Chapter 5

The restaurant wasn't too crowded. Itachi checked his watch as they took place at a table by the window. He still had two hours before his afternoon class started.

"Can I see?" Deidara suddenly asked him.

Itachi realized he was talking about his watch. "Sure."

He took it off and handed it to the blonde. It was a silver Rolex watch with a black center.

"Wow, it's really nice!" Deidara said before giving it back. "Another gift from your step-dad or…?"

"No, actually, this belonged to my father. When he died, my mother wanted me to have it."

Deidara made a sad smile, but didn't comment. On a silent agreement they started looking at the menu, and selecting the sushi they wanted. Eventually the waitress came to pick up their order.

"So," Deidara said after taking a sip of water, "you live with your mother, your step-father, and your brother?"

Itachi laughed.

"What?" Deidara tilted his head to the side.

"My family's fucked up. My step-father is actually Naruto's dad."

"What?" The blond frowned, confused, "So you're telling me, Naruto lives with you, too?"

"Yes."

"And he's… your brother's… boyfriend?"

"Yes," Itachi chuckled at Deidara's confused expression.

"I understand why you said fucked up now. But… I mean your parents are so cool to be okay with that, I guess."

"Yeah, they're great," Itachi smiled.

There was another silence after that, and then their first serving arrived. Itachi couldn't help but think, he was getting so attached to this guy. He had been so worried before, when he'd had an asthma attack…

He knew Deidara wouldn't like it, but he decided to bring it up again.

"I was serious when I said you should get a prescription for an inhaler you know."

As expected, Deidara glared at him.

"Look," he said softly, "my mother works at a clinic. I'll see if she can get you an appointment, so you don't have to go to ER, all right?"

"You'd do that for me?" He asked, blue eyes wide as he looked at him.

"Yeah it's no big deal," he brushed it off. He was only glad Deidara hadn't declined right away.

Itachi decided to drop the subject again. For now. He would really ask Mikoto later though.

"Tell me about your family?" He asked instead.

Deidara glanced away and replaced some blonde strands behind his ear nervously. Itachi regretted his question. Maybe it was too private or a touchy subject…

"Well it's just… my father but… haven't seen him in a while," he muttered.

Itachi waited to see if he would say more, but he didn't.

After they had finished their meal, Itachi paid, and they drove back to Deidara's apartment building. When he parked Deidara started fumbling with his hair nervously. He tended to do that a lot. But Itachi didn't find it cute anymore; he wished Deidara would relax, if only a little. It wasn't healthy to be always so stressed out.

So on a whim Itachi leaned closer and wrapped his arms around the smaller guy.

Deidara tensed a lot, and for a moment Itachi was certain he would push him away, but he didn't. Itachi slowly moved one of his hands to the back of his neck, caressing his hair softly, and his other hand placed firmly in the middle of his back. Deidara held him back a little awkwardly, as if he really wasn't used to hug someone. But then he finally relaxed, and he buried his face in the crook of Itachi's neck, his arms tightening his hold around him. Itachi felt good as he breathed in the sweet scent of his hair.

He felt like Deidara was just so vulnerable, and he wanted to protect him. He wanted to hold him forever, to never let go.

But then the moment was over and they pulled away. Immediately Deidara looked nervous again, and this made Itachi sad.

"I'll call you soon to tell you when you can go to the clinic, okay?" He told him.

Deidara nodded slightly.

"If I don't have class I'll go with you. Either way, I'll see you soon all right?"

"…Okay." He finally replied.

Itachi smiled as he watched Deidara step out of the black car and walk away. He would have preferred a more enthusiastic reply, but it would do. He felt like he had to be patient with this guy. But strangely he didn't mind.

…

It was just a stupid hug, yet Deidara couldn't stop thinking about it. It had felt so good, so comforting, so warm and perfect. Which was exactly why he couldn't see Itachi again. Friends didn't hug like that…

It had been two weeks now. Itachi had texted him, and called him a couple of times to know if he wanted to do something. Deidara hadn't answered his phone. Except one time, he had texted him back to thank him for the appointment at the clinic. He went alone because Itachi had classes. He hadn't seen his mother either, only his appointed doctor. He had his prescription and all, but it was a little expensive and he didn't have any insurance so he hadn't bought it yet. He was so sick and tired of being poor… maybe when he became a real tattoo artist he'd make more money, at least.

