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Tobirama had always hoped to marry for love. One day. A foolish hope for sure. But one he’d always kept close to his heart.
Unfortunately he hadn’t been able to.
When Hashirama had been forced to hunt down the tailed beasts, Tobirama knew that he couldn’t go alone. Hashirama would need help. But not help the Senju would provide.
Which had forced Tobirama to begin negotiations with the Uchiha. And one of the conditions was for Tobirama to marry Madara. Tobirama found himself reluctantly agreeing. Knowing that his brother’s once best friend would be able to help him.
It had taken Madara and Hashirama a few weeks, but they both managed to subdue the tailed beasts. Once their mission was over, Tobirama returned to the Uchiha compound with Madara. Leaving the Senju.
Madara hadn’t turned out to be a cruel husband. But he wasn’t attentive or affectionate.
They had been married for a few weeks now, and Madara had only kissed him on the lips once. There had been a few more pecks to Tobirama’s cheek, but even those were fleeting. Madara hadn’t held his hand, or even shared his bed.
It was lonely.
Day after day they spent a few hours at each other’s side. Eating, watching the children train, and doing paperwork in the evening. But every night Tobirama retired to his bed. Alone.
The other Uchiha gave him odd looks. Likely finding him lacking. Wondering why Madara had married him.
Tobirama had no misconceptions about his own worth. He knew he was not a conventionally attractive omega. He was tall and skinny, pale and had unsettling red eyes. Throughout his life the only people who loved him had been family. But now that was no longer the case. As his marriage had made Madara and Izuna family, but neither of them held any love for him.
Tobirama had taken to meditating more often than normal. Trying to rein in his bitterness and depression before someone spotted it. Before one more weakness of his was broadcasted to those around him.
It all led to Tobirama doing something quite foolish when Madara left on an extended mission.
The Senju clan was one of the few who favored wedding rings. Katon was a rarity in their clan, so it was a sign of true love if an alpha and an omega wore rings. Jewelry was expensive and hard to find.
And Tobirama decided that he would wear a ring. The Uchiha didn’t wear wedding rings. He didn’t spot jewelry of any sort on any of the Uchiha, despite the prevalence of fire nature and smithing. But the benefit of this was that Tobirama would wear his ring and no one would know what it signified.
Except the jeweler did. Tobirama approached one of the traveling jewelers outside of the Uchiha compound. The elderly man smirked at Tobirama as he discussed making the ring.
“You’ve got a very lucky spouse waiting for you, sweet one.” The man winked. He pressed the ring into Tobirama’s hand, and then a second one a minute later. “Here’s a matching one for your alpha.”
Tobirama had blushed and left with the two wedding rings. It felt right to slide his one onto his finger. Right. Something settled now that he had one physical reminder of his marriage.
But what to do with Madara’s ring. He doubted that Madara would wear it, or be interested in such a thing. Madara didn’t seem interested in him at all.
That night Tobirama slung a chain through Madara’s ring and hung it around his own neck. Smiling bitterly when he thought about how he was the one wearing both sets of wedding rings. He really was quite pathetic.
A few days later, an alpha from the Hatake clan visited. He was there on clan business, as the Uchiha and Hatake now had an alliance, because of Madara’s marriage to Tobirama.
Mogami Hatake was very distantly related to Tobirama. A very minor member of the Hatake clan, but one Aunt Asa had trusted with the mission to visit the Uchiha. He had even been given a few days to visit the clan and build relationships.
Most of his time was spent with Tobirama, as could be expected. They were kin after all.
Mogami was polite, funny and a breath of fresh air. Spending time with him helped soothe Tobirama’s loneliness.
They walked through the gardens, with Mogami’s hand on Tobirama’s lower back. They visited the blacksmiths, while Tobirama’s arm was looped through Mogami’s. They shared meals together, both on the porch outside Tobirama’s room and in the communal Uchiha dining room.
It didn’t change when Madara returned from his mission. He greeted Mogami politely and asked how Tobirama had been in his absence. Tobirama answered that he had been entertaining Mogami. To which Madara nodded and left to debrief the Uchiha elders after his mission.
That evening Madara sat with Izuna during the evening meal. Tobirama once again shared a table with Mogami.
“How much longer do you have to stay before you must return to Aunt Asa?” Tobirama asked politely. He would miss Mogami. Would definitely miss having a friendly face at the compound.
