Itachi's eyes opened just enough to be greeted with a smiling Shisui. They had, sometime during the night, turned to face each other. The orange glow of the morning sun lit up the room – setting an intimate atmosphere.

"Good morning", Shisui said with his raspy morning voice.

Itachi brushed a strand of his hair back behind his ear, "Good morning. How long have you been up?"

Shisui took Itachi's hand, "I woke up five minutes ago."

Shisui brushed his thumb across Itachi's engagement ring, Itachi could see the adoration in his fiancé's onyx eyes. His unruly black locks and the twinkle in his eyes sparked the butterflies within Itachi – yet again.

Itachi withdrew his hand and placed it on Shisui's cheek, rubbing his thumb gently across Shisui's cheekbone. There was light stubble on Shisui's face, but Itachi liked the texture – simply because it was Shisui. They stared each other in the eyes, communicating a myriad of messages – one that had a central theme.

"I love you", Shisui whispered, placing his forehead against Itachi's.

"I love you more", Itachi replied, pecking Shisui on the lips. When he did that there was a slight throb on the side of his neck, Itachi grimaced – only a little; one might say he barely did.

Shisui noticed and rubbed his thumb across the angry hickey he had given Itachi last night during their intense sex. Shisui loved having sex with Itachi, but his fiancé was just too beautiful that he always loses his restraint.

"Does it hurt?" Shisui asked gently.

Itachi leaned into Shisui's hand, "Barely a sting", Itachi replied softly in adoration.

"I'm not ashamed to say that it calms me knowing that anyone who looks at you will know you're with someone", Shisui admitted gently and possessively.

Itachi smiled slightly, "You don't need to give me hickeys to make that statement."

Shisui ran his thumb across Itachi's bottom lip – feeling the silky texture. Itachi saw the subtle light of pure love in Shisui's eyes...and a twinge of sadness.

"Itachi, I don't think you realise how beautiful you are... How desirable you are", Shisui spoke gently. It seemed Shisui was talking to himself but Itachi picked up that Shisui was also talking to him. Itachi didn't think he was as beautiful Shisui saw him – but the butterflies swarmed nonetheless.

"Let's go shower", Itachi spoke, ruffling Shisui's already messy bed hair.

Shisui wiggled his eyebrows suggestively, "And do things in the shower?"

Itachi scoffed, "Just shower – it's Saturday. We have Sasuke's group therapy today so get your mind out of the gutter."

Shisui pouted in playful disappointment, "Fine."

*****

Itachi tried to blow-dry his hair, but Shisui wouldn't let him. He all but snatched the hairdryer out of Itachi's hands and started drying the Uchiha's hair. It took him a few moments of confusion and an explanation from his fiancé as to how a hairdryer works. But, once Shisui got the hang of it, he was drying away. In no time at all Itachi's hair was dry and Shisui was sporting a triumphant smile.

Itachi was wearing a simple vermilion shirt with his usual black, skinny jeans that clung to his legs. So much so that Shisui couldn't keep his hands off Itachi's hips.

Shisui, on the other hand, decided to match with Itachi – putting on the reddest shirt he owned and a pair of black jeans. Itachi would never get used to Shisui's fit physique. The way his biceps seemed constrained by the sleeves of his shirt.

"We're matching, isn't that cute?" Shisui acted surprised and oblivious – despite him organising his outfit to match with Itachi's.

Itachi turned around and flung his arms around Shisui's neck, "It is very cute", he said, staring at Shisui's eyes with purpose.

They then went to the kitchen and Itachi hurriedly made breakfast as Sasuke would be up in a few minutes, and soon Mellissa would burst down their door. Itachi settled for a simple French toast and scrambled eggs. All through the cooking, his eyes landed on his ring. Every time his eyes landed on the ring there was a speck of anxiety with a jubilant feeling of giddiness.

"Good morning, lovebirds", Sasuke walked into the kitchen, sitting at the table.

"Good morning dumbass", Itachi joked, placing Sasuke's breakfast in front of him with a smile. He then placed another plate in front of his fiancé – who was basically swallowing the entire plate. Shisui was always a fast eater.

Itachi leaned against the counter, sipping his tea, as his two favourite boys ate their breakfast. Suddenly there was obnoxiously loud pounding on the door. It was so sudden that Itachi jumped in fright – spilling some of his tea.

"Ugh, Mellissa", Itachi said in frustration. He put his mug on the counter and went to open the front door.

"My sweetest nephew, how are you this sunny morning?" She asked cheerfully, acting as if she wasn't trying to break down the front door. Itachi didn't notice Mellissa's eyes zone in on his engagement ring.

"Hi Aunt Mellissa, I'm great. How are you?" Itachi asked as they hugged.

"I am wonderful! Sorry I'm a little early – I just missed you guys terribly today, so I wanted to spend a few extra minutes with you guys before therapy", Mellissa spoke hurriedly in giddiness.

Itachi let his aunt in and she sped to the kitchen, babbling on to Sasuke and Shisui. Itachi returned to the kitchen to continue drinking his tea. Mellissa sat at the table as Sasuke ate his – nearly finished – breakfast. The conversation was joyous, it brought the kitchen to life. Shisui stood up and settled next to Itachi, who rested his head on Shisui's solid shoulder.

