Chapter 1: Artistry
May 11, 2016
-Part 1-
The ticking of the timer was what drove his fingers to the finish, each twitching like live wires.
Only two minutes and fifteen seconds had gone by; a bead of sweat slipped down the edge of the smooth forehead, to the chin, and finally dripped onto the messy table that was covered in various packages, powders, and numerous fuses.
"Done!" Sky blue eyes flashed to the clock, peering through his hair that had somehow managed to slide out of the tight ponytail and into his right eye's main track of sight. Still the left eye found the timer that presented the time.
Grinning at the clock only barely reaching three minutes, Deidara turned to look at the finished firework: it was a small cylinder with colorful edges, a black fuse curling from the top like a new version of a bow. It was like a small gift all wrapped up and ready to be unleashed on the world!
With his line of work, Deidara usually took his time when creating fireworks, normally taking up multiple hours in constructing each into a perfect, sparkling beauty that would eventually dazzle people at future festivals. Unlike other pyrotechnicians, Deidara liked to treat each firework with respect-giving it the time it deserved-as if they were alive. However, even with this train of thought, the blonde couldn't stop himself from putting his exquisite abilities to the test.
The swiftness of the creation had gone well but now came the true test: to see if the firework would properly bring forth crackling life.
With high hopes, the blonde pushed his chair back from the table; one last stretch and Deidara had snatched the firework up and raced across the small house that consisted of the main floor and a basement that held only one room.
The stairs to the basement were taken two at a time, bare feet clinging to the edges in a desperate act to keep from falling flat on his face. In giddy excitement, the blonde jumped the last three steps of the staircase landing slightly off balance, before skidding to a stop in the middle of the room.
Basements usually were cozy with nice painted walls, lush carpets, and sometimes furniture; but Deidara's lower floor was nothing like those ones, the walls and floor were concrete, and the only furniture was a table laid purposefully on its side.
To any normal human being, they'd think that there would be no reason for the blonde to get this excited over such a simple creation. Deidara knew that the quickly made firework would do its job, but it was more than proving he could make a firework under five minutes; Deidara wanted to see his child grow into a splendid beauty that was awe inspiring, then spit out its last sparks and die. Deidara didn't see it as 'another firework', it was a child going through its life in mere seconds and he saw it as the truest beauty in the world, the best art he'd ever witnessed.
The cylinder was gently placed in the middle of the room, as far away from the turned table as it could get, but still not close enough to any of the walls to cause possible damage.
A silver lighter was taken out of Deidara's back pocket, a curvy D was etched into the shiny metal that caught the light above as it was flicked open with a practiced movement.
One click and the fuse ignited with a pop, seeing the tiny spark at the end was all it took for Deidara to turn and jump behind the table, looking over its edge.
The tiny flame ate at the fuse, getting closer with each second until it chomped into the cylinder. A loud array of crackles and shrieks rose from the fabulous display of color, fountains of pinks, yellows, and purple spilled out. Some shot up a few feet higher before blowing apart into various sparks of white that glittered for a second in the still air.
The blue eyes that peered over the table had pulled back to look at the colors overhead with eyes that resembled that of a fascinated child, the multiple colors were almost visual in those orbs as if they were a pair of mirrors.
Blood pumped quickly as Deidara's heart sped up at the sight before him, it was one of those moments where he could only stare in admiration at the child growing before him, spreading its wings like a Wingull in the sun.
There was a final spurt of purple as it began its descent back into the cylinder, giving off its last breath of sparks before vanishing into its tomb.
The blonde's heart went out to the last spark before smiling. As he'd expected, the firework had worked, and shown the mysterious allure deep inside.
"True Art really is an-"
"It isn't a firework." Deidara's eyes widened as he turned to find a young man coming down the stairs; two brownish red eyes met the blondes over the huge box the newcomer was holding to his chest.
"I was going to say: Explosion!" Deidara huffed, curling his hands across his own chest defiantly, flicking his head to the side to try and rid the hair covering the right eye. He hated it when hair covered the right one, the left eye could see through the blonde's thick hair perfectly but the right one still wasn't adept in those ways.
Blue eyes narrowed at the redhead who had finished the descent down the stairs, placed the box on the floor, and straightened back up to look at the charred ground and slightly burned cylinder that gave off a burning smell.
"Sasori, my man, haven't I told you to knock?! You can't barge in when I'm in the middle of a masterpiece!" Deidara sighed in exasperation before turning his back on his old rival and picking up the carcass of his child, bringing it to his nose and inhaling the scent that brought back numerous memories.
