Flowers, tattoos and I love you's

34. freesia

Hey guys, I'm still alive, I promise! I know many of you had been waiting for this chapter for a while and I'm sorry it took this long but it's finally here! College and life got in the way and my uninspired ass also didn't help.

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After they had left the car and the horrendous scene involving his brother, Itachi followed Shisui to the restaurant they were gonna eat at. During that small timeframe they had been able to chat a little and with each passing minute, Itachi began to realize just how much he'd missed the other one. Not necessarily in a romantic form but mostly as a friend. Besides Deidara, Itachi hadn't made many friends over the years because none of the people around him sparked any interest so it felt refreshing to have that again, even if it was just for a little.

He felt comfortable. Like he hadn't felt in a while.

There was a certain level of comfort and familiarity that could only be achieved through years of knowing someone. After all, experience did come with age. You get to be familiarized with their little quirks and habits. You are aware of their likes and dislikes. If they prefer sunny side-up or scrambled eggs in the morning or if, for some weird unknown reason, they drank sparkling water instead of still water. You become aware of their ticks and what sets them off. You know how to celebrate their victories and how to console them on their bad days.

Sure they had known each other way before they began dating but there was an intimacy that could only come with dating.

Friend Itachi knew Shisui loved the seat by the window. He knew that he loved sparkling water. He knew that Shisui was fascinated by bright colors even though the more muted and neutral ones were predominant in his life.

Boyfriend Itachi knew more. He knew the reason why Shisui loved the window seat was because it reminded him of the sweet childhood moments he had with Itachi when they used to fight for it like it was their ultimate goal in life. He knew Shisui preferred sparkling water to still because he loved the bitter taste and the way the bubbles would burst on his tongue.

Oh, how he'd missed him.

Even if he didn't want to admit it, and even though they were meeting under the pretext of the documents, Itachi really wanted to see him.

Itachi had been so distracted by their conversation, he had barely noticed the time pass by when they finally got to the restaurant.

He looked up at the sign and it was like his memories had just punched him right in the stomach.

For the past months, Itachi had realized he had a love-hate relationship with memories.

On certain days, while he would lay in bed, all he wanted was to drown in them. He wanted them to wash over him like a wave and swallow him whole for a brief second as he allowed his brain to relive those moments as if they were happening for the first time. He tried to relive those moments, feel those emotions, the fingertips on his skin, and that smile that always used to make his whole world light up.

Sometimes late at night, if he strained his ears hard enough he would be able to hear Shisui's laugh through the door. He just needed enough concentration to relive those moments.

Relieve the memory as if he was experiencing it for the first time all over again, etched and branded into his brain, always keeping it close to his heart. A core memory.