A/N: One last gift for you SasuIta fans. Happy holidays~

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Sasuke loves his brother. Loves him to death. Loves him to life.

He has made his deal with the King of Hell, lifted his brother out of the mist-shrouded river. Itachi promised him forever, and Sasuke expects him to honor that promise.

When Itachi opens his eyes, he sees that time has continued to flow. His younger brother is no longer a child, but a man. Somewhere on the other side, also a husband and a father.

Itachi knows he should say something, but he would be lying. His vision blurs, and his knees fall weak. The embrace alone has his heart crying with joy.

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Sasuke loves his brother. Loves him when close. Loves him when far.

It takes six months for Itachi to be able to walk again, the healthy flush of blood to return to his skin. By then, the house has gotten empty.

Itachi would stare at the blue skies of outside, and his mind would wander to the village, his home. But when he extends his hand, he is greeted by the invisible shell of the Susano'o. It is sentient and everlasting, the omnipotence of a deity that instills fear, even in him.

So Itachi stays in place. He wants to say something, but whenever Sasuke returns, he returns with an eagerness and a light that silences him every time.

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Sasuke loves his brother. Loves him as kin. Loves him as paramour.

His hands are strong, as he pushes himself deeper inside his brother. His hands are strong while Itachi's resolve is weak.

For many nights, the candlelight would show them intertwined. Inseparable. The air is raw and unfocused, scorched by sin.

Itachi needs to say something, but his voice is choked from under. Every touch burns him harsher than hell, brings him one step closer to heaven. It is as close as he will ever get.

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Itachi traces his thumb over the photograph of a mother and her child, a vestige of the other side. They are alive, vibrant. Incomplete.

He has stolen something from them that he can't give back.

Sasuke pretends to not see the photograph when he joins him on the bed.

Itachi has stolen a part of his brother too. It leaves Sasuke broken and dysfunctional, as he takes a hold of Itachi's hand and smothers him with another kiss.

Itachi can't give this back either, no matter how he tries to return it. Sasuke doesn't want it back. He just wants to hold his brother, covet his brother, love his brother, for all of eternity.

When Sasuke forces his legs to spread again, Itachi doesn't say anything. He can't speak.

It doesn't matter. Sasuke won't hear.