Chapter 27
Back in the Varia mansion Squalo returned from his mission as usual. Xanxus was causing a riot with the fuss about steak and tequila not being up to standard as usual. Lussuria was always the one getting away unscathed and Squalo sighed at the thought of needing to recruit new members since five out of twenty men that Xanxus used as punch bags were not going to make it.
"Seriously, can't he do things more subtly? At this rate the Italian population is not going to replenish the number of men we need at the Varia headquarters. I think we need to tell the Vongola to stock up more body bags." After some thought Squalo added painkillers to the list of things to request from the Vongola.
Xanxus knew that his shark would be coming back from his mission. As usual it was successful and Xanxus deliberately chose today to kill underlings. "Let's see how long he is going to rant today before I can shut him up," Xanxus smirked at that thought. Provoking Squalo was one of the Varia boss's favorite past time. "There is no way he will last more than five seconds."
True to his words, Squalo jumped in from the window instead of breaking down the main door as his usual entrance. The long haired commander strode up to the Varia boss and started ranting about the low birth rate in Italy as well as the limited supply of body bags. Xanxus smirked inwardly while maintaining the frown on his face. It always ticked Squalo off more when Xanxus acted indifferent.
"Shut up trash!" Xanxus growled before tugging on the long silver locks and pulling the other man closer to him, silencing him efficiently with a simple kiss. The long haired man never failed to fall for this trick and simply melted into the searing lips. The taste of tequila made Squalo slightly intoxicated and when they pulled away, breathless, Squalo's mind had already become a piece of blank. All the earlier anger vanished completely, leaving behind only a primitive hunger for more.
Xanxus looked into those fierce eyes and loved everything that the man had to offer from his left hand to his undying devotion to his foul mouth and temper. Xanxus brushed the hair from Squalo's face gently and the act was extremely tender. Squalo felt his heart do a somersault. Something about the cold hearted assassin boss doing such an endearing act made Squalo melt. This was one of the rarer times that Squalo treasured. The man in front of him was not his boss or a cold blooded assassin but man in love with another. Squalo loved this tender side of Xanxus although he would rather die than admit it. He yearned for the other man to treat him like something precious even if they both knew otherwise.
Caressing a cheek, Xanxus leaned in a planted a soft kiss. Their lips barely brushed together and Squalo's eyelids fluttered close, enjoying the warmth due to their close proximity. The moment lasted a second too long and an explosion was heard from below them.
Xanxus cursed out loud and Squalo quickly pulled away from him. Squalo tried his best to seem indifferent but Xanxus knew better. Only if one knew Squalo long enough, they would be able to spot a faint blush upon those pale cheeks. Xanxus chuckled silently at the adorable display the shark put on for him. His steps were jittery and unstable although a normal person would think otherwise. He headed downstairs after Squalo to investigate the source of disturbance.
Xxx Destiny Aitsuji xxX
Levi was dusting himself and getting up from the rubble while Belphegor snickered beside a disinterested looking Fran. Lussuria was fussing over how Levi was injured and offered to heal him using his box weapon. Levi grunted and swatted the boxer away until he saw Xanxus and Squalo descending down the stairs.
Immediately, Levi bolted upright and bowed deeply, greeting the boss. The grin on Belphegor's face faltered when Fran turned to look at the new arrival. Blood trickled down from beneath the frog hat. "Oi…"
Fran turned around and asked "What is it fake prince sempai?"
Usually this would have led Belphegor to stabbing Fran but this time he let the snide remark slide. Gently reaching out to touch the blood trickling down, Belphegor felt the warm and sticky substance stain his fingers. "Frog, you are bleeding…"
"So?" the illusionist dead panned. The unexpressive mask ever faltered and Belphegor did not know if the boy felt pain and was trying to hide it or he felt no pain. Without saying much, Belphegor swept Fran off his feet and carried him bridal style to the Varia infirmary. His hasty steps gave away his composed demeanor. Anyone could tell he was genuinely worried for the younger boy.
Upon reaching the infirmary, Belphegor kicked open the door and set Fran down on the bed. He yelled for a doctor who quickly scurried to his side.
Fran was forced to remove his hat for once and it is one of the rarer times he would be seen without it for normal people. For Belphegor who had been going out with the younger boy for two years already, it was a normal occurrence especially if they slept in the same room overnight. Belphegor knew how soft the teal hair was beneath the hideous hat. Sometimes he was almost thankful that only he was allowed to see the boy without his hat.
As the hat came off, Belphegor felt sick at the side of blood smeared on teal hair. He was never sick at the sight of blood. It usually excited him to no end but now it seemed different. "This is the froggy's blood…" Belphegor realized. It was not blood that made him excited but truly, the aspect of death for certain. The blood that related to death made Belphegor fear for Fran's life. He did not want to lose the illusionist.
