Reborn held the young Vongola Decimo closely to his chest. They were both dripping with sweat that stuck to their bodies, falling in a rhythmic pattern onto the ground below. It was incredibly uncomfortable, needless to say, but Reborn payed no mind to that, just wanting to hold onto him for just a bit longer. The cold night air bit at his fingertips, the burning sensation making it hard for him to concentrate. The dry wind almost knocking his hat off his head. Tsuna shivered and bit down on his dried up lips when another breeze came by, smiling slightly when the Hitman covered him up with his jacket.

"Can you. . .tell me a story?" Tsuna whispered out, his voice hoarse and dry.

Reborn stared down at the boy, sighing and habitually running two fingers along his curly sideburns, "I suppose. I am not what one would call a "story-teller"."

Tsuna let out a small laugh, coughing at the tickling sensation from the back of his throat. "That's okay," he mumbled, staring back up at the hitman with glossy eyes, "I just want to hear a story."

Reborn thought for a moment, running a hand through the teen's messy, tangled hair. "Alright, you just relax and I'll tell you a story." He told the boy, who only hummed in response. Reborn sucked in a deep breath, cringing at the feeling of something wet and hot on the boy's back. He swallowed thickly, pushing the thought down if just for a moment.

"Once upon a time, there was a young high school student with brown locks that stuck out like a sore thumb," he paused for a moment when he heard a stifled giggle, "and eyes that shined brighter than the evening sun."

Tsuna reached for Reborn's hands, leaning his head into the man's chest, "I like this story already."

Reborn hushed the boy in his arms, rocking him slowly back and forth, "The boy was hated by everyone, gaining a nickname that made him feel unwanted. However, the boy was stronger than that. He accepted the persona; made it his own. He still smiled on, as if the façade that was placed upon him didn't truly matter."

Tsuna gave his hand a light squeeze, to let him know that he was still listening. His eyes closed, attentively listening to the soft thrum of the man's heart and his modulated voice that lulled him to an awaiting slumber.

"Then one day, he was met with a stranger. One who made him feel like his whole world was complete. The stranger trained him, taught him, and shared dark secrets with him. The boy returned the favor by giving the stranger his heart."

"He seems like a good person." Tsuna mumbled, his voice distant and weak. Reborn squeezed his hand, rubbing his back in small circles. He told the boy to stay awake, just a bit longer.

"Everyone lashed out at the boy for falling in love with the stranger, but the boy didn't care what they said. The two were polar opposites. Light and dark. Day and night. The boy considered the stranger to be the strongest man to ever live. The stranger showed the boy the meaning of life by giving him a family, one who would protect him and keep him safe from the demons of the night. Then one day. . ." Reborn stopped short, hearing Tsuna's breath fading in and out. It was shallow and slowing down by the second. Reborn rested his chin on top of Tsuna's head, the hairs tickling his cheek.

"Then one day, the boy was hurt while saving the stranger, and the stranger couldn't do anything about it."

Reborn closed his eyes, moving his thumb over to Tsuna's wrist. His heartbeat began to slow down and after a few moments. . .it stopped.

"Goodnight, Tsuna."