A/N:
@Natsu Lucy1: I'm so sorry for the cliff hangers. Hahaha. As a reader as well, it is one of the banes of my existence. However, as a writer, I can't help enjoying on putting some on my chapters. And I know how frustrating it can be so I'm so sorry. Hahaha. And thank you! For reading this fic for a lot of time. It makes my heart flutter. Oh my God. Hahaha.
@rama-miss: Same. Tsuna over Aizawa, Aizawa over Tsuna. I can't get enough of these two's tandem. It's like they got closer to each other after Tsuna told Aizawa everything about him. And you know Byakuran. He has reasons, like being busy eating ice cream or something. Who knows, maybe he's readying a gift for Tsuna. Hahaha.
@Fragments of Imagination: HAHAHA! I hope Reborn does appear with Byakuran! It will be a blast!
@Amaryllis Flick: You think so? Hm... Tsuna is beginning to mature more. Yie. Hahaha!! Anyway, thank you!
@rozielrie: Maybe because my own chapter didn't make me cry when I was making it, so I felt like apologizing. Hahaha. And yeah! Tsuna is a troll! And he should've never told him though. Aizawa kept it a secret from the class. Hahaha! Byakuran will appear. I'm sure he will.
@Lily3nna: No prob on you being late. Take all the time you need to read the chapters. And yeah! Tsuna's protective side is adorable!
@catherineeeee: Xanxus will appear in the later chapters. I think he got curious on how Tsuna was able to predict that he doesn't drink coffee. HAHAHA! Byakuran has his reasons, but he'll show up. I just know it. And it's probably because Tsuna has all three blessings, that's why the ring reacted to his flames. Also, the Vongola now can't produce the dying will flames, so the ring will really react to Tsuna's will.
@The Singing Magician: Thank you. I really want to make someone check my works with the beta system or anyone, but I have trust issues, and I think it will delay the updating on my story...? I tell you, trust issues. Although it's not on this fic, I also want to improve my grammar and spelling works. Regardless, thank you for reading this unpolished fic.
I wanted to apologize to RedTheVariant who said that I'm making Tsuna kinda gay. Hahaha. Nope. This is not yaoi, even if there are some adorable hints here and there. Maybe because I see Tsuna in a manly way but with more emotional state that girls usually have?
Anyhow, here are the new chapters! They're not proofread, and I'm sorry in advance for the cringy grammar and spelling errors. And thank you for the reads and being patient with me. I have no excuses on why I'm late... Again.
Anyway, go on. Shoo! You don't need to see my blabbering.
Chapter Forty
"It's okay." He consoled the old man. "Everything will be fine, Grandpa. My fellow heroes will find Grandma, but for now, let's go for safety, okay? So when she gets back to you, you'll welcome her home."
The old man smiled. "Nice boy."
He smiled as he took the old man's thighs as weak arms go around his neck. "A pleasure, Grandpa."
Tsuna leaped through rubbles and fallen debris to get to the first aid area. He saw some more students trying to find some 'survivors' and he gladly directed them to where his intuition is pointing. Having experience his wrath awhile ago, they saluted and hurriedly went to the specific site. He let one of those first aid heroes take good care of the old man he 'saved' before going back.
Apparently, the last part of their exam is to do some rescue maneuvers after they bombed every terrain and inserted the 'survivors'. As he heard, every 'civilian' has a privilege to deduct points. Since Tsuna is well adept to the situation, he doesn't need to think twice about helping the survivors. He even had to sacrifice his coat and polo shirt to do a small first aid to the 'injured' ones.
What he couldn't stop himself is yelling at those who won't believe him. If there are no 'lives' at stake, he won't direct them where to find a 'survivor'. Heck. He had to ice them up first, berate them for their lack of cooperation before retracting his flames. He was so pissed that he has to take calm breaths and think of Reborn trying to kill him.
