Part 18: Epilogue

Ages 1/6:

Sasuke: Crying nonstop.

Itachi: Picks the baby up from the crib and rocks him back and forth in his arms. "Shh.. Shh… What's wrong, Otouto?"

Sasuke: Releases a cacophony of baby noises.

Itachi: Laughs and taps the boy's forehead. Then, murmurs. "What are you going on about?"

Sasuke: More baby noises. And a squeal.

Itachi: Traces circles along the red cheek with his index finger. "Are you hungry? Is that why you're crying?"

Sasuke: Small hands grip onto that finger and stick it into his mouth. Sucks voraciously.

Itachi: "Silly, Otouto. My finger is not a bottle."

Ages 2/7:

Sasuke: "'niki!"

Itachi: Looks up from his hunched over form on the porch, anger slipping from his face at the adorable chubby face staring at him. "What are you doing out of your crib, Otouto?" Bends over and picks him up, setting him in his lap.

Sasuke: Tiny hands clasp onto Itachi's face, one on each cheek. "'niki, love! Love!"

Itachi: "Hmm? You came all the way out here to tell me you love me?"

Sasuke: Nods enthusiastically. Toothy grin.

Itachi: "Would you love me if I was a big meanie?"

Sasuke: Attempts a kiss. Wobbles. Slobbers all over Itachi's cheek.

Itachi: Huffs with amusement. "Thank you, Otouto. You're sweet."

Ages 3/8:

Thud. Thud. Thud.

Itachi: "Where are you running off to, Otouto?"

Sasuke: Smack. Entire body hits Itachi at the main entrance. Falls back onto his bum. "'niki! I missed you!"

Itachi: Eyes soften. "Were you coming to greet me at the door? So thoughtful."

Sasuke: Toothy grin. Round, red cheeks. Doesn't care that he's completely naked.

Kaa-san: "Sasuke-chan, come back here! You need to stop running away during your bath time!"

Sasuke: Giggles and pushes himself back onto his tiny feet. Hides behind Itachi's legs. "Shhh. Hide me, 'niki."

Itachi: Snorts. "You're such a troublemaker, Otouto."

Hides him nonetheless.

Ages 4/9:

Sasuke: "'niki, where did you go?"

Itachi: "To school, Otouto."

Sasuke: "Can I go with you, too?"

Itachi: Pats head. "Not yet. You're too young."

Sasuke: Hopeful eyes. "I can hide in your backpack. Like a little pet. I saw it in a cartoon today."

Itachi: Perplexed stare before bursting into laughter.

Sasuke: Eyes light up.

Itachi: "I wish I could, watashi no ai. Maybe when you're older, I'll keep you all to myself."

Sasuke: "Okay. Don't forget, 'niki."

Itachi: "I would never."

Ages 5/10:

Sasuke: "Aniki, can you read me a story, please?"

Itachi: Looks up from his homework at the short silhouette in the hallway. Immediately stands up, padding toward the little figure. "Of course, Otouto. Are you having trouble sleeping?" Picks the boy up and walks them to his room.

Sasuke: Rubs his eyes. "It's just… I haven't seen you all day."

Itachi: Pauses in lowering the boy onto the mattress. "You're right, Otouto. It has been a long day. Aniki is sorry."

Sasuke: Pouts. "It's okay."

Itachi: Grabs a book and joins Sasuke under the covers, tucking the boy to his side "You didn't force yourself to stay awake just to wait for me, did you?"

Sasuke: Whispers. "...Would you be mad if I did?"

Itachi: "Of course not. I'm honored, Otouto."

Sasuke: "I would be sad if you were mad at me…."

Itachi: Bends down and kisses the boy's forehead. "How can I be mad at you when I love you so much?"

Sasuke: Giggles and digs his face into Itachi's side.

Itachi: "Once upon a time, there was a little girl who wore a red cape…."

Ages 6/11:

Sasuke: Folds his arms as his little body slouches against the couch.

Kyuubi: "Oh my goodness, is this your baby brother? He's freaking adorable! Like a baby Itachi."

Sasuke: Blows a raspberry in Kyuubi's direction.

