Disclaimer: check chap 1.
Itachi looked at Deidara with a concealed surprise. He knew his parents will have little to no say in this matter. Uchiha Clan put love as their prerogatives. Especially when they were choosing their spouses. The divorce rate in Uchiha Clan was the minimum from all clans in the world. Well, they have a high rate to become crazy should anything happen to their loved ones. However, the point was Itachi knew his parents will accept Deidara. He made sure all the checklists were marked before he started anything with Deidara.
"You don't have to worry," Itachi soothed the younger blond, "my parents will accept you as their son-in-law."
"And if they don't?" Misty blue eyes bored into black ones.
Itachi took a moment to realize that Deidara was seriously worried. He should not dismiss his boyfriend's feelings. The Uchiha prodigy's closed his eyes and thought about Deidara's question. If his parents would not accept his choice of a spouse, what would he do? Back out and searched again?
No.
Even just the notion to be apart from Deidara didn't feel right to Itachi. It will hurt him. With a slight frown, Itachi opened his eyes to find Deidara's hopeful slash worry fixated on Itachi. The blond man waited for the other shoe to drop but it was not like he expected. Instead of an apology (because Itachi would choose his parents over him), he had a straightforward answer.
"If my parents disapprove of you, I'll just pick what gift Sasuke should give me before he gets married," said Itachi calmly. In some clans, like Uchiha, the older sibling has to get married first before the younger ones. If the situation arises when the younger ones get married first, the older brother will pick something as a gift from the younger ones. It will act as an apology gift. Deidara knew that tradition despite in Iwagakure was different.
Misty blue eyes widened, "Are you saying that you…."
"I will not marry anyone unless it's you, Deidara," Itachi said firmly.
Deidara felt his face warmer and he bet it was red now. Actually, it was a deep shade of red but the blonde didn't know that. For a moment they stared into each other eyes and Deidara stepped closer to Itachi without breaking the eye contact. The younger man could help but feel warm affection towards the Uchiha. He leaned closer then kissed Itachi's lips shyly.
He felt those soft lips kiss him back as his waist was held by Itachi's arms. They closed their eyes when their lips touched and Deidara's fingers gingerly rested on Itachi's face. It may not be their first kiss but it felt as it was. Considering their first one just as quickly as lightning. Their next ones were also not much different since there were distractions such as nervous feelings or Obito walking in on them. But, this one, they could savor it and truly enjoyed it.
It was not as chaste as their previous kiss but not lustful either. Indescribable. Deidara felt how much affection Itachi had for him. From the lips touched his. From the hands holding his body gently. Even after they leaned away slowly. Itachi's warm gaze and gentle smile melted him. On one side, he was embarrassed. On the other side, he was on cloud nine.
He didn't realize that he grinned at Itachi with the same affection he received from the Uchiha. "Let's go," said Itachi softly. He took Deidara's hand in his and they went through the Konoha's gate side by side.
The moment they stepped in, two of Konoha's shinobi stepped out of their post to greet Itachi. They were bow politely and say together, "Welcome back, Itachi-sama!"
"Thank you, Kotetsu, Izumo," Itachi nodded at them in respect. When the duo straightened their back, they noticed Deidara and saw his fingers interlaced with Itachi's. They gaped with their eyes on it. One of them found voices out an unsure words.
"Itachi-sama, may we know who is he?"
"He is my colleague in Akatsuki and," Itachi threw a warm gaze at Deidara, "my boyfriend."
Deidara blushed at the declaration and the gaze from Itachi but he was distracted from an echo of 'boyfriend' still followed them as they went further the village. It turned out that Itachi's stalker heard the short introduction at the gate and spread in a matter of minutes. Oh, Deidara never thought Itachi's popularity was to this extend!
In every step they took, people looked at them and pointed their fingers (especially) at Deidara. Several youngsters burst into tears and ran away. The blond was stunned in awe at the reaction just from the last word Itachi said at the gate. The Uchiha himself looked like he noticed nothing and keep walking to an Uchiha compound.
