. "Why?" was one of them, but he didn't speak it. "Why did you refuse?" was another, still unspoken. A list of questions popped in his head, but he didn't want to ask. At least not yet. He would prefer to ask Lee in the privacy of his own home. "Why did he protect him like that?" was another one, still he stayed silent.
All he could really say was "Lee…" as he grabbed Lee's hand within his own. He looked down at Lee's hand, and rubbed a thumb over his knuckles. A blush creped onto his cheeks, as he looked back up at his caretaker. What was this feeling? Why did he like to feel protected? Why did he feel relieved when Lee abandoned his chance of taking his dream and running with it? But what got him most of all was "Why did he feel this way around him?" His heart would skip a beat whenever Lee would look at him. His breath would still whenever he would hold him close. And a blush would spread upon his features when Lee would smile in his direction. He has never felt anything like this before. He has read something similar to these feelings in storybooks and novels, but he only accused them of being fairytales, nothing realistic about them. That feeling was "Love." But it couldn't be, right? Love did not exist for him; he was left alone and had no friends. He didn't know the meaning of this odd term known as "Love." This was certainly not what he was feeling around the older male, could it?
Gaara got lost in those eyes, as he stared deeply into them, as if finding the answer to all of his questions just in those dark pools. He squeezed Lee's hand, and placed his other on Lee's chest. A blush was covering his face, and he didn't know what his body was doing to him. It was an odd feeling of nausea, and a nice feeling similar to butterflies that fluttered about in his stomach. What was happening to him?
JapanEmoGirl
Lee heard his name, and looked down at the redhead. His coal black eyes stared in those aqua ones. His heart skipped a beat, and his mind raced. Many thoughts came, and went. Was Gaara always this beautiful? Were his eyes always that blue? His breath was caught in his throat, and he couldn't speak. He could only see. See those magnificent eyes on him, and feel the redhead under his hand. Lee wanted to hold him closer, but he knew Gaara wouldn't enjoy it.
Then, that hand grabbed his. That small, warm, fragile hand grabbed his own. Lee looked at it for a minute, then back at Gaara. His eyes made time standstill, and he couldn't tell what he was doing. He felt like he was in Heaven, singing with the Angels, and laughing, skipping on clouds. Something clinked. The air even felt like warmth. You could feel the feelings from both Lee and Gaara from miles away. He felt Gaara place his hand on his chest.
He couldn't take it anymore. Lee slowly, cautiously, leaned down. The closer he got, the more his breathing hitched. He just hoped Gaara didn't push him away. Closer, and closer he got. He could feel Gaara's breath on his face.
"Ahem," Lee was shook back into the world. He quickly leaned back, and removed his arm from around Gaara's shoulder, and saw Naruto, giving a sly grin.
"W-what?!" Lee squeaked out. He hit his chest and cleared his throat, "what?" He said, calmer, and deeper then the first.
Naruto giggled, "I didn't say anything."
XxGaaraloverxX
His gaze never left Lee's, and he didn't dare to move when he saw Lee leaning closer. On the contrary, Gaara did the same. He leaned up, helping to close the gap between their faces. He didn't understand where this was going until he would end his journey, to greet Lee's face with his own. "What is it; do you wish to tell me?" he thought. There had to be something important or private that Lee wanted to tell him, reasons of why he would be inching closer to his face only gave him newer thoughts. "What is it; do you wish to show me?" Something was on the others mind, but he was sure that they were not matching the redhead's thoughts at the moment. "What is it… Do you wish to do to me?" Images of his fairytales came into play, as he thought that this seemed highly similar to a scene where two people begin to… kiss? Was Lee going to kiss him?! Strangely, while his mind was freaking out, he didn't show it at all on his face.
Instead his eyes were lidded, as he was so close to Lee, he could feel the other breath dance across his cheek, making his blush darken, if it was possible. They were an inch apart, and Gaara was about to close his eyes, and relish in the feel of Lee's lips on his own, until he heard a throat being cleared from the same room. Also, when Lee pulled away from him and squeaked out something and remove his arm from his shoulder, but he couldn't really understand what he really said.
Gaara gasped softly, as he pulled back as well, dipping his head down in embarrassment. "Wh-What was I doing?" he thought, as his blush darkened to the point that it matched his hair. "W-Was Lee and I a-about to…?" He couldn't even finish his thought. There was no way that Lee felt the same, could he? Perhaps he misinterpreted Lee's motions, and he was trying to whisper something in his ear… yeah. "Th-That had to be the reason…" There was no other way. Especially, when he heard Naruto, he pulled away like he was a poisonous snake.
