Chapter 5
Nope. He was totally pranking her. Had to be.
Wringing her hands together as he spoke with a waiter, Sakura warily glanced around herself, unable to do a task as simple as breathing normally because holy shit.
Being outdoors for their meal should have left her freezing and incapable of even contemplating taking off her jacket, considering it was winter. She should have been shivering with her teeth clattering annoying, just as she had that morning on the short trip to his car. But she wasn't, because the place boasted outdoor heating that left her cosy and warm and willingly removing her jacket, blushing at Shisui's appreciative glance.
"Did I tell you already you look beautiful?" he asked when done with the waiter.
Sakura nodded, though was unable to respond as she once more allowed her eyes to wander.
They were seated beside a pond that wasn't only clean, but lit up for their benefit, allowing her to gaze upon the koi fish that swam without a care for their audience. To complement the pond, somewhere in the distance, she could hear a bamboo fountain thunking every so often, the sound oddly comforting.
It wasn't extravagantly luxurious, and Sakura certainly didn't feel overdressed seated there opposite Shisui, however it was growing increasingly obvious that a lot of thought had gone into their dinner, leading her to wonder if he viewed it as a date. Was she supposed to bring it up? Would it be too presumptuous of her?
Warm white string lighting surrounded their dining area in gentle patterns that refused to divert too much attention from the koi pond or the intricate garden ornaments stationed around them, doing nothing more than bathing them in a delicate, more romantic lighting that threatened to colour her cheeks whenever the word romantic flashed through her mind. It didn't help matters when she looked to Shisui and saw the lights reflecting from his eyes, somehow emphasizing just how attractive he was (like she didn't know that already).
Fingertips grazed the fine, white lace covering their small table – so small that, should she try crossing her legs, she would most definitely brush against his leg.
"What is it?" asked Shisui with an easy smile, head dipping to meet her eye. "You're not getting shy on me, are you?"
Get a grip, she demanded of herself and looked up with a nervous smile, saying, "I've just never been taken anywhere as beautiful as this."
Hell, Sakura wasn't even sure she'd ever been on a date before – not that she wanted to tell him that, just in case he said it wasn't one, which would be humiliating. Until he said otherwise, it would remain a kind-of-date, in her mind. It was probably the safest route to take.
Her previous relationship kind of just… started. They were friends one day, kissed, then were suddenly together, but nothing ever changed from their day-to-day routine as friends other than the fact it got sexual between them every once in a while. And yes, once in a while simply because she'd never felt that urge to be with someone before. It'd always been a bit of a chore to her.
"Not even on a date?"
Was he trying to figure out if it was one? Like hell she was helping! The thought of helping really didn't have the chance to cross her mind, because without permission her cheeks raged brightly with her embarrassment of admitting, "I've never been on one."
His shock both added to her embarrassment and amused her, effectively confusing the hell out of Sakura as she wondered which emotion to go with.
"Seriously? Not even a first date?" Shaking her head and pretending to busy herself with reading the menu, Shisui dipped his head again, asking curiously, "Have you ever had a boyfriend?"
Gods, she wished she had his confidence to ask such outright, often times awkward questions like that. For the duration of their working together, it'd certainly rubbed off on her and his easy-going personality made it feel so natural bantering with him, but those questions were just… Sakura wasn't even sure. Awkward? She knew she'd never be able to ask someone outside of her way inner circle such a personal question.
"Yeah," she said with a forced laugh. "But he didn't like dates."
Shisui sighed in disappointment and sat back in his seat, arms crossing and once more bringing her attention to the well fitted cashmere jumper he was wearing. His biceps and shoulders looked teasingly huge in it and Sakura had to force herself to look away, wondering just when the hell muscled arms and shoulders became attractive to her.
"What an idiot," he responded lightly, shaking his head. "Well, no matter. I'm here now."
That was the confidence she longed for. But Sakura wondered how far it could be pushed, especially considering she knew she had the power to make him blush. "Oh? Is this a date then, Shisui-san?"
It seemed he wasn't letting her, however. Rather than blushing or growing as shy as herself, he smirked and asked cheekily, "Is that what you want?"
Hell yeah, she wanted to say. She'd found him attractive the moment she met him and their chemistry was off the charts. However, after working with him for two months, it'd become more than merely finding him attractive or lusting over him and she really did believe she was developing – no, that she had developed feelings for him. Only an idiot would try to deny it and she was certainly no idiot.
