The Bane of Strength

Skull had always assumed he was the only one whose flames had a nasty side effect. (Immortality and propagating cells and tissue at the rate he does isn't all it's cracked up to be
How wrong he had been.
Slowly but surely, he discovers just how much pain his fellow Arcobaleno are hiding.
And naturally he sets out to do all that he can to help and protect them.
(Or I realized there's more stuff out there that explains the downside of Skull's op cloud flames and being the strongest flame actives of your generation can't be a walk in the park for anyone. Thus, this fic will dive into the downsides I head cannon the Arcobaleno having due to being the world's strongest flames actives.)

Notes:

This is an idea I've had for the longest time ever. I've noticed there's quite a few fics out there about the troubles of Skull's cloud flames, but I personally haven't seen anything for the other Arcobaleno's. And well I don't think Skull is the only one going through some backlash from his flames. Which is why I'm writing this angst fest. There will be fluff too, hopefully enough to balance out the angst, lol.
But anyways, this fic is less about the bane of Skull's flames, and more about the other Arcobaleno's flame banes. I'm sure Skull angst will find its way into the fic; I just don't want to dwell too much on how terrible immortality is or how over propagating his body parts is bad. There are already a few fics that do such a wonderful job of that. It's time for the spotlight to be directed onto the other Arcobaleno.
(That said Skull flame related drama and angst is amazing. It's just been done to death, and I don't see how I can contribute any new ideas to it. Plus, would anyone really be interested in me rehashing ideas they've already read before in other fics?)
Trigger Warnings:
-Self-harm (unintentional, but still there)
-Poor mental health
-Extremely bad insomnia
-The mental instability that comes with a lack of sleep
-Somewhat graphic descriptions of body horror

I think that's it but if you see anything you think should be added please let me know so I can.
Anyways enjoy! :3

(See the end of the work for more notes.)

Chapter 1: Praying For the Sun to Burnout

Chapter Text

Reborn was scared.

He doesn’t usually get scared, but right now, he was fucking scared.

His hands were shaking around a stupidly cheap ceramic mug with little hearts around it trying to blow steam away so he could take a sip of the disgusting plant flavored water inside of it. He hated tea with a passion, but Fon swore by it so...

He was hoping, maybe even praying, that the non-caffeinated liquid would do the trick.

He's tried everything from sleeping medications to counting sheep. At this point trying tea is a hail Mary at best. But desperate times and all that.

If only it would cool off!

He’s been awake, wide-wide-wide! awake, for five days now.

The bags under his eyes were darker than even Verde's! Not to mention by now his pallor was a sickly color accompanied by bloodshot eyes, and hair that was greasy and a little bit damp despite having showered earlier that day.

He’s holed himself up in one of the many safe houses he had sprinkled throughout the world. Away from Tsuna and his guardians because let's face it. Reborn with barely any sleep and scared half to death over nothing and everything was a bad combination.

His flames were more active than usual. Singing-dancing-humming-thrumming through his veins. Twirling with an energy that made frustrated tears bead at the corners of his eyes.

Reborn’s skin felt like it was crawling with spiders that were probably laying their eggs under there or something. It felt like worms or maggots were wriggling around in his brain.

Clawing-crawling-creeping.

Wiggling-worming-wriggling.

He just couldn’t-

He couldn’t!

He’s so tired…

But his flames wouldn’t calm down for anything.

And there was this incessant ringing in his ears just about driving him up the wall!

So much so that he pounded his hand against his head and ears in an effort to make it stop. Which was stupid-stupid-stupid! Because now now his fucking flames were rushing like it was a marathon to heal the forming bumps and bruises.

He finds his chest heaving up and down as treacherous sobs rip out of him. His eyes burn as moisture drips out of them.

He isn’t sure if his tears are actually steaming or if he’s just hallucinating from lack of sleep.

He’s so tired.

With shaky hands he brings the mug to his lips, but his hand does a sudden jerky spasm that has scalding hot tea spelling all over him.

He screams–something raw and visceral with an animalistic ferocity that sounds so primal.

It isn't from the pain with which his flames have rushed forth like a geyser and dulled it with their overbearingly scalding warmth. But from sheer utter frustration from unconsciously using his flames. For him healing himself was as natural as breathing. An instinct ingrained into him since he first became flame active.

Suddenly the disgusting pastel yellow walls of the dining room he’s in are painted with the murky colors of the tea. The ceramic shards of the mug having scattered all over that area.

Reborn flinched badly at the noise his actions made. His fight or flight instincts flaring in a paranoid daze as he dives under the table and searches for his gun-

Terror shoots through him, ensnaring him in its irrational web.

He doesn’t have a gun. He was too smart when he came here to realize an over tired somewhat crazy and delusional him with firearms was a recipe for disaster.

However, he brought Leon with him-

He suddenly becomes all too aware of the distinct lack of noise coming from anything other than himself. Leaving him alone with just himself and his thoughts that he can't trust.

It’s ridiculous to think that maybe Leon abandoned him, but that thought slips into his brain which feels like it may actually be maggot infested. Dread rears its ugly head making him tremble in its wake. Stupid ugly pathetic tears stream down his face as he realizes he's forced to face this on his own.

Because Leon hates him and abandoned him!

So now he’s alone.

And if there are any intruders or-

The front door slowly creaked open.

Reborn’s heart just about stops.

He doesn’t have a weapon.

His mind is doing weird fucked up things.

This could be a weird fucked up mind thing.

Or…

One of the many enemies he has amassed over the years of his very successful career as a hitman has finally caught up to him.

It’s obvious to Reborn that the most logical of the two is the latter.

Quietly, he creeps towards one of the shards of the shattered mug. Keeping his eyes on the only entrance an intruder could walk into to get into the room. His fingers curl around a decent sized shard. One that would do some decent damage. If he could get a good stab into the intruder’s major arteries located in the thigh then maybe he could escape or get a better weapon if they're flame active.

He crouches down low, hidden behind the wall where someone would first walk in, waiting patiently for the intruder to foolishly step into the room.

“Senpai!” A familiar voice calls through the quiet house.

Oh.

So, the enemy is using some sort of voice modulator to change their voice into Skull’s. A weird choice, but maybe not since the cloud was the weakest. Reborn understands completely. This enemy thinks they’re so smart trying to make him drop his guard.

Jokes on them because Reborn wasn’t fooled at all!

Which is why when the intruder comes through the room’s only entrance, he stabs into the thigh of a black and purple leather jumpsuit without a second thought. Without ever considering the possibility that maybe he should have waited to see who walked in the threshold. Without even entertaining the possibility that maybe his mind just isn’t in the right place right now.

However, he doesn’t so Skull just winds up with a piece of sizable mug shrapnel sticking comically out of his leg. By miracle Reborn’s over tired brain missed the major artery he was aiming for. So, at the very least the hitman doesn’t have to go through the trauma of having accidentally killed Skull. Or at least that's what Reborn thinks.

In reality he was too good to miss his mark, but he was far too exhausted to really take in anything beyond, 'This is Skull, isn't it?'

“Senpai...you know this ahh... This hurts like a bitch! What the hell?” Skull shouts, gritting his teeth and trying not to curse up a storm. The cloud has yet to really take in the sun’s appearance too caught up with pulling out the mug shard and letting his cloud stitch the wound back together.

“...Skull?” Reborn whispers, his brow furrowing in confusion. He glances around, his whole form shaking like a leaf as he tries to locate where the intruders are.

Except there is only Skull, whose amethyst eyes are staring at him with concern. However, this can’t be Skull. Reborn needs it to be an enemy.

The Lackey can’t see him this weak.

Reborn was the leader of the Arcobaleno. Utterly in control of himself and his environment. He created chaos. Tamed it to bend to his own whims. He wasn’t…this wasn’t…

A sob burst out of him. Loud and ugly as he crumbled to the floor.

Everything hurts.

The putrid scent of burning flesh is wafting through the air accompanied by a disgustingly wet popping sound, but he barely registers that because he’s breaking down in front of Skull. Showing the cloud, a weakness he never wanted anyone to see.

He just wants to sleep.

He just wants his flames to rest. Just for a little bit, at least.

“Please,” He begs, hating every fiber of his being for doing something so pathetic, “Leave.”

He fully expects the stuntman's face to twist into a sneer and use this situation to his advantage. He can already see the cloud taking out his phone to record his misery. To show the world that Reborn wasn't deserving of the World's Greatest Hitman title. That he was just this sniveling weak fucked up sun that couldn't even get his own flames under control.

Which is why, as much as he hates himself for it, he screws his eyes shut tightly, and braces for the inevitable. Praying for the cloud to take pity and just leave him to his own misery. Knowing his pride was going to take more damage than it already has.

None of that happens.

Instead, arms covered in cool leather and violet flames that pleasantly chill him to the bone wrap around his lean frame. A glove clade hand cups his cheek. Wispy violet flames leap out to swirl around his face and…his lips part as he sinks into the blissful feeling.

These flames are cold against the heat of his own overactive one. With a weight that surrounds his burnt yellow sun flames, pressing in close and bringing him a relief he thought would never come.

“I’m sorry, Senpai,” Skull murmurs empathetically, “But I really can’t leave you alone like this.”

Purple starts to cloud his vision, drawing a long yawn from his dry cracked lips. He licks them and tastes blood.

He can’t find it in him to care about Skull being here anymore right now, too comforted by the stuntman’s flames. He can have a conniption after a nap.

That's the last conscious thought he has before he let himself drift through an empty space on wispy violet clouds that hid the harsh heat of the sun that beat through him. Cooling him off by coating his flames in purple and giving him a break without shutting him off from them completely.

He passes out right in Skull's arms.

—

A breath that Skull didn’t even realize he was holding leaves him once hitman slumps bonelessly against him. The sun’s breath coming out slow and even.

Carefully, he draws Reborn closer to his chest, treating the other as if he were glass. He doesn’t want to try to move the hitman to a bed or the couch yet. His cloud too riled up with the events that just transpired to even want to attempt moving, let alone parting. Instead, he chooses to card his fingers through impossibly fluffy inky blank hair.

“Thanks for getting me.” He tells the strange green chameleon that crawls up Reborn’s now peaceful form. Nuzzling its head against his master’s cheek once he reaches Reborn’s shoulder.

Something wet drips down onto Reborn’s blotchy red cheeks. It was better than before Skull used his own flames to help heal the sun. When Skull first got there, the sun’s skin was a marigold yellow that was bubbling and peeling. Oozing sun flames that burnt the skin of their host as they healed. Trapping Reborn in a seemingly never ending loop of pain that Skull just–

More drips of water fall onto the sun curled up beneath him. The liquid tinted lavender and aiding in healing the hitman.

It takes Skull a minute, but once the quiet gasping sobs shutter past his lips, he realizes he’s crying. What’s more, he’s crying tears imbued with his cloud flame.

He always thought that he was the only Arcobaleno who had to deal with harsh repercussions of having such a strong pure flame. He never realized that Reborn suffered from the same thing. Just seeing how much pain he was in; how accidentally self-destructive the sun’s flames could get.

He brings the hand not holding Reborn against his chest to his mouth. Biting down on his fist to stifle the sobs that want to burst from him.

His heart aches as tears stream down his face.

He should be the only one.

He isn’t.

And if Reborn’s flames can get this bad too then…

Then who’s to say that the rest of the Arcobaleno don’t also suffer from a similar affliction. One where the sheer power of their own flames causes them a sort of harsh painful backlash. Each as unique as their own flame's attributes.

The thought alone fills him with such dread and sadness that he can taste his own blood in his mouth from how hard he’s bitten down onto his hand.

He banishes the thought from his head as quickly as it comes. It’s too early to come to such conclusions. Especially, when he doesn’t have enough proof or evidence to back it up. Verde would call him ridiculous if he were here now. He’d probably also be able to help the poor sun without getting so emotional over it.

Wiping off his tears, he decides to focus on the slumbering hitman.

Slowly, he lifts Reborn into his arms and carries him to the bedroom he passed before venturing into the small dining room when he first entered this shabby old house. The floorboards creek beneath his feet no matter how quiet he attempts to be.

He feels sweet relief wash over him once he reaches the room, and tucks Reborn under the covers. He slips in easily next to the hitman, resting the other's head against his chest as he draws aimless patterns into his back. He holds Reborn as close to him as he can, reveling in how he can feel the steady beating of the hitman’s heart beneath his fingertips.

He doesn’t get a wink of sleep as he waits for Reborn to wake up. Instead, just watching the peaceful rise and fall of the other’s chest.

Thoughts swirl through Skull…thoughts of how he can protect Reborn from his own flame. If he’ll have to do the same for the others.

His violet-colored lips curve downward into a frown as his eyebrows furrow. He can’t help the anxiety that eats away at his gut.

Reborn shouldn’t know this type of pain.

No one deserved to know the bane of strength.

Chapter 2: Partly Cloudy

Notes:

Sigh, this is still angsty, but it feels like it's slowly heading towards fluff. I don't think there are any trigger warnings but if there are let me know so I can add them in. In any case, please enjoy! :3
Ps. There might be some mistakes. I'm only one person and have a limited knowledge of grammar and spelling.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

When Reborn wakes up the morning sun does not cascade its warm rays onto him. It’s far too outside of the window’s reach to do such a thing. Still, it shines, telling Reborn that it is in fact daylight. Mid-afternoon if he’d have to take a gander.

The bed he’s in isn’t his typical downy feathered mattress but is an old lumpy one that smells a bit musty. The sheets aren’t his typical one-thousand five hundred thread count Egyptian cotton, but a measly lower thread count that itches against the bare skin of his hands, cheek, and the right heel of his foot where his sock came half off in his sleep.

It takes him a minute, his brain still a little slow with sleep, for him to realize he’s in one of his safe houses. Judging by the pastel yellow he’d say the small farmhouse located in the French countryside. Right on the edge of a small town that held no special significance. It didn’t even have a vineyard, but Reborn chose this location due to how low key it was. Not for the luxury he loved to indulge in.

Still, he can’t help but groan in overly exaggerated misery, curling in on himself. Then lamenting when he realizes his expensive custom-tailored suit is getting wrinkled. It's because of that, that he gets out of bed. Gracefully stretching his arms over his head, and hearing several things pop into place.

A soft yawn escapes past his lips, the sign of a good long rest.

As if summoned by it, Leon makes his presence known, sticking his tongue out and giving his master a slobbery kiss. All from his perch atop the lampshade that was on the nightstand on Reborn’s side of the bed. He had moved around in all the forty-eight hours that his master was out.

Guarding over the sun while the cloud went around fussing over cleaning up the mess in the dining room and making something edible for his human. Leon couldn’t help the sense of pride that ran through him at how good of choice he made picking the adrenaline junkie of a human being. The cloud had calmed his human down so quickly, that Leon felt a reward was in order.

However, gratitude would have to wait as his human was awake.