A hand reached up to grasp at his shirt, over his heart. A pang of anger, guilt, worry, and sadness wrecked though his heart. It hurt that Lee would toss around his feelings like this. Did he like him, or not? Or, maybe, he just perceived the whole situation wrong. Were all of these feelings just in his head? Did Lee like him?
Gaara took a step back, trying to get these unknown feelings under control. He didn't know what was going on. Why was he feeling this way? Why did Lee pull away when Naruto called out? Was Lee just toying with him? He was so confused, and felt lost. He didn't even look up at the blond when he spoke out. He felt upset that he ruined their moment of peace, but he didn't understand why he did that in the first place. He wanted to know what Lee was going to do. But now, the mood is destroyed.
JapanEmoGirl
Lee took a quick glance at Gaara, and looked back at Naruto. His face all red, and his thoughts busy with Gaara. He wanted so badly to continue, but he didn't know what it was he wanted to continue. What was he doing? Was he trying to... to kiss the Prince of Suna, soon to be King of Konoha?! What on Earth was Lee thinking?! What if Gaara was so disgusted, he beheaded Lee, or worse, goes back to the castle, and banish him?! Lee needs to watch his actions around Gaara. He's getting close to how he feels about the redhead, he can't stop now.
Naruto stopped his giggling, "So, Bushy-brows, what can I help you with?" He put his hands on his waist, and signaled Lee to come over to him with his head.
Which, Lee obeyed. He walked over to Naruto, "I would like dairy."
Naruto smiled, gave a big wave to Gaara, and walked to the back, Lee following. The only ones who was left, was Gaara, and Hinata. Said female looked around nervously, and cleared her throat, "Um," she started, but had trouble finishing, "h-hello. My name i-is Hinata. I help N-Naruto-kun with his shop sometimes. What's your n-name?"
XxGaaraloverxX
Gaara looked at Lee's feet as he walked away, leaving him alone with this other lady. He hoped that he gave Lee enough coin when he was at the wheat market earlier. If not, he would compensate for Lee's losses when he got back to his home. His heart still hurt, and he wanted to ask Lee so many questions, but he kept his cool, and stayed calm. He didn't want to upset Lee in public.
Gaara's attention grabbed onto the other person in the room with him, he looked at her feet, not daring to look up, afraid that she knew who he was. He would have to stick by Lee's other name that he has called him with. Gaara was now, known to everyone, a female and she was Lee's Mrs. So, when the stuttering lady introduced herself, Gaara cleared his throat, and spoke quietly, hoping that his voice didn't sound too masculine. "Akio…" He didn't want to give out too much information. Not without Lee's presence. He didn't even want to speak without Lee being here to assist. He was scared that this girl would send for a guard if she recognized who he was just by his voice. He hoped not, and tried his best to keep himself hidden, just in case; any other customers came walking in. Out in public, it was safer for him to just keep his gaze on the ground, and to keep his mouth shut. He has come too far to give up yet.
JapanEmoGirl
Hinata was a little taken back at how deep this woman's voice was. But, with the polite nature she has, she didn't question it. She smiled, "That is a wonderful name," she said, slowly. Sense the other was talking back, she gain just a little bravery, "how long have you known Lee? Y-you must have met him when he was out training. How lovely that you c-came back with him." She gave a nice smile, and tried to warm up the awkward air, "I-I've known Lee for a while, b-but I've known Naruto all my life. He's the nice blonde that Lee left with..."
She seemed to stop and stare at the ground. Something in her eyes told everyone that saying Naruto's name brought her pain. Speaking of the blonde, he came in, with Lee, who was holding a bag with dairy. Naruto had a smile, and walked over to Gaara, wrapped his arms around him, "Long time no see, pretty lady~"
Lee grabbed Naruto, and dragged him down to the ground. He stood next to Gaara, and headed for the door, "Show respect, Naruto." He said, as he walked out the door, and away from a laughing Naruto.
XxGaaraloverxX
Gaara just stayed silent and listened to Hinata speak. He was unsure to answer her question of how he met Lee. He could say that they "ran into each other", literally. But as he listened on, he could have sworn that Naruto and Hinata was a couple. He didn't question it, but it still sparked some curiosity with the blond and what his type is. She seems so sweet, but Naruto always tries to hit on him, he didn't know if he was just playing around, or if he is bisexual.
