Deidara coughed and sneezed as he crawled into bed. "Guh… where'd this come from…?" He muttered to himself as Hinata walked into the kitchen to get an ice pack. "It's because you didn't change out of your wet clothes…" She hurried back and pulled the covers up to his chin. "Oh, Hinata… I'm sorry. This is probably the worst first day you've ever had…" Deidara apologized, his head nodding a little. He felt dizzy…
"No, it's alright. I don't mind…" She smiled sheepishly, blushing. "I mean, overall I get to spend time with you, right?" Deidara looked at her, his eyelids becoming heavier and heavier. He leaned over and cupped Hinata's face, then pulled her so that his lips brushed against hers. When he realized what he did, he was almost hesitant to pull back, since he was scared of what Hinata's reaction would be. He was really out of it, he explained to himself, and he felt the urge to just… uh…
His fever intensified and he fell back, passed out. Hinata's mouth hung open in surprise, her cheeks turning the brightest pink. Then she bit her lip, staring at Deidara for a long time. Then she got up and washed her face in the bathroom.
Looking out the window, she saw that it was snowing very heavily outside. She spotted the other people of the apartment shoveling the snow out of the walkway – which was strange, since it looked to be a pointless effort. They looked extremely cold… She didn't want any of them to catch a cold like Deidara did.
Hinata counted all the people outside and looked through Deidara's cupboards for mugs and cups. Then she filled them with the hot cocoa mix he always used, then put them in the microwave so that they'd be warmer longer. Then, steadily, she put them on a tray and walked into the elevator, hoping none of it spilled. When she got there, she set the tray on a chair and walked out to Sasori, who was the only one she knew at the moment.
As she walked to him, he turned and smiled a little. "Hello… Hinata, right?" Hinata smiled and nodded. "Um… I couldn't help but notice… you guys out here in the snow. I thought everyone could use a cup of hot chocolate… and a break… so… I made some and they're cooling off in the lobby…" Sasori's smile grew a little more. Then, he cupped his hands around his mouth and called, "Hey! Our new friend here made us some hot chocolate! It's in the lobby!" Everyone stopped working and looked at Hinata. Awkwardly, she put her hands in her pockets and blushed.
"Thank you, Hinata!" The man that Hinata assumed was the landlord, came up to her and gave her an unexpected hug. "It's just what we needed! In fact, I think I'll call the whole thing off… It doesn't look like the snow's gonna let up." He looked up at the sky and blinked. "But of course we'll enjoy a cup of hot chocolate with you!" Pretty soon, everyone was sitting around and drinking up their hot chocolate, which managed to stay hot until everyone was served.
It was a fun time, and everyone escaped the grasp of a cold. When Hinata was about to take her leave, everyone yelled (very loudly) "Thank you, Hinataaaa!!!" and waved as the doors to the elevator closed. Sasori had followed her, since he was her neighbor.
"So, where's Deidara?" Sasori asked on their way up. Hinata struggled to balance the empty cups (they were placed so haphazardly onto the tray) and Sasori swooped down to carry the tray with ease. She stared at him, confused, then said, "Deidara caught a cold from today… He's sleeping." Sasori nodded as they walked quietly into Deidara's apartment. Hinata washed one of the mugs and started making another cup of Hot Cocoa. Sasori looked at her quizzically, so she said, "For Deidara… when he wakes up." Sasori spied the light tint of pink on her cheeks and smirked.
"That's awfully loving of you, Hinata." Her cheeks turned a darker pink as she looked at him. "Y-Y-You think so…?" She asked. Sasori's smirk melted into a smile – he absolutely beamed at her. "You're so adorable, Hinata!" he sang, cupping his cheek to cool it off. "I can't believe you… Ahahaha!" Hinata blushed furiously as she brought the cup to Deidara's bedside table. She sat down beside him on the floor. She looked over at Sasori, who was staring back at her.
