The Suna-Hyuga compound turned out better than he expected. Gaara was interested in the floor plan when he saw the blueprint. He found that what was seen as important was different from what he was used to. In Suna, they value small functional workshops over large open family rooms. It was also not uncommon for the kitchen and family space to share a room, and then more focus and funds were put into their work. The Kage Tower served many purposes and was large, so it was the exception.
Hinata mentioned the difference that she noticed herself while working with the Suna and Konoha architects. Hinata explained why certain things were necessary for the Hyuga. One of their main values was teaching their children family-protected techniques. A closed training room was impractical, as was doing so outside, so a room had to be designed for ventilation out of normal eye level.
The structure was still odd but was fairly sturdy. Instead of the flat roof, he was used to it and had a keystone design to keep the large rooms from collapsing from sand accumulation.
Time would tell if it stood the test. If it did, maybe they would try the design elsewhere.
The Hyuga was wary of him but respectful. It was odd to be the second one to be bowed to when he entered a room. He would say it was a good sign that they showed Hinata the respect she should have as their leader.
"Why are the children so quiet?" Gaara leaned over to ask his wife. Every child he came across bowed and quietly continued with what they were doing.
"We are taught from a young age that there is a value to calm and quiet. We are discouraged from playing roughly and reserving that energy for training and classes." Hinata explained.
Gaara tilted his head. It was logical. He hadn't had a normal childhood, so he had no authority to know, but he knew that both Suna and Konoha children could be seen playing in the streets. "Interesting."
Gaara laid a kiss down her bare shoulder and sighed over her skin. Hinata was soundly asleep now, so she wouldn't know the apologies he was laying on the bite marks and bruises.
He understood the want for these minor pains now, but it laid on his consciousness when he could see them. Pains he caused, why did it still bother him so much when he knew they came from a place of pleasure? He could only worry about crossing the line, losing control, and bruising her more than she could handle.
Gaara's bloody past made him sick when he thought about her. Any lapse and he could break her skin. His nightmares were littered with a mixture of his memories with her in the place of the death he caused.
Hinata shifted against him, making a small noise as she got more comfortable.
Even her odd little sleeping noises were calming to his thoughts. Gaara pressed his forehead to her shoulder and tried to push his anxieties away with the warmth of her skin.
Hinata would tell him if something was too much, right? Was she strong enough to stop him? Could she get away from him in time? Would she?
'Go to sleep!' His beast growled, sick of his anxious rambling.
"Sorry, I'm late," Hinata stepped into the room, holding her usual breakfast tray.
Gaara closed his folder and tucked it under the others. She didn't need to worry about what he was.
Hinata set the tray down and served it before sitting down. "Anything interesting on the schedule today?"
"Not much of a minor security meeting today," Gaara told her, not wanting to elaborate.
Her interest peaked. "What for?"
"There's been some noticed movement of a criminal group that we want to make sure doesn't affect us." Gaara barely elaborated.
"Which one," Hinata asked curiously.
Gaara didn't want her to worry about it. "Akatsuki."
Hinata paused, setting down her chopsticks. "Do you think they will be coming after you?"
"We aren't sure of anything. We're only concerned because of sightings of them in nearby villages. Don't concern yourself too much." Gaara tried. "If they did, it would likely be after storm season because coming in during is a death sentence."
"Gaara, why are you pushing this aside." Hinata frowned.
Gaara frowned back, annoyed. "If they come for me, there is nothing more I can do than defend the village. It is unlikely that they would succeed if my sand provides a nearly impenetrable shield."
"Nearly," Hinata emphasized. "Anyone with enough chakra manipulation control to overpower you is a threat. You've never fought a Hyuga directly. We have no clue what Gentle Fist or something like it would do to that shield."
"Hinata," Gaara warned. Not a tone he had used on her before. He realized his mistake when her lips snapped shut into a pouted line of frustration.
"Why do you want to shut me out now, of all times?" Hinata demanded.
Gaara hadn't meant to shut her out. He simply didn't want to focus on something with no solution. He always did this. No one ever challenged it before. He told his siblings to only concern themselves with the village. He told his student that his death did not matter because the village was what was important. His normal response to his mortality could no longer apply.
His wife would be genuinely affected if something were to happen to him. He wasn't sure what to do with that.
"Gaara, if there is a reason to be considered for your safety, I want to know about it. I should protect you just as you protect me." Hinata was right. That was what marriage should be, to the best of his knowledge.
"I'm sorry." Gaara bowed his head. "Someone's concern is still not something I am used to yet."
Gaara still made her heart wrench. Hinata felt sick to her stomach as he looked ashamed that he hadn't thought someone would care about his safety. Was he so disregarded as a child, or had she not seen the true power of his shield? She was sure there was still something to worry about. No matter how impenetrable his shield was, nothing was impossible.
"I'm not upset with you. I'm worried you would not be concerned with your life." Though he hadn't had much concern for his health before she came. He barely ate or slept, relying on Shukaku's power and reluctance to let his vessel die to sustain him.
Gaara nodded. "I somewhat understand. However, my safety does come after the villages. In the event they do come for me. The village will likely be attacked to draw me out or further the damage. My people's safety is more important than my own."
"I understand your duties as Kazekage, but that doesn't mean I don't worry about you." Hinata insisted.
Gaara sighed. "You are welcome to come to the meeting."
Hinata's back hit the wall, and she felt chills run up her spine as she remembered her wedding night. Her arms were tightly around Gaara's shoulders. He wasn't getting away from her this time.
Hinata back arched. His hand trailed up her hips, his hand shivering with his pleasure as he found a place to dig his fingers in.
One of his hands snaked up her back under the loose shirt she tossed on. He dragged them back down, leaving lovely red marks down her back.
Hinata threw her leg around to him, keeping him where she wanted him. Gaara pressed out a hard breath into her mouth. His hands dug in where they were before retracting and latching on her thighs, lifting her right where she wanted to be. Her back pressed against the hard surface of the wall, and his weight kept her pinned there as she trailed down her collarbone with lips.
She dug her fingers into his hair in an attempt to keep him in a certain place on her neck, but he seemed to have other plans as he continued down her chest.