Tomorrow Is (Not) Another Day
Disclaimer: I don't own Katekyo Hitman Reborn! Nor will I ever. Thus, it is true for every one-shot I may write and add.
Summary: Reborn knows that something is wrong. Not only is he reliving the same exact same day each time he loses consciousness, but errors seem to pop up.
Characters/Pairing(s): Adult!Reborn, Tsuna, Yuni, Ryōhei, Chrome, Takeshi. R27.
Rating: M-ish
Warning(s): No medical knowledge or experience. A bit confusing, maybe.
Timeline: AU. Set between 5YL and TYL. Not connected to the precedent one-shots.
Genre(s): Romance, Drama, Mystery/Suspense (possibly), Humor (a bit), Crime (as usual).
A/N: Hope you'll enjoy!
Day 5
Reborn leant against the wall, fedora low on his face, blocking the sun rays from blinding him and hiding his expression. He was outside, on the forest side, listening to the rustle of leaves and the occasional chirps of chatty birds. Crossing his arms, he closed his eyes. He heard an exclamation somewhere not too far, followed by an obnoxious laugh. The voices came closer as seconds passed. When the patrol noticed that there was someone leaning against the wall, clearly hearing them and that someone was Reborn, they instantly shut up. Tensing, they huddled and dedicated all of their attention on their surroundings, eyes flicking everywhere but on the hitman. They quickly passed in front of him, only relaxing once they were out of his sight.
Reborn opened his eyes to glance around and took out his phone, opening an apps and scrolling down the screen until he found the name he was looking for. He plugged on his earphones, quickly wearing the buds, and locking the screen, put the phone away. He listened to the tone, quickly cut when his interlocutor picked up.
"Uncle Reborn?"
"Yuni." Reborn quietly replied, pressing the microphone button. "Have you had any visions lately?"
"No." She wasn't even offended by the lack of pleasantries, knowing the hitman enough to know that he would cut straight to the point. "There isn't anything for me to See."
Reborn narrowed his eyes, humming in acknowledgement, as he stared straight ahead.
"Is something wrong, Uncle Reborn?" She asked in the resulting silence. "Is Tsuna okay?"
"He's fine." He answered curtly, not even finding odd that she only asked for the youth – dismissing the Guardians. "Tell me, Yuni, were you stuck in a temporal loop, living your day again and again, how would you try to stop the process?"
The question, unexpected, took her aback.
"I… would look for the trigger." She answered after a while, not even questioning his unusual inquiry. She had good reasons to suspect that Reborn wasn't playing around and demanded seriousness. "And if I can't seem to remember or discover the causes, I would look for inconsistencies. For example, do my actions have consequences on the day or am I stuck in repeating them like a script without leeway? Are my family or friends with whom I interact different from usual? Are there words or objects that shouldn't be there or that don't make any sense? Is there a pattern?" She paused, hesitating before softly adding. "Would I be the only one to remember?"
Reborn didn't say anything, narrowing his eyes. As he expected, Yuni and he had the same ideas. It was already his fifth day, and so far, no one had revealed in their behavior or words that they knew what was going on. There was a sigh on the other end of the phone.
"I'm sorry that I can't help you further, Uncle Reborn. My visions aren't showing me anything unusual or worrisome."
"At least, you see a future, Yuni." Reborn pointed out. "Whatever this is, it is either going to pass or I'll be able to find a way out or fix it somehow."
"Everything will be fine, I know. You're Uncle Reborn. You always manage to have what you desire." There was a short pause, followed by incomprehensible words said by a very familiar voice – Gamma's voice – and she concluded the call with a reluctance born from her helplessness to give him the solution. "I need to take care of the Family, Uncle Reborn. Will you call me once everything's settled, please?"
"No problem, Yuni." Reborn answered, referring to both the statement and the question.
They both hung up at the same time after some last parting greetings. The hitman unplugged his earphones and put them away. Sighing, he flicked his fedora up and tilted his head to stare, squinting, at the sky. After a few minutes, he pushed himself off the wall. He had theories to test.
Day 8
It was barely nine, and most of the staff were quite busy. The manor was recovering after another attack from some Family. Ryōhei was stuck into the medical wing, taking care of the numerous wounded. While they had successfully struck back the offenders, they had still taken quite a beating. Thankfully no one was dead, which was a relief for everyone. Takeshi and Chrome were taking care of relying Tsuna's orders as well as putting back up their defenses. Kyōya wasn't in the country, the Foundation focused on another preoccupying matter. As for Hayato and Mukuro, both had been sent away in separate missions and wouldn't be back before completing them no matter how hard they wished to come back – especially Gokudera. As for Lambo, he was blissfully unaware of the situation, training along with I-pin with the strict teacher that was Fon.
Reborn strolled down a corridor, heading to one of the still working kitchens. There was no one in there so he peacefully started to cook a short and simple meal for two. In half an hour, he had four breaded croque-monsieur with tomatoes and mozzarella. Putting plates and cutlery on a tray, he kept them hot under cloches and added two apples. In less than ten minutes later, he was in front of Tsuna's office. Even without opening the door, he could feel his ex-student stress and displeasure from the way his Flames were tightly bound to him as if to prevent them from exploding in agitation.
