„You've got to be kidding me. Are you serious right now? Are you serious?"

„Listen, I told you I had no idea she was his girlfriend! She told me she was single!"

A strained sigh could be heard from the other end of the line. Hidan put his phone between his chin and shoulder as he searched for his lighter, which he accidentally dropped under the seat of his car. Unlit cigarette in his mouth, he kicked some plastic bottles aside, almost hitting his head on the steering wheel in the process of bending down to get a better view of the floor. „You've seen her before. You even talked to your boss about her, remember? He showed you a picture.

Hidan rolled his eyes and stopped his adventurous search for the lighter. „It wasn't really what I would consider a talk. I don't recall what he was fucking swooning about anyway. I didn't say a single word about this girl, nor did I look at the picture. I just played pretend to not get fired."

Konan groaned. „Well, now you were!"

„Whatever, that job sucked anyways."

Hidan managed to pull the lighter out of the depths of trash scattered across his entire car. „Ha! Got you, you little fucker!" He lit his smoke with a statisfied grin and got a hold of his phone again. „Hidan, focus! This is not the time for joking around. How are you gonna pay rent? Or anything, for that matter?"

He shrugged, even though Konan couldn't see it. „Relax, bro, everything is going to be fine. Trust me, I know what I'm doing. Just a couple of days for him to calm down and I'll be back in this stupid factory in no time." He leaned back into the seat and partly opened the front window,so the smoke form his cigarette could escape into the chilly autumn air. Hidan took a deep drag and considered his options. Waiting for his – now former – boss to get over the fact that one of his employees had sex with his girlfriend would probably take some time. In the meantime he needed something to keep him busy and his wallet only almost empty.

„Don't call me 'bro'. Why did you call me anyways? Its not like I can magically fix this for you. And even if I could, I probably wouldn't do it." Konans voice already had some annoyance in it, but Hidan knew her long enough to know that her 'putting-up-with-Hidans-shit-bar' wasn't full yet. „Okay okay, I get it, no more 'bros' for you. But we are friends, right?"

She sighed. „I don't know. Are we? At this point, I just feel like I'm your older sister. Or your mother." Hidan cringed. „Ew, stop making this weird. Listen, friend, who is not my acutal mother", he threw the cigarette butt out of the window and pulled it back up. He shivered slightly in his thin, old leather jacket. „I know I kind of fucked up last time. But I've gotten better since that, and you know it, sooo..."

Hidan went silent for a minute and bit his lip. The next few sentences hat to be crafted in a very careful manner if he wanted to convince Konan to take him back. „How about you rehire me at your shop, I promi-"

„No."

„Aw come on, please! don't you recall all the good times we had working together?"

„I also recall when you showed up drunk and late at least three times a week. Or that time you picked a fight with a custumer and he almost sued our asses to death? Or the burning curtain? Or-" Hidan winced at the memory and decided to leave the parking spot he was currenty occupying. Konan was still complaining about all the things that had happened, but as soon as he started the engine the loud, familiar screech of his Jeep made it even easier for him to ignore her. Not that he didn't care about Konan or her opinions, it was just that .. well. Remembering all the shitty stuff was one thing, but having an acutal person tell you how bad you fucked up made everything ten times worse. And Hidan didn't want to remember.

„So, is that a yes?"

Konan groaned again. „Fine. If you don't get your sorry ass here in 20 minutes I will personally strangle you with my belt."

„Kinky."

„Less talking, more driving!"

Hidan hung up and put his phone in his pocket, taking a quick glance at the time before heading to the gift shop with a big grin. What the hell would he do without Konan?

The White Rose looked even more astonishing and inviting in person. Konan really outdid herself, designing the new front and interior of the shop, picking the colors and making sure everything was in her personal style; it only showed how important it was to her. Hidan briefly recalled being sent silly 'work in progress' pictures from her via Messanger, which included a shot of Yahiko neeling over desk building instruction papers with a rather confused face, unknowingly showing off his ass crack. Konan censored it with a pink heart emoji. And not only did she send it to all her other friends as well, she even used that picture as her computer screen background and was probably still using it as some sort of blackmail.

„You better bring me flowers next time you show up here!" Konan exclaimed and retuned the hug Hidan pulled her into. He laughs, scratching the back of his head. „Next time? Does that mean I'm hired?" She pursed her lips. „Maybe if you keep up being on time like that, I'll think about it. I didn't have to take my belt off so thats a plus."

„Tease."

„Stop pouting and come in already! You haven't been here since I kicked your ass out in March. What do you think of the new Rosie?"

She took a step aside so Hidan could enter the shop. He looked around, impressed by the new design and decoration. It also wasn't as crammed and dark as it used to be, the white walls against the lavender colored shelves had a weirdly soothing effect. And of course, there were potted white roses on the two window ledges, surrounded by complicated looking origami figures.

