I'm *trying* to start writing again. again, not beta'd or proof read. i don't have the energy for that rn

"Thank you for your patronage! We hope to see you again!"

I nod and smile at the man behind the counter, taking my bags in one hand. I then say a farewell of my own, and leave the store, closing my eyes and breathing in the winter air. Perhaps it will snow again today. The sky certainly seems to be in the mood for it.

I sigh, and start heading down the road. It's been a few months since I was sent to this town, this country, and already there's no word on when I'll be allowed to return. Though, I suppose it's for the best. Not much reason for me to return anyway. She's gone, never coming back. They never said as much, but who would? After all, the dead can't be hostages.

So they shove me out here, countries away from my homeland, just in case I find out and decide they should be just as dead. Which would make sense, I probably should feel that way. They took the last bit of family I had, promised to protect her in return for service, and then fail.

The only reason they haven't put a price on my head is because they still believe me useful. Flame users, after all, are hard to come by. Especially strong and skilled ones like myself. So why haven't I done anything about it yet? I'm eventually going to be gotten rid of, why not go out in a blaze of glory?

Probably because it wouldn't actually do anything.

Sigh. Perhaps I'll save it for when they decide to be rid of me.

Or maybe I'll just let them do it.

I frown slightly and shake my head, rubbing my nose. Such thoughts are unhelpful and unproductive. Best to get back to where I'm staying. I should have another job soon.

The snow starts coming down harder, crunching under my feet as it builds up. I shiver, a strange feeling tingling in my gut. That's odd, what's that? It feels…

I discreetly look around, continuing the way I was going until getting to a suitable alleyway. I quickly duck into it, and focus on that feeling again, trying to see where it's coming from. I haven't sensed another flame user in this town before, so I should be on my guard.

It's just, it feels… so warm. I've never felt a flame like this before. At least, I don't think I have. What other type could it-

Oh.

My eyes snap open, and I turn my head in the direction I believe them to be. There's no other flames around, and the sensation is getting weaker. This could go either very bad, or very well. Should I?

Why not, you don't have anything to lose.

Keeping to the back alleys, I trail that flickering sensation. Soon, the tingling migrates from my gut to my chest. They're close. I slow down, straining my ears to see if I can hear anyone nearby.

I don't manage to hear anyone until I'm close to a dumpster, which is empty but still reeks of decay. The breathing is quiet, but jerky and a little wet sounding. Like someone's shivering and probably sick. I round the dumpster and look down, and I'm not prepared for what I see.

A brown haired child is huddled up in the snow, curled in on himself as he sits between the dumpster and a pile of empty pallets. I the gap between his legs and chest, I can see their hands glowing faintly orange, likely trying to keep warm.

They are wearing some weather appropriate clothes, but by the look of how ill fitting and mismatched they are, and the child's gauntness, I doubt they are doing much to help.

"Excuse me, are you alright? Do you have a home?"

I receive no response. Not even a twitch to show that they heard me. They can't be asleep, otherwise the flames wouldn't be visible. I gently put my bags down, and crouch down in front of them. I slowly lift my hand where the child can easily see it, and just as slowly bring my hand closer to them.

I receive no reaction to the approach, but my touch to their shoulder does cause a small twitch in response. I channel some of my flames into my hand, not enough to be visible or to be rude, but just enough to keep it warm and inviting.

This causes a sigh to emerge from the quivering form, and their body leans further into my hand as well. Again, slowly, I trail my hand up the barely warm figure until I cup their face. Cradling their chin, I lift it up to where I can finally see them. There's no resistance, but that seems more because there's simply no fight in them.

The child's eyes are vacant, staring right through me. They're amber perhaps, with a touch of orange, and shaped in a way that indicates being at least a mix of some form of asian. I frown at how pale the child is, their lips are even a light shade of blue. This isn't good.

I take my hand back and remove my coat, wrapping the child up in it before sweeping them up into my arms. I grab my bags once again, and quickly head back to my place. I channel my flames again, just enough to keep both of us warm. Or from completely freezing to death in my arms.

French didn't get a response, so maybe I could try something else. To be safe, I ask my questions once more in French, then start slowly cycling through my repertoire. I'm only a few moments away from my street when something gets a response.

Their eyes flick to mine, suddenly focusing in on me. Their eyes dart around my face, finally seeming to register my presence. I stop for a moment, the door to my temporary home within sight, and ask a different question.

"What's your name little one?"

It takes a moment, the child still looking at and assessing me, before they respond in a raspy voice with a different dialect of Japanese.

"T-Tsuna."

I smile down at them, and then walk the remaining distance to my door.

"Nice to meet you Tsuna. My name is Fong."

Uh, I'm on tumblr (same name) and Twitch (cslcan4comp)? I don't really have much else to say rn. I'm kind of going through a life crisis rn am trying to power thru it. (and ignoring it too, tbh)

also, i call him fong, bc that's what i read first w/ fanfiction, and the wiki isn't very helpful on what the correct spelling is.