DISCLAIMER: I don't own KHR or any of the associated characters aside from my OCs.
"Nice!" I stared at the boss who was looking rather disgruntled in his new pants. I smiled when he turned his eyes out the window, expression unchanged but I knew he was embarrassed, "I should've bought a shirt but it's okay! Shirtless is fine too!"
Don't tell him but he looked like a model in sweatpants if that's even possible. It was clear that he hadn't tied off the string-it was hanging so low on his hips. Without a shirt, all his scars were clear but it didn't bother me. I was used to seeing them now. In the dim lighting, his crimson eyes looked like they were glowing and his expression looked softer than it might've been.
"What's the point? I'm going to take them off anyways." He huffed, "Useless."
"Says who?!" I like them on him, not on the floor! I made a sour face when he pointed at himself like it was the most obvious thing and everything he says goes, "No! You're supposed to wear them when you go to sleep."
"... What's wrong with the way we've been sleeping?"
"... That we don't sleep?"
He snorted at me but didn't deny. Sleeping naked just means he can do it as much as he wants so we don't sleep much. No… Scratch that. I don't sleep much. He sleeps deep into the next day until he gets all the shut eye he needs while I slave away.
"Anyways! Merry Christmas, boss!" I was happy with the gift I had given him and honestly, I think he likes them. He hasn't ripped them off and thrown them away yet so I think he's just getting used to them.
He just scoffed and went right back to bed to fiddle with his phone.
"We have dinner tonight with Dino's team." I reminded him, "Don't forget."
"The Arcobaleno." He started, surprisingly me just the smallest bit with his willingness to carry on conversation, "He's related to you?"
"By blood." I said, smiling at the thought of my uncle, "I mean, he looks more like Kyoya but we look similar too."
He looked mildly disgusted but he didn't comment further. He only said, "I'll be there but I want you to look at the list for your team again."
There it is again. He told me before the Vongola Tournament where we defeated Dino's team that he wanted me to gather a team. He gave me a list and told me to gather the team from the people on the list. I didn't really look into it much because I thought he'd let me off the hook or forget but it looks like he was serious about it.
"You were serious? I don't need a team! You guys are my team!"
"Don't be an idiot." He said, glaring me down until I put down my half-eaten kebab and phone, "The Vongola tournament is going to be annual. You know Sawada Tsunayoshi is making this a big deal to prevent future wars. He's going to ask as many allied teams to participate as possible so we don't have to grant dangerous wishes for other famiglias."
"That means we just have to enter and win! Just like we've always been doing!" I couldn't understand the concern.
"Our chances for victory go up if we have more than one powerful team."
"There's plenty of other leaders! Dino, the Simon Family, the Arcobalenos, and even Timoteo can come back and join if there's a need for more teams!"
"Just make a damn team, you lazy piece of shit!"
We glared at each other in silence for a long minute. I don't get it. What's the big deal? Then again, if there's no big deal, I could also just give in but my name wouldn't be Hibari Kira if I was one to take orders brainlessly.
"What's with you?" I demanded, "Why do I need a team all of a sudden? You trying to get rid of me or what?"
"I'm sick of useless lackeys." He grumped, "If you trained up those kids to be where they are now, you can train a team for our use too."
"Oh." I sighed. I kind of got the feeling that he wasn't telling me the whole truth but I guess I can deal with it for now, "So be it. I'll try to pick some out so help me."
"Pick them yourself." He grumped and couldn't be persuaded otherwise.
I was left to pick on my own but I couldn't really name any of the people on the list. They were all no-name losers. So I went to ask for help in the only way I knew how. I dumped the list in front of Squalo and demanded assistance.
Squalo sneered at the list in disgust and then at me, "I don't know any of these scumbags."
"Great." I sighed, defeated now that I knew even Squalo-senpai wasn't going to be able to help me, "And how do I even start with recruiting people?"
"You go and you ask them." He said extremely slowly as if I was an idiot, "Just the way I asked you."
"Oh."
That was a lot simpler than I thought but I suppose asking was also an issue. What if the person I choose doesn't want to join up with us? Actually, where did the boss even get this list?! Are these people already in the mafia?
I went to the feast without any answers and I was met with another surprise. Sawada had reserved the whole restaurant but it wasn't just Dino's team that had arrived. Everyone was here and by everyone I mean Sawada and his Guardians, Dino's family along with his team, the Simon Family, Timoteo and his Guardians, and the Varia was here in full force. This isn't what I wanted.
It was supposed to be a small event so I could catch a chance to apologize to Fon. Now it was just an actual feast.
"Kira-senpai!" Yamamoto was the first to greet me, even more dazzling than usual in a full blown suit, "It's been a while."