“Come here.” Reborn murmured, scooping Leon up into his hands. He gave his little chameleon a nuzzle, both purring in satisfaction, before he deposited the little lizard onto his shoulder.

He ran a hand through his hair, sighing when he realized he was fedora-less. For a split second he wondered where it was before–

“Please.” He begged, hating every fiber of his being for doing something so pathetic, “Leave.”

His face paled as his precious ego was all but shot to a billion little pieces that he doubted he’d ever be able to piece back together.

Mechanically, he opens up the old sliding closet doors to reveal some of his suits. As well as a few of his cosplays. Like his spiral topiary cosplay or his gallic rooster one. He also has a few cute sundresses, and two luxurious gowns that make him itch to just throw one on and twirl in front of the mirror. A feeling he always gets whenever in the vicinity of a gorgeous dress.

He kind of wants to throw on something comfortable like pajamas or a t-shirt and jeans, but by the clatter coming from what he assumes to be the kitchen, he knows Skull is still here. So, he plucks out one of his many custom-made suits.

It's a dark mustard yellow double-breasted suit that he pairs with a white shirt, and a black and gold striped tie.

He grabs a pair of black socks and the garters he uses to keep them from slipping, along with his black custom Italian leather shoes. Polished to shine. Fishes out a pair of black boxer briefs from his underwear drawer before heading off to shower. Completely ignoring the pointed look Leon was giving him.

He was not overcompensating for anything.

He just wanted to look fabulous.

—

The savory smell of five different types of melted cheeses, ham, sauteed mushrooms, spinach, sun dried tomatoes, and just enough herbs to make one's mouth water wafts through the kitchen.

Skull hums Taylor Swift’s Shake It Off as he flips the crepe, he was making himself for lunch. Shaking his ass and gyrating his shoulders to a groove only he can seem to understand.

He had been staying here letting Reborn rest for a few days now. Waking up the sleeping hitman every now and again to make sure he was drinking water and eating. The poor sun was so tired he was always out of it whenever Skull did that. Barely able to keep his eyes open and do the task before passing right out again.

There were even a few times he had to help Reborn to the bathroom. All of which had Skull literally keeping the hitman from falling over. He never thought he’d be so delighted over the fact that Reborn never missed his mark…no matter what he was shooting.

He quickly grabs a plate and flips his crepe right onto it. Turning off the stove, and then grabbing a fork. Pivoting onto his heel, he twirls around just in time to see Reborn entering the kitchen.

The hitman is dressed to the nines in an outfit more extra than what he’s used to seeing him in. A frown tugs the easy going smile right off his face. He’s used to Reborn’s over the top extra-ness, but something about this just feels wrong.

Reborn’s posture is far too stiff, lacking the fluidity in which the hitman usually moves. His outfit, while absolutely stunning, just rubbed Skull the wrong way. This is the first time in a few days since the sun was able to move around without passing right back out. There is no way in hell anyone in their right mind would choose to throw on a suit while still recovering.

“‘Afternoon, Senpai.” He greets, trying to throw on a smile, but his worry just makes it feel awkward on his face.

“Lackey.” Reborn greets back. His tone was clipped, accompanied by a quick up turn of his lips that disappeared back into a neutral expression. He leaned against the kitchen threshold. Arms crossed over his chest while obsidian eyes relentlessly bore into Skull.

The room fills with a tense sort of energy. The kind that one might describe as awkward as all hell.

“So,” Skull tries to break the ice, “How was your rest?”

Reborn’s eyes snap away from Skull as he shifts his position so that he’s crossing his legs. His fingers drum against his arm in an attempt to seem relaxed. It might have too if not for the fact that Skull’s known the hitman for a little too long. He’s gotten perceptive enough to the sun’s own mannerisms to know this whole shtick reads too much like anxiety.

“Fine.” The sun answers shortly.

A long-suffering exasperated sigh leaves Skull. It feels like a part of him is deflating. Perhaps it's the tension that has polluted their environment. Making everything feel more uncomfortable than it should.

“Okay, no. Reborn–What’s going on?” He questions. His tone is full of frustrated concern but isn’t accusatory. He’s more upset over the fact that the sun is being so damn weird around him all of a sudden than the fact that he’s still being called Lackey.

It’s unnerving how much it feels like Reborn is walking on eggshells around him.

Actually, it hurts more than any cruel names or jabs ever could. At least he felt like he was a part of something. Unlike right now with how closed off Reborn was acting.

“Nothing!” The hitman snapped, his baritone coming out in an irritated growl.

“Just–” Reborn sighs defeatedly,” What are you doing here, Skull?”

Skull blinks, unsure how to even take that. “I–You needed help. I–I’m helping.”

He was, wasn't he?

But then why did his voice lack conviction?

“Why?”

Skull swallows, not too sure how to answer that.

It should be obvious, shouldn’t it?

They were friends. Allies. Comrades. Teammates.

Lackey!

Yeah– Reborn and the others called him names. They tore into him with bullets, knives, fists, tentacles, needles, and whatever else. But it hardly ever phased him. He saw it for what it was: animals who were the apex predators in their own respective fields being forced into a cage together and told to “get along”.

Naturally, an order had to be reached, a hierarchy of sorts made.

Back then Skull may not have been new to his own flames, but he was to many other things. He had been like a fish out of water when introduced into the mafia. Learning that there were more types of flames than just his violet ones. That they had to be kept secret because the world was a greedy unforgiving place, and a power such as flames just couldn’t be trusted with the world’s governments. Sure, the knowledge of such a power was in the hands of criminals, but at the very least they were criminals with a code. They had a set of laws that were taken so seriously that to go against them was a literal death sentence.

Admittedly, Skull didn’t know how to be quiet back then. His personality was loud, the use of his flames practically screamed ‘Look at me! See what I can do!’. After all, when one’s decapitated head grew back, or crushed bones started to piece themselves together inside his skin sack…Well even though he was lucky enough for his ability to never get linked back to flames by civilians it certainly was never subtle.

It’s no wonder why he was so easily picked out as the runt of the group. Labeled as the weakest not because of his flames or his skills, but for his lack of knowledge.

So of course, intelligence was the one thing Reborn respected and admired above all else in this world. Which was also ironic because Reborn and Verde got along about as well as cats and dogs did.

That, however, was neither here nor there.

He knew exactly why he was here.

He sets down his plate on the kitchen counter. The quiet clank it made filled the silence of the small room.

He spoke in the gentlest yet serious tone he could manage. Never breaking eye contact but maintaining his distance. He didn’t want to spook the hitman, just get him to understand his own feelings.

“Because Senpai, I’m not about to abandon you. Especially, when you need my help! I don’t know if you remember, but you were in pretty bad shape when I got here.” His voice lowers as he remembers Reborn’s handsome face marred with yellow blisters that bubbled, popped, and peeled.

How scared he looked…

He takes a deep breath and soldiers on. “To be frank, I was scared shitless. I mean your skin was literally boiling, Senpai. Boiling! I didn’t even know if I could help you.”

Skull feels tears pool into his eyes as remembers the panicked fear he felt and the overwhelming relief that crashed through him when his cloud flames actually seemed to have been working to temper the overwhelming heat of Reborn’s sun.

He thanked just about every deity and saint he could think of when the hitman’s face had actually started healing. The fact that there wasn’t a single trace of what had happened left on the sun bewildered Skull.

It was something he was certainly more than thankful for.

He didn’t ever want a single hair on the hitman’s head to be harmed. The thought of it left a bad taste in his mouth. It caused his cloud enough stress to want to wrap Reborn up in its wispy tendrils and never let him go.

But Reborn wasn’t something to be caged.

He was too proud, too wild to ever see himself tamed or shackled to a sky or cloud. A sediment Skull felt about all of his fellow Arcobaleno. They burned so brightly they might as well have been enough to light up the night sky.

“And-” He takes a shuttering gasping breath, realizing he’s absolutely sobbing now. Tears unashamedly streaming down his face, “What if I never got to see Senpai again? What if Skull-sama saw Senpai burn out and couldn’t do a damned thing! I-I don’t ever want to live in a world without Senpai!”

He furiously tried to wipe away his tears as he wailed, unable to control the onslaught of feelings that rushed through him. He hadn’t realized how much he’d been holding back in the face of the horror that he’s seen.

But dammit! He really had been terrified.

—

Reborn felt like a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming car.

Frozen, at a complete loss of what to do in the face of a sobbing, hysterical Skull.

If it were any other time, any other situation, he'd probably just slap the cloud out of it.

Admittedly, he wasn’t the greatest when it came to emotionally charged situations like these. Preferring to avoid them at all costs. It was to the point that he’d redirect the situation into something that he could handle. Creating a well-crafted chaos that let him breathe a little bit easier instead of having to face something he didn’t quite know how to.

However, Reborn isn’t stupid either. He has enough tact to know that pulling his usual shit would just make the situation worse.

But he isn’t about to scoop up Skull into a hug or tell him lies about how everything was going to be okay.

How can he when he knows this will happen again?

When this isn’t the first time his flames have gotten so wildly out of his control.

He slides down the wall he’s leaning against. His legs sprawled out in front of them as much as they could be considering he’s in an entryway. So really his legs are more so bent while the tips of his toes touch the molding around the doorway.

He aches for a cigarette, craving for nicotine to take the edge of the situation off. Sadly, he’s pretty sure he left his cigarette tin in the pocket of his other suit. Having forgotten it, due to the previous events.

He sighs through his nose, running a hand through perfectly gelled hair that he had just styled minutes ago. Tipping his head back to stare at the ceiling he does the only thing he can think of.

“Thank you.” His somber baritone cuts through the cloud’s sobs. He means every syllable of those two words. Full well knowing that if Skull hadn’t shown up when he did then his flames would have kept going like they were.

Sure, they would have eventually settled down on their own, they always do, but who knows how long that would have taken.

He would have had to wait it out until his flames caught up with his own fatigue. By then he probably would have been in some serious trouble.

Usually, when his sun flames flare up in an over activation like that, it only lasts for an hour–maybe a day at most.

This was the first time they’d ever gotten out of control like that for such a long time. Burning with such a ferocity that he really had been at his wits ends.

Not to mention it had been a while since they'd flared like that.

They were probably only that bad because of the curse having broken in addition to taking the aging treatment Verde came up with in order for them to get their adult bodies back. When Reborn had that accursed pacifier around his neck it had kept flare ups from happening. He supposed feeding his excess flames to the tri-ni-sette would do that.

So naturally a buildup must have happened, and Reborn being used to the pacifier doing the dirty work, gobbling up his flames like it did, didn’t realize he should have prepared for his flames to flare. Let alone as badly as they did.

“What?” Skull squeaked, sniffling a little as he started to calm down, and redirecting Reborn's attention away from his thoughts.

“Mm, I said thank you.” He repeated then cheekily tacked on, “Get your hearing checked.”

“Oh!” Skull gasped, a bit surprised, before his purple covered lips split into a wide wobbly grin. Wet giggles erupting from him. “I see Senpai has his usual cheek back.”

A small grin worms its way onto Reborn’s face, lighting up his features. “I never lost it stupid. I’ve just had a rough couple of days is all.”

More giggles burst out of Skull. “I’m glad to hear it, Senpai.” His voice was startlingly genuine to the point that Reborn wasn’t sure what to make of it.

So, he does the only thing he can think of doing. He changes the subject.

“What’re you eating?” His obsidian eyes gleam with interest as he eyes the plate.

An embarrassing loud rumble comes from his stomach making his cheeks warm to a light pink.

“Crepe. You uh–You wanna share?”

“If you’re offering.” He lightly pulls at one of his curly sideburns. Watching as Skull fishes another fork from his drawer before grabbing the plate and settling down next to him on the floor. The dish placed between them gave him the space he needed to help him get his own bearings.

It was weird, knowing Skull saw him at his weakest and most desperate. He just didn’t know where he stood with the other anymore. Everything seemed so unflinchingly normal that it perturbed him.

“Skull?” Reborn asked as he took a bite of the delicious crepe. Literally having to suppress a moan. He loved savory foods, and this was an absolute masterpiece. The only thing that could make it better was an espresso.

“Hm?” The stuntman looked at him curiously while munching one his own bite of crepe.

“Can we keep what happened here between us?”

He twisted a curly sideburn in his fingers, holding his breath as he awaited Skull's answer.

Notes:

Slowly, but surly, there will be fluff. I think Reborn just needs to get more comfortable around Skull. I kind of get the feeling that Reborn, and the other Arcobaleno, are all a little mistrusting of each other. Or at least they are in this fic. With Skull as the exception.
Anyways, comments and kudos are always appreciated! I like blabbing in the comments about the story and head cannons in general.
(And thank you to those who left comments, kudos, bookmarks, and all that. I was a little nervous this idea wouldn't be as well received. So, thank you!)
Have a good day/night! :3

Chapter 3: Partly Sunny

Notes:

I'm very tired so this will probably be very short and disjointed.
Firstly, thank you to everyone who has been reading and enjoying the story. A few of you have been sharing your theories and omg those are so fun to read. But honestly all comments are in genral, lol. So anyways, thank you to those who have left kudos, comments, and even bookmarks. This is one of the many ideas I've had in my head for a while so it's really invigorating to see people enjoy it so much.
Anyways enjoy the story. Also, sorry if there are any grammar or spelling mistakes.
Triger Warnings:
I don't think there was any, but if anyone sees anything let me know so I can add them in here.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

“Of course.”

Those two words rush out of Skull before he has a chance to really think about them. To consider everything behind them, and in doing so, just what he is promising. Let alone what they mean in regard to Reborn.

Instead, he focused much more on how the hitman’s slender frame seems to slowly unwind like a spool of thread. Relaxing under the knowledge that Skull will keep the affair surrounding his flames a secret.

But that certainly won’t keep Skull from talking to Reborn in private about the matter. He knows just from seeing how bad–how out of control–they had been that this is definitely something he needed help with. Problem was, how does he help the hitman without being immediately shut down?

He pursed his lips in a thoughtful pout around his forkful of crepe. Silently, he mulls over what his next step should be.

And perhaps he’s thinking a little too loudly because Reborn’s obsidian eyes are practically boring into him. A distinct glimmer of something shining in their dark inky depths.

“You know,” Reborn began in that familiar idle drawl of his, “if you keep up that expression, you’ll get wrinkles.”

Skull stops mid chew to give Reborn a very pointed look. “I refuse to take advice from the man wearing a suit that stiff.”

The hitman grins, his lips quirking into something a little less tired and a little more like his usual wicked smirk of faux innocence. “Oh? So, you think I’m sharply dressed then? Are you calling Senpai handsome?”

The insurmountable urge to just smother Reborn’s face in the rest of the crepe was a hard one to overcome. However, Reborn was steadily inhaling it. Trying to act nonchalant as he started to sneak onto Skull’s share of it. Not that he minded. He could always make more, besides, Reborn hadn’t eaten anything more than broth and water in the past few days so Skull was just happy to see the other eating something solid for a change.

