[His hand falls away and he tucks it into his lap where he won't be as tempted to reach for him again. Despite the weight of Itachi's sorrow, his words set a warmth ablaze in his chest and he meets Itachi's gaze with a bright gaze of his own.]
No, that wouldn't do. Not between us. [He says the last part quietly, almost experimentally. He knows he isn't Itachi's equal in combat, but that has never mattered between them. It's not what Itachi infers now.
There is a word for it of course, but it isn't one he has the courage to utter yet.]
I'm going to make us some tea. [He rises then, moving to where Itachi keeps his tea set and beginning to set things up. There is still a little of the Yunmeng tea he'd gifted to his friend, and he chooses it now, making a note to request some more for the next drop.]
no subject
No, that wouldn't do. Not between us. [He says the last part quietly, almost experimentally. He knows he isn't Itachi's equal in combat, but that has never mattered between them. It's not what Itachi infers now.
There is a word for it of course, but it isn't one he has the courage to utter yet.]
I'm going to make us some tea. [He rises then, moving to where Itachi keeps his tea set and beginning to set things up. There is still a little of the Yunmeng tea he'd gifted to his friend, and he chooses it now, making a note to request some more for the next drop.]