[Closed Log] First Day in Italy

[clumsyhorse]

Who: Hibari Kyouya, Cavallone Dino
What: Dino and Hibari went to Italy, but even from day one, their plan was already ruined.
When: August 1st, 2011
Where: Dino's room in Cavallone Headquarter, Palermo, Italy.
Rating: PG-13
A/N: Get ready for spams back-dated logs!

So terribly sorry for this so very old log. This was dated back almost a year ago and I have no real excuse for my negligence in posting it than the mere fact I actually forgotten about it.


Kyouya was not mad at all.

Oh, no. He was downright furious.

In his defense, he felt like he had every right for his indignation. He had specifically come to Italy with Dino. Yes, he understood that Dino had other responsibilities, and no, he had not expected Dino to spend every waking minute with him. However, he also had not expected to have Dino dash out the morning after their arrival with some murmurs about his consigliere needing him before Kyouya himself was even properly awake. Since then, he had spent the entire day alone save for some servants who occasionally checked in on him, making sure there wasn't anything he needed.

By the time they got to afternoon, Kyouya was all but seething with rage. He had not even heard from Dino since morning; the least the idiot could have done was send some word of whether he planned to be back at all. As it was, Kyouya found himself pacing around the room for what little periods of time he could handle before he had to sit down again. His own weakness and the lingering pain only served to anger him even further, though.

How dare Dino just leave him alone in what was practically a strange place, surrounded by strangers, without any knowledge of when Dino would be back and too weak to make it any further than the balcony by himself.

The talk with his consigliere was taking much more time than Dino had expected. Apparently, there were lots of things that needed to be discussed, mainly about the attack that had happened in the university. His consigliere wanted to make sure that Dino was alright--it was the pleasant part of the talk--but then the topic of conversation went bad for Dino.

His consigliere were not happy with his decision to take over this matter. They all said that Kyouya was Vongola’s guardian and it was only appropriate for Vongola to solve the problem. Apparently, none of them really took Kyouya’s status as Dino’s fiancé seriously and it made Dino mad.

He had spent most of the time by arguing and then listening to their complaints until, finally, he had had enough. One of his consigliere was overstepping his boundary by saying that it’d be better if Kyouya had died because of the attack. Dino didn’t want to say anything more after that, so he had made it very clear that Cavallone would take over this problem and in case they were forgotten, he was still the don here and so his words were law for the Family.

They certainly still looked like they had few words of choice to say, but Dino dismissed them and excused himself from the room without hearing anything more.

Now he was walking towards his bedroom. He had left Kyouya even before the man had truly woke up this morning and he could only imagine how annoyed the dark haired man was now. All the way to his room, Dino cursed his consigliere under his breath and trying to find correct words to apologize to Kyouya.

Not that he had much hope Kyouya would accept his apology, of course.

Once he had arrived in front of his bedroom, Dino stopped, taking a deep breath to calm himself and to brace Kyouya’s wrath--because he would surely receive it this time--before opening the door.

“Kyouya, I’m sorry.” It was the first thing Dino said as he walked in.

Kyouya heard Dino's arrival, and he heard the words, but he did not show any reaction to either. He kept his eyes on his game instead, half curled up on the bed, a silent, pale form against the bedsheets.

Dino saw Kyouya’s form and he bit his lower lip. He knew Kyouya heard and noticed him. How could he not? The dark haired man was always aware of his surrounding, maybe even more so because of his current condition.

So, the reason Kyouya wasn’t answering could only because he was really angry at Dino.

The blond man walked to the bed side and sat down--tentatively--on the edge. “Kyouya?” he tried once again.

No response.

Not good. This is not good at all.

Dino reached out his hand--slowly, almost like he was approaching a very dangerous animal--and touched Kyouya’s shoulder. “Hey, Kyouya?” Dino paused. “Um, have you-- eaten yet?”

"What does it concern you?" A clipped tone.

Kyouya’s tone and words made Dino flinched and he pulled his hand back, letting it fall on his lap instead. “Don’t say it like that. I’m worried about you,” he responded in a murmur. “have you eaten yet? I’m sure someone has brought breakfast and lunch here, right?”

"If you were worried, you would not wait until well in the afternoon to even check I'm still alive."

“I’ve tried to get it over soon, but I can’t, Kyouya.” Dino sighed. “I have no intention of abandoning you. Hell, I prefer your company a lot better than my consigliere’s!”

