Reborn stood outside, a cigarette in his hand and periodically checking his watch. The weekly shipment of groceries from the Vongola was supposed to arrive shortly.
While only the most trusted individuals were allowed with that job, it didn't change the fact that all of the Arcobaleno wanted to deal with it in a secure manner. Therefore even Skull had been forbidden from accepting the shipment. Violet was naturally out of the question now.
The car finally came around the curve and parked near the door. Hayato stepped out of it and Reborn just smirked at the slight scowl the storm always had on his face when he wasn't dealing with his boss.
Hayato bowed to Reborn before he got the grocery bags out to hand them over.
The sun didn't even bother getting closer to him, after all he saw no point in making his work easier. He accepted the bags and was already ready to turn around when Hayato bowed again, extending an envelope towards Reborn with both hands "Reborn. The tenth wanted me to deliver this to you as well."
Reborn just accepted it "Everything done then?"
"Yes, I'm not going to take up more of your time."
The sun finally stepped inside after seeing Hayato drive off again, carrying the bags while still having the letter in his hand.
Violet had already started to clean up the fridge a bit to make room for the new items.
The rest of the arcobalenos were lounging in the living room which was connected to the kitchen.
The sun carried the bags to Violet and dropped them on the table before he occupied himself with the letter in his hand.
The former sky didn't pay it much mind and instead started to float the groceries towards their spots. She had preferences where she wanted specific items and therefore was more than just grateful that none of them messed it up by trying to help her.
She was never the most organised but she definitely had her habits and quirks that included how she wanted her kitchen sorted. Not that she would want to admit it but it probably stemmed from her time at the Dursleys. Everything had to be organised. It had been to Petunia's preferences even if her aunt had barely cooked but Violet had still been glad she hadn't had to spend her time searching for specific ingredients. Time had always mattered a bit too much.
It didn't take long and she made her way to sit down on the free spot on the couch and looked expectantly at Reborn who seemed to have waited for her.
"The Vongola invited us to their annual picnic. Now that Tsunayoshi has settled down permanently in Italy they wanted to include all of the allies. Therefore they want us there as well."
To be honest most of the Arcobalenos were looking forward to it. They definitely didn't mind spending so much time together but a bit of change was welcome.
They could even check up on most of their acquaintances or for example in Fons case check up on his apprentice.
Suddenly Colonnello started to snicker "So you gotta deal with your Lover? And you can't even get some from her because she's still a minor."
"I have no interest in Binachi and you know that Colonnello."
"She doesn't."
"She does, she just ignores it."
Colonnello still snickered but Lal furrowed her brows
"Why were you together with her then?"
"It's not like I had anything better to do… she got the wrong idea."
"Cold."
"That's life"
Fons gaze as he looked at Reborn was filled with malicious joy. "So we're going to see you suffer because she's still going to follow you around?"
"I broke up with her. I have no interest in being seens as a paedophile or groomer."
"Ephebophilia in this specific case." Verde uttered, still focused on the Book on speltheorie in his hands.
"Should we be worried that you know the differences?" Fon asked.
Verde just gave him a disapproving look but otherwise went back to his book, not bothering to answer the nonsense.
Colonnello, still sniggering, had thrown an arm over Lals shoulder "Won't stop her."
Violet had meanwhile started to absentmindedly pet Yunis' head.
it would be weird going back to being Skull even if only for one day. She had started to get used to being Violet full time again.
Fon who had smiled at the skinship between the two skies suddenly widened his eyes "They expect Skull."
"Not like I can't morph back to him." she didn't really see a problem with it, instead focused more on giving Yuni the best headscratchers.
In her distraction she didn't notice the glances the arcobalenos exchanged.
Colonnello spoke out first "I refuse to go back to my old behaviour. It doesn't matter that it's an act. I won't do it. Count me out."
"Do you think I want to?" Reborn almost snapped at him
Lal wasn't rolling with it either. "I think I can collectively say for all of us that we don't want to do it."
