Gaara knew he should be observing Taro. He did observe him, as a good parent would, just enough to ensure Taro did not punch another classmate, or himself, in the face. But he had to tear his eyes from Lee to do it.
Lee shone with the same easy confidence that in their introduction had only peeked through. He corrected misstepped stances and reassured discouraged pupils, and each child hung on his every word like gospel. Gaara wondered, sitting there barefoot, crammed against a mirrored wall with a squadron of parents, if one day he would ever learn who or what gave such a man whose scars, and what other layers hid beneath that eager yet anxious veneer.
After class Lee glistened like a sorority girl three hours into a spring break tan. Right down to the mass of dark curls that disappeared below modest sweats. Gaara felt shrunken somehow. He rubbed the inside of his wrist, aa practiced redirect from an older, more conspicuous urges.
“I think it’s perfect for Taro,” he said. Taro appeared no more worn out than when they had arrived. If anything he had more bounce in his step as he challenged Metal to a race around the tatami mats. “The children admire you. You’re….very patient with them.” It was not the first compliment that came to mind. It was, however, the most appropriate.
Gaara offered to watch Metal while Lee showered and changed. The boys entertained themselves easily. The moment Lee emerged from the back room Taro rushed at both of them, begging, with a clumsy shyness, if the two of them would take him and Metal for ice cream.
☆ he wouldn’t go as far as to say he’s anxious about gaara’s reaction to his class, but lee would be lying to himself if he didn’t admit he had high hopes. if he takes interest, if taro takes interest, it’s interaction that is guaranteed. more chance to talk. lee tells himself this is mostly for metal, and that more friends for the boy was good so it doesn’t hurt to get along with the father of a friend of his son. yes, that’s it. what was the harm in genuinely enjoying the company?
lee’s smile is bright at the word perfect, excited to say the least that gaara approves. a soft blush dusts the apples of his cheeks at the added praise; he’s been told that before, that kids gravitate toward his energy, but hearing it from gaara is...different, “thank you, i try my best to make sure they all feel engaged. it is great to get kids moving and excited early on in life,” he replies, rubbing idly at the back of his neck.
he takes a moment to introduce gaara to gai, who is in between personal training sessions. he shakes gaara’s hand firm and claps him on the shoulder with a hearty laugh, praising lee before dismissing himself. lee follows suit, but only for a moment to take a quick rinse. gaara offers to watch metal, and lee doesn’t decline. normally a helicopter partner who needs to know the ins and outs of who cares for his son, it’s...surprisingly refreshing how comfortable he feels with gaara. his shower is quick anyway, less than a few minutes. he didn’t even wet his hair, just in and out to rinse off the sweat and grime from his own day of training. he is in a shirt of his gym and light jacket this time, though the sweats have stayed.
“i think ice cream would be a nice treat!” lee agrees with taro, “you boys did very well today, and metal and i usually grab a snack on the way home from a lesson anyway,” metal excitedly nods and starts talking to taro about the tea shop he likes to go to, the one with the jelly balls and sweet milk tea.
“would you like to walk? we are only a few blocks from the convenience store we usually stop at. we can grab some ice cream cones there. ”
