For the newcomers, a lot has happened in the main posting Intern at the Akatsuki Concert hall, so without reading that you might be a bit lost.
For those not interested in reading the work that this stemmed from here is a quick summary:
Sumire is a college student with a traumatic past, orphaned at an early age, a runaway teen, an abusive, much older ex boyfriend. She finally had settled into an apartment with her friend Haruno Sakura and was excited to obtain a bachelor's in Inter media Arts. She joined the Akatsuki Stage Crew at Konoha University as an intern and spent a lot of time getting to know the members. Seemingly out of no where, Sakura closed the lease for their apartment to move in with her boyfriend Sasuke and Sumire was about to be thrown out onto the street. After an emotionally distressing evening, Sumire admitted her situation to the Akatsuki.
In this world, Deidara went to help her first.
Thanks for giving a click. Hope you enjoy it.
XClay
Sumire shivered from the cold. Her thin jacket did nothing for her. In times like this she tucked her hair under the edge, but she didn't want to look strange. Her friend huddled closer against her.
"Don't worry, they'll let us in soon."
A couple of tall men walked towards them.
"Hey babe." The taller one said.
Sumire's friend lunged into his arms and curled up against him. Sumire remained where she was, still shivering.
"Let's go inside. You two must be freezing." He spoke again.
The slightly shorter man smiled at her gently and she forced a smile back.
Inside were several worn couches and rugs, another couple was seated on a recliner, she was draped across his lap.
"Took you all long enough." The man was holding a small roll of paper that had a thin line of smoke rising from the tip of it.
"Oh, let me get a hit."
Sumire's friend, still clinging to her boyfriend, took the roll from the man still seated and inhaled. She passed it to her boyfriend who after taking his, passed it to the man standing beside Sumire. He held it out to her and she shook her head.
"Don't be lame." Sumire's friend hissed.
They were all waiting for her to take it, but she shook her head again.
"What the hell Sumire?"
"Leave her be, she'll come around eventually." The man who was beside Sumire said.
He passed it back along to a girl still sprawled in the man's lap. Within the next few minutes everyone was seated and the air became thick with the scent of the inhalant. Sumire pulled her knees to her chest and remained silent while everyone talked about random things. The man who had defended her was seated beside her.
"Are you still cold?" he asked.
She giggled faintly:
"A bit."
"Here." He slid off his coat and draped it around her shoulders.
He proceeded to ask her about herself and she gradually became relaxed around the group. The roll was passed around again.
"…could I?" she said softly.
The man beside her grinned:
"Yeah."
He handed her the roll. She placed her lips on the edge of the paper and took in a breath. Her lungs filled with smoke and she coughed. She handed it back to him, still coughing.
"Careful there." He passed it back around.
He placed a hand on her back and rubbed gently.
"No wonder you're being so sweet on her. She's just your type Hisashi!" the man in the recliner said.
The man laughed and looked down at her.
"You okay?"
She nodded and hid her face in his coat to hide her blush.
Within the next few hours she found herself in his lap with his hands along her midriff. Sumire didn't feel nervous, perhaps it was the effect of the inhalant, but she was enjoying the feel of being pressed to another.
"Want to come back to my place later?" he had spoken directly against her ear. "I have an idea on how to warm you up."
As he was finishing his sentence she was already turning her head to kiss him.
6 Years Later…
Did you already leave?
Sumire looked at the new message on her phone and answered quickly.
I'm walking home.
What are you going to do about your home situation?
She stopped and stared at Deidara's message.
I'll figure something out.
Deidara clicked his tongue at her response. He quickly stood and walked out of the foyer while dialing her number.
Sumire apprehensively answered her phone.
"Hai?"
"Do you have a plan?" he asked immediately.
"I said I'll figure something out."
"Sumire."
She remained quiet, expecting him to lecture her about not having a backup plan.
"If you can't figure anything else out, you can stay with me, un." He said.
"Really?" Sumire felt surprised.
"Yeah, it's not a huge apartment but I have room for an extra futon."
"Are you sure?"