“I plan to return home tomorrow. But Tobirama, there is something I must ask before I leave.”
Tobirama raised an eyebrow. “Yes?”
“I would like it if you returned to the Hatake compound with me. As my omega.”
Tobirama frowned. “I am married, Mogami. I can’t be your omega. I don’t even know why you have asked.”
“Because Madara hasn’t claimed you!” Mogami said angrily. “He hasn’t bitten you, I cant smell him on you at all, and he barely looked at you when he returned home. He doesn’t care about you, and by right, I can challenge him for you. And I intend to win.”
Tobirama felt his stomach plummet. So it was obvious. How defective he was. How even his own husband didn’t want him.
Mogami was right, by Hatake clan law, he had the right to challenge Madara for Tobirama. In the Hatake clan, if an alpha failed to claim an omega in a timely fashion after marriage, then another alpha could challenge for the omega. The practice wasn’t as barbaric as it seemed, and often times a nonviolent solution could be found. Sometimes it just took an alpha and an omega some time to feel comfortable with one another, and comfortable with the claim. Or some other innocuous and perfectly reasonable option.
But Mogami was right. Madara didn’t seem interested in Tobirama in the slightest.
“I married him so that he would help Anija with the tailed beasts.” Tobirama answered curtly. “I cant back out now. It’s not right, or honorable.”
“But he hasn’t even claimed you. And the ring doesn’t count. Because he isn’t even wearing one! He doesn’t care about you, and I won’t leave you here to suffer alone.” Mogami reached across the table and took Tobirama’s hand.
His hand was large and warm. And a spark went up Tobirama’s own arm at the contact. “Mogami…” He murmured quietly. He opened his mouth to again refuse, when stomping footsteps approached them.
Madara suddenly appeared behind Mogami with a dark look on his face. In one fluid moment, he grabbed the back of Mogami’s tunic and wrenched him away from Tobirama. The hand contact between the Senju and Hatake was likewise ended.
“Why the hell are you touching him like that?” Madara growled. “He’s mine!”
Mogami snarled, showing off his Hatake fangs. “He isn’t yours. You haven’t claimed him!”
“What?” Madara sputtered. “I married him! I claimed him! And you have overstepped, and will be punished.”
Tobirama’s eyes shot back and forth between the two men. He hadn’t expected such an over the top reaction from Madara, as before now the alpha hadn’t seemed to want anything to do with Tobirama. Was Madara upset that Mogami had touched Tobirama? Held his hand?
Mogami stood and glowered at Madara. “Tobirama doesn’t have a bond bite. Under Hatake clan law, I am within my rights to challenge you for him. If I win against you in combat, I get to take Tobirama as my omega.”
Tobirama gasped. Mogami must be suicidal. There was no way he could win against Madara.
“I don’t see what Hatake clan law has to do with this. Tobirama is married to me, and Uchiha clan law is pretty clear. You don’t touch what isn’t yours!” Madara argued back.
“Mogami can make a claim for me under Hatake clan law. Since I am part Hatake, I count as an omega in their clan. Although I don’t suggest that he make such a claim.” Tobirama interrupted he went to stand in between the alphas. “Go home Mogami. I have no desire to see you hurt.”
There was confusion written across Madara’s face. “Why didn’t you tell me you were part Hatake? Or that this would be an issue?”
“I didn’t think it mattered.” Tobirama shrugged.
“Of course it matters! Do you mean to tell me that I have to deal with little runt alphas from the Hatake clan showing up and fighting me over you forever?!” Madara screeched.
“No. That would be absurd. A Hatake alpha can only challenge you because I am unclaimed. I don’t have a mating bite.”
Madara’s dark eyes traveled down Tobirama’s neck and stared at the spot where a mating bite would sit. Proudly declaring Tobirama to be a claimed omega.
There weren’t very many clans left with omegas that would scar from a mating bite. It was a residual trait left over from more wild times. The Hatake clan were one of the last clans that had omegas which would scar with a mating bite.
From what Tobirama could tell, the Uchiha omegas no longer scarred. But Tobirama would, because of his Hatake blood. It would be a mixed bag to see if any omegas he bore would also scar. But he wasn’t concerned.
“You mean if I bite you…” Madara’s voice trailed off as he continued to stare at Tobirama’s mating gland.