He looked up from the old woman he put beside the old man he saved awhile ago, when he heard a loud crash. As Mera announced another terrorist attack, Tsuna looked over to the victims. Huh. To think they'll go that far. To defend the people you saved against the ones who wants to harm them is one of the hardest thing a hero can do. It's to fight or flee.
"Izuku!" He called out when he saw a familiar greenet.
"Tsuna?!" Izuku called out.
"Go! Respond! I'll keep them safe!" He shouted as he jogged over.
"Alright!" The greenet answered as the brunet took his previous spot.
He kept an eye out for any 'villain' that may come as the others evacuated the HUCs. He waved them off, slowly backing away as they steadily get ushered. Before he knew it, a 'beep' went off and he relaxed. He let a sigh and moved to see the 'survivors'. He smiled to those he saved and joined them on moving out as they got instructed to change.
After changing and being directed to the stadium, Tsuna opted to stay at the back of the class, not minding the noise. He only eyes Shouto who looks regrettable. It can't be helped if the one with the wind quirk really hates him and Endeavor. He heard them talking in the waiting room, in front of everybody. With what they did awhile ago, he knows the red-white head is regretting what he had done and realized some things.
It didn't take long for them to get the result though. He only smiled after seeing his name and kept quiet about Katsuki's and Shouto's missing names. Some of his classmates congratulated him and looking at him curiously of why he's not consoling the two. He only smiled softly. They already understood.
After getting a quick pep talk and things, they were told to get their licence ID. Tsuna grinned after getting it. He quickly ran off with his bag and packet with him. It didn't take long for him to reach his Dad who is waiting outside. He dropped his bags and hugged the man who caught him.
"Congratulations." Shouta whispered.
"I got a ninety-eight on everything." He murmured on the other's chest before looking up. "Do you want me to put a string on my ID? So you can wear it like a medal?"
His Dad barked a laughter. "No. It's your ID."
"But it's yours too." He pointed out.
"Give me your evaluation? I'll frame that up."
"Really?"
The two of them stared at each other before laughing.
"You must be tired." His Dad hummed, rubbing his back. "You even threw a fit."
He wrinkled his nose. "That's their fault. But I'm worried for Katsuki and Shouto."
"They'll be fine." His Dad assured him. "You should go to the bus and sleep. You look like you're about to fall."
He nodded weakly with equally small smile. "Thanks, Dad."
He picked up his bags and went straight for the bus. He took his usual seat, took his jacket from his bag and draped it over his head. It didn't take long for him to sleep. The next thing he knew, he was being shaken to wake up. Tsuna only bid 'later' to his Dad before he went for his room like the others. He can hear the girls cooing at him, that he only smiled at. All he remembers was Izuku guiding him to his room, thanking the greenet, and crashing on his bed without removing anything.
Katsuki is pissed. Seriously. One after another. Why does he have to-
Red eyes turned to the next room beside him. The usual door with a small board sign below the peephole is not visible since the door is a little open. He didn't really notice Tsuna moving around the site. There's only that one time he saw him looking pissed and shouting orders to some of their competitors, while holding a HUC kid. He looks frightening, but the way he looked down to the kid with a soft smile was also heartwarming.
He knows how it feels to be saved by Tsuna. There's so much assurance. So much warmth. The tight protective hug is so addicting too. His regular hugs are the same, but the feeling of being hugged because someone wants to protect him is different. There's also the pat on the head, and the small whisper of sweet nothings that everything will be fine. That he promises to bring him home.
Sighing, he went over and apologized for intruding. The lights were off, so he turned it on. On the bed though, is the brunet, snoozing and curled on the bed. He appeared tired, and hasn't have the time to remove anything when he fell on his bed. It must be the case why Tsuna was asleep in the bus, unlike them. He didn't even wake up to the noise they made.
Katsuki decided to pull the slippers off so the bed won't get dirty. He stashed the bags to the side before pulling the blanket and let it cover the brunet. He paused when the other moved, only to receive a 'thank you, Katsuki' in a sleepy murmur.
"You're going to be so pissed." He muttered before turning around.
