Encore

6

The rest of the autumn passed without anything else happening between them. They sat next to each other in lectures, sometimes with others but mostly just the two of them, they met afterwards for studying (and for Shisui to look at Itachi's notes to try to figure out what he had written), they texted. Shisui still flirted like mad in text and used the kissing emoji almost daily, but they never mentioned the kiss, and it didn't happen again. Nothing out of the ordinary for two university friends occurred. But Itachi enjoyed Shisui's company immensely, and he noticed Shisui enjoyed his. Shisui had a way of showing excitement whenever Itachi was around that made Itachi never doubt Shisui's patience; he was never afraid Shisui would find him boring and he didn't feel Shisui was waiting for him to make any kind of move. Even if they met up only to study something dense and hard together, Shisui's enthusiasm made Itachi feel like the centre of his world. Itachi was very happy there.

Shisui didn't make any sort of move on Itachi either, which didn't bother Itachi that much honestly. But sometimes he caught snippets of conversation that made him understand that Shisui still had his eyes on him.

"What has happened to you, Shisui!" Chris exclaimed one day when they all met for a dinner out. "You barely go out! What happened with all the flirting you used to do?"

"Well..." Shisui grinned and scratched the back of his head. "I guess I grew up", he said. "And I kind of already have my eyes on someone..." Itachi wasn't completely sure, but he could almost have sworn that Shisui cast a glance his way and smiled a little when he said this. Itachi looked down and felt his cheeks heat.

Christmas break came. Shisui and Itachi had revised together a lot, both their common courses and the ones that were specific for mathematical engineering and IT and programming, respectively. Both had gotten the highest marks on their exams, Itachi beating Shisui by only a few points in their common courses. Shisui pretended to be very upset about this, but in reality he was immensely proud. Of himself, of course, but mostly of Itachi. They took company to the airport together to fly to their respective homes to celebrate Christmas with their families. They now stood where they had to go to their separate gates to get to their respective flights.

"So..." Shisui scratched his head. He had a light blue beanie and his glasses on. Itachi thought he looked so cute he might burst. "What do you wish for Christmas?"

Itachi flinched. Knowing the economic state of Shisui's family, he felt ashamed Shisui even needed to ask. "Oh, my God, Shisui, nothing."

"Come on, I would love to give you something." He looked at Itachi sincerely. "It would make me happy."

Itachi felt his will buckle. "Something homemade", he finally said. "That I can use every day."

Shisui's face lit up. That smile made it worth it, despite it being so hard to wish for something from someone who was so poor.

"Aren't you gonna ask me what I want?" Shisui asked playfully.

Itachi smiled warmly. "I already know what I'll get you." In a way, he though he had known from the day they met.

Without warning, Shisui lifted one of his hands from his coat pocket to Itachi's face. He took a loose strand of Itachi's long side bangs and put it behind his ear, brushing his cheek in the process. It was the first time he had shown Itachi any form of intimacy since that time they kissed back in August. "I'll miss you."

Recovering from his chock, Itachi smiled and put a hand on the one Shisui had lain on his face. "I'll miss you, too."

And Shisui embraced him in a huge hug. Itachi hugged him back, putting his arms around his waist. It was a comfortable hug, Shisui engulfing him in his mass, so much larger than Itachi's own. He could feel that familiar but yet so new smell of Shisui, of earth and citrus, that he hadn't felt since August, either. They broke free, and Itachi turned to go.