His hands ran along the grainy walls, the paint long-embued into the plaster. He counted his footsteps as he had learned to. He felt the wood against his feet, the lightest modification as he reached out for the handrail, lowering his foot cautiously onto the top step. He slowly descended the stairs, feeling the guardrail end. He stepped down and strode into the kitchen, where his mother turned suddenly. She gave him a worried smile for no reason at all. She knew it didn't matter.
He reached for the kitchen chair, sweeping his hair from his shoulder and sitting down, scooting up to the table, rubbing his eyes tiredly. She placed breakfast down in front of him, kissing him on the temple.
-o-
He could hear the laughter in the hallway. They were whispering. It was a roaring in his ears. They laughed at his eye color, because they couldn't mock the fact that his eyes were still completely normal, besides discoloration. They laughed at how cautiously he walked. They laughed at the books he read. They laughed when he asked the time. They laughed when he asked his best friend to do someting for him, to tell him what was on the board because the AP teachers didn't tell them their homework. They were expected to read it off the board.
But his best friend patiently ignored the remarks, the laughter at the request of his best friend, instead taking his hand gently and leading him to class whenever he was disoriented.
He would always warn that one day, he would snap.
And Itachi would only smile with a light chuckle and press his palm to the soft of Shisui's sleeve, eyelashes fluttering lightly as he knew Shisui dismissed this as a new habit that Itachi had developed since going blind.
-o-
Sitting on the grassy hill that they had grown up on together, they watched the day go by slowly. The clouds drifted absently in the blue sky. The friends sat beside eachother, comfortable in space, Shisui close enough that Itachi knew he was there, besides the fact that Shisui would talk and talk just to see Itachi listen. The grass was green, the sky was cerulean, the sun was shining bright, and Itachi, Shisui thought, couldn't see any of it.
He changed the subject to something absent, making an off-handed remark of something Itachi knew well.
And without reason, Itachi threw his head back and laughed, so rare and effervescent that it made Shisui laugh too.
-o-
He laughed, shoving Itachi into the locker, making the teen draw his books closer to his chest.
A girl mocked Itachi beside the boy.
Itachi closed his eyes and took it as he was shoved face-first into the lockers, feeling the metal handle bust his eyebrow open. Hot blood dripped down his face as the last bell of the day rang, hearing them laugh, walking down the hall, out of Itachi's life for a weekend. Itachi breathed out a trembling sigh, closing his eyes once more, pulling the cuff of his jean jacket up into his palm, pressing it against the bleeding wound, sighing. He knew if anyone asked who did it, he wouldn't be able to tell them. It was embarassing. Mortifying. He was terrified when Shisui came up behind him.
And not because he didn't know it was him.
Itachi nodded, pulling his hair in front of his eye as he wiped the blood away, turning to face Shisui warily. Shisui grabbed his wrist, pushing his hair from his face.
Itachi shook his head no, making Shisui growl deep in his throat, insisting on the culprit with raw, vulgar anger.
Itachi yelled angrily, turning and walking away, clutching his books uncertainly, detecting the turn in the hall and following it. Shisui chased after him.
Itachi heard his footsteps quicken and began to run, too. His heart began to race as he sped up, running straight into a large, clothed chest, falling backwards only to hear the mocking begin, suddenly cut off.
Itachi sat up as he heard a fist connect with somebody's face, a skull cracking against linoleum, and angry shouts that were almost incoherent. He squeezed his eyes shut as Shisui beat the person brutally. He thought it wouldn't end. Itachi curled up on the floor, laying his forehead against his folded arms.
Suddenly, or...what could've been hours, he felt a hand in the nook of his elbow.
Itachi nodded lightly, letting Shisui help him stand.
-o-
Laying in bed, Itachi sighed quietly, the pain thudding in his eyebrow where the barbel used to be. A white gauze was now pressed over it, taped in place. He stared into his constant darkness, blinking lightly. On his back, the pain was less intense, even though he wasn't accustomed to laying that way. He succumbed to the sadness for a moment, wishing that Shisui hadn't hurt that person so badly. They didn't know better. They didn't know what it was like! Why blame them?
Itachi's eyebrows furrowed lightly, despite the pain. He did wish it would stop, but they were so ignorant to how horrible it was. He felt like they blamed him because he couldn't see. His heart wrenched. He wanted them to stop, but he didn't want them to hurt! What to do with somebody like Shisui? So...abrasive, and harsh. But he was so friendly, too. So easy to get along with. So sweet. And obviously compassionate and caring. He was so patient with Itachi, diligently attending to his every need, helping him cope...
...Itachi's heart panged lightly as he closed his eyes, thoughts drifting to Shisui, to what he looked like. How long had it been? How long had Itachi been blind? A year or so...He wondered how his apperance had changed. He wondered how Shisui could look different than he remembered.
What did he remember...? That mop of curly, messy brown hair. Freckles...tan skin...and that smile. Damn. Who could forget that smile? It was brilliant. He suddenly felt cold. He would never get to see that smiling face again. But how could he forget it?
So submerged in his thoughts, he didn't notice the door open. Instead, Itachi allowed himself to fall asleep to the thought of Shisui cradling him like he always had, in a way. Never physically...but Itachi felt swaddled in comfort anyways.
-o-
Shisui carefully removed the gauze, dabbing Neosporin on the wound gently as to not wake Itachi. He whispered something carefully against Itachi's forehead before changing the gauze and fixing it in place, kissing Itachi's forehead before closing the door quietly, returning to his own room.
-o-
Shisui was taking forever. How long did it take to turn in a library book anyways? Itachi leaned against the wall, ears listening closely for the door to squeek open like it always did, because that door had never been tended to. What a desolate lifestyle, to not be able to care for yourself. Itachi shuddered lightly at the thought.