Just when he was about to answer, Lee and Naruto came back in, catching Gaara's attention from speaking with Hinata. His curiosity struck again, when Naruto came at him once more. An arm wrapped around his shoulders, and it surprised him a bit, as he peeked up to see who it was. Who would be so bold as to…? Naruto. Gaara couldn't contain the small smile that graced his lips when he saw a familiar blond headed man greet him with an out of the window statement. Only he could be so outgoing with his statements. Even Naruto knew who lay underneath of the hood, and yet he still speaks to him in a tone considered close to flirting. Gaara shook his head amused, by Naruto's statement towards him. It made him wonder how long he has been able to keep this charade up without being beaten to a pulp by the guards, he was humorous though, and it brought Gaara's spirits up.
When Naruto was dragged to the ground by Lee, he could clearly see Naruto, since his gaze was already locked to the ground. He gave Naruto a soft smile, and a giggle to go with it. Naruto was something else, alright. Gaara was actually getting a bit used to his outlandish speech that he proclaimed to the prince.
He gently bowed in a due, and fallowed Lee out of the shop and into the streets once more. He could hear Naruto's laughter until he closed the door completely. Gaara laughed softly, "Still as bold as I remember~…" Naruto brightened his day, except to where he interrupted their close meeting earlier. He was wondering what Lee said to Naruto when they left the room, were they just making a sale? Or, was Lee giving Naruto a tongue lashing in a whisper about the interruption?
JapanEmoGirl
Lee smiled, and gave a small laugh, "Yeah. He's like that to all the new people. Do not worry, though. He does not like you that way. But, I have a feeling he's going to continue touching you like that." He took Gaara's hand, and walked home.
"Once we are home, I'll teach you how to make pancakes. After that, the dishes need to be done, and then, as I promised, the pictures." He turned a corner, getting on the road to his house. The roads were almost cleared completely. The sun was high in the sky, showing it was about twelve in the afternoon. Not bad timing, "this is the earliest I've finished. Thanks for the help, Gaara-kun."
XxGaaraloverxX
Gaara sighed in relief, that the blond boy didn't like him like he thought he did. It was just a playful flirt. He didn't mind the other male's touches, it made him a bit embarrassed, but it made him have nice feelings of being around friends. "So this is what friends do…" He thought, he was happy that he finally had someone to call a friend. He had two, and he couldn't believe his luck. In one day, he already has two friends.
Gaara's smile widened when he looked down at Lee's hand connected to his. He squeezed back, and fallowed Lee as they walked back to his house, happy to finally start to eat something. Gaara's gaze brightened when Lee told him that he would teach him how to cook. The chores he would gladly do, and then he finally gets to see those pictures of Lee and his horse and friends and family playing the princess and the knight. He was so excited to learn something useful; he just hoped that he didn't burn what he made. "Okay." He said with a smile.
When they turned to walk down the same path that they walked down the night that he first met Lee, everything seemed different during the day. It wasn't crowded at all, and some horse and wagons walked by but that is about it. Since it was almost clear out Gaara looked up at Lee and smiled at him, "You're very welcome, Lee. I am glad to help." With a sigh, he cautiously rested his head against Lee's arm, as they walked along. He wanted to ask a question about what he was doing back at Naruto's shop, but something told him not to bring it up. "Uh… Lee?"
JapanEmoGirl
Lee had to stop himself from just tackling Gaara to the ground when he felt his head on his arm. He tried to keep his blush down and looked the other way from the shorter male. They were getting closer to his house, so he sped up a bit.
He jumped and looked at Gaara when he spoke his name, blush still on face, "y-yes, Gaara-kun?" He stuttered again. He cleared his throat, and hit his chest, just as he did the first time. Why was he so nervous around Gaara? He knew he had feelings, but they can't be that strong, can it?
He reached the house, and sighed, releasing his breath he didn't know he was holding. He opened the door, holding it for Gaara. Lee took the bags in the kitchen, and got ready to cook.
XxGaaraloverxX
Gaara swallowed thickly, pausing after Lee responded back. By the time that he was about to say something, he noticed Lee's house was getting closer, and he shook his head. "N-Never mind… I'll talk about it after we eat." He lifted his head off of Lee's shoulder when he jumped a bit, afraid that he may have upset Lee. He blushed and looked away from Lee, still confused about these feelings that floated around in his stomach.
He looked up and saw Lee open the door for him, and carefully walked through, and bowed in thanks. He was silent, when Lee walked into the kitchen, and fallowed him, just in case he needed some help.
