tl;dr

Friends
Prompt: F is for Friends
Pairing: [friendly] 5927/GokuTsuna
Word Count: 1161
Rating: G
Warnings: Other than the forced friendship relationship between the boss and the (self-proclaimed) right-hand man, nothing else.
Oh, and uncreative title is uncreative. Also, I think I kinda screwed up the prompt ;| /honestly this looks more like general 2759 friendship, not 5927 friendship =))/

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Gokudera, albeit very explosive, is actually a boy of thoughts. He thinks about his life, he thinks about his Juudaime, he thinks about how to get rid of that yakyuu-baka, he thinks of his favourite magazines, he thinks of Vongola the Tenth, he thinks about…lots of things.

Although mostly, he thinks about his beloved tenth.

Never could he understand why does his beloved (and glorious) tenth always seem to reject the whole-hearted praise and subordinate-love he never cease to give. Really. He never intended to do anything bad, no. He’s certainly not like a certain pineapple-headed psycho who seems to love his Juudaime’s ass, or that cold guy Hibari who always direct  his…carnivorous…gaze towards said boss.

So why does Juudaime seem to enjoy those two guys’ presence more than his…?

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One sunny day, Gokudera gathered his bravery and decided to ask. Tsuna was trying to take care of Lambo and I-Pin when Gokudera arrived at the Sawada family’s house–and apparently, he failed quite miserably as Lambo ran around wildly with I-Pin trailing behind.

“Juudaime!” Gokudera called out, catching Tsuna’s attention. “Ah, Gokudera-kun! Wh-what’s up? It’s quite unusual for you to visit on this time of the day…” Tsuna took a glance at the sky. “Okay–so it is already evening. Wow, taking care of Lambo and I-Pin certainly is hard work…”

“Next time, call for me, Juudaime! I’ll be willing to help!”

Tsuna grimaced. And let you choke dynamite into Lambo’s mouth? I appreciate your offer, Gokudera-kun, but please, NO. The  boy sighed, before looking up at Gokudera and smiled. “Come in, I’ll prepare some tea–although it might taste weird. Yamamoto-kun and the others said they’ll be coming too later.”

“That yakyuu-baka is coming?” Gokudera asked, raising an eyebrow. Tsuna nodded. “Uhn. Earlier this afternoon, Yamamoto-kun called me, asking whether Reborn’s invitation yesterday still applies. I was about to ask about that invitation, but Reborn quickly stomped on me and told Yamamoto that the invitation was going to be held tonight. So…whatever invitation it is, I don’t think I should ask anymore…”

Gokudera solemnly nodded. “I see…probably something about the family. Anyway, Juudaime, I have something to ask…”

“Yes, Gokudera-kun?”

“I’ve been thinking that you seem to enjoy the presence of Hibari and that pineapple psycho more than mine…really, I’m worried. Are they doing something to you? No matter how I look at them, they always give out this…this I’m-dangerous vibes.”

Tsuna made a face.

Gokudera, noticing the face Tsuna made, quickly kneeled and began bashing his forehead on the ground. “I’M SORRY, JUUDAIME, I SHOULDN’T HAVE ASKED! I’M NOT WORTHY TO BECOME YOUR RIGHT-HAND MAN ANYMORE!! I’M–”

And again, Tsuna was forced to do the daily routine he always do: Stop Gokudera from making a hole on his forehead.

---

“Honestly, Gokudera-kun. You surprised me with the question.” Tsuna said, sighing as he scratched his head. Gokudera only looked at Tsuna with a guilty look on his face. “Look…it’s not like I enjoy some specific presence or what–I like being with all of you! Maybe it’s because Mukuro and Hibari-san were so…so…I can’t find any good words to describe those two anymore!! They’re like some kind of battle machines which are designed to kill each other! Honestly, I can’t understand the reason they seem to eye me all the time.”

Honestly, I think I know, Juudaime. Gokudera thought, but decided to keep silent about it.

“But aside from that…you’re all my friends! I enjoy being with all of you, no one is way more special than the other between you guys for me. Really.” Tsuna explained. On the mention of friends, Gokudera expression suddenly turned into a gloomy one.

Oh shit, I think I hit his sore spot.

“Gokudera-kun? D-did I say anything that offended you?”

Gokudera shook his head slowly. “No, Juudaime. Not at all.”

“Gokudera-kun.”

The white-haired teen shivered when he saw Tsuna’s stern look, which clearly said ‘I’m-certain-I-did-so-spill-it-out’. He sighed heavily. “I…don’t really believe in the existence of true friends.” he admitted. “It probably has something to do with my past, remembering the fact that my family was a part of the mafia where foes can be friends, and friends can be foes.”

“Does that mean…you think…that we might be lying to you about being your friends, Gokudera-kun…?”

Rapidly, he shook his head. “No, it’s not like that! I know that everyone are being sincerely f-friendly and all to me, but…I just couldn’t accept it.  All that work I used to do only to be admitted in the mafia and accepted by the society in my life…and still be betrayed by the end…it just seems so wrong for me, to be able to get friends so easily.”

So in short, he thinks we might be friending him for a hidden reason simply because he used to be betrayed by the friends he worked so hard to get, and because we seems to be so easily friendly to him. Brilliant. Tsuna thought. He smiled, though.

“Look, Gokudera,” Tsuna began talking. “You can count on us. We really want to be your friends–fine, Hibari-san’s an exception, I’ll have to admit that. But most of us–Yamamoto-kun, Ryohei-onii-san, even Lambo, I believe, we all want you to open up with us; trust us a bit more; aren’t we family? I consider friendship a vital part of a family, you know.”

“Juudaime…” Gokudera still looked like a tormented puppy.

“If not…at least, you should count on me.” Tsuna said, gently. “I still remember how Reborn literally bashed those Good Qualities of a Boss into my head, ahaha, and one of those qualities was ‘to become a supporting shoulder for subordinates’. I think it was ridiculous, at first, especially since the lesson my civic’s teacher gave was that it should be subordinates the ones supporting. Reborn mashed my belief by changing that lesson into ‘Bosses and subordinates should support each other’. And now that I think of it…I think it’s very true.”

Silence took over.

Tsuna sheepishly laughed. “That must’ve sounded so cheesy–”

“THAT WAS TOUCHING, JUUDAIME!” Gokudera shouted, startling Tsuna. With sparkling eyes and spirited face, Gokudera grabbed Tsuna’s hands and gripped them tight. “You’ve enlightened me, Juudaime.” he said, looking straight at Tsuna. “I-I never knew that friendship is so…so wonderful. I think I can see friendship through a whole new light now!”

That was quick for a change! Tsuna mentally yelled, obviously shocked at the sudden change Gokudera did. He stared at Gokudera like a fish for a while, before then smiling and laughing. “I certainly hope you’ll be able to be friends with everyone. Don’t worry, Gokudera, I–no, we all will always be your friends.”

Gokudera let out a genuine smile. A smile of enlightenment, a smile of wonder and respect.

“Of course we will, Juudaime!“

“So…when will you start calling me with my name?” Tsuna asked.

Gokudera couldn’t answer.

[end]