Second Installment.
Woot!
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters.
The rain falls lazily on the roof. The symphony of the storm lulls him into semi-awareness. The softness of the bed, the warmth of the air, and the cold counter-note of the window all serve to create a cocoon. Maybe, he'll emerge as a butterfly- a butterfly with black wings and red accents, all intertwined with intricate, white designs. He'll be beautiful and wretched and, somehow, justified (or is it justifiable?).
The door groans before giving easy entrance to the intruder. But he's never an intruder, so Sasuke continues to think sublimely on his other existence. He will beat his wings in soft motions and only alight on the most beautiful flowers. He will sip nectar and bask in the sun. Soon enough, in his day dream, the rain filters in and suddenly his wings are damp and sticking; the sun obscured by heavy clouds. He sighs and suddenly he can't see beyond the white fog of his breath.
Itachi joins his brother, wrapping his warms arms around the rigid form. He can feel his brother relax, but the other's eyes remain locked on the outer world. Itachi can only see the pensive expression in the window that, for a moment, he mistakes for his own. "What are you thinking about?" He asks, stroking Sasuke's left shoulder slightly, his arms still locked.
"Being a butterfly." Sasuke admits, unabashed. Sasuke can feel the roll of his brother's laughter, which serves to relax his muscles. He rests his head on the crook of his brother's arm, the stroking fingers now caught within the human cage.
"We're Japanese," Itachi begins, rolling his head to the side so that his forehead is pressed against Sasuke's exposed neck. He inhales deeply before continuing, "It was a Chinese Philosopher's dream to be a butterfly."
"He became a butterfly." Sasuke corrects, half-heartedly, and then his face becomes much more set, his mind searching for the story. "He became a butterfly and never knew if he was either once a man who dreamt of being butterfly or was always a butterfly that dreamt of being a man."
Itachi can feel the heat of Sasuke, pressing against his forehead and creeping down towards his nose and lips. He can feel one of Sasuke's hands touch his elbow, indirectly doing so as it scratches an itch on Sasuke's cheek. His captured hand moves to meet it and their fingers hook awkwardly. "Don't turn into a butterfly on me." Itachi demands, but immediately regrets his greediness. "Well, would you want to be a butterfly?"
"Only if you were one too Aniki." Sasuke concedes after a few thoughtful moments. Somewhere, maybe the room off, Itachi's phone begins ringing. Itachi extricates himself and goes in search of the obtrusive device. Sasuke, deciding he's hungry, makes his way to the kitchen.
Maybe…
Maybe he had been a butterfly that has gotten his wish to be man.
Or maybe…
Or maybe he'd rather have a peanut butter sandwich.
The rain continues for another two days.