First off, I am so, so sorry that this has taking as it has.
This takes place about 8 years later, and the setting is in Italy.
See the end for more notes.
Tsuna wondered again why he was here: in a huge, sweaty arena, surrounded by a bunch of strangers with Vongola guards in various disguises hidden around, when he could've been anywhere else.
"Isn't this EXTREMELY great, Sawada?"
Oh right, that's why.
Tsuna turned to his excited Sun Guardian, a soft smile on his lips, "It is, Onii-san."
Tsuna had promised Ryohei that he would attend his boxing matches when he had the chance. The Extreme Sun gave up boxing to be able to complete his duties as Tsuna's Guardian properly, but he would occasionally take part in amature and/or unofficial matches (and the occasional match with Lussuria and other mafiosi). Tsuna still felt guilty about the sacrifices his Guardians had done for him, especially Ryohei and Takeshi, who had promising futures in sport. So he would attend whatever match he could; it's the least he could do for his Family.
The announcer's voice boomed from the speakers, asking for all the competitors to head backstage and for the audience to go to the areas designed for watching the match.
"Well, I'll see ya later Sawada," Ryohei exclaimed with his fist in the air, "Be sure to EXTREMELY cheer me on!"
"I will, good luck Onii-san!"
Ryohei left with one last screamed 'EXTREME'.
Tsuna laughed at his Guardian's antiks, heading to a private box that was guarded by Vongola guards (his Family wouldn't let him come otherwise).
Before he could take more than a few steps, a timid, soft voice stopped him, "Sawada… Tsunayoshi?"
Tsuna turned to the speaker, from the corner of his eye he notices his assigned guards tensing and he discreetly motioned for them to stay put; his Intuition said that this person meant no harm.
"Yes?" The young Don took in the sight of the person standing before him; he was unsure of the others gender, for they had both feminine and masculine features. They were shorter than Tsuna (though not by much), had shoulder length black hair, slightly familiar light hazel eyes that were beautifully highlighted by eyeshadow, high cheekbones, square jaw, soft lips painted a light red. The ravenette wore a short sleeved black flowery dress that stopped at their knees, with matching black sandals, and a black choker necklace.
All in all, they had a soft mysterious beauty to them.
The other hesitated, before talking in a small and guilty voice, "I don't know if you remember me, we were in the same class in middle school…"
They closed their mouth, unsure of how to continue, and Tsuna wasn't sure if it was because of the guilt he heard in their tone, or simply because they didn't know how to. So he decided to help them.
"Afraid not, um..?"
"Ren, Sasaki Ren." They looked uncomfortable, and the way they said the name like it caused them physical pain gave Tsuna pause.
He remembered Sasaki Ren, who was a lean boy with messy black hair and sad hazel eyes, who sometimes threw jabs at Tsuna regarding his somewhat androgynous looks.
Tsuna also remembers how guilty and frustrated his classmate looked afterwards.
"Oh Sasaki-san," Tsuna didn't miss the small flinch at the name, "I didn't recognise you. How've-" The brunet was cut off by the announcer once again requesting the audience to take their seats.
One of his guards, Davide Tivoli, he noted absently, approached them, "Decimo." he said politely, and soft enough that Sasaki didn't hear, "We should be heading to your box, sir."
"Yes, indeed." Tsuna murmured back, then he turned back to Sasaki, "Would you like to join me in watching the match?"
"Capo…" The guard muttered, exasperated. And no wonder, since Tsuna was making it harder to protect him, what with inviting a stranger to watch the match with him.
"It's alright, Davide." The young don laughed, then turned to Sasaki, effortlessly switching back to Japanese, "So, how about it Sasaki-san?"
The other (Tsuna wasn't sure of their prefered form of address, he would have to ask) seemed shocked at the invite, and uncertain of how to reply, "Um, I don-I'm not… err, I don't want to intrude, Sawada-san. P-plus, I need to get going…"
"Oh, is someone waiting for you?"
"N-no, but-!"
"It should be no problem then, I would really like it if you accompany me, I'd much prefer to not watch alone."
Ren found it hard to refuse when confronted with Tsuna's radiant smile, "... alright then."
"Great!" Was Tsuna's enthusiastic reply, "This way."
He led a bemused Ren and a resigned Davide to the private box reserved for him. Ren followed Tsuna inside, while Davide remained outside, standing guard at the door.
"So," Ren started after they sat down, attempting to break the somewhat awkward silence, "Was that Sasagawa-senpai you were talking to earlier?"
"Yes; I promised that I would attend his matches when I can." He smiled brightly, "What about you Sasaki-" Tsuna cut himself again when he noticed them flinch again.
Frowning slightly, the young Don asked his companion softly, "Would you like me to address you by your given name? You seem uncomfortable whenever I call you Sasaki." He added the last part when he saw Ren's startled look.
