crownverse
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"not sleeping?"
madara turned around. his face relaxed upon seeing her. he shook his head. "stars," he mouthed.
hashirama held back a yawn, looking up. the sky was clear tonight, showing off innumerable stars scattered upon the heavens. she closed the sliding door behind, and joined him on the porch.
for awhile they only gazed upwards until hashirama whispered, "you didn't get bad dreams just now?"
"what makes you think that?"
she searched for the telltale signs on his face, but her search was futile. "that's what i do when i got bad dreams. sky-gazing."
"ah, that reminds me." madara stood, disappearing inside for a few seconds, then came out with a box. "open it."
inside the box was wooden lacquered bowls, a spoon, and a pair of chopsticks. hashirama took one of the bowls, her fingers tracing the meandering pattern on its outside until she found the uchiha crest carving.
"is this..." she lifted it, allowing starlight to shine on the carvings. "is this my personal dinnerware?"
"yes. took longer to make... your old ones were gone in the fire. i heard it's quite elaborate, with mokuton tree carvings." he tilted his head. "not every craftsman could replicate what i had in mind for you."
hashirama blinked. she remembered seeing madara's personal set. they were simple; black, painted with the uchiha crest. all uchiha used the similar design, even people who were married into the clan.
only hers had such a personal touch like this.
she cradled the bowl close to her chest before setting it down in the box. "thank you so much..." she beamed. "anata, this is beautiful. i'm going to treasure them."
"just don't forget to use them, though." madara chuckled, grinning from ear to ear.
hashirama's heart skipped a beat.
at the moment, all the stars in the heavens seemingly dimmed in the presence of madara's smile.
"you're zoning out, hashirama."
"no!" she closed the box, gave him a quick peck on his cheek, then took his hand. "let's go back to bed."