Then Madara turned and faced Mogami. “Alright then. Let’s fight. Right now. When I win, you have to leave, and you won’t ever touch Tobirama again.”
Mogami nodded. “And if I win—”
“You won’t.” Madara interrupted.
Before leaving to go outside Madara pressed a kiss to Tobirama’s cheek. Causing the Senju’s face to flush.
He followed the two alphas outside, along with all the other Uchiha spectators. They probably hadn’t seen something this exciting in a while.
The match between Madara and Mogami was short. As expected, Madara pummeled the Hatake alpha. But he didn’t kill him.
Mogami left the match with a limp and a broken wrist. He sent Tobirama a strong look before hobbling out of the Uchiha compound.
Madara followed Tobirama into his private room after the match. “It doesn’t feel very fair Tobirama.” He started with his arms crossed. “I take things at this glacial pace to be respectful to your delicate Senju sensibilities, and then some Hatake shows up and fights me for you because we haven’t moved fast enough!”
There was… A few things wrong with those statements.
“I didn’t think Mogami or any other Hatake would actually challenge you for me. It’s a very old fashioned Hatake tradition that’s fallen out of practice. And again, its not like he ever stood a chance against you.” Tobirama looked away as he mentioned Madara’s battle prowess. It was his personal business if watching Madara beat Mogami had made him wet. “But whats this I hear about going slow because I’m a Senju?”
“Your brother told me! He said that the Senju don’t sleep together right away and slowly work up to that level of intimacy. If I tried too much with you right away I would make you uncomfortable.” Madara crossed his arms. “I’ve been giving you lots of space. Like Hashirama said.”
Tobirama’s mouth hung open. “Anija told you that? And you trusted him?”
“Well I didn’t want to upset you.” Madara shrugged. “I’m new to this romantic relationship business, so I figured I would be cautious. Take it slow.”
“I thought you didn’t want me.” Tobirama said quietly.
“I married you! Of course I want you! Unlike how things evidently work for the Hatake, Uchiha marriages are permanent. I wouldn’t have married you if I didn’t want you, or think we could have a future together.” Madara stepped forward. “Have you been miserable this whole time?”
“Well I’m not much to look at. And have caused you issues because of my Hatake ancestry.” Tobirama looked down.
“I admit, I didn’t know you were part Hatake. That actually makes a lot of sense. I just thought you were an exceptionally pretty Senju.” Madara murmured as he stepped closer. “Why don’t we start over Tobirama? Take it as fast as we would like, and actually talk to one another.”
Tobirama nodded and pressed his lips tightly together. Worried that if he moved his mouth a pathetic noise would escape him. His heart felt full. Madara did want him. Madara thought he was pretty.
Without asking, Madara reached out and clasped his fingers on the back of Tobirama’s neck. Making his knees feel like liquid. He swayed forward into Madara’s space.
“That’s alright sweet thing.” Madara murmured. “Can I kiss you?”
“Please.” Tobirama breathed as Madara pressed their lips together. He wrapped himself entirely around Madara and surrendered to his feelings. Longing. Affection. Hope.
Maybe this marriage to Madara would work out. If they both worked as a team, and Tobirama didn’t retreat into himself. And Madara didn’t take Hashirama’s words as gospel.
Undoubtedly, Hashirama must have thought he was helping when he told Madara something like that. But it wasn’t always the case. There was taking things slow, and then whatever Madara had been doing. But now that he and Madara had started things over, Tobirama felt hopeful that the same mistake wouldn’t be made.
That night Tobirama curled around Madara in the alpha’s bed. “In the Senju clan, we wear wedding rings to signify if we’re mated or single.” Tobirama whispered as he played with Madara’s hair. “Would you wear a ring for me?”
Madara laughed. “Of course love. Most Uchiha don’t wear rings because of the katon, but I usually have fire proof gloves. I’d be happy to wear one.”
And Tobirama had taken the ring out of his shirt and slid it onto Madara’s finger. He was thankful that Madara didn’t point out the look of wonder on his face as he looked at both of their hands.
Madara lifted Tobirama’s hand to his lips and kissed it. “Let’s go to sleep now sweet heart. And tomorrow we can plan revenge against your brother for misleading me.”
Tobirama laughed. “Very well.” And snuggled down against his husband.