Sasori blinked, rolling his eyes as one hand rose to scratch the back of his head, ruffling the short red hair. "You didn't lock your door, again. How is it my fault that your memory sucks, Deidara?" Deidara sighed, he must have been in such a hurry that he'd forgotten to lock the stupid door if only it just locked on its own! "And you also asked me to pick up your firework supplies the next time I went to the Johto region. So you basically invited me in here without actually saying it." Sasori tapped the box he'd set down with his foot, giving a smirk at the blonde before shoving his hands into the green jacket the redhead wore.
Sometimes having a rival could be so annoying, especially if they were older than you, then they always seemed to be right no matter what happened. Even so Deidara was thankful that Sasori had actually remembered to bring his firework supplies, the blonde's own stock had shrunk incredibly low in the past couple of weeks since there'd been two festivals in the same weekend. It certainly was the time of year for festivals and large parties, that meant more business but it also meant shortage on fireworks for the collectors and the stores. If Sasori had not recently gone to the Johto, Deidara would have been fighting other businesses for supplies which the blonde hated yet secretly loved the challenge.
"Yeah, thanks. I appreciate it, un." Sasori gave a quick nod before turning back towards the stairs.
"I'm leaving, this place reeks."
"Hey, it's a good smell, un!" Sasori rolled his eyes before shuffling up the stairs, the blonde close behind him, bare feet barely making any noise on the cement stairs.
"You only like it cause its fried your brain too many times over." Deidara scowled but kept his mouth shut. He was used to Sasori looking down on his line of work since the redhead didn't think art could be in an instant, everything had to be eternal with the weirdo… as if! What actually survived forever?
"That's possible, my man." Deidara had been doing work like this for only two years and yet he was submerged in the world of sparks and fire like it had been a lifetime of employment.
Fireworks weren't the only thing the blonde did with his time when he wasn't creating a nightly display for a festival Deidara was working on a new canvas that would eventually find its way onto the limited wall space or-if he was lucky-get sold on fair days.
Closing the basement door behind him Deidara turned to Sasori who had stopped in the middle of the hallway and was peering at the blonde.
"You've got soot on your face," Deidara could have laughed at the serious tone that the redhead presented the words with. A normal reaction would be to brush the smears away but Deidara didn't dare touch his face; the blonde's hands were even dirtier, with black soot smudged like a second skin and some wedged under the fingernails. "I swear, if I left you alone for more than a week you'd go savage." The comment seemed just as serious as the other but Deidara could see the signs of sarcasm laced throughout the comment itself and in the way the redhead cocked his head slightly to the side.
"Gro," a third voice called out its agreement in a chortled tone; already knowing who the other was Deidara turned and stared at the Grovyle who had just entered the room from the art office. The pokemon barely came up to the blonde's groin, with bright green skin that nearly shimmered in the afternoon light pouring in from the small windows in the hallway. The long leaf attached to its head waved a little as it cocked its head in the same way as its master did. Two small pupils narrowing in a sarcastic way. If Deidara hadn't known that this pokemon belonged to Sasori he would have guessed anyway, it acted just as smug and just as mocking.
Sniffing at the burning smell from downstairs, Grovyle padded up to stand beside Sasori, coming up to his stomach since the redhead was much shorter. Even with the superior look, the grass pokemon still sent a small smile Deidara's way before grasping the jackets sleeve and giving it a hearty tug.
Sasori peered down at his pokemon as it began pointing outside, he sighed after realizing that the pokemon was just telling him it was passed time.
"Why is it, every time I come to visit you, I end up late."
"You've only been here two minutes, my man, un."
"Exactly, I took time out of my very busy day." Sasori huffed, zipping his jacket shut, and gesturing for Grovyle to follow. "I gotta go, you know how I hate keeping people waiting." With those last words Sasori walked down the hall, into the main room, opened the door and stopped, standing in the doorway, warm sunlight poured in from the opening.
There was a tearing sound, then Sasori smacked a piece of paper onto the door and shut it firmly behind him and Grovyle.
Deidara stood, staring at the door. If the blonde stopped to think about the situation he certainly did respect Sasori, even though the redhead could be aggravating at times. But if Deidara thought too much of it, he knew he was slightly envious of the fellow artist, more so over the bond he had with the Grovyle.
"Egh, it isn't worth it!" Deidara scratched the back of his head, dragging the fingers through the strands that still remained in the ponytail; he did this for a second before remembering how dirty his fingers were. "Darn it!"
Author: Heyo dear readers! This is the first chapter of an idea I got awhile ago, I hope it spiked your interest and you'll continue to read it as chapters are updated!
There will be various couples over the time (specifically around our main characters). If any of you have any ideas, they are all welcome and appreciated!
Also, this story will be guy x guy until a future gender bend, so if that isn't your cup of tea. . .you can continue since it really won't be in the end.
Review if you have the time ;)
Thank you all for support.
See ya all later, love ya!
-Jinx of the desert