A/N: In February, Deviline wrote me a lovely story. I promised a story back. Only, I am 3 months late. Ah, forgive me! This story is dedicated to you; I hope you will like it.
Also, thank you to everyone who wrote to me and gave me the extra push to get to writing again.
o
you desire beauty, but can you find her
o
"Whom is it for?"
Sasuke felt his throat close. "A duke."
From the bed, Itachi smiled curiously. Nonetheless, his hands went to the collar of his shirt. Slowly, one lacing after the next became undone.
o
you find beauty, but can you see her
o
"Like this?"
"Lean back."
Itachi did, until the expanse of his back was pressed against the covers, until the jewels slipped down his clavicle. Until the candle fought against the sun, and his ankle was seized by the evening light, but his lips were dipped by fire.
"Like that."
o
you see beauty, but can you capture her
o
Sasuke controlled the trembling in his fingers. His eyes traced along every contour of skin.
Black spilled, currents of water that fell down the neck and into the pillows. Red caressed, along the jaw and ear where the shadows kissed. White rose, breathing life into every finger, curving around the knee and toes.
o
yes, for she is not trying to hide
o
In his suspension, Itachi listened. The scratches of the brush, the fall of the rag, the smearing of a thumb into the wetness of the paint.
He could feel the touch of his brother's gaze. The touch was warm. The touch was slow.
But it was very thorough.
o
yes, for she wipes the dust from all eyes
o
"Am I a man or a woman?"
"Neither."
"Neither?"
"You are above them."
o
no, for like wind contained, she is no more
o
"Then am I an angel?"
Sasuke watched the amusement on his brother's lips.
There was something beckoning about the way he tilted his head and exposed his neck. There was something interesting about how the tip of only one finger touched the covers. There was something unusual about the foot, how despite every suggestion, the toes did not curl, the fabric did not drag.
Sasuke set the brush down.
"No, you are not."
o
but maybe where she once was, lingers
o
"Then what am I, Your Excellency?"
o
a shadow, or smile sealed by the finger
o
There were hands clever and fast, capable of creation. There was a gaze that held the power to tame a man. There was a voice that could pierce the finest metal.
There were breaths soft and alive. There was a fire to be felt in his chest, warm and tender, and a smile that could calm the cry of any child. There was a taste that could spiral anyone into gluttony, a gasp that burned fields, and a touch that no friction could stop.
The light from the windows sloped steeper and steeper. The candle ate itself and the flame blew out. Even then, the canvas lied empty of everything except lines and colors, the brush abandoned next to the platter.
o
left for you to go chase her once more
o
Sasuke broke apart the kiss.
"You are an allegory."