After eating lunch together in Takeshi's bedroom, both he and Fran decided to go down to the baseball nets so the younger male could teach his friend how to play. Jiro accompanied them, carrying one of his owner's bats in his mouth.

Fran was as quiet as ever, even though he was very much enjoying spending time with Takeshi.

"And then after that, we – oh, sorry, Fran, just a second." Takeshi cut himself off from telling Fran about his adventures with his two best friends, Tsuna and Gokudera in order to pull his phone out from his pocket.

Fran looked around at his surroundings as he waited for the younger to finish what he was doing, knowing he wouldn't have to be back at the hotel until nightfall.

"Hey, Fran?"

The teal-haired boy looked at Takeshi. "Yes?"

"Would you mind if Tsuna and Gokudera meet us there?" the dark-haired male asked gently, knowing Fran probably wouldn't like the idea of meeting his friends. "They've got to talk to me about something; that's all."

Fran's body was tense at these words, not wanting anyone else to join them – Takeshi was his. "…I…"

"Tsuna's really kind," Takeshi explained, reaching out to pat the smaller boy's shoulder. "He doesn't have a single bad thing to say about anyone. And Gokudera's a bit… odd, but he means well; it just takes a bit to get used to him."

What should I say? Fran could feel his heartbeat starting to speed up, not liking the idea of meeting Takeshi's friends; he was worried they would be different from the taller male, not as kind or accepting of him as Takeshi – perhaps even judge him for things he couldn't help, like his looks or personality; he was used to people taking just one look at him before deciding he was someone they wanted to bully.

"I…" Fran looked at his feet as he fidgeted uneasily. "…"

"I think it would be good for you to meet new people." Takeshi smiled brightly as he threw his arm over the smaller boy's shoulders. "And these two are really good people. I've told them all about you and when I said you were coming over, they actually wanted to meet you."

Fran knew his friend was right; he did need to get out more and meet new people – but it was hard for him when really the only people who cared for him where the ones who had taken him in. He had never been able to make friends at any of the schools he went to – not even the teachers liked him, leaving him with the idea in his head that maybe something just wasn't right about him, like he wasn't someone worth loving.

The truth behind his snarky personality was that it had developed as a form of self-defence, a way of coping with things he didn't feel comfortable with. His record with being bullied was what led him to being unable to return Bel's feelings of love, a thought that never went away that if he did give in to the blond, Bel would only end up leaving him for probably little to no reason and hurt him more than he already had been.

Fran was scared to return Bel's feelings, and he was scared to tell Takeshi of his feelings.

But now, while Takeshi was here with him, Fran felt as if he would be able to do it; as if he could immerse himself into the deep end of the pool and have a go.

"…Okay…" Fran whispered. His hand unconsciously reached up, gripping at Takeshi's jacket as if to support himself.

"Great." Takeshi smiled brightly as he sent a reply back to whoever had texted him originally. "They'll meet us at the baseball nets, Fran. Let's keep walking."

I wonder what his friends will be like… Fran shivered at the thought of being pushed away by Takeshi's friends, fearing that if they deemed him unacceptable, they may try and take Takeshi away from him, too.

Glancing at the friend next to him, seeing Takeshi's huge grin, Fran was sure the younger male was greatly looking forward to introducing his friends to Fran.

~~At the baseball nets~~

"Hello, Fran, it's nice to meet you."

Fran stared silently at his feet, his body tense as he stood halfway behind Takeshi, almost certain they would find some little fault to pick at.

"Yamamoto talks about you all the time. He's really very fond of you. He's looked forward to meeting you for a long time."

Fran knew it was the brunet that was speaking to him, recalling his name to be Tsuna. The silver-haired male next to Tsuna was Hayato – but Japanese customs made him better known by his last name, Gokudera. And joining them today was Ryohei, who Tsuna seemed to call his big brother despite the fact that they weren't blood related at all.

"…H… Hello…" Fran mumbled, kicking at the dirt beneath his runners.

Takeshi, who seemed to have told them all beforehand about Fran's social awkwardness, grabbed everyone's attention so that perhaps Fran wouldn't feel so exposed.

