Did I Post This? I Don't Remember...

Happy Birthday Madara! Although this is more like a gift for us

shit that i love about madara

he just stomps around everywhere?? like you will hear him coming! the man is not subtle!

speaking of not subtle, every time he arrives on the battlefield he somehow always manages to jump down from some high faraway place and then proceeds to create his signature billowing cloud of dust. when he lands, the earth shakes. he’s hard to miss

never really talks about his personal life in a manga full of highly dramatic characters with extremely tragic backstories (which is especially interesting because he is one of those highly dramatic characters with an extremely tragic backstory)!!! like fuckin go for it madara!! repress that shit!! never address the origins of your own trauma!!! relatable!!!!

the second meteorite. i laugh every time

his big huge evil plan that he carefully orchestrated for decades or whatever literally failed at every single turn and he’s always offhandedly like “oh well” while getting his arm cut off or something. he is the embodiment of the shrug emoji. he is the painting of the guy who’s like “lol getting stabbed what can you do”.

has a great villainous laugh (arguably the best villainous laugh out of all the uchihas)

but also, his normal laugh is cute

sat right down in the middle of a world war and waited for hashirama to show up and fight him

so desperate for hashirama’s attention and admiration??? also relatable

ok picture this: madara uchiha (the real madara, mind you) has been dead for what? 20 or so years? he gets revived with edo tensei, busts down the door to his own coffin (creating yet another big cloud of dust, of course), steps out all dramatically (of course), and then is looking around like “finally.” excuse me???? finally??????? you have been Dead this whole time, my good bitch, you were not AWARE of the PASSING OF TIME. i swear to fucking god madara

'Batman' Alucard Gets His Way

T/W: Alucard (Ultimate) x F!Reader, pure fluff, shape-shifting, yandere, tit pillow, established relationship Words: 699

A cute little scenario popped into my head of living with Alucard while holding a day job at Hellsing and our vampire lover persuades us towards a more nocturnal routine. Feeling so soft for him lately. I promise the fluff I am pumping out for now will only last until my ovaries start speaking up again. ♢♢♢♢♢♢♢♢♢♢♢♢♢♢♢♢♢♢♢♢ He said he wouldn't force you into anything. He promised you were allowed to live the life you desired even if you were to be involved with him, but it was a lie all along to reel you in. Your attempts to live a 'normal' daytime life were made impossible by a certain incessant, infuriating vampire.

Chittering met your ears with disagreement and you looked down at the fuzzy black bat nestled within your sweater at the bust with exasperation. He was adorable when sleepy like this, if only he was reasonable while you were at work! "You can't stay for long today, Alu. Once the meeting begins, you'll have to leave."

You caught a glimpse of ruby eyes and felt the muffled rustle of wings against your skin before the creature's eyes fell close.

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Alucard woke to hands tugging him from his nest, your gentle voice reminding him it was time for his exit. His eyes remained shut as he dug his claws deeper into the material of your bra, determined to stay put while surrounded by your scent and warmth, lulled by the comfort of your breathing and heartbeat.

Your voice grew pleading as he fell asleep once more, but he wasn't letting go. Who told you to work this job by day when you should be resting in his coffin with him at this time? It was merely the Hellsing associates. What they thought of him sleeping on you mattered little to him.

You ended up at the meeting that morning with a hand around your clingy bat to support his weight on your chest while countless eyes watched, though they tried –and failed– to pretend as if they were staring elsewhere. You squirmed sheepishly under their gaze as Seras laughed awkwardly and directed the attendees' attention away from her dozing master.

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A fingertip tapped his snout lightly. Your lips showered his forehead and face with affection. The Shadow King floated back to consciousness and he keened to lean into the petting under his chin as he stretched languidly.

"That's enough Alucard, this time you really have to go before the break ends!" He yawned, twin fangs glinting brightly as he settled his little furry body against the softness of your breasts and drifted. Such wonderful warmth. He nuzzled back into your silken skin, his mind clouded with the perfume of your scent swaddling him from all directions.

His peace was broken when you shook him and a low grumble echoed through your mind with displeasure.

That is thrice now that you roused me from my slumber, dear human.

“I am working! You can't just show up and sleep all over me like this! If you wanted proper rest, you should have stayed down in the basement!”

Finally the bat slipped through your shirt and reformed a tall, devilish man in crimson. His eyes were barely open with a half-hearted glower as he towered over you, his movements lethargic. All that sleeping and your lover was still drowsy!

“People are going to think us unprofessional! These are Integra's important allies and you are throwing Hellsing's reputation to the dust!”

