Gokudera
has
been attending his classes as per normal for the past couple of days.
Gokudera
is
trying to act as normally as possible, even though he has still been trying to avoid Yamamoto as much as he could.
quickly packed up slipped out of class as soon as the bell rang to avoid confrontations with anyone.
made his way to the less crowded areas of the school and wandered around randomly instead of heading home.
... didn't feel like going back just yet.
would have gone to the infirmanary again, but he was getting tired of just lying around and doing nothing. =w=
spoted the door to the music room left open as he passed and paused, backtracking a little.
--It's normally locked to prevent students from sneaking in. ...Or something. ._.
walked over to took a peek inside out of curiousity but found it to be empty. .___.
Gokudera
wonders
if someone has forgotten to lock up when they left.
Gokudera
thinks
.......................
went inside after thinking for a moment and headed straight for the grand piano in the corner of the room, taking a seat on the bench.
lifted the fallboard and ran his fingers lightly over the keys. It has been a while since he last played a piano.
stopped at one of the keys and pressed down on it gently, listening as the sound resonated through the room before dying down.
slowly brought his other hand up to rest on the keys,
-- and started playing a (www.mediafire.com/?jgotb...) soft tune he learnt a long time ago.
had to stay late for cleaning duty again.
tried to do his best to finish everything quickly, but the school was starting to empty by the time he was done.
had told Mukuro to go ahead earlier on, and threatened to push some of his tasks on the other boy if he didn't go home and rest.
would have to deal with his Mist Guardian hanging about, distracting him otherwise.
, bucket and mop in hand, now hurried down the corridor to find the nearest bathroom where he could draw water to clean the mop he'd used.
heard the soft notes of someone playing the piano in the music room as soon as he turned down the corridor where it was located.
blinked and slowed down. The music room should have been locked for the day by now. Was a teacher using the piano?
Tsuna
thinks
that the piece sounded too sad to be anything played by a teacher, though.
Tsuna
is
really really curious now, and he couldn't stop himself from tiptoeing up to the open door and peeking in.
's mouth fell open when he saw Gokudera seated at the piano, fingers gliding gracefully over the keys, the rays of the setting sun
--illuminating his form against the windows of the music room.
suddenly remembered Gokudera telling him that he used to play the piano as a kid. But it had been accompanied by an explanation about why
--he'd always get debilitating stomachaches whenever he saw Bianchi.
wouldn't have thought that Gokudera could play the piano so skillfully if the activity reminded him of his sister's poison cooking.
now listened by the door, astonished and a bit awed at the talent he wasn't sure his right-hand man possessed.
unconsciously set the bucket with the mop down, and of course, since he wasn't paying attention, he dropped it on his foot, and--
proceeded to make a racket as it overbalanced and fell over, and *he* nearly fell over as he tried to get it to stop clattering noisily.
winced when sounds of the piano inside the music room abruptly stopped.
immediately straightened up and quickly turned to look at the door the minute the heard the noise of something toppling over at the door.
hadn't been expecting anyone to be around. It has gotten rather late, afterall.
blinked, looking at Tsuna in surprise for half a second before he quickly stood up and made his way over to the other boy,
--bending down briefly to pick the bucket and the mop up for him.
Gokudera
asks
, "Are you all right, Jyuudaime? D: Why are you still in school this late?" as he handed the items back to Tsuna.
got the mop and the bucket back from Gokudera and ducked his head in embarrassment. Good thing the bucket was empty...
Tsuna
says
Aah... I was finishing my classroom duties. My partner for today skipped on me again, so it took me a long time to finish everything. >:
Gokudera
says
Oh. *pause* ........ D< Who's your partner? How dare he leave everything to you?! Let me teach him a lesson for you, Jyuudaime!! )<
.... suddenly remembered that *Gokudera* was his classroom duty partner for today. ._. It'd probably be better if he didn't say.
didn't want to presume, but for the other boy to miss his name on the duty roster alongside Tsuna's.... he was probably brooding again.
Tsuna
says
I-it's fine, really. 
That person is probably worried about something. Anyway, I'm nearly done.
That person is probably worried about something. Anyway, I'm nearly done.
Gokudera
says
...... Aa... if you say so...
Gokudera
says
after a short silence, "You should be heading back, Jyuudaime. It's getting late. I'll put those back for you." gesturing at the mop.
would normally have offered to walk home with Tsuna, but he was worried things may turn out a little awkward with him in this kind of mood.
Tsuna
says
.-. We can walk home together. We haven't done that in a while.
Tsuna
says
Anyway, you're not getting off that easily. You were playing the piano!
added, "..... It was beautiful."
wondered if he could use it that to find out why Gokudera's been so out of it lately.
had a feeling that Gokudera hadn't done anything about his problem since the last time they talked, either.
