Title: Serendipity

Author: sllebswap

Characters/Pairing: Miura Haru and Dino

Type: OneShot/Drabble Collection (InComplete)

Genre: Romance/General/Humor

Word Count: 2475

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: 21/10/18

Perfect

Dino felt more than heard when a tiny form clambered and flopped clumsily onto the bed, and then proceeded to determinedly wrestle its way through the bedcovers and duvets to get to him. Seeing as this situation happened more often than not these days, the Cavallone Decimo was hardly alarmed by the intrusion, and was more inclined to catch up on his sleep before he was obliged to get up in a bit, possibly even sooner if the warm little lump wiggling up his side had any say in the matter.

Eyes still shut, the blond wanted to sigh, but knew that it was hopeless to fight the inevitable. Beside him, his wife appeared completely oblivious to the disturbance as she snoozed, huddled beneath the blankets and tucked comfortably into the nook of his shoulder. Apparently, she was already too used to such antics to be too alarmed, and could evidently sleep through this disturbance with ease, having had enough practice over the last few years…

So had he actually, for that matter. But Dino knew that Haru had earned her rest, having stayed at home to man the fort for the last couple of weeks or so while he visited the various allied territories of the Cavallone to check in on a few of their affiliates. Due to how extensive the Cavallone Famiglia was, he travelled often for work. Sometimes, Haru went along with him, but more recently, she had more pressing reasons to stay back at the main holdings of their Family, and the most important one of all was currently slowly but surely inching its way up towards the two inhabitants on the bed.

"Papa, Papa, wake up!"

The little five year old boy with the head of tousled mint gold hair and giraffe-print pajamas did not hesitate to pounce on his male parent, eliciting a muffled grunt of protest from said male. His arm came up to curl around his energetic offspring instinctively, half to make sure that the child would not accidentally slip off and land on his head on the floor (very likely to happen what with the young one's distressingly clumsy nature that was very much like his own), half to make certain that the boisterous and lively little thing would not attempt to use him as a human trampoline once more (also very likely because Dino could swear up, down and sideways that the child was more Haru in spirit than his old man, which really explained why his heir was almost always two steps ahead and a skip to the side from where his Famiglia was always struggling to keep up with him. His mother had no such trouble, however.).

"…Little cub," he groaned groggily, tugging the squirmy bundle to him and hoping that his legacy would take pity on his tired father and stay put for a while so that he could hopefully score another few minutes of shuteye. It wasn't even sun up yet! "Why are you awake so early?"

Unfortunately, he had no such luck. The fruit of his loins squawked in protest at his parent's restrictive act and quickly set to work wriggling free, determined to get his way. Dino responded by tucking his kid under his armpit and planting a placating, sleepy smooch on the youngest Cavallone's forehead, eliciting another indignant squeak from his child. Over on his other side, the love of his life and mother of his son continued to sleep peacefully, blissfully undisturbed by the muffled ruckus that her son was making – she had been thoroughly exhausted by his homecoming the evening before…

"Papa!" the little one complained, loud enough to convey his childish displeasure, and Dino sighed, his grip loosening as he finally gave into the inevitable.

"…Yes, son?"

His boy wasted no time slipping free with a victorious little cackle, clambering on top of his living jungle gym, and even bounced a bit on his perch, little bony knees digging into his dad's sides like he was riding a horsey. His father 'omphed.' If the enemies of their Famiglia weren't going to get to him yet, then his own son probably would do him in first, he was starting to think.

"Papa didn't wake Leone up! Papa promised!"

He raised his head from the pillow and squinted at his pouting child. It was hard to take the boy seriously when his bedhead was sticking up every which way, those big brown puppy eyes glimmering with a guileless expressiveness that was just like Haru. Ironically enough, Dino was probably sporting the same hairstyle at the moment, even as he reached up and lazily petted at Leone's hair, futilely hoping to tame the unruly mane that sat on his child's head. Leone quieted a bit in response, leaning into the affectionate touch of his father.

"Well…I got home really late last night. Way past your bedtime. Sorry, cub."

The pint sized child leaned forward, small baby hands reaching up and clapping his father's cheeks petulantly, unintentionally smacking his parent into full consciousness. If Dino was still half asleep earlier, then he was wide awake now. Ow.