Without bothering with knocking, Reborn unceremoniously opened the door and glared at the pacing young boss.
"Sit."
Tsuna paused, glancing with surprise at the tray in the hitman's hands.
"Did you cook?" He asked in mild disbelief. Oh, he knew that Reborn was able to cook all sorts of meals – had helped Nana in teaching him quite his share of recipes, more Italian than Japanese evidently – but he wasn't expecting the man to really cook. "Why?"
Reborn flicked his fedora up as he pointedly looked at the desk and didn't dignify the, admittedly, idiotic question with its obvious answer. Tsuna automatically started to make some room for the food, choosing to sit beside the hitman instead of putting a desk between them once he was done. The hitman shared the portions between them, claiming the most comfortable chair. Tsuna was still staring at his plate in bafflement and with the slightest bit of suspicion, vaguely wondering if there was something wrong with his two croque-monsieur.
"Eat." Reborn huffed in annoyance, pointing his fork at the youth. "I did not bother to prepare you a meal to watch you waste it."
"…Thanks." Tsuna genuinely replied, smiling at the hitman, recognizing the gesture for what it was.
Reborn observed the young boss as they ate. His eyes traveled down from the spiky and downright messy brown locks, lingering on Tsuna's too pale complexion with dark rings underneath almost feverish and troubled honey-colored eyes. His lips closed around the fork's teeth, his tongue darting out and licking a crumb as the flatware slowly left his mouth. Reborn flicked his gaze down at the action, watching the Adam's apple moving as Tsuna swallowed his mouthful.
"Are you there, Reborn?"
The hitman blinked, tearing himself from his contemplation to meet Tsuna's concerned eyes. The youth fidgeted as his current advisor just stared at him wordlessly, suddenly wondering if he shouldn't open a window to cool down the room. With a soft click, Reborn put down his fork and knife. He absently noted that he had forgotten to take some water.
"Tell me, Tsuna, if you were to be living the same day in an endless loop, what would you do?"
Tsuna stared at the hitman in obvious puzzlement, unable to tear his gaze away from the intense dark eyes fixed on him. Reborn was watching him keenly, noticing every shift and every emotion crossing his face. It lasted less than a second, but he caught it, appearing and vanishing from his only Sky's expression. Releasing a breath he hadn't realized he had kept, he leaned forward, still pining Tsuna on his chair. He was still waiting for an answer.
"I…" Tsuna glanced away, briefly escaping before taking a steadying breath and meeting his gaze dead on. "If no matter what I do or say, today will not change, I would… I would finally take what I long for." He whispered as he closed his eyes, consequently missing Reborn's flinch as the hitman stopped his hand from reaching out. "Even if it's only once."
Tsuna turned his head away, watching unseeingly the luminous sky. Reborn slowly leaned back, eyes travelling down the curve of Tsuna's neck with something akin to hunger and sorrow. He knew that he could break the moment with his next words by dropping the subject. He didn't want to. Lords, he didn't want to.
"And what would that be?" Reborn asked huskily, not looking away and willingly letting most of his feelings swirl bare in his eyes.
Tsuna started, snapping his head around. Their eyes locked, and nothing could be hidden anymore. His breathing hitched as he blinked rapidly, not really believing it. He stood precariously on the edge, staring at the abyss.
And the abyss stared right back.
"I…" His voice cracked, rendering him silent.
Instead of insisting, Tsuna got up a lot more smoothly than he expected, feeling shaky. With barely two steps taken, he found himself standing in front of an equally anticipating Reborn and stopped, struck by insidious doubts at the last second. Reborn saw it, understood as always, and before Tsuna could even try backing up, his arm shot up fast and sure. He pulled the young boss down with a firm tug on the tie, making the other gasp in surprise. Tsuna fell straight into the hitman's lap, hands landing near his head and his knees brushing either side of Reborn's legs. Reborn didn't wait for Tsuna to recover, his fingers instantly burying themselves into the disheveled strands as he wrapped the crinkled piece of fabric around his knuckles, efficiently trapping the other, and attacked.
He wasn't kind nor sweet when his lips covered Tsuna's or when his tongue slipped inside the warmth cavern, tasting their lunch and something else, something that belonged only to Tsuna. He swallowed the moan provoked, acutely aware of smaller hands slid down to rest on his chest. His hand unwrapped from the tie, distantly thinking that he was choking Tsuna and instead, slipped it beneath the shirt to caress a firm stomach, inciting shivers.
Tsuna broke away, panting for needed oxygen. He felt Reborn untangle his fingers from his completely ruffled hair, traveling down his back with a calculated slowness.
"Reborn…" He whispered, not even sure as to what, exactly, he wanted to say, whether to urge him to finally quell the sheer need growing in him for years or to plead him to stop.