"Here, it's my home," they stopped at the front door. Deidara stood looked up at the traditional Japanese house. Figured. He felt nervous again but Itachi squeezed his hand gently as if to remind him of their conversation at the gate earlier. Deidara smiled as he squeezed back his boyfriend's hand. Itachi glanced at Deidara to find a small smile curved on his lips. The older man smiled as well then his hand reached to open the door—
It was opened from inside.
"Itachi-nii!" a younger blonde beamed at the said man. "You're back! Welcome home!"
Deidara stared at the teenager. Spiky blond hair, blue eyes, tan skin, and whiskers. Was he the younger brother of Itachi? They did not look like it. They have no resemblance at all. But, he got his answer when Itachi said, "I'm home, Naruto. You are here, it means Sasuke is on his days off, right?"
Naruto blushed slightly but nodded, "He just got back."
"It's good he is here. I want to introduce him to someone," said Itachi.
Naruto turned his head towards Deidara. Assumed that someone Itachi meant was this long hair blond. Naruto raised one eyebrow, "Is he—"
"Why did you forbid my brother to come in?" A voice behind Naruto revealed a man which was shorter than Itachi but the resemblance to the Uchiha prodigy was uncanny. Especially, the Uchiha outfit was undeniable proof. Deidara bet, this shorter version of Itachi was the younger brother.
"I didn't forbid him, Sasuke," the blond sulked.
"Then, let him in first, Naruto," Sasuke smirked at his blond and looked at his brother, "Brother, welcome home…" but another blond beside his brother stunned him up. His onyx eyes widened slightly before the eyebrows frowned. He asked Deidara coldly, "Who are you?"
Deidara had the impression Sasuke didn't like him for some reason. He didn't think he ever met this brother of Itachi but that question alone spoke volumes of his dislike. Deidara noticed it Sasuke's expression was softer when he talked to Naruto and Itachi. However, it changed drastically when his eyes landed on Deidara. If he need one word to describe those eyes, he would use hatred. An unusual strong word to use for a stranger but Deidara felt that was the word to illustrate Sasuke's gaze.
Before Itachi or Deidara could answer, a woman came from Sasuke's direction and she walked closer. "Ah, Itachi, you're home too. Welcome back," she said. Itachi smiled at her, "I'm home, Mother."
Misty blue eyes widened at the woman who had clearly the source of her sons' good looking. Particularly, Sasuke. Her eyes glanced at Deidara (succeeded in terrified the blond inwardly) before she smiled gently, "Ah, you must be Itachi's boyfriend."
Both Sasuke and Naruto were shocked beyond belief. Naruto gaped at the sight in front of him. All his life, Itachi was his brother-figure and the said elder brother never brought anyone back to here. Even as thick-headed as Naruto, he knew what it meant when he heard Sasuke's mother welcome the straight hair blond as Itachi's brother.
That blond will be Itachi's husband.
At the same time, Sasuke realized that his brother will get married.
His kind-hearted big brother will get married.
His—
"Sasuke?" Naruto blinked in front of him. He waved his hand in front of onyx ones and received no response. Sasuke just stood there. Frozen. Like he was in genjutsu state. "Come on, your parents want you to introduce yourself to Itachi's boyfriend."
Naruto took Sasuke's hand and guided him to the living room where Mikoto welcomed his firstborn's future spouse.
—000—
"My name is Deidara and thank you for having me today, un," the blond bowed politely at Itachi's Father and Mother who returned the gesture. Itachi had just given a short introduction about Deidara's origins (to extend, the connection to Tsuchikage also mentioned). They sat on zabutons (Japanese cushion), a chabudai (short-leg table) between them. Itachi and Deidara sat in front of his parent.
"The pleasure is ours," Fugaku said before straightening his back along with his wife. At that moment, Naruto slides open the shoji (the paper door) and dragged Sasuke Inside. They sat behind Fugaku and Mikoto (on the right side). The father ordered Sasuke to introduce himself and Naruto. Sasuke, glared at Deidara, he bowed stiffly, "I'm Sasuke."
What's his problem? Deidara thought.
