Tumblr Prompts

Madara would be the first to admit that he had started with a very poor opinion of Tobirama. It wasn't something he was proud of, but it was the truth. Things had changed in the past three years. Slowly, so slowly, he started seeing the man behind the soldier. The smiles he reserved only for the times he saw children playing without fear. The fond exasperation in his eyes whenever Hashirama got over enthusiastic about something and the tiny playful pout he would send whoever had brought up the topic. The absolute joy that turned dull red eyes into truly stunning gems when he found a new book or solved a tricky puzzle.

It was hard to hold a grudge when those moments had begun to extend to Madara's clan as well.

Uchiha children laughing and playing hide and seek in the market? Tobirama smiled and pointed out better hiding places. Hikaku bringing up specialized training grounds so both clans could be in their elements and sending Hashirama into a bout of joyful tears had Tobirama throwng him the most adorable pout Madara had ever seen. Hikaku admitted later that he agreed, but begged Madara not to tell anyone. Seeing as he knew Hikaku was working up the nerve to ask Touka out made it easy to promise.

But it was only when he was able to help bring that special light of discovery to Tobirama's eyes that he realized the truth.

He had volunteered to go to the lab and inform Tobirama that the delegation from the Inuzuka had arrived earlier than expected, though why Hashirama thought his brother wouldn't have noticed was beyond him. Still, it was a chance for Madara to see Tobirama in his true element.

As expected, Tobirama had already known and was ignoring them. Partially out of spite Madara was sure. But also because he was in the middle of testing a new jutsu. Quietly he settled into a corner to watch. The fact that he was allowed to do this now brought a well of pride and contentment to his chest.

He watched closely, cringing a bit at the feeling of Tobirama's chakra starting to separate and pull away from him before snapping back into place. Soon enough a helpless smile tugged at his lips as Tobirama pouted to himself.

"Tell me what you're trying to do, perhaps I can help."

The pout didn't fade, but those red eyes took on a new light as they landed on him. Madara's heart twisted painfully in his chest.

"I'm working on a clone technique for Mito. She's got so much chakra and so much to get done. I thought a solid clone, a true duplicate would be useful to her, even if no one else can use it."

Madara felt a rush of affection so powerful it nearly made him sway. As many others had begun to learn since the village was founded, he was hit with how generous this man could be. How deep his affection could run.

With a breath to help keep his voice steady Madara asked to see the seal sequence that Tobirama was using.

He was *not* giddy with excitement when Tobirama didn't even hesitate to show him. Nor was he entranced by how smoothly he shifted from one seal to the next, long elegant fingers easily bending to the proper shapes. No. He was completely focused on the problem at hand.

It was as he was shifting from dragon to inu that Madara had a sudden thought.

"You're splitting your chakra. Why not use snake, then inu?"

There. That delighted light that made his eyes turn to rubies. He ran through the hand seals again, easily slipping in the snake seal and this time the chakra split easily and a second Tobirama appeared. He looked around, eyes wide with delight as the original picked up an empty beaker and handed to to the clone. Madara felt a thrill go through him when the clone was able to hold it. And another when it set the beaker down and started shuffling through a cabinet looking for a blank scroll before it began writing.

Once it was done it nodded to the original and vanished.

Tobirama swayed in place and Madara reached for his hand, giving him something to ground himself.

"Tobirama?"

He smiled at Madara, bright and happy in a way that only the children had ever been able to get from him, and laced their fingers together before giving a gentle squeeze.

"I'm fine. The memory transfer is... Jarring. I'll have to work on that."

Caught by surprise Madara smiled back helplessly and listened as Tobirama rambled about how to fix the transfer. How could he not? Tobirama was beautiful and clever and clearly so happy to have Madara here, in his space.

Time slipped away and I t was only when a soft cough sounded from the doorway that Madara remembered why he was here in the first place. He couldn't begin to describe the relief he felt when he saw it was Mito. She at least wouldn't ask endless questions about what they had been doing.

"Mito! We were just working on your birthday gift. No reading any notes I've got laying around."

The smile she gave them had them both blinking at her, causing her to laugh. With a water she brought their attention to their still twined fingers. Madara fought to suppress a blush.

"Is that right? Is my birthday gift the two of you finally getting together?"

"Mito!"

"Oh hush. Everyone in the tower knows about Madara's crush. And don't think I haven't noticed yours, Tobirama."

Feeling Tobirama start to pull his hand away, obviously embarrassed, Madara tightened his grip.

"I wouldn't be opposed to taking him out to dinner. But that's for us and not for you. Go harass your husband if he's not giving you enough romance."

The hand in his went limp before tentatively curling around his again and Mito left with a bright bell like laugh and a reminder that they had guests.

They could wait. At least until dinner had been arranged.