Thank you to everyone who reviewed, alerted and favourited!
MilkTeaLord (Glad you liked it and here's another one, out like a flash lmao)
Otaku908 (I do have a problem with commas, yes. I can't help it lmao. I like having lots of commas so I don't have too little.
Thanks for understanding! It's all I can ask. I had a difficult doctor's appointment concerning my condition on Wednesday, managed to have good cry, and now I feel better because of it.
You'll be happy to know that I managed to get a smidgen of Alaude and Hibari, Reborn (like always lmao), a wee bit of Fon and a big helping of Luce lol.
Hope you enjoy, and let me know if the commas are still a problem. I tried to cut them down but it's gotten into a habit)
BerrysplashQT (Yup, and here's another one, in the same week no less lol. I'm glad you like my descriptions. I try to make Tsuna's past traumatising and I think I'm doing well in that sense.
Sorry, there's no Yamamoto here. Maybe next time? It depends where it's going though lmao.
Last chapter was just over 6,000 words of story, going to over 10,000 with replies to reviews. That only happened because I left it so long to update and amassed so many reviews though. This time definitely isn't the case.
Enjoy!)
Digimonfansunite44 (Not much Fon in this one, but here you go!)
Rinail (There'll be R27, but I think, if there's an end, then it'll be ambiguous. People can guess who it was at the end and be happy with the choice they made lol. Or maybe I'll put a poll on my page or something. I dunno. Depends.
Feeling bad for Tsuna is a given! S'what I was planning for haha...as macabre as it sounds. Many bad things must happen to Bermuda but, unfortunately, there isn't much we can do. Vent your frustrations at a pillow. Tis good fun.
I am seventeen with the body of an old person lol. Thank you for the support – I hope I get better too. Actually went to see a doctor this Wednesday, and we finally think something's going to be done, because he wanted to take action instead of to just give me painkillers and send me on my way. Exams are brutal. Enjoy your youth. Seriously.
You're going to make me blush if you compliment my story this much lol. There's a little Reborn here – no Asari, sorry. Fon wasn't aiming on being mean. He just wanted to know Reborn's intentions for Tsuna because he's gotten a little attached lmao.
I don't mind long reviews! They make me happy that people want to talk about the story or other aspects so much!
By the way, I thought there was a message in that paragraph or pressure so I ended up picking all the words out lol. Turns out it was nothing, but it still gave me a laugh.
Thanks for the virtual waffles and here's an update!)
YanKinka (A vote for Mukuro then?)
ShioriErz (I think a lot of people want to hit Bermuda lol. Sorry that you almost cried. Guess that means I'm writing well, huh?)
Charm13insomnia (I live! Haha, thanks. I just have to do better in summer otherwise I don't get into veterinary.
I'm glad you like the replies. I like writing them out too. And nope! You don't have to wait any longer, here's an update!)
Rokito (Okie dokie! Vote for Mukuro!)
xxxKimi-chan (I'm glad you liked the update! Here's another already – this one practically wrote itself, though I feel as if I crammed too much into it.
Tsuna and Tsunayoshi are loveable, no matter how much they try lmao. I like to think of Tsunayoshi as a hissing kitten – you're in danger of being scratched, but he's too adorable to leave alone. Glad that you liked the Arcobaleno hint and R27, R72 moments haha.
This story'll definitely continue, it's just the risk of waits between chapters. I might get time during summer but after that it's the year where we send of UCAS forms and Personal Statements and then get Uni interviews and...ugh, future.
There's a little bit of Giotto here! No Dino (I really need to get him in!) or Byakuran I'm afraid. Maybe soon though!
Maybe from now on I'll start replying to your reviews with PMs and any that I think are long enough to warrant a PM reply instead of a story reply because of how long my response will end up being lol.)
XxKatelynnexX (They'll definitely do their best to protect him! Apparently he has that aura in which people can't help but want to surround him. If they choose not to, Tsunayoshi will fight tooth and nail to keep Tsuna out of harm's way.
I think half the reason my mum doesn't want me having one is because I already have the DS Lite and an xbox, and I probably can't afford another distraction at a critical point in my life lol... (I spent the first couple days of Easter completing Dragon Age Origins and Dragon Age 2) so that's probably the reason why. I had to look up the game you mentioned and it looks amazing. I just can't get it. OTL.
Tis a fun conversation! Don't mind how long it is, I like replying to them!)
Ramaxy18-chan (Glad you were excited for the update, and I hope you didn't frighten your mum lol! Here's another chapter. Hopefully this one won't surprise you as much lmao.
No Byakuran, but there is Lambo! Hope you like this chapter!)
Saphire644 (Is that a vote for Reborn or...? lol. I'll put one down anyway!)
Fiamma-Et-Hikari (Here's a wee bit of Fon and here's an update too!)
Guest (Nah, I'm not sick. I have a debilitating and painful back condition, but I'm just slow with that update because I'd recently entered A-Levels and was preparing for exams – which I didn't do well in lol.)
