arcadianchild responded to koredesaigoda:
No one who’d met the boy would ever dispute that he was strange. Several of his habits, deemed “unusual” (and sometimes even “creepy”) by observers, only lent credence to that.
Especially one in particular.
More than a few times had Lac taken to sitting in some corner or beside some piece of furniture in a common room, remaining utterly silent as other people came and went. Most rarely noticed the tiny child. Others would give him an odd look or two, then go about their business. With enough time they tended to forget he was even there. By utilizing that simple practice, he found that he learned a lot.
This time he learned that Itachi had gone out – only for it to start raining.
Without truly thinking, Lac rose promptly from his chosen seat and walked out of the shared space, likely startling at least one person in the process. It was a minor detail however. He was far more focused on grabbing an umbrella and heading out into the bleak weather himself.
Luckily, Itachi hadn’t wandered far. The juvenile was able to find him with relative ease, and was unsurprised when the elder noticed him as well. Neither was the question entirely unexpected either.
However, Lac did little more than hold out the closed umbrella for his caretaker. They were both getting soaked to the bone and, while the boy did not consider the feeling unpleasant, he didn’t know if Itachi was the same and didn’t want him possibly getting sick regardless.
It was worthy to note, how the presence of a single ward was able to change certain aspects in one’s life so seamlessly. While Itachi worried for Sasuke still, there was now another under his care- one he was responsible for treating with gentility. It was a far cry indeed from his usual interactions with his fellow comrades, hardened rogues as they were- and therefore it was only natural for Itachi to pause before he extended a single gesture towards the child. He was not unaware of how the years had numbed him, gradually turning his words and demeanour cold.
To the eyes of many, they saw his behaviour as callous, despite his collected personality.
But that was steadily giving way to exhaustion... His deteriorating condition being the primary cause.
Without a word now, Itachi politely accepted the umbrella, the sentiment behind the action not going amiss. In turn, a small twinge of guilt twisted at his heart, even if it had been warmed too by the kindness.
Lac was a very strange child.
And in some manner, reminded him of himself, once upon a time.
Quietly, he set a hand on Lac’s shoulder. A small pat, before he opened up the umbrella for the both of them. It wouldn’t do for the child to get sick on account of his caretaker’s own carelessness.
“Thank you, Lac-kun,” he murmured. “I’m sorry to have troubled you this far. Shall we return to the inn?”
