Summer of Confessions

“Aniki?”

The young voice wavered as he stepped around the corner to his older brother’s room. Sasuke’s eyes were shiny with tears. Itachi looked up from the book in his hands and sighed heavily.

“I didn’t know twelve-year-olds could still cry,” the young man teased.

“Shut up,” Sasuke mumbled.

He walked smoothly into the room after the obvious insult, with his head held high. He wiped away his tears with the back of his hand. Itachi sighed and put the book down. His little brother grabbed a free hand and tugged hard on it.

“I have exams,” Itachi reminded him.

“It was horrible,” the younger raven’s voice never rose above a whisper. “I didn’t recognize the house. You were dressed so weird…. But it couldn’t have been you. You… you killed everyone! Mother, Father….”

A rough sob cut off any more words as Sasuke bit the inside of his cheek to hold in more of the salty liquid that threatened to overwhelm his eyes. Up close, Itachi could see the red around onyx irises and tear stained cheeks. He ran one hand over the dark, spiked tresses.

“It was a nightmare. Nothing more. I would never harm you.”

“I-it wasn’t me. It was them! And your eyes….”

Sasuke pressed his face into the collar of the white button down Itachi still wore. He had not changed from his school clothes. He might have even fallen asleep in them again if Sasuke hadn’t woken up. Itachi made soothing noises and continued to stroke the boy’s head. At some point, Sasuke had started to doze off. He wasn’t sure how it happened, but he felt the soft mattress below him and the warm blankets covering him. His face cuddled into a pillow and he was assaulted with Itachi’s scent. A smile replaced the fearful and worried expression he had worn.

He wasn’t sure when the dream took over, but it was wonderful. It chased away any traces of the previous nightmare. Soft lips rained down on his own. The hand that had caressed his head now stroked his cheek while he was covered in the sensual kisses. Sasuke sighed and inhaled more of Itachi’s natural scent. It was always a clean smell with only the smallest traces of soap or deodorant. But he knew it was a dream. Because Itachi, even though he loved his little brother dearly, would never touch him the way he longed for. He had dreamed of so many beautiful things he wanted to do with his older brother, but this one was by far the best. His hormones usually fueled much more graphic scenes for his dreams and yet this one was so innocent in comparison.

But it was just so real! The kisses trailed down his jaw and across the underside of his chin. He tilted his head back and moaned softly as his brother took full advantage of the exposure. Those incredibly soft lips traveled to his neck, where teeth joined in as well. They nipped and pulled the skin into a hot mouth, which caused Sasuke’s moans to get louder. If it were real he would surely have had love bites all over him the next day. As much as he wanted his brother to lay more of a claim over him, he knew it was better if he only dreamed about it. He wasn’t dating anyone, and besides, with their security system who would ever believe someone else had snuck in a molested the child?

Sasuke never spoke of his deeper love for his brother to anyone. It was forbidden, taboo. It was the worst of all sins. His parents had raised them both to believe that any such actions of affection other than those between a man and a woman were a ticket straight to hell. Go to jail. Do not pass go, do not collect two hundred dollars.

“Aishiteru, otouto. Sweet dreams.”

It is a sweet dream, Sasuke wanted to respond. The warmth that was pressing down on him pulled away. The lips parted from his skin, leaving only a tingling feeling were they should have been. The boy groaned in frustration at the loss. Why did the best dream of his life have to end so damn quickly! He almost sat up to protest, almost opened his eyes.. But then the spell would be broken for sure. He would see Itachi sitting at his desk, studying. He would get that look, the one where an eyebrow rose in question with the smirk that seemed to say “I know what’s wrong but I’ll humor you and ask anyways”. It would bring his world crashing around him to remember that his wildest dreams were only that: a dream. Instead, he clung to the hope that if he laid still and focused on his sleep he would be rewarded with another realistic dream. Or at least a more graphic one.

___________

Sasuke slid easily into his seat at the breakfast table. His mother placed his favorite omelet in front of him. He beamed up at her in return.

“Arigatou, okaa-san.”

“Hurry up and eat, Sasuke. Naruto called earlier and asked if you could play with him today,” she almost sang.

The raven haired boy groaned. His mother meant well and was truly enthralled that he had finally made friends. He hated bringing her down. He poked at his breakfast before taking his first bite. He watched her place another of the egg concoction down at the place setting across from her. He gulped down his food with the water sitting in front of him.

