OC insert that uses they/them pronouns. Pairings undecided for now. Made some minor edits to wording/phrasing.
The back streets of Mafia Land are just as dirty as any other city's. Cigarette butts litter the gutters, and there's pieces of hardened gum stuck to the brick walls and cement floor wherever the eye can see. The most of note anyone can find in these narrow streets are the pipelines and the garbage disposals of each separate building.
Futa's hand is small and trembling in their own, even as they twist and turn through the alleyways of what's supposedly a neutral territory that every family here is obligated to respect. Hoshi is just grateful that Futa is old enough to run on his own two legs. They can't piggyback Futa the entire time, if only because Hoshi is a child in their own right, a slim figure just eleven going on twelve.
"Hoshi-nii," Futa whimpers, eyes darting behind them. A clang, a few curses in Italian, the sounds of plastic and aluminum being knocked down. Some poor shopkeeper is going to find their upturned trash and file a complaint about racoons or something. They make another sharp turn to the left, and the sound of a bustling street finally grows louder.
Hoshi doesn't look back, even to the echo of multiple footfalls heavy on their trail. "We're almost there, little prince," they say, squeezing Futa's hand in reassurance. Just because one idiot family is willing to break Mafia Land's rules doesn't mean the rest of them are. No one likes having their vacation ruined, and while Mafia Land is a great place to strike some business deals, its ultimate purpose is just that: neutral grounds acting as a vacation spot. As long as they can get somewhere crowded, Futa's safety is guaranteed.
"Fuck, why are these kids so fast? Shoot the older one! We only need the Ranking Prince alive, not his bodyguard!"
Futa's breath hitches. It sounds like he's about to sob, but he doesn't have the breath to spare for it. Hoshi topples a garbage bin over purposefully, letting it roll behind them to serve as a minor obstacle, and with a flash of violet suddenly one trashcan becomes five. Hoshi pulls Futa in front of them and sweeps him off his feet. It's only a split second before they take off once again. Futa wraps his arms around Hoshi's neck and buries his face there, comforted by the familiar position.
"Two of them have their guns out," he whispers. "There's six people total." Hoshi doesn't bother to respond but quickens their pace nonetheless.
They burst out into the open street, causing a minor commotion as the crowd parts to make space for the two. It's a good thing everyone here has good reflexes, Hoshi thinks wryly, before skidding to a stop and whirling around. The men come barreling out of the alleyway cursing and frustrated and covered in trash. The guns in their hands glint in the sunlight.
A collective click-click emits from the crowd. When the men look up, it's to the business ends of a dozen different muzzles.
A distinctive weight settles on top of Hoshi's head. "Ciaossu," it greets, and they don't need to look to know who it is.
"Hello, Reborn-san," Hoshi returns politely. Futa mumbles a second greeting accompanied by a watery sniff. Hoshi pats his head absentmindedly, eyes trained on the six men who seem to be at a loss as to what to do. Someone in the crowd is yelling at them to drop their guns.
"I think they're new," they offer to Reborn, who hums in acknowledgment. "Futa and I haven't seen them around Mafia Land before, and they started chasing us the moment they recognized Futa. Look, this time I tried really hard not to hurt them even though they're the ones that broke the rules and almost made Futa cry. See? They're not even bleeding."
Reborn doesn't praise them, but he promises, "Mafia Land is neutral grounds. They'll be dealt with," and that's that.
Hoshi and Futa are a freelancing duo. What the hell are an eleven year old and a six year old doing freelancing, someone with a bit of common sense might ask, but the Underworld of Katekyo Hitman Reborn is full of enough nonsense that no one really questions it. As long as you can produce results, you're recognized for them; and Futa has been producing results ever since he first ranked someone.
Futa acts as an informant, selling names and lists, while Hoshi acts as his bodyguard and breaks the fingers of anyone who dares harm them. Hoshi's mature enough to admit that Futa has the higher profile of the two. The duo's main source of income comes from his contracts, and even at the tender age of six, Futa's ranked enough people for the entire Underworld and even certain "clean" organizations to covet his Ranking Book.
That isn't to say Hoshi doesn't have a target painted on their own back. Being Flame active means having families looking to chain Hoshi down while they aren't Harmonized, and owning Cloud Flames means people are just that much more motivated to "break Hoshi in" while they're young.
It means Hoshi and Futa are constantly on the run, even when Futa is contracted to offer his services to an organization for a certain period of time. The moment that organization fails to protect them, Hoshi snatches Futa up and hightails it out of there, never hesitating to go as far as crossing country borders.
Neutral grounds like Mafia Land are safe havens they visit regularly. Mafia Land is Hoshi's personal favorite because it houses criminals and criminals only. The visitors? Criminals. The staff? Criminals. Even the elderly have a criminal record. Hoshi is spared the need to doubt the innocence of the woman who's spent over five minutes in their vicinity because she's definitely a criminal. They don't need to worry about a hostage situation or breaking Omerta because everyone here is a criminal. Any blood spilled in Mafia Land isn't an innocent's blood because they're all criminals. Destroying the neutrality of this place equals making an enemy of literally the entire goddamn island. At least here, no one will make a kidnapping attempt on Futa in broad daylight. At least here, no one will stalk them for days on end. At least here, it's safe, in a strange, convoluted kind of way.
But even that safety can be broken. Whenever things like this happens, Futa grows frantic and fearful, reminded of the fact that there's nowhere in the world they can possibly outrun the Underworld, and Hoshi can't even comfort him in any way that matters because it's true and they won't lie to him about it. The two never accept work whenever it happens. Hoshi calls it a mandatory mental health break. (But they never really take a break from being Futa's bodyguard.)
It's relevant because they didn't come to Mafia Land for a simple vacation this time.
"I'm sorry, Reborn-san. Futa's in no condition to make any rankings, let alone negotiate contract terms. Please let us postpone this talk to a later date." They've relocated to the storefront of a dainty, colorful café known for its sweets. Hoshi bows shallowly and straightens almost immediately. Futa is still clinging to them, tears finally beginning to pour out his eyes and onto Hoshi's scarf. They heft Futa up higher, arms beginning to ache. Six year olds are surprisingly heavy, Hoshi muses.
Lots of clients have reacted poorly to having their contracts postponed. Whenever it happens, Hoshi refunds them and refuses to carry out the contract, ticked at their disregard for Futa's well-being. It often ends in gunshots and lots of blood, most of which isn't Hoshi's. Hoshi doesn't know how Reborn will react, and it's admittedly a bit scary shooting down the World's Greatest Hitman, but they cling to the small amount of things they can do for Futa with a vengeance. What do you mean Ranking Prince Futa isn't available? It means exactly that. He's on. Fucking. Break.
Reborn tips his fedora over his eyes. "I understand. It isn't urgent; I'll check back in with you two in two days' time."
Relief washes over them. "Thank you for your patience."
Before he leaves, Reborn pauses. Hoshi looks at him questioningly.
"This café added a new dessert on their menu yesterday. It's quite popular with the kids."
He's gone before they can react, and Hoshi's suddenly reminded of the fact that Reborn is an adult trapped in an infant's body. They glance at the cute heart-shaped plaque on the door, taking in the "Welcome!" written in bubbly pink, and upon hearing the quieting of Futa's sniffles Hoshi decides to give it a shot.
It's big.
It's blue.
It's covered in star-shaped cookies and golden sprinkles.
It's called the Cheery Starry Lovely Parfait and it lands third place on Futa's list of favorite desserts.
Hoshi stares at Futa's dried tears and beaming smile and decides that yes, Mafia Land is definitely Hoshi's personal favorite.