Afterthought

POV third person

"Really old man, you could have said anything, and that's what you went with?" Ezio groaned to a stunted old man.

"Yes, that might have been too harsh for a first impression, Father." Hinata agreed

"You think so." The old man replied after recovering.

"Why did he leave?" He wondered to himself.

Turning to Ezio with a concerned look, he asked, "Does he perhaps not have the Vongola bloodline trait?"

Chuckling Ezio responded, "He does but doesn't know it."

"Then why did he leave? If he had it, he should've known I wasn't serious. Just a little test." The asked confused.

Ordinarily, with his level of experience, he is able to pinpoint a person's intention and reasoning within seconds of meeting them, be it a child, adult, man, woman, or even animal. But when it comes to intelligent children like Dante, he can't figure it out right away because it is hard to determine if their actions are from a place of intelligence and consideration or just childish impulses.

"Hahaha, actually I think because of the long journey and the added tread through this huge ass mansion upon arrival. He was feeling tired and drained, wanting nothing more than for the day to end. Your comment provided the much-needed excuse to leave and cut the day short. Ahahhaha. You know, don't look a gift horse in the mouth." Ezio said with a proud laugh.

"Are you sure?" The old man asked, still worried.

"Yes, the best proof that he has it, is that we are here. If Dante really perceived that you were a threat or with ill intent of any kind as one would assume after your display. He would not have let us here all alone with you." Ezio said with firm conviction and a sharpness in his eyes.

"Well, he would not have left ME in any case," Hinata chimed in with a smile, putting a slight emphasis on the 'me'.

Causing Ezio to scoff slightly, knowing full well what she meant. That son of theirs was completely biased toward his mother and would have little problem leaving him alone in a dangerous situation.

"Really? Hahahaha, really? What an interesting kid. My grandson. Hahahaha. So amazing." The old man laughed

He quickly turned to the person behind and asked proudly "Sebastian did you see that? The change. The look. How quickly he came to the decision to take advantage of the opportunity."

"Yes, I saw it all. I've seen you give others that look but to think there would be a day where you would be on the receiving end of that look." Sebastian confirmed with a smile.

"I know. To be looked at with such contempt by a child no less. It can only be the grandson of I, Giovanni Raziel Vongola. Hahaha." The old man celebrated loudly.

"My dear Hinata, you have done an amazing job with this boy." The old man Giovanni complimented.

"Thank you, but I didn't do anything." Hinata responded

"Oh, don't be modest. You raised a fine boy. " Giovanni continued with a chuckle.

"What about me, old man? I helped. He's my son too." Ezio complained.

"Oh, I just assume Hinata did all the work raising him. While you got in the way." Giovanni wondered out loud.

"You tryna start a fight, old man. Cause I'm ready. You already got one foot in the grave, why don't I help you take the next step." Ezio said, doing a little shadowboxing.

"OH, you wanna go? You amphibious chicken. Then let's go." Giovanni challenged about to get up.

"Thank you, Father, but I couldn't have done it without Ezio's help." Hinata said while calming down her husband.

She did not want them to start going at it. She had witnessed on multiple occasions their shouting matches turn into an outright brawl.

She didn't have the time nor the patience to deal with them right now. Her child was walking around all alone in this enormous house. She had to go find him before he got too lost.

She knew that Dante wouldn't be affected by the words he had just heard even if the old man meant it. She was well aware of how he felt about his quirk and his commitment to mastering it. Words alone are not enough to break him. Much less the words of someone he just met.

Ezio knew this too, hence his carefree behaviour and also why they didn't stop Dante when he was leaving. They didn't have the slightest bit of doubt.

The pride Hinata felt in that moment. She was sure Ezio felt the same way. Dante was truly their son. 'Little brat.' She thought losing control for a second, letting her signature motherly yet ominous smile creep in, sending chills down everybody's spine.

"Hinata, Ezio. Let's stop for now. Go find that kid before he gets lost. Go rest, we will talk more tomorrow. We can discuss his needs then." Giovanni said, quickly ending the meeting after seeing the smile.

"Okay, Father." Hinata responded, turning around

"Later, Old man. Bye, Sebastian. " Ezio said, following her.

"Freaking long ass hallway." Ezio complained.

Watching the closed doors closed behind the two.

The old man showed a satisfied smile and said, "They have a lot of trust in that child of theirs."

"Yes, and the way he behaved and carried himself. He truly is the child of the famed Devil's Advocate and Limos, the Goddess of famine." Sebastian complimented.