Tsuna blinked, trying to get a firm grasp in the darkness. Hibari was breathing quietly next to him, and the window was open, so the chirp of crickets was also a bit…startling. It also sounded a bit snobby, but because he's been sleeping alone for the past ten years, it was a bit irking to know he didn't have the freedom to sprawl lazily like usual. He also didn't know how to break it to Hibari but—

He was a wild sleeper. The kicker, the type to cuddle and possibly suffocate you, which was why Nana was smart enough to get him his own bed at age seven, relieved to know that her son wasn't capable of killing her by accident.

Tsuna sighed. Craning his neck to the left, he could see the prefect's silhouette. He was still and looked elegant even while sleeping, each breath taken so deliberate and rhythmic. Tsuna pulled his pajamas down, because it's been so long since he slept with clothes on, he only wore them because he was sure Hibari wasn't willing to sleep next to his Boss in boxers… only boxers.

It was going to be uncomfortable, Tsuna decided. No kicking, and mandatory pajamas. There was no escape for being bitten to death.

…

Hibari felt the fatigue bite deep, it was another night of only four hours of rest, and it was a bit disgusting to admit…it was taking a toll. Five AM, rain or shine, he was up, ready to patrol, to protect.

The scent was foreign, as was the feeling of how the pillow cradled his back, and the texture of the obviously hand-knit blanket. Slightly peachy, it was a sweet scent that should befit a girl. His gaze was then drawn to him, the oblivious Sky. Hibari narrowed his eyes, daring to scrutinize Tsuna's sleeping face. He looked so…strange.

Feeling slightly disgusted by his behavior, he shrugged off the blanket, in search for his standard white dress shirt and black ironed pants. Casting one last look towards the omnivore (Hibari's lips curled with amusement), he brandished his tonfa and closed the door silently.

The enemy was just waiting.

…

Tsuna yawned. It was time for school, time for homework, time for test-cramming.

He hated school, but he had to admit his grades were way better now than they were back then.

His uniform was hanging neatly in his closet, the empty space next to his bed telling him his Cloud Guardian was long gone and conducting his daily business without as much as a 'good morning.' So much for filling in his family's void. Hibari-san isn't going to hold your hand, man up.

It was also a big surprise to see Kyoko on his doorstep, looking beautiful as always, ready to face the day, the hell that was school.

"Oh. Um, good morning, Kyoko-chan?" He felt stupid, that wasn't a question.

Kyoko disregarded his greeting (?) and smiled sunnily at him, long hair brushed her shoulders. He smiled crookedly back, knowing for a fact that he's supposed to be suave, offer to hold her stuff, but he just closed the door a bit too hard and shuffled nervously behind her.

Not because it was a girl, but because he was so used to being clapped on the back by Yamamoto, the smell of smoke from Gokudera's clothes. Guy-time was just easier, instead of occasionally checking to see if he missed something with his toothbrush.

It was early, he could tell because people were walking their dogs before work or school, so being late wasn't a worry.

Hibari's current situation in the Sawada residence made Tsuna no exception to the rules of Namimori High School. If walking with Kyoko was going to be this nerve-wracking, he was going to step up his game, be shameless. It was a quiet peaceful walk, the black gates coming into view. Tsuna inhaled deeply, his eyes finding a metallic blue stare, looking at him passively from the third floor balcony.

And before he could bite it down, he smiled widely, waving at the prefect like they were so in tune with one another, for just a second.

Hibari blinked, his black eyebrows drawn together, a frown. He nodded back once, clearly confused.

…

Hibari placed the pen down, his hand ached with how many times he signed Hibari Kyouya, the numerous reports stacking up high from the school events that would be taking place in April. His tea was cold, Kusakabe was probably patrolling the middle school, and his thoughts finally wandered to Tsuna himself.

He was in class, as he should, and the fact that he had to have a conference with his teachers was now a problem to address. They needed to know that he was Tsuna's temporary caretaker, and as such, he wanted to know the brunet's progress in his classes. Tutoring him was going to be another priority added to his list—his long list—of priorities.

…

School was…annoying. That had not changed, and Tsuna barely looked at the chalkboard unless he wanted to know the date. It was a bad way to start the new school year, but after ceaseless training with Reborn, academics seemed pretty pathetic and unnecessary. Of course he still cared, it's just that his priorities definitely lied elsewhere.

"Sawada!"

"I'm sorry."

He was not.

…

Lunch was more enjoyable if he had lunch. He forgot his mother was definitely not there to cook for him anymore, which meant he had to wake up extra early to make sure he had something to feed himself for remainder of the school day. They were in the rooftop, him and Kyoko, who was definitely not as stupid as he was because she was eating and telling him about her new designs for art class.

He heard her, but then he started thinking, which ended with a tired sigh and a strong desire to go to the park. Tsuna had too much time on his hands, his homework was more of a hassle, physical training wasn't starting until the weekend came, and he had no after-school activities other than after-school clean-up.

