Chapter Text
Obito knows he has a problem.
Ever since that incident, Obito has become more and more aware of every movement Deidara makes — and every movement an unmated person makes.
He knows he shouldn’t act like this. No matter how society dictates it, he does not feel that omegas are below alphas or the rest of the world. They have their own rights and that extends to the freedom to choose a mate.
Oh, but it is so hard to resist when every part of his body, the bestial nature, and his instincts, call out to him to claim Deidara. Obito’s veins feel like they’re on fire every time he nears the omega and damn him for even thinking that — Deidara is not just an omega. He is a capable ninja with formidable skills and he could destroy platoons of enemy shinobi.
And he is standing right next to him, spying on a border patrol from Kirigakure.
“Look at them, hm,” Deidara says and Obito turns his head to gaze at the three shinobi, bantering and chattering amongst themselves in the night. They sit together, guard lowered, around the campfire.
“I am,” Tobi replies.
“Really look at them, hm,” Deidara says and gestures to the higher-ranked ninja among the three.
Obito squints and tries his best to see what Deidara is looking at. He seems to be unable to until Deidara nudges him in the shoulder and then he follows Deidara’s finger.
The man’s vest has a scroll woven into it.
Tobi turns to him and says, “What are we going to do?”
Deidara leans back, crossing his arms. “We can’t spook them too soon,” Deidara says. “It could be nothing.”
Obito can check if it is but he doesn’t want to ruin their fun. He nods in agreement. “Okay,” says Tobi. “So are we going to wait until they make it clear that the scroll contains something important?”
“It’s important enough that they’re hiding it,” Deidara says. “Could be the location of the Three-Tails.”
“Could be,” Tobi says. “But what if it’s not?”
“Then it will be another success in proving it’s not hidden there, hm,” Deidara says.
“Boo,” Tobi says. “Boring.”
Deidara raises an eyebrow at him.
“Come on,” says Tobi. “We should just take the scroll and see if it contains the location right now. It will save so much time.”
“I didn’t know you liked to save time, Tobi, hm,” Deidara says.
“Oh, senpai,” Tobi says, “there are a lot of things that you don’t know about me.”
“Is that so, hm?” Deidara says with a grin. Obito swears he could see the beginning of a wink, too.
One of the Kiri ninjas stands, stretching and yawning loudly. “I’m beat,” Obito sees the ninja say to his comrades. He sees the other two nod their heads as the first one retires.
The leader of the three remains by the fire, leaning closer to the remaining ninja and continuing to speak with him in a hushed tone. Obito can barely read his lips from his angle and the shadows the fire is casting is not helping him at all.
He huffs and turns to Deidara. “Are we really just going to wait, senpai?” Tobi asks.
“Yes, hm,” Deidara says and he leans back against the tree. He looks as though he’s already made himself feel comfortable.
Tobi lets out a whine and is promptly shushed by Deidara.
“Shut up,” Deidara says. “You’re going to get us found out, hm.”
Being talked to like this by an omega ruffles Obito’s senses a little but he obeys and falls quiet. He leans against the tree as well, wondering how much longer he can take this before he completely breaks. He reckons it wouldn’t take very long.
When the moon is high in the sky and the two Kiri ninja still refuse to retire to bed, Obito huffs and looks away.
“Stop,” Deidara says.
“This is boring,” he says.
“What else can we do?” Deidara snaps.
Tobi tilts his head and Deidara leans back. “Don’t,” Deidara says. “If you pull rank, I’m blowing you up into smithereens, hm.”
And thus lose the special place he has in Deidara’s mind? Obito would rather lose his dick. Somehow, this little omega’s respect means way too much to him.
He scoffs and looks back at the two ninjas, chattering merrily.
“They have an awful lot to say,” he says.
“Sometimes people tend to do that,” Deidara replies, “if they get along, yeah.”
“Like you and me?”
“You wish.”
Tobi shifts and dangles his legs. “Why don’t we just ask them what they have?”
“What?”
“Use your charms,” Tobi says.
“Oh, no,” Deidara laughs mockingly. “You did not just suggest what I think you suggested, hm.”
“Why not?”
“Why not?” Deidara echoes. “Use your alpha brain for a second, Tobi, yeah.”
