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Metal was really, really sad.
Which was kind of rare because he was typically a ball of joy (as Lee would say). An anxious ball of joy (as Gaara would say), usually pacing around the house with excitment or nerves, but never sulking in his room for hours like he was that day.
He was his father's son, so tears were very common in their household.
He normally cried from joy. Or from nerves. It was rare to see him crying because... Well, Shinki had no clue why he was crying this time.
Metal was just as loud as Lee, so the whole house would tend to know the reason for their tears. That day, Shinki, Gaara and Lee stood outside the boys' shared room with confusion and concern painted over their faces.
Lee looked like he would faint. Gaara looked contemplative. Shinki, although he had on his actual face paint, looked like his usual unphased self. However, he was still concerned for his brother.
Shinki, being the brave and caring brother that he was (he would rudely glare at anyone who dared to say that outloud), went in to the storm that was a Metal emotional breakdown (another phrase that would force him to send deathly glares at anyone who dared say).
Upon minutes of tryin to make sense of Metal's tearful babbling, it was revealed that Metal was sad because he wasn't like Gaara at all.
In fact, people even teased that he wasn't really the son of the strong Kazekage while being such a weak and incapable shinobi.
"You are quite literally his son." Shinki tried to console. His deadpan expression did nothing to soothe Metal's worries.
Metal fussed even more, wanting to understand Shinki but he couldn't help but be upset. "You have your sand justus like him. You and dad can do the coolest stuff together! Only you two can. Anyone can do taijustu. And I'm not even as good as papa anyway."
"Well Metal, you have dad's eyes." Shinki said softly.
Metal's whines finally came to a halt as he gawked at Shinki. It was then that Shinki confessed to previously being jealous of Metal for being their birth child. He was scared that he'd never have the same love that they had for Metal. It took him a while, years even, to believe in the love that they had for their new adoptive son. But what really sold Shinki was the love that Metal had for his new brother the moment they laid eyes on each other.
"Metal! This is Shinki. He will be living with us now. Remember our conversation?" A small boy hid behind Gaara's legs.
Metal craned his neck to try to look at his new friend. Papa said he would have a brother! He never had a sibling before! Were brothers supposed to be so shy?
He heard Lee chuckle nervously. "Looks like it will take some time for him to adjust to us all. Let's try again at dinner?"
Gaara nodded firmly and bent down to whisper something to.. What was his name? Shonky? Metal was able to get a better view of his new brother. He has messy brown hair like uncle Kankuro! They must really brothers! What took him so long to come home?
Shonko nodded. He was tense. He followed Gaara into Metal's bedroom. Would they share his bed? Metal loved sleepovers!
"Hey Met? You're gonna sleep with me tonight, okay? Shinki needs some time to get used to living in a new place." Lee's voice was soft as he spoke.
Metal nodded. He tried his best to hide his pout, but he really wanted to hang out with his new brother!
Lee chuckled and ran his hand through Metal's hair. "Don't worry. He'll come around."
The night came sooner than Metal would've liked. He spent all day trying to sneak into his bedroom and talk to Shaka, but somehow his dads found him before he could even complete his mission. It's like they were elite shinobi or something! Whatever it was, Metal was defeated. He was in his pajamas in his dads' bed with Lee's arm over him in a cuddly-prison. He even fell asleep with a grumpy frown.
Then, loud shattering jolted him awake. He was thankful to have his papa next to him- Wait. Where is his papa?
He carefully slid out of the bed, feet darting to the door once he safely landed. Lee was blocking the door with his arms outstretched. He only noticed Metal after he felt a tug on his pants.
"It's okay, Met. Just get back in bed!" Lee's voice sounded distant. Air and sand whipped around in the living room, a few particles reaching Metal who stood behind Lee.
Metal darted back to the bed, only to return with his teddy bear. "Papa! Here! For Shonki!"
Lee briefly looked over his shoulder at Metal. "Not now, Metal. I need you to get under the covers-"
"Papa, please!" Metal wailed.
Lee searched Metal's face. He was genuine. Lee didn't know what he could do to help Shinki, so Metal's guess was as good as any. He took the bear from Metal, quickly ruffling his hair and placed a hand on Metal's belly to push him toward the bed. "Bed, now. I'll be back."
