#I had a feeling he was going to come out darker than Gokudera's result

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Ash's Wholesome Values

"Ouch."

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Denial Can Be a Two-Sided Thing

Title: Denial Can Be a Two-Sided Thing

Author: OfSnakesandCentaurs

Rating: T

Event: @khrrarepairweek

Prompt: Sun Day (Isekai AU/Shocking, Hilarious Reveals)

Summary: The journey to realize one’s feelings is never an easy one, and you might find yourself being the last person to find out.

Tags/Warnings: Cursing

~~~~~

For two very, very smart people, Haru and Hayato weren’t that great in being inconspicuous.

They liked to claim otherwise, but they’re both people who wore their emotions on their sleeves, and weren’t the subtlest when it came to their actions. 

And it was even more funny when it turned out they were the last people to find out about their feelings for each other.

I. Yamamoto

Yamamoto likes to think that he’s pretty close to the hot-headed Storm Guardian. 

That didn’t mean they always get along, but he had become surprisingly adept at reading what’s in the silver-haired Italian’s mind, even when he was still very much dense about other things.

As a result, he had his first suspicion when Gokudera nearly blew up a guy for making inappropriate comments about Haru.

They were hanging out with the girls and the kids, simply walking down Namimori and enjoying the day. Gokudera had grumbled a bit when he was dragged along, but he didn’t seem to mind that much.

For a while, Yamamoto had thought that nothing would happen.

And then some guy just had to go and ruin it. 

“Looking good, babes. Especially you, Ms. Ponytail.” A guy walking the opposite direction cat-called, winking in Haru’s direction. The girls visibly flinched, and although they tried to smile, Yamamoto could tell that they were uncomfortable as they scooted closer to each other.

Yamamoto clenched his fist, and was about to say something to bring the mood up when he heard Gokudera clicked his tongue beside him. 

“Excuse me, Juudaime, but I just remembered I have something to take care of.”

“Huh? Oh, ok, Gokudera-san. See you later.”

Gokudera smiled brightly at Tsuna, but somehow Yamamoto could tell that there was something hiding behind that smile. Something just waiting to explode. So as the silver-haired Italian walked off, Yamamoto couldn’t help but worry.

“Sorry Tsuna, I just remembered I have something to do to.” 

He ran to catch up with Gokudera, whose face was becoming darker and darker with fury as he headed in the direction of the guy.

“Ma, ma, Gokudera, calm down.” He waved his hands around, but Gokudera didn’t notice him at all and began to get some of his dynamites out. “Come on, let’s not do anything drastic here-WAIT WHERE ARE YOU PUTTING THOSE?!”

“THAT’S FOR MAKING INAPPROPRIATE COMMENTS YOU FUCKING PERVERT!”

II. Bianchi

Bianchi knows love more than anyone, so she could safely say that she was the first person to notice the signs. Sure, they argue more than what was necessary, but if you ask her opinion she would say that there’s undeniably some kind of tension there.

That thought only solidified when she saw Haru taking care of her dear brother.

“Thank you for doing this, Haru.”

“No problem, Bianchi-san. I was in the neighborhood anyways.” The brunette smiled as wiped some of the sweat off Hayato’s face.

It all started when Hayato came to the Sawada’s house looking for Tsuna, put he was met with Bianchi instead. And to no one’s surprise, he fainted the moment he saw her face. Normally, she would stay and take care of him, but she was due to go on an errand with Mama.

Luckily, Haru was nearby (probably also looking for Tsuna) and she was roped into looking after Hayato. She didn’t object, which was surprising to Bianchi. Not to say there wasn’t some initial objections, but she agreed faster than Bianchi thought.

“Are you sure you’ll be alright?” Bianchi asked. “My brother can be a handful.”

“Don’t worry, Bianchi-san. I can handle things here.”

The pink-haired girl nodded and walked towards the door. She trusted Haru, after all, she was a good girl. As Bianchi neared the exit, she couldn’t help but glance back one more time, and saw Haru smiling down at Hayato while moving some stray hairs from his face.

Yup, there was definitely something there.

Now to get them together.

III. Kyoko

Kyoko never gave the idea of Gokudera and Haru possibly liking each other any thought. After all, from what she could tell, they absolutely cannot stand each other. And yet, something happened that made her question it.

They had just been at La Namimorine, and was on their way home. Kyoko was laughing and talking, but quickly stopped when she noticed that the brunette wasn’t by her side.

She swivelled her head to see Haru’s eyes glued onto a shop window. Cocking her head to one side in confusion, she walked over to see what Haru was looking at.

“A leather jacket?” Kyoko asked. “Why are you looking at that, Haru-chan?”

“Hahi!” Haru jolted. “Kyoko-chan! Sorry, did I get distracted?”

“It’s ok. Were you thinking about buying that?”

“Haru doesn’t know. It’s not for Haru.”

