Title: Serendipity
Author: sllebswap
Characters/Pairing: Miura Haru and Dino
Type: OneShot/Drabble Collection (InComplete)
Genre: Romance/General/Humor
Word Count: 5004
Rating: T (Contains content not suitable for children)
Disclaimer: Kateikyoushi Hitman Reborn belongs to Akira-san.
Summary: CEDEF Agent Miura Haru and Cavallone Boss Dino have known each other for a very long time, haven't they? Loosely interconnected one shot/drabble series. Multi-verse. D86.
Verse: You Belong With Me AU
Chapter Last Revised on: 07/03/17
The One That Got Away
It all started on the day when his twenty year old 'little brother' had approached him earnestly seeking assistance.
The younger man was not actually his sibling by blood, but the Vongola and the Cavallone Famiglias had always been close knit allies, and therefore Dino had always regarded Tsuna as such from the very first day they met, so many years ago. Not to mention, they also shared the same tutor in the form of the most powerful assassin in the world, and there was a lot to be said when it came to the effectiveness of mutual bonding over similar traumatizing learning experiences at the hands of one Reborn. As far as Dino was concerned, Sawada Tsunayoshi was simply the brother he had from a different set of parents.
The Vongola Decimo had only recently relocated from Japan to the region of Tuscany, Italy – the territory that was traditionally claimed by the Vongola. The young man was still in the process of learning the ways of running the largest and most powerful Famiglia in the Mafia world, alongside his handpicked group of Guardians and various members of his main Family, and Dino was always happy to offer assistance whenever the other Don required it. This time was no different, though Dino had not quite expected it when the panicked Tsuna had finally blurted out the awkward nature of his request.
"Onii-san, please help me! My fiancée is coming here tomorrow and I'm sincerely begging you to please fall in love with her!"
Dino, who had been in the midst of taking a sip of his drink, nearly splurted it right out of his nose in his surprise. So did Romario, as well as the other five members of the Cavallone who had accompanied him on this visit to their neighboring ally.
"What?!"
And then the rest of the story quickly spilled out.
It turned out that years ago, back when Tsuna was still living in Japan, he met the acquaintanceship of an energetic young lady who had fallen very hard for him, against all rhyme, reason and common sense. Unfortunately for 'dame' Tsuna, the aforementioned young lady was also of the insistent and strong-minded sort, and before the shy and panic-prone young Decimo, was akin to pitting an unstoppable force of nature against a soggy cardboard. Poor Tsuna still had some traumatizing flashbacks when he recalled a few of the more hair rising shenanigans that his ardent admirer had dragged him into, and beside him, his Storm Guardian right hand man muttered rude words under his breath about a certain 'crazy woman' whereas on his other side, the Vongola Rain Guardian just smiled and commented about the nostalgic good times.
Dino had simply looked between the trio and wondered just whose account was the actual, accurate one. He also could not deny the stirrings of intrigue and curiosity at this mystery young woman who could frazzle the powerful Vongola Boss this much.
And apparently, that same overly spirited young woman had also declared her intentions to be the next Vongola bride, a claim which Tsuna had not quite yet gotten around to correcting her on. And so the Vongola Don had promptly been saddled with a 'fiancée' for the last six years, and that had not been too much of a problem at the beginning since said fiancée had been studying and training abroad for the majority of that time and blissfully out of his business for the most parts. But now, she was finally done with her education and quite ready to come to Italy to look for Tsuna to make good on her promise to be his wife, and while Tsuna really did not want to marry anyone yet, he also did not have the heart to hurt the tender feelings of his 'fiancée' who also happened to be someone whom he regarded as a good friend despite her rambunctious, feisty nature. So, he, as well as a few of his Guardians had put their heads together and evidently this was the best plan that they could come up with.
"…Let me get this straight. Basically, you're asking me to seduce your 'fiancée,'" Dino summarized rather succinctly after he had pieced all the facts together. He also looked rather bemused by this unusual request.
Tsuna flushed faintly, shifting with visible discomfort. 'Seduce' sounded wrong. He was already starting to second guess this plan, already feeling guilty for all the subterfuge and the deception required to pull this off.
"No, Onii-san. There should be no seducing whatsoever going on," he clarified a bit nervously, looking not quite like the regal and distant Vongola Decimo that most of the Mafia world thought that he was. "I just- I just want Haru to see other possibilities - that there are other men out there who are much better than I am, who could possibly treat her well and cherish her the way she deserves."