SelfcreatedCharacter (Haha, fair enough. They do happen to have the same face lol. Glad that you like Reborn's jealously hehe. Can you imagine what he might do if he got really jealous? I can't; not quite yet. It'd be interesting to write out though!
And okie dokie for your votes!)
Chapter Fourteen – Past and Future Inflictions
Tsuna nervously tugged at the sleeves of his shirt before adjusting his bag strap, nervously peering up at the person next to him from the corner of his eye, just to find that Hibari was staring at him. Swallowing a squeal, Tsuna quickly faced forward again, walking a little faster towards the building. Silently, Hibari kept pace, and Tsuna felt his heartbeat thud in his throat from panic.
At the end of the day, the prefect had been stood in the doorway of the room, glaring at everyone who had scurried by in a panic. Tsuna had tried to follow their example, not wanting to be caught by Hibari – Yamamoto had been at baseball practice, and Gokudera had left earlier for a piano lesson, something which both surprised and intrigued Tsuna.
Instead, Hibari had gripped his arm, twisted him around, and started marching him down the corridor, silencing Tsuna's protest with a single, quite frankly, frightening look, his other hand already sparking purple Cloud Flames.
Tsuna was wondering if it was Hibari's intent to give him a heart attack before they reached the dorm room. It was certainly going that way. And Tsunayoshi, the jerk as Tsuna now dubbed him, was vaguely amused by all of this. Though, as much of a jerk he was being, Tsuna was just glad he wasn't destroying school property or giving Hibari a reason to hurt him.
Halfway across the courtyard towards the dorm buildings, Tsuna caught a flash of gold from his peripheral and wasn't sure whether or not he was supposed to be happy at seeing Giotto approach him, waving wildly and amicably and, inevitably, gathering the attention of other students on the yard, who gaped as Giotto slung an arm around Tsuna's shoulders.
"G-Giotto-senpai," Tsuna mumbled, shoulders shrugging weakly in an attempt to make Giotto let go. "I-Isn't your dorm on the other side?"
Giotto's arm tightened. "I had a talk with Reborn. As school council president, I sit in some meetings with the Chairman, including the one where he introduced a man called Bermuda." His arm tightened again at Tsuna's violent jolt and stifled noise of fear.
"Giotto-sama, please don't wander off. Sawada-san. Kyoya." Tsuna swallowed down Tsunayoshi's contempt at hearing Bermuda's name so he could turn his attention to Alaude and bow weakly in greeting.
"I didn't wander off! I clearly said that I'd spotted Tsuna and was going to greet him. Besides, now I can walk him back to his room too."
"A-Ah, you don't need to." Tsuna shook his head violently, moving to push Giotto's arm away from his shoulder gently. "I'll be fine. I-I'm pretty sure H-Hibari-senpai w-was walking me back at a-any rate..." he risked another glance at Hibari and cringed at the sharp gaze still directed his way.
"I still want to walk with you."
"B-But Alaude-senpai..."
"I will also walk back with you," Alaude simply replied, and Tsuna felt his chance at slipping away and home free shrivel away with those words. At least he knew that Hibari would leave him alone once they returned.
Giotto, however, had no qualms of invading Tsuna's personal space, regardless of Tsunayoshi's feelings, his own Sky Flames one of the only things able to withstand the brunt of the brunette's Flames. Since Alaude would be there, Tsuna had no chance to convince Giotto to leave earlier.
It wasn't that he disliked the blonde; his enthusiasm and excitable nature was refreshing, but it sometimes made Tsuna uncomfortable and that inevitably caused Tsunayoshi to emerge. Tsuna hated dealing with the guilt at knowing he'd hurt someone.
He was so lost in his thoughts that he only came to a halt when Giotto threw his arm around his shoulders again and pulled him back against his chest to prevent him from walking into the door to their room.
"Can't get in without the key Tsuna. What were you thinking so deeply of?"
Tsuna tilted his head back to meet Giotto's eyes and said, without much thought, "Of you." He was confused at the spluttered noise the elder gave, Giotto removing his arm from Tsuna's shoulders and lifting a hand abruptly to press against his face as he looked away from Tsuna.
"R-Really."
"Mmhmm." Tsuna rummaged in his bag slowly for his key, but Hibari beat him to it, gliding into the dorm room without a sound, only giving another sharp look to Tsuna for the trouble.
Tsuna shuddered at the look, quickly ducking into the room and promptly pausing at seeing an unfamiliar person on the sofa. Tsunayoshi was suddenly very present, ready to take control at a moment's notice, should it be someone that was a danger to them.
"Oh, Lambo! Does this mean Lampo is back as well?" Giotto called, recognising the person and recovering from whatever it was that had ailed him, Tsuna noted absently. The person simply lifted a hand in greeting with a noncommittal grunt and a murmured, "What are you doing in my dorm room, Giotto-senpai?"
"I was walking Tsuna back from across the courtyard. This is his dorm room too; you've moved in?"
"Reborn suggested that I moved in here." The young man unfolded himself from the sofa and drew Tsuna's attention, whose eyes lifted first to the black curly hair and then the...horns?
