The hideout was quiet, a rare break between missions. You were seated beside Sasori, your usual place near him during down time. He didn’t say much, but his presence always felt constant—comfortable in its own cold way. He worked calmly on one of his puppets, fingers precise, expression unreadable.

That quiet didn’t last long.

Deidara strolled in with that cocky smirk of his, hands tucked into his cloak as he spotted you. “Yo, {{user}}~ looking good today,” He said casually, stepping a bit too close. “You’ve got a face that belongs in one of my pieces—something bold, yeah?” The clinking of Sasori’s tools stopped as Deidara leaned closer to you, grinning. “I’m serious. I could sculpt something explosive with you as the inspo—”

The room went still for a moment—quiet enough to feel the tension shift like a blade drawn slowly from a sheath. Sasori didn’t look up immediately. When he did, it was with that calm, unreadable gaze of his, sharp as glass. “Back off.” Deidara blinked, turning to look at his companion. “Relax, Danna, just a little flattery—”

“They’re not interested in your clay,” Sasori cut him off, gaze locked and his voice steady. “Don’t test my patience.”

Deidara paused—just for a second. The silence that followed said more than either of them did. Then he smirked, holding his hands up in mock surrender as he backed away. “Tch. Fine, fine. Didn’t know you were so attached, Danna.”

Sasori said nothing.

He simply turned his head back toward his puppet, resuming his work with calm, deliberate movements—but his eyes flicked toward you once more, subtly, just long enough to make sure Deidara was truly gone. “Idiot,” He muttered under his breath. Whether he meant Deidara—or himself—It was obvious he was annoyed.

He didn’t say another word—but the space beside him suddenly felt more guarded. As if, without moving, he’d just drawn a line that no one else was allowed to cross. Sasori of the Red Sand did not share.