Hey all! Sorry for the slight delay. This quarter of college started a few weeks ago and threw me off, but I should be back on track now. So enjoy!
Warnings: Incest, sibling kink
A Family Affair
Chapter 18
The first thing they did when they got back to Itachi's house was take a nap. They didn't grab Sasuke's bags from where they'd loaded them in the back seat, they didn't exchange any excited or relieved expressions about how holy shit, they'd just done that!
No. They were both exhausted, mentally and physically, as the adrenaline stopped pumping through their veins and they came down from their horrifying high, realizing that they'd just walked away from that alive. So once they were parked in Itachi's driveway, Sasuke squeezed his brother's knee gently and quietly suggested:
"Why don't we go lie down for a little bit, 'kay?"
Surprisingly (or maybe not so from the look he'd seen on Itachi's face), his brother didn't even try to argue. Itachi simply nodded in agreement, saying, "Yeah, I think that sounds like a good idea."
So they got out of the car, went inside (barely remembering to lock Itachi's car or the front door behind them), and went straight to the bedroom. Where they all but collapsed into bed together, on top of the blankets and still completely clothed.
They managed to scoot close to one another so they could hold each other's hand as they laid on their backs, but that was the most cuddling either of them seemed up for, or willing to move for, at the very least. And as they lay there in the quiet stillness of the room, just listening to one another breathe, a thought crossed Sasuke's mind as he started to drift off.
"Itachi?" he asked, sure that he slurred his brother's name at least a little bit.
"Yeah?"
"Whadda we do now?"
Itachi took a long, deep breath but he didn't reply for a while. So long, in fact, that Sasuke couldn't help but wonder if his brother was thinking or if he'd just fallen asleep while pondering his question.
But just as Sasuke was giving up, just as his consciousness was swimming away from him, Itachi spoke up, giving him a mumbled answer of:
"Sleep, sweetheart. Just sleep. We'll figure the rest out later."
Sasuke was in no place to argue with that, so he nodded off without another word.
XxX
When he woke up several hours later, Sasuke was alone. He frowned, a distinct feeling of deja vu tickling him as he remembered the last time he'd woken up in Itachi's bed alone. The difference was that this time, he knew Itachi was home since he could hear his voice from down the hall—quiet, indistinct but at least there, so he didn't immediately rush to get up. Deciding instead to lay in bed for a few more minutes with his eyes closed, content to just listen to the sound of his brother's voice. At least until he couldn't ignore the beginnings of hunger gnawing at him anymore and got out of bed.
As he headed down the hall, Itachi's voice grew a little more intelligible with every step, making it obvious that he was in conversation with someone. And by the time Sasuke made it to the living room, he could see Itachi sitting on the couch with his phone pressed to his ear as he spoke.
"Yes, I recognize it's very last minute," Itachi said quietly, not having noticed Sasuke yet. "But the situation is—" He stopped mid-sentence, nodding in understanding as he listened intently to whoever was on the other end of the line before his shoulders slumped. "No, I understand; I'll try them instead, thank you."
Itachi sighed as he pulled his phone away from his ear and Sasuke took that as his cue to go see what was up.
"Everything okay?" Sasuke asked, walking over. He leaned against the back of the couch next to where Itachi was sitting.
"Yes," Itachi said, glancing his way. "Everything's fine. I'm just…"
He lifted his phone briefly as if the mere sight of it would explain everything.
"Who were you talking to?"
"A moving company," Itachi answered. Then he laughed and rolled his eyes. "Or I should say, another moving company. I've been trying for the last — he glanced down at the readout on his phone — hour or so to see if I can find someone who can, ideally, help us get moved out of here before the end of the week. But, so far…" He tossed his phone down on the cushion next to him. "I haven't had any luck."
"Oh, I'm sorry," Sasuke said, frowning. "How many places have you called so far?"
"Three," Itachi sighed. "And the ones I just talked to gave me the name of a fourth one to try. So…"
Itachi reached over to grab his phone so he could unlock it and open his internet browser, quickly typing in the name of the company, Akimichi Movers. One of the first results that populated on the screen was the location of their business on a map of the village with their phone number listed below. Itachi tapped on the number and the screen transitioned to show the number typed in, ready to dial. But he didn't hit the call button immediately. Instead, Itachi took a deep breath as if he were preparing himself for further rejection.
"Do you want me to call them?" Sasuke offered, reaching out to rub Itachi's back gently as he realized how stressed his brother was over this.
Itachi looked over at him, smiling appreciatively.
"It's okay," he answered. "After all, you just got up, so I'm sure you're hungry. It's been hours since breakfast."
"No, I'm—"
Fine, Sasuke started to argue.
Before he could get the word out, though, his stomach growled. Refusing to let him lie.
Itachi chuckled. "It's okay, Sasuke, really," he insisted. "Go make yourself something to eat, I'll take care of this."
Sasuke made a face, unhappy that he wasn't able to be of more help to his brother and ready to try to argue but when his stomach growled again, louder this time, he rolled his eyes.
"Alright, alright; I get it already!" Sasuke grumbled at his stomach after he pushed himself away from the couch so he could head to the kitchen. Itachi stood up from the couch as he went, laughing harder.
"Let me just make this last call, okay?" Itachi said, following behind Sasuke. He put his arm around Sasuke's waist so he could give him a little hug when Sasuke opened the refrigerator to see what he wanted to eat. "Then we can watch a movie or something."
"Sure," Sasuke said, looking his way. "But don't worry. If you need to call some other places, go ahead. I'll still be here when you're done; it's not like I'm going anywhere."
