Dream Of Waking.

If you want to kill me, despise me, hate me, and live in an unsightly way... Run, and cling to life, and then some day, when you have the same eyes as I do, come before me.

So bitter, so selfish. The words echoed on and on in his head as he stared out at the bronze horizon. It's for the best. He reminded himself once again. If not for that thought.. if not for him..
Aniki....aniki, play with me today! Aniki? Itachi?
"Ita-kun?"

Itachi's turned his head slightly, his eyes glued to the distant sky.
"Yeah, Sasuke?"

Deidara gazed at the raven, a concerned look coming over his face.
"What? Hey, are you alright?"

Itachi blinked rapidly and jerked his head to look at the blond.
"Oh..Dei. I'm sorry, did you say something?"

"Un...you've been acting weird lately. Its our day off, why don't you relax a little?"

"Weird...yeah, sorry. So what shall we do?"

The artist hesitated.
"If you wanted to talk about something, I'm here you know."

"No, no today is supposed to be fun." Itachi said, suddenly more cheerful. "Lets not bring down the mood with my troubles, we shall save that for another time."

"Hmmmm" the blond eyed his friend and his nose scrunched up. "...okay but I'm going to ask you later about whatever it is."

The raven nodded, smiling and then laid back in his beach chair.
He kept his gaze on the gorgeous blond and his lips pursed into a smirk.
"You look good in that tiny speedo.."

Deidara's eyes widened into saucers. "Itachi-san!!!"

"Waaaat? I am only being honest. Look at those little curvy hips...mmm" the raven reached for his friend, his fingers making little grabbing motions.

The blond squealed and rolled to the far side of his reclining chair. Itachi laughed and lunged forward, his fingers inches away as Deidara pulled back desperately. Then there was a yelp as the poor blond fell right off the edge of his seat, arms flailing, his chair toppling over on its side. As he hit the sand below, Itachi cracked up.
"You goof!!!" the raven said between laughs as he ran over. He reached out and helped Dei stand up.

"Look what you diiiid! My beautiful hair..and I've got sand.. everywhere!" the blond was waving his hands about frantically and staring agape at his filth covered body.

"We'll just have to wash it off then." Itachi said, grin returning as he reached out and rubbed Deidara's tan, sandy body. The blond jumped back and pointed at the raven.
"Hey, careful! Don't touch me like that, its weird."

"Weird? You've called me that twice now today. At some point I'm going to get offended.."

"I can't help that you're acting like I am a piece of meat."

"Aw Dei-chan, you aren't just a piece of meat, you're sweet and tender too. Ooh it makes me hungry." he finished, his mouth watering.

"Hey, stop THAT!"
Admittedly, Deidara wasn't sure he completely disliked Itachi's words and clingy behavior. He had guessed the raven's silly actions rooted from his past, perhaps having something to do with his losses. But somehow it didn't totally freak him out and even at times endeared him to the man. Still, there were times when it was embarrassing. He was a single man after all and despite the fact that he was admittedly gay, they were not together and thus Itachi was not permitted to lay a single finger on his otherwise untouched body.

Untouched was right. Deidara hadn't been with anybody since his big break up with Sasori years earlier as it had left him rather sore. The break was his idea but it was because he had found the red head screwing around with some random whore at a bar they had planned to meet up at. The blond still wondered if Sasori had planned the 'Oops, you caught me' moment or if he had really been that drunk. Regardless he would not stand for cheaters, even if it was with a girl.

After that he sort of drew into a shell. Dating another Akatsuki member seemed out of the question and he had promised himself it wouldn't ever happen again as it would only make every day life more complicated then it had to be. Especially if it ended badly again. As time passed, though his resolve started to weaken. The raven haired sharringan user had been there for him during that difficult period and was the only one to whom he could go with his confessions and rants. Unfortunately the red headed puppet made inviting random 'company' to the house a common occurrence so the blond was forced to face the humiliation of it head on.

Itachi was there for him all throughout. On the second night after the horrid break, the raven had come to his bedroom door and knocked softly. Deidara screamed for him to go away but Itachi waited and spoke calmly until the artist had agreed to let him in. They spent the night talking ..or I should say Deidara talked at Itachi who listened like true friend, giving the encouraging word here and there. From then on, the two were inseparable when not on missions apart. They sometimes even had little sleep overs which usually included Dei kicking Itachi off the bed when it was time to sleep and Itachi sneaking back up when the blond had dozed off.

