GaaLee by s2m: installment #3! :3

[slr2moons]

I now know what happens when three uber-fans of Gaara/Lee end up chatting online together: much in the way of squeeing, naughty jokes, silliness, and staying up waaaaay too late.

Yes, this means I finally caved and began to chat online again. I'm doing better this time, I've figured out how to work and chat together. Plus, it really helps keep my energy up so I can do more pages. ^^V

Continuing, last Saturday night, I had the most incrediby fun time chatting with Star-chan and Rice-kun.^^ At one point towards the end, Rice-kun asked for a fic prompt, and Star-chan provided. Star-chan then asked for one, so I obliged. After a bit, Star-chan asked me if I wanted one, and since I was almost finished with work for that day, I accepted.

My prompt was "mint". The following is the result, which is noteworthy for being my first fic on demand! Minna, I hope you enjoy. ^^ I know at least three of you will... XD

Title: A Clearing of the Senses
Author: slr2moons
Summary: Lee brings Gaara to one of his favorite places, and then shows him why it’s one of his favorites.
Length: 775 words
Warnings: None, except for the obvious BL/Shounenai/slash/yaoi fluff. ^^ No spoilers, either.

This is a work of fanfiction and has nothing official to do with the licensed version of this anime and manga in any way whatsoever.

A Clearing of the Senses

Gaara stepped out into the clearing, shading his eyes from the sun. The bright light was a shock after being under the cool dimness of the forest for so long. Squinting, he looked about. The clearing was small, just large enough for a gap to form in the canopy overheard.

Turning where he stood in the middle of the bright sunlight, Lee spread his arms wide and took a deep breath. "You can truly smell the vigor of youth here, Gaara-kun!"

"Hmmm." Gaara had stopped trying to argue the logic about Lee's eccentric statements some time ago. He made his way through the grass to stand next to the other man. When Lee opened one eye to steal a glance at him, Gaara obligingly sniffed the air. It was rather refreshing, though he'd never admit it.

Lee's grin turned conniving. "But to truly appreciate all this lovely springtime clearing has to offer, you must--" he winked.

Gaara patiently waited for the end of the dramatic pause.

"--lie down on your back."

Lee wasn't a very subtle person, particularly with words. But then, that was one of the things Gaara liked about him. He knew Lee would always be straightforward and never let Gaara's power or position affect his honesty. With a tiny smile, Gaara unbuckled his gourd's large strap and set it on the ground. He sat in the soft grass and lay on his back, his left hand still resting on the gourd.

"Close your eyes and make yourself comfortable."

Gaara turned his head to peer suspiciously up at Lee, who was leaning over him.

Lee simply grinned back in answer.

Sighing in defeat, Gaara stretched, curled his right arm behind his head, and let himself melt into the grass. He heard Lee rustling about behind his head, then felt the movement of air as Lee lay down as well. He settled on the grass in the opposite direction from Gaara, with only their heads next to each other.

Lee stretched, letting out a contented noise, his right hand coming to rest where it gently touched Gaara's red hair. They lay there for several quiet moments, simply breathing.

As usual, it was Lee who broke the silence. "Do you smell that, Gaara-kun?

Gaara cracked open one eye and tilted his head to look at Lee. Lee's eyes were still closed, his hair spread about his head in a black, shining curtain. A thick, cool lock of it tickled Gaara's cheek.

He studied Lee for a moment, relishing in the chance to look at him in golden natural light without interruption or pretense. Lee's brow creased at the lengthy delay, and he turned to meet Gaara's eyes.

"Do you smell it?"

Gaara blinked and faced the sky to hide his silly blush. He inhaled deeply, his eyes closing again to block out any further...distractions. "I do smell something familiar."

"Yes." Gaara heard the smile in Lee's voice as the other man continued, "That scent is why I love this clearing. It's mint. It grows here."

"Mint..." Gaara breathed deeply again. Now that he knew what to look for, he could smell it. "Ah...yes. I smell it now."

He heard Lee sigh with pleasure, then the rustle of grass as he shifted. Gaara started when he felt the soft brush of a leaf against his mouth, and the scent of mint filled his nostrils. He opened his eyes to see Lee propped up on one arm, leaning close over him.

"Mint seems so clean and fresh to me, Gaara-kun. Like a new beginning, or a promise given, or of hope."

Gaara held his breath, watching Lee's face so close over his own. The light filtered down through his hair, casting the familiar face into a shadow surrounded by diamonds.

Gaara reached up to touch Lee's hand and gently removed the mint leaf. He found Lee's lips with the back of his own hand and brushed the mint leaf against them. He felt Lee press his mouth against the leaf. Gaara rose from the ground and met Lee's lips with his own. The mint leaf, forgotten, tickled their skin for a moment before it gently dropped to the ground.

And sometimes, Lee's words meant so much more than what he said.

completed 11-24-07, last tweaked 11-27-07

It's incredibly fun to write togther. I hope we can do so again! XD Oh, and you can find Star-chan's fic by clicking here! Rice-kun has not posted hers, alas. Y.Y

I'm fairly sure I'd like to add this along to my first Gaara/Lee fic into a series of vignettes. I'll see how it goes, hmm?

Cross-posted to LeeGaara and my own journal, of course. ^^