Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, Akatsuki or any of the characters/concepts featured. All characters belong to Masashi Kishimoto.

Sasori was pissed.

He'd spent the entire journey glaring at the back of Itachi's head, praying for it to burst into flames.

It hadn't.

Instead, he now stood outside the school gates, listening to the asshole prattle on about "the good days". The worst part was that Deidara actually seemed to be enjoying the little trip down memory lane...

'Do you remember when Suigetsu water bombed Karin's party, un?'

Itachi chuckled. 'Oh yes, she looked like a drowned rat...'

Sasori growled.

He knew he was being immature but he hated listening to all of these childhood stories. He hated hearing about the lost kitten, about the great sledging fiasco, about Deidara's pet acorn... After all, he hadn't been there, so he couldn't just casually join in. They were nothing more than harsh reminders of how little time he had actually spent with his angel.

Itachi, on the other hand, had been with Deidara for many years, even helping him come to terms with his sexuality.

The man was insufferable, with his soppy smile and easygoing facade. Who did he think he was fooling with that suit? He probably couldn't even count to ten and yet he was parading around like some sort of hotshot business representative...

It was time to shut him up.

Sasori cleared his throat. 'Excuse me.'

Deidara and Itachi fell silent, their jolly atmosphere being sucked away in a heartbeat. It was like Sasori had just severed their conversation with a pair of scissors.

Itachi wore a grim, knowing expression. 'Is everything alright?' he asked.

Sasori puffed himself up to his full height of five foot. It wasn't as intimidating as he would've liked. 'Everything's fine, but Dei and I really must go to class now.'

Deidara gave him a pleading look. 'Danna, do we have to go now?'

Sasori looked taken aback. He felt stung. 'Well...yes. Yes, we do.'

'But I was having fun...'

'Well I don't want to be late for biology, and I don't want you to fall behind in art either; you know how stressed you get.'

'I know, un, I know...'

At this point, the resident boyfriend-stealer decided to step in. 'Don't worry, Dei. I chose art to exercise my creativity. We can continue there, hm?'

Deidara instantly brightened.

Sasori twitched like a mad man.

He had the sudden urge to strangle something, preferably Itachi's skinny excuse for a neck. Slender necks were considered attractive, but this man looked like a swan. No, he looked like a goose, and he sounded like one too.

The "goose" chuckled and ruffled Deidara's hair affectionately. 'Don't worry, Sasori; I'll take good care of him for you.'

Sasori felt his blood pressure shoot up a couple of notches, but he couldn't lash out. He'd already made that mistake once and it weighed heavily.

Meanwhile, Deidara was busy fretting over his hair. He reached up to undo his ponytail, getting a few of his fingers caught. 'Itachi, un! You messed it up! Now I look terrible...'

Sasori saw his chance.

'Don't worry, Dei; I brought a comb with me.'

This had the desired effect; Deidara smiled at him and held his hands out in shy request.

Oh he was so precious, and his hands were so delicate.

'Thank you, Danna, un...'

Sasori gave a small smile and reached into his coat pocket.

Then Itachi chipped in with a little comment of his own.

'You don't need a comb; you look beautiful as you are.'

That swine!

Deidara blushed and gazed at the pavement, shifting from one foot to the other. Slowly, he retracted his hand. 'You...think so, hm?' he asked, studying his hair tie.

Itachi smiled fondly at him. 'Of course; now I can see your face.'

Deidara's cheeks were painted a bright pink; he didn't get compliments very often and that made him vulnerable to flattery. So, instead of tying his hair up again, he decided to accept those words and he wrapped the band around his wrist for safekeeping.

'Now,' said Itachi, placing a gentle hand on the blonde's shoulder. 'Shall we go inside? You have to show me where everything is...'

'Sure, un! Come on, Danna!'

But Sasori didn't move an inch. He just stared, appalled.

You look beautiful as you are...

Why hadn't he said that?

After all, it was true; with his bright blue eyes and rosy cheeks, Deidara looked magnificent in any state.

No, instead Sasori had given the impression that his lover only looked hot with his hair up.

Stella relationship skills...

And, as a result, the sly Uchiha had taken his angel away again.

Deidara's hair now reached his waist and it looked absolutely exquisite, like a waterfall of liquid gold. The strands flicked from side to side as he walked, in accordance with his hips.

It was just plain sexy.

Sasori followed the two of them into reception and stood, looking rather forlorn, as they waltzed off together in the direction of the art department. Pretty soon they rounded a corner and disappeared entirely.

Sasori gazed at the floor. He snarled and clenched his fists.

Couldn't he do anything right?

He had known Itachi for less than an hour and he already loathed the man's guts.

'Ugh...'

'Sasori? What are you doing standing there all by yourself? Sweetie, you look like a ghost!'

Sasori turned to see Konan approaching him. She was a pretty young lady with violet hair and lavender perfume. Normally a woman of her demeanour would have annoyed Sasori no end, but he had slowly come to accept her.

After all, she was Deidara's friend as well, and she also took biology.

'Where's Dei?' she asked, craning her neck.

'Gone,' grumbled Sasori, moodily, pushing past her and taking off down the hall.

