Deidara wasn't going to lie to himself.

He's sincerely happy that Sasori is free and can pursue his dreams and all that. In front of Sasori, he is as happy as Sasori himself. But when he's not and he's faced with the prospect of what his own life holds, he is less than happy about the entire situation. In other words, he kind of hated his life right then, not that Sasori ever needed to know that.

"You're considerably happier."

And it just got that little bit worse.

Deidara closed his eyes and steeled himself to face Chiyo. He turned around and put on a smile so fake he was sure it couldn't fool anyone.

"I'm always happy," Deidara told her happily, putting on his best fake smile which always fooled her in the past though it didn't seem like it was working now. Begrudgingly, he wondered if it had ever actually worked on her. She wasn't exactly dumb and while she did seem to have liked him in the past, who knew what she was really after?

Well, at least when I'm not speaking to you, he thought to himself.

"Really?" Chiyo asked skeptically, raising an eyebrow. "Even when you can't do art while Sasori can?"

Deidara decided not to be angry at that and let her win. His smile grew brighter.

"Oh, so you know that Sasori is happy doing art and you didn't let him do it? I never knew you loved him so much," Deidara said, watching the expression on Chiyo's face darken and he walked away before she said anything else. He wasn't exactly faithful in his ability to not punch her in the face and the last thing he wanted was to get into trouble for a reason like her.

"Bitch, bitch, bitch, bitch," he muttered to himself as he stormed out of the campus, people steering out of his way.

"Have you decided to join the Light Side?" Hidan asked, pleased as he walked right up to Deidara and slung an arm over his shoulders casually.

"No," Deidara answered, "screw you. I'm not in the mood."

Hidan looked offended for about a second before he sighed and backed off. There was no getting through to Deidara when he was in that state. Still… he wasn't Hidan and the blonde's best friend for nothing.

"Is Dei-chan upset about something today?" he cooed and Deidara wondered if breaking their friendship was worth it. In the end, he just rolled his eyes; Hidan was too entertaining to give up.

"Chiyo," he said curtly and even though he was pretty sure that Hidan didn't even know half of the evil things that Chiyo did, the other guy simply nodded in understanding.

"I heard stuff from Konan," he said, shrugging. "And you and Sasori are not exactly subtle about your immense dislike for her."

"She's a bitch," Deidara affirmed, nodding.

"That's good to know," Hidan said and Deidara wasn't very sure if his best friend was mocking him or not. "Konan wants dinner. You and Sasori have been too secretive lately."

"We're not secretive," Deidara said in exasperation, "we're busy."

"Tell that to Konan," Hidan waved him off.

"Right."

Hidan gave Deidara a weird look but shook his head when Deidara demanded what the hell was wrong.

"You're in a fiery mood today, Blondie," Hidan said, shaking his head sadly. "I can't talk to you. I have lecture to attend."

As Hidan walked off, Deidara wondered if the reason Hidan couldn't talk to him was because he was in a fiery mood or if he had lecture. He suspected it was because of the former. Stupid Hidan. As if the Jashinist didn't have his mood swings.

But he didn't blame him. He knew he was prone to being downright rude and uncivil to everyone when he was angry. He didn't use to mind just doing just that in the past but his current friends were actually important to him. It was better if he was left alone. His temper usually calmed down in a bit anyway. It went as quick as it came, fleeting like everything else.

At least Sasori is doing art, he thought and he paused mid track because he realised how bitter he sounded in his own head.

What the heck. He was literally as Chiyo described him just then – jealous of Sasori, that the other man could do art - and it annoyed him beyond measures, his anger flaring back to life immediately. He wasn't jealous of Sasori. He wasn't. It was just Chiyo getting to him, like she always does. Yes, that was it. She was a smart woman after all; she was just manipulating him into believing that he was jealous. Yes. She couldn't torment Sasori anymore so she had to transfer all of that onto him.

It was just so unfair.

He groaned. Did he seriously just thought that it was unfair?

He changed paths immediately. There was no way he could go home and face Sasori in this state. Granted Sasori probably wasn't at home at this time, but he didn't think he could take seeing art pieces scattered around. Sasori was either at home or at the art store. Deidara had to find somewhere else to go to.

Without thinking, he let his legs bring him to wherever they wanted. He ended up at a train station and he simply took the train, again without thinking. When he reached his final destination and realised that he was standing at the edge of a forest, he groaned.

Seriously.

