Chapter 46

"Timmy!" Zaid says as soon as he steps out of the plane. Curious, Tsuna peeks outside and indeed, the not-Ninth is there, this time with who looks like a young Visconti. Renato doesn't tense from where he's standing but his hand is now resting on the small of Tsuna's back, his posture relaxed and all but screaming deadly.

He gives him a smile to reassure him everything is okay before following his friend from where he's chattering Timoteo's ears off.

Visconti spots Renato first and he all but glowers.

Tsuna tilts his head in a silent question and the hitman leans down to whisper in his ear. "Visconti's weapon of choice are two guns. He's always been a little sore I'm better than him."

With a small laugh, Tsuna approaches the group. "Hello, Timoteo-san."

"Natsu, nice to see you here. And Reborn, too. Zaid mentioned you were coming."

The hitman tilts his fedora up. "A pleasure to see you well as always, Vongola."

Timoteo's gaze goes to where Renato's hand is resting before locking gazes with Tsuna, eyes flicking golden. He winks at him. "Interesting company you've got over here, um?"

"We're friends," Tsuna says before the other can make any conclusions. "We've met a couple of months ago and kind of… hit it off?"

Reborn presses a hand to his chest mockingly. "So unsure. You wound me, little Sky."

He glares at the man, though he stops when he hears Timoteo chuckling "Friends? Okay, then." He looks at the car waiting a good couple of steps behind them. "We should probably go. Mother wants to talk to you before the party starts and we want to give you plenty of time to prepare."

Zaid groans from his spot. "Ugh. I've to wear that fancy green suit, right?"

"You do."

Zaid groans again but Tsuna can see is mostly for show. He seems really happy to be here by Timoteo-san's side and it's plain to see for anyone that's known him as long as Tsuna. So he decides to give them some space, choosing to stay on the back with Renato, following slowly the others.

"You mentioned before you knew Ottava but I didn't ask before about it. How did you two meet?"

The question holds sincere curiosity so after a hesitant moment, he answers, "When I came here I was in a bad place, she gave me good advice and helped me control my flames."

"Ho? There's something else there. I can't see a Mafia Don simply helping someone. What did she have to gain?" At seeing his conflicted, annoyed look, he adds, "No offense to her, of course. She's a delightful lady from what I've seen."

Tsuna nods but doesn't say anything. This time the doubt is stronger and while he knows there's no picture of the first generation that's not well hidden that Renato will see to compare him to Primo, he's still unsure. He doesn't want the man to know how close is his relation to Vongola. Even so, he feels the hitman deserves to know a little.

"I'm family."

The other hums, fedora shadowing his eyes. "You don't mean Family."

"No."

"Then it's weirder how that was the first time you met and not before."

He looks to the side. "I'm Japanese, remember? I may not be close family, but I still have Vongola blood."

"Interesting."

"That doesn't change anything, right?" Tsuna asks, looking ahead, not daring to see Renato's face. When the silence stretches for a second longer he can't resist peeking. The other's face is blank but at locking gazes, a small, real smile appears on his lips. Just for him.

"I'm still yours."

Tsuna feels a flush rising on his cheeks. "We already had this conversation."

"I'm quite sure we didn't. You said something about explaining later."

He sighs as if the weight of the world has settled on his shoulders before giving the man a soft look. "I know."

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