Chapter 18: Epilogue.

Time comes and then leaves, a year passes by. Well, almost a year, it's a week short. This is the ending, the part where the plot is all wrapped up and sealed with a tiny red bow. This past year has passed by quickly, but not too quietly. The love shared between our two heroes has been limitless. It's an all smiles and kisses kind of ending, so sit back and read this knowing that everything will work out in the end. If a lovey dovey ending isn't what you wanted then you've come to the wrong place, because when it comes to these boy's love, everything is perfect. Because in their perspective, their partner is flawless. Well, maybe not flawless…

"I'm so sorry Gaara-san!" He said in a fast whisper to me as we entered the hallway leading out of the office building. I didn't say anything just yet; I didn't want to discuss anything in this open hallway. I didn't even turn to look at him or hesitate; I kept a steady pace towards the doors leading out of the building. He mumbled another soft apology before quietly and obediently following me out the building.

As I opened the doors a rush of hot, dry, desert air greeted me warmly. The wind kicked sand up into my face but the feeling was one I'd learned to enjoy, almost like rain to most other people. The air dried my throat, which gave me an excuse to stay quiet for the moment. Life was never perfect, and I knew that well, so I couldn't be too angry with him. It wasn't his fault he was such an honest person. Actually, that was one of the many things that made him so attractive. But sometimes, like in our current case, honesty was neither needed nor wanted.

We continued our silent walk through the village until we reached the large mansion-like building that was my new home. I had been permitted to use it ever since I became the Kazekage, but before now there been no reason. But living with Lee was a little complicated when living in the office bedroom, as we had learned the hard way. So now we lived, just the two of us, in this overly large and extravagant house.

I swiftly opened the door using my set of keys and walked into our home, Lee coming in behind me, closing and locking the door. I smiled a bit to myself. This house smelled of sand, whatever Lee used for his hair, and sex. We've made love in every room, in almost every possible position we could think of. This included the kitchen's pantry, all the closets, and even the small storage room under the stairs. I frowned, now remembering how Lee had gotten me so upset earlier. Though, now alone with him in the privacy of our home, I wasn't as mad.

I made my way to a large living room on the right side of the entrance hall, Lee still following close behind, almost whimpering an apology. I headed for a large red armchair that was placed in the upper right corner of the huge room. As I sat down my hand immediately flew to my forehead as I subconsciously rubbed the tension out of my temples. Lee took this as a sign that I was angry and didn't jump onto me, as he would have in any other situation. He just sat at my feet, like a puppy waiting for its master to recognize it's presence. I almost smiled at my comparing Lee to a puppy, but didn't. I wanted him to believe I was still angry with him. I'd get something good out of him if I gave him forgiveness, and I knew it. I didn't want to make him feel bad, but I did kind of want him to owe me.

"Lee, that wasn't the brightest thing you've done since you've been here." I said, disapproval in my voice. I looked down at him to see his large brown eyes welling up with overly dramatic crocodile tears. I kept my facade and didn't smile at his cuteness, though it was really hard.

"I didn't mean to, Gaara-san, please forgive me!" He said, letting a few of his tears fall as he wrapped his arms around my shins. I had finally gotten him to call me just 'Gaara' but when he thought I was really angry with him he always seemed to revert back to adding the unappreciated '-san.' I didn't scold him though, because it was kind of cute how he would say it, as a sort of plead of desperation.

"That doesn't change the fact that you a) fell asleep during an important meeting and b) when waking from this unwanted nap you blurted out personal information regarding our sex life. Not to mention that this all happened in front of some of the most important people in Sunagakure. You realize I'll never be able to look any of those men in the eye ever again, don't you?" I said, adding a sigh afterwards. It was true; I'd never be able to glare down those men again. But it was a small price to pay. Though Lee felt that he should be blamed for it all I didn't blame him. I had made sleeping rough for him the night before, which would explain why he had needed a nap in the office. But he was only concerned about me, and now he thought I was angry with him. I'd forgive him, but not before I knew I was getting the better end of the bargain.

"I'm really sorry, Gaara-san! I'll do anything to make up for it! Anything!" He said frantically. I smiled, but I didn't let him see the smile. I turned my face away from him and looked towards the couch, very dirty thoughts racing through my mind. I had never thought like this before Lee came into my life, but now I was turning into a bit of a pervert.

"Anything?" I questioned. There were a lot of 'anything's I could think of right now.

Let me take this moment to inform you of how I've grown in the past year. With Lee constantly nagging me like a bad housewife I've been able to grow almost a whole foot. He's had me eat right, tried to get me to sleep right, and definitely helped with exercise. Lee's grown a bit himself, but instead of being so much shorter than him, I can now proudly state that I am only a few inches shorter than him. It's not that surprising, my whole family's tall and I am eighteen. Though he's still taller than me, and probably always will be.

