Disclaimer: Don't own Naruto…Heartless
Heartless
When a solemn beat still drums its hollow tone within the chests of wary souls, it is not with kindness and care that it receives the touch of another...
Only pain.
There are so many pessimistic ways one could describe an Uchiha, and still so many more that have yet to be discovered. Because those malevolent words are the first that come to mind when one looks into those lethal red eyes and intense expressions.
And every one of them…
Every single word that has ever been used to describe the Uchiha…
Have been used to describe that one man as well.
Yes. Not even Hashirama can detach Madara from those words, because no matter how he feels for the younger man, he knows that they are true. They will always be a part of the Uchiha, and that will never change. Because that is what he is…
An Uchiha.
When he sees Madara turn those intense, soul-piercing eyes on him, he knows that Madara is dangerous.
When he smells the scent of blood on Madara's clothes, he knows Madara is deadly.
When he feels the sting of Madara's bare fist colliding with his body, he knows Madara is vengeful.
When he hears the sinister whisper of Madara's quiet threats, he knows Madara is serious.
But, when they stand together like this, with his arms around the Uchiha, their bodies pressed together, and their fingers intertwined…
He realizes those are only words.
With the sunset before them, the wind blowing against their skin, the sound of leaves rustling in the forest, the darkening of the sky above, and the stars hidden just out of sight…
He remembers that these are the moments that define them.
When past battles flicker through his mind, the memories of all the blood they shared and gave, the acceptance of what they were meant to do, and the ambition they were willing to kill for, the understanding.
It reminds him that they are only human.
Maybe it makes him a fool, or a coward, or weak. Maybe he is blind to the ways of the world, and perhaps it has condemned him to death.
But…
It is the moments when they're together and there are no words to be said, when time and space are nonexistent, and he can say with certainty that he understands the truth of this world…
That he accepts that the Uchiha is who he is.
Because right now, as Madara looks to the sun with those expressionless eyes and broken lips, as he tightens his grip unconsciously on his fingers, bringing their entwined hands over his chest, as he leans back into Hashirama's chest and allows the Senju to hold him...
The feeling…
Something that no amount of words can ever take away from the young man in his arms. The thing that, despite all trials, is till alive and struggling on, even as his eyes and lips break under the pressure and the hate.
That feeble little thing caged within its suppressed confines, whispering in the dark, forever defiant and unwilling to be still until the end of all things.
The thrashing thing inside Madara's chest that just keeps fighting on through the pain and uncertainty, fighting against being held down in the prison hidden within Madara's body.
Hashirama closes his eyes and listens, feels the gentle thumping against their fingers, and within himself.
No matter what words others arise with to condemn him…
He tightens his grip over the Uchiha's chest.
No matter how hard others work to destroy him…
He feels the beating quicken.
Madara will never be heartless.
Because there is still a heart to give.
Author's Note
It's so sad. T_T