DISCLAIMER: I don't own any of the characters.

AN: this is my first fanfiction, I'm not that good at english but I really tried my best here...Don't go so tough on me in the reviews...pleaaase ;-;

Characters' thoughts are written in Italic.

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21st Of December

Itachi slid the door closed behind him, stepped out of his shoes as he walked in. It was quite soothing for him to be at home after a long, very long time spent outside in a congealing weather to fulfill some troublesome ANBU missions. It was cold outside, deadly cold; snow mounted Konoha's roads, layers and layers of the thick fluffy fluid were piled on roofs and leafless Sakura trees.

Somehow, the young Uchiha made it home alive but not as sound as he seemed to be; tiredness devoured him, he felt that his knees might betray him then drop him to the floor at any time however continuing wasn't a choice but rather a must.

It made him quite happy -innerly- that he reached home safe; at least he's now able to see the angelic face that never left his mind and meet the reason of his very existence; Sasuke.

But, something deep inside was twitching painfully. Not very long ago, the entire family would wait him to return even if it was late in the night; his mother would make him the food he loved, his father would recite his usual boring lectures and most of all Sasuke -the cute drowsy Sasuke- who would run to leap over him then suffocatingly embrace him.

Now, everything has changed, even Sasuke stopped stalking him yelling "Nii-san". None will care even if he died, that was what Itachi tried to desperately admit. But he still needed Sasuke, still it hurt him being ignored that way.

Itachi walked down the hallway to the bathroom; he needed to wash away the grime, the flicks of blood on his body and the dust stuck to his sooty curls but most importantly some ease and calmness were a necessity. Once standing near the tub he ran the warm water filling it and strewed his clothes all over the floor.

One last time he gazed into the nearby mirror and honestly recognizing himself was a chore to do, each one saw him in a different way drifting apart the image he made of himself, slowly he was immerging into something he couldn't guess, he just wished Shisui to be there. He stared into his eyes; just dead black with no sign of light met his glare.

Rapidly, he stepped into the bathtub then sat -willing to wipe out his thoughts side by side to dirt- Itachi sank his almost frozen body in the steamy water. Pushing his back against the cold marble, he spew a deep sigh.

Towels tightly wrapped around his waist falling perfectly on his thighs, torso naked, wet raven hair resting peacefully on his shoulders, Itachi rushed to his room then gentility opened the door. He was dumbfounded when a lump beneath his blanket welcomed him. A smile forced its way through his lips when he saw Sasuke -the cute little Sasuke- curled up in his bed. Itachi cursed himself for recently doubting his baby brother's care and innocent love. Wiggling closer, he noticed that Sasuke was firmly clenching one of his pullovers. The sight made his heart grow sore for a reason he had to ignore.

Once in his kitten-decorated pyjamas, Itachi sneaked near Sasuke. Delicately, he rubbed his younger brother's puffy cheeks, so delicately afraid of bothering his deep slumber. Itachi was eager to hug him so tight but he had to wait, god would be upset if we bother angels during their sleep. So instead, he cradled him gently then admired his flawless features one last time before deducing it was time to rest too.

Then that tone, that spilled-honey like tone uttered hoarsely his name.

'Itachi?'

'You're awake otouto?'

Sasuke nodded then rose his gaze to meet his elder's; He could see sorrow locked behind his unsparkling glare, weariness felt obvious on his pale face, though everything, Itachi drew the usual faint smile. It made Sasuke wonder just how many times did his Nii-san fake smiles. Sasuke knew it through his trembling limbs, his frozen tips, the tone of his skin, the agitated rhythm of his breaths...He knew it well -that Itachi wasn't fine at all- but he couldn't show his solicitude, his ego said so.

'If you want to eat, food is still on the table...It's cold...Still better than nothing.'

'I don't feel like eating...but...I have...one...wish' Itachi mumbled.

Sasuke hummed tilting slightly his head, this was his manner; cold, arrogant and there was no way he could confess his feelings.

Only weaklings would surrender to their hearts.

There was one unique method to make him melt; Itachi, and even for him, bringing Sasuke to admit some feeling required hard work...

For itachi it was the cutest thing ever.

'Come closer...Otouto'

The elder whispered huskily drawing on his brother's face a light blush. Still struggling against his feelings, Sasuke rolled turning his back to his Aniki.

'No way' the younger growled.

'S-sasuke...I'm begging you' Itachi whispered as he tightened his fists on the cover pulling it above his scalp. His voice was somehow the key to unlock the bridge blocking the flow of Sasuke's feelings. The younger snuggled closer delivering his gaze away as the slight blush skulked all over his face.

'H-here' Sasuke babbled, pouting.

Wrapping Itachi felt like being poured through a giant fluffy teddy bear except few things, these included his affectionate warmth and unique scent.

Though he clutched him against his chest so firmly, Itachi was still shaking lightly, no matter how many times Sasuke inquired if he was fine, Itachi faked a smile and said it was ok.

It was hard for Sasuke to share his feelings...but way harder for Itachi to share his pain.

The sensation of his body torn apart was bothersome, luckily Sasuke was there for fond and company.

Right hand stroking his hair, left hand rubbing his back, Sasuke cuddled his Nii-san pulling him into a deep slumber.

Breaths, slowly in, slowly out Itachi sank in his dreamland. Beside being an angel in the sights of his elder, Sasuke has been also his Morpheus*.

Physically, they were close -so close- but their souls refused to unite; each scattered apart, each had his own different reason.

Itachi was too attached to his baby brother, obviously, he was ready to sacrifice himself in order to protect him. Not wanting to create more problems within their family, especially protecting Sasuke from their father's quarrelsomeness, Itachi chose isolation as a solution.

Sasuke saw his brother evading him, slowly vanishing from his sights. Afraid of getting hurt, Sasuke rushed to cut his ties with Itachi but couldn't...

It was impossible, way impossible for him to leave...instead, Sasuke wore the cool, cold boy mask chosing to pour his heart beneath it.

Their bond was an iced shell.

Both missed each other, loved each other and cared about each other.

Showing it remained a hardship from a different level.

Until that sunrise.

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Morpheus: a greek god of sleep and dreams.

AN: hope you liked it :')