Chapter 60

Fong huffs softly, stopping him from continuing with a warm palm settling on top of his head. He seems momentarily marveled at their closeness, as the fingers he runs through his hair are careful and full of wonder. Tsuna beams at the attention; it's been almost a month since they've seen each other, after all.

He grows nervous when the hand goes to his still slightly wet cheeks. A frown appears on the Storm's usually calm expression.

"Are you okay?"

He doesn't want to lie anymore so he sighs, shaking his head slightly as he does so. "… No, I'm not."

"Can you tell me about it?" he says, with that understanding tone that means he actually doesn't expect him to do it.

It hurts him.

"Just. Too many revelations in a short time. I will explain later. At the Arcobaleno meeting." At seeing the surprised expression on his face, Tsuna rummages in the inside of his jacket and pulls out the card Luce-san gave him. He hasn't had the time to inspect it but now that he's showing it to Fong, he notices that there's only a direction written on it, the trinisette symbol on its back.

"You received one?"

There's no condescension in his voice, just honest curiosity.

"Not as an Arcobaleno. I was just invited by one."

Fong frowns. "It's going to be dangerous. I would not have come if this person hadn't shown already how easy it was for them to track me. I want answers, too"

"I know. But I need to tell you all something. I need—" He then remembers what Luce said about how their fate was already sealed. With more than a little apprehension, he asks. "Did the person who—who invited you. He gave you something, right? ...Right?"

"Tsuna. Calm down." With a large hand on his cheek, Fong approaches until their foreheads are almost touching. "Breathe."

Tsuna tries to follow his instruction, but he can't. He shakes lightly his head. "It doesn't matter if it looks ridiculous or childish, did he—"

This time Fong's forehead touches his own. "He gave me something. A pacifier."

He can feel his face pale as the horror settles in. He's feeling numb all of a sudden as if his body is not his own. For a moment, he wonders if Daemon is once again taking a hold of his body, but he shakes that feeling with newfound determination. He looks up at Fong, eyes glowing orange. "Did you put your flames inside?"

Fong's eyes narrow. "It latched onto me. I put it away immediately, but it still managed to obtain something, nonetheless."

Closing his eyes, Tsuna tries counting to ten. Anything to help settle the dismay he feels. "Oh, Fong."

"I'm here, Tsuna," the man whispers, hands holding his own. He brings their clasped hands close and kisses his knuckles. "Everything will be okay."

Tsuna slowly nods, not daring to open his eyes. "Right. Right. I'll make it better."

"I won't act as if I understand, but I know enough to see you're placing great weight on your shoulders. Stop that. You've got me. And Renato… And that Mist friend of yours, too."

"Right," he repeats, opening his eyes. They're close and Fong's body is warm against his. Tsuna needs some comfort and Fongs seems to notice that as he leans forward, Tsuna meeting him halfway in a slow kiss, the reassuring kind that says 'I'm here'—'I'll always be here'.

It pains him even if Fong's mouth is soft, warm, and strangely familiar under his own. He tastes something spicy that makes his mouth tingle but he can't stop. He places his arms around his shoulders and brings him closer. Soon Fong is pushing him against the rail and the action seems to click something as he turns the kiss desperate and hungry.

Fong tries to control it, tilting his head and making it less harsh but still deep and hot. Tsuna can't help but arch his back and let out a small mewl when Fong digs his fingers onto his hipbones. Then Tsuna is mouthing his jaw with the Storm's heavy breathing near his ear. When Tsuna bites him in the neck, Fong thrusts his hips lightly against him, hands pressing them even closer. Tsuna can't help but moan, already panting in need.

They try to muffle the sound by kissing again but the sound has already reminded both of them of where they are. Next, they're slowly tunning down the intensity of their kiss until Fong is ghosting a last peck on the corner of his lips, murmuring 'Mine' as he does so.

It makes his heart clench, hearing those words when he knows he cannot be his as Fong wants it.

He licks his lips, finds them sore and wet, and shakes his head. "I'm not destined to be your Sky. You deserve—"

"Don't say that."

Tsuna doesn't pout. "You do know that the Sky Arcobaleno from that meeting is meant to be your Sky, right?"

A real, bright smile appears on his face. "Does that mean you're feeling jealous?"

He narrows his eyes. "You're spending way too much time with Renato."

Fong barks out a laugh, a real one that makes his insides twist pleasantly. He likes watching his friends happy. "Considering I've been away from him for almost a month I can safely say this is all me."

Tsuna shakes his head, this time in exasperation. He catches a black figure from the corner of his eye. He turns to look, a feeling of déjà vu creeping on him.

Renato is there, a slight smile on his lips. His attention elsewhere makes Fong sigh. "Yes, he was there five minutes ago."

How he has known when he's not facing him, he doesn't ask.

"Oh," Tsuna simply murmurs with glowing cheeks.

"And I heard about the whole Sky thing, too. Destined? What has that Shaman tell you?"

Fong turns around. "Shaman?"

"Yes. Luce of Giglio Nero asked him for a dance; he accepted."

With a slight frown, Fong carefully says. "Whatever thing she says to you, the future is not set on stone, Tsuna."

"You're not even sure." He glances at both of them. "If someone knows about the future is her. Believe me, I know."

Renato smirks triumphally. "Does that mean this whole ordeal is because she told you you can't be our Sky?"

"Well... Yeah, but you know is not that easy."

"Do I? You haven't explained anything to us. And don't think I won't explain to your Stormy friend all that happened with Mafer, either."

Tsuna nods. "I expected that. And don't worry, tomorrow I'll explain everything to you. To all of you—the new Arcobaleno."

"You say that name as if it were a curse."

With a bitter laugh, Tsuna shakes his head. "It is one." He sighs. "I'm tired of this ball. I think I'll be going."

Fong and Renato share a glance. "We'll go with you."

Tsuna looks at them suspiciously but doesn't say anything else, merely nodding in their direction.

Renato walks towards them before kneeling to retrieve his fallen mask and the crumpled paper that was supposed to be his Arcobaleno invitation.

Tsuna receives them with a nervous chuckle.

"I remember you mentioning a coffee set you brought to make me a cup."

"Uh, yeah." He looks at Fong. "I also brought your tea. I think we can ask someone to bring us some hot water to brew it."

"I would like that."

Putting his mask in place, Tsuna is the first to walk to where the party is still ongoing.

"I kissed him first," he hears Renato say, followed by a series of thuds Tsuna doesn't bother to turn around to check. Going on by the looks the people around him give them, he doesn't want to know.

"If we're being childish then it was Verde the one I kissed first," Tsuna says with an annoyed huff.

"Verde?" Fong asks from behind him.

Renato is the one who answers, "Oh, man, do we have to tell you so much."