NOTE

1. There is no RebornxLambo in this story,

2. WARNING: hurt/comfort, a tidbit of fluff, BDSM equipment, mentions of Satan Spawn


RENATO SINCLAIR'S DIRTY SECRET


After the news, all of the Arcobalenos just couldn't wait to see this one Sawada Tsunayoshi. A boy of only fifteen, with a cute-ish feature that could represent the average society's innocence, and a smile that reminds you of the very bright sky – whatever that implied. He seemed to fancy wearing colorful accessories and bright colored clothing, mostly in the form of handmade bracelets and hoodies. As normal as he looked, labeled as your everyday cute teenager at best, the boy was still a wonder for he is a person living with the very great Renato Sinclair, said to be married with the guy, and could make it out alive to this day, somehow.

Yet, it's another story for the guy who brought the story back to the Arcobaleno headquarters. "I told you he would kill me, kora!" Colonello complained; Bandages wrapped his new ugly haircut, his body thin, face pale. "And if this was another scenario, it would've had happened, kora!"

"Don't be such a child, Colonello," Viper hissed. "The only thing that should be blamed for pushing Reborn to shoot you is your haircut".

Colonello didn't lift a finger. He decided he'd punch anyone for commenting on his haircut as long as it's anyone beside the Arcobaleno. Skull doesn't count.

"Your presence was under appropriate timing," Luce made her point, "Reborn knew there were two other interested parties spying on the house that night. Shooting you would make the perfect statement that he wouldn't hold back on anyone, not even an Arcobaleno".

Skull snickered, "You're that bad in espionage, huh? You didn't even notice there were othe – OUCH!" Colonello didn't care if he meant to say anything about his hair or not, but as long as it's Skull talking, he would punch him anyway, "It's not like you're the best too, kora!"

Among them, Skull and Colonello are the best when it comes to direct attack, mostly in large scale attac that involved a lot of people in wide areas. Verde and Reborn excel in stealth and one-on-one attacks; they prefer working alone. Viper is an informant, and is probably the type of a person who would know things about you and stab you in the back. Luce? Luce is... the enigma, and that's the only thing they can say about her. Though sometimes they think she might has the power to travel through time or at least knows someone who can – whatever that implied.

Back to Reborn, he was also quite the all rounder; a mathematician, an expert in medic, a hitman, a tactician. When you think about it, there is nothing out of character from what he had done that night five days ago. He shot Colonello on the head alright, but he made sure to target that one tiny spot on human head that would give near to zero damage to the human brain. It's a 1:1000000 chance shot, 1:1258842 if you're aiming for the zero damage shot, to the head.

If there is a person in this earth that could make that 1 among millions, it's Reborn indeed.

The only damage Colonello suffered was blood loss and shock. He recuperated in The Sawada's guestroom for three days, unconscious, under the watch of Reborn. They even shared a cup of coffee that morning he woke up before Reborn kicked him out. The three hours he spent there being conscious, he didn't see signs of Sawada Tsunayoshi. Only a line of, "The boy suffered grade 2 muscle weakness and high fever," from Reborn gave him an understanding of how the kid was doing.

"Poor Tsunayoshi; that day must be a nightmare for him," Fon said with a sad look, "And he was making sure he can welcome his husband properly. And now he got ill".

"Yeah, Verde was ecstatic when he heard that," Skull added, "He was so sure that the average people would be in two weeks coma after being exposed to the drugs for three seconds."

That sent warning to Colonello, "Wait, where is Verde, again?"

"Oh?" Skull looked innocently, "Didn't he say he want to check on the boy?"


The danger that could be imagined from having Verde near a boy – a possible subject for his experiment – forced some of them to go and visit Namimori. Luce added that this was also a good chance to give their wedding gift to Reborn. Luce, Fon, and Skull arrived at the scene some two hours later, while Colonelo and Viper had to attend to their respective patrons. They were ready for surprise-attacks from Reborn. However, what greeted them was a surprise.

"Oh, hello," somebody opened the door. It's not Sawada Tsunayoshi. It's not Reborn. It's Lambo.

"What are you doing here?" Skull grumbled, looking at the 20 something year old up and down.

"Verde took me here," Lambo lazily answered, one eye closed while turning his back to them and walking inside the house; a sign that they were welcomed inside. Verde, of course, would bring Lambo along. Lambo was one of Verde's patrons; the latest, the richest, and the youngest. He was related to a mafia family called The Bovino. It was well known around the club that this youth, a kid really, acted like he hated Reborn meanwhile actually harboring feelings for him. When he found out Reborn decided to settle down; he was frantic.

Lambo led them into the modern house. This house very much reminded them of Reborn from the sleek appearance and the whole efficiency of its design. Although something else betrayed that image of seriousness; for example, how there were two pair of small sized colorful Nikes thrown carelessly next to the neat row of shiny black shoes in the shoes rack, there were teen magazines on top of the newspaper and pack of cigarette, and the phone book next to the professional looking phone was in baby blue polka dots. There were a strong smell of musk and tobacco, Reborn's signature smell, but it was paired with a new fruity aroma; apple. Gazes were stolen by the huge wall-like terrarium for a chameleon – Reborn's pet; Leon – that works as a partition.

They walked pass through the terrarium to find the TV room. The group then noticed the room was kept dark while the TV was turned on with voice kept very low. A lithe figure was peacefully sleeping on a black leather lounge chair with an orange blanket over his body. One of his colorful socks clad feet was peeking out from the blanket as his head limped to the side and the lion-look-alike pet yawned on top of his lap.

It's the boy; Tsunayoshi.

Oh, he was such an adorable sight, but he looked like he wasn't supposed to be there in the middle of the black furnished room. He would fit better among those feminine looking boys of some idol group that was currently singing on TV.

Right next to the TV room was a room of mostly glass walls where Verde and Reborn were seen lounging. The two were smoking, sitting on the black sofas facing the glasses wall facing the backyard. On one of the walls was an electric fireplace, with a book shelf on its left, and a mini bar on its right. The seating area was placed in front of it and the office desk slightly further from it. It was funny how the rows of high quality literature like books on medic, politics, philosophy, calculus, and medic journal had to be in one shelf with rows of comics and fantasy books, or how the professional looking mac was paired with a small wireless turtle shaped mouse. Reborn, though, paid no mind as he sat on the black velvet couch like a boss. He lacked the usual black suit, but the dark blue dress shirt with rolled sleeves he wore didn't make him less neat. Verde sat on another couch, without his lab coat and two of his dress shirt upper buttons open. The two was weirdly in relaxed mood.

"Hello, Reborn!" Luce greeted cheerfully, as if her comrade didn't try to kill another comrade days before. Reborn nodded calmly. The present boxes in Skull's hold spoke volume. "We brought you presents," Luce continued, almost goofily.

Reborn glanced uninterestedly, "For what occasion?"

"Your wedding," her eyebrows high, chin raised in an all-knowing manner. Nobody really knew if it was the right time to say the word 'wedding'. Reborn took a smoke without a care. They labeled the silence as a sign not to pursue the topic and took their seat.

