There's not much [Name] can do. She wants to build romance between her and the boys, but lately, it's just been sex. She has tried having one-on-one special dinners, but each of them is so jealous that they ruin it without a second thought. They'll apologize later, but she knows they don't mean it. However, she still can't trust any of them outside; well, more like she can't handle all their different attitudes out in public all at once.

Despite how happy they make her daily, she finds herself moping more. Is it too much to ask for a little bit more sweetness in the spice they offer her? Is it selfish to ask for it? Honestly, she feels as though she's pushing the selfish button already by having four men doting on her at all times. But is it really that selfish?

"Does [Name] seem down?" Itachi asks, watching her trim the backyard bushes with Sasuke. The roses are in full bloom and need a bit of pruning. [Name] won't allow her mother's flower bushes to die, so she puts Sasuke on yard duty for the week. 

Shisui cocks his head, humming to himself. "A little. I did hear her whine to Mackenzie that she wanted us to be more romantic last night."

Itachi glances at his cousin, slightly appalled. "You listen in on her conversations?"

Shisui gives him a cheeky smile. "Just trying to listen in and make sure my darling girl isn't self-pleasing again. She has me!"

"Pervert," Itachi scoffs as if he didn't have [Name] biting the pillows and crying last night.

"Whatever it takes to be [Name's] number one!" Shisui nearly skips outside, with his cousin shaking his head disapprovingly. "[Name]! I've made you some refreshments! Come inside, darling. You've been working so hard!"

In fairness, [Name] hasn't really lifted a finger to do anything. Sasuke has done all the work; the scowl on his face is proof. But the idea of having some food in her belly has gotten her thinking she deserves it. 

"What did you make?" She asks, coming up the stairs of the sheltered porch, a sparkle in her eyes.

"That milk tea you're always raving about," he answers through the screen door. "Oh! And some fresh baked cookies."

"Ah! My favorite!" [Name] squeals, giddy that at least one person is attentive to her interests. It's Sasuke's irritated growl that snaps her from the lovey-dovey eyes Shisui's giving her. "W-Well, um, can you bring it outside? We still have work to do."

"Of course, my dove!"

[Name] returns to Sasuke as he angrily snips at the rose bushes. She smiles at him. "You look adorable in my mom's sunhat." 

"Shut up and drink your milk tea," Sasuke huffs, full of jealousy. At that moment, Shisui comes outside with a tray lined with cookies and sliced fruit, and of course, her glass full of milk tea. He places it on the porch table. [Name], full of mirth, bounds right back up the stairs to grab her glass of milk tea.

"You're so good to me." [Name] takes a slice of melon and bites it. Compared to the others, Shisui is the most doting. Always helping with chores, always preparing her lunches for her, and keeping her laughing when all she wants to do is sit around and sulk.

Shisui leans his cheek in, expecting a kiss, which he gets. Then he skips off merrily.

"You're falling for his tricks again," Sasuke comments once Shisui is out of eyesight. "He wants something out of you. He's always scheming."

[Name] huffs from atop the porch. "Well, his scheming always makes me happy, so I don't mind."

She sits in a lawn chair, soaking in the sun and smelling the sweet scent of hydrangeas and roses. She closes her eyes, enjoying the sound of her little gardener boy snipping and grumbling away. "Hmm. Maybe I should have you mow the lawn next."

"Have that lazy piece of shit do it," Sasuke snaps back, even though he'll find anything to spend time with [Name]. He wants to do everything she says in hopes that maybe he'll be next to be alone with her, possibly even bed her.

"Madara?" She laughs. "There's no way he'll even consider doing anything for me. He's a big ol' meanie."

She feels a tap on her shoulder, and she opens up her eyes. The sun blinds her partially until she lifts her hands to shade her eyes. A rose sits in her face. The petals are perfectly open and red, the scent so thick it coats her nose, and not a single blemish is in sight.

"Yeah, that's why he's a lazy piece of shit," Sasuke says, still holding the rose he angrily, and thus accidentally, snipped off. "For you."

[Name] takes it, careful of the prickly thorns. She smirks, knowing for certain he wants to one-up his cousin. "You want a kiss, don't you?"

His cheeks turn as red as the flower she's holding. "S-So what?!" He stammers, ripping off his gardening gloves. He's just about to storm away when [Name] grabs his hand. 