"Really? I couldn't tell, considering you practically ran out on me to go talk with them." He still hadn't looked at Dino even once. "For all I knew, you could just as well have jumped on a plane back to Japan. Not like I could check when it takes all my energy to even get to the bathroom."

Kyouya’s words almost felt like bullets that were embedded in Dino’s body. They hurt. Guilt gnawed on Dino’s chest, making him felt weak and unsure. “They are pressing me to meet them as soon as I can, Kyouya. They actually wanted to meet me yesterday, but since both of us were so tired, Romario said that there would be no meeting until morning and-- well, apparently they considered 5 AM as ‘morning’ enough for a meeting.”

“I am sorry, Kyouya. I really am. Please, don’t be angry at me. At least, can’t you look at me?”

"No. No, I couldn't. The entire damn day I didn't get a glimpse of you." He knew that was not what Dino meant, but he was being stubborn. He was still angry, after all.

Dino understood full well why Kyouya was so angry, hence why he couldn’t say anything in his defence. “I know. I don’t get a glimpse of anyone else except for my consigliere too today,” he murmured. “I really don’t mean to, though. I’m sorry.” He continued with sincere remorse in his voice.

"You could have at least sent me word," Kyouya murmured. "Let me know it will be a while." Not that he'd been waiting, oh no. He just hated such lack of knowledge.

“I didn’t know it would be that long. I was planning to go back by lunch so that we could have lunch together. I couldn’t get out, though. So now I’m hungry and guilty and you’re mad at me and I really deserve that.” Dino gazed at his hands which were rested on his lap, like a little kid who was scolded by their parents and really felt guilty for his act.

"You don't really understand, do you?" At last Kyouya turned his gaze to Dino. "You don't understand what it's like for me. What it's like to finally be free from the hospital, only to get trapped in another place, a place I barely know filled with people who for the most part do not like me, too weak to leave or even defend myself properly should any trouble arrive. You're the only damn thing in this place I know, and then you just disappear and leave me with no idea when you plan to be back, and the only thing I do know is that you're talking with people who in all likelihood think I'm the worst thing to happen to the damn famiglia in decades and who would really prefer to see me gone." And all the while he was tired and nauseous and in pain, not that he was about to admit that. He was already talking more than was his usual habit.

Dino fell silent. No, he didn’t and couldn’t really understand how Kyouya felt, but the dark haired man’s words were enough to make that knife known as guilt to hit deeper, making Dino’s chest hurt and his mind telling him that he was the biggest idiot in this whole world.

“I’m sorry,” because what else could Dino say? “I won’t do it again. I swear to you, Kyouya. Tomorrow and the whole time until we return to Japan, I’ll be right by your side.”

"Yes. Because I'm very much going to trust such a promise when you've already shown me you can't even tell no to your own damn men."

Dino’s jaw tightened. “I can. I will tell them that. Besides, there’s nothing more to talk. They had talked more than enough.” He remembered the one word his consigliere had spoken back then and started thinking that perhaps that man was too old to be in the family. It wouldn’t be surprising if he dies out of age, right?

"About me." It wasn't that hard to guess.

“About the attack and my decision to take over the problem.” Dino answered quite truthfully. No sense of telling half-truth to Kyouya, after all.

"They weren't happy." Again, not too difficult.

“I can’t remember the last time they truly happy with my decision.” The answer came with a light shrug. He had quite accepted that fact. “Maybe it’s time for some... rejuvenating.”

"Oh?" Now that caught Kyouya's interest. "And what do you mean by that?"

Dino could feel his lips formed a small smile. Trust Kyouya to be interested and even willing to forget his anger with the thought of violence. “I just think some people should... retire from their position after such a long time gaining it.”

Kyouya snorted. "Far as I've understood, most of them already held those positions before you took over. That should be enough to show their level of competence." Or lack thereof.

“Precisely!” Dino grinned. “They have held those positions for such a long time. Such a hard work for them, right? I shouldn’t be that cruel, forcing old men to work, thinking and providing answers for the Cavallone’s sake.” There was a smile on Dino’s face, but it was cold and almost sinister.

"Are you implying they think?" The disbelief in Kyouya's voice was obvious.

Peal of laughter escaped from Dino’s lips and it felt like half of the weight that had been put on his shoulders were lifted away immediately. “I sometimes wonder about that too.” He admitted with a grin to Kyouya.