Tobi purses his lips and taps his chin. “My alpha brain says it’s a very good idea.”
“Shit for brains,” Deidara mutters.
Tobi lets out a laugh that startles Deidara and he receives a nasty glare in return for his troubles. “What?” Tobi asks. “I still think it’s a good idea. Are you worried, senpai?”
“Worried? About what, hm?” Deidara retorts.
“About, you know,” Tobi says, twiddling with his fingers. He sighs after a bit and decides that it’s not such a great idea after all.
The two of them just sit on the branch then, quietly watching the two ninjas huddled around the fire. Obito tries to pay attention to their lips, turning his head this way and that, but all his twisting and turning only annoyed Deidara. He receives a slap on the arm and Obito growls.
Deidara tenses. Obito swallows and leans back against the tree, trying to calm himself.
“Senpai,” Tobi says when Deidara refuses to relax.
“Shut up,” Deidara bites back. Obito grunts at the display but holds his tongue.
Taking a deep breath, Tobi says, “Sorry, senpai.”
“I thought I told you to shut up?” Deidara says.
Obito glances at Deidara. He is digging his nails into his arms. Briefly, Obito wonders what that might mean for Deidara’s stitches.
He surprises himself with the amount of worry he feels.
“Stop it,” Deidara hisses. The hairs on his neck are raised, he is prickly and Obito finds himself reaching out. He crowds Deidara, just slightly, and Deidara – so obedient, so perfect – doesn’t move away.
Something wild and ancient runs through him and Obito reaches around to the back of Deidara’s neck. Deidara stiffens even more, arms moving, but he stops. Obito runs his fingertips against the back of Deidara’s neck, feeling around until he finds the patch of soft, sensitive skin that he has only heard stories of, and rubs.
Beneath the skin is a soft gland that an alpha would bite down on should Deidara choose to bond with one – or, well, should one choose to bond with Deidara. It should, also, relax Deidara when massaged by—
All tension leaves Deidara’s body. He sags against the bark and although he appears void of anxiety and anger, his eyes glazed and distant; Obito can tell he is upset.
Upset at him.
Gentling only works when an alpha is either the omega’s mate or—
No.
No, no. No.
Obito pulls away. Deidara lets out a quiet whine and attempts to follow Obito, but he leans away and against the tree trunk again. His body is still completely and utterly relaxed.
What he did was…
It was dangerous.
Alphas are known to be harsh against omegas, Obito knows this. He knows and yet—
Gentling, like the treatment of omegas, can be abused. Obito has heard whispers of alphas betraying an omega’s trust and massaging them into the brink of unconsciousness.
Obito bites on his tongue. He looks down at the Kiri ninjas. They remain unaware of their presence, but they have stopped talking. Obito takes a deep breath.
Deidara’s scent fills his senses. It is thick and it wants.
“Senpai…” Tobi begins but Deidara grunts. It is a weak little thing, holding no power, but Obito understands.
There is no need to say anything.
As the sun begins to rise and the other ninja claims he will head to bed, the tension in Deidara’s body returns. Obito refrains from gentling him again.
The leader of the patrol stands when the first shinobi awakens.
“Ready to turn in?” the shinobi asks.
“In a bit,” replies the leader. He pats at his chest. “You’ll make sure this is safe, right?”
“Of course, boss,” the shinobi says. “Can’t have them thinking we can’t track a great big beast, can we?”
The leader grins and nods once. “I knew I could count on you, buddy,” he says. He stands from his spot at the fireplace and gives his teammate a pat on the shoulder.
Obito turns to look at Deidara. Deidara doesn’t say anything. He doesn’t even look at the Kiri ninjas.
He waits until Deidara glances at him and gives him a nod. Deidara ignores him but he can feel something sour at the back of his throat.
He hops down the tree and waits until the Kiri leader retires in one of their makeshift tents.
The fight is quick and easy. The only one capable of putting up a fight wasn’t even a challenge. The other two were easy to kill, defenseless and unguarded as they were. Obito rips the scroll out from its hidden compartment and climbs back up the tree.
Deidara sits alone, arms wrapped around himself.
“I got the scroll, senpai,” Tobi says.
Deidara only shakes his head in response.