Chapter Text
Post war, the Kage summits have become something more enjoyable to Gaara than they were previously.
Instead of discussing the dire need to save the people of their lands and bring them together to fight their enemy, a different focus took its place.
The Kage summits were now more about innovation—sharing ideas, inspiration, and better yet, hope for the future.
It was also on such summits that Gaara had the opportunity to see some of his favorite people, chief among them, Temari, and her husband of course, and the family they were starting, as well as Naruto and Hinata.
They were often too busy to meet these days, with young Shikadai and Boruto taking most of their family's time when they weren't busy working.
And because Gaara has seen less of Naruto, and less of Temari when he visits Konoha, he's spent more time with another, someone he's admired his entire life though his place in his own was always in the background.
Lord Sixth.
Although the Kage often are informal with one another and are on a first name basis, it feels strange to refer to Kakashi so casually.
Perhaps because he holds him in the highest regard.
Gaara's been around other Kage most of his life and he's been groomed for the position and lifestyle, but Kakashi seems the most worthy of the title of all those he's met.
When Kakashi was inaugurated as Hokage, Gaara recalled a sense of satisfaction, or relief. You're finally here with me.
Now, Gaara is waiting in Konoha's library after the events of today's summit, for the Hokage. Kakashi had agreed to meet him under the thinly disguised veil of researching water recycling techniques to the benefit of both Konoha and Suna.
When Gaara told Kankuro of his plans, he had laughed.
"Just ask him out, why don't you?" Kankuro had said.
"Wait…why would I do that?" Gaara had asked.
Kankuro hadn't given him a straight answer, and instead chuckled at his clueless younger brother as he went off to enjoy Konoha's bustling nightlife.
Now, Gaara gets his answer, whether he understands it or not.
When Kakashi enters the library, Gaara catches sight of him in the large doorway. Kakashi finds him almost immediately and gives a quick lazy wave, and Gaara's heart pounds in his ears.
Kakashi walks towards him with slow strides and hands in his pockets.
"Gaara," he says warmly, eyes squinting in a smile. "It's always good to see you."
He grips Gaara's shoulder, giving it a brief squeeze, before sitting opposite of him.
The touch electrifies the Kazekage. He loses all train of thought, all the topics and points of discussion he prepared for this meeting are now lost. He looks at Kakashi blankly.
Kakashi picks up on his cues and steers the conversation. "Exhausting day today, hmm?"
"A little. Onoki and A's bickering was tiresome."
Kakashi chuckles and leans back in his seat, crossing one leg over his knee. "It seems we won't have to worry about that for much longer. Lady Kurotsuchi will be succeeding Onoki soon, after all."
Gaara nods. "Her leadership skills and skills as a shinobi are formidable." It's all he's willing to say on the matter presently.
"It's a wonder you've been able to keep your composure with them for so long," Kakashi says, eyes still squinting.
It's a compliment, Gaara realizes. He gives Kakashi a small smile. "It's been challenging, but I've held my own."
"They respect you. It must not have been easy, being so young."
"I hear that you underwent the same trials at ANBU," Gaara replies. "You were also very young."
"Yes, I was," Kakashi admits. "Hmm. That's interesting."
"What is?" Gaara asks, fully focused on the Hokage before him.
"I'll tell you later."
With that, Kakashi is up on his feet, walking into the yawning rows and rows of bookcases. "Are you coming?" Kakashi asks from over his shoulder.
Gaara is up and following after him. Once he catches up the two Kage are busy sifting through books. Gaara is energized with the purpose of his task, and Kakashi helps, pulling books down while he quickly skims them from his perch high on a ladder.
"There's a lot in this one about irrigation," Kakashi murmurs, keeping his voice low in the library. "But we've gathered quite a few books already."
"I'll take it," Gaara replies, walking toward the ladder after closing another book in his hands.
Kakashi lowers the book and Gaara takes it from him with a slow, deliberate movement. Kakashi's fingers brush along Gaara's own as the book is handed off.
Gaara feels the touch linger against his skin, causing the fine hairs on his neck to stand on end, but he says nothing about it. He instead opens the book and skims its contents, still standing beside the ladder.
"Very interesting," Kakashi hums to himself.
Gaara's head snaps up from the book. "What is?"
"You," Kakashi replies, nose deep in another book, casually flipping through its pages.
Gaara feels the heat rise to his cheeks and the tips of his ears. He closes the book in his hand and tucks it under his arm with the other he is carrying, then looks up at Kakashi on the ladder.
"Why am I interesting?" Gaara asks.
"Why wouldn't you be?" Kakashi muses, looking down his mask at the younger man.
Gaara doesn't know what to say. He stares up at Kakashi with a curious tilt of his head.
"Why did you ask me to come to the library with you?" Kakashi asks. "I know very little about the information you seek. Lady Mei or Chojuro seem better able to discuss hydro engineering with you."
Gaara blinks. Kankuro's words from earlier echo in his mind.
"Don't get me wrong, Gaara. I am happy to help you in any way you think I can assist. But this is not my particular strength, and I know you to be a man that controls his assets with thorough planning and calculation. So I wonder, where do I fit in your calculations, hmm?"
Gaara remains silent, staring up the ladder somewhere behind the Hokage.
Kakashi lowers his book and gazes at Gaara with eyes that never miss a thing, even without his Sharingan.
"You have tells, Gaara, that are easy to read."
Gaara crosses his arms, the books he holds press to his ribs. "Is that so?" he manages in his most unaffected tone.
"Yes. I'd be happy to tell you about them, whenever you're ready to hear them."
"I am ready."
"No, I don't think you are. Not yet."
Kakashi climbs down the ladder, ruffling Gaara's hair affectionately as he does so.
"I'll be here, though, when you are ready," Kakashi says, placing his hands in his pockets. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have somewhere I must be."
Gaara does his best to hide his disappointment. "Of course, Lord Kakashi."
Kakashi winces at the title. "Maa. Please don't call me that."
"Sorry, Kakashi."
Kakashi winces again.
"There's nothing to be sorry for. But I'll be here for you, next time, however I may fit into your calculations. Just be honest with me about what you really need, won't you?"
Gaara watches as Kakashi walks out of sight, and wonders what it was Kakashi saw about him that made him leave.
Gaara returns to his books, his excitement for the task now completely deflated. He forces himself to read, attempting to drown out the negative thoughts that try to creep into his mind like dark weedy tendrils.