fantheflame | IC Contact / Appointments: Luceti

It's fine... [It isn't.]

[He clears his throat again, swallowing, doing nothing much else aside from breathing as instructed. Sasuke is already panicking. He didn't want that, but it's inevitable, isn't it?]

It's not as bad as it was.

[This is very little comfort at all, and he knows it. It just means it hasn't progressed that far yet.]

[At least Itachi can clear his throat without starting up another coughing fit... that's something. It's not much and really it only means this is just starting, but it's something.]

...What if you get worse?

[Sasuke's voice is quiet. What if Itachi gets as bad as the last time? ...What if he gets worse still?]

[The very idea of losing Itachi like this makes Sasuke's heart and stomach clench. He's been aware of it as a possibility for years now... but he doesn't think he'll ever be ready for it. Doesn't ever want to be.]

Then we'll find a way to deal with that if and when it happens.

[He includes the "if" only to keep it from sounding as dire, even though there really is no if about it. It will get worse, because that's just the way this disease progresses.]

I'll work on acquiring some medicine. I'm not having any trouble at the factory yet. Don't let it upset you.

[The last is a futile plea, he knows.]

Itachi... I can't just not worry about you.

[He hears the strain in his own voice, but it's so difficult to keep that at bay.]

That'll never happen. You're my big brother. [He swallows.] I've... got a little extra money from the shop. [He's not going to tell Itachi it was a small birthday gift from the shop owner.] I don't think it'll cover your medicine but it should help.

Sasuke. Let me be concerned with that. Please.

[Any extra money he has now has to have been saved up for something. He hates the idea of it being used for him instead.

He breathes slowly, settling himself further so that he appears less pathetic. That isn't helping his case.]

[It's a good thing Itachi can't see him, because Sasuke visibly deflates. His brother's always like this. And Sasuke wants to argue, but right now he feels like that might make things worse. Might make Itachi strain his already overtaxed respiratory system. So he doesn't push.]

...I've got it if you need it, then, okay?

[His voice is small. After a beat, he opts to change the subject, much as it's something he rarely likes to do.]

I'm still sorry though. About you and Law? Whether you want me to apologize for that or not... I want to. I was an ass to you both.

It's alright.

[Sasuke had been confused. He understood this. It's hard to hold anything against his brother in the first place. Law wasn't likely to hold a grudge over it either.

He smiles a little.]

You don't need to worry about that. Don't let it bother you.

[He has other issues to worry about now, and Itachi wishes so strongly that he didn't have to be one of them.]

[Sasuke sighs. It's strange - he can hear that Itachi doesn't need an apology, doesn't see it as something he needs to forgive Sasuke for. But Sasuke feels like it is. Even hearing Itachi say it's alright - Sasuke feels like it's a bigger deal than that. But he can't find words for that to say out loud, not ones that don't sound stupid.]

...Thanks.

[He opts for quiet gratitude instead.]

Do you need help with dinner?

[And small attempts to move on.]

[Itachi wants to be stubborn and tell his brother that no, he doesn't need the help, but letting the teen tag along to help him cook might at least make him feel as though he can do something. He knows how futile this situation can feel.

So he nods, even though he could still accomplish it on his own.]

I would appreciate it.

[It's childish, and Sasuke knows it even as it happens, but some edge of him perks up a little when Itachi says yes, he can help. It's subtle, in that way that so many of Sasuke's natural inclinations are subtle (between the ones that are loud and pronounced), but there's a half-step of extra speed in his movements as he comes up to Itachi's side again, bumps a gentle elbow against his brother's.]

[He's still not hungry - too queasy with the night's events, as his stomach reminds him - but he can help. He can try to make up for some little bit of his stupidity.]

[It's a comfort, that small bit of enthusiasm. For as much as he'd like to insist that he can do this alone, knowing that his brother can still offer that and not fall straight into a funk at this turn of events is good.

It warms his heart a little. Reminds him that they really do need to take care of each other.]

There should be a new block of tofu. Go ahead and get that out for me.

IC Contact / Appointments: Luceti

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