Gentle Re-assurance

You hesitate for a moment, your hand hovering in a tight fist before the door. It had been three months since Gaara had died, and been brought back to life with the help of Naruto and Chiyo. You hadn’t seen him since before he was captured, and you weren’t sure what to say. You sigh heavily and let your hand drop to your side without knocking.

“Is something wrong?” You jump slightly at the sound of Temari’s voice. She stands a few feet away from you, a tray of hot chocolate mugs in her hands. You scratch the back of your head nervously and sigh again.

“I . . .don’t know what to say to him,” you start slowly, voice barely audible. “I though I’d lost him . . .”

Temari smiles sympathetically and gives you a re-assuring pat on the back, balancing the tray of mugs on one hand.

“Don’t worry, (Y/n)-chan,” she says warmly. “He’s missed you.” Raising a hand, she raps smartly on the door.

“Come in,” comes a soft voice from within the room. Temari opens the door, and you both walk in. Gaara is seated at his desk, mounds of scrolls and paperwork scattered about him. His head is resting on one hand, as he glares down at a long letter. He doesn’t look up when you both enter.

“I brought you some hot chocolate,” Temari says happily, placing the tray on the one empty space on the desk. Gaara mutters a small thank you. You watch him quietly. He looks so tired.

“And,” Temari continues, glancing back at you. “A visitor.”

Gaara finally looks up from the letter and past Temari, to you. His eyes widen a bit in surprise, obviously expecting someone here on business. You give him a small smile. He is so different from when you first met him, so much more expressive and open, even in subtle ways.

“(Y/n)-chan!” He stands, giving you a genuine smile, and circling the desk to meet you in a warm embrace. You practically melt in his arms, tears of joy mixed with relief pricking at the corners of your eyes. You lean your head against his shoulder and sigh heavily.

‘He really is alive!’ you think to yourself, your heart feeling lighter, finally knowing for sure that he was okay. “Gaara-kun . . .I thought I’d . . .” you stutter, unable to stop a few tears from falling down your cheeks. “I thought I’d lost you.” You finish the thought softly, an apparent shiver of fear rushing down your spine.

He shushes you gently, holding you tighter to him and running his fingers through your hair.

“It’s alright, I’m here now.” Your sobs echo softly through the large room, and Gaara looks up at Temari for help. She shrugs and tilts her head toward the hot chocolate, still sitting untouched on the desk. “Come on, let’s have some hot chocolate, hmm?” Gaara says, rubbing your back in warm re-assurance. You sniffle and nod, allowing him to steer you back towards Temari.

A few minutes later . . .

The three of you sit with your backs up against the oversized desk, you with your head resting in Gaara’s lap, eyes half closed as he strokes your head gently. Temari, meanwhile, is sifting through a small stack of papers, discussing Kazekage issues with Gaara. You let out a contented sigh, letting the sound of his voice lull you into a light sleep, the hot chocolate still warming your stomach.

Temari glances down at your sleeping form and smirks at Gaara.

“So? When are you going to ask her?” she says nonchalantly.

“Ask her what?” Gaara replies, blinking innocently at his elder sibling and taking another sip of hot chocolate.

“To marry you, of course,” Temari exclaims matter-of-factly. Gaara coughs, nearly choking on his drink. He sets the offending mug aside and clears his throat.

“M-marry her?” Gaara re-iterates, trying to re-gain his composure.

“Yes, marry her,” Temari replies, blinking at Gaara as if the issue was incredibly obvious. “You love her, don’t you?” Gaara blinks back at Temari, glancing down at you, his hand still tangled in your soft hair.

“Yes, I do,” he says softly, a light blush settling on his cheeks. “I just don’t know if I’m ready for such a big decision yet . . .” That was only half the truth. In all honesty, he had been ready to ask you before the whole trouble with Akatsuki had started. He never got the chance. Now he was just plain nervous.

Temari grins and gives him a knowing look, gulping down the remains of her mug.

“Well, let me know if you need any help,” she says cheekily. Gaara scowls at her.

“I think I can handle it, thank you,” he says sternly, though it sounds more like he is trying to convince himself. Temari winks at him and grins again, standing.

“I’m off to bed,” she yawns, stretching and gathering the empty mugs. Gaara nods and shakes you gently awake. You mumble something incoherent and stand absentmindedly. Gaara smiles at you and places a gentle kiss on your forehead.

“Goodnight, (Y/n)-chan,” he whispers softly.

“Mmm . . .” you reply. Temari giggles.

“Come on, sleepy head,” she says, and leads you off to her room. Gaara watches the two of you disappear into Temari’s room, then sighs and retires to his own.

He was so happy that you were finally back.