“Is aniki still home?” he asked eagerly.

“Yes. He leaves soon for his exam so don’t bug him,” the woman warned him, now waving a whisk at him that still had bits of raw egg clinging to it.

The boy nodded with a scowl. His mother couldn’t help but chuckle softly. She had been worried for a number of years that her sons did not like each other’s company. Itachi had been caring enough when Sasuke was small and her youngest boy just loved his aniki. Once Sasuke had grown a little though, the two seemed to not get a long. Or more precisely, Sasuke loved Itachi so much that he had tried to attach himself to the elder’s legs for a period of time. Only Itachi’s rude behavior had earned him some reprieve from the extra, and unwanted, appendage. After, Sasuke had stopped trying to make friends and withdrew himself from society, so to speak

It still worried Uchiha Mikoto that maybe her sons would revert back to the stage where they did not speak. She had taken Itachi aside once Sasuke had started middle school and forced him to see how much the rift had hurt her baby boy. Itachi had seemed honestly shocked and had moved quickly to repair the damage. It had worked better than anyone thought possible. Sasuke had always loved Itachi despite everything. It was impossible to miss the absolute adoration in his young eyes. Itachi was his world. It had improved everything in Sasuke’s life to have Itachi back in it. He had made friends and finally started living up to his potential in his studies.

Just in time to interrupt her thoughts before she burned the eggs on the stove, Itachi walked downstairs and kissed her on the cheek.

“Good morning,” he greeted them all.

“Good morning, Itachi. Your breakfast just came up,” Mikoto smiled.

“Morning, aniki! Did you get all your studying done?”

Sasuke was nearly bouncing up and down in his seat. Itachi granted him a rare smile and took his seat across from his younger sibling. The boy looked ecstatic. His night must have gone better than Itachi’s….

“Yes, otouto.”

“Good luck on the exam,” the innocent face split into a grin.

“Thank you. Tell Naruto-kun hello for me.”

“How do you always know everything?” Sasuke frowned. “And besides, that idiot isn’t worth your time, aniki.”

“Sasuke! Don’t talk about your friend like that!” his mother reprimanded him.

“Its true,” he muttered.

His irritation was apparent. He hated it when anyone else got his aniki’s attention, especially his friends. He had himself convinced Itachi had a thing for his blonde friend. He never invited Naruto over anymore afterward. He never let Itachi pick him up from Naruto’s house either. If the other boy was around, Sasuke made sure Itachi wasn’t. To everyone without love clouded vision, Itachi was just polite to every one of Sasuke’s friends. They all had a silent joke that Sasuke would be devastated if Itachi got a girlfriend. Itachi reached across the table and stole a piece of Sasuke’s egg, taking one of his tomatoes with it. This snapped Sasuke out of his daze. He glared as the fork with the stolen food entered his brother’s mouth. As quickly as he could, he shoved the rest of it in his mouth to prevent more theft.

“Do not choke yourself,” Itachi smirked.

“Sasuke, there’s no rush. I told Naruto you would not be out for another hour.”

The boy swallowed the food with more water and coughed as he almost choked. His actions pulled a chuckle from the man across from him. Itachi carefully finished his own meal while his otouto struggled to collect himself. He had his dishes in their dishwasher before Sasuke could even stand properly. He kissed his mother’s cheek once more.

“Behave, otouto. I will be home in a few hours, okaa-san.”

And with that, the other two Uchihas had the house to themselves. Sasuke pouted for awhile before announcing he needed a shower before he went outside. His mother reminded him how hot it was before he trekked upstairs. He rolled his eyes. Who could forget, when it was the middle of June? He wondered what his father saw in the woman sometimes. The showering process took almost no time at all. Sasuke dressed simply in his favorite blue shirt and khaki shorts. He took his time walking back downstairs and telling his mom he was going out early. Summer was hell for him. He hated being alone with his mother. Not that she wasn’t nice to be around in her own way. She just wasn’t Itachi.

Naruto was already outside with the other boys of the neighborhood. And much to Sasuke’s dismay, a few of the girls had tagged along as well. Sasuke raised a hand in greeting as he approached them. The boys had water guns and water balloons out and were having some kind of water fight. Well, it was better than nothing.

