Lireach Omigod. I really wanna write that now. xDD cheerful-pinkstar You'll have to wait and see! FaerieDemon Alaude's soft side was really cute. And I was really happy to be able to introduce Knuckle. :D The only one left is Lampo, and I can't wait for that. Chiri-tan People are crazy. xD I didn't even follow through with my "two week break" for that long. Yukishira Actually it's still not even all of it. I need to find a place to fit that in. xD Cheesey Which would be the point. :DD Giotto was fun to write, I loved having him run around like a mad man. xD And…I kinda wanted a half-forward uke, like drugged!Tsuna. Desperateembrace Dude when I first read that, I thought you said, "Did you just kill off the kitchen." xD And Giotto still has to deal with Daemon for a while. After all, a love triangle's gotta be somewhere, right? L.L Inorite? xD I went from "don't know each other" to "friendship" to "kiss." People say this story's moving slow, but I think the progression fits if it was in RL. Nekoboy44 Haha, thank you. C: Fire Princess21 Dino's tripping was my favorite part of the chapter. xDD Good; because Giotto's fear still isn't all the way there. C': xRynnX I do like that. xD None of the reviewers have a true opinion on him now, because they can't tell if he's a bad guy or a good guy. I feel accomplished. Deaththekidluver08 Haha, thank you very muich! Ophianara Blade This week passed by great, fortunately. xD And yeah, I'm in high school too. C: ezcap1st Yeahh, that was an error on my part. It's odd because I read the chapter to edit without even noticing. Yumiko-Emiko Haha, I hope you have fun rereading it then. xD And yeah, I wanted to make the kiss as spontaneous as possible. xxxKimi-chan Woo, that was the point. xD It's like, "Wait, what? Now I gotta read it twenty times to make sure I didn't make that up." And I actually read your review three times going, "Why not?" before I remembered that I've spoken about Giotto's fears three times in other people's perspectives, but not his. Maybe it'll make sense after that. And….well, all of my AMVs are really old; I haven't gotten back into the swing of things in a while. Suzuru Seiyo That's the point. C: And that's good; I loved the last scene too. iNikkix3 Haha, you'll just have to wait and see!~DarkRoadHina Pshh, at least they kissed. xD Something dramatic needed to happen to plant the idea not only is Tsuna a brother, but a possible lover. Abg31 You were in the hospital? For what? :( I made a mistake on Iemitsu's name, so don't worry about that. xD Fixed it. And no, it wasn't just the holidays I was referring to. Ever since I got to write again, the reviews have dropped. It'd be a little stupid if I just threw a fit over one chapter. xD Devil's Companion Haha, really? I think you're the only one. xDD kay Thanks. C:Breathless02 He really is. xD I think I exaggerated Giotto's disabilities, but it's cute how he's doting. Funnyhappyday I actually like it when all of my characters have an odd quirk. xD Tsuna likes to knit and Giotto can't drive. I've got an original story where the main guy refers to milk as "cat beer" since's from the 30's. ToniChanLovesCookies I've planned for Dino to show up for a long time, actually. xD Everyone believed Giotto would capture the first kiss. That must mean everyone doesn't realize by now after twenty chapters that I tend to do things unexpectedly. :'D And…Alaude. xD I think you'll like this chapter. The thing about Tsuna is, the manga only shows him with one love interest – Kyoko. He's also really shy, and I think he's a little too reserved to think about it. However, he does talk about it a little bit in this chapter, so you can form an opinion from that. C: fionaroxz Haha, thank you! Yamiatemyugi Nah, it's fine. C': Spade is…interesting. xD I like him better than Mukuro. AND YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE WHO CAUGHT KHRebirth. :'D Drunk I can understand freaking out over a hiatus, but people have said it like I already went on one. xD stormypeach1396 Haha, I really do like that. And I think the way the soup is "burned" is when you leave it on the stove too long and the broth boils until it oozes from the pot. I wouldn't know. xD Freakin-little Tsuna. High. On Acid. Or weed. Or marijuana. Omigod. xDD The only other guardian I haven't mentioned is Lampo, and he's not gonna be in it until toward the end of the story. I'll let you in on a little secret though: Lampo makes one of them green with envy. Rainbowbubble Exactly. xD Although Giotto would be more forward initiating a kiss, because Tsuna is his brother, the thought doesn't even cross his mind. So Tsuna has to do it, and Tsuna wouldn't do it unless he was absolutely delirious. As for the TYL27 x ten years younger Giotto idea, the plot involves the primo guardians (as teenagers) going to the future where Tsuna is the boss. The real Vongola Primo explains to TYL!Tsuna that although he was the one who created Vongola, Vongola Decimo was the one who convinced him. My only problem with the idea is, I'm worried no one will really understand the reasoning. xD; Dremagon No one in that family knows how to cook. xD Not even Dino. That's what Nana's for! :D Sonicfreak68 Haha, thank you very much. C: Hanori Shiki Really? That's touching of you to say. xD Copycat-capycot You saw it coming? Really? xD Bah, I love you. Fan girl 666 Haha, thanks! FakeAngst Well, it only cracked me up since the word "hiatus" spiked about 2% of my lurkers to review. xD It was interesting. Lenah Kaus B.A.M Take it as a compliment. xD As a writer, I should really just be nice and non-opinionated when it comes to my reviewers like all other authors. However, that would make my personality a complete lie and if I'm familiar with the reader, I'd rather give them the truth than paint a fake picture of whom I am. Like Daemon said, Enma's case was his case, and Iemitsu helped him occasionally. It means he solely tried to ruin Shimon's name and succeeded. And yeah. I love the song Banana Pancakes; it was unexpected when it came onto my iPod. No song this week. C': Narutopokefan You'll have to see!~ Love Fran Yup. He's so accident prone. xD Eyes17k Nah, that just makes it too easy on him. And me. xD The RPers HELL group. Nothing else? Really? Pamellka Really? xD I made him Spanish! :D So he's catholic. C': Boogers. Um.
"You've got a boogie sticking out." Five-year-old Giotto harrumphed and looked to his best friend with a pout. Gaspare tilted his head, ruby red eyes filled with curiosity. "I'll get it."