While Dino was flattered by his little brother's high regard of him, beside him, Romario appeared faintly skeptical.
"Won't it be better if this role is delegated to one of your own members instead? Why pick our Boss?"
"Tch. Because most of us in the main Family has grown up together with her and she won't buy it if the other party is anyone of us. It has to be someone whom she has never met before," Hayato replied on behalf of his Boss, sticking a cigarette in his mouth and then lighting it up simultaneously. Takeshi nodded in agreement.
"He's right. Also, you're the one whom we trust the most will not do harm to our nakama, Dino-san," the Vongola Rain Guardian stated sincerely.
"And what if the young lady decides to change her mind after this and wants to become the Cavallone bride instead?" Romario asked, still dubious of this latest harebrained scheme that the Vongola had cooked up. Ridiculously powerful as these youngsters might be, they were also all still very youthful and not very matured in their thinking. What was wrong about simply owning up and letting the girl know that her feelings were not returned? These kids really had so much more to learn along the road of life, if they really thought that this was the best way to go…
"No. Haru is not like that," Tsuna replied firmly then, and surprisingly enough, the other two nodded in agreement, instantly backing up their Don's claim. "You'll see, Onii-san. I'm very sorry to have to trouble you like this, but I really hope that you can help me out here. You always seem so experienced and tactful when it comes to interpersonal relations… I wish that I can be more like you, and then maybe I'd have the courage to do this on my own without the risk of hurting Haru."
Romario started beside his Boss, looking like he wanted to say something, to explain that all this diplomacy and sensitivity that seemed so completely innate and natural to his master was actually something that the blond has had to learn the hard way as well, but one brief look from Dino – as well as a faint shake of his head – had the loyal retainer subsiding, his protests dying on his throat.
The Cavallone Boss studied his younger counterpart. The latter looked rather apologetic and rather rueful as well, and he could not quite leave Tsuna in a lurch. Logically, he could already foresee where all this would eventually lead…
A lesson, it would be, then.
"…Very well. I'll do it," Dino agreed calmly enough. "Where and when should I be meeting this girl of my wildest dreams?"
"I still cannot believe that the Vongola requested you to seduce his 'fiancée' – and you said 'yes,'" Romario muttered as they made their way to the airport where they would be picking the young lady in question up, in the blacked out luxury sedan that Dino often used when travelling around Italy. There were also six other similarly tinted and bulletproofed vehicles surrounding his in standard escort formation– a veritable Cavallone cavalcade specifically intended to impress and flaunt the wealth and power of the Famiglia. Usually, the Cavallone Decimo preferred not to travel in such a flashy manner that was also needlessly wasteful of the clan's resources, but he had a role to play today, and he would play it well. The blond appeared vaguely amused by his retainer's disgruntlement and indignation.
"Enough, Romario. It's not like we have anything pressing to work on right now. Something interesting may even come out of this," Dino remarked. He was genuinely curious to see this young woman for himself, who had dared to boss the Vongola Decimo around, but yet still received such consideration and care from the young man. But granted, Tsuna was often quite soft on his precious people – Dino wanted to make sure for himself that this mystery fiancée was truly deserving of his little brother's concern and worry.
"Besides, you already heard what he said – this is not meant to be a seduction. …More like courting…I guess." Dino mused aloud, though Romario simply snorted, completely unconvinced.
"Courting or not, we both know that you're going to sweep her off her feet." If there was one thing good about all those many beautiful women throwing themselves at his Boss all this time, it was probably that the blond knew all too well how to deal with that sort of attention now. "I suppose that's also partly why the young Vongola Boss requested your help in the first place."
Dino turned his gaze from the passing scenery outside back to his right-hand man. He looked serious.
"This young lady is clearly an important friend to my little brother. I'll, naturally, do my best to preserve this friendship if possible."
If possible, meaning that if the young lady in question proved to be unworthy in character, then of course Dino would not be inclined whatsoever to do any such thing. Romario shook his head.
"You're protecting young Tsuna too much," the older man commented, but Dino only smiled faintly.
"Perhaps, but that's the privilege of an older brother, no?"
They arrived at the airport then, the impressive convoy smoothly pulling up to the curb while passersby gawked at the grand spectacle. As usual, Dino waited for his men to secure the parameters, and then the backseat door was opened from the outside for him. He stepped out gracefully, tailored Italian suit impeccable, wavy gold hair artfully tousled, handsome, aquiline features impassive. Romario disembarked after him, and the retainer stoically handed him a pair of designer shades which he put on, concealing his eyes and his thoughts from the rest of the world. It also had the side effect of enhancing the dangerously suave image which he was subtly cultivating – something had never failed in causing women to swoon after him, even when there was not one part of this false mirage that was actually representative of his true character.
