A/N:
rama-miss: I honestly love thinking of names for characters. Who knows, I might use them in the future or something. HAHAHA! But yeah. This is the last installment of the chapters on this story. It will probably take me time to come back, but I will certainly come back. I don't go back to my words, that's my ninja way. HAHAHA!
I don't really know how to say thank you to those who have read this and haven't dropped it off for being cringy and stupid it is at some parts. Heck, I don't even know how to say thank you for those who will re-read it again and again, those who will wait, and those who will ask for updates. I hope by the time I'm finished writing this, you'll still be in ff. Regardless, thank you very much for being there. I won't be putting an A/N note at the end of the last chapter. Gosh. It's not even goodbye yet!
Anyway, go on! Shoo! HAHAHA!
Chapter Seventy-Three
(Day Thirty-Six: New World)
(At ten-thirty in the evening...)
Sneaking in was a piece of cake. He teleported in just as the four went out, with the hitman escorting them down. Turquoise eyes looked around, for once is glad that the light is on so he could take on every sight. For a hospital room, it has a lot of gifts on a corner but still look minimalist in a way. Probably the influence for Eraserhead and the hitman. After that, he went for Tsuna's side.
The brunet is curled on his side, like a baby sleeping. According to Twice, that the hitman didn't mind providing the info, Tsuna moves whenever he's 'bonded' with another compatible flame. It's a good indication that the teen is recovering and slowly waking up. For some reason, he had this feeling that Shigaraki had bonded with the teen before he went inside his tube.
He sat on the given seat and stared at the brunet's serene sleeping face. Dabi wonders admiringly on where in earth is the teen now, what is he dreaming about and have he ever thought of those people he momentarily left behind. He reached out and moved the fringe out of the face before patting the limp hand. He curled his pinky on the other's pinky and held it.
He just wants to see Tsuna for awhile. A little breath of normalcy given all the planning the Liberation Front is doing. He has so much things inside his mind that he rather rest for a while. His suspicions with Hawks, the league, his improving quirk, their plan on HPSC, and Endeavor. Especially Endeavor. Besides, with Tsuna beside him, he feels normal. Like, he has to be the sane one between them because Tsuna is so much unpredictable than he is. He couldn't help it if one moment, the brunet is smiling and the next second, he already has a knife in hands and aiming it at his opponent's eye with a scowl itched on his face.
Argh. He misses his friend a lot. It's not everyday that he has one. He never ever saw himself from having one. Tsuna is the very first who didn't mind.
"Na, Tsuna," He called as he moved his hand to grasp the limp one and caress the back of it. "come back already. I miss you. I feel like shit without your own brand of recklessness."
The other didn't move, like all unconscious people are.
He sighed before quirking a crazy smile. "I'm planning to make a video of myself, outlining Touya Todoroki's life and how I was born. As far as I know, revenge is nice being served cold, but it's good when it's being dumped at the heat of the moment, right?" He chuckled, finding comfort to the silent presence of the teen. "Knowing you, you'll disapprove. I can't blame you though. You like Natsuo and Fuyumi. Even perfect doll. Mom recovered nicely with your help. Maybe it's because of our hair?"
He preened when he saw a quirk on the brunet's lips.
"That's more like it." He snickered before humming as he thinks of something he can talk about while staring at their hands. "I wonder what you're dreaming right now. I've never asked you what you dream of sometimes. Do you even sleep though? Of course you do. You're not one who will put off a sleep just for minor things. Anyway, do you think Endeavor will get affected? I mean I know you know who I am. That I'm really related to him." His crazy smile turned a little grateful. "I don't even know why you didn't really talk about it with me. Why you got contented knowing it. You even asked me not to hurt perfect doll that much."
He didn't see how the quirk on those lips went gone as the brows furrowed a little.
