The Beautiful and the Damned

Deidara, Tobi and Hidan had eventually made it home at about 6, not leaving Deidara with much time to get ready if he wanted to be on time. Tobi and Hidan had crashed out on the couch, watching a gory horror movie. Deidara was rushing round like a mad man trying to get ready, determined to meet Sasori on time.

"Tobi! Sophisticated or trashy?!" Deidara shouted from his dressing room.

"Sophisticated or trashy what?!"

"For tonight, bastard! What shall I wear?"

"I thought it wasn't a date?" Hidan shouted his opinion.

"It's not, yeah!"

"Sasori will appreciate sophisticated over trashy, I think,"

"Right, I'll go trashy!" Deidara buried himself into one of his wardrobes, chucking random items of clothing over his shoulder. He emerged from the room wearing a tight, sleeveless, black, fishnet top with low-riding black skinny jeans tucked into his untied combat boots, and a couple of studded belts low on his hips. He had also redone his hair and reapplied his eyeliner.

"What time is it, Tobi?" Deidara asked while fastening a diamond crucifix round his neck,

"Erm…" Tobi looked round for his watch, eventually finding it under Hidan, "Um, it's 7."

"Deidara's eyes widened comically, "Shit!" He grabbed his car keys and ran out of the house.

Sasori sat behind the counter in his gallery, his head resting on his palm. He checked his watch again – 7:20. Not for the first time he wondered why he had even bothered waiting. It was obvious that the blond wasn't coming. He was about to make his way to his penthouse apartment above the gallery when he heard a knock at the door. Sasori was definitely surprised to find Deidara on the other side, sheepishly scratching the back of his head.

"I'm really sorry I'm late, I lost track of time, yeah," he smiled. Sasori's normal, indifferent expression did not change as he replied,

"I don't particularly like waiting." He had meant to say 'it's ok' but it came out a bit wrong.

"Oh, ok then…" Sasori could not help but feel like a dickhead when he saw how dejected Deidara looked. The blond quickly brightened up though,

"Ready to go?" he asked. The redhead nodded, locking the door behind them and following Deidara to the car.

Sasori stopped at the passenger door, not wanting to touch the abnormally expensive, shiny car, 'Knowing me I'll probably open the door and it'll fall off.'

Deidara noticed the redhead staring at the car apprehensively, 'Aww, cute.' He flashed Sasori a dazzling smile, "It won't bite. Besides, if you scratch it I can always buy a new one!" His statement had the desired effect – making Sasori scowl at the blond's frivolous attitude. Sasori made sure to slam the door when he got in the car. He almost jumped when Deidara switched on the ignition and the small space was filled with very, very loud electronica. Sasori imagined it to be the kind of music you would hear in a lap dancing club. The drive was over in a few minutes, but to Sasori it felt like an eternity; he had noticed the see-through fishnet top that Deidara was wearing and had realised to his horror that he could see the blond's nipples. He spent the rest of the journey staring unblinkingly out of the windscreen.

They arrived at the gallery; a large, old industrial building in the trendiest part of the city. A security guard unlocked the doors for them and Deidara proceeded to drag Sasori to his exhibition space.

"There!" He said, gesturing to his artworks, a massive grin on his face. Deidara stood aside, allowing Sasori to wander round the exhibition. The blond watched on, nervously biting his lip. He had no idea why he wanted Sasori's approval so much – he just knew that it would make him happy. It was not looking good at the minute though, Sasori's expression as uninterested as ever. Eventually, the redhead wandered back over.

"It certainly isn't my kind of thing – but I have to admit that…you are really talented," he even offered the blond a small smile. Deidara's face immediately lit up into a gorgeous smile. Without thinking, he threw his arms around the redhead and pulled him into a tight hug. He regained his composure when he felt Sasori frantically trying to push him off. Releasing Sasori he stepped back, totally unfazed. Sasori's face, however, was rapidly turning the same shade as his hair.

They walked back to the car together, passing the time discussing art once Sasori's embarrassment had faded. The redhead had to acknowledge that this Deidara he was talking to was nothing like the Deidara he read about in the papers. The blond was friendly, intelligent, eager to please – nothing at all like he had envisaged. Sasori was even beginning to enjoy his company; too bad their meeting was almost over.

"Hey, do you fancy going for a drink so we can talk more? I'm getting quite into this discussion. Beats talking to the idiots I usually find myself surrounded by, yeah," the question surprised Sasori. He opened his mouth to say no, but reconsidered. His relatives did always tell him to get out more and meet new people.

"Sure," he shrugged. Deidara grinned again,

"Great! I know a place where we won't get bothered."

They went to Hoko 10. The bar was a lot busier than it had been at lunchtime, but Deidara had been right and the two were not bothered by anyone, allowing them to continue their conversation. Sasori looked at his watch, eyes widening when he saw that it was almost midnight. They had been talking for 4 hours! Deidara frowned when he saw Sasori's expression,

"Something wrong?"

"I'm sorry but I really need to go, I have to go to a meeting in the morning," Sasori replied, genuinely sorry to have to leave.

"No problem! I can drop you off home!"

Sasori gave him an incredulous look, "You've had a few drinks, and I don't think you should drive. Either way, I'm going to get a taxi." Deidara did not want to be separated from the redhead just yet,

"I guess you're right. Mind if I share a taxi with you?"

Sasori shook his head, "Of course not. I prefer it this way. I don't want to read the paper tomorrow to find out that you crashed your car."

A few minutes later and they were sitting together in the back of the taxi, talking about nothing in particular. Sasori was the first to be dropped off.

"Thanks, for taking me to see your exhibition. I acted like a total dick when we first met, and…I'm sorry."

"It's ok," Deidara smiled. There were a few minutes of uncomfortable silence.

"Well, goodnight," Sasori said, getting out of the taxi.

"Goodnight, yeah."

Tobi and Hidan had gone to the party, returning to the house in the early hours to find Deidara lying on the couch watching tv and eating ice cream out of the tub. Hidan drunkenly stumbled off to his room while Tobi sat on the couch, the masked man completely sober.

"Where's the car?" he asked, fearing the worst.

Deidara replied after swallowing his mouthful of ice cream, "Hoko 10. Took a taxi home."

Tobi looked as shocked as a man in a mask can, "You took a taxi? You never take a taxi! I didn't even have a drink 'cause I expected you to want me to pick you up, and then I find you at home eating ice cream!"

"Sasori didn't want me to drive after having a few drinks, so I shared a taxi with him," the blond shrugged.

"This Sasori seems to be having a positive effect on you. Sounds like you probably had a better night than we did. The party was shit so we left early."

"It was shit 'cause I wasn't there!" Deidara laughed.

Tobi shook his head in amusement, "You know what? You're probably right."