Chapter 18

"Hey I just remembered something… yesterday at the restaurant, what did you wanna tell me? You said we shouldn't rush things and then…?"

Deidara rolled over to his side carefully to face Itachi – they didn't have a choice but sleep really close to each other since it was a single sized bed.

"Oh that… um… actually I was wondering if… you'd want to live here with me for a little while? This way we can try it out y'know? Then see if things work out well we can get our apartment together. So what do you say?"

Itachi smiled and lifted his fingers to replace some blonde strands behind his ear. His fingers lingered to touch the silver, black and blue steel studs in his ear lightly.

"I think it's a great idea. But… I was also thinking… you could move in with me and my family…"

Deidara sighed. He knew it, damn it. Itachi just didn't like his apartment. Despite the fact that he'd put a lot of work into it, and it was really clean and neat right now, well the raven still didn't want to live here. It made him a little depressed.

"Hey what's with that face? It's okay, if you prefer staying here I'll stay here."

"Really?" His blue eyes widened slightly, hopeful.

"Yeah but I gotta ask… Why don't you want to move in with us?"

"I'd feel out of place," he admitted. "I know your family's really cool and acceptant and welcoming but…"

"But?" Dark gray eyes searched Deidara's and he shrugged.

"I don't know… I just… I guess I've been on my own for so long now. I can't see myself living with your parents. I guess I just want it to be you and me." He blushed despite himself.

But Itachi smiled. "I get it. I want the same thing that's why I wanna move out… I love my parents but… I'm twenty one and I wanna live my own life – with you."

They kissed tenderly, while brushing each other's hair and caressing each other's smooth skin, but nothing sexual followed. They had done enough the day before… It had been a big step. In fact Deidara was still sore, but it was okay. That pain was associated with positive emotions. It was the ultimate way of moving on from his past.

Anyway, Itachi needed to hurry up, take a shower and get ready to go to his first class. He promised Deidara he would go to his house that evening, only so that he could pack his stuff, and then he'd move in the very next day. This made the blonde incredibly happy.

…

Three days. That's what it took before Deidara and Itachi started fighting. About everything. On Wednesday morning Itachi was pissed because there was no clean dish he could use for breakfast.

He'd gotten up early to get ready for school. He had a class at 8 am. In fact he hadn't gotten much sleep at all. Sleeping in a twin sized bed with his boyfriend had been fun at first but now, not so much. Itachi had always been used to sleeping on his own, in a king sized bed so to say that it was different was a bit of an understatement.

Of course, Deidara was still sleeping soundly. Itachi rolled his eyes and shook his shoulder. The small male frowned and blinked a few times.

"Hey…"

"Whatever happened to, don't worry about the dishes just go to sleep I'll take care of it?"

"I thought I'd do it this morning instead, what's the big deal?" Deidara gave a slight shrug as he sat up.

"Whatever I'll just grab something at the cafeteria," the raven muttered more to himself. Then, he said, "You better do it cause it's fucking gross. Why don't you clean it up right after using it like I do?"

"Yeah, yeah, whatever."

Itachi grabbed his bag and car keys from the mess on Deidara's desk and stormed out without even saying 'bye' or 'see you later' like he always did.

That evening they fought for a different reason. Itachi was sitting at the desk working on a school project on his laptop while Deidara lay down on his bed, also sitting right in front of his laptop but he certainly wasn't doing anything productive. In fact he was listening to metal music while checking out his emails or his facebook page or whatever – Itachi didn't even know. He always did stuff like that when he got back from work.

"Do you have to listen to music all the freakin' time?" He turned around in the chair and stared at him harshly.

Deidara propped himself up on his elbows and stared right back, "Uh yeah I mean you only realize this now?"

"Can't you at least put on headphones?"

"They're broken."

"Deidara…"

"I thought you liked my music," he whined.

"Not when I'm trying to concentrate… Ugh." Itachi grabbed his stuff and went to the other room to sit on the couch. He loved Deidara but right now he was being annoying and immature.

Itachi ended up sleeping on the couch that night – more like trying to sleep. He wasn't feeling so good. He really wanted things to work out with Deidara but maybe they weren't ready to live together. He decided that the next day he'd pack his stuff again and go back to his parents' house. Unless, maybe, Deidara convinced him to stay.