Tsunayoshi slipped back and Tsuna slowly relaxed as the other teen took him in lazily, one eye closed, before dismissing him with a wave of his hand and turning his attention back to Giotto.
Tsuna sighed, dumping his bag at the door and toeing his shoes off before facing Giotto and Alaude as well, hands moving to methodically undo his tie and the top two buttons of his shirt. "Will you be staying for something to drink? Or perhaps even for dinner?" He was only asking to be polite.
"Just a drink," Alaude intervened before Giotto could agree to anything more and he too slipped his shoes off, walking towards the armchair.
Tsuna nodded, smiling at Giotto briefly before he moved to dump his tie on the back of the couch, pausing in the kitchen doorway as he turned to the new intruder, hesitantly asking, "W-Would you like anything, L-Lambo-san?" He used the name hesitantly.
Lambo turned to lazily regard him again before nodding. "Three sugars."
"T-Tea or coffee?"
"Tea." Lambo sank back into the couch again and Tsuna ducked into the kitchen, deciding to close the door behind him so Tsunayoshi wouldn't do anything rash, like dart back into the room and throttle Lambo for being rude.
He set about boiling the kettle, moved to grip the edge of one of the kitchen counters, and ducked his head, staring at the floor before closing his eyes and letting his body shake violently. His skin felt too tight and had for a few hours now. His magick was itching, scratching, buzzing underneath his skin, burning him up.
A piece of the counter broke underneath his hand and he started breathing again.
Tsuna blinked blearily as the kettle clicked to show that it had finished boiling. Hands still trembling gently, he rummaged until he found a teapot, adding a tea bag and pouring in the hot water, before arranging the pot, several cups and a small pot of sugar with a teaspoon as well as a jug of milk onto a tray before he balanced the whole ensemble in his hands, elbowed the kitchen door open and walked to the coffee table, setting the tray down as carefully as he could.
Another shake of his body rattled the cups and he moved to grip his upper arm, ignoring the concerned eyes that had been turned to him by Giotto at his unprecedented movement. Before anything could be asked of him, he muttered something about having to get dressed into more comfortable clothes and he walked into the bedroom, gathering his clothes and moving to the bathroom so he could avoid Hibari. He'd noticed the suitcase on the only spare bed in the room, but chose to ignore it.
It was too hot. He was getting stifled.
He didn't reach the bathroom door before the floor was rushing up to meet him.
"Bermuda-sama, it's reaching a critical point. We won't be able to keep it contained any longer if you allow this to continue. We need to neutralise him now."
Bermuda stared impassively through the window at the young brunette, who was shackled to the wall, thrashing and gasping in pain.
"Keep it going. I want to see the breaking point."
"Bermuda-sama, the magick is too much. It's beginning to become a danger."
"Keep it going," Bermuda replied softly, his subordinate swallowing silently before nodding, turning to face the window again. Tsuna was screaming by this point, but the soundproof quality of the glass and the room he was strapped into prevented any noise from reaching the observers.
Bermuda pressed a hand against the window, face covered as always and not betraying the emotions he might have been feeling. "So much magick, for a body so small. How do you suppose he does it?"
"I-I don't know, Bermuda-sama."
"I suppose it's something we can figure out for ourselves. When he's passed his breaking point, take him to OR fourteen and gather our best Mist Flames. I want them to cut into his pathways, and find the source of the magick."
"H-He might not survive, B-Bermuda-sama."
"Oh, don't be so sure of his demise. Tsunayoshi is such a stubborn little fool. He'll fight every step of the way."
The window, where his hand was resting, suddenly cracked and Tsuna's ragged screams were audible. The chains restricting his magick abruptly shattered and suddenly the room was blazing orange, the small brunette's Flames finally given a chance to escape.
"B-Bermuda-sama, please s-step back from the window!"
Bermuda turned to face the man, startling him as the bandages stretched taut in a grin. "Don't worry. I'll fix this mess myself. Tsunayoshi has been unruly the past few days here with his stay. I think I'll rectify that."
The crack in the window spread further before the glass shattered and the magick welling out of control from Tsuna washed into the room like an oncoming tsunami; unstoppable, powerful, dangerous.
Bermuda couldn't help but laugh quietly, his own Flames licking at his hands and arms as he readied himself to face whatever Tsunayoshi had planned for him. He was hoping it would be fun and interesting. He didn't want to waste time on a boring case, no matter how unique it was.
"Bermuda!" was screeched from the small, desecrated room, and Bermuda's chuckles died down as he braced himself from the inevitability of Tsunayoshi coming to find him.
He ducked in time to avoid a brightly glowing fist to the face and got headbutted for his attempt at dodging.
This was going to be fun.
"Is Tsuna – "
"He just collapsed, I – "
"How long ago – "
"Stop crowding him!" The last voice rung out and registered with Tsuna as he slowly regained consciousness. With a soft groan, he shifted his weight and mumbled, his voice hoarse with sleep, "Enma-kun...?"
