First of all I want to thank the ones that left comments on the first chapter! They made me very happy!

This chapter took longer than expected! Wasn't turning out like I had planned and just kept on growing xD

The rest of his classes proceeded in the same uneventful manner as before lunch and Gokudera spend his time only half listening to the professors, lazily scribbling down notes. He knew that he should be paying more attention, but the heat, the goddamn heat that would not let him out of its grasp, was making him feel sluggish. His brilliant mind could not begin to fathom how anyone could find the idea of only using the AC to a minimum, now that the sun blazed as if the flames of hell were descending upon them, even remotely justifiable.

Slinging his bag over his shoulder, Gokudera left the classroom of his last lecture for the day. He stifled a yawn against the back of his hand and started his descent from campus. He walked slowly down the concrete path, paying no mind to the stream of students heading the same way. The ground started to level out for each step he took and he entered the residential area just below the school premises. Soon the voices died down as the other students disappeared around a corner, being far too eager as they headed towards their after school activities to hold the same leisure pace as him. Taking a deep breath, Gokudera leaned his head back and gazed up at the sky. A light breeze swept up the hill and he relished in the cool wind as it caressed his face, playfully tugging his silver locks. For a moment his steps faltered and he simply stood there, enjoying the stillness around him. Then another group of chattering students came down behind him and the spell was broken.

As he neared the train station, Gokudera stepped onto one of the less busy streets. Quickly scanning it for traffic, he crossed over and walked into the convenience shop located at the corner. He almost sighed in relief as the cold air swept over him upon entering the store. As usual he headed over to the magazine section that allowed him to gaze out over the street and grabbed one at random. Gokudera glanced at the cover in order to ensure he did not end up with something completely undignified. He had done that mistake once, ending up with scantily clad women right in his face, and was not keen on reliving that particular moment. Pulling it up he slowly flicked through it, pretending to read while his eyes studied the people who passed by outside. It was part of his and Yamamoto's routine. Gokudera would wait in the shop until Yamamoto showed up and if he was alone he would go out to meet him, if not he would simply wait for a while before going home on his own.

Two magazines later Gokudera started to feel restless. Yamamoto sure was taking his sweet time today. He dug one of his hands into his pocket, fiddling with his keys and some loose change. His fingers curled around his lighter, trailing over the engraved details. Absentmindedly, he returned the magazine and patted his other pocket. Maybe he should get another pack. Teeth scraping against his lip, Gokudera glanced at the register, contemplating. He still had some left in his pack and they should last for quite a while if he kept up his current consumption. But getting a new one would not hurt. It was not like he had to smoke them. He could just buy it and have it lying around in case he needed a smoke. Judging by how his mind had treated him this morning, he sure could use it. Before Gokudera's feet started to move towards the register, however, his trail of thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock on the window. He turned his head and was greeted by one of Yamamoto's sheepish smiles.

"Hey, Dera!" Yamamoto was practically beaming at him as he exited the shop, seemingly forgetting his tardiness.
"Hey." Gokudera stared at him for a moment, unable to stop the small smile that spread across his features. He had come to realize that it was almost impossible to stop his lips from curling upwards when the other gazed at him with such unconcealed joy. As their eyes met, Yamamoto's expression softened, like it always seemed to do in his presence. Trying to ignore the affection directed towards him, Gokudera hurriedly walked past the other youth. "We're going to be late."
"The others won't mind." He scoffed slightly at Yamamoto's words, but he knew that they were true. Gokudera looked around them and deeming it safe, he reached out his hand, fingers skimming briefly against the inside of Yamamoto's wrist.
"You were late." It was not a question and Gokudera told himself that it was not meant as one either. Still, his eyes shifted towards the other's face, searching for an answer.
"Haha, yeah. The others were pretty chatty after class." Yamamoto sent him an apologetic smile.

They walked in silence for a while before Yamamoto turned to him again. "No bike today?"
"No. I figured you'd start whining about going to my place later and there's no way that piece of scrap metal will hold us both." They had tried that before and Gokudera was not eager to experience it again. He could still hear the creaking of the metal frame as it threatened to give in beneath them. It did not help that it looked like the screws were going to come flying off at any moment.
"Well, it's probably going to get pretty late." Yamamoto let out a soft chuckle and scratched the back of his neck. Gokudera gave an amused snort, knowing that he had been right. "So I don't think I'll be able to catch the last train and..."
"Yeah, yeah." He waved his hand towards the taller youth in a dismissing manner. "It's not like you need an excuse anyway."