"Yo, Tsuna." Takeshi grinned at the brunet as he grabbed some money from his pocket, holding it out to his friend. "Can you please go buy Fran a drink? Take him with you so he can settle in."

Fran's breathing hitched at the suggestion, his hand jumping out to grip Takeshi's own tightly. His heart started racing as thoughts of what could possibly happen while he was alone with Tsuna crossed his mind; Fran wasn't strong at all, and he was sure Tsuna could overpower him if the other wanted.

What if Tsuna was nasty to him? Wanted to fight him? What if he…?

Fran shook his head, trying to clear the thoughts in his mind. Looking up at Takeshi, he frowned.

The younger male understood Fran's hesitance, but he also knew it would be easier this way for Fran to slowly get used to the others if he wasn't surrounded by strangers.

"The drink stand is just there." Takeshi pointed behind the teal-haired boy, showing him the stand that was in clear view. "Tsuna wouldn't hurt a fly, Fran; he'll look after you. Okay? He just wants to be your friend. You can even take Jiro with you if that makes you feel better."

Fran nodded, leaning down to lift the dog up into his arms. He held it tightly as he turned to Tsuna, silently telling him he was ready to go.

Tsuna smiled gently at him as he turned to leave, knowing that the older boy would follow him. He spoke quietly, trying his best not to make the other nervous, having been told about how awkward Fran was.

"Takeshi really does like you, Fran," the brunet said. He could feel teal eyes on him, but he kept talking. "He met you after just breaking up with Gokudera-kun, actually. I think that's why he's so attached to you; he was a bit unhappy about the relationship ending, but he told us that you just kept making him smile, no matter what."

Takeshi is… "…Takeshi is gay…?" Fran whispered.

Tsuna nodded. "Yeah – so is Gokudera-kun. They broke up, knowing they were better off as friends."

Should I… Should I tell him I'm gay…? If he accepts Takeshi and… and the other… But what if he's no different to the others…? What if it's just me he doesn't like…? Can I trust him…?

"Are you okay, Fran?" Tsuna asked, stopping in front of the stand.

Fran just nodded, still torn on what to think. If Tsuna was still really close with Hayato and Takeshi… than he must not mind what orientation his friends are. But… At the same time, Fran was a very dislikeable person according to everyone he had ever come into contact with.

Tsuna could just be tolerating him so he didn't upset Takeshi…

"What drink do you want, Fran?" Tsuna asked, having already placed his own order.

"Oh, umm…" Fran scanned the menu board quickly before he mumbled for bottled water.

"I just wanted to tell you about that so you can see how important you are to Yamamoto." Tsuna smiled at the boy as he handed the money over, receiving the drinks in return. "He worries that sometimes you think too little of yourself."

Fran fidgeted uneasily as he shifted the dog into one arm and accepted the water, not sure how to reply to these words – the brunet seemed to be the sentimental type, and Fran had never really known how to talk to those kinds of people.

"Also, please don't tell him I told you that he likes boys." Tsuna blushed. "He'd rather keep that a secret."

"How come?" Fran genuinely asked.

"I'm not really sure," Tsuna admitted. "I think he just values his friends too much to lose one over something as petty as what gender he likes."

Fran understood that – that was exactly how he felt about Takeshi. But… if Takeshi himself was gay… It should be safe to tell him about his own sexuality, right…?

"Why did you tell me if Takeshi doesn't want people to know?" Fran asked curiously. "I mean – I could have been a homophobe…"

"You just didn't seem like that kind of person," Tsuna said honestly. "It just felt as if I could tell you that and you'd understand."

Fran nodded, opening his water. He didn't speak to Tsuna again once they got back to the others, moving instead to stay by Takeshi's side.

Never before had the boy felt so safe, so accepted by a group of people outside of the Varia as he did right now; Takeshi's friends really were kind after all.

I think… Fran felt a faint blush tint his cheeks at his thoughts, …I think I'll tell Xanxus about my feelings – he'll be more understanding than the others. Except Luss, but… But Luss will make a huge fuss out of it… And I don't want Bel-senpai feeling so bad in case he hears.

Yeah. Xanxus or Squalo would be better to ask for advice; they won't freak out about it.