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Hashirama folds himself down onto the engawa, not bothering with a zabuton as he leans forward to inspect the kunai in his brother's hands.
"I think it's sharp enough already." He doesn't try to touch however, he knows better. "Maybe?"
"No." Tobirama puts it down and picks up another one, despite his disagreement, so Hashirama knows he wasn't wrong.
"It doesn't have to be like this, you know." He puts his elbows on his knees, resting his chin on his linked fingers as he watches his brother work. "You could just say you like him."
"Like you did?" Tobirama sounds scornful, but Hashirama just grins cheerfully. "Never."
"This is such a morbid way to woo someone though!" He idly picks up a makibishi, rolling it over his palm. "Really, I think my way is better."
"For the last time, I'm not courting him." Tobirama grabs the makibishi out of his hand, sweeping it into a bag with the rest of its fellows. "I'm trying to kill him."
"That's one way to describe trying to get your hands on his neck..." Hashirama dissolves into snickers at his brother's glare.
"That was strangulation." Tobirama's voice is flat, but there's the hint of a blush on his pale cheeks and Hashirama coos over it.
"Didn't look like it!" He sings the words gleefully, chortling when the flush deepens. "Not to me!"
"I refuse to talk about this anymore." Tobirama slides the kunai back into his weapons pouch and stands up, a looming shadow against the sun. "Not when you can't seem to see the truth."
"Talk to him instead!" Hashirama yells after his brother's retreating back. "Use your words!"
"No!" Tobirama stomps off, not making even the smallest attempt at proper shinobi stealth. "Go away!"
It's enough to make Hashirama laugh as he leans back on his hands, looking out over the sunlit garden. The trees wave at him, despite the lack of a breeze, and he smiles.
Izuna-kun and his brother are far too similar, both stubborn and set in their ways, but all things grow. Change is the natural way of the world, and Hashirama has faith they'll come together in their own good time.
Which doesn't mean he can't drop a few hints or offer some good advice of course.
It's his duty as an older brother, after all.