He was in his room, getting ready to go see Konan. She had invited him to the restaurant, saying that it was important and that they "needed to talk." Yeah, she would probably break up…

This made him a little depressed, but it wasn't exactly a big shock.

But later, at the little thai fast food where she brought him, he was surprised. Sure, she was breaking up with him, but not for the reasons he had expected.

"Answer me, and don't lie to me. Are you gay?"

He felt like disappearing from the world; he was so embarrassed.

"I've never been with a guy." He averted his eyes.

"That doesn't answer my question."

"Well if I've never been with one, how could I know…?"

"Don't play dumb with me. There are some things you just know."

"I don't want to be," he said.

She face palmed. "Deidara that's the lamest thing I've ever heard. You shouldn't lie about that kinda stuff… You shouldn't… lie to a girl for six months pretending you're straight and in love with her…" She finished, her voice breaking.

Now he felt like total shit.

"I'm sorry," he said lamely, "I really wanted to make it work."

"Just don't…" she said, wiping her tears.

What could he possibly say after that? He just stayed silent, waiting, and ready to listen if she had something more to say.

But all she added was, "It's over."

…

Itachi was really pissed off. Oh, everything was going great in his life – his grades were remarkable as always, and his family was as crazy, but great, as ever – except one thing of course. He wanted Deidara. And it seemed he couldn't have him.

He kept turning him down, and making up excuses. But the most frustrating was that Deidara wanted to see him again just as much as he did! He knew it. It was so obvious, and Deidara was such a bad liar. Was he trying to play difficult? Nah, somehow Itachi just knew this wasn't the case, and that there was more to it.

Never give up, huh, Naruto? He smiled at the thought of the crazy sixteen year old blonde. But he did want to try again. For some reason he really liked that effeminate guy…

So Itachi let himself fall back on his neatly made king sized bed, and dialed Deidara's number.

"Hey…"

"Hey you actually answered! You sound really fucking depressed, what's going on?"

"Nothing…"

"Yeah right. Come on just tell me. Now that you've answered your phone the next step is talking."

Deidara chuckled.

"Did I make you smile?"

"…Yeah."

"I'd really like to see your smile in person."

"Itachi…"

"What?"

"I don't know if it's a good idea…"

"I didn't even suggest anything yet."

"I know, but you were going to."

"So what? Come on, you're gonna tell me you're too busy watching videos on youtube, or editing your stories no one's reading again?"

"…"

"Tell you what. I have the house to myself tonight, cause apparently it's Halloween, and my brother and Naruto are gone to some party with their friends from school, even my parents went to a party with friends from my mom's work, and they kept brainwashing me about how lame and boring I was not to do anything. So, I'm sure you see where this is going?"

Deidara laughed. "Yeah I'm not doing anything either. Konan organized a party but hum, I don't think I'm invited…"

"Why?"

"…We broke up."

"She did or you did?"

"It was more of a mutual decision…"

"She did then. Well you can come over to my place, we'll watch movies, and you can eat ice cream or whatever..."

"…"

"Actually beer sounds better, doesn't it?"

Deidara chuckled, but still didn't reply.

"I'm taking your silence as a yes," Itachi said.

"No…"

"Too late. I'll be at your place in fifteen minutes."

And he hung up before Deidara could protest. He picked up his keys, and went downstairs. He slipped in his shoes, stepped outside, locked the door, and finally walked up to his car.

Fifteen minutes later, sharp, he was parking in front of Deidara's apartment building. And the blonde was waiting for him outside in the stairs. So maybe he wasn't so reluctant after all.

"Hey," he said shyly as he opened the door and sat.

