Warnings: Fluff. Ridiculous amount of fluff. These two idiots needed some loving after all the shitty things we've put them through, lol.

Also, next update we're back to D18. Not the origin story, but the continuation of this verse. Look forward to it, because a certain horse is finally coming home to his skylark. ;)

The Little Things

Life went on.

It was strange at first, going back to school after everything that had happened. It seemed surreal. It felt like so much time had passed; too much had happened. School seemed so inconsequential in the grand scheme of things. Gokudera had almost forgotten that this was how life used to be. The reality of their place in the mafia world seemed to fade away, becoming a shadow again instead of a looming threat.

Still, perhaps the strangest thing of it all for Gokudera was getting up in the morning without Tsuna at his side. It was disorienting. Gokudera felt as if he should feel more guilty, more somber. Instead, all he could think about was how empty his bed was. His first thought everything morning was, I wonder how he's doing. It was a habit that was becoming increasingly harder to quit.

They fell back into routine. As usual, Gokudera went to pick up Tsuna at his house before heading off to school. The first day back, he met Yamamoto in the usual crossway, and without saying a word, the two of them looked at each other for a long moment. Then, Yamamoto's quiet expression melted into a smile—it looked a little older, the scar on his chin a distinctive reminder of what they'd all been through; but when he waved at him with that usual careless tilt of his head, Gokudera felt something in his chest ease and knew Yamamoto felt it too.

When the three of them arrived to school, none of them were surprised to spot Ryohei and Hibari around. Though none of them had discussed it beforehand, they were all drawn back to Namimori at the same time. The more Gokudera thought about it, the more he realized that this is what it felt like to come home. They were all together, safe, alive.

Being back in class was boring as hell though. Gokudera spaced out as usual and found it hard to stay still. He observed his classmates a lot at first. Watching them gave him an initial sense of detachment. None of them knew what they'd been through. None of them would ever know. Their lives seemed so superficial, so simple. But the more he watched them, the more a sense of longing ached in his chest. Tsuna seemed to be handling things better. The conversation with Dino and Reborn-san seemed to have lit a fire of determination in him. Nevertheless, Gokudera still occasionally caught the haunted look that kept crossing his boss' face and wished he could do something to push it away. If he could give Tsuna that sense of normality again, even for one moment...

Gokudera thought long and hard about what he could do.

The idea came to him suddenly. It was as they parted ways with Yamamoto, as Gokudera reached over to slip Tsuna's hand into his own, that it occurred to him that they hadn't gone out on a date yet. That was what couples were supposed to do, right? Gokudera had never gone out on a date before, and now that the thought had come to him, a rising sense of panic began to rapidly spread inside of him.

Had the Tenth been expecting him to bring it up? Was Tsuna disappointed that they hadn't gone on one yet?

Gokudera felt awful, guilty, and panicked all at once. He needed to rectify this situation immediately. His grip on the other's hand tightened absently as his mind rushed to figure out what he should do. He needed to research this. This had to be perfect. He considered asking Shamal for advice briefly, but he dismissed the thought as quickly as it came. He couldn't depend on that perverted quack. He had to figure this out on his own.

Tsuna's fingers tightened around Gokudera's hand. It was an anchor after everything that happened. He was an anchor. The day had been a rush of reminders fighting against the normality he tried to grasp. Yamamoto's scar, the cast on Hibari's wrist, and the undeniable weight of the Vongola ring on his finger. He fought the urge to rip it off but he knew it would be more trouble if he did.

But Gokudera being there was a bit of a blessing. When people weren't looking, they'd share hidden touches, their fingers brushing up against each other. Tsuna felt bad for keeping it a secret. He felt guilty for not saying it out loud. But it seemed like both of them had the same thing in mind and they didn't need to talk about it. So that, at least, was a calming factor.

However, the day was over and they were heading home. His chest tightened.

"So." Tsuna broke the silence between them and glanced up at him. "How's... your job?"

It took a second for Gokudera to register the question. And when he did, his forehead briefly creased in confusion. Job…?

Gokudera's eyes suddenly widened and he nearly groaned aloud as he realized he had forgotten about his part-time job with everything that had happened. The silver-haired teen bit his lip and winced slightly. "About that… I haven't checked in with them in a while," he said in a guilty tone. "I ought to check up with them, I guess…" he muttered. His tone wasn't too hopeful. He had a feeling that he'd probably been fired. He was going to go find a new job soon. Never mind his rent, how was he supposed to take Tsuna out on a date when he was broke!?

