Chapter 1: Nice To Meet You, I Think
Dino groaned in frustration as his partner in the collaboration with Arcobaleno Corp, Reborn, rattled out the suggested projects they could present to their collies. Personally, Dino wanted to bang his head into the desk until he left this world, but would that solve his boredom? He'd probably be even more bored in heaven.
" Dino, are you listening?" the man asked.
The blonde's eyes tried to meet the intimidating man's before him as he pushed himself to lie, but to no avail.
" I honestly have no idea what the hell you just said," he sighed.
Reborn frowned. " Honestly, No-Good Dino, when will you take your job more seriously?"
" I do take my job seriously!" the man yelled throwing his hand sin the air. " But it's so boring! I'm twenty-three! I need something exciting to do! I'm too young to sit at a desk and talk about-" he waved a hand dismissively at the papers in Reborn's lap. " -whatever it is that you wanted to discuss!"
Reborn stared at the blonde man for a long time, not moving, or even breathing by the looks of it. Dino immediately grew frightened; he'd known Reborn for years since the other man had worked countless times with his father, but that didn't mean he wasn't as rough and vicious as a hit man when Dino got, as Reborn would say, " pathetic".
Dino snapped out of his thoughts when he heard Reborn sigh and pinch the bridge of his nose with his thumb and index finger.
" Alright," he muttered. " Lal Mirch and Colonello are holding a banquet to celebrate their engagement in a few days. They've invited many guests, including the Millefiore, Simon, and Varia Corporations and Companies. I'm sure they wouldn't mind adding the CEO of the Cavallone too. There's your stupid excitement, a party."
Dino wanted to jump up and hug his old friend on the spot, but he would've gotten kicked into the next generation had he done so. Reborn was not a man to show feelings or to show feelings to, and Dino knew that all too well.
" When is it?" the blonde asked quickly. Could you really blame him for being excited?
" I know it's short notice, but Friday," Reborn said putting the papers away in a briefcase. " You've got at least three days to get ready, so don't show up in that." He waved a hand at the younger man's signature over-sized jacket and cargo trousers. " And try to hide the tattoo. It won't look good for your image."
" Oh come on Reborn! I wear sleeves all the time! Don't sweat it!"
" And fix your language, the Varia get easily offended."
" Oka- yes sir."
" Better."
Three days had passed and with help from his assistant and companion Romario, (not to mention some vigorous ass kicking from Reborn) he finally managed to look "presentable". However, he could do nothing about the large red mark on his cheek Reborn's shoe had left.
" Stupid Reborn.." he muttered buttoning his jacket. " He had to kick my face. Any other day it would've been the stomach, but no, today he went for the face! What a hypocrite! Telling me to not tarnish the Cavallone name with my tattoo and then marking my face with his shoe! Oh that kinda rhymed-"
" Dino-san?" Romario with slight concern. " Are you talking to yourself?"
" Ahaha! You're funny Romario! Of course not! I was speaking aloud my internal conflicts," he said quickly. " Shall we go?"
" Ye-yes sir.." he said uncertainly. At times he had to wonder about his Boss...
Dino's excitement caused the two to arrive at the banquet in record time. Had Romario not been there to remind him of proper etiquette, he would've rushed right in without even bothering to congratulate Colonello and Lal.
The blonde calmed himself and crossed the room to the couple speaking to Xanxus of the Varia.
" Remember Colonello, you're giving up any freedom you have by getting married . Especially to a woman like that."
" You wanna fight bastard?" Lal snapped.
Xanxus glanced at her and ignored her outburst, focusing on Colonello once more.
" If you want a divorce-" Xanxus discreetly slipped a card into Colonello's breast pocket. " Fly to Italy and call that number. I'll back you up in court."
" Xanxus!" Lal exclaimed in outrage.
He glanced Dino, who watched with amusement at the scene displayed in front of him, and walked away as if he hadn't heard Lal -or try to talk Colonello out of marriage. Dino walked forward and grasped Colonello's hand warmly.
" Congratulations, I always knew you two would end up together," he grinned.
" Just how you knew Belphegor and Fran would end up together?" Lal smirked.
" That was an accident!" Dino said defensively blushing.
He glanced out the corner of his eye to find Bel mercilessly poking holes in Fran's jacket (since his hat was nowhere to be seen) and Fran trying futilely to get it back. What Dino had described as a definite spark between them happened to rage into a wildfire that no one had seen coming. All because he thought they looked cute when they argued.
" It's strange though Dino," Colonello said. " You seem to find a match for everyone besides yourself. You've thought of Mukuro and Chrome, Haru and Gokudera, Ken and Chrome...everyone, but you're not included."
" Ah, I'll find someone eventually," Dino said dismissively.
