Itachi was babysitting. His little brother sat in front of him, a small smile lacing its way along his face that was so much like their mother's. Tiny hands clenched the green fabric of his dinosaur toy, holding onto it as if his life would end if it left his sight for even one second.
The older boy let out a sigh, rubbing one hand against his eye, frowning in the face of that widening smile of his brother's. Itachi didn't understand why Sasuke looked so inexplicably happy; all that had happened was he came home, and his brother requested he watch the boy with his odd hair style.
Yet Sasuke seemed to have found the arrangement to be the best in the whole world.
"Little brother..." Instantly, the three year old wandering attention snapped onto the darker boy, eyes widening slightly, his mouth opening just a little.
"yeahh..?"
Sasuke hadn't grasped the whole "correct speech" thing yet, though his big brother didn't hold that against him; he was three, not even going on four. "You be quiet, alright? I need to finish my academy homework."
"Uh huh..."
Itachi nodded, turning away and collected the papers that littered the table he sat in front of, eyes scanning the words, taking in the questions that were pushed between words every now and then. He had just started to answer one of the first questions, when Sasuke shifted on the floor, sighing.
"Niichan?"
"Sasuke?" Most children would become irritated at being bothered, at having to babysit their younger siblings, but not Itachi. Patience streamed through his body, as he took in the happiness that lit up the younger Uchiha's face, when he was acknowledge. "are you tired?"
"Yeahh...I am." He pouted, head leaning against the stuffed toy, eyelids closing halfway. He was a baby, and his energy was easily run out, as he followed their mother around all day, attempting to help with the laundry and any other chore that wasn't a 'no-no'.
He stood, tugging on the sleeve of his brother's shirt, until the small raven stood, wobbly and with the help of Itachi. The boy was sure that Sasuke wouldn't want to walk all the way down the hall, so instead he stirred him towards the parlor, bringing him to one of the cushions.
Sasuke plopped down on it, snuggling closer to the green monster, eyes following his Niichan, as Itachi went in search of a blanket. He quickly returned, draping a blue and worn blanket over his small brother. Sasuke can't sleep without his blanket..
"Niichan..."
"Mm?"
"I lub you..." Itachi smiled down at the boy, easily understanding what was meant to be said, it lifted some of the wariness from the academic student's shoulders. Kneeling down, Itachi placed a small and feather light kiss onto his pale brother's forehead.
"I lub you too, Sasuke..."