…

When Deidara got back from work on Thursday evening he was tired. It had been a long day at work and then he'd had to wait for the bus in the cold for half an hour. Not too many costumers had come in actually – there was a freakin' snow storm outside. But that didn't normally stop people with appointments for tattoos, that was for sure.

As he saw Itachi's bags fully packed and ready to go by the door, he freaked out. First he slipped out of his boots because he knew Itachi hated it when he put snow and dirt everywhere in the small entrance of the apartment. Then he stormed inside his bedroom, still wearing his black leather jacket.

Itachi looked up from his laptop, and calmly said, "I think it's best if I just go home."

Deidara was devastated. "No… I can do better. I'm sorry about the dishes it won't happen again. And I promise I'll take less time in the bathroom and… and… I bought this today."

He lifted the plastic bag he had almost forgotten he was holding. It was from some electronic store and it contained, well, headphones. He'd gone out to buy them during his break – despite the snow. He believed he earned the small smile curling Itachi's beautiful lips right now. But the raven still looked sad.

"Baby… I just don't think we're ready…"

"Let's try again," Deidara said fervently, stepping closer, "just a few more days! I can do better I swear. And if you don't want to sleep together, well I'll let you have my bed! I can take the couch."

"You shouldn't have to…" The raven got up and leaned closer. He took the plastic bag from him and tossed it on the desk, before taking Deidara's hands. They were cold from walking outside so he squeezed them to warm him up. "Look, it's not a big deal okay? We can just go back to dating and wait until we're ready to live together…"

There was a pang in Deidara's chest at the thought of living alone again. Before Itachi had snuck up in his life he hadn't realized how lonely he felt. And the past few days the feeling had only gotten more intense. The thought of having no one to wake up to in the morning, and no one to come back to in the evening depressed him greatly. And Itachi was kind of pissing him off right now.

"I'm willing to make efforts to get used to having you here but you just won't do the same Itachi!" Deidara removed his hands and took off his jacket, throwing it on the back of the chair. He just had a simple plain black tee underneath. After so many months he was finally able to go a day without wearing arm warmers. The thin white scars on the insides of his arms would forever remind him of his past, but that was okay. At the moment he wasn't thinking about those things though. He crossed his arms and went on. "I mean this is my place… you have no idea how much I changed my habits for you already, and I'm willing to change even more because I just… I just love you so fucking much!"

"Changed your habits?" Itachi repeated, frowning. "Well the way you used to live must have been disgusting cause…"

"I can't believe you're telling me this! After I just told you I loved you? And who are you to judge me? Can't you just appreciate the efforts I'm making and trust me to improve even more, for you?"

Itachi's handsome face and deep dark eyes suddenly showed some guilt. He stepped closer almost carefully, and uncrossed Deidara's arms. As pale fingers ran across his arms he felt something electric inside of him. They'd barely touched each other in days and suddenly the lithe male craved it so badly.

"Dei, I…"

"Shut up," he whispered and stood at the tip of his toes to kiss Itachi, hard. He wrapped his arms around his neck and entangled his hands in thick raven locks.

Itachi responded by moaning deeply and pushing his tongue inside the other male's parted lips. He wrapped his arms around Deidara's small waist and held him fiercely. He even pulled him up and leaned him against the wall. Deidara smiled through the kiss and wrapped his legs around his hips. They were both getting hard already.

They couldn't take their hands off each other, not to mention their lips. They were so eager to touch, taste, bite, nibble, caress, and just kiss, over and over. Itachi, still holding Deidara, stepped closer to the bed, where he threw the smaller male before climbing on top of him and straddling his waist. He grinded into his hips harshly and Deidara moaned loudly.

"Ahh… Ita…"

He was interrupted by a harsh kiss. Their lips were bruising up already, yet they craved more. Deidara battled with Itachi's tongue to dominate but as always the raven pretty much won that fight – but he was okay with that.

Deidara tugged at the hemline of Itachi's shirt and he took it off in a swift movement. The next instant they were kissing again. Groans and moans escaped their lips and they breathed heavily. At some point they literally had to stop for air. But Itachi didn't lose any time. First he pulled his lover up in a sitting embrace to take off his shirt as well, and then he pressed their newly exposed chests together with a contented moan. Deidara also breathed out in satisfaction at being so close, finally. Itachi was so warm. He wrapped his arms around Itachi's thin waist and squeezed him tight.

