It was a tranquil Sunday morning were a few early birds chirped happily at the dawn of a new day and humans were still scares. One particular woman, glancing every now and then at her wristwatch, would have caught the eye of any individual. The tween huffed in frustration looking from left to right. Her silky blonde hair caught the rays of the sun giving her an air of nobility; it was noticeable that it curled at its tips adding to that impression. Chocolate brown eyes narrowed at the paths in the park cursing the hands of the watch marking the hellish hour of 6.00am. Why would that man choose such an accursed time to meet?

She stretched her barely woken muscles, her arms above her head and proceeded to yawn with a hand in front of her mouth. The few men passing by eyed the woman greedily as the white shirt enunciated her voluptuous figure and the black leather trousers fitting closely to her legs made the few women eye her with jealousy. Layla Heartfilia of the Heartfilia famiglia, a small branch of the larger Vongola, ignored all passersby. She adjusted her black tie and sighed feeling the first blissful warmth of the rising sun on her skin. She closed her eyes smiling softly and-

“VROOOOOOIIII!”                                                                                                

The sudden exclamation from behind her made her eyes snap open; she jumped as she felt something poke the sensitive skin of her sides letting out a small squeak. Her hand immediately landed on her whip hanging from her belt. The not at all amused blonde was met by the hearty laughter of the handsome silver haired captain of the Varia. He was wearing his custom uniform, zipped up black jacket with matching trousers and shoes, and smirked at the pouting Layla.

“You’re late Squalo-san,” Layla pointed out with an irked smile.

“Don’t get your face all in a pinch Miss kinky ruffles,” was Superbi Squalo’s, second in command of the Varia’s response.

Layla groaned at the nickname acquired on their first meeting, they had been both on a job on that occasion, aiming for the same objective. It had been an undercover mission at a gala to kill some German ambassador in the way of their family (he had been a drug dealer anyway do not judge); they hadn’t been informed two assassins had been recruited. One thing lead to another, he saw her bloomers, she kicked him in the face, and they had both flirted trying to catch the other of guard, a lot. The pair decided to work together that night. What a surprise the following morning when the ninth congratulated them on the accomplished mission and they met face to face.

Squalo was informed ‘kinky ruffles’ as he called her was the widow of the Heartfilia boss at the age of 25 and the one who had taken that particular family on her shoulders. Layla had found out Squalo was Varia which intrigued her greatly.

Squalo smirked as the Heartfilia boss glared at him, he wound his arm round her shoulders and escorted her deeper inside the park.

“Let me offer you breakfast as an apology,” he said as loud as the man was he made up for it being all chivalrous.

“That’s okay I already ate,” Layla responded putting her own arm round his waist.

They walked comfortably in each others arms for what seemed like hours, Squalo would glare at the men looking at Layla with lust. Layla would smile and move closer to him, the man was not much at expressing his feelings through words but he was very protective.

“What woman?” he questioned her amusement, “You’re mine and mine alone, vroi…”

It had been six months since the pair began having these early morning meetings. A few weeks ago they could not do without them any longer. When their colleagues teased them about these ‘dates’ they would respond in entirely different ways, Layla would calmly laugh and shrug it off, Squalo would beat them up and insist they were business meetings. Both knew it was something more than that.

“How’s your brat?” Squalo asked as they stopped by the lake. They had bought some ice cream, even though it was still early, strawberry for Layla and sea salt for Squalo.

“Lucy is a happy five year old, healthy and strong, and she told me to tell you to come over, she misses her new best friend,” Layla chuckled remembering how loud the pair had been when they first met. Squalo had been surprised to learn about her child, but he had also been moved by Layla’s immense love for the girl, he would not admit it to anyone but he loved playing with the blonde child. Lucy was a tiny version of her mother, only spunkier; he loved it even more when he could just watch them be together all day. To Layla it felt like they were a family once again.

“Loki babysitting her?” Squalo asked, “I hope he’s keeping that pink haired brat ten miles away-“

“Yes, Loki is with her and Natsu is Lucy’s best friend, let them be kids,” Layla interrupted him, laughing at the silver haired man’s over-protectiveness, the poor boy almost got sliced for hugging Lucy one time.

“VROI! Fine but don’t say I didn’t warned you,” Squalo growled under his breath. He had finished his cone already while Layla was still slowly savouring hers, sometimes she would give him a taste which he gladly accepted in the growing heat of that summers day.

SPLAT

Layla grinned mischievously as she squashed her cone in his face, Squalo merely remained expressionless wiping the pink substance with a hand and grabbing Layla with the other he tried to wipe it on her face. Layla giggled and struggled against her smirking assailant but in the end she ended up with her nose all pink with ice cream.

“I was thinking…” Squalo mumbled becoming all serious.

“Mhmm,” the blonde hummed assuring him he had her attention.

“We make a good team, we should take on a mission together,” his long silver hair floated in the small breeze that was fortunately going on, cooling them. It was already eleven and the sun was starting to take its toll. The couple had found a nice spot of shade under a tree and sat down leaning on each other in the comfortable coolness the tree gave them.

“That would be nice, we certainly work well together,” Layla smiled liking the idea.

“Vroiiii we kicked ass,” Squalo laughed wholeheartedly.

No one understood how the two had become attracted one another, they certainly were like ice and fire, but everyone also admitted this particular pair was unstoppable. Bel was happy the noisy second in command was occupied and Xanxus secretly shipped the pair looking for opportunities to tease his second and have some fun. The Heartfilia Famiglia was glad to see their boss all lively again.

“We’ll have to admit to the others we’re dating…” Layla mumbled sleepily.

“None of their business,” Squalo shouted shaking his fist at the thought.

“Yes, yes, whatever as long as we know it who cares, right?” she said grabbing his jacket and pulling him closer to her, she was wearing a seductive smile and he smirked cupping her face with his gloved hands.