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The nights Buccellati aren't there remind Abbacchio how alone he truly is. Before Bruno came into his life, he had nobody. No one was there to comfort him. Bruno gifted him kindness, and Abbacchio grew all too comfortable with that feeling. Finding peace in his arms when the nightmares became too much. Crying sessions turned shorter with Bruno.
Bruno.
The name that brought solace to Leone. Tonight was going to be a hard night, and he knew this. It hasn’t begun but the feeling of impending doom gave him the sign. Panic and anxiety were no foreign feeling, but they were unwelcome. Bruno would reassure him, and remembering those words helped Leone. Despite this, sometimes his own thoughts overpowered everything else. The silence enveloped him whole like a siren's song. Calling out to him in the guise of possible comfort. Allowing his thoughts to ruin him, he felt Bruno would be disappointed.
Goodbyes were especially hard with Leone. He was always so fragile in his own domain. To let his façade drop and show emotion. He seldom did such things with anyone else. Something so intimate. Bruno was honored to be the person Leone chose to go through these things with.
Recently, Polpo assigned Bruno more missions alone. This left Leone to himself more often. Bruno knew the consequences to this would catch up to him fast.
His suspicion was right when he came home to a passed out Leone with a bottle of alcohol in his hand. He had been sober for months, with the help of Bruno.
Despite this, relapse is a part of recovery and Bruno doesn’t resent him for this. He knows Leone will think he is disappointed, but he isn’t. He just wants him to feel okay in his own skin for once. He would do anything if it meant Leone would be able to heal in peace.
Bruno grabbed the alcohol and set it on the table. Picking up Leone’s sleeping body and carrying it to his room, careful not to wake his sleeping companion. Bruno knew if Abbacchio consumed over half a bottle, he would be out till morning.
After tucking Leone in, it was time to scour the damages. There were several books knocked off the shelf. His clothes were a mess amongst the floor. There was money on the counter; from buying the alcohol presumably. The lamp shade was off centered. Bruno had no struggle finding changes in his home. Leone saw himself as a temporary guest, and refused to bring his belongings in. Their living arrangements were most definitely not temporary.
Leone had been staying with Bruno for a few weeks at this point. Bruno offered him a room at his house after a particularly bad episode. This resulted in the two living together. The boys often visited because of this. Mista would lounge on the couch and eat their food, Narancia would bug Fugo, and Fugo would yell at Narancia. There was something missing from their team, but nobody knew what. Perhaps another person?
Bruno knew to leave soon after he had finished picking up. Staying till Leone woke up would embarrass him. Leone would recover on his own most likely, acting like nothing happened.
The room was blurry when he first opened his eyes. The ceiling spun for a few moments before settling. The blankets felt all too heavy on his aching body.
“This wasn’t the position I fell asleep in…”
Abbacchio realized he was in his room. This must’ve been the job of Bruno. He’s the only one who would take the time to lay him to rest properly. Anyone else would have just left him there.
Sitting up, he looked to see the door was open. There was a vase with fresh flowers and a card sitting by them. Intrigued, he got up to see what the card said.
Good Morning Leone,
By the time you wake up I will be off on a mission. Last night I received two missions. Between them I stopped by to check on you. I am NOT disappointed. There is nothing you could do that could change my view on you. No matter what, I will care for you and watch over you. These flowers reminded me of you,
At this, Abbacchio looked at the flowers closer. They were all shades of purple, blue, and white. Surely artificially dyed.
“Only you would get me flowers at such a time. Bruno, you confuse me so.”
I think when I get home, we should discuss what occurred while I was gone last night.
Signed, Bruno
Abbacchio saw Bruno as his soulmate. Someone who would someday understand him fully. This letter reassured Leone of his place in Bruno’s heart.
They had never officially spoken of their feelings. They behaved as a couple would, but never spoke of anything more. This left Leone to struggle with his thoughts often, but he knew Bruno would never leave him.
Bruno finished his mission around noon. Leone would have woken up three hours prior, and already found his note. Knowing this, he walked into the house announcing his arrival.
“Leone, I’m back.”
Leone walked into the room with a slight stumble, his hangover still apparent.
“Good afternoon-”
Leone was cut off by Bruno crushing him in a hug. “You mean the world to me. I have never told you this. But now seems like the right time. You really are the best thing to happen to me. ”Bruno received a hug back, and Leone sighed into his hair.
“The feeling is more than mutual. I would die for you Bruno.”
“Ah, such sentiment. But speaking of dying, Luca is dead. My next mission is to find his killer.”
“Let me help you-”
“Not a chance, the killer was skilled and seemed to possess abilities I’m unfamiliar with. Polpo got wind of Luca’s death and asked me to find the perpetrator. I won’t drag you into this.”
“Be careful then. Don’t hurt yourself.”
Bruno’s grip on Leone tightened at that statement. To remind himself as well as Leone that they were alive. To spend their time together and walk the earth, together. Value the time they have together, Bruno told himself that. Their line of business was dangerous. At the tightened grip, Leone spoke up.
“Hey Bruno.”
“Yes, Leone,” Bruno looked at Leone with curiosity, and his curiosity was answered with three words.
“I love you.”
“What-”
“I love you,” and Leone was kissing him. In that moment he felt panic, but a good panic. There was something so relieving in the way his lips felt on Leone's. Bruno quickly returned the advance by bringing his arms around Leone's neck rather than his back. “God I wanted to do that for as long as I remember, and it was worth the wait. I planned to take that confession to the grave, but here I am.” Leone resumed kissing Bruno, and brought his hands to find purchase in his hair.
This action grounded Bruno. As much as he wanted to continue, he had a job to do. “Leone, I would love to continue this later. Currently, I am in a time crunch to find Luca’s killer. Due to this, I have to head out now or never. The kids said they were going out for lunch, join them and I’ll meet you there. And regarding that last statement, be honest with me. There is nothing you can't tell me. I love you more than anything. I know things may not be okay now, but they will be someday. Thank you."
Leone looked at Bruno with so much love, how had he never noticed it. There was such a difference in his demeanor when it was just them compared to their gang.
Bruno looked into his eyes, and Leone knew it was time to let him go for now.
“Of course,” He placed a final kiss on the others lips, “I’ll see you when you arrive?”
“Surely. I’ll be as fast as I can, my love.”
Bruno bid him goodbye and Abbacchio was left to stumble again over what just occurred. How in god’s good grace did he manage to pull Bruno. Bruno Buccellati.
The next ten minutes would be spent changing, pondering, fixing his hair, pondering, walking to the restaurant the boys were eating at, and more pondering.
“Oye! Abbacchio! Look, I solved this problem!!!” Narancia was already shouting, disturbing the guests.
“Shut it dipshit. There’s other people here. Good job.”
“Woah, Fugo, did you hear that? I got a good job from Abbacchio! Someone got laid last night!”
At that statement, Narancia’s face met the table.