Wine, Espresso & a tint of Vanilla

A/N: I was supposed to post this much earlier, on saturday or sunday but I had forgotten that I have not posted yet, so please forgive me.

This is proofread by MissDinosaur. *HUGS*

Eh, this chapter might be confusing, so please bear with me until the next chapter. Everything would be revealed then.

Chapter 13: His Love

Sawada Iemitsu didn't want to resort to this. He had escaped out of the prison knowing that the head officer Alaude wouldn't be around that day. All he wanted to do was to visit his son, maybe look at his son the last time before he went back on the road, spending the rest of his rotten life escaping the police. That was what he planned, but when he saw his son being manhandled by the hitman who killed his wife, all hell broke loose.

Iemitsu had also stolen a bona fide sample of his wife's finger he stole before the cremation of his wife's body… he had to at least keep a body part of his wife around him. He kept the finger in a transparent, vacuum bag so the finger wouldn't rot. It was the ring finger of his wife, where his wife ring was still intact on the finger.

His mind was somewhere in between insane and sane. It was all because of his wife's death. He had actually loved his wife a lot. He had also loved Nana a lot. It's because of his indecisiveness, one had died and the other had fainted.

He was spying on Tsuna through his window. He had climbed up to the second floor using the pipes attached to his house. What Iemitsu never expected to see or hear…was to see his son like that.

He wasn't sure why, but it might be a stroke of luck that the hitman wasn't in full alert, so he didn't notice Iemitsu. He had seen the full scene of how Reborn treated his son. To get revenge… he decided to kidnap Tsuna from Reborn. He was so mad, about Reborn killing his wife, that he might kill his own son to exact revenge on Reborn.

Since his son was Reborn's lover, he interpreted that kidnapping his son would lure Reborn to him.

Now they were at some abandoned warehouse of Namimori. It wouldn't take long before the world greatest hitman would track him down. This time he wouldn't lose to Reborn. If Reborn killed him, he will just have to suffer the anguish of having a dead lover. At least he wouldn't have an incomplete family then. He had commanded Basil to kill Tsuna being committing suicide.

It was stupid, he knows, because both of the boys had their lives ahead of them. However, Iemitsu believes in after life, where they'd all be reunited together. As for Nana, it was just a matter of time before she dies, Iemitsu calculated.

He gazes as the long shadow cast on both of his son's faces. He didn't understand why Tsuna became Reborn's lover, but he understood that his son has been tainted by the hitman. Perhaps only death can cleanse it.

He got ready by sharpening the blunt knife.

He was not sure whether he was really sane or lucid right now, but it was as if he was hallucinating. He could hear his wife, Oregano talking to him. She was persuading him to join her, together with the rest of his family. It wasn't really his subconscious, he was sure of it.

It was as if the spirit of Oregano was conversing with him. Had he missed her so much that he began to see her? Feel her communicating to him, touching him, caring for him and acting like herself. Why did Oregano feel so…real?

"Execute revenge for me, Iemitsu." Oregano whispered.

The surroundings to the warehouse was dusty … the warehouse was dilapidated. The wood had termites crawling through it, and the floorboards creaked when you stepped on it. One might think that if you stomp on the floorboards it might actually break.

They trudged into the warehouse unannounced. Since it was vacant, it shouldn't matter. The reason why Iemitsu chose this place was because it was the place anyone would guess when someone was kidnapped in Namimori.

That man left soon afterwards to purchase some food and water. He had his face wrapped up, so no one could see who he was. His only excuse was that he had a cold, to keep people from asking it. His plan was very simple-when Reborn comes; Basil would kill Tsuna if Iemitsu is dead or if he signals Basil.

Once that man was gone, Tsuna pushed his eyelids open. This time he wasn't tied up, but Basil was awake too, he was sure, and on full alert. His legs felt too weak to move due to the activities he had just did with Reborn. The sky was painted black on top, as it faded into the orange sky that was dissolving in black.

It was embarrassing having that man dress him up when he was naked, and had fainted from the sex he had with Reborn. The man whisked him away when Reborn was gone, probably. It was frustrating enough having Reborn to trouble about, now he had to think about Iemitsu too. Who would have thought he would have escaped from prison?

Then yet again, he finds himself not resisting Reborn… it was partly his fault that it happened. He knew, he always knew, he always wanted to accept him whole, but it was hard. Then he hit upon a realization. Why didn't he want Reborn to date other girls, sleep with them?

Was he…jealous? He was sure he wasn't possessive. He just wanted Reborn to look at him and him only, no one else.

Why…why was he feeling this way? He wasn't supposed to feel this way towards Reborn…he should only feel gratitude… why…why was he so frustrated by him?

He likes Reborn… he was sure of it, but it felt different from what he felt from Kyoko.

It hurt too much… does liking someone…hurt this much?

The brunet snapped out of his thoughts when he could feel Basil glaring at him. Tsuna turned away from Basil, embarrassed. Even Basil had seen him naked just now, and had helped him dress into his clothes because he was too weak to do so. Tsuna honestly felt very embarrassed, but he felt angrier with that man. He kidnapped Tsuna for his selfish purposes for the sake of reuniting his family in afterlife.

