Tsuna
is
standing outside Gokudera's apartment hugging a large box to himself, with pellets, hay, the essentials--
and Hayato in it. The rabbit was hopping around carefully, and Tsuna could feel him moving inside the box.
looked at the door uncertainly and wondered if he should have called and asked first. But this was a pretty spontateous decision.
sighed after thinking about it for a while. He could just ask, and if didn't work out, he didn't have a problem going back.
carefully shifted his hold on the box and reached a hand out to press the doorbell once, and then waited.
Gokudera
was
reading the newspaper when he doorbell rang.
blinked, setting the papers down before padded over to the door and pulled it open.
Gokudera
wonders
who would be--
Gokudera
says
... Ah, Jyuudaime! o.o Good morning!
steps back from the door to let Tsuna in.
Tsuna
says
O-ohayou. Uh.
went in and set the box down by the kitchen area.
blinks. "... Jyuudaime? o.o"
Gokudera
wonders
what's in the box. .-.
Tsuna
says
Um. Well...
Tsuna
wonders
how he was going to ask his favor.
started by pushing the box flaps open to let in more air--
Tsuna
says
Ahh!
reached out in reflex and tried to grab at Hayato, but she jumped out and avoided his flailing hands.
watched with fond exasperation as the gray bunny started hopping around on the tiles, fearlessly exploring the new area.
muttered, "... Not even scared. I wonder if he recognizes your scent?"
stared at the rabbit for a moment. "A-aa..."
Gokudera
thinks
...............
Gokudera
wonders
if Tsuna got tired of taking care of the rabbit and was returning her. D:
Gokudera
thinks
that has to be it. Why else would Tsuna take her back to him?
Gokudera
feels
...... 
Gokudera
says
, turning to Tsuna. "I'm sorry, Jyuudaime! I'll take her back if she's causing too much trouble for you!"
bowed. "I'm sorry! I should've thought about it a little more before deciding on giving her to you!"
Tsuna
says
DDD: I-it's not that! It's no trouble, really! I was just wondering if--
Tsuna
says
... Wait, "her"? o__O
straightened up and nodded.
Tsuna
says
O___o It's a girl?
nodded again. ._.
Tsuna
says
oAo I've been thinking it's a boy all along!
Gokudera
says
DD: I'm sorry! I should've made it clear when I gave her to you!
Gokudera
says
I... I thought you'd have figured it out by now! D:
shook his head. "It doesn't really matter either way, but."
flushed. "I named her after you."
Gokudera
says
A-aa...
turned a little pink and looked down at the rabbit who had hopped over and was sniffing curiously at his feet.
bent down to pick her up, craddling the bunny in his arms.
Gokudera
says
, smiling softly as he stroked her fur. "... I don't really mind."
cocked his head as he looked at Gokudera with the rabbit. "... Huh. I'm not surprised, but. That's weird..."
mumbled, "Maybe that's why Mukuro's been acting strangely."
Gokudera
asks
Eh? o.o
Tsuna
says
I'm not sure, but it feels like they don't get along well? H--Hayato and Mukuro, I mean.
paused when he realized how stupidly obvious his observation sounded.
Tsuna
says
A-anyway, he hasn't been talking to me much lately. It's like he's sulking. >_> I've been asking, but...
looked up at Gokudera. "Can you take care of her for a week or so? Or until I find out what's bugging Mukuro."
grinned. "Of course! Leave it to me, Jyuudaime! 
"
"
sighed in relief. There wouldn't be a problem if it's Gokudera. "Okay. Thank you."
Tsuna
says
I brought... pellets and hay. *gestures at the box* Enough to last a week.
Gokudera
says
Hai!
placed the rabbit back into the box and asks, "Would you like a drink, Jyuudaime? o:"
Tsuna
says
A-ah, hai!
grabbed two cans of juice from the fridge and handed one to Tsuna.
took his can of juice and popped it open. "Aa. Thank you."
Tsuna
says
Um. *looks around* Are you busy?
shook his head.
Tsuna
says
*in a small voice* C-can I stay here for today? It's been a bit awkward at home lately...
Gokudera
says
Of course! Stay as long as you like, Jyuudaime!
Tsuna
says
A-aa.
wandered over to the nearest couch and sat down, still holding the can of juice in his hands.
Tsuna
says
, out of the blue, "... He can't be jealous, can he?"
sat down beside Tsuna. "... Of what? .__."
Tsuna
says
Of Hayato...
sighed and muttered, "The idiot."
Gokudera
thinks
......... =___=
Gokudera
says
... Just ignore him, Jyuudaime. >_>
Tsuna
says
Un...
shook his head. "I'll know when I get home, I guess."
Tsuna
says
Anyway, uh. I know you don't like him, so I'll stop... How are you? 
Gokudera
says
I'm all right!
heard a rustle and turned his attention to the box Hayato was in.
... found her sticking her nose through the gap between the flaps, trying to get out. .-.
let out a small laugh. "She's gotten a lot bolder, haven't she?"
Tsuna
says
Yes.
Tsuna
says
She, uh. Scratched Mukuro the first time I had him hold her for me. +_+
Gokudera
asks
... Did she?
stood up and took Hayato out of the box before settling back on the couch.
placed the rabbit on his lap and petted her head.
