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Tsuna would like it known for the record that he never plans this, it is entirely unintentional that he has landed in jail, again.
The choice of criminal to put behind bars was either him, or his men, and of course, Tsuna takes care of his people. Purposely waiting for the policemen to buy his distraction, Tsuna lets himself get cuffed roughly against the car door, and meekly follows instructions.
It's not a difficult choice to make, in any case, those who are in the know, will come eventually to bail him out - it just depends on who.
The higher-ups in the law enforcement are begging to be in Tsuna's good graces, reasonably, given how much he had revamped the entire mafia scene. Bad criminals turned good. The oxymoron holds true, Tsuna has simply changed the target of the mafioso to those who should, rightfully, cease to exist in the world. Rapists, traffickers, all of the illegal within the illegal. There is a threshold to the things that Tsuna would accept, but the line is drawn at non-consent.
"You should cut off your dick off if you can't control it," Tsuna will warn, because he is nice and believes that second chances will bring out the innate good of people. Reborn, however, takes Tsuna's words quite literally - the aftermath is messy, to say the least.
Speaking of Reborn - his husband, yes, is a person that is absolutely unstoppable. Whether it is work, a goal, or Tsuna himself, Reborn gets what he wants. Barely a year after the hitman regained his adult body, Reborn went at full speed romancing him, what with rose bouquets and all.
Tsuna is aware that Reborn, in his pre-curse days, is a casanova through and through. It’s not a far cry to say that Reborn is a careless lover. Tsuna doesn’t want to speak bad of his tutor, but the many, verified, hearsays do have some degree of truth in them, and so if Tsuna refrains from reciprocating Reborn’s affections, it is simply to err on the side of error.
As a Sky, he has too big a heart and, as Hayato always says, “trusts too easily.” It is true though, Tsuna knows that he trusts first and doubts later, and it is also possibly the reason why so many of his enemies are now allies. Of course, it is not a fool-proof modus operandi, Tsuna's scar-riddled body is testament of that but - if he can’t give a second chance, then who will?
However, when it comes to matters of the heart, Tsuna is not so forgiving. He can’t be, after seeing how his mother spent her days alone, faithfully waiting for a man who never keeps his word to come home. Tsuna’s first decision upon succession of the Vongola was to dismiss Iemitsu of his duties as CEDEF head and send him packing home, but scars etched into the heart never heals so easily.
His mother still gets that forlorn look in her eyes at times, and Tsuna is much too wary of relationships.
Brushing aside Reborn’s advancements is easy enough given the surmounting workload, but it doesn’t sit right with him to do so. It’s not fair to Reborn. Thus, he did what he must; in the most respectful and careful way possible, Tsuna rejected Reborn. A thank you for looking at him so favourably, but “I cannot be with a partner who is not completely devoted to me. I don’t want to follow in the footsteps of Mama. You know that, Reborn.”
His will shone through fiery orange eyes, and it becomes second nature to let it seep through whenever he is serious about something. Reborn understood it, and smiled faintly as he placed the bouquet in Tsuna’s arms before leaving.
It was expected, Tsuna holds no grudges as he watches Reborn’s distant back, but it doesn’t ease the ache in his heart.
Truth be told, Tsuna has always had a soft spot for his tutor. The one man who believed in his potential; who didn’t give up on him even when he gave up on himself; who stood by his side unwaveringly in the face of all those who opposed the Decimo’s ideals. When Reborn blocks a bullet for him, acting as a shield against the enemies, Tsuna’s heart stutters so fiercely that he might as well could have been the one that was shot instead. Tsuna thinks with his heart first before he lets logic overtake, and just like that, he falls in love with Reborn.
A glance that lingers for a second too long, thoughts that persist intrusively without warning, a frame of mind that thinks of Reborn first before all else.
It is because of this, that when Tsuna steps into the function room as host of the party and his eyes look for the man - who is hidden in an alcove, conversing with another lady - Tsuna heart trembles, and he swallows down his indignation, before proceeding to make merry with the guests. Between a forced smile and a genuine one, no one around him will be able to tell the difference. Reborn himself made sure of that, after all.
Avoiding the hitman is a doable feat. When the Decimo is not doing paperwork, then he will be in a meeting, or in the midst of an alliance proposal with other families, or perhaps making a visit to the Varia’s and having a drink with Xanxus - of whom, gives a derisive snort when Tsuna laments his drunken woes. While Xanxus’ hyperintuition may pale in comparison to his, the man is still a Vongola by blood. He is the only other person capable of looking through his facade.
“What is it, Tsunayoshi?” he asks.
Tsuna considers spilling his heart troubles, but yet again, there wasn’t anything to begin with. Reborn is not his, and there is nothing to tie the man down. At best, Reborn is Tsuna’s advisor, and one of Vongola’s. At the worst, Reborn can leave anytime he wants, without so much as a backward glance. Tsuna heaves a sigh and downs the glass of wine. “I think we should establish a club,” he says at last, “We can call it the Useless Fathers club. I think Hayato would love to join.”