"What are you doing?" he asked. "Um. I'm not sure what to do now. I guess I'll wait until he wakes up…" She looked a bit confused, but at the same time pretty sure. "What are you doing?" She asked him, smiling a little. "Oh… Well, I was just going to head back to my apartment… Call me if something fun happens, okay?" Sasori waved as he began walking to the door. "Okay… See you later, Sasori…" Hinata turned her body so that her arms and head rested on the edge of Deidara's bed. As she watched him, Sasori watched her for a minute before leaving.
-:-
Deidara began to wake up. Keeping his eyes closed, he sat up and tried to remove the covers, but found that he couldn't. He forced his eyes open and saw Hinata lying beside him, on the floor. He also saw the cup of hot chocolate on the table. Blushing, he slowly moved her so that he could get out of bed, and then went around her to lift her up onto the bed. He wrapped the blanket around her, and switched their pillows (in case he got some drool or snot onto it).
Ugh… I feel gross… Deidara wiped his nose and mouth area, then headed into the bathroom to take a shower. He lazily (or was it dizzily?) stepped into the too-hot water of the shower and closed his eyes.
--
Suddenly, he was being thrown onto a bed, people in facial masks surrounding him. There was an annoying beeping noise, and faintly he could hear Hinata's voice…
Daring to open his eyes, he was met with a bright light. When his eyes adjusted, it revealed a brightly lit hospital room. He groaned softly, trying to sit up. But a hand gently pressed him back to the bed.
"Please rest, Deidara. It'll be better for you, trust me." He assumed it was the doctor. Hinata appeared on his other side, looking like she was just crying her eyes out. "Um… I-I can explain…" Deidara felt like getting up and hugging her, but he couldn't. Just what the heck happened to me? I was just in the shower a second ago…
"Hinata ran into my apartment saying that you passed out in the shower." Sasori walked up next to her, grinning. Deidara blushed furiously. "What?" He croaked, embarrassed. "I-I woke up a f-few minutes after you… And when I went into the bathroom the shower curtain was open a little and I saw you…" She blushed as well – she clearly saw that. Deidara mentally hung himself. That was embarrassing.
"We thought the logical thing to do was to call the hospital… so we did." Sasori shrugged, holding back a laugh. Deidara managed to pull the covers over his face. "Um… Sasori, can you get out for a minute?" he asked. Sasori smiled knowingly and swiftly left the room. Hinata looked at him questioningly. "Deidara?" She inquired.
Deidara sat up quickly, making Hinata squeak in panic. "D-Don't! The doctor said…" He cut her off. "I don't give a damn about what the doctor said." He told her, angry with himself. He immediately regretted snapping at her. He held out his hand, and Hinata slowly took it. "I-I'm sorry… I made you worry. I never could handle colds and fevers very well." He sighed, and Hinata squeezed his hand. "It's okay…" She let go of him for a minute to grab something off the table. She handed him a drink – hot chocolate, of course. "I thought you'd want it when you wake up, so I made sure to bring some." She smiled at him.
On impulse, he grabbed her by the arm and hugged her tightly. "Y-You…" He started, not really knowing what to say. You're really something else, Hinata.
Hinata was brought back to that moment where they kissed… Well, almost kissed. Their lips touched. She blushed darkly, slowly hugging him back.
"You're the best, Hinata." Deidara managed to say. He fell back onto his pillow, exhausted. Hinata smiled, her cheeks still red, as he fell asleep.
Then, she slowly leaned down to kiss him on the cheek.
-:-
Neji paced around his room, absolutely worried. There was an ambulance outside the apartment today. What if it was Deidara? Or worse yet, Hinata? Naturally, he assumed the worst. What if he raped her, and now she can't get married? Oh god, that's horrible!
Worried sick, he drank all the free coffee his hotel provided and stared out the window until something happened.
-:-
The next day, Deidara was healed and feeling better than before. He certainly showed it too – sometimes he'd just randomly give Hinata a hug and they'd go somewhere to eat. Sasori sometimes joined them, and each time he'd notice the same thing about the two.
They were in love. With each other. It was silly, watching them. Both were incredibly shy, but it was evident that they liked each other – and it looked like Deidara was going to make the first move.