Now he only had to ensure that there was at least a member of his Family near him at all times, lest his accident prone nature decided to rear its catastrophic head and mess up the plan.
"Boss, the flight landed half an hour ago. She should be coming out of the Arrival hall any time now."
He nodded in wordless thanks towards the man, acknowledging the information. The latter retreated and fell back in with the rest of his suit clad comrades in two neat rows on both sides of their Boss, and everyone else gave the silently intimidating group a wide berth. Another one of the men drew out an iPad and held it in front of him, the stylized letters on the screen spelling out a name in both English and Japanese. Miura Haru.
Dino leaned against the side of the Bimmer, crossed his arms, and waited, Romario attending him faithfully.
Then they waited some more.
And continued to wait.
…
Fifty minutes later, the woman whom Dino had come specifically to fetch and play host to was still nowhere in the vicinity. The Cavallone Boss's expression remained patiently calm, but his men were starting to get indignant on their master's behalf. Who did this woman think she was, to make their Boss wait for her like that?
Romario had a very faint frown knitting his brow, barely perceptible. For the third time since they arrived on location, he glanced at his wristwatch discreetly, though this time, he also finally decided to offer a suggestion. Turning to his Don, he was about to tactfully propose that perhaps they should find out if there had been an unexpected hold up within the airport since the lady was very late, when the glass doors slid opened and out came a petite young woman dragging two large luggage trolleys behind her. Most importantly, she was also brunette, possessing a fair complexion as well as delicate, feminine features that were distinctly East Asian in appearance…all fitting the physical description which they had been given by the Vongola when they had agreed to undertake this request.
Dino's gaze sharpened with interest on that slender, waifish figure hurrying towards them.
She was really petite, unexpectedly so, and Romario clearly echoed his sentiments as well, for the retainer could be heard uttering in disbelief. "This is the young lady who has the Vongola Decimo quailing in his boots?"
Perhaps 'quailing in his boots' was too much of an over exaggeration, but the woman could not possibly weigh anything more than a hundred pounds even when soaking wet, and the first impression that one would glean from her demeanor was rather unassuming. Dino supposed that he could understand his retainer's bemusement. It did seem a tad ridiculous now, the notion that Tsuna was so cowed by this mere slip of a lass. The tall, lean blond pushed away from his car and straightened as she approached, her gaze flickering briefly from her name which was clearly illuminated on the electronic tablet, and then curiously to the Cavallone welcoming party who had come to receive her.
She came to a stop a few paces away from the group, inquisitive brown eyes finally settling on him, and he glided forward to meet her.
"Miura Haru-san?" he spoke in a smooth, faintly accented Japanese.
She cocked her head to the side.
"Hahi, that's me, desu." Her voice was a girlish lilt – in fact, everything about her reflected an innocent youthfulness. Her clothing was casual, her makeup minimal, even her shoulder length hairstyle was demurely simple. She was rather ordinary in appearance and, much to his rising bemusement, did not fit the forceful and overenthusiastic persona which he had been led to believe she possessed.
Dino wondered if she was indeed the same person whom Tsuna had described, or was this another Miura Haru from somewhere else? Impossible; what would be that odds?
He flashed her an incredibly charming, megawatt smile.
"Welcome to Italy. I'm Dino Cavallone, and I believe that Tsuna has already informed you that I shall be your temporary host for this week."
She blinked at his blinding brilliance, but beyond that, did not seem to react to his deliberate glamor. She nodded, looking a bit confused, though.
"…Yes. Haru has been informed that Tsuna-kun has an emergency to deal with, desu…" She sounded faintly disappointed, as if trying her best to hide her feelings. Her gaze lit on the silent and powerful looking array of men with him. "Hahi, are they all with you, desu?"
Dino inclined his head, at the same time pulling off his shades to look her in the eyes.
"Yes. You're our distinguished guest, Miss Miura. We're pleased to receive you today."
His hand reached out and gently grasped hers, intending to bow his head and brush his lips over her fingers, but she mistook his intention and firmly grabbed his hand in her own small, dainty one in return, giving him a rather vigorous handshake instead. Her grip was sure, and filled with surprising strength and feminine vitality. She looked him right in the eye, flashed him a bright, dazzling smile of her own, and much to his silent astonishment, that smile transformed her pretty features into something quite mesmerizing to behold.