Luce and Skull sat beside Verde. Fon made his way to Reborn, but was preceded by Lambo. The youth took his place near Reborn. And by near; he sat right beside him in a way that allowed their sides to meet. With Reborn's left arm leaning on the backrest and how Lambo leaned a bit to Reborn, it seemed as if they were cuddling. Fon raised an eyebrow, before uncomfortably took his seat somewhere else. Considering Luce mention of Reborn's wedding just now, wasn't this inappropriate?

Reborn was unmoved as if Lambo's unusual forwardness isn't that out of the norm. He said, "We should stop smoking. Luce is here". He put his smoke on an ashtray on the side table right next to him. Verde followed.

"D'aww, don't make me ruin your fun," she said as if she really regretted it (she didn't).

"If there's someone who ruined the fun here it's the newbie over there," Reborn said, glaring at Skull. It's no secret that Reborn acted protective toward Luce, unknown if it was because she was their youngest (age wise) or because she was the only female. He, however, wasn't in good term with Skull, had a weird friendship/rivalry relationship with Colonello, neutral with Viper and Verde, and got along well with Fon.

Skull didn't dare go against Reborn. He wasn't brave enough to insult Reborn in front of the man's face. "We're acting very chummy here; you sure it's all clear?" Skull changed the topic. He was talking about the fact that they were not sure if the house was free of spies or other surveillance.

Reborn instantly glared at Skull, "Unlike you, I'm intelligent enough to be able to make sure the area is surveillance free".

"Yes, and I re-checked just now, this area is clear from any cameras," Fon affirmed, "Your show of power is clearly very effective, Reborn. You've truly made the best out of The Arcobalenos".

"They are just cowards. Took their leave quickly just from seeing a gun," Reborn referred to the shot he gave Colonello, "So far my informant told me there is no other suspicious activities in the neighborhood".

Luce raised her eyebrows, "Oh, but we took note of this boy in front of your house. It was obvious he is watching this place".

"Too obvious," Reborn noted, "There's no way such a kid is a spy. Must be one of the locals, probably just curious".

As they ended the topic, Verde got up from his seat, "I'm getting more drink. You want some, Fon?"

"Ah, you know I don't drink these kinds," Fon calmly answered.

"I really want some of them, though," Luce jumped into the conversation. Reborn, however, thought otherwise.

"No you don't. I'll look for some tea in the kitchen," The hitman crushed his smoke onto the ashtray on the round coffee table, "And give me those, brat," he took the presents from Skull rudely then made his way out. Lambo followed him closely. If Reborn didn't want the guy to follow him, he made no word about it.

"Why does he hate me so much?" Skull's face turned sour. To that, Fon laughingly said, "Because Reborn hates children".

"He married someone more of a child than I am," Skull raised his chin. The fact that Luce was younger than Skull himself was left unsaid.

Verde was leaning on the mini bar counter when he put a thoughtful look on his face, "I bet on my next contract's money Reborn is going to sleep with Lambo in under two weeks".

"Hey! Are we going to bet on a married man's infidelity?!" Skull exclaimed abruptly, just to add a moment later, "I'm in. I bet he's going to come back to the club in under two weeks".

Fon was silent for a while, "Hmmm, then I'll bet he's going to crack and decide to use BDSM equipment in under two weeks".

"Oh, that's a good one!" Skull exclaimed laughingly.

"Then I add that he's going to use that on Lambo," Verde grinned, "In one week," he looked at Luce, "You're not interested, miss?"

Luce, who was stroking her belly absentmindedly, jumped slightly on her seat, "Oh! Pardon?"

Verde rolled his eyes, "The bet... aren't you placing any?"

She looked down, "Oh, I don't know. They say pregnant women shouldn't do wretched things".

"Oh, come ooon. Looking at your whole situation, you were never pure to begin with. We don't even know the father," Skull scrunched his forehead. He had quite the bravery talking this way to her. The two were known to be close, surprisingly making the mother-son duo in their crew.

"I told you times before," she said seriously, "It's God's".

That sentence put the men to silence. It drowned in their mind how almost true that sounded if only she said it's the 'devil's' instead. She giggled to bless the moment of silence, "You guys seemed to not put any thought on the boy's position in this," she said as she looked at the prone figure lying on the lounge chair in the room next to them.

"It's obvious there's nothing between them that is romantic," Verde shrugged, "At least not in Reborn's case".

"I'm sorry for the boy, but I think so too," Fon said with a solemn face, "This circumstance just doesn't fit any of Reborn's known interest."

"And it's an arranged marriage," Skull added his penny, "This must be a set up by The Vongolas and Reborn was paid to be involved in whatever it is they are after. It's not possible there's any feelings involved".

"D'aww," she pouted, her brows almost met while she thinks. "Then I'll place my bet for Reborn and Tsuna doing eskimo kiss?"

The men in the room sweat-dropped in chorus right at the time Luce made kissing movements with her two hands. Skull then face-palmed just to make things more dramatic. Dejected, Verde sighed. He shouldn't have expected Luce to take this seriously. "How are we going to clarify if our bet is true, though? Reborn would know if we spy on his daily life," Skull grumbled. To that, Viper smiled.

"Oh, I would know," he said, face victorious, "Reborn agreed to let me monitor the boy and help him recuperate".

Skull gawked, "He let you watch over the boy? That's the same as handing the victim to the perpetrator!"

"Well, I think he let me have my ways because he is obviously interested with Lambo. Lambo will be around for sure," Verde smirked. The scenario of a forcefully tied free man taking the opportunity from being offered someone of his liking just clicked in Verde's mind.

Skull threw him a dirty glance, "Cheat".

Fon, however, had other thoughts, "We all agreed to bet with the next contract's money? Luce cannot participate in any contracts around these times if you counted her condition". Luce's belly was already so big after all.

The only woman in the room seemed calm. "I'll bet on the baby," she patted her bulging stomach. Nobody commented. Verde gave a sharp and long gaze at her and there must be horror on Fon and Skull's face. Verde thought that the 'baby' could make this bet scary if not threatening, so he let it slide by not involving Luce in the bet; although this could be his only chance to take Luce's baby from her and kill it before it grows into its Satan Spawn full form. Of course, this only stayed in his mind, and maybe in Fon's and Verde's too; because who dare say anything insulting to Luce?

Lambo made his entry just then while bringing a tray with two ceramic cups with him; no Reborn in toe. He walked shakily to balance the tray before he bent to offer the cups to Luce and Fon. "You know, if you're that bad with the tray, you can just grab the cups with your two hands," Skull commented

"But the cups are scorching".

"Then use another cup".

"All dirty," Lambo threw a cold glance outside the room, "Because the house-helper couldn't do his job". Skull could sense the rivalry Lambo held against the boy in the other room. He entertained the idea of having Reborn involved in a soap-opera-like situation; surely the guy would just finish the problem with a shotgun and leave. The bike-fan snickered which gave him weird looks from both Verde and Fon.

Luce complained on the awful taste of the tea when Reborn is walking inside. Lambo followed him to his seat. Their conversation continued as if the bet involving the baby of The Devil never took place.


The next time Verde went to the Sawada Household, Reborn was cooking in his night robe. Sadly, the kitchen looked so out of it. It's worse than the last time he visited. "You don't know how to take care of good stuff, I see," Verde referred to the house. Reborn instantly sent him a glare.