As they rounded a corner and ended up on an abandoned street, Yamamoto wrapped his arm around Gokudera's shoulders and pulled him close, pressing a kiss to his temple. A satisfied hum escaped his lips as he buried his nose in the silver strands. Gokudera snorted at his silly display of affection, but made no attempt to stop him. Instead he closed his eyes, enjoying the sensation of the other's hot breath against his hair. Then Yamamoto pulled away slightly and leaned his head forward, eyes searching for his.
"You've been smoking again." Gokudera turned his face away at the accusation. Although Yamamoto's tone suggested that it was more of a statement, he could not help the surge of guild that settled in his stomach.
"I just had one this morning." His eyes trailed along the houses lining the street, refusing to look at the other male. He was trying to quit, he really was, but some days he just could not help it.
"You still shouldn't smoke, even if you're stressed." The arm nestled around Gokudera's shoulders slowly retracted and fingers curled gently at the base of his neck, holding him in place. He felt the other male lean forward, as if he was trying to meet his eyes.
"Like hell I was!" the words came out as a sharp snap and he sent a heated glare in Yamamoto's direction. Am I that obvious?
"Haha, yes you are!" Yamamoto sounded all too pleased of his insight. He grumbled in annoyance of being so easily read. Apparently the idiot had developed some mind reading over the years. "I don't think anyone else would notice though."
"Smug bastard." Gokudera was pretty sure his own voice was not free from mirth either. "Now let me go before someone sees us." Yamamoto only chuckled, once again letting his arm snake around the other's frame, and despite his words Gokudera did not shake him off. Just like every other day they had walked down that very street.

Haru was the first one to notice. They had barely seated themselves at the table of their usual hangout restaurant before she had clasped Yamamoto's hand and cast a quick look at Gokudera's fingers.
"Oh my gosh, are you wearing matching rings?!" From the wide smile that spread across her features and the way she almost jumped up and down on the spot, it was evident that she could hardly detain her excitement. Gokudera almost snapped at her out of habit, but bit back his snarky reply.
"Yeah, so what?" he grabbed one of the drink menus and forced his attention to it, trying to ignore the nervous pounding of his heart.
"Really?" Tsuna was leaning over the table, trying to get a look himself. The question came out slightly awed and Gokudera could feel himself relaxing. The menu was tugged out of his hands by a smiling Yamamoto as the iron grip he had not realized he had upon it softened. Instead he found himself staring at the brunet who looked a little flustered. "Is it… I mean…" Tsuna visibly swallowed as he tried to find the right words. "…it's not an engagement ring… right?" he finally managed to squeak out. Gokudera choked on his breath and for a moment he believed that his heart had stopped. A cold, numbing sensation settled in his gut as he gaped at his friend. He had expected the question, but somehow it still took him by complete surprise. Was it? They had not particularly meant for it to be, but the implication was still there. Suddenly very aware of how he had been unconsciously leaning towards Yamamoto, like it was the most natural thing in the world, Gokudera's heart came back in full throttle, each beat echoing loudly in his ears. He was not listening to them, was he? Gokudera did not dare to glance in his direction. Instead, he and Tsuna stared at each other, wide-eyed and Gokudera felt his cheeks flush in embarrassment. "IS IT?"Tsuna's voice rose and octave and the Italian opened his mouth to reply, but no words of denial came out. Then, Kyoko came to his rescue with an amused giggle.
"No." She leaned towards Tsuna, letting her fingers run along the back on one of his knuckles. "They'd be wearing them on this finger then. Like brother does." Tsuna gawked at her, face pink from the sudden closeness. Looking somewhat dazed he nodded and glanced over at Ryohei, who was currently engaged in a conversation with Yamamoto. Gokudera started breathing again.
"Yeah." he managed to croak out the affirmation, still too aware of his burning cheeks to fully look at them. Instead he focused on the ring, twirling it back and forth on his finger. "We just wanted to do something… it's been five years after all…" Gokudera mumbled the last words, speaking more to himself than to the others.
"I think it's a wonderful idea!" Tsuna sounded so happy that the Italian could not keep from meeting his eyes again. The two girls nodded in agreement and Tsuna gave him an embarrassed smile. "Sorry for making you uncomfortable."

Gokudera was just about to respond when the waiter came to take their orders. Naming the first drink that popped into his head, he turned his focus back to the conversation, set on explaining the whole thing to his friend. However, the unexpected interruption seemed to have dissipated the awkward mood and soon Gokudera found himself joking about what had just transpired. He had convinced himself that he did not need to worry about the others' reactions, but now he found himself relaxing further, unknown stress finally loosening its grasp upon him. Rough fingers brushed against his hand, before gently wrapping around it and he looked up to see a wide grin plastered across Yamamoto's features. He had his glass raised as if calling out for a cheer. With a bashful smile, Gokudera nudged the other's arm with his shoulder and raised his own drink.