"Hahi, please call me Haru, desu! Haru is happy to be here also. Thank you for coming to get me, desu."
While he was watching her with rising confusion, she stepped in, went on her tiptoes, and kissed. His. Cheeks.
He stilled in surprise.
Granted, it was not an actual kiss, but merely a gentle brush of her cheek against his – a greeting gesture that was quite common in Italy, but only amongst close friends and family. No one must have informed the young woman about that unspoken clause, so he had not expected her to do anything like that…nor was he prepared for her scent to assail his nose, subtle and faintly sweet. Before he could react, she had already retreated, and was moving on to Romario, who looked just as nonplussed as she shook his hand, introduced herself, asked for his name, thanked him earnestly for coming, and then kissed his cheeks also, all in that order. Dino could only console himself with the understanding that he wasn't the only one visibly stumped by her actions.
He watched as she moved down the line – since his men were all conveniently arranged in a straight row and all – repeating the same thing until she was personally acquainted with everyone who had formed the cavalcade.
And his men – the same group who had been growing steadily disgruntled while waiting for her previously, all hardened and fierce individuals with impassive poker faces like stone gargoyles – were very quickly reduced to tongue tied and flustered individuals beneath her warm and sincere attention. The transformation was so ridiculous it was astounding.
Romario muttered. "Is this why it took her so long to get out here? Was she greeting everyone she met on the way out?"
His retainer was quite prepared to remain reserved about their guest from the get go, but even his usual dry, acerbic tone was losing its bite. Dino wondered if Romario was aware of his own softening stance.
The young woman with the star bright eyes and a smile like sunshine scurried back to him then, clapping her hands together in a beseeching gesture as she spoke again.
"Hahi, Haru is really sorry for being shameless, but Haru has a request to ask of Cavallone-san!"
He looked at her, not too sure what she was made of. He was starting to get a feeling like he was dealing with something he had never been exposed to before. Perhaps this was what Tsuna was so concerned about?
"Of course. I'm at your service. Shall we make a move back to the villa first? You must be tired from the long flight."
She shook her head quickly.
"No, desu! Haru must ask for Cavallone-san's assistance, first! Please wait, desu!"
To his rising bewilderment as well as that of his men's, she promptly left her belongings there and scampered back into the building behind her.
"…" Romario silently gestured for one of their people to stow away the lady's baggage first, and the men did so quickly and efficiently enough. "I certainly hope that she's not intending to remain in there for another one and a half hour…" the Cavallone retainer murmured.
Thankfully enough, this time, she did not take that long to reappear. Five minutes later, she was coming back out the door…only that she wasn't alone.
The young woman was in the company of a small group of old ladies, all tiny and petite and grey haired, looking like a flock of lost, confused ducks. They were obviously not local, and were carefully sticking close to the young woman who appeared to be slowly herding them towards the Cavallone group waiting for her. As they neared, Haru could be heard gently reassuring them, smiling comfortingly and doing her best to soothe the distressed nerves of the elders.
"Hahi, oba-san! Don't look so worried, desu! You're all on vacation so cheer up, desu! Haru will help make sure that you meet your guide, okay?"
Unlike Haru who was already more or less used to the mafia shenanigans thanks to her connection with the Vongola, the four old ladies visibly blanched when she led them to the intimidating Cavallone group arrayed before them. They looked at each other worriedly, but Haru did not let their hesitation faze her.
"It's okay!" she insisted with positive conviction. "These here are all fine and honest men, desu! They may look stern but they have good hearts!"
Haru turned and looked at Dino, who had silently come forward as well to figure out what was going on.
"Hahi, Cavallone-san! I was on the same flight with Chiyo-oba, Ami-oba, Teru-oba and Megu-oba earlier and this is the first time they're visiting Italy, desu!"
The rest of story quickly spilled out. These adventurous old ladies were supposed to be meeting their local guide upon touching down at the airport, but for some reason, their guide was missing when they stepped out of the Arrival hall. Haru, who had built up quite a good rapport with them on the long flight over, had noticed their dilemma on the way out...
Dino was the first to put one and one together.
"Were you inside there all this time trying to find the guide?"
Beside him, Romario started silently. Haru nodded but she looked troubled.
"Haru also tried to call the person but the call would not connect, desu! Haru does not feel right just leaving all the grannies there when it's like that..."
