[There's some fortune in having this conversation over an impersonal, separated medium. Itachi looks down at the screen of the watch, reading those two sentences twice, then three times, as if disbelieving the information they communicate. He'd known Sasuke would become a monster as this world defines it; what he hadn't known was its extent.
Perhaps because it's more subtle so far, physically. Not the wings and feathers and scales of many other beasts he's seen. Easier to look past. It isn't as though they touch, he has no reason to linger on body chill, and the rest of those symptoms are better concealed and composed except perhaps the form of a bat. Yet even that is an ability—like enhanced strength—not a detraction.
Not losing life.
Itachi's reply takes some time to come through. Near the end of three hours, he returns to this conversation, having clamped down on an immediate urge to... what? Seek Sasuke out? Learn all he can on vampire transformation? It was in his mind already. But now it roars to the front.]
[ Sasuke has had months to compartmentalize his encroaching death. He's had years to deal with Itachi's, with far more limited success.
His brother takes three hours, and Sasuke doesn't interrupt or judge him for it. It would've been just as expected that he should need even longer after such a cold revelation, but while Sasuke wishes there'd been another way to say it more gently he doesn't regret maintaining at least the facade of impartiality. It helps. ]
It's indeterminate. With how things are progressing, I'd say within two to three months but that's a mere estimate.
[Two to three months, an implication of slow decay and eventual death. Inevitable, unstoppable death. From what he understands, the transformations that monsters of this world are forced to undergo are not optional and cannot be prevented or undone. Sasuke will be twisted into a creature beyond the scope of his own understanding, and he will lose his life in the process.
It has been an immutable belief to Itachi that his younger brother would one day return to their world whole and safe. Instead, this... so far out of his own control and ability to do anything about it.
The next reply takes some twenty minutes, a grueling period of deep thought. Sasuke must have done his own research and accepted this fate, or he would not be speaking in these terms. But perhaps with Itachi's own research and efforts...]
Keep me updated on your condition.
[Why couldn't you have just turned into a cute bunny or something, SASUKEEEE.]
[ The sheer scope of his selfishness that manifests in his disappointment in how the conversation has gone isn't lost on Sasuke. How petty, he chides himself when he rereads, seeing how what he intended as a simple check-in with his older brother had morphed into a much more serious reveal he knows he must be struggling with. ]
Understood. I'll report back in later.
[ The colder severity with which he replies serves as his apology, wanting to communicate to him that he isn't treating this with less gravity than it deserves. But still... ] You don't need to be there when it happens. It's not your duty.
[Itachi finds himself inspecting the watch for the better part of that wait between messages, anticipating an end there. So he's somewhat surprised by the rest.]
I understand. But if it will happen, I will see it.
[This... such an iron certainty. He's witnessed enough sights in his life, after all, that no matter how painful this one becomes, he can bear it. The alternative is worse.]
[ Unbidden, the image of his brother with unseeing eyes pointed upward, both of their faces streaked with blood and bodies burnt and scarred from battle, comes to him. With the return of one ghost comes a resurgence of others. ]
But you would avoid me otherwise.
[ He doesn't know what possesses him to write the text or to send it, an immediate sense of regret overwhelming him when he stares down at it. The follow-up is faster this time. ]
[If it was only that initial message, Itachi would be forced to respond. They're words intended to get a reaction. He cannot argue he hasn't kept deliberate distance between them since his arrival—what had Sasuke expected? His ability to relax around his younger brother in light of everything Sasuke has learned about him, all of those ugly truths bared to daylight...
It's impossible. How does he respond now? Does he acknowledge Sasuke's scathing comment, or pass over it with Sasuke's dismissive permission? So much hidden meaning to address. Itachi's instinct of avoidance wins out.]
[ Just like that, a conversation about a beautiful night turns into Sasuke's agreement to allow his brother to watch him die, getting a simple "thank you" from a man that's likely just as much at a loss for words as he is. He feels tired. He blames it on his physical condition instead of his mental one.
There's nothing else to say in spite of him wishing there were, staring down at those two words for far too long before he puts that watch aside. Their talks are over for tonight. ]
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no subject
Perhaps because it's more subtle so far, physically. Not the wings and feathers and scales of many other beasts he's seen. Easier to look past. It isn't as though they touch, he has no reason to linger on body chill, and the rest of those symptoms are better concealed and composed except perhaps the form of a bat. Yet even that is an ability—like enhanced strength—not a detraction.
Not losing life.
Itachi's reply takes some time to come through. Near the end of three hours, he returns to this conversation, having clamped down on an immediate urge to... what? Seek Sasuke out? Learn all he can on vampire transformation? It was in his mind already. But now it roars to the front.]
How long until then?
no subject
His brother takes three hours, and Sasuke doesn't interrupt or judge him for it. It would've been just as expected that he should need even longer after such a cold revelation, but while Sasuke wishes there'd been another way to say it more gently he doesn't regret maintaining at least the facade of impartiality. It helps. ]
It's indeterminate. With how things are progressing, I'd say within two to three months but that's a mere estimate.
no subject
It has been an immutable belief to Itachi that his younger brother would one day return to their world whole and safe. Instead, this... so far out of his own control and ability to do anything about it.
The next reply takes some twenty minutes, a grueling period of deep thought. Sasuke must have done his own research and accepted this fate, or he would not be speaking in these terms. But perhaps with Itachi's own research and efforts...]
Keep me updated on your condition.
[Why couldn't you have just turned into a cute bunny or something, SASUKEEEE.]
no subject
Understood. I'll report back in later.
[ The colder severity with which he replies serves as his apology, wanting to communicate to him that he isn't treating this with less gravity than it deserves. But still... ] You don't need to be there when it happens. It's not your duty.
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Would you prefer if I wasn't?
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[ Which isn't enough of a response or explanation, but he hesitates far too long on sending a follow-up. ]
It will be an impossible sight for you to forget.
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I understand. But if it will happen, I will see it.
[This... such an iron certainty. He's witnessed enough sights in his life, after all, that no matter how painful this one becomes, he can bear it. The alternative is worse.]
no subject
But you would avoid me otherwise.
[ He doesn't know what possesses him to write the text or to send it, an immediate sense of regret overwhelming him when he stares down at it. The follow-up is faster this time. ]
I understand. Disregard. I'll keep you informed.
no subject
It's impossible. How does he respond now? Does he acknowledge Sasuke's scathing comment, or pass over it with Sasuke's dismissive permission? So much hidden meaning to address. Itachi's instinct of avoidance wins out.]
Thank you.
[And that's it.]
no subject
There's nothing else to say in spite of him wishing there were, staring down at those two words for far too long before he puts that watch aside. Their talks are over for tonight. ]