[ Neji. Of course, Gaara would know. What can he say to that? There are words on the tip of his tongue, yes, both for the apology and for what follows. He doesn't deserve the first and the second--
He doesn't know what the hell to do with the second. For a moment, his expression tightens into something harsher, darker, maybe resentful or angry, even he doesn't know. Maybe it's just left over grief. Neji made his choice. He did. Naruto knows that and he can't begrudge Neji the freedom to choose. But he stepped in because Naruto was too fucking slow, because he said, 'hey, I won't let anyone die' and Obito took it as a challenge. Dying for peace, yes, dying on a wing and a prayer (but still dead after the fact). Neji sacrificed himself on blind faith that Naruto would succeed.
Which is precisely why Naruto will succeed.
But he still doesn't have a reply for Gaara. Not before rolling his shoulders and looking away until the anger melts into something more calm again, at least. ] It's--
Not-- You don't need to say that. [ It's not Gaara's fault. Not Neji's fault. ] Anyway. I've moved to a bigger place, so I asked him to move in with me. I want you to come too.
[ It's probably ...not any reply Gaara was expecting. He'd rather move on. He needs to stay on point. For example: ] Mnhm. That's good but is it working here? [ Because Gaara hasn't specified that part and Naruto hasn't missed it, bracing his hands on his hips and narrowing his eyes at his friend.
As, after a long pause, he begins to just look confused. Intentional? The concept of Gaara doing it to himself never crosses his mind. It can't because he hasn't experienced what Gaara has. Naruto shakes his head. ] You mean you meant to get in a fight?
[action]
He doesn't know what the hell to do with the second. For a moment, his expression tightens into something harsher, darker, maybe resentful or angry, even he doesn't know. Maybe it's just left over grief. Neji made his choice. He did. Naruto knows that and he can't begrudge Neji the freedom to choose. But he stepped in because Naruto was too fucking slow, because he said, 'hey, I won't let anyone die' and Obito took it as a challenge. Dying for peace, yes, dying on a wing and a prayer (but still dead after the fact). Neji sacrificed himself on blind faith that Naruto would succeed.
Which is precisely why Naruto will succeed.
But he still doesn't have a reply for Gaara. Not before rolling his shoulders and looking away until the anger melts into something more calm again, at least. ] It's--
Not-- You don't need to say that. [ It's not Gaara's fault. Not Neji's fault. ] Anyway. I've moved to a bigger place, so I asked him to move in with me. I want you to come too.
[ It's probably ...not any reply Gaara was expecting. He'd rather move on. He needs to stay on point. For example: ] Mnhm. That's good but is it working here? [ Because Gaara hasn't specified that part and Naruto hasn't missed it, bracing his hands on his hips and narrowing his eyes at his friend.
As, after a long pause, he begins to just look confused. Intentional? The concept of Gaara doing it to himself never crosses his mind. It can't because he hasn't experienced what Gaara has. Naruto shakes his head. ] You mean you meant to get in a fight?