Naruto One-Shot (Yaoi)

When it Snows

By: avio

The sky was light and hazy, despite the late hour. It had been a long time since it snowed so much in one day, and right now the snow scattered, directionless, sticking to the ground and piling upon the inches. It was as if it was making up for the years it had been so light, and while the day had been dangerous and cold, the residents of the city would be glad for the addition to the lake when it all melted.

One of said residents was walking down the empty street, amongst long-since-closed-for-the-day local businesses and the stray bar visitor stumbling home, heading downtown where all the hotels and casinos. If one were so inclined, they could take an elevator to the highest hotel where the view would be perfect, and this boy was definitely inclined, shivering and trying to walk quickly without slipping. He was excited about something, anxious, but excited.

Armed to the teeth in layers of sweaters under coat, he made it to said hotel, staring out the window of the elevator as he rose up, up, up, pulling the flaps of his hat over peaks of blond hair. His nerves were tight and his breathing was heavy.

It was just as beautiful as he thought it would be, and he was doubly pleased to see the other figure leaning against the side, looking at the bright casino lights and flutters of snow, a flurry of red hair atop a bundle of scarves.

He grinned, a sense of relief flooding through him, and wordlessly joined the redhead's side.

It was a silent tradition, ever since he was a middle school delinquent, who'd originally come here to do away with the pain he'd felt. He'd been immediately enamoured by the experience of the view however, and came every time it snowed like this. It seemed to happen more often back then, and at some point through those years, the other kid started showing up.

Do you think I'd feel more alive if I jumped?

Neither said a word for a long time, both of them merely admiring the city's beauty.

"Glad to see you here," the blond's voice would have been loud, but it was swallowed by the flurry of snow, muting it. It could not mute his wide smile as he finally turned to his companion, who said nothing, did nothing for a moment before turning their head slowly to look back only to be caught off guard by such a smile. Light green eyes narrowed to focus on it, and a paused breath finally appearing in a puff of cold air.

"Naruto Uzumaki."

"Hey, you remembered! I never thought you were really paying attention, to be all that honest." Naruto chuckled, turning back to the quiet scene before them and completely unaware of minutely widened eyes.

Of course they remembered.

All Naruto ever did was talk, it seemed. Gaara had only wanted some peace and quiet and this ridiculous troublemaker would somehow take their silence as consent to continue. They'd grown used to it over the scattered visits, though, as it took their mind off of other things, darker things they didn't want to have to think about. They would listen attentively, and let the boy distract them from the reasons they came here in the first place. Besides,the talking always died down to a comfortable silence, and the two would merely watch and breathe.

It was the last time, three years ago, when they were both seniors in high school, that Naruto had been later than usual. That Gaara had to suffer the whirlwind of thoughts in their mind for longer than they usually did these nights, and they only wanted to feel alive again, and stared at the ledge.

When the other finally did appear (Gaara had begun to wonder if he ever would, had hoped to be done with this before he did) it was to Gaara standing atop the ledge.