She followed him.

'Gone?'

'With Itachi.'

Konan frowned, confused. 'Who's Itachi?'

'He's a dick.'

'...I'm not going to get anymore information than that, am I?'

'Not a chance,' muttered Sasori. He took a sharp right turn towards the biology labs, barging through the double doors. One good thing about Konan was that she recognised he was a man of few words.

And she could keep up with his angry speed walking.

'Did you guys have a lover's spat? If you ever need help, I'm here-'

'I don't need help, I need someone to get rid of the fucking goose!'

'...Goose? Sweetie, what are you talking about?'

Sasori cursed mentally. He had just referenced an inside joke that he had with himself. That was either sad, stupid, or both.

'Never mind. Let's just get to class.'

And so the rest of the day ran smoothly...for Itachi and Deidara; they happily chatted away with paintbrushes in their hands.

For Sasori, it was a living hell.

Every moment in his classroom was spent panicking over his relationship; he took very few notes. He didn't even have the same lunch as they did, so it wasn't as if he could check up on things. What if Itachi asked Deidara out on a date? What if he kissed him? Oh Jashin, what if they were making-out in a secluded corner somewhere?

His angel would be soiled!

He could picture it already.

Itachi claiming those soft lips and groping that smooth skin... He'd be far too rough; Deidara was like a snowflake.

Wait, what if they went even further?

Sasori's eyes grew wide and felt his stomach twist.

Hell no.

He was the only one to see that body! He was the only one to hear those moans, to touch that gorgeous, plump ass, to see Deidara's flushed face as he...

At this point, Sasori snapped his pencil.

In fact, by the end of the day, he had created a small pencil graveyard at the side of the table, leads rolling everywhere. He grimaced as he dumped them in the bin on the way out.

He still had one hope left.

He would meet Deidara at their usual place, just outside the library. Then he could make absolutely sure that nothing had happened whilst his back had been turned.

Sure enough, his loyal lover was waiting for him.

Well, actually, the blonde had gotten bored and had drifted over to the wildlife books. When Sasori finally located him, he was reading a book on pandas.

Itachi was nowhere to be seen.

Sasori felt like beaming.

'Dei?'

Deidara looked up and grinned. He ran over, his arms open for a hug. 'Danna, un! How was-'

'Where's Itachi?'

Deidara came to an abrupt halt, his grin slowly disappearing. 'He had to stay in his business class for a while, un...why?'

Sasori looked around nonchalantly, a smile playing on his lips. So the Uchiha had finally left the scene for once? Interesting. 'No reason.'

'Oh...well, can you walk home with me?'

Sasori sighed quietly. 'Actually...I need to stay here to catch up on some notes.'

Deidara looked down and fiddled with the hem of his shirt. He had been expecting a rejection; the answer was always the same.

'Un...'

Sasori smiled, not picking up on any signs of sorrow. Out of the corner of his eye he caught a glimpse of the window. He scowled; outside was a lot darker than he had anticipated; stars were beginning to appear. Not only that, but it was very windy; the trees were being blown in all directions.

'Deidara?'

'Hm?'

'I want you to- hey, can you put the panda book down for a minute?'

Deidara shut it immediately, his eyes wide. Slowly, subtly, he placed it behind the nearest pot-plant and hung his head in shame.

Sasori chuckled and placed two fingers beneath his boyfriend's chin, forcing him to look up.

Deidara shut his eyes and purred at the contact. Though rare, his Danna's touch was incredible; the man's skin was as cold as ice. It sent tingles through every fibre of his being.

He almost moaned.

'Deidara, are you listening to me?'

'Unnn...'

'Hm. I was going to say that I want you to take the bus home, alright?'

Deidara opened his eyes. 'Why?'

'Because it's dark outside and I want you safe. Anyone could be lurking around out there.'

'Un.'

'Good. I'll see you when I get home,' said Sasori, making his way to the nearest seat and setting down his school bag.

Deidara bit his lip. He shifted nervously, his cheeks a bright red. 'Danna?'

Sasori looked over his shoulder. 'What?

'Can I...have a kiss goodbye, un?'

Sasori paused. Normally he would decline - he wasn't keen on PDA - but now Itachi was in the picture. That meant he needed to reinforce his dominance and show his feelings.

'Yes...yes, you can. Come here.'

Excited, Deidara bounced over and stood in front of his lover.

He hadn't expected an agreement! He got goosebumps just thinking about it. He puckered his lips, ready to receive, but found himself disappointed when he was kissed on the cheek instead.

It was quick and soft, and left little to savour.

'Un...'

'Is that okay, Dei?'

Deidara gave a tiny smile. In truth, he had wanted a lot more. He craved something romantic and passionate, something that would leave him begging.

Scratch that, he wanted Sasori to make sweet love to him on the librarian's desk.

But that was never going to happen, so he settled for a simple lie.

'Yes, hm.'

'Excellent. Now, I have work to do...'

Getting the message, Deidara nodded and walked to the exit. He paused in the doorway and looked back, sighing. Sasori already had his head down, his eyes focused on his paper and his pencil scribbling away madly. His red tendrils hung around his face like curtains.