They kissed each other's necks in turn, leaving some red marks on smooth pale skin.

"Itachi…" Deidara breathed out into his neck as he bucked his hips needily.

The raven lowered himself and kissed his nipple while he fumbled clumsily with his fingers to unbutton and unzip his jeans. Deidara moaned repeatedly and entangled his fingers in black hair as the male nibbled at his pierced nipple… that felt amazing. Itachi just knew perfectly well how to pleasure him.

It got even better when Itachi took off both their pants. Now completely naked, they grinded into each other's hips and held their breath as their dicks rubbed onto one another. Itachi ran his hands all over Deidara's body, tracing the tattoos with the tip of his fingers and leaning close to capture his lips into yet another heated kiss.

Deidara moaned passionately and bucked his hips again and again because he just wanted more, so much more. Itachi actually chuckled as he pulled away and Deidara caressed his cheek tenderly. It was good to see him smile.

They had bought lube by now, although they hadn't even used it yet, because of their stupid fights. At that moment Deidara couldn't even remember what they had been fighting about exactly. He just wanted Itachi inside him so badly. He wanted to forget their problems and just look into his beautiful dark eyes knowing that they were both so in love with each other.

Itachi turned him around and stretched him impatiently, yet still somewhat carefully, while kissing the sensitive skin of his back. He lingered where the black bird tattoo was and then he leaned closer to his ear.

"You okay?"

"Yeah… more than okay…" he breathed out and Itachi got the hint.

He pulled away again, grabbing Deidara's hip with one hand. After lathering his cock with lube he slid inside of him. But in his eagerness he went in too fast and deep and Deidara hadn't expected that. He moaned in pain and his trembling arms let go. He fell onto the messy sheets and pillow as he clenched his jaw not to scream out in pain. Itachi whispered that he was sorry as he slid his arms around his waist, flushing his toned chest and abs to his boyfriend's small back. He kissed his shoulder.

"I'm so sorry baby I went too fast didn't I? You want me to stop?"

"N-No… No! I… I'm fine, don't stop, please…"

Deidara knew it would soon get better. He knew it would get amazing, in fact, and he was right. As Itachi started moving carefully inside of him he found himself craving more. He actually got impatient.

"Itachi… you can go faster now, please…" he urged him.

"It doesn't hurt anymore?" He asked softly, concerned, and Deidara turned his head so they could lock eyes. As he looked into those onyx irises his wish came true and he remembered why he loved him so much.

"No it doesn't!" He chuckled, "Fuck me Itachi come on…" He reached back to grab Itachi's thigh. Now he just wanted this to be fun. He wanted Itachi to forget their problems too.

The raven smirked and kissed his back, in between his shoulder blades. After that he started pounding inside his lover harshly while keeping a firm arm around his waist. Itachi was grunting with the effort and pleasure he felt and Deidara smiled, enjoying those noises. He was moaning with every thrust himself of course, as Itachi hit that spot inside him over and over again. Deidara just lost it completely.

There was nothing else important… Just Itachi. He lifted himself up on all fours again, and looked behind his shoulder, throwing a heated gaze at his lover. He leaned close and they kissed while he slowed the pace a little, only to pick it up again when they pulled away. They did this a few times, but eventually they could no longer hold back. Especially when Itachi's hand slid down to stroke Deidara's erection, surely bringing him to completion.

Screaming each other's names, they came together, breathing heavily and completely dazed. Staying in the same position, they fell on their side and Itachi squeezed Deidara in his arms fiercely, spooning him. The blonde took Itachi's hand in his and kissed it.

"I love you."

"I love you," Itachi said back, whispering in his ear, "and I don't want to go home."

"And I don't want to sleep on the couch."

They laughed and snuggled closer, still panting a little.

"That was amazing," Deidara said.

"Yeah… Sasuke was right about make up sex…" he muttered and Deidara wasn't sure he understood correctly.

"What did you say?"

"Never mind."

Deidara turned around – as always, it wasn't so easy in the tiny bed, but he managed – and faced Itachi. He arched a delicate blonde eyebrow at him.

"Make up sex?"

"Well, yeah… Now whenever we fight we should just do this."

"… Okay."

