Chapter Text
Staring at the food, no doubt expertly prepared considering its enticing odor and presentation, Gokudera began to wonder just what he had gotten himself into. He looked at the mother and son duo, one happily distributing food and the other fidgeting with nervousness respectively. Also, nervous about the situation he'd gotten himself into. Knowing that he should have left earlier, but now that he was here holding the plate of food he couldn't just leave now. (It would've been rude, not that he cared, but he wouldn't 've had wanted to waste free food.)
Food was passed around, Gokudera grabbed his chopsticks and began to dig in. When the food entered his mouth, he couldn't help but exclaim, "Hou, this is amazing!". He then proceeded to devour the food on his plate.
Gokudera's exclamation surprised Tsuna and Nana. They eased as they witnessed saw him eating the food. Even though he had very harsh features, seeing him enthusiastically consume the food softened their impression of him. So they ate dinner in silence with only a few words of compliments to the chef and the sounds of chewing filling the room.
Once all the food had been eaten and thanks were given, with a filled stomach Gokudera sighed in content. It's been almost forever since he's eaten anything as delicious as the food he has partaken that evening. As he observed Tsuna's mother stow away the utensils, plates, and food containers, he felt a calm that one in his position rarely experiences. Getting comfortable on the sofa in Tsuna's, he took out his cigarette, forgetting that he was in a hospital. Before he could lit his cigarette and inhale that sweet, sweet nicotine burn, he heard a squeak.
"Goku-Gokudera, you can't smoke here? You're in the hospital, remember?" Tsuna spoke out in shock. His hands creeping around his mouth, as though conflicted as to whether or not to reprimand him over such a thing and stopping himself from calling out Gokudera.
Cursing himself over his carelessness. Gokudera fumbled over his lighter trying to salvage the situation he had dug himself in. While trying to save face, his cigarette fell to the floor as he began to mutter hal apologizes. Before he could pic it back, Nana beat him to the punch. Picking up the cigarette that had rolled near her, she stared at the cancer stick then at the silver teen. Her expression unreadable to both teens, as the seconds crawled, as they hazardly waited for the expected blowout.
Starring at the unlit cigarette in her hand, Nana had regained her uneasiness concerning Gokudera. She could see that both teens were agitated waiting for her reaction as if she was going to yell or punish them.
Fisting the cigarette in her hand she finally spoke, "You know that you shouldn't smoke in the hospital, right Gokudera-kun? In fact you shouldn't be smoking at all, until the legal age of 20."
Looking directly at Gokudera, she saw that he was averting his gaze from her looking at the floor with shame. She continued to stare at to stare at him. Hearing him mumble, "You're right."
Seeing him repentant for what he did she took the cigarette into her pocket said, "You know it's getting late why don't you come back tomorrow. I'm sure that Tsuna is getting tired right about now with all of the excitement of you coming in and all that." Taking note Tsuna slight but obvious sleepy trembles.
Smiling as she continued, she began to Gokudera out of the door. "Hopefully, tomorrow we'll have the energy to continue with schoolwork. I'm sure that you're getting tired as well." Taking him out of the hallway, and out of Tsuna's earshot she softened her stance and voice, so as to not agitate Gokudera even further, "Don't worry Gokudera, I'm not angry, but please don't smoke it's bad for your health. Not only that but you're to young for that. However, even if I say that you won't stop will you? Ah, don't worry about it, just make sure to come when you're comfortable, okay? Well I'll see you later, goodbye."
Sending Gokudera off, Nana felt worried about him. Something about the boy put her on edge as if he was putting some sort of barrier between him and others. Even when he looked relax he did not appear to relinquish himself. Seeing him walk away she went back to Tsuna's room, where her son was still awkwardly fidgeting from the recent confrontation. Stiffening in anticipation when he realized that she had returned to the room Nana sat down on the chair next to him.
"Well that was exciting, don't you think, Tsu-chan? After all that excitement, I'd think that you would be pretty tired. The doctors said that you're going to need a lot of sleep for the next couple of days. Don't worry tomorrow will be a new day." Catching Tsuna off guard, Nana helped him get ready for sleep. With today's events catching back up to him. Tsuna finally realized how tired he was. Allowing his mother to assist him in replacing his bandages. At least for how he won't have to explain Gokudera to mom. Getting comfortable en bed, he closed his and went to sleep.
