Hello once again to all you readers, and welcome back to Crimson Sands. I can't apologize enough for the extended wait. Despite that, I have recently received a big boost of inspiration, and I am eager to get back on this fanfiction! Updates will still be a bit slow, I'm afraid, and the chapters will not be excessively long, but they will be coming!

Also, thanks so much to everyone for their continuing support on this story! You guys are literally the best.

Expect some major fluff in this chapter.

"So when exactly are you supposed to be meeting up with your father?"

Gaara paused in the middle of searching his suitcase for his sketchbook when his companion's question reached his ears. "Tomorrow evening. Saturday is apparently the least busy for him, so..." He didn't bother finishing his sentence, knowing that Neji would get the gist of it.

The two of them had quickly gotten settled into their hotel room, unpacking their essentials and getting familiar with where everything was. Midnight was already creeping around the corner, and Neji couldn't help but feel somewhat concerned about the fact that Gaara looked like he was about to start up an activity. He should be getting ready to sleep so that he would have energy to face his father tomorrow, not stay up all night drawing.

"Gaara..." Neji called out carefully as he pulled out a pair of sweatpants and a plain white t-shirt from the dresser on his side of the room.

At hearing his name, Gaara lifted his head and offered him a curious look to indicate that he was listening. His sketchbook was held lazily in his arms, having finally located it, and a pencil was perched between his fingers. It was clear that he had every intention on drawing the night away.

Neji sighed softly and sat down on the bed, knowing full and well that he was about to open up a can of worms that may or may not damage his relationship with the other man. "Don't you think...you should try and get some sleep? That way you'll have plenty of energy for whatever takes place tomorrow?" He asked, tone cautious. He knew he couldn't force the redhead to sleep without somewhat crippling their fragile relationship, but maybe he could at least convince him to do so.

Gaara's lips formed a thin line in response to Neji's suggestion, clearly not happy with it. "I...don't really feel like sleeping..." He informed softly, resting his sketchbook against his chest, almost as if to shield himself from the large bed before him. Just the word 'sleep' all on its own was enough to make him uncomfortable.

This would have to be approached carefully. Neji knew exactly what the smaller of the two was afraid of in allowing himself to sleep. The nightmares that plagued Gaara for so long were still very much a threat to him, and to be perfectly honest, Neji didn't have a clue as to how to go about fending them off. They sat in silence for a moment or so before Neji decided to try and push the subject with a soft spoken, "Gaara, exactly how long has it been since you've tried sleeping at night?"

Needless to say Gaara was caught off guard by Neji's question, judging by the taken aback expression on his face. How long had it been? For so long he had merely been accustomed to his routine of not sleeping, that it was really more of a habit now rather than a way to keep the nightmares away. However, the fear was still very much there, and Gaara would rather avoid the risk of having another one if he could. "It's been a few years, I guess." Was his honest answer.

The fact that Gaara said this in such a way that he made it sound like it wasn't a big deal caused Neji's heart to physically hurt. How could the other even function, he found himself wondering, with such a lack of sleep for that extended amount of time. If it meant Gaara getting a good night sleep, Neji was more than willing to take the risk he was about to take.

"I see...Gaara, please, for your own sake, take this into consideration. If it has been that long ago since you've taken the chance of sleeping at night, how do you know that you still have something to fear?" He asked, noting with pleasure that he seemed to have the raccoon demon's full attention. "I know about the nightmares that you suffered from as a child, Gaara, and I can't imagine the depths of their nature if they caused you to swear off sleeping at night. However...this is detrimental to your health," Neji rose from his seat on the bed and made his way over to the smaller demon, stopping a respectful distance in front of him. "I realize that the fear of having one of those dreams makes you hesitant to do so but...please, Gaara. Those nightmares could have very well been left behind with your childhood. And...it would make me very happy to see you have a peaceful night's sleep..."

Gaara felt like he could have been washed away by the sincerity that poured out from Neji's speech, heart skipping a beat as a result of the pleading look he received. His immediate instinct was to say no and stand his ground, continuing on with his sleepless vow. However, the look Neji was giving him made him hesitate, and his former words were still ringing in his ears. He had considered many times in the past that his nightmares had perhaps faded away with time, but there was no way to be sure without putting himself in the immediate danger of having another one. Gaara knew that should he be faced with one of the gut-wrenching nightmares that he had been subjected to as a child, that he might very well relapse into a panic attacks. But Neji did have a very good point. The lack of sleep was not good for his health in the slightest, both mentally and physically.

"I don't know..." Gaara mumbled honestly, heart very much torn between what he should do as he lowered his eyes to the ground.

Neji studied the hesitant man before him for a moment, wracking his mind for ways to assure him a decent sleep that night. "How about this, then, Gaara?" He began, waiting until those teal orbs were once again trained on him before continuing. "I will remain awake until you fall asleep, and then for at least an hour after. If you show any signs whatsoever of a nightmare, I will immediately wake you up. Does that seem like an okay plan?" He asked, tone hopeful as he awaited the other's answer.

Gaara digested the sorcery demon's plan carefully, weighing the pros and cons of it in his head. Did he really have enough trust established with Neji to allow him this? The answer came easy enough. Really studying the man's face, Gaara could see the unfiltered care that lingered there, knowing that Neji would keep to his word. Letting out a soft sigh, Gaara closed his eyes and readied himself for his own answer.