"But that's gross," Gaspare shook his head. Giotto didn't care.
"Stop moving your head, I won't be able to get it if you keep shaking!"
"Fine, fine!"
Giotto giggled and scraped the dried boogie off the redhead's face. He raised himself, dropping the pail in his hand before pressing a kiss to Gaspare's nose. "Let's play house next! You can be my wife!"
Aquamarine-chan My little brother doesn't get sick a lot, actually. xD And I read a lot of stories for bed time, so I know what you mean. C': I actually prefer writing this one at night. Metamorcy Uuh, probably some ridiculous number like forty-two. xD The pace is gonna pick up, but not by much. I'm debating planning on splitting it into two different stories. Plushiepaw Giotto can't be a parent. That's why he's gonna be a lover! :DD 62 Mmhmm. C': You find anymore similarities between you and Tsuna? xD FalseMoon I suppose. xD But we've heard it from a lot of people's opinions except for Giotto. When Giotto explains it, I'll be able to get my point across. A It really isn't. xD I wish people wouldn't freak out about it. An anonymous Fangirl Who says I'm not updating for six weeks? xDD Oh dear. I'm never going to be able to understand the viewpoint of my readers. Shakugan no Shana I can't white about rape. xD I don't think I'd be mature enough as an author to be able to write it, and it's a subject I'd rather not get into. KChoco Haha, niiice. Blanca Rosa Haha. I want clam chowder now. xD missjinx No one ever said Daemon was gone for good. C': And thank you very much; you just reminded me that I gotta thank you guys (I always forget). RanRanByakuran Haha, that's really sweet of you. xD I wanted to make the kiss so random that it's like… "Whoop, I just stepped on a bug." Or something. XXxKHRObsessionxXX Thank you. C: KonataIzumi1 Pretty much. xD I love Dino; his "graceful entrance" at the end was my favorite part of the entire chapter. Mirriox Oh really now? xD I have a Puppyshipping story planned, if I ever get around to writing it. However at the moment I'm not sure where I'll have the time to write the next chapter. It ends with a big doozy though. :D Kanberry Haha, enjoy the next chapter. Tangerine342 Idk, at the moment I'm not planning on getting into Enma and G. xD;; Since G is out of the picture, Giotto has to spend more time with Tsuna and the development is gonna go there. As for G.00, I have to think about it. Honey-vanilla11 Thank you very much! C:
chapter twenty-one has older siblings and wimpy cats
"Hey little brother." Twenty-three-year-old Dino entered the meeting room, hands firmly gripping the door knob. Honey brown eyes scrutinized the long, sleek black table that stretched from one wall to the other, then the red carpeting that accentuated warm orange walls. Hmm, being gay apparently had its benefits if Giotto knew how to color coordinate this well. However, that was another story for another time, and certainly the way he saw his little brother's best friend pacing back and forth with panic came first.
He surveyed the room until his brother caught his attention, and took everything G told him into consideration. From the way G spoke over the phone and just then at the bottom floor of the building, Dino would have never suspected he was telling the truth. The little Ieyatsu Giotto Vongola he once knew was now firm in stature, pin-striped suit making him the apple of all's eyes. He didn't look torn, frustrated, or the slightest bit distraught.
On the outside, anyway.
Dino took a step forward, and each one echoed in the quiet room. As he got close, the paleness of Giotto's sunkissed half-Italian face was sickening. Giotto held onto the foot of a document, demeanor frozen and pen in suspended animation above the blank for a signature.
"Signing papers?" He tried to create conversation. A broad smile spread across the older blond's lips and he wasn't sure what would come of it. Nothing. Absolutely nothing, like Giotto was a doll in his own world. "Do you need any help?"
Giotto remained silent.
"Giotto…?" Now this wasn't funny. Dino knew his troublemaker brother never resisted a chance to make fun of him.
In a barely audible tone never spoken, Giotto finally responded. The way he spoke – fear dripping from his words – almost made the older brother cry. "I can't do it."
"You can't do what?" The chirp in his voice remained, and Dino hovered over his little brother's shoulder. Big mistake.
The moment the skin of his chin touched his brother's shoulder, Giotto rolled his chair back and shook his head. "I can't do it. Dino, I don't know h-how to do it."
"Giotto," Dino whispered. Now he saw it. Giotto began murmuring in different languages – German, French, English, Chinese, Italian, Spanish, Swedish, Hungarian, Indian – and the words were the same: I can't do it. I don't know how to do it. I forgot how to do it. "Giotto, what don't you know what to do?"
Giotto whimpered. He shook, body trembling from sheer contact of his brother, and the elder blond forced himself to recoil. What he wanted was to cradle his baby brother and tell him everything was going to be okay. What Giotto needed was to be restrained. A lone, uncharacteristic tear ran down the young adult's face. "Anything. Everything." His voice cracked. "I can't remember how to write my name."
"Is that all? G's your co-partner; he can write your names for you."
The younger blond sat in silence, not one word of wit dancing on his lips. Finally in a soft whisper, he murmured, "How do I stand up?"
"I'll help you," Dino coaxed warmly. He embraced his brother, arms wrapping around the frail young man's shoulders, and through his embrace Giotto's shoulders hunched.
"Please," Giotto whispered fearfully. "Please don't touch me."
That had been a memory the blond was thinking of when his little brother relocated him to a stool over the counter. Back then Giotto was frail and afraid of the world. His brother held a charm so deep to his heart and viewed the world from the top. But five years ago – five freaking years ago – that view from the top of the world had fallen. Like a child stripped of its innocence, Giotto let the problem gnaw on his underbelly for two straight months until it finally sunk in.
"Your nose okay?" But that was over five years ago.
"Just a little lightheaded. Messed that one up now, didn't I?" Five years ago his brother was not only heartbroken about his first love, but his first love revealed to be a mastermind cretin that did more damage than admitted. The Giotto he saw now – though not primped and well-groomed – was tired. Several buttons fell open to the younger blond's shirt, and a layer of grease slicked hair that stuck out in more ends than usual.
His brother was a tall man with a lean physique and a light Italian accent. Dino assumed being gay meant looks came easily for his little brother. Honestly?
