What is the point of having a relationship with someone when you know it will eventually end someday ? After all, the very moment when wemake an encounter, we must immediately and tacitly accept that we will, sooner or later, be separeted by time. Only art can withstand time. Only art can be perfect. That's why I'm totally dedicated to it.
I believe- no ! I am convicedthat my work will ultimately reach that perfection I seek so much. For my art to be perfect, it must be eternal.
I love beautiful things. I want to preserve them as much as possible. For that, I'm willing to pay the price of it.
While the clock indicated 7 p.m, a hesitant glance began to gradually open. Its vision was still a little blurred but some shapes began to form.
"(Where... am I... ?)", Deidara's gaze was welcomed by a most pictureste vision. The vision of large living room with warm colors.
The place brought him an instant but unexplainable comfort. Surely it was the effect of the reddish tapestries which cover the facades ? Or was it the slighty orange-colored lamp ? Unless it was the good insulation ? A luxury he was not lucky enough to have. Or maybe, it was the simple feeling of living under a good roof ?
"(Whooa... It's a dream right ? I'm dreaming, aren't I ?)", for him, it was too good to be true.
"(Of course it's a dream... dumbass.)", he took a good breath of air and exhaled it in a sign of tranquility, "'I hope I'll stay a bit longer asleep... I feel so damn good here !)"
Nevertheless, the moment he noticed he was sitting in a chair with his hands tied, his dream of luxury and comfort immediately dissipated. He could hardly move them.
"(What the fuck ?)"
When he turned his head to the right, he saw a man also seated on a chair right in front of him. The difference is that he was not constrained by ties.
His hair, as hot as fire, and his eye, as soft as hazelnut, stared at him. Althought, his look, tingedwith a touch of boredom, seemed very tired.
"Well. You're finally awake."
"(Wait- It's a dream right ?)"
"And if you were wondering… No. It's not a dream. Surprise…"
"…"
He tried to move again but in vain…
"Huh ?"
"It's useless.", said the redhead pointing at him.
The blond's eyes widened in shock as he realized that his kidnapper rings a bell to him. He has already seen him !
"(His eyes are as beautiful as gems... I want them. But how can they be real... ? And why do they enchant me so much ?!)", it was beyond his comprehension.
He doesn't like to have such feelings as much as he doesn't like to drink. Because, in fact, in both cases, he is unable to remain rational.
However, he is aware of his actions made him look like some kind of a pervy-weirdo. Besides, he felt like slapping himself for that… in addition to wanting to free the poor young man (even if he turned out to be the thief from yesterday). Yet, couldn't bring himself to do it so easily.
The puppeteer had become a puppet again, controlled by a twisted mind.
He felt terrible...
"Hey !"
The abrupt intervention of the captive brought him back to Earth
"I know you ! I mean I recognize you !"
"Oh... Really ? Ok so we've already met before ? I note. (So I'm not crazy... This is all true.)"
"Why am I tied up ? What the hell am I doing here ? And first of all, where I am now ? And what do you want from me for fuck's sake ?!"
"I-"
"If it's money you want, sorry but I'm broke."
"I don't care about money. Don't worry about it."
"So what ? What the fuck do you want then ?! Why I am here ?!"
"Please, calm-"
"Oh fuck... Don't tell me you were watching me like a creep while I was sleeping ?"
"…"
Sasori didn't know what to respond at this unexpected remarks. In fact, he was rather expecting to be the one asking questions.
"No I-"
"YOU WERE WATCHING ME WHILE I WAS SLEEPING !"
"No ! I-"
"I WARN YOU, I'M A BLACK BELT IN KARATE EXPERT !"
"…"
"…"
Following this sulphurous exchange, the redhead caught his breath and preferred to reassure his interlocutor.
"Anyway… You don't have to worry, I won't harm you."
"And you think that's gonna be enough to calm me ?! Why-"
"Hey !"
"-I am here and what-"
"Listen to me !"
"-do you fucking want goddamnit ?!"
"Will you let me finish already ?! Shut up and listen !", Sasori finally managed to impose himself in the hubbub, "I just wanted to know why you were hanging around my car."
"Your car ? Oh right… Now I remember."
"So ?"
"You know… Instead of making all these efforts, you could have just brought me to the police station. I think it'd have been easier. Especially since they know me pretty well out there."
"Wasn't it you who said you'd rather sleep than go to see the police ?"