So that was why she was so late in coming out. Dino turned from the young woman to the elders whom she had decided to take charge of. He smiled at them, and the foursome shifted and stared at him in an increasingly bedazzled manner. It was reassuring to know that his charm was still working – he had wondered since the young woman who had brought them here had seemed largely immune to his wiles and appearance.
"Hello," he greeted them politely in their native language. "I'm Dino Cavallone, and these here are my people. I heard that you seem to have misplaced your guide. Allow us to offer some assistance."
Once he said those words, things started to happen very quickly. Some of the men came forward to help the ladies with their baggage, while Romario started to make calls, though not before he obtained some pertinent information from the women first. Another small detachment of Cavallone members separated from the main group and silently disappeared back into the airport building, all without their Boss even having to tell them what to do. Their swift efficiency implied familiarity when it came to dealing with this kind of situations, and Haru watched them work briefly before she turned her attention back to their leader.
The tall, lithe, golden haired man was speaking gently to the previously frightened old ladies, going so far as to stoop down slightly such that he did not tower over them in an intimidating fashion, and was doing his best to reassure them instead. Whatever he was saying to them worked, for he managed to ease the furrows that fretted their brows, and even succeeded in coaxing small, hopeful smiles on those lined, weary faces.
Haru caught herself smiling a bit as well – Cavallone-san was a very kind man, it seemed.
Not fifteen minutes later, the resourcefulness and power of the Cavallone name quickly bore fruit, and Romario found out what had happened to the missing guide.
"Your guide got into a minor traffic accident on the way here, and until it has been sorted out, he is still stuck out there with the other party," the Cavallone retainer calmly explained. "He's fine, don't worry – but it will take him awhile to get here."
Almost immediately, the unease and anxiety were creeping back onto the old ladies' faces – it was starting to get quite late, and they were beginning to feel tired and hungry. What were they going to do while waiting for their guide to arrive? And who knew how long he was going to take? Haru looked briefly distressed as well, but then again, her gaze also firmed up with resolve quickly enough, and Dino knew what he would do, if he were in her shoes.
The Cavallone Decimo calmly interjected before they could worry too much- and before the young woman whom he had come to fetch could offer to stay with them until the entire situation drew to a favorable conclusion. Looking at the gaggle of females before him, he politely presented a solution.
"If you ladies do not mind, perhaps I could be of service? Since we seemed to have brought along more vehicles than required today; would you grant my men the honor of escorting you back to your hotel?"
The women looked at each other, their features lighting up. Then they looked at him with such profound gratitude that he could not help but feel humbled.
"Young man, you're truly a godsend! Thank you!"
The naked relief and pleasure on their faces, as well as the bright, approving one of his own guest, were more than enough payment for the Cavallone. Not to mention, he did genuinely enjoy helping others, and it pleased him to make people happy, especially when it took next to no effort for him to do so. Once again, a few members of his Famiglia came forward to lead the old ladies to one of the cars belonging to the convoy. Haru trailed after them, and so he accompanied her as well. The young woman was busy exchanging last minute contact details with her new grannies, and she made them promise to contact her again should they run into any other problems while abroad. Dino refrained from doing the same, well aware that the elders would be nicely taken care of by his men, and that at least one in the lot would leave some means of communication with them as well by the time these ladies were chauffeured to their lodgings.
Just before the group left, they insisted on thanking Haru and saying their goodbyes. Dino watched as the old ladies each drew the smiling, rosy faced brunette into their arms before giving her kisses on the cheeks. Suddenly, he had a good idea just who were the ones who had taught the young woman this particular greeting practice, completely erroneously albeit with good intentions. Then, they turned to him and stretched out their arms expectantly as well, beaming.
It was vaguely embarrassing, but Dino could find no good reason to refuse to their unspoken request. Yielding somewhat awkwardly, the elegantly dressed Italian Don also stooped down to receive their grandmotherly embraces and cheek kisses. It was very warm, and Dino could not quite remember the last time when he had been hugged by sweet old ladies who seemed to view him in the same affectionate light as they did their own grandsons.
"Bless you both, my kind dears!" one of the old ladies tittered out, smiling. "You are a well-matched couple – I wish you bliss and happiness!"
Dino's eyes widened slightly, whereas Haru spluttered at the mistaken observation.
"Hahi!" She hurriedly shook her hands before her, with such flustered vehemence and denial that it was almost insulting to the man standing beside her. "Oba-san, you're wrong, desu! Cavallone-san is a compassionate and good man, desu! But Haru already has a loving and wonderful fiancé!"