Said youth smiled gratefully at him, "I'd appreciate that, Sawada-san."
"Well, if I'm going to do that, I want to call me Tsuna in return."
"Very well, Tsuna-san," Ren hesitated slightly before adding guiltily, "I'd like to apologize; for middle-school, I took my anger and frustration on you."
They looked at the arena, the first match starting.
"I had figured as much. Because you're transgender."
The ravenette turned a startled gaze at Tsuna, but he was watching the match.
"How-?"
"It was not that hard to guess." He offered no further explanation, "Do you want to talk about it?"
"I… I don't know," Ren murmured softly; there was something inviting about Tsuna, something that they had first glimpsed in middle-school.
"We're going to be here for a while, so just know the offer stands if you change your mind." The Sky smiled warmly at the other.
They both turned back to the arena in companionable silence.
"My parents disowned me when I came out as genderfluid."
Tsuna said nothing, allowing the other time to gather their thoughts, he noticed the tears in their eyes, and the trembling of their hands.
"Things were already tense between us, because of this boy I met and started dating during my last year in highschool -he's competing today, that's why I'm here- and I… when I heard Sasagawa-senpai call you Sawada, I couldn't believe that you were really the same Sawada I've known in middle-school."
"Yes, I suppose I look different from back then."
Ren laughed, "That's not it; we've all changed since middleschool, me more than anyone. No, I just didn't expect to meet anyone I knew here,that's all."
"Ah."
"So," Ren wanted to keep the conversation going, "You seem to be doing well; that expensive suit, a private box, and that man that accompanied us here is your bodyguard, I'm guessing. You must be someone powerful and important."
"Ahh, well…" Tsuna scratched the back of his head sheepishly, "I inherited my grandfather's business, it's all part of the job description. What about you?"
"Looks like we headed into somewhat similar fields; I just graduated from the University of Tokyo; business and management."
"Oh? Where do you work, if you don't mind me asking? I would hope not with a rival of mine."
Ren flushed at that, "Uh… no I don't mind. It's just, I-I…" They stammered uncomfortably, "I couldn't get a job back home; people somehow always found out about my gender or partner, and let's just say the prejudice against people like me prevented me from getting employed."
Tsuna frowned at that; it's not like he was unaware of the difficulties and obstacles the LGBT community had to face (he'd witnessed first hand with the way Lussuria and others were treated sometimes), but that didn't mean he had to like or accept it.
Ren, who had been watching the current match too keenly and rigidly for it to be natural, was unaware of Tsuna's dark expression and thoughts, continued talking, "I've been working in cafés, mostly. But Nico -my boyfriend- got transferred here recently and I'm hoping that I have a better chance getting a job here."
The raven head cut off when they realised they were rambling, "Sorry," They mumbled after a brief pause, "I'm rambling, it's a bad habit I'm trying to quit."
"No need to apologise, you have every right to be upset with the way you were treated and to talk about it freely." Tsuna gave his companion a gentle smile. "I may not have experienced similar prejudice, but I have seen directed towards people that are dear to me."
"Oh."
The silence that followed was comfortable, as they directed their attention back to the match currently playing. Yet Tsuna's mind was split between said match and the thoughts generated from his desire to help his former classmate.
Ren had had a hard time; growing up in a society, a world, that condemned anything that was different, that thought their very existence was an abomination that needed to be fixed or destroyed. Tsuna had his fair share of ridicule and hatred directed towards him, yet it was not the same; Tsuna had worn his differences for everyone to see, had his friend and his family to pick him up when he falls and ease his burden when it becomes to much to bear, to always remind him that he is wanted and loved no matter what.
Ren on the other hand, had no-one, forced to live in secret for fear of what would happen if the wrong person were to find out; their so-called 'friends' always the first to make fun of and show disgust and hatred towards the community that they were a part of, their family quick to disown the child that did not live up to their ideals and fixed roles.
Tsuna wished to help, in any way that he could, yet he did not want Ren to get tangled up in the dark world he lived in. He remembers a Sasaki Ren that would sometimes stay late after class and football practice to help whoever was on cleaning duty, a boy who would always have a smile on his face when he picked his little sister, always happy to see her and willing to do anything for her.
Tsuna felt a bang of sadness when he realized that Ren probably had little to no contact with her since they were in their last year in highschool, nearly five years ago…
Tsuna can't imagine going a week without talking to his mother and sibling at least two or three times.
Tsuna's resolve was set, a plan forming in the back of his head as the two of them discussed the matches and made small talk for the rest of the competition.
After the winner was announced - on overwhelming victory by Ryohei Sasagawa, Tsuna can't say he was surprised- the young Don and his former classmate made their way towards where the contestants were gathered, offering congratulations on winnings and condolences for loses. They were followed by a still a little disgruntled Davide (Tsuna vowed to not sneak away or do something reckless the next time it was his turn to guard Tsuna, as an apology for worrying the man today).
