Hello, everyone! Another new favorite! Yay! Wow...I just...I don't know how to feel. This is the last chapter of Habits...*cries like a blubbering whale*. I'll leave a longer author's note in another "chapter" after this, but I just wanted to thank each and every one of you for your support and overwhelming love. It means so much to me as an author that you all have enjoyed my story. I hope to start uploading soon with a new story or with bringing back one that I've put on hiatus. Either way, this won't be the last time you see me! PM me if you all ever just want to talk! I'm really fun to talk to and once you get to know me, I'm just a crazily lovable person xD Anyways, I present to you Chapter 32. I suggest that when you see me reference a song, start playing that while reading the story. It'll put you more in the mood of the moment :3 I love you all so much and, like always, Rate and Review, onegai!

Three Months Later…

First Person POV: Deidara

I'm finally fully recovered.

The scars on my wrists have faded to near invisibility.

The night after I returned home, I started therapy and went to a psychologist every other day. It was only two months, which honestly flew by faster than I had expected. In no time, I was stopping therapy and ending the sessions with the psychologist.

I also found the courage to finally tell Hidan everything that had happened to me, from right before Grad School, to the event that took place the night before Christmas Eve.

Of course he was mad and upset, but at the end of the day, he still gave me a smile that let me know he would never abandon me.

I don't have to take the Disulfiram all the time.

I still have to take the Prozac every day, though, which I find ridiculous.

I haven't felt this happy in years.

And no…

It's definitely not the medication talking.

I have skipped a few days here and there and never felt different from the days when I did take it.

But I think I have my boyfriend to blame for that.

See, shortly after I returned home, I started work again, when I could. I signed the contract and the partnership went through, with everyone keeping their jobs, as promised. A few of HelioTech's employees were actually transferred over to Iwa Stratos Head Quarters, where I currently work, myself.

And as luck would have it, Sasori ended up being one of the transfers.

Seeing him while walking through the hallways makes me gleeful.

Sasori Akasuna makes me happy. He makes me happy in ways I haven't felt before. No matter how often I see him, my heart will still race or even skip a beat. No matter how many times I kiss him, I will never get tired of the feel of his lips. No matter how many times I see him smile, I will never get annoyed by the sight.

Sasori Akasuna makes me feel important. He makes me feel like I can do anything and everything I desire in the world, and can accomplish with flying colors. He makes me feel like I have the whole world in my hands. He makes me want to become a better person, not only for him, but for myself, as well.

He was my savior when I was dying. One of the few people I could trust with all my flaws and secrets. He didn't give up on me, even when I had hit rock bottom and there seemed to be no way of recovering. He supported me through the therapy sessions, comforting me when I had breakdowns and congratulating me when there were successes.

But above all…I love Sasori for who he is.

I love his smile.

His laugh.

I love his art, though his view does not agree with mine.

I love his perseverance through work and everyday life.

I love his intellect, quick wit, and sarcastic remarks.

I love his blood red hair and angelic, almond-shaped amber eyes.

Sasori Akasuna is the love of my life.

And with him around…

…I don't think it will be too hard to break the habits of my past.

First Person: Sasori

It's been three months since Deidara's life has returned to relative normalcy.

The scars on his wrists were basically gone, and he can go a few days without needing to take his Prozac.

He signed the contract and the partnership between HelioTech and Iwa Stratos commenced.

And yes…

I still have my job.

But to my surprise, a few employees from H.T., including me, were transferred over to I.S. Head Quarters to work from there.

I didn't mind that at all.

Deidara worked in that same building.

When I see him walk down the hallway from my office space, there's still a prominent race of my heart. It still always gets a little harder to think when he's around, which can get in the way of my work, but not to an extent that could cause worry.

Deidara Hayashi makes me happy. In my world that was once filled with darkness and loneliness, he brought a light that chased away the black and made me feel whole. He brought back to me what I had lost a long time ago:

Caring.

Compassion.

Empathy.

He was the force that destroyed the wall that I had built so perfectly in order to protect me. Destroyed it within seconds of me knowing him

But I wouldn't change that.

Deidara Hayashi makes me feel wanted. When he's in my arms, I feel wholesome, like my life has meaning. I don't feel alone, like no one loves me. Because when I look down and see that beautifully handsome sleeping face, I know that that man loves me with all his heart.

I feel wanted, loved. I feel like I mean something to someone.

But above all else…I love Deidara for who he is.

I love his grin.

His cackle.

I love the way he always views things with a positive outlook. How he's able to draw a crowd by just being him.

I love his art, though his view is still up for debate.

I love the way his voice sounds right when he wakes up in the morning.

I love his golden blonde hair, cerulean blue eyes, and wide smile.

Deidara Hayashi is the love of my life.

And with him around…

…My old habits will soon fade away without a trace.

One Month Later…

Deidara was fast asleep when light shaking to his arm caused him to arouse from his slumber. He turned to the source, groggily opening his eyes to see Sasori leaning over him. "What is it, un?"

"Get up."

"What time is it, un?"

"2:15 in the morning."

The blonde looked at his roommate with an incredulous stare. "Then why the fuck would I get up at such a time, un? And why are you up?"

"Now's not the time for questions; just get up."

"Fuck that, you can either join me in bed or not, but I'm going back to sleep, un," he rolled over until his back was facing the redhead. "Goodnight."

With his eyes closed, Deidara felt the weight of the older male shift, and suddenly, his lips were hovering mere millimeters over his ear, whispering, "If you don't get up, I'll be forced to dump a bucket of ice cold water on you. Then we'll see if you want to stay in a wet bed."

The blonde shot his eyes open, craning his neck to give the other a death glare. "You wouldn't try, un."