“No. I’m saying Senpai could poke an eye out.” He quipped, before adding it a firm yet gentle tone, “It’s just me Reborn. If you want, you can wear something a bit more comfortable.”

With the food issue out of way, that of course meant Skull could focus on getting Reborn to change into something more comfortable. Like pjs or even casual wear. Skull wouldn’t be too picky so long as the sun was wearing something that didn’t have to be dry cleaned.

In his own humble opinion if you turned white as a ghost at the thought of the article getting stained then it wasn’t comfy.

“And if I said I was comfortable in this?” Reborn askes with an air of challenge about him.

An exasperated sigh leaves Skull as he sets his fork down onto the now empty dish.

“No one is comfortable in a suit that costs more than the gowns people wear to the Met Gala.”

“I’m the exception.”

Skull raised an eyebrow at the hitman’s petulance. His expression flat and unamused as he gave Reborn the most pointed look he’s ever managed. “As drop dead gorgeous as you are, we both know having a sleepover in a suit is a terrible offense, Senpai.”

—

Reborn blinked, his face carefully blank as a blush started to darken his alabaster skin. Descending from shades of light pink all the way to a dark scarlett that blooms all the way to the tips of his ears.

“It’s not that bad.” He muttered, trying to distract himself from the fact Skull had called him drop dead gorgeous. Butterflies were absolutely not fluttering in his belly from the stuntman’s words.

Skull shook his head, his wispy violet locks swaying to and fro in a way that had the hitman mesmerized. He honestly never thought much of Skull aside from the fact that he clearly didn’t know what he was doing half of the time.

Always asking questions about flames or why certain things were the way they were.

"Senpai! Why are people kissing up to Luce?”

Reborn glances at the elements all gathered like begging dogs around Luce and her bright smile. The desperate fools all practically bowed before her feet. Adorning her with gifts, and praise that fell to deaf ears.

“She’s a sky.”

Skull’s nose scrunches up as he looks like he gets it even less. “And?”

Reborn felt his left eye twitch in annoyance. Seriously, could this cloud be any more stupid?

“Because they’re strays who want a home.”

Skull’s head tilted to the side; his eyebrows pinched together while his obscenely purple lips tugged into a confused frown. Something that was marred with concern. “So, wait–Luce is going to adopt them?”

What an idiot.

He swats the back of the cloud’s head ignoring the pained yelp his action caused.

“No. If she’s nice maybe she’ll give them scraps. But her sky isn’t for them.”

“Then who’s it for?”

“Her family.”

He doesn’t answer the onslaught of questions the cloud has for him after that.

Because no– they are not Luce’s family.

No–he doesn’t want to be hers.

He loves her, but he already knows harmonizing with her wouldn’t work. She already had a full guardian set, and he refused to play second fiddle to those idiots who were so far beneath him.

His sun was far too possessive to ever come in second place like that.

If he ever did harmonize with Luce, he thinks he’d just burn her and her harmony to ash. Leaving nothing but her withered prune of a corpse while his flames lapped up and evaporated her tantalizing sky. Scorching the other flames in her harmony as a result. Leaving absolutely nothing in his wake.

In other words: Reborn's sun was not meant for harmonization.

He wasn’t meant to know what belonging or home felt like.

He wouldn’t ever get to know what it felt like to be accepted unconditionally. What it was like to shine brightly while other elements painted the sky in bright hues alongside him.

All he had was the cold pitch-black nothingness of space swallowing his sun until he grew numb to even his own lonely longing.

"What about clouds?" Skull as, amethyst eyes bright with curiosity. Yet there is a hesitance there. Like he’s insecure and afraid of what Reborn’s answer will be.

"What about them?" He asks, dismissively. His tone board, and honestly, completely uncaring.

The Lackey chews his lip piercing as if trying to decide how to elaborate on his initial question.

"Um–You know what, never mind. It was probably dumb anyways."

Reborn silently has to agree. The majority of what has been asked is such common knowledge that he really doesn't know why the other keeps asking such basic questions. Skull should just bug Verde if he has so many pressing inquiries about flames. He's sure the scientist would be more than happy to answer them.

Speaking of...

" Hm... all these questions have left me parched. Lackey go fetch me a coffee. With as many shots of espresso as you can bully them into giving you."

"You shouldn't bully people, Senpai."

Reborn sighed, " Fine. Tell them to give me fifty."

"I don't think-"

"A hundred."

The stuntman huffed, completely giving up. Which was smart considering Reborn would have kept going up number wise. He doubts Skull will actually manage to get him an espresso with that many extra pumps.

Though if the cloud does...maybe he won't have to take a little trip to his safe house so soon. He can't really explain it, but sometimes a high-level caffeine will make his flames crash rather than energize them.

With his signature smirk painted onto his face he waits for the stuntman to get back. If he gets back within five minutes maybe he won't shoot at the kid when he inevitably gets bored of waiting.

But now that Reborn thinks back on it, maybe somewhere between all the years he'd started pulling on the cloud’s pig tails like some grade schooler with a crush.

Which was the most mortifying thought he has had yet today!

As if he, The World's Greatest Hitman would ever have a crush on someone so-so…

Stable.

Or at least more stable than who Reborn has been with in the past.

To be fair, what qualifies as a relationship with him might just have been frenemies with benefits that ended with a bullet between his ex’s eyes.

After the third (he doesn’t include Bianchi because their relationship was something that started off one sided and then extended into a mutual friendship) he decided to swear off dating anyone in the same type of profession as him. Trial and error dictated that dating anyone who got paid to kill people while being The World’s Greatest Hitman meant that they’d just try to kill you in the end. Whether it be for greed, power, or the glory that would come from taking his life.

He wonders if Skull would eventually want to kill him too if they ever…Not that they would...This–this was just some inner musings. That’s all! It was just–

The back of a hand tipped with a small amount of wispy violet flames pressed against his forehead. Cool to the touch, but not overbearingly so. Reborn finds himself starting to lean into the touch. His eyes wanted to droop and let himself get overtaken by it. He naturally runs hot due to his flames, so it actually felt quite nice.

“Your face is all red. Your flames aren’t flaring up again, are they?” Skull asks, his voice a low timber that makes shivers run up and down his spine and goosebumps break out along his arms.

Amethyst orbs stare right at him. Reborn can feel the other’s breath as it fans over him.

Skull is close, so very, very close. Too close? Not close enough?

Fuck!

Without thinking Reborn reacts in a way that he will never admit to in a million years.

He pushes the stuntman away.

With his hands.

On Skull’s face.

His pinky accidentally slips into the cloud’s mouth making him splutter and smearing that signature purple lipstick onto the side of his face. The chain from Skull’s piercing whips against his knuckles. His index finger slips into a nostril and–

Reborn regrets every life choice he ever made in the last few seconds.

Before Skull’s butt can even hit the ground Reborn is up, using the first excuse he can think of to get out of this situation.

“I’m going to put on something more casual!” He declares, all but running out of the room like a cat that just got sprayed with water.

Undenounced to him a highly confused and bewildered Skull just lays sprawled out on the floor considering this a win. Reborn was changing into something more comfortable after all. So, all’s well that ends well, right?

Wrong!

Slamming the door of the bedroom closed behind him, Reborn suppresses every urge to bang his head into the wall or even jump onto the bed and scream into one of the pillows.

He refuses to lose control of himself any more than he already has. He was a professional after all. With a reputation to uphold.

He yanks open his closet, glaring at the loud squeak it makes. Quickly he rips through it, fueled by his agitation for how out of control and chaotic things have become.

Usually he loves chaos (she is a dear old friend of his), but not when she’s aligned herself against him like this.

He breaths in through his nose, then exhales via his mouth, trying to calm down. Trying to gain some semblance of control over himself again.

He can already feel his flames start to grow restless again. His body feels a little hotter than it normally does. Thankfully not by much, but he knows he really has to be careful right now. His heightened anxieties over his own image possibly being distorted in Skull’s eyes were starting to make him flare up.

And he really doesn’t think he can make it through another flare so soon after such a big one. Not without there being some major consequences like scaring or a terrible fatigue.

Both of which make him inwardly cringe.

He doesn’t really want any part of body marred by erasable marks any more than it already has been. Hiding things like scars would limit his cosplay options. And fatigue well…he just doesn’t want to feel any weaker than he already does.

Especially with Skull around.

He doesn’t think his pride can sustain another blow so soon.

“It’s just me, Reborn.”

Stupid Lackey!

Didn’t he get that it was because of him that he was so out of sorts now?

That he had to be his impossibly perfect self because that was the expectation, wasn’t it?

He was the strongest Arcobaleno of their generation. The one who took up reins after Luce passed. He molded hopeless idiots into mob bosses worthy of their famiglia’s legacies! He went up against impossible odds and always came out on top as if it were nothing.

Nothing could beat him.

Because he was Reborn.

But he wasn’t acting like Reborn today. He was too off balance. Too uncoordinated to the point that it wasn’t graceful or poised. There was no real power behind anything. Just clumsy stupidity brought along by how out of his depth he was.

He didn’t feel very Reborn-like right now.

He felt small. Weak. Like a house of cards that would topple over if someone just breathed wrong.

“It’s just me."

Is it?

Reborn feels his face heat up. Remembering how soft the cloud’s voice had been when saying those three words.

He wonders if Skull actually meant that.

If he could actually place his trust in the stuntman and not have to worry about a blade being embedded into his back at some point down the line.

Most of all, he wonders if it would be okay to shed 'Reborn' for a while, and just be Renato instead.

Would Skull be disappointed if he realized Reborn was just another absurd identity in a sea of them that he had created because being anyone but himself was better than the alternative.

With a sigh that borders a little too heavy on the melancholic side of things, Reborn shoves down his inner turmoil's hoping his flames will magically be able to suddenly incinerate the shit out of such pesky thoughts and feelings, before directing his attention on finding an outfit that was as comfortable as it was chic.

He eventually decides to choose a pair of summer pajamas.

He’s a bit over heated so he figured cotton plus short sleeves was his best option. The pair he plucks out of his closet is nothing special. Just a classic white and robin’s egg blue vertical striped set. The shirt is a standard short sleeved button up with the typical Pj collar and breast pocket that has been done so many times before. With the shorts being held up with a white drawstring.

He slips his feet into a pair of fluffy over the top bunny slippers before placing his hand on the door handle, about to go out and face Skull yet again. However, he pauses, one question popping into his mind.

Why was he the only one forced to wear pajamas?

Shouldn’t Skull suffer in absolute comfort alongside him?

It seemed only fair, so he quickly dashed back to his closet and picked out a pair of summer pjs with a baby blue sky and clouds littered all over them. The pattern is the same classic style as his own. He even grabs a pair of cozy slippers shaped like sheep. His feet are a little bigger than the stuntman’s, but Reborn will be damned if he doesn’t give Skull a complete outfit.

With everything gathered, he marches out of the room with his vigor renewed, and the resolve to take charge of the situation.

At this point, it was war!

Notes:

Hope everyone enjoyed the story! Slowly, but surly the fluff is starting to pour in. XD
Comments and kudos are always appreciated as I like to blab about the story and talk about head canons!
Havea great day/night everyone! :3

Chapter 4: Crepuscular Rays

Notes:

Hello, back again with another chapter. This one features my immature sense of humor. XD
I don't think there is anything to warn against in this chapter. But if someone sees something let me know so I can post a list of trigger warnings here.
Anyways, enjoy the story! :3

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

“Tell me, Senpai.” Skull says, his back turned to Reborn as he glances behind himself staring at his bottom with a critical eye while pulling at the hem of a pair of pajama shorts that were a little too long on him. “Does this make my butt look big?”

Amethyst eyes peer up from impossibly long lashes, while a small frown invades the cloud’s facial features.

Reborn’s clothes on Skull are a strange mix of fitting a little too well and fitting not well enough.

For example, the cloud printed pajama shorts are a little long on the stuntman, not touching his knee, but cascading down a little past his toned thighs. While on Reborn it stopped a bit higher up on his thigh.

That said, Skull’s ass was…well it was…

Reborn inwardly sighed, averting his eyes from was literally a perfectly molded gluteus maximus. Worse yet the fabric of his shorts literally wrapped around those beautifully sculpted globs in such a tantalizing way that Reborn felt his own knees wobble as if they were made of jelly.

“Yes.” He answers without even giving much thought as to what he was saying.

An offended scoff echoes around them as Skull glowered at the hitman. His body turns (thankfully) to face Reborn. Hands on his hips the stuntman stalks forward, crowding into Reborn’s space. “‘No, Skull. Your ass is gorgeous.’ Is it really so hard for you to be a little nice?”

The hitman gulps, his obsidian eyes glaring down at the little cloud who’s pouting up at him. His nose just about touched the tip of his own nose with how close the spunky man suddenly was.

“Well,” He huffed, glancing away from amethyst eyes that pierced his soul a little too much, “it’s not like it was an actual insult. You practically live on your bike so of course you’d manage to build up the muscles in your butt and thighs. Not to mention you exercise daily. It’s just your physique. Don’t complain over something you’ve done to yourself, Stupid.”

Shit–he rambled.

Not only that but–

“You think I have a nice butt?” Skull gasped, in awe.

A smile that was filled with utter happiness was slowly stretching upon the stuntman’s features. It was as if literal stars were blooming in the depths of those amethyst orbs. Drawing Reborn in with an effortless ease that left him plummeting-reeling-free falling into an abyss of emotion that he’d much rather push away.

And in a way he does.

With just one small step backwards.

It's weird how such a simple movement could create such a huge divide all of a sudden. As if by gaining physical distance, no matter how slight, he had created an insurmountable ravine between the two of them.

Reborn thinks, as one foot hits the ground, and the other slides back in one fluid movement, that he can see the stars in Skull’s eyes dim.

How the cloud’s vibrant violet eyes fade from warm too cold in an instant.

“Don’t let it go to your head.” He scolded, “I think a lot of people have nice butts. It’s only natural to admire someone else’s physical attributes. Especially the positive ones.”

Skull nodded in agreement. “Yeah.” Then something strange happened. The cloud’s eyes lit up with something akin to mischief. “So, then Senpai, who else has an impeccable butt like The Great Skull-sama?”

“Fon has shapely glutes.” He starts, his face starting to heat up to a light tentative pink. He feels like they need to be on the couch or something with a bowl of popcorn between them. He fulfills half of that thought by stepping around Skull and plopping his own ass onto the lumpy brown piece of shit this safe house dared to call a couch. He plucked one of the musty smelling pillows and cuddled it close to his chest while curling his legs up underneath him. “But I suppose breathing martial arts like he does would do that to a person.”

“Pfft. Yeah! The guy practically preaches it.” Skull giggled while taking a seat next to Reborn. Leaving a gap of space between them that felt a little too wide to the hitman. He wondered for a split second if he were to unfurl one of his legs and rest it near or against the stuntman–would that be alright?