I spotted Kyoya standing with Dino and a couple others in this crowd and I couldn't be angry. My brother didn't complain about the crowd tonight so I would let it go. This was good. I spared Yamamoto a short greeting and I went to Fon immediately.
My uncle didn't think I would approach him. He had been sharing a glass of wine with a woman I didn't know. I paused. She was definitely not scary looking but something about her made it hard to approach her and that's saying something because people find me hard to approach because I'm horrifying.
Her whole being just screamed about the strength hidden in that elegant and feminine frame. There's not a single scar on her face or neck but who knows what kind of wounds she's hiding under her clothes. One of her hands was clearly stronger and more worn than the other.
Fon hesitated just the same and then he began cautiously and softly, "Kira… Well… This is…"
He didn't know what to say first so he couldn't say anything at all. He was struggling just as I was to find something to say.
A surprisingly gentle hand came down over my head, pushing it down momentarily before rubbing my hair. I didn't have to look to know it was the boss who had approached me. When I turned my head up to face the boss, he was just there. His eyes were shifted away from me and his demeanor made him look bored but he was there… He was here for me.
I shifted my eyes away and back to Fon, catching a glimpse of my brother who was approaching us as well. I put my hand out, meeting Fon's gaze and holding it, "I did what I had to. I'm sorry it ended the way it did. You don't have to forgive me but I wanted to apologize."
There was no hesitation in the way he took my hand. My eyes dropped to the connection between us. Holding his hand like this, memories of a childhood I shared with baby-sized Fon came flooding back.
This used to be our thing. We greeted each other saying "shake hands?" rather than "Hello. How are you?" Fon has probably forgotten in our many years apart but I won't forget. That's why I couldn't let go of the hand now-gently squeezing mine.
He stepped up and pulled me into a strong embrace. There was no hesitation in his voice when he said, "There is nothing to forgive. If anything, I should have been the one to apologize. If I had stopped her, you would have been spared so much suffering-you and Kyoya both."
"No matter what happens, I won't do the same to you." I promised, "So…"
The words were unspoken but he knew what had reared its ugly head in my chest-fear of abandonment.
He held me tighter, "I'm not afraid of you, child. I'm so proud that you were able to take responsibility for the unjust actions of your parents… Even when I could not."
Ah… It must've been so hard.
Fon's entire life is dedicated to martial arts and finding enlightenment. He's an upright kind of person. He's against fighting for revenge, injustice, theft, murder, etc. In his eyes, maybe my line of work is bad too but he can't steer me off a path I chose myself. He's against stealing and that includes stealing a person's freedom.
If he's a morally upright person, he often teaches others to live as good people so it must've been so hard for him to accept that his sister was on the wrong path-the path to revenge. Being family doesn't automatically give her a free pass to be a morally wrong person but he probably has regrets because he didn't try harder to stop her. He was confused by our familial ties.
"So you're not a god." I said, laughing with him at how ridiculous I sounded, "I always thought you were a perfect individual. What happened, Fon? Did you fall from the pedestal?"
Eye-to-eye once more, he smiled and hastily gestured to the woman who had been at his side, "Kira, I've been meaning to introduce you. This is Xiulan."
The woman at his side smiled and put her hand out for me, "Hello, Kira. I've heard so much about you. It's nice to finally meet you."
If I had met this woman before I started dating the boss, I wouldn't have caught the subtleties but today, it was painfully clear to me-she's his lover. I shook her hand, bitterness bubbling up beneath my skin but I held it back with everything I had in me.
"I see." I murmured, "I've heard nothing about you but do tell me, how long have you been together?"
A blush exploded across her cheeks and Fon nearly choked on nothing.
Boss was snickering quietly at my side and I took that as my cue. I let go of Xiulan's hand and pulled the boss forward.
"Well, it's only fair that I start." I said, "Fon, this is my boss-Xanxus. He's been mine since middle school apparently."
"Don't get cocky." He said immediately, "You're mine."
Fon was stunned, although I'm sure he already knew about us. He stiffened, narrowing his eyes in a glare but it was all gone in just a short moment. He decided the boss probably isn't as bad as people make him out to be and let him have me without a fight, "Well, I've met you before but once again, please take care of Kira."
"He doesn't need to." Kyoya cut in. He had approached a few moments ago but he let the tension pass. Apparently, he had already met Xiulan, "Kira is mine and I'll take care of her."
"I disagree." Boss snarled and they were immediately at each other's throats.
We drew attention only briefly as their spat turned into a full blown fist fight. People were used to this already. I laughed, stopping Fon before he could even try to stop them.