It was probably due to the fact that his dad was in Italy tending to all the paperwork himself. He was the overseer of several new revamp projects in the outskirts of Italy, Tsuna was glad to appoint him.

Kyoko was staring at him expectantly.

"What?" He said.

"I said if you wanted to go to the bakery after school. You can meet Clare," she replied, oblivious to his daydreaming or just too damn nice to point it out.

"Oh, okay." I need a job, that's what I need. "After school, right?"

She laughed. "You weren't listening Tsuna-kun, but no. Come with me at four."

…

Everything with Hibari was a quiet affair, and it's not like Tsuna didn't try to make conversation. He could hear his own pulse rattle, the slight rustle of Hibird's wing.

Tsuna didn't like it. He would bring up stupid stuff that happened at school, ramble mindlessly about the Family's vacation.

Considering the fact that the prefect was definitely not up for filling the 'void,' he sought company elsewhere. Kyoko was more than happy to offer to walk him around town, she was oddly elated at the smallest things, it was endearing.

"Hibari-san, I was wondering if I could go with Kyoko-chan to the bakery." He started small.

"Didn't you go yesterday, herbivore?"

Hibari didn't even bother speaking at all after his outings with her.

Tsuna nodded, a bit too slowly. "Yes, but Clare wasn't there but she promised to be here today. I don't know, I'm kind of hoping she has an open position, I want a job."

Hibari raised an eyebrow, lips tilted downwards. "A job?" He repeated sardonically.

"Yeah, I guess…"

"Be back before dark, or I'll bite you to death."

…

Clare was a bubbly old lady with a thick French accent. Her bakery was cozy and full of patrons, she was just like Nana. Tsuna grinned warmly.

"So this is the young man you've been talking so much about," she said, Tsuna didn't turn around to see Kyoko's face flush furiously.

"Yeah, this is Tsuna-kun," she said thickly. "I'll go tending to the customers, no one is in the back, right?"

"No, not really. Thanks though," Clare looked at Tsuna gesturing to take a seat. He did, and she followed after, folding her hands purposefully. "So, you and Kyoko?"

Tsuna blinked. "Me and Kyoko?"

"Date," she said crisply, chuckling at his look of surprised embarrassment.

"N-No. She's a nice girl and all, but…no. That was the dream two years ago," he muttered, tugging the stray lint off his sleeve.

"Ah, well I guess that settles that. So how's Hibari-chan doing?"

Hibari-chan? "You know Hibari-san?"

"Who doesn't," she countered, clacking her nails on the table. "Last time I heard, he's staying with you. Such a nice boy."

Nice boy? Tsuna laughed awkwardly. It was actually strange and jarring to hear that Hibari was indeed a boy. A really mature boy. "Oh, he's great, tired most of the time, but yeah. He can't cook, so I'm trying to get home before he decides to order take-out. Sometimes he doesn't eat all, Hibird is more fat than I thought he would be. Of course, him and Hibird—"

He was rambling. About his Cloud Guardian. "He's good," Tsuna finished lamely.

Clare nodded, obviously not willing to call him out. "That's great. Tell him to stop by; ever since he became a dual prefect, he barely has time for my cookies anymore." She said it so genuinely, Tsuna had to smile.

"I'll tell him." Tsuna inhaled sharply. "Um, I'm sorry to bring this up now, but I was wondering if you have any open positions here in your bakery—."

"You want a job?" She grinned. "No problem."

…

Tsuna took a wrapped box of cookies, Kyoko hugged him good-bye, and Clare patted his cheek with a calloused hand. It wasn't dark yet, but the temperature did drop, Tsuna had to shrug his sweater closer to his frame.

The walk home was long and so…quiet. He wasn't used to be on his own a lot, usually Gokudera and Yamamoto's steps slapping the pavement along with him. It's not that he didn't appreciate his newfound independence, or how suddenly no kids were there to mess his room up, but everyone was such a big part of his life. Their absence left a big empty chunk, only to be filled by Kyoko.

He closed the door behind him, only to be met with silence. Shuffling along quietly, he stopped at the sight of Hibari sleeping on the couch, arms crossed on top of his stomach, his gakuran brushing the carpet slightly.

Tsuna padded quietly to the kitchen, leaving the cookies on the table. His room seemed perfect right now, he'll order take-out. The phone was there on the game system.

"What do I do now?"

Wow, he was pretty lonely, although Gokudera did promise to call every day.

He called yesterday. It was nice to hear his brash voice on the other end complaining about something because it was Gokudera. And when the phone call shifted to Reborn, Tsuna had asked when they were coming back. It was the predictable answer.

"When the time comes."

It was vague, and it took all of Tsuna's willpower to not throw the phone against the wall. After all, Hibari was sleeping.

I'm sorry if this chapter is shorter, but I'm aiming for slow build before things gets moving, please tell me about any mistakes. It seems slow but rushed at the same time so...yeah. Thanks for reading! Happy Birthday, Tsuna!