"I want to tell you things when you wake up. Tell you why I become Dabi from being Touya." He eyed the brunet's face. "Because even if I know people will judge, you won't. I just have a feeling that you won't. Adults judge too, people around my age judge too. Even teenagers judge too. But then again, you aren't like any other people. You're the first person to think that we're friends and offer me the option to refuse. You're my first friend after a very long time and not bothered by my ideals." He blinked. "Maybe you should be bothered. But I promised you that I'll tell you my full story once you wake up, so wake up already."
"He will, if you bond with him." He turned to the door where the hitman is coming. The man tipped his hat to Dabi's way. "Chaos, Dabi. Nice of you to visit Tsuna."
"How many days till he wake up?"
"Well, out of four remaining people he needed to bond with, the mist has already done it. Now, if you add in there as another storm, the two suns are all we need."
Dabi looked back to Tsuna, remembering the aspects of the red flame. "Why are there two suns and two storms, anyway?"
"Technically, Tsuna doesn't need two people on two elements." The hitman said, going for the glass wall that overlooks the city below. "All he needed are six. One of each. But he had two mists back then, and since he interacted with plenty of people with varied comfort to his sky flames, Tsuna is able to accommodate all of those flames that are compatible with him. And you're one of them." Dabi held himself from the scrutiny that was directed to him by those onyx eyes. "Back then, I didn't really like his male mist for him. The idiot almost killed my student to take over mafia. But it was Tsuna's insistence that placated me. Mukuro helped him a lot, he said. He saved us in a pinch almost all the time.
"Back then, I told him a lot of times that he can't be a hero. That he can't the save the world, only those he can save. He was a Mafia boss. Someone who is born to kill people left and right for the sake of his own family and organization. And then, look at him now. Training as a hero despite his adamant decision to be neutral between your parties. Your group almost killed him too, almost killed his pillar of sanity back then."
"Are you questioning my worth?" He fired back.
"Shouldn't I be?" The man queried back. Dabi felt as if he's being challenged. "You're a villain, capable of killing my boss who is currently in coma. You killed a lot of innocent people, killed heroes and have no loyalty to his group. You only think of your ideals and your own mission to destroy your family. What can assure me that when Tsuna needed his storm, you'll be there for him to attack relentlessly and come back to him unscathed? That you won't betray him and break him like you're going to do to your own kins?"
"Tsuna doesn't need the protection." He started off, feeling sane for a moment as he gripped the brunet hand. "He needs the sense of normalcy. The same sense that he gives when he thinks we need it. Something that will always break his barrier when he closes off. Someone who has the ability to pull him out of his shell when he wants to dangerously isolate himself without pressing him to say any details." Now that he thinks about it, isn't that what Tsuna did to him when he attacked Endeavor? "I don't need to protect someone who is capable of protecting himself. What I need to do is to be that someone he can rely when he needed the comfort away from all the things that presses him to be someone he doesn't want."
"That's not good enough." The hitman waved off as he leaned on the sill. The challenge turned almost taunting. "Tsuna has his pillar and his rain for that."
Dabi then tried to think. Just what can he do for Tsuna? Something that only he can do. Something that Tsuna confessed to him that only he can do alone while being with the brunet. He has been selfish, unreasonable and cynical, so who is he when he's with Tsunayoshi Sawada?
Then it went back to him when Tsuna flew all the way to the port from the city. That time he took Tsuna's phone number but couldn't muster the confidence and courage to message the latter, with the paranoia of putting him in a pinch. Those words they exchanged before they strolled around the pier.
"I'm his villain." He answered, grinning manic. "I will destroy the world for him. He doesn't need someone who will protect him or coddle him like your heroes. I'll be there to be the villain that will burn the world when he wants me to. When he requests me to. Heck, when he even idly thinks about it out loud. If he wants me to kill someone, I will. If he wants me to torture anyone, I will. Because that's what he knew about me. A mass murderer who is so brave yet wrongly right."
The hitman smirked. "Well done, Dabi."
Just then, he felt that so familiar intoxicating warmth that he always knew. For some reason, there was a 'click' inside him before the warmth pulsed away in a snap, but still lingered. He looked down to Tsuna who returned his grip, squeezing his hand before curling more as if cradling their joint hands to his chest for assurance. His heart thumped at the acceptance, in spite the coma state.