“I swear he sounds like a cultist sometimes.” He joked, only half paying attention to his words. It's just his legs feel so cramped now that he’s thinking about it. Surely it wouldn’t be seen as weird or suspect if he were to stretch them out.

A burst of bright joyous laughter bursts out of Skull startling Reborn out of his thoughts. Something only evident by the fact that his eyes instantly snapped to Skull as soon as it happened.

“Oh my god! You’re right! I think I even heard him tell Viper their soul would turn black or something once too!” Skull shouted with rapturous joy. Tears pricked at the corners of his eyes, smearing the bit of eye makeup there.

Without thinking, Reborn leaned forward, tumbling gracefully onto his knees as he closed the gap by carefully dabbing the corner of cloud’s eye with a tissue he plucked from the coffee table.

“Tsk! Careful. Your makeup’s going to start running.” He muttered, sliding a knee to the other side of Skull’s lap. He tilted the others head to the side so he could dab the other eye.

He doesn’t notice it at first, but when he does, it changes everything.

Skull’s sun kissed skin flushed a brilliant shade of red. His fingers literally twitched at his sides as his muscles tensed from an obvious attempt at self-control.

“Oh! But Lal and ‘Nello also have really great asses. I don’t know what their COMBUSIN training consisted of, but the effect it has is…” Reborn tapped his finger against his chin as he pretended to ponder his words, “Commendable, no?”

He smirked inwardly.

It would appear he was to win this war far easier than he thought.

—

Skull could only nod as he swallowed thickly.

Reborn's eyes peered down at him like a hawk watching its prey. His lips curled into a smirk as smug as it was sinfully gorgeous.

The sight of it made him tremble.

“Oh~. But of course, there’s also the hidden beauties.” Reborn remarked with a casualty that felt all too sinister.

“H-hidden boot-I mean beauties?”

The hitman’s smirk widened to Cheshire cat levels, if that was even possible. Then again it was Reborn. Anything was possible with him.

“Why of course.” The hitman purred in a silky-smooth baritone right by his ear. His words whispered as hot breath fanned across the surface. A slender manicured finger traced patterns on his chest as he was practically draped against him at this point. “Some are more modest, less confident, than others. But sometimes when the stars align you will catch a glimpse of their forbidden fruit.”

Skull full on shivered at forbidden fruit. Especially since he’s pretty sure he felt a feather-light scrap of pearly whites against the shell of his ear.

“S-Senpai.” Skull breathed utterly breathless.

Every last molecule of his entire being was screaming at him to touch the tantalizing expanse of tempting bare flesh that was Reborn’s legs. To graze his hand against supple alabaster skin. To caress those lithe muscular thighs.

“That’s right. I’m talking about the butt among all butts. I’m talking about…” Reborn paused, clearly for dramatic effect, “The golden peach.”

A silence filled the space between them as Skull processed Reborn’s words.

Amethyst eyes blinked up at obsidian.

Those obsidian orbs merely blinked back unperturbed.

“Senpai?”

“Hm?” Reborn’s answering innocent lilt made Skull have to suck in a deep breath.

Counting to ten, then backwards again, Skull reined in the overwhelming urge to just grab the hitman by the shoulders and shake him back and forth. Because seriously…

“How the hell did you see Verde’s and Viper’s asses?”

Reborn sighed ruefully. Placing a hand on his cheek as he slightly shook his head with a faux pitting smirk. “I wish I could tell you that Skull, but I’m afraid I was forced into secrecy. I suppose you can say what happens in Vegas really should stay in Vegas. Or at least that’s what Verde and Viper seem to think.”

Damn! He had really wanted to know the tea on those two rumps. The scientist and the Esper always had their rears covered via lab coat and cloak. Creating an air of mystery for a guy like Skull–who casually liked to check out his friend's butts. Because let’s face it, the Arcobaleno were all drop dead gorgeous idiots with very fine booties.

“Fine then. Keep your secrets, Senpai.” Skull said sulkily. His lower lip wobbled as he pouted.

An amused chuckle, light and airy while also dark with an underlying danger, resounded from Reborn as he slid off of his lap. “I’m going to make some popcorn. Why don’t you find us something to watch on tv?”

“Alright.” Skull agreed. He was still reeling from how fast Reborn went from sultry to this peaceful sort of easy state of being. He supposed it was better than the ‘on edge’ attitude the sun had been displaying up until just recently. He knew getting the hitman to wear something comfortable would help him to relax.

Grabbing the remote, dusty from a lack of use, Skull turned on the tv. It was an older model that only received whatever local channels the two antennas that jutted out of the top of it could pick up, but he found that that didn’t matter.

In a matter of minutes, he found a station playing old black and white horror movies. The one currently on was, The Wolf Man. Right at the beginning credits too!

He buckles down, watching with rapt interest as he waited for Reborn to return.

—
Fuck!

He grabs the bag of popcorn out from its place in the cupboard a little too roughly. Angrily, he fumbles with the bag as thoughts race through his head.

He almost won.

Skull was right in his grasp. A stupid blushing mess fumbling for once in the last few hours that Reborn had been with him. Yet somehow, he still won that battle. All because he pouted!

Reborn can pout.

His pouts in fact move even the richest, most paranoid assholes to bend to his whims. It's what makes it so easy for him to get gullible naive idiots into private rooms so he can put a bullet through their head.

He always thought if you let yourself be swayed so easily by a pretty face or charming words then you were dead. Because he’s done it so many times himself.

So naturally his mind was swirling. It seemed to be the theme of the day. To the point he was starting to wonder if Skull knew what he was doing. People just aren’t genuinely that…nice.

But then he remembers trembling fingers.

He was holding himself back.

He remembers being told it was okay to be himself.

He was trying to get me to be comfortable.

Placing the popcorn bag into the microwave after freeing it, he plugged the numbers in and waited.

“Leon?” Reborn asked, voice barely above a whisper as he saw his green little friend perched on the bread container from the corner of his eye. “Why, Skull?”

The chameleon tilts his head in confusion. Silently asking his master to elaborate on what exactly it is he is asking.

An impatient sigh escapes his lips, “When I was…under the weather. You chose Skull to help me. Why?”

Leon blinked his strange yellowish eyes owlishly at the hitman. His tail flicked leisurely about as his mouth stretched beyond his ever-present natural smirk to bare his teeth into something distinctly unnatural. A strange chittering noise resounded from the chameleon, his teeth practically vibrating as they clashed together to make such a noise.

Obsidian eyes widened in shock as Reborn took in his beloved pet’s answer.

“You can’t be serious…” He muttered, completely dumbfounded by his companion’s answer.

Leon shrugged, giving his master a knowing smirk.

The microwave beeped signaling the popcorn was finished popping.

As Reborn fished out a large yellow ceramic bowl, as he poured the popcorn into it, he finally accepted to himself the one thing he had been denying the whole time since knowing stuntman.

Skull deMort was genuinely a nice guy.

What the hell was he supposed to with that?

Notes:

Hope you enjoyed the story!
As a quick note, I believe we're nearing the end of Reborn's part of the story pretty soon. Probably within the next couple of chapters. Don't worry there will be more of him after this. So, while we near the climax to this part of the story, I was wondering, whose bane would you guys want to see next? It's something I need to start thinking about so I can figure out how to transition the story to the next part properly. I have set banes for everyone but figuring out who should get the spotlight next is kind of difficult. XD
Also thank you so much to everyone who has commented, left kudos, bookmarked this story, or are just reading and enjoying this story. It's always appreciated! Especially comments because I like to blab about the story and head canons with you all. XD
Hope everyone has a great day/night! :3

Chapter 5: Midafternoon Sun

Notes:

This chapter was a blast to write, so please enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't remember the Wolfman movie so anything depicting scenes from the movie may be wrong and shouldn't be considered fact.
Warnings: I couldn't spot any, but please let me know if you do so I can create a list of them here.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

Quiet and uncomfortable.

That’s how the atmosphere was when Reborn returned with a gaudy yellow bowl full of delicious buttery popcorn. The savory aroma coming from such an eyesore of a bowl made Skull’s made salvia practically pour from his mouth.

Reaching into that God awful bowl, Skull munched on the delectable treat, silently, observing how the hitman took the other side of the couch. Sitting in a normal polite manner with one leg crossed over the other. His elbow resting on the arm of the couch while his ethereal face was adorably smushed as he rested his cheek against his knuckles.

Uh-oh.

Skull had been a fool thinking Reborn would act normally so soon. He honestly doesn’t know what he was thinking. No one was just ‘okay’ after butt talk. It was butt talk!

Especially when it was butt talk about past teammates!

Huh.

Now that Skull thinks about it, Reborn didn’t mention any butts that weren’t Arcobaleno butts.

The hitman had a lot of friends so surly there would be at least one amongst them that he found aesthetically appealing. Then again maybe he was reading too much into it. After all, all of their fellow Arcobaleno had nice butts, or at least the ones that Skull could see. (He will forever want to know what happened in Vegas now.)

However, Skull knew just by happening to have eyes, that some of Reborn’s other friend’s had shapely bottoms. Yet he still didn’t mention anyone beyond their little group.

A small little ember of hope flickers and sparks somewhere within him.

He honestly wondered, could it…Could it really be? Dare Skull think–dare he dream–that Reborn shared his feelings?

Including the ones that Skull had for their fellow Arcobaleno?

Peering at the hitman Skull could see those dark eyes mulling over something. Reborn’s lips having twisted into a troubled frown, reminding Skull he had more important matters to worry about than dumb crushes that would probably never be returned anyways.

“Hey.” Skull started gently in a quiet tone of voice, “Penny for your thoughts?”

Obsidian eyes flickered over to him; their gleam clouded by thoughts that the stuntman didn’t understand.

He wanted to help, that's why he was here in the first place, but it was to when he was clueless to what was going on in the sun's brain.

Reborn seemed visibly tense, an uncomfortable look marring his pretty features. Skull wanted to wipe it away and replace it with the same beautiful dazzling smile that always took his breath away. The one people often labeled as a smug smirk, unaware that was just Reborn's default happy face.

“I–” Reborn tore his gaze away from Skull’s and stared unseeingly at the wall in front of him, “I guess I realized that you’ve always been nice.”

Was that...a bad thing?

“And I…I haven’t been.” Reborn continued in a whisper that was drenched in guilt and shame.

Oh, okay. Now it made some sense at least.

Skull’s gut twisted uncomfortably as his cloud wept at the visceral sight of his sun feeling such negative emotions.

All because of him.

He balled his hands into fists, digging his nails into his palms as he let the pain ground him.

Now wasn’t the time to spiral into a cloudy freak out over his (maybe hopefully one day) territory being upset.

He had to remain steadfast in order to help him.

Something that most people didn’t know about clouds in regard to territory (claimed or slowly being courted) was how they weren't just intensely protective of it, but also immensely empathetic. If a cloud's territory got a finger cut the cloud felt the sharp sting. Sometimes even ten-fold.

Skull had grown up hearing stories of how his mother (a wonderful cloud who taught him so much) could sometimes feel when his father got a small cut or bruise, even if he didn't feel it himself.

Now the thought of him being the one to cause Reborn pain in any way, even if it wasn’t intentional, was like a dull rusty knife to his heart. Stabbing him repeatedly over and over and over again.

No!

He couldn't let himself get lost in the frantic panic that was beginning to overtake his flames.

He would unwind from all this after he helped the sun (his future sun?) get his groove back.

So, he held his own instincts in. The ones that were screaming at him to reach out and envelop the hitman in a hug. To cover him in cloud flames until his skin turned purple. Until Skull could finally see everything was all right–

Except everything wasn’t all right.

His flames were riled up to the point his logic was starting to be overtaken by his flame’s own instincts!

Focus.

All he had to do was gain control over himself and focus on what mattered at this exact moment in time.

With a deep breath he dug his nails even deeper into his palm. Feeling his skin break as the little crescent moons he created started to drip red only to be healed by wispy microscopic tendrils that propagated skin cells, platelets, and whatever else was used in the process of the body healing itself.

Finally able to focus once again he turned his attention back to Reborn.

Luckily enough, the hitman had been quiet with his own internal conflict as he figured out how to word his own thoughts and feelings to the cloud.

“I don’t really get it.” Reborn admitted. “I’ve been nothing but awful to you and yet you…” He ran a hand through his hair, bringing his slender, but toned legs up to his chest as he curled in on himself.

Reborn looked way too vulnerable for Skull’s own liking. He understood how the situation looked from a perspective that didn’t understand the intricacies that was a cloud’s mentality. Cloud flames were a hard flame to truly grasp if you weren’t a cloud yourself.

“Why did you stay?” Reborn finally choaked out.

Skull sighed then scooted over to the hitman. His whole demeanor turning serious as he answered the hitman's question.

“Look I’m not going to say the way you treated me in the past was right. I know I didn’t deserve that. But you have to understand, I stayed because I wanted to. Because I wanted you–Everyone actually. I’m a cloud, Reborn. And clouds are…” He pursed his lips as he thought of the best way to explain it. “We’re complicated. I stayed because…”

Skull took a deep breath about to admit something that he prayed wouldn’t end terribly. Or make Reborn uncomfortable in any way, shape, or form.

“Because I sensed that you, Lal, Viper, Fon, Verde, and even Colonnello…You guys are my ideal territory. At least you are when we all manage to get along. I know there’s a chance it’ll never happen but”, He shrugged, “Arguing with my own flames is impossible. For cloud’s when we’ve found a territory, we want to court then that’s it. We either claim our territory successfully or we go on living without it.”

To be honest, this was the sugar-coated version, but Skull really didn’t want to scare Reborn away. His nerves were already eating him whole for admitting that. Not to mention he was facing actual rejection here.
—

Reborn sat in silent shock at the cloud’s words.

He never knew that that was how clouds operated. He always thought it was as simple as liking a piece of land. He never really realized that a territory could also be people. The propaganda that was fed to him by his mentor when he had first started his profession had always kept it simple. He had always been told things like 'clouds are dumb beasts that skies rein in' or 'it is a lightning's duty to shield their fellow elements from the line if fire. Learning these things from Skull perspective...It brought a few questions to mind. It made him wonder things about himself in regard to his own flames that made him uncomfortable to think about.

This was, decidedly, a line a thought he could save for later.

“I don’t feel like I deserve that.” He admitted, feeling a bit pathetic.

Skull scoffed, his hands cupping his face to gently tilt his head to stare into determined amethyst orbs.

“Don’t be like that! Of course, you do. If you didn’t then I wouldn’t have stuck around. I would have been long gone looking for someone or something else to fill that role.”

Reborn doesn’t think he’s ever seen the stuntman so angry. Yet here he was glaring up at him while trying to banish all of Reborn’s insecurities…his lingering doubts.

The hitman’s face softened into a fond smile. Hesitantly, he let himself go as he leaned into Skull’s touch. His cheeks burned a rosy, red as he cherished the cloud’s ginger touch.

“How did I get so lucky?” He asked in a low gentle timber.

