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Izuna wouldn’t say he had a type.
That said, once peace was established and the village was built he was seen with a different person near every week.
And sure, those people tend to be like the shopkeeper's daughter, or a sweet little farm boy, but that isn’t a type, they just happen to be the people who catch his attention. And sure, maybe Izuna enjoys being someone’s first time. But really who wouldn’t? There is nothing like leading a person through their first time and opening their eyes to the exquisite pleasure that can be had with the right partner.
Though he doesn’t stay with anyone for very long. He just can’t seem to find a person that really clicks with him.
Sometimes a parent or older sibling will take offense at how quickly Izuna can move on. But Izuna is never the one to go out looking for any of the people he dates, they tend to find him. Which is honestly probably the only thing that saves him from Madara.
Madara hates having to deal with complaints about his conduct. Thankfully reminding the offended party that they can’t actually be offended because their son or daughter was the one who approached Izuna, and the affected party isn’t complaining, stops a lot of them in their tracks. Though unfortunately not all of them. So unfortunately he still has to deal with some a bit more than others. Like his latest partner's father. He was acting like she was a minor but she was only 5 years younger than him and an adult.
Izuna leaves Madara’s office after yet another lecture on why Izuna as a leading member of the village needs to be presenting himself with a high moral standing. Therefore not dating people willy nilly, Madara’s words, not his, and finding a suitable partner to settle down with if he can’t keep it in his pants.
Which is stupid. Izuna has never cared about anyone's morals but his own. Not to mention he isn’t about to settle down with someone he didn’t love. He is an Uchiha, Madara should know better than to even suggest it.
He can’t help but stalk through the halls on his way to do his job. Izuna was beyond irritated and he had every intention of making it everyone else’s problem.
Just as he is stomping his way back to his office after picking up some documents from the requisitions department he overhears Tobirama talking to Sarutobi Sasuke. Not something he would usually eavesdrop on, but it only took the first sentence for Izuna to know that this was too good to walk past.
Maybe this would brighten his day. It was bound to make him laugh at least. Though at which of them remains to be seen. He has his money on Sarutobi.
“Are you wearing a new haori? It's very flattering,” Sarutobi asks confidently.
Izuna wishes he could see Tobirama’s face. He wants to see the face Tobirama is making right now. He can already picture his twitching eyebrow and the sneer on his lips.
"Yes it was a gift from Hashirama, he will appreciate hearing you find it flattering."
Izuna barely refrains from snorting, as dismissals go that was pretty tame. Not what he was hoping for, but honestly probably more in tune with Tobirama’s personality than him rejecting Sarutobi harshly. He did seem to avoid conflict in the office as much as he could.
“Would you like to wear it out to dinner with me?"
Ugh, how sleezy, as if a line like that would make Tobirama change his mind after turning him down. Sarurobi doesn't seem to be taking the hint, Izuna is looking forward to hearing Tobirama really turn him down. There was no way he would hold himself back now.
"Why? I prefer to have a working lunch rather than dinner. When I leave the office I prefer not to deal with work.”
Wait. Does Tobirama not realize Sarutobi is asking him out?
"Wha? No, not a working dinner. I want to go out with you, maybe come back to my place and we can see how good your haori looks on my floor,” Sarutobi says playfully.
Well damn. He never would have guessed Sarutobi would be that blunt. As if Tobirama can be convinced like that.
"Why would I ever leave my haori on the floor? I would never be so sloppy nor would I treat my clothing that way. Though I’m unavailable today, I’m not opposed to joining you for dinner or tea another time. I have been meaning to discuss Hiruzen’s train in depth. I have some ideas I would like to run by you before implementing them. Also I have taken on two other students and would like to discuss joint training and using them as a guideline for future children training,” Tobirama’s voice was as serious as always, as if he really was just discussing training plans.
Izuna was certain now Tobirama has no idea he is being propositioned.
Sarutobi lets out a frustrated sound, Izuna stifles his laugh, he doesn't want to be caught before the end of this.
"Tobirama I'm asking you out on a date.”
Well there is no way Tobirama can misinterpret that.