“Which team do you want, Sasuke?” Naruto called, waving franticly.

“They one where I can kick your ass,” he responded coolly.

“Kyah~ Sasuke-kun is amazing!” the blonde girl, Ino, remarked.

“Back off, Ino-pig. Sasuke-kun is going to fall for me,” Sakura smiled.

Ino rolled her eyes and started bickering with her friend. Sasuke tried ignored them. The boy, Kiba, tossed him a water gun and motioned him over. Naruto was spewing curses in his direction and his face was heating up as he, too, was ignored. Kiba told him who their team was and called for time-in.. Naruto honored it by blasting Sasuke with water from his own weapon. Sasuke responded by nailing him in the face. The game would keep them all occupied until lunch time. At which point, those who forgot sunscreen were sun burnt and everyone else was tired from running too much. Sasuke was wet but not in the least a bit worn out. He wasn’t the best in their gym class for nothing.

“See you after lunch?” Lee asked of Sasuke.

“No. Aniki will be home,” was the short and to the point answer the older boy got.

Snickers erupted from the group and the girls of his “fan club” wilted. Sasuke shot them all a deadly glare and stormed off towards home. His reaction only provoked more laughter. He blocked the ringing voices out of his mind as he entered his house and took his shoes off. Mikoto had placed a towel on the table in the doorway for him. He could always count on his mom to know what he’d need when he got home. He dried off as best he could with the towel before peeling his soaked shirt off his body. Immediately, the freezing air attacked his pale skin. He shivered and walked into the kitchen. He was shocked to see his brother waiting for him. His mother was nowhere in sight.

“A-aniki?! What are you doing home?” Shouldn’t he still have another hour at least?

“I finished early.”

Itachi swallowed hard as his eyes raked over the young flesh exposed before him. He motioned for Sasuke sit down and eat to sandwich on the table. Sasuke took the invitation. Until he sat down, he had forgotten his shorts were soaked as well. He groaned when he sat down and was reminded. He hastily stood up and unbuttoned them.

“What are you doing?!” Itachi almost yelled.

Sasuke’s hands froze with the button halfway out of the hole. His face paled and his eyes widened. Itachi’s voice was dark and almost scolding. His face, however, betrayed him. The man who rarely showed his emotion had everything to be displayed for his brother to see. His cheeks were flushed and his eyes darker than usual. He licked his lips to moisten them. He looked like a hunter cornering his prey. Sasuke shivered. He popped the button free and pulled the zipper down deliberately.

“They’re wet.. I need to change.”

His voice shook but he stood firm. He pushed the material passed his hips, and the shorts hit the tiled floor with a wet thud. His boxers clung to his body tightly. Itachi hissed and gripped the edge of the table a bit too hard. He pushed his chair back roughly when he stood up. It fell over backwards, causing Sasuke to jump at the sound. Itachi’s eyes darkened but his mask slipped back into place.

“Take your wet clothes upstairs and change first,” he instructed.

Something was very off. Something was very different.

“Where’s okaa-san?”

“Her book club meets this afternoon.”

Why was Itachi’s voice shaking? He was always so calm and composed. He never showed any form of weakness. In all his years, Sasuke had never seen his wonderful aniki cry. Never saw him back down from anything. Itachi was strong. Itachi was amazing. Itachi was everything Sasuke wanted.

“Oh, well then its okay.”

Sasuke sat down again and pulled the sandwich closer to him. He picked it and took a small bite. He took his time, savoring the flavor. He never did that. Only one thing ever really held any interest with him. Food was necessary, that was all. Tomatoes were what the boy would savor, nothing else. And Itachi knew that.

“Go get dressed, otouto.”

“Why? I’m hungry.”

“Now.”

“Why?”

Itachi dug his nails deeper into the wood. Sasuke had his eyebrow raised. He was borrowing Itachi’s “look”. He smirked knowingly but still questioned him. The aura surrounding the boy snapped Itachi’s practiced control.

“Because I can’t stand to see you like that,” he growled.

“H-huh? Aniki?” Sasuke’s confidence shattered.

Something was off and not in a good way. Something was different, and the boy suspected his brother hated him. He bit his mouth in the same place as the night before when the hot tears started forming.

“Go get dressed,” the man pleaded in a whisper.