He blinked when he noticed something on the wall by the study table. There are pictures in there. Pictures of Tsuna with Deku, Half 'n half, his friend in Class C, one with Aizawa and a picture of a couple with a small Tsuna between them. There's also a picture of them, with Tsuna grinning widely at him while he's scowling at the other.
"You're going to be very pissed on me." He muttered again before going for the door, turning off the light and closing the door behind him.
It's time to confront Deku, and Tsuna will never ever like it.
Tsuna sat up when he felt his intuition reluctantly tapping on him. He blinked his bleary eyes before stretching. He looked over to the time and noticed that it's eleven in the evening. He frowned. What the heck is his intuition urging him now?
Moving away from his bed, he started to remove his white polo shirt and threw it to the laundry before taking his jacket, slipping on his slippers and padded for the door. He tapped his pockets for his phone where he found on the right pocket. He doubled tapped it to lit up as he opened the door. He blinked at his Dad's message about missing dinner and sweet dreams. He slipped it again on his pocket, closed the door and started to go for the elevator. He put on his jacket as the door opened. He went inside and clicked for the first floor.
When he got there and stepped out, he immediately went for the unlocked door to slip out. He was by the teacher's building when he noticed his Dad going out of the front door. He called out, causing the man to look at him. He smiled as he walked nearer. Shouta has his hair up, something that only him sees in their apartment. It's refreshing to see him like that, usually. He looks so neat, especially after he shaved and he has proper rest the night before. But right now, he's more on teaching and stopped his hero works.
"Where are you going at a time like this?" He asked when he's within earshot.
"And you?" His Dad rebutted.
"I asked first." He countered.
"Bakugou and Midoriya are in the maneuvering ground. They looked like they're fighting." Shouta grumbled.
"Maneuvering ground?" He queried, not worried for the fighting part.
"Ground Beta." His Dad clarified.
Tsuna's intuition connected the lined before he smiled weakly. "Can you let me do the job?"
"Huh?"
"Katsuki needs this, Dad." He elaborated a little as he turned his body away, indicating he's about to leave. "He has been blaming himself of All Might-san retirement. And he feels inferior of Izuku's quick growth." He raised a hand to All Might's way, who probably heard what the two are doing. He looked back to Shouta who is staring at him. "Izuku is the only one who can receive his frustration. It sounds irrational, but it's same with you knowing why I broke down."
"Fine." The hero relented. "I'll ready the first aid kit instead, and the punishment."
He smiled. "I'll be going with All Might-san."
"Yeah. And dinner. I need to make dinner for the both of us." His Dad mumbled as he closes the door.
"Tsuna." All Might called.
He nodded. "Let's go, All Might-san. I think you'll be the one to resolve this."
"Did Aizawa agree?" The hero asked as he followed. "He's not mad?"
"He understands." He hummed. "He has me to take care of sometimes, so he knows and understands why Katsuki needs this."
"I'm worried for Young Bakugou." All Might confessed.
"They'll be fine." He assured. "Izuku is there for him. They have each other's back. They're best friends."
"Ah. Best friends are the best rivals." The man quoted, making Tsuna smile.
When they arrived at Ground Beta, both teens are having confrontations. Tsuna sat on the ground while All Might remained standing as they listened to the two shout at each other and fight. He can feel every twitch of All Might to stop the two or at least be a voice of reason, but the hero himself knows how the two needed this. For Tsuna, it's like seeing and hearing Hayato and Takeshi, and Kyouya and Mukuro.
The first two have the same things like the teens. Hayato and Takeshi were his best friends, but they have their own rivalry. Being the right hand man, the better best friend, blaming themselves for being unable to protect him, the inferiority of each other's own sets of skills and who's stronger. Kyouya and Mukuro started off as rivals before they became best friends. The two won't admit it. It took a lot of several plays plotted with Reborn, because they knew Chrome's best friend is Haru while Kyoko has Hana. They fight, they're very territorial and good at interrogation. They have their own stupid bantering, and they just lift each other up, making themselves stronger and knowing how each other thinks.