She heard him sigh loudly over the phone.
"Sumire. C'mon, un."
"O-okay. Thank you so much."
"Don't walk home alone, wait for me, un."
"I'm already down the street…"
He let out another sigh and started to jog. She heard his breathing become slightly labored and the sound of shoes hitting pavement.
"Are you running?"
He didn't answer but started to jog faster.
"Deidara-san?" she spun around.
She let her arm drop as he appeared at the end of the street. He slowed to a stop in front of her, his phone still by his ear. He was panting, not too heavily, but enough that she could see his shoulders rising and falling with each breath. He had a hard look on his face. She let out a breathy laugh.
"What? Why…" she laughed again.
His arms suddenly went around her in a tight hug. She gasped as she was pressed against his body. Her cheek hit the middle of his hard chest and her shoulders hunched up.
"Deidara-san?"
"Just… let me… for a little bit…" he said between breaths.
"…un."
Something about being held… The cool air around them failed to penetrate the warmth of their embrace. His Akatsuki coat was open, partially wrapped around her. Her arms slowly slid from beneath her and around him, still under his blazer. He's so warm.
"Are you okay?" she asked, shifting her head against his chest to look up at him.
"Are you, un?"
"I am now."
His hand gently rubbed her back.
"Good. I'll take you home, un."
She nodded into his chest. As they were stepping away he slipped his hand in hers. She blushed but didn't resist. He's… doing so much… is this just… his western tendencies or… She recalled his admitting to being interested in her. She fell behind slightly because of her short legs. She shook her head. He's just really sweet and friendly, he's not trying to hit on me again. His fingers tightened around hers and she jogged lightly to catch up. She gazed up at the side of his face. Not… that… I think I'd mind it…
X
He walked to her front door. He had texted Sasori to let him know where he was.
"Thank you."
"What time are you getting up, un?"
"…probably 10 am."
"I'll be here at 10:30."
"You don't have to be here so early."
"I want to help you, un."
Their hands were still intertwined. He reached over and wiped under her cheek with his thumb.
"Your makeup is running."
"Oh no." her hand rose and rested on his.
He noticed the redness of her cheeks, but attributed it to the cool air.
"I'll see you in the morning, un."
"Un."
She saw his mouth resisting a grin. Their hands dropped together and she stepped into her home.
"Um," she stopped him as he was turning away. "Let me know when you get home, send me a text. I worry…"
He half-chuckled:
"I will."
"Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
Sumire closed the door and stepped back. She let her hands gently pat her heated face. Deidara-san, is so unbelievably cool… She shook the thought from her head and went to the restroom to prepare for bed.
The Following Morning
She had just finished packing when she heard a knock on her front door. When she opened it she was met with a cool-collected Deidara.
"All ready?" he walked in without waiting for her invite.
She wasn't taken aback by his lack of formality. Instead, she waved him over to the tatami room where she had stacked the few things that she had.
"I don't have much, but it may take a couple trips." She said.
"It won't, I have a cab waiting, un."
"Really?"
"Yeah. It'll make the process go faster."
"Okay, thank you!"
They carried her things into the trunk of a taxi cab waiting on the street. When they finished, she locked the door.
"I'll return the key on the way back from class tomorrow."
They sat beside one another in the backseat of the cab and it pulled away from the curb. Sumire took in a shaky breath and felt a hand rest atop hers. She turned to the blonde, his expression remained very calm. She smiled faintly then let her eyes drop to the carpeted floor of the car.
Twenty minutes later the car pulled to a stop. When Sumire looked outside the window she saw tall building complex's and heavy traffic.
"You live in the city-city." She commented.
"Ah."
Deidara paid the taxi driver in cash and they unloaded the contents of the trunk onto the sidewalk.
"You stay here with your stuff, I'll bring some in, un. We don't want to leave it alone."
"Okay."
He stacked a couple boxes and entered the tall gray building they stood in front of. Sumire remained where she was taking in the sights and sounds. Cars darted by at a fast pace, people were walking in all directions around her. She felt dizzy standing there, her anxiety continued to build as she waited for him to return. She breathed out a sigh of relief when he exited from the building. Together they gathered the last of her things and went in.