Dino still felt the urge to treat the "tall man" as his cute little brother, who used to be half his size and tug on the tail of his shirt to take him everywhere. Or prank him. Or cause him accidental pain. Or – well, anything, really. Dino was a sucker for all things cute. Ehe.
A smile quirked Giotto's lips. Ten bowls rested in his sink, soon to be added by another, and the eldest brother watched his little brother open a cabinet and pull out one of an infinite number of Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup. He grabbed a dirty pot from the sink and thoroughly scrubbed it. "You didn't tell me you were coming."
"G sent me." Dino's smile wilted slightly as Giotto paused, startled, and continued what he was doing. "He told me a little bit over the phone, and said it'd be best if I checked up on you. As far as I can see, you've transformed into a – "
"A busy parent?" Giotto smile wryly and leaned into the sink to get a better look at his brother. "We got back from Shimon last night. Tsuna caught the flu once we came back."
"He told me why you were in Shimon. Well, mostly why." Dino removed the toweled bag of ice from his nose, slightly wincing from a forming bruise, and reached for the dish soap. "Cozart has a little brother, right? And G's fighting for custody over him?"
"Enma. As it turns out, the kid's been in hiding and Tsuna's his best friend. Things don't look good for him."
Things don't look good for you, either, little brother. Dino pushed the thought away, smile returning to his lips as Giotto sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Why don't you go shower? You look like you need one."
Actually it was kind of cute. Giotto gave him a look like he was a madman – or even worse – like the younger blond was a spoiled little kid that was being ripped away from his favorite toy. Judging by the large stains splattered on the floor, Dino had a feeling his job as a busy parent wasn't all that flattering. Taking care of Tsuna, however, was different. There was change in their relationship; Dino just couldn't place his finger on it. "I…okay. I feel kind of gross."
"I'll make the chicken soup for you." And like always, the younger Vongola's eyes doubled twice in size. Sure, going to shower while an accident-prone older brother was under his roof was risky, but going to shower while Dino was cooking in a newly rented apartment meant total annihilation. At least, that's what the older brother figured Giotto was thinking.
"I can handle the soup just fine," Giotto murmured tiredly. "Thank you."
"Haha, alright." Dino smiled gingerly and replaced the bag of ice on his nose. "I'll behave just here, my cute little brother. Now go take that shower."
Though reluctant to leave the kitchen, the blond seemed more than eager to rid himself of the dirt and grime polluting his essence. Dino sat tidily, waited carefully until he heard the door shut and stumbled across the room. Oh, jeepers – where was Romario when he needed him?
"Careful," he chanted quietly as he opened a can of chicken noodle soup. Dino and can openers could go bad really quickly if he didn't pay attention. Oh poopers – he rolled his eyes – they went bad even when he was paying attention! "Careful, careful, careful – there."
Quickly reading the instructions for how long to cook it over the stove, Dino poured the can drop-by-drop until the bowl was full and heated up the soup. A smile spread across his face and he hummed whatever song came to mind. He hadn't needed to take care of anyone in years. No matter how close they were in their childhood, Giotto and he still had their own friends. He reckoned these days when an ill Giotto was in bed, a Super G was there to his rescue.
Giotto didn't need him anymore. It was kind of depressing.
Ten minutes later, the blond took the pot off the stove (Success! No burning!) and poured the soup into the nearest bowl. Broth filled his nostrils, and the creak of a door opening caught his attention. Footsteps pounded the stairs so hard that Dino heard the pound and slide of his younger brother as he crashed into something. Hmm, what happened to his suave, smooth and cute little brother? "Are you okay?"
"W-Who are you?"
Oh. Wrong little brother. Dino grabbed the oven mitts and bowl of soup before turning around.
Then saw the cutest little angel he'd ever set eyes upon.
Eyes the rich shade of caramel and chocolate. Tsunayoshi's skin was flushed with pink, rising from his neck to his cheeks, and his dark locks jutted into odd and awkward angles. Sweat matted the teenager's face, and different from his fervent flush was an embarrassed shade of red that accentuated his cheeks.
"Oh," Dino said delightedly. He grinned, absentmindedly scratching off caked blood on his upper lip. "Hi, Tsunayoshi! You're a lot taller than the last time I saw you!"
Oops, looks like he scared the boy. A look of unease passed across the brunet's face, brown eyes flashing slight fear until he blinked. "Y…You're Dino-nii –Dino-san, aren't you?"
Aw, he didn't get the adorable "niisan" the same way he called Tsunayoshi his cute otouto? Poo.
"I'm your older brother," agreed the blond. Red darkened his younger brother's complexion, and hesitantly, he stepped forward to the stool in front of the counter without a word. Dino decided it was his job to create conversation. "Well, I'm the other older brother, hehe. How are you?"
The last time he saw the little scout, he was twelve. Eleven was when he found out the existence of Nana Sawada through his parents – and when they found out she was pregnant. At that age, he was always considered the rational one compared to Giotto, and he went with the flow. Giotto stayed behind with their mother (only nine at the time) and, excited, Dino rushed out to see him. Tsunayoshi now had more hair. And he wasn't a cute, wrinkly baby anymore, which was kinda cool.
"Fine." Though unlike Giotto, Tsunayoshi appeared to be very quiet. His eyes fell to the ground, and immediately his cheeks turned yet another shade of red when his stomach growled.
"Hungry, Tsunayoshi?" Dino chuckled. Looking through drawer-after-drawer, he finally found the silverware and handed the meal to the teenager. "This is for you. Giotto tells me you're getting over the flu."
Tsunayoshi nodded hesitantly and picked up his spoon. He looked a cautious puppy waiting for its owner to kick him.
"Tsunayoshi – ?"
"I-I go by Tsuna." His eyes fell to the ground, suddenly ready to recoil, and he shrank in his seat. "S…Sorry."
What was he expecting? Dino's smile slipped away, astonished while his younger brother looked like a measly speck in his sleep. Granted the teenager was sick, but he hadn't given the blond a chance since coming down the stairs. "Are you okay?"
