Despite what I once promised myself, I decided to give slash fiction a try again. Rating may go up in the later chapters, though I haven't made up my mind on that matter yet. As usual I deeply appreciate any kind of feedback on this story.
Disclaimer: KHR belongs to its respectful owners and no, I'm not one of them.
Italy
"Seems like there is no turning back, now."
Tsuna took a look around his new office and smiled bitterly to himself. He hoped that this day would never come. Although he eventually did accept the position of Vongola's Tenth, he still refused to occupy it until Timoteo was still alive. And now with the Ninth's death, him becoming the next Vongola boss was now official.
After Timoteo's funeral there had been several things that needed to be done. Tsuna had already taken care of most of them. The most difficult one was left at the end. He sighed.
- I'll have to pay him a visit. It's the last thing I'd want to do. But in my current situation it's essential to ensure that relations between Varia and Vongola remain good.
Although Gokudera had been insisting on going with him, Tsuna decided to visit Varia headquarters alone, without any of his guardians. After all, it was a matter that needed to be discussed only between him and Xanxus.
Varia Headquarters
"Greetings, Vongola Decimo, Sawada Tsunayoshi-san."
The one who opened the door for him was dainty girl with dark, messy hair. Tsuna recognised her rather quickly. She had been working as Varia's secretary for quite a few years. He recalled her attending several Vongola meetings and also Ninth's funeral. He smiled to her in embarrassment.
"Hello there. You don't need to be so formal, Miseria-san."
"It's my job. What can I help you with?"
"I'd like to talk to Xanxus."
"Are you sure?"
The girl looked at him as if she wanted to ask whether he made his will already.
"Well, yeah. Could you ask him if he's willing to meet with me?"
"Yes. Could you please wait at the main hall?"
Miseria pointed to a rather comfortable-looking couch. Tsuna nodded and sat down. He waited anxiously for the answer. Knowing Xanxus' character, it wouldn't be too surprising if he was told to simply get lost. That would be the more pleasant option. Worse scenario was that he would end as Bester's meal or Xanxus' shooting target. His disquieting thoughts were interrupted by a loud voice:
"VOOOI, SAWADA! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?"
Tsuna looked at the long-haired man and smiled.
"Hi. I thought I should pay Xanxus a little visit."
"A LITTLE VISIT? WHY THE HELL WOULD YOU HASSLE HIM?"
"Well, I…"
A monotonous voice interrupted him.
"Looks like Tenth was just tired of his life and wanted our boss to end it."
"Ushishishi~ That's a nice idea!"
Next to Squalo appeared a boy in a big, frog hat and a blonde-haired young man wearing a tiara. Tsuna just hoped that the rest of Varia officers wouldn't find it appropriate to show up now. Dealing with Xanxus alone was difficult enough.
"IF YOU WANTED VARIA'S ASSISTANCE, YOU SHOULD'VE CONTACTED ME FIRST! BESIDES, BOSS HAS BEEN IN A TERRIBLE MOOD LATELY!"
"Ahhh, I see. He lost his father not so long ago."
"VOOI! I DON'T THINK THAT'S THE ONLY REASON, SAWADA!"
"Shut up, trash."
A porcelain vase flew out of nowhere and hit Squalo in the head. Fran and Belphegor were smart enough to disappear quickly. Tsuna stood up and looked apprehensively at the tall, dark figure standing in the hall. He might be no longer a little boy that covered in fear in Xanxus' presence but he still felt a bit edgy. He was given an icy glare.
"What do you want from me?"
"I wanted to talk to you face to face."
Tsuna carefully observed Xanxus who seemed to contemplate his request. The last time he saw him was during Timoteo's funeral but it was only briefly. Aside from the fact that the Varia's leader apparently let his hair grow a little, there were no considerable changes in his appearance. Finally Tsuna received a short, abrupt answer:
"Fine."
