Chapter 4: How Sweet of You
Tsuna walked into his house, bottom lip caught in between his teeth as he tried to hold back a smile. He slung his backpack onto the floor and moved to the front window in his foyer, peeking out past the curtains to catch one more glimpse of the bright yellow sports car that he'd become so familiar with for the past few weeks. The tint on the windows was a bit too dark for his liking, but he could still manage to see Dino's figure putting the car in reverse and preparing to back out of his driveway. Suddenly the car beeped and Tsuna's cheeks flooded with heat, suddenly feeling as if he'd been caught red-handed doing something terribly wrong.
But Dino was Dino and Tsuna knew -or at least, tried very hard to remember- that in Dino's eyes he could really do no wrong. So when the elder leaned out the car window, wildly waving his arm and grinning bright enough to challenge the sun, Tsuna couldn't help but push the curtain a bit more out the way, smile, and shyly wave back.
Tsuna also couldn't help but slightly fear for the young business owners life as he backed out of his driveway without even appearing to consider looking into his rear view mirrors.
Sighing, Tsuna turned around and listened for the faintest sound of movement. Aside from the sound of dishes in the kitchen from the maids and what sounded like footsteps from somewhere upstairs. A buzz in his pocket broke him from his train of thought, diverting his attention to his phone call as opposed to looking for whoever was home.
"Gokudera-kun?" Tsuna answered.
"Oh? Tsuna?" Gokudera sighed in relief. "Thank goodness, I thought something had happened to you."
"Oh, I'm sorry," tsuna said quickly. "Were you trying to reach me?"
"Yeah, where are you?" he asked curiously, though something in his voice made Tsuna think that he was just verifying something and he was a bit apprehensive to answer. Nonetheless, he responded, "I was with Dino. Why?"
There was a brief silence on the other end before Gokudera gruffly responded, "Tsuna, I don't think that guy is...good for you."
Tsuna frowned. "What do you mean? Dino-san is very kind to me and he's patient and h-he's my friend, I don't-"
"I know that Tsuna," Gokudera said impatiently, his voice sounded strained as if he were trying not to raise his voice at Tsuna. "I just...he's...he's so much older than you and I wouldn't want the media or anything to get any weird ideas is all."
Tsuna frowned, his heart accelerating as if he'd once again been caught in the act of doing something wrong. Dino wasn't that much older than him, he was twenty two, only three years older than Tsuna himself. The brunette felt slightly irritated by Gokudera's indirect accusation, as if he were trying to make his friendship with Dino something dirty, something wrong. What he had with Dino was purely innocent, age difference or not, romantic or not. Yet along with that frustration was a hidden fear that maybe hanging around Dino so much was a bad thing and that maybe he shouldn't be getting so comfortable around him, especially if someone he trusted as much as Gokudera was saying so.
"Gokudera-kun," Tsuna said carefully. He wasn't sure whether the waver in his voice was from trying to withhold anger or control fear, but continued anyway. "I-I'm not romantically interested in Dino-san if that's what you're saying...I-I have-"
"Kyoko-san, I know," Gokudera finished for him. Tsuna noticed that his voice suddenly sounded more relieved, less tense. "It's just...I worry about you and I know you've got a lot on your plate with school and your dad's business and all and I just...I don't want you to get distracted and end up overwhelming yourself, because you do that sometimes you know."
"I know Gokudera-kun."
"And we all worry about you Tsuna. I mean, you've only known Dino for some weeks so it's just...odd you spend so much time with him, don't you think?"
"I-I don't know...I didn't think so…"
"But the main point of why I was calling is we have that Psychology test coming up and I wanted to study but you've been busy so I just wanted to know if you wanted to tomorrow?" he asked.
Tsuna bit his lip, thinking back to earlier where he'd insisted that Dino come pick him up from campus earlier tomorrow, since he had something he wanted to discuss with him. Nonetheless Tsuna still answered, "Of course Gokudera-kun. W-would around one be okay?"