Dabi, then, laughed out of astonishment. He reached out and patted the brunet's fluffy hair, receiving a small smile. He grinned. To think that once Tsuna wakes up, he'll feel whole again. He'll see Tsuna smiling at him again.
(Day Forty: New World)
"Aizawa."
Shouta looked up to Reborn who is standing by the glass walls and looking out to the scenery. "What?"
"Tsuna is coming back in five days." The hero's eyes widened at the news. "If we bond with him now."
"Ha?"
"Knowing Tsuna, he may have informed you about the future he asked from Nighteye." Onyx eyes turned back to him. "Since it's already the end of the classes, you're planning to attack that hospital, right? In five days?"
He felt his heart thumped in realization. "Something will happen that day, won't it?"
"Nighteye's vision of Tsuna's future is more or less a good substitute for his growing inaccurate intuition. It was our guide for what good course to plan for that specific day. And we expect him to wake up by the forty-fifth day of his coma."
The hero's hair rose as his quirk activated in reaction for his bubbling anger. He can't help himself from glaring murder at Reborn. "And you didn't tell me?!"
He didn't back down when the hitman materialized a gun in his hand and pointed at him. "If you had the same thing, are you going to tell Tsuna?" Reborn calmly asked him.
Shouta's anger simmered as his quirk slowly deactivates. Reborn lowered his gun too and looked outside the window again. He looked back to the brunet on the bed, who was sleeping soundly. Will he, though? Will he tell the same thing to Tsuna? If it upholds a lot of things that may or may not cause many of unfortunate event. And with what Reborn had said, it seems like they have a plan for it. A good plan for the day to at least turn out okay.
It currently nine in the evening. Shouta is staying in the hospital for the night, like any other. The only difference is it's not school days, since it ended two days ago, and they're planning to attack the hospital in five days. The hospital where Doctor Ujiko, the one who experimented on Shirakumo, is residing with those suspected Noumu. He's one of the front liners after they deduced that Shigaraki will probably be with the man. The students of Hero Department will be on standby, just like how Hawks requested. Although, honestly, he rather not risk his students in that kind of battle. Who knows what will happen. Until the day comes, the plan will still be in construction. As much as possible, they want low casualties.
"If Bakugou didn't come on the twenty-third, we could've missed Tsuna." Reborn said, gaining his attention again. The hitman looks a little contemplative from his view. "Kawahira warned me that if Tsuna could not bond with anyone at the end of twenty-third, his soul will be cemented in the other world. The bond with Bakugou settled the soul in here for us."
Shouta couldn't help feeling crushed. Why so many secrets?
"I couldn't tell you because I don't want you to be desperate." The hitman regarded him with a stare at the corner of his eyes. "If you knew, you'll push your students to do it. Even if it is against Tsuna's advocate of free will."
"I won't!" He denied, rather insulted.
A brow was lifted. "You won't?"
Shouta quickly rationalized everything before slumping in realization that he will.
"Don't dwell on it. Think of what will happen once Tsuna wakes up."
"But I won't be there to see him wake up." He lamented, taking Tsuna's free hand to hold.
"I rather have you be the one Tsuna sees last. Won't it be nice? I'll see him first, then you'll be the last he'll see?"
"You sounded like Tsuna is dying or something." He grumbled that Reborn laughed at. He stared at his fellow 'sun' in worry. "Were you able to do it?"
"I did." Reborn smirked as he raised his gun. Shouta watched as the tip of the gun glow yellow. "It wasn't that hard since I know how to do it. Being the world's greatest hitman has its own unique perks."
"That reminds me." He grinned at the Math teacher. "Those four will surely ask you if you're a hero or not."
"Bakugou already knows." The other waved off.
"Doesn't mean he knows what you're going to say when asked."
