#tak talks

It wasn't supposed to be a big deal. Just an in and out. He dragged you along because it makes the mundane less...well...just that. Less mundane.

He grips your hand as he looks around the shops, weaving through the people while careful not to lose you. You swear to God (or Jashin, or whatever) that he has a nose like a dog. "What was it you wanted again?" you ask him. He rolls his eyes, pretending to dislike your repetition.

"Bakudan," he answers, the slightest rumble in his voice and a devious smirk upon his lips. "Kisame mentioned there's a vendor in town this week...I intend to take advantage, un."

You glance up to the sky; it's getting dark up in the clouds, their puffy shapes increasingly less cute and more threatening. You asked him to wait an hour or two to see if it'd clear up, but he insisted to go. To hear it's just cooked eggs...kind of makes the whole endeavor kind of foolish to risk your health for. "Is it gonna be worth it if we're drenched in the rain...?"

Deidara's answer is resolute: "Of course!"

You exhale. He can't be reasoned with when one thing's on his mind.

...But considering this is a story worth telling, you can guess what ended up happening.

"Shit!" he swears, gripping your arm tight as the thunder rolls into the streets and the wind howls its horrid, whiny song. Before you know it, Deidara has managed to bring you inside a shop. The bell chimes and you both catch your breath, water dripping to the ground as glistening wet faces stare out the window. His blue eye blinks, and you notice the way he looks...abruptly drained.

"Well..." he mumbles, watching the storm push a chair across the storefront faster than Kakuzu accidentally leaving a 100% tip, "...There goes that idea."

His shoulders tense as you groan to yourself. You ask him what's wrong, and he whips his head, splatters of rain flickering off his gold locks in the process. "What's wrong?!" he exclaims. "My date is ruined!"

...

It occurs to Deidara he said that aloud. His cheeks flush and eyes widen with embarrassment before he shifts, groaning and clenching his teeth as he looks away. "Forget it, un."

"Deidara-"

"I mean it," he snaps. But even for you and you alone, his voice never raises. "Just...forget this happened."

You didn't realize how empty your hand feels without his. Not until he lets go. You furrow your brow and look to your feet, a puddle forming on the linoleum floor beneath your soaked shoes. That's why he was so eager... Hell. Briefly, your eyes flicker up and you open your mouth...but he looks so damn upset staring at the rain, clenching his fists, that you aren't sure if you can find anything to comfort him in this moment. Resigned to fate, you exhale through your nose and turn around-

...And then you gasp.

Stare wide and a grin creeping up your face, you blindly reach to clutch the Akatsuki cloak by your side. Deidara hums, blinking down at your hand.

"What...? Listen, darling, you don't have to pretend this is-"

But then he looks. And his expression becomes the same as yours. The anger rinses away from his eyes and the sparkle you love so much begins to burn within them instead.