Kyuubi: Laughs maniacally.

Itachi: Growls. "I did not bring you over so you can ogle him."

Kyuubi: Whistles lowly. "Someone is extra touchy."

Sasuke: "Aniki, why is his hair that color?"

Itachi: Huffs, smirking at the blonde who looked offended. "It's because he has poor taste, Otouto."

Sasuke: "Oh." Accepts the answer.

Kyuubi: Sputters. "You guys are mean!"

Ages 7/12:

Sasuke: "Aniki… can I sleep in your bed tonight?"

Itachi: Looks up from toweling off his hair. "Why? Is everything okay, Otouto?"

Sasuke: Whimpers and grips tightly onto his stuffed weasel. "I want to sleep with you."

Itachi: Eyes soften. "Mochiron, watashi no ai. Whenever you desire."

Sasuke: Climbs into bed automatically. Voice muffled underneath the sheets as Itachi approaches. "I had another bad dream."

Itachi: Slides into bed and immediately gets an armful of the boy. "Do you want to tell Aniki what it was about?"

Sasuke: Voice croaks. "You died."

Itachi: Frowns and begins stroking the boy's back. "Well, that isn't right, Otouto. I still have a lifetime to spend with you, remember? How could I possibly leave before you?"

Sasuke: Body trembling. Muffled sobs. "I don't want you to leave me."

Itachi: "I will never leave you, Otouto. Not even if you begged or screamed at me to leave. I will always find my way back to you."

Sasuke: "You promise?"

Itachi: "I promise, Sasuke."

Ages 8/13:

Itachi: "What are you doing in there, Otouto? Open the door right this instant."

Sasuke: "Just a minute!"

Itachi: Growls. "Not in a minute. Right now."

Sasuke: Swings door wide open, frosting all over the lower half of his face.

Itachi: Eases up, but pretends to be upset. "You have never locked your bedroom door before. What kinds of unspeakable things are you doing in there?"

Sasuke: Eyes widen in fear. "N-Nothing! I didn't realize I locked it."

Itachi: Gaze flickers over the boy's shoulders. Ascertains there's no one inside, except for the culprit sitting on the nightstand. Leans forward until he's inches from the boy's face and whispers, teasingly. "If you were doing nothing, why is there chocolate frosting all over your face?"

Sasuke: Gasps. Hands come up to cover his mouth.

Itachi: Holds in his laughter. "Didn't I tell you to not eat sweets before dinner, Sasuke? And yet, here you are with a half eaten cake. That cake was for your birthday, you know?"

Sasuke: Drops his hands. Knows he wouldn't be able to hide the evidence anyway. "I couldn't help it! It was calling to me!"

Itachi: No longer able to stave off laughter. "Why are you so cute?"

Sasuke: Pouts. "I'm not in trouble, right? You did say it was mine."

Itachi: Laughter finally dies. "That depends. Are you going to share that cake with me?"

Sasuke: Eyes light up. Nods enthusiastically with a huge grin.

Itachi and Sasuke: Sitting side-by-side on the rug, backs propped against the side of the bed. Passes the fork back and forth, each taking a bite at a time.

Sasuke: "Aniki?"

Itachi: "Hmm?"

Sasuke: Cocks head. "What did you think I was doing in my room? You sounded panicky."

Itachi: Shakes his head free of unfounded worries. "Nandemonaiya, Otouto."

Ages 9/14:

Sasuke: "Aniki, I'm home!"

Itachi: "Welcome home, Otouto. How was sch- Who did that to your face?"

Sasuke: Shrinks back with big eyes. Clutches the bump on his temple. "It was no one."

Itachi: Looms over Sasuke and hisses. "Tell me who, Otouto. Right now."

Sasuke: "It was an accident, Aniki. We were playing."

Itachi: Growls. "That's not playing."

Sasuke: Lower lip quivers. "We were running and bumped heads. It was an accident."

Itachi: Snaps. "But you're hurt."

Sasuke: Sad eyes. "Am I not cute anymore?"

Itachi: Taken aback. Anger multiplies. "What? Did someone tell you that?"