With a shush, Reborn shifted and pulled Tsuna down, hands holding his waist. They were awkwardly sprawled on the chair, uncomfortable but unwilling to move. They didn't want their closeness to vanish, obscurely afraid to break what was happening, choosing to wait patiently for the other to lead. Reborn's thumb absently caressed Tsuna's skin beneath his undone shirt as he drank on the sight of a flushed and openly loving Tsuna – though there was a touch of confusion in his half-lidded eyes, apparently wondering about the sudden pause – and leant closer to bury his face in his Sky's firmed stomach. He sighed as he basked in Tsuna's presence, inhaling his comforting and cozy scent of wooden fire and lemon balm. He tightened his hold briefly, taking his time to commit the moment to memory. He knew that this instant was one to remember, especially if the day would only repeat itself.
He felt Tsuna's hands move from their position on his chest, one brushing one of his curls while the other cupped his cheek.
"Reborn?" Tsuna murmured in concern, puzzled by Reborn's actions.
Shaking himself out of it, the hitman released his hold to grasp gently his Sky's hands, pressing a kiss on their palms, amused by the blush he provoked. He then mirrored Tsuna's precedent position, caressing a cheekbone.
"No, Tsuna." He replied as his eyes flicked down to the attracting lips. "I'll be the one taking care of you today."
Day 3
When Reborn woke up to the sound of thunder at the same hour, down to the same second, he knew that he couldn't ignore the strange phenomenon any longer. He had already spent the previous day in heavy denial, dealing with the strongest and creepiest impression of déjà-vu, until he inexplicably blacked out at 8:01 last night. Instead of wasting any more time, it would be better to act and rectify whatever was happening. Sitting up, he smoothly freed his limbs from the covers and stretched. Glancing around, he let his Flames loose, washing the entire room over like an invisible wave. At the lack of unfamiliar Mist Flames, Reborn got up to get ready as usual.
Not surprised by the result his first casual attempt brought, the hitman left his room quietly to head directly to the kitchen he intruded regularly when he wanted to eat a swift breakfast. More often than not, he would find Tsuna chatting with the cooks as he waited for his coffee to be done or one of the Guardians eating, discussing or watching their friend and boss like a hawk to be sure that he ate something. Following what was expected of him, Reborn entered the kitchen to see a tired-looking Tsuna talking reassuringly with a butler who looked ready to either tear his hair out or run away babbling nonsense, and Chrome soothing a hysterical cook who was shaking uncontrollably.
That was the scene Reborn expected and got.
Ignoring everyone and everything, he let his Flames wash over the room, startling every single occupant. He prepared himself some coffee, noting the sudden silence his overwhelming presence had caused. He didn't need to listen to the hushed discussions that followed that urged every worker to get back to their tasks, butler slipping from the kitchen and cook returning to their preparation. Chrome quietly greeted him on her way out, trident in her hands as she disappeared. Turning around, Reborn handed a very black and very strong cup of coffee to Tsuna. His ex-student took it cautiously, eyeing it dubiously and instead of adding at least three or five sugars to sweeten the beverage as he no doubt desperately wanted to, thanked Reborn and blew on it.
The hitman couldn't help but feel amused at that, knowing that the real Tsuna would exactly react like this, not even thinking of refusing coffee from him, whether by fear or something else.
His mood darkened at the thought as he observed carefully the young boss, his Flames still filling the room and stressing the workers out, rendering their moves stiff and clumsy. There wasn't anything different in Tsuna's appearance. From the wildness of his brown locks to the callouses on his hands, his features were soft but curiously refined with two knowing and understanding amber. His slightly wrinkled suit fitted him tightly, tracing the lines of his muscles. Even the uncomfortable and slightly embarrassed fidgeting was spot on.
And, Reborn realized, he was staring. Too much for it to be inconspicuous.
"So," he spoke up without glancing away – that would be the admittance that he was behaving oddly – and continued staring, dark eyes flicking up to meet Tsuna's. "Care to tell me what has kept you up all night?"
"Paperwork." Tsuna's lips twitched in wry amusement. "What else?"
Reborn finished his coffee quickly, putting the cup in a nearby sink. He turned back to find the youth staring unseeingly down at his own dark liquid, frowning tiredly at it. The hitman flicked his fedora up, inexplicably missing the presence of Leon on top of it, and ruffled Tsuna's hair.
"If you're still struggling with your piles in a few hours, I'll help you out."
Reborn caught the surprised but grateful smile sent his way at these words. He then spent the rest of the morning and a part of the afternoon, skipping lunch, letting his Flames loose around him and observing everything sharply with keen eyes, freaking the staff out. He wasn't very subtle, but he honestly couldn't care less. There was a reason his Chaos Shot was so ostentatiously destructive. His Sun Flames weren't made for subtlety. Anyway, he had been scouring the manor and its grounds for the barest trace of foreign Flames. The only Mist he had felt was Chrome – for obvious reasons – and no one else's. The manor and its staff were exactly as he knew them to the smallest detail, same for the Guardians. Even their Flames reacted as expected.
Nothing was amiss.
