The Ardor of Every Day

18.

The cardigan was off and Sasuke was back on his bed. He returned to reading his novel after the exhilarating day he'd had. He needed this mental exercise, to be able to use his senses for a prolonged amount of time than they were used to. The words were read but not comprehended by his brain. The exact words in the paragraph were followed by his eyes repeatedly as he failed to understand them. His dad had seen him and Naruto, although they were on each end of the bed, he was scared of interrogation because of his past. He eyed the door in fear of it swinging open, his dad walking in and asking him questions he wouldn't be able to answer. He brought the soft blanket back to him to provide himself trivial comfort.

The door made a creaking sound as it opened slightly and slowly, Itachi poked his head in. Sasuke's eyes darted at the sound.

"Can I come in?" Itachi asked.

Even considering the prior ordeals, he was an unusually respectful sibling.

"Yeah." Sasuke replied.

Itachi let himself in and made sure to close the door as he entered. He pulled out the desk chair to face Sasuke and made himself comfy on it. It looked as if he was readying himself for a serious conversation, which was his intention. Sasuke's eyes were questioning what his brother was trying to do.

"You know that I'm not dad right?" Itachi asked Sasuke.

This was an unexpected question as there was no prerequisite to it. Sasuke straightened his posture from a sloppy one and sat cross-legged, giving full attention to his brother's words.

"Yes I know, why do you ask that?" He asked in return.

"Because I just wanna talk, but like us. Not distanced like how you both talk to each other." He replied.

"Ok? What is there to talk about?" Sasuke asked, his voice screened with sarcasm.

"In spite of how you said that, I'm going to try and have a conversation with you." Itachi said.

Sasuke checked his attitude, he chose to try and not scowl at what he said.

"So, why was Naruto here?" Asked Itachi, releasing his hair from his ponytail.

"We're... friends. Just hanging out. Why?" Sasuke was curious as to why he asked about Naruto.

"He seems like a nice guy. You guys seem close already. Although it didn't look like just hanging out to me. I mean he was literally brooding in the rain on our stairs. I'm glad dad wasn't home." He said, now braiding his hair.

"We're friends." Sasuke repeated. He was also glad of his father's absence when he first saw Naruto today, that wouldn't have gone well.

Itachi knew that Sasuke grew uncomfortable by the second.

"I believe you." Itachi said, wrapping a hair tie around the end of his braid.

He cared about Sasuke. They were more distant now than before but Itachi was making an effort. He knew there was more under the surface of what Sasuke told him at the moment. But he was fine with knowing even the tiniest bit more about his life after being apart for so long.

"I'm happy you've made a friend so fast though. It's unlike you." Itachi spoke again.

"I don't think it was up to me. He just didn't stop trying." A smile arose at the corner of his mouth as he said that.

This is all Itachi needed to know. He did notice the smile and he was content. Protectiveness towards his family, especially his brother, was one of his prominent traits.

"That's good." He said. He closed his eyes and smiled, crossing his arms.

"You know if dad ever talks to you, in a way you don't want him to, you can tell me. The least I can do is be a mediator if not more." Itachi looked into Sasuke's eyes, letting him know he was serious.