"Oh believe me; I would. Now get up and meet me downstairs. You have five minutes," with that, Sasori moved away and strode out of the bedroom, leaving the door open as he left. The younger male sighed and sat up, rubbing his disheveled hair with his hand.

After a quick stretch, he threw the covers off him and stood up, grabbing a pair of sweatpants from the nearby drawer and slipping them on over his briefs. He smoothed out his golden waves as best as he could and made his way over to the threshold, stopping above it when he heard the soft melody of music.

What the hell…?

Moving into the hallway, Deidara could make out a faint golden glow from within the living room. Knitting his brows, he strode over to the stairs and made his way down to the first floor. It was when he saw the full view that he stopped dead in his tracks.

What once housed the coffee table now laid bare, with the surrounding area covered in glowing candles that wafted the smell of vanilla to the blonde's nostrils. Their golden hue lit up the dark space, and the outside world was barely lit, seeing as it was early in the morning and everyone was asleep. In the background, soft, slow music played serenely.

What on Earth - ?

"Do you like it?" came a voice behind him. Deidara swiveled on his heel to find Sasori standing over by the stairs, looking sheepish as he gave him a crooked smile. "I wasn't sure if the candles were going to be too much, but I went ahead with them."

The younger male blinked, surprise marring his face. "You did this for me, un?"

"Well, yeah, of course I did," the redhead walked over, stopping in front of him. "This was why I wanted you to get up."

"But why, un? I mean, nothing special is going on, so-"

"Yes there is."

"What it is, un?"

"Your birthday," Sasori smiled at him, amber eyes alight from the candles around them. "Today's May 5th."

Deidara racked his brain for a second.

That's right.

It was the morning of May 5th.

Today was his birthday.

How could he have forgotten?

Actually, he knew why.

Work had been asking for so much of his time recently that he had barely any chance to think of anything else besides meetings and conferences.

Guess that goes to show how much he had been encased in his job.

Shaking his head, he gazed over at the display. "It's beautiful, Sasori, un," he stared back at the older male. "Thank you."

Sasori's smile turned into one that would have made the Cheshire Cat jealous. His eyes were playful as he took a few steps forward before turning around and placing a hand out towards the younger male, who blinked at it in confusion. "What is it, un?"

"May I have this dance?"

"You're seriously asking me to dance, un?"

"Yes, I am, and I'm not taking 'no' for an answer."

Deidara only gazed at the hand for a few more seconds before taking it with his own. Without question, the redhead moved them over to the empty space of the living room, just as the acoustic version of Sam Smith's 'Latch' began playing over the surround sound speakers, the opening piano riff reaching the two males' ears.

Twining the fingers of his left hand with the younger male's right, Sasori placed his free hand on the other's bare waist, noticing the slight blush on his cheeks. "Don't be embarrassed, brat. Couples do this all the time."

"Y-Yeah, b-but it's just-" Deidara tried averting his gaze. His heart was beating out of his chest at the closeness of their faces; they were only but mere centimeters apart. His attempt at aversion was short-lived, though, for the hand that had been on his waist not just a few seconds ago suddenly cupped his chin lightly, forcing him to gaze into the amber orbs that reflected the flames of the candles. "I want you to look at me, okay? While we dance, I only want you to look at me. Can you do it?"
The blonde gulped, but nodded his head.

After that, Sasori began swaying, slowly turning in circles, letting his body become warped to the music, examining the way the candles made Deidara's hair glow even more gold than normal. How his blue eyes were now turned naturally darker because of the atmosphere, and how much he honestly, truly loved him.

For Deidara, as they danced, his nerves lessened. He felt his body begin to relax and his heart slow down to a normal rhythm. And as he focused on Sasori, he became acutely aware of everything: how the outline of the redhead's face glowed a faint gold, how his amber eyes seemed to match the color around them, and how his contented smile showed how much he loved him.

"Can I tell you something?" Sasori suddenly asked. He moved his arms to wrap them around the other's waist, the latter unconsciously doing the same, though they still swayed to the music.

"What is it, un?"

Without a warning, the older male leaned forward and captured the blonde's lips with his own. He only held the peck for a few seconds before pulling away, smiling at the blush. "Thank you for falling in love with me."

"Sasori, that's-"

"I'm not saying 'Thank you' in the sense that you only love me because I loved you first," he explained. "I'm saying 'Thank you' because I won't ever be able to tell you how much you loving me means to me. To know I have your love…it makes me the happiest person in the world."

Deidara blinked, unable to respond. It's statements like those that made the blonde realize how truly in love he was with Sasori.

All his life, he had had relationships where he thought he was in love.

But every past 'revelation' seemed incomparable to when he finally realized he loved the redhead.

To respond back, the blonde just leaned forward and pressed his lips to the others, pulling away only to press their foreheads together. "I'm going to tell you something that goes against what I believe, but with you, I'll make an exception, un."

"And that is?"

Only slightly aware that the song in the background had changed over to Christina Perri's 'A Thousand Years', Deidara smiled. "I will love you for all eternity, Sasori Akasuna."

Sasori looked on the verge of tears.

His heart swelled to the size of a hot air balloon.

The happiness he was feeling was indescribable.

He tightened his hold on the other's waist, gazing intensely at the cerulean blue orbs gazing back. "And I will love you for all eternity, Deidara Akasuna."

As the beautiful melody of Christina's voice wafted around them like a melodious fog, the kisses the two shared were like the song: slow, unrushed, passionate, yet reserved, full of life, yet breath-taking.

They stayed like that for what felt like hours.

Wrapped in each other's arms, protected for eternity.

And as the flames of the candles glimmered against the silver bands wrapped around the left ring finger of each male, they shared one simultaneous thought:

That they both hoped that one day…

…Everyone will find the love they truly deserved.

The End