The idiot vampire chuckled. "You concern yourself much with the impressions of others. Their opinions are irrelevant."

You huffed. You knew he would reply with something along those lines. Trying again, you told him, “Your actions are reflecting poorly on my performance!” What if you got dismissed? Though working a civilian job would be simpler than putting up with this insolence.

He appeared lost in thought when he unexpectedly relented. “As you wish, little one,” he murmured as he melted away from sight to your relief.

Alucard however remained quietly in your shadows, only causing mischief when any attendee became too unruly, though no one else was aware of his presence.  Settling yourself into the cushy seat again after the exhaustive meeting, you found your bat pawing to get back into your sweater. Did an immortal truly have nothing better to do? Then again, what does Alucard have if not time?

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Such a routine continued frequently until you decided that working another position that aligned your schedule with his nocturnal lifestyle would be easier on everyone's sanity.

~End~

♢♢♢♢♢♢♢♢♢♢♢♢♢♢♢♢♢♢♢♢

**To be clear, if Alucard wanted to curl up and sleep in my shirt while I work, I’d be sure to somehow stuff a heated blanket up there to give him more comfort. My comfort vampire is welcome to all I have to offer ❤️**

Madara Romance HC Ramble

While I sometimes read (and enjoy) a MUCH more intense version of Madara than I would write for my own work, I strongly believe he would NOT BE DEGRADING or abusive to his S/O. He's all about love. Accuse me of wearing rose-tinted glasses, but here's my take.

Madara is difficult to write since he's so complex. He isn't some static character who's always optimistic, gloomy, violent, or whatever. He changes with time, growing more cynical and bitter as he lived through his tragic life and came to conclusions about the truths of the world. I will try to consolidate what we know about him and extrapolate that into what romance with Madara might generally be like.

Respects the S/O

It’s really easy to make him out to be arrogant and demeaning, or controlling. He's allowed to be arrogant when he's stronger than 99.99% of the world. Go re-watch his fight vs the Shinobi Alliance or the 5 Kage if you don’t think he has grounds for arrogance. He is simultaneously the hardest on himself. He's extremely self-deprecating when reminiscing on his past failures and transgressions, both as a child and an adult in interactions with Hashirama. Part of him likely believes he doesn't deserve you or to be loved. Of course he would naturally cherish you when you finally become a part of his life. How could he constantly insult or degrade you?

He is 'controlling' in the sense that he likes knowing where you will be/your schedule. It helps him plan when he can spend time with you. It also better helps him keep you safe. Remember Madara is so strong because he wanted to protect what's important to him, but he didn’t even force his clan to follow him when they abandoned him. Madara wants people to CHOOSE him. He wouldn’t force you into things. He wouldn't beat or coerce you either, especially not when that was what was painfully done to him.

By the way, he'll remember those special dates better than you will.

Observant and Sensitive to S/O

During kid Madara’s 2nd meeting with Hashirama, he was able to tell Hashi was feeling down from behind before even talking. And then Mads repeatedly tried to get him to spill what was bothering him in an attempt to console a potential enemy shinobi! Deep down, Madara is a kind sweetheart. He'll be there for you when you need him and there in the background when you don't realize it. He will support you in your endeavors through thick and thin.

He absolutely teases you though, in good faith. Whatever he’s mocking you about is one of your quirks that endears you to him, not something he actually judges you negatively for. The same cheekiness from his younger days is still alive in him somewhere. Don’t worry, he won't roast you as hard as he can where he knows it hurts. Hmm unless you're in a bad fight and he's feeling REALLY petty, then I can maybe see him doing that. His words could cut more than his fists.

Almost a Different Person with His Loved Ones

This is another reason he’s hard to write. While there’s no doubt he can be terrifying (which was how almost everyone in the world saw him), he can be kind of silly with those he’s closer to. He is indifferent or aloof with strangers. He was likely at least civil with others he had to deal with in public and condescending and/or hostile with those who gave him a reason to be. This man’s presence is felt wherever he goes, so of course the average person would have reason to find him intimidating.

In fact, you might occasionally find Madara intimidating too when he's in one of his moods or contemplative. It's how he is, even when not trying to be hostile or domineering. He's still softer with his loved ones than anyone outside his small inner circle. It would break his heart if you were truly afraid of him.

On the other hand, he may be awkward at times. His inability to effectively express his strong emotions to you frustrates him. He wishes he had a better grasp at social interactions, in particular when it comes to you. This guy is just too intense and doesn't know how to chill. 