Tsuna never answered. Footsteps on the stairs split the pair's attention, and both looked to the middle brother, who returned looking like his high, serious, and regal self. Giotto ran a hand through his hair, slightly grimacing. At the last stair step, they watched amber eyes look from brother-to-brother. Dino took note of the younger blond's face, and immediately all professionalism dropped into a decadent pink. Wait, Giotto was blushing?
Giotto was blushing! From the corner of his eye, Dino saw Tsuna smile a little. "You look nice."
Seconds passed, and it worried the eldest brother slightly. A contemplative look passed over the younger adult's face, and finally he shyly – Dino repeated, shyly – smiled before acknowledging the pair. "I see you've met Dino. And Dino," the lighthearted tenor melted into one of slight mirth. Giotto gestured to something in his arm. "I found your cat."
"I was wondering where he was!" Dino clicked his tongue and clapped his hands. Instantly the small kitten slid from Giotto's arms, jumped onto the counter, an – and jumped onto Tsuna's lap. The teenager squeaked and dropped his spoon on the ground. "Oh, he already likes you."
"I-I…e-erm," cute little Tsuna's face dusted red. "Wh-What's his name?"
"Nuts," Giotto interjected.
Ah? Dino turned his head to the younger blond, slightly disappointed. Tsuna should have been the one who got to name him! "Why Nuts?"
"Because you're nuts for buying him." Well, that was sorta true. Not many people got a pet for their birthdays unless a parent bought one.
"I like Nuts," whispered the brunet softly. "His head…s-sort of looks like a walnut."
"Ooh, it's fitting then." The blond smiled genuinely as the middle brother took slow steps to join them. "He's your birthday present."
"Birthday present?" Giotto repeated. "Your birthday's coming up, Tsuna?"
"No, silly." Dino smiled broadly and chuckled. "Your birthday was two weeks ago, right, little brother?"
"That's not possible." The younger blond stubbornly shook his head and looked over to their littlest. "Tsuna's only sixteen, right, Tsuna?"
"No…" Now this was getting weird. However Giotto had it set in his mind was untrue. He knew his brother could be bad with birthdays, but… "Tsuna's birthday is on the same day as G's, Giotto. Right?"
The teenager looked positively mortified – almost ready to cry, actually.
"Tsuna…?" That wasn't good.
"Tsuna," Giotto breathed. He relinquished a short sigh, hands massaging the brunet's shoulders. Dino watched, but not once in his lifetime had he ever seen the other Vongola brother's brow wrinkle so tenderly with concern. The creases of his sleeves ruined as he folded them to his elbows and closed what little space there was between him and the youngest. "You still feeling a little feverish? You could have stayed in bed; I would have brought the soup up to you."
"I'm…fine…"
"No, you're not." That was another thing – when did Giotto's voice crack whenever he spoke? "I-I should go buy your prescription…"
"No really, it's…I-I'm…"
"Giotto's right when he says you need to stay in bed, kiddo. Dino looked between the two younger brothers with a bright smile, feeling oddly unsettled. Benevolent as he was, Giotto normally hid his concern under witty banter and though shy, Tsuna melted like caramel to a shell of chocolate once the younger blond set foot in the kitchen. "I can watch him while you run to the pharmacist, little brother."
Instantaneously the other blond's face lost color.
"Aw, what's the worst that could happen?" Dino flashed a cheerful grin and leaned over until he was the height of their youngest. Tsuna watched curiously but said nothing. "You used to get sick all the time, little brother. If the maids weren't taking care of you, then I was. I can handle it."
"I," Giotto murmured hesitantly, "have no doubt that you could take care of Tsuna. But…"
"I won't touch anything." Aw, come on! He was twenty-eight and three-quarters! He could absotively, posilutely take care of the littlest! "Pleeeaase?"
"…don't touch anything." Giotto's poker face was comically marred by the sweet pink accentuating the highlights of his cheeks. "Go ahead and watch TV, but don't throw it. Don't fling anything in the house, even playfully, watch your step when you walk – wear shoes whenever you go up the stairs – and – actually, Tsuna, stay downstairs. Don't cook anything."
"The usual." Dino dawned a smile. "But isn't the pharmacy only a ten minute drive?"
"Ten minutes is all it takes to burn down a building."
"Ooh. Right."
Giotto had the habit of running a hand through his hair when he was stressed. He was definitely stressed. Frown wavering a little, he cast a worried look to the brunet. Again, Dino became an audience when Giotto escaped down a hallway and appeared with a comforter and pillow. Hmm, for someone who moved into a new apartment not too long ago, he knew his way around really well. Tsuna stood up, alarmed, but the other simply laid them out on the couch. "You think you can handle a little time on the couch?"
"I have for the past few months." Tsuna turned pink. The blond only laughed.
"Good little brother. Dino – you're paying for anything you break." He flashed one last warning look before striding out the door. Once it slammed shut, Tsuna crawled into his makeshift bed and Dino watched.
"You two are on better terms than I remember." The last he remembered, Giotto leered at just the slightest mention of their half-brother. While Dino did value their family, he understood Iemitsu's happiness compared to Mother throwing herself into work. The news of their separation and divorce simply shattered the younger blond, and for seventeen years, Tsuna became the source of blame.
Chocolate brown eyes rose until they met Dino's, and through the weariness flickered a different emotion: admiration. Red fluttered under Tsuna's feverish blush, and a gentle smile curtsied his lips. "We've come to an understanding."
"Really?" Dino debated on grabbing a stool, then plopped onto the loveseat. Giotto's personality was like two sides of one coin: stubborn, hardworking and ambitious to lighthearted, whimsical, and mischievous. He valued both his family and friends, and Tsuna was molded into a disruption in his world. "Has he given you a hard time?"
Tsuna closed his eyes and shook his head. "Not recently. B-But I thought th-that…y-you were going to yell at me."
That would be why the brunet barely looked at him when they first crossed each other. Oh…
"Nope." A fervent smile spread across the blond's face, and he looked to the sweet, timid that bashfully scrutinized him. Brown eyes. They had the same brown eyes. "Giotto has always had a firm belief in stability. He has to know that the situation won't get out of hand. I go with the flow."
The brunet held a contemplative look. Red swelled in his cheeks and he buried himself under the polka dot duvet. "So…you don't hate me?"