Verde took a seat on the dining area and watched as Lambo went to his place as Reborn's shadow and asking unnecessary things in a spoiled manner. From there, he observed how Lambo started sitting on the counter next to the stove where Reborn cook, leaning on Reborn to whisper something. That peaked Reborn interest, as he returned Lambo's gaze to say something, and Lambo gave him a very seductive, if not challenging, smile. Oh, and Verde knew that's how Reborn likes his lovers to be. It's an easy read of situation for Verde, because The Arcobalenos play around. They never settled with one person, they have a group of it. Some of them have one person sitting on a pedestal higher than the others, but that doesn't mean they don't have others willing to please them, like in Colonello's case with Lal (everybody know they sleep with other people while being lovers), or, maybe, Luce and that white haired creep.

Reborn used to have that person on pedestal too, his 'lover', that changes from time to time. Once it was that Cavallone kid, but Verde was sure Cavallone was just a phase. Bianchi and Reborn, though, used to make quite a 'couple'; but didn't last that long either.

With this situation, there was no way he wouldn't win this bet.

"The boy is upstairs," Reborn scooped some soup into a white bowl, "Take this with you and check on him. He hasn't eaten anything since yesterday". Verde nodded and left the two alone to approach his current subject.

The subject was in his room. When Verde stepped in, he felt like visiting an entirely different world. A contrast to the cold and professional feel of most part of the house; this room was colorful and warm. It is an L shaped room. The walls were painted light blue except one part near the bed where it was painted in orange. The room had a lot of stuff, like the artsy wall decorations of popular quotes, the long line of seashells connected with a thread, the typical teenager study desk, a comfy looking chair facing out the window, and a small walk-in-closet. The coloring and the small figurines of sea creatures made it obvious this room was beach themed. The owner of the room was sleeping on his bed by the window, under a geometric patterned bed cover, almost hidden between the many colorful pillows. Verde watched him from the center of the room, sighing.

This thing better not be boring. He only wanted to stay for the challenge of bothering Reborn and his so called married life anyway; not to heal some child. Reborn wouldn't allow him to do his regular experimental method. The hitman wanted the boy fixed. Unfortunately, healing people is the epitome of boredom for Verde.

A deal was a deal anyway. Verde approached the sleeping form and started taking some checkup. Like the last time, the boy's temperature was so high it's almost abnormal. And don't start with grabbing his hands, especially on the palm area, and forehead; they burned as if it was on fire. What weird was that the boy would wake up and be in a different state, Reborn told him, but the man could not elaborate on that point further because of some circumstances (Verde couldn't get what he meant by that). Verde never saw the boy awake, but he confirmed that the boy was not in coma like most of his subjects.

I have the antidote, Verde thought, but then I'd lose a reason to come here. He tried touching the boy's forehead, just to flinch from the heat. Then suddenly, the boy's eyes opened and Verde couldn't move from the shock. The boy was looking at him so sharply and – Verde wasn't sure – but he thought that he saw a flash of fire on the boy's head for a millisecond. As he stood like a statue, the air was starting to feel more dense and heavy as the boy started to get more intimidating. The light from behind the curtain of the window made the boy's eyes glowed orange and it was judging Verde's form.

"Uh, Tsunayoshi," Verde tried to reason. The sharp look from the boy's eyes made the scientist felt guilty somehow; maybe from the drugging fiasco or something else that happened downstairs. "I am Verde, Reborn's frie –," He tried to elaborate further, but the boy blinked at him just now and it made the atmosphere tenser instead.

Verde was an Arcobaleno for god sake; he shouldn't be afraid! He lowered his stance and started to step back, "There's a soup there on your bedside table. And...," Verde said slowly as he took one step at a time, "my work here is done". The scientist gave up. He quickly fled from the room.

When he got to the dining area, where his patron and Reborn were acting chummy by sitting closely and eating together, Verde didn't find it in him to feel entertained by the sight. He was too surprised. Was that what Reborn was talking about by the 'different state'? Verde tried to rake his brain for a clue, but it rushed as though he was suffering from an aftershock.

"What's wrong with you?" Lambo seemed to notice.

Verde prepared himself to speak, but a look from Reborn told him not to say anything for now. So he took a deep breath and said, "Nothing, just saw Reborn's dirty collection hidden in the hallway and I hurried here to report".

Lambo seemed intrigued, "You have a collection huh?" The youth said to Reborn meaningfully. Reborn answered with his trademark smirk; eyes half-lidded; and Lambo was smitten once again. Fools, Verde thought. He looked at the date on his watch. It's closing in to the deadline of his one week bet.


It's a day before said deadline. So far, Lambo told him he and Reborn made progress. The intimidating man was said to invite Lambo in even without Verde around and, most surprisingly, they almost kissed. But the house-helper busted them; so they didn't do it.

By this, Verde realized two things; first, that Tsuna kid can now walk without the help of any antidote; second, the boy saw Lambo and Reborn. Oh, poor thing. Even when he had no feeling toward the older man, wouldn't he feel betrayed?

To be honest, Verde didn't know what to think of that kid. The boy was the reason that Reborn, a guy Verde see as somebody who can stand on par with him, decided to do something as low as marriage. It's not that Verde felt like he lost a friend. The Arcobalenos don't do the friendship game. Being with the Arcobalenos had always been about the thrill; the thrill of meeting a range of dangerous people and the thrill of having access to the best challenges around the world. The Arcobaleno makes Verde feel like he is the best in everything because he does the best work and he knows the best people.

But then there was this news of Reborn settling down in a sleepy neighborhood and got himself married with a kid. The idea of having one Arcobaleno, the most feared among them, to do something stupid for a small fry made Verde think that the Arcobaleno he thought so highly of may not be as great as he wanted it to be.

And such thought is not allowed.

At one side; he hated the sight of that boy. He felt like he wanted to tell the boy that he has no place among them. At the other side; he was very intrigued by the boy. Who wouldn't wonder what brought the boy around these people at the first place? After that one time the boy instilled fear on him, Verde started to feel angry and humiliated from the mere thought of that kid. Yet, he also wanted to know how the boy could do that to an Arcobaleno. He wanted to make the boy cry, but would do anything to learn how the boy works his tears out. Blame Verde's superiority complex for this; but he was 100% sure he would smile when the boy cracked and cried.

He didn't know if this thought of his was obvious to the eyes of his Arcobaleno crew. Colonello once came to him to remind him not to do anything to the innocent boy. Verde remembered telling the blond, "I'm not doing anything different to what I've been doing all the time".

But everybody knew Verde was manipulative. Verde would set things up to the way he wanted it. The event where the boy surprised him in his bedroom made Verde think the boy is ahead of him in this game. He had to move ahead and make his own move if he wanted to win. And that was why he was going to Namimori that particular day.

Skull and Luce wanted to tag along. Verde would allow them of course, just to let them have the first row seat to his win with the bet and his win against Sawada Tsunayoshi. Lambo, of course, was already there. He made his visit to The Sawada Household without Verde now. He even greeted them at the front door when they arrived; wearing an obvious somebody's dress shirt.

"I was using the bathroom's faucet and it kind of sprayed at me," Lambo said, "So Reborn gave me his shirt". An obvious lie. He must have wet himself in the shower so that he could borrow from Reborn. Good job, Verde thought.

Lambo led them to the kitchen and dining area. Reborn already sat on the dining table, an ipad in hands to read the news. Two huge plates, seemingly like a dish of typical English Breakfast, was set in front of him. Lambo took the seat right next to the hitman; telling them that he had been spending his breakfast with the hitman all along.