"Yeah but I'd have preferred this over being in a place I don't even know with a guy I don't even know."
"I'm sorry but now it's too late. I want to settle all this right now."
"Listen. I could have go after any car in the whole fucking parking lot. It's just, yours happened to be in my way. Bad luck hm!"
"Precisely ! Why mine in particular ?"
"I told you ! Because it was in my way !"
"You're a very bad liar. Your performance needs to be revised."
"…"
"I can even tell that you were only interested in my car because it has some value to you. Am I right ?"
"Good call Sherlock ! You'd have to be blind to not notice that. Your car is a fuckin' beats and it's a fact.", this little provocation slightly annoyed the businessman, who preferred to ignore the comment.
"Anyways, I wouldn't have minded playing the cat and mouse game with the police. I'm pretty good at it, I must say hm.", even if he was in a weak position, he remained very confident, "To tell you the truth, I even expected to play with you a little bit, but apparently, fun ain't your thing."
Someone who dared to challenge him ? Someone who dared to give him interest ? This guy really didn't know Sasori…
"Such boldness for a brat. I admit that you caugh me off guard. A rare thing that few people manage to accomplish, that is. However, I never said I didn't like to have fun.", he said, bringing his face closer to the blond's.
"And yet, as you can see, I'm tied up on a fucking chair for whatever damn reason. Besides, you still haven't answered my questions."
"I did."
"No. Sorry but your answers aren't satisfactory. You can't, like, kidnap someone just for a damn car story ! That's insane !"
Even though he was not the best person fit to say such things, Deidara was right. Indeed, all this deal around the car was, in reality, nothing more than a pretext for Sasori to confirm his invasive thoughts which consumed him since these last two days. And also to see, incidentally, his eyes closely.
Thus, the situation was as embarrassing for one as for the other. Especially for Sasori, who was only acting selfishly. The word "insane" was echoing in his head continuously. He felt horrible.
Nevertheless, he managed to answer the blond's remark :
"Your answers are not satisfactory either. What did you want to do to my car?"
"Nothing special really. Just, let's say… some little 'customizations'."
"What do you mean by that exactly ?"
"Dunno~"
"Okay. Well, I guess I'll leave you like this then…"
"For art."
"What ? What did you say ?"
"I'm an artist. You know, someone who creates stuff for the sake of art and good taste ?"
Sasori was about to say something but nothing came out of his mouth. Sharing with others wasn't in his habits. And talking about himself was even less... Except with Konan, and even sometimes with Pein. Although, he prefered to prioritize professional relationships over personal ones.
"Did I leave you speechless or what ?"
"No.", he stood up from his chair and moved into the living room.
"Hey wait ! Where are you going like that ?!"
"Turn on the tv."
"How long will you keep me here ?"
"Who knows ?", an aftertaste of sadism could be heard in his voice. Deep inside, he seemed to take a malicious pleasure in tormenting his victim.
"I've answered all your questions ! Now I have to leave before there are no more buses to home !"
Before the businessman answered, a brief moment of silence, not even a fraction of a second, was felt.
"What kind of art do you create ?", even if the situation wasn't the most appropiate for that, he couldn't resist asking him the question.
The question took Deidara by surprise.
"Heh... What a joke... No one has ever been interested in my art. I can't believe that I had to get kidnapped for someone, if not my fucking kidnapper, to finally give a shit about what I do. If I'd known that before, I'd have become Princess fucking Peach ! (Well, I'm not gonna spit on the opportunity though...) Anyways, my art is the explosion !"
"The explosion ?"
"Yeah. My art is fleeting. To express that I make bombs and then boom ! They explode in a thousand of colors !", it was no longer Deidara who spoke but his passion.
"And how do you make them ?"
"With everything I can find."
"Including my car…"
"Almost.", he grinned mischievously.
"What is the point of creating art if it's to destroy it ?"
"To make an impression of course ! Everything is doomed to disappear, and for that one thing can persist, it has to leave something impactful to be remembered. Like fireworks you know ?"
"Interesting but I disagree with you. Not everything is doomed. The greatest masterpieces are those which withstand time. You only have to go to a museum to realize this."
"I get your point, but- Hey ! You're an artist too aren't you ?!"
Suddenly, the situation took a turn as absurd as it was surreal. The thief, then captive, was there, engaging in a natural and mundane conversation with his captor, as if nothing was wrong. Had he forgotten the fact that he was being held captive by a stranger ?