“Oh? Who’re you planning to buy that for?”

The brunette turned away abruptly, her cheeks flaring a crimson shade. She mumbled something that Kyoko couldn’t make out.

“Ano, what did you say Haru-chan?”

“Gokudera-san.” She quietly muttered, but it was enough for her to be able to hear it. Kyoko blinked in surprise.

“Hehh? Is that so? I didn’t expect that.”

“D-don’t get Haru wrong! It’s for his birthday!” Haru waved her hands around frantically.

“Really? Is his birthday coming up? I never knew.”

“Bianchi told Haru. Haru still doesn’t know if she should get him anything, he’s so rude to her.” Haru harrumphs, but then her voice softened. “But then again, Gokudera-san did give Haru that sketchbook she wanted on her birthday.”

Kyoko watched Haru, a smile appearing on her face. She remembered that sketchbook, the brunette had fawned over it for days. 

“Maybe you should, it certainly fits that bad boy look he has going on.”

“But Haru doesn’t even know his size!” She exclaimed. She gave the jacket one more look before turning away. “You know what? Maybe not, maybe Haru will find something else. Let’s go home Kyoko-chan.” Haru walked ahead of Kyoko.

The brown-haired girl gazed at the jacket and smiled wider before catching up with Haru.

IV. Reborn

Reborn would like to call bull on every single person who claimed that they saw the signs first because he was undoubtedly and unquestionable the first person to know about it. Hell, he even knew about it before they began to act even remotely civilized towards each other.

It was the usual chaotic day at the Sawada household. Lambo annoying Gokudera as the silver-haired Storm Guardian chased after the five-year-old. Haru was also joining the chase, shouting for Gokudera to “stop bullying Lambo.” 

When it inevitably ended with Lambo crying, Haru scooped him up and began reprimanding Gokudera, which quickly turned into a full-blown argument. Now, for any normal human they would see it for what it is. An argument. 

But Reborn saw more than that. He saw the hint of a smile tugging at the corner of Gokudera’s lips. He saw Haru’s eyebrows scrunching up in anger, but also saw the tiniest blush on her cheeks. And most importantly, he saw their eyes, the way they looked at each other.

Cautious, maybe some annoyance, but there was curiosity and some interest.

Ah, they were being so obvious.

“What are you smiling about Reborn?”

“None of your business, Tsuna.”

“Heh, that’s creepy.”

That remark earned Tsuna a smack.

V. Hayato/Haru

Hayato didn’t know how he was roped into walking the damn woman home. It was Reborn who requested, almost demanding, it and even Juudaime had agreed, saying that it was dangerous for a girl to walk alone at night.

He could agree with that, he might not be able to stand her, but that didn’t mean he wanted something to happen to her. And the walk had been silent so far, something he was grateful for, as he could still hear her loud voice ringing in his ears.

“Ano Gokudera-san?”

“What?” He said gruffly. Haru frowned, but astonishingly she didn’t blew up.

“Haru heard that your birthday was coming up.”

“Ha? Who told you that?”

“Bianchi-san did.”

Hayato furrowed his eyebrows, unsure of what she wanted. “So?”

“Are you doing anything?”

“Probably not,” he snorted. “It’s just another day to me.”

“Hahi! How could you say that? A person’s birthday is important! It’s the day you’re born!”

“So what? It’s not like I’ve had many good memories of my birthday.”

That put a damp mood on the conversation as Haru’s eyes widened. She saw that he was trying to act nonchalant, but the sight of his eyes looking downcast told her otherwise. But she didn’t know what to say, so she kept silent.

They kept on walking, the awkward silence descending on them like a curtain. Hayato bristled, the silence affecting him more than he realized. 

“Why did you want to know anyways?” He couldn’t take it anymore and asked.

Haru snapped her head up. “Huh? Oh, Haru just want to know when she should bring the present.”

“You got me something? Geez woman, you shouldn’t have.”

“Why not? Gokudera-san gave Haru that sketchbook on her birthday, it was only fair for Haru to give something back.”

“Oh...right...that.” Hayato cursed his face for becoming red against his will for some unknown reason. “Did you like it?”

“Yes, Haru did! Haru has been inspired lately, and the sketchbook is very useful!”

“That’s good.” He couldn’t stop the grin from appearing when seeing her acting so upbeat. “Listen, if you want, maybe we can do something tomorrow. N-not just the two of us, of course!” He frantically said when he saw the flabbergasted look she gave him. “With everyone! I don’t know, just something small.”

“That’s perfect!” She smiled. “Maybe Bianchi-san can make you a cake!” She didn’t notice the way his face blanched and become deathly green.

“Yeah yeah,” he grumbled, but the grin was still there. “Just don’t give me something weird, stupid woman.”

“Hahi! It’s not weird!! And Haru’s name is Haru, not woman!”

As usual, they began arguing after that, but now more aware of that strange, inexplicable feeling blooming inside their heart.

Well, it was a start, at least.