camellia (general) – longing, good luck gift for a man


Chapter 8: Camellia

"Hi, Tsuna-kun!"

"Hey, Kyoko-chan," replied Tsuna while attempting to keep the phone in place between his ear and shoulder as he tied his shoelace. "What's up?"

"Nothing much. I just thought we haven't seen each other in a while. Are you free after work today?"

"Oh, no. Today's my day off and I'm meeting up with a friend." Finally finished with his shoelace, he remained sitting on the floor, scratching his hair anxiously. "I'm really sorry. It must be rare of you to get off from work and I—"

"It's okay. I'm happy things are going well with you and Hibari-san. I hope you two have fun later."

Tsuna smiled, glad at her friend's support. "Thanks, Kyoko-chan. I'm—wait a minute. How did you know it was him?"

"Please, Tsuna-kun. How many years have we been friends?" Tsuna could easily imagine Kyoko playfully rolling her eyes at him.

Tsuna jolted as the doorbell rang. Absent-mindedly, he rushed to the door and saw Hibari, who was wearing plain grey pants and a black shirt, carrying a bouquet of semi-double pink camellias. Camellias can mean a lot of things. What does Hibari-san mean?

"Longing," said Hibari.

"Huh?"

"You asked, I answered."

"I see. It's my first time seeing Hibari-san in normal clothes."

"Like it?"

"That's not a fair question since Hibari-san was good-looking from the start."

Tsuna jumped at the sound of a girl laughing. He blinked, wondering where it was coming from, then widened his eyes as he realised he was voicing his thoughts out loud and was idly conversing with the object of his thoughts.

Flustered, Tsuna stuttered, "Right. Longing. Yeah, uh. Right. Okay. Longing. I-I'll put this in a vase then we can go." He grabbed the bouquet from Hibari and ran inside, looking for an empty vase. After finding one, he placed his phone down in order to carefully handle the vase. Once done, he took his phone and looked at the screen to check the time when his face paled: Kyoko was still on-call.

"K-Kyoko-chan! I'm sorry, I—" He stopped. Kyoko laughed again. Kyoko who never once lost composure was laughing incredibly loud, and Tsuna was embarrassed because he was sure the girl heard everything. Two grown up guys being extremely corny. It sounded painfully hilarious.

Catching her breath, Kyoko said, "Are you guys always like—? Do you—I mean," she giggled, "you guys are so cute. I can't wait to tell Haru-chan and Enma-kun. Send me a mail later, okay? Now off you go on your date." A beeping sound greeted Tsuna's ear. He pinched the bridge of his nose, confident his friends will give him hellish teasing later.

-x-

Tsuna squinted his eyes at the noon sun, feeling his stomach rumble. He looked at Hibari, who in turn was looking at his mobile phone, and resisted the urge to frown. Concluding it was about work, he ignored the normally rude gesture and wondered instead why such a busy and well-known man would be interested in him.

Pocketing his phone, Hibari asked, "Is there a place you want to eat at?"

"Not really." Tsuna shrugged, not in the mood to be picky as his hunger nagged him. "Let's just eat there," he pointed at a fast food joint, "unless you don't want to."

Receiving a nod, Tsuna found himself sitting on a chair, with Hibari in front of him, in one of the noisiest and most crammed place he had ever been to. He groaned as he watched students after students come and go. Apparently Namimori High had some sort of event which just finished. Glancing at Hibari, he wasn't sure whether to fear or pity the man at their situation.

"Sorry. Maybe we should just order to-go and eat at the park? It's just a few blocks away anyway," he offered, hoping to alleviate his companion's discomfort. To his confusion, Hibari's eyes narrowed slightly but returned immediately to its normal size. Maybe I just imagined it.

They came out later carrying a brown paper bag and cola each and walked in silence towards the park, only the sound of either of them sipping their drinks could be heard. Tsuna hummed, pleased that he was starting to feel comfortable with the man.

Luckily, they found an empty chair in the park under a tree, even though the place was brimming with people enjoying the afternoon under the sun, to which Tsuna cringed at. He could feel himself burn as he watched a boy play with his dog. Tsuna released a relieved sigh upon sitting down.

Hibari was a quiet, stoic man who didn't seem to like conversing, and it slightly irked Tsuna that starting conversations fell on his shoulders. Feeling devious and stubborn, he didn't utter a single word and simply proceeded to eat his cheeseburger. Hibari was the one who asked him out; he should take the lead in decent, casual conversation once in a while.

Tsuna had finished his first burger and he couldn't believe Hibari still had not said anything. To further astound him, the man took out his phone and stared intently at the screen. Squeezing his second cheeseburger roughly, Tsuna knew this wasn't how dates were supposed to go despite the fact that he hadn't gone out with anyone in a while. The last one was...

"How's your weekend so far?"

There it was. But Tsuna raised an eyebrow and wondered if his companion was serious. "Hibari-san," he started in a slow voice, "today is Sunday, we saw each other yesterday at the shop, and met at the shop and had dinner last Friday."

Hibari blinked. "Right." I guess he's tired from work, Tsuna thought. "Where are your parents?"

He knew. Tsuna knew they were at the twenty questions stage, but the tone Hibari used made him feel as if the mall security guard was questioning him like a child after causing mischief and mayhem. He's trying, he's trying which is good...probably.

"They're in Italy at the moment. My father's a journalist and my mother travels with him."

Hibari crumpled his burger's wrapper. "You don't go with them?"