Tsuna doesn't believe in afterlife, that is why he never wanted to die.

"…do you want to die this young?" Tsuna mused; face still burning at the thought.

He heaved a sigh-it was lucky he wasn't aroused when Basil dressed him up.

He prayed hard that Reborn wouldn't come to pick him up. Iemitsu had told them his plan right from the start: it was to exterminate the hitman.

Like hell Tsuna was going to let that man do that, even though he's angry with Reborn.

He couldn't let the only source that he could depend on die. It might be selfish to say this, but without Reborn, he wasn't sure how to live.

"It is all for father-dono." Basil stated simply, his short fruit knife in hand.

The brunet scoffed. All for that man? He didn't believe that Basil was this selfless. There is still so much more to see… Tsuna wants to see the world… but he didn't want to leave Nana behind, so he'll wait, wait for his mom to wake up, and then perhaps, one day, they'll sail the seven seas and travel the world.

"…That man has done nothing for you as your father, nor has he done anything good for you…" Tsuna muttered, playing with the sand dunes.

Surprisingly the boy wasn't afraid of death. He had a feeling, his intuition repeating to him that he wouldn't die, but he couldn't let another innocent party die. Basil stared at the boy then, without flinching or moving an inch.

"Father-dono used to be a good man…" Basil reasoned, raising his knife higher.

Was Basil…crying? Tears rolled down the other boy's cheek. Tsuna, who had just turned to face the other boy wiped away the tears gently off his cheek. Yes, Tsuna had loathed him, but seeing the boy with blue orbs in such a state, he couldn't help but pity him.

Reborn killed his mother, of what reasons he's not sure, but Tsuna was sure that partly Reborn killed her because of him. The brunet gave the other boy a hug. That was what…Reborn was doing the other day to him right? Comforting… it was known as comforting.

He wasn't sure if Iemitsu had told him about the killer behind Oregano's death, but he chose to keep mute about this. If he told Basil at such an emotional moment, no doubt Basil will pounce on Reborn or try to kill him.

That would only result in more bloodshed.

"S-Sawada-dono… I have to thank you. I apologize for imposing on you."

"…It's okay… I have to apologize to you too… for…your help j-just now."

Tsuna blushed when he remembers the time when Basil buttoned up his clothes for him. Luckily Basil didn't ask him anything about that and it's not like he wanted to share it to anyone about it…

Basil raises his knife, and cuts.

Reborn's phone rang almost a few seconds after he discovered the missing Tsuna. It was Alaude. He raised a brow; usually the police officer would never call him at a time like this, especially after that Iemitsu incident.

He picked up anyway.

"Sawada Iemitsu is on the loose." Alaude murmured. Reborn gritted his teeth. Of course… Tsuna would have had no energy to run after the intense activity they had. He was sure the boy would either be limping or crawling now.

He smirked at that thought, but quickly shook himself out of it. Now's not the time to be thinking about sex. This was something Alaude's incompetence caused… he'd let that officer feel the wrath of him later.

"Tsuna's missing." Reborn stated, trying to keep his voice calm and cool.

"So I need to seize that rotten fuckery of a father. Job well done, police."

Reborn slammed his phone down. He didn't have time for shits. Now he had to track Tsuna down. It would be easy, given that there's a plain and simple message on the table.

It read, "Reborn, Tsuna is with me. Come alone to the R-27 warehouse in Namimori."

He crushed the sheet of paper and threw it into the bin. Like a flash, he headed out of the Sawada apartment almost immediately. He wasn't in a good mood, so there would be bloodshed today. He was sure he needed to quench that thirst on someone now…

He stomped on the gears of his car, right now wasn't in a good mood, he didn't care if he killed someone by speed-driving.

That boy better be safe. That boy was his, and would be his forever. No one could dictate what Tsuna does except him, he'll even twist the facts to make the boy cling on to him, only by clinging on to Reborn, only by having Reborn as his support, and would the boy rely on him…listen to him… heed to him… right now, he decided, he'd force the brunet to bend to his will.

He'll take in to Italy, even if it was against his wish.

He would make that brunet crave for him, call out his name, and only live for him.

That was more like him. He smirked. Nothing changed since he acquired Tsuna. He'll just live the way he likes, but right now, he was worried sick. That didn't matter, nothing changed except he was worried for the brunet, which he would never care for any of his lovers in the past.

A fact was beginning to dawn on him… that he'd like the brunet more than he could imagine.

He'll never, ever admit its love. It was only lust, because he cannot feel anything, nothing at all...

He hides the fact that his heart wrenches when Tsuna might not need him. He's become weak, like an abandoned cat, so he has to hide it all… hide it all so no one could see it.

The moon was high up in the sky once he reached the abandoned warehouse. He reloaded his guns with bullets. This time, he had to finish Iemitsu once and for all so he doesn't interfere with them.

He made light steps towards the dingy warehouse. The warehouse lights were switched on one by one as he entered the area. The boy was nowhere to be seen. Iemitsu, however, gave Reborn no leeway and shot immediately once he spotted the hitman.