However, it was one thing to be semi-sure of herself while at work and knowing it was harmless flirty banter. Being in such a quaint, wondrous place that played quiet music in the background to create a warm and romantic ambiance was an entirely different matter. It made it that little bit more serious.
Do it, she thought to herself. Be confident!
"What if it is?" she asked despite the stuttering of her heart. She leaned forward in the same way as her best friend did, and Sakura inwardly rejoiced when Shisui tensed ever so slightly, attention drifting to the slope of her neck, admiring the smooth skin of her bare shoulders. "What then?"
He cleared his throat, quickly looking down at the table between them only to meet her eye again a moment later, smirking. "That's hardly fair, Sakura-chan."
"What isn't fair?" she questioned with feigned innocence, pouting. "I was only asking a question."
"You can't unleash this side of yourself on me without warning," Shisui admitted and she grinned victoriously when his cheeks coloured, making a mental note to thank Ino later (and possibly ask for her wise tips on men). "You're irresistible enough without putting the effort in."
That made her heart melt and Sakura was grateful for the distraction the waiter created when he returned for their orders, her eyes briefly meeting Shisui's warm ones before darting away. First beautiful, then irresistible. How wouldn't that make her heart melt? If he wasn't careful then by the end of their not-quite-date she was going to have a huge head that was way too heavy to carry, and he would be left as the sole carer for the night.
Did she continue teasing him? Push him for answers on whether or not it was a date? After all, he asked her out – had she done the asking, perhaps she would have been honest about what it was, or what it meant to her.
"You didn't answer the question," Sakura pushed once the waiter left, sipping at her water.
A sigh of content came from the lighthearted Uchiha, and she once more found herself admiring him.
He was so different from the other members of his family she'd met – so much that it was almost hilarious. As much as she adored her friend, Sasuke had the tendency to make people uncomfortable as holding a conversation with him bordered on impossible, even for his friends. And his family were twice as bad, from what she'd seen of them. They were just so… intense.
Unlike the others, Shisui's aura wasn't unapproachable or cold and while intense in his own right, it wasn't in an unpleasant way. Quite the opposite, actually.
"If it is, then the only way for me from here is up."
Intrigued, she leaned forward, holding his gaze. "Really?"
Something about the way she was watching him – perhaps the intrigue or weight of her stare – had him shifting in his seat and blushing once more, much to her absolute satisfaction.
"It wouldn't be like with the last guy you were with," came Shisui's soft assurance, his smile almost shy. "I will always put an effort in."
The words caused her heart to stutter before falling into an intense pounding, but she didn't have the chance to reply for their waiter once more returned with their starters, interrupting and effectively ending their conversation. It didn't matter either way. She didn't even know how to even reply to that.
Since last night (because Sakura wasn't counting all the times he'd said it playfully), Shisui had made several comments that led her to believe he was in it for the long run, that he wanted to eventually take their flirty banter to the next level – a relationship. But the possibility of reading too much into it kept Sakura from reciprocating too strongly, because what if she was?
Eyeing him discreetly when they moved onto their mains, she attempted to hide the nerves beginning to take hold of her in the form of a wonderful swarm of butterflies in her belly. Although they kept dancing around the answer as to whether it was a date or not, in her heart and to her nerves, it felt like one.
Was she wrong?
"Say this is a date," he continued conversationally, like his speaking up about the issue on her mind didn't cause her heart to skip a beat. "How would you say it's going so far?"
Tease him, came the shockingly wise voice of her best friend (who'd somehow taken over her inner-voice, although Sakura had to admit she wasn't complaining).
"Why? Are you nervous, Shisui-san?" she asked softly, languidly looking up from her meal to him.
"Sitting opposite a beautiful girl like you, Sakura-chan?" She was so not ready for the way his gaze lidded, the downright sinful slanting of his eyes turning her mind to mush. "I will always be nervous."
Shit.
Oh, shit.
She was not prepared for the full weight of his longing and had to shamefully admit that her breath was never returning to her – not normally, anyways. To add insult to the injury: he'd called her beautiful again. There wasn't a chance in hell that she would ever be able to go back to just flirty banter with him, was there? And even if there was, she sure as hell didn't want to.