One day, however, Hinata started to notice it as well. She didn't seem too happy about it, though. She went to him to talk about it.
"Um. Sasori… can I talk to you for a minute?" Of course she could, she didn't need to ask.
"Well… It's about Deidara… and me." Hinata sat on his couch, and he sat across from her. "What about you two?" Sasori inquired. "Uh… Please don't tell him, but…" She went down to a whisper. "I… I like Deidara." She blushed furiously, and he chuckled. "Of course you do. It's obvious." She seemed shocked, but regained her composure. "But… that's a bad thing… that I like him." Genuinely puzzled, he asked, "Why?"
Hinata held her hands tightly together on her lap. "I-I mean… I live all the way in New York, and he lives here, in Washington. It's a long distance, and I'm afraid that if we start a long distance relationship, it won't work." A single tear fell down her cheek, and she wiped it away. "I… I love him, Sasori. And it hurts, but it's the truth… I can't handle losing his friendship, let alone a relationship…" She continued to cry, and he moved so that he was sitting next to her. "And I'm not even sure if… he likes me back…" Sasori scoffed, wrapping an arm around her. "Now what could possibly possess you to think something like that? Of course Deidara likes you!" Sasori gave their hug a light squeeze before letting go.
"What…?" Hinata sniffled, blushing. "Ah, nothing. Just trust me, you two can make it work."
After a while of just talking, Hinata decided to take her leave. "Thank you, Sasori." She hugged him lightly, then left across the hall into Deidara's apartment.
"My goodness." Sasori sighed.
-:-
Hinata and Deidara sat in bed, about ready to sleep, but not quite. They decided to talk while they warmed up the bed. Hinata's thoughts were still racing with the fact that they liked each other… Now that she thought about it, they did get pretty close over the past week. And they have gotten more comfortable being around each other, and casually touching each other through hugs.
Suddenly, she had to try something.
"And then I was thinking about how…" Deidara started, but was softly interrupted by Hinata's yawn. Daringly, she slowly slipped her hand into his, interlacing their fingers. He noticeably blushed, and – betraying herself – so did she. "Um. I think I want to sleep now, Deidara… good night…" She hoped she wasn't being rude…
Deidara nodded, staring at their interlaced hands. Hinata kept her hand in his as she lie down, being sure to watch him. She pretended to be asleep.
He looked at her, then her hand. He moved so that he could lie down comfortably while still holding her hand. Then he looked straight into her slightly open eye and kissed her fingertips. Hinata couldn't help but blush, closing her eye tightly. She tried to pull her hand away, but he only pulled her closer to him.
Oh…! He knows I'm awake for sure… Hinata mentally slapped herself for thinking this – whatever it was – could work.
"Hinata…" He brought his face close to hers as he held her hand again. She felt his breath on her lips, just begging, waiting. She dared to lean in, feeling her blush heat both of them up.
Then, suddenly it was cold again. Deidara had pulled away, grinning. "I knew it!" he said, laughing. Hinata opened her eyes, took one look at him and then buried her face in her pillow. "Hahaha…Ho boy. That was funny, wasn't it, Hinata? I knew you were awake…" He rolled back and let out a big sigh, his hand still holding Hinata's. Hearing no response, he looked over at her. "Hinata?" He leaned over and put a hand on her shoulder. She had small tears in her eyes from being embarrassed.
…Oh shit! I made her cry! What do I do!? We almost kissed… Aw! Dei, you really messed up! Deidara bit his lip and looked downward. Thinking of only one solution, he pulled her even closer to him, pressing her to fit him perfectly. "I'm sorry, Hinata. I didn't mean to…" He couldn't exactly find the word, but she understood and hugged him back.
"L-Let's stay like this… for a little while."
It was warmer, after all.
-:-
Updates might be a little slower since school started again… (Yay? Nay…)
And that was a lame ending to a chapter. I apologize.
Happy… Uh… What holiday is it again? What? The holidays are over!? Aw, nuts.