Title: Serendipity
Author: sllebswap
Characters/Pairing: Miura Haru and Dino
Type: OneShot/Drabble Collection (InComplete)
Genre: Romance/General/Humor
Word Count: 4103
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: Marriage of Convenience AU
Chapter Last Revised on: 15/07/18
At the Beginning
i. understand this much: whatever you love and look for, you are.
Haru was a woman on a mission, and nothing was going to stop her until she had finally gotten her way.
That evening, the young woman trotted upstairs briskly and turned straight to her husband's wing of the villa, eyes gleaming with determination and a fiery energy that had even Romario doing a double take and eyeing his mistress warily as she came striding towards the master bedroom which he had been guarding, filled to the brim with intent. He had never seen the young lady look so sharp-eyed and almost…angry before, but he had a good guess as to the reason for her discontent. The Cavallone retainer bowed slightly towards the Lady of the House.
"Good evening, milady."
His greeting seemed to momentarily throw her off her stride, and Haru, flustered, quickly waved him up.
"Good evening, Romario-san. Hahi, please call Haru by name, desu! Haru has always been Haru, desu!"
Romario shook his head slightly. This was a topic that they frequently disagreed upon, unfortunately.
"I cannot do that, mistress. You're the wife of our Boss, after all. It is only right to treat you as such."
Haru frowned at his comment, muttering under her breath at the same time as her previous irritation welled anew.
"Hahi, everyone here treats Haru like the Boss's wife except the Boss himself, desu." She slipped around Romario before the older man could react to her remark, and pushed open the door that led to her husband's bedroom.
And there was Dino Cavallone, looking up from the armchair by the bed, wearing a sleeping robe and fresh out of the shower. His hair was still wet, blond locks a shade darker than usual sticking up somewhat haphazardly. Normally, Haru would have been at least a bit flustered by the picture of Dino in such a half dressed state, but her eyes also caught sight of the swathe of snowy white bandages just barely hidden beneath his terry cloth robe, obviously dressed after his shower. She sailed in like an unstoppable force of nature, brow knitting.
"Hahi! Haru knew it! Dino-nii really got hurt, desu!"
Her tone of accusation was steeped with worry as she hurried over to his side, already trying to see how bad the injury was this time. She reached over and tugged the collar of the robe down, inspecting the full extent of the damage. The bandaged area was contained to only the top of his shoulder, thankfully. Her gaze flew up to meet his.
"What happened? Are you hurt anywhere else, desu?"
She looked like she was about to start stripping him to check for herself, so concerned was she. Romario coughed and silently excused himself – his presence would not be needed here anymore, it seemed.
Dino was quite bemused by Haru's fussing, as if not too sure how to react to her when she was being like that. At last, he reached out and lightly touched her hand, drawing her fussing attention back to him.
"I'm alright, Haru. It's nothing too serious – just a surface injury, really."
His definition of 'surface injury' was definitely suspicious, especially since Haru knew that he could tank an incredible amount of damage and still keep going. But at least this time he seemed not too bad off, and appeared to be in complete control of his physical and mental faculties. Haru grudgingly relented.
"Did Dino-nii at least dress the injury properly?" she asked. Haru itched to do it herself, but there was no point in exposing an already treated wound unnecessarily. Dino nodded his head in affirmative, flashing her a wry smile.
"Romario wouldn't leave me be until he personally saw to it." He petted her hand, once. "You don't have to worry, Haru."
Instead of being assured, she frowned at him.
"Hahi, is that why Dino-nii had to secretly sneak back into the house today? Because you didn't want Haru to worry, desu?"
He did not answer, but continued to smile at her. His usual effortless charm was not working to get him out of this, unfortunately. She frowned harder in consternation.
"Dino-nii! Haru did not marry into the Cavallone Famiglia just so that she can become a burden here as well, desu!" Haru stared at her husband unwaveringly, attempting to will him into understanding her point of view. "Dino-nii, please depend on Haru more! Haru promises that she won't betray Dino-nii's expectations-"
He cut her off before she could complete the rest of her impassioned spiel.
"Haru." His tone was patient, but firm. "I never once saw you as a burden, and I do know that you always try your best for everyone."
