Twin Leaves in the Shadow

41章

"So, Mito knew the whole time and she's completely fine that you're in love with another man?" Madara questioned.

Hashirama nodded, "Seems that way, yes."

Madara sank into the couch they were both seated on. He let out a sigh, "What's the catch?"

"Catch? There is no catch." Hashirama defended.

"I'm not naive, Hashirama. There has to be a catch. Why would she let this happen if she wasn't getting some sort of compensation?" Madara further explained.

Hashirama felt cornered. Madara was smart and tactical. He could see things Hashirama couldn't, literally and figuratively. It's hard to lie to him.

"Why aren't you happy that we can just be together?" Hashirama argued, trying to deflect his question.

Madara shot up from the couch and faced Hashirama. "There is more to this that you are refusing to explain. Why would anyone willingly let their husband be in love with someone else?"

"Can't you just trust me, Madara?" Hashirama begged.

That seemed to freeze Madara in his tracks. He looked down, averting his eyes from Hashirama's.

"I trust you," he sighed. "Just not her."

Reaching out his hand, he took Madara's into his. He couldn't help but feel a sense of guilt. Hashirama WAS holding back from Madara for the time being. Hashirama contemplated just telling him outright about Mito's deal. He didn't feel right withholding the information, especially with Madara being suspicious from the get-go.

"I know it doesn't seem real, but it is. I didn't believe it at first, either. We will figure out things as they happen, but for now, can we just be happy that someone isn't forcing us apart?" Hashirama pleaded softly.

Madara nodded in agreement with his words, but he had no poker-face. He still held a look worry and distrust.

"Come here," Hashirama whispered.

He guided Madara to straddle his lap on the couch, placing his hands on each side of his hips. Madara caressed Hashirama's face, gently tracing his bottom lip with his thumb.

Hashirama leaned forward and pressed his lips against Madara's ear. "I love you."

He left a trail of kisses starting from his ear and down to his neck. Madara's breath hitched once Hashirama found his sweet spot.

"I don't know if I'm in the mood for this right now," Madara breathlessly replied.

Hashirama slid his hands underneath Madara's shirt, feeling the heat of his skin beneath his fingertips.

"Does that mean I can't try?" Hashirama murmured.

Madara shied away from his advances by hiding his face into Hashirama's neck. Immediately taking the hint, Hashirama removed his hands from underneath his shirt and just hugged him tightly.

"I'm sorry," Madara mumbled.

"Don't be," Hashirama reassured.

"I just need time to process everything," he explained, raising up to look at Hashirama.

"Is it okay to kiss you?"

Madara nodded, blushing from the question. He tried to hide his face again, but Hashirama stopped him before he could. Hashirama pushed back his long bangs, revealing all of his gorgeous face, and tucked the strands loosely behind his ear.

"You're really beautiful," Hashirama whispered.

"You're being weird," Madara chuckled. He couldn't hide the bright shade of red on his cheeks, though.

Hashirama smiled, admiring the man on top of him. "But you are."

"Are you going to kiss me or not?"

Hashirama pulled him in. It was a soft kiss; his lips brushing delicately against Madara's. He tasted so sweet, it was truly addicting. Hashirama deepened the kiss, hungry for more.

Madara rolled off of him, and landed on his back on the couch. He reached out and yanked Hashirama by the collar to pull him on top of him. Their lips instantly reconnected. He ran his hands through Hashirama's hair, tugging gently just to tease him. Hashirama pressed hard against him, grinding in response.

"Is this okay or do you want me to stop?" Hashirama whispered.

"I'll let you know if I want to stop," Madara replied.

"Don't feel like you have to do this because I wanted it."

Madara shook his head. "Just shut up and kiss me."

He pulled Hashirama back down, making their lips collide once again. Even at his lowest point, Hashirama's touch could make him feel on top of the world again.

*knock knock*

"Madara?" a voice called out from behind the front door.

The two men froze, looking at the door.

"We have a meeting tonight. Are you not coming?" the same voice spoke out. It was obvious now that it was a member of the Uchiha clan.

"Fuck, I completely forgot. I need to go." Madara whispered frantically.

"What am I supposed to do?" Hashirama whispered back with same level of panic.

"Just wait five minutes after I leave, and then go. No one should see you." Madara explained.

They quietly removed themselves from the couch, prying apart from each other. Hashirama rushed down the hall to hide from view, while Madara rushed out of his home. Hashirama could faintly overhear Madara talking to the other Uchiha, explaining some bogus excuse of how he was busy and lost track of time, before his voice faded away completely.

He waited five minutes and then left to head home.

____________________________________

Hashirama approached his new home, finally seeing it for the first time. The home was huge, bigger than he had expected. It was close to his old home that he shared with Tobirama, maybe a street or two away. It was dark outside, so he couldn't fully see it in all its glory.

"There you are! I was starting to get worried about you!" Mito called out, standing at the front door.

"Sorry, I got tied up with some things," Hashirama sighed, stepping inside with Mito.

He was amazed by the inside of the home. He could tell Mito had spent most of the day decorating and unpacking. His eyes scanned around in awe.

"Were you with Madara?" Mito asked, interrupting his thoughts abruptly.

"Uh-"

"You don't have to lie to me, remember?" she expressed playfully.

Hashirama sighed, "Yeah, I was."

This is going to take some getting used to.