"Hmm, I suppose you're right," Itachi replied, smiling fondly as he considered Sasuke's statement. The fact that he wasn't going anywhere anymore, that he didn't have to leave, that they weren't confined to a few stolen hours or minutes or moments. "But still — he kissed the side of Sasuke's head — I'll try to be quick."
"Okay," Sasuke said softly, leaning into his brother. Enjoying the way Itachi gave him an extra little squeeze before he detached himself so he could make his call and Sasuke could get back to his mission of finding something to eat.
As Itachi walked away, Sasuke saw him put his phone to his ear. There was a brief silence before he heard Itachi take a breath.
"Yes, hello—this is Itachi Uchiha, and I'm hoping you'll be able to help me. You see…"
Itachi continued to explain some of their situation as he paced back and forth beside the couch. Not necessarily in an anxious manner, at least from what Sasuke could tell. He just seemed like he needed to move, which Sasuke smiled at every time he caught sight of Itachi in the corner of his eye as he made a sandwich, listening to his brother's half of what seemed to be turning into as equally disappointing a conversation as his previous call had been until—
"You do? When?" Itachi asked, stopping mid-stride, eyes wide in surprise.
Sasuke turned to look at him, eyebrow arched in curiosity, but Itachi didn't move. Didn't even glance Sasuke's way. He was staring at a point off in the distance, fiddling with the hem of his shirt, his expression slowly falling due to whatever he heard.
"There isn't anything else this week?" he asked the person on the phone. After a beat, Itachi shook his head. "No, no; I'll make it work," he said quickly, confidently before adding, "Thank you!"
As soon as he pulled his phone away from his ear, though, Itachi's shoulders slumped a little and he reached up to run a hand through his hair, pulling his hair tie out so that his hair spilled down over his shoulders and back. Clearly frustrated but trying not to show it.
So Sasuke decided to give his brother a few seconds to collect himself before he asked, "Everything okay? It sounded like they had something available, yeah?"
"Yeah," he confirmed. "Yeah, they had one opening this week because someone canceled, but…" Itachi slipped his hair tie around his wrist as he turned to look at him and sighed. "It's for the day after tomorrow."
"Tuesday?" Sasuke said, raising his eyebrows. "That's fast."
"I know," Itachi agreed. "But it's either that or we wait another two weeks at this point before any place has an opening. And I don't know about you, but…" He gave Sasuke a knowing look. "I think it might be best not to stick around here for too long after whatever's going to happen tomorrow."
Sasuke blinked.
"Yeah, I…"
He trailed off, taken aback by the sudden revelation that tomorrow was still looming in front of them. That what they'd gone through so far still wasn't enough. That something in the universe seemed unwilling to let them catch a break.
He put his hand on the counter to steady himself.
"I hadn't even had time to think about that yet, but you're right," Sasuke muttered quietly. "But, Itachi…" He looked around them skeptically. "Can we even get all this packed up in, what—a day, day and a half?"
"No way," Itachi admitted, stepping forward. "But we can get the most important things packed. Then we'll have them move our bed and some of the bigger things that we won't be able to move ourselves, and then — Itachi shrugged — then we'll come back for the rest while I deal with whatever I need to for the house."
Sasuke nodded slowly, considering that. Trying not to let how quickly his head was spinning from the knowledge of how little time they had make him panic. Itachi wasn't panicking, after all, which had to be a good sign. So he had to trust that his brother had this under some kind of control.
"Okay," Sasuke said. "Then we should start packing as soon as we can. Do you have any supplies?"
"No, although…" Itachi checked the time on his phone. "If I leave right now, I should be able to get over to the store before they close and pick some stuff up."
"Alright, that sounds like a good idea," Sasuke replied. "Just give me a minute then and I'll go with you."
Itachi shook his head. "It's okay, Sasuke, you don't need to. You still need to eat, so I can just go by myself."
Sasuke glanced over at his half-made sandwich, frowning.
"But—"
"Hey, it's no big deal," Itachi said easily, walking over to Sasuke. He smiled when he stopped in front of him. "I'll only be gone an hour, at most. I promise."
Sasuke made a little face, unhappy with the development, but when Itachi caressed his cheek he couldn't stop himself from leaning into the touch.
"Okay, okay," he muttered reluctantly, holding up his hands in surrender. "I'll stay. Just promise me something, okay?"
"Anything," Itachi said without hesitation.
Sasuke smiled lightly. He reached forward so he could tuck some of Itachi's hair behind his ear, admiring the silky strands as they slipped over his fingers.
"Be safe," he whispered, laying his hand on Itachi's chest. "Just be safe, babe."
His brother made a pleased noise as he nodded, pressing his lips together—trying (and failing) to suppress the grin that was pulling at his lips from Sasuke's endearment and concern.
"Always, sweetheart," Itachi replied. "Now, I better go before it's too late."
He leaned forward to drop a quick kiss on Sasuke's lips before stepping away so he could grab his jacket and keys, and slip on his shoes. Once he had, he pulled open the door and stepped out, immediately pulling the hair tie off his wrist so he could put his hair back up once he was outside of the safety of the house. Sasuke followed behind him, holding the door open as he watched his brother's practiced movements. Once his bun was secure, Itachi threw Sasuke a backward glance.
"I love you," he said, smiling.
"I love you, too," Sasuke replied, watching as Itachi got into his car and backed out of the driveway before he drove off.
Only then, once he couldn't see his brother's car anymore, did Sasuke finally shut the door, turning the lock until it clicked quietly into place before he turned around. Taking in the sudden emptiness of the house around him.
Realizing that, for the first time in several days, he was alone.
Like alone alone.
Left with only a sandwich and his thoughts. Neither of which he particularly wanted anything to do with right now.
