the boss' birthday. Tsuna did say that he was okay now, hence...

knocked softly on his door. Hesitant on calling out his name, recalling the last time they met...

looked up from his seat by the window when he heard the knock and made his way over to see who it was.

, when he opened the door and found Chrome standing outside, "Ah... Good evening, Chrome."

gave Chrome a soft smile and stepped back to let her in.

's hand involuntarily tightened around the boss' present. "... Good evening, Mukuro-sama" she whispered, stepping insde the room and -

well, just staying there in the middle, unmoving, unsure. "You... you weren't downstairs. I... I was worried..."

... o-or rather, um, I was wondering why you weren't... downstairs too... with the others...

that she's saying too much. That Mukuro didn't really go with the others anyway, but it was the first thing that came to mind...

watched Chrome silently for a moment. She seems to be... a little... stiff.

...Not that he could blame her though, he probably frightened her when they spoke the last time.

walked over to the girl, reaching out to pet her head affectionately, like how he usually did. "Don't worry, Chrome. I'm fine now."

with a small smile, "I just needed some time to myself, that's all."

felt herself uncoiling slowly when she saw him smile at her, though she could not help but flinch when he reached out for her head.

tried not to let that show though. She was happy that Mukuro-sama was... back, but that previous encounter still left her... cold. And empty

tries to shake off that feeling entirely, but to no avail. She settles for breaking out into a grateful smile in front of him.

"I'm... I'm glad, Mukuro-sama." Her voice drops to a whisper with her next words.

I was scared... and afraid... the last time...

dropped his hand back to his side, sighing softly as he turned and headed back to the window. "...I scared you, didn't I?"

nodded, not trusting herself on what to say next. Asking herself if the few things that she did know about his life before were enough for

to really, truly help him still.

softly, as he watched the streetlights outside the window, "I didn't want you to see what I did back there, but..."

trailed off, shaking his head. "......Sorry."

bites her lower lip as she watches him stare outside. Her feet move her forward to stand right beside him, but just stops herself reaching -

to grasp his hand. "... no. Please. It's... it's part of who you are. Or were." she stammered, trying to find words to... assure him.

Whatever it is, or was... I've already promised myself to you, haven't I, Mukuro-sama? To help you, to whatever end...

turned to the girl with a small, wistful smile. "......Thank you, Chrome."

Umn. I won't... I won't think about it anymore, Mukuro-sama. I promise. And.. I won't do anything rash again.

after a short silence, "...Take care of yourself, Chrome. There's... no telling what I may do next if something happened to you again."

a cold chill race down her spine when she hears those words. That... wasn't what she wanted to hear, really. But she masks it.

... I will. I... I don't want the boss to hurt again...

, after a split moment's hesitation, plants a kiss on Mukuro's cheek. "Enjoy the rest of the party, Mukuro-sama".

turns to leave the room, glancing at his form by the window before closing the door.

sneaks back downstairs, hands her present to the boss' mother (apologizing that she couldn't stay, she wasn't feeling well).

and with that, makes her way out to the street and back home, to her room.

stood beside the window staring at the door for a little while more before making his way out and towards Tsuna's bedroom.

...if he could do anything to make things a little less awkward between Chrome and himself.