" Honestly," Lal sighed. " I hope you find someone soon, you're so rambunctious for a twenty-three year old man. You should settle down."
Dino prepared to reply back, when a rush of murmurs went through the guests. He turned and saw a young man walking through the doors of the banquet hall.
He wasn't anything special to be honest. He was kind of small, petite looking, and the expression on his face made him look even wimpier than Dino himself. His thick brown hair was sticking up all over the place as if he'd just rolled out of bed and forgotten he had hair to style in the first place -although Dino had to admit it was kind of adorable.
His large eyes frantically darted around the room at the whispering guests, and Dino marveled at how with every step the young man seemed to get smaller and more timid.
" Uh.." Dino drawled. " Who is.."
" Mm? Oh that's Tsuna!" Colonello cried out. " Tsuna!"
He jerked in their direction, anxiety lacing his wide eyes and quickly vanishing at the sight of Colonello. The young man quickly strode over, leaving behind his entourage that had just entered, and grasped Colonello's hand.
" Colonello," he smiled with relief. " Congratulations. You too Lal."
The woman waved a hand dismissively and smiled. " No need to be so formal Tsuna, its a party. We're all friends here."
" Practically one big corporate umbrella," Xanxus muttered.
" Can't tell if that was snide or not, so I'm gonna ignore it," Colonello remarked. The blonde glanced at Dino, who was staring even more at Tsuna and motioned to him. " This is Dino. From-"
" Cavallone Industries," Tsuna finished. He held out a hand and smiled. " Nice to meet you sir."
Dino stared at the small hand extended out to him and slowly took it, shaking it carefully as if it might break. Tsuna began to grow slightly uncomfortable with the blonde's behavior, but couldn't bring himself to jerk his hand away. After all, that's not exactly proper etiquette now is it?
Dino on the other hand found Tsuna fascinating for some reason. Shy, small people had never caught his eye before, but something about Tsuna struck him. But what..
" TSUNAA!"
A small yelp came from his lips and Dino could only laugh with everyone else at Tsuna being dangled in the air by Reborn.
" New protege Reborn?" Dino asked.
" Is there never not one?" he huffed. " Oi, No-Good Tsuna. You can't just go around being all chummy with your friends. Associate with everyone at this party, it's what good business leaders do. Make friends, not enemies. Now go damn it!"
" Y-yes Reborn!" and he scrambled away.
Dino marveled at the boy, suddenly realizing that Tsuna was like a slightly younger version of himself.
" Honestly, he's like you were at sixteen," Reborn huffed. " 'Cept he's nineteen and a lot tougher to deal with in terms of breaking out his comfort zone."
" Is that so," Dino said slowly. " What's he doing with you?"
" Well, you know his father," Reborn said. " Iemitsu was gonna have him take over CEDEF, but kid's pretty brilliant on his own. Too brilliant to just take over where someone left off. So after pulling a string or two and talking to the other executives at CEDEF, we're hoping No Good Tsuna will end up like you."
Dino glanced at Reborn and recognized the look of harsh affection that he'd grown so used to over the years. He turned his attention back to the young man he'd just met, thoughts flitting about in his head as he watched him converse with the heir to Simon Enterprises.
" Hey..Reborn."
" Mm?"
" What would you say to me helping you out?" Dino said slowly. Reborn raised an eyebrow at this and gave a start, but Dino quickly cut him off. " I'm just interested in what the kid's got in mind is all."
" I see," Reborn said. " And if I were to say yes, you realize that you cannot be hindrance to his education, understand?"
" Yes sir."
" And you can't be useless like you always are."
" Hurtful much?"
" And no being a baby, or a wuss, a pansy, or a p-"
" I got it!" Dino exclaimed. " Jeez, way to kill a man's pride.."
Reborn only smirked and replied, " Its what I do best."
Reborn held up his glass and tapped the side of it with a spoon. " Everyone! A toast to the happy couple!"
Cheers erupted from around the room and the cling of glasses echoed around the room. Dino couldn't help but focus in on the tiny future entrepreneur, and grinned to himself.
Things might start to get interesting, he thought.
In Tsuna's opinion, that party had been long.
Too long.
The entire time, his heart had been pounding in his chest, nearly causing him to faint in front of Colonello and Lal's guests multiple times. Had it not been for Gokudera and Hibari -and occasionally Enma - Tsuna would've had to leave early, or at the very least been given a private room.
The chatter of his friends blurred together in the background of the car as he kept his frustrated thoughts to himself. Reborn had stayed behind at the reception hall, claiming that he had some unfinished business with Verde, whatever that meant.
Reborn.