Sasuke: "No…. I just want to know, Aniki."

Itachi: Relents. "You are the cutest person in the universe, and whoever says that you're not is blind as a fucking bat."

Sasuke: Smiles, hand dropping from his forehead. "Aniki, you're so nice to me."

Itachi: Grunts. "You're the only one I'm nice to. Come, Otouto. Let's go ice it in my room. You can sleep with me tonight."

Sasuke: "Yay!"

Ages 10/15:

Itachi: "Why didn't you say anything?!"

Sasuke: Shrinks underneath the glare. "I didn't want to worry you."

Itachi: Enraged. "You have a fever over 102! What were you thinking- trying to go to school like that?"

Sasuke: Starts crying, cheeks redder than a cherry. "I'm s-sorry, A-Aniki! I didn't m-mean to."

Itachi: "What would you have done if I didn't chase after you, huh? What if you had fainted on the street or what if you were kidnapped? Have you ever thought of that?"

Sasuke: Rubs his red eyes. Sobs harder. "'niki… 'n-niki, s-sorry, I-I'm s-sorry."

Itachi: Glare falters. "Lay down right now, Otouto."

Sasuke: Does as he's told, tears streaming down his face. "Please d-don't be mad at m-me."

Itachi: Takes temperature again. Fever spikes. Worry invades his entire being. "I… I'm not mad, Otouto. I'm concerned. Now, stop crying, or your fever is going to get worse."

Sasuke: "Y-You're not mad?"

Itachi: Shakes head.

Sasuke: "You promise?"

Itachi: Closes his eyes and breathes through his nose. "Yes, watashi no ai. Now lay down. I'm going to put some cold towels on you."

Sasuke: Whispers. "Okay…. I love you." Falls into a slumber.

Itachi: Stutters to a halt. Stares at the boy's tear-stricken features. "I love you, too, Otouto."

Ages 11/16:

Itachi: "You disgusting piece of filth! What kind of hideous, freakshow tunnel did you crawl out of?" Slams foot into the man's side. "If you can't keep your shitty hands to yourself, then maybe I'll give you a fucking pipe to shove up your hole and see if the sun still fucking shines on your end. Is that what you need, you derelict piece of trash?"

Sasuke: Whimpers from behind Itachi. Clutches onto his uniform. "A-Aniki, I want to go home."

Itachi: Glances over his shoulders briefly before returning his attention to the curled up man beneath his foot. Hisses underneath his breath. "You touch him again and I'll cut off all of your twitchy, little fingers. I'll chop off an arm and leg for bonus points."

Sasuke: Grip tightens on Itachi's jacket. "A-Aniki."

Itachi: Throws an arm around Sasuke's shoulder and glues him to his side. Voice automatically grows gentle and soft, coaxing. "Let's go home, Otouto."

Ages 12/17:

Sasuke: Cocks head. "Aniki, what are you doing at the end of our street? Did you come to greet me?"

Itachi: Gaze settles over Sasuke's shoulders. "Who the flying fuck are you?"

Sasuke: Eyebrows raise in question and looks behind him. Brows furrow. "Do I know you?"

Blonde girl: "N-No… I- I just… wanted… I wanted to confe-"

Itachi: Interrupts crudely. "You are unbelievable. The day my Otouto looks your way is the day pigs fly. Grow wings and shit. Fairytale crap. So no."

Sasuke: Gawks.

Blonde girl: Bursts into tears and turns away, running down the street.

Sasuke: "What was that all about?"

Itachi: Smiles sweetly. "Nothing important, Otouto. How was your day?"

Ages 13/18:

Sasuke: "No!" Backs away.

Itachi: Frowns heavily. "Why won't you give me a hug?"

Sasuke: Scowls. "Stay where you are."

Itachi: Feet pause in the middle of the boy's room. Frustrated. "Why?"

Sasuke: Nose wrinkles. Hisses. "You smell funny. I don't like it."

Itachi: "What?" Takes a whiff of his arm. Smells nothing, but hotel soap and some foreign cologne on his clothes. "Oh."

Sasuke: Still glowering in the corner.

Itachi: "Would it help if I took a shower right now?"