Cherishes the S/O

He doesn't have much preference when it comes to appearances (body type, skin, hair colour, etc). He wants someone who's easy enough on the eyes? But beyond that, looks are superficial to him. Some people think he is vain because of how he mocked Hashi and his bowl cut/fashion sense. But really? We all know Mads held Hashirama in higher regards than he did anyone else. Madara connects through more intangible traits like values, the mind, strength, and such. He’d enjoy whatever fell out of your clothes if he loves you and doesn’t understand stuff like body insecurities. His "type" would be someone who is family-oriented, placing their children and kin above other priorities, someone who likewise supports him and wants to build a life with him. And someone who can challenge him a little.

Madara is loyal. He values his bonds and was honest until the end. Once you're his, he's also yours. You'd be super precious to him, the light of his life kind of thing. Your presence in his life inspires him to be better than he is.

That's how I imagine you after you type “to be continued” and click “Post” on your Madara fanfics

Bahahaha! Never would I have thought I'd be compared to LELOUCH!!! How flattering! Maybe there's a bit of a resemblance there Margrete 😘. *laughs in Lelouch*

its kind of amazing to me how many people come away from watching hellsing seeing alucard as this unshakeable badass vampire which like he is to some extent but also throughout most of hellsing hes suffering from major amounts of ptsd and panic attacks which almost none of the characters are privy too because alucard cloaks himself in said unshakeable badass vampire image and even especially when only integra catches on because she remembers that her father described alucard as truly nothing more than a sobbing child whose lost everything

im saying this mainly bc the first thing that always comes to mind whenever i think of alucard is that. we see his feelings hurt Multiple times throughout the series but especially whenever people give up on their lives when faced with him. when luke valentine called him a monster alucard drops all his intimidation tactics and excitement about a fight and just somberly kills him. when that brazilian soldier kills himself out of fear we see alucard enter a full on manic ptsd state where he lashes out at seras and is talking like hes still in wallachia on the battlefield. when hes fighting alhambra and rip van winkle and all of milleniums forces he always loses any and all enthusiasm he has for fighting the moment they give into their fear and call him a monster.

like for what is supposedly in-universe this intimidating monster that can never be understood, alucard is so emotionally vulnerable with basically every major character he fights, he mourns anderson, he understands why walter betrayed them, he responds to the majors resolve to find glory in battle and death, he so genuinely wears his heart on his sleeve in most cases that it’s almost hilarious that characters can’t really catch onto his character.

walter couldn’t understand why alucard turned seras into a vampire and it really starts and ends with “she wanted to live and I didnt want to walk the night alone”, and integra knows that she won’t be around forever so she doesn’t mind it.

Madara with cats = Must reblog

NARUTOログ | キロの [pixiv] 

Posted with permission. All the credit goes to wonderful artist/author, not me. Thus, please do not edit/repost this article without permission.

S/O Complimenting Madara and Alucard's Appearance

Madara

(That child shouldn't have been afraid of this face)

Madara is extremely shocked. Your comment was so unexpected he didn't know how to respond, so he only stares at you for a few moments

Seriously, everything is pretty. His eyes, the brows, his nose, the cheekbones, lips, back, hands, shoulders, hair, legs, his yummy BUTT!

His toned physique is entirely a result of his training and all for function. Madara is a practical man, but don't ask about his long hair. He's just too strong and even his waist-length mane isn't a hindrance in battle. His appearance was never a concern as long as he was presentable

Madara doesn't bother himself with thoughts of whether he's handsome or not, but loves your sincere compliments even if he tries not to let it show. If you want to see the rest of his face more often, he'd tie his hair back (including the bangs) and forego his iconic look for you. That's love

Alucard

Ohhhhh boy. This ancient creature has no filter and knows no one can make him stop. He can be much more flamboyant with his affections towards his S/O

At first, he is surprised as well. People acknowledge how well he kills things. No one important ever compliments him on his looks. His eyes widen, before they glitter with warmth and he gets coy again. He's feeling so tender, his form falls apart and he's a pool of shadowy eyes before he pulls himself back together and puts you on his lap

As @thirstyforlulu said, Alucard will respond, "Thank you love, I designed this face myself." 🤣 Then he'll (not) jokingly ask what other features you prefer on your men (if that's your cup of tea) and he will create them on himself for you, exaggerating those features to extremes to get a laugh out of you before changing back to more reasonable proportions

He wears the form with your favourite face most often, and is almost exclusively in that form around you

“…you are dumber than you look…” Madara Uchiha

Twin Flames- SFW Chapter Five (End)

“I was on that blasted site to find you…You are exactly who I’ve been searching for all these years. And there is nothing in this lifetime that keeps us apart.”

