Title: Happier

Song: Happier by Ed Sheeran

Pairings: past!R27, C27

Warnings: Possible OOCness, somewhat!AU

Prompt: He wished that sorry had been enough…

It had been a chance meeting, but one that irrevocably changed their lives. They had bonded over a cup of coffee in a quaint café in Sicily. He was a regular customer while he was a foreigner just looking for some good coffee. Reborn could still remember what they had ordered—an espresso for himself and a cappuccino for Tsuna.

They hadn't started anything right away. They first talked over coffee on some days when Reborn didn't have a job to carry out or when Tsuna didn't have a performance to attend. Somehow, they knew when to meet at the same place and the same time. It had been some of the happiest moments in Reborn's life.

But good things never stayed constant for Reborn. That's what relationships were, he had thought. There were bound to be rough patches, but they would still love each other no matter what. Reborn was a romantic at heart. He knew just what to say to ensnare his lovers' hearts and wrap them around his finger. Tsuna was the opposite—he had Reborn wrapped around his finger instead without the brunet knowing. But, being a romantic wasn't enough to salvage their relationship.

"Reborn."

The hitman briefly looked up to see Lal Mirch approach him. He tilted his fedora in a slight greeting before nursing his glass of red wine; it swirled languidly as he shook it gently. His eyes wandered across the crowded bar and settled on a familiar brunet again, who was sitting next to an attractive blond man. It took every bit of strength to not march over there and wrench Tsuna away—back to his arms, where it was much better than in that man's.

There was no use in losing his temper. Reborn took in a deep breath, remembering that he had company. He could easily beat that man in a fight if he wanted to. He just couldn't do it with Tsuna standing so close by (though another part of him purred at the prospect of his dominance bringing the wonderful brunet back to his side).

"You're hopeless," Lal Mirch said, taking a seat across from him. She wore her standard brown instructor uniform with a matching hat, impeccable and beautiful as always.

Reborn didn't refuse her company. The stubborn woman wouldn't have listened anyway, but he was a little surprised she would approach him after what had happened. He knew why she was here though.

"Save the lecture, Lal," he said tersely. "I don't need it."

Lal Mirch didn't waver. Her strength was one of her admirable traits (and an annoying one). "I'm here as a friend, Reborn."

The hitman raised a brow. "That's not what you said before."

Lal Mirch scowled. "Cut the crap, Reborn. You know what you did was unforgivable. Tsuna was too nice to you. If I were him, I would've done so much more than moving out." Her eyes darkened. "I would've watched you burn."

"Thank you for your sentiments," Reborn said dryly, sipping some wine. "If that's all, you can leave."

"No, you don't understand. You don't know how pathetic you look. We're not blind, Reborn."

The hitman narrowed his eyes. As much as he was a gentleman, he was also a hitman, the strongest hitman in the world, and he wouldn't hesitate to beat those testing his patience. Besides, Lal Mirch had been a decent sparring partner once.

"I'm not fond of beating women," Reborn said. "But I'll make an exception."

Lal Mirch smirked, amused at his ire, which only annoyed Reborn further. The other problem was that she wasn't like most other women. She could take whatever he threw at her and still stand proud at the end. "Oh, I know. Couldn't you make an exception before? I'm sure it would've saved you all this trouble."

"Don't test me."

Leon licked his cheek to calm his anger but was largely ignored. The blue-haired woman just regarded Reborn calmly, crossing her arms across her chest. "I told you, Reborn. We're not blind, but you are. Leave Tsuna alone. He's happier now."

Reborn glared. "He was happier with me."

The hitman could never bring himself to forget Tsuna's warm smiles, how accepting and kind he was despite Reborn's bloody profession and flaws. Everything around him reminded him of Tsuna—the streetlights, the homes, the flowers, the sky. Reborn thought he was just being paranoid. A small part of him told him to just let it go, let him go, but Reborn couldn't. He didn't want to.

Lal Mirch's eyes became a touch sympathetic, which didn't make Reborn feel any better. It made him feel worse. "Maybe he was at some point, but you fucked it up."

The hitman clenched his glass, his knuckles turning white. Tsuna's heartbroken face lingered in his mind, and Reborn had knew instantly that there was no going back. If he had just…thought more logically when he handled Bianchi, this wouldn't have happened. He and the female hitman had met by chance on a mission. They only exchanged a few words, but it was clear she was enamored with him, like most women. But he had Tsuna, and Tsuna was everything.

