Timeline: Famiglia, canon.
Deleted scene: Chapter 8

The Apology

Tsuna walked alongside Gokudera rather awkwardly, since the outburst from merely hours ago. His entire being filled with absolute guilt for almost giving the half-italian such an ultimatium when he hadn't meant too, however, his friend's attitude and callous treatment to Harry and the girls had become more voliate than usual. It made him rather concerned over what was happening, while he understood that Gokudera had a more then likely good reason for acting the way he had. At least towards the newest addition to their group, even Tsuna had been rather wary of the British teen not that way ago.

But he had come to see that Harry wasn't a threat, just a lonely person that needed a friend. Almost like he had been almost months before until meeting everyone else, perhaps that's why the brunet felt such a strong bond with him... and Gokudera for that matter.

"Gokudera-kun..." Tsuna mumbled to himself, glancing up at him almost shyly. His lips curled up a bit in hesitation. "I'm sorry."

The taller teen blinked rapidly. "Juudaime?"

"I didn't mean what I said back at the house, Gokudera-kun. It's just everyone was starting to get angry, you and Kurokawa-san were fighting calling each other names and insulting Harry," the brunet was oblivious to the fact he was going on a minor tangent. "I wanted it all to stop. B-but you kept on antagonizing her. Y-you didn't deserve to get yelled at me or getting insulted by Kurokawa-san either." His cheeks reddened at how abysmal his apology sounded, in fact now that he thought about it. His own words sounded stupid.

"E-eh?" Gokudera stared openly as if trying to process what he had said. Suddenly a grin slide on. "Don't worry about Juudaime! It's in the past now-"

Tsuna whirled at him. "No it's not okay! I shouldn't have done that, you're my friend Gokudera-kun. You're important to me!" His hands curled into fists locked his eyes with the taller boy's. "You all are important to me. I don't what I'd do if I lost you, or the others."

"...Juudaime..." The soft tone from Gokudera's voice captured the brunet's attention. The half-italian's lips pressed together thinly, wearing a blank expression causing Tsuna to squirm underneath the scrutiny of the gaze. The silence had been kept only adding to the tension. Quietly, the taller teen snorted bemused. "Is that all Juudaime? We'll be together for twenty, no almost forty years!" To further prove his point he thrust his arm into the air grinning widely. "I don't plan on leaving."

That brought some relief to Tsuna. "I'm glad." Really, that was the only thing that the brunet could say. A soft smile appeared on his face gazing at the taller teen gently, eyes narrowing in a caring matter. "You... Yamamoto... Big brother, the girls, and Harry; I owe all of you so much. I don't feel alone anymore, and I have you guys to thank for that." The brunet boy began sincerely.

The bomber's eyes softened even more hearing those words. "Jyududaime..."

"That's why I want all of us to get along. To rely on one another and be there for each other, I know it's a bit childish and I know there are going to be times where we'll fight. That's normal between friends, and I get that." His cheeks flushed brightly in embarrassment at his own words yet his smile became confident stretching across his face raising to meet his friend's eyes. "It's as you said; all of us... we're going to be together for a long time aren't we? We can't let something like fighting to destroy the friendship that all of us share with one another. So... even if I get anger... or shout... will you please still be my friend?"

"You don't even have to ask!" Gokudera draped an arm around his shoulder grinning ear to ear. "You can count on me Jyuudaime! Now let's go get something to eat to celebrate!"

"G-GOKUDERA-KUUUN!"

This has been done for ages and I have zero idea as to why I haven't uploaded this earlier. You'll all be glad to know that not only am I still alive but I have recently just graduated from college and chapters 17 through 22 have been finished with currently being edited by my awesome beta Tetractyes. The two of us have been insanely busy with our own lives nevertheless you'll be glad to know that everything is proceeding as according to plan to make sure to keep an eye out, check out Famiglia (as well as my other fics) and to please leave a review!