"Come here, my little jealous baby," she coos, pulling him into her lap. He broods even more, embarrassed and slightly thrilled. He's sitting in her lap. Shouldn't it be the other way around? He doesn't dwell on it long.

"I'm not jealous," he pouts. 

"Oh, but you're my baby?"

"I'm not a baby either!"

[Name] pulls his body into hers and places a fat kiss on his lips. She smiles into the kiss, noting his kisses are different from the others. Innocent but not inexperienced. Passionate but without tongue and mischief. His hands are scared to touch anywhere besides the sides of her shoulders. The others would've taken the initiative and snuck a naughty hand up her shirt, convincing her to make love right then and there. But, when Sasuke pulls away, his cheeks still pink, she sees the determination in his eyes, a determination for more than this sweetness.

...

Shisiu sits in his room, up all night thinking, pondering, and dwelling on what can make [Name] happy. What can he do to be more romantic? He'd go buy her a gift if he had any money, and he doesn't know how much he can keep making special dinners. A date would be nice, but only if they could be alone. He knows all too well his family will resentfully ruin any isolated time he'll try to have with her.

His ninja ears pick up the soft sound of shuffling feet against a rug. He tilts his head, listening intently, before he rises from the bed and goes to the door to take a peek. He sees [Name] dressed in comfortable clothing, juggling her keys that jingle like soft bells. It's nearly two in the morning.

"Hey," he whisper-yells. She gazes at him, smiling softly. "Whatcha doing, darling?"

[Name] shrugs. "Nothing. I was gonna head out for a drive."

Shisui's fast thinking knows this is an opportunity for them to be alone. "Can I come?"

"Shisui, you know it's weird to let you out. You know you look like... well, yourself."

He pouts, sticking his bottom lip out for maximum effect, his eyes watering too.  "Please?"

[Name] shakes her head, sighing. "Shisui, c'mon... Someone might notice you."

"Who cares? I wanna be with you. Alone."

His vulnerability and honesty get him everywhere—especially with [Name], he notices. He sees her go through all the stages of reluctantly letting him go with her. The disapproving scowl. The sigh. The roll of her eyes. And then that pretty lazy smile that says, "Okay, fine."

Giddy, he changes, also putting on something comfortable. The last time [Name] went out, she only took Sasuke and Itachi. Itachi tried to describe everything in detail to Shisui, but it will never compare to seeing it with his own eyes. Streetlights fly past the window at high speeds. Shisui sits in the passenger seat, face pressed against the glass, as he drinks up everything. The thin shadows of staggering buildings, the neon lights of the city, and the fact that people are still up and moving at this time of night are all stunning sights to see.

"It's the weekend," [Name] explains. "Every young person is out right now. Partying or having a drink with friends. Ya know, the usual."

Shisui blinks and gazes at [Name's] side profile. She looks tired. But she's still young, right? Shouldn't she be out too on the weekend? Instead, she's at home, taking care of the four of them most days.

"You wanna do something fun?"

[Name] snorts, a small chuckle coming through. She sighs endearingly. "I was really just trying to go to the closest diner and get a plate of fries."

"Sooo," Shisui hums, tapping his thighs. "It's a date!"

[Name] laughs, pulling into a parking lot. "Yeah, sure. We're here anyway."

Shisui relaxes at her laugh. It's nice to see her like this; comfortable and sleepy. He follows her inside, where they are immediately sat in a booth lined with fake red leather. The table wobbles and the place smells like grease and the sweetness of cream pies. It's different from what Shisui is used to as he glances at the laminated menu with pictures of food foreign to him. He doesn't know what to pick, so he looks to [Name] with pleading eyes.

"Don't worry, I'll order for you," she speaks softly with the most gracious smile. The waiter comes over, their apron is slightly wrinkled, and their notebook is filled with the past orders of the day.

"Hey folks, what can I get ya?"

"Bacon burger and a plate of fries to share," [Name] says. 

"Anything else?"

[Name] eyes Shisui, her head tilting to the side. This is a date, after all. And he deserves something sweet because he is so sweet.

"One of those cinnamon milkshake thingies." She holds up two fingers as she adds, "Two straws, please."

"Of course!"

When the food comes, Shisui eyes it suspiciously. He doesn't think it's poisonous or anything, [Name] would never do something to harm him. But he's never seen a sandwich so big before. This thing [Name] called a burger is beyond a sandwich in Shisui's mind. Bigger with an enticing scent.