"Ah..." Tsuna felt guilt cross his chest and he looked down at the floor as they walked. If it wasn't for him and the Vongola...

"Well, well, well! Don't ya two look 'dorable!"

Tsuna felt a chill run down his spine at the familiar voice and turned to look at the source. There was a takoyaki stand now standing where just that morning it had been an empty street corner. And standing at the counter was none other than Reborn. He was wearing a bald cap and an apron. But it was definitely him.

"We're havin' a special t'day!" he continued, waving his arms in grand gestures. "A Love Love special wher couples eat free! C'mon down!"

What is he doing?! And what is with that accent?! Tsuna felt the color drain from his face.

Gokudera, on the other hand, felt his face go pink in excitement at their luck. This was perfect! "T-Tsuna!" Gokudera turned to look at the brunette, beaming. "How about it? Are you hungry?" he asked eagerly.

Tsuna looked at Gokudera, a rush of disbelief crossing his face. How can you not see it?! This is so shady! Tsuna opened his mouth to say something when he saw the illuminating expression on Gokudera's face. "I..." He felt the protest die in his chest as he looked over at the safe looking takoyaki. "I'm pretty hungry, yeah," Tsuna said after much deliberation.

Gokudera's entire face lit up at the brunette's acquiescence. "Great!" He tightened his hold on the others hand and pulled him alone as he approached the stand with a bounce on his step. The takoyaki looked delicious. The guy cooking it was obviously an expert. Gokudera still couldn't get over their good fortune. "Old man, we'll take one of your specials!" he declared with an excited grin and a nod.

Tsuna resisted the urge to cover his face and run.

"Ah!" Reborn looked them over. "Ya two love birds are hungry, eh?" He nodded in approval and promptly plated two skewers of takoyaki. As he was pouring the sauce, Tsuna could have sworn he saw Reborn's apron blink and he knew he had found where Leon was hiding.

"Awright." Reborn faced them with a twinkle in his eye. "Now if ya want these, ya gotta do somfin special."

I knew there was a catch! Tsuna felt the panic rising in his throat.

A flicker of concern crossed Gokudera's face, but it was quickly squashed away by his rising determination. Though he would've snarled in annoyance at another point, this was for Tsuna. He couldn't complain. "Alright, then!" Gokudera gripped Tsuna's hand and raised his chin up challengingly. "What do we have to do?" he asked.

Tsuna felt panic grip him and he grabbed Gokudera's arm. "You don't have to-"

"The challenge's simple!" Reborn grabbed a skewer and pointed it directly at Gokudera. "You hafta move me ta tears with a declaration of your undyin' love!"

"You really don't have to do this." Tsuna seemed almost desperate, glancing around at the couple people who had stopped at the commotion.

Gokudera was undaunted. In fact, he looked utterly pleased by the challenge. "Hah! That's easy! You just sit there and watch, old man! I'll bring you to tears in no time!" he declared.

Gokudera turned to look at Tsuna. He was so completely into his task that he paid no attention to the brunette's wide-eyed expression.

He clutched both of the other's hands into his own and held them. Then, after taking a deep breath, Gokudera began his declaration of love in a rather fervent tone. "Tsuna," he said in a strong voice as he looked straight into the other's eyes, "I'm sure you already know this, but there's no one in this world that I love as much as you. You're the light of my life. I don't know what I would do without you. If I could spend the rest of my life at your side, I would die happily." Gokudera tightened his hold on the other and felt his heart skip a beat. He continued. "I love you! I always have and I always will! Please, don't ever doubt that!" he said with a tone of finality.

Tsuna's eyes widened as Gokudera began his speech. His face reddened with a combination of embarrassment at the fact that Reborn was even making them do this and disbelief that Gokudera couldn't actually see it was him. He stammered several times, not knowing what he wanted to say or if he should even say anything at all. However, he was saved from this struggle when Reborn spoke up instead.

"Eh. That was alright, I guess." Reborn shrugged. "Go on, you can take the takoyaki anyway."

So mean! Tsuna's red face paled once more. What was Reborn even playing at?

"H-Hah?!" Gokudera let go of Tsuna's hands and turned to look at the old man with a startled expression. "What do you mean that was alright?!" Gokudera's eyes narrowed. "That won't do. We won't accept the takoyaki until I can bring you to tears!" he declared.