"Which date were you thinking? I have some free time next week, it would be good for Hiruzen to be there as well so he can add his input.”
He was wrong. Tobirama can in fact, misinterpret that.
"Are you being an ass on purpose?” Sarutobi snaps.
Izuna’s face flushes in his frustration, causing him to straighten his spine and clench his jaw. While he and Tobirama aren’t friends, they are getting there, enough so that he takes offence at Sarutobi talking to Tobirama like that. He feels his previous anger come back, this time with an actual target.
"I beg your pardon? You brought it up, I don't see what you are taking offense about, but I will not stand here and be insulted when I am doing you the courtesy of discussing training plans before starting them. Have a good day Sarutobi-sama, I have work I need to return to.”
Izuna honestly can't see how Tobirama had missed the mark so badly with that conversation. Nonetheless he took great joy listening to Sarurobi stomping away with an irritated growl. Serves him right, the pushy bastard.
As if he would ever be good enough for Tobirama, he would wipe the floor with him in a fight. Tobirama deserves someone who can keep up with him. Someone he knows will be able to protect him when he is vulnerable.
Izuna scurries away just in time to remain hidden from Tobirama as he walks by. Despite his clear irritation with Sarutobi he walks smoothly, anyone else would probably describe him as unruffled, but Izuna wasn’t anyone else and he could clearly see how bothered Tobirama was by his tense shoulders.
Not that Izuna was looking at Tobirama, or the way the black fabric was tight enough to accentuate his muscular back. It obviously wasn’t cotton, not with the way it stretched across his shoulders.
__________________________
Izuna assumed the scene he witnessed between Sarutobi and Tobirama would be a one time thing. After all, how many people could find the courage to approach the stern Senju?
To his shock a lot of people do.
Since that first time with Sarutobi he has now personally witnessed Tobirama be asked out or flirted with at least a dozen times. And each time Tobirama completely misunderstands what is happening, or is entirely unaware that someone is flirting and just continues on with the conversation like nothing has happened.
Truthfully Izuna can’t believe he never noticed it before. Now however it seems to be thrown in his face every week at least.
Maybe he just didn’t pay enough attention to Tobirama before. It wasn’t like their paths crossed much during the work day. The only reason he is around him so much now was because he silently promised Tobirama he would run interference with Sarutobi in case he decides to pester him again. Seeing as the man had such a hard time accepting no last time.
If someone asks him why he decided to intercede on Tobirama’s behalf he won’t have a good answer. He doesn’t totally understand it either. He just keeps telling himself it’s because he is a good friend. Even though he wouldn’t quite count them as friends yet.
It was funny at first, watching all these people try and fail to get Tobirama’s attention. After the first month though, he starts to feel bad. He just can’t decide who he feels worse for, Tobirama for constantly being pestered and having no idea why, which leads him to wonder how long all this has been going on, or for all the people who keep failing to ask the pale Senju out.
How is that Tobirama can be so naive??
It’s like he has never been asked out before. Izuna is sooooo tempted to go ask Hashirama about it, but so far Hashirama seems to be oblivious to everything going on too, and he isn’t ready to ruin his fun if Hashirama ends up being the protective type.
The most surprising thing Izuna ends up learning about Tobirama, in his attempt to guard him from Sarutobi and laugh when yet another person fails to get his attention, is that he is very thoughtful. And though the word antithesis to everything he thought Tobirama was, Izuna couldn’t deny it, Tobirama is sweet.
Most people aren’t privy to these little acts of kindness. They don’t see the way he goes to the market to select tea for his secretary. They don’t see the way he always keeps chocolate in his desk for Hashirama.
None of them see Tobirama going and picking up new hair ties he will never use for himself. They don’t know he will keep them in his pocket in case Madara gets frustrated and wants to put his hair up, because only Tobirama seems to notice not only that Madara needs one, but also that he never has one.
Few are witness to him bringing paperwork to someone only to stop when he hears that the budget analysis’ wife came back injured from her latest mission and he wishes he was home with her. All they see is Tobirama telling the man to go home if work is too much for him.
They see that and assume Tobirama is being harsh, they don’t recognize this is the way Tobirama takes care of people.