„Holy fuck. Is this really the same place I used to work at or are you just trolling me?"

„Well, after that incident with the burning curtain I decided to get rid of them. I actually kind of have a curtain phobia now because of you."

„It wasn't that bad."

„Oh, really." , Konan deadpanned. „Was it though?"

„Aaanyways, how's the shop doing now? I bet you got a lot of fucking compliments from the customers, huh?" She smiled at Hidans pitiful attempt to change the topic. „They acutally did. I'm really happy with the outcome.", she answered, turning the We're open! sign around. „Want to grab some coffee? I'm closing the shop for lunch break."

„Wow, for me? I am impressed. Should your boyfriend be worried?", Hidan asked with a shit-eating grin. Konan rolled her eyes and lightly smacked his left arm. „Yahiko is going to be fine, he has nothing to worry about. Besides, I close for lunch every day, so don't even start imagining things!", she scoffed. „I'm gonna get my coat real quick, so you better not touch anything!"

She gave him a warning glare before she went upstairs and disappeared. Hidan leaned against the counter his friend sat at every day, selling all kinds of cards, writing utensils, colorful wrappings, chocolates, tea supplies and expensive, pretty origami folding paper in diffrent colors; some of them even came along with thier own practise book. He remembered accidentally dropping a whole new package of origami paper that just got delivered. It was in January, freezing cold and muddy streets. He had just picked up the package from the post office, but dropped it four times on the way back to the shop(three of those times he also fell face forward into the snow), soaking not only the cartboard but also the paper inside in the process. Konan scolded him of course, and usually it was just anger that bursted out of her, but that time it was also a little bit of hidden sadness. That was the first time Hidan realized how much he was acutally fucking up thier friendship. And he still felt guilty about it, but he was never that good at explaining feelings or apologizing. So instead, he offered to pay for the next stack of paper. Konan was thankful, but there was still a nagging feeling, telling him that it was by far not enough. That there were things he could possibly never make up for.

Hidan was actually subconsciously reaching towards the papers to touch them, only to suffer a literal heart attack as Konan came back downstairs and yelled: „Take your dirty fingers off my stuff!"

Before he could even come back with a smug reply, he was already being pulled outside of the building. „I can't believe I'm doing this.." she muttered. „Doing what? Yelling at your friend and kicking him out of your store?"

„You deserved that."

„Well fuck you too! Here I am, thinking that you actually cared for me!"

Konan rolled her eyes at the remark. „Come on you idiot, we've got places to be and coffee to drink!"

The expression on Konans face was amazing. Eyebrows raised higher than the Eiffel Tower, her lips pursed and those judging amber eyes looking down on Hidan as if he was a child who just accidentally broke something and was now trying to get away with it. Which, well, was basically happening.

„...So, I was already piss drunk when I met her. You should've seen her cleavage, those-"

„I didn't ask for your perverted details.", Konan interrupted him. "Then what happened?"

Hidan shrugged. „We left the bar, she took me to her apartment and we fucked. It was pretty intense, I found out she was a screamer and-"

„Oh god." Konan set her coffee cup down and rubbed her forhead with her fingertips. „Again. Did not ask."

„Just let me finish, sheesh!"

„Fine. But no more detailed description of your sex life. How did your boss find out?" She brushed a few strands of her hair behind her ear and crossed her arms. „You surely weren't so kind to tell him the truth, were you?"

„Are you crazy? Tell him?! How in the hell was I supposed to do that? Just call him right afterwards and say: 'Hey Mr. Wan, I just fucked your girl and oh by the way, can I have a raise?'"

Konan laughed and almost spilled her coffee all over the table. „Well yeah, why not? At least that would have proven that you actually have balls!"

„Hey, what the fuck is that supposed to mean?!"

They've been sitting in a small café for almost half an hour, talking back and forth about thier lives, ups, downs and the in-betweens. Hidan was a little bit reluctant to admit it, but he really missed haning out with Konan. The haven't seen each other in person for months now, so looking at a familiar face that he didn't lowkey hate was a pleasant change. He always tried to make it on his own and didn't like being dependent on someones comfort. But it was diffrent with Konan. Of course, his reckless behavior put a strain on thier relationship, not to mention the day she kicked him out at the beginning of March. And it was probably for the best, even though he was extremely sulky at first. It took him a couple of weeks to realize that he wasn't exaclty a marvellous addition to the 'White Rose' and that he should just stop interfering with her life. But despite all she never wanted to give up thier friendship. She even apologized for firing him. What a woman.