They laughed and held each other close again. Deidara breathed in the sweet smell of Itachi's hair, and he caressed the birds tattoo design he had done himself on his upper arm and shoulder. He eventually pulled back so he could look into his eyes, more seriously.

"I know you hate my bed… my room… my apartment," he chuckled sadly, "but you don't hate me, do you?"

"Of course not. How could I hate you? We'll get a bigger apartment. And we'll have my bed," he smiled.

"Which is much better."

"Indeed."

"We can also have a dishwasher…"

"Totally," Itachi laughed.

"And we should always take our showers together."

"That would solve the problem of having to wait for each other."

"Yeah!"

"Wanna try that one out right now?"

"Absolutely."

Itachi jumped to his feet, and he slid his arms under his lover to scoop him up. Deidara let out a cute surprised yelp as he had no choice but to hold onto Itachi's neck. But then he laughed and kissed his neck, nuzzling his hair.

"I love you. I never wanna fight again."

"But then we can't have make up sex," Itachi teased as he walked and then put him down on the bathroom floor. He turned on the water and tested the temperature with his hand.

"Maybe we can fight sometimes."

The raven smiled wickedly and he was so ridiculously handsome. Deidara leaned close to kiss his darkened lips. They stepped in the tub together and pulled the curtain. Itachi grabbed the soap and a clean rag and started cleaning Deidara, eventually placing him under the water. He hadn't expected this though, and slipped. Reflexively he tried to hold onto Itachi but this caused them both to fall.

Deidara whined, "My ass… my poor little ass…" He chuckled. He hadn't really hurt himself. He just wanted Itachi to feel a little bad since of course, he was already sore from their previous activity.

"I'm sorry…" he bit his lip but he couldn't completely repress a smile. He just pulled the smaller male in his lap, forgetting about the soap for now. They held each other and kissed softly while the warm water poured down on Deidara's back.

"You're hard again," the blonde teased before leaning closer to lick his bottom lip. Itachi trembled slightly from desire.

"I'm naked in the shower with you… How could I not be turned on?"

Deidara's cock was growing harder too. They started grinding each other, it couldn't be helped, in that position it was just too tempting. Itachi eventually brought his hand to stroke them both at the same time, and Deidara stared at this with lidded, lustful blue eyes. It was so hot…

He eventually replaced Itachi's hand with his. They exchanged a smile and they started just jacking each other off ruthlessly. Also they kissed each other's necks, breathing heavily. At some point they came for the second time that night, just from doing this. The moment had just been so hot, so intimate, so perfect.

Exhausted, they slowly got up and finished cleaning each other up. Every touch was full of tenderness. Even when they were finished, they didn't get out of the shower just yet. Replacing wet black strands behind Itachi's ears, the younger male tilted his head and placed one last soft kiss on his lips. Then he smiled and turned off the water.

Shivering from loss of warmth they stepped out of the tub, dried themselves and wrapped the towels around their waists, before making their way back to the bedroom, and Deidara's bed.

They were tired but they took the time to change the sheets anyway. It was worth it when they lay down on the now clean bed together.

"We really have to find something quickly 'cause I miss my bed," Itachi said as he detangled Deidara's hair gently with his long fingers.

The smaller male shrugged and slid his arm across Itachi's waist and back, caressing his smooth pale skin. "We'll find something. By the way what do your parents think of all this?"

"They think it's a bad idea," he admitted. "But they said that, if it's really what I want then they'll help me out."

"Is it really what you want?" Deidara held his breath, searching his eyes.

"Yeah."

"Even if we fight sometimes?"

"Especially if we fight sometimes," Itachi teased and pressed his thigh in between his lover's legs suggestively.

"I'm serious!"

"It's part of a relationship," Itachi's smile faded a little and he shrugged.

"I guess you're right."

"Of course I'm right."

"I'm glad you didn't leave."

"I'm glad you didn't let me leave," he replied. "You passed the test."

Blue eyes widened indignantly, "You were testing me?"

"Maybe a little…"

Deidara struggled angrily to get away from Itachi, but he tightened his hold around him so he couldn't escape.

"Bastard, I hate you."

"You love me," Itachi chuckled.

And they both knew he was right, of course.

A/N: Okay so this isn't the end, but the next chapter is. It'll be the epilogue, one year later. I hope you enjoyed this chapter, thanks so much for the reviews guys.