He didn't look up to smile or bid farewell.

And Deidara simply walked away, lugging with him a heavy heart.

He could've stood in that doorway for his entire life and it wouldn't have made an ounce of difference. In his Danna's eyes, he was second best. He had to be; the work always came first, the precious piles of paper and wonderful Word documents...

As he exited the building, a blast of cold air hit him in the face, making him screw up his nose. His hair whirled around him.

Shrugging it off, he hid his hands in his sleeves and sunk into the collar of his shirt, desperate to escape the mini blizzard.

With the moon beginning to appear overhead, he made a dash for the bus-stop outside the school. His upper body was rigid and frozen, but his legs were frantic.

He took up his post underneath the bus-shelter, hunched over with his head tucked away.

From a distance, he looked like a little blonde barn owl.

'Dei? Dei, is that you?'

He turned to see Itachi running down the school steps towards him. The Uchiha had finished whatever it was that he had had to do in business, but had forgotten to take off his glasses. They were thin, steel-rimmed, and very sleek, complimenting his cheekbones.

Not only that, but due to his long legs, he could jump two or three steps at a time.

He soon joined Deidara beneath the bus-stop, his coat flapping in the breeze and a worried look on his face.

'Dei, what on Earth are you doing?'

'Um...waiting for the bus-'

'Absolutely not,' interrupted Itachi. He hurriedly took his coat off and draped it over Deidara's trembling shoulders. 'I won't allow you to stay out here by yourself; it's far too cold! Look at you; you're shaking like a leaf! Where's Sasori?'

Deidara immersed himself in the coat. It was a couple of sizes too big for him, like a tent, and he wanted to fall asleep in it. 'Danna's in the library,' he purred.

'Does he know you're out here by yourself?

'He suggested it, un...'

Itachi blinked, horrified. 'But you could get hypothermia.'

'He has work to do, hm...stuff to learn...'

'Well he needs to learn that you're more important,' muttered Itachi, curling his lip in distaste. He offered his arm. 'Come. I'll walk you home.'

Deidara stared at the arm. A happy grin spread across his face; Itachi always knew exactly what to say.

Then a thought crossed his mind.

'Isn't it dangerous to walk home when it's dark, un?'

'Not when you have me to protect you.'

Deidara blushed and placed a hand on his friend's arm, silently accepting the escort.

So, as it turned out, he did have someone to walk home with after all.

And it was magical.

The dim roads were lit by yellow street lamps, and the moisture on the tarmac seemed to glisten. Solitary motor-vehicles wandered the streets, their tyres scattering water droplets and their headlights illuminating the pavement. The moon had finally revealed it's pale face.

Itachi was great company.

He could laugh and joke around, and he didn't protest when Deidara asked to walk along the curb "like a tightrope person, un!"

When they reached their destination, the blonde found himself a little crestfallen. His fun would be cut short; he didn't want it to end. He stood on the front porch, not quite ready to enter, his fingers curled and shivering.

Itachi noticed instantly.

'You're cold,' he said.

Deidara screwed his eyes shut and looked down. Those words could only mean one thing; a harsh comment about bringing gloves.

But instead, Itachi's hands cupped his own, gently rubbing them to heat them up. The raven seemed to have a lot more blood in his veins than Sasori; his skin was warmer.

Deidara felt the colour rise to his cheeks. 'U-un...'

'Does this feel better?'

'Yeah...'

Itachi smiled and let go. 'Well, I guess now I'll wish you goodnight-'

'Wait! You...you can come in if you like, hm...'

Itachi chuckled and shook his head. 'Ah, I cannot impose. Besides, I have some work to catch up on and now that I know you're alright, I won't have to worry.'

'What about your coat, un?'

'Oh that? Keep it tonight. You look like you need it.'

Deidara grinned sheepishly and played with the buttons. He brushed some hair behind his ear in a coy fashion. 'Thank you...'

Itachi smiled, his onyx eyes twinkling. 'Don't mention it. I'll see you tomorrow?'

'Of course, un.'

Itachi nodded and walked off down the road, his hands in his pockets. He looked back once and waved.

Deidara gave a shy smile and took out his house key, unlocking the door.

Once inside, he heaved a wistful sigh and clasped his hands to his chest.

His heart was fluttering like a demented butterfly and he felt like baking cupcakes.

Giggling, he wandered into the living room and flopped down onto the sofa. He wrapped Itachi's coat around himself like a cocoon and buried his nose in the collar. A name tag had been sewn into it, the Uchiha's title written in fancy italics.

Deidara inhaled deeply, a dreamy smile gracing his lips.

The fabric smelt good, like candy floss with a hint of vanilla.

Itachi's scent...

His eyes flew open. He groaned. What was he doing? This was ridiculous! He was in a relationship! He had his Danna to think about!

After all, Sasori smelt lovely too, like spices and cinnamon.

And yet, even as he grabbed the television remote, he couldn't help but think one thing.

Vanilla tasted better...

Another chapter; this must be the fastest update ever for me. XD

I hope you liked it; Dei is starting to have a little internal conflict. Only just. X3

I love you all very much! :D