This weekend, the two had decided to go to a beach that wasn't far from the hideout. Pein had granted them some much needed free time and had basically shooed them out of the house. Dei figured it had something to do with Pein and Konan having some 'alone time'. The blond shivered at the thought. Konan was attractive for a girl and she could be kind and even motherly at times but mostly she was a total weirdo and had this random unpredictable quality about her.

Itachi frowned at his friend pulling him back from his thoughts.
"Sometimes I don't understand you, Dei-chan."

"What's that supposed to mean, un?" the blond was meticulously wiping sand from his lower body with a towel, his hair falling over his face.

"I mean I can tell that you enjoy me touching you but still you act like I'll give you a disease."

"Maybe you will, who knows how many people you've been with.."

Itachi laughed at that. The knee slapping, deep from the gut type of laugh.
It lasted quite a while and eventually the blond grew impatient as the raven hunched over, gasping for breath between bouts of giggles.

"What the hell are you laughing so hard about? Do I have a wedgie or something?"

"Well...of that I am not sure but I can certainly find out for you, if you like."

"Ohh cut it out already! Tell me whats so funny before I throw some of this sand in your precious hair."

"You're one to talk about hair obsession." the raven dropped onto his beach chair and continued to laugh.

"I'm serious!" Dei leaned down and grabbed a fist full of sand.
"I'll do it, I'm not playing Itachi-san!"

"Okay, okay I'll tell you, just put that stuff down before you hurt somebody."

The blond grinned but held to the sand still. "Tell me first."

"Fine...the reason I was laughing is because you assumed I had been a lot of people. I'd have figured that you of all people would know I have been alone most of my life."

The blond looked at him, somewhat alarmed.
"You're messing with me..You're like the most experienced guy in the group!"

"Uh no, I've only been with one guy and it was long before I joined. Its actually kind of a tragic story to be honest so I'd rather not think about that right now. Anyway I think you're pretty cool, I thought you knew I was attracted to you."

The blond just stood there in shock. "So you liked me...all that..when you slept in my BED? When...WHAT?!"

Itachi smiled at his confused friend. "Yes, all that time."

"I..un" Surely the blond had considered the possibility and even found himself thinking of the built raven sexually from time to time but had always eliminated the notion under assumption that his friend was just the flirty type. No, no how could he not have seen it sooner?
"You're really not messing with me, Itachi-kun?"

"I assure you that I am being completely honest."

"So you..like me and you haven't slept with half the group like Hidan says?"

"Since when do we believe a word that comes out of that guys' filthy mouth?"

"Good point." Deidara dropped the sand in his hand and the towel in the other. He then started to fix his messy hair as he pondered what he had just been told.

Itachi watched, his eyes running up and down Deidara's body as the blond stood straight, his hands above his head to mess with his hair. With just that little, light blue bathing suit on, the raven couldn't help staring at all of the exposed parts of the artist's body. His thighs and small arms, smooth chest and the curve of his collar bone. The raven felt himself shiver and pulled a towel over his lap.
"Your hair looks fine, you can leave it alone now.." he said, trying to distract himself and stop the blond from standing in such an attractive way.

"I'll be the judge of that, thank you, un!"

"It's just going to get wet when we go in anyway. Speaking of which, we should do that before it gets took dark out here and it starts to get cold." Cold is bad, Itachi thought, very bad.

After a moment Dei dropped his hands to his sides, his hair back to its regular neat appearance. He smiled more confidently and then set his chair back to normal before dropping into it. "I dunno if I want to go in, its probably already cold."

"Nah I'm sure we have a while longer."

"What about my sunscreen? I don't want to burn but it will all wash off."

"That's why I brought the water proof kind, silly. Comere I'll help you put it on."

Deidara squinted at the devious male, noticing the grin on his face. "Ahh ..maybe that's not such a good idea."

"Its just lotion, Dei-chan. Your pretty skin will be burned if you don't put it on and I know you can't reach that spot in the middle of your back. I watched you try earlier."