The sweetest thing about him however, is his soft smile.
It isn't something that comes out often. Sure he has a snarky little smile he gives often enough. But his real smile? When he is happy? It’s beautiful.
It’s a gentle curl of his lips, a twinkle in his eyes and a soft look that takes over his face. Izuna could stare at it all day.
Izuna quickly makes it his mission to pull out as many smiles as he can.
It's something he is surprisingly good at.
He learns quickly though that the people who see Tobirama for who he is relentlessly pursue him. Not to say that there aren’t those that pursue him for his looks or position alone.
Izuna adds those fakes to his list of people to keep away from Tobirama.
Soon after Izuna decides to guard Tobirama from his undeserving suitors, decides he will put the effort into becoming friends.
From there it takes him only a few nights out for him to know he wants more. That he wants to properly court him. Izuna decides is going to treat Tobirama the way he deserves, he is going to pamper him, and love him.
Assuming he can convince Tobirama to let him.
Izuna is not a person to play around, no matter what Madara or Hikaku thinks, so he stops pursuing anyone else once he decides to pursue Tobirama. He will never risk hurting the younger man or making him doubt Izuna's sincerity.
It is a slow process, but Izuna is prepared for that. He has the advantage of already being friends with Tobirama, so he doesn't get turned down for going out to dinner, or coming over for a cup of tea.
While doing that Izuna also ensures everyone knows Tobirama is off limits. He is courting Tobirama now and there is no room for anyone else.
There will be no more flirting coworkers or desperate losers (as Izuna refers to all the suitors who want to date Tobirama for physical or political reasons) asking Tobirama out on dates. Especially that smarmy flirting from Sarutobi. Izuna quickly came to dislike the other man as he realized he wasn't even interested in courting Tobirama. He just wanted to seduce him into bed.
No one knows why Izuna randomly punched Sarutobi at the bar that night, no one except Sarutobi and his two clansmen he was joking with about ‘loosening that stiff Senju up’. Izuna wants to do more but he doesn’t want to draw more attention than he already has. More than anything he doesn’t want what was said to get back to Tobirama.
Izuna’s main plan for convincing Tobirama to allow Izuna to court him was by initiating more touching. To make Tobirama realize that Izuna wants to be in contact with him, to see the way Izuna craves his touch, and hopefully make Tobirama crave Izuna’s touch as well.
The first time Izuna initiates a more forward touch, a gentle hand on Tobirama’s back, Tobirama flinches from the touch. Izuna was ready to call this plan a failure and pull his hand off Tobirama and never try again, but then he felt Tobirama lean into it. It wasn't much, and if he wasn't paying such close attention he may have missed it.
After that Izuna takes every opportunity to touch Tobirama. A hand on his shoulder, on his lower back, resting his head on Tobirama, and when possible his favorite form of touch, petting Tobirama's silky hair. And every time he feels Tobirama lean into it just a little more than the time before.
It’s six months of this slow courting before anyone starts to pick up on what is happening. Most people seem to be under the impression that he and Tobirama have become best friends. Hashirama gushes about it enough for the whole village to have heard about it.
Hikaku though, he notices. He sees the way Izuna spends more time with Tobirama, he has witnessed more than once Izuna bringing Tobirama a home cooked meal during the day. And while that is slightly odd it could be written off as a friendly action. The touching though, he can't ignore, while Izuna is a physically affectionate man Tobirama is not. Something is going on, he just doesn’t know what yet.
This budget meeting was probably the most awkward meeting Hikaku had ever been to. Seriously, he was stuck on the same side of the table as Tobirama and Izuna and was forced to witness the way Izuna kept tapping Tobirama's leg with his fingers, and playing with Tobirama's fingers. At this point there was no way they weren't in a relationship. But he just couldn't see what Izuna might see in Tobirama. The man was like ice, Hikaku wasn't sure he had seen the man smile more than twice in the two years since the village was formed. Finally he has the chance to confront Izuna about it.
Finally he has the chance to confront Izuna about it, they are leaving the tower together both heading to the compound to report out to the elders when he turns his head to address Izuna, “Izuna, I've been meaning to ask you something."