Verde smirked meaningfully at the two other guests beside him. "That's a neat breakfast," Verde said, "Last time I saw you, you were cooking some instant soup".

"The cook can now function again," Lambo answered him. By cook, the young man definitely meant the Tsuna kid.

"That seemed so good," Skull looked at the menu.

Reborn looked at them, "Luce, there are leftovers; you can get some for yourself. You're not allowed to have any," he pointed the last sentence to Skull. Skull made a face.

"Oh let him have it, we can have somebody cook us another meal later," Lambo added as though he owned the house.

They ended up having breakfast together over a cup of coffee (Luce only had water to drink). As the breakfast went, Reborn and Lambo made a show of their intimacy. They were sitting so close with the edge of their seat touching each other. Lambo was leaning on the table, looking directly at Reborn, while Reborn was putting his arrogant, almost seductive, look; chin raised, eyes looking down half lidded, and his lips in the form of a smirk. The two was talking in murmurs, as if they were sharing some secret nobody should know.

Verde threw a smirk at Luce and Skull too, but Skull was busy stuffing his face with the food, and Luce was spacing out while drinking her water slowly. He should have brought Fon instead of these two idiots.

In that exact moment, somebody joined them. It's the Tsuna boy.

He was standing awkwardly somewhere between the living room and the dining room. His hair was very messy; making his feverish face looking smaller. The huge shirt and the baggy pajama pants added to the look. The scientist then realized the reason Colonello was so smitten with this boy. He was exactly Colonello's type; heart shaped face, huge eyes, a petite frame, cute attitude. It's different in Reborn's case. That guy preferred someone more mature with a tad of danger that could challenge him. Lambo was more fitting into that category. He made a better picture beside Reborn rather than that child.

"Uhh, hello," the boy said as he bowed a little toward them.

"Hello," Luce and Skull replied together in a strange manner. They seemed to be nervous to see Tsuna's reaction toward the obvious display of affection his husband and another guy were having. Verde, though, stayed cool and watched the boy's reaction.

The boy walked closer and seemed all neutral. Maybe they were never involved? Verde thought to himself. "Are you done with your breakfast?" He asked to the direction of Lambo and Reborn. Seeing this; Verde thought was, or maybe he is Reborn's loyal sub who is willing to please Reborn however he wanted it. That could make sense, and Reborn wanted Lambo, right?

Lambo only gave a quick glance at Tsuna before maintaining eye contact with Reborn again, "Oh, we're done. You can clean up". The boy took their empty plates without making any eye contact to Reborn. Verde almost laughed for the show of condescending look Lambo gave the boy, but was silenced when the boy gave them a question, "Are you guys his friends, too?"

Luce, Skull and Verde looked at each other awkwardly because they didn't have an idea how to answer that. Friends? Of course, not. Partners? Maybe. Reborn stepped in to answer for them, and this is the first time they ever seen him doing any contact with the boy, "They were my partners, just like Colonello," he answered shortly. The boy seemed to be a bit brighter when Colonello's name was mentioned.

"Ooh, I see...," he brought the dirty dish to the washing machine. If anybody thought it's over with this child, they were wrong. Tsuna continued to address them as if they were visiting to make friends. Out of al people, eh actually approached Luce, "You looked like you need a drink, mam. Do you want some tea?"

"Oh, no! You don't have too!" She remembered the staleness of the tea she had in this house last time.

"It's okay. This is some good tea. Trust me!" The boy was smiling brightly. Luce seemed to not have the heart to say no as she watched the cup to her doom came. Verde snickered on how hard the boy was trying to be accepted by Reborn's crowd.

When the tea arrived, Luce sighed dejectedly. "Thank you," she said, thinking the boy would leave her. But the boy stayed; watching her. "Try it, it's good!"

It was in the same cup with the last tea. It even looked the same. The woman grabbed it, realizing it's not as hot as it was last time. Then she drank. She quickly withdrew; just to say, "This is very good!" her face brightened, "Is this a different brand?"

"I got that from the local tea house. It's the only brand of tea we have in this house," the boy tilted his head in a cute manner, "I'm glad you like it. Although I'm sorry for the food choice, it must be too greasy for a pregnant mom. I couldn't make anything more proper because of the sickness".

The food wasn't greasy. It was properly cooked.

"Lemme try," Skull grabbed the cup of tea from Luce impolitely and drank it like he was drinking from a can of beer. Skull was never the type to drink tea, really, but he stopped to say with a surprised look, "It's good," he looked dumbfounded, "You sure this one is the same tea?"

"You had tea in this house before?" Tsuna seemed to be a bit confused, but then seemed to get the grasp of the situation, "You guys must be Reborn's friends from that time! If this guy ever made you tea, I have to say he is bad at it," the boy laughed a bit. He seemed less sick when he does that.

"You were right. Luce even puked the thing out," Skull snickered. Reborn suddenly paid attention to the conversation. "Shut it, newbie," the hitman grumbled with Luce and Tsuna laughing in the backround, "I'm more of a coffee person, anyway".

"He is right," Tsuna ended with a smile; thumb pointed at Reborn, "He is a coffee guy. Just like those fat cops". The boy's laughter was joined by Luce. Reborn rolled his eyes. Lambo seemed to be annoyed for being out of Reborn's attention.

"My name is Luce," Luce seemed enthusiastic so suddenly, "And this is Skull, and that frowning guy over there is Verde".

"Verde?" Verde never thought the boy would be alarmed by the mention of his name. Does he remember that time in his bedroom? Verde thought. He watched as the boy turned to him. If the boy wanted to tell everybody that this scientist ran away in fear from his bedroom like a dork, something he had never told others, then so be it. But the boy would pay for it.

"You took care of me, I heard," weirdly enough, the boy smiled at him, "Thank you!"

As the boy made a bow to him, in that typically Asian way, Verde was a bit out of it. Does the boy know he was also the creator for the drug responsible for his illness?

"Uhh..., you're welcome," Verde was speechless. The boy barged in and made the room more chatty, even succeeding on making Reborn joining their conversation. It's not the same to the way Skull makes some noises annoyingly. No. This boy is good with small talks.

"And also," the boy's hand was reaching out to Verde, "No smoke around the pregnant, lady," he took a pack of cigarette from Verde's pocket and put it on the furthest kitchen counter with a small smile. How dare he!

After the boy took his leave, Luce exclaimed, "I like the boy already!" Luce rarely ever say that. She acts nice most of the time, but she never really was. Reborn threw a long gaze at her as she said, "We approve, Reborn!"

Well, I clearly dont! Verde screamed from inside his head. He could see the distaste in Lambo's face too. The youth kicked the floor under his feet, making Skull laughed openly at the brattish way he did it. Verde looked at the boy who was sitting in the TV room, which he can see clearly from his seat, to catch the boy looking at them interestingly. Being caught, the boy quickly threw his gaze away to the TV as if he wasn't interested to join them. It's that, or maybe the boy was creeped out by the scary look Verde had on his face.