He heard footsteps, but no door squeak when suddenly a fist connected with his cheek, cracking roughly against the bone. In the same breath, he was against the wall by his collar, laughing as he was assaulted, slammed against the wall, hair being pulled. He heard them yelling, but couldn't understand what they were saying. His head was jerking back and forth too roughly for that. He relaxed. He tried to block it out. He squeezed his eyes shut, though it would make no difference. They heard a voice and ran. Itachi slumped against the wall, slipping down it slowly as he felt himself lose consciousness. He heard somebody walking away.
Then the door squeeked open, but he couldn't respond when his name was called.
-o-
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
Itachi opened his eyes. But he didn't see anything. He couldn't see anything, he remembered. It was a year, and he still couldn't fathom the fact that he couldn't see. He didn't know where he was, and that incessant beeping was annoying. He went to scratch at his wrist, only to find a needle in the vein.
An I.V. The hospital. What had happened? He couldn't remember. Itachi tried to recollect his memories, but found them scattered. Why was he blind again? Where had he heard that beeping before? Wherever it was, it was louder, sharper now. Why had he been here before? Where was Shisui...?
Where was Shisui?! Itachi bolted upright, feeling a sharp pain in his head. He instinctively glanced about, panicking slightly, calling for his friend. He heard someone enter and try and quiet him. He heard her say that Shisui was there, and feel his hands? See?
And Itachi screamed obscenities at her, knowing that he wasn't there. He called her every horrible thing he could think of, cursing her very existance, and demanded Shisui now. He screamed that he wasn't incapable of living on his own. He knew when Shisui was there and when he wasn't. But he heard Shisui come in and he stopped, clutching the sheets tightly in his trembling hands as he continued to mutter how he was still capable of living. He wasn't useless. He wasn't incapable. He wasn't!
He heard sniffling but didn't know where it was coming from. He mumbled how they didn't understand how hard it was, didn't understand at all. His cheeks were damp and he felt boxed in as he pulled his knees to his chest. He wiped at his eye, only to find a bandage over them. He stopped, his heart thudding in his chest. Had he lost his eyes completely? That would really give everybody a reason to harass him. He reached out for Shisui's hand, taking it hesitantly, trembling in his best friend's palm.
Shisui whispered something in his ear, then kissed the corner of his mouth gently. Itachi's heart skipped a beat in his chest. He felt Shisui smile against his cheek and press his forehead to Itachi's temple. Shisui whispered something incoherently quiet.
But Itachi could hear it anyways. That's what happens when you lose one of your five senses. The other four increase. And Itachi could certainly feel his heart beating rapidly in his chest as he heard what he had been waiting to hear from that perfect smile before he lost his vision.
-o-
"They say that eyes are the windows to the soul," Shisui whispered against Itachi's bare shoulder, kissing it gently as his eyes flickered up to Itachi's perfectly exposed throat, laying a kiss there as well.
"I'm blind, Shisui," Itachi murmured.
Shisui chuckled as his thumb ran beneath Itachi's eye affectionately. "I can still see you."
Itachi rolled his eyes when Shisui sighed lightly. "Are you still upset that it didn't work?"
"I was certain. It's one of the most successful transplants in the medical field."
"But I've been like this for far too long, don't you think?"
"Exactly. You've endured enough, too. You think something's gotta give by now, right?"
"Not really..."
"..." Shisui lay his head in Itachi's neck, entwining his fingers with his best friend's, his thumb tracing the ring on Itachi's finger. "I love you."
"I love you, too."
"Graduation's only a few weeks away. Then you'll finally be free of those assholes."
"Don't call them that, Shisui. They don't understand."
"They put you in the hospital."
"I was going to end up there anyways, if I had known what you were planning."
"I just wanted you to be able to see again, Itachi. I was even going to donate my cornea, but apparently you have to die for that."
"...Please don't die, Shisui. Blind or not, I'll always need you...I can't live without you..." Itachi's voice trailed off when he laughed suddenly. "I guess I really am dependant on you for survival!"
Shisui laughed, too, glancing at Itachi's eyes. They were the same as he always remembered. Only a bit lighter. Still pretty. And always focused on something beyond Shisui's recognition. "Eyes are the windows to the soul, 'tachi. Your eyes are beautiful."
"They're out of focus," Itachi returned.
"They're always looking past everything, Itamichi. They don't wander, or stray. They're forgiving of everything because they see a Hell of a lot more than we could ever. Our vision limits us..."
"I still want to see you."
"..." Shisui didn't answer, but chuckled absently.
Itachi reached out and touched Shisui's face gently, letting his fingers run down the soft, tan
skin. Shisui's fingertips touched Itachi's hand lightly as it ran across the bridge of his nose, giggling lightly. "You have so many freckles, Shisui. you spend too much time outside."
"You have freckles too, 'tachi. They're really light, and you can barely see them across the bridge of your nose. But they're there."
Itachi blinked twice. "Your hair is lighter brown, too. But you still have really light, delicate skin, and your eyes are a bit lighter. You're much...brighter."
Itachi shook his head, tracing his fingers across Shisui's lips, leaning forward to kiss him. Their noses bumped gently, earning a light gasp from the long haired teen and a chuckle from his friend. Shisui only smiled patiently and pressed his lips to Itachi's, smiling gently. Itachi's hands continued to explore Shisui's body, wrapping his arms around Shisui's waist to draw them closer together.
"..." Itachi began, "You really think they're beautiful? They aren't-"
"They're absolutely beautiful, Itachi. When you're blind, you can't hide from me like you used to. I can see right through you. And I love it."
"...just kiss me again."
-o-