S A V I O R

@sassykinzonline from (here)

"I'll carry you." It doesn't seem fair to make Sasuke use the only available summons that are big enough to carry them. And since they don't seem to be leaving with much of anything... this works better.

Something tells Itachi this is the only right way to do it.

(sasuke eyes his brother up and down. should he laugh or nag? the more things change, the more things stay the same...) yeah that's not happening. what's that thing you told naruto? you should rely on a comrade when necessary? if you carry me this time you'll be the one to hurt your ankle. we're taking the bird, he likes you.

Well, can't fault him for trying. It made such a nice little mental image, though...

"When necessary, yes." He still thinks he can carry Sasuke on his own, but yes, the hawk is a smarter choice. Faster, too.

(sasuke nods skeptically, and sniffs around at the food. it actually smells more appetizing than the stuff he buys ready-made. huh. he very gracefully thanks itachi for the food before he drops a few of the onigiri inside the soup and gets to chowing down. he becomes a flurry of utensils, red liquid, arms, and bits of seaweed as he rotates precisely between all three items-- a sign he's both extremely hungry and finds the food extremely appetizing. he can't help but look at his brother with wide eyes, a mixture of awe, respect, and honest surprise.)

damn-- dis is delish--delichioush-- so goof-- you really are a profigy--

That's a relief. He's delighted to hear- the comment from earlier entirely forgotten. There were many failed attempts behind this dish-- he wanted it to be absolutely perfect. If even one thing came out wrong... he started all over.

"Tomorrow you'll get a tray of assorted sliced fruits." They will be incredibly fresh.

(sasuke's ego swells as his brother goes on the back foot. he leans in, confident he can convince itachi to his side.) you should come. we can pretend we're going camping.

If he goes along, then Sasuke won't be alone.

Therefore, it's perfectly justifiable.

"Why pretend? We can take rations and sleeping bags out with us."

Maybe Sasuke can make good on that boar hunt, from all those years ago...

@uchihasavior

(sasuke tries to give himself time to remove the petulance in his voice before he responds. he's unsuccessful.) .....i cant stop being hateful and its disturbing my inner peace. i want to go back to being a lone wolf.

"We as people need connections, Sasuke... you are not excluded." He says, carefully taking one of Sasuke's hands in both of his own.

but do i really? really?

(he can't help but plead with his brother for permission to move into the mountains, never to be seen again.)

"Yes, ah, but..." He doesn't want to catch himself hard making the decision for him. Ultimately it's up to Sasuke, but...

"If you feel like you need a little distance at times... there's no harm in that." People needed breaks.

@uchihasavior

(sasuke tries to give himself time to remove the petulance in his voice before he responds. he's unsuccessful.) .....i cant stop being hateful and its disturbing my inner peace. i want to go back to being a lone wolf.

"We as people need connections, Sasuke... you are not excluded." He says, carefully taking one of Sasuke's hands in both of his own.

im a little hurt youd be able to prepare to leave me. i cant say the same, dear nii-san. (at this point hes just testing what he can get away with so he pets his brother's hair affectionately.)

i can see that. youre rather rebellious so we'll stay away from baking for now. brush up on your chemistry though, that might help you. (he sticks another macaron in itachi's mouth then pats him on the back firmly.)

Rebellious, huh? Interesting choice of words. But he'll once again take Sasuke's distraction of food in his mouth, instead looking thoughtful as he chews, and eventually swallows.

"Will you do me the honors?" He's holding out the perfume bottle out to him. He's no idea where this is typically applied.

(pokes his forehead then crams a macaron into his mouth with a sadistic grin. ah, the glory of adulthood. and it seems itachi still hasnt caught onto the trick behind the food...)

dont look so distraught at the cookbooks, i just want you to be able to cook the food you want whenever you want. i also want to be able to teach you something, it could be fun. a bonding exercise. im not disowning you.

It takes him a minute-- he has to focus and chew his food first.

As usual, the treat is delicious, and he raises his hand to swipe up bits of cream and almond cookie off his lips, finishing it off so he doesn't dirty the books, or his brand new bottle of perfume.

"If you ever do disown me, I'll be prepared, mm?" He jests good naturedly, beginning to leaf through the book at the top.

"I'd love to cook with you, but this is something I don't pick up easy." Sasuke will have to be patient with him. He's a 'genius' to many-- but he will fumble this heavily in the beginning.

(he really cant stop his instinct to tense at human contact at first, given his agitated state, but he closes his eyes regardless and hums. if he manages to met some deity when he dies, he would like to thank them for gifting him itachi.)

thats kind of the issue. i wish i wouldnt have to say it. i wish what i thought mattered enough that my belonging to the group mattered. and part of the hurt is that i did really try, in so many ways. im even willing to beat them in combat if necessary.

"Let's not resort to violence if we can help it." He's never thought that was the answer, Sasuke can and should defend himself, but this situation seems a bit more delicate, he thinks.

"Pain is part of our lives, Sasuke. There are different ways to navigate it, that we have to discover as time goes on. I think you would benefit from trying to explain your case again, if these friendships truly matter to you."

@uchihasavior

(he winces. he doesnt want to expose his bad sides to his brother, but it is bothering him that he never got to talk about this...)

i have a "friend" that hurt me, and i guess we're not friends anymore thanks to it. someone who cares for me views that "friend" in high regard and it...hurts. (he chews on his lip. this is embarrassing for its childishness and pettiness.)

No name? That means its someone he knows... and while he would probably get an answer if he pressed, he feels its more respectful to let Sasuke tell him on his own time.

"Have you tried explaining to them how you were hurt originally?" Itachi starts, gently, walking a line behind Sasuke to place his palms on his shoulders, massaging slowly.

...that sounds like him though--(shoots straight up, holding his head from the dizziness)....hello...nii-san.

"Good morning, Sasuke."

With the curtains shut, he makes his way to Sasuke's bed, carefully retucking him back into his futon.

"Go back to sleep."

@uchihasavior

(mumbles sleepily) youre my favourite brother, dont tell itachi.

"Won't tell a soul." Scout's honor. He's going to make sure they're pulled together nice and snug, so Sasuke can nap undisturbed.