This was requested by: UnkownDreamer
<WARNING: Keep in mind I'm not experienced with writing Boy x Boy stories, so this might be really bad.>

It's been a few weeks since Lee was let out of the hospital after his injuries from fighting Gaara in the Chunin Exams. He was currently wandering Konoha Village with a wooden crutch under his left arm, slowly hobbling his way around.

He had ran into Naruto a little while ago and spoke with him about a few matters. He was excited to say that his mission with the Toad Sage, Jiraiya, was a success. He explained that they were able to find the legendary healer, Tsunade, and bring her back to the Leaf Village.

"Hey, you know what?" Naruto asked, grin still never leaving his whiskered face. "You should go see Grandma Tsunade, too Lee! She'd be able to heal you right up! She healed Sasuke perfectly, so she'd have no problem doing the same with you!"

Lee's expression saddened, but did his best to keep a smile. "Yes, that would certainly be something. I guess I'll have to speak with her then."

"Awesome! Well, I gotta run. Official business from Purvey Sage, so see ya later!" Naruto sang, waving while running off in the opposite direction that Lee was walking.

"Bye Naruto." Lee waved, then turned back around and walked away.

The truth was, he had already had an appointment with Lady Tsunade, and the news he received was not what he wanted to hear. Both to him, and Guy-Sensei. They could tell that Tsunade felt bad to inform them of the news, but it had to be said. Everyone knew that a healer's job is never easy.

"If the surgery were to fail... he'd die."

The words rang in his head over and over. He never would have thought that his career as a ninja could possibly be over, or even worse... if he tried to go through with the only surgery that could heal him, he could potentially die. It was the toughest decision he ever had to make in his entire life.

Without realizing it, Lee had found himself at the balcony that Guy-Sensei first took him and his teammates Neji and Tenten. His feet just began walking as his thoughts were in a different universe. It made sense though, this was the very place that he shared his dream with the rest of his team. It brought back memories just standing there and gazing at the spot he cherished.

He walked over and sat down on the cement bench, setting his crutch to the side of him. Just then, his mind wandered to his match against Gaara. He was so close to victory, but all if took was one move for it all to end. He found it exceedingly frustrating.

Though, he wasn't angry with Gaara. No, he was angry with himself. Most people in his situation would seek revenge on the person who caused and dealt all the damage. But not Lee, he found it more as his fault that he predicted the results of the battle way too early. He found it odd, but he felt like Gaara held back during their match.

It might just be him, but he could swear that he saw guilt in Gaara's eyes as he crushed his arm and leg. Could it have been possible? He appreciated the fact that Gaara held back and purposely didn't kill him, but he thought that there must have been more too it? Lee didn't know, and he would have needed to ask Gaara himself about it to know for sure. But he went back to the Sand Village after the shocking death of the Third Hokage, and their village was a three day trip from the Hidden Leaf.

Just as he rambled on in his thoughts, Lee heard footsteps coming from the staircase leading to the balcony. He looked up quickly, and was surprised to see the person standing there. It was Gaara. Had he not left the Leaf Village? Or did he travel from the Hidden Sand in the time that his team left just to come back to the Leaf Village?

"Gaara? What are you doing here? Didn't you go back to Sunagakure a few weeks ago?" Lee asked, straightening his posture as he looked towards the red-haired male.

He shook his head, signalling a no. "No, I stayed in Konoha for a while," he started, taking a small pause in between his phrase. "I had important matters to attend to here, but wasn't quite prepared."

"Important matters?" Lee questioned, referring to Gaara's previous statement.

"Yes, I had information I needed to collect from Lady Tsunade, now that she is the Hokage, and a healer. Also, I spoke with your Sensei, Might Guy."

Lee's eyes widened when he said that. He's spoken with both Lady Tsunade and Guy-Sensei? What business did he have with them? "I see. Did you collect the information that you needed?" He quizzed.

Gaara nodded. "Yes, actually, I did. Then all I needed to do was speak with you."

That surprised Lee the most. "Me? What did you need to talk with me about?"

"I, well..." Gaara seemed to be struggling with his words. "I wanted to apologize for my actions during the Chunin Exams."

'What? The Chunin Exams? Does he really feel remorse for how badly he injured me?' Lee thought, eyes widened even more than before.

Gaara continued. "I found out from Tsunade that your chances of surviving a surgery attempt were very thin, and it was risky to go through with it. She told me that knowing you, you would be willing to risk the chances, but your Sensei doesn't seem so sure. He saw how you walked away from your appointment with Tsunade, and your expression was almost dead."

Lee looked down, avoiding eye contact. It was true, at this point he had no idea what he should do. Risk his life all for the sake of continuing his success as a shinobi? Or go on living while walking around with a crutch and a shattered dream? It was all too much for him to process at once, he had been contemplating on his choice for a total of three weeks, and he didn't seem to be getting anywhere.

"Your Sensei said that you would be here, and that it was a valuable place to your memories. He said that he see's you sitting up here quite often," Gaara explained, adding onto his previous words. "I know that my apologies may not be enough, as seeing that I have most likely ruined your life, but it was eating away at my thought, so I had to speak with you before I returned to my village.

Our match changed my perspective on various things, and not many people I've met have been able to do that. They way you acted, even though in the end you saw that it futile to fight against my sand, you still didn't give up. You fought until they very end. You didn't beg for mercy like most of the people I've fought, you took the hit, and even now I can tell you don't blame me. I can see it in your eyes, the only person you blame here is yourself."

Lee was shocked to hear all this. He knew all that just by looking into his eyes? That wasn't a skill that many people had, it was unique. He must have practiced a long time by meeting various people throughout his lifetime.

Lee laughed painfully. "You could see all that, huh? Yes, that is true, I cannot bring myself to blame you for my failure. And your talent to read eyes is incredible, really. Though, I would like to ask," He then stood up from the bench, a completely different look in his eyes. "Why did you spend all that time preparing yourself just to apologize to me?"

Gaara looked down slightly, doing his best to keep his posture. "I suppose you could say it's because..." He then stepped forwards and held out his arms as if asking for a hug. "I care."

Lee could swear that tears were trickling down his face now. He stood up and accepted Gaara's offer for a hug. They both embraced each other, and didn't really have the need to say anything. They had made amends and befriended one another. And internally their thoughts had changed, and began to believe that they could possibly like one another. It was normal to be attracted to the same gender, it just wasn't very often that you met someone who openly felt that way.

Lee couldn't help it anymore, as he sobbed into Gaara's shoulder. For the first time in a while, Gaara gave a small, yet genuine smile. He knew that his apology was enough to tie the ripping bond between them. He spoke one final sentence that repaired everything.

"I can tell you've felt the pain and loneliness I have... It's in your eyes."