Xanxus chuckles and clinks their glass together, “Cheers.”
It all comes down to his terrible, bad luck when Reborn corners him just as he clears a stack of paperwork.
"Let's go out for lunch," Reborn asks. Says, informs. Tsuna really isn't given much of a choice here, but he tries nonetheless.
"I have work to do."
Reborn gives a meaningful glance to the significantly smaller tower of papers at Tsuna's desk and arches an elegant brow. Elegantly. How can eyebrow arching be elegant? Tsuna is a fool twice over and gives in to Reborn, sighing.
Usually, when the two of them go on their lunch… appointment - not a date - Tsuna is always the designated driver, the one who foots the bill and chooses the restaurant to eat at. "You're the boss," Reborn would nag, "Take care of your men."
So, it comes as a surprise when Tsuna heads towards his car but is stopped by an arm on his wrist. "We'll use mine today," Reborn says. Shock having not registered completely - Reborn is possessive over his cars, okay? - Tsuna eyes widen further when the next words to come out of Reborn's mouth is, "I'll drive today."
Multiple disbelieving looks sent Reborn's way after, and Tsuna finally asks, "Are you sick?"
Not that he doesn't appreciate it, not having to drive for once is very enjoyable and the calluses on his hands gained from writing non-stop over the past few days have started to hurt, but this is uncommon behaviour.
Reborn lets out a laugh. "Have you ever heard of a Sun falling ill?"
Point taken, but still, the situation is making Tsuna nervous. Why is Reborn going to such lengths to treat him so nicely? Driving his precious car, choosing the destination, oh. Fuck, is Reborn leaving the Vongola? Has he decided to leave after being rejected? Tsuna rapidly blinks away the hot welling of tears and swallows his saliva.
Between a loveless, arranged marriage and… whatever it is that Reborn had offered, Tsuna had chosen the former option. It is the most logical, pain-free choice of the two. Already, he has started to receive a few proposals but chucked it aside in favour of paperwork. Now that Reborn is leaving him, maybe his heart will finally settle down and he can start looking through the stack of letters.
The sense of foreboding gets stronger the moment Tsuna steps into the restaurant.
It is a posh establishment, a fine dining place that requires one to dress formally to enter. Luckily, Reborn's ironclad rule to always wear a suit when going out has rubbed off on Tsuna, and they are quickly directed to the corner, empty table.
"I left something in the car, be right back." Reborn announces. Just as well, this allows Tsuna to take a breather, calming his erratic heart. Fiddling with his ring, Tsuna takes repeated, slow breaths, and just when he thinks that he is ready for what is to come - an explosion erupts nearby.
Immediately running towards it, Tsuna prepares himself for a possible battle or defusing of situation. A decade ago, he would have been the first one to run away at the sight of danger but ten years can change a person, and Sicily has become all but a home to him. It is his, and so are their people.
Tsuna makes quick work of the assailants and sends his own men scurrying away. Notedly, the assailants were people who are already on his watch list, so Tsuna doesn't feel an inch of remorse when the sounds of police sirens approach, and handcuffs are locked around them. Unfortunately, as the only man left standing and as the sole witness, Tsuna gets cuffed along and pushed into the cars too.
Whatever that Reborn had intended to tell him, it will just have to wait. He is postponing the inevitable and if Tsuna is being honest with himself: yes, he doesn't want Reborn to leave.
This is not the first time, nor will it be the last, that Tsuna is behind bars. Every so often, such a situation arises and usually, he is let out shortly after having been recognised. If not, Hayato will be the one to step in.
Clearly, none of the police force recognises him as he is still stuck within four walls.
Unconsciously, his hands start smoothing over the Vongola ring again. Now that he thinks about it, perhaps his earlier sense of trepidation was in regards to this.
Reborn does not come marching into the police station with guns blazing but it is a near thing. Tsuna hefts his cuffed hands up, smiling resignedly. Reborn glares sharply at the rookie police officer, who scampers away quickly with a "I'll get you a cup of water."
In large strides, Reborn cups his hand on Tsuna's face, tilting it up for a kiss. Reborn's hand shifts from Tsuna's jaw, down to his outstretched neck, gently holding - not too tight, not too loose. Tsuna makes a faint noise of surprise, and Reborn deepens the kiss.
The sound of the door opening and closing seconds later has Tsuna looking up. Dazedly, he asks, “Is that okay…?”
“I don’t care,” Reborn breathes out. Lifting Tsuna onto the table, he hooks Tsuna's arm around his neck and continues where they left off. Kissing ardently, tongues entwined, and Reborn's heated gaze seems to flare across the room.
Tsuna's weakness - strength - has always lied with his family, and Reborn is a part of it. Whatever protests that could have come up are immediately distracted by the warmth of Reborn's hands spreading across his back, a caress around the waist, and long fingers running through his hair. Tsuna melts into the touch. By the time they separate, Tsuna's mind is in a muddled state and as much as he enjoyed the kiss, he must clarify things.