But the brunette looked doubtful.
"Then…does Dino-nii not trust Haru…?" She shook her head, doe eyes turning a bit moist at the thought of that possibility. "Haru does not want to be protected and kept safe like a jewel in a castle, desu. Haru wants to help and to share in Dino-nii's responsibilities. There are things that Haru can do well too, desu!" She looked at him beseechingly. "Dino-nii, please use Haru more! Haru is not unwilling, desu!"
As usual, she was so very earnest that it was hard not to be affected by that sincerity.
"You're my wife, Haru. I do trust and respect you," he murmured. That she was asking so blatantly to be made useful, though…
Haru was not very convinced by his assurance. "…If Dino-nii really trusts Haru, then don't hide from Haru anymore!" She reached out and laid her hand on the older man's arm, her expression so very earnest. "Please, Dino-nii?"
When she was looking at him like that, how could he deny her?
"Are you sure?" he asked. "You don't have to involve yourself so heavily in the Famiglia's affairs out of obligation or even a sense of duty. There's no rule stating that the wife of a mafia don has to walk the same path that he does, Haru."
She knew that he was being concerned and considerate for her. This was just so much like Dino-nii, Haru thought. Always sparing a thought for his people and trying to protect all of them…at the expense of himself. But she was not content with just being protected. She, in her own way, was determined to safeguard and defend this man who was quickly becoming an important figure in her life. Theirs might be a marriage of convenience, but Haru cared for Dino like she would a respected and adored surrogate brother and she knew that he had always watched out for her over the years. They were a team now, thrown together by various circumstances, but Haru refused to be coddled and kept safe like some frail, fragile decoration.
She shook her head emphatically, resolving herself.
"Haru is the Boss's wife, desu! Haru said her vows beside Dino-nii on that day when we got married, and Haru will honor them all, desu!" She continued to look at him doggedly. "For better or for worse, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part, desu. Haru intends to keep her promise! Wherever Dino-nii goes, Haru will always follow!"
He looked at her for the longest time, his expression unreadable. She faced him head on. She did not shy away from his intent stare, did not fluster or look away. Her determination was obvious.
At last, he sighed. Loudly.
Haru let go of his arm and wrung her hands, feeling nervous and anxious. She had nothing to worry about, however. Dino's tone was wry, quiet, when he finally spoke.
"…If you're so sure and indomitable about your decision, do I even have any reason left to deny you?"
Haru perked up immediately. She started to smile, her expression cautiously blooming like an upturned flower.
"Hahi, does Dino-nii really mean it, desu?"
He nodded, his gaze warming unconsciously as he watched the way she started to glow with pleasure. She was so very guileless and fervent, and he did not think that he had quite met anyone like her before.
"Thank you, Dino-nii! Haru will work her hardest, and do her best not to let Dino-nii or the Famiglia down!"
He reached out, fingers encircling her slender wrist, tugging gently, catching her attention. She looked down quizzically at their interconnected hands, and then back up to meet his waiting gaze.
"No, Haru. Thank you."
She had been nothing but a boon to him from the very moment she agreed to marry into the Cavallone Famiglia, and time and again, she integrated herself to the Famiglia with her own initiative, offering her assistance, getting to know the men and women who were now the members of her Family as well, so proactive and enthusiastic in embracing her duties and responsibilities that there were times where he stood in awe of her resilience and strength of character. He smiled softly at her; yes, he was very aware of how much she had already selflessly given to him and his own.
Haru's cheeks rouged faintly as she registered the growing fondness that reflected in his gaze, and suddenly, she was bashful. Dino was both bemused and amused by her abrupt change in temperament. One moment, she had been ready to throw herself wholeheartedly into convincing him to change his mind and to give her a chance, and the next, she was all respectful and reserved again.
"…Hahi…Haru is a member of the Cavallone Famiglia too," she demurred shyly, calming. "It is only right that Haru does her part! Haru's home is here now, desu. The people who also live here and call themselves Cavallone…Haru wants to protect them and keep them safe as well, desu…"
She offered him a tiny, hopeful smile, and she gently broke out of his hold only to lightly squeeze his fingers with her own.
