A/N: Hello, everyone! Here comes chapter 18 of Art Lessons! I'm so glad I was able to finish this faster because someone told me to update a bit faster. :D And now, your wish is granted!

I would like to say thank you to the ones who reviewed in the past chapter. Your reviews inspired me so much. ^_^

So here it is people! ENJOY!

It was already past ten in the evening. The sound of the police cars and people surfaced the warehouse after a few minutes. After Sasori, Deidara and Itachi went to the police station to explain what the happened, they stayed at the park nearby.

"Sasori-danna, were you hurt so badly?" Deidara asked sympathetically as he gently rest his hand on Sasori's shoulder.

"I'm fine, Deidara."He had a lot of things to tell the blonde. Yet, he realized that they still had a companion who was watching their every move. "Um… Itachi, you can go home. I'm sure your parents and brother is worried."

"Hai. I'm leaving Deidara-kun to you, Sasori-san." he replied politely. He looked at Deidara, saying, "Now you're free, Deidara-san. Don't waste your time."

Deidara and Sasori were both surprised when they heard those words. While watching Itachi walk away, their faces flushed and both had a hard time on thinking what to say first.

Sasori broke the ice. "Were you hurt?" he inquired timidly.

"Not really because you came on time, un." Deidara's voice was enveloped with joy: not only because they were both safe, not only because Hidan already is peaceful, but because his danna is by his side again after a long time.

"I love you, Sasori-danna." he finally said.

Those words struck Sasori's heart in an instant. At first, he couldn't respond nor look directly at Deidara's eyes.

"Don't you know how miserable I was when you left, un?! Don't you know how worried I was?!" Deidara shouted angrily with his eyes flowing with tears. "I know you wanted me to become independent, Sasori-danna. But… but…"

Sasori looked at him intently. His hands were shaking.

"How could I become one if I don't even have an inspiration? Tell me!" he grasped Sasori's shirt as his watery eyes stared at him for a long time.

Sasori was trembling. What would he do now? Many thoughts were running in his head.

"I love you, Sasori-danna! I love you, I love—

Sasori quickly pulled Deidara closer to him and embraced him securely.

"I love you, Deidara…" he whispered to the blonde's ear.

Deidara could feel the heat of Sasori's body flowing in him. For a moment he felt Sasori's heartbeat, and then embraced him back. "Please don't ever leave me again, Sasori-danna… I don't want to be alone, un…"

"Yes, Deidara..." Sasori spoke softly. He ran his fingers on Deidara's cheeks and then held the blonde's face in his both hands. "You'll never be alone."

"I love you, Sasori-danna." Deidara uttered before he drew his head closer to Sasori's. In a few seconds they were kissing each other.

~0~0~0~

"I'll just go home tomorrow, un." Deidara said. "But tonight…"

He unbuttoned his shirt and sat beside Sasori on the bed.

"You're mine." Sasori added as he grinned. "By the way, how've you been doing in school lately?"

Deidara felt delighted that Sasori asked that question, "My grades were way higher than before, Sasori-danna! I'm telling you, I'm a different Deidara now, un!" he bragged.

"Is that so? Show me your report card as evidence." Sasori said teasingly.

Deidara threw a pillow on him. "How cruel of you! Am I really that stupid for you to think that I can never change, un?!" he retorted.

"Hey, who said you could throw a pillow on me?!" Sasori shouted as he pushed Deidara, making his back lie flatly on the peach-colored comforter.

With Sasori on top of him, Deidara replied mockingly, "I did. What's it to you, then, Mister?" He raised a brow to emphasize.

"Still as naughty as usual…" Sasori observed. "I thought I remember you saying that you've changed." He

"In terms of education. But I'm still the good old Deidara that you've loved." he grinned at Sasori from ear to ear.

Sasori pinched Deidara's left cheek softly and rest his head on his chest.

"Deidara, I am sure your parents won't approve of this." he said seriously, making Deidara aware of the changed atmosphere in the room.

"We could stay away from them, un." he replied confidently.

"That's bad."

Deidara laughed. "Oh come on, Sasori-danna. Are we going to argue like children about good and bad, un?"

"Deidara, we could not be lovers. Yes, I love you very much and I could not love without you, but it will be hard for us to hide from everyone." he held Deidara's hand. "What if someone we know sees us holding hands or something in the road? They might start gossiping and eventually it may reach our families."

"So what do you want, un?" Deidara asked worriedly.

"I just want both of us to be free. We can be friends and help each other and hang out as many times as we could." His grip of Deidara's hand became tighter. Deidara noticed that his hand was trembling, so he enveloped it with his other hand.

Deidara stared at the blank ceiling on top. He forced himself on thinking of pleasant things, but the thought of what Sasori said could not fail to pass his mind. He then realized that both of them were crying.

They sat down and stared at each other's eyes for five seconds. "Deidara, do you understand what I'm saying?"

"I try to, but I can't." he replied coldly. By the time Sasori's hands reached his face to hold him, he could not stop his tears from running down his cheeks. He was crying and sniffing like a little boy who had been stolen of lollipop.

Tears also trickled down Sasori's cheeks. This was the first time he cried like this. "Deidara!" he held Deidara's face tighter. He was gritting his teeth. "I know you're a great person. I know you will have a bright future ahead." More tears were flowing. "I know someday you would find the perfect girl who will love you as much as I do!"

Deidara wailed more. "But… but…"

"Deidara." Sasori looked at him intently. "You were able to stand up for your own when I was gone, right? Do the same this time. I believe you can!" Sasori forced a smile. Without me, you will be free.

"Don't leave me, Sasori-danna!" Deidara cried, embracing Sasori tightly.

"I promised to be at your side, Deidara. Always." Sasori glided his hand on Deidara's hair. "Give me a call and I'll be there."

"I love you, Sasori-danna. Always remember that, un."

"I love you so much that's why I'm doing this, Deidara." Sasori brushed off the bangs away from Deidara's forehead and kissed him sweetly.

Deidara licked Sasori's lips and started exploring his mouth. Soon they were licking one's tongues and kissing one's bodies until they were bathed in sweat, panting.

Sasori licked Deidara's ear before they turned the lamp off. The room was very dark and they were embracing each other as lovers for the last time. In the dark, they were free to cry silently so that the other won't know. They were free to let out the sadness that filled their hearts.

~0~0~0~

The next morning was a pleasant one. The only sound of the room was the sound of the air conditioner. All the traces of last night's anguish were gone. It was their first day as—according to Sasori—friends. It was the first day they realized how painful the word 'over' was. But then, they made a covenant: a covenant to make each other's tomorrow beautiful and free from lies.

As they walked in the busy streets of Tokyo, neither one of them spoke a word. It was only when they were near his house did Deidara spoke.

He breathed deeply as his eyes focused on Sasori's. This man will always be his inspiration, he said to himself.

"Farewell, Sasori-danna." I love you...

At first, Sasori despised those words. Yet, he had to accept them with full heart. He stared back at the boy—no, at the man in front of him—whom he had kissed and embraced; whom he had chosen to love forever.

"Farewell, Deidara."

A/N: .GOD. *heartbroken and speechless* :(( T_T NOOOOO!! Actually, while I was writing this chapter, I was listening to a very sad song and I felt really sad. The song and your reviews really inspired while writing this chapter. I would always put my heart in writing, and this chapter is one of the ones that made me very miserable.

THIS IS NOT THE LAST CHAPTER, but I suppose there will be TWO more chapters left. Please, I would like to ask for your feedbacks. Thank you very much!