Deidara felt a nice buzz from the alcohol as he scanned the club. Though it was now technically closed, about twenty people still inhabited the small space. Pein had offered to host Haku's going away party and most of the staff was in attendance to see the small dancer off.

He was grateful to have been able to change into his usual jeans and t-shirt and not for the first time thought of how weird it was to see most of his fellow coworkers in normal clothes.

"Damn Pein sure knows how to throw a party!" Suigetsu slurred in Deidara's ear, the younger stripper taking a sip of his drink as he leaned heavily on the bar.

Deidara smirked, rolling his eyes at Suigetsu's antics, noticing a small trail of sugar still on his stomach from the body shot's he'd been doing. He'd have to point that out to Kisame.

"How much have you had to drink tonight?"

"I dunno." Suigetsu huffed defensively. "Hmm, let's see." He said, eyebrow's creasing as if in serious thought. "Okay! I had about two shots before I came in, and then so far after closing, Itachi handed me a drink, and I stole Kisame's and Sasori gave me two, so . . . ten."

Deidara tried not to laugh at the botched math but failed as a few chuckles slipped out. "Right, well, I think maybe you should get Kisame or someone to take you home, best not to drive."

"Thank you mom." Suigetsu laughed, rolling his eyes. "I think I'm going to see if Sasori will make me another one of those things.

"Things?"

"I don't know, it was like liquefied gold I tell you, best thing I've ever tasted!"

"Alright then." Deidara said patronizingly, smiling as Suigetsu staggered off to find Sasori, taking a sip of his own drink.

Speaking of Sasori, he looked around for a bit until he spotted the redhead, smiling at how happy he looked with his arm around Kankuro. He was glad his best friend had found someone; he only wished he could be as lucky.

"Having a good time?" Itachi asked, surprising Deidara as he came up behind him.

"I guess."Deidara shrugged, taking another sip of his drink, "But honestly I'm not sure whether to be sad he's leaving, happy for him, or jealous."

"Jealous?"

Deidara scoffed at the raised eyebrow, rolling his eyes at the ridiculous question. "C'mon 'Tachi, this is hardly anyone's dream job. We're all just passing through until something better that we really want comes along."

"So what do you really want then?" Itachi asked.

"I dunno." Deidara shrugged, "I like art and it's my major and all, but I don't think anything will really come of it.

"Well if it helps, I think you could do it."

Deidara snorted, but couldn't deny the warm feeling the comment gave him. "Well thanks. What about you then, what do you want to do?"

Itachi shrugged, leaning against the wall as he looked out over the crowd. "I'm not sure. I'm really only here to piss my father off and buy some time while I try and steal his business out from under him."

Deidara stared at him blankly, unsure if he was joking or not.

Itachi smirked, "It's a long story."

"I'd love to hear it sometime." Deidara laughed, wondering just what Itachi had been talking about.

"Maybe I'll get the chance to tell you one day. Do you want to dance?"

Deidara pursed his lips, "I think I've danced enough tonight honestly."

Itachi smiled, something he rarely did and Deidara wondered just how much he had been drinking, idly thinking that he could get used to the sight. "I mean dancing without trying to make a profit. Clothes will stay on, unless you don't want them to."

Deidara's eyebrows disappeared into his hairline at the bold comment and Itachi merely offered a shrug and his hand which he haltingly took, allowing the bartender to drag him to the center of the room where several pairs were already dancing.

Deidara was pleasantly surprised as Itachi gracefully moved with him, arms wrapping around his body and pulling Deidara close as they moved to the beat, Deidara's heart racing from both the atmosphere and Itachi's proximity.

Deidra discreetly flipped Hidan off at the sight of his fellow stripper making obscene hand gestures at the two of them. He couldn't help the blush that sprang to his cheeks from the knowing look Sasori gave him and hoped Itachi would just attribute it to the heat in the room.

"So I know what you'd rather be doing but why are you working here in the first place?" Itachi murmured as a particularly slow song came on, pulling Deidara closer, his breath ghosting across his ear teasingly making Deidara shiver.

"What do you mean?" Deidara mumbled, allowing his head to rest lightly on Itachi's shoulder as they swayed to the beat, the long night finally catching up to him as he began to feel himself tiring. "It's just a job and I needed one."

"Yes, a job you're certainly good at, but like you said I don't think it's really anyone here's first choice."

Deidara chuckled, shrugging as much as he could while keeping his arms around Itachi. "No, I guess not. I just needed money while getting my art degree. My parents are dead and my older brother Kyubbi has to help our youngest brother and my scholarship only covers the actual tuition and books. It was easier to work here than skipping classes and it pays enough that I can help Kyuubi out with Naruto."

"Naruto?"

"Yeah, my little brother."

"Ah" Itachi said, "It just sounds familiar for some reason."

"What about you, yeah? There have got to be other ways of pissing your father off." Deidara said around a slight yawn.

"I was cut off and while I have my own funds, holding a job, no matter how small, will add to those while I make my plans with the added bonus of angering him. And it's near the university so it was more convenient. Kisame suggested it actually."

Deidara smiled at that, imagining the large bouncer talking Itachi into bartending while he got his business degree or whatever it was Itachi was majoring in.

"Did you drive?" Itachi asked suddenly, noticing the beginning of a haze taking over Deidara.

"No, I took the bus; my car was being a bitch." Deidara murmured, not complaining as Itachi began to lead him off of the dance floor.

"I'll drive you home then, if it's alright with you that is?" Itachi said, stopping to look at Deidara with a raised eyebrow making Deidara realize that an actual answer was required.

"Yeah, that sounds good, thank you."

"It's no problem, Sasori and Hidan look a bit preoccupied at the moment and I wouldn't be a responsible bartender if I let you fend for yourself buzzed."

Deidara grinned at that. He hated the bus and would always welcome a chance to talk to Itachi longer, half asleep or not.

"Leaving so soon Deidara!" Hidan called loudly from about a foot away.

"Yeah, tell Haku I said bye though I saw him earlier. It was a great party but I'll see you tomorrow, I've got class in the afternoon."

"Fucking class." Hidan scoffed. "I'm not going to that shit, I'll catch up later. Night man."

Deidara waved, smirking as he saw Hidan move to drape himself over a smirking Kakuzu as he followed Itachi out of the club.

Itachi led him over to his car, Deidara not at all surprised at the expensive look though he couldn't tell what kind of car it was, something that most likely cost significantly more than his and looked significantly better to.

"I think I love you." Deidara murmured to the dark blue vehicle, caressing the top with his hand as he took in the nice sight. When he had his own showcase he'd be sure to buy a car like this, though in a nicer color like yellow or maybe a cherry red.

Itachi snorted, opening Deidara's door for him before getting in on his own side and starting the car.

"Where do you live?" Itachi asked after a few minutes of silence, biting his lip to prevent a fond grin from coming over his face at the sight of a dozing Deidara.

Chuckling quietly to himself he turned in the direction of his own apartment, sure that Deidara would have a very satisfyingly amusing reaction the next morning.