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Ever since he was a child, he has always been unapologetically himself.
Especially when it came to his love of art. Artists should never have to apologize for their creativity no matter how unorthodox their medium was; such as his love of explosions and clay sculpting. It was an outlet for the huge emotions that at times overwhelm him; joy, anger, terror, even love were something that he believed were unmistakably present in his art.
As far as he was concerned he did nothing wrong with causing an explosion today for their mission that he believes was a rather impeccable masterpiece.
...So why did he feel so guilty about what it did to his partner?
Granted he tried to reason with himself that Tobi, while annoying at best, was a grown man who could have read that whole situation and made it out of there before it got out of hand. This was a dangerous field of work with or without his art and as a member of the Akatsuki they both should be ready for anything that could happen to them. Deidara shouldn't feel guilty for someone else's idiocy.
Yet here he was, standing outside of Tobi's door. It had taken a bit of poking and prodding of Hidan and Kisame to find out where he resided in their base since he didn't try to make an effort to get to know the masked moron.
"Uuugh, this is so lame, un," He grunted as he dragged his feet down the dark corridor.
His last partner was never this much trouble even if they had their difference in opinions. At least with Sasori he knew he didn't have to ever worry about him getting caught in the crossfire when he was using his art on the enemy.
It didn't help that after that particular mission, Tobi was unusually quiet. It was a rare state to see him in and at first Deidara didn't question why he was being quiet all of a sudden when in the time they've spent in each other's presence the dark haired masked man never seemed to shut up. So what if he somehow managed to ruin Tobi's Akatsuki robe and even caused cracks in his mask? It wasn't like it fell from his face!
Why should he feel bad? Why should he feel the need to say sorry? Though if he were the one who had gotten caught up in an attack by Tobi, the masked man would apologize to him-and rightfully so-and he would at least make it up to him after.
...Oh he's being an asshole isn't he?
Deidara took a moment as he stopped at the door, staring at the old faded wood while he tried to take a few deep breaths. All he had to do was make sure that they were on the same page. That was it. That's all. Even if he didn't particularly like that he was apologizing he knows how important it is for him to have a partner. They were all on a mission, all after something that required the Jinchuriki.
Whether he liked it or not he knew if he didn't apologize right now it would just fester and piss him off more.
"Inhale creativity, exhale negativity, inhale creativity, exhale negativity, un," Deidara repeated quietly with each slow inhale and exhale he made of his usual breathing exercise. It was something he had surprisingly learned from Sasori when he was in a funk or he needed to calm his nerves.
He can do this. If he can make explosions out of white clay while inciting chaos along the way, then he can absolutely show some humility by apologizing to the masked clown he's been saddled with.
With some renewed determination, Deidara banged on the door.
"Oi, Tobi, open up, un."
There's silence on the other side as he waited for either a verbal response or to have the door open.
"..Tobi, it's Deidara, open up your door, un. I need to talk to you about something important, un," he banged again on the door. His mouths that resided on his hands gritted their teeth the same time he did with his normal mouth.
He waited another few moments before he banged both his fists on the door.
"Tobi you get out here right now dammit, un! I need to talk to you and as your damned partner, I-"
"Senpai, what are you doing in front of Tobi's door?"
"AAAAH!" The blonde shrieked-first out of surprise from being snuck up on, then rage that he was snuck up on-and snapped around with a finger now pointed right at that familiar masked face, "YOU, UN! Why aren't you in your quarters?! You should be resting after surviving an explosion like thaaaaaaaaa..."
He trailed off; his eyes going down upon the realization that Tobi was standing before him in nothing but a towel and sandals...and he was wearing his orange mask that looked as if it had never sustained damage. Blue eyes roam over the well toned tan muscles of his torso, how water was still dripping down it and he was carrying a caddy with some shampoos on it.
Deidara blinked a few times, just completely entranced by the sight of such a beautiful specimen of beauty before him.
Shit, that Akatsuki robe really hid his form well...
"Senpai?" Tobi tilts his head now, "You wanted to speak to Tobi?"
That familiar annoying voice snapped him out of his stupor and he turned his face away with a blush, "Yes, un. I came to...talk about today."
"Oh yeah? What about it? If you're worried about Tobi, don't worry! I always keep some extra masks lying around and have spare Akatsuki robes!"
Fuck, every time he moves he can see the towel slipping a bit. His whole face was becoming the shade of a strawberry as he swallowed thickly an tugged on the collar of his own akatsuki robe. Oh shit...oh shit oh shit was starting to slide more and more down as the idiot speaks to him. Deidara wonders if Tobi even realizes the towel was starting to fall off him.
"Senpai? Senpaaaai," When he waved a hand in front of Deidara's face he blinked before he averts his gaze with horror and embarrassment.
Was he seriously just checking out Tobi right now?!
"Senpai-"
"I'm sorry!" Deidara blurted as he grabbed the towel to pull it back up when it started to come undone. He just immediately ties it while trying to keep his eyes averted from trying to peak, "I'm sorry for you getting caught in that explosion that broke your mask and tore you clothes, un! I'm sorry for banging so hard on your door while you were out, it won't happen again and I'm so so sorry for staring at you like a piece of eye candy, un!"
Tobi stood there a moment. The mask did well to hid his expression though he tilted his head down at Deidara almost questioningly.
It was then Deidara realized how close his hands were to Tobi's privates as he still held the towel. His face matches the crimson clouds of their akatsuki uniform and if he could right now he would have exploded himself right there.
"..Oh Senpai you didn't have to apologize to Tobi like that, i wasn't upset at you-"
"OKAY THAT'S GREAT, LOVE YOU, BYE, UN!" Deidara's voice has reached quite the high pitch before he bolted past the naked masked moron while unaware of what he just shouted in his haste to run from him.
For a moment, Tobi stood there watching him run away from him before he slowly tilted his mask up; showing how much he was blushing as well.
"...Apology accepted, Senpai."