"That burger is for you to try," [Name] says as she chews a fry. "It's not the high-quality shit you're used to, but it's good once you get used to it."

Shisui picks it up with some prodding from [Name]. He takes his first bite, the mix of savory flavors melting on his tongue. He chews, swallows, and feels his heart throb in his chest. The sharpness of the cheese and the crunchiness of the bacon leave a delightful aftertaste. It's different but good nonetheless.

"So?" [Name] smiles, her chin on her fist, expecting an answer. 

"It's good. There's a lot of flavors." He leans back against the pleather, which squeaks. He notices the difference between the cuisine of his home and the food here. One thing to note, their food doesn't care for presentation all that much; everything goes into the consistency of flavors and textures, whereas back home, the simplicity of taste and display were all that mattered since eating requires all five senses. Yet, he couldn't think of eating a plain burger after this one taste. It would be a disgrace to eat something this big and not have a complex taste profile. "It's different. I can't help but compare it to home."

"You don't have to eat all of it," she says, dragging her foot up his leg. "I'm sure eating something this greasy would have you on the toilet for days after this."

Shisui cracks a smile, taking a fry and tasting that too. Salty and simple. Addicting like those bags of chips he's come to love. "I have an iron stomach, pretty girl. I think I can handle your world's burger."

[Name] smirks, challenging him with a glance. "Don't come crying to me when you're on the shitter all night."

Shisui tries and ultimately finishes everything. He watches [Name] pay the bill and feels disappointed in himself for not providing for her. He is a man. Her man.

"Pretty girl," he says, his tone serious. She gazes at him once the waiter hands her back her card. "Thank you."

"It's no problem."

"I wish... I could do more for you."

[Name] blinks, completely caught off guard by Shisui's disheartened expression. She giggles, thinking he's too cute for his own good. "You're enough as is, Shisui."

She reaches across the table to grab his hand. "C'mon, I want to keep enjoying our date."

[Name] takes Shisui off on a trail that overlooks the city. They sit on the hood of the car, gazing up into the starless sky. He's a little disappointed that there are no stars. Back home, he used them to travel along with maps. He wanted to jump at the opportunity to show her constellations and planets, to show how useful and intelligent he was. Solemnly, he says, "There're no stars."

"Yeah," she replies, also disappointed but helpless to the phenomena. She gestures to the city below them, sparkling with artificial lights. "Light pollution."

"Oh." He says it like he knows what she's talking about but doesn't. "Right."

Shisui leans back against the hood, gazing up at the half-moon that still illuminates the dark sky. "Well then, how do you get around?"

"GPS," she answers simply, shaking her phone at him. "Or we just remember the place where we want to go."

"What the hell is GPS?" He doesn't feign familiarity with the topic this time.

"I forget what it stands for, but it basically knows your location at all times, and you, like, put your destination in, and it gives you the fastest route there."

Shisui blinks, trying to understand the technological advances this world has. "It knows your location at all times?"

"Yeah."

"Is... Is it listening in on us?"

"What? No. I mean, I hope not—Shisui, this not the time to discuss this stuff."

He grins. "Just wondering!"

She laughs, leaning against the hood and scooting next to him. Turning her head, she stares at him. In the warm air of a spring night, she falls for him a little deeper. Under the moonlight's gaze, his features sharpen. His curly hair glossier, his skin glowing.

"Shisui," she whispers. Dark eyes meet hers. "You're so pretty."

"Says the pretty girl," he retorts back immediately. He leans over, wrapping an arm around her waist. He dips his head in, lips nearly gracing hers. "This is romantic, right?"

His eyes search for something. They're unsure but hopeful. Ever since he heard that conversation, he's been hoping to bring some passion to their relationship. He wants her to be happy. He watches her features soften completely. Sometimes Shisui can be the most soft-hearted, considerate man she knows.

"Of course, baby," she says, giving him a chaste kiss. "The most romance I've had in two years."

"I just want to make you happy."

She cups his cheeks, itching to kiss him fully. 

"You do make me happy." Her lips connect with his, and tingles run up her spine as his fingertips tickle the hem of her sweatpants.

"Every day."

...

A/N: All my simps say: MALEWIFE SHISUI! MALEWIFE SHISUI! MALEWIFE SHISUI! I had a hard time finding a route to go down after the smut last chapter, so it took me longer to write something. Wouldn't mind ideas tbh (within reason). Please accept this extra-long chapter :)