It's the reason why Tsuna knows Katsuki needed the fight between him and Izuku. He's like Hayato. The insecurities even though he has everything, the pride and the power. He's desperate to know why no one is guiding him, and why Izuku is the one being chosen. The brunet can almost relate and not. In his original world, Reborn was there to tutor him. But right now, he's not. Even if Shouta is there, he can't really rely on him. It's the reason why he's relying in his memory.
He glanced at All Might who moved after Katsuki declared that he won. He stood up too and patted himself of dirt before following. He kept quiet as they solely focused on All Might.
"Tsuna knows?" Katsuki queried, surprised.
He raised a lazy hand when All Might gestured to him, which caused the two to turn their attention to him. "I told him the truth after he healed me."
"Yo." He greeted.
"T-Tsuna!" The two exclaimed before grimacing.
"We're so sorry for fighting!" Izuku apologized, fumbling and starting to get embarrassed.
Tsuna chuckled. "It's fine for me. It's a code between men to fight and settle a score, instead of talk. We rarely go sappy."
"You healed him?" Katsuki questioned, looking back and forth from him and All Might.
"All Might has this no cure condition that Tsuna was able to heal." Izuku explained in a murmur.
"This secret of mine is something I regret to have brought upon you. You've had to carry that weight around everywhere. I'm sorry." The hero apologized.
"I'm not carrying anything. There's too much of a risk telling anybody else anyway." Then red eyes flitted to the brunet. "And if Tsuna can do it, why can't I do it?"
"I technically have no care of the secret, Katsuki. I'll even honor you that All Might-san didn't have to tell me anything. I have enough of my own, remember? It's just the fact that he thinks it is only fair for me to know." He responded.
All Might sighed. "Seeing how things have turned out, it seems like I owe Young Bakugou a proper explanation."
While Tsuna fussed around the two and healed some of their injuries, the two listened to All Might's story, especially Katsuki. After deeming them good and ready for Shouta's own kind of wrath, he stood up just as All Might's explanation was done. He helped Katsuki up before Izuku and ushered them to go ahead as he lagged.
When they went for the common building, Shouta has the first aid ready. Tsuna took the liberty to bandage Izuku himself while his Dad did Katsuki. After that, Shouta scolded them. They were told to be in house arrest for four days on Katsuki and three days on Izuku with more conditions. Tsuna argued that it should be three and two, respectively. Shouta gave his valid points that he answered with his own. In the end, his Dad relented. He winked at the two, who snorted and smiled gratefully, respectively, after Shouta turned around.
While the two were sent to bed and All Might excused himself, Tsuna helped his Dad in finishing their late dinner. They settled by the couch.
"Itadakimasu." Both announced before taking their own bowls of rice.
"Did you sleep well?" His Dad queried.
He nodded with a small smile. "Not much. I'll probably get knocked out once I see my bed."
"Figures. You haven't changed into anything yet." Shouta pointed out, making him sheepish. "Take a bath later, okay? At least soak for once. You need to relax."
"Okay."
"So how's your new technique? I saw it once, but didn't get a closer look."
Tsuna blinked. "I reversed the attack form of X-burner. Instead of shooting off hard flames, I made it as a support and let the waves of the soft flame do the petrification."
Black eyes blinked. "You thought of that in three days?"
"Well it was hard to come up with. I can't just wave a flame. It might turn anyone to stone and become a dust. Natsu used his roar by the way." He pouted. "I suddenly miss his 'gao'."
"G-Gao?" His Dad repeated with a snicker. "I thought he's a lion?"
"He is!" He insisted. "He has this cool silver helmet on his head, and he has sky flames as mane. He can be really really cowardy because he reflects my emotions. When I'm nervous, he's nervous. When I'm angry, he's angry too. And trust me, I can understand his 'gao's as much as I can understand Uri's meows."
"You have a cat?" Shouta perked up.