"Ah, you're awake. How are you feeling?" Slim fingers pushed his hair back from his forehead and Tsuna sighed at how cool they were. There was a dip to his side and he realised he'd been moved to his bed – Enma was likely sat on the edge of it now. Another hand moved to clasp his own, which was limp at his side.
"I feel rough...warm." Tsuna took in a shuddery breath. "Like my skin is stretched tight..."
"You've been keeping your magick bottled up Tsuna. It's starting to affect you." Enma tightened his hand around Tsuna's, offered a fluttering squeeze in return which prompted a smile from the redhead. "You'll have to let it out eventually."
"S'never happened before." Tsuna murmured, voice catching and slurring on the first word.
"It has, you just can't quite remember yet. Nono-san had his Mist guardian use his ability to seal Tsunayoshi-kun before. Along with him, a sizeable amount of magick potential was sealed too. Now that Tsunayoshi is out, your magick is gathering again. It's always been a problem you've had...it's why...well, it's why Nana-san and Iemitsu-san thought that where they sent you to was best."
Tsuna tilted his head to the palm that was settled on his forehead and sighed again when it slid down to cup his cheek gently, fingertips brushing softly against under his jaw. "At least we met you out of the experience."
"Is that you or Tsunayoshi-kun talking, hmm?" Enma asked teasingly, being rewarded with a soft laugh in return by Tsuna, who peered at him with half lidded, feverish bright eyes. The brunette watched his face for a while before his gaze crossed to someone who was behind Enma, confusion briefly crossing his flushed face.
"How long was I asleep for?"
"A few hours at least. You can sleep for a little longer if you want to, and then think about getting your magick reduced."
"Tsunayoshi thinks that unless there's a sizeable chunk of land that won't be missed, we'll just have to let it out in small amounts." Tsuna exhaled and then coughed softly, almost moaning in upset when Enma pulled his cold hand away from his face. He was slowly pulled up to sit by several hands, and then Enma was cupping the back of his neck with his cool hand again, offering him a glass of water with the other, pressing the rim gently to his mouth.
Tsuna took a few unhurried mouthfuls, eyes closing, before Enma asked, hesitantly, "How did...how did they reduce it?"
The brunette's eyes shot open, glowing orange and he pursed his lips, before sneering quietly, "They didn't. They let it build and build and build until we reached the breaking point and then ripped it away so it could happen again." He coughed again and Enma gave him the glass, which he thankfully sipped from, ignoring the wince that Enma gave.
Slowly, the orange faded back into brown.
"Tsunayoshi noted that the new one, Lambo-san, is a Lightning Flame user," Tsuna mumbled, once he'd finished drinking, hand clenching softly on the bed covers until Enma took hold of it again, Tsuna squeezing his hand gratefully. "Depending on how strong it is, he could keep us in a bubble, and we expel it that way."
"Wouldn't it be a danger to you?"
"So long as the barrier holds, then no. They're designed to absorb power, right?"
"Yare, yare. Why should I help you?" a disinterested voice called out and Tsuna shrugged weakly.
"You don't have to. Was just a suggestion. Better than destroying property, or hurting people, right?"
Enma squeezed his hand, other arm moving to rest around Tsuna's back to keep him sat up as he offered, "We could fight again."
Tsuna scoffed quietly, shaking his head slowly. "No...no, Tsunayoshi doesn't want to risk us hurting you again. It's more than before, Enma. It burns." His voice dropped to a whisper, and he slumped into the hold that was keeping him supported.
"Lampo could do it," Giotto called out, who had been watching, sat on another bed. "Or, one of Reborn's friends." His eyes drifted to the door where his fellow senior was stood, watching with feigned disinterest.
Reborn chuckled and shook his head. "I think Lambo should do it. A way to test his magick skills after being away from school for so long, isn't that right, Lambo?"
Lambo cringed at the look he was given by Reborn and shrugged, muttering, "I-I suppose I could help...but you'll owe me Reborn!"
"Then it's settled." Reborn smiled almost wickedly at Lambo before turning to look at Tsuna, who was watching him. "When do you need this to happen?"
"As soon as possible, really. Ah, Tsunayoshi says we might need Colonello-senpai there. His Flames would be needed if the magick slips out of control. Yamamoto-san could help but...he's most likely busy with sports, and we don't know if his Flames are strong enough yet." A contemplative look stole across Tsuna's face before he was coughing again and there was a sudden sparking by his head which promptly 'popped', shaking the furniture in the room and cracking the glass in the window.
"There's a mostly disused field towards the back of the building, can you make it there, or do you need to be carried?" Giotto called across, and Tsuna swung his legs out of the bed slowly, pressing his feet to the floor before he attempted standing. Confusion crossed his face first and then pain, but before he could meet the floor, Enma had caught him and guided him to sit on the bed again.
"You're going to need help Tsuna-kun. As much as I'd like to, I doubt that I can carry you..."
Tsuna slanted a look at him from the corner of his eyes, the colour of them flashing orange briefly with Tsunayoshi's indignation before he muttered, "He won't stand for us getting carried."
