The Truth Behind the Smile

by Wings-of-Icarus

Yamamoto Takeshi is thought to be a lot of things. A dense, dim, baseball freak, for one. But in reality, it isn't all that true. But he'll never tell them that, and he'll just keep smiling for their sake. Slight 2759 connected to Prayer and hinted 6918

Yamamoto Takeshi is not as dense as people may think. In fact, he's really quite perceptive. He sees more than he should sometimes. He sees the fond smiles Tsuna gives Gokudera, and how the latter plays piano every time his boss leaves. He sees the glances that Hibari and Mukuro throw at each other when they think the other isn't looking- and if their eyes meet, they quickly turn away, slight flush on their cheeks.

He sees how Reborn is so melancholy sometimes, watching Lambo; observing the Bovino grow in slight envy while his remains the same. He sees the way Ken and Chikusa instinctively take a stance to protect Chrome when she's in danger, even though she is now capable of protecting herself. And he sees the girls sharing a secret smile when I-Pin and Lambo banter.

Yes, he sees a lot of things. But some things are best left to progress on their own, so he keeps silent, only intervening when necessary. A laugh, a smile to ease the strain of the atmosphere when Hibari and Mukuro clash, though he thinks it's because of sexual tension. A gentle touch or an arm slung comfortingly around Gokudera's shoulders when Tsuna is late in getting back from a task. Just the little things. And no one suspects, because he's the slow-witted baseball freak, and he is content to be seen as such.

The only people who truly see the other side of his nature, the one masked by the smiles and carefree comments, are, perhaps, those he kills. There is one moment, he notices, when his face in all its seriousness is reflected in his enemy's eyes. It is almost frightening to him, and it's relieving when he slips back into the old routine of smiles and laughter.

It isn't just for himself though; the main reason why he smiles is for his family. Getting sucked deeper and deeper into the dark world of the mafia, it gets increasingly harder for Tsuna to laugh, for Gokudera to show that relaxed but slightly crooked smile, for Haru and Kyoko to grin.

He knows his simplicity and smile is their salvation. He is constant, he is reliable and he is friendly. He is the rain that washes away all the troubles of the family. So for now, he'll just keep smiling and watching and wear that mask for their sake.

And he'll smile enough for all of them.