HELLO, EVERYBODY! We gained yet ANOTHER follower! Welcome to the family! ^_^ Not very many reviews of the last chapter, and I'm hoping it's not because of what I said in my last author's note and everyone just decided to leave xD But also in the last chapter, there really isn't much to review on? It was more of stage setting chapter than anything else. But with this next one, hopefully you all will comment? I'm going to start being even more active on replying to the reviews. You all mean the world to me and keeping you entertained (and happy, if I can) is most important to me. So, I present to you all Chapter 18. And as always, Rate and Review, my loves :3

"Sasori-senpai! Sasori-senpai! What about this one?!"

"Tobi, an orange suit looks tacky."

"Okay…then what about this one?"

"Tobi, camo won't work either."

"You're throwing down every one of my suggestions, senpai. What about this one?"

When Sasori turned to look at the younger male, he was shocked to find him in a simple, well-tailored light grey suit with a maroon tie. His onyx eyes seemed hopeful as he awaited his mentor's reaction.

The redhead smiled. "Perfect. That's the best option."

"Really, senpai?! I'm gonna go buy it now!" with that, Tobi sprinted off to the dressing room to change back into his normal attire. Sasori shook his head.

"Sir, will you please lift your arms for me?" the employee asked, the male doing so.

The two men were at Brooks Brothers, getting fitted for suits for the party next week that was being hosted in their honor by Iwa Stratos. While Sasori was taking the time actually get measured for his, Tobi was finding enjoyment in trying on different ones, much like how a girl would in trying to pick the perfect prom dress.

Thank God he never had to deal with dating girls in high school or in college.

It was a Saturday, exactly one week until the party, and Sasori had decided to bring Tobi along with him to go shopping. He would have gone with Deidara if the brat's damn cousin hadn't dragged him off first.

When he had returned to the penthouse the night of the day the event was announced, Deidara was already in the kitchen, making dinner. He had looked up from the stove and smiled at him. "Welcome home, Danna, un! Hope you're hungry."

"Famished, actually," he had replied, taking a seat on one of the island stools. "What are you making?"

"Pad Thai, un. It's my first time making it, so if it's not good, I'm sorry," the blonde had explained, adding what looked to be seasoned shrimp into the skillet filled with noodles. The older male had just smiled and stood up, striding over to wrap his arms around the younger male's waist, feeling a slight tense in the latter before it quickly subsided.

"I heard your company's hosting a party for ours next weekend?"

"…Y-yeah, un. Next weekend."

"My boss said that our company might be merging with yours in the near future."

"Yeah, I was just told about this partnership today as well, un."

"So…is it you or Ino that's holding off on the decision?"

"It's…me, un."

"What's stopping you?"

"I just want to look through the paperwork some more before I sign it, un. Don't want any pork barrel shit happening."

"That's understandable," the older male had exclaimed, his grip on the tanned waist tightening.

They had stood like that for a solid minute before Sasori finally spoke. "You're not going to push me away?"

"Why, un? You're not bothering me."

The redhead had smirked deviously, bringing his lips to the other's throat. Opening his mouth slightly, he had run the tip of his tongue up to the blonde's ear, whispering, "How about now?"

Deidara had shivered and elbowed him in the ribs, pushing him away. "Do that again and I'll withhold dinner from you while you watch me eat, un."

"Oh I would like to watch you eat," Sasori had said in his most seductive voice he could muster. Grinning widely at the blush that had erupted on the younger male's face, he laughed when the other had muttered, "Shut up, un," while going back to fixing dinner.

The teasing had continued for much of the rest of the week, which surprised Sasori because he hadn't expected his roommate to take it so willingly.

"What's the special occasion for?" the employee suddenly asked, interrupting his thoughts. He gazed at her while she measured his torso and wrote down the number on a piece of a paper. "A 'high-society' party."

"'High society', huh?" she stood up and smiled at him. "You don't seem like the kind of person to involve himself in that lifestyle."

"It's because of my piercings, isn't it?" he asked, knowing full well he still had all his facial ones in.

He wouldn't take them out until he absolutely needed to.

The woman became flustered as she realized her mistake. "I-I'm sorry, s-sir, I didn't mean it like tha-"

He chuckled softly. "It's perfectly okay, ma'am. Stuff like that happens all the time for me; I'm used to it by now."

"Still though, I am sorry," she murmured, ripping the paper from the pad she was writing on and handing it to him. "These are your measurements. I would suggest sticking to darker shades, not only since it's nearing winter, but because darker colors look better for your skin and hair."

"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind," he smiled at her as she walked away. He gazed down at the paper, scanning the numbers until a certain set caught his eye.

7 digits…with curlicue writing next to it saying 'Call Me.'

He shook his head, a quirk of a smile playing at his lips.

Sometimes…he surprised even himself.

"Ino, this is too bright, un."

"What are you talking about, Dei?! Red is such a perfect color for blondes!"

"Not for an entire suit and what did I tell you about calling me Dei, un?!" Deidara nearly yelled in the store.

His patience with his cousin had been worn thin for about an hour now.

In the course of that time, Ino had made him try on over 20 different suits, each one being a 'favorite' for her and a definite 'no' for him. Going from a complete sky blue, to pinstripe, and now, to a bright cherry red.

"Geez, why are you so moody?"

"I'm not, Ino, un. I just don't like it when you call me 'Dei,'" he explained, looking at himself in the three way mirror. Sure the suit fit him well – and he had to admit the color was perfect in contrasting with his golden locks – but a completely red suit would cause too much attention for him at the party.