"Well?" he pushed, eyes never losing even an ounce of their intensity.
How was she even supposed to answer a question like that when she was basically under a spotlight? Giving herself a moment (and hoping that her actions seemed like she was teasing him once more), Sakura took a generous sip of her water, wishing it to be a stronger beverage but settling due to responsibilities.
Honesty was best if she wanted their relationship to take a step forward, wasn't it? Teasing was fun and all, but Sakura knew that it could only take them so far before one of them got the notion it was just a bit of fun. That was the last thing she wanted to happen.
"I don't see how it can get any better," she murmured truthfully, revelling in the genuine surprise that flitted over his expression. Then, to try and lighten the utterly vulnerable response, Sakura added, "Unless there's a chocolate fountain."
And just like that morning, his gaze softened on her, complementing his light chuckling wonderfully. "If not, I will make sure they do next time we're here."
Next time, she thought with an inward squeal.
"I've decided."
Stealing a glance down at her from the corner of his eye, Sakura noticed she had as much of his attention as he could give her while driving. Luckily for her, the roads were fairly quiet given that it was getting later into the evening, gifting her with an extra bit of attention.
Trying to ignore that her heart was on a rampage that threatened to silence her, she clung at the courage she'd been clawing in for the remainder of their not-quite-date and the majority of the drive to work.
It was harder when making eye contact – so, so much harder, she realised belatedly – but Sakura refused to hold back, waiting until Shisui looked to her once more before she all but shot at him, "I want it to be a date."
"Oh?"
Don't get nervous, she demanded of herself. "Don't you?"
Shisui laughed at that – happily, leaving no room for her to assume it was at her. "I was telling myself the whole time that it was a date."
Oh God, it was a date.
Sakura snickered and shook her head. "And when were you going to tell me that?"
"I thought I'd let you work it out for yourself," he retorted, flashing her an impish smile.
Incredibly risky of him. What if she was a moron who hadn't taken any hints? Or what if she hadn't been capable of summoning the courage needed to say what she wanted? Leaving it to chance like that was pointless and potentially a waste of time, so did that mean he was just as nervous as she was, deep down?
"So then, what now?"
"What now?" came his thoughtful murmur.
For reasons she couldn't even begin to identify, the softly spoken words shot straight through her and eye contact was suddenly impossible. Shisui would undoubtedly see the effect his voice had on her, and she wasn't even sure if she was simply imagining the wants lurking in his words and painting her a picture she wasn't averse to in the slightest. Again, it was a feeling Sakura wasn't really used to because in her last relationship, sex was more like a chore and sometimes, she got the feeling that they'd only had sex because there was nothing else to do.
Sadly, the reality of their next plans wasn't even a fraction as steamy or romantic as her fantasies, and Sakura fought hard to keep the disappointment from her expression, just as she knew she'd have to for the majority of their shift. Selfishly, she didn't want to go to work, instead she wanted to continue their date and see where it took them.
But that was okay because it was a date!
By the time they arrived at work, they were thirty-five minutes early and mutually decided to wait in the car for a further twenty, allowing them to retain a fraction of privacy from their undoubtedly nosey co-workers. Shisui had shut off his headlights once they'd parked up, though left the engine running to ensure they remained toasty warm. Sakura wondered if it was the warmth that made her feel like they were so much closer than before, the sudden bout of giddiness difficult to contain.
Gods, was she just a late bloomer? Was what she was experiencing now, what she was supposed to have felt with her ex?
"I wonder what their reactions are going to be like," she thought aloud, sparing a glance towards the main doors.
From what they could see of their unit for the week from the odd horseshoe design of the care home, the majority of the lights were on, informing the pair of them that many residents were potentially already in bed and relaxing or were currently being put to bed. Another easy night for them, Sakura thought with a sigh, although she couldn't really complain as that meant for a long, mostly uninterrupted night with Shisui.
Sakura was by no means unprofessional or lazy and she knew Shisui would never be either, but it excited her knowing that they didn't really have much to do when working the night shifts on end of life care.
"When we walk in?" questioned Shisui.
