#sns pride

And Sasuke is the "hero" for one episode, nominated by Itachi.

Sasuke is a scientist drowning in lab research to find a cure for his dying older brother. When he's not working, he's obsessing over his brother's care: appointments, medicine, optimal nutrition, strategic cautious exercise, supplements...

Their house also has 5 cats, obvi

Itachi sends an SOS to fab 5 to help his brother live his life with Itachi, rather than for Itachi. And, to help Sasuke recognize he has his own life too.

Sasuke is:

Gay and out, but rejecting all social opportunities

Lives in lab clothes and a navy blue or so dark purple it's almost black T-shirt/ jeans uniform.

House has bare minimum items, mostly full of medical equipment and open storage for treatments. No art or paint colors, Itachi's essentially blind so Sasuke doesn't see the point. The only personality is cat scratchers & toys, and random couch covers to protect fabric from cats.

Eating is about optimal health, not flavor. Itachi wants more sweets.

Enter Fab 5:

Naruto's area of expertise is mental health & wellness. When he learns about this week's hero, he's in shock.

Sasuke and him grew up together, thick as thieves, until their tragic separation after the death of Sasuke's parents, then Itachi's first perilous health diagnosis. Sasuke severed his relationship with Naruto after a judo fight that went too far.

There are 4 others in the Fab 5, cast whoever ya want. If it were up to me, Naruto would do every aspect of the show: emotional wellness, grooming, home design, cuisine, style.

Sasuke is blindsided by being forced to take a week off work to do a reality show. He thinks it's a waste of time, and has no reservations letting the camera crew know. Itachi persuades him to cooperate with something morbid and loving and, yes, manipulative. Because that's Itachi's go-to, for better or worse.

Sasuke is much more cooperative once he sees Naruto. He doesn't own up that changes need to be made of course, but he does stop threatening everyone and actually answers questions. He's not nice at all, quite ungrateful actually, but he does the bare minimum to allow the Fab 5 to do their job.

As opposed to other episodes when the hero is mostly on their own, Sasuke insists Itachi's present for every activity. Which actually works out beautifully for a thousand reasons.

Itachi gets to feel furniture fabrics and pick out light fixtures and abstract art with what little eyesight he has left. Crying ensues. Sasuke admits he likes natural elements in the home like a live edge table and linen fabrics.

Sasuke learns to cook a meal for Itachi that benefits his health, and is sweet. Itachi cries tears of joy. Sasuke's eyes water, realizing he doesn't have to deprive his brother of the things he loves while taking care of him.

Itachi feels Sasuke's hair covering his one eye, and shares that Sasuke is experiencing his own changes in eye health that have led to mismatching eyes. Crying ensues, Sasuke gets a haircut that gets his hair out of his face, and a cool collection of glasses.

Itachi shares that Sasuke narrates the Met Gala to him every year, and he believes Sasuke has a secret interest in edgy fashion. He helps Sasuke admit he likes wearing halter tops and deep Vs. *fans self*

And every morning of this week, Sasuke starts his day with a judo match with Naruto. They actually beat the shit out of each other on day 1. And of course Naruto has a powerful way with words throughout every fight. But as the week goes on, their spars become a little more playful. More fun. More flirty...

And on the big finale reveal day, it's actually Naruto who can't keep it together. Seeing the love of his life have this one blossoming week of personal growth, while still desperately trying to buy Itachi more time, and he knows he has to leave because this is his job, it all crumbles Naruto. Naruto let's his 4 coworkers walk him out the door, not breaking eye contact with Sasuke.

But Itachi invites Naruto back in. Naturally, Naruto bolts back.