JapanEmoGirl
Lee, trying to forget what had happened, put the bread and dairy away, and pulled out two aprons. He handed a red one to Gaara. It had a funny little cow on it that said 'Eat More Chicken', "Here, put this on so you won't get your clothes all dirty." Lee said with a smile. He put on his own, which was green and had a kiss stamp on it that said 'Kiss the Chef'. Lee chuckled at the aprons humor.
He got out a bowl, flour, and measuring cups. He continued bringing out things needed for making pancakes, "You've never cooked, right? This will be a perfect time to teach you! Now, we are making pancakes. First, you put two and a haft scoops of flour in the bowl. Second, you put three eggs in the bowl, also." He pointed at the stuff, "Can you do that for me, please?"
XxGaaraloverxX
Gaara nodded and took off his hood and put on the cute little red apron, pulling it over his head, and tying it in the back, neatly. He felt nervous, what if he did something wrong? He shook the fright away, and washed his hands at the sink, figuring that is the first thing to do before cooking, and made sure to fallow Lee and take mental notes of what to do to make pancakes. He loved pancakes. He would always eat them, or waffles for breakfast at the castle, and now he gets to make them for himself.
Gaara nodded to Lee's question, and smiled when Lee brought out the items needed for the cooking lesson to begin. Listening to Lee, Gaara grabbed the measuring cup and opened the flour bag, dipping the cup in and taking out a full cup, dumping it in the bowl. He repeated it again, and for the third time, he measured it perfectly when it came to the half marker, and dumped it into the bowl. He closed the flour bag, and placed the cup down, and went to the eggs. He grabbed one and tapped it against the edge of the bowl until he heard it crack gently. Slowly, he pulled the two eggshells apart and watched as the clear substance and yolk filling dropped from the egg. He was careful to not spill the sticky eggs over the counter, and did the same to two more eggs, before discarding the shells in the trash. He thought that he should mix it, since the eggs were just sitting on top of the flour oddly, so he grabbed a wooden spoon and mixed it together. He didn't know if he was supposed to do this, but he thought that he was doing it right, even without Lee's assistance telling him so. "I-I am supposed to mix it… right?" He asked, pausing from mixing it, while looking up at Lee.
JapanEmoGirl
Lee watched Gaara break the eggs apart, and smiled at a job well done. He went to wash his hands. Once done, he pulled out a pan from under the counter, and wiped it down with a paper towel. He placed it on the stove, and threw the towel away. Lee turned the stove on, and opened the fridge, grabbing butter. He placed it next to the stove, and opened a drawer. He grabbed a butter knife, and cut a small piece of butter from the tube. He put the sliced butter in the pan and the rest back in the fridge.
"Yes, you do. And, add water and the pancake mix when you are done mixing. Then, put the mix in his pan, a little at a time. We do not want oversized pancakes, or to small pancakes." Lee chuckled, and smoothed the butter around in the pan, watching it sizzle, and eat the butter right up.
XxGaaraloverxX
Gaara smiled at doing a job well done, and started to mix it as much he could, before it started to get a bit clotty. He grabbed the cup and put a cupful of water into the bowl, and started to mix it a bit better, now that it wasn't clotting up as badly any more thanks to the water. At the corner of his vision, he watched Lee prepare the stove and watched how Lee sliced bits of the butter stick off and picked the pan up as it was getting hot, and swished the butter around until it started to melt and sizzle.
With the mix starting to turn more into a liquidly type of batter, Gaara grabbed the pancake mix and poured it in, mixing it well. Eventually, the batter became a nice and syrupy texture, and it looked ready to pour into the hot pan. So with caution, he grabbed a large spoon, and scooped a bit of the mixture, and poured it gently into the pan into a nice and perfect circle at the edge of the large pan. Gaara smiled at the accomplishment, and continued to scoop and pour perfect circular pancakes into the pan in a neat and linear arrangement until there was no more room in the pan to put any more of the mixture. "H-How's that?"
JapanEmoGirl
Lee carefully watched Gaara. The stove was the dangerous part, and he was afraid that Gaara would be burnt. He rested his hand on the counter, leaning on it slightly to get a better angle of Gaara's pouring, "Perfect," he smiled and gave a thumbs up, "now, just wait a little while, and the pancake will be ready to flip. Here," he opened another drawer and grabbed a spatula, "you use this is flip it. Careful, though. It can get messy. That's why we are wearing aprons."
He winked and laughed at his own joke. Lee walked to a cabinet, opened it, and grabbed two plates, and two cups. He closed it with his elbow, and went over to the table, setting it neatly. He walked to another drawer, the same one he used to get the butter knife, and pulled out two forks. Sense he was thinking about it, he put the used butter knife in the sink, "Seems Naruto had enough time to wash all my dishes, too." He said, looked at the forks carefully, "Hinata must have helped him."
