#this isnt the only way i depict them/think of them its just one possibke tobiizu characterisation but it is v funny i think

[tryingahandinholdingapen]

thanks to a pretty equal combination of @.doveywovy's posts about tobiizu, and one particular fic which I keep meaning to write a rec for on account of it permanently changing my understanding of the ship (currently my favourite blog and fiv respectively ngl. I'll link the fic in question too),,,,my favourite depiction of izuna x tobirama is absolutely yandere4yandere

I firmly believe though that they absolutely don't take the same approach to their respective insanity. they're both freaks yes but not in the same way, that would be far too simple. often in ways that complement each other! which is why they (sort of) function as a ship,,,but not the same way

for example let's say there's a depiction of them with yandere type characterisation right and specifically looking at that trope of like "only I can have you" right?

I'm pretty sure that if we assume they both held that as something important to them, Izuna would approach it differently to Tobirama

Izuna would be like "only I can have you" <- mandate reinforced with bloodshed

Tobirama on the other hand would be like "only I can have you" <- law of the universe, more difficult to disprove than gravity

and this would influence their behaviour because it would mean that Izuna would be more of the stereotypical yandere in that he reacts with threats, considerable violence and even murder to anyone he THINKS may have even considered Tobirama in a romantic or sexual light for 0.0001 seconds. He considers that type of behaviour from others to threaten his own relationship with Tobirama, which of course is not acceptable in any form. "Only I can have you" is a mandate that Izuna reinforces with bloodshed, and frequently at that. So far, by some miracle, nobody's made a problem of his behaviour (surely its not been completely unnoticed? maybe people are too scared to bring it up or maybe Izuna's strengths are so far outweighing the drawbacks still? who knows, who cares. Not Izuna)

Tobirama on the other hand cares considerably less about the potential for anyone else to for example flirt with Izuna - or even vice versa - than can be considered normal for a serious, exclusive+monogamous relationship. Like most people would probably be upset if they were in a monogamous relationship and saw their boyfriend snogging someone else but Tobirama does not care at all. This is because in order for Tobirama to feel upset or threatened by the idea of Izuna cheating on him or potentially breaking up with him, he'd first have to ACKNOWLEDGE that as a possibility and he just...Doesn't. Tobirama is Izuna's only partner and the only person he has ever or will care for in the same sense, and as far as Tobirama is concerned this is a truth more fundamental than gravity; "only I can have you" is a simple fact of life. Someone has definitely tried to mention to him before 'hey I think I saw your boyfriend on a date with someone else yesterday...Doesn't that bother you? That he might love someone else? Might break up with you to be with them?' and Tobirama has just stared at them like they're the most stupid person alive. Complete incomprehension of the concept. No, obviously he's not worried about that, same as he's not worried the sky will suddenly turn green or gravity will decide to reverse itself. It's not a physical possibility so why worry about it? That would just be a waste of time and effort

Izuna constantly reinforces Tobirama's understanding of the world by the way. Because Izuna is very pretty and he will absolutely flirt with people or even have sex with them BUT he also not infrequently kills them afterwards, and basically always returns to Tobirama bitching about how inferior that other person was to Tobirama in x and y way and how Tobirama is so much better at z but hey Izuna got such-and-such information out of that person, or managed to secure such-and-such from this person via seduction, so he did it anyway, and Tobirama had better appreciate what he does for him. So Tobirama's there like 'as I said. Izuna doesn't give a shit about anyone except me. He's just very good at manipulating others for his own benefit and it's very sexy of him tbh'

This overall leads to a very weird dynamic where all three things are true

1) Izuna and Tobirama are in a closed monogamous relationship, theoretically?

2) If you breathe in Tobirama's direction for too long, or god forbid, make eye contact, Izuna may kill you for making a move on his man

3) You could have three rounds of sex with Izuna right in front of Tobirama and Tobirama would be v smugly watching like look at my boyfriend go he's gonna wring this moron of every resource they've got I'm so proud