( :: [ ] :: ) ( :: [ ] :: ) The Next Day ( :: [ ] :: ) ( :: [ ] :: )
Waking up the next day wasn't so bad for Tsuna. Alone in his room he was glad that he didn't have to share his room with another person. Say what you will about Iemitsu, his dad, for all of his stupidity he really does take care of his family, which is all he's going to admit and no one is ever going to find that out. It was strange for Tsuna to wake up alone in his room, usually when he wakes up these last few days he's been his mother was nearby. Not that he minded his mom around, but he'd much rather have a hospital approved homemade meal rather than hospital meal. Now that he thought of that he was rather hungry, but first he had to do his morning rituals. Which meant cleaning himself and replacing his bandages.
After waking up from his coma, Tsuna found that he had cast on both his legs and left wrist, a constant stinging pain around his body, especially his back, bandaged on most of his body, and he learned that surgical metal contraptions were placed throughout his body after a large part of his body was crushed. He was amazed that he survived such experience, but now that he was at the hospital he was sure that he would recover well. Unfortunately, this made cleaning himself very difficult. Which is why his mom made it a deal to help him change his bandages and to help bathe him, since he couldn't do it himself. The good thing was that while his burn marks will heal in a few days' time, he would end up with some scars especially around his torso.
Considering that his mom wasn't around, he had to rely on the nurses help cleaning himself and replacing his bandages, which for the last few days have been decreasing in size. Even though it was embarrassing enough that his mother assisted him with his washing, having stranger do it was even more embarrassing for him. But, he dealt with it as best as he could.
Half way through the washing the door opened. Entering the room Nana spoke out, "Hello, Tsuna- Oh, sorry I'll get out of the room. Take your time to finish." Tsuna turned bright red as he jerked in surprise, seeing not only Nana but Gokudera as well. As Tsuna made it difficult for nurses to help him wash, both Gokuder and Nana decided to wait outside. Nana smiled at Gokudera as he stood awkwardly waiting with her.
"Don't worry Go-Kun after another 4-5 weeks of this and Tsuna will be able to shower by himself." Gokudera grunted in reply, Nana just gigs led to herself as she said, "Oh, dear you really are a boy of few words. You really should speak out more often, that way you can say what you want." Preferring not to reply, Gokudera just waited until they could return to the room.
How he got stuck back here he had no idea. Okay maybe he did, but he wasn't going to think about it.
( :: [ ] :: ) ( :: [ ] :: ) Early This Morning ( :: [ ] :: ) ( :: [ ] :: )
He was just minding his business in the shopping district his business in the shopping district looking for something cheap to eat for breakfast, when suddenly he heard someone, calling out to him. Not recognizing the voice at first he tensed as he looked around for enemies. Hearing his name being called out to him again his eyes locked to her eyes. That terrifying woman, Nana, waved at him beckoning him to come towards her. Even though he could've just left her, he ended up following her command as he walked toward where she was standing, in line in front of a pastry shop.
"I knew it was you Go-kun. When I saw that silver hair in the crowd, I asked myself is it him? And when I called out, I realized it is Go-kun. Oh, I'm sorry is it okay if I called you Go-kun?" Nana spoke amicably to Gokudera, who simply nodded in agreement. "Good, you know I was making breakfast for Tsu-chan , cause while I don't have anything against hospital food, a homemade meal is good for the body to recuperate, don't you agree?" Tensing over such a familial question Gokudera continued to nod in agreement, not wanting to voice out his displeasure over such a question. Sensing his discomfort Nana continued, " well while I was cooking I thought to myself well there's this nice boy who's going to help my cute no good son in his studies. I should get him something for his troubles. Then I remembered that they sell these delicious Italian tarts in this pastry shop, but they only sell a limited amount in the morning. So I thought maybe I should get some before I bring breakfast for Tsu-chan. Ah, don't worry about Tsu-chan, he's a late sleeper so by the time we get there he'll most likely be waking up. And now that I found you here, why don't wait with me we can have breakfast with Tsu-chan at the hospital. Unless you have other things to do, oh, I'm sorry, if you have other things to do there will still be some tarts saved for you." Smiling at the embarrassed teen in front of her Nana had decided that while the boy may be dangerous, that by this point in time he most likely won't be bringing any trouble or danger to her or her son any time soon. Deciding to let bygones be bygones at the moment, she thought that by letting the boy be around her while she finished her errands might help him familiarize to her. She had her suspicions about his situation, but until she learns more the best she could do was making sure that they are all comfortable and trusting to one another.
