imprinting | gaara/reader

23/100 - inauguration

023

The day Gaara became Kazekage was, all at once, one of the happiest and most saddest days in all of your 14 years of living. The bittersweet day was full of half-hearted smiles, forced laughs, but genuine love and compassion.

"All Kazekages ever do is sit in their office and..."

"And what, Kankuro?" Temari leans her head to her shoulder, brow raising, and hand on her waist.

Kankuro stumbles on the next few words, "uh... Do I look like I've been a Kazekage before?"

"Never in a million years," his sister chuckles to herself.

You purse your lips and shift your weight between each foot. As you stand awkwardly beside Gaara's siblings, you find yourself absent from any conversation they made. Your attention was reserved for Gaara, even if he was occupied with other guests.

After the official inauguration, where the entirety of Sunagakure watched as Gaara was announced as their newest Kazekage, a celebration was held in the home of the sand siblings. All Jonins had come, authority figures of Sunagakure, and even the Hokage of Konoha had stopped by to congratulate Gaara's new accomplishment.

"So, Gaara's going to be super busy then?" You look towards Kankuro, as if he was the expert.

He gives a half nod and a weak smile. "Well, yeah. He's gotta do all that adult-y, serious, Kage stuff. Most of it is signing off a bunch of papers. Sounds like a total snooze-fest, if you ask me."

You realized that you were seeking some sort of reassurance, that maybe Gaara wouldn't be so busy that you'd just be at the back of his head. There was no way that he'd forget about you, right?

Gaara's shaking hands with each and every one of Suna's Jonins and you're standing, staring, moping. But you smile, because you're happy for him. It's his day, not yours. You knew that very well, more than anyone.

When Gaara is found tending to himself, you take the chance to walk up and stand next to him. He looks at you as though he were acknowledging you.

"I'm super proud of you, Gaara." You say, softly. Hopefully your words were reaching him, or perhaps your voice had gotten lost in the sea of celebratory cheers for Gaara. Other people who walked by you two seemed to have had the same idea as you.

"Could you repeat that?" Gaara replies after he thanks another.

"Oh-" you giggled, nervously. "I just think it's super cool that you're Kazekage. I mean, you've always wanted the village to look at you like... like... with respect. Honestly, you did it. I'm really happy."

"You are happy for me. Yet, you are not the one who was crowned Kazekage."

"Well, I care about you. Of course, I would be happy."

Gaara is silent, which was rather normal for him. You didn't suspect much else to happen.

But he takes your hand, looks at you, and speaks to you in a soft whisper. "I am grateful for you."