Sasuke nodded robotically. He put his lunch down and stood up. He bent over to retrieve his damp clothing and headed up to his room. He was too caught up in his thoughts to hear the loud intake of air from across the table. With the boy out of his sight, Itachi stumbled back into the over turned chair. He caught himself from falling with the counter behind him. He closed his eyes tightly. He heard a door slam and something connect with the floor/ceiling above him.. He groaned. He knew Sasuke must assume he hated him now. It was never his intention. It had been, years ago. But not now. He needed his little brother’s attention as much as the boy needed to give it.

But he was in love with Sasuke. The way a man should never love his own brother. He pushed the boy away for his own safety all those years ago. Sasuke was pure and innocent. Sasuke should not be tainted with that incestuous love. He had almost pounced on the boy only moments before. Being harsh was the only way to protect the purity he loved so much. He would not allow himself to defile his own brother. Itachi knew he could never be with anyone else and yet he denied himself his heart’s desire. It was too cruel to Sasuke. He would live alone in agony forever if it meant protecting his precious one.

And Sasuke, as innocent as he was, knew nothing of how he had effected his brother. Standing before him so exposed. His pale skin had been illuminated under the florescent lights of the kitchen. Itachi had no doubt it felt as silky as it looked. His face had been flushed from his activity outside. His nipples had hardened in the cold air. And when he had started stripping….

Another loud noise stirred Itachi from his mental lamentations. Sasuke slammed his door shut once more and tromped downstairs. He wore baggy pants and a loose black shirt. He was sulking. Itachi stood up straight and righted the chair. He took a seat at the table again and silently picked up the sandwich, eating it mechanically. He reminded himself that food was necessary. He would eat when people were watching so they would not question him. It was bad enough that Itachi seemed to hate him again. Maybe not even again. Maybe the man had never stopped. Sasuke plunged deeper into himself to stop the pain.

“I’m sorry,” Itachi said softly.

“Whatever. I’m going to Naruto’s when I’m done,” Sasuke mumbled.

“Otouto-”

“Save it, Itachi. I get it.”

Both hearts contracted painfully at that. Itachi. Not aniki, Itachi. The elder Uchiha could have shot himself to relieve the pain. His world was crashing violently.

“Aishiteru.”

“Shut up.”

Sasuke stood up and walked out of the kitchen. The sandwich wasn’t even half eaten. The front door slammed closed before Itachi could get out of the kitchen. He opened it in time to see Sasuke slowing to a walk five houses down and shoving his hands in his pockets. He would have chased after his little brother if he hadn’t already known the jealousy Sasuke felt when he was around the younger boys. He wanted to laugh at how ridiculous it all was but the borderline joyful sound couldn’t be pulled from him.

_________

Naruto was grumbling about the choice of movie his friends had made. He was furious that his ninja movie had been overruled. He was even more furious that Sasuke had not backed him up. It seemed customary that the brooding dark haired boy at least gave him that much support. Sasuke generally tended to hate anything not action packed when it came to movies. And even then, getting him to watch one was near to impossible from time to time. Naruto could do nothing but sit beside the darker than usual kid and sulk as those around them laughed at the idiotic movie they had picked out. Normally Naruto would be down there on the floor with them versus on his couch with his best friend/sometimes rival. He just wasn’t in the mood that day.

He had managed to keep the girls out when Sasuke had been spotted walking to Naruto’s house. His earlier announcement that he would not be joining them had the entire group a little shocked when he rang the doorbell. Not ones to turn away a friend, the group of boys had welcomed him inside without hesitation.. Sasuke had found a place next to Neji on the couch silently. One look was enough to tell the people around him not to bother him. He was even more sulky looking that normal. He had not put up any kind of fight on the movie subject. His blonde friend had sat next to him to be the silent comfort that always worked before. Sasuke didn’t share when he had a problem. He expected someone to sit there with him until he was feeling better. Naruto had learned that the hard way one day when he refused to stop pestering the boy and ended up with some cracked ribs and a black eye.

That day there was no need for the violence. Naruto was happy to just sit there with him. Neji, on the other hand, looked very uncomfortable. Yet, he said nothing. It was better than the floor.

“Can I stay the night?” Sasuke interrupted his own silence and turned his head to Naruto.

“S-sure. I’ll go tell Dad….”

