DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN KHR.
A/n: Xanxus is OOC but I really can't help it. Sorry.
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Xanxus stared at the mini pacifier on his hand. It has been a month and yet he still couldn't remember how and why he got this pacifier. He tried to throw it away. The pacifier magically appeared on his bedside within the next minute. He tried to smash it. The pacifier amplified the impact and reflected it back to him.
He tried to burn it into ashes using his flame. The pacifier absorbed his flame and rendered him weaken and he was confined in his bed for days.
The information that he had gathered so far wasn't useful either. He might be stronger and smarter than an average mafia boy but there was only so much one can do as a 12 years old boy with a year of mafia life.
'People with pacifier? Ohh, you mean the arconaleno? They are the strongest in the world.'
Bullsh**. I can't be the strongest if the old man's guardians still wipe the floor with me during trainings.
'I heard that those who own the pacifier are cursed for life'
I don't think I pissed off enough people to get me cursed.
'Never saw one before but I heard that arcobaleno can't grow up.'
This is the sh**iest thing I ever heard. There's no way I gonna believe that.
But that doesn't stop himself from being paranoid and measuring his height every day.
Xanxus never bothered to ask his father or his father's guardians about it. He didn't know why but he felt that something bad would happen if people know he has the orange pacifier with him. At least for the time being.
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It has been a year since he received the pacifier. And throughout that year, Xanxus has improved a lot both in his combat skill and power. He gained respect and reputation all by himself.
And more importantly, everyone liked the change in Xanxus' behavior. He has somehow become less violent (although still intimidating) provided that they didn't disturb his eating time and sleep time. So, when Xanxus began to drink alcohol despite being an underage, no one dare to take the risk to stop him in case he reverted back to his hot-tempered self.
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14 years old Squalo was forced to attend the mafia party because he was the new leader for Varia since he defeated Tyr. He thought that the party would be as bored as the previous one.
Until he stumbled upon Xanxus. There was just something about that teenager that caught his attention. Perhaps it was because of his charisma or perhaps it was just because both of them are roughly the same age and the only teenagers in the useless party. (Partly because he was actually subconsciously attracted to Xanxus' sky flame)
Nevertheless, both of them hit it off right away. When they unconsciously harmonized with each other, Xanxus felt warmth in his heart. It was the same warmth that was emitted by the pacifier from time to time which has become the sole reason why he kept the pacifier close to him.
Squalo ended up appointing Xanxus as the new head of Varia. He was more of a fieldwork person compared to paperwork person. Although his plan backfired because Xanxus dumped all the paperworks to him.
"I'm younger than you, so, you do the paperworks, sharky trash."
"YOU'RE THE BOSS! YOU DO THE PAPERWORK!"
"Since I'm the boss, I order you to do the paperwork."
"Why the he** did I think this is a good idea at first?" Squalo smacked his head against the wall as Xanxus put on his smug face.
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Xanxus and Squalo were doing their mission when Xanxus tensed up suddenly.
"Voi, what happened?"
Xanxus narrowed his eyes. He felt a faint tug, like someone was calling for him. He touched the little pouch which was hanging around his neck. He could feel the slight pulsation from the pacifier inside the pouch.
He left Squalo without any words to track down the source of the tug.
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There was an infant with dark hoodie leaning against the tree about a mile from where Xanxus and Squalo were.
The illusionist was struggling to maintain her illusion to stop her bleeding. She has used up all her energy in the fight that took place just now. She won but at the same time, she also received a few gun shots at her vital organs.
I.... I refused to die here......Someone........help........
Just when she began to lose her consciousness, she heard the rustling of the bushes. It could be wild animals or even backup from the enemies. But, instead of worried, she felt safe.
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"You left me to clean out the mess and come back with a baby?! WHAT THE F*** IS WRONG WITH YOU?" Squalo yelled the moment Xanxus returned to him.
"Shut up, trash. We need to get her injuries treated immediately."
Squalo found it weird because Xanxus was not the one who would care for people, especially a stranger. Heck, Xanxus was a bastard that gave him a kick when he got shot at the stomach last time.
Nevertheless, he still called for the medical team. "How did you even know the baby is a she?"
"The baby doesn't look like a boy."
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It was the first time Xanxus wore the feathers and raccoon tail on his neck. He was out with Squalo in the town to restock their firearms.
Unfortunately, some stupid mafiosos who have death wish decided to ambush them.
Lussuria who was nearby saw the whole fighting scene and fangirled. It's rare to find someone with such a great combat skill and have a fashion sense.
He showed up the next day at the Varia mansion and proved himself worthy to be one of the squad captains. It was also worth to note that part of the reasons why he was accepted in the Varia was because his cooking was worth dying for.
Squalo was laughing his a** off on the floor at Xanxus' incredulous face when Lussuria told them the reason why he decided to quit his freelance life and joined the Varia. All because he saw Xanxus wearing the feather accessories. The silver-haired swordsman got hit on his head by a vase for the first time.
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"I only gone for three days and you gained yourself a puppy."
"Did you accidentally cut out your brain cells, sharky trash? I didn't have puppy."
"Then, who's that?" Squalo raised his eyebrows and glanced at the man who was standing obediently by the wall behind Xanxus.
Xanxus turned around and saw Levi. "What the he**? I thought I already get rid of you, trash."
(Levi saw how Xanxus eliminated a whole famiglia which coincidentally was an enemy of his without breaking a sweat. His inner fanboy mode was on and he decided right there and then to follow Xanxus throughout his life.)
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"I knew it. You're really the type that attract weirdo, aren't you?" Squalo deadpanned when an 8 years old self-proclaimed prince joined their team and live with them in the Varia mansion.
Xanxus' bullet narrowing missed the swordsman by 1cm. "Maybe, it was you that caused me to attract weirdo. All this happen after I met you."
Squalo retaliated by aiming a slash at Xanxus.
"How dare you attack boss? I'll kill you with my Levi Volta."
"Ushishishishi. The prince is not a weirdo." Bel flings a few knives towards Squalo and Levi.
"Shut up. I'm trying to balance the account here."
"No fighting in the mansion or no dinner for you guys. It's hard to clean the blood stain, you know." Lussuria shouted from the kitchen when he heard the ruckus.
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Xanxus would never admit it, but he liked his current family and the chaos. Definitely better than his father who only visited him once in a blue moon.
Everything was going well until one day, the warmth from the pacifier disappeared suddenly. He felt empty and weakened and it was only thanks to the bonds between him and his guardians that he managed to keep a level head. But, it didn't last long. The feelings of hatred that has sprouted in his heart overcame his sense when he found out about the adoption.
He was 14 years old when he started the Cradle affair.
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TBC
A/n: My exam got postponed so I decided to write this chapter although half of this chapter is not in my initial plot. Xanxus deserved a happy crazy family even though it's only for a short time. Also, ring conflict will still happen. I just need time to think how it's going to take place.
I thought Viper is a girl ever since she appeared in the anime until I saw the wiki said that Viper's gender is unknown. So, I'm going to stick with Viper being a girl.