Gokudera
says
, while smiling proudly at the bunny, "You did well, Hayato! Great job! "
"
Tsuna
says
Uh. T-that's not really...
does not know what to say to that. D:
Gokudera
asks
Hai?
Gokudera
is
obviously pleased.
shook his head. "N-nevermind." ;;;
added, "She *is* kind of taking after you." ._.
Gokudera
asks
... She is? o.o
Tsuna
says
I can't really explain how, though.. It's just a feeling?
Tsuna
thinks
, more like, he doesn't know how to explain why the rabbit is affectionate towards him and hostile towards Mukuro. ._.]
Gokudera
says
Ah. ... Well that's a good thing, isn't it?
Tsuna
says
A-aa. I guess...?
Tsuna
says
I-it's good that you two get along well, then, since I'll be leaving her with you. ._.
Gokudera
says
Mm... *watches the rabbit hops over onto Tsuna's lap*
murmured, "Really affectionate." He smiled as he positioned the bunny properly and began to pet her to sleep.
Tsuna
was
quiet for a while after that. He felt..... strangely uncomfortable all of a sudden, too.
Tsuna
says
, after a pause, "... Sorry."
blinks. "Eh?"
Gokudera
asks
... What are you apologizing for, Jyuudaime? D:
Tsuna
says
For suddenly showing up like this. And it feels... kind of awkward...
looked away in embarrassment. "... I'm always running to you when I have problems..."
didn't say problems with which person anymore.
frowned. "...But I'm glad, Jyuudaime."
Gokudera
says
We have been lesser and lesser time together lately and I was afraid that......
trailed off, shaking his head.
continues with a small smile, "At least... when you come to me like this, it feels like you still need me."
adds softly, "...That I may still be of use to you."
Tsuna
says
D: But it's not about using each other! We're friends, aren't we?
Tsuna
is
glad that he had Hayato on his lap, already slowly falling asleep under his petting.
had something to do with his hands that way, something to look at besides the other boy.
Tsuna
was
starting to get embarrassed, but if that was the way Gokudera thought...
added, almost inaudibly, "... W-we were more than friends, too."
looked at Tsuna in mild surprise. "J-Jyuudaime..."
reached over, lightly grasping the other boy's hand.
Gokudera
says
, a tender smile gracing his features, "...Thank you."
looked up and smiled back at the other boy. "You're welcome."
continued lightly scratching at the spot between Hayato's ears with his other hand. The rabbit was so used to it that she didn't even stir.
Tsuna
says
... It might be inconvenient to keep a pet in an apartment... um, it's just for one week.
Tsuna
says
I'll come get her a week from now. That would be...
suddenly realized that a week from now would be Valentine's Day. o.o
got an idea. Maybe he could make up for the babysitting job by giving Gokudera something for that day.
turned to the other boy and asked teasingly, "Ne, Gokudera-kun, do you want anything from me for Valentine's Day?"
blinks. "V-Valentine's? o.o"
shook his head a little. "You don't have to give me anything, Jyuudaime! D:"
Tsuna
says
I'm still going to look for a gift even if you tell me that.
Gokudera
says
But I don't want to trouble you. D:
Tsuna
says
Ah. Well... I need to get something for Mukuro, too, so...
Gokudera
says
......... Oh.
Gokudera
asks
... Is there anything *you* want from me from Valentine's then?
blinked at having the question thrown back at him. "Uh. I don't know." o.o
Gokudera
says
Hmm... .-.
Gokudera
asks
... Is there anything you've always wanted?
slowly shook his head. "Nothing in particular...?"
added after a while, "Surprise me?"
grinned. "Hai, I understand! I'll do my best, Jyuudaime!! "
"
Tsuna
says
o.o Y-you don't have to do anything too complicated.
Gokudera
says
But you said to surprise you. D:
Tsuna
says
I'll be happy *and* surprised with anything you give me.
looked down at Hayato as he said that, as if to emphasize his point, and carefully started playing with her ears.
held the tips and gently pulled them down so that they flopped on either side of her head. |3
Gokudera
says
If you say so... D:
watched Tsuna play with Hayato's ears for a moment before standing up.
Gokudera
asks
Are you hungry, Jyuudaime? Should I make you something to eat?
Tsuna
says
I'm not really hungry yet, but is it time to eat already? o:
shook his head. "I have to drop by the supermarket first so it may take a while."
Tsuna
says
I don't mind waiting.
Gokudera
asks
, after grabbing a jacket from his room, "Would you like to come along?"
Tsuna
says
Ah. o: You want me to go with you?
Tsuna
says
Okay, um. Wait. *looks down at the bunny in his lap* Where do I put her? o.o
Gokudera
says
Ah, you can put her back in the box, I guess.
Gokudera
says
... You don't have to come if you don't want to though. D:
Tsuna
is
already standing up and making his way to the kitchen, arms carefully cradling Hayato.
Tsuna
says
A-ah, I feel like going out. Can I?
Tsuna
says
--Go with you, I mean.
Gokudera
says
Of course! o.o
Tsuna
says
Okay, let me just--
knelt down beside the box and took out the extra hay and pellets. He set Hayato down in it.
could see that the rabbit was awake, and was sleepily snuffling at him. He made sure that there was food in the bowl, and water, and then--
gave the rabbit one final pat before standing up again to join Gokudera.