“Thanks.”

Naruto dug out his cell phone from the pocket of his jeans and called his father. Sasuke turned his attention to the television screen while the blonde conversed with the older blonde. He wasn’t waiting on an answer. He knew he was always welcome. He frowned when it dawned on him that the movie playing was by far the most asinine thing he had ever seen.

“Turn that shit off. If you have to watch something at least watch a movie that was worth even half the money spent on making it.”

“Shut up, Uchiha,” Kiba growled over his shoulder.

“You were not complaining earlier, Sasuke-kun,” Lee pointed out.

“I am now. Turn it off.”

“You can’t expect everyone to fall all over themselves to please you,” Shikamaru said with a yawn..

“Hey, Dad says he’ll be home at seven,” Naruto told Sasuke.

“Hn.”

The Uchiha boy folded his arms and leaned back fully into the couch. Naruto’s blue eyes surveyed the scene around him. He shot a glare in the direction of the ones opposing Sasuke. Kiba whistled low at him.

“Defending your boyfriend, Uzumaki?”

“He’s not my boyfriend,” Naruto spat.

“Sure, sure. So who’s taking whose last name?”

“Shut up Kiba!”

“Or what?”

“Just change the damn movie,” Sasuke groaned.

The boys on the couch went back to being ignored as the volume was turned up. Sasuke ground his teeth together in frustration. He was in no mood to get up and change it himself. He tuned the movie out again and went back to his own thoughts until the thunder in the distance informed them of the approaching storm. Sasuke then looked out the window for the lightning and counted the decreasing second between each flash and the accompanying thunder. When the skies outside darkened and the lightning was hitting too close to home, Naruto stepped in and cut the DVD player and the television off.

“Hey!” a collective groan rippled through the ones watching the movie.

“I’m not having this one fried too. Dad paid a lot to replace it after the last storm we watched TV during. He’d kill me.”

“So, what now then?” Chouji asked.

“I don’t know. Why don’t you guys just go home?” Naruto suggested acidly.

“Aw, come on,” Kiba complained. “We’ll do whatever you want this time.”

Naruto smiled. Of course they would. No one ever really wanted to go home. Hell, if Sasuke hadn’t asked him already he’d have invited them all to just stay the night. For now they would just have to stay through the storm.

“How about a game?” Lee offered.

Murmurs of agreement eventually sent Naruto to the closet where they kept board games in.. He pulled a few out and tossed them over to his friends for one to be chosen. Sasuke and Neji were the only two still staying out of it. The Uchiha closed his eyes to block out the bright light Naruto turned on. The bickering resumed once the game was chosen. No one could ever just settle for whatever was the first game piece they happened to pick up. Sasuke picked up a pillow and pressed it into his face. Itachi had spiraled into his vision behind closed lids. He wanted so desperately to not see that figure.

Someone softly tapped him on the shoulder. The pillow fell down enough so he could open his eyes and look at the person. Naruto stood with two things held out for him. The first item being a cold soda, and the other a game piece.

“I know you may not want to play, but I stole your favorite piece for you,” he muttered. “And I figured you’d be thirsty.”

The boy’s cheeks were tinted pink. His blue eyes met the opposing black ones without flinching. Sasuke sighed and surrendered his hold on the pillow and took both.

“Thanks.”

A bright smile spread across the tanned face and stretched the whisker marks the blonde sported. Sasuke slid off the couch smoothly and walked over to the game board. He nudged Kiba aside with his foot and sat down between the dog lover and the creepy one with the sunglasses. What was his name again? Shino? Sasuke scowled at his own choice of seating. The guy had some huge bug collection. It seriously disturbed the raven. He put his piece down and opened his soda. Naruto was begging Shino to move so he could sit beside his best friend.

“Poor Naruto. Of all people to be in love with, it just has to be the stuck up princess,” Kiba laughed.

“I’ve had enough of your shit, mutt. Shut up or get out,” Naruto threatened.

“Not denying it, though,” the brunette pointed out.

“I-I am NOT in love with that teme!”

“Sure.”