The blond looked away, frowning. The raven was right. It was as if the guy watched him constantly to find some excuse to get closer or touch him. He kinda liked it..
"Okay but do it quick."

Itachi nodded and grabbed the sunscreen bottle before moving to sit behind the blond. He squirted some of the liquid into his palm and then rubbed his hands together before pressing them flat against Deidara's back. The blond shivered then visibly relaxed as Itachi began to rub over his upper back and shoulders. The raven massaged the lotion in until it was no longer visible. Then the blond turned, took the bottle and thanked Itachi before scooting away.

Itachi frowned and watched as the artist covered his chest and stomach with more lotion. The raven shifted his legs and then crossed them nervously. Why was he so out of control today?
When Dei finished, the raven turned around. "K, do me!"

The blond raised an eyebrow and then sighed dramatically. "You're like a little kid, Itachi-san"

"At least I'm a good boy." he said shortly.

"You sound like Tobi when you say that." the blond replied.

Itachi only smiled as he felt Dei start to rub lotion over his back. The blond did it slowly, slower then Itachi would have guessed the reluctant male would have for that sort of task. As his warms hand traveled up the raven's back and then back down his sides Deidara found himself a bit mesmerized at the smooth feel of the males skin under his hands. He gently rubbed until the white liquid faded away and then tapped the Uchia on the shoulder. "You're good now." he said and stood, stepping out of his sandals.

Itachi got up too and they trudged through the sand down to the water. As they neared, Itachi broke into a run and splashed down into it playfully. When it reached his waist, the male dived underneath, soaking his whole body and then coming up again.

Deidara watched in amazement as his group members' childlike actions. He waded into the water slowly himself. It was warm as it touched his ankles but as he stepped further in, the water was a bit chilly and goosebumps formed over his legs. "It's cold Itachi-kun!" he whined and stepped backward to get out.

"No its not, just dive in and it feels great. I promise!"

The blond stood there, unsure. After debating for a second he stepped forward again and then ran, lifting his legs high as he tore into the ocean, collapsing into the water when it was deep enough. When he came back up, Itachi was laughing and swam closer to grab the blond's hand. Deidara looked at him questioningly and then shrugged, running the other hand through his soaked hair.

"I told you it would just get messed up when we got in."

"It's messed up??!?!" the blond shrieked and glanced down to see his reflection in the water.

"No... I mean it looks fine, stop worrying. Its our day off, remember?"

Deidara sighed and decided to let it go. He leaned back and let the water carry his body up until it floated on the surface. Then he closed his eyes and smiled.

"Hey how do you do that?" Itachi asked, surprised. He had never been taught how to float without using chakra on his palms or feet so it was a totally new thing to him.

"What..float? It's easy. Just lay back and even out your weight like you're a board and then relax. The water will carry you."

The raven leaned back awkwardly and then stumbled about. "Won't I just fall?"

"No, here" Deidara stood back up, the water just shallow enough for the balls of his feet to reach. He waded closer to the confused raven and put a hand on his lower back. "Okay now lay back, I'll hold you up."

Itachi smiled brightly and did as he was told. As he shifted the weight off of his feet, he lay back and Deidara's hand held him firmly so that he floated somewhat. "Ohhh, Dei this is cool!"

"Mmhm, spread your arms out straight, that should help you some..
Now I'm going to let go ok? Just relax and you will float on your own."

The raven nodded timidly and when the blond pulled his hand away he flailed about before sinking into the water. Itachi righted himself again and gave a big pout to the giggling blond. "Its not funny, you let me sink!"

"No, you just didn't relax. You're not doing it right."

"Oh" Itachi said, his mouth forming in a little circle. "Will you show it to me again?"

Deidara nodded and put his palm on Itachi's back again as the raven leaned backward.
"Now the arms.."

The raven did so and smiled.

"Alright just breathe normally and relax. I'm going to let you go."
As Dei pulled his hand away, Itachi's body rocked a little but stayed afloat.
"Hey, you did it!"

The raven grinned and laughed but then lost concentration and started to sink again.
As he came back up Deidara patted him on the shoulder.
"Just keep trying and eventually it won't be so hard to do."

Itachi nodded, smiling real big. "Thank you."

The blond smiled back and then felt a chill run through his spine.
"Ugh its getting cold already. Are you ready to get out?"