Then Bianchi appeared wherever he was, sometimes when Reborn and Tsuna were on their dates. She never confronted him—she'd be an idiot to—and just waited for Reborn to notice and come to her instead. He shouldn't have given her that satisfaction, but he was pissed at that point. He had confronted her privately and even threatened her until she unexpectedly pulled him into a kiss. The bitch had known Tsuna was there.

"I know." Reborn couldn't stop himself from saying.

Lal Mirch sighed. "Just—I get it, Reborn. We know that it wasn't your fault the first time around." She scowled. "But you just caved the next time. Willingly."

"I know."

"Tsuna's happier now, Reborn."

That was the most difficult thing to accept—that Tsuna looked happier now. Reborn glanced at the pair again. Tsuna was smiling twice as wide than he ever did with him; the blond man—Colonello, Reborn thought his name with spite—leaned in close and whispered something in Tsuna's ear. Reborn could hear the brunet's warm laughter from the bar. Tsuna was happier, and that just pained him even more—that there were others who deserved the kind man more than he did. How could Reborn be happy himself by denying Tsuna the happiness he deserved? Is it worth it, Reborn thought petulantly, to leave me miserable?

"You'll learn to accept it one day," Lal Mirch suddenly said, uncharacteristically gentle. "Maybe you won't, but you'll get used to it. Colonello's a good kid, and he's good to Tsuna. He loves him."

"I love him too," Reborn said, his voice slightly strained.

"I know. That's why—if you really love him—you have to let Tsuna go."

Reborn glared at the woman, but couldn't find himself to say anything in response. This was already a losing battle and he was definitively the loser, no matter how much he despised it. He wasn't sure if he hated the title or the fact that he got caught. It could go both ways.

Before he could speak, a loud, cheerful voice suddenly said, "Hey, Lal! Wanna go for another round of pool, kora?"

Lal Mirch rolled her eyes at the approaching blond man. "You're just going to lose again."

Colonello pouted. "No, I won't. Not this time!" He finally noticed Reborn's presence and tilted his head questioningly. "Is he your friend, kora?"

Reborn didn't even bother to acknowledge the loud man's presence. He was staring at Tsuna, who looked a bit lost in this unexpected predicament. He was so close, Reborn thought, just take him. But he couldn't. He wasn't allowed to, he reasoned. Not if he didn't want Tsuna to be happy, and he wanted him to be happy.

So, the hitman just smiled charmingly and nodded. He raised his glass in greeting, resisted the urge to smash it to pieces and slit the man's throat. "Chaos. I'm Reborn."

Lal Mirch glanced between the three of them but didn't say anything when Colonello stuck out his hand.

"I'm Colonello," he said. "I'm Lal's best student, kora!"

He cried out in pain when the woman smacked his head.

"Best student, my ass!" Lal Mirch said. "I know it was you who flooded the bathrooms last week! What are you, a child?"

Colonello instantly hugged Tsuna, who only laughed and patted the man's arm comfortingly. Reborn wanted to force them apart and take Tsuna away for himself. "Tsuna, save me, kora!"

"Colonello, I told you it was a bad idea," Tsuna said. "Lal Mirch would find out soon enough."

His voice was…painful to hear, Reborn thought, his mind flooding with old memories.

"You knew, Tsuna?"

Tsuna tensed slightly. "Ah, well, I knew after he did it, Lal Mirch. Not before."

Lal Mirch stared at him unnervingly before standing up. "I hope you have more money on you, Colonello. Tsuna's life is on the line for this one."

"Wait, what?" Colonello said incredulously. "What do you mean, kora?"

"If you win, I won't subject him to our training," Lal Mirch said with a playful smirk. "If I win, I can do whatever I want to make him suffer, including you."

"Lal Mirch, how could you," Tsuna said, his lips quivering slightly.

Reborn had to hide a small smile behind his glass when Lal Mirch faltered. No one was immune to Tsuna's adorable pout and puppy-dog eyes, and the brunet wasn't oblivious to the fact. He milked it for what it was worth.

"If it's with Tsuna, I wouldn't mind as much, kora," Colonello said, shrugging.