Reborn shrugged as his gun vanished in thin air. Of how the heck can he do that, Shouta doesn't want to know. "I'll tell them I'm a hitman. There's nothing wrong with that. Besides, imagine how exasperated Tsuna will be once he discovers that I didn't censor anything about my true profession." A mischievous glee passed those eyes. "He always has a problem with me doing it since we met."
Shouta chuckled as he imagines the fond exasperation waving off from Tsuna. "True."
"Now, Aizawa," Reborn pushed himself off the wall and took strides towards the bed. "you've heard me a lot on guiding the children on how to bond. You know Tsuna as much as I know him. So it will be a simple feat for both of us."
He nodded. "Got it."
True. When he closed his eyes and think of Tsuna strongly, he didn't even have to try hard in fitting in. It was like sliding in his rightful place. The same sense of warmth that he suddenly feels every after a bond is created surged in him like a strong wave of the sea before disappearing like a rain shower. When he opened his eyes, he looked down to his pendant that was glowing with five colors. He smiled and looked at Tsuna who curled his hand to his.
He can't wait to see Tsuna smiling and laughing again.
(Day Forty-One: Old World)
Ever since he came to this world, Tsuna was the first person he always sees, next to Reborn, his Papa. When he comes around and sees Tsuna, the latter will smile at him widely and full of warmth before beckoning him to come closer so they could have a small talk. He could never hate the brunet for being like that, except when he feels jealous of how all the other kids take away his attention from him. There are times that he just wants to monopolize Tsuna with Reborn. But, given Tsuna's profession, he couldn't. He has to understand, like how Tsuna understands him.
Back then, when he was twenty and Tsuna was already dead, he kinda had a thought about family, and why did his Papa and Tsuna never put an effort to make one each for themselves. He asked his Papa, and Reborn answered truthfully. For Reborn's case, he's too tired to make one and got too contented with the family Vongola gave him. He lived too long and fought too much that he just wants to enjoy his life before he dies. And the only one that keeps him alive was Tsuna's expectation, and he just couldn't leave his precious student behind knowing he'll be ruined.
(They didn't know it will do the same thing to Reborn when the situation got reversed.)
To Tsuna's side, it was because he doesn't want to put pressure on his children. Reborn said Tsuna wanted it, but the fright of doing the same neglect like what Iemitsu Sawada did, and the same helplessness like what Nana Sawada had done made him back out. A lot had persuaded the brunet that he'll be fine, but Tsuna didn't budge. And that's where Aeturnus came in.
Aeturnus looked up from his book when the door opened. Warm caramel eyes looked around until they saw him, and Tsuna smiled widely and full of warmth. Aeturnus can't help smiling back. Tsuna deserves his smiles.
"Good Evening, Aetu." The brunet greeted as he opened the door a little more.
"Likewise." He said as he closed his book. "Is there something wrong, Tsuna?"
Tsuna hummed. "Let's go stargazing. The sky is full of stars tonight. I heard there's a meteor shower too." Then a glint entered those eyes. "We can catch one if you like."
Aeturnus can't help his chuckle as he pushed his blanket away from him and put his feet down. "Sure sure. But no on catching the meteor thing."
"Aw." The other pouted at the rejection.
Aeturnus took a jacket first before putting on some sandals for his feet. After taking a gun from his table, just in case, they went out of his room. Tsuna started to babble about what happened yesterday he was out to make hits. Well, it was expected since ever since he went out and started to 'kidnap' the children, the family started to feel whole again. And he knows it wasn't intentional on the brunet's side. Tsuna is just that fun.
The mansion is much livelier too. Ever since Xelena told Xanxus that she already met Tsuna, the whole family started to come by. Even the Simons came by from their island just to have fun. Even the most boring day turns fun once Tsuna's craziness mix up with the others. Whenever Aeturnus return from his hits, Tsuna will be there to welcome him and pull him to their on-going craziness. It will leave him breathless with all the laughing and running and hiding and betraying others just to win a stupid game. No one gets out of place. Everyone has to participate.
Sometimes, Aeturnus wonders what will happen once Tsuna goes back to his new world.
