This was originally a drabble for a meme on Livejournal. I expanded on it a little to make it more functional for this site. Amano Akira owns Reborn.
The stars were always clearer in the middle of summer, as if the universe wanted people to enjoy them in all their splendor. The air felt heavy and warm in Tsuna's lungs, making him feel full and a little light-headed, like what he was experiencing was only half-real. The heat wasn't being eased by the close proximity of his companions by any means, but Tsuna didn't mind at all; in fact. he wanted them so close that he could breathe them in in tandem.
Gokudera was sitting at Tsuna's right side, idly puffing on the one cigarette he now allowed himself per night. Tsuna was downwind of him, but he couldn't bring himself to mind. The smoke was just another way that he was reminded of Gokudera's constant, reassuring presence. He caught Tsuna's eye and smiled a small, happy smile; Tsuna was more than happy to return it.
To his left, Yamamoto was happily chatting away about the peak of the baseball season, a wide grin on his face. Tsuna couldn't say he really understood that much -- he'd never been particularly good at sport, and that had killed his enthusiasm for watching it, too -- but Yamamoto looked so happy when Tsuna nodded and smiled at him that Tsuna didn't want him to stop.
Tsuna was trying to keep his attention on both of them; Gokudera, with his , but it was becoming dizzying to keep turning from the content smile on Gokudera's lips around the cigarette, to Yamamoto's wide, enthusiastic grin. Eventually, Tsuna shook his head -- despite looking happy -- and reached for both their hands.
Gokudera immediately stubbed out his cigarette and complied, his skin warm and calming against Tsuna's palm. Yamamoto stopped talking and grasped Tsuna's other hand in a cool, steadying embrace.
Tsuna smiled, relaxed, and held both Gokudera and Yamamoto's hands tightly, still feeling a little giddy, but perfectly sure the happiness he felt was real.
He loved them, and was loved equally in return.
END