Note from the Author: This is what we call "writer's block," my dear children. Eventually, I'm combining all the Naruto one-shots I've submitted into just this story, but for now, let's start you off with some new ones – and with a new pairing I'm still experimenting on.

And the title of this little group is credited to Lotus Aia because I took it from one of her one-shots that I absolutely adore. She is Fluff Queen – go read her stuff.

Greetings

For as long as Gaara had been friends with Lee, the intensity of his hugs had never seized to amaze him. He would answer the door, vaguely register a blur of green, before falling, Lee jabbering happily all the while.

Gaara didn't really mind though. It was one of the quirks about Lee he'd fallen in love with. Rock Lee was naturally affectionate and talkative – two things Gaara didn't understand how to be. He could feel love – and he did, and it hurt so much sometimes he wished he couldn't – but hadn't yet figured out how to express it. So the adoration he felt for Lee went unspoken and, since the hyperactive boy was clueless when it came to things like this, unknown.

Then the day came that Gaara actually thought to brace himself. Holding his breath, he threw the door open and tensed his muscles, eyes squeezed shut.

But the blow never came.

Instead, arms slid around his waist, pulling him close, a chin settling on his shoulder. "Hi, Gaara-san" was said softly in his ear.

Blue eyes flashed open, more surprised by his sudden gentility than he had ever been by his tackle-hugs. "Lee? Are you okay?"

The arms around him tightened. "I love you, you know." He whispered, pulling back to look him in the eye.

Gaara didn't understand the warm feeling spreading through his chest, but he liked it. Awkwardly, without full knowledge of what he was supposed to do, he wrapped his arms around the taller boy's neck, standing on his toes to bring their lips briefly together. "So this is how it feels?"

Lee smiled, cupping his pale face in bandaged hands and kissing him again. "It feels good, doesn't it?" he asked quietly, burying his face into the mop of red hair. "Loving someone and knowing he loves you too."

Gaara snuggled close, arms around the boy he loved. He had always adored Lee for the loud, enthusiastic way he did everything. But this gentle, sweet Lee was nice too – definitely something he could get used to. "Promise me something."

"Anything, Gaara-san."

He almost smiled at that and, as he pulled Lee's head down for their mouths to connect again, whispered, "Promise me you'll greet me like this from now on."