They arrived at the rooftop. He amusingly watched Tsuna who stretched and sighed at the mild warm air. He followed the brunet to a spot and sat there. It was a little inclined part on the rooftop where his Uncle Kyouya usually sleeps other than the usual places he calls his territory around the compound. He looked up to see the sky. Like what Tsuna said, the sky is full of stars. There were a lot of constellations he can identify that was taught to him by Tsuna and Reborn. Tsuna even pointed him the libra constellation, the zodiac sign the three of them share.
"How's your hit?" He peered at Tsuna who smiled expectantly. "Was it a show off?"
He smirked, remembering what happened the other day. "It was. The target was really scared to death."
"Weak." The brunet chuckled before humming the curious hum he usually croons. "Na, Aetu."
"Yup?" He asked as he watched the world shift as the time goes on.
"Why Immortal?" He turned to see Tsuna who was taken aback and raised his hands in defense by waving them. "Just curious. I mean I get Reborn cause he used it to cover his name Renato and he doesn't like the other term rebirth. So, why Immortal?"
Aeturnus contemplated and tried to recall why he chose the alias 'Immortal'. "When you persuaded Papa to get a test tube baby, he said he gave in because he wanted to see how you will react. He said you were still recovering that time so he wanted to give you a life that can anchor you and make you appreciate the living and memories like how Byakuran advised. He watched you get better each day because of me and get more livelier. Then when you suddenly said that you wanted to name me, he agreed.
"I can remember when I asked you why you named me Aeturnus. You said I look like Papa that's why you named me Immortal. But Papa explained to me what's the real reason behind it." He blinked as a shooting star passed by. "He said you named me Immortal because I have you both in me. I have Papa's physical attributes and abilities from mental to emotional, and I have your undying love and care. So even if both of you die, I'll be the living evidence that you both lived and I got to know how much you love me. But I chose Immortal as an alias because I like how they think I can surpass Papa with his legendary fame. He was reincarnated, I live on. Just like how Vongola Decimo is remembered in a way." He turned to Tsuna who was staring at him. "You get me?"
"I'm sorry." His eyes widened at the apology. Tsuna's face twisted to something close to sadness and guilt, eyes downcasted and avoiding contact. "I-I didn't know I burdened you with something."
He pushed himself up to sit up, not removing his eyes on his 'living' guardian. "Tsuna-"
"It's just that... Reborn has been there for me for so long. He was there when I almost died because of Byakuran, the Simon and the Vindice. When I declared war against the world, when we won. When I got insane. He... He was just there even if he couldn't do anything. So I wanted him to at least have a son of his own because he's a family man. He wanted to have a family back then, before he became an Arcobaleno. I didn't mean for you to take on the burden of being our legacy."
"Tsuna..."
"God." The brunet cupped his head and gripped his hair, seemingly frustrated. "I didn't want children on my own, and yet I passed it to you. I left you before I could even see you graduate and reach your dreams. I left you before I could even say I'm so proud of what you have achieved so far. That you'll be a great person in the future. I'm so sorry, Aeturnus."
"Don't say that." Aeturnus croaked, feeling a lump blocking his throat and the corner of his eyes sting with unshed tears. "Don't say that."
Watery caramel eyes peered at him from their hidings. "Aetu-"
"You're my Dad." He rasped, hands curling to fists. "Y-You gave me everything that your children should've received. You're the reason why I'm alive and talking to you right now. I-If you didn't nurture me as I am, or even persuade Papa to have me, I won't be able to meet you. I-I don't mind them thinking I have to surpass Papa or that I have to be as great as you. What I value is your opinion of me. What matters is what you think of me. I want to make you proud. You're my pride with Papa."
Tsuna's tears fell.
