"Is he really your papa...?"

Barely a passing whisper and yet he caught it enough to lock sight with large brown eyes, seemingly too large, too innocent. Xanxus tasted a dose of rage, though he swallowed it down a fraction. Perhaps because he'd never seen this kid anywhere near the proud Vongola Mansion they both stood inside.

So instead he directs a blazing red glare upon the little snot nosed brat that dares to question his heritage.

"You don't look like anyone here, fucking brat. You some poor sap's illegitimate child or what?"

A rather small hand grips to the front of his obviously well-worn shirt. Cocks his head to the side in the most infuriatingly innocent manner that Xanxus couldn't even begin to digest.

" 'pose I'm 'dopted. Don't really know."

That was that. He brushed past this toddler without a second glance. A future soldier or capo most likely. It wasn't an unusual case, the weaker ones should lay lower, however.

And yet-

"The fuck is this? Explain, old man."

To explain why a tiny child in a booster seat sitting practically next to his spot, staring vacantly at the broad ceiling of the mansion's dining room was certainly a challenge.

Timoteo would accept it, vaguely. "Tsunayoshi will be living here from now on."

Ruby eyes snap from Vongola Nono to 'Tsunayoshi' who hasn't shifted his gaze from trailing down the endless ceiling. Eyes squinting the farther his gaze travels.

"Hell no!"

"It isn't your decision, Xanxus."

Xanxus can feel his blood boiling. It was if he would be stuck catering to this weak son of a bi-

"I'll kill him-"

"We'll discuss this after dinner."

For once, Xanxus complies. Slamming flat palms on the table as he angrily launches himself into the seat next to Tsuna.

The slamming is enough to startle Tsuna from whatever he might have been thinking about, and for the greater good more or less, he takes to investigating the assortment of silver cutlery laid out before him.

Big forks, little forks, big spoons, little spoons and two knives... Tsuna decides he needs none of these and takes a fistful of mashed potatoes eagerly. Holds them out for Xanxus to see. "What're these?"

Timoteo coughs into his napkin although those present are painfully aware he is laughing.

Xanxus takes an almost too aggressive bite of turkey, ignoring the kid who sits beside him, lost and still holding slowly cooling mashed potatoes in one hand. After a moment of silence, Tsuna wipes the entire fistful onto the side of the expensive tablecloth. In the space between him and Xanxus.

Clearly having no idea what half of these things served to him are nor what to do. Tsuna reaches for the glass next to him, filled with red liquid that can't possibly be anything other than juice.

"Brat!-"

An entire glass of aged red wine spills into Xanxus' lap. "Fuck!"

"Fuck!" Tsuna echoes eagerly, though disappointed that all the juice is now on the floor. He lowers his head to lick the remains off the table and his head is violently shoved back by his new juice covered relative.

"Son of a-"

"Xanxus."

The warning glare. Seldom happens and he can only snort in response. He will launch the entire table through the huge ass panel of windows across the room if he has to in order to express his displeasure.

And then-

A hand shoots out in the midst of the rising chaos, closes around Xanxus' turkey leg. The one on his plate. The one that is clearly his and his aura had stated if-you-fuck-with-me-you-die beforehand so there shouldn't have even been an attempt - yet here they were.

Xanxus watches with an almost blinding rage as the hand retracts, taking his meal with it.

Instinctively he lowers the fork still poised in his hand. Swiftly, aiming for the grubby hand that belongs to a weak snot nosed brat who dares to take him so foolishly.

Clattering at the table ensues.

"XANXUS!"

"...ouch..."

As if only a scrape, Tsuna grabs the turkey leg with his other hand, and bites into it.

The tension in the room collapses into silence. Tsunayoshi. A fork sticking out of his right hand. Blood spilling over from the wound and onto the pristine white tablecloth.

Yet he sits there, tears in his eyes, eating the piece of meat that wasn't even his.

"Dear god..."

With a grunt of displeasure, Xanxus exits the room. In order to change his clothes that reek of liquor. Vongola Nono fussing in the background.

So when they meet again the next day, Tsuna displaying a heavily bandaged hand. He expects at the very least a whimper of fear or some distance.

Only the blinking of doe eyes and a mock salute as Tsuna exclaims he gets to play in the spacious garden today. And somewhat amused Xanxus wonders what will happen when this kid becomes aware.

Six minutes later Tsuna can be heard screaming bloody murder as the smallest dog anyone has seen chases him across the garden. Because being stabbed in the hand was nothing compared to the fearful image of a tiny furball barrelling at him from across the yard.

Perhaps it would've been better if that kid had been left to the mercy of a fate less cruel.

Please note this is rather true to the violent nature that perhaps would occur in a canon situation. I felt that Xanxus being charmed by the little Tsuna would be far too out of character, especially upon their first meeting. I hope you enjoyed! As always I look forward to any response!