„...Anyways, I left the house as soon as I woke up. Still didn't know who she was. Not that I really cared and she wasn't there either way. I was on my way home when suddenly Mr. Wan called, and as soon as I picked up the phone he started yelling some shit at me I couldn't even comprehend. So yeah, thats how I got fired." Konan shook her head in disbelief. „How do you always manage to get into so much trouble? I mean, yeah, I don't know you any other way, but damn.." She grinned. „Yahiko even asked me how you are still alive today."

„Makes me immortal, huh? Pretty sweet, I always wanted to have a flying car or some shit."

They finished thier coffee and returned back to the shop. It was only a short walk to the café and Konan was already a well known guest, often recieving a free cookie and a soft smile from the owner; an old, friendly man with a thick, indistinguishable accent. Konan told him on thier way home how the café only recently opened its doors and how thankful she was for not having to get coffee at the nearby gas station anymore. Hidan listened carefully, or at least tried, but his inner thoughts became more and more present, making it hard for him to focus on the conversation. There was one particular thought that made his stomach drop and he didn't even have anything to debunk it as wrong or just a mere intrusive tought.

She seems better off without you.

„Okay, so you start on Monday, right? No oversleeping or drunken stupors, are we clear? If you don't fuck up I'll let you sign the contract."

„Get incredibly hammered and set something on fire? Got it, Konan. Won't disappoint you this time!" She laughed and smacked his back. „I'm serious. Poor Yahiko is gonna be worried sick." Hidan raised an eyebrow. „Oh, really? Well he doesn't have to, I have full control over myself now, no more thorwing up into flower pots or shit like that."

„No, not about you, idiot, about me! His girlfriend!" They stepped outside of the shop, joking around and laughing. Hidan hoped that it would just stay this way, that the would hug goodbye and he would leave. But Konan has never been the type of woman who was afraid to ask the important questions. Or the dark ones.

„How's your mom doing?"

Bam. There it was. He cringed at the question, his insides feeling like they were smushed by a hydraulic press. „Uh, well .." He swallowed hard and scratched the back of his neck. Just say something, his inner voice yelled. Say anything, you look like a dumbass right now.

„Pretty fine I guess.", he slowly responded. „Haven't been around her much but it seems like shes doing well." Konan gave him a stern look. She called bullshit right away, but Hidan wasn't in the mood for this talk. He didn't want to talk to anybody about this. Because there was nothing more that he hated and was trying to avoid like the plague: symphatetic looks. The whole Oh, she still isn't working? What has your mother been doing then? and other stupid questions that he didn't want to answer. „Anyways, I gotta go, Konan. I really have to get my jeep checked. And uh, some other stuff I need to take care of, so .."

That was just a balant lie. He trailed off, avoiding his friends knowing gaze. God, he really didn't need this right now. And as soon as he thought that there was no way this could get any worse, there was a soft hand touching his arm and worried eyes searching for his. „Hey, if you need anything, just text me, yeah?"

Hidan really hated this. He hated the slight switch of tone in Konans voice, the hand on his arm burned like somenody was pouring hot lava over it. Everything was fine before. But she had to go ahead and ruin the mood. He felt like every cell in his body was screaming just leave already! so thats what he did. He pulled his arm away from her and got into his car, putting a cigarette in his mouth and lighting it. „I really gotta go." he murmured.

„...Alright. Take care."

As soon as Konan spoke these words, he started the engine, the loud howl of his jeep echoing through the rather calm streets, and the car took off in the speed of light.

After he left the shop Hidan just continued driving through the many city districts, without any actual idea where he was going. After almost three hours of pointless speeding back and forth he bought a pack of beer at a gas station far out of town and emptied all 6 cans in roughly 15 minutes, letting his mind race without any comprehension of what was going on, until the alcohol kicked in. He didn't really feel drunk, but there was a pleasant buzz slowly creeping up. Toying with the phone in his hand, he thought about texting Konan and telling her that he was sorry for just fucking off earlier. Or for ruining her package. Or ruining her shop. Staring at the screen with mixed feelings for what felt like decades, he finally threw it on the passenger seat next to him and leaned his head back, runnig a hand through his hair. This whiny, pathetic part of him was really disgusting.

Suddenly there was a lanky boy wearing a cap with the gas stations logo on it, carefully knocking against his window. Hidan jolted up like he just had been struck by lightning and his first thought was to tell the guy to get lost. He rolled down his window and gave him a what the hell do you want? kind of look. „Uh, are you okay, Mister? Should I call an ambulance?"

'Mister?', he thought to himself. 'Do I really look that fucking old?' „Uh, nah, 'mfine.." , Hidan murmured and rubbed his eyes. How much time had passed? Did he really almost fall asleep at a gas station? Great, just great.

„A-are you sure? You looked like you were dead, thats why I came up here to check on you ..." The boy adjusted his cap. „Are you going to drive in this condition..?"