Warnings: romance, drama, conflict resolution, lots of dialogue

For readers who don’t do smut/are underage, the long sex scene can be skipped and the ending will make sense. Words: 4569

It was well over a month before you saw each other again. At first, Madara assumed both you and him needed time to decompress after the last encounter. Madara knew your shift schedule, which you previously provided to facilitate the planning of outings. You also mentioned another wave of school hitting. After weeks of radio silence from you, he figured you likely were very busy lately, but if your lack of contact was your playing of games with him, he wasn't engaging.

So he left for the conference in Japan for several weeks. The trip went well, all things considered.

His mood was foul for much of these last weeks, even while conducting business. The idiot Hashirama thought it was appropriate to venture a joking guess, asking if his ‘gloomy face’ was perhaps the result of the plague of romantic woes. The other brother, shrewd and opinionated, thankfully stayed quiet. Madara swore he would have stabbed Tobirama in the head if he was forced to endure prodding from another nosy Senju.

This was until Izuna decided he could comment on Madara’s life as well when they returned from Japan. Madara snapped back, rudely informing his little brother there was no issue, that his personal affairs were none of Izuna’s concern. The boorish boy dared to jeer at him, emphatically remarking that he should “just go see you again,” as if he made no attempts to contact you before the conference.

Staring daggers at nothing, he thought back on how you tried to return his keys that doomed night when he brought you home from your penthouse. As if he, Uchiha Madara, would take back an item he had gifted another. Your tears had finally ceased and you were disturbingly calm. When he wouldn’t accept repossessing the keys and attempted to reason with you again, your expression broke. You told him “money doesn’t solve everything.” Falling apart once more, you bid him goodbye while stuttering and left those keys on the passenger seat before easing the door shut behind you.

Stubborn woman. Similar to Izuna, there were times when you were childish in temperament. He already showed you who you were to him, yet you didn’t understand and left. Between you and him, someone had to be the adult.

Madara strode across his office, feeling thunderous as he recalled the memories he made with you. It seemed his thoughts were completely occupied by you lately. He thought back on your fingers tangled in his that treasured day when you searched together for Izuna’s gift, how you beamed at him in delight at your house, and your shocked expression during your first kiss with him. He remembered your juvenile jokes, the first time you approached him for a kiss and how you came to relax into his touch.

He relived your tears and self-deprecating words, how you shrank from him when he confronted you, and the way you offered yourself to him, as if that must have been all he wanted from you, before you walked out. Madara glowered bitterly as his mood darkened even further.

Despite everything that happened, time was the master of the heart. Even if he was surly during the initial days following that party and while abroad, after so long, Madara…missed you. He did not want to be apart any longer. Wishing for reconciliation and to bridge the distance that grew between you, he texted, asking if now was a good time to call. To his surprise, you agreed to speak with him.

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You let the remaining seconds on the timer run out before absentmindedly fishing the udon from the broth. Ladling toppings into a bowl and spooning soup in, you poured piping hot liquid onto your other hand. You yelped in agony, hands flying up in shock and accidentally dumping more scalding soup over yourself and the stove.

You ground your teeth together and shouted in frustration. Mentally pushed beyond the limits, you whipped the damned ladle away, sending it crashing into a vase and knocking it over, fine crystal shattering in a flood of water and shards. Your fresh roses spilled onto the dining table. Roses for romance, now laying in a pool of broken glass. You snorted, the symbolism not lost on you.

Everything was a mess. Your home, your mind, your life. You were incredibly despondent these past weeks despite being swamped, consumed with writing several essays for your program. It was stupid BS. Did you really need to be in a Master’s program in anything to know it’s beneficial to be respectful when talking to someone? Okay, you were exaggerating if you said that was all your program was about, but there was so much fluff in comparison to the amount of material that was useful towards your future role as a Clinical Nurse Specialist or Nurse Practitioner.

You were also pushed to distraction by thoughts of a certain man. It was nearly impossible to focus. You cursed your stupidity for ever getting involved with him.

Your phone pinged, the cheerful sound grossly at odds with your turbulent mood.

It was him. He inquired if it was a suitable time to call now, informing again of how much he wished to hear from you.

Ready to turn that page in the final chapter involving him, you had been prepared to never see Madara again, convinced nothing can come out of staying associated except the promise of more pain.

…Clearly you also missed Madara dearly over the past weeks. It was as if the sun disappeared from your life and all that remained was a bleak landscape of dreariness, devoid of warmth and vibrancy. Longing compelled you to speak with him, to hear his lovely voice again.

