Chapter 9: It's just the Beginning

Smile. Close your eyes and say goodbye to the old ends.

The new beginning is here.

Lambo woke up to to the smell of rubbing alcohol and disinfectant. There was ringing in his ears and the steady beeping of the ECG machine. Opening his one good eye, he saw bright white light that made the ringing in his ear more annoying. Groaning, Lambo turns to look around. He took in the blue and white color schemed hospital bedroom. The room was pristine and clean. Lambo hated it. Still, something akin to a small smile showed on the Lightning Guardian's face when he saw a familiar face sleeping on the sofa near the window.

"Yare yare," he smiles when the figure jolts in surprise, woken up and a little out of it. "You're not a very good look-out if you're sleeping, Gokudera-shi."

"Tch. You're finally awake," he says in his usual grumpy voice. Still, Lambo smiles. Was he on drugs? Lambo felt droopy and...giggly. "How are you feeling, stupid cow?"

Blinking confusedly, Lambo looks up at his big brother. "Like I've been stabbed," he says happily. He giggles, "I think I'm high, Gokudera-shi."

Gokudera pulls out his phone and starts to record Lambo with a wicked glint on his eyes. "You're high on morphine, brat."

Lambo only giggles. "That's funny." He blinks confusedly and bites his lower lip. "I don't know why though." He waves at the camera, "Hello."

"Do you remember what happened?" Gokudera asks.

Lambo squints, trying to remember. "I remember!" He says excitedly. "I gained a not-boyfriend."

Gokudera tries to smother the laughter threatening to erupt at a moment's notice. "Who's your not-boyfriend, Lambo?"

"Hmmm," Lambo puffs his cheeks, trying to remember. "The Scary Pineapple Man!" He exclaims proudly. "The Scary Pineapple Man with the scary trident and scary eyes." The teen tilts his head, thinking of more things to say. "He has a nice smile though."

Their conversation is put on hold when the door opens.

At seeing the figure walking in, Lambo visibly brightens. "There's my not-boyfriend! Look at him, Gokudera-shi. It's my Scary Pineapple Man."

"Oya oya, looks like I came at the right time." He looked just as amused as Gokudera. Lambo didn't know why, though. "How are you feeling?"

Lambo smiles drunkenly at his not-boyfriend. "Like I've been stabbed." He tilts his head in confusion. "What are you doing standing up, pineapple man?" It hurts but Lambo moves to give his not-boyfriend some space. He pats the bed and smiles proudly at his Scary Pineapple Man. "Join me! Join me!"

"Kufufufu, I would love to but you're hurt and you can't move properly right now." Mukuro, instead of joining Lambo in his hospital bed, sits at the reclining chair near his bed.

Lambo looks confusedly at Mukuro. "But that's not what you said when I asked for another round."

Seeming to understand what Lambo is talking about, Gokudera chokes, trying so hard not to laugh. Mukuro looked at Lambo with surprise. Just how high was he? "They definitely gave you the good stuff, huh?"

"Scary Pineapple Man," Lambo says sleepily as he grasps the illusionist's hand. "I'm sleepy.'

Mukuro's eyes soften at Lambo's cute display. "Sleep then."

"But you're not in bed," he protests.

"Kufufufu, when you get better."

Unable to keep his eyes open any longer, Lambo drifts to sleep.

Mukuro looks at their joined hand, trying to ignore the fluffy feeling blossoming in his heart. It was calming and yet it was enough to drive him mad.

"That was very domestic." Gokudera's teasing voice broke him out of his reverie.

The next time Lambo wakes up, his head hurt and the side effect of the painkillers were gone. Groaning, Lambo tried to stand up right.

"Oya oya, you're finally awake."

Lambo looks to see their hands were still joined and Mukuro with an amused glint in his eye. He wanted to ask but they still had other pressing issues. "What happened to the mission?"

Mukuro hummed. "After you passed out, Gokudera came to help you with your wounds. While I and the skylark," the illusionist fidgeted from his seat, clearly annoyed, "worked together to defeat the enemy."

Lambo bites his lips, trying so hard not to laugh. "You and Kyoy-nii worked together?" He asks in a teasing tone.

"Yes, we did," the illusionist grits out.

"And what of Nezu?"

"Dead," Mukuro says pleasantly.

"And the machine he used to control people?"

"Destroyed."

Lambo nods, satisfied. "Okay last question. What happened to Isabel?"

"She's trying to deal with the aftermath of Nezu's attack. After all, it was her subordinate that was mind controlled." Mukuro looks at their joined hands and sighs. "Can I ask the questions now?"

Lambo flinches. Now that the mission was over and done with, they need to talk about the elephant in the room. Them. He was in no means ready for this conversation. Still, it was something they needed to talk about so he smile and say, "I suppose we should. It's been a long time coming after all. Ask away."

Mukuro looks Lambo in the eye. "What are we?"

For all the eighteen years Lambo has lived in this world, he never thought that Mukuro would ever ask him that question. Actually, he never thought he would ever catch feelings for Mukuro. But here they are now. In a hospital room with unspoken insecurities and unasked questions and doubts. Lambo licks his chapped lips. Still, he knows what Mukuro is doing. Asking that sort of question, he's giving Lambo a chance to back out.

"I like you," Lambo says directly. Without pretenses or lies. He had to be honest. "That's the truth." He smiles when the illusionist could only blink his eyes in surprise. "And I am very attracted to you and your stupid pineapple hair and your stupid smile and your stupid creepy smile. To hell with reasons and logical thinking, I like you," Lambo repeats. "But you're not the relationship type, I know. And I can't force you into that. So what we are and what we're gonna be, that's going to be for you to decide. Because I know what I want, and that's you, Mukuro."

Mukuro smiles at him. His heart was beating so fast. His body felt light and heavy at the same time. Before this, he didn't know what to do or say. But hearing the cow's confession, Mukuro knew that he felt the same way too. So to hell with illusionist touches Lambo's cheek gently, "I want you too. And I want, more than anything, is to continue being with you."

Lambo smiles cheekily at Mukuro. That was the only confirmation he needed. "Well, what are you waiting for? Kiss me, Pineapple man."

Ignoring Lambo's choice of endearment for him, Mukuro leans and kisses Lambo.

Omake:

"So you and Mukuro are together now?" Ipin asks as she peels an apple.

"Yup." Lambo stretches his arm. He tilts his head, suddenly remembering something. "Back in Middle School," he started as he looked suspiciously at his childhood friend. "you and Isabl used to be close right?"

Ipin smiles innocently at Lambo. "Your point?"

"Damn it, Ipin!" Lambo rubs his forehead. "You were in on this, weren't you!?" Making a very intelligent guess, Lambo pointed accusingly at her. "You gave the blackmail material to Isabel! That's how she managed to get Tsuna-nii to agree!"

"It all worked out for the best, didn't it? And stop moving around you're still injured, idiot."

Lambo can only sigh. After all, it did work out for the best. "Will you at least show me the blackmail material you used on Tsuna-nii?" He had to get something after all.

"Maybe next time, Lambo."

After all, L69 wasn't her only ship.

THE END

And that is a wrap! Yeeeey! It's finally finished. Thank you all that supported this fic :)

As for the sequel, I am working on it so please support that as well.