At four o'clock, Reborn entered Tsuna's office without knocking to find him sitting on one of the couches, smiling up at him. The desk was organized neatly and clearly, work completed for the time being. That hadn't happened on the previous days. Raising an eyebrow, Reborn glanced inquisitively at Tsuna. A knock on the door behind him made him turn around to open and let in a nervous maid holding a tray. He took note of the hot teapot, the two cups, as well as the tiramisu and the portion of chocolate fondant. Tsuna sheepishly shrugged when Reborn glanced at him and after thanking the maid who couldn't leave fast enough, waved at the hitman to sit down. Complying, Reborn crossed his leg over the other and let his Sky pour the tea.
He could tell that Tsuna was curious about his behavior. It was unusual for him, letting his Flames rampage like that when he had stated more than once that he preferred keeping a tight hold on them. Letting Flames brush against others was, ironically enough, a rather intimate gesture. It was highly useful to spot any unwelcome presences, but it required letting a part of your core meet another one. Instead of speaking, Tsuna mimicked him, loosening on his control. Leave it to him to understand that it was what Reborn had needed to finally acknowledge that no, he wasn't stuck in a complex illusion, but rather in a time loop that he had no control over.
It wasn't reassuring, far from it, but it gave him a starting point.
Day 9
At 6:03, Reborn woke up at the sound of thunder behind his shutters. He sat up slowly, bending a knee and resting an elbow limply on it. His other hand rubbed his face before ruffling his already messy hair. He stared blankly down at his somewhat smooth blanket, letting his limb drop on his sheets and his fingers fist around them. It was the ninth time that he had woken up at this very precise hour with the same crackle of thunder. It wasn't another day. He didn't need to glance at his side to know that the sheets were cold, void of any heat let by a slumbering body and had been wrinkled by his own movements.
Tsuna wouldn't remember. Why would he? There was nothing to remember. Things were back to what they were – or should be. As if nothing had happened.
Reborn huffed, closing his eyes. He relaxed his fist and shifted, starting to get up. Opening his eyes, he shook himself firmly, refusing to mope of all things, alone in his room. It wasn't by doing nothing and languishing that he was going to fix the situation. Once he was out of the loop, he would have plenty of time to pursue Tsuna to his hea– as he pleased. Until then, he should stay away from the young boss, acting as usual.
Reborn paused as he gripped the handle leading to the adjacent bathroom. Until then, he wouldn't try anything with Tsuna. No matter how wonderful not-yesterday had been, it wasn't worth the inevitable pain that followed. Reborn wasn't like Tsuna's. He couldn't be satisfied with only one day. He would always aim for more. Since he couldn't, he would rather hold back – as he had done countless times – than give in.
Biting once into the apple of sinful temptation only left yearning for the whole fruit. Reborn was well aware that it was going to be way more difficult this time, since he had known the blissful feeling of holding an openly loving and content Tsuna in his arms, but Reborn wouldn't back down. Restraining his advances for several days – that were technically only one – was worth a lifetime spent with his Sky.
A snapping sound tore him away from his thoughts and back on the handle that he had broken in his frustrated musings. Shrugging, he threw it aside. It didn't matter. Either the door would be repaired once the day repeated, or he would finally manage to stop this infernal loop and in this case, a broken door was the last of his concerns. It only occurred to him later, when he was putting on his suit, that he hadn't felt any sensation, be it pain or discomfort, when he pulled out the sharp shards of metal embedded in his palm. He dismissed it easily enough, chalking it up to his Sun Flames – conveniently ignoring that no matter how agitated they were, he still had a firm control over them – and left the room, ready to face the day (again).
Day 6
Reborn glanced at Takeshi as the Rain followed him out of the changing room, mentally counting down the seconds before the Guardian talked. It would be a remark on their training session, boldly asking if the hitman had any tips to perfect his rain technique, finding it flawed. It was only the fourth time, since he had spent day 3 elsewhere and day 4 was filled with holes, but it was repeated enough times that Reborn found it annoying.
"If you deem your technique flawed, you should ask either Lal or Bluebell about it." The hitman answered before Takeshi could open his mouth. "Our Flames and ways of fighting diverge too much for my advice to be really useful to you."
Takeshi blinked, raising both eyebrows in surprise.
"While it is true that I employ sometimes techniques similar to your numbing rain, I tend to throw subtlety out of the metaphorical window and let my Sun Flames wreak havoc as I please." Reborn continued. "In these cases, I aim for destruction to overwhelm or confuse my enemies to create an opening and finish them quickly. You, on the other hand, aim for pacifying or defusing a situation, or weakening an enemy inconspicuously to, usually, extract information or take them out swiftly."
Takeshi had slowed down, staring oddly at the older man who was carrying on indifferently.
"If I remember currently, Bluebell chooses to cage her opponent in bubbles to asphyxiate or drown them. While different from yours in intent, she can give you tips about controlling your area of action. As for Lal, she excels in discretion. She can knock out a dozen of people in a single room without being noticed in a matter of minutes. You should ask them, and start training with them."
Reborn stopped, turning around to face Takeshi who had stopped walking.