Tsuna furrowed his brow in frustration; the man was supposed to help him. And yet, he was the same. Jittery, wearing his heart on his sleeve, No Good Tsuna. It was a miracle his father even had the faith in him to start a business and possibly be as successful as Dino Cavallone.
They told him it wasn't his fault. Reborn and his father both. Gokudera and Yamamoto too. Anxiety wasn't something that could be controlled or cured; it had to be lived with. But even now, Tsuna felt shame that he was still a bit on edge being around his friends of ten years.
Reborn was supposed to help.
Tsuna's heart jumped at the memory of meeting Dino Cavallone, and instantly began beating himself up about his greeting. God, were my hands too sweaty? Of course they were, when aren't they sweaty? I shouldn't have cut Colonello off, that was so impulsive. Dear God, that man, didn't I see him with Reborn? What did Reborn say about me? What does he think of me now? What if he has enough power to denounce me in the business world? What if he can denounce CEDEF? What if dad loses his job and we're poor and we can't live and we'll die and-
" Tenth? Tenth!"
The brunette suddenly became aware he was sweating through his suit, his breath quickly becoming shorter and shorter. Gokudera gently grabbed his shoulders, staring at him with concern as his breath began to slow.
" Tenth, are you alright?" Yamamoto asked gently.
" Yeah, you look spooked to the extreme," Ryouhei exclaimed.
" Yelling doesn't help muscle head," Gokudera snapped. " Tenth?"
Tsuna forced a shaky, lopsided grin, causing Hibari to raise an eyebrow at his fake attempt at reassurance. " I-I'm fine guys, I was just thinking is all."
Immediately, Gokudera fussed over Tsuna, encouraging him to take his jacket off, undo his tie. He began barking orders, much to the dismay of the others in the car.
" Drive faster, tenth's got to be comfortable! Ryouhei, you keep your extreme comments to yourself! Hibari, glaring at everything isn't going to calm him down! It'll be alright Tenth, just close your eyes and- DAMN IT LAMBO, QUIT THE CRYING!"
" Don't swear around the kid!" Yamamoto protested and quickly covered the child's ears.
" Gokudera, I'm fine really," Tsuna said shrugging out his jacket. " I was just thinking is all. You helped, thank you."
"Tenth.." Gokudera smiled and Tsuna couldn't help but smile back.
In truth, Gokudera did help, but not in the way he may have thought. Tsuna was more comforted by his friend's presence and loyalty rather than the excessive fuss he made in order to make him "comfortable". But knowing Gokudera, Tsuna was well aware that Gokudera felt he had to go the extra mile for the people he cared about. That enough wasn't ever enough; as a result, Tsuna couldn't possibly bring himself to tell Gokudera to calm down.
Even so, he was grateful for the concern, and not just from Gokudera, but from all of them. Even though they didn't all react with the same obsessive protectiveness that Gokudera had, he could tell from the tension in their bodies and alarm on their faces that they were probably fussing on the inside as well. Tsuna leaned his head back on the seat and closed his eyes just a the car came to a stop.
Tsuna would have taken his time, being that he nearly had an attack on the way here, but a rapid tapping on his window jerked him from his attempt at peace.
He opened the door and smiled at Kyoko, one of the few people who could bring him out of his panics.
" Kyoko, what is it?" he asked, trying to quell any alarm that something had gone wrong. Remember Tsuna,he thought. Kyoko has come to greet you at the car before. Not always, but sometimes. Calm, calm...
" There's a man her to see you, " she said. " I think his name...Cavallone?"
By now, Tsuna's group had left the car and began to stride off in their separate directions, save for Gokudera and Yamamoto. Gokudera stepped forward and said, " Miss Kyoko, forgive me for being rude, but Tenth-"
Tsuna helped up a trembling hand and Gokudera silenced immediately. " Where is he?"
" The parlor," Kyoko said simply, but her eyes scanned Tsuna's expression, taking note of the slight nervousness hidden there. " Tsuna...if you aren't well-"
" I'm fine," he grinned. " I should see him, it wouldn't do to keep him waiting."
Tsuna stepped past Kyoko and the others, feeling the intensity of their stares on his back like fire. Everyone could tell he was lying; even a stranger would be able to tell. Simply in the way he walked, the odd, uneven, quick steps, his clenching and unclenching fists, the slight sheen of sweat glowing on his face.
As he entered his house, his servants could tell he was unease with having an unknown visitor. Tsuna pressed forward anyway; it wasn't that he was so brave and persevering. He knew he was anything but that. But he knew this is what Reborn would have him do.
He came to the door to the parlor and stared at the handle, trying to calm the rapid beating in chest. Briskly, he rubbed his hands down the sides of his pants in an attempt to dry them, but to no avail.
Reborn would have me do this, he thought. I should have me do this.
And on that, he opened the door.