Gokudera gave his approval and hung up the phone, leaving Tsuna to contemplate by himself how he'd explain it to Dino. He closed his eyes and breathed in deeply through his nose. Dino wouldn't mind, Dino never minded, that was something Tsuna believed was written in stone.
Dino patiently sat in the small coffee shop on Tsuna's campus, fingers tapping patiently on the mug in his hands as he waited in front of Tsuna, staring holes into the shop's front door through the dark tint of his sunglasses. Sighing, he looked down at the caramel latte in his hands and took a sip from it, trying to calm his nerves. He'd had to beg Reborn to let him leave work early to go see Tsuna and the man was dead tired from working late into night yesterday in order for Reborn to have no viable reason to stop him. Lifting the cup to take another sip from the cup, there was a light tap on Dino's shoulder and the older man jumped, yelping out as the scalding drink sloshed out of the cup and onto his lap.
A small squeak came from his side and he looked up to see Tsuna scurrying to the counter, frantically grabbing napkins and apologizing wildly, trying to wipe the stain from Dino's slacks.
Dino sighed in relief and smiled, thinking that the younger man beside him was too adorable for his own good before gently stopping Tsuna's wrist. The younger looked up at Dino, his face flooding with red as he realized how close he was to the man. Quickly, he leaned back, straightening the backpack hanging off one shoulder as he murmured out, "S-sorry Dino-san."
"Don't worry about it," Dino laughed, turning in his seat to face Tsuna when the younger sat down in the chair across from him. "It's black, it shouldn't show up too badly."
Tsuna nodded slowly before a small, amused smile slid across his face."Dino-san, did I scare you that much?"
"How dare you," Dino said in mock offense. "I never get scared, I'll have you know that I, Dino Cavallone do not get scared."
"That little scream you let out when I tapped the window says otherwise," Tsuna teased. Dino glanced at him, grinning back and taking note of the growing lax in Tsuna's demeanor.
It had been nearly a week since that time, when Dino had impulsively kissed Tsuna. Although the two hadn't talked about it, it seemed to draw Tsuna even closer to Dino and the two frequently hung out together, even when Dino was busy working. The young man seemed a bit more comfortable and confident around Dino, though sometimes he was prone to take Dino's teasing and feigned frustration with Tsuna a bit too seriously and Dino would once again reassure him that he'd done nothing wrong. But moments like the current one were occurring far more often and Dino was more than happy that Tsuna warmed up to him so easily.
"Well Tsuna, I'm an old man, you can't make my nerves bad like this," Dino chided, nervous that the younger would immediately close himself off. A look flickered across the brunette's face before he quickly shook his head and smiled at Dino.
"Hey, Dino," Tsuna said, refocusing on the menu as if looking for a distraction from whatever he was about to say. "Um, what...what kind of work do you think is suitable for a man?"
Dino raised an eyebrow and leaned forward on his elbows, looking at Tsuna's downturned face. "I'm sorry?"
"What kind of work would you, you know, consider men's work," Tsuna said in a softer voice, his eyes flicking quickly over the menu as if he were trying to read every word as fast as he could.
"Well," Dino said carefully, still watching Tsuna closely. "First, you've got to be a man.
"Yeah?" Tsuna responded, glancing up at Tsuna.
"And then you've got to find some work to do, and boom, you have men's work," Dino smirked, satisfied with his own joke. Tsuna however, frowned and replied stoutly, "Dino-san, I'm being serious."
"Why're you asking a question like that Tsuna, "Dino said shaking his head. "There's no such thing as men's work. Men nor women are confined to one type of job just because of their sex, alright?"
Tsuna only hummed in response, looking back at the menu in his hands before deciding that he didn't really want anything after all.
"Tsuna," Dino said in a soft voice, bringing the young man's attention to him. Dino looked at him, trying to find some clue in his expression that something was wrong. But no, Tsuna looked the same, wide-eyed, rosy cheeked, as if he were recovering from being startled. "What's wrong?"