Tsuna grinned when he saw Ryohei complementing the others on their techniques and abilities, telling them he looks forward to sparring with them again. He then noticed the man Ren signaled as their boyfriend; a tall, well-built, blond man with tanned skin. He had thought the man looked familiar when he saw him compete, but realized now that he was seeing up close that he did know him, or rather of him.
Nico Fiore, an American national with Italian heritage who moved to Japan with his mother when he was eighteen, graduated Tokyo University early with flying colours, majoring in programming and computer science, worked in a branch of one of Vongola's companies in Tokyo as a junior programmer until he somehow caught Shoichi's attention and he recommended him for a job in the main branch of their company in Sicily.
Tsuna smirked, 'This might prove to be interesting.'
"Ren-san," Tsuna said after he caught Ryohei's eye and saw him moving towards them, "It's been a pleasure meeting you again."
He paused for a moment, the extended a white business card with nothing but a phone number written on it. Ren hesitantly took the card, not sure what to do with it, "Likewise, Tsuna-san."
"If you ever need help with finding a job, give me a call." He gestured to the card.
The ravenette looked started, "I couldn't possibly-!"
They were cut off by Tsuna, "I insist," He said firmly, "I would not just give you a job - I know better than that, but I could direct you to people who would not care about your gender identity or sexual orientation, only about your skill and how well you'll fit the job. Give me a call if you should ever find the need to."
"Thank you." Ren felt like they might choke from the overwhelming gratitude, "You know," They continues just as Ryohei made it to them, "You haven't changed that much from middle-school; you're still as nice, as kind and caring and willing to forgive and forget as back then."
They took a step back and bowed deep at the waist, "Thank you, Tsuna-san, for everything."
"Anytime," Tsuna smiled, warm and inviting, and for the first time, Ren allowed themself to accept the invite and bask in that warmth.
Ren watched Tsuna leave with Ryohei and his guards, laughing at the boxer's loud and excited chatter and Tsuna's quite, yet enthusiastic remarks.
"Hey," A soft voice said behind them.
Ren turned with a serene smile and greeted Nico with a kiss on the cheek, "Hi,"
"Something happened?"
"No, why do you ask?" Ren held his hand and started walking towards the exit.
"You seem," The blond hesitated, searching for the right word, "Not happy exactly, more… at peace, I suppose."
"Heh, I guess I am. I just met with an old acquaintance; I was really mean to him in middle-school, but he forgave me for it. I just-for the first time in my life it feels like I'm making peace with my past, it's really freeing." Ren spoke softly, and Nico noticed that a weight was lifted off their shoulder now that it was gone.
"I'm glad," He murmured quietly; it had always pained him to see the other strain under their past.
"Was that him? The one you were talking to and left with that Sasagawa guy that won?"
"Yeah, I guess they'd been friends since we were all in middle-school; Tsuna-san had the most unusual crowd around him." Ren laughed, for the first time their memories not tinted with guilt and sadness.
"Tsuna…?" Nico couldn't put his name on it, but the name seemed familiar.
"Sawada Tsunayoshi."
Nico stopped dead in his tracks, "... Sawada… Tsunayoshi…" His voice was weak.
"Yes," Confusion and worry was clear in their tone, "Wha-?"
"Sawada Tsunayoshi.. As in Don Vongola Tsunayoshi Sawada, the head of Vongola?!" He remember Irie Shoichi telling him that he recommended him to the boss of all of Vongola, Sawada Tsunayoshi.
Ren was silent for a moment before bursting out laughing, "I don't know, but I wouldn't put it past him to be one of the strongest people in the world and down play it! That would be just like him!"
'He really hasn't changed since middle school, has he?'
"Come on," they pulled gently on the blond's hand, "Let's go home."
"Okay…" Nico said, voice still a little faint, following his partner to their home.
'I really hope to meet you again, Tsuna-san. Don Vongola or not, I'd like to accept this second chance at friendship that you're offering me.'
Okay, there's a few things I wanted to say about this story; the first is that it was hard as hell to write, I kept writing and re-writing it, I wanted to tackle a serious matter in this one in a somewhat light-hearted way, not sure if it worked or not.
Also, the part where Tsuna tells Ren that it was not hard to guess that they were trans, it meant that Tsuna already guessed that when they were in school.
I have an idea for nearly all of the Guardians, Reborn, and some of Vongola's allies. Some will play more significant roles in the story than others, but all of them would appear. If you want to see someone specific, or want me to write a specific plot, you're more than welcome to suggest it.
Also, I apparently suck at keeping a schedule, this was meant to be out ages ago.
Again, I am so sorry that it took this long.
RogueMagic