"B-But Leone wanted to welcome papa home! Papa, Papa was gone for a looonnng time and Leone and Mamma missed Papa lots an' lots an' lots! This many!" The child flung open his arms as wide as they could go just to demonstrate how much he missed his daddy, and he was just so dang adorable and earnest even as he chattered on a mile a minute and kept tripping over his words, and Dino could not help but smile foolishly at his child, his heart heavy and full with love for this most precious thing that his Haru had given him. "An', an' Leone a'so made a card for Papi- Leone worked really, really, super hard to make it nice for Papa! Leone did it allllll on his own-!"

"Is that so? I can't wait to see it. Show me at breakfast later, okay?"

The little tyke paused and actually pretended to consider. Dino was trying not to laugh at the speculative light that entered those bright, inquisitive eyes.

"…Did Papa bring presents for Leone?"

A quiet chuckle escaped him at his boy's not too subtle attempt at scoring a new toy from his sire. Despite the wealth and power of the Cavallone, both his parents did their best not to spoil him with excessive luxury and material goods. In compensation, their boy received an abundance of attention and affection from them…as well as from an endless assortment of uncles and aunties and big brothers and big sisters from his huge Family…and he was thriving really well under all the positive guidance from his elders. Dino ruffled his son's hair once more.

"That depends, cub. Have you been good for your Mamma when I was gone?"

Those big, guileless eyes were glimmering with innocent conviction as the pajama-clad tot nodded vigorously, his expression lighting up even more at the realization that his parent had not denied the possibility of a gift.

"Leone has been a good boy!" he chirped convincingly. "Mamma says a'so! Leone is Mamma's favorite!"

"Really, now?" the older blond murmured, barely keeping a straight face. "You know, before you came along, I was your Mamma's favorite."

The toddler looked scandalized by the revelation, and his comically affronted expression made Dino want to laugh again. His shoulders shook with silent mirth at his son's muffled yowl of disbelief. "Nooo! Leone's Mamma's favorite! Always, always!"

As the only issue of the Cavallone Decimo, the concept of sharing the attention of his adored mother with anyone, even his own father, was completely foreign to the much beloved little boy. If there was anything he was being thoroughly spoiled with by his Family, then it was this. Dino was more amused than dismayed by his offspring's possessive demeanor however, and appeared to indulge in Leone's whims for now. This bright, exuberant child of theirs would learn to channel his instincts to a protective one as he grew older – for now, this was a good start.

"What about your Papa, then?" Dino asked, lips twitching.

"Eh? Leone, Leone's not Papa's favorite, a'so?" the little blond squeaked, sounding positively betrayed.

The Boss of the Cavallone could not help but snicker at the look on his boy's face. He probably should not bully Leone so much, but having a kid was certainly a lot more entertaining than he had ever expected. He and Haru only had this one; their little cub kept them busy and on their toes from the moment he emerged into this world red-faced and squalling furiously at the top of his little lungs, and that tiny, prematurely born infant had survived the odds stacked against him at birth and had only continued to fight to grow bigger and stronger over time. Dino's gaze was warm in the face of those emotive puppy eyes and trembling baby lips. He pinched the little one's nose. Leone wrinkled it at him in protest.

So. Cute.

It almost made Dino wish that their little cub would forever stay at this age, young and trusting and artlessly impressionable. That he would not just meant that all these moments were precious beyond belief. Dino wrapped one arm around his kid and drew the boy into the fold of an affectionate embrace, and this time, Leone curled into his father's side, baby hands clinging to his parent's shirt, visibly calming and turning his face into the elder's chest, inhaling that familiar scent of his father, automatically evoking in him the feeling of safety and affection and shelter.

"Papa…"

"…You're becoming such a big boy," Dino murmured, running a palm soothingly over the child's back. "Why are you growing up so fast? Next I know you'll be too big for me to hold like this."

"No! Leone will never be too big for Papa to hold," the boy mumbled, well on his way out, and his father snorted with amusement.