After a while, he started getting sick of Reborn and Lambo's PDA. He was also getting tired of catching Tsuna's glances at their table. He was hoping the boy was burning in jealousy over Reborn and Lambo, but, instead, the boy simply looked very curious. If Colonello's report was valid, then it is true that the boy was bullied in school and was very lonely. Maybe the kid just wanted to join them, but was too shy to approach.

He stood up from his seat and decided to go to the boy. He could feel Reborn's gaze following his back as he started to shorten the distance between he and Tsuna. Tsuna watched his steps, face bright like he would welcome the company. "Whats up?" The boy greeted him.

"I have the antidote for the drug with me," Verde explained, "You can take it now".

The boy seemed thoughtful, "I don't think I need it anymore. I'm getting better, actually".

Dont play with me, brat. Acting like the all-knowing, saying no to the antidote. So far nobody have made it without the antidote.

"This is the last time I'm offering; would you like an injection of the antidote?" Verde gritted his teeth. The boy looked at him in silence. His smile gone before he shook his head. Verde snorted; your loss.

At that exact time, they heard the house bell ringing. Wanting to get away from the kid, Verde made it his job to open the door. He found a tall teenage boy standing there with one hand scratching the back of his head, the other held a plastic bag from the convenience store.

"Excuse me, sir," the teen said politely, "I'm Yamamoto Takeshi, Tsuna's classmate. I heard he is sick, may I see him?" Verde looked at the boy from head to toe. He never thought the Tsuna kid had any friend. Even if he had, he expected them to be the geeky loner type whom he shared bullying experience with, not the popular and sporty type. The tall teen, Yamamoto Takeshi, would fit very well under the latter category.

"He's here, follow me," Verde walked inside. As he walked in, the newcomer looked around inside the house in awe; amazed with the house interior. Tsuna's face instantly turned to one of surprise. "Yamamoto?" maybe they are not friends after all, "What are you doing here?"

"I decided that I'd see you, you know," the Yamamoto scratched the back of his neck as he stood in front of the boy, "After the incident". The newcomer got very awkward and shy suddenly. The demeanor of a very capable and confident youth he held right outside the door just now disappeared.

Feeling left out, Verde decided to leave the two and went to the dining room. Luce went straight to interrogation mode when he showed himself, "Who is that? That's the boy we saw sneaking around this house!"

"It's the kid's friend from school, nothing big," Verde answered. They could see clearly how the two teen started getting comfortable. Yamamoto allowed himself to sit beside Tsuna and showed the other the content of his plastic bag. The two then took a can of drink from the bag each, probably some soft drink, and started chatting animatedly.

"He seemed like that kid in school," Skull murmured, "The tall, handsome, sporty kind of guy. Possibly do martial art," Skull made his analysis, "Does that kind of kid even exist anymore?"

"The cool guy you have in school, right?" Luce exclaimed, "The kind of guy who would be popular with girls". At that moment, they witnessed Tsuna offering the other teen his drink, which got Yamamoto blushing brightly. "Oh my," Luce said, "This is too cute. Don't you think so too, Reborn?"

Reborn was too busy talking with Lambo to pay any attention. Luce sighed and stole a glance at Skull, who squirmed uncomfortably because of the weird atmosphere. The two supposedly married couple in this home was paying attention to someone else beside their couple. Sadly, there was no denying that Reborn and Lambo seemed to be just right, and Tsuna looked so perfect beside Yamamoto.


On the next day, Verde sent a coordinate and specific time at that very date to Reborn; telling him Verde had something he wanted. He also added that Luce and Skull were on their way to Namimori so there will be someone to watch over the sick boy. It would take one and a half hour for Reborn to arrive. This place, an area of warehouses by a lake, was quite a distance from the city.

It's the last day for my bet, he thought, time to step up my game.

Verde and Lambo were waiting in the open parking lot when Reborn's black sport car arrived. "Where is it?" Reborn cut any greeting away and stick to his main goal, "The drug".

"Oh that?" Verde scratched the side of his face, "I had that delivered to you from my lab. It will arrive to your home in three days". He and Reborn had a deal. Reborn would allow him to collect data from the kid's condition, but he had to give Reborn a huge amount of the drug that made the boy sick and a complete report of the drug's effects.

"You told me you have something I want," Reborn started talking slowly. All his time in The Arcobaleno, Verde recognized this as a sign that Reborn is annoyed.

"I was talking about something else, actually," Verde smirked, "It's definitely something you'd want. Take it as my present; you haven't received any from me, have you?"

The three walked to one of the warehouses. It looked like the typical warehouse from outside. Inside was another story. Verde opened the door and let Reborn and Lambo in.

It was a BDSM dungeon. There was a wall with full collection of BDSM costumes and lingeries, sex toys and instruments like spanking paddles, ropes, chains, and, of course, a wide variety of BDSM furnitures; such as bondage bed, spanking bench, X-frame, a lot of hanging rope and chains. Of course, there were also a small kitchen area, a normal bed, and a huge bathroom in the back.

Verde stole a glance at Reborn. The man stepped in slowly, hands in the pocket of his pants. The pissed look was gone, thankfully, and his eyes looked around in interest. "How is it?" Verde asked hm.

Reborn stopped beside him, "Not bad".

"Here," Verde gave Reborn the key to the warehouse, "Take this as a present from a dear friend".

As they were talking, Lambo was looking around curiously. He walked along the wall where most of the equipments were displayed. The youth took one of them and approached the two older men. It was a bondage harness; the type of bondage equipment consisting of a series of leather strap attached to each other to allow a person to wear them like a clothing. It was one of the most unique designs, complete with straps to cuff the ankles. Lambo tried to wear it on himself, but left a few straps unattached. "Hey, Reborn," he said to the guy, "You know a lot about bondage, right? Do you know how to strap this?"

That switched something inside Reborn. The man's eyes instantly turned so dark as he bent his body to the younger's level, their faces millimeters apart. "You're a beginner," the man's voice was husky; "You have a lot to learn".

And suddenly the bondage harness was completely attached to Lambo's body in the right way. Both of Lambo's arms were strapped to the front. Lambo seemed surprised; because he was too immersed to the older's eyes as the man did the straps. The two then kept their eyes on each other; so very intensely.

Verde was ready to leave any time soon and let the two have their time. The camera around the room was on, he could show the video to Fon and Skull later. And maybe the Tsuna kid.

Unfortunately, something broke the moment.

BRRRRRRRR

Reborn cut his and Lambo's eye contact as he looked down at his phone. He looked at the caller id, and quickly answered, "What?" the hitman snapped before his eyes flickered, "What?"

Reborn's face turned rigid and he walked away from the two other people inside the room. Verde couldn't hear what's on the other line as Reborn created a distance that wouldn't allow them to listen. The man clad in black then put his phone back into his pocket as Verde tried to form a plan to create the mood between Reborn and Lambo again, until Reborn suddenly went to Verde in monster speed to grab his collar.

"You. Told. Me," his black eyes burned with rage, teeth gritted, "That. You. Gave. Him. The. Antidote."

Verde was made aware what this was all about. "I-I didnt, but he told me he's recovering well!" Verde tried to explain, but that claim just made Reborn more furious, "You see yourself; the kid was getting better without any help!"

Reborn punched him to the ground and then grabbed Verde again to see him in the eyes. "Wait wait, let me explain!" Verde struggled to explain. The hitman looked like a beast. His eyes took a shade darker than the time he looked at Lambo. This was the real Reborn; the most sadistic among The Arcobalenos.