"Sure, what's up?” Izuna cocks his head to look at Hikaku.
"How long have you and Tobirama been together?”
Izuna laughs, "we aren't together, not yet at least.”
Hikaku gives him a dubious look, "I've seen the way you are with him. There is no way you two aren't together. And to be perfectly honest I don't see what it is you see in him. I can't think of anyone less your type."
“What are you talking about? I don't have a type. And we really aren't together."
“You don't have a type? Izuna, you can't honestly expect me to believe you don't know you have a type. The whole clan knows you have a type, your type is sweet little farm boys and shop girls. Not Tobirama, who is probably the least sweet person in the world."
Izuna stops and looks Hikaku in the eyes, “ everyone knows that?"
Hikaku rolls his eyes, “yes, and that's what makes this thing you have with Tobirama so weird. That man is the most cold, emotionless man I have ever met. Don't misunderstand me, his work ethic is to be admired and his dedication to peace and the health and safety of children is worthy of note. But he is not your type at all.”
"You only think that because you haven't been paying attention. I used to think that too. But Tobirama is actually very sweet, and when it comes to relationships he is so innocent. His inability to comprehend social cues and emotions just make him that much more amazing and completely perfect for me,” Izuna smiles softly thinking of Tobirama as he speaks. "Also we really aren't together, I've been courting him for months and he hasn't picked up on it yet. I'm working on slowly wearing him down until he realizes we're in a relationship and he agrees to marry me."
" ……" Hikaku honestly doesn't know what to say to that. All he can do is furrow his eyebrows in judgement and confusion. “That doesn't sound like the best way to court someone." He doesn't even comment on Izuna's frankly delusional view of Tobirama.
"Na, I think it's perfect. If I just tell Tobirama what I'm doing it might scare him off. So I just have to keep going until he realizes he wants to spend all of his time with me. Then one day he will see that he misses when I'm not touching him, he will see that it's best if I'm always close enough to touch, that he wants to live with me. That way when I tell him I would like to court him and he inevitably says no, I can explain we're already counting and at this point I'm really just waiting to make it official. He's very practical, he will see the wisdom in just marrying me.”
Hikaku is legitimately worried for Izuna's sanity. Not only was that the most insane plan ever, there was no way it would work with Tobirama. If anything he will be pissed and kick Izuna's ass for trying to manipulate him. Hikaku can't think of anyway this will work out well for Izuna. But he figures it might be funny to watch.
“Oooookay. Well I wish you luck." Even though he really doesn't, he hopes this will come to a swift end so usually can go back to finding a partner right for him.
______________________
Despite what Hikaku originally thought, he does find himself watching Tobirama closer. He starts to come up with all sorts of reasons to be in the tower. When Madara asks him for help it gives him excuses to have access to the building and sends him in and out of plenty of offices throughout the day.
And to his utter surprise he finds out Izuna was right.
It takes two weeks of watching before Hikaku finally sees the sweetness Izuna was talking about, which inevitably led him to see the nativity too.
At first the only thing Hikaku notices is that Tobirama is constantly bringing tea for his assistant. He's always perfectly polite and inquires about her day. It seems perfectly normal and he doesn't think much of it. Until he hears that it's a very expensive tea, something most consider a luxury item. At first he despairs for Izuna, and thinks maybe Tobiramais trying to court her. But then he sees the way he interacts with Hashirama and the Madara and other workers in the tower and he comes to realize that Tobirama just does nice things for everyone he interacts with regularly. He always seems to be thinking about others and ways to improve their day.
The other thing he discovers is that people want him, more than just izuna. He watches as Tobirama's assistant consistently tries to flirt with him. And every time Tobirama completely misses what she is doing.
He watches as some of the errand runners try to flirt with Tobirama and again he consistently misses that he's being flirted with
And then he watches the way everyone stops even approaching Tobirama when Izuna's around. The reason quickly becomes obvious, when he sees Izuna cornering Tobirama's secretary and reminded her apparently for the 10th time to stop flirting with Tobirama.
A short conversation with an errand runner and he finds out that most of the people who work regularly with Tobirama have been trying and failing to get into his pants almost since the village was founded. Just none of them were stupid enough to try when Izuna was around because he was the most vicious of Tobirama's suitors.