Dino's face softened immediately. His heart wrenched – hate? Not even Giotto would have used a word like that. …Right? Well, he smiled. Not anymore, if the way Giotto was doting over the little guy proved anything. "When I first found out our father was seeing your mother, I was confused. But seeing you, at the hospital inside the basinet – you were the cutest baby I've ever seen. I've loved you since you were born, just like I love Giotto."
Tsuna's eyes widened. His brow furrowed, and he looked away, pink spiking up his neck.
"Tsuna?"
"Nothing," said the teenager quickly. "I just…I-I never th-thought…that…I'd ever get that."
Dino blinked. "Get what?"
"Get love," Tsuna whispered, "from your side of the family."
Aw. The blond chuckled softly and ruffled hair. He reached for the remote over the teenager, quickly turning the TV on, and smiled softly. "Get some sleep, little guy. Maybe I can convince the other big brother to take us out for ice cream, hm?"
Giotto as a big brother. Huh. Almost nothing as cute.
"O…Okay." He returned with a timid smile and yawned.
"Hehe. Alrighty."
"D…Dino-san?" San. Ooh, he got a san!
"Yeah?"
For a moment, the brunet rose in his spot and curled his hands into the blanket. "A…All my life, I…n-never thought that I'd measure up to your standards. But…living here with Giotto and in Namimori...makes me happy. I'm glad you and Giotto are my big brothers."
"Tsuna…" B'aw, now he couldn't help it! As his mind processed the thought, Dino walked across the living room and enveloped his baby brother in a tight hug. Tsuna flinched before hugging back, and smiled. "That's very sweet of you to say. Now, get to sleep. Giotto's already worried sick."
"O…Okay." With a bit of hesitation, the teenager pulled away from the elder brother. He tucked himself firmly under the blankets and shut his eyes. Once Dino was sure the teenager was famasleep, he pulled away and returned to the loveseat. Well. That explained a lot.
Quite frankly, they should have seen it coming. Dino scratched his ear and crinkled his nose. Tsuna had known for years that he came from a broken family. He didn't know much about Shimon, but it was enough to destroy the poor boy's self-confidence. Having Giotto take care of Tsuna really wasn't a good idea.
Tsuna teaching Giotto how to love and nurture made the world go 'round.
He smiled – jeebus, he was certainly doing that a lot – and pulled out his laptop. A sigh escaped his lips and the blond ran a hand through his hair. Later he would have to contact Romario for business files. Unfortunately, Cavallone Industries took second priority to his brothers – but since Giotto was gone… A frown firmly contorted his lips. The look in Giotto's eyes, lost and confused, worried him. Once Tsuna was in bed, Dino and he needed to have a word with one another.
The problem was different. Giotto's sanity took months to recover, and the way he described things was disturbing. No one got away with hurting his little brothers.
'cause, you know. Big brothers understood little brothers in a way that not a lover could. Loyalty was blood-thick, and forever in his heart Cozart would remain a hero. He already was one.
The sound of keys in the door made Dino check his watch. Twenty minutes had gone by since Giotto had left. Hm, since none of them could cook, they probably should've ordered dinner, too. "Hey, Giotto! What do you feel about pizza to – "
"Boss, we needed to - …" He knew that voice. By the Gods, Dino knew the voice that strummed violins, that was as violent as a blizzard and soft like snow.
He looked up, eyes locking to the door, where the man with absolutely breathtaking icy blue eyes and thin lips stood. He had the physique of a nimble crane, the long, slender fingers of an artist's – and still managed to kick his ass like he was a lady bug on his shoulder.
"Alaude – ?" The door slammed shut, and the gorgeous creature Dino'd fallen for years before left his life again. He must have spent hours wondering why Alaude was so well-acquainted with his little brother before giving up.
No one ever said their rejection wasn't mutual.
OoOoO
"Hey."
"Hey," Giotto responded once he was in the elevator. All the air escaped his lungs, and for a moment he noticed he was leaning onto the back wall for support. He stood in empty space, and because Tsuna and he now lived on the very top floor, the blond highly doubted there would be people every time they ventured to the first floor. "You find an apartment?"
"Still looking," G confessed. "At the doctor's right now for Enma's checkup."
"How's he doing?"
"Well, from the looks of it, Doctor Nowaki recommended I let him and Enma discuss things in private. If all goes well, he should be prepped for surgery tomorrow."
"Good." The elevator stopped at least three times since his phone call with his best friend. The blond checked his wristwatch and lowered his voice. "Why did you send Dino over?"
"Isn't it obvious?" No hesitation. Once he finished his sentence, all the adult heard from his best friend was static and an obnoxious CLANG. "H-Hey! Kid, a-are you okay? !"
Hm. Things were apparently going well.
"Should I call you back?" More rustles and rattles. A smile curtsied the blond's lips, and he found himself at wit's end waiting for the sounds to stop. On the other hand, hearing G have a heart attack with every little action of the Red Munchkin reminded him of when they were younger. Seeing cautious, loyal G again made his heart flutter.
"Er, no. You sound stressed – hey Kid, wanna get some ice cream after this?" Well, weren't we attentive? "Alright then. What about you, Giotto? Tsuna giving you any trouble?"
"Tsuna isn't the one who would give me trouble." Only five minutes at the door earlier that day and Dino bloodied his floor – which didn't matter. Giotto had dropped plenty soups in the kitchen and it simply meant they would have to mop up all the stains once Tsuna was better. "He's come down with the flu, though."
"The flu? Is everything alright? Did you give him any medicine? Call Knuckle?"
"I'm going to the pharmacist to get his prescription right now." Giotto arched an eyebrow, amused, and exited the elevator once they reached the first floor. What he didn't expect was to find Hayato-kun chatting with that girl, Kyoko, in the lobby. Once green eyes caught sight of the other half-Italian, Hayato excused himself and came to Giotto's side. Fervent pink accentuated the boy's pale cheeks and Giotto bit back a laugh.
"Giotto-san!" The silver-haired teenager's face lit up like a Christmas tree and he smiled brightly before revealing the box tucked under his arm. "I-I brought you a housewarming gift! At first, I wasn't sure if this was your apartment, but then I pestered G, and – "
"Is my boy over there?"
