A/N: So this year, instead of doing one massive Christmas one-shot, I am doing a series of drabbles that will run from today until a little after New Years, following the Christmases of Itachi and Sasuke through the years. Hope y'all like it!
Enjoy!
The first time Itachi could remember his brother being sad on Christmas, he was twelve years old. Sasuke was seven. They had waited up together, at the younger Uchiha's absolute insistence. The boy's little pink nose was kissed by the cold as his chubby face smashed awkwardly against the skylight window of their attic, making cloudy impressions on the glass with each excited breath.
Itachi's hands were holding firmly to his little brother's sides, and his feet placed precariously against the seat of a wobbly old chair that they'd discovered during their treasure hunt through the semi-abandoned room in search of something to stand on. Sasuke's own feet were balanced atop Itachi's shoulders, but Itachi's arms were really what was keeping him upright. Itachi was suffering through several moments of panic as the younger child squirmed with anxiety, but by some grace of god – or perhaps holiday miracle, they managed not to fall.
"What time is it now?" Sasuke whisper-yelled down to his big brother, shuffling anxiously which nearly caused them both to topple over – being saved only by the sense Sasuke had to clasp tightly onto the windowsill while Itachi clenched onto the chair with one hand, keeping the other firmly bound to Sasuke's leg.
The elder Uchiha blew out air, glancing over to the large analog clock that laid abandoned on the attic floor. His mother had banished it here several months ago – claiming that it ticked too loud to be in the presence of sane human company. At this moment, Itachi agreed with her wholeheartedly. The sound of time passing was driving him mad – not because of the obtrusive ticking noise, but because he knew how this would end, but didn't know how to explain things gently. And so, instead, found himself going along with Sasuke's plan.
"It's five past twelve," He answered with a sleepy yawn, and then – realizing what that meant, smiled, "Merry Christmas, Otouto!"
"He didn't come," Sasuke answered, sniffling loudly. Itachi felt a drop of water on his forehead and sighed, reaching his arms up higher so that they were around Sasuke's waist, allowing him to gently pull the child down and onto the chair, which they both stepped off of, sitting on the attic floor.
"Neji-Kun was right! Santa isn't real!"
In a matter of minutes, Sasuke's eyes were red and puffy, tears streaming down his chubby cheeks as he sobbed relentlessly into Itachi's chest, the older boy not knowing what to do aside from hold his brother until the crying desisted.
"Do you want to wake mother and father? We can open the presents early – I bet you've got hundreds!" He tried, knowing that it was an accurate estimate. The Uchiha family wasn't exactly unfortunate when it came to finances, and Sasuke being the youngest member of their clan was always doted on by everyone in the holiday season. Their mother alone ordered toys by the catalogue and that was without mentioning the token gifts they would receive from uncles and aunts and cousins.
It was to no avail, however. Sasuke didn't care about the presents. What he loved about Christmas was the magic and now, he had lost it. And so Itachi kept holding his little shaking body until finally, they both fell asleep.
A/N: Okay! I know they're short, but again – this is a drabble series. Be looking forward to the next installment tomorrow! Love you guys! Merry Christmas!
-Beloved