So now he is forced to face the fact that the man he has been harboring unkind feelings towards, is actually a genuinely good person. One he now feels obligated to protect from nefarious advances. Which includes his cousin.
Sure Izuna talked about wanting to marry Tobirama, but he has years of watching Izuna being a love em and leave em type of person. He wasn't going to let Izuna finally get Tobirama into bed just for Izuna to get bored with the chase and leave him.
Because Hikaku knows the truth, Izuna isn't into sweet and naive, he was into virgins. Hikaku and Madara are probably the only two who actually know that.
So Hikaku couldn't let Izuna take advantage of Tobirama. Couldn't let that man start to fall for Izuna just for Izuna to get bored and move into the next new conquest.
So for the next month Hikaku makes it his mission to block any attempts to woo Tobirama.
He is apparently very successful at doing it subtle because it takes Izuna that whole month to catch onto the fact that Hikaku is purposefully getting between Tobirama and Izuna.
Hikaku has just successfully circumvented Izuna's latest attempt to ‘help’ Tobirama with paperwork by doing it himself when Izuna shoots him murder eyes.
Hikaku glares back.
He doesn't know how long they spend glaring at each other, but obviously too long because they are both startled when Tobirama begins to speak.
“If there is some unresolved issue between the two of you I'd like it if you did it outside my office. Now."
Izuna shoots Tobirama a hurt look, which Hikaku wants to sneer at, what a manipulative little shit.
"Thank you Tobirama-san, I believe that would be a good idea.”
Izuna throws another glare at him but follows Hikaku out
As soon as the door closes behind Izuna he is in Hikaku's face with a finger poking into his chest. “What is your problem?! I tell you I am trying to court Tobirama and you decide you want him for yourself?" Izuna whispers harshly
“No, while Tobirama would be a great partner I am strictly into women and you know that. But you have opened my eyes to what a good and kind person he is and I'm not going to just let you turn him into another conquest. We both know how you actually are and what you look for in a partner. I don't buy for a second that you actually want to marry him," Hikaku hisses.
Izuna has the audacity to look shocked. "I'm not trying to turn him into a conquest! And despite what you and Madara think I don't just pursue virgins it's never been about that. Each person I have pursued has had different things I like about them! Most of them weren't even virgins! They just hadn't been with any people. I get it's funny to joke about, but I am not like that! For the record I do want to marry him. I want to wife him up and treat him so good. I want to make dinner together every night, and wake up to his face in the morning. It's not a conquest!” Izuna is struggling to keep his voice down, he is so angry.
Hikaku rolls his eyes, "Madara and I have gotten enough complaints from parents about you sullying their sons or daughter to know that's a lie. Just leave Tobirama alone.”
"Okay I do enjoy being someone's first time, but that's not all I look for. I've always been looking for a partner that matches me right and no one has done it before. Turns out I've been looking in all the wrong places because Tobirama is my type.”
"Really? So what is your perfect type then?”
"Sweet and kind, but he can murder me with a flick of his wrist.”
Hikaku is just about to retort about what bullshit that is when the door in front of him opens and he looks away from Izuna's face to see Tobirama standing there with extremely judgemental eyebrows.
Izuna stiffens when he feels the door open behind him.
Hikaku opens his mouth to speak but Tobirama silences him with a single look.
“Did you two think you were being quiet just now?" Tobirama sounds so annoyed, Izuna flinches from his voice before turning around.
“Ah, sorry about that. How, ah, how much did you hear?"
“All of it."
Both Izuna and Hikaku gulp. The heavy weight of Tobirama's glare heavy upon them.
"I apologize Tobirama-san, I did not intend any disrespect.”
“No, that was quite clear. And while I appreciate your concern I can take care of myself. In the future if you are concerned someone is going to ‘take advantage’ of me, please just let me know and I will handle it.”
"Of course. I apologize again.”
"Don't worry yourself about it, now you may go so I can speak with Izuna.”
"Of course,” Hikaku repeats and then make a quick short bow in apology and then turns and hurries away.
