Sins paid even though not made,
This is the changing moment of destiny undone,
Even if you don’t know you’ll meet again someday,
The uprising wind in your soul never dies,
… Isn’t this the art of love?

*
*
*

The day was unforgiving and dull as anyone could remember it. All donned in stiff black suits and ties, white long sleeve dress shirts, the ambience turned for the worse when rain started pouring down. Mostly men, few women, stood surrounding the forest-like area, all trying to suppress the overwhelming feelings that came over their hearts as they stare at the coffin overflow with wild flowers.

The rain that fell didn’t feel least refreshing. It also didn’t act like an indication that there will be a time where things will get better, where the Vongola family didn’t have to suffer anymore casualties. It wasn’t like where there will be a sunny day after the rain; it wasn’t as simple as that.

Tsuna lie stiff in the beautifully crafted coffin. It was the best they could get while the war was going on. His face was pale and placid, his eyes shut away from the world forever. There laid the tenth boss, and it made everybody felt even more hopeless.

“Tsu-kun… Tsu-kun…” Kyoko was the first to break from the silence. Her sobs that were long suppressed came suddenly, racking her thin frame. She leaned over the coffin, unable to comprehend anything anymore.

Haru stood next to Kyoko, tears falling like a string of broken pearls. She was quiet, unable to accept the reality of it all.

When prayers were said, the lid of coffin was placed in its right place. Gokudera isolated himself from the crowd, blaming himself for the death of his superior. Ryohei was conversing in a low volume with I-Pin, Lambo, Bianchi and Fuuta. His eyes were glassy, and the others spoke little. Dino kept running his hands over his hair, sadness and nervousness evident in his actions.

“I wish all of these never happened,” Yamamoto’s grim voice felt like a cold slap of reality on himself. One of his best friends since the school days dead in a war. And it was part of his fault from failing to do his duty to protect Tsuna.

Hibari moved away from crowd and Yamamoto followed subsequently. Hibari was never the type to stick with a crowd after all.

Yamamoto watched as Hibari leaned on a tree, his stern eyes eyeing the grieving people from a distance away.

“I have to get my hands on this case as soon as possible,” Instinctively after saying that, Yamamoto grabbed Hibari’s loose hand lightly. He then continued, hesitant to say the words that will cause separation.

“I have to go tomorrow.”

Lie side by side in the soft winter white
Hold me close to you as we brace for flight

The steel grey orbs stared back into the brown eyes and a mutual understanding came between them. Without saying anything, they were able to convey unspoken feelings.

Yamamoto stepped closer to Hibari’s side, his other arm lightly embracing the shorter man. It felt like a painful and short goodbye. A goodbye that felt forever.

After moments, Hibari unlocked from the embrace. Moving nearer to the crowd again, Hibari said something which made him felt brighter in the current dark situation with unknown future.

“Come back in one piece, or I’ll bite you to death.”

*
*
*

Anything about Yamamoto, Hibari felt that he would sure be able to remember. Everything about him, felt like they were imprinted in his memories automatically.

Hibari knew they couldn’t be described as a perfect couple. They didn’t exactly ‘fit’ each other in a way that way others felt envious. He knew that they both had their own flaws. Hibari was too distant and cold, and Yamamoto was just too friendly and warm. It was something that wasn’t really meant to be, but somehow everything was just so intriguing.

Leading a life like theirs was tiring to an extent sometimes. They had so many responsibilities to be met. Every time there was a mission, both of them wondered how long it would take. Reunion felt too short, separation felt too long.

The feelings that lingered, the memories of every moment stayed.

His voice like the sunshine that was so welcoming, his embrace that felt like home, Hibari wanted all that back.

Hibari wondered if this time, he would have a chance to take him back instead.

*
*
*

Yamamoto’s hand flew up to his eyes as a direct bright light seemed to suddenly brighten up the room. He groaned and rubbed his eyes, feeling frustrated that he was disturbed from his sleep, or rather nap. He wondered who suddenly decided to flick on the lights in the room.

He blinked, forgetting where he was for a moment. The sudden wake made him confused and disarrayed. Staring at the tatami, his smiled faintly as he recalled he was here waiting.

“You didn’t have to wait.”

A cold voice finally said and Yamomoto turned his head immediately to the doorway. A wide smile spontaneously took over as he watched the steely grey eyes staring in return.

“I heard you were coming back today.”

Sighing, Hibari loosened his black tie and took off his black coat. The workload was getting to him. He knew he couldn’t afford to make mistakes as the Milliefore family kept expanding. It was a horrible threat.