Naruto moved to jump over Sasuke and attack Kiba. What happened was far worse. Naruto’s elbow knocked the can out of Sasuke’s hand. The soda avoided the cream colored carpet by connecting with the black shirt at the collar and soaking it to the pale chest it covered. Sasuke hissed and pushed back on Naruto by his shoulders. At the same time, Kiba had moved to attack back. He knocked into the Uchiha’s back. The blonde and raven fell over towards Shino, who had moved at the start of the argument. The dark eyes closed on the way down, as Naruto was pushed onto his own back with all of the other’s weight on him.

It was the collective gasp that first alerted the two that more had happened than just them falling. Sasuke opened his eyes to find himself way too close to blue ones. He felt the warm lips covering his own. A cat call echoed through the room. Pale hands slammed down into the carpet to give Sasuke leverage to push himself up. Before he even got the weight into his palms, he was being hauled away from the warm body beneath him. His wet shirt pulled harshly around his neck. His eyes stayed focused on Naruto as he went from being less than an inch away to feet away in moments.

When it registered to look back and see who had saved him from a kiss, Sasuke turned his head. He was placed on his feet. Itachi glared down at Naruto furiously. The younger brother then noticed how quiet everyone had gotten. It was understandable. Itachi looked ready to commit several murders at the moment. Sasuke’s mind could not comprehend what had happened yet, let alone Itachi’s sudden presence. He was confused. Itachi hated him. So why was he there, in Naruto’s house? There was no way his parents could be home. No one would have sent him after his sibling because of the storm. Itachi’s dry clothes told him it hadn’t started yet. And why would Itachi look so pissed off? Shouldn’t Sasuke be the one fuming? That idiot blonde had just taken his first kiss. Or maybe Kiba was to blame, for knocking them down. But regardless, it should be Sasuke standing there with the murderous glare.

“Nii-san?” he whispered.

“We’re leaving,” Itachi growled curtly.

Strong fingers closed around his smaller shoulder cruelly. Sasuke wasn’t given time to say or think anything else as he was steered out of the house and into the starting downpour. Itachi still emanated that killing aura as they walked .The rain had them drenched before they even made it to their front door. Once under the cover of the doorway, Sasuke ripped free.

“What are you doing! I’m staying with Naruto tonight!” he yelled.

“No you are not.”

The smaller boy was spun around by his shoulders and his back slammed into the front door. Itachi’s eyes looked red to Sasuke. His brother was scaring him. His body trembled, but from fear or the cold of the rain he couldn’t be sure. Maybe both. The younger one set his face into a pissed off expression.

“Let go, Itachi. I’m going back to my friend’s.”

“Why? So you can make out with him some more?”

“Whatever. If I want to kiss Naruto, its none of your business anyways!”

A growl ripped from Itachi’s throat. Sasuke was forced back farther into the harsh, unforgiving wood. He winced. It was hurting him more and more each second his brother held him there. He tried to pull away, but it was in vain.

"It is my business. You are still my little brother.”

“You hate me. Let me go.”

The answer was the last thing the boy expected. For a second time, his lips were claimed, as Itachi covered his mouth passionately. Sasuke froze up, unable to respond. Itachi’s tongue invaded his mouth angrily. His grip tightened on the shoulders he held to the door. A million thoughts swarmed Sasuke’s mind. Itachi was kissing him! Finally! No, wait. Why? Above all else, in public. In their neighborhood. Sasuke twisted his head to the side and pulled his lips from what they wanted.

“Not outside, damnit,” he whispered.

Itachi’s eyes widened. He cursed his own stupidity. He turned the doorknob near Sasuke’s hips and pushed his little brother inside. He kicked the door closed roughly once they were both inside. Sasuke’s back found another solid surface, the wall this time. Itachi let his lips hover a breath’s length away from the petal soft, red lips.

“Push me away, otouto,” he begged.

The hesitation told the elder everything. They both wanted this. For how long, no one could be sure, they both had wanted this. They still did. Itachi had all but destroyed Sasuke. And then kissed him without explanation. Despite the evidence that Sasuke wanted him, this older brother would not make him take the next step. Because his hormones would not win this one. He would not hurt Sasuke for the sake of satiating his lusts.

“I don’t want to,” Sasuke whispered.

“Then show me what you do want,” Itachi responded, his voice inviting.

