THE FARM || ITASASU

Part 12

I wrote most of this listening to Rare Americans - Gass mask. It really quite beautifully reflects on this story, if anyone is interested in a little insight.
Also, this has gotten incredibly long and at this point i dont have it in me to check it all again, so hopefully it all makes some sense lol.

Sasuke drifted off to sleep in the comfort of Itachi's arms, finally allowing himself to forget the outside world for a while. The quiet peace they shared in the cabin felt like a sanctuary, free from the pressures and tangled emotions that constantly plagued him. For now, there was only the warmth of his brother beside him and the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

When Sasuke awoke the next morning, the sun was streaming through the cabin window, casting a warm glow over the room. Itachi was still asleep beside him, his features softened in a rare moment of tranquility. Sasuke couldn't help but reach out, tracing his fingers lightly over Itachi's cheek, committing the image to memory. This was the closeness he had been yearning for—the simple connection that didn't require words or complicated explanations.

They spent the day enjoying each other's company, talking quietly, and sharing affectionate touches. It felt like a fresh start, a chance to rebuild the bond they had always shared. Despite the messiness of their feelings, despite the lingering guilt and confusion, they were closer than they had been in a long time. For that afternoon, everything felt right—simple, even.

As they packed up to head back to the farmhouse, Sasuke found himself reluctant to leave the calm of the cabin behind. But he knew that they couldn't stay isolated forever. Reality was waiting for them back at the farmhouse, and Sasuke couldn't avoid it any longer.

****

Back at the farmhouse, the mood was noticeably different. Without Sasuke and Itachi's tension driving the undercurrent, things had lightened up considerably. Deidara and Hidan were in high spirits, as usual, while Naruto had easily settled into his role as the cheerful, oblivious guest. Sasori, however, remained as inscrutable as ever, though he had taken a keen interest in spending time with Naruto.

They were lounging on the porch when Sasori struck up a conversation, his tone as casual as ever. "You and Sasuke go way back, huh?" he remarked, his voice laced with curiosity.

Naruto grinned, leaning back in his chair. "Yeah, since we were kids. He's always been a stubborn pain in the ass, but he's my best friend. I've seen him go through a lot."

Sasori nodded thoughtfully, his eyes narrowing slightly. "You've probably been there for him during the rough times, too. He doesn't seem like the type to open up easily, though."

Naruto's expression grew more serious, though he didn't seem to notice how skillfully Sasori was steering the conversation. "Yeah... there was one time in particular that was really bad. It took a long time for him to get out of it, and even longer for him to realize how bad things really were."

Sasori leaned forward slightly, keeping his tone light but laced with subtle interest. "What happened? Sounds like it really left a mark on him."

Naruto's eyes clouded with a mix of anger and concern as he thought back to those days. "He got involved with someone older—a person who really messed him up. It was a toxic relationship, but Sasuke didn't see it at first. He was caught up in it, thinking it was love, even though it was more about control and manipulation. I tried to pull him out of it, but it wasn't easy. He was too wrapped up in it to listen to anyone."

Sasori's smile was cool, but there was a flicker of something sharper in his eyes as he took in the information. "So it was more about control than anything else?"

"Yeah," Naruto replied, his voice tinged with bitterness. "That person isolated him, messed with his head, made him feel like he was worthless without them. It wasn't until things got really bad that Sasuke finally realized he needed to get out. But by then, he was already closed off, like he was afraid to let anyone get close again."