Your ringtone sounded immediately.

“Hello? Madara?”

“Y/N?” You jolted at his voice from a single word, the part of your heart that was numb throbbing in pain.

“…How have you been, Madara?”

“Hn. I’ve experienced better days in my life. Y/N, you sound exhausted.” Madara’s voice was flat like he was also lacking sleep, yet it sounded as if he was holding back. Like he had much he wanted to tell you.

“Yeah, I had a bad shift today.”

“I thought you didn’t work today.”

“It wasn’t originally on the schedule I gave you, but I picked up. I needed the extra shift.”

Madara was quiet for a moment. Were you financially stressed? He frowned on his end, then spoke up. “I would like to see you again.” He had no desire to throw your relationship away. It must be mended, somehow.

He wanted to barrel back into your life again?! Just when you regained some measure of functionality by throwing yourself into school and work, drowning yourself in your professional life to prevent your personal demons an opportunity to revisit your thoughts, you hear from Madara again. For several weeks, you hadn’t been ready to see him before he went to Japan. By now, you were almost certain he must have gone on his trip and moved on as well.

Besides, what was there to say? After the fiasco that first and last time Madara brought you to a major event, you weren’t even sure how to face him anymore.

“Not tonight Madara. It was a disaster at work and I’m not emotionally sound right now. I don’t want to have another meltdown in front of you,” you told him and laughed in an attempt to make light of the conversation.

Madara wanted to tell you he did not mind if you broke down, that he was there to support you in times of weakness. He held his tongue, figuring that what not what you needed to hear and pushing harder at this time would only serve to drive you away again.

“How about another day? One when you are free and well-rested,” he suggested.

Part of you wanted to refuse him, but after all the care and kindness Madara showed you, how could you do that to this man? If nothing else, you both at least deserved closure.

“One chance, Y/N. Give me one more chance,” he continued. “Please.”

You were weak. With a lump in your throat, you found you couldn’t refuse your love’s heartfelt request.

“Give me a few more days to rest and unwind, then we can meet here.”

You ate your dinner udon in silence amongst the chaotic pile of broken dreams, surrounded by shattered glass, forgotten rose stems, and spilled tears.

---------------

Madara arrived at your house at your invitation, pausing outside to mentally rehearse what he wanted to tell you. He was determined to resolve your differences and reenter each other’s lives.

You opened the door for him. His frustration with the situation was ever-present, but his previous vexation at your actions dissolved upon laying eyes on you for the first time in so long. There you were, dressed comfortably in your pajamas, tiny in comparison to his size. You looked slightly tired and your eyes were mildly swollen, but your gaze was focused on him.

Your mind went blank the moment you heard the knock. Greeting him softly, you blinked at the large plant in his hand. It was a pot of phalaenopsis, or a moth orchid, the most common type of commercial orchid available because it can be tricked into flowering year-round. It was nothing special or exotic compared to your collection, but the gift Madara bore was white. White orchids were a symbol of sincerity. Madara was normally meticulous, but you wondered if he knew that or if the colour was merely a fluke. Your breath hitched when you caught a glimpse at the bundle in his other arm.

It was a dramatic bouquet filled with tulips, lilies of the valley, peonies, and carnations… all flowers of apology. Tulips were perennials that flowered year after year and represented new beginnings and peace, but these tulips were also in red to emphasize it was safe for you to trust Madara. White peonies represented shame for how he acted and a desire to right wrongs, and carnations not in pink, but red, expressed an aching heart and unyielding affection. There was a cut stem of giant cymbidium orchids within the bundle. Cymbidiums could mean many nice things, one of those being pure love.

This was no fluke. You stared at the bouquet to ensure you weren’t seeing things or getting your floral trivia incorrect. Madara was indeed expressing his great regret and a sincere desire to mend wrongs in a nonverbal way which was more natural to him. You swayed when you raised your shocked eyes to meet his. His expression was simultaneously grave, yet hopeful.

You invited Madara inside and closed the door behind him.

He stood by the entrance, not doing anything to remove his dress shoes or jacket. Instead, he watched you, waiting solemnly for you to take his offerings.

It was already late March and spring was quickly approaching, the biting chill of winter not nearly as harsh as the last time you met. Will this be a mistake? New beginnings. With a shaky breath, you accepted the white potted orchid and bouquet from Madara. The plant enthusiast in you wordlessly filled a spare vase with water and arranged the gorgeous bouquet. Once properly organized, it puffed up in a pretty display of red and white –delicate, bell-like lilies surrounded large fluffy flowers, the arrangement dotted with elegant tulips and a strip of pinkish-orange cymbidiums down the middle. Your chest clenched when you contemplated the deep meaning behind its beauty. What Madara wanted to tell you.

