Title: Repeat (Skull's story)
Summary: Skull looks at these people and he sees individuals playing at being a team. Whatever. He doesn't need backup, he's a Cloud after all.
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As Dino runs away from the mass of people he just pissed off, Skull doesn't stay for the pity party. Some people might be confused, but he sure as hell isn't, so he turns and walks straight out of the Vongola base.
Skull is just so sick of people telling him that he's a bad person for loving someone.
If that guard dog Hayato actually thought any one of them would force Tsuna or manipulate the Decimo into a relationship then those cigarettes have gone to his head.
For one, Tsuna is perfectly capable of making decisions himself, he's not going to just flop over if someone confronts him with a confession.
For another, is there something wrong with telling Tsuna about their feelings? Is it truly so bad to inform the man? If Tsuna says no, none of them are going to throw a tantrum and demand his love. Really, what's the worst case scenario that Hayato is contemplating?
As for Dino, well.
It was never about matching Marks or finding that mystical true love, Skull knows that. If pointing at a biological phenomenon and then jabbing a finger at the one you liked counted as a romantic gesture to some, then they are more than welcome to it.
Skull, on the other hand, has no such strange courting ritual to fall on. His Mark connects to everyone who can access flames, and then every single pyromaniac. But that doesn't matter, because he never claimed he wanted a Soul Mate (thank you very much, Dino) he was always after Tsuna.
The Cavallone boss seems confused about what the others want, which mostly comes from the fact that the others think they need to show proof of their love. Sure, it's half necessary because Tsuna is rather oblivious, but the way they go about trying to catch the Decimo's attention is ridiculous.
They mean well, he knows, but none of them are exactly well adjusted adults so sometimes the convoluted path makes more sense. So they'll try to prove their feeling with a Soul Mark, but that's just a conduit. It's Tsuna they're trying to reach, not the one matching their Mark.
Perhaps if they actually sat down and cleared up any confusion it would save them a whole lot of trouble, but this isn't a team sport.
It's a competition.
Skull waits until Tsuna settles in again, patiently watching until the work load of the Decimo slows to a trickle and the man stops rushing around. It's on a Tuesday that Skull implements his plan. It's not elaborate or particularly impressive because it doesn't need to be, it just has to catch Tsuna's attention and make the man smile.
Skull stands outside, to the side of the Decimo's office door, with his back pressed against the wall as he waits for the hyper intuition to kick in. For a finishing touch, he keeps the bottom half of his face hidden behind a bouquet of flowers. Not roses, or anything store bought and clinical in their perfection. It's a mash of sunflowers and daisies and tulips, handpicked and wrapped in cellophane with a bright orange bow.
It doesn't take long for the hyper intuition to sense Skull, and soon the Decimo opens his office door to poke his head out. Skull doesn't move from his pose at all.
"Hi, Skull," Tsuna greets softly with a fond smile for the surprisingly shy man.
The plastic covering of the flowers crinkles in Skull's hands and the Cloud slants a sideways glance at Tsuna. The Decimo, the Sky, the one who's so painfully kind where such a disposition can get you killed.
Skull isn't in love, because he's still falling. Every time he thinks he sees the bottom of the drop, Tsuna would smile or laugh, and Skull just slams straight through the floor and keeps on going.
This method might be a little manipulative, but Skull is past broken. He's a civilian stuntman who was handed a pacifier and drop kicked straight into the Mafia. His morals are going to be a little screwy.
(Yes, Tsuna, that embarrassed, shy look in my eyes means I'm starved for attention. Oh, a hug? No, I couldn't possibly inconvenience you like that.
And then the warmth.)
Tsuna sees those beautiful purple eyes look so hesitant, and that Leon mallet Dino was talking about makes a sudden appearance. His thoughts from earlier come back, about how it would be so easy to fall in love with one of his friends.
Tsuna blushes a bright red and can't stop the smile from stretching across his face. "Let's put that in a vase, yeah?" He grabs Skull's elbow and pulls the man in.
"Do you like them?" Skull asks hesitantly as he passes over the bouquet, staring at Tsuna with wide, hopeful eyes.
"Of course," Tsuna reassures, hugging the flowers to him. "They're beautiful. I didn't even know sunflowers could grow into love heart shapes," he laughs.
"They can't," Skull smirks. "I stole those ones from Verde, he's trying to make the gardener's maze. Oh, and don't touch the petals, they're super sharp." Skull takes off a glove to show bandages and small cuts littering his hand.
Tsuna raises an eyebrow.
"What?" Skull huffs. "Those flowers are cool. Everyone likes sharp things."
Tsuna rolls his eyes and sits the Arcobaleno down on the couch before wandering about, getting the flowers set up on his desk. Skull puts on his glove again and worries his hands in his lap, peeking up at Tsuna when he thinks the Decimo isn't looking.
Unknown to both, Reborn fades out of a secret passage without a sound but pauses, completely covered by the angle of Tsuna's bookcases.
Tsuna flutters around as he cuts off the stems so they'll fit in the vase and takes off the plastic wrapping but keeps the bow, wrapping it around the vase instead. He has no idea what to say to the man sitting behind him, and the stupid blush won't go away.
Tsuna is done being self-conscious and hesitant. He won't think about it because if he does he'll withdraw and overthink everything that happens. Tsuna will go with the flow and right now Skull is sitting on his couch looking nervous and adorable and Tsuna wants to hug him.
Tsuna angles the last sunflower and then makes his way over to the couch, dropping down near Skull with a smile on his face. "So what have you been doing? Do you do anymore stunt shows?"
"Um, yeah, I started as soon as I got this body back." Skull nods with a smile and starts emerging from his nervousness. "People are still really excited when I show up, and I see my old fans waving to me in some shows. It's really nice."
Reborn tilts his head at the smile, the small gesture so honest. He suddenly remembers Takeshi and the kid's fake smiles before Tsuna got to the Rain.
"That's so sweet," Tsuna hums. "I'll have to visit you one day-"
A bullet flies just over their heads and slams into the wall, jolting both of them. Tsuna shrieks with Skull and they cling to each other.
"My, aren't you two cosy," Reborn drawls, his long stride carrying him over to the two, who immediately separate in preparation to run.
The hitman pauses in front of Tsuna and takes the Decimo's hand. Locking eyes with the brunet, Reborn bows over the hand and presses a kiss to Tsuna's knuckles.
"Are you kidding me?" Skull cries, his anger well hidden behind the exasperated tone and the half flail. "You can't just shoot at someone and then woo them."
"I believe I just did," Reborn counters.
"Don't worry, Skull," Tsuna cuts in, calm at the familiar territory. "Reborn pulls pigtails."
The room goes dead silent and then a giggle escapes Skull.
"I'll kill you both," Reborn grits out.
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A/N:
I'm pretty sure that Skull is the most terrifying one in this story.