Oh god. He really did not have the patience for this. Time? He had plenty of time. But if that dorky looking employee asked him one more question he would actually lose it. „Listen, frist of all I need you to wear your goddamn glasses more often, because I'm by far not as old as you think I am.." Hidan began. „And second of all, yeah, I'm going to get the hell out of here!"

The gas station employee looked baffeld and took a few steps back, scratching the back of his head as he watched the black, rusty jeep take off into the night.

Just driving by a fast food restaurant was impossible for Hidan, so naturally he made a u-turn in the middle of the street and ordered food in the drive-thru. After that he just hung out at the parking lot, browsing social media he couldn't care less about and slowly chewing on his burger. Then he tossed the greasy McDonalds bag into the garbage bin and left the parking lot. It was late by now, his phone displaying 12:30 am. There were also a couple of texts from Deidara, pestering him about some stupid argument he had with his stupid friend again, asking him for 'moral support'. At first, Hidan didn't feel like responding at all, knowing that once he engaged into the discussion, Deidara wouldn't let him off the hook for hours. But as soon as he parked his car and stared at the front door of his house with a sinking feeling, he decieded to stay put just a little longer.

'What the hell u want this time'

'Wow, smooth as always ;-) have you been drinking again?'

'fuck you, want my help or not'

'Ok so listen up'

'Sorry cant hear u gtg bye'

'Hidan! this is important'

'uuuuuuuugh just tell him i said yes to everything u said'

'that's not how it works at all you jackass'

Hidan groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose. This was gonna be a long one.

'u just want me to type it out so you can show him and boost your fucking ego'

'exactly ;-)))))) you know me too well, a true friend 3'

He rolled his eyes. Will there ever be the time when Deidara would stop sarcastingly using those ugly ass heart emojis? Hidan doubted that he would be still alive to witness that.

He observed his surroundings with narrowed eyes. Her car was there, smushed between an old Mustang and a Smart. But the lights in the small apartment were out and he couldn't locate the familiar flicker of the TV from the living room window. Maybe she was already in bed. It was late after all.

'so in my humble opinion, art is like a huge explosion, a wild rush of emotions that forms a hurricane of colors shining brighter than the sun, engulfing your entire being with its stirring beauty, before bursting and dissapearing in the blink of an eye.'

'i have no idea what u just said but yeah cheers mate I'll drink to that'

'shut your trap you agree with me or not

dont you dare to reply with no hidan you know goddamn well I am right'

'you should cross that ''humble'' gaylord'

'Wow ure sweet as a peach today arent you

By the way Sas is making fun of me now thanks to your stupid ass'

'ur welcome'

Hidan pocketed his phone and got out of the car. It was really starting to get cold and this conversation with Deidara was leading nowhere. There was no way around it, he couldn't just hang around in his jeep the whole night like an idiot. He pulled the key out of his jacket and hesitantly entered the apartment, the screetch of rusty door hinges sounding oddly loud and discomforting. He took a step inside and switched the lights on (thank god he managed to pay the power bills on time). It was quiet, and if she was still asleep somewhere, Hidan really didn't want to wake her up. He tiptoed into his room, locking the door behind him just to be safe and crashed on his bed without even considering to change clothes. He looked at his phone one more time, only to be greeted with angry texts from Deidara and one from Konan.

'f u and dont call me gaylord I am offended!

So you do agree with me right?

Hello?

always the same with you critics, go die in a hole'

Hidan typed a quick reply before opening Konans message.

'Gonna go to bed have fun with that hissy fit of urs'

While Deidaras texts usually gave him a headache, Konans always kind of managed to cheer him up. He barely managed to type out a decent answer before closing his eyes and drifting off into a dreamless sleep.

'Don't forget to be on time on monday! :-p also I had a lot of fun w you today :-) don't make me regret rehiring your ass'

'sur thing goodnight'

(this chapter has been edited, but I left the original authors note)

Woho, I finally did it. Hey guys! :-) Thank you for checking out the first chapter of my fic. I know this chapter is really short, but I promise to make them much longer starting with the next one. This is just me testing the waters. I'm really insecure about my writing, so I'm worried that nobody will like it? Its kinda dumb, I know, but oh well. I haven't written in years due to writers block and English is my third language so please excuse any mistakes I made. I don't have a beta reader so if you spot some mistakes or plotholes feel free to tell me! I'm always thankful for constructive criticism. I'm not really sure which direction this story will take. I just want to make it really angsty and I have a lot of ideas. Pairings will be added later on, but they won't be the main focus of this fanfcition. I always wanted to write a sad, slice-of-life kinda thing, and the Akatsuki are my favourite antagonists ever, so I put two and two together and here we ware!

I hope you enjoyed it and if not, please tell me why! Don't be shy, I can take it. Even though I am a big whiny baby. See you in the next chapter! Bye~