Skull’s face lit up like the starriest of skies. His beautiful violet smile stretched into something infectious as Reborn felt his lips quirk into a slightly bigger smile at just the sight of it.

“Stupid! That’s supposed to be my line.” The stuntman whined halfheartedly.

“Oh my.” Reborn gasped in mock shock, placing a delicate hand over his mouth. “Was it?”

Skull full on pouted, making Reborn’s heart flutter inside his chest.

Naturally, he had to remedy this. He didn't find it very fair how such a small insignificant action such as a pout could make his heart do something so cliche So, he did the only thing he knew how to in order to change the direction the situation was headed.

He tackled Skull off the couch, wiggling his fingers about as he tickled Skull’s defenseless sides.

The stuntman squealed as soon as he did so. His feet kicked into the air as he slithered and squirmed, desperately trying to escape Reborn’s dexterous fingers.

At some point, Skull had wrapped his toned legs around Reborn’s torso, and rolled the both of them onto the floor. Effectively pinning the hitman under him despite his shorter stature. Using cloud flames, the muscles of Skull's left bulged and rippled into something Hulk-ish. Easily, he scooped up Reborn’s wrists with one massive hand, holding them over the hitman’s head.

Both of them were slightly panting with flushed cheeks trying to regain their breath. Or at least that was the case until Skull broke the silence.

“Oh, hohoho! Does the mighty Reborn wish to surrender to the Great Skull-sama?” Skull asked with a playfully wicked smirk as he straddled Reborn’s hips.

Smirking, Reborn arched his back and let out the loudest, most obscene moan he possibly could. In between fits of giggles that burst out of him as if he were possessed, he managed to gasp out, “N-not in front of the…ha–the children! You–pfft…You brute!”

Skull’s already pink dusted cheeks turned as red as Luce’s award-winning homemade tomato sauce. “S-Sssenpai!” He whined, instantly covering his face with both hands.

The absolutely ridiculous chaotic scene of Skull shielding his flaming red cheeks with one normal sized hand and one gigantic sized one just made the hitman under him double over as he burst into a fit hysterical laughter.

Reborn laughed so hard he had to clutch his stomach as tears prickled at the corners of his eyes.

It wasn’t until a few minutes later when he started choking on his own saliva did Skull roll off him. Immediately scooping the hitman up into his lap, as he rubbed circles into the other’s back in an attempt to calm him. His arm steadily decreasing back to its normal size as he did so.

Reborn's breath evened out into something much more languid as he wrapped his arms around Skull's shoulders.

“Can we start over?" He quietly asked after a moment. "I don’t know about this territory stuff, but I want to actually try to be friends. Who knows maybe the chips will all fall into place after that?”

It was startling how genuine the hitman was being. His brow furrowed in an expression that left a sour taste in Skull's mouth. Guilt, and the desperate need to make amends for the long-forgiven past was not a look that he even wanted to see on Reborn.

Joy worth its weight in diamonds and gold?

Absolutely!

But shame had no place smudging the ever-present mischievous glint in Reborn's eyes.

Skull huffed out a breathless laugh as he encompassed Reborn into a gentle hug. “I’d like that. As long as I’m in your life I don’t have to have you as my territory. This…this is enough.”

—

But you want more.

Reborn thought as he felt the stuntman’s breath fan out across the back his neck, making a trail of gooseflesh rise.

I want more too. But there are things I need to figure out first.

Reborn clutched onto the back of Skull’s shirt, burying his face into his neck and breathing in the scent of his own laundry detergent. The mix of spicy cologne, heady musk, and leather blending with just a hint of motor oil put him at ease more that it should have.

I know it’s selfish, but please wait for me. Don’t–don’t leave me behind. Even if the other’s find out your feelings. Even if they agree to be your territory, please don’t forget about me.

Despite not really voicing his thoughts, Reborn couldn't help, but to feel a little embarrassed by them. He doesn’t like being so weak or vulnerable, but for once he wished he had the strength to completely let go of his pride. He wished he could reveal his thoughts as easily as Skull could express his feelings.

Maybe one day he could, but right now, revealing as much as he did…It was a lot.

He could only hope that Skull truly did understand.

“Oh.” He grumbled, shifting in Skull’s lap as he started to feel uncomfortable with their position. “I’m done being mushy. Can we just focus on something else?”

Skull pulled away a bit reluctantly, but when Reborn got the chance to see his face again, the stuntman wore a bright smile with fondness etched into every contour of his expression.

It was ridiculous how butterflies decided to flutter about in his gut after that.

“You know, I’m pretty sure Mr. Wolfman is ripping into someone on screen right now.” He exclaimed as he got up. He held out his hand for the hitman, which Reborn took.

Standing up only to plop down onto the couch and drag Skull down with him.

“Wha! Senpai!” Skull scolded as Reborn giggled.

They ended up laying in a mess of tangled limbs.

Popcorn spilled out from the bowl which tipped over by all the rough housing, covering both men with its contents.

—

Skull sighed in exasperation as he tolerated the greasy buttery popcorn on his bare legs. The couch was a mess, which somehow felt more fitting than anything. The sun didn't seem to mind as much as Skull did. Instead, his eyes were focused on the screen. Watching as the Wolfman howled at the moon. Cheering as the monster murdered civilians. Then throwing popcorn that bounced off the screen when the cursed man kissed his love interest. Going as far as to demand he rip out her throat.

Maybe it was morbid, but Skull also knew Reborn wasn’t being serious. Instead, just joking around and spewing bullshit as part of his act of tomfoolery.

This...

This is what Reborn was like when he let himself unwind.

It was truly beautiful how the sun was slumped over as effortless boneless as a cat. Fingers plucking stray bits of popcorn from the couch to eat whenever he wasn't throwing it.

Skull wished he could show the hitman how beautiful he looked with a content little smile playing on his lips. Flitting between emotions like amusement, happiness, or even just the parting them as his attention was captured by the television enough for him to actually zone out as he tuned it.

It actually surprised him just how content Reborn was being this intimately close to him. Skull wasn’t sure if the hitman realized it or not, but even with the cacophony of limbs, they were cuddling.

A secretive happy little smile split his face in half as he settled against Reborn’s chest. Letting his cheek squish against the hitman’s boney shoulder.

“I think he should have ripped her head off.” He said idly.

Reborn laughed under his breath. “It’s so boring when strawberry syrup doesn’t spray out of a decapitated mannequin's neck stump.”

“Honestly, it should be a crime. Someone needs to arrest the fiends behind this.”

“Hm…they’re probably all dead by now.” Reborn mused. “Unless you want to dabble in necromancy?”

Skull sighed, “Honestly, I normally would, but your boney knee digging into my spleen is insanely comfortable.”

“That’s good. Because your elbow stabbing into my gut is like getting a massage from the spa.”

“Aw”, Skull cooed, “Your breath smells like a dead fish factory.”

Reborn clicked his tongue affectionately, “And your bare hairy legs are like a wire grill brush scraping against my smooth ones.”

They go back and forth like that for a while. Their playful banter slowly lulled them into a peaceful afternoon nap.

They’ll have to clean up the mess when they wake up. And the smell of popcorn will forever be ingrained into the fibers of the couch. However, it’s a small price to pay in order to be cuddling so at ease with each other. Not when before their heart to heart Reborn would never have let Skull close like this.

Skull doesn’t doubt there is so much more Reborn needs to get off his chest. Things that maybe the hitman hasn’t even considered, let alone thought about.

Sleepily, the cloud gingerly slid his hand into that slumbering sun's. Instantly drifting back off as a warmth as comforting as bathing in the rays of the midafternoon sun coaxed him back to dreamland.

This was the kind of bliss Skull never wanted to let go of. Even if Reborn decided not to become Skull’s territory–not to be a part of the cloudy pack Skull dreamed of–he feels he can still be at ease even if all they are is friends.

Because for Skull a world without Reborn in it is a world devoid of sunlight.

Unbearably dark, and insufferably cold.

Notes:

Okay, so what did you all think? I can see a potential bane for Skull here, so who knows. This story may contain a cloud bane after all. But only time will tell as I'm going to let that possible plot thread lead me where it wants to.
A little bit of flame lore was in this. Hopefully it made sense. I'm rather tired right now, but if anyone needs me to go in depth with anything, let me know and I'll answer any questions pertaining to that in the comments.
The next chapter will officially start the set up for the next bane! I already have an idea of how it's going to go so hopefully that will be out soon.
Hope everyone is having a good day/night! :3

Notes:

So... hopefully this was an enjoyable read. I had the whole almost finished story in my documents for months and finally decided to finish it. Admittedly the ending to the chapter is a bit meh, but I just couldn't figure out how to end it.
Comments and kudos are appreciated as I like to blab about the story and head canons.
Have a good day/night! :3
(I'm going to go find some fluff to soak up.)

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Rhyme17 on Chapter 1 Tue 08 Feb 2022 03:02AM UTC

I pity them, but I also can't wait to see how this plays out XD

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1. Steamfairy on Chapter 1 Tue 08 Feb 2022 03:23AM UTC
  
  Thank you for the comment.
  That is certainly how it, isn't it? XD ( Literally my feelings on every angsty story I've read or written.)
  I have at least one bane planned out for everyone so there will certainly be a lot of angst to cover. Hopefully I can balance it out with a decent amount of fluff, lol.
  
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Dusk_Thief on Chapter 1 Tue 08 Feb 2022 03:27AM UTC

I feel like Verde's bane is going to be like paralysis or smthn

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1. Steamfairy on Chapter 1 Tue 08 Feb 2022 03:28AM UTC
  
  👀 Interesting theory.
  Thank you for the comment.
  
  Last Edited Tue 08 Feb 2022 03:38AM UTC
  
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Twisted_Perception on Chapter 1 Tue 08 Feb 2022 06:36AM UTC

Damn. This is good✨✨ thank you! Can't wait how things will turn out! I like angst and fluff (I need some healing from my angst marathon XD)

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1. Steamfairy on Chapter 1 Tue 08 Feb 2022 10:56AM UTC
  
  Thank you!!! I'm glad you are enjoying the story. :3
  Lol, it was fun to write, but dang was it a lot sometimes. I myself need some fluff to balance out that angst. Hopefully next chapter will be more fluff and less angst. XD
  
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Sleep_skull on Chapter 1 Tue 08 Feb 2022 06:50AM UTC

now I'm thinking that this is why flame users form families. It seems to me that the problem of reborn would be ideally saved by a strong flame of rain, which could calm him down. And the (probable) problems of rain can just solve the sun or a storm. Or, perhaps, in this world, the sky should have the effect of calming and finding harmony between the flame and man? Yes, I'm very interested

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1. Steamfairy on Chapter 1 Tue 08 Feb 2022 11:04AM UTC
  
  When I was writing this I was like, 'All of Reborn's problems could be solved if Colonnello were there.' But Reborn has pride and Colonnello has his own stuff so Skull was naturally the only option. XD
  I don't know how prevalent I'll make sky flames in this. I have ideas on that I'm considering, but none that l'm sure I want to go through with yet. Sky flames would certainly solve at least one of the Arcobaleno's banes though...
  Yay! Thank you for commenting and I'm glad you are enjoying the story. :3
  
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LazySetmis on Chapter 1 Thu 10 Feb 2022 06:38AM UTC

Oh boy, the world just couldn't leave them, right?
Okay, here I go with what I think, because I like this concept a lot! So, one of two, either they always had a bad time or they do it now thanks to the curse. How... Skull already did it, clearly, so from how he saw Reborn I imagine it's the second option.
So there's this, they were already like, very powerful before, but since they did continuous work they managed to burn energy, especially because they were lonely or had a lot of work. When the curse came, even if there were no jobs, since the pacifiers ate their llamas, they didn't really have a bad time, right? But living with constant drainage made them stronger, and when it was deleted... Well, this happens.
I really like this! And then Skull... Would he teach them how to cope with a life with that kind of suffering? And how... Bonding?! It would be amazing. Imagine them starting to deal with the fact that they're going through that shit. And then that Skull is the most helpful. AFTER THEY REALIZE THAT SKULL HAD IT SINCE BEFORE.
My brain is already racing miles a minute, I love it. I'll be waiting~

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1. Steamfairy on Chapter 1 Thu 10 Feb 2022 03:28PM UTC
  
  No, no it could not. XD
  Ooo I love that you're making a theory! I'm pretty sure this is revealed in the next chapter, hopefully the explanation for it will be satisfying. I will say you are definitely on the right line of thinking.
  I'm so glad you're enjoy the story and its concept. I've had this idea in my brain for months! XD
  Such good questions. I will say Skull will definitely try his best to get everyone to have healthier coping mechanisms than the ones they currently have. But that'll probably be trial and error. The Arcobaleno all have things like their images to try and preserve. In their minds they can't show weakness. Enemies could take advantage of that.
  Lol, I'm glad you love the story so much. Thank you for reading and commenting!
  
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issawitchy on Chapter 1 Mon 29 May 2023 05:56AM UTC

ALRIGHT ALRIGHT ALRIGHT. So I was not expecting Reborn to get hit with the world's biggest panic attack combined with immense agony right off the bat. It's jarring to imagine the strongest hitman in the world in such a state and I love it. I am intrigued on how the rest of the Arcobaleno will experience the effects of their flames.

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Twisted_Perception on Chapter 2 Thu 10 Feb 2022 01:57AM UTC

Damn, I like(love) the way u write and ! And Awwww, hehehe can't wait to see how their relationship develop!! Thanm you for the chapter!!!

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1. Steamfairy on Chapter 2 Thu 10 Feb 2022 02:57AM UTC
  
  Thank you! I'm so glad you're enjoying the story! XD
  I want to develop Skull's relationship with each of the other Arcobaleno in a more natural way and less of a rush. Basically, I'm not instantly diving into the fluff (even though I definitely want to) and letting everything flow at the rate it seems to want to flow. So each bane is kind of split into there own 'arc' in a way. Hopefully by the time Reborn's arc ends it'll naturally set up the next bane that gets introduced.
  Thank you for reading and commenting! 😄
  
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Rhyme17 on Chapter 2 Thu 10 Feb 2022 03:04AM UTC

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

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1. Steamfairy on Chapter 2 Thu 10 Feb 2022 03:20AM UTC
  
  Thank you!!! XD
  
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LazySetmis on Chapter 2 Thu 10 Feb 2022 06:52AM UTC

Well, here is part of my theory, but not all! There are points, people!
Too: Leon, the best boy!
I'll drop a bunch of sun and cloud analogies and the two of them in favor of saying yes, lol, like the note says about trust. How... Too comfortable in their mistrust. I imagine part of Skull's "total" confidence also comes from having them as his people.
I love it! And look: when I put this aside to read it there was only one chapter, the page is updated after leaving a comment and it turns out that they just uploaded in second!! I was blessed.

