Damnit, people really don't understand Itachi's character. When he poked Sauce forehead, it was mostly when Sasuke asked to do something with him. But, for any reasons, Itachi couldn't do what his little bro wanted. Of course this poke mean "sorry, not now" and so puts distance. But why do everyone forget about the "next time" part ? Itachi always said, "next time ok ?". But why ? Why can't he just says "Sasuke I have to do homework I can't play with you right now". Nobody forced Itachi to promise a next time. But he did. And do you know what that means ? It literally means "I want to, but I can't play with you right now. But I want to. We will do it a next time". It sound more like an apologize. If he really did want to put distance between him and his bro, he would have say "No. I don't want to play, stop asking". That's all. In other words: Itachi loves his little brother. The poke was something he did only to him, something especially for him. Something he used to apologize and to show his love. So understand that: The forehead poke means "I am sorry. I can't spend 100% of my time with you even if I want to. But don't worry, I love you. And I will keep taking care of you even if we can't always be together. We will see each other a next time, I promise" or if you prefer, "I will always love you". So stop saying Itachi put distance between him and Sasuke. Stop saying Sasuke did the same with Sakura and Sarada. They fucking love them.