Sumire stepped into the elevator with him. The machine rumbled and a jolt of fear rushed through her. Less than a minute later they reached the third floor. He led her to the door second to end and pushed it open with his foot. Inside Sumire removed her shoes.
When he said it was small, he wasn't kidding.
On either side of the tiny patch of stone floor, were two wooden white doors. Beyond the door on her right was a medium sized tatami room and the left was an open kitchen unit. She could tell by the wall at the end of the wooden flooring that there were no other rooms to explore in his apartment.
"The toilets on this side, the bath is on this side."
He pointed to one door then the other.
"Your apartment is traditional."
"Yup. The only thing that's western in here is me, un."
She giggled and brought her suitcase into the tatami room. Her boxes were set in the corner. The tatami room had a dark brown dresser and closet with sliding wooden doors.
"The futons go on the top shelf. The bottom shelf I put in the extra blankets and my winter clothes. I cleared out the bottom two drawers in the dresser for you, un."
"Thank you."
"I hope it's enough."
"I will roll my stuff extra tight."
So… we're sleeping in the same room together… oh gosh… that's… gonna take some getting used to.
"You wouldn't happen to have a space heater in one of those boxes, would you?" he asked.
"Um… no I don't…"
"Damn."
"Why?" she started rolling her clothing and placing it in the dresser.
"My space heater broke the other day and these apartments don't have heaters, un."
He plopped himself on the floor by a small wooden desk pushed towards the corner of the room.
"Oh no, are they expensive? I don't mind going half and half on one."
"Hmm." He slowly laid down behind her and stared at the ceiling, "yeah, we should go looking tomorrow or Tuesday."
"Let's do Tuesday."
They were quiet for a moment as she unpacked her things. They disposed of the packing materials in a large trash bag.
"Have you eaten yet?"
"Oh no, I haven't." her stomach growled, "I didn't even notice what time is it?"
"Getting close to 1, un."
"Damn."
"What do you want?"
"Anything is fine."
"…hmm… are you allergic to anything?"
"Peanuts."
"That's good to know. No pad thai, un."
She nodded. She finished packing her things and placed her laptop beside her. I love tatami, it warms up so easily. She laid down on her side and brought her knees to her chest. Deidara turned his head in time to see her dark hair falling over her face. His heart leapt in his chest, but he ignored it.
"What's good as a late lunch, un?"
"…ramen?"
"Yes. Great idea. Do you want to go out or have some instant noodles?"
"I couldn't afford a really good bowl of ramen right now. So, instant is fine."
"Cool, me neither, un."
She laughed as he stood.
"Then why did you ask me if I wanted to go to a restaurant?"
He shrugged his shoulders.
"I have a chicken and a soy flavored one. Which one do you want?" he called from the kitchen.
"Can I have the chicken one?"
"Sure…" he sounded disappointed.
"Oh!" she jumped up and went into his small kitchen. "What if we combine them?"
He grinned:
"Now you're talking, un."
X
Sumire exited the restroom and returned to the tatami room, rubbing her arms gently. It is getting a bit cold, maybe we should get the heater tomorrow instead of Tuesday. Deidara was sitting cross legged in front of a full-length mirror with many bottles in front of him. She watched him as he pulled all his hair into a ponytail. He placed a plastic hair band at the top of his forehead and pushed it back so the teeth would hold his hair from his face. He glanced at her reflection in the mirror and lifted a bottle into his hands. He poured some liquid onto a cotton ball and began patting it around his face.
She curiously padded over to him and knelt.
"What's all that?"
"Skin care routine, un."
"That's a lot of stuff."
"Yeah, well. Physical beauty is cultivated. If you don't take care of your skin now, you'll look fifty when your thirty, un."
"That's why your skin is perfect!" she exclaimed looking at his face.
I never see any pimples or…
He grinned while lathering a moisturizing cream in his hands.
"I wouldn't say it's perfect, but I get pretty close, un."