But after surveying the desolate quiet and stillness around him for another minute, Sasuke forced himself to go back into the kitchen so he could finish making his sandwich. Because, he told himself, Itachi was right; he needed to eat. Especially if he wanted to be any help whatsoever when his brother got back. And because it was the only thing he could think to do to try to keep his thoughts at bay.
About what had happened.
About what was still going to happen.
About—
"Shut up," Sasuke chided himself, pressing the top piece of bread onto his sandwich with more force than was strictly necessary. "Just stop thinking about it and go eat."
So he did. Sasuke took his plate, headed back into the living room, and plopped down on the couch after he grabbed the remote and turned on the TV. Intent to just mindlessly watch the first thing that caught his attention as he waited for his brother to return.
But with every bite he took, with every new channel he changed to, Sasuke's focus began to fade. His eyes began to wander. His thoughts began to slip through the cracks, popping up, one after another until he was bombarded with the constant, quiet reminders that Naruto was going to tell. That everyone was going to know. That everything was going to change.
And that he would have to watch it all happen right in front of him.
He didn't know if he could do it, though. If he could sit idly by while the last scraps of his life in the village were torn away from him, if he could listen to whatever Naruto was going to say or do or show to try and prove his point; to try and pervert his relationship with Itachi into something it wasn't.
He didn't know if he could make it through tomorrow at all. Through graduation. Through the humiliation of the stares, the whispers, the judgments. Of the ridicule that would be made at his expense just to see him ashamed. Of himself, of his brother, of the tiny shred of happiness they had carved out for themselves and were holding onto.
And why should I have to? Asked a calm, defiant voice deep inside him. Why should I have to go? Why should I have to deal with it?
It was a good question. A really good question, honestly. But it led Sasuke to another:
Could he do it? Not existentially speaking, but practically—actually. Could he just decide to say to hell with it and skip his entire graduation?
He wasn't sure, but the question alone was enough to pull him from his thoughts so he could fish his phone out of his pocket, open up his contacts and call the first person that came to mind to ask. Sakura seemed to know everything else, after all. So, why wouldn't she know about this, too?
After a couple of rings, the line opened and Sakura answered.
"Hey, what's up?"
"Hey," Sasuke said quickly, grabbing the remote to turn off the TV. "I'm so glad you answered. I wanted to ask you something—about tomorrow, I mean."
"Oh, sure," Sakura replied. Then she laughed. "Actually, I was planning to call you later to talk about tomorrow, too, so maybe we're both thinking about the same thing."
Sasuke raised an eyebrow skeptically as he muttered, "Yeah, I wouldn't be so sure about that."
There was a beat of silence.
"Okay…" Sakura said slowly. She continued a little more hesitantly. "Then what did you want to ask me about?"
Sasuke pressed his lips together, thinking about the best way that he could broach the subject as he quickly began to regret calling Sakura, of all people, to ask. Not because he didn't think she would know, but because he was remembering, far too late, that she'd been so excited about graduation that she'd been on nearly every planning committee that had anything remotely to do with the topic.
So, he didn't know how well this would go or how angry she would be. But since he was already here, Sasuke didn't really have much choice but to just get it over with. She'd find out eventually, after all.
"Well, I just wanted to ask. Would it be, hypothetically, possible for someone to…" He waved his hand in the air. "Oh, I don't know, not attend graduation?"
"Sure," Sakura answered easily. Her tone laid back, unsuspecting. At least at first. "We have a few people that aren't going to be there. They're just going to pick up their diplo…ma—wait, are you asking because you're thinking about not going?"
Sasuke cleared his throat.
"I didn't say that."
"No, but you certainly didn't not say it."
Sasuke rolled his eyes. "That doesn't even make sense," he shot back.
"Sasuke…" Sakura said his name carefully, almost ominously. Sasuke sighed.
"Okay, yeah," he admitted. "I've been thinking about it and I…don't think I wanna go."
"But why?" Sakura asked immediately. "I thought we were gonna do a whole thing for it? I mean, that's what we planned a few months ago."
"Yeah, that was what we planned a few months ago," Sasuke repeated. "But things have, you know, changed. Very recently."
Over the line, he heard Sakura draw in a breath and he was sure she was going to demand to know what things? but she let it out in a little huff as she answered her own question. As if she just remembered what she'd heard firsthand a couple of days ago.
"Right. Naruto…"
"Bingo," Sasuke muttered. "So, I just don't really feel up to it. You know, I feel like I can do better things with my time while I wait for him to ruin the rest of my life, or — he rolled his eyes — whatever his plan is."
"No, yeah, I understand that."
"Plus, after this morning I really don't—"
"Wait—what happened this morning?" Sakura interrupted. "Did you run into him? Did he come over there? Are you okay?"
"No, no; I'm fine. I haven't seen him or anything," Sasuke answered, waving away her concern although he still appreciated it.
"Then what happened?"
"We—Itachi and I, we, uh…" Sasuke grew quiet and looked down, picking at a loose thread on the couch cushion next to him. When he continued, his voice was softer. "We told our mom."
"You mean…?" Sakura was quiet, disbelieving, but the question was there. Obvious.
Sasuke nodded.
"Yeah," he muttered, narrowing his eyes as he remembered. "We told her about us."
"Holy shit…" Sakura breathed out.
She was silent for a while afterward as she collected her thoughts, but Sasuke didn't mind. He didn't force her to continue or try to say something to fill the silence—in fact, he appreciated the moment because it was the first he'd truly had to himself. To think about what had happened. To feel the pain of what he'd lost—what he'd given up.
When she did finally say something else, though, Sakura's words were careful. As if she were dealing with something broken. Which, Sasuke realized as he felt his heart clench, she was.