Izuna is left standing there with Tobirama's gaze burning into him.
"Come back into my office, unlike you I have no intention I'm having the conversation public for anyone to walk in on.”
Izuna nonds sadly, hea certain this is going to be the end of his slow courtship. He curses Hikaku in his head. He had completely ruined everything for Izuna.
“Are you courting me? Did I understand that correctly?"
“Yes, but-”
Tobirama holds a hand out to stop Izuna.
"And you were under the impression that if you were honest with me in your intentions I would what, turn you down?”
"Yes, I didn't think you would take it well. If you even realized what I was saying.”
"Why wouldn't I understand someone telling me they want to court me?”
"Because you never do? You get asked out weekly, and Sarurobi is like a dog with a bone and has been sniffing around you for a year, constantly propositioning you and inving you out with him.”
Tobirama looks utterly confused, "what are you talking about? None of that has ever happened.”
"I have sharingan proof that it has happened.”
"You recorded me being asked out with the sharingan?"
“Not intentionally, sometimes I would hear it and see them and I'd get so angry that they would just flicker on and I couldn't help but record it."
“Why would you get so angry? Because you wanted me for yourself?”
"Yes, but no. What you heard Hikaku say was wrong. I am not just trying to sleep with you, or just get one above everyone else by getting you first. I have come to love you. And if you will let me I would marry you before ever getting you into my bed. You aren't a conquest to me. I want you forever,” Izuna stares into Tobirama's eyes, pleasing for him to understand.
Tobirama's eyes search Izuna's face. "Why do you want to court me? And what exactly is your type?" It may seem like a simple question but Izuna sees a deep vulnerability on Tobirama's face.
“I'm going back to the beginning, so stay with me on this. When we were in our teens, probably around 15 or 16 I first found myself attracted to you. One moment I was cursing your swordsmanship and the next I was admiring your arms. That little crush never went fully away. Don't get me wrong, I still hated you, and I still wanted you dead at the end of my blade. Then peace happened, and finding you attractive was no longer something that made me burn with shame. And I'll admit, I watched you a little closer because of it.”
Izuna thought about keeping that part to himself, but he wants Tobirama to know everything. Including where it all started.
“What I saw wasn't what I was expecting. I saw the ways you took care of the people around you, and with each act I found myself drawn to you more. I watched as you missed all the attempts to court or flirt with you, all the times you missed social or emotional cues, and I realized I wanted to be the one to explain them to you.
“Every day I found I wanted you more. So then I decided to court you, but I knew you would miss it, and I told you, you would have spooked. Don't deny it, you wouldn't have known what to do because you've never been in that position and you don't like what you didn't know.
“So I started by initiating acts of physical affection. Little touches to make you realize you wanted to be in my space as much as I wanted to be in yours. And I was prepared to scrap that if I got any indication you didn't like it. But you leaned into it. And it made me feel hope that you would feel the same way.”
This is probably the worst thing to admit, and Tobirama is going to feel manipulated and turn him down just because of this. And Izuna won't be able to blame him because it was manipulative. Izuna knew this and had done it anyway. Sure he had good intentions but that doesn't change that what he did was manipulative.
“This isn't some game to me. I want you to be mine forever, and I want to be yours."
Izuna watches Tobirama with bated breath.
Tobirama on the other hand is having a hard time coming to terms with everything Izuna had just said.
On one hand, the man he assumed he had unrequited feelings for liked him back.
On the other hand could those feelings truly be trusted? Hikaku certainly hadn't trusted them, and the only person that knew Izuna better would have been Madara.
But Izuna's chakra remained steady, and he felt very sincere. And Tobirama wants to believe him. Wants to believe that Izuna wants him as much as he wants Izuna.
"From now on you will be completely honest with me. If you so much as think about lying to me we will be done," Tobirama wasn't often this ruffled, but Izuna was right, he doesn't like situations he has no information on. Something he will be rectifying immediately.
“You're really giving me a chance?" IIna questioned softly.
"Yes, if your feelings are true then I too feel the same. I have often contemplated what a relationship with you would be like,” the words felt foreign in his mouth. Tobirama had never been particularly good at speaking about his feelings. Usually letting others come to their own conclusions and either agreeing with them or disputing them.