"I've already asked Lal, by the way. She has agreed since it will help keeping Tsuna and the lot of you alive. I doubt that Tsuna will see any problem in you contacting Bluebell, but you should ask him anyway. Let the Skies deal with the details." He paused and then added. "By the way, you should ask Squalo for your sword techniques. There were too many openings for my linking earlier. Also, your Rain Flames were too heavy. I distinctly felt them." With a glare, he concluded. "I don't want any more casualties in the next attack."
Reborn then resumed his walk, leaving behind a mystified Takeshi staring at his back. No matter how easygoing the Rain was, the hitman's apparent ability to read his mind and predict his fight as well as his words was unnerving as hell.
Day 10
Something was definitely up with Tsuna. Not only would he discuss with Ryōhei about The Patient at random times, usually during meals, and consequently breaking the usual script pattern, but his appearance changed every day. As the Sky greeted Reborn with a smile that lit up the entire room, the hitman couldn't help but notice the wrinkled suit – as if Tsuna had slept with it and tossed all night – and how utterly exhausted he looked – as if he hadn't slept for a week. His disheveled look gave the impression that he had spent the night enjoying himself being the tease that he had been with Reborn on Day 8.
It both frustrated and aroused him.
Banishing both thought and memory from his mind, Reborn stepped closer to examine him from head to toes. With a flash of realization, he understood that it wasn't stress – or, at least, it wasn't only stress – that caused Tsuna to look like so. It was a mix of worry, fear and visceral anxiety. He looked as if he was waiting for news, hopefully good but expecting terrible ones. His health was crumbling as days passed, his emotions getting the better of him. Suddenly, Reborn wondered how much longer Tsuna was going to last.
Dismissing the irrational feeling of jealousy, Reborn grabbed his Sky's arm to lead him to a convenient chair placed against the wall of the empty corridor where they were.
"Tsuna, I need you to answer my questions."
Blinking in confusion, the young boss still nodded, giving his former tutor his entire attention.
"Who is The Patient?"
At Tsuna's blank look, Reborn resisted the urge to shake him in frustration. He knew Tsuna. He knew him enough to detect when he was being evasive or deliberately trying to hide information. That look was the one he got when Tsuna had no idea at all on whatever was asked. He wasn't trying to conceal. He wasn't being coy. He genuinely didn't know anything.
As infuriating as it was, it was a hint. Reborn now knew that whoever this Patient was, they weren't part of the original script. Their presence was important to break this loop. Who knew, it could even be the key.
"Never mind, Tsuna." Reborn sighed and ruffled the brown locks fondly, unable to stop himself. "You should sleep. You need it. We'll take care of everything."
Tsuna hesitated, looking conflicted. He however ceded but not without hugging Reborn tightly with a mumbled 'thanks' in his shoulder. The hitman stood still, hands twitching at his sides, fighting against the urge to wrap his arms around the other and trapping him there. Instead, he watched Tsuna stumble away in the direction of his bedroom. Closing his eyes, Reborn steeled himself, swearing to himself that the first thing he would do once out of the loop would be to find his Tsuna and never let him out of his sight.
Several hours later found Reborn blasting a giant hole in one the mansion's wall in sheer frustration. He had gone to the medical wing. He had interrogated every single Sun there, including Ryohei. He had even questioned the staff coming and leaving the area. None of them knew of whom Reborn was talking about. The hitman had then proceeded to check every room personally to note that The Patient couldn't be found anywhere.
It was as if The Patient didn't exist.
At least, not in this reality.
Day 4
Reborn spent the fourth day trying to escape from time. He had quickly noted that he woke up every morning at 6:03 because of thunder and fell unconscious at 8:01 o'clock no matter where he was or what he was doing. So, naturally, he had wondered what would happen if he were to take a long-haul flight. For example, what would happen if he were to take an airline ticket to Sydney? Would he manage to leave the manor grounds or was he stuck? Did the time loop affect the zone or him? If he managed to get to the airport, would he successfully land in Sydney the following day at night or would he just black out again to wake up to another repeated day?
He figured that if he didn't manage to escape time by going forward, there was no point in trying to go backwards by aiming for the States or some island in the Pacific Ocean.
Reborn, after casually greeting Tsuna and Chrome in one of the kitchens, didn't say anything to anyone and just left. He took his car, a Ferrari 250 GT California produced in 1958 that had cost an eye and an arm, and relaxed in the pleasure of driving the cabriolet. While leaving the grounds was a small victory, Reborn didn't get his hopes up. It seemed way too easy. It didn't take him long to reach Messina and pay for the crossing. Taking the highways with his Ferrari while breaking multiple laws, he arrived in Roma in seven hours instead of nine. At around half past two, Reborn got inside one of Vongola private jets and waited comfortably, sipping a glass of red wine.
When Reborn inexplicably fell asleep despite his best efforts to stay awake, he got his answer.
The time loop was keeping him prisoner, no matter how far he went.
