Future Dreams

                                    

                                          
Chapter 27: Future Dreams
Deidara appeared anxious as he let me into his room. "How did it go?" he asked. Kiku hopped off his bed and joined us at the door.
I thought back to my conversation with Tobi - er, Obito. It had definitely complicated my life, but the issue of my avoidance of him was over. I knew what I had to do now and was dedicated to the path. I offered Deidara a reassuring smile. "Everything went fine, Dei. We worked out our problems. He no longer triggers anything negative in me."
Deidara smiled in relief. "Good. You shouldn't have to live in fear."
I nodded. "Of course not. And thank you for your support and your advice. I do not know if I would have been willing to face him without it."
"You are quite welcome. I'm always willing to help you out. So, come to me first next time, alright?"
The statement startled me. Had he been hurt that I had not asked him for advice from the start? Did he really want to help me that much? The very thought of it warmed me. "Don't worry, Dei. I'll remember that from now on."
Deidara smiled slightly. "You better." His smile faded as his eyes darted around the room. "I suppose you'll be returning to your room now."
I bit my lip and looked away form him. "I guess there's no reason for you to protect me anymore." Truthfully, I did not want to leave. I wanted to spend as much time with him as possible. And I usually hated mornings, but I enjoyed them when I woke up next to him. Yet I feared the strength of my own desires, and that kept me from voicing them.
"Are you kicking her out?" Kiku said with a fake gasp.
Deidara flinched. "Well, no..." He caught my eye and gave me a hopeful smile. "You're welcome to stay."
I could not help but give in when he looked at me like that. "Okay, I'll stay."
Deidara smiled. "If that's what you want."
"Yay!" Kiku said happily. She ran around both our legs several times. The she stopped behind me and leapt at me, causing me to stumble into Deidara. He grabbed my arms to steady me while placed my hands on his chest to do the same.
I smiled sheepishly at him, my heartbeat quickening when I realized how close his face was to mine. His eyes caught my own and drew me in. "Hi."
Deidara smirked. "Hi." He did not let me go, and I did not try to move away.
"That's better," Kiku said smugly. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her trot to the bed. "I'll be taking a nap if you need me."
"Sorry about her," I mumbled.
Deidara chuckled. "It's not problem." He finally let me go, and I dropped my arms. He did not move back, though, and instead stood there staring at me. His gaze traveled from my eyes to my neck. "Hey, do you mind satisfying my curiosity?"
"Uh, no. Not at all."
"The animals on your necklace... They correspond to the animals you draw, don't they?" Deidara ran his thumb over a few of the animals while the rest of his hand rest between my neck and shoulder. The contact made me shiver, a reaction I resented. It took me a moment to formulate a response.
"Yes. These are the animal forms of the people most dear to me."
"You add an animal when you decide someone is important enough?" He withdrew his hand, and I hated that I wished he had kept it there.
"No. Actually, they were all given to me by the person they represent. They were gifts of friendship, and I accepted them because I reciprocated their feelings."