Deidara was in an absolutely foul mood when he returned from his latest mission. It had been cold and wet outside, things between himself and Sasori no danna had been icy at best, and he was no stranger to the dangers his partner held, and his usual impatience with the blonde had bled through the entire mission. Deidara had hardly any time to rest or tend to his bodily functions.
As he washed his hands, he caught a glance of himself in the bathroom mirror. Great, he looked a mess. Bags under his eyes, tangles, dirt and nature in his hair, clothes filthy and dishevelled...and was that a spot between his eyes? Ugh, stress and teenage hormones never mixed.
Dealing with the spot could wait, though. He couldn't focus on such a tiny thing when he was so hungry. Stomping down the hall (Yes, it was childish, but when Deidara was in that bad a mood, why bother being mature around childish idiots?), he made sure to ignore anyone he might have passed. One particularly annoying little subordinate was rather difficult to ignore, however.
"SENPAI! YOU'RE HOME!"
He winced as that awful voice grated against his ears. Oh god, why? Why was it always him?
"Leave me alone, Tobi." He muttered, keeping his head down. He wasn't sure why he was concerned about Tobi seeing him looking like this, but he was. He was used to looking immaculate and artistic-a true show of his grace and intellect, no doubt. And Tobi loved to tease him. That was it, he didn't want to have to listen to Tobi's constant teasing about the disgusting lurker that had found its way onto his face.
"It was lonely here without you, Senpai! I'm so happy to see you again!"
Deidara did not have the patience for this. "What do you want, un?"
"Just to spend time with you. Tobi likes to spend time with his senpai!"
"Well 'senpai' doesn't like spending time with Tobi, un!" He snapped, whirling to him. Tobi fell quiet, as though shocked. Then again, he was used to Deidara yelling at him. It was probably the messy appearance.
"Does Senpai need a hug?" The numbskull asked eventually.
"Just leave me alone!" He turned away quickly, hiding away his face as though embarrassed. It wasn't that often the young blonde felt so self-conscious about his appearance. Then again, he was always looking decent in the past, as long as he'd been in the Akatsuki. Tobi had never seen him looking such a mess, he was sure of it. His stomach let out a loud grumble, deepening his embarrassment and self-consciousness as the masked nin tilted his head to the side, showing he'd heard. Sighing, Deidara just walked on, relieved when Tobi made no move to follow.
"Stupid cheap-ass Kakuzu..." He muttered, checking the cupboards and fridge only to find them empty. Looks like he needed a new plan to help lessen his rotten mood. A shower would help stave off the creeping cold, he decided before heading back to the bathroom. That would solve some problems bothering him. Then maybe a nap, that would do him some good. Yeah, a nice, long rest, curled up in his warm, welcoming bed, away from annoying Tobis.
Tobi didn't bother him when he went to the bathroom. Tobi didn't bother him as he turned on the shower, or when he waited for the water to warm up. Tobi didn't bother him as he undressed and stepped into the shower. It seemed the idiot had gone out or something.
The feeling of the piping hot water against his skin had a certain calming affect on him. Sighing in relief, he paused to think. There wasn't much to think about, however. New clay sculptures, how best to earn the respect of the others, especially Danna, and then there was Tobi-...
Tobi? Why was he thinking about Tobi?
The fact was, Tobi was always so kind, despite his annoying ways. Thinking about it, he'd always tried to get some form of reaction out of Deidara, and he had to assume it was probably that Tobi wanted him to laugh, or smile, or say something nice. The masked nin was no doubt older than he acted, and he assumed older than the blond bomber himself. Perhaps he was trying to appeal to the youngest member of the team. Not that Deidara went for babyish things like that. He'd had to grow up himself at a very young age for the sake of survival. Tobi was sort of like the child he'd never had a chance to be. That made him think a little deeper. Did Tobi act out due to his own childhood woes? Was he living out a childhood he had been denied while young? He briefly wandered what kind of traumas the childish nin had been through. Perhaps he would try to be nicer to the silly subordinate in future. Plus, he had to admit, part of him did like those sudden death hugs Tobi would give him. He could feel the elder man's muscles and they were always so warm and tight, as though Tobi wished to shield the blond from all danger and squeeze away all his troubles.
After drying off and getting dressed, he went to lay down in his bed, still no encounters with the stupid subordinate who seemed obsessed with him. Good, he really wasn't in the mood for a hug, although his mind kept going back to the older man. Was he lonely? Why did he always cling to Deidara? Why him? Why worthless, ugly, whiny little him? God, sometimes Deidara hated himself. Looked like the shower hadn't helped at all, he decided as tears pricked at the corner of his eyes. Sasori no Danna was right, he really was a little brat. He didn't notice the door creak open, and even if he did, he would have assumed it was Sasori.
Someone sat on the edge of his bed and he could smell something sweet. His stomach rumbled again.
"Ne, Senpai?"
He cracked an eye open, glancing over to the masked man before a box was shoved at him.
"Tobi got Senpai a gift!"
Reluctantly, Deidara accepted the box and inched it open. It was full of doughnuts. He arched an eyebrow.
"Tobi thought Senpai might like the ones with sprinkles! Maybe we can share them! Tobi likes spending time with his Senpai after all!" He shifted close, head resting on Deidara's shoulder. The blond sighed.
"Why?" He asked in a rude tone. "I always want you gone, un."
"Tobi loves Senpai!" Tobi insisted, giving him a hug. His voice fell to a whisper, tone itself getting lower as he became more serious. "I really do...Senpai is so beautiful."
Deidara wasn't sure whether to be touched or offended. His voice was a strange mix as he repeated the last word in confusion.
"Senpai is gorgeous, so young and full of spirit...and even looks good when he isn't neat and tidy. Senpai can make bed heads and acne look appealing. You're real art yourself, I swear. I love you, Senpai."
Deidara paused, stunned silence overtaking him. He chose to occupy himself with one of the doughnuts. Okay, now he was touched. He had no idea how to respond. He couldn't remember anyone saying such kind things to him.
"Senpai?" Tobi sounded almost horrified. "Senpai, please don't cry..."
Confused, he reached up and touched his own cheek. It came away wet. He really was crying. Swallowing his mouthful, he tried to think of something good to say, something tough and brash.
"You love me..." Was his only reply. Damn it, Deidara, just talk sense! He shook his head hard to clear it, blonde strands whipping both their faces. "You'd be the first." He managed, banishing the sorrow from his voice and replacing it with bitterness. Tobi drew him in for a hug, placing his head on his broad shoulder and stroking his hair gently.
"We all love you, Senpai. You give the Akatsuki brilliant light. You're so passionate." That deep tone of voice suited the muscular body of the raven. "But I love you more than them. I wish I could sweep you off your feet and carry you to paradise. I've never loved anyone as much as I love you. And you know what, Senpai?"
"What, un?"
"I'll never stop loving you, I promise."
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