Nervously, Tsuna bit the inside of his cheek, uncertain of whether or not e wanted to answer until he caught the pleading look in Dino's eyes. Taking a deep breath to still his nerves he replied, "I-I just...I don't want to take over my d-dad's business really a-and he said that if...um...i-if…"
"If?" Dino pushed, trying to get an answer out the boy.
"I-if I could come up with a profitable business idea, he'd help me get started a-and that I wouldn't have to take over the company," Tsuna stammered, his voice growing shakier with each word.
"...And what's your idea?" Dino asked gently, careful to not sound like he was trying to force Tsuna to tell him. Dino tried not to show his disappointment when Tsuna, after a few moments of what seemed to be conflicted silence, shook his head in refusal.
"I-I'm sorry Dino-san, I-I just...I think it's a bad idea and I don't want you to think I'm weird a-and I really like you, so please let me keep it to myself for now," Tsuna said hurriedly, squeezing his eyes shut as if he were in pain.
Dino desperately wanted to reassure the younger that whatever was on his mind, he would most certainly not hate him for it. Instead he opted to just accept and respect Tsuna's wishes; trying to convince him otherwise could result in Dino trying to force what he wants onto Tsuna, which could lead to arguing and Tsuna having a panic attack in-
"Tsuna!" someone called from across the shop. The desired person jerked in shock, his eyes widening dramatically when he saw it was Gokudera, headed this way.
"I-I'm so sorry Dino," Tsuna said quickly, words tumbling out of his mouth as if they were burning his tongue. "G-Gokudera wanted to study and I didn't want to say no, but I also couldn't ask you not to come since you'd left work so early for me a-and I-I'm so, so sorry-"
"Tsuna," Dino said gently, smiling and moving his chair around the table so he could be closer to the boy. He placed a hand on his shoulder, hoping the gesture would be comforting, but seemingly making the younger more tense. Nonetheless he maintained his positive demeanor, saying easily, "It's fine kiddo, not like we're on a date or anything. Gokudera-kun!"
The silver-haired man stopped abruptly as if he were just realizing Dino was at the table, looking at the young CEO as if he had materialized from thin air. Then slowly, he continued on his way to the table, dragging a chair from an empty table nearby and sitting at the table with the other two.
"So, Tsuna tells me you two had plans to study?" Dino said, taking his hand off of Tsuna's shoulder and leaning forward.
"Of course, we are in college," Gokudera responded dully. "Don't waste your breath with offers to help, I'm sure you won't be of much service."
"Gokudera-kun!" Tsuna exclaimed, his eyes flicking to Dino fearfully as if he believed the blonde man would fly off the handle at the comment.
Instead, Dino laughed, raising his hands in defeat. "I won't deny it, since I don't know what you guys are studying after all."
"Psychology," Gokudera said. "We kind of put off some general education requirements."
"I see," Dino said, smiling warmly at Gokudera's scowl. He'd be lying if he said that the cross look on the man's face wasn't rubbing him the wrong way. "So, if you don't mind my asking, what's your major?"
"Chemistry," Gokudera said pointedly, looking to Tsuna. "Tsuna, do you want to go to the library or something? It's kind of loud here."
"W-well, I, um-" Tsuna stammered, but was cut off by Dino, who couldn't help but burst out, "Really? I think it's pretty quiet. Unless you were referring to me?"
"Wow, you're sharp," Gokudera said sarcastically, rolling his eyes.
"Gokudera," Tsuna murmured, as if he were trying to get the other to listen to him and be at least a bit more polite, but his voice was virtually unheard by either of the two.
"Do you have some sort of problem with me?" Dino frowned. "I'd really like to know if you do, most people find me quite charming to say the least."
"Glad to know I'm the first," Gokudera retorted.
"And I'll be glad to assume that I'm not the first person to have a problem with you," Dino snapped, finally growing irritated with Gokudera's behavior. A sharp tug on his sleeve returned his attention to Tsuna, who was visibly shaking at this point.