Tsuna's eyes widened and he quickly grabbed Gokudera's hands again. "Please! I-It's okay! Let's just take the takoyaki and go!" He swallowed and looked hopefully at his ever rash boyfriend. "Just ignore him... Hayato," he pleaded softly.

"B-But...!" Gokudera was about to protest, but the sound of his name was still a rare treat to hear, especially as they were trying to be discreet at school. The look on those brown pleading eyes also melted away his determination. He caved in.

"Alright. If you're sure..."

Tsuna held back a sigh of relief. They weren't out of the woods yet. "Yes, I'm sure." He walked over and grabbed the takoyaki from the counter before taking Gokudera's hand again in order to lead him away.

"Ah, boooooriiiinng," Reborn called after them with a hint of a smirk.

Gokudera twitched.

Tsuna tightened his hold. "Come on," he urged and pulled Gokudera away from the stand. He could only breathe when they rounded the corner and he let out a heavy sigh. That was far too close. At least they had gotten food out of it. He looked down at the takoyaki and felt the embarrassment rising again. The sauce had been poured on the food in small hearts and if Tsuna's hands weren't full he would have hidden his face.

Dammit, Reborn!

Though Gokudera was still annoyed by the old man, he swallowed down his irritation and let out a sigh of his own. Tsuna was a calming presence, so Gokudera was able to relax now that they were alone. Still, he couldn't resist letting out one last complaint.

"Tch, stupid old man..." he muttered under this breath. Finally, he glanced down at the takoyaki. Upon taking note of the heart designs that had been drawn with the sauce, Gokudera's eyes widened. Getting this had been worth the trouble. He felt a smile emerge.

"This looks great! We should eat it before it gets cold!" he said eagerly. He reached over and pierced through the thin flesh of the takoyaki with the bamboo stick it had been served with and held it out in front of the other's mouth expectantly.

"Here!"

Tsuna blinked and stared at the food being offered to him. His face flushed but at least Reborn wasn't watching anymore. Gokudera was too excitable sometimes. Regardless, Tsuna opened his mouth and bit the takoyaki off the skewer.

... He had to hand it to Reborn. It tasted really good, despite the embarrassing hearts. Tsuna finished swallowing down the warm treat before taking the skewer from Gokudera's hand. "Alright then. Your turn." He poked the ball and held it in front of the other's mouth. It felt so surreal. How many fantasies had he had about girls feeding him like this? He had never thought that Gokudera would ever be the one he'd actually do it with.

Gokudera hesitated for a moment before leaning forward. He bit into the offered treat with gusto. The warm takoyaki practically melted in his mouth. A noise of contentment escaped him.

"It's good!" he said. A proud grin crossed his face at the fact. He felt happy he had been able to do at least this much for the brunette. Tsuna looked content. The usual creases on his forehead were nowhere to be seen, and his lips were tilted into a small, shy smile. Gokudera's eyes focused on that smile. There was a dash of sauce sitting at the corner of the other' slips and Gokudera suddenly felt overcome with the need to lean forward and lick it away. At the very least, he wished he could reach over and press his thumb against the corner of the other's lips, but they were out in public and Gokudera's stomach was fluttering nervously.

A slight blush crawled up his cheeks and he glanced away.

"You have... sauce on your lips," he ended up murmuring quietly to the other.

"Huh?" Tsuna blinked and licked his lips, completely missing the spot. "Is it gone?"

Gokudera shook his head. His eyes darted around briefly, and after biting his lip, he gave in to his urge and reached over. There weren't too many people around after all. "Here, let me," he said as he moved to swipe away the sauce with his thumb. He meant to do this quickly. His stomach was still somersaulting nervously. But the moment his thumb grazed over Tsuna's skin, Gokudera's hand froze in its place.

Time seemed to stop still. Gokudera gazed down at Tsuna and felt warmth burst in his chest. Not for the first time, the silver-haired teen wondered how all of this could possibly be real. How could someone like Tsuna care so much about him? How could he have gotten so lucky as to have met him? Gokudera has been lost for so long, and… Tsuna had saved him.

Being able to be at his side, being able to love him… The weight of this privilege was something Gokudera never forgot, but at this moment, as he stared down at Tsuna's expression, the silver-haired teen couldn't help but to smile.

The pressure of Gokudera's thumb at his lips made Tsuna flush. He looked at the other's smile and his heart threatened to break right out of his ribs. It was pounding too hard and the world was practically spinning.

