There was a knock on Itachi's door but he didn't answer it.

Itachi wouldn't have answered it under normal circumstances but especially not right then as he was naked. Itachi had his own bathroom attached to his room which was convenient. This way he didn't have to walk through the hallway with a towel on. He wasn't ashamed of his body but he had a fairly good idea as to who was at the door. Sure enough, an oh so familiar breathy voice whined,

"Nii-san, I know you're in there."

Itachi went on ignoring his brother. There were much more interesting things to attract Itachi's attention than listening to his brother. Like the fact that the light on his cell phone was blinking, for instance. That meant he had a voice mail. He toweled himself off, humming flatly. When he was down he neatly folded the towel and dropped on his desk chair. Only then (for Itachi found it ridiculous that his phone should take first priority) did he sink down on his bed and access his voice mail. A familiar lofty, provocative voice filled his ears.

"Tachi babe, I'm arriving tomorrow at noon to pick you up. College's going to be awesome!"

Itachi thought it was mildly cute the way Kakashi didn't announce himself. And Kakashi would show up Itachi knew– he was the one person who could get the masked Casanova to show up on time. Probably because Kakashi knew Itachi wouldn't wait for him.

"Itachiiii!"

A pause in which Itachi didn't say anything.

"Fine don't answer. But I'm going to the store. Do you want anything? Snacks for the road?"

Sasuke had this strange attachment to his brother, needing to tell Itachi everything. Even things Itachi would never need or want to know. Like the fact that Sasuke was gay or his big toe was bigger than his second toe (Itachi couldn't stop himself from rolling his eyes at the latter) or that Sasuke wanted to grow up to be just like Itachi.

"Dobe might come over while I'm gone- I can't remember if we made plans…You don't have to entertain him or anything – he can watch TV. Actually," Sasuke thought about who he was talking to- not just his big brother but his sexually active (god-like) big brother. "Don't do anything."

"Hn. Otouto, sure you don't want me to play a game with him? Like the game you and I used to play?" Itachi's voice was sinfully innocent.

Sasuke swallowed. "Y-yes. Don't do anything to him."

Itachi chuckled darkly to himself before rising to his feet and crossing to the door.

"No. I'm serious. It's not funny. Itachi-"

Sensing Sasuke's apprehension, Itachi opened the door.

Sasuke almost fell onto him as he was pressed so hard against the door. He scrambled backwards under Itachi's glacial stare. Itachi found it comical how poorly Sasuke hid his emotions.

Itachi poked Sasuke's forehead with two fingers, his usual sign of affection. "You should get to the store before it closes," Itachi suggested as much as Itachi could suggest anything.

Sasuke nodded trying not to openly stare at his godlike brother's physique.

Itachi bent his head forward so his lips were a millimeter away from Sasuke's. Sasuke licked his lips wondering what his brother's lips would feel like against his own.

"I need to tell you something before you go to the store," Itachi said seriously and Sasuke had to force himself to focus on the words and not the tone and way in which they were said in such a dark chocolate-y voice.

The doorbell rang right before Itachi could eliminate the few air molecules between them.

Sasuke flinched, looking annoyed but not at Itachi. Itachi put his arm above Sasuke head, leaning towards him.

"Or you know, Naruto can let himself in. I have to tell you something…"

Gathering his dark mass of hair with one hand and tossing it over his shoulder, Itachi informed Sasuke in tones of utmost boredom, "Kakashi's picking me up tonight." Itachi's eyes said plainly: You'll keep out of sight if you know what's good for you.

Sasuke remembered the first time Itachi had introduced Kakashi to him. Sasuke had found him interesting and grudgingly acknowledged his intelligence – for he had to be somewhat intelligent or Itachi wouldn't bother with him. It was not unusual for Sasuke to come downstairs in the morning and find Kakashi in the kitchen. Kakashi had decided when he and Itachi were younger that Itachi was his, Kakashi's, soul mate. Sasuke, who had a large brother-complex, was not pleased at the added competition for Itachi's attention. Sasuke scowled; the memory of three years ago clearly etched in his mind.

"Hey, Sasu-chan?" a fifteen year old Kakashi draped an arm around the younger Uchiha who tried to shrug the arm off. Sasuke sent a 'help-me' look at Itachi who was reading his book. Well, not really reading but his eyes were moving. Itachi had decided early on that until Sasuke was actually on the verge of death he wouldn't step in. He trusted Kakashi to know his limits.