"Oh, Itachi, can you straighten this strand of hair for me?" Mellissa held up a barely curled strand of her black hair. Beyond the request, Itachi could see in her eyes that there was something she wanted to talk about.

"Uh, sure."

"We still have about ten minutes before we have to leave, we'll be right back boys", Mellissa spoke to Sasuke and Shisui while following Itachi to the bathroom.

Once inside the bathroom, Mellissa closed the door. She grabbed Itachi's left hand and stared dubiously at the engagement ring.

"You're twenty...isn't that a little too young to get married?" Mellissa asked carefully.

Itachi sighed, "I am a little nervous... but Shisui; I just know he's the one."

"Everyone says that about their first marriage", Mellissa replied.

"You don't think I've thought about that? I've fretted over and over about it – about the possibility that I'm making a huge mistake. I nearly drove myself crazy wondering if it will last or if I'm good enough for him. But, at the end of the day, I love Shisui. I love him with my whole heart, and if this turns out to be a mistake, then that's what life is about. Experiencing the mistakes to discover the solutions", Itachi spoke while caressing his ring.

Mellissa sighed, "Fair enough. I just worry – but I will admit that since he's been here there has been a massive improvement in both you and Sasuke... Have you made wedding arrangements yet? Have you thought about when the ceremony will be?"

"During this semester break – Shisui and I discussed it. As for wedding arrangements, we haven't looked into that yet", Itachi replied honestly.

"Well, if you're hell-bent on this, I know a friend. I'll call her and we'll get this thing rolling... There isn't a chance I can convince you to postpone it until after graduation, is there?"

Itachi smiled slightly, "Nope."

*****

The car pulled up to Konoha Psychiatric Hospital and Itachi made himself comfortable. Sasuke and Mellissa will go in, maybe Shisui too. Itachi didn't mind the waiting – he had a lot to think about anyway.

Sasuke turned around, "Itachi, Shisui, can you guys come with?"

Shock hit Itachi like a punch to the gut but he quickly covered his surprise, "I'd love to!" He failed to hide his excitement.

The therapy room was simple. Teal coloured walls, clinical white tiles and a circle of chairs in the middle. There were also a few chairs lined up against the far wall. There was a familiar face that Itachi recognised as Sakura, she was fiddling slightly with her hands – but she seemed a little calmer than usual. Sasuke took a seat next to her in the circle.

Itachi sat next to Shisui and Mellissa on the chairs against the wall.

"Good morning everyone!" A woman with mousy brown hair done in a professional bun greeted.

"Good morning", everyone in the circle responded. Itachi could see that there were still some numb, sad-eyed kids in the circle. He was thankful Sasuke wasn't one of them, but retained his sympathy for the others.

"Today I thought we could update each other on our progress", the woman said in an encouraging tone, "Who wants to go first?"

Itachi watched as Sasuke gently took Sakura's hand, giving it a slight squeeze. Sakura took a deep breath and stood up – Itachi could see her muster up her courage.

"I...I went to the mall by myself. It was so scary but I powered through the stress. I powered through the fear. I think next time I might walk into a store and speak to a sales person", Sakura puffed her chest in pride.

"That's amazing, Sakura! Well done! That is an exceptional achievement", the woman said in pride.

Sakura sat down, then Sasuke stood up and Itachi's attention focussed on his brother, curious to hear about Sasuke's progress. His heart sped up slightly, and Shisui took his hand, holding it in a comforting manner.

"Hi everyone. As you all know, when I started coming to these sessions, I was in a bad place – a really dark space. I've told you about my hopelessness. I've told you about the death of my parents and how that dampened me – how it separated me from familial connections... I've told you about...my brother", Sasuke looked at Itachi.

Itachi's heart sank in disgust and sadness. Was he contributing to Sasuke's depression?

"He was blank – a living kind of grey. Alone and, despite being supportive, suffering by himself... But then, his boyfriend from years ago returned – the same boyfriend Itachi ran away from. Itachi started gaining colour again – and that filled me with hope. It filled me with happiness for him. It made me want to feel that happiness, I wanted that spark of joy. Then I spoke to Sakura and that wonderful, electrifying spark manifested within me. I have never been happier because now, after years of solitude, I have a family again... I have a loving family again", Sasuke smiled a wide smile.

Itachi wiped a stray tear, his emotions were going haywire. He surged with pride for his brother. He felt Shisui squeeze his hand a little firmer and Itachi looked over to his fiancé. Shisui also had wet eyes. Itachi brought their hands up and kissed Shisui's hand.

"He's going to be okay. He's really going to be okay", Itachi whispered to Shisui in pure relief and undiluted happiness, "And I have you to thank for that."

The session continued and was soon over. The patients left and Sasuke ran to Itachi. Before Sasuke could get a word out, Itachi pulled his brother into a crushing hug. Itachi motioned for Shisui to join and Mellissa joined too. The group hug was one of pride, joy and love.

"Sasuke, I am so- just so...I love you so much", Itachi spoke, holding back tears.

"I love you too, nii-san", Sasuke whispered.

Nii-san, he called me nii-san again.

Itachi felt as if his heart was going to burst – Shisui had made everything okay again.

Shisui was his savior.

A/N: Pretty please leave a comment throughout the chapter❤️ it really motivates me and cheers me up!

What are your thoughts on Shisui and Itachi's relationship dynamic?