Chapter Text
After a week or so at UA, Tsuna finally felt like he was beginning to adjust to the rhythm of school. The difference between regular school and how it contrasted with his own training was something that at first had been difficult to wrap his head around. His life up until this point had almost been defined by the strict barrier between his flames and day to day life. The fact that the Vongola were illegal vigilantes certainly a chief reason for the separation, and having them come some close together was a new experience. But he adjusted, and having his Rain and Storm at his side definitely helped.
Hayato was practically flourishing in the classes as far as Tsuna could tell. Much like class 1-A, class 1-B was full of highly motivated and eager to prove themselves students, with competitive attitudes in classes that helped to stoke the flames of Hayato’s intellect. Some of them were even giving him a run for his money. They threatened his current lead at top of the class. Nights were filled with Hayato’s fervent and fiery declarations of his desire to maintain his hold on the top, and nothing made Tsuna happier than seeing Hayato at last in an environment that was beneficial to his growth and could keep up with the speed of his brain.
He still complained about not being in the same class as Tsuna, but the distance could be a good thing. Despite Hayato’s desire to constantly look up to Tsuna, it was also important for him to make friends and interact with others in a place where he wasn’t trying to protect Tsuna or use the performative behavior that being the right hand of the Vongola demanded. That wasn’t something he had to worry about anymore anyway.
One night during the first week Tsuna had found Hayato sitting on the back porch, looking up the stars that could barely be seen from the light pollution, thoughtfully smoking a cigarette. His attempt to get off of them was admirable and leaps and bounds further than he’d been in some time, but quitting cold turkey was hard, and Tsuna didn’t mention the slip up.
“Hey.” Tsuna said, taking a seat next to Hayato. Hayato shimmied over to the side a little more, making sure there was enough space for Tsuna. He breathed out a trail of smoke and watched it float up into the air.
“Hey.” He replied.
“Thank you for doing this with me.” Tsuna said, his hand going to the ring on his finger and beginning to fiddle with it. “I know that the vigilante business means a lot to you. You grew up in it and you followed me so that you could become part of it. I can’t imagine what it’s like to give that up.” Hayato withdrew the cigarette from his lips and held it in his hand contemplatively before crushing it in his palm, the spark of Storm flames slipping through his fingers before he opened his hand and let the ashes of the cigarette fall to the ground.
“I didn’t follow you to become a vigilante.” He said, and looked at Tsuna, his eyes faintly glowing the way they did when his dying will was high. “I think, back then, I had convinced myself that was why I chose to follow you. But it wasn't true. When you announced that you didn’t want to become the Vongola it should’ve floored me. It should have taken out my world and made me have to be torn between the choice to stay or the choice to follow you. But it wasn’t hard at all. I followed you because you showed me kindness, kindness above even your own safety. It didn’t take out my world because you are my Sky, Tsuna.” He says the words carefully, practiced almost, and it’s clear that this is something he’s been thinking about deeply over the past few months.
Tsuna smiles softly and inhales deeply, releasing his breath and releasing a small flood of his flames, harmonizing with the flicker of Hayato’s.
“You better head inside - it’s Lambo’s bedtime and you know he won’t let anyone else tuck him in.” Tsuna replied, coming to his feet. Hayato smiles too and stands, dusting off the cigarette dust from his jeans.
“Damn right. That idiot will be up for hours if I’m not around.”
They walk back indoors, side by side.
oOo
“We chose a class president today.” Tsuna updates in between bites of his bento. Hayato rolls his eyes.
“Same with us. One of The Insufferables got elected of all people.” The Insufferables were what Hayato had begun to the group of kids in his class that he had the hardest time not punching in the face every time they talked. Their leader of their little band was one Monoma Neito, who statistically was probably the one that had been chosen. “It’s pointless if you ask me, it’s not like they hold that much power in the first place. How many votes did you get?”
“I got one vote.” Tsuna replied and instantly Hayato was out of his chair, fury rippling off of him in waves.
“One vote?! You deserve far better than that Te-Tsuna!” Hayato passionately exclaimed.
“I thought you just said that it’s a pointless system?” Takeshi prodded, a teasing smile on his face.
“It is but I would think that by now your classmates are better at realizing how incredible you are.” Hayato sat back down with a harumph, folding his arms together. “Where was your vote to support Tsuna, baseball brain?”
“That was my vote.” Takeshi defended. “You honestly think that I’ve vote for anyone besides Tsuna?”
“Then how did- Tsuna, you mean you didn’t vote for yourself?” Hayato asked, raising an eyebrow.
“I wanted to be fair, and honestly I didn’t want to be class president so why would I vote for myself?” Tsuna explained.
“Then who did you vote for?” Hayato asked curiously - whoever it was would be someone that has caught Tsuna’s eye, someone worthy of great respect and great place to start their networking with future heroes.
“Takeshi.” Tsuna admitted and Hayato almost fell out of his chair. Takeshi let out another small laugh.
“Oh, so our votes canceled each other out-” Takeshi was interrupted by a ear splitting siren that cut through all conversation that was currently taking place in the busy lunchroom.
“Security Level 3 has been breached. All students please evacuate.” The intercom declared. There were the sharp squeals of chairs being moved and the bustle of activity as all at once every student in the vicinity leapt into action making a rush towards the doors.
Hayato and Takeshi instantly took up a spot in front of and behind Tsuna as they followed suit, and Tsuna reached forward and took Hayato’s hand, stretching his other hand back to grasp Takeshi, taking solace in the comfort they provided.
And then, suddenly, Tsuna stopped. Stood in place, like a pillar in the sea of people. Takeshi frantically stopped his forward momentum, backpedaling in order to not slam into Tsuna. He circled around to catch Tsuna’s face, not letting go of his hand. Tsuna’s eyes were looking forward, but were unfocused, glowing a vibrant orange.
“Everything is okay.” Tsuna said, and frowned slightly. “My intuition it’s telling me that everything is okay.” Hayato’s face went through a series of emotions before finally landing on a mildly frustrated one.
“I- Te- dammit - Tsuna. It’s not that I don’t trust you and your intuition-”
“There’s no harm in getting you to safety regardless.” Takeshi inserted, giving Tsuna’s hand another squeeze. Tsuna gave a jerky nod and they proceeded forward with the rest of the students.
oOo
“This was premeditated.” Principle Nezu said, propping his hands on his desk.
“Who do you think did this? And why?” Midnight asked, a frown on her face. The press they had to deal with, and now would have to deal with involving this entire event… It was already giving her headaches, and as one of the more charismatic professors she knew it would be most likely up to her and Present Mic to handle.
“Sadly, the list of possible offesors has grown.” Nezu gave a sigh, and instantly most of the professors full attention was drawn.
“You don’t think it has to do with…” Eraserhead began, Midnight’s eyes widened as the implications began to take shape in her head.
“I don’t want to jump the gun, for now let’s just double our security. Slip ups like these can’t and won’t happen again.”