Chapter 52

Convincing Daniela-san to let Daemon escort him wasn't easy, especially when no one had noticed the man entered the mansion. Mentioning he's a powerful Mist hadn't helped matters, though it did clear some of them out. She still wanted to provide him with an escort but Daemon's silver tongue helped them. The way the man maneuvered the situation out of Daniela-san's hands without her noticing spoke of the man's age and cunning.

It frightened him. It made him wonder how many times he's been played so masterfully to obtain what Daemon wanted. He can count a couple but those few are so obvious he may as well have done it purposefully to gain his trust.

It gives him a headache. Daemon is a headache.

"I feel as if I'm being insulted," Daemon hums.

"It wasn't me," he answers perhaps a bit too quickly.

The Mists laughs in that weird way of his.

Luckily, they already reached the balcony and it was empty. Everyone is inside as the opening of the Ottava is near. She told him that that's the time she greets everyone and gives a couple of important news. Probably about the Arcobaleno appearing and other Mafia things.

He doesn't want to hear it.

It's not denial if he'll make sure it doesn't happen.

Tsuna leans against the railing as soon as they are outside, Daemon choosing to follow by his side. It's comfortable for a couple of seconds, with the man looking up at the dark sky while Tsuna inspects the man before him.

Tsuna is a Sky, his property is harmonization and that means sometimes feeling when something isn't harmonized like Daemon is. He feels incomplete, unlike how an alive person is. Too faint for that. But there's power in his, he´s made of power. It's well-hidden, showing only what others expect to see, but Tsuna fought him once. He knows pretty well the feel of the flames of the people he fought with. That and Daemon probably doesn't bother too hard to hide from him.

He realizes Daemon's head is now turned towards him and… he's been staring for how long?

Damnit, he thought he was done with being creepy.

He grasps the first conversation topic that occurs to him. "So, uh, Renato kissed me."

"He did? This afternoon?" he asks, not surprised at all. "Weren't you living with him? I thought he would be quicker in his advances."

Tsuna swallows down the indignant splutter that wants to go out. "He wouldn't have taken advantage."

Daemon raises a perfect eyebrow. "He's a well-known Casanova."

"That doesn't mean anything!" he hisses, indignant on his friend's behalf.

"True. It's obvious he wants your relationship to last. If he really wanted you in his bed, his methods of seduction would have done the job pretty quickly." He winks at him. "He has a reputation, you know."

Tsuna silently grumbles.

"I don't know why you're looking so annoyed. You were the one who started the conversation."

Tsuna looks at him from the corner of his glowing eyes, gaze far too piercing. "I kind of wanted advice."

The honesty of Tsuna's words seems to have an effect on Daemon as there is a small hint of disbelief—a real emotion—as he asks, "From me?"

"You've lived for very long, and… I want to trust you."

Daemon chuckles as he pats his head condescendingly. "Ah, to be young. And naïve. I wonder if I was like you at your age."

"You were, I'm sure. It's okay to admit it."

A huff. "Well, let's hear what you want that advice for. I'm guessing it has to do with the kiss, yes?"

Tsuna slowly nods. "You told me new flame-bonds tend to be, uh, clingy? And if it's forced like the one between Verde and me then our hormones tend to make us want to do physical stuff."

"I used other words, but yes."

"Okay, so, I haven't harmonized with Renato, why would he—I mean, he kissed me!" At the end of the words, his head is between his arms, which he discovers is a bad idea to do when one's wearing a mask. It kind of hurts.

Daemon, the prick, laughs. It's a surprising laugh though, a real one, nothing more than a couple of huffed breaths. "Idiot."

"Hey!"

He can feel Daemon rolling his eyes even if he can't see it. "Haven't you thought that it may be because he simply likes you? You're not bad to look at, either."

Tsuna blushes, glad he's wearing the mask to hide his flaming cheeks.

"… But I'm No-good Tsuna. I understand Verde because of harmonization, but why people like Renato or Fong would like—"

"Ask them. If you really want to know, only they can tell you what they feel." He then suddenly smirks. "Though it looks like a game from outside, you've got to admit."

Tsuna scrunches his nose. "What are you talking abo—"

And then Daemon's leaning in, hands swiftly moving both masks away. Tsuna's facing the Ball while Daemon puts his head up. His eyes glow with the Spade symbol, the dim light making it look eery. There's mirth in his eyes, honest playfulness.

Maybe is that sincere expression that stops him from pushing him away. Unlike the other times he's been kissed, he was nervous because they were serious, but this feels like a game, as Daemon said—Daemon isn't interested in him like the others are.

That's why he leans forward.

(That and he's curious. He's never kissed a solid illusion)