Disclaimer: I do not own Katekyo Hitman Reborn.
Thank you to those who reviewed! Here's the ninth installment. Have fun and let me know what you think
Lessons of Fatherhood:
9) Never let anyone mistreat your child:
Dino and Tsuna were having a relaxing time together in the Vongola Italian Mansion. Sharing a couch, they enjoyed tea and various sweets in lighthearted conversations. Admiring the view from the vast windows surrounding the living room, the two bosses reminisced the pain of Reborn's training schemes and the journey that led them to this Mafia position.
"Oh, Uncle Tsuna! Daddy, could you help me wash the scratches?" Dino's seven-year-old son skidded to a stop, flailing his arms to keep his balance. The two dons turned around to stare at the tattered state of the boy who had just ran through the opened doors and interrupted their peaceful time.
"My God! What happened? Did you get into a fight again?" Dino stood up in disbelief, taking in the sight of the younger blonde's dirt-covered body. Embarrassed by the adults' gazing, the kid used the back of his right hand to wipe his muddy face.
"NO! I… It was nothing…Daddy…" The boy shook his head to reaffirm his statements. Tsuna hid a smile at the boy's exasperated expression, forgiving the dusty footsteps that trekked all over his pristine marble halls and carpet floor.
"Did someone pick on you? Come on, you can tell me who it is and we'll resolve this, yeah? Excuse me for a minute, Tsuna!" The Italian boss walked toward the exit, flashing the Vongola Decimo a grin before leading his son into the corridor. In his haste to make things right, Dino did not hear Tsuna's last warning.
"Wait, Dino-san! You should know that… I think… Dino-san! Please be careful!" Tsuna called after his self-proclaimed older brother's retreating back. Realizing his futile quest, the sweet boss heaved a sigh and prayed that the Cavallone boss' self-preservation would know what to do. After all, Tsuna did not want to be the one explaining to Hibari-san why Dino and their son ended up in such a pathetic state after their visit with the Vongola.
As for the Cavallone, just because he was bullied by Squalo and abused by Kyoya did not mean that he wanted his son to suffer the same fate like his. Fueled by self-righteousness and paternal protectiveness, the blond boss took the reluctant boy's hand and rushed to the garden, looking for the 'bully'.
"So, tell me who did this and exactly what happened. I won't let you suffer this injustice and let them get away with it this time…" Dino continued his speech, smothering a tiny feeling that maybe he was taking this a bit too personally and/ or selfishly.
"I told you, Daddy. She did not bully me! We were just…" The boy looked up at Dino, blue-gray orbs trying to convince his amber ones of the truth. The end of the hallway was fast approaching.
"Oh, so there's a girl involved. What did you say to her to be treated like this, eh? I guess you got your Tou-chan's social awkwardness! Don't worry, Daddy can teach you how to sweet-talk with any girl and charm them thoroughly without committing yourself. The key is to smoothly compliment them and… Is that her? Holy Crap!" Dino stopped preaching his philandering ways before he could get into the specifics of his days as a womanizer. He did not need to see his son's vigorous nods to realize the answer while staring at the two figures approaching them from the gazebo faraway.
The blond father and son stood rooted in their spot at the entrance to the vast garden, gawking at the girl with long black hair and pale blue eyes. The spring wind tousled her silky locks and carried a part of her conversation to the silent pair at the doorway.
"That's him, Daddy! I like him even though he wouldn't fight me when I asked this morning. I shoved him around a bit, but he didn't run away like the others. And, we had a mud-ball fight. He let me play with his hair, too! It's just like you and Papa always do. I think I've found my special friend just like you always told me, Daddy! Hurry, I want to show him to you!" The seven-year-old girl who happened to be pulling Xanxus by the hand was pointing at Dino's son with so much enthusiasm.
Dino shuddered at the implications her words might inadvertently carry. He would not want his son to follow Squalo's footsteps both by choosing and staying with a violent and volatile partner. Please don't model your relationship after your parents, little girl! I wouldn't label what Xanxus does to Squalo's hair as playing with his hair…
"It's okay, hun. The trash wouldn't dare to run away from my girl." Xanxus took two long strides and stopped three feet in front of the taller blonde. While the kids waved and grinned at each other, his son was obviously intimidated by Xanxus' imposing stance. Crimson orbs thoroughly inspected the boy; his scrutiny actually made Dino sweat.
"Adequate, but are you sure about this, hun? Kid looks like a wimp to me. Except for the eyes, isn't he the Cloud brat's son?" The Varia leader looked from his little girl to Dino for affirmation. The blond boss audibly swallowed a gulp of saliva.
"Okie, let's go find the others! We can play something else this time!" The Varia princess took hold of the boy's right hand and dragged him away from his fearful father. As the two kids ran off to join their other friends in the mansion, Dino attempted to behave as a civilized human being and smiled nervously at the indifferent Varia boss.
"Tell the Cloud brat to drop by sometimes. One last thing, if that boy does anything funny, you will pay for it. Tsk, I'm off to have a talk with the Vongola brat. See ya, trash!" Xanxus arrogantly delivered his threat before shoving the Italian don aside to enter the building. Dino exhaled in relief, watching the large group of kids playing in the backyard. Maybe, just maybe they would get along better than their predecessors.
New lesson: Always treat girls with respect no matter what. They are always right, especially when their father can incinerate your butts in less than two seconds.
Thank you for reading this chapter. Please leave me a review/ comment! See you next time :)
