January Special - Katekyo Hitman Reborn - D86

Summary: January special for DinoxHaru / D86

My lack of KHR knowledge might make some things untrue or some characters OOC!

I don't own Katekyo Hitman Reborn!

Please forgive any mistakes, both character-wise and grammatically-wise. I don't have time to re-read or edit things.

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January Special

HappyFace1886

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Plenty of tears were shed on the day of Tsuna and Kyoko’s wedding. Most of it had been out of happiness, but a part of it had been due to the tiny sadness that welled up within Haru. She had always known about Tsuna’s affection towards Kyoko and while she was so gosh-darn happy about two of her closest friends finally tying the knot, her heart clenched at the sight of Tsuna smiling so contently with Kyoko in his arms.

It was a bittersweet ending to her first love.

Actually, it embarrassed Haru how long she’d clung to her one-sided affection towards the now official Decimo of the Vongola Famiglia. Everyone had believed that she’d finally given up after Tsuna and Kyoko had officially gotten together. It had even evolved into some sort of light-hearted inside joke amongst her friends of how much Haru used to adore Tsuna. Unfortunately the truth of the matter was that she actually still did care. Even though she tried to get over it, force the feelings deep down inside of her, the reality was that a part of her still really, really liked him.

Haru stifled her light sob, pressing a fist against her lips while the tears endlessly ran down her face. Just for this moment, she’d allow herself to cry. The others were busy with the party and she knew she’d wandered far enough that no one would find her without actively looking for her. Everyone thought she was busy with something or another anyways, being the maid of honor and all that. They wouldn’t notice if she was gone for at least half an hour.

She bit her lips, knowing that her makeup was likely ruined by her hot tears. Her face was also probably a brilliant shade of red and there was no way her eyes weren’t puffy and red from all the obvious crying.

Okay, so maybe an hour...

Thank goodness that Tsuna and Kyoko decided to have an outdoor ceremony. It made it much easier to slip away to have a moment to herself and even if someone was to notice that she was missing, she could just as easily lie about having wanted to explore the grounds for a little bit.

Haru resisted the urge to wipe her tears away, knowing she’d only make it even more difficult to clean herself up after her little pity party if her makeup was smeared all over her face. If only she was a bit stronger. She’d lasted throughout the entire reception and ceremony. She’d even lasted through the cake-cutting and when they opened the dance floor! However, her heart couldn’t take it anymore. She just needed some air... just a little bit of time for herself.

She stared at the manmade river that flowed before her, the sun slowly setting and casting beautiful rays of pink and lavender above her.

“Haru-chan?” a familiar low tenured voice murmured gently behind her and she stiffened.

Knowing there was no point in trying to hide it, Haru slowly tilted her head and gave the tall blonde haired man a firsthand perspective at how pathetic she must’ve looked with her runny make up, runny nose, and runny tears all over her face. “D-Dino-san?”

Dino rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, unsure of how exactly to approach her. There had been a plan that’d been forming in his head when he’d set out to find her, but all of that had evaporated when she’d turned around and revealed the misery on her soft features. He discretely sighed and gave her a warm smile instead, making his way towards her so that he could sit on the bench beside her.

The two sat in silence. Haru had her head turned away from him, her tears renewed at the humiliation of having gotten caught by another, especially by someone she held in such high regard. At the same time, warmth filled her at the fact that Dino wasn’t saying a word. He wasn’t judging her and he wasn’t attempting to feebly console her either. She knew she would have felt even lower than dirt if he’d tried to cheer her up by saying something silly like how Tsuna didn’t know what he was missing out on... because she really didn’t need a reminder of the fact that she’d been fighting a losing battle from the very beginning.

A warm hand landed on her head and she looked up. Dino’s eyes were still on the river before them, the same gentle smile on his face as he spoke softly. “You’re a strong woman, Haru-chan.”

“...I am not,” she mumbled, embarrassed by how hoarse her voice sounded.

“I’m sure many would beg to differ,” he let out a low chuckle, grateful for the fact that she didn’t shove his hand away. Dino gave her a light pat on her head in order to not disturb the elaborate pins and curls of her brown locks before leaning forward, resting his arms against his knees as he tilted his head towards her. “You may not be the most physically strong person, but it takes a lot of strength to gracefully let go of someone so important to you.”

“Was I that obvious?” the flush on her cheeks deepened at that possibility, but at the same time, she wasn’t too surprised. Even though she’d hidden in well, she knew for a fact that a great deal of her closer friends probably knew the truth. It was one of the unfortunate disadvantages of having such insanely perceptive friends.

“No, you weren’t actually,” he admitted honestly with a smile. To a complete stranger or even a good acquaintance, it would have never crossed their minds that Haru felt anything deeper for Tsuna other than admiration and respect. However, because the others knew her so well, the more observant ones of their group knew the actual truth of the matter.

Haru discreetly tried to wipe away the worst of her tears, desperate to find a mirror once she made her way back towards the party. “S-Sorry for showing such a shameful side of me. I-I’ll be back soon, so there’s no need to wait for me. Please g-.”

“What if I don’t want to?”

Her eyes widened slightly, especially due to the serious tone of his voice. “H-Hahi?”

“If you’ll allow me, I want to stay here with you.” He leaned back against the stone bench, the light of the setting sun giving a glow about him that seemed to enhance his golden locks. “I’m more interested in staying here than going back there anyways.”

“B-But-.”

“If I’m truly a bother, I’ll wait for you back at the party instead.” Dino offered and after staring at him for a moment, Haru shook her head slowly.