Madara continued to stand near the door as he silently observed you tread around your home. “Why are you apologizing so excessively?” You asked, gesturing at the array of quality blooms. “You are not at fault for anything.”

Madara hesitated, aware the minutes ahead will bring him to a position that will make him too vulnerable for comfort. He frowned. Your disposition was too polite, too formal with him. You wouldn’t even look at him. Neither did you truly invite him inside and offer him refreshments like the model hostess you were the last time he came over. It was like you were expecting him to state what he needed and leave.

He resented your aloofness and his part in bringing about this change in your demeanor around him. When it came to his emotions and those softer feelings you evoked, speaking candidly was difficult for Madara. He did not relish exposing himself, but this was a conversation that needed to happen. And if it would help you understand just how much you meant to him…

Madara had thought of what to say over the last two days, but upon seeing you, it was like his preparations vanished into nothingness. Not wanting you to ask him to leave, he needed to find his words again quickly.

“That is not true. There are many assertions I delivered poorly. I should never have been harsh to you, even if the sentiment was honest and that part I will not retract.” It was so like Madara to be painfully blunt even when he was trying to express remorse, it was almost comedic.

“Which part was that?” You asked wearily. Your heart seized, not ready to bear Madara’s gut-wrenching judgment again, but also knowing you and him needed to speak, that avoidance was no longer an option. You glanced again at Madara’s bouquet.

“That your sense of inferiority was unbecoming. I should never have spoken to you in such a way. For that, and the other words when I drove you home, I apologize. I…didn’t want to cause you pain. However, I maintain that that feeling of yours is misplaced and unnecessary. I would not have pursued if I thought you inadequate. We are equals if we are to be together.” He fixed you with a level stare which you returned with uncertainty.

You mulled over his words, remembering your realization at the end of the last confrontation with Madara at his penthouse, before he pulled you into his arms and let you weep. Madara wanted you for you.

You allowed Madara inside, bringing him to be seated at the same couch where he first realized the depth of his feelings for you. You awkwardly pulled out a chair from the adjacent dining table, but didn’t venture closer.

“Don’t you see we are from completely different worlds? Worlds that were never meant to collide if it wasn’t for the stupid dating site. What future is there for us? We aren’t meant to be together.”

Clenching his fists, Madara’s face stayed serene. He sighed, running a hand through his mane.

“Initially, it was Izuna’s bright idea to join that website on my behalf, but I only agreed to such an obscene plan because I saw you. There was no other woman I desired seeing. It was a coincidence that our paths crossed again after so many years, so even if I found the concept of that site distasteful, if there was the possibility to properly court you, I would utilize such a platform.” Madara paused, noting his tension and consciously ordering his hands to open.

“I was on that blasted site to find you. Our relationship was never of the sort suggested by the dating site that brought us back together.” He gritted out. He stood and came over, hand reaching for your face, the need to touch you again driving him to insanity. To his relief, you allowed his touch and made no attempts to stop him.

“Whatever future you desire, we can create together. I want to be with you,” he continued.

Madara stalled briefly, then kneeled before you and took your hands in his, the determination in his eyes unwavering.

“I am not a man of pretty silver-tongued words. You should know that.” Your eyes started to water as you acknowledged Madara’s statement. “Months ago, you said you liked me. Does that still hold true?” He asked.

A relationship took effort from both ends. You remembered every sweet moment you created together and the way Madara always tried for you. You recalled his fierce defence of you from that other woman. And his terrible words in the car as he drove you home, but also how he endeavored to make contact again to work things out while you fled.

You blinked at him to try stopping the tears that threatened to fall, trembling in his hands. Knowing he appreciated honesty, you replied, “Of course. I never stopped.”

Madara let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding. His expression completely transformed and a brilliant smile lit up his face. Looking at your hands, he stroked your palms. “Y/N, I will tell you this once: you are exactly who I’ve been searching for all these years. And there is nothing in this lifetime that keeps us apart.” He lifted his gaze back to yours, his face now closer. “I promise I will always take care of you, if you'll let me. You will want for nothing,” he vowed.

“I…trust you…” you rasped, still trying to wrap your head around how someone like Madara would want to be with a regular person like you.

Madara’s entire being rocked with your confession. How he needed to hear those words. “I won’t let you down.”

“Why are you so good to me?”

