Send a ♡ to hear how my character would tell your character that they loved them without actually using the word “love.”
So many assumed that Naruto had been the sole factor in Gaara’s decisions since the Chunin Exams. Vocally, Gaara would agree. All the same he knew, that if it were not for the two that constantly stayed by his side, he would never have even been able to join the regular troops. The specialized team of the Kazekage’s children would still be composed of a wind mistress, puppet master, and Sunagakure’s defective weapon. The will that Naruto had sparked would have surely become a smothered flame if it were not for them. Yes, Baki played his part in it all too, but it was Kankuro’s hot temper and Temari’s sharp tongue he would overhear arguing for his rights, what he was capable of. They believed in him when no one else in the village had.
Hardly any time ago he thought that they were worthless, that they would be better off dead than constantly being dragged along with him. nuisances, both of them. Shukaku’s whispers for their blood, and to have them slaughtered with a twist of his wrist had sometimes been overwhelming but something had always stopped him. Even when Kankuro annoyed him with his ability to actually stand up to him, or when Temari actually showed signs for caring for the little monster he had been - despite being terrified of him they were still there. For the longest time he thought that was why he kept them around. To see how long until they cracked, Family had always meant little to him after Yashamaru’s betrayal, but before that, all he wanted was to hear that his siblings accepted him - that they were not like the other kids on the playground that made him feel like he was a freak.
The hat upon his head hid the majority of his face as he began to walk through the village. The streets were nearly vacant, and he only had to pause to greet a few overly energetic young women. One of them looked as if they might fall faint - Gaara suggested she get some water. Had he not been on the look for another, he might have seen to it himself. Instead he continued on, hearing a few giggles behind him. He paid it little mind, walking with purpose to find at least one of those who had given him a strength to continue with this goal. He finally found her on the outskirts of the training grounds. Still seemingly alone.
"Temari," Gaara called to her, watching the four pony tails fly behind her as her head was turned toward him. He reached up and removed the hat from his head, resting it at his side. A bit of his hair was flat from having had it on so long, but with the wind blowing, he doubted it would stay like that for long. "I - wanted to talk to you, if you had a moment to spare." with her go ahead, his lung expelled a calming breath, and he stepped a bit closer. ‘Affection’ or anything even remotely close to it never came from any of the siblings in a traditional way, and it would hold true now.
"All of this… Me becoming Kazekage, Sunagakure’s acceptance of me - though I know there are still those that are worried of me - I know I would not have been able to succeed in my dream if it was not for you and Kankuro helping me. I wanted to properly thank you. Thank you, for believing in me." the most natural seeming smile began to work onto his face, putting all of those crazed and half mad grins that corrupted his face to shame. "Without you and Kankuro, my existence would still be empty."
Gaara was well aware that the Elders might have only put him in this position so that they could tie a noose around his neck, hang him if he proved to be a greater threat than a tool to keep Sunagakure afloat. Nevertheless, he also knew that his heart’s greatest wish was fulfilled by the young woman before him (and the brother that was surely off working on one of his puppets). To them, he was needed in one form or another, they accepted him, and his life mattered to them — that was all Gaara had ever wanted from anyone.