"And plus, I'm tired of trying on all these suits, un. Can't we just pick one?" he asked, swiveling at his heel to look at Ino, who was busy sitting in one of the giant leather chairs in the dressing room.

They had started their shopping day early, much to the blonde's annoyance. He had been hoping to go shopping with Sasori, but when his cousin randomly showed up at the butt-crack of dawn to haul him off to over ten different menswear shops, his plans had to, unfortunately, be altered.

Sasori.

Just thinking of his name reminded him of all that had happened within the week. The consistent teasing, the overly-excessive flirting, it had all been too much and was slowly driving him insane.

And he wasn't sure if it was a good thing or a bad thing.

He was accepting everything as it came without hesitation, so…

…Was he slowly beginning to enjoy it?

(You are)

And actually…like it?

(Yes)

He knew one thing.

He was not…was not ready to tell Sasori about what will happen if the companies merged.

About how he would lose his job.

Deidara hadn't decided yet, but he knew he would eventually have to tell him, before someone else did.

He just didn't know when he would.

"Well if you don't like red, or sky blue, or pinstripe, what do you want, then?" Ino asked. She had already picked out the dress she was wearing to the party. It laid in a purple garment bag on her lap.

"I don't know, maybe the normal black and white suit, un?"

She sighed, waving her hand. "Fine, fine. Go try on one of the bland suits, if you must."

"Sorry I'm not one to stand out in a crowd, Ino, un."

"I know, Deidara…that's why I miss the old you."

That last remark somehow felt like a stab to his heart.

He admitted he missed his old self; the one who'd get the parties started, the one who could talk to anyone and everyone without worry.

He missed that.

However…it was his old self that had caused his present self. The one having to take drugs in order to not fall into a suicidal depression and to not die of alcohol poisoning.

Yeah…such a great past to come from.

He walked out of the changing room and back to in front of the three-way mirror, Ino watching his every step. She circled around him a few times. "I like it, but…like I said, it's just too…normal."

"Do you want me to stick out like a sore thumb, Ino, un?"

"No, no, that's not what I want at all," she circled around again until she was standing straight in front of him. She sighed, smiling. "Look…I'm only going to say this once, mostly because I'm never good with expressing my thoughts through words, but here it is: the way you are, personality wise, deserves to have the crowd's attention. Though you aren't like your old self, which is honestly good, because…Deidara…we…we were so close to losing you. And I know drudging up your past isn't good, but you've learned from it, as far as I can tell. But that doesn't mean your old personality has to die with your mistakes. Still be that people-pleaser, that crowd-charmer. It's one of the best qualities about you that make everyone fall for you and love you. So that's why a bland, plain old black and white suit doesn't suit you."

His mouth quirked to the side. "So what do you think is the best suit for me, un?"

She thought for a second, tapping her index finger against her chin. She snapped her fingers in the next. "I got it! Stay right here."

She disappeared into the store and was gone for a few minutes before returning with a suit that made the blonde's eyes widen. Her smile was big enough to put the Cheshire Cat to shame. "This one is the best."

In the next ten minutes, he was standing in front of the mirror again, gazing at himself in a well-tailored, off-white suit. His golden tresses cascaded down the lapels in straight waves, and his one visible blue eye popped against his entire outfit.

Noticing his shock, Ino squealed in delight, clapping her hands together. "Isn't it great?! It's so amazingly perfect for you! The color is not too out of place, because off-white suits are pretty normal, but it's just unique enough that it will catch the eye of all the ladies at the party."

"Are you hoping I'll meet someone there, un?" he turned to give her a genuine smile. She cocked her head to side. "You haven't dated much since you went to Grad School. You have a well-paying job now and live in a beautiful penthouse in the city, and you're still single. What ever happened to that girl at the reception desk?"

"You mean Sakura, un?"

"Yeah, her. What happened to her? I thought you were going to ask her out on a date? Did that ever happen?"

"…N-No it never did, un," he gazed back at the mirror. "We just didn't click, I guess."

"Well is there anyone that has sparked your interest recently?"

(Sasori)

The blonde looked down at his feet.

"Deidara, why are you smiling?"

Wait…had he been smiling?

Letting his face fall slack was proof enough that he had been.

"Hello? Answer me."

"Sorry, what, un?"

"Why did you suddenly smile like you were thinking about someone?"

"I-I was, un?" he couldn't help the slight blush that filled his cheeks as he looked at his cousin. She knitted her brows together, then her eyes widened at the realization. "Oh my God, you were thinking about someone! Tell me, tell me, tell me! Who's the lucky lady? Is it someone from work?"

"In due time, I will tell you, my dear cousin, un."

She let it drop, which sent a wave of relief through Deidara's body.

Well how was he supposed to let his cousin know that he was falling for a gu-?

Wait…was he?

Was he really falling for Sasori?

No…no, it couldn't be that.

He was straight.

So why?

Why was there this ever-present denial he had?

Why was his first thoughts always chased by second guesses, and then third?

Why was it, that when he thought of Sasori, he smiled unconsciously, smiling so big and widely that his cheeks would almost hurt from the pulling?

Why was it that when he thought of his roommate, his heart would start to race and his body felt warm all over, like it was being wrapped in a comfortable heat?

Why was it that he laughed at every little funny thing the redhead would say?

Why did it excite him to go back to the penthouse every night after a long day of work?

Why did the anticipation of waking up in the morning excite him so?

All these questions of why this, why that, why everything.

And it was so damn confusing!

Nothing made sense anymore. Not his logic, not his life, not even his sexuality!

He was straight.

He knew that.

Had known that all his life.

A quiet sigh escaped his lips.

So why was he suddenly falling for a man named Sasori Akasuna?