"What did she… I mean, how did she react?"
Sasuke laughed ruefully. "Not very well," he said.
Then, before she could ask, Sasuke told her what had happened in as much detail as he could bear to give. From his awkward entry to his final exit, and everything in between.
As soon as he was finished recounting the events, Sakura let out a pained noise and said, "Oh, Sasuke, I'm sorry."
The apology made him frown. Not because he didn't appreciate it, but because he was surprised. By just how easily those two little words seemed to break him, by how Sakura's concern pierced straight through his heart, by how quickly he could feel his eyes welling up with tears.
Because he realized that he hadn't cried about it yet. About any of it. Because he hadn't thought he'd needed to, hadn't thought it had affected him as much as it had clearly affected Itachi, and he'd needed to be there for his brother before.
But now…
"Yeah, me too," Sasuke managed to whisper before he sobbed into his hand.
Finally letting himself grieve the loss of his parents and everything he'd known in his life up until now.
And Sakura let him cry, offering her silence as comfort in lieu of her physical presence for a while until Sasuke calmed down. Until he wiped his eyes and let out a heavy sigh. Then and only then did she speak up.
"What are you gonna do now? The two of you, I mean?"
"We're, uh," Sasuke sniffled as he laughed softly. "We're moving actually."
"Moving?" Sakura repeated incredulously.
Sasuke nodded to himself. "Yeah. Itachi's out picking up supplies right now, but he rented a place in Oto. We went there yesterday to check it out. It's nice. I think we'll like it there."
"I-I… That's—I mean—wow," Sasuke said, stumbling over her words in a rare moment of speechlessness as she took in the news. "That's just—wow, Sasuke."
"Right?" he said softly, almost whispering. "It's kinda crazy to think we're actually gonna go, but it's what we were planning to do eventually."
"But this is so fast, Sasuke."
"I know, but what choice do we have? I mean, we have no idea what's going to happen tomorrow, how people are going to react. So, it's for the best."
"Yeah. Yeah, I guess," Sakura mumbled, unsure. Sasuke raised an eyebrow.
"What is it?" he asked.
Over the line, Sasuke could hear her shift and shuffle uncomfortably like she was debating whether or not she should say anything before she took a quick breath and just dove in.
"Are you, like, okay with it, though?" she asked. "With moving—with, you know, everything that's been happening? I-I just mean, are you happy?"
Sasuke couldn't help but smile at her concern.
"I am," he answered, more easily than he'd ever answered anything else in his life. "I'm so happy, Sakura. Being with Itachi is just… He's just…"
He trailed off, looking around the living room as he tried to find the words, seeing little touches that were uniquely Itachi in the room. In the way his books were organized by height, the way his movies and video games were tucked neatly away in his entertainment center, color coordinated.
They were little things, but they made him feel his brother's presence even when Itachi was gone. And the thought of that alone made him smile wider as he reached over to grab the throw pillow Itachi had tossed onto the couch from the chair at some point so he could hug it close.
"He's perfect, Sakura," he finally continued in a fond, almost breathless whisper. "And not just in the way I thought growing up, you know? As my brother, I mean. No, he's…perfect," Sasuke repeated, shaking his head and laughing to himself. "And I don't have any idea what I did to be so lucky."
"That's great, Sasuke," Sakura said softly, the subtle sound of her smile coming through in her words. "And I'm happy for you. I'm just—wow, I guess I never really thought that either of us would end up leaving the village."
Sasuke laughed.
"It is weird, isn't it? But I think it's the best thing for us. It'll be a fresh start."
"Not too fresh, I hope," Sakura countered quickly. "I don't want you finding some new best friend or anything."
Sasuke scoffed. "As if."
"Good."
"Yeah…" he muttered, tugging at the string on the couch absently as a heaviness settled between them. The end of their conversation looming closer…
Along with something else.
Something that both of them were desperately trying to avoid by searching for the right thing, or just anything, to say that would get them away from the topic, the emotion, the raw finality that they knew would come sooner or later.
Because they'd have to say goodbye. They couldn't put it off forever.
Eventually, Sakura plucked up enough courage to ask, "When are you leaving, anyway? It's soon, I'm guessing?"
"Tuesday," Sasuke answered quietly. "Itachi managed to find some movers with an opening, so we're gonna start moving things then."
Sakura sucked in a tiny breath. "Oh, that's…"
"But it's just to start," he added quickly. "To get us out of the village, you know? We'll come back to get what we can't get packed by tomorrow. So…"
Sasuke trailed off, leaving the I'll still be able to see you unsaid between them. Because he didn't know if it would make either of them feel better to hear it.
There was a beat, a moment of understanding—of acceptance before Sakura cleared her throat.
"Well, uh, can I come see you before you leave Tuesday?" she asked.
"Yeah, of course you can," Sasuke said, nodding to himself.
From outside, he heard Itachi's car door shut suddenly and turned around to look toward the door. Happy for the distraction. And for the excuse.
"Hey, Sakura, Itachi just got back so I should go help him with whatever he got."
"Okay, I'll…" She hesitated. "I'll talk to you later."
"Talk to you later," Sasuke replied.
He pulled his phone away from his ear, ending the call before he got up from the couch. Feeling both a little better and a little worse from talking to Sakura. Better in the sense that he'd gotten the opportunity to talk through some of the things he hadn't even realized had been bothering him, but worse because in doing that he'd also been forced to acknowledge more of the things he was leaving behind. More of the experiences he was going to miss out on.
All for the sake of being happy—of wanting to hold onto his happiness, his brother.
But it's worth it, he told himself.