Hibari sat down next to where Yamomoto was and watched as the taller man grinned. There was a rare mischievous glint sparkling in his eyes. Without warning, Hibari felt himself falling flat on his back.

In time I pray they’ll see what we feel
Gentle love this pain won’t retire
This love must burn like a fire

Yamamoto buried his face in his hair, taking in the scent of sandalwood. It was a scent that he missed for months, and Yamomoto felt his heart easing again. Hibari was back in his arms, safe and sound. It was all he needed to sweep away all the uneasiness.

“I missed you,” Yamamoto inhaled deeply, a habit that he always did whenever the other man came back. He needed to make sure this was all reality; an indication that Hibari and him were still together. They were safe assurances; the scent and the touch.

Arms finding their way to Yamamoto’s back, Hibari felt his own lips curve into a small smile.

Fingers clutching on Yamamoto’s worn out sweater, Hibari whispered softly, only audible for the other.

“I missed you too.”

He was finally home.

*
*
*

The trees rustled in silent resignation. Hibari’s frown deepened as he watched his assistant made his way out from his quarters. These days, disappointing news came too much. He could keep his face impassive, he could live up to impossible standards and fight alone.

But he knew he could not stop his heart from pondering, sinking and shattering.

Words like, “There aren’t assurances whether he’s still alive or dead,” always made him felt like seeing Yamomoto was getting more and more difficult.

Hopes and dreams, would they still live on? And even if they made it through the war, will hopes and dreams still exist after all the bloodshed? Would they still be able to look at their blood stained hands and have the ability to love?

What if Yamamoto will never smile like how he always used to?

What if their differences suddenly became too wide?

What if one of them will never make it back someday?

Close your eyes and dream what I see
Peace for a moment the future unclear

The cloudless clear blue sky that made everything seemed peaceful. Will there be a day, where they could return again to when they wouldn’t need to heave so much troublesome responsibilities?

Hibird flew in from the open window. Chirping and landing on Hibari’s index finger, the fuzzy, bright yellow bird appeared to have sensed its owner’s silent distress. It then took a short flight from his finger to his right shoulder, acting as a companion.

Smirking teasingly to no one, Hibari sighed before exclaiming, “I know you miss him too.” Hibird chirped once again, before taking off and landed on the windowsill, next to where Hibari’s elbow was resting on.

Gaze lingering at the sceneries outside, Hibari hoped to find the memories of the days that Yamamoto existed by his side.

*
*
*

“Drink some YamamotoYama tea,” Yamomoto placed a tray of tea pot and tea cups on the coffee table.

Raising his eyebrows, Hibari stared at the tray sceptically. What’s with the name anyways?

“I found this at the tea shop. It tastes good too,” Yamomoto gestured to the tea.

“Right,” Hibari replied bitterly and took a sip before placing the cup down again. The taste was subtle and soothing but he wasn’t about to admit that. If he did, he was sure Yamamoto would smile his megawatt happy smile.

Yamamoto gave a blinding grin and sank deeper on the black leather couch. The taller man observed Hibari’s gaze lowering onto a black file, thick with white papers that has words imprinted on them. As he leaned on the smooth material of the couch, he amused himself by watching Hibari’s perfectly curved eyebrows knit together.

“Hey,” Yamamoto began again.

“What?” His steely grey eyes once again looking into his own brown ones.

Hand by hand as we stand on the wire
the ending so near our start close behind

“Don’t you ever get tired,” Yamamoto ran fingers over his hair, “looking at those files and upholding the discipline or however you put it.”

Hibari’s eyes widened a little, his lips still set in a thin, firm line. The shorter man suddenly snapped the file close and grudgingly placed it away.

“Only herbivores like you get tired.”

Yamamoto couldn’t help but chuckle at the answer that very so resembled Hibari.

About this time, Hibari’s yellow bird flew in and landed on his shoulder. Yamamoto loved the fact about Hibari that he had Hibird following him around. It made Hibari seemed more human and rather cute for such a man like him to be having pets.

Yamamoto scooted over to Hibari’s side and eyed the small yellow bird. Carefully, he placed his hand in front of the bird, intending for it to fly over.

“What are yo-“

Hibari stopped mid sentence as he saw his bird flew over to Yamamoto’s hand. Yamamoto smiled again, touching Hibird’s head gently. The bird chirped in gratitude, seemingly in comfort even though it wasn’t its owner.

“You are such a cutie aren’t you?” He complimented the bird generously. Sitting down on the couch next to Hibari, his eyes never left Hibird as it flew to his shoulder.

“He might just bite you to death.”