So while Gokudera helped Nana with her morning chores, he listened to her talk about everything and anything that came to her fancy. He learned that while she may love her son, he had trouble with nearly everything. That she had a husband who worked overseas for long periods of time and that apparently her daughter, Tsuna's younger twin sister Himiko, was with him. Even though both were living in different parts of the world, they still loved one another. Listening to her and responding to here with monosyllabic words, they soon found themselves in the hospital with a bag of food and a bag of pastries they headed towards Tsuna's room.
They were a bit surprised to find him awake and bathing with the assistance of the nurses . Deciding to wait for him outside to finish till he was finished, which didn't take long. When they returned to the room they found a blushing Tsuna, Nana smiled and proceeded to feed both boys and herself a hearty breakfast. Chatting amicably with both teens, they ate their food, along the delicious tarts.
After breakfast, Nana decided to go back home. Leaving them alone together will be good for them, plus she'd be useless in helping Tsuna with his schoolwork.
As Nana bid them goodbye, they were both awkwardly quite for a few minutes as they tried to break the ice. Surprisingly, Tsuna found himself initiating the conversation. Taking out his schoolwork to get it over with, he shyly stuttered, "Um, s-s-so m-m-maybe you can h-help me c-catch up w-with what I-I m-missed and s-stuff..."
Hearing the way the other was hesitant pissed Gokudera off. Without hesitation he growled, as he began to frown with eyes that pierced into Tsuna, "God, you're such a pussy aren't you? M-m-maybe y-you c-can h-help." Seeing the boy flinch inward himself fueled something in Gokudera as he continued his rant. "No wonder your own mother calls you a no-good. See even now your acting like an invalid. You need to act like a man, you need that even more than you need this bullshit." And, so the next few hour, were spent on Gokudera teaching Tsuna the ways of the man, while helping him catch up on his studies.
By the time lunch rolled in Nana returned, looking at its spent occupants she noticed the papers scattered around the room. "Oh good, they must've been working hand on their schoolwork," she thought to herself, unaware of the obvious shakes of terror that Tsuna was showing. Addressing Gokudera who was smirking proudly, she could tell that he must really be a smart boy, to be able to help her son in his schoolwork.
Cheerfully she told to both teens, " Well I see that the 2 of you must have been really been working. I brought some luch so lets clean this room up and we can get stared on some good eating I'm sure that by this point you must be hungry. I know I would if I was studying nonstop." So cleaning up the room they had a filling lunch, Nana asked how their studying went Gokudera began telling her how great it had been going. Both ignoring Tsuna's obvious disbelief of Gokudera's description of the last few hours.
When they had finished eating, Nana appreciated Gokudera's effort in helping clean up. Handing her the dishes and utensils, he addressed, "Man that was great-daze! But, I'm sorry to say that I have to get going now. I have some stuff to do in an hour so, let me see... Tsuna do this, this, and this by the end of the day, I'll see when I come back. Thank you, Sawada-san for the delicious breakfast and lunch-daze. So I'll see you guys later-daze." Shoving some papers from the homework pile to Tsuna'shands Gokudera began to take his leave.
Heading to the door, Nana called out, "Wait let me accompany you out, I have somethings to tell you." Brushing off the perplex look that Tsuna was giving her, (although he was relieved that the 'manly' lesson from Gokudera was done for the day), she and Gokudera walked out to the hall. Stopping him when they were far from Tsuna's room she finally spoke out, "Go-kun, before you leave I was wondering if you were going to be available tomorrow. I know this sounds very last minute, but tomorrow its Tsu-chan's birthday. I think that he most likely forgot about his birthday coming tomorrow. Most of the time he doesn't really care to celebrate it considering, and usually I respect it, even though I think he should celebrate it, but considering what has happened this last month, I feel that a birthday would most definitely lift his spirit . Especially, if you were to celebrate with us. It'll be a small celebration with a couple of Tsu-chan's friends. So do you think that maybe you'll be able to come celebrate with us tomorrow, Go-kun?"