"Tsuna?" Dino said, cupping the younger chin in his hand and tilting his face upward. The brunette eyes were glassy, as if he were genuinely about to cry after the short little spat fest he and Gokudera just had. Gokudera immediately moved from his seat and kneeled by Tsuna, his hand resting on his arm as he quickly murmured apologies to the shaken man.
"I-I'm s-so sorry," Tsuna stammered out, his voice cracking. "I-I didn't mean f-for you t-two to start fighting an-and I thought w-we could just sit together. I-I thought… I-I'm sorry, pl-please don't be mad at m-me, I didn't mean t-to ruin things."
Dino's eyes widened and he quickly ovd his sunglasses off his face so he could meet Tsuna's eyes properly. Tears were streaming down his face now and Dino was sure that if Tsuna didn't calm down soon, he send himself into another panic attack, especially with how frantically he was apologizing for something that he didn't do.
Gokudera immediately began apologizing, reassuring Tsuna that it wasn't his fault and that he had just been immature. Dino scoffed internally, thinking bitterly where was that attitude a few moments ago?
Gokudera's apologies seemed to calm Tsuna down slightly, but not completely. Seeking something to do, some way to possibly calm Tsuna down, Dino ignored any warning flares in his head going off and pressed his lips against Tsuna's forehead.
Heart hammering in his chest, he only smiled when Tsuna's head jerked up, surprise etched all over his face. Gokudera looked just as surprised, looking between Dino and Tsuna as if he were seeing something never before done by man. Dino moved his hand from Tsuna's chin to his head, ruffling his hair fondly before asking, "It's not your fault kiddo. Sometimes people don't hit it off at first, but that doesn't mean it's your fault that we don't okay?"
Tsuna sniffed, his face red and puffy for the small crying fit he'd just had and nodded, hiccupping as he gave Dino a weak smile. Said man then stood up, now reassured that Tsuna was somewhat calmed down for the time being and pointedly looked at Gokudera.
"I'm sure Reborn is cooking up a million things for me to do for Accelerando's release, so I'll take my leave," he said, smoothly placing his sunglasses back on his face. "Have fun studying kids."
Overcome with the desire to call out to Dino and insist that he not leave, he opened his mouth to do so. But Gokudera's presence behind him jerked him out of it and he slowly closed his mouth, telling himself that he'd told Gokudera he would study with him. And study he would, even if it meant missing out on spending time with Dino.
Gokudera expression was nothing short of ashamed and regretful, though Tsuna was certain that he wasn't regretting his behavior towards Dino.
"Tsuna...I'm sorry," he murmured. "I didn't mean to upset you so much."
Tsuna smiled weakly, knowing that the action wouldn't match his gaze and shook his head. Quickly, he grabbed on of the books Gokudera had brought upon arrival and began to flip through it.
"It's fine Gokudera-kun," Tsuna said simply, ignoring the bitter coil of frustration in his stomach. "Which chapter are we getting tested on again?"
Dino cruised through Tsuna's neighborhood, the gated community littered with perfectly manicured lawns and towering mansions all competing against one another in their most ostentatious way possible. Even in the dwindling twilight, Dino could see gardeners working on elaborate flower beds. Hedges were being trimmed into shapes and roses planted everywhere in one yard, despite it looking absolutely horrendous. Dino half expected a wealthy woman to launch out the house, demanding that the roses be painted red.
Though Dino had only been to the area a handful of times, it still surprised him that Tsuna lived in such a place. Such a loud, fanciful place that screamed for attention and to be revered. Dino could see someone like Gokudera living here, with the strong hold of his jaw, the fierce determination and dominance in his eyes, and the proud lilt to his walk. The younger screamed wealth and affluence, even if he wasn't necessarily flaunting his wallet to show it. But Tsuna, Tsuna was different. He shied away from the public eye, seemingly very willing to throw his money out the window if it meant would expect less of him. The attention and speculation that came with being rich and successful wasn't something Tsuna had wished for -though, that wasn't to say the boy wasn't grateful- and Dino couldn't help but feel just a bit compassionate toward him.