"Maybe I should follow in your footsteps…"
She took one of the bottles and read the label.
"I have an extra green tea mask, if you want to try it."
"May I?"
He pulled another small packet from a bag to his left.
"You should wash your face, tone, and moisturize first."
"That's… so many things."
"What do you usually do?"
"I just wash my face."
"It's up to you. My toner is for sensitive skin, so it should work for you, un."
"Okay, I'll give your regimen a try."
Sumire returned to the restroom to wash her face.
"So I just pat this on?"
"Yeah, you don't need a lot. Just enough to dampen the skin slightly."
Sumire applied the toner.
"It's… feels weird."
"Does it hurt?"
"It's burning the acne on my jaw over here." She poked it.
"Stop touching your face, un."
"Yeesh, okay. I'm sorry to have displeased the skin care god."
He chuckled.
"Moisturizer."
"Yeah, one squirt is enough, un."
"Okay." She imitated his method by gently rubbing the cream into her skin in circular motions.
"How does your skin feel right now?"
"Like I have a lot of stuff on it."
"Good."
"It's supposed to feel that way?"
"Yeah, it's gonna feel even heavier in a second, un."
"Isn't the western way to have a one-fix product?"
"Western skin care is crap," he laughed.
She smiled as he ripped the edge of one of the small packets.
"This is going to feel weird and a little slimy." He pulled out a white sheet dripping with clear liquid.
"Lay down, un."
She did and he carefully laid the sheet mask over her face.
"Move it around so it's comfy."
"Okay."
While she did that he put his own on and laid down next to her.
"How long…" she wiggled her mouth and readjusted the mask, "Do we have to keep this on for?"
"Twenty minutes."
"Oh my gosh."
"No one said being beautiful was easy, un."
She giggled and had to readjust her mask again.
When they finished their skin care routine they pulled out the futon's and laid them next to each other. They said goodnight and he shut off the lamp on the wooden table. Sumire laid on her stomach and turned her head so she was looking at the man a few feet away from her. He was turned opposite of her so she could only see his long blonde hair. It's been a long time since I've slept so close to another person. Her chest felt warm and tight. She squirmed beneath the comforter and sunk beneath it. What are you thinking Sumire? You're living with him, you can't… She peeked out of the edge of the comforter. Well… Pein-kantoku said there were no policies against relationships between co-workers, didn't he?
Late Monday Afternoon
Sumire returned from class and dropping off her old apartment key. She found Deidara with a pensive expression.
"What are you doing?"
"I was going to go to my studio, but then I felt like I needed to just unwind for a day. So I've just been here laying around, un."
"You have your own studio?"
"Do you think I could fit my sculptures in here, un?"
"No I guess not."
She sat down and leaned against the wall. She opened her laptop in her lap.
"I was thinking about getting pork bone soup for dinner, un." Deidara spoke.
He was laying across the tatami with his hair sprawled in all directions.
"You know a good place?" she asked.
"Yeah, but they don't deliver. They only do pick-up."
"I don't mind taking a walk. I'd just have to change."
"I have to bathe, un." He lifted his arm and sniffed himself. "Yeah, I definitely need a bath. I'll give you the number to order while I shower."
He used his core strength to raise himself into a sitting position, then hopped into a crouch, then stood. He grabbed his phone and went to the kitchen to find the number for restaurant.
"Okay."
He gave it to her and she called while he disappeared to the bathroom.
Sumire closed her laptop and went to the bottom drawer to retrieve a blouse and a skirt. It was warm evening. They had the window open and the air that drifted in was humid. I guess we can hold off on getting that space heater for another day.
Sumire began to put make up on. Within the next five minutes she heard the water for the showerhead go on, run, then shut off. That was a fast shower. When she finished with her makeup she stood in front of the full-length mirror fixing her hair and shifting from side to side. She tugged at the edge of her blouse and then did the same with her shorts.