Sasuke: "Please do."

Itachi: Turns to head out, but pauses briefly. "Will you give me a hug after?"

Sasuke: "If you don't smell anymore."

Ages 14/19:

Sasuke: "Woah."

Itachi: Turns his head to hide a smile.

Sasuke: Traces back tattoo with a finger, eyes widened in awe. "When did you get this? Why didn't you tell me?"

Itachi: "Did you want me to strip in front of you, Sasuke? So scandalous."

Sasuke: Drops his hands with a huff. "Stop it with the puns, Aniki! I swear you get worse every year."

Itachi: Chuckles quietly. "I can't help myself. You're so easy to ruffle."

Sasuke: Mutters. "Your self control sucks ass then."

Itachi: "Language, Sasuke."

Sasuke: "Hmph. Your potty mouth is a million times worse than mine, and I have to watch my language?"

Itachi: "I'm older. I can do as I please."

Sasuke: Mumbles. "Wow…"

Ages 15/20:

Itachi: Picks up cutlery. "So is this like our first date?"

Sasuke: Scowls lightly. Tired of his antics.

Itachi: "Should I put it in my calendar so we can celebrate our future anniversaries together?"

Sasuke: Annoyed. "What in god's name are you talking about?"

Itachi: Fake hurt written all over his face. "Otouto, didn't you invite me to dinner to confess your long-standing feelings for me?"

Sasuke: Looks embarrassed. Hisses underneath his breath. "You invited yourself to dinner. If you hadn't noticed, this is a freshman gathering, Aniki. NOT for college students. And everyone is freaking staring at us."

Itachi: Waves his hand in dismissal. "I came for your protection."

Sasuke: Looks at him incredulously. "Oh my god… don't tell me you're on crack or something?"

Itachi: Frowns. "Don't be ridiculous, Sasuke. If I was dosed up, I wouldn't be able to protect you."

Sasuke: Resigns.

Itachi: Munches on his chicken happily.

Rest of the crowd: Stares wide-eyed.

Ages 16/21:

Sasuke: "Aniki, is that you?" Turns on lights.

Itachi: Stumbles, dropping his keys by the foyer. "Otouto?"

Sasuke: Suddenly finds himself in a firm embrace. "Where have you been? Are you drunk?"

Itachi: Groans. "Otouto, I've missed you."

Sasuke: "If you missed me, then you should have come home instead of making me wait up for you."

Itachi: Slurs. "Y-You waited up for me?"

Sasuke: "What else was I going to do? Go out and party?"

Itachi: Pushes himself upright and settles strangely focused eyes on Sasuke. "NO. No parties for my Otouto…." Mutters. "Too dangerous… too many fucking creeps…."

Sasuke: Rolls his eyes. "Let's just get you to bed."

Itachi: Sags against Sasuke's body. "You're going to sleep with me tonight?" Hopeful.

Sasuke: Scoffs. "Of course not. You smell like a beer factory."

Itachi: "..."

Sasuke: Helps him into the bathroom. "Why did you drink so much?"

Itachi: Frowns, eyes concentrating on the tiled floor. "I was sad…."

Sasuke: "What made you sad?"

Itachi: "You said… You said I was being an asshole to you, but I wasn't. I was protecting you. I was just protecting you. Damn fucking scumbags. I didn't do it to be mean. I just wanted you safe and at home."

Sasuke: Sighs. "I don't know when you got it in your head that you need to protect me. Just forget about it, Aniki."

Itachi: Frowns. "You're mine to protect."

Sasuke: "...Uh huh. Whatever you say, Itachi-nii."

Itachi: Mumbles.

Ages 17/22:

Stranger: "Who the hell are you? Why are you here?"

Sasuke: Startled, backs up a step. Ready to close the door on the man. "This is my house."

Stranger: "No, it's not. I followed him home. He disappeared into this house."

Sasuke: Confused. Who the hell did he think he was coming to his house and lashing out? Straightens.

Stranger: Snarls. "He's mine. He was just playing hard to get. You must be a side piece. A nobody."