He followed her line of sight after her nod, also watching the main doors for several moments. Like herself, he was able to see the receptionist at his desk as he spoke to somebody on the phone, completely unaware to their watching him due to being in the dimly lit car park. When she'd asked why there weren't more lights, she'd gotten an answer she should've really been expecting: if it was too bright outside, it would disturb the residents or potentially confuse some of them.
Humming, Shisui angled his body to look directly at her once more, arm coming to rest on the back of her seat. At some point during the drive when the car had heated up adequately, Shisui had pushed up his sleeves, exposing his forearms to her and when so close to her head, she… It was ridiculous since she'd seen them many times due to their short sleeved uniform, but the sight of the perfectly sculpted arms so close to her made Sakura's stomach flutter.
"Shocked, no doubt," he answered with a smirk. "They'll be saying it's about time too."
"Oh?" she pushed, knowing there was an intrigued lilt to her voice. "Have you had your crush on me for a while now, Shisui-san?"
His reply was swift and easy, just like his sudden smile. "Since the moment Shizune-san introduced us and said we'd be partnered up."
That long? Not that Sakura could really say differently, but still!
She'd never been overly confident about her appearance, always finding something better in somebody else or finding something to put herself down about. It was a toxic trait, but still one of hers that she was continuously trying to change. So to think that Shisui had crushed on her from basically the moment they met was crazy to her, because she'd offered more or less nothing to him during that first shift. She knew what to do, just not how to do it and during the breaks in work and their sitting together quietly, she hadn't known what to say or do with herself. Rather than fire back with her wit whenever he'd teased her, she'd blushed madly and remained silent. What about that was attractive to him? And wouldn't he have found her new confidence less appealing if that was the case?
"What about you?" Shisui asked after a brief pause, watching her with a smirk. "How long have you been infatuated with me, Sakura-chan?"
"Infatuated?" she replied daringly and laughed. "You're very confident, Shisui-san."
"So confident that I'm now asking that you call me Shisui," was his cheeky response, eyes creasing at her taken aback expression and reddening cheeks. "They'll have a field day hearing you call me by my name so directly."
Yeah, they would, and her heart stammered nervously just thinking about it – in a good way, she realised after several moments.
"That's not why I'm going to call you without an honorific," Sakura told him with heated cheeks, enjoying his minute swallow at the intensity of her eyes (she couldn't believe Ino's old tips actually worked – they hadn't on her last boyfriend). "I'm going to call you just Shisui because it feels…"
Much to her utter astonishment, he hung onto her every word, taking her breath away by leaning forward. "Because it feels…?"
Holy shit, it was a power she never realised she possessed and once more, she mentally screamed her thanks to Ino. Before testing it out on Shisui (and running the risk of being laughed at), she'd only tried it on one other person and when that failed, it'd been a cruel blow to her pride, for she'd believed it meant she couldn't be sexy.
Biting her lip and delighting in the way his eyes dropped to them and quickly back up, Sakura smiled, saying softly, "Intimate."
The way he turned his head to the side and ran a hand through his hair, momentarily obscuring her view of his eyes, was complemented by his heavy huff of breath, and it had her smile widening because she felt sexy. What made it even better was that he didn't pull away, instead continuing to rest his weight on the arm behind her head. The proximity was enough to make her lightheaded, the giddiness returning at full force and refusing to be smothered.
"You're such a tease, Sakura-chan."
Feigning innocence, she asked, "Would you like me to stop?"
He met her gaze once more and said without missing a beat, "Never."
Okay, how the hell was she not supposed to squeal when he said things like that? And surely he knew the effect he was having on her? How could he not when she was fairly certain she'd done nothing but blush the entire evening?
Gods, she was falling hard, wasn't she?
From the end of her first shift, Sakura had always looked forward to the next one with Shisui, always hoping Shizune wouldn't pair her with anyone else and it seemed from there, it'd gotten progressively deeper for her heart.
She wondered if that would change now after their date, and with their intentions to go on more dates. Did they have to inform her of their dating? Would they get into trouble if they didn't?
All teasing faded and Shisui dipped his head slightly, trying to meet her gaze. "What is it?"
How was she supposed to bare her heart to him after only one date? How was she supposed to tell him that she loved working with him and loved their friendship and was quite honestly terrified of no longer having him there with her. Gods, that sounded clingy as hell, didn't it? She was being stupid, wasn't she?