Gokudera
says
A-ah... *looks away* ... I... I have something I need to do so I'm not going back just yet so...
Tsuna
says
Can I help? I told Mukuro that I'll be home late, so I can stay out as long as I need to.
quickly shook his head. "I-I can manage it by myself."
, again, didn't want to presume, but he'd been led to believe that the normal Gokudera would jump at a chance to spend time with him--
Tsuna
thinks
--unless he had a specific reason for staying away. Mostly stupid reasons, too, according to experience.
Tsuna
says
... You sound uncertain, Gokudera-kun.
Gokudera
says
E-eh? O-of course I'm certain, Jyuudaime..! What are you talking about? ;
;
Gokudera
is
... still not looking at Tsuna in the eyes.
set the bucket and the mop behind him, on the hallway, and stepped into the room and closed the door.
Tsuna
thinks
, if Gokudera insisted on not meeting his eyes, then he'll just have to stare until the other boy was forced to look at him.
Tsuna
says
... I don't know anything. I haven't been talking to you and Yamamoto lately. I miss you two.
Tsuna
says
R-really badly, now that I think about it.
Tsuna
says
But even I can tell that something's wrong with you. You haven't done anything since I talked to you. Have you?
Tsuna
says
I thought I'd be fine letting the two of you work things out between yourselves, but it's obviously not working...
looked up at Gokudera. "Ne..... p-please tell me. I can't stand not knowing, not acting if there's already anything I can do to help."
Gokudera
was
silent for a moment, not knowing what to say. He didn't want to lie, but didn't want to cause Tsuna anymore worry by telling him either.
finally let out a sigh and said softly, keeping his gaze on the ground, "... I'm sorry, Jyuudaime."
continues, "But I can't-- ...I don't think there's anything that can be done about it."
Gokudera
says
, "It'll... *pause* ....pass. So please don't worry about it." looking up to give Tsuna a small, forced smile.
Tsuna
says
... Are you saying that because you don't want me to worry, or because there's really nothing that can be done?
frowned, chewing on his lower lip for a second before answering softly. "...A little bit of both..?"
really didn't want to do this. He didn't want to cause any more problems. But...
Tsuna
was
getting the feeling that things weren't exactly all right between his two best friends. He had no idea why, but if it was bad enough...
stepped closer and took both of Gokudera's hands, and said very, very quietly, "..... Don't make me regret letting you go."
blinked at Tsuna with wide eyes. "J-Jyuudaime..?"
hadn't been expecting the other boy to say anything like this and wasn't sure how he should respond. "W-wha..?"
Tsuna
says
D-don't misunderstand. I'm selfish. I love you and Mukuro both. If I wasn't the Vongola Tenth...
shook his head. "But that would be unfair to you and Yamamoto."
Tsuna
says
I knew you liked each other. I knew you wouldn't act on if unless you stopped considering my feelings.
Tsuna
says
... It's okay now, though. Everything worked out, right?
Tsuna
says
... B-but if this distance is the result of my decision back then, if whatever's happening between you and Yamamoto is so bad...
Tsuna
says
--That you wouldn't even tell me, let alone let me help...
shook his head again. "...No, that has nothing to do with this. I-- ...It's nothing to worry about, really."
sighed and deflated a bit, feeling stupid and self-conscious all of a sudden. He'd already revealed part of his true feelings on the matter,
--and it still didn't work. He didn't know what else he could do to try to get Gokudera to talk to him.
looked at Tsuna silently, noticing the expression on the boy's face. "...... Do you really want to know..?"
hated hiding things from Tsuna, and this is really starting to make him feel guilty.
nodded. Or more like, he needed to know what Gokudera was brooding over.
Tsuna
says
... I hate pushing you if you really don't want to, though.
took and deep breath and starting talking after a moment of hesitation, his grip on Tsuna's hands slowly tightening as he spoke.
told Tsuna about what Yamamoto talked to him about in class the other day, about the other boy's feelings towards him and Hibari.
--And how he told Yamamoto to do what he wanted without thinking about him for once.
told Tsuna how he didn't think that it would have affected him this much back then, but he didn't want to go back on his words.
Gokudera
says
, "...But I'll be fine. I... just needed a little more time to sort things out." softly, once he was done, forcing a smile.
blinked a bit blankly after Gokudera was done telling him everything.
didn't know what he was supposed to feel, or how he was supposed to react to this.
wasn't really surprised about Hibari and Yamamoto, though. It was just like his Rain Guardian to do something like this.
also realized that he didn't have any idea how to begin trying to help make things right,
--now that he'd confirmed that it was indeed some kind of emotional problem. .-.
can't blame Gokudera for brooding, though. He understood what he'd done, what the other boy was now going through.