"You want me too?” Izuna found himself moving forward, getting right up in Tobirama's space.
Tobirama simply nods his head, Izuna's increased proximity making him nervous in light of their conversation.
"Will you let me court you?" Izuna whispers softly.
“I already said as much."
“No, I asked if you were giving me a chance and you said yes. I want it to be official. Tobirama, will you allow me to court you?" Izuna lifts his hand to brush softly on Tobirama's cheek. He enjoys the way Tobirama's eyes widen, now that he knows Izuna's intent behind the touch. Still Tobirama subtlety leans into Izuna's hand.
"Yes,” Tobirama breathes.
"May I kiss you?”
"Yes, kiss me,” Tobirama pleads.
Izuna leans forward and presses his lips gently on Tobirama's. It's a chaste kiss, but Izuna has been imagining the feeling of those plush lips for months now. There is so much more he wants to do, but he's not going to rush Tobirama. Ozuna isn't willing to risk Tobirama coming to any wrong conclusions.
So Izuna starts to pull away only for Tobirama to follow him. Izuna lets their lips touch again, he gently nibbles on Tobirama's lip, which causes the tight-lipped man to utter a quiet moan.
Izuna pulls away just slightly, their lips hovering against each other. "Come home with me tonight, let me show you what dinner will look like if you are mine.”
Tobirama's eyes search his face, they seem to find what they are looking for because his lips turn up in a little smile. "Dinner sounds nice.”
_____________________
Now that Tobirama knows Izuna is courting him, it gives Izuna the freedom to be public about it. And Tobirama not only allows Izuna to be public, he takes a part in it. After a month of openly courting Tobirama begins to initiate contact. It’s hesitant at first, but gets more confident as they go.
Eventually Tobirama even initiates hand holding, something Izuna has refrained from doing assuming Tobirama wouldn’t welcome such overt public displays of affection. To say Izuna is over the moon is an understatement. After that moment Izuna stops holding back.
He begins to hug Tobirama, kiss his cheek, drag Tobirama around by his hand, and perhaps more indecently, rubbing his nose into Tobirama’s shoulder. It’s something he assumes Tobirama will reject, to his utter surprise Tobirama reciprocates it. In fact he takes it one step further and presses his tongue to Izuna’s neck and runs it up his throat.
Izuna shudders at the action, then looks over at Tobirama after he pulls away from Izuna’s neck. “Is this your way of saying you want to take things further? I certainly wasn’t expecting it, especially in public.”
Tobirama cocks his head, “I had assumed you were aware of what you were doing when you kept pressing your nose into my neck. I apologize if I made you uncomfortable.”
“Uh, no. I had no idea I was doing anything other than nuzzling you. Can you explain to me what I was missing?”
“As you know I am half Hatake, and we have considerably stronger senses of taste and smell. It’s considered quite intimate to exchange scents like that, and licking affirms that you find your partner desirable. It's seen as taking the next step in your relationship,” Tobirama’s fingers twitch, but it’s the only indication that he is uncomfortable.
Izuna looks at Tobirama in awe, “you want to take the next step in our relationship?”
“I thought that was what you wanted.”
“So you don’t?”
“I didn’t say that. I would like to move forward,” Tobirama admits with a small embarrassed smile.
Izuna smiles widely back, “the next time I nuzzle your neck, it will be with full intent,” Izuna asserts with a suggestive smile.
“Good.” Tobirama may have started out innocent in this but he has gotten more and more comfortable in this relationship. He still gets uncomfortable sometimes, and hesitates. But he knows this is what he wants and now finds himself impatient to be with Izuna again.
“I love you, you know.”
“I know,” Tobirama may not be ready to say the words yet, but Izuna knows Tobirama has strong feelings for him too.
They both turn when they hear a startled gasp.
Izuna’s grandmother stands there with a hand on her mouth. “Sorry obaa-san, I should have paid more attention to my surroundings.” Izuna says with a laugh.
His grandmother doesn’t seem reassured by his words.
Tobirama taps a hand on Izuna’s forearm, “I’ll see you after work.”