Relieved that he didn't instantly become liger's food, Tsuna followed Xanxus to his office. It was his first time being there. The interior looked just as fancy as he imagined it. He sat on a padded chair which probably served as a footstool rather than a seat for guests. Xanxus, who was sitting behind his desk, gave him a questioning stare.
"Will you spit it out already?"
"Well, I wanted to offer my condolences."
"You came all the way here just for that?"
In meantime, the secretary managed to bring two espressos. One cup was placed on Xanxus' desk while the other was given to Vongola Tenth. Before Tsuna managed to say his thanks, Miseria hastily left the office. He wondered whether she was just that considerate or maybe she was that afraid for her life.
In the same time, on the other side of the door
"It's rude to eavesdrop. And dangerous."
"Shhhh, be quiet, woman!"
"You may be whispering but your voice's volume is exactly the same as mine, Squalo-san."
Miseria put aside the tray she was carrying and observed her colleagues indifferently. It was beyond her comprehension why all the officers were crowding around the door and trying to listen in the conversation between Varia and Vongola leaders.
"This is not good, Miseria-chan. If our boss kills Sawada then it'd be the end of Vongola!"
"And if there is no Vongola there will be no Varia either! What'll happen to us?"
Miseria shrugged her shoulders. She didn't share Lussuria's and Levi's worries.
"Then we'll simply have to look for another job."
"VOOII, WOMAN! DO YOU UNDERSTAND THE GRAVITY OF THIS SITUATION?"
"Shhh, boss will kill us all if don't quieten down, captain"
Back to the office
Xanxus heard the noises coming from the other side of the door but apparently decided to ignore them. He stared at Tsuna expectantly.
"Actually there is one more thing."
"…"
"I want to get along with you."
To Tsuna's surprise, Xanxus burst into wild laughter.
"Bwhahahaha! Get along with me! Hahahaha!"
"What is so funny?"
Suddenly Xanxus' expression changed completely. He stopped laughing and threw his coffee cup at Tsuna. The latter managed to evade it but the contents spilled on his hair and clothing.
"Are you mocking me, Sawada? Do you really think I'd ever get along with a trash like you?"
It didn't take Vongola's hyper intuition to tell that Varia's boss was angry. Tsuna had known from the beginning that it wouldn't be easy. Still, he deluded himself that after all these years, Xanxus would eventually stop harbouring a grudge against him.
But Tsuna wasn't going to give up just yet. He stood up and moved towards Xanxus.
"Haven't we fought together many times? Can't we just forget about past grudges and simply be friends?"
"Shut up! I don't give a shit about your fucking friendship!"
Tsuna felt a sudden impulse to do something. Something that would convince Xanxus to accept his friendship. Without much thinking he came closer to Varia leader and planted a gentle kiss on the other man's lips.
For a second Xanxus' expression was completely blank. Subsequently scars started to appear all over his face. Then Tsuna realised what a terrible mistake he had made.
On the other side of the door
Out of the blue Miseria had a premonition. She yelled to her colleagues:
"Quickly! Move away from the door!
Since they all knew that she lost her cool only in grave situations, the Varia officers immediately listened to her. Only Levi was a bit too slow.
"SCOPPIO DI IRA!"
Luckily for Levi, the hit was indirect because the door absorbed the most damage. Out of the office ran out clearly terrified Tsuna.
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to!"
Behind him came out very enraged Xanxus.
"YOU'RE ALREADY DEAD, TRASH!"
Fortunately for Vongola's Tenth, the Varia officers (with the exception of Mammon and unconscious Levi) decided to intervene. They all went at Xanxus and tried to restrain him.
"VOOOI, XANXUS! YOU MUSTN'T KILL HIM!"
"Please, boss, think about the consequences!"
"SHUT UP, YOU SCUMS! I'M GOING TO KILL THIS TRASH!"
Tsuna was so scared that he could merely watch the scene, unable to move. It was until Mammon flew to him.
"You'd better leave now."
Tsuna followed Arcobaleno's advice in an instant.