"Maybe Haru is being presumptuous, but Haru really wants to stand beside Dino-nii and be a good friend and support, desu. Haru knows that our marriage may only be in-name only, but Haru truly respects and trusts Dino-nii like a kind and good senpai-" She brightened suddenly as an idea occurred to her. "Hahi! Dino-nii is free to treat Haru like one of his subordinates, okay?"
He just continued to stare at her, registering the sentiment behind her offer but not quite able to agree with her, though before he could open his mouth, she blurted out.
"Hahi, Dino-nii hasn't had dinner yet, right?" She let go of him and started to turn towards the door. "Haru will go to the kitchen to ask Cook-san to warm up the meal that has been reserved for Dino-nii! Haru also needs to make sure that the other men who came back with Dino-nii and Romario-san are taken care of and settled, desu!" She bowed out of the room. "Dino-nii, rest for a bit first! Dinner will be served shortly, desu! Please excuse Haru!"
And then she was gone, his bedroom door slipping quietly shut behind her, as she went off to see to her self-appointed tasks.
Dino had not even known that she had already completely taken over the running of the household by this point. Before he could ponder on the conversation that they just had, she suddenly popped back in again, her head hovering over the threshold of the doorframe.
"Oh, and Dino-nii?"
"Yes?"
She smiled luminously at him.
"Welcome home, desu. Haru is really happy and relieved that Dino-nii is back safely."
ii. hold on to this heaven of yours.
It was one of those long days where everything wasn't going very badly, but they weren't proceeding exceedingly smoothly either. It was just a normal day. A normal, long, tedious day where things got done but yet something still seemed missing from the whole equation. Haru felt dearly like a wrung-out dishrag by the time evening fell and she was trudging back to her room to cleanup and unwind from the day's work. She was walking down the hallway, her head down, so deep in thought that she had completely failed to register the presence before her until she quite literally bounced off of him.
"Hahi?!"
Looking up finally and absently rubbing her nose, she finally noticed her husband standing there, looking down at her bemusedly.
"Are you okay?" he asked. "I've been calling you for the last minute or so, but you were so out of it I guess you didn't even hear me."
His gaze ran over her briefly, and started to look faintly concerned.
"Long day?" he offered, his tone filled with such gentle understanding that it made her really want to lean on him more. She paused, hesitating, before she nodded.
"Yes, desu. Nothing was going right today and Haru is a bit frustrated…" She puffed out her cheeks, feeling sulky.
"Wanna talk about it?"
She considered his offer for a while, but then she shook her head in the end.
"Maybe later, desu. Right now, Haru just wants a nice, long bubble bath, yummy cake, and a hug." She was mumbling to herself, and started to shuffle around him when he shifted to the side and stepped right into her path once more. She almost bumped into him again, and looked up instead, visibly confused.
"Dino-nii?"
"Now, how can you expect me to leave you be when you are looking like that?"
He stood there and spread out his arms. He gazed expectantly at her.
She stared back at him, starting to grow even more bewildered.
"Hahi?"
He tipped his head to the side, brow arched.
"Hug? I can draw you that bath, and then get you that cake later." He smiled. "But I can give you a hug now."
Her face immediately grew hot. He had heard her unthinking mumblings!
"Hahi! Haru was only-"
Her hurried reply slowly trailed off when he gave her an injured puppy look. Dang it, how was he so ridiculously effective when it came to doling out guilt trips!
"Am I not good enough?"
Her mouth snapped shut. She stalled, hesitated again, and then she shook her head slowly.
"No, desu…"
Then come here. He wordlessly gestured for her to come closer.
Before she could lose her nerve, Haru slowly drifted towards him. She walked right up to him, then stopped again. Now what, she thought.
Then there was no time to think about anything else as his arms silently closed around her, tugging her against him. She went still for a split second, but he was warm and he smelled really nice, and he made her feel safe and cossetted in his embrace, and eventually, she…responded. Her hands came up, resting unsurely on his back, and she gradually melted against his solid, reassuring frame, content to lean on him and absorb his energy. A soft, kittenish little churr escaped her, and her fingers tightened into his shirt. She clung more then, closing her eyes and simply appreciating the moment. She was a tactile creature who thrived on touch and physical acts of affection, and this was recharging her flagging energy levels faster than anything else.