"Neither of you can stand at all." Reborn murmured as he walked back into the room, pocketing his phone of which he'd used to call Colonello. "So whether he likes it or not, someone's going to be towing you."
"Giotto-senpai then. He's less insufferable than you," Tsuna deadpanned before he started coughing once more. Enma was the first to duck and the rest of the room followed as there was another pop. This time, the window shattered outwards, and the bed Tsuna was on suddenly broke, the legs giving way as it collapsed to the floor, almost jolting the brunette off had Enma not supported him.
Tsuna offered a smile to Enma before suddenly paling and hacking up a thick mouthful of blood that splattered onto his lap.
The heat was getting to be unbearable.
He was delirious for the next few minutes then, barely feeling the hands on his waist, and barely registering the feeling of weightlessness as he was lifted into someone's arms. He was aware of the pain in his chest when he coughed up another mouthful of blood that dribbled down his chin and settled uncomfortably against his collarbone because of the way he was being held.
He came to after a moment to feeling grass under his palms because of how he was sat and watching something shimmering and green come to life around him, tight and closed, leaving only a space of about a foot either side. Reaching out, he let his fingers brush the closest wall to him and had the breath snatched out of him by the force of the absorption it held.
Tsuna let his eyes drift over to Enma who was crouching outside of the small dome, smiling softly at him as his mouth moved in words Tsuna could no longer hear or begin to understand, not with magick screaming in his ears, rushing through his veins, boiling his blood.
He wasn't sure if something snapped, or if it had broken into a hundred pieces and crumbled to dust, but the Flames left him, no longer under his control, and smashed straight into the sides of his small, makeshift prison, flowing ever stronger, faster which each passing second. From the edges of his awareness he heard a shout of surprise and mumblings of disbelief, but it all paled in comparison to the relief rushing throughout his body as he let the Flames loose.
Sorry, Tsuna. This needn't have happened if I'd focused on us more. Normally I have the magick doing little things. I've been distracted. I'm sorry.
Tsuna didn't feel as if Tsunayoshi had to be sorry. As he opened his eyes – when did he close him? – he was in the middle of an inferno that no longer hurt, that simply washed over his skin like a soft summer breeze and, surprisingly, made him feel happy and content.
It took twenty minutes, he later found out, for the magick to finally die down to an ember and then extinguish itself completely, leaving Tsuna unscathed and feeling more awake than before, if a little feverish still.
A hand on his arm was the sign that told him it was all over, a gentle grip that pulled him, trembling, to his feet, where he struggled to stay standing.
"T-That was impressive," Giotto admitted, his breath brushing by Tsuna's ear, where he was stood beside him, keeping him upright and supported. "I don't think I've seen that much magick in my life. If the barrier wasn't there, I can't even imagine the scale of damage it might have caused."
"A lot," Reborn supplied sarcastically, approaching slowly, gazing down at Tsuna from a height much taller than Tsuna was used to. Though, now that he paid attention...
Tsuna followed where the intensity of Reborn's gaze was focused and blinked briefly at the crater he was stood in, the layers of ground having been torn back before he slowly turned his head to find Lambo, offering him a smile and a mumbled, "Thanks for helping."
Lambo just shrugged, smiling himself and looking to the side, almost embarrassed, as he muttered, "Was nothing."
"No, it wasn't nothing. I'm glad I didn't hurt anyone or destroy too much and I have you to thank for that, Lambo-san." Tsuna weakly bowed, needing Giotto's help to straighten up again and Lambo simply shuffled, clearing his throat as he blushed.
"Turns out I wasn't needed, kora," Colonello murmured as he stepped to Reborn's side, who had stopped by the edge of the crater. "Still, something really impressive." He pulled out his phone and snapped a few photos, so he could show the others before saying out of the corner of his mouth to Reborn, "Seems a good a reason as any for Bermuda to be after the boy, kora."
Reborn grunted before gesturing to Giotto. The other seemed to understand what he wanted, because he moved his hands to Tsuna's waist, ignoring the soft splutter that the small brunette gave, and picked him up as if he weighed nothing, passing him off to Reborn who set him back on his feet outside of the crater, pushing him against Colonello to keep him upright before he reached down and offered his hand to Giotto who used the support to pull himself out of the hole.
Tsuna apologised for bumping into Colonello as a result of Reborn's shove and was given a grin in return before his attention was taken up by Enma who approached and asked in soft tones if he was okay before giving Tsuna a hug which the brunette happily returned, slumping against his friend as if he needed help to stay up.
"Come on, Tsuna-kun. I can bet you probably need some rest after that."
"Apart from feeling a little weak, I actually think I'm more awake than I've ever been." Tsuna fisted his hands in the back of Enma's shirt to hold him close, more by Tsunayoshi's provocation than his own want, no matter how conflicted he felt over it.
"You should probably still rest." Enma combed his fingers through the soft hair at the back of Tsuna's head, pressing his cheek to the brunette's who twitched but didn't pull away. "We'll go back to your dorm, and if you really can't sleep, maybe we could spar?"
"You'd have him fight after expelling that much magick?" Giotto sounded surprised and felt his lip twitch at the bland look Enma gave him in return.