Of all the places his feet could take him, he ended up here. At the forest. Four hours away from the city. He glared at the setting sun. By the time he reached home it would be way past midnight. Unless, of course, he simply left now and not enter the freaking forest. But it had been a really long while since he had last come here and it seemed more than a waste to simply leave.

His resistance usually crumbled here. If he was still on the train, he would sometimes change direction and head back before he reached the forest. But since he was already here… why not? He was allowed to be selfish sometimes though he thought that he was just punishing himself more.

He pulled out his mobile phone and texted a quick message to Sasori, saying that he wouldn't be going back that night because he had to do something. He didn't want to lie to Sasori but he also wasn't ready to tell Sasori about this place. One day, he would bring Sasori here and show it to him instead.

His phone chimed, signaling a message. A simple 'ok' had been sent from Sasori. Deidara smiled despite himself and all the negative feelings churning within him. He knew that Sasori would understand even though his vague text explained basically nothing. He switched his phone off and tossed it into his bag; he wouldn't be needing it.

Heaving a deep sigh, Deidara plunged straight into the forest. He tried to remain clam about it but the more he walked, the faster he went. It was like getting nearer to a pile of treasure. But this, this was better than any treasure.

The temperature was cooling, it being in the middle of autumn and Deidara wasn't sweating at all despite the long walk. After a while, a tiny hut and streaming lake came into view. Deidara broke out into a wide grin; he was home.

He eagerly strode over to the hut, barely able to contain his excitement. He fished his necklace out of his shirt and used the key attached there to open the lock on the hut. He pushed the door open and was greeted with the sweet smell of clay.

He stepped right into the hut and closed the door behind him. It was still early enough that enough sunlight streamed through the window when Deidara opened it. He would eventually have to light some candles but for now this was enough.

Deidara sat down in the middle of the room and simply paused to admire all his works. Unlike Sasori, he didn't have a work table or anything like that, preferring to simply work on the floor, despite the mess and all. He liked the mess. It felt freeing to be able to make a mess. He could just imagine the look of disapproval on Sasori's face. Deidara let out a chuckle.

Just then, his eyes caught something and then he lit up when he realised what it was. It had been so long since he had last come here that he had almost forgotten where everything was. He stood up and walked over to the large figure perched at the corner of the room.

It was an owl. Well, it was a giant owl and it was one of Deidara's first creations. He had been but a child when he made it and he had been so happy and proud of himself, making something that was the same size as him. As an artwork, it was still on the large side, but now that he was an adult, it didn't look all that impressive anymore. Deidara felt a pang of… something. Time passed so quickly and he didn't even have time to look at it properly, but that's what makes life beautiful – that it passed by transiently, taking all the good and bad with it. Deidara smiled again. Sasori would have a lot to say on that matter.

Deidara took a good look around the hut and his smile widened.

He would really have to bring Sasori here to see this, to see the side of him that he had hidden away from everyone else. The fact that he just knew that Sasori would love to see this place just made everything glow that bit brighter and well, Deidara figured that was enough for now.

Deidara was glad that he came here after all. Here, he could think. He wasn't jealous of Sasori after all. Chiyo had just really got to him. And then he suddenly felt a pang of sympathy for Sasori. If Chiyo, for all the snide remarks that she had for him, could get to him so badly even though they met for barely a few hours a week, how did Sasori survive with her? Yes he didn't stay with her, but her presence must have always been there, lurking in the back of his mind, and Deidara felt hatred swell up in him all over again.

But he pushed those feelings aside. He didn't want to think about her in his sacred heaven.

Besides, the point was that he wasn't jealous of Sasori. And it was true that he was happy for Sasori. When Sasori was doing his art, he shared part of that joy with Deidara whether it was through asking for his opinions or simply letting him watch. And until Deidara can find the courage to do what Sasori did and chase after his own dreams, this happiness that Sasori provided him with was enough.

Without thinking, he reached for him phone and turned it back on.

Thank you, he typed to Sasori, not explaining, not caring that Sasori probably wouldn't know what he was talking about.

For letting you stay out? We're not in that kind of relationship, you know, was the snarky reply and Deidara rolled his eyes. Sasori was a lot more annoying now that they were together. Still, Deidara thought with a smile, he wouldn't have it any other way.

You know what I mean, he typed back anyway.

Your elevated view of me is flattering but unfortunately false. Deidara laughed out loud; he couldn't help himself. Sasori made him feel happy even when he wasn't with him.

And here I was thinking your ego ruled your head.