"Somebody told me he is in the hospital. If anything happened to that boy," Reborn said slowly, "I'll come after you and I'll torture you until you beg me to shoot you in the head". He turned around and directly walked out of the warehouse with long steps.

Verde and Lambo stood in silence. Lambo even had a look of extreme fear in his eyes as he witnessed the event helplessly. He spared a glance at Verde, then ran out of the room, "Reborn! Wait!"

The event passed by so quickly that Verde had just started to feel the cold sweat in his palm and the shaking of his knees right after the hitman left. He didn't hear the beeping of his code retriever until later, possibly because he was momentarily in shock.

He found a code of coordinate from Colonello with a short message of "URGENT" following it. Screw Reborn and his attitude; he had a destination to go to.


He and Lambo arrived at a hospital. Viper greeted them at the lobby, "What took you so long?" the cloaked man complained, "Even Reborn arrived before you",

"Huh?" Reborn was going here? If this is about the boy, then why are all The Arcobalenos here?

Lambo was awfully quiet along the way here. Reborn's name didn't even peak his attention as usual. He was staring at his feet; his face grim. "Whats up with you?" Verde had enough of the weird attitude people were having today, "You're usually noisy like a brat". His patron didn't answer. Verde then decided he would stop giving any shit to people.

Viper was ahead of them when Verde noticed the many mothers and their children loitering around. It's the pediatric ward. Suddenly everything made sense. The Devil's Child was making its arrival to the world. "Luce is in the VIP room 305. If you're interested in seeing the baby, she is in the maternity ward," Viper looked like he was going to walk away, but stopped in the middle as he turned to Verde to say, "And don't forget to pay for the hospital bills. None of The Arcobalenos have insurance. Because you're late, you pay".

"What!?" Verde spatted in disbelief, earning himself glares from the mothers around the vicinity as he did so. "Could you believe that man?" Verde hoped that Lambo would respond to his remark, but the boy was looking at the other side of the hall. Verde followed his sight to find Reborn standing near the end of the hall, his back facing them, as the man looked into the glasses window of the maternity ward.

Inside that ward was Sawada Tsunayoshi in white hospital robe. The boy was approached by a nurse and received something in a bundle; a baby. A smile instantly colored the boy's face as he held the small infant closer to the window and showed the baby to Reborn. Verde couldn't guess what look Reborn was wearing on his face, but he could see Reborn welcoming the gesture by holding his hands onto the surface of the window.

"He pushed me," Lambo murmured.

"Huh?"

"I was making my way into his car and he pushed me out," Lambo added, "And I fell to the ground. I wanted him to let me in, but he told me the seat is reserved for somebody else".

Verde was reminded on how he found his patron standing alone in the middle of the warehouse parking lot. He was looking at the distance, a part of his clothes dirty, and Reborn was nowhere in sight. He remembered opening the straps of the bondage harness on Lambo's body and telling him to quickly get into his car. Around that time, Lambo already looked distressed.

The sight of Reborn having contact with the Tsuna kid at this time, especially with a baby between them, must have hurt Lambo.

"Give me your keys," Lambo's hand reached out to him.

"What?"

"I'm taking your car to get out of here," the youth murmured. When Verde made no move, Lambo quickly grabbed the key from his pocket, "I'm off".

"Hey wait, you have to help me with the hospital bills!" Verde screamed at his patron; earning him another glares from the mothers around the hallway, "Shit!"

"Yo, Verde!" Skull came from behind him, hitting his shoulder cheerfully. Verde threw him a dirty look, "Don't act so friendly with me".

"What's with you? Today we should embrace the love, man. Have you seen Luce's little girl? She is so cute, I'm telling you! She looked just like her mother," Skull seemed happy, "And by the way, we rode a chopper here, so get ready to pay a huge sum of bill!"

Verde hooked his arm around Skull's neck, "No. What we're going to do is you and I sharing that bill, you hear me? Because I am sure you are the only person responsible for getting that chopper to get you to this hospital". It was the best hospital in the country too.

"Let me go!" Skull released himself from Verde, "You sicko. No wonder you're in a foul mood. I saw your patron running away just now," the biker smirked, "You're on your way to losing the bet".

Verde didn't respond for he didn't want to say anything that could satisfy Skull. "But you know, that sight really said something about those two," Skull referred to the way Reborn and Tsuna interacted, "Not only your brat, Tsuna's friend from before was so annoyed by it. He went home by train."

"The kid from before was here?"

"Yeah, he was visiting Tsuna when Luce's water broke. Don't worry, we cover ourselves as Reborn's family members," Skull explained, "Reborn was in panic mode when he arrived here, you know? Asking where Tsunayoshi was. When he saw Tsuna, you just can't separate the two. They were unapproachable. Yamamoto Takeshi was beside Tsuna before, but after Reborn arrived, he was left alone".

It can't be, Verde thought to himself. There was no sign of them ever having any emotional attachment toward each other. "Are the two close as father and son?"

Skull scrunched his forehead. "I don't know anything about father-son relationship, okay? I never had a proper one," he said, "but that Yamamoto kid was looking at Reborn's back like this, you know?" Skull made a scary face, "Like he just wanted to kill him".

This newest revelation made its way to Verde's mind. The scientist was trying to make sense of everything. The tall kid was definitely interested in Reborn's boy. But Reborn was acting as Tsuna's father in the eyes of Namimori, right? Then why would the boy look at Reborn that way?

"Looking at those two, I can understand why your brat and that Yamamoto-kid took such reaction. I mean look at them," Skull leaned on Verde's side as if they were longtime buddies. Verde was too stupefied to avoid the biker as he watched Tsuna and Reborn talk. "Well, as long as I can have my chance on the bet, I'm happy. Me and Fon have another week to go, be prepared to lose, four-eyes," Skull then laughed to himself.

Verde was calculating his predicament. With the hospital bills and the bet, he could lose a lot of money. There was no other way but to make sure that both Fon and Skull wouldn't win. His instinct told him that Tsuna's recovery and Luce's condition would take a lot of Reborn's attention as a doctor close to the two; so it was less likely Reborn would go to the club. But Fon's bet was another thing. Fon believed that Reborn would use some BDSM equipment; the implication that it will be used on the Tsuna kid was unsaid.

Fon's scenario was still possible, especially with the key to the BDSM dungeon in Reborn's possession. If he couldn't win this bet, then nobody would. And that's why; he had to retrieve the key back.


That evening, Verde made his way to the quiet suburb neighborhood of Namimori. So far, today had been the worst in his life. Not only did he positively lose the bet (Lambo wouldn't answer his calls), he also had to pay for Satan Spawn's hospital bill. Even after he split the bill with Skull, it still cost him as much as his contract job's pay. Must be the chopper, surgery, and 7 days stay in the VVIP room of the best hospital ever.

It's not like money was a problem for an Arcobaleno. He knew Luce could pay for herself, but it's just improper to have the woman finish the administration work while she was recovering. Still, Verde thought that wasting that sum for somebody else aside yourself plus a bet was just irrational. Also, Verde had quite the pride. He just didn't want losing that money to someone.

He parked a distance away from Reborn's home. Thankfully, he had his optical camouflage with him, a body suit that will practically make you invincible. He also had The Sawada's front door key, thanks to Lambo's Reborn-stalking-tendency. It was 10 pm, and he was ready to silently made his way into the house.