Itachi took a moment just to look at how beautiful he was. He hadn't seen him in weeks after all. And when gorgeous, big blue eyes looked back at him suddenly all of his efforts seemed totally worth it.

But he was still a little pissed. He replaced his glasses and started driving without a word.

"I guess…" Deidara hesitated, glancing out the window, "I should tell you that I'm sorry…"

Itachi let out a quiet sigh. "What if, instead of being sorry all the time, you actually explained?"

"I can't," Deidara said stubbornly.

"Why?"

The blond glanced at him sideways, looking confused and troubled.

"I'm not used to the whole… having friends thing," Deidara finally said.

Itachi suspected that this had nothing to do with his question, and that Deidara just wanted to change the subject subtly, but he decided to play along anyway.

"Well that makes two of us."

"Really?" He exclaimed, shocked.

"Yeah, why are you so surprised?"

"Well…" Deidara said, "You've got it all. The grades, the money, the looks, and you're athletic… You must have been pretty popular especially in high school no?"

Itachi smiled when Deidara said "the looks" but he simply answered his question.

"I was, but I hated it when people wanted to be friends just cause of those reasons… So I chose to be alone."

"I guess I can understand," Deidara nodded, "I mean I was a loner too, for different reasons, but still…"

Itachi chose not to question him further. All in good time…

So the rest of the drive was silent, except for the radio which Deidara turned on of course.

"You live like, two blocks away from Konan's house…" Deidara said, and then admired the house, impressed, "but yours is even bigger!"

They got out of the car, and Deidara stopped to look at the other cars.

"Why so many?"

With Itachi's black Honda accord, there were currently three vehicles in the entryway. And Minato's car wasn't even there since he was at a party with Mikoto.

"This one's my mother's car," he pointed at the silver Nissan maxima, "and this one's probably gonna be shared by Sasuke and Naruto when they get their license," he finished, pointing at the blue Toyota Eco.

"What's your step-father driving?" Deidara asked as they walked towards the door.

Itachi laughed, "A corvette…"

"Wow, he wants to remind everyone that he's alpha male doesn't he?"

"Yup. And he won't let me drive it."

"Oh well... at least you have a car."

He had a point. Itachi let them in, and then he gave him a tour of the house.

"Kitchen, dining room, living room, and… this is a guest room," he said as he showed him.

"It's really nicely decorated," Deidara smiled.

"Keep that line for my mother. You'll win her heart right away." He said, making Deidara laugh.

They went upstairs. "Master bedroom, Naruto and Sasuke's room…"

"Wait, wait, wait… they actually share a bedroom?"

"Yeah…"

"That's so weird!"

"I know." He moved on to another guest room, and finally, his own bedroom.

Deidara took his time to look around. He seemed really impressed, and Itachi was certain that his first comment would be about the fact that he had his own flat screen television in his room, with an Xbox 360 and a Playstation 3, but actually he was very wrong.

"It's so clean!" He exclaimed, glancing at Itachi, "How do you do it?"

"I… clean up?" Itachi chuckled, "I don't know…"

"I'll never show you my apartment that's for sure."

"I'm sure it's not that bad," Itachi said teasingly.

"Believe me, it is."

"All right come on, we'll use the living room it's more comfortable to watch movies and we have the house to ourselves anyway…"

He picked up some of his collection of horror movies and brought them downstairs. Deidara followed him, eyeing the movies suspiciously.

"What do you wanna watch?"

"Well…" Itachi went to put the movies down on the living room table. "Which ones have you already seen?"

Deidara looked at the movie covers and frowned. "None of them…"

"Really?" Itachi raised a brow. "What horror movies have you seen? You've seen a couple at least, no?"

Deidara made a face. "Do Zombieland and Shawn of the dead count?"

"Oh my God…" Itachi laughed. "Okay, I think we should watch Saw."

"I think I've heard of it…"

"I hope so."

"Isn't it the really creepy and disgusting one?"

"There are six of them, actually."

Deidara sat on the couch. "Don't tell me you want to watch them all tonight?"

"No," Itachi shrugged, "maybe just three or four."

