Forcing You – D27

12.

For the first time in years, Tsuna cried in his mother's arms. He said nothing to her. He had just jumped into her as she came out of the bathroom and started sobbing. She, half-holding onto her dirty laundry and her towel, simply cradled the boy tenderly. What had caused such emotional stress for him to whimper like a baby? She dropped her belongings and squeezed him against her for as long as it took for him to calm down. She took the time to stroke his head rhythmically while whispering soothing words to the upset boy.

Once the sniffling stopped, she looked at his tearful face and placed countless kisses on it. She had missed the feeling of comforting her only child. He was a grown boy now, and depended on her less and less. She realized that she was getting lonely and was thankful that Reborn and his friends were around. She had enjoyed every encounter with the various people that came along with the toddler-sized home tutor but none of them compared to holding Tsuna close to her. She tightened her arms around him one last time and sighed. Such were the pleasures a mother could receive from her child.

"Tsu-kun, did you have a fight with one of your friends?" She hid her understanding of the situation behind a simple line. Of course he hadn't fought with his friends. It was a lot more serious than that. But she would wait. She would wait until the day he opened up to her, even if it might never happen. She hoped.

Her son, about the same height as her, and still growing, nodded. She was surprised at how easy he had given in to her question. She sat down on the floor in front of the bathroom and gestured for him to have a seat as well. He did as she suggested, and wiped his messy face. His eyes were red and his nose was still running. Nana inwardly smiled, overjoyed to see such a priceless expression on her son's face. However, it hurt her too, to see that her beloved was in pain. She wished she could share his feelings and understand him better. She kept it silent.

"Mom…" Tsuna gaped, unable to make another sound. His voice was hoarse from all the sobbing.

"Do you want to take the day off tomorrow?"

"N-no. It's fine. I'll be better." He cleared his voice.

"I've you've got anything you want to talk to me about, I'm always here for you, Tsu-kun." Even though Papa isn't. She smiled to him sadly, hoping that would at least comfort him.

"I will tell you. One day." He grinned back to her. "When I've solved my problem."

"That's my boy." She watched as he got up slowly and passed her to go to the bathroom, clearly to wash up. "The floor's wet, so watch out!" She laughed as he slipped and asked her why she hadn't told him earlier.

Dino pulled his tie off and sighed in relief. The damned piece of cloth had been choking him. He couldn't pay attention to the meeting at all. He unbuttoned his shirt and fell on his bed. He had had a headache in the morning and then work to do. He wasn't in Japan for a break and he knew he would have to go back home soon. He propped himself up with one arm and drew circles on the duvet. It seemed to relax him. He rolled over on to his back and tried to remember the topics brought up at the conference. Oh well, he would have to ask Romario about it later.

He contemplated washing up but soon discarded the idea as being on his bed rendered him too lazy to get up again. He wasn't particularly tired. Dino felt a little empty. What did he normally do after finishing up with work while in Japan? Right. He went to see the boy. Almost every day, without fail. And now, he had been banned himself from seeing him again. Or well, that's what he thought he should do.

To make himself feel better, he imagined that Tsuna was feeling the same way, or worse. What a twisted thought. Of course the brunette was going to feel sorrow greater than his. After all, he was the one who was hurt and torn by Dino. He shut his eyes. The relationship could only spiral downwards even more from here. What could he do to fix it?

"Boss?" A familiar voice reached his ears. "Reborn-san has something he wants to talk to you about."

"Let him in, then."

"As you wish." Romario left the room and the infant came in.

"Good evening, Dino. I have a favor to ask of you." The blonde sat up on his bed cross-legged. "It has come to my attention that no-good Tsuna's grades are dropping, so I'd like you to transfer into Namimori Middle School as a teacher."

"What? How? Huh?"

"I pulled a few strings here and there." Reborn stepped into the room and shut the door. "It's not just that. Have you heard about the Curse of the Rainbow?"

"The Arcobaleno curse?" The hitman nodded and explained what had happened to him. Dino listened intently for the first time today.

"I need you to fight for me." His former tutor gave a smile. "Will you?"

"Of course!"

"That's why I need to watch over the Vongola kids." Seeing as Dino had acquiesced, Reborn added a final thing. "Come over to Tsuna's house tomorrow. We need to make a plan of action. See you."

"Right." Dino replied to no one. The infant had already disappeared. Tsuna, I am so sorry but you'll have to see my disgraceful face again. He was going to disconcert the boy even more after their phone calls. And soon, they would see each other nearly on a regular basis. But then again, he thought that this could be a chance to mend their relationship a little. He groaned. Things were never as easy as expected to be. I don't even have a teaching license! Damn it, Reborn! He hoped the brown-haired teen was going to forgive him at least.

ajsdhjsafhdfs yes I wrote a really sad D27 yesterday. I've only been writing sob stories lately. I'm hurting my OTP, I really am. I am such a horrible person.