"'Your boy'?" Giotto cracked a grin. "When did Hayato-kun become 'your boy'?"
"He's enough my boy if he insists on raiding my fridge for my beer."
"Are you talking to G?" The smile on Hayato's face disappeared, replaced with a blue frown. Giotto found himself the bologna between his phone and Hayato tackling him for his phone. "You fucking drunkard! Where am I supposed to get my beer now? You know Asari-san's got a personal vendetta against me!"
"What personal vendetta? For as long as I remember, you've whined every time my roommate occupies Takeshi-kun's time."
"Th-That's a lie!" What was this? Hayato was turning red? Oh, that was normal.
"Ah, looks like the checkup is over. Doctor Nowaki is going to give me a prognosis on the events. Tell Alaude I'll be calling him soon."
"Alright. Bye." Giotto raised the phone out of the silver-haired teenager's ability to reach and took a step back. His eyes narrowed, and he regained the persona of a business man despite his amusement to Hayato's declaration for vengeance. "You can let go of me now, Hayato-kun."
"O-Oh, uh. S-Sorry, Giotto-san!" The hothead backed away, immediately alarmed and apparently worried about offending 'The Great One.' "Th-This is a housewarming present! A-And I brought all of the notes that the Tenth has missed while he was away for Kozato!"
Oh, that was good. His other option was to personally visit Reborn, and that was a road he'd rather not tread. "Tsuna's got the flu. I'm going to the pharmacy right now to get his medicine."
"I…I could watch him if you want." The teenager sounded positively eager.
"My brother's in town, so he's babysitting." Then again…taking into consideration Dino's lack of coordination skills – "You can try and explain the homework to him. I'll probably forget to give him his assignments by the time I get back."
"You have a brother? There's a Big Giotto?" Now the look he was getting was kind of creepy.
"Are you familiar with Cavallone Industries – ?"
"Dino Vongola is your brother? ! W-Well, I can see where he's your brother, since his last name is Vongola, but – Dino Vongola?" Apparently Dino was a bigger celebrity than Giotto was. "He took up his grandmother's business when he was the heir to the Vongola fortune and rid Cavallone of all of their debts! They're one of the top leading companies in the world!"
"Well, he goes by Dino Cavallone – "
"O-Of course, he's nothing compared to you, Giotto-san!" Hayato had become so nervous he was now babbling in Italian. For a kid who moved to Japan when he was five, he was certainly very fluent. More than Enma, even. "You became a business owner just entering college – and you navigated it worldwide! And other companies would kill to be like you – and everyone loves you, and – god, you're my idol!"
For someone who claimed to be eternally straight, Hayato had one hell of a man crush.
Giotto smiled slightly and patted the teenager on his shoulder. "Thanks, Hayato-kun. But seriously – I've got to get going."
He looked like a baby that was just denied his favorite food. In a flip instant, the hothead bounced back with a delighted grin. "Okay, Giotto-san. I'll just make sure that Sawada learns his lessons."
"It's the penthouse on the top floor. Be careful."
"Okay!"
Once that was said and done, Giotto ran a hand through his hair and walked toward the door –
"Is Tsuna-kun okay?"
Rats. The blond looked down and found himself eye-to-eye with the girl from earlier. She appeared with a look in her eyes that was absolutely sincere, and he vaguely reminded himself that Tsuna claimed to be gay. Then again, the crossroad between manhood and childhood involved a solid sliver of awkward, teenage years. Kyoko was in a school uniform, apparently just getting home, but Giotto couldn't help but compare her to a little princess. Small and dainty, delicate and gentle.
"He'll be fine," Giotto smiled.
She quickly lowered her gaze, and red sprinkled in her cheeks. Looking back up, she appeared unfazed and gestured to the elevator. "May I go see him?"
Something tugged at his chest, and it was a cautious warning that Giotto shouldn't lead the poor girl on. He could see her crush from a mile away. "If you want to."
"You said your brother is visiting, right?" The redhead's lips curled into a perfect smile and she clasped her hands together. "I can cook dinner for you three."
Oh, right. Giotto preferred not burning down his new apartment before their first week was set and done. "I'd rather you not put your efforts into cooking for just us. We're your new neighbors after all."
"You can come over and eat with us, if you want." She had a charm that commonly wooed the typical teenage boy; from the innocent demeanor to her soft tone and her perfect complexion. She would have been the type of woman Celeste expected him to marry. "Tonight? I'll tell Mama that you're coming."
Seeing he wouldn't win this argument, Giotto relinquished. "Casual, dressy, or dressy-casual?"
"Ah, dressy casual, I would think. Since you're the new neighbors and all." Kyoko smiled dearly, obviously delighted. She bowed with enviable grace and backed toward the elevator. "Come over at eight?"
"Okay."
Giotto flashed a gentle smile and was out the door before anyone else could interrupt him. The smile on his face wavered, struggling to keep in place, and he rummaged for his keys, thoughts appropriating to his big brother. It wasn't that he disliked the clumsy twit; quite the opposite. Dino was the best big brother he could asked for – kind, gentle, and enough of a pushover that the younger blond could get away with most things.
He was a natural when it came to Tsuna. Immediately, Dino seized the boy, and he fell into the role of big brother. When it was G, G was endearing. His best friend never felt assured unless he was the one nurturing, and Giotto was grateful when Tsuna first came. However, Dino was his own flesh and blood, and…Giotto was jealous. Absotively, posilutely jealous.
Measuring up to Dino as a big brother was impossible. Especially after Tsuna and he had inconsolable differences when first put together. He was prepared for a rebellious teenager, but time and time again proved that the brunet still managed to beat his heart – hard.
And…th-that…kiss. God, he hadn't gotten laid in two weeks. His fingers gripped the wheel violently, and he nearly ran over some little kid on a tricycle.
It wasn't the best kiss he'd ever had. Tsuna's lips brushed across his, and already he wasn't sure if he could ever look at the teenager in the same light ever again, but it felt more like his brother hit him teeth-on-teeth than an actual kiss. He doubted the brunet ever kissed another person – especially if that not-kiss really was a kiss. Tsuna held the image of shy and cute far better than Kyoko did.