Itachi was worth it.
The freedom — their freedom — would be worth it in the end.
The simple thought of that, of what their future was going to hold for them, brought a smile to Sasuke's face and he tossed his phone down on the couch before he went to go help his brother.
XxX
A few hours later, they were lying in bed. Sasuke scrolled idly on his phone while Itachi was enthralled by whatever he was reading on his e-reader. Neither of them seemingly tired despite the hours they'd spent packing before making a late dinner and then watching a movie, as Itachi had insisted on keeping his promise from earlier in the day.
It wasn't that Sasuke didn't know why he wasn't tired, though. Not like his conversation with Sakura didn't keep playing in his head. Reminding him over and over of the decision he'd…made?—talked about? Danced around?—concerning his graduation and attendance thereof.
Or lack thereof.
In fact, it was all he could think about as he kept switching from app to app on his phone. His eyes flicking constantly to the readout in the upper right corner of his screen as the time ticked slowly away.
11:56 PM
Counting down to Midnight.
11:57 PM
To Monday.
11:58 PM
To the day.
Building an anxiousness inside of him with each passing second for the simple fact that…
Well, that he hadn't actually told Itachi yet.
Not that he thought his brother would be mad at his decision. (At least, he hoped not.) Or even upset. (At least, he hoped not.)
It just came down to the fact that Sasuke felt bad, guilty really, that he was even considering not going to his own graduation. Because it was just what he'd always thought he would do, what he'd always been told he would do.
But…
11:59 PM
He didn't need to. No, correction—he didn't want to. He didn't want any of it. The drama, the scandal, the questions that were inevitably going to come with—
12:00 AM
—today.
And, deep down, he knew Itachi would understand that. Would sympathize even.
After all, they were both running away from the village. Why couldn't he run away from this, too?
So, with that in mind and the day finally upon him, Sasuke locked his phone, sliding it underneath his pillow before he looked over at Itachi.
His brother didn't acknowledge him at first. Not until Sasuke reached out, grabbing Itachi's hand when he moved to swipe his finger across the screen in front of him to turn the page in his book. Then his concentration was broken and he glanced over at Sasuke briefly, offering him a smile.
"Everything okay?" Itachi asked, looking back at his e-reader as he used his other hand to turn the digital page.
Out of habit, Sasuke nodded.
"Yeah," he mumbled. "I just…"
He trailed off, threading his fingers with Itachi's before he brought their linked hands to his lips so he could kiss the back of Itachi's as he shrugged. The action seemed to tip Itachi off that something was up and he locked his e-reader, put it down on the nightstand, and then turned to give Sasuke his full attention.
"What is it, sweetheart?"
"Nothing," he answered quickly. Earning him a disbelieving look that finally pushed him to sigh and admit, "Okay, I wanted to talk to you about something is all."
"Oh." Itachi's expression softened. He squeezed Sasuke's hand. "Of course, Sasuke. What's on your mind?"
"Well, it's about…graduation," he started hesitantly.
Before he could continue, Itachi hummed like he suddenly understood what was going on just from that alone.
"You don't want to go, do you?"
Sasuke's eyes widened. "How'd you know?"
"I mean," Itachi gave him a pointed up-and-down glance. "It's sort of obvious, isn't it?"
Sasuke's mouth fell open as he scoffed.
"Oh-kay, I don't know if I should be offended by that or not."
Itachi laughed. "I didn't mean it like that," he said, squeezing Sasuke's hand. "I only meant that it makes sense with everything that we know."
"Mmhm, sure," Sasuke said, narrowing his eyes as he gave his brother a suspicious look. When Itachi rolled his eyes at his dramatics, Sasuke cracked a smile, shifting partly onto his side so he could look at Itachi better. "You're not upset about it, though?"
"Why would I be?"
"I dunno," Sasuke muttered. His gaze turned to their linked hands. "I guess I was just worried you might be…"
"Disappointed?" Itachi finished for him.
Sasuke shrugged. "Yeah, I guess so. I mean, mom and dad would've been."
He narrowed his eyes as he said that, acutely aware of how strange it was to think of that—of them, of the expectations he'd lived with all his life that were suddenly gone.
"Sweetheart, I could never be disappointed in you," Itachi said softly. He brushed his thumb over Sasuke's. "But, I will admit, I am a little sad—for other reasons, just to make that clear. Not because of your decision."
"Sad? Why?"
Itachi gave a half shrug. "With everything that's been going on, we never really had the chance to celebrate your accomplishment. I haven't even gotten you a gift."
"Oh, pssh — Sasuke waved his hand dismissively — don't worry about that."
"Why not?" Itachi asked. And the genuine curiosity behind the question took Sasuke a little by surprise.
Because it was obvious.
Wasn't it?
"Because I mean…" He shook his head slightly. "You've already given me so much, Itachi. So you don't need to get me anything else. I already have you, and that's enough."
Itachi smiled softly at the sentiment.
"That's sweet," he said. "But I want to get you something, Sasuke, or do something for you at the very least."
"But why?" Sasuke argued. Maybe a little whinier than he strictly needed to be. "I told you it's okay."
"Because I love you!" Itachi said, laughing. He let go of Sasuke's hand so he could push at his leg playfully. "I'm your boyfriend and I love you and I want to. Do I really need any more reason than that?"
Sasuke blew out a long breath. Already knowing the answer to his question before he asked, but he did it anyway.
"You're not going to give up on this, are you?"
"No," Itachi said, pleased with his own stubbornness. "Not at all."
"Fine, fine!" Sasuke groaned, throwing his hands up. "You win, okay?"
A smug smirk settled over Itachi's lips as he basked in his victory.
