BEFORE THOUGHTS: I'm looking forward to writing this because I miss writing about Itachi and Emma. I can only so angst. I've got happy and romantic to get in the mood. So, I hope enjoy!
"So, what do you plan on getting Kisame?" I questioned, looking up at the Uchiha. I had worn a pair of boots today, leaving my signature stilettos at home. Our fingers were laced together, for romantic reasons as well as not wanting to lose the other in mob of Christmas Eve shoppers. I swung our hands back and forth as he answered, "Cookbook with many fish recipes. He commented once about how curious was in your world cuisine."
"Cuisine. That's a big word." I laughed, taking lead as we weaved through the crowd. I led us into an antique book store tucked away in a less populated corner of the mall. The elder woman at front desk greeting us with Italian accented words and smile as we walked inside.
"You search for that cookbook and I'll look for book for Kakuzu." I stated, disappearing into the dusty isles of books. I marveled at the rows of books, eyes sparkling when I spotted an eye catching cover or title.
I removed and returned book after book from the selves, finally settling for an old Shakespeare novel, the Merchant of Venice. I found Itachi skimming through a sweets recipe book, teasing the Uchiha with smile, "I thought you were looking for Kisame?"
"A little self indulgence never hurt anyone." He replied, turning another page in the book. I waved a hand, commenting jokingly, "We both know I'm sweeter than any piece of cake you could eat." Itachi lifted eyes away from the words of the book with an arched brow, simply leaning over and placing a kiss on my cheek. A smile poured across my lips as Itachi closed the book, returning it to its place.
"It wouldn't be a lie."
I smiled brighter, taking my place beside the man and lacing my hand in his. We returned to the front of the store, passing our book to the Italian woman at the front desk. As she rung up the books, she began to smile and pointed above our heads. I looked up; spying the first actual piece of mistletoe I've ever seen.
"Ever kissed under the mistletoe before?" The woman asked with mischievous sparkle in her eyes. Itachi murmured, "This place has such strange traditions." I rolled my eyes, pulling the Uchiha down to my height, "Just kiss me already."
Without another comment, he pressed his lips to mine. I smiled into the kiss, returning it happily. He pulled away, placing an extra kiss on my cheek and return his fingers in between mine. My smile returned as the woman held out bag with our books inside. I thanked the woman and parted ways with the antique shop.
"Where to now?" The man questioned. I grinned, heading for the exit of the mall. "You'll see."
ooo
"The light up the Christmas light in town square tonight!" I explained as I led him to the town. Snow crunches under our feet as we joined the others gathered for the small event. There were children taking photos with Santa, elderly couple riding the hay ride around town, couples observing and sipping on their coffee and hot chocolate inside the closed doors of the café, and proud parents watching the middle and high schoolers sing Christmas carols on the steps of town hall.
We sat on sidewalk, leaned against the bricks of a thrift store. The ground was dry, the numerous canopies covering the sidewalks preventing snow from collecting. I tucked a piece of hair behind my ear, catching eye of Itachi's gaze. I looked to him, and wondered just what he was thinking. I nudged Itachi with my elbow, smiling. "What's on your mind?"
"You." He stated simply, smirking when a blush added to my already flushed cheeks. I pouted, urged Itachi to further explain. "What do mean by 'me'?" I perked a brow. "That could mean many, many things."
He rolled his dark eyes, watching me for a moment before replying. "Your presence rids me of the loneliness that once haunted me. The love you give me fills the empty shell I once was; I'm starting to find who I am with you by my side." My lips parted in surprise at his confession, my eyes filling tears. I stretched out my arms, wrapping my arms tightly around the Uchiha.
Itachi pulled me into his lap and set my head on his shoulder, my forehead pressing against the bricks of the wall. "I'm not alone anymore." He murmured in my ear, arms wrapped loosely around my waist. I let a few tears fall and drew in a shaky breath, lifting my head and pressing my palms to his cheeks, my finger slipping behind his ears.
I smiled, meeting Itachi's onyx eyes and it was like falling in love with him all over again. I didn't need a kiss or a hug; I didn't need his touch or his words to reassure me. It was a connection I had hoped to find, a connection I'd only read about in the thick romance novels they sell in the grocery store. It wasn't emotional or physical, but spiritual. We were caught in time, lost in the other.
Christmas was time of miracles. I, myself, never believe in such Hallmark nonsense, but as I sat there caught in time with Itachi, I understood there was a certain magic that filled the air when it turned cold. A magic that tied loose ends and helped lead us down our paths in life. My path was with Itachi's, paths that once simply crossed the other and slowly came together as one.
"Maybe…" I began, closing my eyes and pressing my forehead to Itachi's. "…two is better than one."
"It wouldn't be a lie."
AFTER THOUGHTS: Can I get like a towel or something? There's so much fluff covering my laptop that I can't see what I'm typing.
Anywho, I hope enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Yours Truly,
Veila