Contrition [Itachi Uchiha x Reader]

#45: Consolidation

"Finally..." Shisui Uchiha hummed to himself as he descended the staircase, clutching a laptop in one hand and a box of chicken nuggets in the other. Clad in an old Attack on Titan t-shirt and boxer shorts, he cheerfully made his way to the glass coffee table and carefully set down the items before settling on the couch with a loud, "Netflix, here I come!"

But before he could lift another finger, a voice from behind him went, "How do I look?"

Shisui spun around to find a sharply dressed Itachi Uchiha fidgeting with his tie. "Is this too much? Am I overdressed?"

The older Uchiha shrugged and gestured to himself before saying, "Do you really want fashion tips from me?"

Itachi groaned. "I'm trying to make a good impression, Shisui. So, yes."

Shisui snickered. "Are you sure? Because I've been Netflix and chilling with myself for the past...umm well..." He hesitated for a moment. "...and yet, you want my help?" He received a glare in response. "Fine. You look fine. Although I'll admit, I didn't expect you to have first-date jitters."

"Shut up. Do you realize how daunting it is to be asked out and then have to wait a week to actually go? To worry about the repercussions of being seen together? It's truly a relief to have finally cleared the statutory period," Itachi mused. "Anyway, yes or no?" he asked, pointing to the tie. "Should I take it off?"

"If I were [Name] I'd want you to take it all off," Shisui replied with a wink, earning him another groan.

"This isn't funny."

"It kinda is. Besides, if you don't want my snide comments, you're more than welcome to change in your own damn house next time."

"Your clothes are... what's the word, flashier. You forget that I haven't been a part of this world for ten years," Itachi retorted. "So excuse me for being out of touch."

"Hm. That's fine and all, but I don't see you returning any of my other clothes that you've... ahem borrowed," Shisui remarked with raised eyebrows. "Don't make me call Officer Hoshigaki."

"Go ahead." Itachi undid his tie in one swift motion. "However, I don't think he's going to help you Netflix and chill."

"Buddy, it's not my chances of getting laid that you should be worried about," the man retaliated, grinning.

"I don't care about getting laid." Itachi fixed his collar and smoothed out his hair. "We're adults, not a pair of lovesick teenagers." A second later he spun around, positively beaming. "Did I tell you that she agreed to go away with me?"

"Aww, he's like a little puppy. Prison's made you soft," Shisui joked, turning away. And then he smirked. "Maybe [Name] can make you hard."

Itachi simply shook his head as he took one last look in the mirror. "And it's a shock you're still single. Wish me luck."

The last thing Itachi heard before the door closed behind him was Shisui bellowing, "Don't you dare do something reckless like proposing to her. It's only your first date!"

Itachi smiled. It's our first date.

*

I should have worn the damn tie, Itachi thought as he studied the grandiose dining room of Chōji Akimichi's famed restaurant. He instantly felt a tiny pang of regret and insecurity as his mind registered his startling lack of experience at social gatherings. It was then that the waiter, a short mousy man, spotted his discomfort and approached him with a smile. "Are we alone tonight, sir?"

"N-No," Itachi spoke, having been caught off-guard. "I'm... waiting for someone. She'll be here soon." The waiter nodded and quickly retreated. At that moment, Itachi quietly contemplated whether he had enough time to go back to Shisui's apartment and change.