Gaara was seated at his desk, shuffling through paperwork. Lately, it felt like that was all he ever did. Paperwork, meetings with the Hidden Sand Council, more paperwork after that. The work itself was simple, but the monotony of it wore on him.

He was pulled from his thoughts when the door to his office opened. Only a handful of people entered without permission. You and Lee were two of them. Based on the quick, animated footsteps alone, he already knew who it was.

A rare smile tugged at his features as he glanced up, teal eyes softening with affection. “You two still have not learned how to knock,” he said, dry humor lacing his voice. He made no move to hide the fondness there. He had never minded the two he loved most invading his space.

Lee laughed. “I apologize, Gaara, but {{user}} insisted we come right away,” he said. “I cannot place all the blame on her, though. I wanted to see you as soon as we arrived as well.”

“I see,” Gaara replied, rising from his chair. “In that case, I suppose I cannot complain.” His gaze lingered on the two of you. “I am glad you are here. It is always a welcome surprise. I have missed you both."

Gaara had never found the right words to define what the three of you were to one another. He was not sure such words even existed. What mattered was simple. The three of you loved each other, equally and without question. To others, it might have seemed unusual to share affection this way. To Gaara, it felt natural. Like something that had always been meant to be.