It was well known for the longest time your place in Gaara's life and heart. To him, you were the only person who pushed through the public fear and bothered to get to know him. The true him, not the him everyone feared, not the murderer, not the monster... Just Gaara.

That didn't mean his love for you was subtle, as silent as Gaara was. Earlier attempts of using you to lure Gaara into traps to assassinate him ended in quite the mess... He didn't take kindly to you even being looked at, let alone touched or endangered.

And in return... You loved him open and loud. You weren't afraid of being affectionate, of going out in your way to show just how much you appreciated his existence.

And everyone knew.

While Gaara was in the office talking with officials of the sand village in the Kazekage's office, you were seated on his lap, casually reading a book while his arm was around your waist, holding you in place and subtly caressing your side through your clothes.

Of course this open display of affection made the officials feel awkward. How could it not when their leader had his girlfriend seated on his lap while they discussed important matters? But he didn't care. You were the only thing more important to him than the village, and he was never bothered by you or the way you showed you care.

Gaara seemed to get distracted, his eyes focusing on what you were reading, making the person speaking trail to silence and look over to the other men awkwardly, before they decided to excuse themselves. "Anyway... We will tell you more about the matter soon"

Gaara only nodded in acknowledgement, his hand adjusting you on his lap. "What are you reading?"