You don't really know me, do you? And Deidara burst out into laugher all over again. He knew Sasori was just teasing him and that he didn't mean it. Once upon a time, despite the fact that he knew it was just a joke, Deidara would have worked himself into a fit wondering if the other person really did mean it and even start thinking up reasons as to why he actually really didn't know someone. But now… now he didn't and he took it as a sign that his life was becoming that much better.

I'm hurt, Danna, he typed just to be ornery.

Good.

Deidara rolled his eyes. That sadist.

And then suddenly Deidara didn't feel like staying in that hut anymore. Not by himself anyway.

He checked the time on his phone. If he ran, he would still be able to make it for the last train. Oh well, there was no other option. Nobody lived near this place for miles and he wouldn't be able to get a ride. He was a fast runner anyway.

Deidara took one last look at the hut before he closed the door behind him and locked it firmly. He would bring Sasori here soon. Nodding to himself, he kept the key and started to sprint.

Deidara didn't have to run anymore. But he found himself running (or walking really briskly) as he headed back to the house on the hilltop. He didn't know why he was so anxious to get back but something just made him rush.

He rang the doorbell because he had forgotten the key that morning and hoped that he wasn't waking Sasori up from his sleep, not that the older man slept that early anymore. Though – he glanced at the dark sky overhead – it wasn't exactly early anymore.

The door creaked open and Sasori raised an eyebrow when he saw Deidara there, just a little shocked to see him but otherwise looking like his usual compose self.

"I thought you weren't coming back tonight?" Sasori asked as Deidara let himself in, walking past Sasori and dumping his bag onto the ground.

He ignored Sasori as he took in the surroundings. Sure he stayed there but he was somehow looking at things with a renewed, refreshed feeling. The coffee table was, as it usually was these days, filled with Sasori's art stuff, neat and arranged. The little table next to the window where he usually did his university work, the white cushion couch they bought on a whim, the stereo set, the carpet that Deidara insisted they get because it's a carpet - Deidara took all these in.

And then he turned to Sasori.

The redhead hadn't said anything or even moved except to close the door. He was looking at Deidara curiously but with a kind of familiarity as if anything that Deidara did or would do were already accepted by him. Deidara smiled but ignored his questioning gaze all the same.

They weren't one for physical contact but Deidara stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Sasori and said softly, "I'm home."

Sasori was usually tense when people touched him but Deidara could tell that Sasori was completely relaxed, not a single muscle tensed. Deidara felt arms wrap around him as well and snuggled into Sasori's chest.

"I don't know what this is about, Brat," Sasori said, exasperation and amusement lacing in his voice, "but welcome home."

Sasori had a plan.

Obviously he wasn't doing art just for the sake of pursuing his dreams and making himself happy while Deidara suffered day and night, slogging for something that he wasn't even remotely interested in. He was a sadist, but he didn't like people close to him to be in pain and while Deidara certainly deserved some sort of suffering because the blonde was incorrigible, this was too much.

Anyway, Sasori had a plan. He was going to make Deidara give up on medical school and pursue his own art again, like Sasori had done. How? It was simple really. Deidara was a stubborn brat and though admittedly smart, if you knew the right buttons to push, you could basically bend him to your will, which was exactly was Sasori was going to do.

The main purpose of him not hiding away and doing his art in secret was of course because it wasn't a sin anymore (not that he ever considered it one but dear Chiyo had her opinions) and that he knew that Deidara would never want him to do that.

And he knew that Deidara loved him and cared about his happiness and was equally happy as him that he could do his art so openly and freely again but Deidara was no saint. Actually, he wasn't even remotely close to a saint. In fact, the blonde was in no way nice. And while he had the capability to care about other people, sometimes more so than himself, there was no way that he was going to forget about himself.

So, basically, the fact that he could do his art while Deidara couldn't was eventually going to kill the blonde. In the end, Deidara would cave and quit med school as well and then they could spend the rest of eternity debating over the meaning of art.

It was that easy. Yet, that being said, Sasori knew that it wasn't going to be easy.

One, because Deidara was a stubborn brat.

Two, because Sasori knew that Deidara was actually happy with the way things was and that he was happy enough for Sasori to not care about himself for the time being and Sasori had a feeling that it was going to be for quite a while. Sasori wasn't a patient man; he didn't like to sit around and wait for Deidara to come around.

However, these two aside, he knew what the biggest problem was. Deidara's mother.

Sure, Deidara could claim that he hated the woman and all but the fact remained that the only reason he was still in medical school was because of her. Sasori understood exactly. He was in that same position himself just a while after all and, though rarely, he still wonders if he should have stayed on to please Chiyo.