Small arms snaked around the bigger and yet still slender frame. Bodies were pressed together. The hesitating lips closed the distance. The heat was too intense to stand for too long. But it was delicious. His aniki tasted so much better than he could have ever imagined. Lips explored each other franticly. Both mouths opened and their tongues met to taste and battle. Sasuke’s fingers held onto his brother’s shirt as his legs began to give out on him. Itachi wrapped his own arms around Sasuke to hold the younger boy up better. Breathing had seemed unimportant until they both grew dizzy and stars were erupting behind closed eyelids.

They pulled apart to fill their lungs with air once more. Itachi pressed his forehead against Sasuke’s, but his hold never loosened. Sasuke was panting hard while his mind poured over everything all too quickly. All that matter was that Itachi was kissing him. It had to mean his brother didn’t hate him. He clung to that. He couldn’t stand it if Itachi hated him. Itachi was his everything! If this was out of pity, he’d take it. He could have died happily with his brother touching him, kissing him. But he wanted more than just once. And to get that he had to know if Itachi truly felt the same.

“Why are you doing this, aniki?”

Itachi pulled away quickly at those words. He retreated until Sasuke was several feet away. He looked defeated. He shook his head slowly and turned to head for the stairs leading him upstairs.

“I’m sorry, Sasuke. I did not mean to..”

Sasuke slid to the floor. No. That wasn’t what he wanted to hear. That wasn’t what he needed. No! The footsteps walking upstairs were heavy. Sasuke could feel his heart breaking with each step. Tears clouded his vision. He didn’t care that it was his brother he loved. He wanted everything Itachi had. He wanted to be by the man’s side forever and then some. He could hear a door open through the ringing in his ears. Once that door closed, it would surely be locked. He would never get a chance to plead his case if it was locked. Sasuke’s body kicked into gear before his head did. He was throwing himself up the stairs before he’d even realized he was losing his chance. The door was shutting when it came into sight.

Sasuke threw his shoulder into it once it was closed securely. He heard something crack. His shoulder throbbed painfully. He didn’t care. Whatever had cracked, be it the door or his shoulder, he would deal with later. He pulled back and grabbed onto the doorknob and turned it. All his force was behind his hand. He expected it to be locked. When it swung open easily, Sasuke was dumped onto the ground on his hurt shoulder. He cried out in pain as the wooden floor connected with the damaged part of his body.

“Otouto? Are you okay?”

Sasuke looked up. Tears still clouded the edges of his sight. The pain had glazed over the onyx orbs. Worry creased Itachi’s features. His older brother kneeled down beside him and helped him sit up. Sasuke smiled pitifully.

“You don’t hate me?” he asked.

“What? No. How could I hate you?”

The pain was heavy in both voices. Sasuke’s brows furrowed. Why did aniki sound hurt? Had he hurt his brother? He couldn’t stand that. He never wanted to hurt Itachi. Sasuke launched himself into Itachi’s midsection in a hug. The tears poured freely down his cheeks.

“You were so upset today,” he choked out. “I thought you hated me!”

“Otouto…. Sasuke. You should be the one hating me.”

“Why?!”

Sasuke looked up. He was furious. How could Itachi think he hated him? What had he done to make his precious brother think that? He shook his head violently.

“I kissed you! I could tell you were mad, I shouldn’t have done that!”

The tears got heavier. Sasuke’s throat closed up. He had so much more he wanted to say, but his sobs stopped him. He clung tighter to the lithe body beneath him. He buried his face deeper into the rain soaked shirt and inhaled his favorite scent.

“I’ve been kissing you for so much longer without telling you.”

Itachi’s large hand fell on Sasuke’s head. He held the boy as close as he could.

“Every night you come in here... I’m a horrible person, Sasuke. You give me much more credit than I deserve.”

“What are you talking about?” Sasuke mumbled, turning his head to the side to be free of the shirt that was in his mouth.

“Sasuke…. You’ll hate me. Please just forget I said anything.”

“No. Tell me,” Sasuke demanded.

His tears had cleared up. His heart was racing. His brother was kissing him? He hadn’t actually been dreaming? His first kiss had truly been with Itachi, even though he didn’t know it? Hope flared up throughout his body. He took a deep breath and took a leap. He was never much for faith beforehand. He didn’t think there would be anyone listening to his prayers. So he put his faith in his love for Itachi.

“I love you, aniki. Tell me, please.”

“You won’t love me after this,” Itachi promised,

“Yes, I will.”