"I- uh…"
"Come on ! Say it !"
"I make puppets…"
"Woah. So I presume you want them to escape time hm ?"
"Indeed."
"Yeah well good luck with the wood heh."
While Sasori was about to respond at his cocky reply, the house phone rang frantically. Even if it wasn't the best moment to talk on the phone, he still took the call :
"Hello Sasori ?"
"Konan ?"
"I'm sorry to interrupt you but I... have a terrible news to tell you…"
"What ?! What happened ?"
"It's Pein... He got arrested…"
"What ?! But why ?!", the redhead couldn't believe it.
"They suspect him of having privileged relations with... the underworld... The Japanese mafia in particular..."
He was completely shocked about this revelation. On his side, Deidara didn't understand the situation.
"Hey ! What's going on ?"
"As you can imagine, it's not easy for us... For the moment, nothing has been done yet, so I'll find a way to defend him at all costs !"
"Konan."
"Yes... ?"
"Is this true ?"
"…"
"…"
"As a lawyer, it's my duty to help him…"
"I see…"
"I have to go... Sasori, take care of yourself."
"I will...", the call ended.
"(What is happening to me ? And what the fuck will I become now ?!)"
As he didn't have the time to take his breath, a second call surprised him. He hesitated to answer but he finally unhooked the phone.
"Yes ?"
"..."
"Who is it ?"
"Tomorrow, at the Immortal Heart, in the early evening, alone or with someone. I need to talk to you, it's important. If you don't come to me, I will come to you."
"Wait-", the call was already finished.
"Wha- I…"
Deidara noticed that he was extremely confused and totally overwhelmed by the events. Indeed, he tried to calm the atmosphere :
"It's always like this at your place ?"
…
It was a failure. It must be said that the time was not for jokes, and he knew it. But as they say "nothing ventured nothing gained".
"Are you okay ?", he resumed, sounding genuinely concerned for the redhead.
"I... don't know... I- I think I need some sleep... I'm really sorry I- I didn't know what I was thinking when I did this and- Yeah... forget about me and about everything that happened here. I need to be alone now.", he freed the blond from his bonds and encouraged him to leave.
"Do you really expect me to forget about everything hmmmmmm ?"
"Of course... You can leave now."
"You locked me here for three good hours and you let me go like that ? Like nothing happened ?"
"That's what you wanted right ?"
"And where I'm supposed to go now ? At this hour there are no more buses. And I did warn you about that. On top of that, I think it's starting to rain like crazy outside. And don't forget that I still have no idea where the hell I am !"
"What do you want me to do then ? I don't even know you…"
"Neither do I ?! I'm not the one who started it all ! I guess you owe me something from now hm."
Sasori sighed in despair and finally accepted to put him up for the night.
"(Why do I make the worst decisions of my life ?!)"
"Thanks hm. By the way, a little reminder just in case but, don't even try to attack me. I'm a black belt in case you forgot."
"Ok... (What is wrong with him ?)"
"Good !"
"Aren't you afraid or worried after what happened ?"
"Nah. I don't have to worry because I always find a way out. And it's not like I wasn't used to danger... I make and sell bombs, so all this is nothing compared to all the shis I've been through."
"(Is he a gangter ?) Very well, then consider this as an act of forgiveness on my part."
"(I don't believe it... I don't believe it at all ! What's going on today ?! I swear , his day must be cursed ! The calls, this dude and his stupid eyes ! Everything goes too fast, I can't take it anymore ! This has to be dream right ?! Or would it be the work of a tricky god ?!)"
"(Tomorrow I'm gonna tell Hidan about all this ! I bet he won't believe a word of it.) I'm thinking about it but I don't even know my host's name."
"Sorry but if I was going to give my name to someone, it certainly wouldn't be to a thief like you! You stay the night and get the hell out of there as fast as you can !"
"Okay Kidnapper.", he makes point, "By the way, I'm planning to leave at dawn, so don't worry about it. However, even after all this bullshit, as a fellow artist and as a gentlemen, I must introduce myself !"
"(What a pretentious !)", thought the "kidnapper".
"The name's Deidara. And I'm not a thief ! I'm an artist !"
"(There's definitely something wrong with him. Just like with me…)"
"So ?"
"Sasori…"