bby Shinki is by no means a shy a child. He doesn’t do stuff like hide behind Gaara’s leg or something. He’s like a cat that likes to be left alone. Dodges touch by people he doesn’t trust, speaks few words, and mostly aloof bc that’s what kept him out of trouble before Gaara

I fell asleep before continuing this thread but anyway, before Gaara takes him in, Shinki was on his own and had to fend for himself, so young Shinki isn’t clingy and is fact quite independent.

But he’s like, just in awe of the man who wasn’t afraid of get hurt approaching him, who instead of wanted to contol him, wanted to teach him.

So he trails behind Gaara often just...observing...pondering. Thinking, trying to understand Gaara, but from the outside, it gives off the impression that he’s clingy