"Yeah, anything." He said cautiously, almost regretting saying that. He knew how my mind worked now, and as I turned to face him again he almost flinched at my smirk.

"You're forgiven." I said in an even voice and he jumped onto me, putting his arms around my neck and forcing himself onto me.

"Oh thank you Gaara!" He practically squealed as he nuzzled my neck.

"But you owe me one." I stated. He nodded his head in agreement.

"I'll do my best to fulfill any task you give me, Gaara." He said proudly as he pulled his face away from my neck. Our eyes met, and with the undying passion that sparked our lips soon found each other. His arms still around my neck I stood up and he was forced to stand up with me, our lips locked. I put my arms around his waist and slowly nudged him over to the couch were I pushed him down, our mouths parting sorrowfully. I placed myself on top of him and our tongues practically greeted each other in midair out of eagerness. As I put my arms around his waist and played with the hem of his shirt he pushed me onto my side, so we both laid facing each other. As we broke away to pant our eyes meet once again, this time sparking a different reaction in me.

"Marry me." I practically panted. Lee looked at me confused for a moment, a large blush appearing on his face.

"What?" He stuttered, outright confused.

"Marry me." I said, evenly this time. His confusion only deepened. I shook my head and tightened my grip around his waist. I was about to explain myself when he finally responded.

"It's my greatest wish to marry you, Gaara." He said, the words coming from his throat slowly and deliberately. His brow furrowed again, and he added, "Please don't talk about it so casually."

"Don't think I'm making light of our situation, Lee." I added his name deliberately, to catch his attention and let him know I was completely serious. Knowing I had ruined the mood and now we needed to talk of important matters uninterrupted I moved to sit up. Lee did the same and we sat side by side on the large red couch facing each other.

"I always thought this would be a little more romantic and a little less business-like, you know?" Lee said with a sigh, and I placed my hand on top of his, for support.

"Yeah, but you're with the Kazekage, everything is treated like a matter of the utmost importance. Especially our future plans…" I said quietly. I had wanted to discuss this topic for sometime, now was better than never.

"I know. But why right now?" He said sadly as he turned his hand over so he could grip mine.

"It's been almost a year since you came here. And we're both already 18. If not now then when?" I said, as he laced his fingers with mine.

"You're right. So, should I propose?" He asked, ready to get down on one knee.

"No, the actually proposal should be more romantic, surprise me with the proposal, but make it soon." I said smiling. He returned the smile and I leaned into his chest.

"Wow, a whole yet and yet only a year. It seems like just yesterday I was back home training with Gai-sensei but it also seems like we've been together for eons." He said happily. "But I never tire of you, like I could spend the rest of forever with you without any complications."

"But there will be complications." I said sadly, putting my legs over his, practically sitting in his lap. "Do you realize how much change will come with our being married?" I said. I had asked myself this question quite a few times, and the answer never pleased me.

"Everything will change and yet, nothing will change at the same time. I can't love you more than I do now, and I'll never love you any less." He said, putting his arms around my waist and pulling me to chest in a tight embrace.

"Yes, but…" I started but stopped, was I being a downer? I kept only thinking of the negative things our marriage would bring, what of the positive things? And what did I really want? When I thought about it, I really did want this to happen, more than anything. I wanted to seal our bond, with something real. I wanted everyone to know of the love we shared, and that we needed no others. I smiled and continued, "But what of everyone else?"

"Forget them, no one else matters." He said, as I knew he would. He didn't mean that, and I knew I didn't mean it, either. But for the moment, while I was in his arms, I believed that statement whole-heartedly. And as the tension from the topic evaporated our contact became less comforting and more sexual. He smiled at me and he moved his lips to mine, and as I moved my legs to straddle him.

What we had was love, and you know what? No matter how jealous you are of it, you know it's true. We had understanding, love, sexual attraction, friendship, everything a good couple needed. And to think, it had all started as an impulse to kill.

As he moved his wet mouth over my collarbone I moaned in delight. His hands were already working to get my clothes of, and mine hands stripping off his. This feeling, the feeling we gave to each other, the feeling we both received, it was pure ecstasy. And I never want this feeling to end.

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Tada! That's the ending! (I know, lame, but I had fun!) Thank you to all my reviewers! Without you this chapter might not have been made. I was thinking of just stopping it at 17. Maybe I should have? I finally put their ages in this chapter! Woot! Okay, don't get your hopes up for a sequel, because I might do it, but probably not soon, if at all. I have a few other stories I want to get up before I even think about writing a sequel to this one. Please check out my other stuff if you liked this! I'll be posting new stories soon.