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1. Steamfairy on Chapter 2 Thu 10 Feb 2022 04:06PM UTC
  
  Yeah, you definitely had the right line of thinking. I think it's kind of just a combination of already having gone through the shit of their flames being too much while also the curse having made it worse by giving them a crutch of sorts. So they then forgot how to deal with their flames when they get bad. Only time will tell how everyone learns to cope.
  Leon is best boy! Reborn and Leon are such a dynamic duo.
  Trust us something earned through time and getting to know one another. Something that's slowly starting to happen with Reborn and Skull now that Skull has seen Reborn on a bad day. Lol, yeah, it can be hard to have confidence when your people are fellow powerhouses who don't know how to get along with each other, and assume you to be the weakest because you don't know how the world you just got dumped into works. 😅 (Skull tries,lol.)
  Thank you so much for reading and commenting. I'm glad you're enjoying the story. (Don't you love it when that happens? XD)
  
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Sleep_skull on Chapter 2 Thu 10 Feb 2022 06:55AM UTC

ooya, Reborn is such a tsundere, he doesn't even realize they're trying to take care of him.
I like the way Skull solves problems by just starting to cry. You helped Reborn, you let him sleep, and now you can start crying when that stupid sun gets angry. I find this problem solving to be very Skull-style, and all the arcobalenos with raisin-sized emotional intelligence are immediately lost.
Flame: let's take it and make it ours.
Skull: no.
Flame: please.
Skull: no.
Flame: Well, at least for a little bit.
Skull: no, ugh, bad flame, no, i said.
Flame: *whining offendedly*

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1. Steamfairy on Chapter 2 Thu 10 Feb 2022 04:34PM UTC
  
  Lol, yes. It's all " How are you going to use this against me?" with Reborn. Then when Skull just acts like usual and makes no attempt to blackmail or make fun of Reborn, so he isn't sure how to react to that.
  Yup! That's pretty much how it is. XD Though I think it was mostly due to Skull having held in everything while he was taking care of Reborn because he was so focused on taking care of the sun. Then when Reborn started getting all weird he was like " Hell no! This. Is. Not. My. Reborn." and just let his feelings explode with the hope that Reborn would understand there wasn't an ulterior motive. But Skull genuinely just wanted to help Reborn.
  (I can't help but image Skull spraying his flames with a spray bottle. Like how some people will do to scold dogs. XD)
  Lol, to selfishly claim for himself or to watch these majestic flames burn freely like an all consuming wild fire? The dichotomy of Skull.
  Thank you for commenting! I'm glad you're enjoying the story! :3
  
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2. 1. Sleep_skull on Chapter 2 Thu 10 Feb 2022 08:11PM UTC
    
    Yes, I think that Skull isn't making evil plans, just sobbing because he's sad, but the fact that he can literally save you by demonstrating his power and then burst into tears makes it funny.
    And yes, that's what I meant, the flames are like a dog. Damn, now I'm thinking about ay where the flames are pets.
    Reborn searched the area around, mentally scolding himself in every way. He knew he shouldn't have taken his eyes off Sunny and kept a close eye on her so she didn't run away. But no, because he wanted to buy himself a coffee, - and it seemed that he turned away only for a moment, as this stupid dog was gone, and now he was crawling through the bushes, unsuccessfully trying to find her. He frowned, trying to suppress his annoyance, and this pause allowed him to hear the suspiciously familiar desperate barking in a nearby clearing.
    Reborn immediately rushed there, holding the fedora in his hand so that it would not be knocked down by tree branches, and soon he could see how a huge dog pressed his poor Sunny to the ground, gaping his huge mouth, into which, it seemed, Sunny could fit entirely. He tensed up and, with an angry cry, rushed at a huge creature that looked more like a wolf than a dog, trying to save his baby from the clutches of a terrible monster.
    "Let her go, you bastard!"
    - Cloud, Faugh!
    His voice sounded in unison with another, younger and more sonorous. And out of the corner of his eye he saw a blurred purple spot flying up to them from the side, he was forced to slow down a little so as not to knock down the rushing teenager. This delay was fatal - the monster jumped on the Sunny.
    On closer inspection, however, everything turned out to be not so scary - the huge dog just lay on the ground, curled up in a ball, and in the center of this pile of fur, Sunny was also visible in places - and, judging by the joyful yapping and happy wagging of her tail, she was quite comfortable. Apparently, here only Reborn almost turned gray, deciding that they were trying to devour his poor Pomeranian.
    "Ah, no, don't worry, Cloud doesn't eat people," a somewhat guilty voice came from his side, and Reborn blinked, realizing that he must have said the last sentence out loud. He lowered his eyes to the teenager. He deflated under his gaze, and, after hesitating a little, quietly added, "probably."
    Reborn glanced back at that monster among the dogs that Sunny could hardly see behind, raised an eyebrow in surprise.
    “Cloud?” he asked incredulously, trying to figure out who would even think of calling this beast that way. The teenager immediately rushed to defend himself, not realizing that Reborn did not ask for any explanation.
    "Eh, well, when he was a puppy, he looked like a fluffy cute cloud, here ... That's why Cloud is, yes ... " Reborn rolled his eyes. He didn't even ask.
    “I see,” he said dryly, rubbing the bridge of his nose in annoyance, “and now let me see if I can get my dog back, huh?”
    The teenager quieted down, looked at the dog pile, barely noticeably grimaced.
    "I'm afraid that might cause some problems," he said grimly. Reborn pursed his lips, not understanding why his simple request caused such a reaction, but before he could ask, the guy was already cautiously moving towards the dogs.
    "Come on, Cloud," he began to say. The dog twitched, stared at the owner, “Come on, let the dog go, she needs to go home,” Cloud, as if understanding what it was about, moved Sunny closer to him with his paw. Purple rolled his eyes.
    “Cloud, we told you we don’t take all the animals you like, this dog has an owner.
    The teenager sat down next to the dogs, extended his hand, but the beast obviously did not like it - he bared his teeth and growled, demonstrating huge, slightly yellowish fangs, clearly not intending to let poor Sunny out of his big paws. The teenager sighed, hissed at the monster, forcing him to press his ears to his head, and Reborn had already begun to fear that the guy would now be devoured, but then the subject of the conflict intervened in the matter.
    Sunny must have thought that today she loved the whole world very much because she suddenly stood up on her hind legs and very happily licked Cloud right on the nose. He twitched, began to sneeze, apparently not expecting such a set-up from her, and this moment of weakness allowed the teenager to rush to him, grab his huge muzzle and put a muzzle on him with a very quick and polished movement. The beast grunted, shook himself, throwing the guy off him, tried to pull off the muzzle with his paw, but did not succeed. In the meantime, the guy somehow managed to snap the leash on as well, and now he stood and brushed off the dirt in which he had been covered. Reborn just silently watched this free performance.
    Finally, purple eyes looked at him, and, smiling awkwardly, the guy began to speak, but he didn’t have time to say anything except “Sorry,” because Cloud, apparently deciding that he had suffered enough, concentratedly pulled him somewhere then into the distance, and the guy simply could not oppose anything to him.
    But on the other hand, he managed to wave to Reborn while he was being dragged somewhere into the bushes.
    "Well, who in this pair walks whom, huh?" he muttered somewhat dazedly, trying to figure out how to react to this strange couple at all, then lowered his eyes.
    Sunny galloped happily at his feet, loudly yapping, her tiny dog's shoes thudding on the pavement. It seems that she tried to convey to Reborn all her delight from a new acquaintance, but he was not sure of this, because Sunny was always joyful and loud. He bent down and took her out of harm's way in his arms, not wanting this creature to get into trouble again. The creature reacted to this with a very enthusiastic yap, starting to wag its tail even more joyfully.
    "Well, why are you so stupid, huh?" he asked melancholy, watching the fluffy ball in his hands writhing excitedly. Sunny stuck her tongue out happily.
    Reborn sighed, finally giving up, relaxed in defeat - and this was his fatal mistake, because Sunny rushed forward in his arms, and Reborn's face received its portion of dog love and vile dog saliva.
    “Sunny, damn you…!”
    
    Last Edited Thu 10 Feb 2022 08:18PM UTC
    
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  2. 1. Steamfairy on Chapter 2 Fri 11 Feb 2022 01:09AM UTC
      
      Yup! Skull just cries people into submission. XD
      Carcassa holding guns at him when he's trying to stop their drug trafficking ring.
      Skull cries: Why would you do this? Do you know how many lives you're destroying? These people who buy from you are broke and stealing just get their next fix! It's so mean!
      Carcassa: Damn...never thought of it like that. *Instant shame at what they do as Skull continues to ramble*.
      Skull: Verde, please eat this sandwich. You haven't eaten in days. *Starts the water works. *
      Verde, stone cold: Make me.
      Skull goes cloudy and just shoves the sandwich in Verde's mouth.
      It works on everyone, but Verde. It takes a lot to sway the scientist when it comes to distractions from his work. XD
      Okay yes! Loved every second of this mini little story here. The idea of flames being animals/pets kind of makes my brain go into two different directions. One that's in line with what you're talking about and another one that dives more into fantasy.
      Idea 1, Based off the mini story I just read, and also not edited/proofread:
      Verde blinked from his spot on his porch as he watched his domestic long-haired cat, Thursday, swat his paws at a canine that looked like it either was a wolf, or part wolf, at the very least. Idly he sips his mug of morning coffee that he put a generous amount of milk and sugar into. The black and white spotted cat, perched on a thick tree stump that Verde had cut and turned into an outdoor table for his yard, watches with annoyed interest as the large dog-wolf-thing stuck its big wet nose in Thursday's face. Causing the cat to bare its fangs at the creature and hiss.
      The creature (as Verde as taken to calling it) just wags its tail, doing a playful little jump as Thursday once again swipes at its face. Claws out and tugging on its fluffy fur.
      The one-sided playdate between his cat and the creature continues on for another hour. All the while Verde watches, a notebook out as he records what he sees. As soon as the hour turns, though, a curious thing happens.
      The creature's ears prick up as if hearing a sound that Verde cannot. Then it dashes off into the woods that surround his farmhouse.
      The next day, when Verde sees the creature yet again by the tree stump with his cat beating his paws on its giant snout, he realizes that this was going to become routine.
      And it does.
      Every morning at eight, Verde steps outside onto his back porch to watch his cat and the creature play. This has been going on for about a month, and in that month, Thursday has warmed up to his new canine friend. He still swats at the creature, but his swats are more playful. The cat actually goads the creature sometimes, by walking past it when he sees it just lying in the yard.
      Verde has taken to leaving out a big bucket of water by the stump table. He hasn't tried to pet the beast yet, far too interested in just watching his cat interact with it. However, it has looked at him curiously a few times. All too aware of his presence.
      Another month passes when he takes a step outside his house onto his porch, mug of coffee and notebook + pen in his hands, when curiously enough, Thursday and the creature are cuddled together in the early morning sun by the table.
      Thursday is curled up right into the semi-circle the creature is laying down in. It’s head gently resting atop the purring cat.
      Sitting on one of the chairs around his porch table is a purple haired teen.
      “Hey, um…Sorry about Cloud. He kind of just dragged me here.” The purple haired punk says, giving a sheepish smile.
      Verde blinks, staring at the stranger then down at his coffee.
      “‘S fine.” He slurs, still too tired to form proper sentences. He places his cup in front of the punk, having not taken a sip from it, before slipping back inside to make himself another mug.
      When he comes back out the stranger is leaving purple stains on his pristine white mug while watching Cloud’s nose get scratched by a playful Thursday who is on his back clutching the nose to his belly and using his hind legs to attack the bigger animal.
      The rest of the morning is filled with pleasant conversation as both pet owners watch their animals play and cuddle.
      Idea 2:
      Okay so this idea is one I can't type out in a story format right now, maybe I will later, just because my brain is a bit fried from today. The idea is when flame actives reach a certain level of power, they can form an animal out of their own flames.
      Skull’s is a large timber wolf that he’s had since childhood and despite the fact that it's literally purple, he doesn’t realize it’s a manifestation of his flames.
      Verde’s is a maned wolf.
      Reborn’s is a Darwin’s fox.
      Lal’s is black leopard.
      Colonnello’s is a German shepherd.
      Viper’s is an African bush viper.
      Fon’s is a tiger (either bangle, or else Siberian.)
      I don't know what would happen beyond that. Maybe they unlock an ancient long forgotten flames like moon flames which attribute is transformation. Allowing them to transform into their flame animal manifestations. I don't know.
      
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    2. 1. Sleep_skull on Chapter 2 Fri 11 Feb 2022 08:14AM UTC
        
        Oh god, yes, that's how he got into the carcass, I'm sure.
        ..
        Skull wants to take care of senpais even if they don't want to. Verde will be fed and slept no matter what.
        ..
        
        I kept thinking about it
        Colonello's dog has a mop. Hungarian Shepherd.
        And she's lazy.
        He got himself a dog to run with her in the morning, and in the morning she comes to lie down on his chest and sleep.
        And he hears how his ribs are fastened together.
        In general, Hungarian Shepherd Dogs need to be walked because they will become ill, but the Colonello Shepherd Dog ignores this fact, and he literally has to pull her out into the street.
        Phong has a cat that scratches EVERYTHING. Furniture, wallpaper, people, everything is scratched. What is not skinned, she gnawed.
        And hisses at everyone viciously.
        And he and Skull the dog fight all the time (but it suits both of them).
        Viper has a couple of rats and this cat is also trying to eat Viper's rats.
        True, it later turned out that she did not swallow them, but simply kept them in her mouth.
        Only the tail sticks out
        Viper is purely a rat for every personality
        She loves to squeeze rats on her shoulders and make something like a mustache out of their tails.
        How to pinch between the nose and upper lip
        Lar already has three pets - a dog breed Malamute (Rain), a cat (cloud), and fog Lar is a damn parrot that repeats her commands.
        Colonello twitches every time
        cloud cat impudent. The kind that steal food with an air of doing a favor
        And this cat and parrot are riding on a Malamute.
        And the Malamute is very cultured and trained, but he does not have one paw (an allusion to the fact that Lar had problems with the rain flame after the curse)
        I thought that Verde might actually have a guide dog, because he is visually impaired.
        That is, he certainly wears glasses, but it is possible that they are specially designed for his eyes, and he invented them himself in order to see at least something, and before that he moved only with the help of Fulgur (Fulgur, lat. - lightning)
        And even now he has times when his eyes need to be treated, and he cannot wear glasses, so as not to strain them, and he walks with Fulgur again.
        