Tsuna
says
, slowly, "Hibari-san looked all right the last time I saw him patrolling the halls, though."
Tsuna
says
Whatever happened to Hibari-san that Yamamoto would act this way now... maybe he's better.
Tsuna
says
W-we can't say for sure, but if he's better, then Yamamoto can stop worrying about him?
Tsuna
says
And you can talk to him about your problems without feeling like you're being left behind.
paused and scratched his head. "Aaah, I'm getting confused." =_=
Tsuna
says
You're right, though, I can't think of anything I can do to help. 
I don't suppose you want me to try talking to him for you...?
I don't suppose you want me to try talking to him for you...?
Gokudera
says
...I'll be fine, Jyuudaime.
Tsuna
says
Are you just going to wait until it goes away?
Gokudera
says
, turning around with his head bowed. "...There isn't anything else I can do."
Tsuna
says
... You can try talking to Yamamoto again. He loves you, so I know he'll understand.
shook his head. "I... I can't."
had already pushed the other boy into answering, so he wasn't sure if he could afford to push even more...
Tsuna
says
*nervously* I'm... not really good with these things. I keep thinking that every problem can be solved if you sat down and talked about it.
Gokudera
says
L-like I said, it'll be all right. Please... don't worry about it, Jyuudaime.
shook his head in distress. "Telling me not to worry... That's like asking Lambo to give up his candies."
Gokudera
says
*softly* ...I'm sorry.
Tsuna
asks
What do you want to do, then? What do *you* want to happen? Maybe we can start with that.
Gokudera
says
I-I don't know...
walked back to the piano with a soft sigh and sat back down on the bench. "My head's in a mess, Jyuudaime. I..."
trailed off, burying his face into his hands and continued in a soft voice. "...I don't know what I want anymore..."
watched in wide-eyed worry. To see Gokudera being so miserable was difficult, and the fact that the other boy never let his guard down--
--enough to let it happen that often made it even harder.
drifted closer to the piano, and after some hesitation sat on the bench beside Gokudera.
had asked before, and Gokudera had refused, but maybe he needed it now...
hesitantly slipped an arm around the other boy's shoulders. He'll stop trying to hug Gokudera if he showed the first sign of pulling away.
remained still for a moment before he slowly leaned against the other boy, letting Tsuna pull him into a hug.
would have pulled away, but it was... comforting. The feeling of having someone there, to listen to him.
Gokudera
says
, his voice cracking a little. "......I'm sorry, Jyuudaime. For being weak... and showing you this side of me. ...I'm sorry."
could feel his heart breaking when Gokudera finally stopped trying to act stronger than he must have been feeling. But--
didn't let any of that show, and shook his head. "No.... y-you're not weak. It must have been hard for you to tell me..."
added, "Thank you. For telling me."
just shook his head silently and wrapped his arms around Tsuna, hugging him tightly.
ran one of his hands up and down Gokudera's back in what he hoped was a soothing movement. "I'll stay here for as long as you need me to."
Gokudera
says
... Thank you.
Tsuna
says
, after a long while of them just sitting in comfortable silence, "What was that thing you said you needed to do?"
Gokudera
says
....... Ah.
pulled away, feeling a little better now, and looked away. "...... I-it's nothing important."
...couldn't tell Tsuna he made that up to avoid walking home with him earlier. +_+
looked at the windows and realized that it was already dark out. "... Do you want to eat dinner out?" he suddenly asked on impulse.
Tsuna
says
Maybe we can have that ramen again. :3
blinked, looking back up at Tsuna. "A-aa."
Gokudera
says
, "...Sure." and gave Tsuna a small smile.
Tsuna
says
Let me just get my bag from the classroom.
nodded and stood up. "I'll go with you."
smiled up at the other boy, glad that he was acting more normally now. (Also, the school was creepy after sunset. >A<)
had to go put the cleaning materials he used away, and then run back to his classroom to get his bag, and it was fully dark by the time
--they left the school.
kept a stream of lighthearted chatter up as they walked to the place Gokudera brought him to during their first date.
Tsuna
was
entirely too conscious of how the other boy was acting, and it might have been too obvious that he was trying to distract Gokudera.
would do anything to get the other boy to feel better, though.
ordered the same thing he got last time, and so did Gokudera.
laughed when their food arrived, and was gratified to see the other boy cracking a smile, too.
ate his ramen silently as he listened to Tsuna talk, responding every now and then whenever he needed to.
Gokudera
was
glad the other boy had bumped into him in school. Else he would probably be wandering the streets and having cup ramen for dinner again.
Gokudera
thinks
...Or mopping around at home. As usual.
sighed, shaking his head. He is going to stop thinking about that. At least for tonight.