Yamamoto had his arm slung around his shoulders as they walked down the street, happily chatting about something. Gokudera was not really listening to the words, simply enjoying the sound of his voice. Usually he would protest at this kind of closeness, but there were hardly anyone out and maybe he was a little drunk. He glanced at the baseball player, feeling a small smile creep onto his face. He definitely had too much to drink. Yamamoto seemed to notice, because he turned his head and then he was leaning closer.
"Hayato…" his name escaped the other's lips as nothing more than a whisper, but the tone made Gokudera's heart leap and before he knew it he was leaning in as well. Yamamoto's hot breath caressed his face and Gokudera closed his eyes, lips half parted. That was when he realized that they were still in the middle of the street.
"Idiot!" he quickly looked away, one hand pushing Yamamoto's face from him. "Can't you keep your hands to yourself until we get ho-"
"Yamamoto!" Gokudera went rigid, a cold sensation spreading though his body as Yamamoto spun around towards the voice. Still standing slightly behind the other male, Gokudera's gaze traveled in the direction of the invading sound and much to his distress he could see a couple of the baseball team's players approaching. One of them had his arm raised and was waving at them, or rather at Yamamoto, with a grin plastered on his face. The thought of escaping crossed his mind, but Gokudera knew it was already too late.

Gokudera had never paid much attention to the rest of the baseball team, but he recognized the ones approaching as the small group that Yamamoto usually had lunch with.
"I thought you were going to meet up with your friends?"
"Haha, I was but…" he trailed off, attention shifting as one of them stepped forward and leaned to the side, peering behind Yamamoto.
"Who do we have here?" He glanced curiously at Gokudera, who was still half hidden in the shadows behind Yamamoto. "Eeeh? Gokudera Hayato?!" The others' attention was on him in an instant, surprise written across their features.
"Haha, yes. Gokudera had a little too much to drink, so I'm helping him home!" Yamamoto sounded very pleased with himself, as if he was not just as drunk and had no intention of leaving once they got to the apartment.
"Like hell I had!" he wrenched free from Yamamoto's supporting arm and showed the others how true this was by stomping away, straight as a sinus curve.
"Ah! Dera, wait!" Yamamoto stumbled after him, one arm stretched out in an attempt to catch him. Gokudera did not get further than a few steps before he realized that the world was spinning too much to his liking.
"Oi, idiot, get over here." The Italian grumbled at his defeat, hearing the amused chuckles coming from Yamamoto's comrades. He had his pride, but having to lean on Yamamoto was better than staggering home like an old man. Yamamoto did not need to be told twice and happily wrapped his arm around him again. The other baseball players had no problem keeping up with them as Gokudera tried steering their steps in the right direction.

"I can't believe you two know each other!" one of the baseball players exclaimed and the others voiced their agreement.
"We've been best friends since middle school!" Yamamoto responded as he momentarily let go of Gokudera and petted his silver hair. Grumbling over the mistreatment of his head, Gokudera tried to shrug off the hand since Yamamoto was putting a little too much force into the action. He just wished they would stop yapping and let him go home already. Though, he was grateful that the other had settled for 'best friends' instead of something that would do more damage. Maybe Yamamoto had not been drinking as much as he thought he had. Gokudera's eyes widened in sudden realization.
"It was you!" he hissed out, one finger pointing accusingly at the taller male. Yamamoto trailed off whatever he had been saying to his friends and looked down at him in confusion. "You sneaky bastard! Don't think I didn't notice!" Seeing that there was still no sign of recognition in the other's eyes he decided to share his revelation. "You tried to thwart my conversation with the Tenth by refilling my beer!" No matter how much he had been drinking, his glass had never seemed to get empty. Obviously Yamamoto had been envious of the glorious discourse they had been having. It all made sense now.
"No, you kept on snagging mine." Yamamoto chuckled and repositioned his arm, drawing him closer. Gokudera narrowed his eyes, not at all convinced by the others' mediocre acting. He was onto him now. It seemed as if Yamamoto tried to divert his thoughts from his brilliant discovery as he turned to the other baseball players. "Uh, I think it's time I took him home now. See you guys tomorrow!" He waved merrily at them and proceeded to drag Gokudera along with him. The Italian sent the others a suspicious glare. Maybe they were in on it.
"Don't think I'm letting this go. I'm watching you." Yamamoto did not seem to be affected by his threat and only laughed. Slightly miffed by the other's nonchalant behavior, Gokudera was about to spout another threat, only to be silenced by a kiss.
"Come on Dera, let's just go home." Deciding that it could wait, he let himself be pulled along. Tomorrow. Tomorrow he would unravel the devious plan.

Hah, I'm sorry about the ending. For some reason I just imagined that Dera would get really suspicious when drunk.

Hope you guys liked it!