Naruto followed his suit (without a glare, of course), "I'm Naruto Namikaze. Nice to meet you." He grinned at the older blonde.
Deidara blinked at Naruto. "Namikaze? Isn't it—"
"Yes, Naruto is the son of Yondaime Hokage, Minato Namikaze," Itachi explained to him. Yet, Deidara was curious why he was here? Sure, he may be friends with Sasuke. But, this is a family matter. Unless—
Mikoto clarified to him with a smile, "Naruto is Sasuke's boyfriend." She glanced at the teenagers. "But, in the future, he will be our family."
Deidara saw Naruto and Sasuke glanced at each other secretly then they blushed when their eyes meet and faced away. The older blond found it amusing and smirked. However, when Sasuke saw him again, the glare was back. Deidara's amusement evaporated instantly.
Seriously, what's wrong with Itachi's brother, un?! He keeps glaring at me, un?!
"You must be tired from your journey, Deidara," Mikoto smiled at him. "I prepared a room for you so you can rest and we can talk more at dinner."
"Thank you, Ma'am," he bowed and rose to his feet along with Itachi after she told her firstborn that the room he mentioned was the guest room in front of Itachi's room. The couple went out of the room, even Deidara didn't need to see to know that Sasuke was still glaring at him even after the door closed.
—000—
"This is your room," Itachi opened a door, he pointed a door across this, "Mine is there. Sasuke's room is beside my room."
"I see," Deidara saw the doors of the brothers before entering his. Itachi followed him inside. One single bed near the window and a three-door wardrobe along with a bedside table. Itachi said to him, "I hope you like your room."
"It's nice, thanks, un," Deidara smiled and sat on the bed. Itachi sat beside him. The older man asked, "So, what do you think of my family?"
"Your parents are great. They are nice. Your father is charismatic and your mother is so pretty. But..." Deidara scowled at the next one he couldn't help but complain, "Your brother is weird. He keeps glaring at me since he first saw me, un."
"Sasuke?"
"Yeah. Is there something wrong with me? Or he is just being an ass?" Deidara barely concealed his annoyance.
"Nothing is wrong with you," Itachi looked thoughtful, "Well, Sasuke is not as friendly as Naruto by nature. But, I'll talk to him later."
"No, it's fine. I can handle him being an ass," Deidara shrugged. "It's no big deal, un."
"Alright, let me know if he gives you trouble," Itachi said. Deidara nodded then he grinned. He bumped his shoulder to Itachi's. A sly grin on his face.
"I never imagine you are this popular, Itachi, un," he snickered. "Do you see some people crying on the street just by looking at us?"
Itachi closed his eyes, "I'm used to ignoring it."
"Man, I never thought Obito will tell the truth, un," Deidara laid on the bed with a fondness sigh and smiled lightly. Itachi reminded him that he told him too. Yeah, well, Deidara never imagined it will be like this. Itachi was truly extraordinary. "Ah," he remembered one thing, "What should I call your mother? Mikoto-sama? Or just Mikoto-san?" Deidara looked up at Itachi.
"Don't bother that. She will be your mother too after we get married, just call her 'Mother'," suggested Itachi.
The blond blushed. Oh, he didn't know if he could do that or not. His first thought went to his late birth father.
—000—
Itachi let Deidara rest until dinner time. When the two of them reached the room, Sasuke, Fugaku, and Mikoto were there. Deidara sat beside Itachi on zabutons. Across Sasuke and Mikoto while Fugaku alone between Itachi and Mikoto.
They started eating and the first minute passed in silence before Mikoto cracked it with a gentle smile, "Is this your first time coming to Konoha, Deidara?"
"Yes, it's my first time," he replied in the same manner.
"What do you think?" She was curious about it since her granduncles were the founders.
Deidara compliment Konoha but then he remembered the people when he first came here with Itachi and chuckled. He told her about what happened, she giggled. Deidara grinned, "I know Itachi must be popular, but I never thought in this super high-level popularity. I must say after I meet you, I can see why Itachi is handsome as you are so beautiful, un."
"Oh, aren't you sweet?" She chuckled with a tint of rosy hue on his face, "I never had a problem like my sons had with their fans."