"Nothing serious," she assured him with a smile, part of her wishing he would back up a little so that she could think more clearly. Having him so close to her was distracting. "Just… Will we be allowed to work together if we're dating?"
Shisui sighed at that and despite her earlier thought of wanting him to move back, she was incredibly grateful for him remaining so close, for it eased the anxiety ever so slightly.
"Shizune-san knows how well we work together, so if we keep our work relationship separate from this one, I don't see why we can't." Just as the beginnings of a frown marred his features, they smoothed out and he smiled reassuring at her, completely disarming her to the gentle fingers that grazed her cheek. "I have never enjoyed working with anyone as much as I do you."
Was he going to kiss her? Sakura's heart was just about ready to give out after an evening full of palpitations, and she wasn't sure if she could handle a kiss from Uchiha Shisui, not when the air around them was already heavy with a tension capable of suffocating her. And then she would have to spend twelve hours with him, thinking about the kiss and undoubtedly wanting to do it again and again and again–
Shit, he was leaning closer. What did she do? Did she meet him halfway? The hand once barely touching her cheek was more sure, cupping it delicately and her heart soared from that touch alone.
Gods, she wanted to kiss him so badly it hurt.
But one quick glance at the clock on his dashboard had her stomach turning to lead, essentially ruining what could have been their first kiss. So, to spare them the awkwardness of a bad kiss, Sakura allowed him to grow as close as possible only to lean back ever so slightly with a teasing glint in her eyes.
He pouted, bringing her attention to his lips once more.
"We should probably head inside soon," Sakura suggested softly, allowing her lips to linger closer to his.
"You're such a tease, Sakura-chan," Shisui complained, taking her breath away when his forehead thudded to hers gently.
As expected, their co-workers were left stunned when they arrived, watching them with their mouths agape as she and Shisui made their ways to the staffroom. Oh, Sakura could hear the whispers already, and (from her outfit alone) she could guess at what they would say about them given half the chance. She held no doubts that they were good people, but she also knew how quickly gossip spread around the workplace. Only a week or so ago, the whole unit had known one of the carers were pregnant before she herself did!
Several residents were still seated in the lounge – five in total – and Sakura smiled warmly, ensuring to greet each of them on her way. Some responded, others appeared too tired to even care and when she noticed that, she lightly mentioned to Shisui who they should start putting to bed first, if the resident wanted to go. His response was a simple nod, more concerned with briefly entertaining them with a few jokes.
The staffroom was clean and warm, welcoming them for their shift in the best way and Sakura shed her jacket the moment the door shut, glancing over her shoulder in time to catch Shisui averting his gaze quickly. Other than them, the room was empty and so she allowed their banter to continue.
"Pervert," she teased with a giggle.
He grinned mischievously and caused her breath to catch when he stepped up beside her, on the completely wrong side as he hung his jacket up on her other side, allowing his arms to cage her in. The urge to lean back into him or reciprocate in some other way was so potent it made her stomach clench, and Sakura bit her lip in response to the way her cheeks raged suddenly.
"I can play this game too, Sakura-chan," murmured Shisui in a lowered tone she'd never expected from him (not so soon anyway), making her eyes widen a fraction. It was almost sultry, and she tried distracting herself from it by unnecessarily shifting her jacket and checking its pockets. It didn't work. "And I get the feeling that I may be better at it."
More than likely, she couldn't help but agree with an inward whine. She had hardly any experience to go off, and she'd certainly never teased her ex-boyfriend. He wasn't the type to get riled up enough to do anything – not with her, anyway.
Instead of proving her inexperience, she asked, "And why's that?"
His playful chuckle didn't help her tightly wound nerves in the slightest. "That would be giving it away."
What did that even mean? Giving what away? Was it obvious she was less experienced than him? Was she less experienced than him?
To try and gain the upper hand once more, Sakura slowly turned, knowing full well that the space between them would be non-existent. Despite knowing that and having time to prepare herself, however, her heart still skipped a beat at the somehow intensified warmth radiating off Shisui, calling to her deliciously, much like the aftershave she'd belatedly taken notice in.
Dragging her gaze up from his feet and to his lidded eyes, Sakura smirked and whispered, "Game on, Shisui."
A/N - I'm sorry it's been so long since this story was updated, guys! I've not really been in the best place for writing lighthearted fluff, but fingers crossed that's changing now.