boom, boom, boom
071. heaven

(au. because canon fails.)

Itachi had never been a firm believer in heaven. God may or may not exist, but he did not depend on Him. Itachi believed in his own skill, and that was all.

But sometimes, it didn't quite feel that way. Sometimes, he felt like there was something out there much bigger than him, and he didn't know why.

Sakura tugged at his hand, pointing at the colossal Ferris wheel close to midnight, saying how it'd be great if they could catch it just as the fireworks started, because they'd have an amazing view. Not wanting to deny her of anything, they stood at the end of the line, watching the Ferris wheel spin slowly, but continuously.

"Itachi-kun," Sakura hummed, swaying on her feet. "Do you think forever exists?"

He glanced at her, not surprised. It was typical of her to ask something like that. "That's a very vague question, Sakura."

"Well," she replied lightly, "that's because there are several interpretations, beliefs, and answers to it. What's yours?"

He kept a careful eye on her as she climbed into their passenger car, following close behind. "That would depend. What does forever refer to?"

She shrugged. "Life. The world. Us."

"Again"—the Ferris wheel moved, and their passenger car swayed a little—"that would depend on what you think life is. What the world is." He looked at her. "What we are."

Sakura shook her head, laughing. "You've been taking way too much TOK! I didn't mean it that metaphorically!" Her hand reached his, and he let his fingers curl around hers. She sighed, leaning against him. "I know we're young and naïve and all, but I'd like to think that we have a forever."

"Hn." The breeze against his skin was cool as the travelled higher and higher up into the sky.

When their passenger car stopped at the top of the Ferris wheel, the fireworks went off. He could practically feel the grin radiating off of Sakura beside him, and he couldn't help but smile a little as well. They were typical fireworks—not even artistically executed—but it made her happy, and that was enough.

And as they went up and down on that Ferris wheel, watching the fireworks go—Itachi felt like he was a little closer to heaven.

A/N: TOK = Theory of Knowledge, a course that all full IB students have to take. It's a mindfuck of a class, and I don't even have to take it to know it.

Since I think you guys are a smaller, closer audience than my general readers, I'll tell you something. Meet Sam. One of my closest friends, one that never judges me, and always tries to make me happy when he can. Incredibly irresponsible, careless, insensitive, stubborn, sexist, and racist. Compassionate, kind, and everything I want. My ex-boyfriend as of nearly two months ago.

This drabble was inspired by him—we watched fireworks together on a Ferris wheel back in the summer. We didn't have a deep talk, though—it'd be great if he had even a fraction of the intelligence Itachi has.

If I only had one wish, it would be to be happy. If I couldn't have that, I'd wish that I didn't need him to be happy. Too bad that's (still) not the case.