“No...  Dino-san is never a bother... Haru... Haru just doesn’t want him to see her like this...” she felt so messy and pitiable. Haru tried to turn her face away when she felt a hand gently grasp her chin, turning her head back so that she was looking straight at him. Her eyes widened ever so slightly in surprise and Dino gave her a charming smile.

“I don’t ever want you to feel like you have to hide from me, Haru.”

Her eyes widened even further, immediately catching the lack of the usual affectionate suffix he’d attach to the end of her name. She was so stunned by this sudden change, she didn’t even move away from his hold, allowing him to caress her skin with his thumb as he slowly inched his hand upward until he was cupping the side of her face. He gently stroked his finger over the tear stains on her cheek, his eyes softening as he took in her appearance.

It had never been his intention to approach her in this manner. She was too vulnerable and it made him feel as though he was only taking advantage of her like this... but seeing her so miserable was too aching for him to leave her alone. All he intended to do was console her in order to bring back that pretty smile on her face...

The smile which was the cause of the current pounding in his chest.

---

Dino found himself staring unabashedly at how Haru stared at the shy couple with a fond smile on her face. It was during the most recent gathering with the Vongola and its brethren that others had discovered of their current boss’s official attachment to a certain Sasagawa Kyoko. Several pairs of eyes had carefully glanced at where Haru stood, but all they saw was the cheerful, happy smile on her face.

To others, Haru looked as excited as the rest of them while sharing jubilations for Tsuna having finally snagged the girl of his dreams. However, to Dino, he found himself taken by the soft creases of her lips and how her eyes would look at the couple distantly... tenderly...

It was a graceful smile, mature and sweet... it was the type of smile that drew people in, mesmerizing them with wonder due to the compassion in them. It was one that made Dino want to stare for a moment longer.

“Uh, boss... you’re overfilling my drink,” one of his subordinates said while staring in aghast at how his cup was now spilling over the edges and onto his hand. Dino looked down and yelped when he saw the mess he was creating.

Dino hastily apologized while discreetly glancing back at where Haru stood, but to his disappointment, she’d turned away from him and was showing her back. He only vaguely heard the whispering of his subordinates about how he was acting weirder than usual, but Dino was too distracted to even consider what they were saying. He was too preoccupied by the tightening of his chest and startled by the quickness of his heart.

---

Haru had always been Haru-chan to him. The young girl who bloomed into a young woman, so vivacious and strong-willed, but still the fun, cheery girl he met all those years ago. It wasn’t until that very moment several years ago that his heart began the habit of skipping a beat around her presence. And it was due to that disarming smile of hers. One that was so brave and determined despite how broken her own heart was becoming when it became known that Kyoko and Tsuna were now an item... with her blessings, of course.

He tried to ignore it and even went as far as to ignore Haru... which was somewhat of an easy task since he was often busy with his work as the head of the Chiavarone Famiglia. Unfortunately, it had only made things worse for him as it made his mind wonder instead. Was she alright? Why was his heart behaving like this? And why was his face flushing when he remembered that soft smile on her face? What would it be like if she were to turn that smile towards her, but filled with happiness and lov-?

Where was this even coming from?!!

“Dino-...san?” the whisper before him returned his attention to her and he resisted the urge to sigh when he felt the irresistible need to pull her into his arm, to cradle her protectively even if it was to console her of her tears for her old love. It didn’t help that he’d spent years trying to ignore the intrusive thoughts only to fail miserably, leading to little daydreams where Haru would turn to him with such adoration and affection...

All because of that single smile that had truly been filled with such love and warmth... because Haru was sincere when it came to her feeling towards her precious people and she meant every word when she said she was happy for Tsuna and Kyoko. That breathtaking sincerity was effortlessly transmitted through her smile and easily became something he wanted to see over and over again. Especially if such a smile was to be aimed at him instead.

Haru resisted the urge to squeak when Dino abruptly leaned forward, pressing his head against hers. She felt his breath brushing against her lips as he sighed and she remained completely lost by this turn of events.

For so long he had tried and yet, his thoughts would always end up remembering that smile. And then it would lead to the small, subtle memories he’d never even thought about in the past. Of how when he’d seen Haru a few weeks before that fateful gathering where she’d actually looked endearing in that white dress of hers. Or those occasional moments that they did meet after that gathering, such as that time when the two had been waiting outside together at the gardens within the Vongola manor, both having something they needed to discuss with Tsuna.

Every time he spoke to her, it was always so amiable and relaxing. Granted, he felt that way with many others as well, but it had always been particularly fun to talk to Haru... and was something he also frequently looked forward to whenever he heard she would be around.

Perhaps he’d always been fond of her. It was just that damnably lovely smile of hers that had swept him away completely.

“I don’t want to rush you, Haru...” he murmured quietly, each word seared over her sensitive skin with his hot breath. “And I’m being honest when I say that I’m willing to wait however long it takes for you to heal your heart. But when it does... I hope you don’t mind considering me in your future.”

“H-Hahi?” her eyes goggled at his words.

“Because,” he murmured with his head still pressed against hers, determined to keep still lest he do something even more rash such as kissing her senseless here and now, “I don’t think I have it in me to keep myself away any longer.”

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::owari::

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AU: Haha, I tried thinking of what January meant when writing this... so I took in the theme of 'New Beginnings' and this popped out! Hope you guys enjoyed it! I'll try and write Genesis and more Cloud Watching Days since my hectic January schedule is cooling down. Hope February isn't as bad, ugh.

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