He stopped at stop sign, briefly wondering why he bothered stopping when there was virtually no one around. Reborn's voice echoed in his mind with, Dino, if you don't stop now, you won't stop when other cars are at the intersection. Rolling his eyes, Dino turned left and continued down the street steadily approaching Tsuna's house.
Dino would be lying if he said he wasn't slightly bitter that he'd had to leave Tsuna early; that Gokudera kid was a real pan in the ass, and Dino made a mental to note to ask him who exactly pissed in his cereal and to clarify that it whoever it was, it hadn't been him and that he was undeserving of such blatant rudeness.
Turning into Tsuna's driveway and putting the car in park, he grabbed a small brown bag sitting in his passenger's seat, the frozen treat already wetting the bottom of the bag through melting. H stepped out of his car, a butler already standing at the door waiting for him.
"Ah, is Tsuna home?" Dino called out, raising the bag in the air. "I brought something for him."
"I do believe the young master is home Master Dino," the butler said, bowing as Dino walked by and entered the house. "Allow me to call him down for you."
Just as the butler proceeded to go up the stairs, Dino could see Tsuna's feet descending the staircase, the boy making an appearance and staring wide-eyed at Dino. Dino grinned broadly, quickly walking toward Tsuna and saying brightly, "Tsuna! I brought you something! But don't eat it before your dinner, I wouldn't want to spoil it."
"Who are you, my mother?" Tsuna smiled and taking the bag Dino was holding out to him. "I'm nineteen, I think I can handle dessert before dinner."
Reaching into the small brown bag, Tsuna pulled out a small ice cream cup, a plastic top covering the chocolate and strawberry swirl and the chocolate drizzle on the top. The cup the treat was sitting it was drenched with condensation, but Tsuna didn't mind much if it was a bit melted, his heart skipping a beat at the thought the Dino came out just to give him this.
"I felt bad that I had to leave early, so I thought I'd stop by and give you that," Dino said shyly, laughing loudly. Tsuna wondered if the older man knew how red his face was. Probably not, Tsuna thought fondly, taking note of how Dino seemed completely natural.
"How was studying?" Dino asked.
"Productive," Tsuna answered, popping the top off his ice cream and licking the tip of the swirl. Innocently, he held out the cup and asked, "Want to try some Dino?"
Dino stared at it and blinked, an awkward, embarrassed grin stretching across his face as he stammered out a weak, "Wh-what?"
Tsuna felt his heart pick up, confusion settling in as he began to frantically wonder why Dino wouldn't want to try any. Did he think sharing food was gross? Or was it Tsuna himself? Or-?
Immediately Tsuna's thoughts skidded to a halt, his cheeks burning red and his hands becoming sweaty as he realised why Dino was acting so strange.
"I-indirect..." he stammered. "N-no! I didn't mean it like-I don't want to kiss you! N-not that I don't like your kisses, but I-"
Dino chuckled, face still red and took the cup from Tsuna's hand, tongue flicking out to gathering some of the frozen sweet and pop it into his mouth. "Relax, kiddo, I'm kidding," he said and then looked up the ceiling in thought before finishing, "Well, kind of."
Tsuna smiled, his heart still beating fast and his palms still a little sweaty, but mentally at ease. This is Dino, he thought soothingly to himself. Everything's always fine with Dino.
"But," Dino said smirking. "What was that about my kisses?"
"H-huh?" Tsuna stammered. "O-oh, well, nothing, I was just saying that because ou played a joke on me…"
"Aww," Dino said, pressing a hand to his chest as if in pain. "My heart hurts Tsuna, and here I thought you liked when I give you kisses like that."
Tsuna's flood burned even brighter as he burst out, " I-I do! It's just embarrassing to say that! They're...they're calming and make me feel better when I feel like I'm going to have an anxiety attack."