Aeturnus looked down to his hands. "I've wished a lot... When you died, I wished a lot. I wished that I could talk to you again. Hug you again. See you smile again. Feel your warmth again. Papa couldn't compare since he's Papa. He doesn't show affection that much." He swallowed with difficulty as he remembered those painful memories. "Whenever I get a high grade, I wanted to show you but you weren't there. Whenever I got awarded a medal, I'll just dedicate it to you. When I graduated with honors, I dedicate it to you too. I-It was... It was my kind of escape. My kind of relief from the pain that you were gone. Y-You're like Mama Nana, but more because even if I do something bad, even if I failed a mock test or get unsatisfied, you'll encourage me to do good with my dying will next time and feel better about it. That there's always a next time. That I can learn from mistakes and do the rest in first try. You'll make me feel good at it. And every time I do a small mistake, I'll try to remember your words.
"It's the reason why I go to your portrait. That time, when I did it for the first time, I was disappointed with myself, lonely, angry and empty. I tried venting them out but they weren't enough. It's like I'm missing something. I don't remember going inside the museum, but when I saw your portrait, I just..." He took a deep breath as tears cascaded and dropped on his hands. "I feel comforted. I-I feel like I'm talking to you again. That I can see your eager smile while teasing me to talk to you about it. I can hear you humming at every right places. I can feel your warmth like when you hug me. I-It feels so real that I can't help going back. I-I thought-" He pursed his lips. "I thought at least my wish came true. That just a fraction of it came true. But it still hurts. So in honors of your memory, I named myself Immortal. A notion of undying love of a parent from you and of a child to you.
"And knowing that you'll be gone after four days, going back to your new world... I..." He closed his eyes as the distinct feeling of hallow at his heart flickered. "I feel like I'm going back to that old cycle again. Wishing I could talk to you again, hug you again and see you smile. But forever isn't true, right? So I have to cherish every memory I have with you. I want to relieve them when I realize that I don't have you both anymore. It will be painful, but it has to be worth it, right?"
Aeturnus let out a sob that rocked his body as arms encircled around his shoulders and pulled him closer. He hugged Tsuna back, tight and asking permission of not letting go. They were both crying. They were both dreading the day they'll separate again. Even if they wanted to be selfish, and have the choice to be selfish, they couldn't do it.
Aeturnus knows he can't keep Tsuna for himself. His Papa is waiting at the other side, and Tsuna's Dad is there too, wishing for his son to come back. He's more worried of what kind of torn they're putting Tsuna. He knows how important the family is to the brunet. He's the kind of person who will get worried and homesick. He doesn't want to keep Tsuna if he'll have to pick.
"I wish I could take you with me or stay a little longer." Tsuna sobbed, hugging him closer. "I'm so sorry, Aetu."
"I want to be selfish too, Dad." He relented while trying to reign over his crying. It's his first time crying again since he graduated from college. "I want you to stay, but you have a new life now. You're gone here while you're still there. They have accepted that you're not staying any longer, while those people on the other side are waiting for you to wake up. I-I can't take you away from your family. I don't want them to experience what I'm going through."
It didn't placate Tsuna though. If possible, the brunet cried harder. "You're so grown up. I feel so old."
"Now you're bluffing." Aetu can't help chuckling. "You just killed the mood."
"B-But you're so grown up! I missed how you grow!" Tsuna parted from him and cupped his cheeks. Caramel eyes stared at his grey ones. "You know, my Dad is the same. Your Papa too. You all are the same. Dad, you and Reborn. You have the brightest smiles, the most handsome smirks and the breathtaking tears. Sometimes, I feel so honoured of being there to witness how you cry even though it's as painful for me, and be the one to wipe them away." Aetu felt those soft pads of thumbs wiping away his tear tracks. "It's a blessing to love people like the three of you. And even if both of them are in the other side, you'll always be my son. I'll come back for you if I could."
"Don't exhaust yourself." He admonished, only to get a cheeky smile.
"For you, Aetu? I'll turn the world around just to see you again. If Tri-ni-sette did this favor for me, I'll find a way to communicate with you at least. There is no such thing as impossible for a Vongola. Especially to the Vongola Decimo."
Aetu couldn't help the smile on his lips from widening. Tsuna is just so incredible as his Papa. "I love you too, Dad."
Tsuna's smile went brighter and warmer.
And the meteor shower started...