(Hashimada) The Adventures of a Hedgehog and Some Idiots

1: The treaty

(A/N    they're both around 22 in this fic;   link to my Hashimada playlist below 👀)

It had to be a dream. How else could Hashirama be hearing the words he had longed to hear for over a decade? 12 years of knowing Madara, desperately wishing they could just live out their childhood together without the pain and suffering of unrelenting war. . . They both knew that pain too well. The agony of losing their friends and family, year after year watching in horror as they slowly were among fewer survivors. Hashirama was grateful every second that Tobirama was still with him. Still, a part of him felt guilty that he had something left when so many others - including Madara - had lost everything. He couldn't imagine the pain that Madara was going through right now. . .

. . . Which is why he was so surprised that Madara spoke the words he dreamt of.

Hashirama had his head bowed to Madara, practically begging him to accept the peace treaty he had offered so many times over the years.

"Please, Madara. . . We've lost far too much already. Don't you think it's about time we end this?" His voice broke a little, showing a glimpse into the depression that he usually hid with a laugh. "Please. . ."

Madara sighed, his arms crossed, looking down at Hashirama. He knew that no amount of war would bring Izuna back, but still. . . The pain was unbearable. He wanted to murder the Senju that had taken away his precious brother, but at the same time. . . There was a part of Madara that didn't want to subject Hashirama to the same pain he had been burdened with. As much as he hated Hashirama's clan for what they had done to his own, the idea of hurting Hashirama in that way was oddly painful to Madara. After thinking it over, he spoke.

"Lift your head, Hashirama. . ." The Senju lifted his gaze to meet the Uchiha's. Madara shifted a little and glanced off to the side. "I will accept your peace treaty. Now quit being so depressed, you pitiful Senju."

Without thinking, Hashirama immediately hugged Madara, tears forming along with a huge grin. "Thank you thank you thank you!!"

Madara blushed and pushed him away. "What the hell was that for?"

Hashirama gave a sheepish grin and scratched his head. "Sorry, Madara, I'm just so glad that you finally agreed!" He smiled and stepped close to Madara, looking him straight in the eyes. "Our dream, Mada. . . It's finally happening. . . All because of you."

His gaze was full of hope and gratitude, pure happiness. . . There was something about the way they looked at each other that changed the atmosphere. Madara could feel it. . . There was something that made him want to follow Hashirama and stand by him - his all too familiar charisma drew him in. It scared Madara. But more than that, there was a kind of intimacy - love, almost - meant for him in that gaze. . . And that scared Madara most of all.

It took Madara a minute to pull himself together. He gave Hashirama a small, tired smile and replied, "Yes. . . Now, about the village. . ."

They discussed the construction of the village, the terms of the peace treaty, the formation of districts for each clan, how the village would be led, the idea of carving stone faces into the cliff face. . . All the important details for the maintenance of peace beyond the treaty. As they spoke, the tension between them began to ease up. It was as if they were returning to their old selves, when they used to be friends. They walked together and discussed the matters late into the night.