"Tsuna's magick is constantly building. Even as we speak, it's gathering in him again. Rather than risk facing an incident like this again – something that could easily kill Tsuna – it's better to let Tsuna, or even Tsunayoshi, let the magick out in something productive, such as sparring."
"Is that normal?" Lambo suddenly interjected rather callously and Tsuna flinched in Enma's arms as the teen continued, "Are you even human?"
Enma tightened his arms around the bristling brunette – the other personality was always more delicate and forward when magick had been used - but couldn't stop Tsunayoshi twisting away from him, advancing on Lambo and fisting his hand in the collar of the cow-print shirt the other was wearing, dragging him down the few inches to his level, his orange eyes narrowed and glowing with anger.
"Do you want to suggest that to my face?" Tsunayoshi hissed, fingers tightening in the fabric even as sparks began jumping across the knuckles of his other hand.
Lambo's visible eye was no longer half lidded with laziness but rather open wide with fright. His hands were twitching at his side and Reborn, noticing the warning sign before the rest of them, quickly stepped forward, reaching out to pull Tsunayoshi back.
He was too late as, with a crackle of Lightning Flames, Lambo disappeared in a cloud of smoke that had Tsunayoshi coughing and backing away, eyes wide with surprise and uncertainty. When the smoke cleared he was dumbfounded at the older man in front of him, his hands opening and closing with confusion.
"Oh, Tsunayoshi-kun," The older man greeted lazily, "My younger self antagonised you then? Yare, yare, you were so excitable at this age." Lambo stepped forward and draped his arms over Tsunayoshi's shoulders, ignoring the flinch that the other gave. "It's good to see you."
"W-What?" Tsunayoshi stumbled over his words, brightness of his eyes dimming slightly as he was unprepared to face this...was it a threat? He abruptly stiffened when Lambo ducked his head to graze a kiss behind his ear and quickly stepped back as if anticipating the fist the brunette tried to hit him with.
"Sorry, sorry, I forget you don't like personal contact yet. My mistake."
Tsunayoshi, for once, looked flustered, hand pressed to his neck where the kiss had been placed, a red flush of either embarrassment or anger present on his cheeks. The rest of those gathered were also stunned into a shocked silence.
Finally, Tsunayoshi screeched, "What the hell was that!" and then launched himself at Lambo, hands flicking in a desperate attempt to get Flames recently depleted to ignite at full strength. He ducked around the barrier that Lambo had brought up with ease but, when he moved to slam a fist into Lambo's face, the older man was engulfed in smoke again and Tsunayoshi went barrelling over his head to crash hands first against the ground in front of Giotto, fingers digging into the dirt and leaving grooves with his Flames as he tried to slow himself down and gather his bearings.
He was suitably confused again when he was met with the teen Lambo once more.
"The Bovino family has a quirk to their magick," Giotto offered, leaning down to give Tsunayoshi a hand which was ignored as Tsunayoshi scrambled to his feet. "When scared or in danger, their magick sparks and allows a ten year time travel skip for a very short amount of time. It's a unique trait, limited just to them."
Tsunayoshi darted his eyes to Giotto at the explanation before baring his teeth in a snarl at Lambo and silently relenting to Tsuna, eyes darkening in colour. When Tsuna was back in control, the brunette nervously shuffled on the spot to stare at his feet, a blush decorating his face before he mumbled something about making his way back to the dorm room to clean up now that it was all over, Enma trailing after him when he left.
Lambo also looked a little embarrassed, rubbing the back of his neck silently as he glared resolutely at his feet, trying to ignore the looks that were being directed at him before he too walked towards the Vongola dorm buildings, arms folded across his chest.
"Do I need to be here?" Tsuna muttered, rubbing his arm nervously. "I don't get why I need to be here."
"Luce wants to see you."
"I don't like being out of the dorm room unless I need to be Reborn. I'm scared." His eyes darted to the side before they focused on the large door in front of him, the Vongola 'VII' dorm building.
"I'm here and there're several people in there that would most likely come straight to your aid should they realise what was going on. Besides, you obviously didn't want to rest and there was nothing for you to do anyway." Reborn rapped his knuckles on the door before pushing it open and calling through, "Luce, I'm here with Tsuna!"
A woman with black hair ducked her head around the corner and smiled brightly upon spotting the brunette next to Reborn, quickly approaching with a murmured, "Reborn! You never told me he was this cute! Oh, I could just take him home with me and keep him!"
Reborn just laughed as Tsuna blushed in mortification and introduced himself in a quiet mumble, clearly surprised as Luce pulled him into a tight hug, something which jolted Tsunayoshi enough for him to be present all of a sudden in Tsuna's mind.
Sky Flames...
Tsuna blinked up at Luce, patting her back hesitantly in return, debating whether or he should ask to confirm Tsunayoshi's guess. The other personality was vehement in his decision.
She definitely has Sky Flames! Strong ones! In fact...