Day 7
Reborn stayed sitting in his chair, twirling his glass of red wine pensively. He watched the Guardians enter the room, knowing that Chrome would be first, followed by Takeshi, then Ryōhei and finally Tsuna. The others were still elsewhere, busy and worried or downright ignorant of the whole situation. The hitman leant back, glass still in hand. He continued observing his companions silently, looking for differences. He didn't spot any as expected. He took a sip of his wine. It tasted bland on this seventh day. No doubt that it would taste like ash in a few days. If he was still stuck in this loop, he would visit the kitchen and ask for another vintage. And, he thought as he stared at his red mullet à la Provençale with its accompaniment of saffron red kidney bean, he would also ask for another meal.
"I have finished strengthening the illusions around the manor and thickening the fog in the grounds." Chrome was informing the table in her usual soft-spoken manner. "I have also found the breaches they used to infiltrate."
Ah, so Reborn had missed Takeshi's report. Delicately cutting his fish, he observed the piece at the light of the sun. The cutlery was gleaming in silver and white, as well as his plates, with drops of a darker color scattered. The sight made him frown, finding it oddly sinister.
"Any news about the patient, Onii-san?"
Tsuna's voice startled him out of his examination, snapping his head around. That question was new. It wasn't part of this damn script. Where did it come from? And who was that patient?
"No, it's the same as usual." Ryōhei shrugged helplessly. "Head injuries are delicate wounds as you very well know. Wounds as theirs are unpredictable."
"It's already been a week!" Tsuna exclaimed, dropping his fork which fell with a barely noticeable click on his barely eaten plate.
"It isn't unusual, little bro." The Sun tried to placate the agitated Sky. "It's even predictable at this stage."
Tsuna snorted. "Since when had they been predictable?" He mumbled with fondness, glancing down at his fish.
Reborn watched him play with the poor mullet, tearing it to pieces. The hitman had long forgotten his own dish, completely taken by the conversation that wasn't supposed to happen. Tsuna bit his bottom lip, frowning mournfully at his place. It was obvious that it wasn't the mashed state of the fish that was provoking this sorrowful expression.
"It's so weird to not see them there." He murmured, glancing up at his understanding Element. "They are a constant in my life, like a pillar, an admittedly very sarcastic presence but still." He ruffled his hair and let a humorless smile grace his lips.
"They're strong, Tsuna." Ryōhei tried to cheer him up. "And extremely stubborn, too! I doubt that they'll let something like that keep them away from you."
Tsuna gave a little laugh at that. "True. Doesn't change that I'm going to give them a piece of my mind." He scowled. "Doing something like that…"
"It was to protect – "
"I know!" Tsuna jerked his head up, narrowing his eyes at his big brother. "And I know that they don't regret it, not even one bit. They probably would do it again, if need arises again. Doesn't mean that I'm okay with that." He turned away from Ryōhei's soft eyes. "I just want them to wake up."
And just like that, the conversation shifted to Takeshi who was asking for news about Lambo's training. Both Tsuna's and Ryōhei's behavior changed, as if a switch had been turned on. It wasn't as if they had decided to bury the matter in a corner of their minds. No, it was as if nothing had happened, as if the moment had never happened in the first place. It was confirmed when Tsuna glanced down at his dish with puzzlement, obviously wondering when he had reduced his fish to a purée.
Reborn finished his own in a few bites, wondering about this patient. Who the hell were they? From what he understood, they had received quite a shock to cause them to fall into a coma. Considering how Tsuna was reacting, it was very probably the result of their attempt to protect the Sky during the attack. And whoever they were, they were important to the young boss. Reborn frowned down at his strawberries and thyme soup, feeling that it was quite the understatement. Tsuna was only this agitated when it was a member of the family, like a Guardian, who was gravely injured. To see him so miserable Reborn had to wonder who it was. On the other hand, their existence was quickly dismissed or forgotten. They had only been brought up on this seventh day. Nothing had been said before. It was even more interesting and no doubt important to discover who they were, with how silenced their existed had been.
Reborn had maybe found another clue to this odd loop.
Reaching for his glass of water and ignoring the red wine one, he drank it down in one go, resolutely ignoring the painful and burning tightening of his chest as he thought about Tsuna's reaction.
Day 11
The thunder was worse than ever, rumbling lowly and ominously, sounding terribly close. Reborn suppressed a shiver as he left the warmth of his covers. He didn't remember his room being so chilly. He cracked his neck as he glanced at the clock, showing the usual hour. He went to see Leon resting on a sturdy branch in a corner of the room, petting him absently. He was wondering what he was going to do with his day, or rather how he was going to find information on The Patient, when an insistent knocking pulled him out of his thoughts.
Clad only in trousers, Reborn leisurely walked to the door. Lightning struck closer, in the forest covering a big part of the grounds, according to the thunder that followed. Rain fell heavily and audibly, battering the earth. He paused, glancing at the shutters. The knocks on his door became frantic, urging him to open. In the middle of the raging storm going outside, they were almost inaudible.
Snatching one of his guns – the CZ75 1ST, his favorite – and keeping it in his hand, cannon down, Reborn finally replied to the hysterical thumping. He barely had the time to catch a glimpse of a harried and bone-weary Tsuna looking at him with wide eyes before a weight crashed into him. Stumbling back, Reborn glanced down at the brown and warm mess in his arms, mumbling something incoherent in his chest, as he automatically brought an arm around him to keep him close.