When the words came directly from Hibari, Yamamoto couldn’t help but laugh out loud. Being with Hibari was such an amusement all the time. Hibari made a low disgruntled sound and his voice was laced with annoyance.

And most of all… he sounded like he was jealous.

Yamamoto decided he could really just live with this.

When Hibird finally decided to fly away, Yamamoto nudged Hibari and exclaimed, “There’s no need to be envious you know.”

“Over what?” Hibari could swear his hands were itching to give the man a good smack.

Yamamoto laughed again and thought that Hibari was just so easy to be seen through sometimes. Hibari raised his tonfas and glared hard at Yamamoto. The taller man instantly eased up his laughter and Hibari crossed his arms.

Light bends through trees, leaves spiral and wind
We’re far from here and frozen in time

Sighing in contentment, Yamamoto lowered his head to meet with Hibari’s lips. Subconsciously, Hibari’s hand found its way to the back of his head and he buried his fingers into the dark, black hair, gently tugging and twirling the short kept mess.

Yamamoto was the first to break the kiss. Feet propping on the coffee table, he placed Hibari’s head on his lap and took his turn to smoothen out the other man’s hair.  The kiss was so sweet, languid and warm that left Hibari longing for more. His anger too, simmered a little.

Eyes boring into grey ones, Yamamoto commented, “You’re cute too, when you are jealous.”

Looking away and shutting his eyes, Hibari decided to just let the comment pass once. He made up his mind to save the beating for another time.

*
*
*

It was about 2 in the morning that Hibari felt himself giving away to a light sleep. He had always lived a well-planned life but recently, with all the chaos going on, he felt himself thinking more and more. He was even almost ready to admit that the thoughts of Yamamoto plagued his mind. He couldn’t help but to be alert at all times – not that he didn’t used to do so.

When his door creaked open Hibari’s consciousness came as quick as a snap.

An attacker?

He felt his lips curl into a near-snarl and his mind thinking about the stupid herbivore that dared to attack the strongest Vongola guardian. Hibari reached for his tonfas beneath his covers that lay quietly next to him. He gripped on it tightly, ready to counter attack at any moment. Vision adjusted in the dark, he saw the figure moved across the room and walking near to his side.

Before he could get up land a blow on the shadow, Hibari felt himself weighed down on the bed by the figure. The figure had a strong grip on him; a tight embrace. He was ready to smash to tonfas on the person’s back when the voice spoke.

Cool whispers drift from the north on the night
Yet you warm my heart for we hold the light

“Kyouya… I’m back.”

“And God knows, I missed you so much.”

Hibari froze and the voice that whispered into his ears and relaxed the grip on his tonfas.

Hibari let his senses to acknowledge it was Yamamoto who came back. Somewhere in him, there was refusal to believe…

But his heart skipped a beat at the gruff and tired voice, filled with a mix of relief and happiness. The scent and the touch…

Running his fingers from the ebony hair to his back, Hibari returned the affection.

“You idiot, you made me wait for so long.”

Hands intertwined together, Yamamoto rolled to his side and made Hibari nestle in his embrace. It seemed like ages ago when he was able to feel his warmth. Yamamoto couldn’t help but to relieve all the moments whenever Hibari always fit right into his arms. He loved to envelope his long arms around his smaller frame.

Like they were made for each other.

And when the sunlight filtered into the room and Yamamoto wakes up staring into the face of Hibari, arms around him and their legs tangled together under the security of the blanket, something hit hard right into his soft heart.

Something that felt like home…

The land must fade from green into white
Hush my heart this love is a fire
This love will burn like a fire

He watched as Hibari stirred in his sleep, his cool and smooth face turning into a small frown from being annoyed with the light. The ex-prefect was always cranky when he was woken up unexpectedly from his sleep.

“Morning,” Yamamoto grinned and gently planted a kiss on Hibari’s forehead.

“Mmm,” Came Hibari’s muffled reply.

Hibari snuggled closer to Yamamoto and tucked his head nearly under his chin. Yamamoto nudged Hibari and he slid up, their lips meeting. Yamamoto then showered butterfly kisses on his face and Hibari played with his hair. Stopping at his ear, Hibari shivered when the cold lips and warm breath touched his ear.

“Kyouya…” Hibari ran his fingers on Yamamoto’s arm, a sign to urge him to continue.

“I love you.”

His delayed confession was said in a sweet deep sigh like voice. Hibari’s pupils widened at the unanticipated words. Letting the words sink into his mind, Hibari was stuck speechless. In return, he wrapped his arms around Yamamoto and buried his face into his dress shirt.

“Me too.”

And at that moment, Yamamoto realised, that being with Hibari…

Always and forever, made him feel at home.