But obviously his situation was different now. He wanted Deidara to be happy, not Chiyo.

Deidara, on the other hand, for whatever reason, was still trying to please a woman who didn't seem to care about pleasing her son. At all.

The thing that got him that most was that there was nothing he could do about it but wait for Deidara to realise that his mother wasn't worth it, or to realise that some other things or people were more worth it. He didn't blame the blonde. H was the same after all. He knew that he had to realise it himself. If someone, say Konan, came up to him and told him that he should care about Deidara's feelings more than Chiyo's, he would have simply walked away.

So, basically, all he could do was continue to make his art which would make Deidara happy and hope that Deidara caved sooner or later, preferably sooner.

Sasori was interrupted by his phone ringing. A message from Deidara saying that he wouldn't be home that night for whatever reason. Right. Sasori didn't mind that… he replied a simple 'okay' and went back to doing his art work, ignoring how empty and quiet the house suddenly felt.

Sometime later, he was interrupted yet again by his phone. He already knew that it was Deidara before even looking at his phone.

Thank you.

Sasori raised an eyebrow. Sure, he knew that the blonde was unpredictable and had crazy mood swings but he was usually unpredictable in a crazy way and his mood swings usually tended towards angst and depression. 'Thank you' was certainly not something the blonde would say randomly.

Sasori decided to entertain him.

For letting you stay out? We're not in that kind of relationship, you know, he typed and set his art work aside, leaning against the back of the couch as he waited for a reply.

You know what I mean, was the message Deidara sent and Sasori shook his head. He really had no idea what the blonde was talking about though he had an inkling it had to do with art, as did most everything in their lives.

Your elevated view of me is flattering but unfortunately false, Sasori replied just for the heck of it.

And here I was thinking your ego ruled your head. Sasori smiled subconsciously as he unconsciously relaxed into the couch. Somehow, this felt nice, texting with Deidara.

You don't really know me, do you? He replied, knowing that Deidara wouldn't get offended and interested in what Deidara would reply. Deidara really only had two patterns when it came to these knd of things: he would either continue the silly banter or he would pretend to be hurt and Sasori already knew his answer to the latter situation.

I'm hurt, Danna.

OAha.

Good.

Sasori didn't receive a reply after that but he didn't mind. Deidara was probably busy doing whatever it was that he was doing. Sasori felt strangely calm knowing that Deidara was purposefully keeping something from him. Or maybe it was because deep down he knew that Deidara was going to tell him anyway, eventually.

He stayed on the couch for a while, just basking in the simple happiness that he was feeling. It was a luxury that he had never experienced before. In the past, there was either nothing to be happy about or there was a huge reason as to why he would be happy. Now, right here in this house, he just simply felt contented.

He continued with his art work later on but was again interrupted by the doorbell.

Queer.

It shouldn't be Deidara but there was really only one person who would come at such timing.

Sasori opened the door and was a little surprised to see Deidara there though he had expected it. The house also suddenly felt a lot more alive.

"I thought you weren't coming back tonight?" Sasori asked as Deidara let himself in, walking past Sasori and dumping his bag onto the ground. Sasori rolled his eyes. He had been trying to get Deidara to stop doing that but of course the blonde didn't listen.

Some things just can't be changed, he thought fondly.

Deidara ignored his question but Sasori didn't really mind.

Currently, the blonde was busy inspecting the house as if he was seeing it for the first time. Now Sasori's curiosity was piqued. Exactly what did the blonde do? But, as usual, he wouldn't pry. He would just wait for Deidara to tell him in his own time. Meanwhile, he shut the door.

Deidara eventually turned to him.

Sasori expected Deidara to say something but he certainly didn't expect the blonde to suddenly hug him. But he wasn't shocked or annoyed as he usually was when touched. Instead, it just felt normal.

"I'm home."

Sasori smiled lightly, knowing that Deidara wasn't really just saying the greeting for the sake of it, but actually meaning it completely. He felt right at home too.

"I don't know what this is about, Brat," Sasori said, exasperation and amusement lacing in his voice, "but welcome home."

Okay, this was totally too short considering the amount of time I took to update. OTL

ANYWAY.

This was a really interesting chapter to write because for once (I think) they are actually apart though of course I couldn't resist but put them back together in the end. And it was also fun to write the same things but in different perspectives. I hope you guys enjoyed it too! :D Reviews are loved as usual.

((I hope Sasori wasn't weird here))