Gawking at the strange woman in front of him, Gokudera could only think of how ridiculous the situation was. He almost killed the boy a few weeks ago and probably left him damaged somehow. Yet, here he was helping that same stupid weakling with useless schoolwork and his mother just asked him, him of all people to go to the boy's birthday party. A complete stranger who most certainly should never have been anywhere near the boy after what happened. And, she was asking him to this birthday party tomorrow, (which strangely gave him a weird sensation in his stomach that he couldn't identify so it was most definitely not a good idea).Seriously, did these people even have an ounce of self preservation anywhere in their bodies?
Waiting patiently for the boy's answer Nana, also knew how ridiculous the question was, even so as a mother she couldn't let the boy do as he has been. For although she didn't wholly understood his circumstances, she knoew that he was stuck in a place that no child should ever be in. Unfortunately she really couldn't do anything, he may be rough around the edges, but underneath it all she could still see what a sweeet boy he was still inside. So all she could do was to make sure that he helped her Tsu-chan for as long as possible and to feed him as much nutritious food as she could feed him.
Ager debating with himself Gokudera finally answered, " Sure why not, don't really have a lot to do at the moment, but that doesn't mean I'll go. Something might come up, my schedule weird like that-daze"
Smiling a million watt smile, Nana replied excitedly, " Thank you, that's all I wanted to hear. Oh, before you go take these onigiris with you. I thought that you'd stay a bit more so I made these for snacks, but since you're leaving why don't you take them. I think they'll do more for you than they'll do for me." Handing him a small pack of onigiris she had prepared for just the occasion she was just glad that Gokudera had easily given her the excuse to hand them to him.
Mumbling a thanks, Gokudera left so she returned to Tsuna's room. Seeing her son working on the sheets that Gokudera told him to work on, she proposed that Tsuna should rest until Kyoko-chan's visit today, since he worked so hard today. Agreeing to her idea Tsuna decided to watch Shining Inheritance with his mother on the TV in his room. A lot of people did not know that Tsuna and Nana were both big fans of TV dramas. Considering how close Nana and Tsuna were it was no wonder that they shared an interest or two.
It helped pass the tim for when Kyoko came it for her visit. Bringing him copies of today's lecture notes and worksheets he's missed, they waved Nana goodbye, since she wanted to give them some privacy. She was surprised to find some of the worksheets completed almost perfectly. When she asked him how he did it, Tsuna told her about Gokudear, about how he offered to help him, and how scary learning from him was. She was surprised to hear that Tsuna had met such a rough person. Asking him more about Gokudera, Tsuna made sure not to tell her how they actually met, even though Gokudera may have been at fault for sending him to the hospital, he did not think that Gokudera was a bad peson. He was just a little bit scary, okay he was terrifying.
Glad to have someone with him tat wouldn't traumatize him, both he and Kyoko began to work on the schoolwork together. While they studied and made small talk, Tsuna began to think of how weird its been that he could become accustomed to being near Kyoko, when just being near her was amazing. Although, he wouldn't say that out loud.
While Tsuna was thinking that, Kyoko also thought about how nice it was to be with Tsuna. Compared to most boys, she felt safe and calm around him, however she could never say that out loud it was embarrassing. Not only that but Tsuna was still a bit shy when she was interacting with him. If he would let go of his timidness thing could become better between them.
Well she had a lot of time to fix that, but before that she had to deal with the chasm that Hana built herself and Tsuna, because both were her friends and she didn't like that they weren't all together. Plus, she wanted to meet this Gokudera person. Tomorrow at Tsuna's birthday party she'll make sure to reconcile Hana and Tsuna. After all birthdays were days were friends and family celebrated together.
A/N 2: Now that that's over with, just want to say how sorry I am that Yamamoto has still not shown up yet, but every time I sit down and write I end up not writing him in to the story. But, he is coming in soon and it will be awesome, or maybe not but you never know. Here is some characterization (or is it?) for both Nana and Gokudera. And, those last paragraphs there is a small tiny bloom for TsunaXKyoko which truth be told I didn't think about till I wrote it. It looks fluffy and natural. Well thanks for reading, pleas review. See You.