Tsuna swallowed thickly, fingers twitching before he clenched his hands into fists, trying to prevent Tsunayoshi from attempting anything rash. He jumped when Reborn's hand dropped on his shoulder.
"Well, you've seen Luce. You've already met Fon, Colonello, Skull and Mammon. You know me, obviously. The only people left to see are Verde and Lal Mirch."
"Reborn I –"
"Come on, they're probably here somewhere."
"Reborn no, you d – "
"Stop complaining." Reborn pushed Tsuna further into the building, hearing Luce laugh quietly at them as she shut the door.
"Tsunayoshi is – "
"Going to shut up and stop complaining too, it's not going to kill you to meet some new people."
"Reborn!" Tsuna suddenly shouted it, magick skittering up and down his arm, forcing Reborn to let him go unless he wanted to be burnt. He took a moment to take in Tsuna who was breathing harshly, brow furrowed in either pain or concentration, his mouth slightly parted as he panted.
"You almost burnt me, Tsuna. Careful with your Flames there."
Tsuna moved his hands to tangle his fingers in his hair, slowly sinking to his knees as he tried to stop the barrage Tsunayoshi was throwing at him now that he'd recognised something he should have realised a long time ago.
"Tsuna?" Luce approached, after giving Reborn a warning glance, kneeling next to the brunette, hand resting hesitantly on one of his own to stop him from tugging any strands of hair out. "Are you okay?"
"He says you're just like him! Just like Bermuda, you're just like him, we should have seen it!" Tsuna sobbed it, hands still clamped down on his head. "He thought your magick felt different to others, it's because you're like him and we were stupid enough to trust you!"
"Tsuna – " Luce began but Tsuna gave another broken sob.
"I d-don't want to believe him though! Y-You can't be l-like him, you're t-too nice, F-Fon-senpai and S-Skull-senpai; all too nice t-to be like B-Bermuda but..."
"Tsuna, will you let me talk to Tsunayoshi?" Luce asked softly, moving her hand to settle on Tsuna's shoulder instead, watching with worried eyes as the small teen shook and trembled beyond his control, magick dancing over his form in small sparks.
"He doesn't w-want to talk. He w-wants to hurt you so much, L-Luce-senpai. I-I don't think you're l-like him but..." Tsuna trailed off and went still before he suddenly shrugged Luce's hand off with force, causing Reborn to tense, ready to fight in case one was about to break out.
"I always thought it was too good," Tsunayoshi whispered, head ducked down, hands fisted on his knees now where they'd moved away from his hair, "That we would get this much luck. Turns out you're just the same as him."
Luce moved to kneel in front of Tsunayoshi, hands palm up on her knees so she could show she wasn't going to cause him any danger as she murmured, "Look at me, Tsunayoshi. Look at me and tell me I'll hurt you. Look at my magick or look into my head or heart and tell me I will hurt you, that any of us will hurt you."
"You think I can trust you?!" Tsunayoshi lashed out at her and she caught his fist gently in his palm, their Flames mingling before she gently smoothed his fist flat and intertwined their fingers, letting her magick flow over his skin, using it to show her sincerity, to show that she meant him only the best intentions.
"You don't need to, but it would be appreciated. Have we tried to manipulate you in anyway? Have we done anything to you that were untoward, or put your life in immediate, threatening danger?" Luce slowly lifted her free hand to cup his face gently, her hands still glowing with soft magick, and was rewarded by Tsunayoshi pressing his cheek very gently against her palm as he watched her with wide eyes, hand in hers going slack.
"I-I...no." Tsunayoshi opened and closed his mouth and then pursed his lips. "It doesn't change the fact you lied to us!"
"You never asked, Tsunayoshi!" Luce quickly replied, thumb brushing his cheekbone. "Reborn, Fon, everyone, they've looked out for you, right? Have they ever done anything but help you? Have they hurt you? Me, now, am I a danger to you? Am I hurting you?"
"No," Tsunayoshi whispered, looking broken and confused, clearly disorientated from the situation. "But y-your magick style..."
"Is unique, as is yours, as is your friends'. That doesn't mean we're the same. It was true that some time ago Bermuda was counted as one of our own, but he made his choice. We who stay have made ours. We are not a danger to you, Tsunayoshi. You or Tsuna. In fact, we are some of the only ones that are keeping you safe from Bermuda."
"I-I don't understand."
"You don't need to, Tsunayoshi-kun," Luce's voice was soft, almost motherly, and she placed a kiss against his forehead. "But you have no need to fear us, I promise you, on my Flame, on my ring, on my life."
Tsunayoshi, still bewildered, slowly sank back. When Tsuna came forward again the brunette was freely sobbing and Luce gathered him in her arms, pulling him closer and pressing his face to her shoulder, cradling him close and rocking him gently.
"I do not know what you suffered at the hands of Bermuda, Tsuna, but you will not go through that pain again. He is a twisted individual. You will not face another person like him again in your life, I can promise you that."
"I don't know, that Rokudo figure is close to being just as creepy, right, Tsuna?" Reborn interrupted and, just like that, the tense atmosphere was broken as Tsuna laughed weakly, shaking his head as he mumbled, "Rokudo-senpai isn't that bad, Reborn-senpai. He's sweet when he needs to be. Creepy, y-yes, but sweet."