"Excellent," he said. "Now, what do you want?"
"What do I want?" Sasuke questioned back. "What do you mean? This was your idea, so you should be the one who picks."
"No, no, no, that'll defeat the point," Itachi argued. "Because I want this to be something special, something that I know you want."
"You know, I'm starting to think this is why people don't normally date their siblings. Because I can't tell if you're being boyfriend annoying or brother annoying right now."
Itachi chuckled. "That is the beauty of it, right? And you're the lucky one who gets to spend the rest of our lives trying to figure it out."
Sasuke opened his mouth to argue, to spit some quip that he knew would make Itachi roll his eyes and laugh again, but he stopped before he could. Realizing exactly what Itachi had said—what he'd meant by those few little words.
The rest of our lives…
The thought made Sasuke smile slightly despite himself and his annoyance quickly melted away with a sigh.
"Alright, alright; I'll pick," he finally conceded. "How about…"
He looked around the room as he considered it, trying to think about all the things he used to want, all the objects he'd once thought were important, but nothing seemed like the right answer. And the longer he deliberated, the more he found himself focusing instead on all the unquantifiable things Itachi had already given him.
Happiness, laughter, love, safety.
A home.
And now he wants to give me something more?
The thought boggled Sasuke's mind. Because what more could he possibly want when he already had everything? When he had a person — the person — who meant more to him than any object in the world?
He didn't know and Sasuke shook his head, ready to tell Itachi that—to lay his feelings out as plainly as possible. Yet when he looked back over and saw Itachi's eager face, Sasuke knew he couldn't deny his brother what would so obviously make him happy.
So, Sasuke shrugged, throwing out the first thing that came to mind. The one thing he always wanted from Itachi.
"A kiss."
"A kiss?" Itachi repeated. His eager expression deflated to one of confusion. "That's all you want?"
"Yes, that's all I want," Sasuke answered. Indignant that his answer didn't seem good enough for his brother. "Is that too much for you or something?"
Itachi huffed out a quiet laugh.
"Not at all," he said before he moved, pushing himself up and onto one side so he could be closer to Sasuke.
He brought his other hand up to caress Sasuke's cheek, holding his gaze for a beat. Itachi's thumb stroked against his skin, his eyes flicked down to look at Sasuke's lips, and then he closed the distance between them with a kiss. One that started sweet and gentle—a brushing of lips, a soft, simple reminder of how Itachi felt for him—but it quickly turned warm and wanting when Itachi licked his way into Sasuke's mouth and shifted closer. Moving his hand from Sasuke's cheek to the nape of his neck and then down, until it settled on his waist as they held onto the moment.
And with each teasing lick or subtle shift of Itachi's hand on his body, Sasuke found himself falling under his brother's spell. Slowly growing desperate to taste more of the minty sharpness of his toothpaste, to feel more of those long, talented fingers against his skin—stroking him, pleasing him. Until he was moaning into Itachi's mouth, wrapping his arms around Itachi's neck. Intent on pulling him closer, on asking for more.
But as soon as he tried, Itachi pulled away.
"No," Sasuke groaned in protest. "Come back, that was just getting good."
He tried to tug Itachi back down to him, but his brother didn't budge an inch.
"But I thought that was all you wanted?" Itachi said innocently. "Just one kiss."
"Mm, well, maybe I lied." Sasuke's tongue darted out, tasting Itachi on his lips as he looked his brother over. "Maybe I want more."
"What?" Itachi gasped, feigning shock (and making Sasuke roll his eyes) as he put his hand to his chest. "But I thought you were a good boy, Sasuke. And good boys aren't supposed to lie." Itachi leaned a little closer, dropping his voice. "Especially not to their big brother."
Sasuke's breath caught in his throat when he heard those two little words, when Itachi acknowledged the depth of their relationship in a way that he hadn't since the first time they'd touched one another. It sent a thrill through him—lit some fire deep within him, and it took all Sasuke had not to groan as he shifted.
"Well, what if I'm not a good boy?" he asked quietly. Aware of the want, the need, the utterly delicious perversion thrumming through him as he tried to move closer to Itachi. "What if I've been a bad little brother and lied to you?"
Itachi clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth. It was meant to be disapproving, disappointed, but Sasuke could see the glint in Itachi's eyes, the light flush settling across his cheeks even as he answered.
"Then I'd have to punish you."
"Punish me?" Sasuke repeated, wide-eyed and just a little breathless at the prospect. The promise.
"Well, of course, Sasuke," Itachi answered easily, nodding. Skimming his fingers carefully along Sasuke's bare side. "Isn't that what I'm supposed to do as your big brother? Help teach you right from wrong, good from bad?"
"I—yes?" Sasuke said, swallowing thickly. Not sure yet exactly where Itachi was wanting to go with this, but not remotely upset with the development. Especially not when a sweet, pleased smile spread across Itachi's lips.
"Good. Then trust me, Sasuke," Itachi said. He brought his hand up, trailed his index finger down Sasuke's cheek and along his jaw. "I promise, it won't be all bad."
Before Sasuke could ask what exactly Itachi meant, he reached down and started to fondle Sasuke through his boxers. The sudden unexpected touch was what finally made Sasuke groan, but he was already half hard just from Itachi's teasing so he rocked up into the touch greedily.
"See," Itachi murmured, looking him over appreciatively. "It's not all bad, is it?"
"No," Sasuke agreed, reaching down to rub his hand over Itachi's. He arched up slightly at the added pressure. "It feels good."
Itachi chuckled. "Good, but remember…" He slipped his hand inside Sasuke's boxers so he could take his cock in hand and stroke him. "You're still being punished, Sasuke."