"Tsuna?"
He caught the young Sky as Tsuna's knees buckled under his weight. Kneeling in front of him, Reborn put the gun on the floor. His hands cupped two shaking cheeks as Tsuna trembled from the onslaught of emotions raging inside of him, mirrored by the storm outside. The hitman forced their eyes to meet, dark pinning amber down and demanding answers.
The script had been shattered to barely recognizable pieces.
"Tell me."
Tsuna opened his mouth, forming soundless words, eyes pleading. Reborn frowned, cursing the damn thunder and rain as they drowned anything else, feeling his chest ache at the despair he could read.
"Speak up, Tsuna. I can't hear you."
Frustrated, Tsuna lunged, caging Reborn's face in his hands. Reborn froze completely, taken aback by the burning glare he was subjected to. Lips parted, a voice bursting forth with the level of a whisper but the strength of thousands cries.
"Wake up!"
Day 0
Tsuna stood in front of the hospital bed, hands raised in a 'I surrender' fashion, eyes fixed on the man perched on the window, posture otherwise screaming protectiveness. The intruder was smiling, charming and vicious, and keeping his gun aimed affably at him. He was steady, unhurried, and completely in control. Tsuna had no doubt that the man was a professional. He had yet to give a name, so the young boss would call him Gonza – yeah, like the aggressively overprotective idiot in Princess Mononoké.
The room would have been silent without the constant beeping of the machine behind Tsuna, telling him that his heart was still beating, and the rain falling outside.
"You know," Gonza spoke up pensively, "I think that I should explain a few things before I pull on this trigger."
Tsuna was all for a villain speech if it gave him enough time to reach for one of the weapons hidden in the room – the whole mansion had guns and swords concealed in obvious or inconspicuous places, including the hospital wing – due to the paranoia of the Quinto boss. The habit had evolved into a handy tradition kept by all the bosses who followed. Tsuna hadn't been surprised when he learnt about it, finding out early in his training that Vongola was odd enough to have unusual customs, including one where it was normal to have a nunchaku in the toilets on the third floor in the east wing.
"Did you know, for example, that your hitman was the one who put a bullet through my boss's brain?" Gonza asked him with genuine curiosity, looking expectantly at him as he waited for an answer.
"No." Tsuna replied, stopping himself from glancing behind his shoulder. "I do not ask about Reborn's past."
"You should." The assassin advised him. "Or, well, you should have. There are, after all, plenty of people out there who has only one wish." He leant in, still holding steadily the gun. "People who wants your hitman dead." He paused and then added. "Well, deader than he already is."
Tsuna twitched, holding back a snarl. "I take it that you're one of them." He said flatly instead.
He was considering using a burst of his Sky Flames but was clearly hesitating. He didn't know the effects they would have on the machines monitoring and helping Reborn. While his presence had a soothing effect, pouring his hostility in them would instantly change their shape and intent. In trying to save the both of them from the assassin, Tsuna could provoke the tragedy he had been wishing to prevent for the past eleventh days.
"Well, yes." Gonza confirmed in a 'duh' tone. "Of course. I wouldn't be there otherwise." He shifted, sitting on the window sill instead of crouching, looking way too much at ease to Tsuna's taste. "Since we're being honest with each other and all that, I'm going to confess something." His eyes shifted towards the nuzzle of his gun. "The bullet was supposed to enter your brain, right between your pretty and creepy orange eyes, you know? Like some kind of poetic parallel."
The assassin was quite the chatty one. It wouldn't have been so annoying if it was actually useful. But, no, Gonza was keeping his guard up.
"Instead, he shielded you like some kind of noble idiot." The cause of Tsuna's stress snorted in mockery. "I was surprised, sure, but in the end, I was satisfied too. It's not everyone who can brag to have killed the World's Greatest Hitman, you know?" He gestured to the bed with his other hand. "Just as I was drinking myself to a gleeful stupor, I learnt that the asshole was still alive. He got a bullet through his infuriatingly charming face but no, Mister can't kick the bucket! Mister Smirk has to defy logic and expectations in being one of the motherfucking low percentage of people who survived bullets through their brains!"
Tsuna tensed, watching the other grow agitated.
"So, I've decided to come back here to finish the job, you know? Like some thorough vengeful assassin – which I am, by the way." Gonza continued, calming down as fast as he got worked up. "And what do I find? The Vongola Decimo dozing off in the room of my least favorite person in the world! I guess that I can be pretty lucky."
He stopped again, a maniacal glint in his eyes that did nothing to reassure Tsuna. There was a sadistic and dark pleasure gleaming in his eyes, a delectability openly shown in his smile.
"Never thought I would see the day that guy sacrificed his life for another. I think that, watching him wake up to see your corpse, would be a sight to behold." His smile changed into a disturbing grin. "I'm sure that I'll be able to find some adrenaline somewhere, to wake him enough for the scene."
With impeccable timing, the beeping pierced the tension in a continuous shrill, the line went flat and Tsuna's entire being just stopped. For an agonizing moment, Tsuna turned deaf and blind but for the expression of disappointment that crossed Gonza's face. The bane of his existence parted his lips to mock him, unaware that the young boss wouldn't hear anything.