Yes. The same 'loving and wonderful' fiancé who was also subtly trying to break things off with his exuberant and enthusiastic fiancée.
Her words were like a quick splash of cold water to Dino's senses, as he was abruptly reminded of his role and purpose here. He sobered and took a mental step away from the picture. He had not expected to get so involved in this situation, but at the same time, had not been able to prevent himself from being drawn into helping out as well. That was the same for his men, Romario included – and he started to wonder if they had realized that they, too, had been roped into rendering their assistance so naturally that not even one of them had thought to protest the idea.
Dino eyed his female companion carefully as she enthusiastically waved goodbye to the car that had just finally pulled away from the curb, bearing the old ladies to their intended destination. He was perhaps starting to get an inkling of what the Vongola were talking about, when they were referring to her irresistible personality. He hadn't quite expected that this was what they meant when they described her as an unstoppable force of nature.
The brunette turned and bowed towards Dino and Romario.
"Hahi, Haru is very thankful to Cavallone-san, Romario-san and all the men for lending a helping hand, desu!" She straightened and smiled at them. "Haru is also happy all the same! Haru now knows that the Cavallone Famiglia is comprised of very kind and gentle people, desu! No wonder Tsuna-kun told Haru to trust Cavallone-san and his Family, desu!"
There was a twinge of discomfort at her honest, heartfelt praise. It almost felt like guilt. Dino exchanged a glance with his retainer, before regarding her.
"You don't have to thank us, Haru. Shall we get going as well? You must be hungry – let's have dinner before going back."
She did not seem to pick up on his subtle change of subject, and brightened at his suggestion.
"Hahi, yes desu! Haru is so hungry right now, Haru can eat a horse!"
He had to smile faintly at her choice of words.
"I hope you don't mean that literally, because we Cavallone are quite passionate when it comes to our horses."
"Heh?"
::owari::
Questions That I Would Like To Answer Before You Ask:
…So this chapter marks the beginning of yet another new AU, for those who weren't quite sure what they had just read. Unlike the Modern AU-verse, this is more of a canon divergent plot, with the entire KHR!Mafia framework mostly intact safe for some minute alterations between the character interactions. This AU came about because I wanted to play with the 'intentionally fake courtship quickly becomes not-so-fake' trope (with some other additional twists and clichés thrown in for MSG and flavor - it's starting to become a mystery stew at this point), so this was the end result of all my fooling around on MS Word, ahaha.
But yes, Tsuna and co.'s plan is going to turn out about as well as you can expect it to, lol, but shh. I think I have spoiled the plot too much as is!
Some main points to clarify:
1) In this verse, Dino and Haru has never met before prior to this staged encounter at the airport. As such, Haru is only passingly aware of Dino and his Famiglia through the words of Tsuna and his Guardians.
2) As with canon, Haru joined up with Tsuna and co. and fell for him back in their middle school days, when he was still quite dame. She is also quite assertive in her usual Haru-esque manner and has, uh, established herself as his 'fiancée.' No one is entirely sure if she was just joking or actually meaning it, but after hearing her refer to herself as the next Vongola bride for six consecutive years and running, most are inclined to take her declaration with quasi-seriousness by now, much to Tsuna's chagrin. Hence, the execution of this plan intended to gently wean her of this notion in the first place…
3) Tsuna's plan is somewhat immature, but then again, the entire Tenth Generation Vongola can be notably hopeless/quirky/clueless and socially inept when it comes to matters outside of battles and/or life and death situations. Not to mention, they are still relatively youthful in this AU, so while their intentions may be well meaning, the plans may not be necessarily very well thought out, as can be seen in this case, for example.
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According to what I've gleaned from the internet, cheek kissing (in Italy) is mostly observed amongst close friends and family members (which makes a lot of common sense really). So meaning, people usually do not go around greeting strangers with cheek kisses unless they want to commit a social faux pas (and also possibly get accused of sexual harassment at the same time), hence why Dino and co. was so surprised when an unknowing Haru just went straight up and greeted them like that!
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FYI, in this chapter, TYL!Dino is twenty-eight, and TYL!Haru is twenty.
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…Also, yes. I'm never going to tire of horse puns so long as I'm writing for this series, haha!
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Do let me know what you lot think of this verse! Thanks for reading, as usual! :)
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Your reviews make me update faster; so please leave a comment if you like this fic!
-sllebswap