Sasuke moaned and nodded, the touch, the warmth, the friction making his head fall back.
"Punish me, big brother," he panted, rocking up to meet Itachi's hand and match his rhythm. "Please, punish me."
"Of course, sweetheart," Itachi said, smiling. He teased the slit of Sasuke's cock, brushing his thumb over it again and again, spreading the precome beading there over the tip.
The playfulness of the touch made Sasuke gasp. He reached out to put his hand on the back of Itachi's neck so he could pull him down into a kiss, but before their lips met, Itachi stilled above him and shook his head.
"Oh no, Sasuke. I can't kiss you," Itachi said, sounding almost disappointed.
"Wha—why?" Sasuke breathed out, confused.
"Because that's your punishment, sweetheart. After all—" Itachi moved his hand from Sasuke's shaft to his balls, giving them a very gentle squeeze that made Sasuke pull in a shuddering breath. "It's what you lied to me about."
"But I want to kiss you," Sasuke moaned as Itachi kept fondling his sac.
"I know," Itachi whispered. His voice sympathetic, pitying even, though Sasuke could see—could feel—just how much he was enjoying himself. "But this is how you learn, Sasuke. If you want something, then you don't need to lie. You just need to ask like a good boy."
Sasuke nodded, his head swimming with pleasure, his entire body aching for Itachi's touch.
"I understand," he panted. "I understand."
"Good." Itachi moved his hand from Sasuke's sac to take his cock in hand again, stroking him slowly. "Then ask for what you want, little brother."
Sasuke's eyes fluttered closed as the endearment, the acknowledgment, the sin spread like fire in his veins.
"I wanna come," Sasuke muttered. But when Itachi clicked his tongue and stilled his hand, obviously disapproving of what he'd said, Sasuke groaned and asked instead, "Will you make me come, Itachi?"
Above him, Itachi grinned. "Of course."
Yet instead of his hand quickening over Sasuke's hard, heated flesh again so he could bring him off, Itachi pulled away from him completely.
The action left Sasuke frustrated but as soon as he opened his mouth to complain, to beg, he closed it when he saw that Itachi was simply moving to settle between his legs. And when he pulled Sasuke's boxers down, tucking the waistband under his sac so he could free his cock, Sasuke had to bite back the appreciative moan of seeing Itachi like this.
Itachi seemed more than aware of the effect he was having on Sasuke, though, as he raised a knowing brow when he saw the look on Sasuke's face.
"Just because I can't kiss you, doesn't mean I can't taste you," he said as if he needed to justify his actions. But it wasn't like Sasuke was going to argue with him.
He couldn't anyway, not when Itachi lowered himself down, taking the head of Sasuke's cock in his mouth without hesitation. The sudden wetness, the heat, the gentle glide of Itachi's tongue on him made Sasuke gasp and close his eyes as he let out a quiet, "Yes."
Itachi teased the head of his cock, suckling gently but not long enough to make Sasuke do more than writhe beneath him until he started to sink down, taking more and more of Sasuke in his mouth. With every inch, Sasuke felt his control slipping, his heart pounding, his balls aching for release, and by the time Itachi had taken as much as he could, Sasuke was nearing the end of his restraint. He reached down to put his hand on Itachi's head gently.
"You look so fucking good like that," he commented, stroking Itachi's hair. "Look so good with my cock in your mouth."
Itachi hummed in agreement or approval or something else that Sasuke couldn't place and didn't care to. Because the vibration felt good—Itachi's mouth felt good, and Sasuke wanted more.
So, he did what his brother had taught him and asked for what he wanted.
"Will you suck me off, big brother?"
This time, Itachi moaned around his cock but he started to move, hollowing his cheeks as he pulled back so he could suckle the head of Sasuke's cock again before he sunk back down. His hand working over what his mouth couldn't take while Sasuke watched him, panting and enthralled by the mere sight of Itachi between his legs, by the knowledge—fresh and sweet and depravedly beautiful—that he was watching his brother do this to him. His fingers slowly, involuntarily threaded through Itachi's hair, guiding him up and down on his cock quicker and quicker until—
"I'm gonna come. Oh, fuck, I'm gonna come, Itachi," he moaned, his fingers tightening in Itachi's hair—holding him still as Sasuke started to use him. Thrusting up into the hot, wet expanse of Itachi's mouth the way he'd used his hole before. Seeking out his pleasure while he watched Itachi's lips split wider and wider as Itachi managed to take more and more of his cock until he was gagging on it, holding Sasuke's hips down to stop him from fucking up into his heat the way he wanted to.
But it didn't matter because all it took was Itachi's throat contracting around him once in a desperate bid to swallow for Sasuke to arch his back and come moaning Itachi's name. And Itachi took him beautifully, drinking down every drop as he pulled his head back. Sucking Sasuke until he was spent, until he dropped his hand from Itachi's hair, until he pulled at Itachi's shoulders so he could urge him back up.
Not into a kiss like Sasuke desperately wanted. No, not yet.
Instead, he just pulled Itachi close and reached between them so he could push his hand into Itachi's shorts and stroke his hard, weeping cock.
"You're so good to me, Itachi," he panted against Itachi's lips. "Such a good boyfriend; such a good big brother."
"Sasuke…"
"You're always teaching me things—always making sure I'm on my best behavior."
Itachi hummed, thrusting into Sasuke's hand while Sasuke grinned below him. Delighted at how the tables had so abruptly turned, at the way he could see Itachi's resolve for their little game crumbling now that he wasn't in control. Unable to stop himself from shifting closer, from studying Sasuke's lips longingly, from finally trying to move forward to kiss Sasuke, to bring that little touch of intimacy that they were both craving.