Deidara emerged from the bathroom in only a towel and his hair hanging low beneath him. He stopped a few feet behind her. The towel seemed a bit too small, so he was holding the edge of it to his waist. Sumire held her breath as he entered the main room, she could see the majority of him, his toned muscles, the width of his chest. Deidara-san is so… freaking… hot. I thought that when I first looked at him, but I didn't think anything else of it. My internship was more important at the time. There's less than three weeks left now, no harm in eyeing him now hahahaha, god I'm weird. She pretended to ignore him, continuing to run her fingers through her own hair. He looked over her mostly bare legs, running his tongue over his lips. She noticed immediately and spun around.
"Look at you, you're all clean, clean, clean." She said. Fuck I'm so awkward.
He raised an eyebrow at her.
"I didn't realize how weird you are…" letting out a grunt.
"I don't want to hear that from you." She said with a pout.
He continued to stare at her with a slightly irritated expression. A few moments passed with them staring at one another in this way.
"I'm gonna put some clothes on, un."
"…you don't have to."
He stopped and she froze. I just said that out loud. I really just said that out loud. I. Am. Such. A. Dumbass. He faced her, his expression unreadable. Her skin flushed and her heart started to slam into her ribcage.
"I mean… um… you could… um…"
He walked towards her and she backed up until she met the wall.
"Would you prefer I don't put clothes on?" he let out a sultry hum.
Her hands clasped into fists against her chest and her gaze dropped to the floor. He's practically naked and standing so close to me, I'm going to burst into flames. He slammed his free hand against the thin wall and she jumped, his face was leaning down to hers.
"What are you looking at, un?"
The embarrassment made her dizzy, she let her eyes travel from his feet to his face. He's… so… fucking… sexy… She bit her lip nervously and he leaned down lower until their faces were inches apart and she could feel his breath on her nose. He waited a moment before trying to close the last of the space between them, but a ringtone suddenly filled the intensely quiet room. Sumire jumped and launched herself towards it.
He remained where he was, glaring at the wall. Damn. It.
"Hello?" She glanced back at him. "Yes that's us. We're on our way."
Deidara slunk to the dresser, snatching out some clothing, then returned to the bathroom. He was severely disappointed. Sumire hung up the phone and released a loud sigh.
X
They had walked to the shop in silence, but she stuck close to him because of the crowded streets. When they arrived, they were greeted by a hostess.
"Here you go, two pork bone soups!"
"Thank you!"
"You two are such a cute couple!" the worker exclaimed suddenly.
Deidara opened his mouth to protest her statement, but he hesitated unsure if a protest were the best idea. Sumire giggled:
"Thank you!" She turned to the blonde. "Let's go."
"Ah, un."
They walked down the street together. Deidara slipped his fingers between hers and took away the takeout.
"Why did you…"
"It would be too much trouble to deny it." she started.
Sumire gained a pep in her step.
"Besides," she glanced at him, "My internship ends in less than three weeks. I can't have someone snatch you away before then."
He grinned once the words registered and watched her bottom as she moved into a full-fledged skip. Her dark hair bounced behind her, her arms swung exaggeratedly by her sides. The skirt lifted with each bounce allowing him to catch a glimpse of a pair of dark red, lacy panties. He quickly switched the takeout between his hands as they came to a stop at a cross walk. He put an arm around her, drawing her to him. She turned to the right to look up at him and he leaned down, craning his neck to kiss her. Her eyes fell shut; the gentle press of his lips ignited a fire within her. He moved a few inches away to look at her. Her face was flushed and her gaze was dreamy. That was so smooth~
"I couldn't help myself, un."
"I said three weeks, un!" Her voice was cutesy and high-pitched.
She stared at his mouth, desperately wanting to feel him again.
"You really want to wait that long?"
He bit his lip, searching her eyes for an answer. His teeth released his lip and she immediately leaned up to kiss him again. His fingers teased her skin beneath the hem of her shirt, the feathery-light sensation made her moan against his mouth. They heard the sidewalk signals change and they parted.
"No way." She said in a dazed whisper.
He grinned and took her hand in his, he led her across the street back to their apartment.
What's gonna happen in the next chapter? *Le gasp*