She nuzzled into his shirt and sighed again, a happy sigh – and slowly, he started to rub her back. She went curiously limp in his grasp, and he huffed softly in her ear, as if amused by her reaction. A tiny shiver travelled up her spine at the ticklish sensation, and then she felt him nose her hair…before it was replaced by the gentle pressure of his lips. She flushed even further and quietly hid her burning face in his chest.
They stayed that way for a while, before Dino murmured over her head.
"Do you feel better?"
She slowly nodded but did not speak. She was also in no hurry to pull away from him. His hand reached up, and he softly stroked her hair.
"Should I stop?"
She paused once more, then shyly shook her head. Another kiss was laid on the crown of her head, flitting but warm. Haru started to hope that this moment would last for as long as it could.
"You push yourself so hard all the time, Jo-chan," he murmured into her hair, before releasing her finally, almost reluctantly. He took a step back and gave her a look.
"Go and take that bath. I'll see what I can do about that cake."
She lifted her head so quickly she almost got whiplash.
"Cake, desu?"
He had to smother a chuckle at the renewed light of interest that sparkled in her hopeful; eyes. Well, she certainly had her most important priorities set straight. He grinned slightly at her.
"Yes, cake. Your wish is my command, my Lady." He even sketched her a faint, playful bow. "Does my Lady have any special instructions with regards to the cake in question?"
"Hahi… Haru wants chocolate molten lava cake! The kind with the melty middle, desu!"
"I'll do my best," he promised, before nudging her down the hallway. "Now, go bathe. I can smell you from here." It wasn't a lie. He could smell her as he always did; there was a faintly sweet scent that she emitted, distinctly her and something that which he really liked.
"Hahi, Haru does not smell, desu! Mou, Dino-nii is being a bully, desu!"
Haru scowled and punched him in the arm. She did not pull her punches too, but Dino was more amused than in pain. He good-humoredly winced away from her halfhearted blows.
"Ow, ow, ow. Spare me, Jo-chan. Truce, truce! Hahahaha." His hands slipped over to her wrists to stop her, his larger appendages easily closing over her smaller ones, once more entrapping her against him.
"E-Ehh! Dino-nii-"
She spluttered and turned pink when he clasped her hands together between his and brought them to his mouth. Their eyes met when as he brushed his lips over the back of her hand. His gaze was quietly gleaming with mischief.
"If you insist on staying put here for any longer, I'm going to assume that you want me to join you for your bath."
She eeped and tugged her hands away, quickly blurting out a flustered reply in her chagrin.
"Nooo! Haru does not want that, hahi!" And he had to laugh since he had never seen her haul ass that fast before.
"That's too bad."
"Dino-nii! Stop teasing Haru and go get Haru her cake!"
iii. you are so warm next to me.
Waking up the next morning to a bedroom that did not belong to her and curled up beside another warm body was an experience that Haru had not quite had before.
It was startling and disorienting and the mild shock had been enough to jolt her to complete wakefulness. She had gone stiff then, and it did not take long for the memories from the night before to come flooding through her head.
Being touched, being held, being kissed.
Being loved.
Her body still felt utterly branded by strong hands and tender lips that had brushed over her bare skin the previous evening. How thoroughly she had been caressed and kissed, how that exquisite gentleness had slowly, eventually, given way to urgency and frantic heat. How she had greedily basked under all that erotic attention that had been afforded to her for the very first time, how she had demanded for more, until they had both been exhausted, mutual desires sated.
Haru blushed, violently, at the sensual recollection.
The brown haired young woman stirred slightly and tried to slink under the covers in an attempt to hide her burning face. Good heavens, how was she going to face him later? Maybe it would be a good idea for her to make her retreat now, while her partner appeared to be asleep still. It was an admittedly cowardly act and it also did not make a lot of sense, but she was frazzled and not thinking too clearly, though unfortunately for her and her plans, she also quickly realized just how entwined they both were beneath the covers.