"I'll...try," he stated honestly, setting his sketchbook on the nightstand behind him before turning back around to face the taller of the two. "...I'm trusting you with this, Hyuga. Don't make me regret it." He warned seriously. Turning his back on Neji once again, Gaara began digging through his dresser to find the clothes he wanted to wear tonight. If he were going to try and sleep, then he might as well put on some appropriate sleepwear.

He turned around just in time to miss the look of pure satisfaction that passed of Neji's face at hearing that he was going to make an attempt to sleep. "I promise that you will have nothing to regret." He informed, watched for a moment as Gaara searched for something to sleep in. He then gathered up his own clothes for the night and went to the bathroom to change, knowing that the redhead would probably prefer some privacy for him to do the same. By the time he emerged, Gaara had changed into a pair of worn grey shorts and a beige shirt that was two times too big on him. Neji couldn't help but snort softly in amusement at the sight, covering his mouth to try and muffle the sound. However, his attempt at discretion failed as Gaara's head lifted up, his gaze quickly narrowing in suspicion.

"...What's so funny?" He demanded, crossing his arms in front of his chest. Neji couldn't help but find the simple action adorable.

"Nothing really," Neji shrugged, moving over to the bed and sitting down on the side that he seemed to have claimed as his own. "Just that you are far too cute for it to be considered fair, is all."

When the reason behind his amusement was revealed, Gaara felt his cheeks slowly heat up in embarrassment, quick to try and find a way to cover it up. However, there didn't seem to be anything to use as a distraction this time, so he was left to face the other's accusation. He huffed softly and quickly threw back his side of the covers, muttering a quick 'idiot' before crawling under them and turning his back on Neji.

Chuckling softly at the man's child-like behavior, Neji also slid beneath the covers. He reached over to the table on his side of the bed and switched off the lamp resting on it, successfully sending the room into darkness. He settled back against his pillow and decided to rest on his right side so that he could view Gaara's resting form. He was ecstatic that the redhead was going to actually try to allow himself the act of sleeping, watching the man's steady breathing. He quickly became tired of the nest of red that he was staring at, wishing to see Gaara's full face as he drifted off to sleep.

"Gaara." He called softly, knowing that it would still be quite a while before the man would be able to relax himself enough to even try and sleep. When he received a soft grunt in response, he continued. "...Face me, please." He didn't ask for more than that, given the knowledge that this was already difficult for him.

Gaara remained still for a moment or two, and Neji was beginning to think that he would deny his request. However, he eventually stirred and rolled over onto his other side, fixing Neji with those pools of teal that practically seemed to glow in the darkness. Neji offered him a reassuring smile, trying not to let it show how he was nearly left breathless by how stunning the redhead looked even in the dark.

"I assume that it would be asking too much if I tried to cuddle with you?" Neji chuckled teasingly, raising a hopeful eyebrow at him.

Gaara snorted in response. "You assume correctly." Was his immediately reply. Was he becoming more fond of Neji? Yes, of course. It was rather easy to tell that much. However, he was still quite a ways away from being able to accept...cuddling.

"I see..." Neji hummed, falling silent for few seconds. He then reached out his hand and, leaving him enough time to pull away if he so wished to, gently laid his hand over Gaara's that rested on the mattress. Gaara felt his breath catch in his throat at the soft contact, eyes flickering from their hands to Neji's face. "Is this, at least, acceptable?" The sorcery demon wondered aloud, offering the smaller hand a gentle squeeze.

Hesitating for a moment before he answered, Gaara allowed himself to consider how this felt. Neji's hand wasn't too much larger than his own, but it was just enough to fully cover the back of his hand. It felt warm, soft even, and Gaara couldn't help but find the sensation somewhat relaxing. "...It's fine, I guess." He finally mumbled, quickly shutting his eyes to avoid the pleased look that would surely be gracing Neji's face.

And sure enough it was there, a smile of pure contentment took hold of Neji's lips as he watched over Gaara, observing him as he breathed rhythmically. For over an hour they laid like that, Neji dutifully watching over the smaller man as he tried to relax enough to drift into sleep's open arms. Finally, after what seemed like forever, Gaara's tense hand that Neji had carefully paid attention to relaxed, and it soon went limp against the mattress. Carefully studying the small demon huddled beneath the sheets, Neji noted with pleasure that he really was asleep. He released a content sigh, studying with fascination how relaxed and at ease the redhead seemed while asleep. As promised, he remained awake for another hour, dutifully watching over Gaara as he slept to keep an eye out for any signs of a bad dream. With much relief, nothing ever came, Gaara not even stirring in the slightest. It wasn't until he was positive that his little raccoon wouldn't be disturbed that Neji, too, allowed himself to be carried away by sleep.

Throughout the rest of the night, nothing disturbed the two sleeping demons, the dark room silence save for their gentle breathing. Even though they shifted a bit in their sleep, Neji's hand remained gently on top of Gaara's, fending off any bad dreams that threatened to come their way.

That's it for this chapter! I really needed to write something sweet for these two, so the chapter isn't very long! I should be able to control my urges next time, so the next chapter should hopefully be longer.

Don't forget to review so that I know what you guys think! ouo