Tsuna looked at him with wide eyes. "Colonello!"

The blond grinned cheekily. "I was just kidding, kora! Don't worry, Tsuna!" He leaned down to whisper, "I know you're strong, but I don't think I can watch you suffer through Lal's training, kora. It's hell, kora." He looked up and pointed at one of the empty pool tables. "Let's go, Lal! Come on, Tsuna, kora!"

Lal Mirch glanced at Reborn before she was dragged away by the eager blond man. When Tsuna turned to leave, Reborn couldn't help but call out, "Tsuna."

The brunet paused. Reborn's heart fluttered when he looked at the hitman. He was still just as beautiful and lovely as Reborn had remembered.

"Reborn," Tsuna said quietly.

They stayed like that for a while. The chattering and laughter in the bar were drowned out by the silence between them. Reborn wished he could hold onto it forever.

"Are you…" Reborn couldn't say it. No, he wouldn't admit defeat, he thought stubbornly. But, it was a losing battle. He saw how Tsuna looked at Colonello, how the other looked at him, how they seemed perfect for each other. There was nothing he could do.

Bless Tsuna's utterly kind soul. He smiled so gently, so kindly, that Reborn had to remember to breathe again. If only he could smile like that at him every day like he used to…

"I'm happy, Reborn," he said. "Thank you for asking. And, how are you?"

"I'm fine."

Tsuna didn't look convinced, and Reborn desperately wanted him to ask more, to pry, to worry. Come back, a part of him whispered. I'm sorry.

Tsuna's smile strained a bit. "I'm glad."

Reborn sipped some more wine to mask his frustration. It was useless. What was he trying to do anyway? There was no chance for him.

"Tsuna, look, kora!" Colonello yelled from across the bar. "I'm winning!"

"Shut up and focus on the game, you idiot!" Lal Mirch said, smacking his head.

Tsuna laughed, then stopped as if realizing Reborn was still there. He chewed on his lower lip, a nervous habit.

"You can go," Reborn said.

Tsuna hesitated before nodding.

"Will I see you again?" Reborn asked suddenly, mentally wincing at how pathetic he sounded.

Tsuna stared at him, several emotions passing in his warm brown eyes. He was like an open book, but there were times when Tsuna could truly surprise him. Reborn couldn't bring himself to decipher what he was feeling. He was…too tired now.

"If you want," Tsuna said slowly, snapping Reborn out of his thoughts. "I can't really hide from the greatest hitman in the world, can I?" He took in a deep breath. "I love Colonello." He looked at Reborn with a small smile. "But I loved you, too, Reborn. I…miss what we had before—before everything that happened."

"I know," Reborn said quietly.

He tensed when a pair of soft lips kissed him on the cheek. His eyes widened when he registered what Tsuna had done. It took every ounce of muscle to restrain himself from pulling him back and never letting him go again.

Tsuna smiled with a hint of sadness. "I hope you can be happy again, Reborn. Remember not to overwork yourself. It's not good for you. You deserve some happiness, too."

He then left as quietly as he came in Reborn's life. His sweet scent lingered before it slowly disappeared.

Reborn left his wine untouched for the rest of the night and dissolved back into the shadows. Tsuna's gentle kiss replayed in his mind over and over. He could still feel the brunet's lips on his cheek. He didn't think too much into it; there was no point. It was Tsuna's way of letting him go.

Tsuna moved on, Reborn thought in a daze. He loved someone else. He loved Colonello. There was nothing more the hitman could do.

A small part of him hoped that Colonello fucked up in the end like he did, because if there was something he could do, it was being there for Tsuna when he needed him. Reborn could wait, and he'd wait forever if he had to. He had only ever been happier with Tsuna in his life.

Reborn just couldn't bring himself let him go in the end. What a pathetic, utterly hopeless romantic, he thought with a bitter smile.

A/N I hope this came out okay, haha. Poor Reborn, haha. Ed Sheeran is also great. Definitely recommend checking out his music if you haven't already! The title of the one-shot is basically just the song title because I'm hopelessly unoriginal.

Leave a thought or request if you want! You can leave a prompt, a specific pairing, a random song, anything really, haha.

I hope to see you again in the next chapter.

Have a lovely day~

Little Miss Bunny