Tsuna ignored how Hibari peeked at his phone. "Too hectic with the constant moving. Besides, I was still studying. I think their scoop this time has something to do with the mafia. Sounds scary." He shivered.

"It does sound troublesome."

There was silence, and Tsuna pondered if he should take his turn in asking questions. He mentally shook his head. The conversation was turning normal and he was intrigued at what else Hibari had in his sleeve. Nonchalantly, he sorted out their trash then stood up and threw it in the rubbish bin, expecting a new question from his companion once he came back.

He sat down and waited patiently, observing as the crowd thinned out. His chest was warm as he felt excitement run through him. It was flattering how Hibari took the initiative in talking; a man whose lips seemed to be in a constant state of a frown, a man whose entire aura screamed both charisma and terror. This very man was giving him his attention whole-heartedly.

Or maybe not. Tsuna rolled his eyes as Hibari looked at his phone again. He knew he must be boring around to be with since he wasn't talking, but taking out his phone while on a date was insulting. You look one more time at that screen and I swear to god...

"What do you do for—ah, no."

Curious, Tsuna prompted, "What do I for what?"

Hibari shrugged. And he's looking at the goddamn phone again.

Tsuna didn't care whether whatever Hibari kept checking was work-related or not. The next thing he knew he was wrestling the man for his phone, and he could only be grateful that there were not much people left in the park.

"Tsunayoshi, what are you doing?" hissed Hibari.

"You keep looking at your phone. What's so important about it anyway? If you're busy with work, then you shouldn't have asked me out."

"Stop it." Hibari stretched his arm up high.

Taking advantage of Hibari's shift in gravity, Tsuna slammed his whole body to his date, who consequently lost his balance and fell on the grass, losing his grip on the phone. As if his life depended on it, Tsuna jumped for the contraption and hugged it to his chest, grinning in triumph. Immediately, he looked at the screen and eagerly read the characters laid out.

"W-what is... Are you kidding me, Hibari-san?" Tsuna took a second to look at Hibari, who was gritting his teeth, and continued to glue his eyes on the phone.

"Give that back, Tsunayoshi," growled Hibari. But Tsuna wasn't falling for it.

Tsuna laughed. "Oh, wow. I'm just, wow." He covered his mouth to stifle his laughter. Looking at the screen once more, he read out loud, "The first few dates with your loved one are very, very important. Grab the chance to learn about them. Take it slow and sweet. Remember, a relationship must not only rely on physical desires. Go out for dinner, a walk in the park under the lovely sun, talk with your partner. Don't be stingy about decisions! If you don't know what to talk about, here are a few recommended questions from us: How's your weekend so far?" His eyes trailed down at the unfinished question Hibari had earlier. "What do you do for livelihood?" Seriously? He was about to ask this? We met where I work at!

"Enough." Hibari attempted to snatch the phone, but Tsuna flimsily backed away and the phone ended up on the ground once more. Because he was nearer, Tsuna managed to get the phone again and goggled the screen, surprised at what the default display now showed him.

There was a widget, and on it, much to Tsuna's amusement, was a list with words incredibly familiar with him. Favourite colour is orange for warm shade. Not picky about food. Hobby is flowering. Loves cats but apartment doesn't allow it.

Finally, Hibari successfully snatched the gadget and tucked it in his pocket. He held out his hand to help Tsuna stand but refused to meet his eyes. Not wanting to hurt the man's pride further, Tsuna swallowed his chuckles and took the offered hand, smiling as he did.

When they were both seated again with Hibari still turned away from him, Tsuna took pity and decided the topic should be dropped. But before doing so, he gently said, "Thank you. I'm very happy you're really trying for me."

Stiffening, Hibari turned his head to meet his caramel eyes, and Tsuna saw edges of his lips twitch upwards.

This time, Tsuna was sure it wasn't his imagination.

-x-

The sky was turning to a solemn purple shade by the time they were on their way home. All in all, Tsuna could confidently say he had an extremely enjoyable day. After Hibari's sweet fiasco, Tsuna became more comfortable with him and starting sharing stories about work, his friends, and any topic that popped in his mind. Hibari calmly listened, nodding here and there, putting in a one-liner or two. Sometimes he made gestures to affirm he was listening, and the movements were so tiny it worried Tsuna that he might miss them. But it wasn't in any way bad. It was just how Hibari is.

Today, Tsuna didn't learn anything new about Hibari—his family, friends, or whatever background information he had—he saw pieces after pieces of who the man was. Conceited but at times awkward and violent but anxious, which he was sure the man would deny, towards those he care about. Remembering Haru's scenario, he inwardly chuckled. Right now, he could easily imagine Hibari in the rain, looking at a box of abandoned kittens.

As they arrived at Tsuna's apartment complex, Hibari said, "I will not be able to come for the next few days. I have a business trip and my flight is tomorrow."

"I see." Tsuna's heart faltered, but brightened up instantly. "Wait here for a while." He ran up to his apartment, not bothering with the noise his feet were making in his haste. From the vase he put out earlier, he took one of the pink camellias and rushed down again. Locking the door wasn't his priority at the moment.

"Here," he said, slightly heaving at the sudden exercise. "It's from your bouquet, but the meaning is mine. It's a good luck gift instead."

As he took it, Hibari smirked. "Not longing?"

Chuckling, Tsuna ruffled his hair, to which he received a scowl. "Who knows." Stopping, he smiled. "Thanks for today, Hibari-san. See you in a few days."

Leaving with a nod, Hibari didn't even try to fix his hair. Tsuna merely watched as the man's shape became smaller and smaller.

See you.