Pushing Reborn apart, he starts, "You..."
"Tsuna," Reborn interrupts, "Marry me."
A startled intake of breath comes from Tsuna when Reborn fishes out a box from his pocket, offering it, proposing. Bringing Tsuna's hand to his lips, Reborn kisses the Vongola ring - it is an act of allegiance that is still carried out in the Vongola, as mafiosi, swearing loyalty and the remainder of their life to the Vongola Don.
Through this, Reborn is offering his unadulterated devotion.
Tsuna struggles to answer him, still processing the act but it is, in actuality, not too surprising, isn't it? Reborn has agreed to be his advisor, answering only the calls of the Decimo and no other. But this...
At the prolonged silence, Reborn takes Tsuna's hand, placing it around his neck: "I will not betray you. My life is yours, Tsuna."
You can choose to end it, if you so wish to. Tsuna loosely covers Reborn's throat; there is no resistance and only resolution shining in the man's eyes. Really, the choice has already been made since a decade ago.
Resolve has become Tsuna's impetus for all things important and as he tugs Reborn closer, hand caressing the nape, their mouths fit neatly together.
Abruptly, Tsuna breaks out in laughter, "We are a pair of criminals making out in a police station."
"A pair of lovers," Reborn corrects, "Let's go home."
Tsuna’s lifestyle remains unchanged since the progress of their relationship, however, it appears that Reborn seems conflicted between his role as advisor and partner. Case in point: “Why do you look like that?”
“I’m deciding,” Reborn replies.
Tsuna takes a pause in his drink, “On what?”
“On whether an alliance with the Barvatti is really necessary.”
At Tsuna’s amused look, Reborn continues, “He was looking at you with ill intention!”
It is true, Tsuna agrees that the Barvatti’s boss’ eyes were wandering to unwise places, despite the fact that there is a ring on Tsuna’s fourth finger. Unfortunately, the Barvatti alliance is needed - at least for now.
To appease his husband, and to satisfy any other straying thoughts, Tsuna tilts Reborn’s head towards himself, capturing soft lips as his hand dangles in Reborn’s hair. He is the only person alive that has the privilege of touching Reborn’s curly locks, and Tsuna always takes full advantage of it. Fingers tracing long sideburns, before touching softly the erogenous area behind the ears.
In between kisses, Reborn warns, “If you keep touching me like that, you won’t be able to walk tomorrow.”
“That’s the plan,” Tsuna cheekily replies.
The next time Tsuna ends up behind cuffs, his first thought is not again, followed by oh, Reborn will be mad. Rightfully so, because Tsuna was just on his merry way to a date with his husband when a brawl nearby distracted him. Why are men so quick to anger? Maybe he should send Kyoya to the families for resilience training, it might be overkill, but the results will be absolutely glorious.
The police station - notedly a different one this time; it’s like a tourist attraction at this point, and Tsuna has been making trips to each and every one of them - comes within eyesight and since he is already here, might as well make some friends, right?
Tsuna chirps to the staff with a jovial “Hello! It’s nice to meet you!”
Easily winning over their hearts with a sunny smile, the staff quickly warms up to the Decimo and Tsuna finds himself being treated kindly, as much as it is possible while behind bars, anyway.
(“Hey, are you sure we have the correct person?” Tsuna overhears, and has to push down the laughter that threatens to escape. Reborn is a terrible influence.)
Tsuna becomes a listener to the troubled woes of the inmates, animatedly nodding along.
One of them gets particularly aggravated: "This is all the fault of that damn Decimo! I'm going to lose my job at this rate."
"That is very true," Tsuna agrees, "The Decimo has been stirring up a lot of trouble."
It is a little too entertaining, teasing mafiosi, but Tsuna walks away with what he wants in the end: the general opinion held by the mafia. Mentally rearranging his list of priorities, with plans to re-skill these people, Tsuna muses himself with idle talk.
"Sorry for the rant. So, what's a good chap like you doing here?"
"It's all that Decimo's fault! I was on my way to a date too," Tsuna exclaims, commiserating with the others.
An idea pops up in his mind, and Tsuna tempts the inmates with an opportunity of decent work, decent salary, and all the necessities that one will need, covered for. What better way is there to change stubborn mindsets than letting them have a taste of the good life themselves? It is too tempting a deal, and Tsuna waves goodbye to the group with a promise to call them.
"What did you do again," Reborn asks, disgruntled over a spoiled date.
Tsuna beams, "Recruitment!" Then, he slips his hand into Reborn's back pockets, and slyly winks, "I'll make it up to you."
Sad to say, but Tsuna's affinity with the lawful side of society does not cease to exist even with the added measures (Reborn had personally taken things into hand, he must have been pretty pent up, Tsuna surmises). Thus, Tsuna decides to simply make acquaintances with all of them - keep your friends close and enemies closer, right?