And it took me some time to actually update this one... But here it is :D

ace9: There is a reason why I choose not to show any of Itachi's perspective, because it would actually ruin the whole idea ;) You are curious about him and that is pretty much my point ^^

Now enjoy!

...

A few days had passed since that fateful day. Though it was not a day that deserved such a title. It was a mistake, plain and simple. And it hadn't ended well for Deidara either. There were a few things He would believe, but this being a simple mistake was not one of them. Deidara was being watched constantly and not by Him. No, other angels were forced to keep an eye out, noting every movement Deidara made that might mean he was going to see Itachi. It felt like someone was breathing down his neck and it put him on edge constantly. Hidan hadn't dared to stop by after Deidara had cussed him out the last time, because this time it had been uncalled for. Even Deidara could tell.

It was just every time his phone rang or when a text came in, Deidara felt this deep longing to pick up the phone or to read the message sent to him, but he couldn't. The feeling frightened him, because it was something that had never happened to him before.

But that was a lie, wasn't it? It had happened before. With the same soul, over and over again until the feeling had settled so deep that Deidara had decided to risk everything. Was it happening all again? Would Deidara take the last leap and fall until he could fall no further, switch sides, choose darkness over light? All nice ways to say it, but was it really that easy? Darkness over light. Good versus evil. It wasn't as black and white like that. And yet Deidara always found himself favouring heaven. It was his home and every memory he had of that place was brilliant, filled with so much beauty it took Deidara's breath away every time. It's where he belonged and yet could not return to. But he would give everything to just be there.

He hadn't left his house in days for exactly that reason. Deidara didn't dare go outside and run into Itachi and make the second mistake. Who knows what would happen? There really was only one option now, even if Deidara did not like it at all. He would need to move, get out of this town and find another to live in. Perhaps another country. It was very unfortunate, because Deidara had enjoyed this place. The rain seemed to accompany his mood and the people weren't overly friendly, trying to be nice a little too enthusiastically. People were rude and kept to themselves, just the way Deidara liked it. Was it really necessary to move anyway? Itachi's soul was doomed to die a young age. It was what had wrecked Deidara to begin with. How old was Itachi now anyway? Shouldn't be long now.

Surprisingly the TV was off, even if one of Deidara's soaps was one. He had picked up another strange habit. Fussing over things that shouldn't be fussed about and he wasn't even sure why he was doing it. His cell phone was on the coffee table. And it hadn't rang all day yet. No new calls, no new texts, nothing. And this was supposed to be a good thing, because it meant Itachi was finally leaving him alone. It was over, done. Yet here he was, sitting in the windowsill, staring at the outside world while wallowing in self-pity. A feeling he tried so hard to suppress, because it wasn't a good sign.

A knock at the door finally pulled his attention away from the people outside. Deidara didn't get up instantly, expecting it to be Hidan anyway. Maybe he should apologise for his bad behaviour… Why though? It's not like Deidara wanted to keep Hidan around. The guy was annoying and was the cause of this strange mess in his life. The more Deidara thought about it, the more he realised he was turning into one of those hateful humans. With their silly little routines and pleasant conversations so everyone felt good about themselves. Pathetic. Before he knew it Deidara would be inviting people over to hang out and have fun together.

Another knock finally made Deidara push himself away from the window, leaving a handprint stain on the glass, and walk towards the front door. It was time to really send Hidan away this time. Get rid of the guy and move on. Life a solitary life. It's all Deidara wanted anyway. Getting rid of his cell phone was also high on his list of things he needed to do.

Placing his food just right, so the door couldn't be pushed open, Deidara unlocked it and opened it on just a crack. Only to reveal someone who he hadn't expected, but should've somehow. Those dark eyes and barely present smile made Deidara's heart skip a beat once and then a flush of dread came over him. Why?

'I'm sorry I came here unannounced,' Itachi started to explain and for some reason Deidara hadn't thrown the door closed right in his face. 'Your kind neighbour let me in downstairs and after mentioning a moody blond guy to her, she knew exactly who I meant, so she pointed out your apartment to me.' Glancing over his shoulder he waved at the woman standing in her doorway, spying on their little encounter here.

The flush of red on her cheeks and the strange giggle leaving her lips showed exactly what kind of effect Itachi had on people. He was handsome and knew how to speak to people, knew how to woo someone. But the way he looked at her was not a look Deidara received. This was a flirtatious look. A corner of his lips turned up slightly and a dark shimmer in those black depths. Deidara didn't get those. Deidara got a look filled with need, and yet so controlled.

