Hi! This is my contribution for the Whumptober 2021. I'm late, I discovered this challenge few days ago. I'll try to catch up, but I can't promise anything.
Besides, English is not my first language, so try to be gentle with me, please. I'm trying my best.
For Day 8, I chose the prompt "Definitely just a cold" and it's basically a unrequited love so you'll find a one-sided TobiIzu and a one-sided TobiMada.
Day 8 – Of Cold And Roses
Between them, a silence lingered.
Tobirama stared at his right hand covered in blood and Madara scoffed.
"Definitely just a cold," he grinned with a fearful voice.
No one would tell but Tobirama had coughed a rose, then another. And thorns had probably ripped up a piece of his lungs.
Hanahaki disease.
The first to name it would be a coward. And neither Madara nor Tobirama could allow himself to be called a coward.
"Just a cold," Tobirama nodded. "Nothing important enough to be noted." He added wiping his bloody hand on his yukata.
Madara took a deep breath, ready for, well, being a coward. Because Tobirama was far more important to him than his pride. And he was afraid.
"I can't ignore that, Senju. You're dying. The roses have fucking roots, you are dying!" he yelled. Of course, he yelled.
Sighing, Tobirama glared at Madara, a little disappointed.
"We just decided it was a stupid cold, Uchiha. Don't ruin everything by being such a pain in my ass."
But I can save you! Madara wanted to say. I can try, at least! I can be a friend, a lover, the best person for you, I can, I'm in love with you for years!
He did nothing but looking away, his hands shaking.
"Izuna hates you."
The statement was cruel enough to make Tobirama flinch a little bit.
"Well," he laughed, "I am more than well aware of his feelings towards me, thank you. What's your point?"
"He can't save you. For the fuck's sake, he doesn't want to save you. He will never change his mind. Do you realize you're dying for a man who doesn't deserve your love?"
It hurt to think such things about his beloved brother. Clearly, Izuna didn't even try to forgive Tobirama for his wounds and pretended to be completely satisfied with hate and anger. Madara knew better. And Tobirama deserved to be known, he was… He was…
"Yes. It doesn't matter."
Desperately in love with Izuna. And Madara hated them both for that.
"I love you."
He stepped up. Caught Tobirama's hand and squeezed.
"I love you and I can try to save you. Just let me try."
"No."
He stepped back, a soft smile on his lips.
"Thank you for loving me. I appreciate the feeling. But I can't, I… I love your brother. Deeply."
"I don't care. I don't want you to die. Please. Please. I don't want you to die alone."
Softly, Tobirama turned to Madara, a look full of surprise in his eyes. Madara came back near Tobirama.
"Please. Let me be by your side till the end."
Something in Tobirama's heart clung to these words, beating faster and his breath vanished. There was so much love on Madara's face, so much faith, and yes, Tobirama had hoped to see that look on Izuna's, but.
Izuna hated him. And wouldn't change his mind. Couldn't. Because Tobirama almost killed him years ago. Because Tobirama refused to apologize for that. It was war. It was unthinkable to apologize for trying to survive a war. And love didn't turn him into "a wimp" (Izuna's words, not his). He didn't want to crawl at Izuna's feet for a piece of attention.
And Madara knew all of that. And loved him despite that. Proposed to stay by his side.
It took an incredible amount of courage to confess to someone who was clearly in love with someone else. And Madara did. Of course, Madara did.
Tobirama smiled.
"Perhaps we can try."
Then he felt the pressure under his chest release as Madara smiled back to him.