I'm debating whether or not to make this the last chapter, or to do an epilogue next. It's up to you guys.

Within in the following weeks, Bel had been overjoyed when his best friend had rang him, saying that he had won the court case and as a result, Daemon had been taken to jail. During this, the man had lost his business, and as Mukuro was the only employee working there, it had taken simply a bribe from Squalo and Xanxus for the store to be signed over to Mukuro. Without having Daemon there to harass him, Mukuro was once again greatly looking forward to going to work, especially now that he could do things as he saw fit.

As it was Sunday today, Mukuro had taken Fran to work with him. Tsuna had gone back to Japan, but had promised to come back down when he had time. Bel had been lazy and was finishing up an assignment before he came in to see the younger two, but Mukuro didn't mind; Fran was a good help when he needed it.

"What a cute little boy."

Fran looked up from his homework. He was seated at the register, a tall stool allowing him to use the extra space as a desk. He gave the woman regarding him a blank expression, having never understood why people always seemed to call him cute. Baby animals were cute. Hell, human babies were cute. But Fran wasn't a kitten, or a human baby – he wasn't cute.

"Thank you." Mukuro smiled as he bagged the woman's purchases.

Fran put his pen down on the register as he turned to look at Mukuro. He watched as the two adults conversed before he yawned and slid off the stool. He wrapped his arms around his guardian's waist before he looked up to the woman again, his teal eyes blinking curiously.

"Master, I'm hungry..."

Mukuro patted the younger's head as he waited for his customer to finish counting out her coins. "Belphegor will be here soon with lunch, little one. Patience."

"You're so sweet to him." The lady smiled as she handed over the money. "He seems to be quiet fond of you. Is he biological?"

"No; he's adopted."

"Wonderful."

It took only a few seconds more before Mukuro was done with the customer, and then he picked Fran up into his arms. "Belphegor should be here any moment."

Just as the man finished speaking, the bell chimed as the door was opened. It wasn't just Bel who entered; Dino followed him in, a very familiar animal sitting on his gloved arm.

"Mukurowl...?"

"Tsuna was looking in to it and found him." Dino smiled as the owl hooted before flapping his wings and flying to Mukuro, the tether on his scaly leg extending. "He asked me to go and get him back for you."

"Thank you so much." Mukuro smiled as his pet jumped onto his shoulder, just glad to have his best friend back. He truly regretted selling Mukurowl, but now that his mind was clear, he knew never to do it again, no matter what. "Would you like to stay for lunch with us, Dino?"

"No, I'd better get back; Kyouya said he's got something on soon." Dino reached out, patting his friend's head. "Let me know how things are going."

"Thank you, Dino. Please send my regards to Kyouya." Mukuro ran his index finger over his pet's back, smiling brighter than he had in a while. "I'll talk to you again soon."

Bel was silent, his hands stuffed in the jacket of his work uniform as he waited for Dino to leave. He had dropped a plastic bag by his side, a few containers of spaghetti waiting for their consumption.

"You're quiet today, Belphegor." Mukuro moved back to the register. He tied the tether to one of the shelves lining the wall behind the space, shortening it so that Mukurowl couldn't attack any customers he decided he didn't like. "Is something the matter?"

Bel shrugged. He never removed his hands from his pocket as he followed his friend back to the register, letting Fran deal with their food. "M'fine..."

"Bel-senpai, why are you sad?" Fran handed the bag to his guardian before he wrapped his arms around Bel's middle. "Are you okay?"

The blond picked the boy up, hugging him tight. "Yeah..."

Mukuro frowned, but he didn't speak; he instead grabbed two spare stools from the backroom, bringing them out to the register. He helped his friend sit down before he started sorting the food out, wondering just what was bothering the older male.

"It's Mink's birthday today..." Bel finally uttered. A single tear rolled down his cheek, and he hastily wiped it away.

"Oh, I'm sorry..." Mukuro wrapped an arm around the smaller male's shoulders, pulling his friend against him. "I didn't... I'm sorry..."

"Don't leave me again..." Bel whispered before he buried his face against teal hair. "I don't want to be alone..."

"You aren't," the blue-haired male promised. "You have me and Fran, and Squalo and Xanxus."

"I miss Mink..." Bel admitted. Not a day went by he didn't think about his pet; he blamed himself, knowing he shouldn't have taken Mink outside without a harness. "I miss him..."

"I'm sure you do..." Mukuro stuck a plastic fork into one of the containers, handing it to the older male. "Eat up; it'll make you feel better."

The blond nodded. He ate slowly, but Mukuro didn't mind.

Fran was the first to finish his lunch, and once he had thrown the container into the bin, he climbed onto Bel's lap, knowing the man was feeling lonely, much like how he missed his family.

"I love you, Bel-senpai..." Fran smiled up at Bel, his eyes shining with happiness. "Please don't be sad, because it makes us sad; I know this because I still miss my family, but it's okay because I'm not alone; I have Master now."

Bel knew the boy was right. Pushing away his food, he returned the hug, holding Fran tight. He really loved this boy, and he could only hope that when Fran was older, Mukuro would let them be together.