A/N: 100% inspired by a Sailor Moon scene.

XVIII. Naive Boyfriend

Though it didn't compare with the peace that would come after the war, there was still a calm before the storm for a while in Suna, before the Kage summit and shinobi war that would follow.

Harley and Gaara were up on the rooftop balcony that night, taking a breather from paperwork. This was their second favorite place to hang out; second to the sand dune sunset lookout.

"Thank you again for assisting me so much today," Gaara said.

"No thanks needed. I enjoy it."

They stood there in comfortable silence for a while, admiring the full moon. That was one of the many things Gaara appreciated about her. There was never pressure to entertain or constantly be talking.

"Winter's coming. It's getting chilly," Harley said after a while, leaning on the railing.

"...But, I'm glad I have you to keep me warm," she continued, in a flirty tone. Only to turn to the side and see… he was gone?

"Wha- Gaara? Where are you going?" she asked, turning around to find him heading back inside.

"Hm? You said you were cold. I figured I would make you some coffee."

"That's not what I…"

Something about his innocent naivety was charming all on his own. She adored this man for all that he was.

"That was code for 'let's cuddle.' C'mere…"

She put an arm around him and he followed suit. Romance stuff was still fairly new to him, but he was learning. It was one of those things he actually wanted to learn, as it directly involved his favorite person. They hadn't been dating very long, but he wanted to make sure he did it right. He loved this girl with everything he had.

He added this little misunderstanding to his list of mental notes. As someone who generally wanted his actions to speak louder than words, even the little things were important.

"Sorry."

"Don't be."

She squeezed him tightly to her side as they continued to moongaze.

In the past he would've been embarrassed for being oblivious. But they were past that. They were in a place that felt natural. Safe. A place where it was okay to mess up even silly things.

In all of his daily dealings with judgmental and demanding villagers, elders and council members, it was comforting to have someone around whom he could let his guard down, take off all the hats and just be.