The woman finally closed her front door behind her and left them alone to deal with this, which Deidara preferred. Nosy neighbours was something he hated as well. 'You didn't answer my calls or texts after our date and it meant I had screwed up, so I want to make things right. I really don't want to miss the opportunity to really try something with you. You're just so… God…' The mention of His name caught Deidara of guard, because it was a sign. Deidara was treading dangerous turf and should turn around right now. But Itachi was not finished talking yet and Deidara still hadn't shut the door. 'Even if you don't want to date me, please let me just be around you. I'll be a good friend, I promise.' The plea was an odd desperate attempt to be close to Deidara and he wasn't sure how to even take this. Deidara had heard love confessions before and had rejected every single one of them, but this was different. A paper bag was then held up in front of the crack of the door and Deidara eyed it with suspicion while a sweet smile graced Itachi's lips. 'I brought food, so I can cook you dinner.'

Someone opened the door and Deidara was pretty sure he had actually done it. With ease Itachi carried himself inside and moved towards the kitchen as if he had been here a million times before. And Deidara felt like crying. What was going on? Why was he feeling like this? This strange feeling was getting even worse. First it happened when Itachi had merely touched him, then the peck on the lips had added even more to it, but now even Itachi's presence created this buzz inside of Deidara's body. Knees weak and shaky limbs didn't really make his feelings about this situation better.

And while Deidara was still in the living room, trying to catch his bearings, Itachi was whistling away an off tune song in the kitchen, not even realising what was happening. Itachi was in his house. The safety of his home had been invaded and now the guy could stop by whenever he wanted. And he would know the way through his home. Know exactly where Deidara slept.

Pushing the kitchen door open slightly Deidara peered inside and saw Itachi standing by the counter, chopping away at some vegetables that were then dumped into a big pot. One Deidara didn't even know he owned. Had he ever even cooked anything in there? The stove was hardly ever used. Sometimes to warm something up, but the microwave did a good job at that as well. Stepping further inside Deidara just watched Itachi move around, go through drawers filled with things Deidara had never even seen before. There was this comforting air surrounding Itachi, fitting in so well it was strange to watch. This was not the guy's environment at all and yet it matched.

Moving towards the counter Deidara casually leaned against it, watching Itachi from a safe distance. The knife slid through various vegetables easily and then things were switched around and meat appeared on another board. It all went so fast and faintly Deidara wondered where Itachi had learned to cook so well.

'You don't cook much, do you?' Itachi asked straight on, this knowing smirk on his lips.

It then struck Deidara that he had not spoken a word yet to Itachi. So why did he feel so welcome when Deidara had not even welcomed him in? There was no reason to. It wasn't right. And even now Deidara would not give him the warm welcome Itachi should've needed before he entered the apartment. 'No,' he replied softly and then shut down the subject. Or so he thought.

'What do you like to eat then?'

Lifting his gaze up towards Itachi's face instead of watching the lean fingers move through various food products, Deidara thought about an answer for a moment. 'I don't really care. It's all the same to me.' Which was true. Yes, there was a difference in taste, but he didn't need to eat and could go on forever without it. But it was also a way to act like a jackass. It wasn't nice to hear that someone already didn't care about your cooking.

Their eyes stayed locked for just a split second too long and it was discomforting to Deidara. But Itachi moved on as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened, chopping op a piece of chicken in smaller bits. 'You will like my cooking though. I am certain.'

Cocky… As to be expected of someone who flirted quite well. This was probably the way Itachi had spoken to his neighbour, wooing her into telling him more and more about Deidara. But the look was not flirtatious and the smirk from before had faded quite quickly. Had it been a blow to the ego anyway? Better continue on this road then. 'I don't want to date you.' Better have it out now. This way it would be solved far easier. Itachi could just take all his food with him and leave.

For a moment Itachi stopped cutting and Deidara watched Itachi's lip tremble a little and his eye twitch. And right away it was brushed off again as Itachi let the knife slice through another piece of chicken. 'You do,' he replied matter-of-factly.

'I don't,' Deidara spat out instantly, not enjoying this new cocky side of Itachi he was suddenly encountering. Since when was Itachi so certain of his position in Deidara's life? That this was just some kind of façade, Deidara trying to play hard to get. How pathetic would that be?

Then the knife stopped moving once more and this time Itachi actually placed it to the side. Eyes turned back to meet Deidara's vibrant blue ones, but now Itachi turned to face him completely and even deliberately took a step forward to close some distance between them. And then another step and another, until there was practically no room left between their bodies. Every fibre in Deidara's body was screaming to step backwards, but his pride wouldn't let him. He would not cower down and let Itachi win. Itachi needed to leave.

A hand reached up and brushed against Deidara's face, the skin below tingling as the cold finger slid down Deidara's cheek. 'You do,' Itachi muttered, leaning so close their lips were almost touching. And Deidara could feel his body respond to it, lean forward, beg to touch those lips hovering so close to his. Then without a further warning Itachi suddenly stepped back and the whole rush of need came tumbling down from Deidara's shoulders. He was breathing heavily and his heart was racing fast. With wide eyes he stumbled out of the kitchen and away from Itachi, admitting defeat.

God, why?

...

Characters © Masashi Kishimoto

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