Disclaimer: The characters, items, places etc of Naruto are property of Masashi Kishimoto. These objects are used without permission for entertainment only, not for making money. No infringement is intended.
Written anonymously for a gen meme at Livejournal. Well, not so anonymously now, but still. The prompt was an AU brotherly moment between Itachi and Sasuke, so here we are :)
Home Truths
By Nanaki Lioness
"Sasuke!"
Sasuke looked round from the mirror he was standing in front of, comb stopping mid-stroke at the interruption from his brother knocking on the door. He gave an irritable sigh and promptly ignored the call, returning the comb back to his hair. He would be ready when he was ready.
Outside the bathroom door, Itachi was rapidly losing his patience. They were going to a nearby bar for a single drink before heading to the movies, yet his brother always felt the need to dress up like he was attending his own wedding before stepping out the door.
"We should have left half an hour ago!" He called through when he realised he was being ignored. "You spend more time on your appearance than most females."
Sasuke ran the comb through his hair one last time, putting it down and checking his reflection. Nodding in satisfaction, he flung the door open and presented his smartly dressed self to his less than impressed sibling.
"It took you over an hour to get ready?" Itachi asked skeptically as his dark eyes swept up and down Sasuke's attire. "You don't even look that different."
"You don't look different at all," Sasuke replied sharply. "You were complaining we needed to leave without being ready yourself?"
"I am ready," Itachi protested lightly. "I'm dressed casually because we're going for a drink and a movie. It hardly calls for a dress code."
He scrutinized Sasuke a little closer, eyes narrowed in suspicion. Sasuke noticed immediately, attempting to step past him to end the non-verbal questioning but Itachi halted him with one hand on his arm
"Are you wearing make up?"
Sasuke yanked his arm free, glaring at his smirking brother. "A little bit of eyeliner has never hurt anyone."
"It hurts your credibility as a straight male."
"Says the guy who wears nail polish."
Itachi held out his painted nails with a hint of pride. "I can pull it off. You, my dearest little brother, quite simply can't."
"Didn't you want to leave?" Sasuke muttered as he brushed past and headed for the door. A tiny smile crept up on Itachi's lips as he followed, reaching out to present a little chivalry towards his brother by holding the door for him.
"Thanks," he offered genuinely once he was over the threshold. Itachi stepped over and turned to lock the door, halfway up the garden path before he finally answered.
"That's quite alright," he called over his shoulder. "Ladies first, after all."