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      2. Steamfairy on Chapter 2 Fri 11 Feb 2022 11:25AM UTC
        
        Lol yeah! XD
        Lol, these animals definitely sound like them. I like how Lal's has symbolism for her out of wack rain flames with the dog having one paw.
        I've had a few unrelated ideas about Verde being visually impaired. Like he built himself mechanical eyes and that's why his eyes are kind of murky in color, or even has albinism since the wiki says his eyes are purple and sometime people with that will have purple eyes I believe. And his hair just took on the color of his flame due to the loss of pigment there. Another one is he's just blind and like you said invented special glasses, or someone did that for him. And then there's this one idea where he isn't blind but deaf and just invented hearing aids that aren't visible and probably flames based. Letting him do something like hear longer distances or connect to radio waves. He can probably listen in on phone conversations and has them using them too. XD
        But anyways back on topic I love this as it's very cute.
        I always thought Verde was a cat person (the story I did was actually based off my cat and late Great Pyrenees.), but I can see him have a seeing eye dog or something.
        For the specific breed Verde has may I suggest Golden Doddle? I own one and he's just naturally a therapy dog without any real training. Like I'll have a meltdown and he'll just force me to try and pet him. Once when I got too excited and was getting sensory overload from it, he grabbed his toy bone and tried to make me play with him. Then there was all the times I was up until well into the night and he just jumped into bed with me until I feel asleep. XD I'm pretty sure they can be trained to help the visually impaired too.
        
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        Sleep_skull on Chapter 2 Fri 11 Feb 2022 12:12PM UTC
        
        I am glad that you have such a wonderful friend as your dog.
        I gave Verde a dog because they are still more associated with "protection", that is, with the functions of a thunderstorm. Verde's life-protecting guide dog.
        Now I'm imagining Cloud and Verde's Dog (I'll keep calling him Fulgur, okay? so I don't get confused by all these dogs) gently sniffing each other. Cloud is trying to figure out if he is willing to tolerate this dog on his territory, and Fulgur decides if he is ready to allow Cloud to his master and whether he will harm him.
        And then a very joyful Sunny flies up to them and licks everyone in general. I think Fulgur doesn't always like Sunny because she's very offhand. He can't play now, you see, he must take his master to the store! But Sunny doesn't care, she wants to be friends. As a result, Reborn is always forced to take her in his arms when they walk with Verde so that she does not interfere. By the way, when Lar and Colonello got married, Colonello started walking the Malamute Lar. and his Hungarian Shepherd simply continues to sleep in an embrace with his wife.
        (Lar always grumbled that when she got married, she didn't know that this madman was going to run at six in the morning and would leave her alone in a cold bed. So now she cuddles with a Hungarian Shepherd while Colonello does his morning exercises)
        
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        Steamfairy on Chapter 2 Fri 11 Feb 2022 12:37PM UTC
        
        Cute idea. Animals are the best!
        (Who needs a husband when you have his dog to cuddle with. XD)
        
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        Sleep_skull on Chapter 2 Fri 11 Feb 2022 12:47PM UTC
        
        Lar grumbles that since one of her heating pads escaped from the bed, she just has to take a second one. Colonello sighs heavily.
        Skull, looking at everyone else hugging their pets: Cloud, come on, us too...?
        Cloud:
        Cloud: I only tolerate you because you are my master, don't make it worse.
        Skull: *sighs sadly*
        Fon, all scratched up: I understand you, my friend.
        
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        Steamfairy on Chapter 2 Fri 11 Feb 2022 12:54PM UTC
        
        Lol! XD
        
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HikaruWinter on Chapter 2 Thu 10 Feb 2022 11:46AM UTC

Skull has the Emotional Intelligence Braincell.
I am unsurprised.

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1. Steamfairy on Chapter 2 Thu 10 Feb 2022 04:35PM UTC
  
  Lol, someone had to have that particular brain cell. XD
  
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2. 1. HikaruWinter on Chapter 2 Thu 10 Feb 2022 08:22PM UTC
    
    I mean, they could juggle it? But Skull is the only one even emotionally aware of that traumatised, overpowered bunch, so of course he's hoarding it *nods seriously* The others are allergic, after all. Break out in hives and everything. I mean, look at Colonnello: he thinks being run over by a tank is a romantic gesture. Which, I won't judge but... you worry me, sniper dude.
    
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  2. 1. Steamfairy on Chapter 2 Thu 10 Feb 2022 09:58PM UTC
      
      Okay so I'll be honest the first thing that popped into my brain after reading your comment is Luce just handing Skull the Emotional Itelligence Braincell and saying, "And you can have this one!" XD All the while in the background Verde takes the Knowledge Braincell and tries to keep Reborn's paws off of it.
      I'm in the middle of rereading the manga to refresh my knowledge of the characters (I haven't touched the canon media of KHR since my middle school years), so I don't remember that being said about Colonnello (sorry, it's just been a really long time) but omg that's hilarious. As well as worrisome...I guess he didn't get a braincell when Luce was passing them out. Or maybe Lal is hording his for safe keeping? XD
      Also thank you so much for reading and commenting!
      
      Last Edited Thu 10 Feb 2022 09:59PM UTC
      
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    2. 1. HikaruWinter on Chapter 2 Fri 11 Feb 2022 12:13PM UTC
        
        I mean, Lal was supposed to be the Rain Arcobaleno but Colonnello kinda jumped in front of her when Checkerface cursed them, so *shrugs* The braincell was Lal's to start with. And she got Cloudy when her flames broke. So, no take-backsies! (Also, being run over by a tank is how Colonnello met -and fell in love- with Lal, if I remember my canon right?)
        Thank you for sharing~ ;3
        
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      2. Steamfairy on Chapter 2 Fri 11 Feb 2022 12:49PM UTC
        
        Lol, I do remember Colonnello taking her place in the curse. (The tank thing in new and hilarious to me. XD I hope it's in the manga somewhere and not in one of filler episodes of the anime. I don't think I have the attention span to rewatch it unless it ever gets a dub.) He probably lost his braincell when he got hit by that tank. That or cupid's arrow turned into a romantic-dork-for-Lal braincell.
        :3
        
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        HikaruWinter on Chapter 2 Sun 13 Feb 2022 02:35PM UTC
        
        In conclusion: Colonnello is a himbo and Lal is dumbsexual.
        
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        Steamfairy on Chapter 2 Sun 13 Feb 2022 02:40PM UTC
        
        Yeah pretty much. XD
        Makes me wonder about the other Arcobaleno...🤔
        
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        HikaruWinter on Chapter 2 Sun 13 Feb 2022 02:44PM UTC
        
        Well, all of them are emotionally dumb bar one (1), and that one (1) is considered intellectually dumb by the others so...
        ~ A r c o b a l e n o D u m b s e x u a l i t y A g e n d a ~
        It is real. It now lives. Accept it, embrace it!
        
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        Steamfairy on Chapter 2 Sun 13 Feb 2022 02:47PM UTC
        
        Lol, considering how the next chapter is going I might have already. XD
        
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issawitchy on Chapter 2 Mon 29 May 2023 06:00AM UTC

Hahaha yessss. Someone who shares my headcanon that adult Reborn loves wearing disguises and dresses. Interesting take on it that he dresses to the nines because he's over compensating. I like that.

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Sleep_skull on Chapter 3 Mon 14 Feb 2022 09:45AM UTC

An adorable reborn with its beautiful gay panic is definitely what I need right now. Poor Skull doesn't even know what's going on.
Skull: it's weird but it's a reborn so it's probably ok.
But the sun still needs to stay close to it, I don't want it to overheat again, poor thing.
And I love it so much that the reborn is definitely sure that if he has to be comfortable, then so is Skull. soft pajamas and slippers for everyone! you will not be able to get away from comfort and care.

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1. Steamfairy on Chapter 3 Mon 14 Feb 2022 01:26PM UTC
  
  Lol, I'm glad you enjoyed the gay panic in all its glory. XD Skull thinks he's helping, and he is, Reborn is just hopeless when it comes to realizing he has feelings for someone. I was actually going to put in him having a more extreme reaction towards realizing he had a crush on another Arcobaleno in this chapter as well ( to emphasize just how hopeless he is), but decided against it. I kind of placed that idea thread aside for maybe later.
  Meanwhile Reborn tries not to implode. Skull was...too much, too soon. The poor sun needs to take baby steps. Skull just waltzes in and instantly gives affection like it's as natural as breathing. XD
  Reborn. Can't. Handle. It. (Yet.) XD
  Luckily, Reborn has enough awareness of himself and his situation to try to prevent his flames acting up again. It's just very hard when Skull is naturally too much of a sweetheart. He probably kills his enemies with kindness, but not cookies. That was Luce's thing.
  If Reborn has to suffer and wear comfy cozy pjs then so shall Skull. So shall Skull!!! Honestly, the cloud brought that on himself. Now he has to suffer to Reborn whims. Now he has to suffer the absolute horror that are sheep slippers! 🤣
  
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2. 1. Sleep_skull on Chapter 3 Mon 14 Feb 2022 03:18PM UTC
    
    Oh yes, the Sun does everything by giving it her all - shooting, cosplay, math, creating chaos. I am not surprised that he suffers from unexpressed feelings with complete devotion and thoroughness. I look forward to the moment when he will lie on the sofa in an expensive silk bathrobe, eat ice cream with a spoon from a bucket, watch melodramas and sigh "THIS IS SO LIKE MY LIFE." Who else can feel feelings so deeply with such pathetic spiritual thoroughness?
    And it reminded me of my head about how Verde realizes that he fell in love with Skull.
    Verde: I think I'm in love with you
    Skull: Really?
    Verde: Yes, I was surprised too. But I measured that around you I have increased levels of serotonin and dopamine, so this is a proven fact. I wrote a scientific article about it, I can show it.
    Skull: o_o
    Verde: Yes, I was shocked too, but this is science, and I don't argue with science.
    
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  2. 1. Steamfairy on Chapter 3 Mon 14 Feb 2022 04:02PM UTC
      
      Lol, five other people at least. XD Not gonna drop any names but *cough* emotionally stunted Arcobaleno*cough*. ( Also I could totally see him doing that. He probably has a favorite soap that has been since forever that he tunes into each weekday. And he probably discovered said Soap while doing a hit. He snuck into a Don's home, the maid had x show on, and he just could't tear his eyes away. Even as the guy breathed his last breath, Reborn's attention was solely on the TV screen. Watching Maria cheat on Estabon with her friends dead cousin's friend's ex-wife, who was supposed to ge dead but then was revealed to be alive. 🤣)
      Lol that is such a Verde thing to do. 'Here let me confess using science. Then let's run experiments on you too, to see if the same science checks out.' Or at least I can see that being his next step. Even as Skull tried to say he likes him back and its unnecessary Verde isn't convinced. He needs to know Skull's pupils dilate when he looks at him, that the cloud's heart beats faster. He needs to see the chemistry happen in Skull too. Science is Verde's love language.
      My personal Skull/Verde headcanon (or at least one of them) is Skull just stuck around long enough for Verde to actually form an emotional attachment/ let himself form one. Also Skull can't die and I headcanon Verde keeps falling in love with idiots who keep dying. His type is self-sacrificing idiot who cares too deeply about people and therefore leaves him all too soon. He doesn't break up with people, he mourns them. After that happening one too many times he kind of just goes numb and throws himself into his work. Skull is a welcomed breath of fresh air once Verde realizes he can't die. XD
      
      Last Edited Mon 14 Feb 2022 04:44PM UTC
      
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    2. 1. Sleep_skull on Chapter 3 Mon 14 Feb 2022 06:11PM UTC
        
        I also head that Colonello loves Brazilian soap operas, and he always cries to them, but in fact, this is such a way for him to somehow throw out emotions. He is strong, he cannot cry in difficult moments - and he smothers his feelings with a flame. So the series became an outlet for him, when he can simply throw out his fatigue and exhaustion in this way. Let him be considered an idiot who sobs under the series rather than a weakling.
        I absolutely agree that Verde's love language is science. He hates bullshit about the soul, he says "love is chemistry". And he absolutely loves it. The fact that next to Skull he produces new hormones, the way they affect his entire body. Literally every cell of his body changes because he is in love! He loves Skull with all his being, with all his body, with all his essence - and for him this is much more romantic than empty phrases about "feelings above the flesh", "love of the soul". Why elevate ethereal souls when your love is material and can literally be seen?
        Verde: I say that literally my whole body loves you. All.
        Skull:
        Skull: and the pancreas too?
        Verde:
        Verde: and pancreas
        
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      2. Steamfairy on Chapter 3 Mon 14 Feb 2022 07:30PM UTC
        
        I can see that. I feel like Colonnello is movie/TV show nerd in general. He just loves sitting back after a long hard day of training and watching something to get his mind off things. He and Lal go on a lot of movie dates, and he and Skull have made it mandatory to have weekly movie nights.
        That is where my head canon differs because I believe Verde to be highly interested in pseudo science. I think his major in college might have even been parapsychology--the study of the paranormal. I mean flames exist so...yeah. I think he believes in souls and that they are somehow linked to flames. He would probably even want to study how his and Skull's flames react to one another after he's confirmed Skull does in fact love him.
        😄
        
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        Sleep_skull on Chapter 3 Mon 14 Feb 2022 07:49PM UTC
        
        In fact, I generally headlined that Nello fell in love with Skull after going to the movies. They went to see a horror movie and suddenly Skull had a panic attack. And Colonello took him in his arms and carried him into the air so that he would come to his senses. And he's holding Skull, who's pressed against his chest and just, "Damn, I never noticed how small and frail he really is under those jumpsuits of his."
        I absolutely respect your point of view, all the visions of the characters have a place to be. Now you can think of Verde and Skull sitting and holding hands and their flames dancing on their closed fingers. Skull feels the sparks of lightning as little prickles, and Verde feels the flames of the cloud wrap around his fingers like tentacles. (I just really like the joke about "my left kidney loves you")
        
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        Steamfairy on Chapter 3 Mon 14 Feb 2022 08:04PM UTC
        
        Lol, so cute!!! To add to the fluff, I just like imagining Colonnello and Skull stealing all the pillows and blankets making a giant fortress in the living room. Gathering all the snacks in the house, then forcing everyone to cuddle inside it while watching a movie together. Sometimes they make milk shakes and have a mini spa session while they watch something.
        Same, yours is cute/funny too, my view only changes in regards to his belief on souls. Actually if you look up chakras and what the different colors represent I believe they also are connected with different parts of the body. I would have to look it up again but perhaps the body part that has a green chakra really does love Skull, XD. ( I looked it up and this is so corny, but from a very brief search it's the heart chakra. The irony, I just, lol. 🤣)
        
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        Sleep_skull on Chapter 3 Mon 14 Feb 2022 08:44PM UTC
        
        Lal guards their peace and throws out of the room everyone who wants to climb up to them - "My boys deserve a rest, fuck off."
        Verde: My heart loves you.
        Skull: oh that's so cute!
        Verde: And both atria too, come to think of it, they count too, right?
        Skull: 😐
        
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        Steamfairy on Chapter 3 Mon 14 Feb 2022 09:07PM UTC
        
        XD
        His lungs breath his love into the air. Making the air humid with his flame. 😂
        
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    3. Mazeyuinverse on Chapter 3 Sat 19 Feb 2022 09:33AM UTC
      
      🤣💖💖💖
      
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    4. 1. Steamfairy on Chapter 3 Sat 19 Feb 2022 05:17PM UTC
        
        Thank you! 😄
        
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Rhyme17 on Chapter 3 Mon 14 Feb 2022 01:22PM UTC

Pfffff X,D Reborn wtf- 😅 that's adorable thou 🥰🥰

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1. Steamfairy on Chapter 3 Mon 14 Feb 2022 01:43PM UTC
  
  Isn't he?😊 He still manages to bring chaos even when he feels out of wack. 🤣
  Meanwhile, Skull's just taking Reborn wearing more comfortable clothes as a win. Oblivious to Reborn's onsided declaration of war. 😅🤣
  (Skull deserves an all expenses paid trip to somewhere nice at this point, I swear. XD)
  
  Last Edited Mon 14 Feb 2022 01:43PM UTC
  
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2. 1. Rhyme17 on Chapter 3 Mon 14 Feb 2022 02:41PM UTC
    
    An all expenses paid trip to a cuddle pile 😂😂🥰🥰
    
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  2. 1. Steamfairy on Chapter 3 Mon 14 Feb 2022 02:57PM UTC
      
      If a certain group of idiots can get over themselves long enough to, then yes! 🤣
      (Then again I'm sure they'd do it anyways. Maybe just take a trip to Antartica for an excuse to cuddle in order to 'stay warm' XD)
      
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    2. 1. Rhyme17 on Chapter 3 Mon 14 Feb 2022 03:49PM UTC
        
        The logic is foolproof! 🤣🤣🤣
        
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      2. Steamfairy on Chapter 3 Mon 14 Feb 2022 04:12PM UTC
        
        The best part is Skull will never know it was an elaborate plan to cuddle. 🤣
        (Except he does know after spending too much time inside cuddling. He is oblivious, not stupid.)
        