Why him? Why did Gokudera look at him like that? It seemed surreal. He was never worth much but every time Gokudera looked at him, he felt important. Wanted. It was a strange feeling. Something he needed to get used to. Tsuna pursed his lips a bit, barely kissing Gokudera's thumb. It was so slight it could have easily been mistaken for a twitch.

He turned his head away, his face flushed redder than Gokudera's flames. "Let's, um... Let's finish eating, okay...?"

Gokudera's thumb felt warm and his heart felt as light as a feather. Tsuna's cute expression filled him with unbearable happiness. His smile softened.

"Ahn," he said, making a small noise of agreement, and they moved to do just that.

The walk home went by undisturbed. They took their time, walking slowly. Gokudera held on to Tsuna's hand tightly, unable to hold back his need to feel closer to the other. He didn't want to let go. He didn't want to part ways. The approaching sight of Tsuna's house in the distance was disheartening. He didn't want this day to end, not yet.

Neither did Tsuna. The approaching house seemed like a sort of countdown. He walked close to Gokudera, finding comfort in the warmth in his palm and against his shoulder when they bumped occasionally as they walked. But the countdown was getting closer to zero and Tsuna felt as if he should say or do something.

"Um." Tsuna chewed on his lip the syllable escaped his mouth. He didn't know what to say but now he'd brought attention to himself. He had to say something.

"The... Homework... Sure looked really difficult today..." he murmured meekly, staring down at his feet.

The abrupt statement took Gokudera by surprise. He glanced at Tsuna for a second and felt his heart flutter as he took in his boyfriend's embarrassed expression, understanding the reasons behind it. His lips twitched into a smile as he squeezed Tsuna's hand. "I can help, if you don't mind!"

Gokudera had done most of the work during school and had planned on finishing the last of it during Yamamoto's baseball practice, but they both ended up being too focused on their friend to pay attention to schoolwork. He was glad for that now. It gave him the opportunity to continue being with the brunette.

Tsuna felt relief loosening the knot in his chest. He smiled and looked at his boyfriend, holding his hand a bit tighter. "Yeah. I'd really like that."

"Yeah?"

The two of them were now standing in front of the gate of Tsuna's house. Gokudera looked down at the shorter brunette and felt warm. He was glad he would be able to spend more time with the other. They haven't really had the chance to be with each other since Tsuna had left his house, and while today had been nice, Gokudera didn't want them to part just yet. The warmth in his chest expanded at the thought of finally being alone with the brunette, with no one to interrupt them. Gokudera had restrained himself until now, but the urge to hold the other tight in his arms, to kiss him, was beginning to overwhelm him, especially now as the two of them stood here. He felt the temptation to close the distance between them right now grow stronger, but-

"PWHAHAHA! WHAT'S WITH THOSE DUMB LOOKS ON YOUR FACES?"

Without warning, Lambo's obnoxious voice interrupted them. Gokudera's spine straightened up and his head snapped to the side. He spotted Lambo immediately.

"Hyahahaha! Were you gonna kiss? Were ya?" Lambo began making kissy faces at them from the ledge of the gateway, pointing at them.

Gokudera's face went scarlet with embarrassment. "Shut up, you dumb cow!" he snapped.

"L-Lambo!" Tsuna shouted incredulously, his face horribly red and his hand pulling instantly away from Gokudera's. The urge he'd been feeling that warmed his chest was now burning on his face. He could barely think with the embarrassment so prominent in his mind. "Go back inside! Or I won't play video games with you later!"

"Hahaha! Lambo-san's gonna tell! I'm gonna tell Mama and Bianchi and even that stupid Reborn!" Lambo declared meanly, paying no attention to Tsuna's threats. The mischievous look on his face was ominous. "Tsuna's making kissy faces with Stupidera- eep!"

"Tch! Stay still, you stupid brat!" Gokudera growled as he made another swipe at him.

Lambo stuck his tongue out at him before running off towards the house. "I'M TELLING!" he screeched as he disappeared past the door.

Tsuna felt a routine exasperation overwhelm his embarrassment as he watched Gokudera chase Lambo into the house, yelling the whole way.

But he felt relieved. Spending time with Gokudera, watching Yamamoto's practice, and now his home as obnoxiously rambunctious as normal… It felt like he could breathe for the first time in a long while. Things were okay again. Just for right now. Tsuna didn't have to worry about tomorrow. He didn't have to think about a month from now or even a year. All he had to worry about was Gokudera and Lambo not causing too much damage.

And he could definitely handle that.

"Gokudera-kun!" he cried as he ran into the house, slamming the front door behind him.