Fortunately the look on his brother's face once he sobered appeared one of confusion. If the brunet had any recollection of the incident, he hid it very well.
Not that Tsuna was good at lying. A smile tugged on the blond's lips as he parked the car. Tsuna wore his heart on his sleeve, and his smile was more beautiful than the horizon in the sky.
He thought back to the conversation shared with Shouichi. "Your relationship with him is just confusing. You first arrived, comfortably invading one another's personal space, and because of...wh-what had just happened, I assumed you two were lovers."
Lovers. Lovers!
How ridiculous was that? Giotto clicked his tongue, barely registering when he gave the pharmacist the prescription recommended and debated. Ever since their relationship improved, he'd become more affectionate with his little brother. Hugging, kissing on the forehead, holding hands…
Everything you did as a new couple in love. Oh, God. This was his fault.
Giotto ran a hand through his hair, fingers playing with the corners of his cell phone as he waited for the lady to return. From the corner of his eye, he could see the sun preparing to set and read the time to be a quarter to six. While he was flamboyant and expressive in Italy, France, Spain, and whatever other country he visited, Tsuna was reserved like the rest of Japan. Not only was Tsuna shy, but Giotto's nature was more of a tender lover. Was Tsuna aware of this? That he was just being himself? Maybe.
It wouldn't kill him to back off a little. Less hugs, less kisses…
Giotto flushed. Of course it wouldn't be a problem, now that he was wary of every move he made in front of the little guy. Thanking the pharmacist, he tucked the medicine under his arm and wandered through the rest of the corner store to clear his thoughts. The large sign reading Pet Essentials made him stop.
That was another thing, he thought with a frown. Dino knew Tsuna's birthday where Giotto did not. But…why didn't Tsuna tell him?
A sigh escaped his lips, and the adult searched the aisle for any essentials. Nuts was a gift, and knowing his brother, Dino most likely didn't plan ahead. Grabbing a cart and pulling out his phone, Giotto checked for the needed essentials – a cat bed, a litter box, kitty litter, scratching post, food bowl, water bowl, cat carrier, flea control, worming control, grooming products, first aid kit, and…health books.
Nuts was an odd shade of golden yellow when he first set eyes on it. It couldn't have been more than a few weeks or months old, judging by its naiveté and small form, but still he looked like the runt of the litter. Giotto wasn't familiar with cat breeds, but the one Dino brought in particular looked pure-bred. He was a little worried; Nuts looked a little underfed. Most cats were cunning and mischievous, but this one was reclusive. He had a feeling Dino saved him from the pound or something.
Grabbing two or three cat toys for Nuts to play with, Giotto looked at his cart and rolled his eyes. When had he succumb to his brother's will? The information disappeared from the screen on his phone and a number he didn't recognize blinked obnoxiously to his default ringtone. "Hello?"
"Nufufu~ Il mio amore!"
Daemon. He froze, hand gripping his phone as his throat dried. How the hell did he get his number?
"I can hear you breathing, love. You look awfully cute in the pet aisle."
What? Giotto's eyes looked up to down to left and right before giving up. Daemon was only trying to scare him. "How did you get my number?"
"I know it by heart."
"Liar." He changed it after Daemon left.
"I'm simply saying you and I should get together sometime. For tea and crumpets, love. Don't throw a hissy fit, nufufu."
"Then – "
"Have fun at your dinner party with the Sasagawas, love. I'll see you in two and a half weeks for Enma's custody battle. Ciao~" The line went dead. Giotto's fingers had numbed to a dizzying white, and he gripped the cart for support.
Stupid Daemon. Stupid, stupid good for nothing Daemon.
Where was he getting at? Giotto's hand shook, and rationality soon left.
With no other choice, he saved the phone number for future use. It was the only way he could keep in contact with his once lover.
OoOoO
"I think I like Yamamoto."
Uh. Tsuna looked up from the text book in his lap, lightheaded and still confused on polynomials and logarithms. He had a feeling Reborn-sensei specifically chose the hard lessons because he was out of town. The Dino-san he had met earlier was now quiet, and once Gokudera-kun appeared at their doorstep, the older brother excused himself. Dino-san, from what Tsuna could tell, was close to nothing like Giotto, yet absolutely his clone.
It was nice.
H-However, when Gokudera-kun appeared at his door, and just now, when he said…that, Tsuna was caught off guard. He blew hair out of his face and pretended not to hear the other teenager.
"Did you hear me?"
"D-Do you really wanna talk to me about this?"
"I was kind of hoping you would be drugged up so you wouldn't fucking remember this." Drugged up? What did he mean by that?
Looking up from his text book again, Tsuna caught the hothead absorbed in his work. Or so it looked. Heat had risen up the taller's neck, and his ears were bright red. Tsuna gulped. "Don't you…have anyone else you wanna talk about this to – ?"
"No. You're my only fucking alternative, okay?" Gokudera jolted from his seat in Tsuna's desk and the brunet flinched. "Do you wanna have a talk about my mushy-pushy feelings or not? !"
Mushy-pushy? "Okay! L-Let's talk about your m-mushy-pushy feelings!"
"Well, I don't want to now!"
"O-Okay!"
Silence. Tsuna gulped, pleading to all the gods to get him out of here. Or somewhere with witnesses, if he decides to kill me later.
"It just all makes sense, you know?"
No, not really. "I-I've been stuck on this problem, actually." Math wasn't his forte, and Reborn-sensei definitely scared the crap out of him. Unfortunately he was also Tsuna's favorite, since everyone else was a madman.
"Fuck, I know you have been. You've ben on my case about it this entire time, and I still disagree with you. This incident is crap." Incident? When were they on English? "And then…bah, I fucking kissed him, and…"
"Hie? You kissed the mathbook?"
"Math boo– what the hell?"
"Aren't we talking about math?"
"Talking about – I'M SPILLING MY MUSHY-PUSHY HEART TO YOU AND ALL YOU WANT TO DO IS MATH?" He was gone for almost a week, he needed the help! Tsuna recoiled, ready to hide under the sheets, and used his book as a shield. "FINE! YOU FACTOR OUT X-CUBED FIRST, AND THEN FACTOR IT OUT AGAIN, THEN YOU EITHER GRAPH A CURVE, WIGGLE, OR A BOUNCE!"