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        Rhyme17 on Chapter 3 Mon 14 Feb 2022 05:00PM UTC
        
        Even if he did figure it out, he'd just be rly amused while going along with it 😅🤣🤣🤣
        
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        Steamfairy on Chapter 3 Mon 14 Feb 2022 05:10PM UTC
        
        Without a doubt. Why complain when he can he just soak up affection like a sponge? 😂
        
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        Rhyme17 on Chapter 3 Mon 14 Feb 2022 05:34PM UTC
        
        E X A C T L Y 👏 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
        
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        Steamfairy on Chapter 3 Mon 14 Feb 2022 07:20PM UTC
        
        😆
        
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LazySetmis on Chapter 3 Tue 15 Feb 2022 06:26AM UTC

lmao creo que todavía estoy un poco borracho, entonces no puedo con ingles, pero debo hablar aquí, si? Perdón, puedes eliminarme
Pero entonces, estaba leyendo el capitulo con mi esposa y llegamos a un acuerdo en el que su pánico gay no solo es adorable, sino identificable, y defenderemos su corazón a capa y espada
(Sigo amando más a Skull de todas formas, pero no se lo digas)
Me encanta como se muestra tan descarado ese momento en el que el cerebro de Skull dio el freno repentino y luego cambio de marcha en un mismo momento y corrió con ello. Y se quedara así. Reborn no tiene una oportunidad, casi siento lastima por él, mi corazón simpatiza con sus luchas (lmao ella dice que debería fortalecerse porque claramente Skull no tendrá consideración por su corazón de dama victoriana. Personalmente creo que los caballeros victorianos se escandalizan más fácilmente)
Así que, no me arrepiento de ir a visitar a su casa a mi esposa, porque entonces ella me dio internet y pude leer esto (tengo tantos correos, imaginar tantos días sin ver nada...), y también los comentarios de abajo, porque soy chismoso
Como, totalmente si a todo? lmao, ahora mismo no puedo darte algo lógico, pero absolutamente estoy de acuerdo a todo lo que dijeron tu y Sleep (jajaja soy espeluznante). Ella no, pero ella ni siquiera sabía quienes eran Reborn y Skull jajajaja
Quizá mañana comente de nuevo, cuando piense bien lol
Entonces probablemente elimine esto de todas formas, porque estoy seguro de que mucho es legible solo por mi auto corrector, pero no podía dejar esto sin decir cuanto me gusto este capitulo
Que fue como, mucho mucho

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1. Steamfairy on Chapter 3 Tue 15 Feb 2022 09:56AM UTC
  
  Lol, you're fine. And yay to translators being built into devices these days! (And insomnia for waking me up. It's like it shouted, ' you have mail!'😂) Also thank you so much for leaving a comment anyways. It's always fun to get those no matter the language. 😃
  🤣 He'll probably need it at this point.
  (I'm more of a Verde fan so understandable. We all have our favorite characters. Not gonna lie, Reborn/Skull is my least favorite pairing among the Arcobaleno personally, but writing them is usually blast. XD )
  Skull's so used to Reborn's chaotic ways he's learned how to react and read him well enough. Though I don't think he knows what being pushed to floor via his face means, yet. 🤣 Reborn needs all the help and support he can get at this point, lol. The guy can be smooth as heck usually, but boy does Skull throw him for a loop. (I wonder how Reborn would even train for that? Ask Bianchi to teach him the ins and outs of surviving having a crush? I do agree with Victorian Gentleman being more easily shocked, or at least a lot of the media I consume seems to love to portray that, lol.)
  That is very hard. My power goes out every now and again, and it's definitely a different style of living. I have no clue how my uncle, who doesn't have internet himself, lives. I always need background noise and everything is hooked up to the internet these days. 😅
  Lol, I read other comments to fics and other sites like YouTube so I personally don't find it creepy. It's always fun to see others opinions on something you just read or watched.
  Thank you very much for reading. I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter! And thank you for dropping this comment anyways. It's always fun to see someone leave something, even if it's just a small 'loved this', ect. Comments are always appreciated here, lol. XD
  
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issawitchy on Chapter 3 Mon 29 May 2023 06:02AM UTC

WHEEZING
Reborn with a crush is a giant loser and I love it. Good job on sticking your finger up his nose!

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Rhyme17 on Chapter 4 Sun 20 Feb 2022 06:27AM UTC

The amount of dorkiness in this chap is overwhelming 🤣🤣🤣👍👍

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1. Steamfairy on Chapter 4 Sun 20 Feb 2022 07:28AM UTC
  
  Right?! 🤣 These two write themselves at this point.
  
  Last Edited Sun 20 Feb 2022 07:28AM UTC
  
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Master_Torch_Master on Chapter 4 Sun 20 Feb 2022 07:16AM UTC

...I honestly can't think of any potential banes for Colonello and Lal, and Fon is just confusing to decide for as is Verde. (Though I can see something like epilepsy or sensory overload from HELL for Verde, what with Lightning Flames being organic electricity and whatnot, I'm really iffy on that since a scientist would definitely have the ability to build something to handle electrical discharge, or even rebuild it if need be.)
Viper, on the other hand? HALLUCINATIONS GALORE. FOR EVERYONE IN THE VICINITY, BUT MOSTLY THEM. If you can think of something else for them, I will be shocked since this has been the most intrusive of all intrusive thoughts and just refuses to take the eviction notice...

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1. Steamfairy on Chapter 4 Sun 20 Feb 2022 07:47AM UTC
  
  Oof, Colonnello's bane is probably one of the heaviest ones. (Though they're all pretty heavy.😅) I have a little bit of his written already because I thought the series was gonna start with his bane instead of Reborn's. However inspiration struck, and thus Reborn came first. I feel like Lal's is obvious so I'm glad you're stumped because it'll be a surprise. An angsty one, but I feel like finding out the banes is part of the series. Fon's is...I wasn't too sure about him at first but I think I thought up a good one for him. Verde's is one of freakiest😅, however, I don't think him building a machine would of help with it. That said he does technically have a solution, he just needs to catch a flare up in his flames fast enough to use it. Plus you have to remember the Arcobaleno are so used to their flames being drained by the pacifiers that after the curse broke they lost their crutch and have to get used to living without the pacifiers again.
  Viper's is very different actually. As well as one of the freakiest. 😅 All I can say is Skull showers them with lots of love after he finds out what their bane is. I mean he does with all of their's but Viper's is probably gonna be an angsty bonding moment right off the bat.
  Also thank you for commenting! 😄
  
  Last Edited Sun 20 Feb 2022 07:49AM UTC
  
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Sleep_skull on Chapter 4 Sun 20 Feb 2022 11:59AM UTC

I'm trying to understand how Reborn and Skull went from angry disbelief and panic to discussing other people's butts. (Butt Skull is sweet, I agree with Reborn, if anything).
I know it was probably an accident, but god, the phrase "Sun-kissed Skull's skin" made me squeak, it WAS TOO GOOD FOR THE SITUATION.
I wish you inspiration and good luck, I look forward to more beautiful butts.

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1. Steamfairy on Chapter 4 Sun 20 Feb 2022 02:57PM UTC
  
  Lol, thank you. I picture Skull being a little tanner than everyone ( minus Lal who I head canon as Indian or Indian/Italian) due to working/being on his bike in the sun outdoors often.
  I don't know how the butts came up, they just did. And when they did it wouldn't stop. I was snickering the whole time writing this. It was to the point my cat was giving me a judgemental look. XD
  Thank you! And thank you for reading! I'm glad you are enjoying the story so far.
  
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2. 1. Sleep_skull on Chapter 4 Sun 20 Feb 2022 04:26PM UTC
    
    Oh, it's funny how our views differ. I see Skull almost the brightest, on a par with Verde and Viper, because he is hidden in his jumpsuit from head to toe, and on his head is a helmet. And the darkest ones are Fong and Lar, who run along the street almost half-naked. (And Colonello, Colonello too.)
    I was so happy to read this scene, it's just that two idiots are happy and talking about beautiful asses. What could be better? (It seems to me that all chapters of Reborn fluctuate between the two states "Skull is so cute, I want to fuck him" and "Skull is so cool, I want him to fuck me")
    
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  2. 1. Steamfairy on Chapter 4 Sun 20 Feb 2022 05:01PM UTC
      
      Lol, yeah. I just like imagining him on the Carcassa deck in shorts and a tank working on his bike in the hot sun or something. I do see your point, though. It was honestly hard to determine his skin tone because whenever I looked at official artwork of all the Arcobaleno for a reference, they looked to have roughly the same skin tone. 😅 I think Skull is probably on the lighter end of the sun kissed skin tone spectrum. As for everyone else...Verde has a sickly pale pallor due to staying in his lab too often. Reborn and Colonnello get sun, but not enough to go tan. Lal has a darker complexion in my mind for reasons already stated. Fon is pale, but that's because I personally think he only takes his shirt off when facing a worthy opponent in battle. Like how he did with Viper during the rep battles. Viper's complextion is....???? Because they're a mist so who knows if what they look like in the series is even their real look or just an illusion. 🤣 Or at least that's my own personal take on skin tone for them. It honestly changes on a dime and on the story.
      I'm glad you enjoyed it. XD I was very much worried a chapter almost completely dedicated to butts would be a bit too much. But I also felt the story needed a scene of pure levity due to the fact it'll be dipping into angst again soon. ( 🤣 Yeah pretty much! That is literally Reborn to a T. It's also probably how is in bed too, tbh.) Butt also Reborn and Skull are naturally this wacky together. Or at least they just naturally end up that way when I write them.
      
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    2. 1. Sleep_skull on Chapter 4 Sun 20 Feb 2022 05:36PM UTC
        
        The sadder the longing, the sweeter the fluff when your favorite characters act like complete idiots. It seems to me that this is the whole khr - at first the characters behave like idiots and you feel embarrassed, then they are all injured and almost die, and you worry and worry, and then they behave like idiots again and you just sit and feel warm, because those jerks can still have fun and smile.
        Looking forward to the next emotional roller coaster!
        
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      2. Steamfairy on Chapter 4 Sun 20 Feb 2022 05:51PM UTC
        
        Very true. Those who smile the brightest are usually going through the toughest shit. And a lot of khr characters smile with maybe a few exceptions. ( I don't think Xanxus or Viper smiles all that much if memory serves right, but one of the canonically has a rough past. And Viper probably does too despite how mysterious they are. XD)
        Thank you! Already working on it! If there's a character whose bane you want to see next make sure to let me know. It'll help me figure out how to transition the story from Reborn to the next character better in the coming chapters. But if you don't know that's also fine. :3
        
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        Sleep_skull on Chapter 4 Sun 20 Feb 2022 06:23PM UTC
        
        No, I didn't mean smiles and laughter, I meant frivolous and comical behavior (on purpose or not). Like that chapter where the Xanzas slept on the couch for half the battle, because, why not, then he came to the fight with a frying pan and after that, due to his own stupidity, he almost screwed up. All the characters in KHR are idiots in some way (GOD VIPER MAKES A ROUTE MAP BY LITERALLY BLOWING OUT INTO TOILET PAPER, SHE HAS SNOT WITH GPS!) and I absolutely love it.
        No, I didn't mean smiles and laughter, I meant frivolous and comical behavior (on purpose or not). Like that chapter where the Xanzas slept on the couch for half the battle, because, why not, then he came to the fight with a frying pan and after that, due to his own stupidity, he almost screwed up. All the characters in KHR are idiots in some way (GOD VIPER MAKES A ROUTE MAP BY LITERALLY BLOWING OUT INTO TOILET PAPER, SHE HAS SNOT WITH GPS!) and I absolutely love it.
        I love all the Arcobaleno so I'm just looking forward to the next chapters!
        
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        Steamfairy on Chapter 4 Sun 20 Feb 2022 08:39PM UTC
        
        I think there was a misunderstanding. Which, my bad. I was very tired and anxious when replying. The first part where I said ' those who smile the brightest go through the toughest sh*t' I was also equating that to the wacky fun behavior each character is known for. But then my brain went ' but wait these characters don't smile.' Basically, I took the saying literal forgetting not too. I'm so sorry for the confusion. My brain just did the most autistic thing its probably done in while. 😅🤣
        Lol, okay. Thank you. And glad you are enjoying the story.
        Again, sorry for the confusion.
        
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        Sleep_skull on Chapter 4 Mon 21 Feb 2022 01:11PM UTC
        
        It's okay, don't worry! Your clarification gave me reason to mention viper abilities that I adore. (No, seriously, snot from GPS, does she have in her nose, what, built-in google maps?)
        
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        Steamfairy on Chapter 4 Mon 21 Feb 2022 05:32PM UTC
        
        Oh, thank goodness. ( Lol, yeah. That was always hilarious. Though it makes mind mind go down the gross route of wondering if different nose related phenomenon leads to different abilities. Like what would happen if Viper had a bloody nose? Does hair in the snot mean a road block? What if it was like tea leaves and could be used to see good and bad omens? The possibilities are endless so long as you have knowledge of gross nose stuff. XD)
        
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        Sleep_skull on Chapter 4 Mon 21 Feb 2022 08:09PM UTC
        
        super power snot
        
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issawitchy on Chapter 4 Mon 29 May 2023 06:05AM UTC

You chose to make them talk about Butts for half a chapter and it surprisingly worked. Was giggling throughout the chapter.

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