Dino glanced at Tsuna, a sly smile on a lips as he asked, "So you don't mind if I do that? I was worried that you didn't like it."
"I do," Tsuna said softly, smiling shyly and holding out a hand. "Can I have my ice cream now?"
Raising it high above his head, Dino said, "Sure."
"You know I can't reach that, you're taller than me," Tsuna whined. "Just give it back! Please?"
Unable to contain his smile, Dino leaned down and pressed a chaste kiss to the top of Tsuna's head before handing the ice cream to him. The younger man narrowed his eyes at Dino and looked away, seemingly trying to will away his blush and muttering something about what a terrible friend Dino was.
"Ah," Dino said looking at his watch. "I'd have to go back soon, Reborn's expecting me in early tomorrow to talk about the new car."
"I'm sorry, you probably have to work harder because I asked you take off," Tsuna said, looking down. "And then you didn't even get to spend most of the day with me."
"Hey," Dino laughed. "I'd take off again for you in a heartbeat, I swear. But um, probably not anytime soon."
Confused, Tsuna looked up, licking at his ice cream and waiting for Dino to continue.
"Accelarando's going to be released really soon and that'll mean tons of meetings with Reborn and other officials at Arcobaleno, meetings with dealerships and press conferences, all that jazz," Dino said running a hand through his hair and sighing as if he were already exhausted. "So, I might not be able to see you as often. Is that okay?"
Tsuna felt a twinge of guilt at the look of worry on Dino's face as he asked this. In the back of his mind, a small voice chided him for always calling Dino and always depending on him as a support system, and essentially throwing a fit when he wasn't around as if he couldn't function properly without him. Tsuna shook his head, trying to will the voice away and smiled at Dino.
"That's okay, you have work, I understand," Tsuna said.
"Good," Dino sighed with relief. "Will calling you be fine?"
Tsuna nodded. "Even a text will be fine, I guess. But one thing."
Dino raised his eyebrows and froze, standing stock still when Tsuna rose up on his toes and pressed his lips to Dino's cheek. The brunette stepped back, looking away bashfully before ushering Dino towards the door and quickly saying good night before he slammed the door closed behind Dino and left the man standing on his front porch in the cool night air.
Still shocked, Dino raised a hand to his cheek, the light, feathery touch of Tsuna's lips still there as if the sensation had been burned into his skin. Dazedly, he made it to his car and though Dino doesn't completely remember the drive home, he somehow made it back and even as he dressed for bed he couldn't shake the thought that Tsuna has kissed him.
And the next day, at work, he showed up to the office with dark, heavy bags under his eyes, sleep lost that night from thinking about Tsuna and his kiss and how maybe the next time he saw him, he just might be lucky enough to receive another. Reborn looked at him curiously, but left the matter alone, continuing with the meeting and casually making sure Dino had a substantial supply of water and coffee. Though Dino hadn't mentioned anything abnormal when Reborn had asked, when Reborn had visited Tsuna later that day, all the pieces seemingly clicked together. And all he could really do was smile and shake his head to himself, wondering how his two most helpless proteges could possibly have gotten themselves entangled in a mess so easily.
Author's Note: Please excuse any mistakes, I have a bad habit of forgetting to type words when I think of them, and even worse habit of inserting where they aren't when I proofread.
Fun fact: Every time I write for Tsuna, I feel like he grows further and further from resembling someone with severe social anxiety . I actually wanted to update this sooner, but I'm quite an irresponsible writer and I have multiple fics on multiple accounts going, haha. Hopefully, I didn't make you guys wait too long with this!
Also, sorry if it seems kind of...random? Awkward? I promise that the good parts will start coming soon (or at least as long as my chapters follow my outline it will).
Oh, and please don't hate Gokudera too much, he's just a bit jealous ;)
I hope you enjoyed it, and don't forget to Favorite, Alert, and Comment/Review!