Itachi frowned but gave a nod then the two waded out slowly. When they returned to their chairs, Dei grabbed a towel and draped it over his hair, drying it carefully.

The raven stared over at the artist, watching as small beads of water slid lazily down the males body. He then squeezed his eyes shut and took a deep breath before grabbing another towel and then wrapped it around the blond's hips.

Deidara smiled as Itachi secured it and then saw his friend back away to dry himself. He had never really thought about how sweetly his friend treated him. He guessed it was because he'd somehow missed the signals Itachi was apparently sending and mistook the kindness for friendship.

"Ita, do you want to get something to eat before we go back?"

"Yeah sure."

When he finished drying off, Deidara pulled on some beach shorts then folded his chair and grabbed both of his towels. Itachi grabbed his own stuff and they headed toward the path leading to the nearest place that served food. When they arrived Itachi offered to hold all of their stuff as Deidara went in and ordered. When the blond returned with two bags, they sat down on the ground, laying their towels out to sit on and started to munch on their dinner.

After a few moments of silence, Deidara spoke up having something he wanted to ask.
"So how long have you actually..un liked me I guess?"

Itachi looked up and then swallowed the rest of what he was chewing.
"For some time now..." he blushed and then continued.
"When I first came to your room it was just to comfort you as a friend but as we talked and the more you told me more about yourself I started to realize how compatible we might be. You seemed to...get me I guess I could say. I know that sounds cliche but I don't share with other people commonly. It was nice to have friend like you but I eventually realized that I cared for you more than just that."

The blond blushed as Itachi spoke, quickly forgetting the food in his hand.
"So its been a while, huh? I can't believe I've been so blind."

"I hope it doesn't bother you, Dei-chan. I am perfectly fine with just remaining friends if that's what you would prefer. I know you are against dating Akatsuki members anymore..so I have sort of been under the impression that we wouldn't get together anyway." the raven frowned at that and then stuffed a large piece of beef into his mouth, hoping to buy some time until he had to speak so openly again. Before now he had no problem being truthful but without knowing how the blond felt about his admission he started to feel a little vulnerable.

"Itachi-kun, your feelings don't bother me. Actually, let me just be honest with you for a second here, ok?"

The raven nodded and stuffed some more meat into his mouth.

"I haven't seriously considered us having a relationship before but the thought has crossed my mind. You're an amazing person and there's no question, I find you attractive. I guess I just kind of convinced myself that us being together would be a mistake. I don't mistrust you or anything, I am just worried I might somehow end up with a broken heart again and then start all over, alone in this group with two ex's. I guess that's silly though, huh?"

Itachi swallowed with a loud gulp and then drained half of his water bottle before finally responding.
"I don't think its silly to be cautious but it would be a shame if we didn't at least give ourselves a chance."

The blond seemed thoughtful for a moment and then looked down, suddenly remembering to eat. They sat in silence until Itachi finished his meal.

"I hope I did not cross a line with what I said a bit ago. I just wanted to be honest with you as I always have been. I didn't mean to assume you were interested either. I realize now that it was forward of me to say we should give it a try before knowing if you even wanted to..."

"Ita-kun, its ok" Dei said, dropping his chopsticks into the empty food container. "I've just been quiet because I was thinking about us possibly dating."

The raven's face brightened as he looked up at the blond with surprise.
"Oh really?"

"Well yeah, un. But there would be uh...conditions."

"Like...?"

"Like no more sneaking into my bed until we're ready for that."

Itachi frowned and then nodded, accepting that as a fair loss for gaining a possibility of being with the blond finally.

"Also when you stay in my room, you aren't allowed to peek into the bathroom while I am doing my hair and getting ready."

The raven nodded again and folded his hands together impatiently.
"Anything else?"

"Just one more thing. I need you to give me one of your shirts, so I have something of yours to sleep in. Maybe even some boxers too. I like sleeping with something that smells like you, k?"

Itachi smiled and nodded excitedly at this one.
"So does that mean..?"

"It means nothing until you ask me out the right way, Itachi-kun."

The raven looked confused for a moment and then stood from his towel. He was still only wearing his swim trunks and water was slowly dripping from his long, wet hair.
He bent to take the blond's hand and then kissed it delicately.
"Oh Deidara-kun!" he said whimsically, almost laughing. "Wouldst thou datest thee?!"