There was no need for Madara to reply. The answer was in his eyes. You knew. You must have known some time ago that he loved you. You merely didn’t know how to respond to the intensity of his devotion.

“I’m sorry too. I’m sorry for ignoring you all this time even when you tried to make amends before going on your trip,” you whispered.

He leaned in with his head angled up to press his lips to yours.

“Move in with me, Y/N. I'm serious. I was serious from the beginning. Share your life with me."

You made a pained noise and reached for him, hands entwining behind his neck to bring him closer. Your foreheads touched. You too will try harder with Madara. For him, you’ll be better than you are. Instead of giving up now, you will give yourselves another chance to speak each other’s language and understand one another.

“I like bouquets, but next time, don’t buy me cut orchids. Cutting their flowers is a travesty knowing how long it takes to nurture and grow them.” You sniffed, but smiled against his lips.

“Your wish is my command.” He glanced at your collection of exotic plants and tried to entice you with your hobby. “If you enjoy greenery this much, you can plant whatever you like if you move into my main residence with me and Izuna. We can have a lawn full of cherry blossom trees and build a greenhouse, hire gardeners to assist you. Whatever you want.”

“Madara? That might be the most attractive thing you said to me all day.”

---------------

“Stay the night?” Now that Madara was here, you didn’t want him to leave, as if you were afraid you would have to wait another lifetime to see him again.

Madara agreed readily, raising a sophisticated brow when you suggested he take your bedroom while you slept on the sofa bed in the other bedroom. “Just trying to be a good hostess,” you explained, grinning bashfully.

“I would feel your hospitality more deeply if my hostess didn’t disappear,” he teased. You giggled, grabbing his hand and leading him to your room, as relieved as Madara that your relationship remained intact. That not everything was lost and you both fell back into your prior dynamic without the strain with relative ease.

He settled next to you and pulled the sheets up. At first, you lay side by side with some distance remaining between you. Screw it. You missed Madara and he missed you. That much was clear after tonight.

You shimmied up to him and he wrapped an arm around your waist. Bringing his lips to yours, he nipped and prodded, entering your mouth as soon as access was granted.

You were breathless when you separated. “I missed you. I miss this,” you murmured against his ear sleepily.

“Hn,” he grunted in agreement.

Already back to his silent ways. You smiled broadly in the dark.

“Um…are you sweating?”

“Go to sleep,” came the gruff answer.

There was no ignoring the growing damp cold. Realization dawned on you –Madara was always warm. He must be broiling under your linens. Your mouth fell open. “D-do you normally sleep naked? If you’re hot, you…can take off your clothes if you want.” Your wording sounded horrible! Cringing in dismay, you thought about what else you could do for him.

“I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

“There’s no sense in having you suffer this way. You’ll make me a bad hostess.” He was much too conscientious. And in your mind, Madara was already adequately hot. No need to cause him to melt.

Fabric rustled and you felt a breeze touch your face as Madara discarded his clothing somewhere in your room before he returned to you.

His length pushed into your stomach. You knew Madara possessed an athletic muscular build, but being pressed against his bare body was an experience that made you heat up with desire and embarrassment. It wasn’t unpleasant at all.

The interesting, but welcome, turn of events leading to this moment tonight made Madara smile warmly and hold you closer.

Madara’s self-control was unworldly. You basked silently in each other’s presence, secure in the knowledge you still belonged to one another. Slowly, you relaxed into his embrace, your mind slipping into the realm of dreams. There was no funny business to be had tonight.

---------------

Madara invited you to his main house on a day Izuna was not in residence. He had plans for you today; plans he didn’t need his overzealous brother around for.

Gaping in wonder, you turned in a circle. Every new perspective granted ornate wonders. If you thought the ballroom and Madara’s penthouse were extravagant, this manor went well beyond what those venues offered. It was modern in style, but possessed an old world charm that was difficult to describe. Coffered ceilings dropped down to meet carved pillars and paneled walls. Antique Japanese wooden furniture and furs sat on luxury stone or hardwood floors. The choices were tasteful and nothing was overdone.

Madara brought you around the mansion for a tour. After multiple sitting rooms, waiting rooms, offices, guest rooms, saunas, and pools, your head spun as you were led down yet another corridor. Servants who came across you and Madara bowed in deference.

“I am going to get lost here,” you whined. Your entire condo was smaller than one of his closets.

“You will find your way around quickly, I’m sure.” You were sure you would as well if you didn’t want to be the subject of so many curious glances.