The hitman was almost hit, but dodged that bullet. He put the years of expertise and experience into good use, for now, it's a free hunting ground where anyone and everyone would get killed. He wouldn't underestimate his opponent, Iemitsu.

Iemitsu used to be in the top of the Vongola as one of their hitmans after all. Now he had to eliminate the man, he wasn't sure how the ninth would be feeling about it, but he certainly didn't give a damn about it.

If the ninth think that life was a bed of roses so long as he had his hitman that would heed to his every whim, then he's dead wrong. One day, Reborn will topple the ninth's position over and take over the accursed organization, but the time is not ripe yet.

A smokescreen was set up after Reborn dodged that shot. Now he couldn't use his sight…smart move, Iemitsu.

That didn't mean that all is lost. Reborn still had his sense of touch. Carefully, he aimed for a shot in the mist and fired. A loud grunt was heard. Reborn followed the sound as the smokescreen fades away. Reborn had shot his stomach. Now he had internal bleeding.

"Meet your death, Iemitsu."

The blonde howled. Did Reborn think that he was that stupid?

"I have implanted a bomb in my body. It would explode once I die." Iemitsu uttered, pressing on to his wound. He glared at Reborn, and challenged Reborn to shoot him.

"I'll take away everything that is yours, Reborn. Even if I don't kill you, I will take Tsuna with me." The blonde added, chuckling.

Reborn snickered and pointed his gun to Iemitsu.

"You underestimate your son and me."

Reborn fired.

3 days later.

Everything resumed back to normal for Tsuna, and by normal he meant really normal. Yamamoto and Gokudera were arguing as usual, with him being the middle-man. Sasagawa Kyoko was still his girlfriend, well and alive. The only thing missing was…Reborn.

They had a change of principal after Reborn was replaced. Lots of girls in his school were disappointed. The new principal wasn't as handsome as the past one. As for where Reborn is now he had no idea…

He completely broke off with Reborn a few days ago.

Reborn originally wanted to bring the brunet to Italy. An argument sparked between both parties. Tsuna had told Reborn straight out he didn't need Reborn to survive; he could just live on his own fine.

If Reborn didn't want to let Tsuna go, he acted like nothing would have affected him. He remembered that familiar scent… wafting through his nostrils. He could still feel it now, the presence of Reborn, soaking through the places he had seen him in or they've been together.

Life got better, his mother was still in coma, but he never gave up. He continued to visit her with fresh flowers sent by the stranger without fail.

Honestly, he didn't think Reborn would let him go that easily. No, he was under the impression that he wouldn't. He hadn't told Reborn about his feelings, but he had a feeling that telling him would be futile, because nothing would move Reborn.

He'll just have to soak in this miserably huge pain of unrequited love in his heart.

Perhaps now, he's using Kyoko as Reborn's replacement.

Kyoko was different from Reborn, Reborn had black hair but she was a brunette. Reborn would always smell like gunpowder. Kyoko smelt like a bouquet of flowers. Reborn's hands would always fit in his, a bigger to his small palms, but Kyoko's palms were smaller than his. His usual sense of security wasn't there anymore. Lastly, his strong emotions for Reborn was still there, but he liked Kyoko too, but it wasn't that type of 'like'.

Tsuna carried on with his mundane life.

Life without him just wasn't the same.

There was no one there to save him when he gets stuck in the locker. There's no one there when he feels like committing suicide. There's no warm embraces. There is no care in the world.

The other day he was walking down the street, he saw Haru. She was still very much in love with the hitman, but she's on the road of recovery. He was happy for her, he truly was, and secretly, he hopes that his feelings for Reborn would fade.

It would fade away, like Haru had said, until you'd feel nothing but emptiness.

That would be categorized as the worst feeling ever.

Whenever he hears Reborn's name he would perk up. No one had any news of him. The brunet was too stubborn. He refused to call Reborn no matter what occurred, no matter if he was laden with bills, bullied by others whenever his friends weren't around or had almost been raped.

Things just weren't the same out there wouldn't Reborn.

Tsuna used to think after reading so much shojo manga that there would be a happy ending for every story.

That was just a façade, to hide the ugly world. Simply to put it, there is no happy ending. You don't see anyone on the street getting together with someone they love.

Sometimes, you have to compromise with the person you get. Sometimes, you just have to accept the fact, which you'll never, ever be with the person.

Sometimes, you just have to accept the fact that you will never ever have the person's heart.

E/N: Because not everything in this world has it's happy ending. That is life. I wanted to make this fic as close to reality as possible, but of course, I remember this is a fic.

Honestly, it's hard to find a fic that deals with all the social issues, reality of life, and how life works. Romance don't last forever. You rarely see an old couple old there who still love each other, and it's their first marriage. Like I said, most people just move on, get on with life. That's how it works, but I'm just hoping to show this in this fic.

There is one last 'epilogue' before the end. I'll end this fic, with all my explanations, notes, and more stuff in the end. If I end the story this way, you'd all be confused. So I'd have to explain the next chapter. XD. Of course the story is not ending this way.

Thank you guys for all the wonderful support.

Review/Favs /Alerts would be loved. Thank you so much.