The two occupants were still awake, unfortunately. But of course, it's rare to have people sleeping soundly at this hour nowadays. They were talking in the study, the room where Verde, Skull, and Fon first made their bet. Reborn was in his loose pajamas that strangely made him more attractive than ever. The other boy was wearing loose t-shirt and short pajama pants – making the contrast between the two more visible.

"When are you going to stop being silent?" Reborn asked the boy. The Tsuna kid was not answering. He didn't even look at Reborn as he took an iPad from the bookshelf and went straight to the TV room.

From the location where Verde stood, he could see the annoyed look in Reborn's face. Verde didn't pay much attention as he started looking for the key among the many keys hanging on top of the phone table. "Kids should sleep at this hours," he heard Reborn said from the door to the study.

"You told me to grow up, but then you expect me to act like a kid," the boy answered back. That stole Verde's attention. Are they fighting? Verde approached the TV room slowly and picked a spot where he can observe without getting found out. He saw Reborn going back inside the study to get himself a drink from the minibar. The kid's remark must have flicked something inside him.

The TV room was dark, but the TV was on. The kid started getting busy with his iPad on the sofa. He didn't pay any attention to what Reborn was doing, because that man made a lot of noise when taking his drink. After a moment of silence, Reborn went back to his prior position, leaning on the door frame of the study room, looking sharply at the boy.

They spent the time in silence; the boy avoided eye contact while Reborn stared at him like a hawk. The stare was intimidating. Verde was surprised the boy didn't seem bothered by it. "When are you going back to my bed?" Reborn started a conversation.

"I told you I have a lot of homework I have to catch up to," the boy growled to his iPad.

Reborn refused to take the hint. He strode to the sofa, put his drink on the coffee table and sat beside the boy. He was leaning very forward until his lips practically touched the boy's ears, "I've told you lying doesnt suit you, haven't I?" The man then slid his tongue over the boy's ear slowly. The boy shivered, but tried to push the man away.

Reborn snatched the hand that was pushing him. They looked at each other eyes; Reborn's sharp and calculating, the boy's wide and surprised. "You now have a baby in your care. Let's be mature and talk," Reborn threw a snide remark, "I'll allow you to cry, princess".

The boy cracked at that moment. He punched Reborn's shoulder – too soft to inflict anything on an Arcobaleno, really – and sobbed, "You're mean!"

Reborn's eyes widened at the reaction before he quickly made a move to pull the boy to his chest and whispered hurried apologies until the boy calmed down. It was an unnatural sight because Reborn never said sorry to anyone before.

"You left me for a month!" The boy accused; fist pounding weakly at the hitman's chest, "I won't forgive you easily for this!"

Strangely enough, Reborn kept on coaxing the boy with soft apologies despite the show of childishness. Verde didn't know the man could be so gentle toward such a kid. Beside feeling confused from Reborn's weird reaction toward the boy; Verde was also anxious that he hadn't heard what he wanted to hear. He was expecting the boy to mention Lambo.

Reborn released the boy after he stopped sobbing. At the time he was sure the boy calmed down, the man started to smirk again, yet not as fierce as the normal one, and pat the boy's hair. Reborn asked, "You're not going to ask me about something between me and that brat?"

Now, they were talking about Lambo.

Among all the questions Verde thought the boy would ask; Tsuna absently asked, "Did you make him cry?"

The smirk on Reborn's face widened, but softened, as he leaned to the boy until their noses almost touched. The boy had known all along that Reborn was just playing with the supposedly third person in the relationship. Reborn never had any sexual contact with Lambo aside from the almost-kiss. It was a made-up interest in Reborn's part.

"We had to keep him around to get the drug," the hitman kissed the boy's nose and temple, "And I just want you to stop being so mad".

The boy, Reborn's wife, Verde dare to say after the knowledge that he was beaten by this boy and played by Reborn, raised his chin to Reborn as he whispered softly, "You owe me. You have a lot to earn before I forgive you".

"Yes," Reborn answered as he let his lips hover on top of the boy's, "Anything".

"Would you carry me around?"

"Yes".

"Would you tie my shoelaces?"

"Yes".

"Would you let me eat junk foods?"

"Yes".

"Would you let me try more alcohols?"

Reborn was silent for a while, "You're pushing what your age allows you, princess".

They smiled. The two's face was so close now that their noses touched. The boy closed his eyes as he drowned in the intimacy and nuzzled the other man's nose cutely. He then opened his eyes to find the other's eyes on him, "kiss me, Reno..."

Reborn did nothing, but the boy got him hooked by saying it so attractively, Verde admitted. The man's eyes turned a shade darker, just like the time in the BDSM dungeon, as he waited for the boy to approach his lips. When their lips touched, Reborn grasped the boy's head aggressively and the two plunged into a full make out session. It was open mouthed and wet. The boy grasped the front of Reborn's shirt and his head lolled to the back weakly as Reborn maneuvered their heads. It didn't last long, however, because the boy leaned away, "Let's stop here".

Reborn was obviously ready for more. He was kissing the boy's neck, "What are you on about?"

"I don't know. I feel like we're being watched," Tsuna answered, "It's like Verde is here".

That claim alarmed Reborn. The man stopped nuzzling the boy and glared at the corner of the room. That look was sent directly to the direction of Verde's eyes as if the man had spotted him despite the fact that he should be invincible to the naked eyes. Verde, without a care for the key or the noise he might make to divulge his presence, fled from the house out of fear of being killed by Reborn. He ran to his car and kicked the gas. He sped back to the club reviewing what he saw that night.

Not only did Reborn trick him and Lambo to get his hands on the drug; he also tricked them into believing that he and his wifey were not intimate. He coaxed the boy oh so very sweetly, lowering himself into using childlike voices and childlike promises. And the boy had that man in his palm. Verde witnessed how easy it was for the boy to get Reborn on his knees. Lambo couldn't even get the man to say more than 'yes' and 'no'. And maybe..., just maybe...

The boy was a wonder to everything.

The devil behind innocence that is Luce wanted the boy to be her child's godfather. The tough man on the field that is Colonello still planned to stalk he boy. The ever intimidating hitman, Reborn, had done things they never thought he was capable of for the boy.

And he got me in a whirlwind.

He himself was caught in everything that was Sawada Tsunayoshi for the last week. It was never about annoying Reborn, it was the resentment and curiosity he held for that boy. The boy had managed to surprise him time and time again.

He lost so greatly to this kid.

Verde stopped his car in the parking lot of the club, his home. Then he realized something from the memory of what happened in Reborn's house that night.

Did those two just eskimo kiss?


It was an eskimo kiss. He searched for it and found that, yes, nuzzling another person's nose using your nose is called eskimo kiss. Verde didn't know why people do it; it's gross in his dictionary. But he knew it could look adorable when that boy, Tsunayoshi, did it.

Did he just call the boy adorable?

Anyway, the happenings from the week before, starting with the failure of hooking up Reborn and Lambo, Satan Spawn's arrival, and something with Reborn and Tsunayoshi (he started using the boy's name now), shocked Verde so much that he became somewhat of a different person the next day. He focused on his works, helped Luce with Satan Spawn, and reviewed the report for his drugs. Now that he remembered it, he realized he never reported to Reborn of the boy's weird attitude in his bedroom that time. Somehow in his mind, he recognizes that state. Orange eyes, fierce look, heat, and... flames.

