A/N: PLEASE READ!

WOW. The last chapter had so many grammatical errors +_+ Sorry about that, I'll fix it up asap ^^

Anyway, the problem with writing a fic in the midst of an actual arc is that you have to follow the canon storyline.

That always makes things a tad bit more difficult, which is why this skips to after the final battle (Xanxus vs Tsuna). If you remember, Belphegor spares Gokudera when he was still paralysed. If not, google episode 58 :)

Just a terrible, short chapter to establish what happened during the time jump. You don't have to read it, the story will still make sense ^^

It had been two whole days since Gokudera and Belphegor had last spoken. There was a new level of awkwardness that had settled between the two of them, and neither boy wanted to be the first to break it. During the cloud battle, both parties had not so much as glanced at each other. The entire ordeal passed with both of them feeling painfully self-conscious and uncomfortable, whilst their companions could only try to guess what was wrong.

The sky battle wasn't any better either. In fact, it was the worst. They had actually succeeded in trying to kill each other once again, and the only words they exchanged were snarky comments and insults which hid the agony that they were both feeling on the inside. They treated each other like strangers, and anyone would've easily assumed that the two were mere rivals- just a pair of opponents who wanted the other one gone. It was painful, the way things had turned out.

Gokudera was hurt. He was cut deeper than a wound any oddly-shaped knife could ever inflict. Belphegor had not asked him to take part in any of his sadistic games lately, and his lack of enthusiasm was more unsettling than his usual hyper-active self. The silvernette began to wonder why Belphegor might not want him anymore. Most likely, the guy just wanted someone to ease his boredom- a toy to play with- and when things started getting serious, he bailed. It didn't really matter, he thought. The ring conflict was over, and soon the entire Varia would be gone.

But it did matter. Because the bomber was harbouring feelings for the psycho kife-thrower, whether he liked it or not.

In hindsight, things would return to normal. He'd spend the long nights alone in his own little bed, as usual. He'd have no one to hold him and caress him whenever he was feeling lonely, as usual. Worst of all, he'd have that vacant, empty feeling in his chest once again- that same feeling that had been pestering him since he was a kid- as usual.

"You know what..." He thought to himself. "Normal fucking sucks."

Belphegor had been in the shits before. His job was to kill people, his quota was met with corpses, and it was a daily requirement to constantly throw himself into mortal peril. So yes, Belphegor has been in the shits many-a-time. But this was an all time low, even for someone like him. He felt his blood- which was everything to him- freeze within his veins. There was a hollowness in his stomach which felt like a bottomless pit- and it wasn't the kind that could be filled by food, either. Losing his inheritance today was nothing compared to what he had already lost two nights ago, after the mist battle.

How could he- a prince, a fucking prince- trust someone enough to actually let them disappoint him. He was a fool for ever hoping that that little Vongola kid would ever reciprocate his feelings. Indeed, Belphegor had possessed some form of affection for the silver haired bomber from the very beginning. Why the hell else would he have kept the brat alive? Why else would he have allowed Gokudera to touch him... and be touched by him? Why else would he have held the boy in his sleep, and let his guard down only before him? All these questions- they didn't matter anymore. In the end, it was all in vain. Because Gokudera didn't love him. Gokudera only wanted to play with him. He was nothing to Gokudera.

And now they were going to be separated.

Sudden jump into intense angst. I don't know where it came from either! D: Review please?
*waves* I'll see you guys in a better, longer next chapter~ ^^