Tsuna grinned. "A baby cheetah. We also have a liger, Xanxus named him as Bester. Natsu likes Bester though. They usually sleep together. I wonder who will inherit him though. Xelena is allergic to fur."
"You've mentioned a lot of your-"
"Our." He corrected.
"Okay." His Dad smiled appreciatively with a nod. "You've mentioned a lot of our family's children, but you never mentioned any of yours."
Tsuna hummed. Well, they have been talking about his life in the original world since they made up. Shouta wants to know and understand him more, so he gives in. And he likes relieving those memories too. "I didn't marry anyone." He answered as he took an eggroll.
"What? But you were forty-four." Shouta recalled, eyes wide.
"I didn't want my children to feel the pressure of expectation of being a leader of a vigilante group." He hummed. "And I never saw anyone I liked. Even in the same gender, if you asked. I was busy with our family and contented with what they give that I never really thought of marrying anyone. Reborn, Tousan and Nono may have reminded me a lot of times, until I had enough and expressed my want to be alone for life.
"Nono and Reborn kinda respected my wishes. After all, I was a civilian who got dragged in the mafia. The expectations on me that time was low until it went higher and higher as I ascend the role. It was quite heavy. It doesn't even help that we have many enemies out there who oppose to our ideals. Tousan was kinda disappointed and mad that I won't give them grandchildren. I even rejected the woman I had a crush on for several years when she asked.
"My guardians were supportive though. The ones who were really disappointed were my friends. But they understood in a long run. I even remember Yuni saying it was for the best. I didn't really understand at first, until I was shot and I was dying. I didn't want my wife and children to lose a husband and a father if I have my own family." He shrugged again. "I focused mainly on my job."
"But you're really good with children."
"I'm incredibly warm, Dad. Whenever my guardians' children, or any of my families' children have troubles with their parents, they go to me to be comforted, scolded and just get calm."
His Dad 'oh'-ed."You're like a pillar."
"That." He agrees. "Though, I admit, I sometimes get jealous and envy them because, who doesn't want a family? To have my own bundle of joy in my arms, or at least see myself jamming with my son or walk my daughter to the altar, and maybe threaten the groom. Sometimes I regret. Sometimes I feel scared just by the thought. Sometimes..." He just gave a shrug. "Sometimes, I think it's for the better since I'm not that confident with my parenting skills. I have a shitty father and a ditzy mother before I came to my age, and went here to continue my life."
Silence.
"I think your genes is strong." Shouta voiced. "You'll have little Tsunas if you have children."
He snickered. "You don't want to see children tripping on air, Dad. I'm a literal klutz when I was a kid."
"At least they're adorable." The man offhandedly commented, making him blush red. "Adorable." He repeated again with a shit-eating grin.
"Dad!"
Tsuna hummed as he stapled the bundle of papers before placing it down and went for the door with his garbage bag in tow. He snickered as he slipped one of the stapled paper under Katsuki's door before moving for the elevator. He was at the second floor when he saw Izuku coming out of Mineta's room.
"I-zuku!" He called out with a grin.
"T-Tsuna!" His friend acknowledged before blushing. "Thank you for yesterday."
"Don't mention it." He waved off as he swung an arm around the greenet's shoulders and huddled him by the the latter's door. "I know Iida told you that we can't tell you what we did."
Izuku's face fell. "Yeah. But I really want to know."
"Lucky you, I know how to bend the rules." He whispered before showing him the papers. "It's a quick summary of what we did today. I already gave one to Katsuki. Don't let them see it though. They'll throw a fit." Then Tsuna went down on one knee and slid the papers under the door, just in time for Mineta's door to open.
"Oi! What are you doing?!" The little man shouted.
Tsuna turned around with an innocent look and waved at his classmates. "Did Izuku get your garbage bag already, Mineta-kun?"
"Yeah! Just awhile ago!" The little man answered.
He nodded before turning to Izuku who looks grateful. "I checked it for the last time. Sorry to trouble you, Izuku."