"I beg to differ," Fugaku raised one eyebrow at his wife. "Don't you remember how many stalked you before?"
"Oh, Darling, it's old news," she smiled, clearly she knew the story his husband had in mind.
"Alright," Fugaku smiled faintly then addressed Deidara for the first time this evening, "Deidara, do you see yourself staying in Konoha for the future, perhaps?" By Itachi's side, was left unsaid but everyone heard it.
Deidara glanced at Itachi thoughtfully. He knew Fugaku wanted to know if Deidara would stay in Konoha willingly after he gets married to Itachi. They want insurance that Itachi won't go anywhere since Itachi was the firstborn, he was the heir of this family. Hence, Itachi couldn't move to another village. Namely, Iwagakure. Should he decide to marry Itachi, Deidara will be Konoha's shinobi. No longer Iwagakure's. Well, he didn't mind it that much. He has rarely had a bond with Iwagakure after he found his art. Other than Sandaime Tsuchikage's family, he didn't interact much with other villagers.
In addition, when Itachi's gaze locked with his, all his rational thoughts were gone. Misty blue eyes warmed and a soft smile curved as he replied but eyes still on Itachi, "Yes, I can see myself staying in Konoha, un." Itachi reciprocated the same smile at Deidara and the blond blushed lightly.
Itachi's family witnessed the unspoken affection between the couple. Mikoto was happy for her son and Fugaku nodded in approval. Both were satisfied. They just want their son to be happy. Itachi has gone through a lot. Only Sasuke had his glare intensified. A special glare only for Deidara. However, because Itachi and Deidara exchanged affectionate gazes, he never realize that. He barely remembered Sasuke.
Yes, Itachi had that kind of effect.
"Deidara," Mikoto grabbed the attention of the males, "Would you mind meeting my cousin, she is Itachi's aunt and my friend? They would love to meet you. Well, my friend is Naruto's mother."
Deidara blinked. Itachi's aunt and Naruto's mother? He shrugged inwardly. He didn't think it will hurt anybody and agreed easily.
"It will be my pleasure."
—000—
Dinner went smoothly. Deidara sighed in relief as he sat and on his bed, leaned on Itachi. "I did good, right?" He asked in a whisper.
Itachi smiled, "I told you that you don't need to worry about my parents," he stroked the blond's hair tenderly, "but, yes, I believe you did well."
Deidara smirked lazily, he closed his eyes to enjoy Itachi's hand on his hair. He snuggled to Itachi. The older man smiled and kept stroking those golden locks. They remained in comfortable silence. It was rare for them to have a moment like this. In Akatsuki's, they had missions despite they were roommates. They were on a different team so their schedule was various as well. At least, for the next two weeks, they will have time to be together. That thought brought a smile to their faces.
"Have you got a letter from Sandaime Tsuchikage?" Itachi asked. They were waiting for a reply from Tsuchikage about Deidara's father. Only he could inform the man about Itachi and Deidara's intention to get married.
"Not yet. But, I think it will reach here soon." He was silent as he considered asking Itachi something. "Itachi, I'm not well aware of your heritage other than what you told me. Is there anything I need to know about your aunt? Coz she is your mother's cousin, I had a feeling she had a connection with previous Hokages or something."
"It's correct. My grandmother and my aunt's father, which is my grand uncle, were siblings. They were the children of Nidaime Hokage, Tobirama, and Izuna Senju. She is an expert in medical ninjutsu."
Deidara stored the information in his mind, "How about Naruto's mother? I know that means she is the wife of Hokage."
"Ah, Kushina-sama is from Uzushiogakure. She comes here to marry Hokage-sama. My mother told me that Kushina-sama and Hokage-sama met when they were on a joined mission between Konohakure and Uzushiogakure."
"Uzushiogakure? I see," It perked his interest. Somehow, he felt relief to know the wife of the current Hokage was a immigrate. He will be like her when he married Itachi.
Marry... Itachi.
Oh, that thought made him blush.
Thank you for reading! Please let me know what do you think!
feriyen: review please