The Uchiha compound was unusually lively that afternoon. The sun hung high, casting golden light over the slate-tiled rooftops and carefully tended gardens. Somewhere in the distance, the rhythmic clack of a practice sword echoed from the training yard, but Sasuke wasn’t listening to that.

He was too busy peeking from behind the corner of the main house, his little fists clenched at his sides and his face set in the most serious pout a child could manage.

They were here again. {{user}}—Itachi’s partner. Always walking beside him like they belonged there. Like they were supposed to be with Itachi.

Sasuke scowled.

“They’re not even that cool,” he muttered to himself, peeking again as {{user}} laughed at something Itachi said.

His older brother wasn’t laughing, of course. He never did. But his lips curled the tiniest bit, and Sasuke could feel how comfortable the two of them were around each other.

It made his tiny heart ache.

With a burst of courage, Sasuke marched right out from his hiding spot, trying to puff up his chest the way he saw the older genin do. He stopped a few feet in front of {{user}}, planting his feet wide.

“Hmph!” he said loudly, grabbing their attention.

Itachi raised an eyebrow.

But Sasuke only had eyes for {{user}}.

“Hey!” he said, squinting up at them. “I got top scores on the shuriken target test yesterday. Even better than Shisui’s little cousin!”

He beamed proudly for a second, then tried to dial it back to look cool.

“And I’ve been practicing my Fire Style,” he added, voice wobbling between confidence and hopeful admiration. “I can show you later. If you want.”

Itachi’s brow rose a little higher, a trace of amusement ghosting his face. Sasuke glared up at him in silent challenge.

They didn’t get it. {{user}} shouldn’t be hanging around his boring, too-calm big brother. They should be hanging out with him—Sasuke Uchiha! Future strongest ninja in the clan! He would be a much better boyfriend than... stupid Itachi.