"It's fine. Punishment is a punishment." The greenet sighed.
He chuckled and ruffled the curly hair. "Endure for a while, yeah?"
"I will."
Tsuna turned for the elevator. He waved a goodbye to the curious Mineta before going inside. He clicked for the ground floor and pulled out his phone and headset as the door closes. Putting his headset on, he hummed a specific tone and searched for the song. He was about to click the song when his phone rang and unregistered caller flashed. The door opened as he stared at it.
He stepped out as the call ended. He was nearing the settee when his phone rang again. He checked his intuition but it only shrugged on him. Muttering 'traitor', he dragged the receive button upward, removed the headset plug and waited for the voice to greet.
"Chaos, Tsuna."
His mouth went gape before he grinned widely. "Reborn!"
"Someone is excited to hear from me."
"Of course I am!" He said in Italian, garnering attentions. He sat on the couch and surfed his phone while on a low volumed loudspeaker mode. "Where are you right now? Japan? Italy? America?"
"Use your intuition, child."
He hummed as he tracked the GPS. "Let me guess... Somewhere in the west?"
"Probably."
He wrinkled his nose. "Yes or No, Reborn. Yes or no."
"Or."
He groaned before he blurted 'aha!'. "Japan! Since when did you arrive?"
"Your GPS is not accurate."
Tsuna looked around, scrutinizing every corner of the room while pressing the phone to his left ear. "You did not."
A chuckle. "Not yet."
"Not yet, he says." He muttered under his breath. "Are you going to visit anytime soon?"
"If your Dad is okay with it."
He covered his lips to smile. "We made up."
Silence.
"Reborn?"
"I apologize for being unable to attend the wake or the funeral, Tsuna. I offer my sincerest condolence."
"It's fine, Reborn. You were away. Even if I contacted you, you won't be able to come that instant. Being a hitman and an Arcobaleno is a job." He turned to Aoyama who gasped and stared at him with wide eyes. He grinned cheekily and put a finger to his lips. "Besides, if ever you were close to my Tousan, I know you'll be forgiven. Although, I could've used some backing when they went for me."
"I told you you'll be in trouble with your name."
He went bashful. "It can't be helped. I am Vongola Decimo."
"Or so I've heard. I saw your portrait."
He froze. "W-What?"
"I just came back, right before I called you. My counterpart must have been staring at your generation portrait when we switched. A man apologized for the clumsiness of his child. He called himself Lambo."
Tsuna stood up and went for the door. "Fuck. You're making me want to cry."
"Is that why you said I'm a family?"
"Yes." He rasped as he opened the door.
"Where are you going?" He looked back to Katsuki who's staring at him.
"Out- I mean out." He sniffled, blinking his eyes to keep the tears at bay. God. Lambo. His baby brother. How he misses the whiny child. "I-I'm going out for a walk and a fresh air. I'll be back."
Katsuki watched him before turning away. "Don't get yourself kidnapped."
He closed the door behind him. "Yes, Reborn. Because even in this world, I'm willing to sacrifice myself to keep safe everyone I consider family."
Silence.
"It was a girl, by the way. Her name was Nana."
Tsuna's tears streamed as he went down the stairs. "I-Is she beautiful? Curly? Black hair?"
"No. Brown eyes and hair. She laughed after she saw me and said success with a wide grin."
"So much like Lambo." He sobbed before stopping and crouching down. He hiccuped and sobbed. "I miss them. I miss them so much."
He tensed when he felt a hand on his head. When he smelled the familiar coffee and gunpowder, he relaxed. The call ended on his end, but Reborn didn't leave. They stayed there, with him crying and sobbing his heart out.
"Should we go for your Dad?" Reborn asked in Japanese.
He nodded.
When Shouta saw them, especially him, they were ushered to sit. His Dad tucked him to his chest. He didn't mind the murmurs between the two. He let himself get lulled to sleep, thinking what will his mother think of Lambo's playful daughter.