—-
The day was cool, the wind was soft, and the birds were flying happily across the deep blue sky, every once in a while disappearing behind the generous array of small, fluffy white clouds that were scattered so high above.
After exploring their growing village and the surrounding areas, visiting old spots and new, they both lay in a familiar place, side by side along the river's edge.
Bringing a hand in front of his face, one lazily began to converse. "It's been a while, hasn't it?"
Madara turned his head to the right. "Since?"
Hashirama gave him a look, and then returned his eyes to the sky. "Since we've been able to lie so peacefully here, just..."
"Without a care in the world?" Madara finished for him. He stared at him, and held his strong gaze with equal intensity, before eventually averting his eyes. He still felt Hashirama's eyes on him as he watched the river suddenly sparkle in delight. With each blinding sparkle of reflected sunlight seemingly directed only at him, he could hear its tempting words: 'Try it. Try it. ...DO IT.' He smirked softly to himself, and looked off into the left. Yeah right.
A small, wry smile played on Hashirama's lips. Feeling something tingle in his chest, he watched him curiously. "What's so funny?"
Broken from his daydreaming, Madara unsmoothly replied, "Nothing," and became silent for a a long moment. He could feel the tension in the air between them growing. Above him, the sun's rays were beating down on his cheeks harshly, flushing them a warm pink. He looked up at their source, and squinted slightly. You, too, are telling me...
But no matter how relaxing their day had been, it was too soon. Earlier realizing that he was in love with Hashirama had done odd things to him. He found himself constantly questioning each word he was about to speak, each action he was about perform...all becoming too aware of himself. What if Hashirama saw through him?
Madara knew that he was uncomfortable with his own thoughts, so what made him think that Hashirama would be comfortable with them, either?
'Hashirama...I just really want to hold you. To hold you close. To look into your eyes and see that you want me, too.' Madara mentally slapped his hand against his forehead, already exasperated with his current state. If only Hashirama heard those thoughts going through my mind...
He was so. Stuck.
Although Madara's mind was elsewhere, Hashirama's eyes could not leave his body. He stared at him longingly. Fear tugged at him, making him have second thoughts about what he had to say. He turned on his side, just inches away from...
You can't, he told himself irresolutely. His heart began beating faster, and his fingers tingled with the urge to reach out to the one so peacefully beside him.
Fortunately for him, it was instead Madara who decided to speak up again. "Did..." The heavy words felt clumsy as they escaped his lips, but were spoken with a low smoothness that made the Senju shiver. "...Did you ever feel like—"
"—Yes," came the immediate reply. Hashirama quickly placed a gentle hand on Madara's left cheek. He kept it there for a split second before suddenly placing his lips on the other's, as well.
And that's when Madara's brain stopped working.
It couldn't be! This was too good to be true...
His best friend—also had such feelings?
Madara had only dismissed them as mere fantasies, something of a sort that could not happen, not ever...not in this lifetime. But now, here, next to the one he loved...
The relief Hashirama was feeling was beyond overwhelming...Madara shared his feelings. He was not being pushed away like all the other times... The thought made him very happy. He chuckled through the kiss.
Fuck.
Madara blinked. He immediately broke it off and held his hands on the Senju's shoulders in an attempt to push him away. No—
Hashirama mentally facepalmed. Yep. Just jinxed myself.
"Why did you laugh...?" Madara questioned, feeling a quick sinking feeling begin to settle in his gut. So it was a joke, then. Why else would Hashirama do such a thing? "Is this some sort of emotional training?" Learn to accept rejection? He had already learned that lesson. Or had he...? Madara stared at him intensely, searching his eyes earnestly. "Because I don't need such a thing..."
"..."
"Ahahahaha!" Hashirama busted up.
The sound of his good-natured laughter gave Madara feelings of love and burning regret all at once. Which was it...?
"Madara, you are so insecure..." He wiped a tear from his own eye—the inevitable product of a hearty laugh.
"...Oh, I'm the insecure one?" Madara scoffed. "You don't think what happened just now meant anything, did you?" Countless thoughts and emotions of confusion, betrayal, and self-loathing swirled beneath his exterior. The feeling made him feel lightheaded although he maintained his hard expression easily. He sat up.
Slowly, Hashirama did the same. He gazed at his best friend carefully. A look of incomprehension began to take over. He did just ask if it was emotional training... He stifled a laugh once more at the mere thought, but grew serious again. Does...he really think that...? He slapped his hands to his cheeks. ...Crap!
Madara studied the face in front of him, and read into his soul. This time, after searching for just a moment, he easily found what he was looking for. Relief overwhelmed him to a degree that he would never admit to have ever felt. "Just kidding!"
"Madara! Ahou! You really had me going there!" Hashirama's eyes bugged-out.
The Uchiha smiled at the genuine expression in front of him. His own face relaxed at realizing what he now had...
No...what he had had all along...
And now, the only thing he could feel was the liberation that only a person blessed with pure happiness could ever achieve. There were no more barriers between them anymore. Drowning in his own desire, he held his soulmate's gaze with burning passion. They had already loved each other unconditionally, and the sense of freedom at this realization sent a thrill of euphoria through their veins. Unable to take their eyes off each other, they both acted on the only thing on their mind.
The kiss was sloppy, and heated. Madara felt himself being pushed back, but he wouldn't have it. With one swift movement, he leaned forward and compelled Hashirama to the ground.
Hashirama fell back, surprised. He felt the hair beside his ear being ruffled softly. He let his eyes close again, smiling warmly through the kiss. This...was happening. Madara did love him.
Feeling sentiments of relief, love, delayed frustation, and a hidden protectiveness all colliding beneath his exterior, the only thought on Hashirama's mind was that nothing could make the world brighter than it was at that very moment. They were the two most powerful shinobi around...and the world was, for once, at peace; nobody could stop them. This was their moment and their moment alone to share.
Nothing could touch them.
—-
A/N: My first attempt at romance ever.
Edit: replaced with Ch 6 content from 'Zephyr'.