Izuna smiles and presses a light kiss to Tobirama’s cheek, “my house, Madara is going out with Hashirama so we won’t even have to make extra.”
Tobirama lets out a soft chuckle, “sounds perfect.” He then turns away, giving Izuna privacy to speak with his grandmother.
“I’m sorry obaa-san, I didn’t mean to scandalize you,” Izuna rubs his head with an embarrassed laugh.
“I don’t care about that. What are you doing with that Senju? He isn’t right for you at all. That man is cold as ice. Don’t be wasting your affections on a man like that. What happened to you pursuing precious little nice boys, that is what you need in your life.”
Izuna frowns at his grandmother, “obaa-san, I respect and appreciate you, but you are completely wrong about Tobirama. I can’t think of anyone more precious than him. He seems cold until you get to know him, but once you get to know him you realize he is so sweet and adorable and he needs his heart protected and I’m going to be the person that does that. I love you, but I don’t want to hear you disparaging him again. He doesn’t deserve it.”
“Izuna-kun, I don’t know what that boy has said to talk you into this, but we can talk to your brother. He will be able to put a stop to this,” Izuna’s grandmother looks at him with concern and anger.
“Stop. Tobirama is a good man, and I will not listen to you insult him. Madara is well aware of our relationship and supports it. If I hear you talking bad about him again we will have an issue,” Izuna barely holds back a snarl, only his deep love for his grandmother prevents it from coming out.
She looks taken aback at Izuna’s tone, it makes a part of him feel guilty for snapping at her. But a bigger part is much more upset at her words.
Once that conversation is over Izuna thinks that will be the last of it.
He quickly finds out that he is very wrong.
It turns out that now that they are being more public and engaging in public displays of affection, everyone seemed to think they had the right to comment on their relationship.
Izuna has never been so inclined to violence before. Not even during the war did he have the urge to kill or maim this much.
Everyone has an opinion. For the most part it was all one opinion. Which is that Tobirama isn’t good enough. That he isn’t sweet enough, that he isn’t pretty enough, not kind enough, too tall, or too strong, that he isn’t a sweet little thing for Izuna to protect and dote on.
It pisses him off to no end. First because he can court whoever he damn well pleases, and second because they are all so wrong. At first he tries to convince people they were wrong.
Tobirama put a stop to that though. Tobirama explains that he doesn’t care if people assume the worst about him. It’s not going to stop him from living the way he wants to. Which is to continue courting Izuna and ignoring what everyone has to say about it.
It frustrates Izuna at first, he wants to defend Tobirama. He wants everyone in this damn village to know how good he is, and how hard he works for all these people that judge him.
Despite his misgivings, Izuna stops correcting people. Now he just waxes poetic about his muscles, about his pretty eyes, biteable lips and perfectly round ass. If Tobirama wont let him defend him, then Izuna is going to make everyone very, very uncomfortable. He is going to make them all regret trying to tell Izuna what his type is.
Izuna just finished telling yet another ‘well meaning’ clan member what makes Tobirama his ‘type’ when he sees that clan members' eyes go wide before making a quick exit.
“You love to grope my fat ass? Really Izuna?”
Izuna feels the blood drain from his face, he turns slowly and as he fears, Tobirama is standing there with his arms crossed. “Well it does fit perfectly in my hands, it's very gropeable.
“Is there a reason you are telling someone that?” Tobirama doesn’t look angry, he mostly looks confused.
“You told me I couldn’t correct people any more. That I couldn’t defend your honor any more. So I figured at the minimum I could make people regret butting into our relationship.”
Tobirama nods, “does it work?”
Izuna grins deviously, “oh yeah. Everyone regrets asking.”
“It’s unorthodox, but if it works I suppose that it’s worth continuing. I find your plan quite comical. Next time just share their reactions. If you’re going to torment people then you might as well let me enjoy it too.”
Izuna tilts his head back and laughs. Sage this man is so perfect for him.
Izuna spent years thinking he knew what he was looking for in a partner But no one was ever quite right. They were all missing something.
They were missing a real personality, they were missing a backbone, a fiery spirit, he needed an equal.
In Tobirama he found all of that.