The doctor did an examination of the wound before explaining to Belphegor who at the current moment was unable to process anymore thoughts. When the doctor bandaged Fran's head, Belphegor was close to murdering the doctor for doing things too slowly. He looked at Fran from beneath the bangs and gritted his teeth.
Once the doctor left, Fran saw the blonde assassin staring at him even though the eyes were hidden out of view. "What is it Bel-sempai?"
Belphegor rushed over and enveloped the smaller boy in his strong arms. Fran was slightly taken aback and the indifferent mask he wore fell right through. "B-Bel…?"
Belphegor said nothing in return and only tightened around Fran. Fran returned the embrace and they enjoyed the silent company.
"Don't ever leave the prince, Fran."
Fran's eyes widened at the mentioned of his name. The blonde assassin had never mentioned his name before so why now? "Bel-sempai, are you…"
Belphegor shushed the younger boy and kissed him deeply while Fran moaned. When they broke apart, Fran was heavily disoriented, his face showing emotions and confusion. "Bel-sempai, why?"
Through all the times they slept together, Belphegor had never kissed Fran. They held hands, cuddled but never kissed. Fran did not say anything about it as he thought the day would never come. Belphegor surprised him with the kiss just now, fulfilling the dreams of the illusionist. Fran felt as if his empty heart was about to explode with so much unexplained feelings within him. He was overwhelmed by it and started crying, alarming the Prince the Ripper.
Belphegor tore away and held Fran gently, worry evident in his voice. "Fran, are you okay? Does it hurt?" Fran shook his head and continued crying. At a lost to what to do, Belphegor hugged Fran and rocked him in his arms. Belphegor started humming a lullaby remembered from long ago.
Fran ceased crying after some time. He eased into the strong arms and listened to the calming heartbeat. "Bel-sempai, I'm fine." With that, Belphegor slowly released Fran, albeit a little reluctant to do so.
Fran looked at Belphegor and slowly lifted his piano thin fingers to brush the bangs aside so he could look directly into the royal eyes.
"What's wrong, Bel-sempai?"
Being unused to having anyone so close and looking directly into his eyes, Belphegor blushed. He had one blue eye and one blood red eye, similar to Mukuro except the red eye was missing of its kanji characters.
Fran marveled over the exquisiteness of Belphegor's unique eyes but was disappointed when Belphegor grabbed his thin wrist to pull away from his bangs, causing them to fall back in place.
"Don't do this to the prince…"
Fran frowned slightly. Belphegor gritted his teeth yet again.
"Don't do this to the Prince anymore, Fran. Don't make the Prince worry over nothing! The Prince needs you and he can't have you if you die!" the voice was breaking closer to the end as a dry sob escaped the blonde's quivering lips.
Fran was shocked and his eyes widened for a fraction at the sudden confession. "What are you talking about Bel? I'm not going to leave you! I will never leave you!"
Belphegor grabbed Fran's head in his hands and kissed the wound gently. "The promise the prince!" he insisted childishly.
Fran was momentarily stupefied beyond words. Then understanding dawned on him. Belphegor was just being childish and insecure. He was relieved that he was not the only one who felt that way. He returned the hug and whispered in Belphegor's ear.
"I love you, sempai."
Belphegor blushed deeply. Fran smiled at the sight. "I love you sempai, I love you. I love you. I love you so much sempai, I'm really happy you care for me."
By now, Belphegor was as red as the brick wall and he shoved Fran away, blood still rushing to his face. "I get it already! You can stop now, it's embarrassing…"
Fran laughed ad Belphegor was charmed instantly. No one had heard the illusionist laugh before, much less seen him smile. "I love you sempai," was all Fran said before they kissed again.
Tsuna received the report on the two couples in Varia and smiled. He nestled in Hibari's lap and read the report from Viper who was demanding payment.
"I see, thank you for your hard work," Tsuna smiled and Viper sighed.
"Whatever, Decimo. The Vongola sure are stingy nowadays." Viper left the room and gave the lovers their well-deserved privacy.
"Finally a day without all the others. What shall we do Tsunayoshi? It's a rare chance."
Tsuna smiled and kissed Hibari. "I say, how about we head for the cafeteria? I'm hungry."
Hibari returned the kiss and nipped lightly on Tsuna's lower lip before pulling away. "Sounds like a plan to me. Let's get going then," with that, Hibari carried Tsuna from the chair and walked to the door while Tsuna laughed and struggled.
To be continued…
Author's Note: I think I missed out Dino so I'll be doing Dino next I'm sorry but I doubt there are any good pairings left for poor old Dino :P I'll be wrapping up this story with the next chapter. Thank you for all your support and I look forward to completing this series as an actual novel with original characters.
Destiny Aitsuji wishing you all the best ;)