That prompted an even deeper blush, and as she carefully attempted to retract her limbs, her husband stirred, turning towards her and throwing one arm over her, drawing her back into his embrace, sheets and all.
"…S'too early to be up," he muttered huskily right in her ear, voice still drowsy from sleep. His hand sleepily stroked the bare skin over her forearm. She shivered.
"Hahi! D-Dino...-nii…"
He sighed, then lazily cracked one dark golden eye open, studying her flustered countenance.
"…I thought we finally agreed that you'll be calling me by name? Especially after last night."
She reddened even more and tried to draw back, if only a little bit. He countered her attempt to withdraw by leaning on her just a bit more heavily, dropping his head to rest his chin on her shoulder.
He was still staring at her, and she stared back at him, all stiff like a frightened rabbit.
After a pause, he huffed quietly with amusement.
"Breathe, Jo-chan. You're starting to turn blue."
And indeed, she had held her breath for whatever reason and was now feeling terribly foolish and self-conscious. She took a deep inhale, and then she attempted to speak again.
"Hahi, Haru doesn't know how to act around Dino…-n-" She looked like she was about to say more, but then, one look from his sharpening gaze as well as the slight lift of his brow had her refraining from doing so. His eyes gentled, relenting. She was so skittish and it was quite endearing.
"How are you feeling?"
She took a moment to wonder why he was asking such a random question before it finally occurred to her what he was referring to. Cue more heavy blushing, and she could not quite seem to look him in the eye anymore.
"Haru is alright, desu…"
Dino watched her for a moment, before he rolled onto his stomach, propping himself up with an elbow even as he continued to affix his attention on his adorably embarrassed wife. Fondness welled in him at the sight of her. It had taken a year, but she was finally here beside him on this bed, where she rightfully belonged. Haru snuck a quick glance at him only to flush even harder at that tender expression sitting so unguardedly on his face. Oh, gods. His sleepy, disheveled appearance was too much for her to handle at the moment and she hurriedly looked back down at the rumpled sheets between them with great interest. He reached out, strong, lean fingers gently grasping her chin, tilting her head up so that their gazes met again.
"Are you sure?" he asked, callused digits ghosting over the soft skin of her jawline with unhidden affection. "Not sore or in pain anywhere?"
She shook her head slowly, strangely mute. She was weak to his touch, she was beginning to understand, tiny little butterflies fluttering madly inside her stomach. Belatedly, Haru wondered when this phenomenon had first started, and how it had occurred without her immediate knowledge. Her voice was quiet, almost meek even, when she spoke.
"Dino-nii- Dino- was very gentle with Haru, desu. Haru is really fine, desu."
He studied her closely, taking in her fidgety demeanor.
"Are you having doubts over last night?"
Her eyes widened at his assumption and she immediately lifted them to meet his. She shook her head again, this time more hurriedly and emphatically, anxious to clear any misunderstanding before they could arise.
"No, desu! Haru has no doubt whatsoever over last night, desu! Haru truly wants to be with Dino- Haru is very happy right now, just really embarrassed, desu-"
He interrupted her panicked spiel by simply leaning down and pressing a soft, lingering kiss over her bare shoulder. Her words died in her throat. She trembled finely at his act of affection and confirmation. He smiled softly at her.
"This Dino is very happy to hear that. This Dino only wants to be with this Haru as well. There's nothing to be embarrassed about, Jo-chan. You belong right here. Always stay beside me from now on."
He was stroking her hair tenderly with one hand, and her face was flushed once more with shyness, even as an indescribable joy filled her, so wondrously warm and heartfelt. She nuzzled into his touch, her previous tension and anxieties magically easing away into contentment and happiness. She turned her head and kissed his palm.
His eyes darkened at her feline like affection.
"Yes, desu. Haru…Haru wants nothing more."
::owari::
Questions That I Would Like To Answer Before You Ask:
After all the solemnness from last chapter, here's some fluff to pass around!
Three drabbles (of sorts) depicting the slow progression of Dino and Haru's ever changing/evolving relationship at the beginning~!
Hope you enjoyed! :)
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Your reviews make me update faster; so please leave a comment if you like this fic!
-sllebswap