Chapter 44

This time, Dimtr's flames are easier to coax out. Seems that bit of talking helped them both settle a bit. He can feel his intuition guide him as his flames sort of nuzzle Dimtr's, trying to coax him into harmonization. It seems to work because Dimtr's body slowly starts to relax against his own.

And then it comes. Like knowledge's been suddenly downloaded into his brain, he just knows Dimtr, understands him in a way he couldn't before. Not in the 'we were childhood friends' kind of way, but more primal. The scientist's mind is so vast and great it hurts. His thoughts are too fast for Tsuna to follow without his intuition being active, but he now knows how Dimtr sees the world. It's loud and chaotic, his mind always working, sometimes too overwhelmed by everything.

The way he's always in his lab and only comes out at night is because people can be too much with their flaws and thoughts on display for a mind such as his. Dimtr can't feel them like he can with his Hyper Intuition, but he can obtain similar knowledge just by watching them, too. Sight, smell, and touch are overwhelming. Everything is overwhelming and he can't think with all the distractions—he can't be. He can't do anything.

Except he can. Tsuna can. Tsuna can shut off his intuition, unlike Dimtr who can't keep his mind shut. Tsuna understands his need for silence now, his worry of ever becoming dull like the subjects that stop taking his attention.

Tsuna understands and accepts.

"Mine," he murmurs. "You're mine. I'll protect you."

He doesn't receive an answer but then he's just a Sky comforting his Element, letting him know he's perfect the way he is, understanding his pain, and helping him understand himself better. He opens himself a bit, too, shares his experiences with flames, those first days he's told no one. Those awful days where he needed to find a Rain to sleep with just to calm his flames. He shares more. His insecurities and dreams, how much he's left just to save his family. He doesn't go into details, his mind is still present enough to not do that, but he explains in that silent way their bond now lets them. A bond of devotion, of trust. He now can't see his life without him, it's difficult to see themselves as separate beings, actually.

And then he's not a flame anymore. He's back in his body and he can feel Dimtr under him. Their foreheads are pressed against each other and he can think clearly again. He opens his eyes and realizes Dimtr's crying. Tsuna himself is panting, tired, but he still musters the energy to hug Dimtr, kissing both of his cheeks where the tears are. Dimtr touches him back, pulls him closer like a man starving for water.

They stay like that for a long time, with Tsuna nuzzling Dimtr's neck as they brush flames, all while Dimtr takes deep breaths close to his ear, fingers carding through his hair and neck with fluttering touches. They are deft and tender, a hint of awe in his movements as both bodies relax against each other.

"It's quiet," Dimtr murmurs after a while. Tsuna knows he doesn't mean the lack of noise inside the room but the silence inside his mind.

"You're a bit flame drunk, I think. My flames do that, sometimes."

The scientist hums. "It's nice, like being on drugs."

"Don't do drugs," he answers back immediately. "They're bad for you."

As if he hasn't heard, Dimtr continues, "However, now I've got this need of getting to know you. I want to spend more time with you. I don't want you to leave… Sincerely, I don't think I'll be able to work like this... It scares me."

"It's okay to be scared. Our bond is new. You'll probably feel more protective about me and will want to be by my side for a while longer."

"Interesting." With a soft sigh, Dimtr straightens, he moves his hand from his head to his waist as he starts mouthing his jaw, leaving a trail of kisses Tsuna doesn't want to stop. "I think you need to leave then."

What.

He looks up to voice his thoughts: "What?"

Dimtr doesn't stop kissing his face. "I need to write this experience down now that my ideas are fresh. I won't be able to do it if you're here being so, so distracting."

That's weird. By what Daemon told him, usually Elements get more possessive from what he's heard. But he understands so he lets Dimtr help him stand up even if he's a bit shaky and tired himself. "You don't want me here then?"

"Oh god, no. I want you here. It's actually a bit terrifying how much I want you to be in my sight, but I can't work like this."

He hugs him next and the next kiss goes to his lips for the first time. It's more of a peck, one he keeps giving while he talks. "I want you,"—peck—"so much,"—peck—"I don't,"—peck— "want you,"—peck— "to leave."

It's actually a bit overwhelming. He barely realizes he's been led to the door. And he only notices that when his back is touching the wood.

"Is this you firing me?" Tsuna asks breathlessly.

"No," he answers too quickly. He looks down at him, searching for something. Tsuna doesn't know what but just to be sure he lifts a hand up to brush his gruff cheek, he lets his hand travel to his scalp and pushes him closer, his eyes never leaving Dimtr's in case the man objects. He knows how skittish he is when someone breaches his personal space, not that it means he bothers when he's the one doing it. He's a bit of a hypocrite like that.

He leaves a peck like all those Dimtr left on his lips and then stands on the tip of his toes and goes back for another kiss, this one a bit deeper. He doesn't know why, he just needs the contact, something to ground him.

Besides, he's not kissed anyone in a while. And this feels right.

He doesn't let it go any deeper, just a movement of lips and nipping some of his own possessive behavior. He finishes it with a peck on his cheek before righting himself.

"I'll see you tomorrow, then?"

Dimtr seems conflicted for a second. "Are you sure we don't need the sex?"

Tsuna tries really hard not to blush. "Pretty sure. This is only because our harmonization was a bit abrupt. Our hormones will settle soon." This time, he looks down. "Though if you want that kind of relationship, just know I'm not against it. You're mine, sure; but I'm also yours. You can ask from me anything you want."

Dimtr opens the door as he hums, pushing his bag. "I wouldn't be against some kisses."

Walking out and settling the bag on a shoulder, he smiles. "Me neither."

"That said, you really are some distraction."

Then he closes the door on his face.

And that's that.

"You're still a jerk," he says out loud, but it comes out fond and not so resigned. Though then he sighs and the resignation comes. "Renato is going to kill me," he murmurs and with gobbled steps, he makes his return to Renato's home.