Reborn never explained anything about the boy's background. The only thing they knew is that the boy was related to Vongola somehow. Vongola and flames. Verde's mind made a very weird conclusion of the boy having the flame, the signature power of Vongola and the sign of being within Vongola's Top Ten. But then, it's impossible for them to get the boy married into another family (the boy is officially Tsunayoshi Sinclair now) if he was a part of top ten. The overall idea was confusing and he tried to forget that theory to move on to another problem.

Verde was avoiding anything related to Reborn and his wife for reasons, but today he just had to confront them. Luce decided she is going to stay at The Sawada's until they finished the room for her baby back in their apartment at the club. She said there were a lot of reasons to stay there. First, Tsuna can cook for her and is capable of taking care of others. Second, it's good for the baby to spend more time with her Godfather. Said Godfather was Tsuna himself.

Arriving at the Sawada's, Verde noticed he was the first person to arrive. He had no reason to back down, because the cameras around the house captured his presence. Avoiding the doorbell would make him seem like a fool. So he went to the door. Tsuna greeted him happily, dressed properly in his school uniform and all smiley-faced. He looked very healthy. Verde still wondered how he made it out alive from the drug's influence.

"Come in! You're just in time for breakfast!"

Breakfast. That means sharing a table with Reborn.

Reborn followed Verde with his eyes as the scientist took his seat in front of the man. They didn't say anything to each other. "Would you like some pancakes, Verde?" Tsuna offered from the kitchen counter.

He was tempted by the idea of having a taste of Tsunayoshi's cooking, but his pride wouldn't let him, "No, tha -"

"Who would say no to pancakes?" The boy appeared beside him like a magician, putting a plate full of stacking pancakes in front of him, "Tea or coffee?"

His mouth moved on itself, "Tea, please".

He should've said coffee. He was not in any way curious of the tea everyone called delicious. The tea arrived in the cup he had seen the last time. He held the cup, smelled the nice aroma, and took his first gulp. The bitterness and sweetness were in perfect balance; but what's amazing from it was how the aroma embraced your senses and the taste washed over your throat, making that comfortable warm feel when it settled in your stomach. Verde stopped drinking and took a careful look at the tea. That was amaz -

"How is it?" The boy asked him from the kitchen area.

"Uhh..., it's okay". The boy smiled like he knew Verde's secret before returning to whatever activity he had in the kitchen.

"Savor it," Reborn muttered under his breath.

Verde turned to the hitman, "Excuse me?"

"Savor that meal because it will be the last you'll get from this house," Reborn told him calmly. There wasn't even a hostile expression; the man was looking at his iPad and said the words like he was commenting on the weather report, "After eating, leave this house and don't ever comeback. That goes for your brat, too".

Verde was speechless. They almost fought in the warehouse, true, but he didn't expect the man to change his behavior this extremely. Just a week before, they had breakfast together, chatted, and he was welcomed into this house. "If this is about your boy -"

"It's nothing about the boy," Reborn yawned, still keeping the facade of holding an idle chat with the scientist even though he was actualy threating Verde, "We're done. You've finished your job, I've done my part."

"I gave you the drugs. You owe me".

"I entertained your brat. We're settled, I don't owe you anything," Reborn swapped the monitor of his iPad, "If I see you in this house, I'll kill you. If I see you in this neighborhood, I'll kill you. If I found you anywhere near Tsunayoshi," Reborn glanced momentarily at Verde, so very coldly, "I'll kill you".

As if on cue, Tsuna appeared beside Reborn with two cups of coffee. "What's wrong? You look pale," Tsuna questioned Verde as he put the two cups in front of Reborn and himself. The two cups were similar, except for the word Papa on Reborn's and Mama on Tsuna's. It's the present Luce gave them, Verde noted.

"Oh, nothing," Verde answered calmly.

The boy, however, seemed as though he noticed something and sent a disappointed look to Reborn. Reborn made a good act of being confused, "What? I was reading the news".

"Yeah, I told you to play nice," Tsuna muttered; almost sounding as if he was scolding the man. At that time, the house bell rang. "That must be Luce!" Tsuna left the table quickly to went to the door and welcome their guests. Verde made sure the boy was out of their line of hearing and lurched to make his point to Reborn, "Luce will never let you kill me under her watch".

"Oh, we'll see," Reborn said arrogantly, "I know she'll kill you if you ever touched the boy". And on that moment, Verde could hear Luce's happy voice from the entrance.

"Tsuna my deaaaar! I've missed you!" Verde knew at that point that Luce had became Tsuna's number one ally, "I can't wait to have another cup of your tea!"

Verde's mouth was still open from the shock of being threatened when the full crew of Arcobaleno made it to the dining table. Fon and Viper helped on getting more chairs into the table as Skull put the baby into a mobile crib near them. Colonello invited himself cheerfully, in a new disguise to avoid suspicions on his death. After they all settled with a plate of meal and a cup of tea (Luce made it her job for The Arcobaleno's to approve Tsuna's tea), Tsuna took his seat beside Reborn and later got immersed with Luce's story of her days in the hospital. Reborn got up from his seat just to come back a moment later with a carton of milk. He poured the milk into the Mama's cup. The boy next to him didn't even pay any attention to Reborn's doing to his cup, but stirred his cup without leaving his eyes from Luce and drank his coffee.

Verde, who was still dumbfounded, witnessed another chemistry the two had. The please get me some milk or the thank you were unheard, but it sounded very clear to him. It's different with how Lambo had to try so hard to steal the man's attention or show him anything. These two don't need to say a word to get the other's to understand their actions and wants. He just knew at that moment that Lambo never had a chance from the very start. This game was beyond his level.

"So how's the bet?" Skull whispered to him silently. Fon, who sat on Skull's other side, leaned closer to listen.

Verde looked at them dumbly. For one, he knew Reborn didn't visit the club nor did he visit the warehouse. He was also sure the man no longer made contact with Lambo. He wasn't sure if the man had any sex using BDSM instruments around the week with anyone, or his wife, but he was sure of the whole outcome. Luce had won this bet for that eskimo kiss.

"Um, I think the winner is...," but, thinking again, he wasn't ready to tell what's going on that night in The Sawada Household. He lost so many things in two weeks that he wanted to allow himself this one chance to relieve the burden on his pride. Beside, Luce had practically won already. She had her baby, she had Skull and Verde to pay for her hospital expenses (which was equal to a contract's pay), and she had Fon paying for her baby's bedroom back in the club plus the expenses she would spend in The Sawada's (also equal to a contract's pay). She was the true victor. "No one. No one is the winner".

"Really? Aw, man, too bad," Skull complained to no one.

"That man is still unreadable as always," Fon commented about Reborn; nodding at himself.

"You guys had a bet?" Viper joined their conversation.

"You can't join anyway, you're broke," Skull told him. Verde regretted how these three couldn't recognize the glare Reborn gave them. Verde just hoped the hitman listened well and understood that while Verde tried to bet on him and messed with his married life, Verde kept his dirty secret; Renato Sinclair was acting affectionately toward a teenage boy called Tsunayoshi.


Tbc.