crownverse; no spoiler
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it was afternoon, and the trees in the uchiha compound were crimson and gold.
madara brought a scroll to the veranda, sitting under the shade to enjoy the fresh air as he read. for a while it's just him, the written history of the uchiha clan's beginnings, and gentle wind caressing his hair. then, a faint noise of someone sweeping the fallen leaves.
he glanced up to see a familiar feminine silhouette facing away from him, a long broom in her hand, gathering the scattered leaves into a pile in the middle of the yard. amidst the whispering wind, he could pick up the tune she hummed: a nursery rhyme foreign for the uchiha halls; a reminiscence of her childhood in a different house, in a different clan.
he smiled before he resumed reading. his head snapped up shortly; why would she spend an afternoon sweeping the yard? she could just ask someone else, surely the hokage had more pressing matters waiting at hand!
as if she had anticipated his thoughts, several little helpers joined the woman in the yard, each bringing a broom taller than their bodies, but eager to help. he nearly left the shades, ready to drag her back to the office, but something in his heart stopped him.
she was never a stranger to him, it's best to wait and see.
when the pile turned gigantic and madara thought she just finished, she threw her body backwards onto it. her laugh rang across the compound as the children mimicked her.
madara slapped his forehead.
he tuned them out and returned to his scroll. several passages later, he picked a delectable earthy scent befitting this season: roasted sweet potato. his stomach wanted some.
later; he needed to finish reading first.
an approaching, rhythmic rustle disturbed his reading. she had came over, bringing a plate of a steaming sweet potato cut in half. her face split into a grin as she sat and offered a small piece held upon a pair of chopsticks to him, gesturing for him to open his mouth.
there were crimson and golden leaves entangled amidst her long, almost black hair.
the corners of his lips pulled upwards as he ate the offered piece. it's warm and sweet, madara chewed it so slowly to savor the taste.
she was still looking at him, anticipating a word or two, but he wasn't one to throw words so easily.
so madara leaned closer, planted a quick kiss in the corner of hashirama's lips, and while she was stunned still, he grabbed the plate and chopsticks from her hands.
he continued eating with a triumphant smile, watching his wife's cheeks reddened in a blush.
he glanced at the opened scroll. the history of his clan would change for the better from now on, in the home he shared with her.