"Eek! I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" Tsuna ducked, repeating the words over and over like it was a mantra before Gokudera finally calmed down. "S-So you said you l-like him, right? !"
"Yes! Of course I fucking like him, I've known him since we were little kids! We're fucking best friends, and I'm probably in love with the fucking idiot, too! But you wouldn't care because all your mind is on is your stupid fucking makeup work!" Gokudera huffed, and the bed bounced when he collapsed on the mattress. Oh, dear. Where was Yamamoto when he needed him? "Now don't fucking tell him that!"
Silence. Nothing but silence.
"I-I'm really happy for you."
"You shouldn't be, because this whole confession never happened!"
Gah. Tsuna sniffled and shyly smiled behind his book. "S-So…wh-what are you going to do about it?"
"Absolutely nothing, because this confession never happened." Now the hothead was just acting like a child. Tsuna waited, unsure what to say, and it ended with a pale blush across white cheeks.
"A-And if it did?"
"Absolutely nothing – " Tsuna readily cowered under a pillow. " — because…he's happy. And if the big lug's happy, then I don't care."
"D…" His eyebrows furrowed. As noble as that was, it sounded painful coming from the other teenager. He'd known Gokudera the past few months as the warrior who would do anything for his friends, and too stubborn to admit when he was wrong. He could have been wrong, b-but Gokudera's confession was l-like a milestone. "Don't you think he'd be happy with you?"
Silence.
"A…After all, he's been chasing you for months now, a…and….he's been in love with you since you were kids. R…Right?"
Silence. Then – "Tch…I came here to help you with your homework, Tenth. If you're not going to shut up and help me, then I'm leaving. See you on Monday – get well soon."
B-But he didn't know how to do the homework… Tsuna quirked an eyebrow, but had no clue what to say. He stood up from the bed and followed the other teenager to the door. Gokudera remained silent the entire time, but the look on his face was one of defeat. The hothead lost his ammunition, and it was obvious while Tsuna was gone, something had happened. Wait, they kissed. Gokudera and Yamamoto kissed? !
Tsuna crinkled his nose, mind whirling as he trotted upstairs. Somehow…it was fine.
Shimon was a small town where everyone knew each other. There were small convenient stores and a movie theater, but you would have to go to the neighboring city to see anything. When Enma obnoxiously pointed out because Tsuna never hung out with women he was most likely gay, he'd been noticing things more. Everyone back in Shimon (as far as he knew) was straight. Coming to Namimori, he heard stories of G's escapades, saw more of Alaude and Giotto's body than he wanted, and witnessed a relationship between Yamamoto and Gokudera. It was…pleasant. Nice.
Yamamoto was silly and easygoing where Gokudera was terse and shy. They complimented each other, and the chemistry between them as friends was magical. One would have called them brothers, but the truth was, they acted like a married couple with the "fun" husband and the "busybody" wife.
He was happy for them. All he hoped for was to find a relationship like those two.
Unfortunately he still couldn't grasp the concept of Mister Right. Having someone like Yamamoto by his side was like having an excitable puppy. Yamamoto was an eager Akita that would probably lick and drown him in saliva. Gokudera w-was...a grumpy, princess kitten. Nuts was sweet, but Gokudera was more likely to claw his eyes out.
That was probably why they could suit each other. Gokudera could scratch Yamamoto, but the athlete's tolerance was too thick to affect him. For Tsuna, however… Red singed his cheeks as he plopped onto the bed. G filled in like the big brother he never had. Doting and caring, G-san made him feel comfortable. Enma was out of the question, and…a relationship like Alaude-san and Giotto's was ridiculous.
Giotto, he thought more carefully as he fingered his belly button, was different than most cases. Talking to Dino earlier made him realize how different they were, and what methods. He feared Dino would hate him, but the adult proved opposite. He was kind and caring to begin with, and Giotto… Giotto was gentle-hearted and benevolent. His smile made the sun rise, and his warmth was riveting.
Tsuna wasn't worthy of having a lover like Giotto. If one existed. No one could match those lustrous, gorgeous eyes. A chill ran up the teenager's spine, and heat kissed his skin. Giotto's beautifully sculpted face and breathtaking voice in his ear. There wasn't a person in the world who knew how to compliment his emotions, or…or hold him protectively.
He slid a hand down the hem of his PJ pants and bit his lip. A lover like Giotto…warm, and kind. Someone who smelled like mint chocolate chip ice cream, and fit him like a bun to a hot dog. Tsuna clutched his erection in a sweaty palm and it squealed in delight. H-He hadn't done this since…Sh-Shimon. Months ago, before Giotto and he began living with each other.
Any thought came to mind; from the way Giotto's hair always looked like he just got laid, or the lazy sex grin that often graced his lips – the one who showed no one else. Even back to the beginning when they first met, when the vivid flush rose from Giotto's chest to his jaw and – O-Oh G…G-God…
"Tsuna, you need to get ready for – " He didn't hear the door downstairs unlock. He didn't bother locking the door because he knew he was the only one home. All his thoughts were on Giotto – and now his brother was standing at his door.
O-Oh G-God.
Giotto was frozen. Tsuna came.
Author's Note:
So, I'm not sure if I'll raise the story to M just yet. I feel like I'll probably get complaints that they aren't having sex once new readers catch up to this chapter, and I made it as not-detailed as possible. xD;; You guys can decide that for me. Also – yeah, Tsuna at the end is definitely not a normal light you see him in. I couldn't have written him in character for that even if I tried. What, do you want me to make him whimper? Anyway, a lot of you explained why you freaked out about a hiatus, and…well, I still disagree with you, but w/e. Thank you for reaching 1000 reviews for me; I'm so honored and I love every single one of you! And one question I might end up getting: "Why did you name him Nuts instead of Natsu?" I wanted to say his head was shaped like a peanut or a walnut, and that would be a cute reason.
Anyway – do any of you have an msn account for windows live? I'd love to talk to you. C: Reviews would be nice!