Dead-Eyed Tsuna (KHR!)

Chapter 5: The Introduction Of A Fool

It becomes exceptionally easy to read Hibari's moods once you spend a long time following him around, staring at him. In fact, you probably don't have to stare at him at all. Despite his immense killing intent and vicious nature, Hibari actually shows most of his emotions on his face, like a normal person. This is somehow surreal to Tsuna, even though he's been working under him for the past week.

Hibari was smirking when they left, indicating that he was pleased he was going to be able to beat up a bunch of people at once, hopefully in blessed silence. Then, as they moved through town, the smile fell from his face, and his brow furrowed, indicating he was agitated by the crowds and noises. As they went into the quieter areas of town, he started smirking again, but only a little uptick that rested naturally on his face.

It starts raining by the time they reach the dilapidated old apartment complex that seems to be where the remainder of Udo's gang resides. Hibari's smile doesn't so much as flicker, so Tsuna can only guess that Hibari is immune to weather.

The door is locked, so Hibari just kicks it right off its hinges and marches on in. Tsuna delicately follows, carefully adjusting his cat ears in the process. Wouldn't do to march in on an enemy gang with his headband all out of place, and it's not like he can take it off — he gets the feeling that Hibari is going to spend this fight paying special interest to them. Special, violent interest. Removing them would be only a concession of weakness.

They head straight down to the basement. Tsuna isn't sure if apartment buildings having basements is a normal thing, but Hibari marches through the boiler room and down the metal staircase present inside like it's an everyday thing, so he just follows along in suit.

The staircase is well-lit, but full of winding turns, and it's noisy to descend. Tsuna spares a look at Hibari, and...yep. Unhappy again. Fearing death, Tsuna quickly removes his shoes. The metal grating bites against his feet at first, but after a few steps, it feels pleasant, almost like a massage.

Hibari spares a glance at him. "What are you doing, Secretary?"

"It's too noisy," Tsuna says flatly.

Hibari inclines his head and smirks. Success! Tsuna isn't dying today!

They continue onward, and Tsuna notes that Hibari is a very delicate walker, barely making any noise at all on the steps. Tsuna switches the hand holding the shoes so he can walk a little closer to Hibari, determined to be able to see at least his profile at any given time. Hibari doesn't seem to care, and Tsuna finally understands what Kusakabe meant by his height preventing him from crowding — Hibari is slightly taller than the average teenage boy, and Tsuna is so pathetically tiny that it creates a safe, sustainable distance. Where Tsuna isn't dying.

Tsuna continues to stare at Hibari's face as they descend, preparing for Hibari to show some sign of discontent. Hibari's smirk remains, settled and cosy on his face. Unfortunately, as they continue down (and just how far down does this staircase go, anyway?), it falters for a moment, then falls entirely. Tsuna automatically halts his pace, and Hibari turns to look up at him.

"What is it?"

Tsuna twitches at the loudness of his voice after walking so long in silence. He...somehow hadn't expected Hibari to notice all the staring. "Uh. It's nothing. Your smile..."

"Oh?" Hibari's smirk doesn't return, which is somehow even scarier. How does this guy manage to carefully orchestrate his responses to be as terrifying as possible?

"...Your smile is pretty refreshing," Tsuna finally continues after a moment of awkward anguish. "Makes me feel like I'm going to die."

Hibari doesn't say anything. He stares at Tsuna, and Tsuna stares at him, and Hibari is fingering his tonfas, and Tsuna is standing there like a jackass, arms limp and not wearing any shoes.