"If you say so. I still find him creepy."
Tsuna sighed as if in defeat, but he had a shaky smile on his face. Slowly, he leaned back from Luce and she let him go, watching as Reborn hauled the brunette to his feet while Tsuna rubbed his eyes and sniffled heavily.
"I'm sorry Tsuna." Luce said softly as she too accepted Reborn's help to stand. "We aren't lying to you and had no intention to. We won't hurt you. I promise. We all promise." She reached out to touch the hand hanging by his side and when he didn't pull away, slipped her fingers between his.
When he appeared calm, she smiled softly and asked, "Do you want to meet Verde and Lal Mirch now? I hadn't realised you'd met a majority of the others. What order did you meet them in; do you remember?"
Tsuna chewed his bottom lip in thought. "Reborn-senpai, first. Tsunayoshi likes to blame him for this whole mess, but, without him, he wouldn't be here. Then, Fon-senpai? T-There was Skull-senpai next and then Mammon-senpai after that. R-Reborn introduced me to Colonello-senpai; he keeps Tsunayoshi calm with his Flames whenever he gets out of control from training. Then you, Luce-senpai."
"Sounds like you have an interesting life Tsuna-kun," Luce laughed softly, slowly pulling him along and letting him take in his surroundings.
The Vongola VII dorm was built differently, Tsuna noted. More like a house instead of a dormitory. Luce noted his interest and softly explained the small amount of people chosen to live in the dorm because of their magickal style. They whole group had been close for years and so they had always stayed together in the same dorm. The Chairman had allowed them to change it to suit their needs.
Tsuna quietly commented that he found them lucky for having their own rooms when he had to share with Hibari and Mukuro and Luce laughed again as she slowly pulled him into a kitchen, noticing from the corner of her eye as he brightened at the room's only other occupant.
"You came to visit then, Tsuna?" Fon asked softly as he placed his mug down. "Or did Reborn drag you along?"
"I was dragged, unfortunately," Tsuna replied quietly. "And though it hasn't been an enjoyable experience, it's nice to see you."
Reborn gave a grunt and cuffed Tsuna gently around the head, to which the brunette froze for a moment before sighing and giving a quiet laugh which was when another woman with dark hair and a scar on her cheek entered the room, tense and with fisted hands.
"Luce." She trailed off for a moment, eyes drifting to Tsuna before she focused on Luce again. "We have a problem."
"A problem? Now, now, Lal Mirch. Is that such a way to introduce me?"
Reborn immediately threw an arm across Tsuna's shoulders from behind, pulling him first against his chest and then pushing the frozen brunette behind him at recognising the voice.
Lal Mirch snorted, looking as if she was trying to hold back a snarl of contempt. "You're always a problem, Bermuda. Don't forget that."
"Ah, how cruel. When I came to visit as a guest as well." Bermuda stepped into the doorway, peering around the room quietly. "Luce, Reborn, Fon. It's good to see you again." He moved to tip his hat absently, peering past Reborn as he smiled. "Oh, and Tsunayoshi-kun too. What a pleasant surprise."
Tsuna fisted his hands in the back of Reborn's jacket and trembled.
The last chapter was difficult and this one was easy, which was a nice transition. Besides, isn't it a nice gift to get two chapters within the same week instead of waiting for months for another update? I'm surprised with how fast this one came out, so you're pretty lucky to be having one.
I'm worried that there's too much going on in this chapter, but it seemed to write itself. I was just having fun, and I wanted it to be a little lighthearted and not too dark. Hence meeting twenty something Lambo (Lambo's in his mid teens in this fic) and motherly Luce, because Tsuna and Tsunayoshi always need someone to look after them x3
Also, some 0027 lol, for those of you that like it. L27 as well, now that I think about. There could be other pairings some people might see, but I don't know lmao.
Hope you liked it!
(By the way, I was hoping to make a new story if I get the time. It'd be more humorous than this one. At this rate, any story I wrote would probably be funnier than this one lol...definitely not as dark
I haven't figured out a title, but here's the summary
Two weeks after his twenty fourth birthday, Tsuna came to realise that over the past ten years he'd steadily been amassing a harem of men. Of course, by then, it was too late. CRACK. TYL-Verse. All27.
So what do you think?)
Arcobaleno (Particular member?): 1
- Reborn: 23
- Fon: 16
- Skull: 1
- Luce: 2
-Mammon/Viper: 1
Yamamoto Takeshi: 9
Gokudera Hayato: 3
Rokudo Mukuro: 15
Sasagawa Ryohei: 3
Hibari Kyoya: 17
Lambo: 4
Dino: 5
The Varia (Particular member?): 2
- Xanxus: 10
- Squalo: 1
- Belphegor: 2
Giotto: 10
G: 2
Knuckle: 0
Asari: 0
Alaude: 10
Daemon: 7
Enma: 7
Byakuran: 8
Basil: 2