The blond looked frightened even though they hadn't even started yet.

Itachi installed it in the dvd player, but before starting it he went to the kitchen.

"Do you want a beer?"

"Uh… no I don't drink."

But Itachi brought two beers anyway.

"If you change your mind," he smiled as he put them on the low table.

"I just told you, I don't drink. I don't even know what beer tastes like."

Itachi just shrugged and opened both beer caps.

"There's a first time to everything. Cheers," he said teasingly.

Deidara smiled and shook his head slightly, but then he brought it to his lips to taste it. On the meantime Itachi started the movie.

"Tastes weird…" Deidara muttered, making Itachi laugh.

Then they went quiet as the movie started. After a few minutes Itachi decided to create an ever better atmosphere by flicking off all the lights.

They were sitting on each end of the couch as they watched the movie and drank their beer quietly. Itachi had already seen it obviously, so he was observing Deidara's reactions. He was the cutest thing, really. He was frowning slightly as he watched intently, his legs folded under him. Itachi noticed he looked like he was a bit cold. He would have loved to warm him up himself but it might have been awkward, so he just gave him a blanket.

"I'm fine," Deidara said, putting it on the couch beside him.

"All right," Itachi chuckled.

Five minutes later Deidara grabbed the blanket and wrapped it around his body. He also used it to hide his eyes once in a while.

"Oh come on you have to watch everything!" Itachi mocked.

"It's fucking gross!" Deidara said.

He only drank half of his beer, and left the rest untouched. As for Itachi, he went to get himself another one.

When he came back to the living room, Deidara looked so tensed… It was just too tempting… Itachi quietly sneaked up behind him, and suddenly grabbed his neck with his cold hand previously holding the beer. Deidara let out a strangled gasp and turned around on the couch, almost falling on the floor, eyes wide in a mix of fear and anger as he looked at him.

"Fuck you!"

Itachi was laughing.

"It's not funny!" Deidara exclaimed angrily. "You scared me…"

"Yeah," he said, still laughing, "that was kinda the point."

"Bastard…"

After the first movie, and despite Deidara's protests, Itachi put on the second one.

He didn't know if Deidara was doing this on purpose or unconsciously, but by the way he was constantly nervously shifting on the couch, he was slowly moving towards Itachi. His eyes were focused on the screen though, when they weren't squeezed shut or hidden by the blanket, that is. Itachi liked watching his reactions. He also made little comments sometimes, but it was mostly cursing, "Fuck… Holy shit," and so on.

When they started watching the third movie, though, Itachi could tell that Deidara was really tired. He wasn't watching so intently anymore. And expectedly, a few minutes later, he started blinking, his eyes sometimes staying closed for a few minutes.

After a while Itachi shifted slightly closer with perfect timing, and Deidara's head found a pillow in his shoulder. He must have been really tired, Itachi thought, amused, because that was some fucked up movie to fall asleep on…

Itachi could have turned off the television and woke Deidara up, but he didn't feel like it just yet. Instead he reached with his hand to caress Deidara's hair. He took off the already loose hair tie carefully, and then he ran his fingers through the thick, soft blonde locks. Then he risked a soft caress on his cheek. No reaction. And actually, when Itachi continued brushing his fingers against his soft skin, Deidara leaned in the touch a little. Adorable.

But his parents chose this moment to arrive. Damn it. Deidara didn't even wake up when the door opened and the lights were switched on.

Itachi glanced behind his shoulder at Mikoto and Minato.

"I'd introduce you but…" He motioned at the sleeping blonde.

His mother squealed. "This is adorable! I'm gonna go get the camera."

Minato laughed lightly. "Hey this is the first time you invite a friend over, no? 21 years old, it was about time…" he mocked.

"Try to make fun of me again when you're not dressed like Harry Potter, Minato."

For their stupid "adults" Halloween party Minato had indeed dressed like a wizard, and Mikoto had dressed like some sort of vampire, Itachi wasn't really sure. Something with a cape, anyway.

"Hey for your information everyone liked my costume at the party."