He walked back to the table, set the forks down, and went over to the stove where Gaara was still standing, "Alright, I think it's time to flip it, Gaara-kun."
XxGaaraloverxX
Gaara's heart beat a bit faster when Lee praised him for doing a good job at pouring the pancakes. He was happy that he was doing well, on his first mission to cook. Gaara nodded taking in the information carefully, as he watched Lee grab a spatula to flip the pancakes with. Gaara went to grab the spatula, but accidentally grabbed onto Lee's hand that was holding it, "Oh, s-sorry." He stuttered, jerking his hand back and moved his hand up to grab the top of the spatula, and grasped it to use for flipping the pancakes. He felt a blush on his cheeks, at that moment of contact, but he shook it off.
Gaara kept an eye on the stove, and the pancakes. Hearing Lee grabbing plates and silverware to lie out so they could eat. The clacks and clinking of plates and the sizzling of the butter filled the silent kitchen, until Lee spoke about the way Naruto cleaned his dishes while he was away, along with that other lady, Hinata. "That was nice of him and her to do." He added, silently, as he kept his gaze upon the sizzling stove and not knowing when to flip them or not.
Lee's voice made him jump, as he told him to flip the pancakes, and so immediately Gaara did as he was told. He slid the spatula under one of the circular cakes, and slowly lifted it, and flipped it with caution and quickly putting it back in the same spot. He did it to the rest of them, and watched as the side that was cooking, was now a nice golden brown color, not burnt at all. He guessed that this side would have cooked for the same amount of time that it took for the other side to get cooked, so he waited for the same amount of time, and took the pan off of the stove, and walked over to their plates, and gave Lee three pancakes, and he gave himself two.
Gaara walked back to the stove and placed the large pan on the other burner that wasn't on, and turned off the one that was burning. He walked back to their plates and surveyed how he cooked the pancakes, and they looked good and ready to eat, and they both smelt so delicious.
JapanEmoGirl
Lee was taken back. Gaara knew what to do without him telling him. Sure, it was common sense to know, but Gaara has never cooked in his life, so he has told Lee. Other than that, Lee expected the pancakes to be just a little burnt, but it wasn't that at all. It looked mouthwatering. The nice, golden brown look, and the smell of fresh, delicious pancakes, made Lee want to just eat it all right now. He walked next to Gaara, and smiled, "These look fantastic!" He said, sitting down. He picked up his fork, and cut the pancake. It wasn't hard, but a nice, soft texture. He slipped it in his mouth, and it was like an orgasm in there, "Wow!" He yelled, taking another bite, "You, Gaara-kun, are a natural! Are you sure you never cooked before?"
Lee didn't understand. He used the same thing Lee uses whenever he cooks pancakes, but it never turned out this good, "Looks to me like you are the one who has to give me lessons." He chuckled. Lee stood up, and picked up Gaara's and his glasses, "Want some juice, or milk?" He asked.
XxGaaraloverxX
As Gaara sat down and ate at some of his pancakes; he hummed at how good that they were. Even the castle cooks couldn't make his pancakes taste this good. Gaara almost dropped his fork when Lee complimented him on a job well done. "R-Really? You really like them?" His answer was met with a half-eaten plate from Lee, as he started his. "I-I am sure, I haven't… I've never even touched a stove before, until now." He smiled, and looked down out of shyness. He was happy that he made Lee a nice meal, and that he enjoyed it so much. "I'm glad that you liked it."
Gaara's eyes widened when he heard Lee say that he was going to have to give his caretaker lessons. Gaara laughed a bit, "Aww, Lee you're so sweet." He smiled, as he started to eat his meal one more, happy to have something in his stomach. Gaara looked over at Lee, and smiled at his offer, "I would like some milk, please, thank you."
Gaara didn't have much on his plate to start, so it was easy to finish off, Lee had a lot more to finish off, so when he returned with their beverages, he said a quick "Thank you" and sipped at his nice and cold milk. He watched as Lee ate, and the room filled with silence again, and he thought that it would be a nice time to ask his question that he was holding back from earlier. "U-Um, Lee? I-I was wondering… um… B-Back at Naruto's place-uh… what… What happened? Wh-What were you going to do?" If Lee didn't want to answer, then he didn't have to, but it was up to him, he was just curious of what his intentions were. He was still unsure of what Lee was going to do, and he wanted to be clear on what he tried. Was he trying to tell him something? Or was it something else?