"You know, Tsuna," He starts, lowering himself to the floor. His hands trembling as he slowly reaches out an arm, resting one on the cold surface. "I love you."
The words fall from his lips so naturally. It's kind of scary, he thinks. He directs his gaze from the dirt below him to the headstone in front of him.
He lets out a breath he doesn't even know he's holding, leaning forward to run his hand along the engraved letters. His fingers know the feeling all too well; tracing the outline of the name adorned on it.
The surface feels almost wet, the way his fingers glide across it, falling into the grooves in a way that's almost harmonious. He raises his other arm, pushing his other hand towards the stone, meeting his other hand as he traces the final letter.
He pauses. He moves his hands away. His arms fall limp, as he leans back, eventually connecting to the dirt below, eyes forced to focus on the sky above instead of the stone directly ahead. It's dark. It's late. He feels his sword pressing against his back. It's uncomfortable, he knows it can damage the blade.
However, he can't find it in himself to move. An arm reaches out to the sky, desperately trying to grasp something- what it is, however, he doesn't know.
He laughs.
"I never told you, huh?" He pauses to speak, voice hoarse. It kind of hurts. He closes his eyes slightly.
"I was scared." His arm lowers, crashing down. His hand connects harshly with his forehead, and he slightly winces at the contact. "I was so scared," he feels his voice tremble.
"I didn't want to lose you." He finally admits, the pain of the contact with his covered blade being enough to force him to sit up. He eyes don't quite adjust immediately, instead choosing to focus on the night sky for a while longer.
It's cold. He should've brung a coat. Tsuna would've chastised him for that. Ah. He's thinking about him again.
His gaze finally connects with the sight in front of him again. He doesn't reach out a hand, drag his fingers along the surface again this time.
"I'm sorry."
He's sorry. He's sorry he wasn't there when Tsuna died. He's sorry he wasn't brave enough to tell him how he felt. He's sorry for being as selfish as to have these feelings for the other man; for as long as he can remember-
"I'm so sorry, Tsuna..." His voice cracks. His hands reacting, moving to wipe the tears he knows are falling down his face. He can't stop. Tears quickly turn into sobs, his body shivering, forcibly moving and jerking as he sobs.
It stays like that for a while.
As the sun rises the next morning, the tombstone is once again left in solitude.