The blond giggled and nodded as Itachi kissed over the back of his hand. "I wouldst!"
Deidara stood and Itachi pulled him into a hug.

"Finally" the raven whispered and he kissed over the artist's cheek happily.
When they pulled away, Itachi picked up their chairs and towels and turned to the blond with a smile still plastered to his face. "Ready to go home, Dei-chan?"

The blond nodded and they walked back.
As they reached the hideout, Itachi dropped the chairs off in a nearby storage room and then jogged to catch up with his new blond beau.
Dei looked back and then held out his hand which Itachi took quickly and squeezed.
"Think they'll notice the difference?"

"Probably not." the blond said as he led the raven through the front door into the kitchen.

"Heeey" Konan called from the living room. She sounded a little loopy and the two boys rolled their eyes. Shocker, Konan is drunk.

Kisame stepped into the kitchen and eyed the two hand-holding males.
"So, are you guys gay together or something now?"

"NO WAI!" Konan yelled and ran into the room to gawk.
"I totally called that!" she said loudly and then stumbled off calling for Pein, yelling about a 'bet'.

Kisame shrugged and left the room, leaving the two males grinning at each other.

"Wanna go up into my room and watch a movie?" Deidara asked as he made his way up the stairs. "Okay" Itachi said and followed.

As they approached the door to Deidara's room, they heard some voices and a couple of muffled grunts. Dei's face grew serious suddenly and he dropped Itachi's hand, running to bust the door open.
"What the hell is-...."
It was then that he spotted them.
Sasori was on his hands and knees on Deidara's bed, Hidan standing behind him with a threatening look on his face. He had just started to say something when they had been interrupted by the two males busting in.
"Damn it puppet fuck, I thought you said these guys wouldn't be back for another hour or so?"
The red head pulled himself off of the Jashinist's obvious erection and stood up shamelessly. "Well I guess I was wrong."

"..danna?"
Deidara just stood there watching the spectacle, his mouth wide open.
Itachi finally caught up and stepped into the room.
His eyes flashed and then narrowed into slits.
"What the FUCK are you two doing in here?"

Sasori shrugged and walked about, picking up his discarded clothing.

"What does it look like we're doing?" Hidan smirked and then grabbed his still erect bulge.
"You want some too, pretty boy?"

Itachi had had enough. He took one step into the room, his eyes glowing red.
"Get out or I'll kill you both."
Hidan sighed and left the room after the threat and Sasori followed afterward, without saying a thing.

After they were both gone, Itachi shut the door firmly and then turned to the devastated blond, wrapping arms around him comfortingly.
"I'm so sorry. If you want I can fix up your door so it never happens again."

Deidara pulled away and started to walk towards his bed. Then he stopped and just looked at it. Itachi came up quickly and started to pull the soiled sheets off. "I'll go put these in the washer, be right back" he stepped out of the room and closed the door behind him.

Deidara closed his eyes and breathed deeply. He wanted so badly to just pretend that what he saw wasn't a big deal but it wouldn't be that easy. It wasn't that he still cared for Sasori but the fact that the red head had the guts to do something like that on HIS bed in HIS room somehow seemed so surprising.

Itachi came back and closed the door again.
"Hey..."

Deidara turned to look at the raven and frowned.
"Maybe this isn't such a good idea."

"What...?!"

"This kind of stuff happening...it reminds me why its a bad idea to date in the group."

Itachi was hurt.
"You think I'm capable of that sort of thing, Dei-kun?"

Deidara sighed. "No, you're right. I'm just a little out of my mind right now."

Itachi stepped closer and put his hands on the blond's upper arms.
"Deidara, I will never let that happen, I promise."

The blond nodded slowly and then stepped closer, resting his head on the males' shoulder.
"Can we stay in your room tonight?"

"Mhm."

The blond pulled back and looked at the Uchia gratefully. "You really are a good friend."

"Boyfriend" Itachi corrected with a smile and the artist managed to smile back.
"Well, after you!" the raven said and followed the blond back to his room.

When they entered, Deidara hopped onto his friends' bed and pulled the covers up over himself.
Itachi laughed and crawled up next to the blond then flipped on the tv.