"What?" Sasuke tried not to be nervous and contemplated asking Kakashi if he honestly thought his dopey smile fooled anyone.

"You love Itachi, right?"

Another look at Itachi. Itachi turned the page of his book.

"Yes," Sasuke replied cautiously.

"Does he love you?" Kakashi was all innocent smiles.

Sasuke repeated his answer without hesitating.

"Have you guys kissed?"

Itachi sighed, realizing he'd have to stop the conversation.

"That's enough, Kakashi."

"You didn't answer my question," Kakashi replied pleasantly.

"No, we haven't! Is that bad?" Sasuke looked stricken.

"Yes," Kakashi nodded. "When people love each other they kiss."

Sasuke had to agree with this. He looked worriedly at Itachi who was staring at Kakashi, eyes coldly furious.

"Nii-san!" Sasuke rushed to where Itachi sat on the couch. He climbed on Itachi's lap and leaned forward, pursing his lips.

Itachi put up two fingers and poked Sasuke hard in the forehead.

"Kakashi was just joking." Itachi shifted Sasuke off his lap. He stood and turned to the door. "We're going out for ice cream."

Kakashi looked torn; he wanted to stay and torment the brothers. But on the other hand, if they went out, Kakashi could have Itachi all to himself.

Kakashi stood up too. "Fine. Later squirt."

Itachi looked almost amused but it was hard to tell. "No, I meant Sasuke."

Sasuke felt his cheeks heat up but couldn't deny the swell of happiness in his chest. "Really? Wait for me- I'll just go get my jacket!"

Kakashi didn't look irritated, merely interested.

Sasuke's thoughts were trained on ice cream. He wondered what kind Itachi would get and decided he'd get the same flavor. He thought he heard his name and so he lingered on the stairwell.

"I was just trying to do you a favor, Itachi. You know I don't judge. And I know how you feel about-"

"Shut up, Ka-kun," Itachi instructed. Sasuke felt his knees go weak. Ka-kun. Itachi had a nick name for Kakashi…

"Make me, Tachi."

Sasuke could hear Itachi sigh, could almost feel it. He heard them kiss and then a thought occurred to him. Did Itachi love Kakashi more than Sasuke? The thought hurt. A lot. He held back his tears because that's what Uchihas did. Sasuke paused for a moment before dashing up the stairs.

He took his time getting his jacket, the one Itachi had given him because he'd outgrown it. He held it up to his nose, inhaling it. He couldn't smell Itachi on it, but that didn't matter. Sasuke was imaginative. Tears splashed onto the jean fabric. He looked at his mirror. He smoothed his hair down, frowning at the way it stuck up at the back. Then he gave up and went back down the stairs.

Sasuke pretended he hadn't heard the rustle of clothes being adjusted. Kakashi's mask was askew but Sasuke wasn't looking at him. He was too busy not noticing the way Itachi's pale skin was a bit pinker than usual, that his eyes were a little bit less cold.

Sasuke made sure he didn't act strangely and tried his best to act as animatedly as possible. Because that's what you did when you loved someone, right? You let them get way with things, even if hurt.

"Teme? What's wrong, you look upset."

Sasuke blinked twice and shook his head. By the time he'd arrived downstairs, Naruto had already opened the door but hadn't come inside, like he was waiting for permission.

"What do you think you're doing here Dobe?."

Translation: Uzumaki, your timing sucks. For most people, that was Sasuke's usual greeting. However, Naruto was his best friend so he expected a somewhat warmer welcome. He supposed for Sasuke to talk to him like this, like he would anyone else, Sasuke couldn't be in that great of a mood.

Sasuke let him inside, so Naruto supposed that was something. "Is now a bad time?" he guessed.

"My mom just called; I'm on my way out to pick up stuff." Sasuke rolled his eyes."Itachi's still here, packing his bags in his room if you want to hang out with him until I get back."

"Okay," Naruto waved goodbye. "Later teme."

Naruto waited for the door to click before racing up the stairs, calling, "Oy! Itachi!"

Naruto was unperturbed when Itachi didn't respond; he rarely did. The door to Itachi's room was open.

"You sure you want to do this?" Itachi asked quietly from where he reclined on the bed.

Naruto had to refrain from drooling. He was like Sasuke, only ten times hotter. And less bratty. "We only have 15 minutes," Naruto said, his tone questioning.

Itachi chuckled. That was plenty of time.