The Gentle Side

Mukuro's POV

It was really wonderful to see the change in my lover. After that night he had been less guarded around me, a change that I welcomed. He no longer looked as if he was going to kill me when we spar. Instead, I liked the times when we sparred with each other, especially after the workout.

I would never have expected the stoic man himself to smile at me any time. I never really thought he was capable of such expressions because I had only ever remembered a frown or a scowl, probably a smirk at the very most that resembled a smile but not a true smile when we were not at his home. It really surprised me and surprises have become quite a norm for me ever since Kyouya opened up to me from the night we spent together.

I had discovered more of another side of him that nobody else is aware of apart from maybe Kusakabe and I felt really happy that he would show it to me. His satisfied face and content smile with the joy twinkling in his eye when we finished our love making made my heart glow with joy. I know that I can never deny him anything he asks for when he gives me that innocent look. I cannot lie to myself and deceive us about my insecurities when he places all the trust on me with that look. I was caught in the trap and I swore to never take his feelings for granted.

I quit flirting with others and seriously cared for him. He was the only person that can shake my world. Not even Chrome was capable of making me change my mind as fast as he was able to. I had said in the past that I will never deny a lady an invitation to go out but because Kyouya gave me such a look when Yukuri-chan in class asked me out, I immediately refused her offer without hesitation. I guess he stands above all the other things in my life. I did not know how but this man has managed to conquer my world and made me slave to him unknowingly, not that I regretted anything.

Just last Tuesday he called me to the reception room again and I thought perhaps he wanted something from me again like asking me to run some errands for him. I was actually pleasantly surprised when he shoved a bento box in my hands. I opened it to see bento with pasta and some Japanese sweets. I laughed at the cute design again which earned me a hit from the tonfa squarely in my jaw. It hurt but I knew he was holding back. Still I laughed like silly and hugged him tightly which earned me a bruise to my ribs but it was all worth when I kissed him and thanked him. The blush was simply adorable.

I had also learnt in one of my many afternoons spent with him on the rooftop about his gentle side towards Hibird. Many people do not get to see this so I won't tell anyone. It has become quite a dear memory to me and I had to distract Kyouya deliberately to take a picture of him and Hibird on the sly. I had saved it in my phone encrypted with password to protect the image. He would throw a fit if he knew what I had. Hibird had once given me the skeptical look when I motioned for it to be silent when I snapped the picture. I hope the small bird will not tattle about my little secret to its master. It was quite a smart bird actually, like its master, coming to me for bird treats to keep silent about the secret photo I had taken not that I minded. Kyouya had found it suspicious that we were cozy together but did not say anything about it much to my relief.

Then the school holidays for summer came. I was astonished when I found all my things packed into luggage and I was dragged to a car that Kyouya owned.

"We're going on a holiday."

That was all I was told before being 'kidnapped' to the sea side. I was truly impressed with nature's creations because I had been unable to conjure up such wonderful feeling of the breeze and sun with the crashing of waves on shore. Being here physically and seeing it through another person's eyes were two different experiences. I had to thank Kyouya for this. He has been doing so much for me and when I thought back about the effort I out in our relationship I feel a little guilty.

During the evening we strolled along the coast admiring the beauty of the golden sunset. I finally gotten the courage to hold his hand to which he blushed at the touch. He must have been waiting for me to take the initiative.

"Kyouya," I called out his name softly. He stopped in his tracks and looked at me. The sun behind him made him look angelic. I knew I had to tell him what I truly felt.

"Kyouya," I began. "I don't know what you think of me but I must tell you that I am not your ordinary human being out there. Heck I don't even thing I am human. I never thought of myself capable for caring for anyone or anything else except myself. I know I had been difficult and selfish and very irresponsible. It will not be easy for anyone to love me so I did not think it possible. As you know I murdered the people who call me family when I was young. I might also betray you in the end. I will not lie to you about who I am. I only hope you will see the true me and if you cannot accept me the way I am, I am actually really content about the time we have together. I need to thank you for everything that you have done for me up till now, Kyouya."

The love of my life remained unfazed by my ranting.

Those lips merely turned into a smirk and he said "So?"

I was speechless for once. He just accepted everything without much of a fuss or consideration as if he already expected all of these.

Kyouya pulled me closer and kissed me gently before scolding me "Idiot."

Before I could question him he had me engaged in a tongue battle which I gladly obliged. I guess you can say that I am accepted and loved just the way I am.

That night I found Kyouya on the balcony on our room watching the stars in the night sky. The breeze was warm and pleasantly tousling with my hair. He did not notice my presence around so I decided to surprise him by winding my arms around his waist from behind.

He gasped in surprise but relaxed when he recognized it was me. We stayed like this for some time and it was beginning to feel comfortable but Kyouya pushed me away reluctantly. I pouted a little but waited to listen to what he has to say.

It had been a very low whisper but I heard it loud and clear.

"Ti amo."

I felt my heart melt that instant. Something in my felt definitely alive and I did not regret the sins I had walked down on the path of no return. At least one thing in my life turned out right.

"Thank you," I whispered back and embraced him tight. The stoic exterior had attracted me to the fragile Skylark and now I can truly say I am home.

"Tadaima," I smiled and kissed my Kyouya.

The End

Author's Note: Finished! Yay~ I'll be focusing on my Col x Lal series fic ^^ Thank you for reading… Review if you loved it :D