Dino hadn't expected himself to go so far as to visit the Tsunayoshi Sawada's house. Well, really, mansion. The grandeur of the place was shocking, especially for someone so small and frail looking as Tsuna. Dino had a nice look around as he waited for the boy, taking note of the various pictures of his acquaintances around the house. Xanxus and Tsuna, Reborn and Tsuna, Basil and Tsuna, the list went on.
Dino took off his jacket and laid it across the armchair, pacing about a few steps before hearing the door creak open. He glanced over and saw a small figure meekly peer out from behind the protection of the door.
Suddenly, he rushed in, throwing himself into the room and thrusting his hand out. Dino raised his eyebrows at the obviously forced, jerky display, taking note of the sweat stains on the younger man's shirt and his glistening skin in the light.
" Mr. Cavallone," he muttered. " N-nice to see you again."
" The pleasure's mine," Dino replied slowly.
There was a moment's awkward silence between the two, Tsuna not having the guts to ask Dino what he was doing here and Dino not exactly sure how to approach a man that was clearly so nervous.
" Um, Tsuna," he said slowly. " Can I call you that?"
" I don't mind," he replied carefully.
" Alright then, Tsuna," he said sitting down. It felt odd to tower above someone so close to his age. Four years wasn't much of a difference, and Dino couldn't help but wonder if the kid was going to grow anymore. " I'm sorry for visiting so suddenly. But Reborn told me a bit about you and I wanted to meet you for myself."
Nice lie, Dino congratulated himself, but immediately regretted it at seeing all the blood drain form Tsuna's face and the boy stiffen like he were starched clothing. Okay, wrong move.
" Not bad things! Trust me," Dino said quickly. " I just wanted to meet you for myself."
At no response -except for a slight, timid glance- Dino continued, " You know, I was ah...'tutored' by Reborn too. You and I, we're kinda similar."
Dino was shocked at the expression of disbelief and slight irritation that etched itself on Tsuna's face. He'd honestly been thinking he'd get something like a "oh-we're-alike-here-I'll-talk-to-you-and-we-can-be-friends" expression, but that worked too.
" You think us knowing Reborn makes us similar?" Tsuna muttered. " I'm sorry to say it doesn't."
Dino leaned forward and rested his chin in his hand in concentration before saying," I like to think knowing a common person can connect people."
" Knowing the other person connects people," Tsuna replied softly.
Dino smiled and shook his head. Definitely interesting indeed. He rose to his feet and strode over to Tsuna, suddenly aware of how short he was. How tall could he be to Dino near six feet? Maybe just barely 5'2? Dino shook his head clear of the thoughts and proceeded to hold out his hand but eyed him warily as he took back his hand and took off his shoes.
" What're you doing?" Tsuna asked, forgetting his nerves for a split second.
" Getting comfortable," Dino said and sat down on the floor cross-legged. He grinned and patted a spot on the carpet next to him. " Come on."
Tsuna stared at him bewildered and for this first time in his life, was too shocked to even imagine what could possibly go wrong.
" Come on, shoes off and sit kiddo," Dino encouraged. " I don't bite, promise. But don't ask Reborn, he had it coming."
Tsuna couldn't help but smile at that; it sounded like Reborn. The man on his floor, he wasn't so sure. Cautiously, but surely, Tsuna joined him on the floor, matching him in his leisurely style, not taking his eyes off the blonde for a moment. Dino leaned forward, his elbows on his knees and hands clasped between them.
" Allow me to reintroduce myself," he said. " I'm Dino. Just Dino. And you are?"
Fiddling nervously with his thumbs and feeling his cheeks warm up, the younger man of the two replied, " I'm Tsuna. Just Tsuna."
Author's Note: Ahh, I'm so excited to be publishing this! I've had this idea forever now, and D27 is something I ship so hard (though its still second to 5927). Also, I realized that characters like Dino don't really have last names (which sucks), so their family name or something will be fabricated in order to make up for it.
Now, on a slightly serious note, I'm am inexperienced in people who deal with anxiety disorders. I know of no one (that I'm aware of) that has been officially diagnosed with it, and I'm crafting Tsuna's personal experience with it based off of what his personality would be without it. I'm pretty sure its different for everyone like with any mental disorder, and hopefully anything that seems unrealistic can be seen as Tsuna's unique way of coping with it.
However, if that is not the case and Tsuna comes across as just plain shy rather than someone with a disorder, I'll change it, because like I said before, I don't know anyone with anxiety. BUT if anyone feels the need to point out any inaccuracies or things that could be improved, feel free! Especially towards the end.
ANYWHO, I hope you guys really enjoyed the first chapter! I'll try to update as quick as I can!
Alert, Favorite, Review please!