But Sasuke was too quick.
He grabbed a handful of Itachi's hair and tugged gently, pulling Itachi's head back slightly. Stopping him just as their lips brushed together.
Sasuke shook his head, giving Itachi a pitiful look.
"No," he said softly. "I'm still being punished, remember?"
Itachi's eyes narrowed and a little noise escaped him as he held himself up over Sasuke, suddenly aware of his powerlessness. But something also seemed to flare up in him—something ragged, raw, toeing the line between helpless and dangerous, and Itachi took in a breath, letting it out slowly through his nose.
"You're such a fucking brat," he bit out quietly.
The name, the impassioned, desperate need behind it, the way Itachi's cock throbbed in his hand all thrilled Sasuke and he grinned.
"I know," he whispered. "But you love it, don't you?" Sasuke tugged on Itachi's hair again, pulling a soft gasp from him as their eyes met. Itachi's half-lidded in pleasure; Sasuke's alight with the sense of power he held as he stroked Itachi faster. "You love it as much as you love knowing that your cock's been inside me—that you've come inside your little brother over and over again, don't you?"
"Fuck, Sasuke, yes," Itachi groaned, fisting the sheets on either side of him.
"Then show me how much you love it and use me," Sasuke challenged.
"Use you?" Itachi questioned, panting softly. "How?"
"Like I know you want to—like I want you to," Sasuke said, squeezing Itachi's cock gently before he let him go and pulled his hand out of Itachi's shorts. He laid his hand on Itachi's hip, encouraging him to move until he was straddling Sasuke's left leg, his clothed cock brushing against Sasuke's thigh. The gentle friction made Itachi sigh. "If you do — Sasuke let go of Itachi's hair so he could caress his cheek — then you can kiss me."
Itachi let out a shaky breath, clearly excited by the way he wet his lips as he looked Sasuke over.
But before he moved, he asked, "Do you promise?"
Sasuke smiled softly, melting a little from the sweetness, the earnestness in Itachi's voice as he nodded.
"I promise, Itachi," he answered, squeezing Itachi's hip gently. "I just want to feel you—I want to make you feel good."
"You always make me feel good, Sasuke," Itachi mumbled, grinding down against Sasuke's thigh slowly. He looked down at himself, at them, at what they were doing and moaned. "Fuck, you make me feel so good."
"Yeah?" Sasuke trailed his fingers down Itachi's neck, along his collarbone, to his chest where he could play with Itachi's nipples. Rubbing and tweaking the little buds until Itachi was panting heavily and fucking harder against his thigh. "Does that mean I'm a good boy then?"
"Yes, yes!" Itachi grunted out, his eyes closing in pleasure as he laid his forehead against Sasuke's. "You're such a good boy—my good little brother."
"Itachi!" Sasuke's fingers dug into Itachi's hip slightly as he began to grow hot again from the way Itachi continued to rock against him, using him the way Sasuke had so desperately wanted. He ground back against his brother, gasping at the way Itachi's leg was rubbing against him. New and hot and oh so right. "I want to be so good for you, Itachi."
"You are, baby," Itachi gasped. He moved his left hand down Sasuke's side until he could grip his right thigh and lift it. Changing their angle, pulling Sasuke down, bringing them even closer, making them both moan. "Fuck, you're so good—so good against big brother's cock."
Sasuke groaned and rocked harder against Itachi, digging his nails into him, putting his hand on the back of Itachi's neck to keep him close as they panted against one another's lips.
"Then will you come for me?" he begged, feeling a tight, hot coil of pleasure building in him again. "Please, big brother—please! I want to feel you, want to kiss you, want to—"
"Haah, fuck!" Itachi suddenly gasped, his mouth falling open as he stilled and then pressed his hips forward in shallow thrusts. Coming seconds later in his shorts against Sasuke's leg, hot and hard but finally, finally, Sasuke could kiss him.
And he did, pulling Itachi closer, pressing their lips together, and immediately pushing his tongue into his brother's still-open mouth. Moaning as he tasted the remnants of himself on Itachi's tongue as Itachi kissed him back, still humping against his leg, intent on drawing out his orgasm as Sasuke continued to rock with him. His second orgasm cresting over him and hitting him much harder than the first seconds later—leaving him gasping Itachi's name against his brother's lips over and over while he gripped Itachi harder, urged him closer, tried to become one with him for just a moment. One blissful, beautiful moment before it was over almost as quickly as it began.
Leaving the two of them panting and looking one another over in the aftermath, understanding that what had just happened had been different.
Different, but not bad. No, not bad at all. Just new, intense. In a way that neither of them seemed ready to talk about yet as they both chose to gravitate back to one another. Kissing softly, slowly, moving together as Itachi laid down on his side and pulled Sasuke close. His hand firm on the small of Sasuke's back, stroking the skin there in a comforting, loving rhythm as they continued to exchange kisses.
"I love you," Itachi whispered against his lips when they eventually parted, resting their foreheads together.
Sasuke smiled to himself.
"I love you, too," he murmured, watching his fingers as they drew gently across Itachi's cheek and jaw. Marveling at the perfection, at the flaws, at the things he knew only he could see because only he was close enough, trusted enough, loved enough by Itachi. "I love you so much."
Itachi kissed him again, spreading a warmth throughout Sasuke's body that made him feel whole, feel safe, feel okay.
Like he was home. Like he'd never left. Like he never would again.
They went to sleep without another word between them, and that was okay. There would be time to talk later; there would be time to talk forever—for the rest of their lives.
For now, though, they just drank up the bit of solace that they could find in each other's arms because the morning still loomed ahead of them like a dark cloud on the horizon.