When Mikoto appeared with camera in hand Itachi decided it was time to wake Deidara up.

"Hey, Deidara…" he whispered in his ear, shaking him slightly.

The blonde opened blurry blue eyes. At the same time Minato finally noticed what movie they were watching, and burst out laughing.

"You fell asleep watching that?"

"Ew," his mother frowned, "turn it off Itachi…"

He did as he was told, and glanced back at Deidara. His cheeks had gone from their usual peachy complexion to a much darker pink tint.

"Hey don't be shy okay?" Itachi told him.

Itachi supposed he had to do more proper introductions…

"Deidara, this is my mother, Mikoto, and my step-father, Minato."

"Nice to meet you," Minato smiled.

"I didn't even get to take a picture of you sleeping on Itachi's shoulder!" Mikoto said, disappointed.

Deidara looked horrified. But then he composed himself, and glanced at Minato.

"Naruto looks so much like you, it's crazy," he made a little smile.

"I know," he chuckled, "I know. But hey, how come you know my son?"

"Oh Deidara works at the piercing and tattoo store Naruto goes to, so…" Itachi informed.

Mikoto frowned, clearly disapproving.

"The decoration," Deidara said nervously, "is very beautiful. I like your plants…"

Mikoto's frown was replaced with a pleased smile, "Oh thank you so much!"

"Anyway, 1 am already… we're off to bed," Minato said, wrapping his arm around her waist as they told them good night and climbed up the stairs.

Itachi smiled at Deidara. "Good comeback with the decoration."

"Thanks," he laughed, then lowered his voice, "So I take it your mother doesn't know you have a tattoo?"

"No… I'll tell her eventually," he shrugged, "So it's pretty late um… do you want to sleep here tonight?"

Deidara checked his cell even though Minato had already mentioned the time before. "Ah shit... yeah I missed the last train…"

"I just told you, you can stay here tonight. I've had some beers and I'm a little tired myself, so I'd rather not drive…"

"Sure I understand it's just… I didn't bring anything and I don't know…"

"Tell you what," Itachi said, "I have class early so I'll bring you back home at the same time. It's on my way."

"All right," Deidara nodded, but he looked uncomfortable.

"You'll sleep in one of the guest rooms, of course." Itachi said to reassure him, even though he would have loved to sleep in the same bed as the sexy blonde.

"Okay," he gave another slight nod. "Hey why is my hair…" He suddenly realized it was all down.

"Oh, here," Itachi gave him the tie back.

"Thanks," he said as he pulled his hair up again. "Why did you…?" He blushed slightly.

"I just wanted to play with your hair," he admitted.

"Why?" Deidara chuckled.

"I don't know I felt like it… It's so long…"

"Yeah I wanted to cut it…"

"Well you shouldn't," Itachi replied.

Deidara smiled, and this pleased Itachi. Finally, a positive expression on that cute face…

"So," Itachi said, standing, "do you want to sleep in the guest room next to mine? That way, if you make nightmares about those movies I won't be far and you can come to me for comfort," he teased.

Deidara rolled his eyes, but followed him upstairs anyway.

"I'm sure you would love it," he finally replied sarcastically, "if I woke you up at 3, or 4 in the morning just because of a nightmare…"

"I wouldn't mind," he said half-teasing.

"I think I'll be fine I'm not five years old," he said.

They stood in between the two doors, looking at each other. When they finally spoke, it was exactly at the same time.

"Good night then…" Itachi said.

"I wanted to thank you…" Deidara started.

"Yeah?" Itachi encouraged him.

"Well, for inviting me," he glanced down at his feet, "It was really nice. Sorry for falling asleep though."

"I told you to stop apologizing for things you can't even control."

"Fine, I don't apologize!" Deidara chuckled.

"Good."

"… Good night Itachi."

"Night…"

They parted to go in their separate rooms. Itachi found the thought of Deidara sleeping in the room right next to his rather distracting. At some point he almost got up just to go see him, but he controlled himself. He finally drifted into sleep. At least he'd get to see him a little more in the morning.