Katekyo Hitman Reborn! belongs to Akira Amano. I am not profiting in any way from this.
I apologize for any mistakes.
Also, by the way. Verde in this fic is not shy. He has social anxiety disorder. It causes a lot of problems for him. The alternative title for this is "Verde the Anxious." But other than that, thank you everyone so much for the review, follows, and favorites. One of the guests left a very interesting review regarding Verde and Squalo, if anyone wants to check that out.
(Chapter 1.5 is just an extra bit that didn't really fit in anywhere.)
Chapter 1.5: With Luce
Being the boss of a mafia famiglia. Well, you see some shit. It's not pretty. No matter how nice and kind and pleasing a person, if they're mafia, they've seen shit and probably done shit, too. That's how it is.
And Luce. Man. She really seen some shit. Like, future shit. Insane, right?
It should be said that seeing a vision with some supernatural ability is different from seeing in person.
Luce was dreading that meeting. Especially since she saw a civilian child involved in this mess. She thought she could handle it but seeing that still maturing face, she thought she was going to cry right there. But as a mafia boss, she's better than that. So she stayed strong. If not for herself, for the child and everyone else. Even if they don't harmonize, she is a Sky nonetheless.
What her vision failed to tell her was Verde's inability to socialize like a normal human being. And his tardiness.
Waiting for Verde was uncomfortable. Discomfort generally manifests like a plague when seven strangers are told to meet but one is missing so they hold off the introduction and end up sitting in awkward silence for forty-seven minutes.
Luce's not a bad person. Really. So when someone came through the door at last, her natural reaction was to get up and worry. She didn't actually get up but she did worry. That person, who she recognized as the one they were waiting for, was sweating a lot with a pained expression, clutching at the heart.
And when questioned his tardiness, answered with 'my heart was in pain,' some alarm bells started ringing. First an unrelated child, and now an ailing man? This generation of the Arcobaleno might cause more problems than solve them.
During introductions, Verde seemed comfortable just listening and not saying more than necessary.
(In truth, 'comfortable' would be the furthest thing from this poor soul. Verde would rather be browsing the gardening section of a store to pick out the best shovel to dig his grave with. He was even thinking of all the ways an alien spaceship could land two meters behind him and cause a commotion he could use to run away.)
When asked about what he does, his response was… unsettling. Yup. Human experiments aren't exactly common but they do happen. And the kind that execute them should be kept at a distance. They are dangerous people. It wasn't very pleasant being associated as someone like that.
But Luce knew what her duty was. She'd stick with it. Even if it meant breathing in the same room as Verde.
Chapter 2: Please Clear Some Misunderstandings
Awkward, tense silences seem to be some sort of running joke in this group and it's only been like, an hour since they met. After Verde's very helpful input, the temperature seemed to have dropped a Celsius with everyone scooting one and a half centimeter away from him. That, as you may have guessed by now, sent some distress signals through Verde.
'Maybe I'm not supposed to joke. I must've missed some information. I'm out of the loop. I wish that Checkers guy told me more. I shouldn't have come here. I want to leave but if I leave now, everyone will look at me and think, "Wow, that Verde is such a jerk. Doesn't even want to get to know us better. Thinks he's worthy enough to just leave. What a snob, that Verde."'
While he was going through monologues in his head, everyone decided it'd be best to ignore him for the moment and carry on like relatively normal people.
"Hey, kid. You sure you're supposed to be here?" Lal asked Skull.
Skull looked at her for a short moment. How was he supposed to know? Maybe the client made a mistake, who knows. But whatever it is, it's not his fault.
"Yeah, I am. I got the same invitation as you!"
"Hah! You're just some noisy kid," Reborn the ass joined the conversation. "You know, since you're obviously the weakest out of us, you can be our personal servant. A lackey!"
Now, Skull may in fact be the weakest in the group and also of civilian background, but that was no reason to treat him like he was beneath them. It must count as something to be at least the seventh strongest in the entire human population, right? It seems Reborn did not get that memo. Neither did much of the others it seems.
"Get me espresso, lackey. Surely, even you can manage that much." Hoo boy. He sure grates on Skull's nerves. Just when he was about to protest, everyone suddenly thought Skull the lackey was a wonderful idea.
"Get me water while you're at it," Viper was quickly becoming 'ass the second.'
"Hey, wait-" Skull's protests went unheard.