Metal quickly the bed and got underneath the covers. Even with the door closed, the wind whipped wildly. Was Dad upset? Why was there so much sand everywhere?
After moments (or days if you asked little Metal), the wind died down. He could hear a few mumbles, they sounded like Dad's. The bedroom door opened and he heard footsteps approach the bed.
"You can come out now, Metal."
Metal peeked his head out from the covers. He saw his dads standing by the bed. Their hair was crazy and their clothes were dusty, too.
"You did a great job, Metal." Gaara's face was tense but he forced a smile for his son.
"Shinki loved Mr. Bear. That was very kind of you." Lee's voice was tired, but he also smiled.
Metal sat up, beaming with a newfound energy. "Does that mean we can play now?"
Gaara's smile shifted, diminishing into a sad frown. "I'm afraid not, little one. It will be a little bit before you can. Even when that day comes, he might not be as excited as you are." Gaara sat on the edge of the bed nearest to Metal, reaching out a hand and smoothing out his wild bedhead. Metal figured he should do the same for his own hair. Maybe a wash too.
"Does that mean he doesn't like me?" His big brown eyes were threatening to gloss over and spill.
"No, not at all." Gaara resisted the urge to squeeze Metal's chunky cheek with his dust-covered hand. Metal was particular about cleanliness, even at his young age. "He has been through some rough times. He just needs some time to get used to it here."
Metal nodded and sighed. He was really looking forward to introducing Mr. Bear himself.
Gaara chuckled softly, leaning in to kiss Metal's cheek. Metal squealed and squirmed to get away but was trapped under his dad's weight.
The sound of small footsteps alerted Gaara and Lee's attention to the door. Metal followed his dads' gazes and found Shonka. He covered his mouth with the blanket to muffle his gasp.
A small, scared Shinki stood at the doorframe, only half of his body visible. He held a green stuffed tortoise in one hand.
"Hi Shonka!" Metal called out, waving one small hand at the boy.
Shinki dropped the stuffed animal, running off to Metal's room.
Lee grabbed the surrendered stuffed animal and handed it to Metal. "I think it's a peace offering."
Metal took Mr. Tortor and hugged him tightly. "Maybe he does want to be friends!"
Gaara smiled softly. "I think so, too."
"You know, sand doesn't make us related. People are stupid in their reasonings. People are stupid for thinking you aren't my brother." Shinki shot Metal an annoyed look. Only after years of brotherhood could Metal tell that the annoyance was directed at the rude commentary of the village bullies. Ones that would mysteriously have sand in their underwear in the following days.
(Lee and Metal took it upon themselves to investigate the grainy undergarments, leaving ample time for Gaara to both scold and discreetly praise Shinki for his actions.)
Regardless, Metal was left overjoyed by the genuine confession his brother told him.
Gaara and Lee could hear Metal crying even harder from outside of the door. Thanks to over a decade of raising Metal, they could distiguish his happy cries from his frustrated ones.
"Plus, wanna know what else dad and I have in common?"
Metal shook his head no, earning a rare chuckle from Shinki.
"Yes, we can control sand. But we can also manipulate the small granules within it too. Know what that might be?"
Metal shook his head again.
"It's metal, Met."
Metal wailed at the sound of the family nickname that Shinki almost always refused to use. It took a couple of minutes and a few awkward back pats from Shinki, but Metal finally calmed down enough to talk. "You know," he said between sniffles. "You're like papa too."
Shinki gave Metal a baffled look. "It's a stretch to say I am like dad. I am almost nothing like papa."
Metal shrugged, turning to the bedroom door. "PAPA!" He shrieked.
Lee was in te room faster than Metal could finish calling his name. "Metal? Are you okay?" Lee rushed to the bedside and kneeled next to him and Shinki.
"Papa, I have a question. And Shinki, I have a question for you, too!"
Both Lee and Shinki cocked their head to the side, a small questioning sound coming from their mouths to encourage Metal to continue.
A large smile spread on Metal's face. "See! You guys are the same!" He pointed and wiggled a finger between them.
Shinki briefly looked at Lee before quickly turning away, an embarassed blush decorating his cheeks. Unlike Shinki, Lee couldn't hide his smile.
From behind, still standing at the door, Gaara watched over the beautiful collection of people who he proudly called his family. His smile matched the one on Lee's face.
Shinki was right. Maybe they were't too different at all.