Violet lifted an eyebrow at that "I don't mind though? It's not like you guys mean anything by it."
"Forget it."
She just shook her head and left them to their sour mood.
A few low whispers were exchanged until she heard reborn address her directly "Tesoro?"
"Yeah?"
"You don't have many places where you can be Violet correct?"
"I mean… I have one here, theoretically I could do it at my own home and when I visit certain friends but… yeah not many."
"And you missed being in your original body, right?"
"Kinda? I do prefer it… it's more comfortable if that makes sense?"
"It has been forty years… theoretically you should look different than this or are there any redeeming features that would make it immediately obvious that it is you?"
"My scars."
"Which you are an expert at at covering them with makeup."
"What is your point?"
"How about going in your original body but still as Skull de Mort?"
she stilled at that, finally focusing on him instead of Yuni.
"I… I don't know."
It was true that she wasn't known in the muggle world and definitely not in the mafia. The people that would have actually been able to recognize her would definitely not be in Italy either and she would stay with her alias. She knew it was kind of stupid to agree to this.
But at the same time… Hadn't she wanted to actually be herself? Just being Violet without the hero worship.
"It would relieve us from the burden of having to act like before and… you could reel in the chaos."
"You love chaos." she corrected him.
"Says the woman that literally started to stamp over our whole worldview" Colonnello uttered.
She ignored him and bit on her lip ring "You sure it would not bring more complications? Like the Mafia hunting me down for my abilities?"
"You think any of us would let anything happen to you? Don't insult us Violet. No matter how you changed our ranking, we are still the seven strongest"
"I… I guess I would want to?" she almost whispered the answer, still biting on her lip ring with a sense of nervous energy.
Fon who had sat next to her just calmly drew small circles on her shoulder with his hand, to calm her down.
Lal spoke up "We still have the problem that Violet is only wearing your Shirts. I don't have anything in her size either and while Yuni has the same height, there are definitely a few reasons why Yunis clothes won't fit her either."
"Can't you magic something?"
Violet shook her head "No, actually making or permanently changing clothes in a way that it would be safe to wear is way above my level. The necessary charms are only taught in apprenticeships for that. The furthest my knowledge goes in that direction are permanent colour changing charms. Even a resizing charm that would be reliable for a few hours is frickle and nothing I feel comfortable with "
"But you would be able to dye fabric?"
"Yes."
"Wait here please" Reborn left the room to her confusion, shortly coming back with two rolls of different Fabrics.
"Lilac seems like a good choice. Could you cast your spell?"
She just followed his instruction "So what's that about?"
"You're aware that I sew most of my disguises myself?"
Colonnello snickered again "You mean your cosplays?"
"Disguises." he pointly said, one hand already wandering to his gun.
"You want.. to make me clothes for the picnic?"
"Yes. Afterall I can't let my date go in inadequate clothing."
"Since when was I your date?"
"As a repayment for me making you a dress."
"But you just said…"
"Semantics."
"But…"
"Furthermore it would grant you the most protection against any kind of Ideas anyone could come up with after seeing your abilities. It's logical." he stated matter of fact "If you would follow me then? I would need to take your measurements."
She definitely paused at that, still her head spinning form apparently going as Reborns date. There was a huge difference in Reborn flirting with her to being someone he would be seen in public with.
She just swung her wand, producing a paper with her measurements with a flick of it, still a bit stunned at what just happened. But still aware enough to not give him the chance to actually feel her up.
She couldn't actually be mad at anything when she saw the dress he had made for her.
A light, summer dress, still covering her arms but being made out such a thin fabric that the heat wouldn't suffocate her. It was flowy, playful but still modest. Accompanied with a pair of lace gloves and a fitting sunhat.
While she was aware she never really owned any kind of beautiful clothes, this was still way more than she could have imagined.
She had been almost speechless, whispering a thank you when she hurried to her room to try it on under his soft gaze.
A gesture like this shouldn't have left her that touched but she had problems not tearing up when she saw herself in the mirror.
