Had it not been for Nana confiscating his video games and manga for yet another failed test Tsuna had failed to hide from her, he would’ve been content to spend the day indoors- lazily wasting away his day playing games and neglecting his homework. Instead Reborn had decided that as punishment for the low scores, an all day hellish training specifically designed to help motivate his student would be the best course of action.
The sun had already set hours ago, before Reborn decided to end the training - leaving Tsuna to find his own way back home from the outskirts of Namimori. Releasing a weary sigh, Tsuna groaned. Hopefully by the time he arrived home there would still be enough hot water left for him to soothe his aching muscles; that is assuming Lambo hadn’t blown it up the bathroom during his absence.
Urgh-
Shivering slightly as a cool wind passed through, Tsuna paused mid-step as he furrowed his brows. Uncertain if he had heard something or if he’d simply imagined it due to his exhaustion; Tsuna strained his ears hoping to catch the sound and the direction it had come from as Tsuna glanced around him. At this time the residents of Namimori were likely already home, leaving the streets mostly deserted.
Intuition warned Tsuna to walk away- that curiosity killed the cat but Tsuna couldn’t shake off his concern. What if someone needed help? Making up his mind and mustering up what little courage he had, Tsuna headed towards the direction of where he assumed the sound had come from.
Footsteps echoed through the quiet streets, before coming to a stop at an alleyway lined with trash bags on both sides. Tsuna scanned his surroundings, before noticing a familiar figure standing further back in the alley, almost hidden in the shadows. Had it not been for the glint of a blade reflecting the nearby streetlight, Tsuna would’ve missed him entirely.
Recognising the figure dressed in the uniform of Namimori middle school, his intuition screamed at him to run, that he was witnessing something he wasn’t meant to see, but he remained rooted to the spot. Why would he ever run away from his best friend?
“Take-” His voice died immediately as they formed as Tsuna realised a moment too late that the katana was currently pierced through a man’s chest; right through his heart.
For a brief moment, the other person stiffened at the unexpected sound of his name before Takeshi glanced over his shoulder, a trademark cheerful smile that didn’t reach his eyes this time.
“What have you done?” Tsuna choked out, his mind struggling to comprehend the sight laid out before him.
Brown eyes desperately locked with Takeshi’s own – desperately hoping and pleading that this was just a nightmare or perhaps even a sick joke his best friend was playing. However, the smell of blood permeating the air, and the remorseless look on Takeshi’s face told him otherwise.
“Yo, Tsuna. I wasn’t expecting you."
Takeshi admitted with an abashed grin on his face as he sheathed his katana still dripping with blood; ignoring the thud of the body that collapsed at his feet. Scratching his cheek in embarrassment, his eyes remained locked with Tsuna’s. From where they stood metres apart, Takeshi could see the visible shock directed at him for his actions. After all, Tsuna had always been a pacifist. Choosing to see the good in others and resorting to violence only as a last resort. He knew Tsuna would never forgive him nor would he ever understand, but that was fine with Takeshi; he didn’t need to be forgiven.
Unable to bear looking at him anymore, Tsuna cast his gaze down as he drew a shuddering breath before promptly emptying the contents of his stomach. His body retching violently before his knees gave out below him, sending him crashing to the ground.
“Why… why would you do this?”
Stepping over the now lifeless body to close the distance between them, Takeshi knelt in front of Tsuna, ignoring the pool of vomit. His eyes softened in sympathy as his fingers slid under his chin, forcing Tsuna to look at him.
His thumb caressed Tsuna’s cheekbone leaving a small trail of blood behind on his skin. Red always did look good on him, Takeshi thought to himself before tracing over Tsuna’s bottom lip, ignoring the look of fear and disgust clearly evident in the brunette’s eyes. An almost forlorn look crossed his face at Tsuna’s reaction.
“Are you afraid of me now, Tsuna?” Takeshi quietly asked with a tinge of sadness- unfitting the lazy carefree smile on his lips. The question lingered heavy in the air; they both already knew the answer.
Takeshi watched in fascination as Tsuna’s Adam's apple bobbed up and down as he desperately tried to regain his composure.
“I don’t know who you are anymore.” His voice eventually came out in a strained whisper and Takeshi could easily hear the hurt and betrayal weaved in.
Holding Tsuna’s chin, he forced the other to meet his gaze before Takeshi pressed his lips against Tsuna’s. His eyes watched as Tsuna’s own widened in shock. Not giving him time to react, Takeshi’s tongue licked at Tsuna’s bottom lip- tasting the blood from earlier.
Nipping at Tsuna’s bottom lip just hard enough to leave a mark behind, Takeshi could feel the other gasp against him. The taste of sour bile still remained but that didn’t deter him as he deepened the kiss. It was a slow kiss, but not a gentle one as Takeshi cupped his cheek, tilting Tsuna towards a better angle. A small sound left Tsuna’s throat before Takeshi broke apart; his lips lingering close.
“Then you never knew me at all.”