"Ah, if it's not too much trouble, could you get some tea?" Luce is a pregnant woman. She's excused.
"You can just call the service people-" It's Interrupt Skull Day.
"Can you get an extra tea cup for me?" Fon. Are you meaning to take up the title of 'ass the third?'
"Water." Something about Lal just makes you want to obey her every commands. Probably because she's a leader. And her glare. She could probably kill a man just by looking at him.
Back to Verde. Not that he did much during this conversation. He wasn't even listening that closely and when Skull glanced toward his direction with an almost expectant look, Verde regretted not listening as closely. Such is his life.
Think, Verde! Skull probably wants to know if you want something to eat and/or drink. You can't possibly impose yourself on him like this. But this is an opportunity to escape for a little moment.
Now, politely decline.
"I don't want anything from you." Verde, you fool. The boy looks like you offended him and his eight generations of livestock ranching. Quickly, rectify your mistake.
"I'll get it myself." Good enough.
Not good. Not good at all.
You've failed to take into consideration the awkward ride on the elevator with Skull. Should've taken the stairs. Admittedly, it wouldn't have been as awkward if Skull wasn't constantly peeking at Verde from the corner of his eyes and the fact the elevator had mirrors on three sides. Verde could only curse (in his head) the meeting place being on the thirteenth floor. How lucky.
'How unlucky,' thought Skull. Not only was he a designated lackey, he was also stuck in one of the most awkward places with The Immoral CreepTM.
"It's not that I really want to, but I could've gotten whatever for you. You know, since I'm already going down anyway." You go, Skull. Make small talk. Mr. I-used-to-cut-people-apart doesn't seem to mind too much.
When no answer came, Skull just kept on going. Anything to fill the empty air.
"I don't get why they're treating me like this. I'm the greatest stuntman, you know? I'm really good at what I do. I really am. Just because I can't shoot a fly from like, a mile away doesn't mean I'm inferior." Yes, keep talking. Just keep-
Just then, a sharp breath of intake froze Skull mid sentence. Shit. He done goofed. Mr. I-use-people-like-lab-rats-most-likely-without-their-consent is going to-
"They might've asked you to get their drinks because you are a civilian and as a civilian the probability of you spiking their drinks with something dangerous is unlikely. It might do you well if you watch their drinks being prepared closely. Just in case."
Verde, why would you do this? How far do you want to dig? You interrupted him. Bow your head in shame and think about what you've done.
It wasn't that Skull was bothered by the interruption itself. It was more that Verde had word vomited something really quickly in one breath and Skull needed a moment to process what was just said.
"Oh. Well. I guess that makes sense." It did. But that doesn't mean Skull has to like playing fetch-my-grade-A-espresso.
While Verde was reflecting on his rude behavior, he remembered something important. He left the Bunsen burner on before he left. Heck. He can see the headlines already. 'Careless loner sets entire private laboratory and surrounding area on fire. Causes massive irrevocable damage to local wildlife and settlements.' More than a lifetime supply of embarrassment (and damage).
As the elevator reached the first floor, Verde possibly made the bravest decision that day. Also probably the least thought out decision, considering his mind was more focused on accidentally creating another doorway to hell on Earth.
A decision to be the first one to leave.
"I have to go." Yes, clear and precise.
"Huh? Already? It hasn't been that long," Skull hesitantly answered. It's not like he wants Verde around but he's not going to be rude to his face. Don't you know what happens to people who are rude to werido creepo murderers? They go missing. Happens all the time. In scripts.
Verde, it's just like before. Say the reason why and he will- they all will understand.
"Hellfire."
A short glimpse into Verde's mind at that moment:
'-AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-'
And there he goes, speed walking out of there, no longer able to stand making an even bigger fool out of himself.
Skull could do nothing more than watch. And then promptly get back to lackey-duty.
When Skull came back with all the drinks, it was Viper, suspicious of Verde's lack of information, who asked about him.
"Where is Verde?"
"I think he left."
"Why?"
"Uhh, he said 'Hellfire' and left. Looked like he was in a hurry." That certainly got everyone's attention. What does that mean? Hellfire? And what's the rush?
"Haha, maybe the building's gonna blow or something," Skull joked.
It was a joke.
The first meeting of the Strongest Seven ended with the evacuation of the entire building and everyone within a two mile radius.
