"I'm sure you've heard about the explosion, Reborn." Dino's hands shook and his shaggy blond locks covered his honey-brown eyes.
"I did. What are your plans?" The ex-Arcobaleno had his own face shuttered; he would give his former student the illusion that his tears were hidden.
"Is there any other plan? I have to go. They were my friends, my family… And dammit, Reborn, they were coming here. Do you understand what that means?" His voice had grown in volume, until he was almost yelling. "They were coming after Kyoya, or Tsuna… Until these bastards are gone, I'm a plague. I have to go after them." He dropped his head, staring at his lap.
"You should tell Dame-Tsuna, idiot. He could help-"
"No. Absolutely not. I can't drag them into my war, Reborn. This has nothing to do with the Vongola, and I'd like to keep it that way. It's just… Kyoya…" Dino rubbed the bridge of his nose, unobtrusively wiping his eyes.
"What will you tell him?" Reborn's voice was neutral, but Dino had known him long enough to hear the note of concern in it.
"That I'll be back. Like I usually do. Keep him safe for me, Reborn. Please?"
"And if you don't come back?"
"Then I was too weak for him anyway. Stop trying to talk me out of this. Take care of my little brother, and don't let Kyoya do anything foolish. This is a Cavallone war. I owe it to my family to do this."
"As you wish, Don Cavallone." Reborn pushed himself off the wall. "What about tonight?"
"I'm entitled one more night of happiness, aren't I? Tomorrow, they die. Tonight… tonight, I live." He walked out of the conference room without a backward glance, never hearing the sad sigh from his former tutor.
Dino sighed sadly, staring at himself in the mirror. He had just spent the most amazing night ever with his lover… but he knew he wouldn't be back. That thought broke his heart… knowing that when he walked out that door, he'd be leaving Kyoya alone. He could only hope that Tsuna and the rest of the Vongola would be able to support him, and he thanked everything under the sun that the raven-haired man lounging like a cat in their bed had been far too surprised by his sudden return to ask many questions. Usually Kyoya's curiosity carried them both away, but he must have felt or sensed something in Dino's mood last night. The only thing the Cavallone boss could remember was soft moans, gentle touches, sharp teeth and his lover's whispered encouragements. They had fallen asleep together, and it was one of the few times that the Skylark had permitted Dino to cuddle him in their sleep… he had buried his face in the blond's chest and hadn't moved for the rest of the night.
But now… now he had to walk out there and lie to his beautiful, slightly murderous lover. He wasn't really looking forward to that part… nor what came after. Two days before, most of Dino's closest subordinates had been caught in a fatal explosion on their way to pick him up from the Vongola Mansion. Between Romario and his own contacts, they had discovered who the attacking family was, and had set a plan of attack. His second in command had begged him to get help from the Vongola, but Dino, stricken with grief as he was over the loss of his friends, could not bring himself to drag his little brother's family into the same disaster. He shook himself, running a hand through unruly blond locks and pasting his smile on his face. He took a deep breath and walked back out into the bedroom he shared with Kyoya whenever he stayed with the Vongolas.
"Took you long enough, horse." Kyoya shifted backwards to allow Dino to crawl back in bed. His eyebrow raised when he was met with a headshake. "Leaving already?"
"Aww, Kyoya, don't be like that; I'll be back in a couple days... Just be patient ok?" Dino grabbed his jacket, tossing it on before walking back over to the bed.
"Hn, 'be patient'. Why should I care, idiot horse?" The raven-haired man was obviously not thrilled and Dino winced a bit at his cold tone.
"I love you, Kyoya." The blond lifted the Skylark's chin, kissing him softly. For a second, he thought his lover was going to pull away, but he finally kissed him back, resting his long fingers on Dino's hand. "See ya soon, ok?"
"Whatever. Lock the door when you leave." Kyoya rolled back over, dragging the blanket over himself.
Dino smiled fondly and shook his head, walking out and locking the door behind him. He let his hand rest on the wood. "I love you, Kyoya… always. Please… remember that." He shook his head again, straightened his shoulders, and walked out to where Romario waited with their car.
Dino wasn't sure how much later it was… the sun had set a while ago, and he and Romario had been separated. The groans of the dying and injured were all around him, but he wasn't concerned with that at the moment. His whip flicked out and wrapped around the throat of yet another enemy, and he pulled it tight without a thought, snapping the man's neck before it recoiled back to him.
He heard a soft gasp behind him and spun, whip at the ready. Everything registered just a fraction of a second too slow… the bright, flashing red light, the soft 'beep beep' and the small silver button in the hand of someone he'd ignored.
'Idiot… Reborn would kick your ass for that mistake…' As he dove for cover, the only thought running through his mind was 'I'm sorry, Kyoya... I'm glad I got to see you one last time.' The flash of the explosion hit just before the echoing bang, and then Dino's world went black.