"Give it another ten years, and I'll believe it if you still feel that way then, Leone." The little blond was docile now, and maybe starting to feel a bit lethargic also with how his father was lazily petting between his shoulders, just like he sometimes did in order to lull him back to sleep. Dino planted a kiss on his son's forehead, and then snuggled the warm little bundle closer, tucking the little minted gold head under his chin. His boy still smelled of baby powder and innocence. Drowsy brown eyes slowly slipped shut, and the rise and fall of the tiny chest grew slower, breathing evening out. Hopefully the little Cavallone would be out for a comfortable nap until a more reasonable hour of the morning dawned upon them.

"I was only teasing, kiddo. Of course you're my favorite."

"Hahi, then what about me, desu?"

The quiet voice of his wife had him turning his head to look in her direction. She was already watching him, turned to her side, her half wakeful gaze soft and tender as she regarded him and their snoozing son. His lips tipped up in an endearing, crooked smile of greeting.

"You're the woman I love more than my own life," he replied simply, and that was the truth. But they both also knew and understood that each would give all that and more for their child if it really came down to it – that was what parents do, and even though they were part of the Italian mafia, they were nothing but exemplary and exacting when it came to safeguarding the wellbeing of their son.

"Mm. And you're the love of my life too…" Haru wiggled closer to him and brushed a kiss along his jaw. She wrinkled her nose a bit at the roughness of his morning stubble, and her expression was exactly like their son's earlier. Dino's smile grew, and the corners of his eyes crinkled.

"Did we wake you?" he asked softly. By now, Leone was out like a light. Nothing short of dropping him in the middle of a warzone would rouse him at this point. Haru's eyes were gentle with affection as she reached over and smoothed her hand over their son's tousled hair, just before she leaned in and pressed a kiss over the little Cavallone's crown.

"Haru was awake since Leone-chan came in, desu." Her eyes twinkled quietly as she met her husband's. "Haru didn't want to disturb because Leone-chan really missed his Papa and wanted to welcome his Papa home."

"Really? I think our cub's more interested in trying to score a treat from me instead…" He quirked a brow at Haru. "And what about you, cara? Are you trying to score a treat from me too?"

The brunette could not help but huff at his teasing, nuzzling him when he leaned in and kissed the exposed line of her clavicle. His whiskers tickled her skin, and she giggled at the sensation, which only encouraged him to kiss her more.

"Dino…" she sighed, her gaze darkening, her fingers tracing over the line of his cheekbone, a quiet need in the way she spoke his name. His eyes watched her intently as well, reflecting the heated ardor and yearning that could be seen shining in hers. His voice was low, baritone like crushed velvet when he softly drawled.

"Or maybe I'm the one who's wanting a treat from you, my lady wife."

She smiled softly at him. "Haru's not unwilling, but Haru thinks Dino has his hands full already…" Her quip was more good-humored than resigned, and her hand cupped his cheek, fingers lingering along his jaw, her touch affectionate.

"Welcome home, desu. Thank you for working so hard for our Family. We missed you."

The older Dino got, the easier it was for him to understand happiness. Or at least, his personal definition of it. Happiness was the little things, the fleeting moments of pleasure and laughter and contentment that he could grasp momentarily, and that which once passed, would never ever happen the same way again. And right now, happiness was just this; drowsing beneath the soft covers in bed in the early hours of the morning, the two people he loved the most curled up safely in his arms. The warm weight of his snoozing son. The subtle fragrance of Haru's shampoo. All the nuances of home and hearth.

She rested her head on the nook of his shoulder, sharing his pillow and he planted a kiss on her temple. He leaned his head against hers and closed his eyes, lips curled up in a ghost of a smile. Leone snored softly into his neck; it would not be long before he started drooling on his parent too.

It was perfect.

"I missed you both too. It's great to be back."

::owari::

Questions That I Would Like To Answer Before You Ask:

A reviewer enquired about the D86!baby a while back if I still recall correctly, so here he is!

Leone Cavallone is the heir apparent of the Cavallone Famiglia, the future Undicesimo Cavallone, and very beloved by his parents and Family. He is 'little cub' to all of them, and he is bright and brave and clumsy and he is all heart – the best of both his parents.

Leone translates to 'lion' in Italian, his name a tribute to the Vongola, a nod of recognition towards his mother's previous affiliation and the Cavallone's close ties with the other Famiglia. :)

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-sllebswap