"Damn, that's such a sh – "
Surprise didn't have the opportunity to paint his face as the bullet whistled in the air to lodge itself between the two vacant eyes, the violence enough to send him backwards. His body slumped and fell over the window, touching the ground with a sickening noise a few stories lower.
Tsuna slowly turned around, wide-eyed and barely able to hold on his hopes. Reborn met his gaze fairly as his grip went limp, dropping the gun that had been previously hidden under his bed. The hitman laid back on the sheets, head still turned towards Tsuna. He was too weak to say anything and barely conscious. There was a promise in his eyes, though, one that Tsuna heard loud and clear. Footsteps came running towards them, Ryōhei bursting into the room and hurrying over Reborn's side. Tsuna retreated enough to let the Suns work but stayed inside, all but collapsing into the nearest chair.
Another day
"He was known as one of the most talented mercenary."
Reborn leant against one of the trees encircling the quiet clearing, inhaling the scent of rain and basking in the gentle pulse of Sky Flames. Tsuna was standing in the middle of soaked grass, eyes closed as he focused on his exercise. Reborn's voice brought him out of his concentration, though he did not lose his hold on his Flames. He was trying to use them as some sort of radar to detect presences in his surroundings, figuring that if he was tuned enough with his environment, the Harmony factor would kick in and inform him of disturbances. He was already doing it – kind of – with his Hyper Intuition so it was worth a shot. Tilting his head on the side, he frowned.
"Gonza?"
Tsuna didn't need to see him to know that Reborn had quirked an eyebrow in his direction.
"He never introduced himself." The young boss justified himself. "And it was annoying to refer to him without a name so…" He trailed off, refusing to embarrass himself further.
"Yes, and dealing with Gonza rather than with the Sicario seems easier." Reborn smirked at Tsuna's scowl. "Doesn't change the fact that it was the man nicknamed the Sicario who targeted you."
"Well, I wasn't his target." Tsuna corrected as he opened his eyes to glance around, looking for the disturbance he had felt. "Not really."
When his comment met silence, he suspended his research to look at Reborn. The hitman was still there, leaning casually against the tree and looking unaffected, eyes beneath the shadow of his fedora as his attention seemed fixed on the younger man. Anyone looking at him right now wouldn't believe that Reborn was recovering from a wound that should have killed him.
Tsuna knew better. Of course, he did. How many years had they spent side by side? Enough for him to understand Reborn.
"It doesn't change anything." Tsuna seemingly agreed, watching Reborn stiffen. "You are a hitman, the best even. You have killed, and you will kill again. You have brought grief and hatred for each of your contracts, made more enemies than we can count, and you will gain new ones at your next mission, certainly." Instead of keeping his exercise, he let his Sky Flames engulf the entire clearing freely, relaxing in letting them free. "You are respected as much as you are feared. You have the strength to destroy and the strength to protect your family. You also are loved as much as you are hated. Your past is what made you who you are, right now. Do you regret it? Do you regret being Reborn?"
Reborn didn't answer, simply listening to Tsuna, his attention riveted on him.
"Yes, this time, I have been targeted because I'm among those you wish to protect." Tsuna conceded easily. "Yes, I will gladly go through a thousand vengeful assassination attempts if it means you'll stay here with us, with me." He suddenly grimaced. "Well, if possible, I would like to avoid a situation like the one we had to go through. Does it mean that I regret ever meeting you or resent you for being an irreplaceable part of my world?" His amber eyes had turned back to their warm brown color as he grinned at the hitman. "Not at all. Sorry but you'll need something else to get rid of me, Reborn."
"Cheeky brat." Reborn huffed, pushing away from the tree and stepping closer. "If you have time being a sap, focus on your training instead."
Tsuna was still smiling, a mischievous glint entering his eyes as he glanced up at the hitman. "I know a very good way for you to make up for the incident."
Reborn raised another eyebrow, flicking his forehead. "Now, where has your shyness gone?" He mused aloud, amused by his former student's forwardness.
"It vanished when you collapsed in front of me." The grave tone of Tsuna's voice sobered him quickly, prompting him to grasp the younger man's chin to lift his head and let their eyes meet.
The sorrow in his gaze oddly comforted Reborn, his own hesitation crumbling away. His lips curled into his usual infuriating smirk, shifting his hand to brush Tsuna's bottom lip with his thumb. He leaned in, their lips stopping a breath away to whisper a last few words.
"It was all I was waiting for."
A/N: …Not really what I had in mind. I can't say if I'm satisfied with it or not. At least, it will stop haunting my mind.
I don't think I need to explain but if it wasn't clear enough, feel free to ask. Like, you know, his brains persistently trying to tell him something, both on Tsuna's behavior in real life and whatever happened to cause this coma. Ah, and feel free to share any hints (and their meanings) you might have picked up. I wonder if I were clear enough about them.
Anyway, thanks for reading and don't hesitate to point out any mistakes! Any questions or requests/prompts? I might take some.
See you next time~