Madara made sure you were treated like a queen. You spent the rest of the day with him, curled against him on a velvet sofa while watching an assortment of movies in the home theater and gorging yourself on meals that must have been prepared by a Michelin star chef in the dining room. You washed and soaked in a scented bath that was fit for a goddess. You played foosball together, but of course he didn’t let you win easily.

The door shut and locked behind Madara. You knew why he brought you to his bedroom tonight. You felt nervous, but you too wanted to see this through. This was a long time coming.

---------------

“I love you Madara.”

He looked upon you lovingly, glad to finally be together. It must have been the potency of his love for you that had him undone.

He fixed you with his piercing gaze. “I love you more,” he confessed.

The sun crested the horizon in your life again.

You were enchanted by the intensity of his expression. Madara was fire. His body was warm as always, his love and grace living things that kept the fire bright.

Madara was like the burning sun that lit up the skies and illuminated the world. But for you, he was more akin to a warming fire than a searing bonfire. You did have another home.

Home was wherever Madara was.

Instead of cutting your story together short, you couldn’t wait to turn that page to continue onto the next chapter of your life with him.

---------------

Dance music sounded deafeningly as lights blared in the salsa bar. You were on another date with Madara, but this one was special. Izuna and Jasna joined you and Madara in this group date. When you mentioned you had never been to a salsa bar and Jasna also expressed her interest, Madara suggested she come along. Izuna invited himself. He was a natural, a social setting being Izuna’s innate habitat and Jasna was already at ease conversing with him. You both cackled and mocked Izuna for something he said before sashaying to the dance floor.

Izuna and Madara shared a look as they watched you and your friend dance with abandon, guffawing like hyenas while singing along to the song. The curve of your eyebrows furrowed at a comment Jasna made, then your cheeks pulled up and dimpled as you laughed at your own joke.

*“When marimba rhythms start to play Dance with me, make me sway Like a lazy ocean hugs the shore Hold me close, sway me more”

“Like a flower bending in the breeze Bend with me, sway with ease When we dance, you have a way with me Stay with me, sway with me”

Your rhythm was correct, even if your steps were wrong for the kinds of dance this song demanded. You and Jasna made up for it with childish enthusiasm. You twirled each other and Jasna dipped you down to the beat. You were so silly, so dazzling. Madara laughed in earnest with Izuna, your light blinding in the darkness of the room.

“Other dancers may be on the floor Dear, but my eyes will see only you Only you have that magic technique When we sway, I go weak”

“I can hear the sounds of violins Long before it begins Make me thrill as only you know how Sway me smooth, sway me now”

There was no one else he wanted to spend his life with. He would do anything it took to keep you happy. Madara sauntered up to you, the crowd parting before him. Your eyes met. The power behind his stare was like he had you hypnotized with his gaze, but that was of course impossible. Your heart filled with warmth at the sight of him. Others may not see him for who he truly was, but for you, loving Madara was as natural as breathing.

His next words would forever etch themselves into your soul.

"Dance with me."

~End~

---------------

Notes:

I am incredibly proud of myself for finishing this story! First fanfic I’ve written in well over a decade! I hope you found the ending believable and satisfactory. The premise of this story was simple from the beginning. One theme I wanted to highlight in this story was good relationships where the partners do not communicate their love the same way and the difficulties that can arise. When you were with Madara, whether that was cooking for him and lavishing him with attention, or spending quality time together, that was when he felt your affection most. Whereas for her, those things were important, but she was indeed feeling inferior with this man who was larger than life. She also needed the words to confirm Madara’s feelings at a time when she was ready for the conversation. As we know, Madara is more a man of action than words, until he is pushed to speak his deepest thoughts.

While there are many unhealthy relationships with glaring red flags that should be promptly cut off and discarded, I sincerely believe there are many people too willing to hastily throw away what they have before even attempting to fix what’s there. Getting into a relationship isn’t the destination, but only the beginning. Maintaining the relationship is the difficult journey requiring hard work from both sides and an ongoing process. “Journey before Destination,” my friends.

Yes Madara can be so petty (and a STUBBORN hypocrite) until his heart told him he couldn’t stay away any longer. His cold shoulder backfired hard on him 😆

Writing Madara in his different moods (the spectrum ranging from romantic, to awkward, silly, angry, frustrated, regretful, horny, and completely, utterly elated and in love) was challenging and I hope I did him justice. The goal was to have him still behave like Madara even when he was feeling fluffier.

I hope you enjoyed the journey between Madara and his nurse over the course of these past weeks! What a great month I had bringing them to life! 💖

*The lyrics at the end of the fic is of course from the legendary song “Sway.” The version in my mind is sung by Michael Buble.