"Only sometimes? I'm amazed." Kyouya sat up, doing his best to conceal just how painful the simple movement was. He then glanced at Dino. "I want food."

Too bad Dino could catch the discomfort when Kyouya sat up. “So you haven’t eaten yet?” he scowled, but then just shook his head. “Well, looks like we do can eat together. I’ll ask someone to bring us food and pain killer for you.”

"I have eaten. I'm still hungry." Mainly because what little he'd been able to get down had trouble staying there.

Dino paused on his track to the door. “...Hmm. Okay.” Maybe it’d be good if he asked for something soft for Kyouya. Zuppa soup might be a good idea. He walked out of the room for a moment, telling one of his men to bring late lunch for him and Kyouya. Of course don’t forget about the pain killer.

After that, he walked back into the room and sat down on the bed. He gazed at Kyouya, sighing softly. “It’s really bad, huh?”

"No, it's not." Yes, it was.

“Don’t force yourself, Kyouya. Did you take your medicine? Do you want to rest? Do you need something?”

"I need my stupid body to get fixed right now." Too bad that wasn't about to happen.

“I’m afraid I still can’t make miracle happen, Kyouya.” Dino sighed, caressing Kyouya’s cheek softly.

"I know." A frown. "Doesn't mean I won't complain."

Dino chuckled. “Of course. You’re allowed to complain.”

"As though you could stop me from doing so anyway."

“I would never think of doing that.” The blond man said easily. He, then, lay himself down on the bed, sighing softly.

"And what are you sighing about?" As though Dino had anything to complain about.

Dino gazed up at Kyouya, his lips pulled slightly until he almost looked like pouting. “I can’t even sigh now?” he murmured before closing his eyes again. “I was just thinking whether I really should pick some new people as my consigliere or not.”

"I didn't say you can't. I was just wondering why." He picked up his game again. "Are there any people in your famiglia you feel you could trust to give you reasonable advice?"

“...Romario.” The one and only, perhaps.

"Great. There's a starting point. Next, would you trust Romario to provide you with a few more names?"

Dino only need a little time to think about his answer. “Yes,” he paused a moment before continuing warily, “only, I’m quite sure there’ll be some... protest if I do that.”

"Do what? Take the word of your second-in-command?" Kyouya shook his head. "If you're afraid of the old men protesting at you taking their power away, you'll never get anywhere. Ask Romario for, say, three names. Ask each of those men for three more names. Only approve the additions if they get the acceptance of Romario and one other person you have already approved. Chances are you'll have just enough competent men for a new set of consigliere. Send the old ones on well-deserved retirement, nicely or not depending on how stubborn they are, and get things running."

Silence greeted Kyouya’s words as Dino mulled over it. It was true enough. What Kyouya had suggested was such a good plan and it, most likely, would work just fine. However, his consigliere now were people who had been there for his father--for better or worse. They did hold some respect in the family, but that was exactly the reason why they were so close minded about his relationship with Kyouya.

“I’ll think about it.” Dino said finally, turning his face to give Kyouya a soft smile. “Thank you for the suggestion, Kyouya.”

Kyouya snorted. "Pretend I didn't say anything."

Dino laughed before propping his body up with his elbows. “Why? That was a brilliant suggestion! I’m so lucky to have such a smart fiancé.”

"It's a working suggestion for a leader. I don't want to be one." Foundation nonwithstanding.

Dino moved closer to Kyouya, hugging the man loosely from behind and resting his chin on Kyouya’s shoulder, looking at the game in Kyouya’s hands. “You will be a really good leader, Kyouya.” He said in thoughtful manner.

"I just told you I don't want to be one, didn't I?" Kyouya snorted. "What, one don in the family in one generation not enough for you?"

“Of course it’s enough,” Dino laughed and kissed Kyouya’s cheek. “Then again, one generation will always need a don, right, even when the current don has passed away.” He murmured.

"Except that will be the next generation."

Before Dino could answer, there was a knock at their door, effectively turning his attention from the conversation. “That must be our food! Just on time, I’m so hungry!” he claimed cheerfully before moving away from the bed and opened the door.

Two maids entered the room, each of them holding a tray on their hands. They put the trays on a glass table in the room before nodding politely at Kyouya and Dino, excusing theirselves.

Dino took a tray which held a zuppa soup, a glass of fresh orange juice and some breads, taking it to the bed. “Here’s your food, Kyouya.”

Kyouya looked at the food suspicously. "What's that?”