"Don't bother. That's how they bond." I said, startled when I found another young woman standing alone now that Kyoya was occupied by the boss' raging fists, "Who…?"
If I had been paying attention, I would know this is the girl who was following Kyoya on his way here but I didn't really think she was anyone important so I had ignored her. Oh boy was I wrong.
Like a little herbivore, she squeaked at me, "Hello, Kira-san! I'm uhhh… I have the great honor of… Ummm…. Dating your brother! My name is Kohane."
I nearly died on the spot. My precious brother? Dating? Someone who looks like a little herbivore? No no no. Kyoya is mine. No one puts their hands on Kyoya except for me. I might've killed her if Fon hadn't immediately grabbed me like his life depended on it.
He shouted for my brother, "Kyoya! I think it's time to go home now!"
Kyoya was too engrossed in his fight with the boss. No one around bothered to stop them. In fact, I heard Yamamoto laughing about how much fun Kyoya seemed to be having.
I took a deep breath. Well, I chose the boss and Kyoya had to deal with it so I suppose I have to deal with Kyoya's choice.
Trying to keep an even tone, I said, "I see… So you're Kyoya's… Do you not have qualms with his lack of conversational skills?"
Her eyes narrowed for a moment, almost glaring at me. That was surprising but she smiled on through and said, "Not at all. Do you?"
She was offended, thinking I was dissing my brother.
I laughed quietly, shaking my head, "No. I don't. Kyoya is my precious baby brother. It looks like you're not the herbivore I thought you were. You fooled me."
"O-Oh!" She shook her head, "I can't fight! I'm sorry."
"Then how did you end up with my brother?" I got straight to the point. I can't believe Kyoya would end up with someone too weak to fight him so what's the deal here?
She grinned sheepishly, rubbing the back of her head, "I think I just wore him down?"
"How?"
"Uhh I mean, I guess it's cause whenever he's fighting the boss, I'm there to patch him up?" She said, catching onto my confusion immediately, "Oh! I'm sorry if you didn't know. I'm with the Cavallone Family. My boss is Dino."
Dino's?! Now I can see what happened. She's a medic. She was always around. Maybe Kyoya ended up getting attached because she has the appearance of a small animal. I sighed and I admitted to myself there was no hope for me. She stole Kyoya with her small animal appearance and herbivorous actions. Fine. Whatever.
"Umm… Or I… I… I mean, he kind of was the one who made it official." She squeaked, "I wouldn't dare to steal him from you, Kira-san! I just really like him and uhh… erm…"
Fon chuckled, "Kira it's like this… Why did you end up with Xanxus?"
Why? I mean, I like him. He was kind of always around. He liked me and he kind of was always around. He was always there for me when I needed him so I think it was natural for us to end up together. There's not really an answer for this question.
"Ah. I see." I grumped, "I asked the wrong question. Then how about this? Why are you seeing Kyoya?"
"I told you already! I really, really like him! Isn't he charming?" She smiled at the way I stared at her as if she had grown an extra head, "He's tall and lean. He's strong but gentle and he's a great listener. Just look at him."
I watched her stare at my brother for a moment. Her eyes naturally followed his every move as he attempted to murder my boss but she didn't seem one bit scared of him. She looked… dazed… in love. I naturally had to accept her. She was genuinely in love with my brother. There were no ulterior motives here.
"I can see why my brother chose you." I said, looking away in embarrassment when I drew her full attention once more, "You have a certain charm as well."
She grinned as if I had just given her a million dollars and said, "I can see why Xanxus likes you too!"
Fon was laughing quietly with Xiulan, obviously having whispered amongst themselves. When he realized he had caught my attention, he said, "Sorry. I was just thinking the two of you may have similar statures but you have very different charms."
I didn't understand. Sure we're the same height but what on Earth does he mean by different charms.
"Ah." Kohane nodded and said, "Definitely. I think Kira-san has a different kind of charm. Kind of like Kyoya-kun."
My eyebrow twitched, thinking she was about to say I'm manly, "And what kind of charm would that be?"
"Sexy." She said without an ounce of shame.
My poor uncle nearly died. He turned twelve different shades of red, looked furious, embarrassed, ashamed, and protective all at once.
"Not the word you had in mind, I'm assuming." I snickered at his embarrassment.
In the middle of the waging war that was my brother and Xanxus, Dino came to us announcing, "Hey there~ It's so good to see you but I have to get right to business tonight. Xanxus told me you're looking for a team? So Tsuna and I have arranged a few for you to choose from."
My expression grew dark. The boss had already gone ahead with the team selection process. He was dead set on getting me to gather a team but… why?