Vongola XXVII -- Dictated

[not_mafia]

[He should have asked this two days ago, really, but he kind of got.. distracted. Also, procrastinating like a boss and hoping he wasn't jinxing it. But now he's kind of curious.]

Just out of curiosity-- what's the longest anyone has seen a loss last?

[In other words, hi guys, he's still here.]

Comments

[is_mafia]

Hm? [Giotto looks up at him when Tsuna talks, as he was lost in his own world for a moment there.] I'm not a hermit, thank you. I can talk to people perfectly fine.

[not_mafia]

Well? I'm waiting.

[is_mafia]

Well... [Oh damn it, Tsuna, you know he can't come up with a topic all by himself. At least one that was safe and wouldn't end in some sort of fight.] This isn't remotely fair, I hope you know.

[not_mafia]

[He gives a chuckle, trying to be gentler since he can feel his grandfather's annoyance.]

Would you rather me carry the entire conversation?

[is_mafia]

No! [He glances at Tsuna, still a bit annoyed.] I just have no idea what to talk about.

[not_mafia]

[LOOKS A BIT ALARMED] Y-you don't need to be so defensive, Nonno...

[is_mafia]

[Giotto sighs, running a hand along his face.] Sorry, bambino.

[not_mafia]

Goodness, Nonno... it's no good for you to be so stressed all the time. You need to learn how to relax.

[is_mafia]

I am not stressed all of the time. [Not usually, at least. Being around Tsuna just seems to put him on edge, sometimes. Especially around this older Tsuna would would ask him questions he'd rather not answer. And almost no topic was safe to talk about.

He didn't want to upset Tsuna again like he did that first day. And that definitely narrowed their topics of discussion.]

[not_mafia]

A lot of the time, though... [He pouts at him.]

[is_mafia]

[Not the pouting, Tsuna. Giotto sighs.] All right, I will admit that sometimes I am stressed.

[not_mafia]

Perhaps you ought to take younger me to the beach, once I turn back.

[is_mafia]

You make it sound like it's so certain. That you'll turn back. [It's sort of obvious, but Tsuna doesn't have to say it like that.]

[not_mafia]

Well... I'm not holding my breath otherwise, at least. So, I figure I should make the most of my time, instead of being in denial.

[is_mafia]

You're probably right. [There's no use denying it if Tsuna admits it. He fidgets with his ring again.] You do know I'll miss you, yes?

[not_mafia]

You do not need to miss me, Nonno. After all, it's like you said. I am within my younger self... and one day he shall become me. So... I am not leaving you. Not truly.

[is_mafia]

[Giotto smiles gently and can't help but reach his hand across the table to take one of Tsuna's and squeeze it.] Still... I doubt your younger self will bother me so adamantly about being a hermit. ...Which I'm not, by the way.

[not_mafia]

[Tsuna gives a soft laugh, squeezing his hand back.]

Oh? And here I thought I was just annoying you.

[is_mafia]

You are annoying me as well. But it has its own charm and I know you're worried about me.

[not_mafia]

Of course I am. [He smiles fondly.] Because you're family.

[is_mafia]

[A little laugh.] It's been a while since I've had family watch out for me.

[not_mafia]

[He smiles brightly at him. When the waitress comes over, he orders his meal.]

[is_mafia]

[Giotto does as well, withdrawing his hand from Tsuna's, finally. It was nice, to have someone worry over him, even if they were far too perceptive and understood him far too well.]

[not_mafia]

[He takes a sip from his soda, and leans back in his seat. Something lingers in his mind, but.. he can't quite bring himself to say it. He doesn't want to ruin the good mood.]

[is_mafia]

[Giotto lets the silence linger, still spinning his ring on his finger. It's more of a thing to occupy himself right now than a nervous tic, though.]