Sasuke pulled away from the iron grip and pushed Itachi onto his back. He covered his brother’s lips with his own. He kissed his beloved aniki with much more than passion. He poured every ounce of himself and his feelings into it. He held on as long as he could.

“I love you the way I shouldn’t. I can’t hate you. Even when you hated me, I never once thought of anything but how much I love you. If you’re kissing me in my sleep, I’ll be happy.”

Itachi felt a painful contraction in his chest. It wasn’t the normal pain he felt. Sasuke’s eyes were very dark. The pain still stood out in them. There was something else there, something that gave his words truth. The love than ran deeper than blood. The love Itachi would have never expected to see returned to him.

“Sasuke. My gods, Sasuke. Do you have any idea what you are saying?”

“Yes.”

“Damnit Sasuke. I never thought I would hear those words from you.”

“I’m sorry, aniki. But its true. I’m tired of pretending they’re not.”

“Otouto, I kiss you because I love you. I kiss you when I think you’re sleeping because I never even dreamed you would let me otherwise.”

Sasuke smiled.

“This is very sappy, aniki.”

“I realize that.”

Sasuke sat up, straddling Itachi’s waist. He crossed his arms over his chest.

“I am mad at you, aniki.”

“Why?”

“All these years and you’ve had me believing I was the only one, that I was the pervert for wanting to sleep with my brother.”

“You should be mad at me. I pushed you away so that I would not taint you with incestuous love.”

“Don’t do it again and I won’t get mad at you again.”

Itachi chuckled. He was reminded again at how much of a child his little brother was.

“Is it really that easy for you?” he questioned.

Sasuke pretended to think it over. He climbed off his brother and began pacing in front of the man. Itachi propped himself up on his elbows to watch as Sasuke chewed thoughtfully on his bottom lip.

“Yes, it is.”

“I’m impressed. Now, Sasuke, go change out of those wet clothes before you get sick.”

Sasuke nodded and pulled the hem of his shirt up a little.

“No,” Itachi said darkly. “Not here. I controlled myself this afternoon for your sake, but I cannot do it again. Go to your room.”

“I don’t want to.. I don’t want you to control yourself,” the younger brother pouted.

“You are still a child, otouto.”

“I’ll be thirteen in a month,” he reminded Itachi.

“And I am eighteen. No.”

Sasuke pulled his shirt off before anymore protests could be given. He smirked triumphantly when Itachi blushed and looked away. Sasuke proceeded to unbutton the baggy pants that clung to his legs. His hand stopped before pulling the zipper down.

“Aniki? I’m having some trouble. I think its stuck.”

Itachi looked despite himself at the words. Sasuke was walking towards him nonchalantly with his hand above his zipper. He stood still when his waist was at his brother’s eyes. He pointed to the metal piece on his pants that was the only thing still keeping them up on his body. Itachi shook his head.

“No, otouto. I will not do this with you.”

“You don’t love me that way?”

“Of course I do. But you are too young.”

Sasuke gripped the zipper and pulled it down fluidly. The jeans sagged on him and threatened to fall off with the slightest of tugs. Sasuke shifted his hips around until they slid down his form and revealed the dark boxers. They were not wet, having been protected by the heavy denim that had covered them. Sasuke stepped out of the pants and knelt down in front of the eyes devouring the sight of his half naked form.

“I’m not too young. I can prove it, if you’d like.”

Itachi placed his hands on Sasuke’s bare shoulders. He smiled warmly.

“I suppose you aren’t. I am not ready for this, Sasuke. Wait, please.”

“How long?” Sasuke frowned.

“Your birthday,” Itachi replied after a moment’s deliberation.

“I’d rather not.”

“But you will. For me.”

Sasuke stuck out his tongue and stood up. He bent over and collected his things for the second time that day. Itachi groaned at the view he was given.

“I will, but I’m not happy about it,” Sasuke said over his shoulder as he headed from his aniki’s room.

Itachi cursed himself mentally again. Sometimes being the older one was the hardest.

____________

This is a project that has been sitting on my computer for awhile that I've decided I need to finish. It was intended to be a one shot, but I found it too out of character for Itachi to just have his way with Sasuke so quickly. So there will definitely be more to look for. Thanks so much to my Beta Nanin for all her help with this. This chapter is for her ^^

~Kitten