...insisted on paying for Tsuna's share of the bill once they were done, much to the reluctance of the other boy,
--and led the other boy out of the restaurant so they could close up for the night.
Gokudera
asks
Is there anywhere else you'll like to go to, Jyuudaime? Or should I walk you back?
shook his head, but then he looked at his watch and grimaced. He had no idea that it was already this late.
Tsuna
asks
Do you think we can find a combini or a bakery still open at this hour?
Gokudera
says
Ah... there's a combini further down the street... .-.
sighed in relief. "I wonder if they have pineapple tarts..."
blinked. "Pineapple tarts..?"
Tsuna
says
Aah. I didn't think I'd be staying out this late. I'm fine with it, of course, but I'm not sure if Mukuro is, so just to be sure...
Gokudera
says
Oh. ._. ...I'm not sure if they have pineapple tarts though......
Tsuna
says
Mm. I can get strawberry pocky as a last resort. Or something. =w=
Gokudera
says
, "...Let's just see if they have the tarts first." as he led the way to the combini.
followed Gokudera, and diligently checked through the shelves once they got there.
mizz
says
how r u?
Lyn
says
==========
Lyn
says
-re characters in an anime, and we've been role-playing a story-driven thread. That means it's not real.
Lyn
says
You've just destroyed the flow of the thread by replying with a pointless Plurk.
Lyn
says
... Please don't do that again, and watch quietly? Because the characters won't reply no matter what you do.
Lyn
says
All right? That goes for everyone else watching these two accounts. We thank you for keeping track of our threads,
Lyn
says
--but we'll thank you even more for *NOT* replying with eye-scarring chat speak in the middle of a thread.
Lyn
says
Okay? All right. Signing out now.
Lyn
says
==========
couldn't find the tarts he wanted to get, so he reluctantly grabbed a box of Pocky and hoped that Mukuro would be all right with strawberry.
blinked when he walked a few steps down the aisle and saw the boxes of pineapple Pocky.
wasn't sure if it'd taste good, but Mukuro should still like it considering his obsession with pineapples.
got a box of that, too, and headed for the cashier with both boxes.
remembered he is running low on a couple of stuff at home and wandered off to the other sections of the combini.
quickly grabbed a carton of juice and a random bunch of instant ramen before joining Tsuna at the cashier to pay for his items.
Tsuna
says
, while they were paying, "Um. W-will you be all right on your own? Do you want me to stay over?"
Tsuna
says
Or you could stay at my place if you don't want to be alone - you could sleep in the guest room again.
Gokudera
says
, shaking his head a little, "Don't worry, I'll be fine."
adds, "Besides, you've done more than enough for me, Jyuudaime. ...And I don't want to trouble you."
Tsuna
says
You're never a bother to me.
Gokudera
says
, with a soft smile, "Aa. Thank you. ... But really, I'll be fine."
Tsuna
says
If you say so. >: But call me right away if you need company?
nodded. "Un."
exited the convenience store with his bag of candy and wondered if he should walk Gokudera home. .-.
followed Tsuna out and immediately reached for the other boy's bag. "Let me carry that for you, Jyuudaime."
Tsuna
says
o.o It's... fine?
Gokudera
says
, "Ah. All right." and started heading in the direction of Tsuna's house.
Tsuna
thinks
that the walk to his house was far too short. And the entire time he got increasingly anxious at the thought of Gokudera being alone.
shot the other boy a worried look the minute they stopped at the gate to his house.
Tsuna
asks
... Are you sure you don't want to stay over for tonight?
Gokudera
says
, giving the boy another smile that didn't quite reach his eyes, "Un. I'll be fine. ... Good night, Jyuudaime."
reached up and gave Gokudera a quick hug. "Don't... think too much about it and get enough sleep."
Gokudera
says
, "A-aa. I will." and slowly turned to leave.
Tsuna
is
suddenly struck by how lonely and forlorn Gokudera looked from the back, and he really can't stand leaving the other boy on his own--
ran after Gokudera and grabbed his arm, and babbled, "T-this isn't right, I can't leave you alone like this."
stopped, turning around a little. "I- I'll be all right, Jyuudaime."
shook his head stubbornly.
Tsuna
says
I should go with you. I'll just drop my things off and tell Mukuro that you're not feeling well, I'm sure he'll understand--
frowned. "It's late, Jyuudaime. You should go back and rest. ... I'll be fine."
Tsuna
says
A-aa...
swallowed and made himself let go of the other boy's hand. Was Gokudera getting irritated?
didn't think that he might already be getting too persistent. But he really thought that his presence might be of some comfort...
--At least, he wanted to believe it. He stepped back, and mumbled "good night" with much less confidence than he had before.
Gokudera
says
, "...... Thank you... for everything. I'll... see you in school, Jyuudaime." before making his way back to his apartment.