Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. All characters, terms, and affiliates of Naruto are not mine, but belong to their respective owners, Masashi Kishimoto, TV Tokyo, VIZ &c.
Inspired by Sintari's own JirTsu work--particular What Remains. Because I don't believe it's one-sided. Not one bit.
Waiting
"...and he knows he'd be doing her a disservice if he confessed to her now" - Sintari, What Remains
Tsunade had to wonder when things had changed.
At what point, in their long-standing relationship, did the press of the hands on her shoulders change from a not-so innocent touch to that of a friendly but proper squeeze? Curious, she dropped her chin. The wide, slightly ink-stained fingers currently kneading through the knots were situated at a studious inch above her collarbone. Never straying, never caressing. Never dragging up her neck to rub at the soft spot just behind her ear.
She wondered if he was sick.
Because… she was getting a massage. Just like she wanted.
The normalcy of the situation made her paranoid.
Feeling a test was in order, Tsunade slowly eased her tunic open a bit further. And if she sighed a bit deeper and arched her back a bit more than usual, she could claim she was pensive.
Or nothing at all, really. Because she was Hokage, damn it.
He didn't notice.
The steady rub at her shoulders never faltered, except to adjust for the addition of a few well-placed thumbs on either side of her spine. The urge to close her eyes was, unfortunately, overridden by her sudden annoyance. She half turned to look up at him.
"Jiraiya…"
"Hm?"
She crossed her arms. Held her breath. Foolproof.
"Something wrong?" The dark eyes never dipped lower than her nose.
"…No."
She turned back around, let her breath out. Waited for his hands to ease downward. Like they'd always done before. And like every time before, she would let them get just close enough to brush the hidden tips before slapping them away.
Because it was normal. Normal for them.
She waited.