Sasuke: Understanding settling in. "Oh." Vindictiveness settling in. Jealousy flaring. "You're mistaken. It's his hobby to fuck miscreants when he's bored. I think he was at 23 the other day, so I guess that makes you number 24. It's so hard to find decent lays these days." Sighs.

All those years of listening to his Aniki curse out people helped him out a lot.

Stranger: Livid. Takes a step back ready to lunge.

Sasuke: Produces a glock from the side cabinet and places it between the stranger's eyes. "My Aniki likes to be prepared, you see. Sometimes, people just don't know how to take no for an answer."

Stranger: Runs like his pants are on fire.

Sasuke: Mumbles underneath his breath. "Stupid Aniki."

Ages 18/23:

Sasuke: Overhears mumbling downstairs.

Kyuubi: "Good fucking lord, you have been whipped for so long, you don't even recognize it anymore."

Itachi: Hisses. "Shut the fuck up."

Kyuubi: "Are you sure it's just the brocon thing in action? I swear, when you look at him, it's like your world stops." Snickers. "That's so cheesy."

Itachi: Smacks Kyuubi on the head. "Fuck you."

Kyuubi: "Ow! The fuck? Stop getting violent every time I say something you disagree with. Geez."

Sasuke: "Aniki, are you home?" Glances in the living room. Perks up. "Welcome back."

Itachi: "I'm home, Otouto."

Sasuke: Eyes flicker over to Kyuubi. "I'm cooking dinner. Are you going to eat at home today?"

Itachi: "Absolutely."

Kyuubi: Mumbles on the side. "What am I: a statue?"

Itachi: "Keep your trap shut, and maybe, if we're lucky, you'll turn into one."

Kyuubi: Lower lip juts out. "Words can hurt, you know."

Ages 19/24 (Present):

Sasuke woke up early for once. For some reason, his body was urging him to awaken from his slumber as if there was something important waiting for him. With a final groan, he opened his eyes, blinking away the sleep while he turned over to locate his Aniki.

Sure enough, Itachi was still asleep next to him, his quiet breaths bouncing back and forth between their bodies. Sasuke's lips twitched. It was rare when he was able to watch his Aniki sleep. It was usually the other way around.

"You're such a handful," he whispered adoringly. Itachi's arm had remained around his waist for the entire night, refusing to budge even if Sasuke tried lifting it.

The boy looked down and began his morning routine of doing just that, but he stopped dead in his tracks when he spotted a foreign object on his left ring finger. An inaudible gasp escaped his lips, and his forehead crinkled in confusion as he brought his hand up to his face and stared at it with laserbeams.

It was an obsidian matte wedding band. Engraved along the outer rim of the ring were three little words, dainty and beautiful: watashi no ai.

Sasuke's breath hitched at the back of his throat, and it was at that moment that fingers filled his vision, entwining with the decorated palm in front of him. The boy's gaze flickered over to his Aniki, who's eyes were now wide open, staring at him with such intensity that it made it difficult for him to breathe.

"I realized you've asked me to be your valentine for so many years, but I've never asked you, Otouto. So I'm asking you now. Will you be my valentine forever? Not just this year or next, but for the rest of our lives and the lifetimes to come? I promise to love you each and every day. I promise to do my best to be a person worthy of your love. I want to spend eternity with you, Sasuke. Please say yes."

Sasuke choked back a sob, fingers gripping tightly onto Itachi's. "Why do you always do this to me?" he groaned, digging his face into Itachi's chest to hide his tear-stricken gaze.

"...Is that a no?"

"It's a yes, Aniki. You idiot."

Itachi's smile glowed brighter than the sun. Then, in a teasing voice, he added, "Good, because it's a matching set, and I'm already wearing mine."

Sasuke huffed as if the man said something he expected and tilted his head up to kiss his Aniki. "An eternity is a long time, you know."

"Thank goodness."

Sasuke's features softened and he locked eyes with the man. His heart fluttered in his chest, causing blood to rush to his cheeks. "Thank you for loving me, Aniki," he whispered adoringly, words so full that even the apples of Itachi's cheeks were tinged a pale shade of pink.

"Mochiron, watashi no ai."