“Hm?” Dino looked at what made Kyouya looked so suspicious like that. “Oh. That’s a zuppa soup. Well, it’s basically a cream soup, only with bread on top of it. You have to crack the bread using your spoon first before eating it. It’s delicious.” He answered with a smile.

"Complicated." Kyouya frowned, but did as instructed.

As soon as Kyouya did that, the rich scent of cream soup filled the air and the bread on top of the bowl shrunk because there was no more heat to keep them swelled. “Go on, try it. Be careful, though, it’s hot.” Dino wanted to know what Kyouya thought about the food.

Kyouya did not need instructions on how to handle hot food. He took a small taste of the soup, blowing at it first. "...It's not bad."

Dino’s face brightened when he heard Kyouya’s answer. “I’m glad you think so!” because at least that meant Kyouya didn’t hate the food. “You can add more breads into the soup if you want.”

"What is it with you Europeans and your obsession with bread?"

“Well, what is it with you Asian and your obsession with rice?” Dino shot back.

"We don't stick rice in everything."

“Really? I think there’s even this one food where you put rice in squids.” Dino wrinkled his nose. “We just stick the breads into soup.”

"Squids can be tasty."

Dino shrugged. “Perhaps. I don’t like squid, though.” He walked back to the table, taking his own lunch tray and bringing it back to the bed before started eating.

Kyouya ate his soup slowly, not wanting to trigger the nausea again. It wasn't bad at all, he noticed. A childish voice in the back of his head almost wished it had been.

They ate their food in relative silence. Dino was hungry, so it didn’t took a long time for him to finish his own lunch and emptied his glass of water.

Kyouya made no comment, continuing to eat without any hurry.

Dino put his tray, now filled with empty plate, bowl and glass, to the bed side table and simply waited until Kyouya had finished his food.

Kyouya did not as much finish as he decided he had had enough, leaving the rest. Only a murmured, semi-automatic "Thanks for the meal" indicated that he was done and not just taking a moment to finish.

Dino heard the murmur and frowned lightly when he noticed that Kyouya didn’t finish his food, but he wisely didn’t say anything. “Do you want to take the pain killer now?” because he knew Kyouya was still hurting. The younger man was only too proud or too annoyed to admit it.

"If that means you won't nag me about it." Only because it was annoying.

“Of course.” Dino could not nag at Kyouya.

"Where is it?" Better get it out of the way.

Dino took a small bottle of pain killer from the tray, taking out two pills before giving them to Kyouya. “Here.”

Kyouya took them with the last of his juice, then set the glass down. "...I hate this."

“I know,” Kyouya always hated being weak, after all. “I think you’re recovering really well, though, Kyouya.”

"No I'm not."

“What makes you said that? None of your injuries were reopened and there’s no more complication ever since you woke up. I’d say you’re recovering quite well.”

"It's been a month and it still takes all my strength to walk to the balcony." Because obviously this was devastatingly slow when he was recovering from an injury that could have just as well paralyzed him for life.

Dino sighed. “Kyouya, I think you should be grateful you still could walk. Your injury was bad, if you remember. Really bad.”

"You think I'd let something stop me from walking as long as I'm alive?" If he lost his ability to walk, he'd rather not be alive.

“No, I don’t think so. I just think a month is not that long. Besides, you’ll only need to wait for at least another month to get you full health back, right? You just need to be patient.”

"I'm not good at being patient." At least he was well aware of his faults.

It made Dino laughed. “I can’t disagree with that.” He said with a grin.

"Of course you can't." Kyouya took the tray from his lap and set it aside. "I need a nap."

A nap didn’t sound bad for Dino too. “Do you mind if I join you?”

"Assuming you take the tray away, I might let you live."

“Alright,” Dino chuckled, taking his and Kyouya’s trays before walking out of the room. He opened the door with some difficulties and was out for a moment. When he went back in, he was empty handed--the trays had been given to the maids outside.

He crawled back into the bed. “Now can I take a nap with you?”

"As long as you're quiet." Kyouya yawned.

Dino thought sleeping people were always quiet, but he didn’t say anything out loud, simply lying himself beside Kyouya and snuggles lightly to the younger man. “I will be quiet.” He murmured sleepily.

"Good." Kyouya closed his eyes, sinking down on the bed. The bed was one of the best things about being in Italy.

Closing his eyes, Dino didn’t say anything, only a soft smile still appeared on his face as slowly his exhaustion took over his body and he fell asleep.