Chapter Text
The funeral planning will be long bitter process what Bruno shouldn’t be ready. He wanted to held on to his father death to his mother, to make her believe Bruno is still safe with Paolo but he remembered their love, their respect toward each other even after the divorce. Bruno loved his mother, Paolo loved his mother without an anger or spite.
The night Bruno cried in Giorno arms. Wanted to scream, to be angry, to say something harsh to push the younger away from wanting to join his side, away Bruno curse to lose people around himself, away to keep him safe but he was too weak. He just grabbed onto him, holding onto his clothes like he would just fade away leaving behind only the smell of his skin and his clothes for a second.
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“We can change the guest room for you. Actually, we never let anybody used that room, it was kind of yours already. You always had a place with us.” said Bruno’s mother through the phone. He knew it was normal for a mother to wanted his half-orphan kid to be in a safe place, this wasn’t like she was waiting for Paulo death.
“We talk about that later.” muttered Bruno his voice still raspy, his head pounding and eyes stinging from crying all night.
“No! I won’t let you stay alone! You are kid for God’s sake! I’m going with the next train and…
“I am fine mom! I was ok when you left and will be for a few days!” snapped Bruno and instantly regretting it. “No… I didn’t mean…”
“I know Honey…” her voice was so soft, cutting into Bruno heart “I understand. People… say thing when they are sad… “she sniffed.
“Mom…”
“Where are you? I don’t want you be alone, you not supposed to be alone right now, believe me.” she tried again her voice warm and understanding.
“I… I’m not alone. I’m with a friend…”
“Promise?”
“Yes.” he said looking back to Giorno’s dorm. Students walking around living their happy little life. Bruno searched Giorno with his eyes but he was probably still in his room. He was kind off close to Bruno’s father, the only positive fatherly figure in Giorno life if he has to guess. Bruno knew Giorno too felt miserable but he held back for Bruno’s sake.
“I’m with Giorno and his parents.” a half lie.
“Your friend, right?” asked his mother and he nod before remembering he is on the phone voiced his answer. “I still gonna go to Naples. I will take care of the funeral, ok?”
“Ok…” Bruno voice was dry.
“I can go tomorrow morning and we take care of everything.”
“Ok.”
“I love you, Honey.” sniffled the woman.
“I love you too, mom. See you tomorrow!” said Bruno ending the call.
One thing at the time.
His next way was to the prison. Polpo wanted to offer his condolences. It was some formality or he fond of Bruno as his prodigy, “I see a great potential in you” he would say often, “more like great use” would correct Bruno in his thoughts. He knew Polpo was not a good person far away from it but his protection was needed. Bruno didn’t even hope he will be let go just because he doesn’t need protection, he actually does.
Bruno is killer, a Mafioso, a kid man who got enemies. Even his team leader Paserotto wanted him dead especially after Polpo ordered Bruno more in the negotiation between criminals, intels and other capos. The last year Bruno become the face of Polpo outside of the prison. It came for better salary and now come with a catch of binding him to Passion forever.
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Bruno received a call as he suspected and he made his way to the familiar prison.
“Bruno, I am so sorry for your father.” said the man behind the glass wall. “He was a great man as I heard, raising such a smart boy.” began Polpo his act or he really cared at some point? Probably not.
“Thank you…” muttered Bruno tried to act respectful. He was kicking himself, just because he is acting like a brat; Polpo is still his superior. “I mean, thank you Capo!” he said in a more controlled voice.
“Oh, please, Bucciarati, you are young and just met with a great tragedy. Let’s drink to your dear father peace!” said Polpo pouring a wine to Bruno and pushing toward him through the little window what Bruno takes and raise before sipping it. “And rest a little I let you off for a week to grief and after that we can talk about your future.”
“I want to talk about it now.” objected Bruno and he see the surprise in the older man face. “I don’t need your protection anymore, but I am part of Passion my abilities are useful for the organization. If you really want to give me a little peace, just let get through with it, Capo.” he looked up Polpo eyes who started laugh in amusement.
“As I expected. You are no dumb kid, Bucciarati. What do you want forward from the us?” questioned the prisoner in luxury.
“I want the funeral to be protected. I don’t want any information out of my mother or anyone attend. I don’t want anyone to become my weak point. After that I severe my connection with them.” declared Bruno looking up the man face who just laugh again.
“Good. But that is a little bigger bite what Passion offered you.” added Polpo. “Passerotto is working against us. We see him tried to take more what he deserves. Kill him even torture him if needed but made the message clear. Do it and his position is fully yours. You will be my face to the world officically, my representative.”
“I’m 16. People might look down on me.” added Bruno.
“Good.” smiled in an ominous way what made Bruno stomach drop. “You will be more cruel, more threatening, more unforgiven. Anyone who go against my decision…”
“Will be dead, Capo.” completed Bruno his eyes determined. He is ready to go deeper. “I take care of Passerotto tonight.” he declared Bruno taking the last sip of wine and putting down the empty glass.
Bruno left the prison. He intended to kill that nigh. Do something, punish someone else for his own pain and Barbera Passerotto was the perfect tool for that.
He started to walk toward a villa under his superior name. His heart was beating faster in his rib cage. He killed under the name of Passion before, sure, but not a person he knew so well. Self-doubt poisoned his mind as he takes the next step and next one.
He felt memories forcing themselves into his mind and he fight to push them down.
Not now… Not now…
Before he knew he seen the villa. It was in dirt yellow color with a red roof. It was on the man’s name even before he joined Passion. The man had a good life, having many little restaurants around all Italy. If Bruno remembers correctly, it was inherited wealth. Another thing he hated about the man.
Maybe it was jealousy. The man set for his life yet willingly joining into the underworld just because of greed while Bruno didn’t have a choice, his father didn’t have a choice. He accidently seen a drug trade because he wanted to work more, getting more money to ensure the future of Bruno only for…
Focus!
He walked around the building outside of the tall stone fence seeing some windows where light still illuminating. He was awake, his staff was awake. He used Sticky Fingers opening the wall of the fence to see more. Guards outside walking around.
He has to stay quiet. No mistake.
Bruno takes a deep breath calming his heart, closing off his messy thought. Just a soldier carries out his task, his duty.
He counted 5 different faces outside, 4 is walk side to side in all direction each having their own area, one is walk takes circle around the building sometimes interacting with them. One of this interaction was the offer of a coffee what gonna be the way how Bruno will sneak in.
He waits until the two men start to speak then he takes in. He would be zippering himself underground when he can’t hide behind something.
He zippers himself inside one of the dark hallways in the column like it was a cocoon. He carefully listens the steps. He guesses two different people walk around judging by the sounds.
They pass next to him to many times. He had to make a choice. He closed the column zipper only to slightly open it on the top. When the guard walk close to him, he used his stand strength to switch place with him zippering him inside a stone prison forever then he hide himself under the floor.
Steps are closing in, stop for a moment then continue its way away.
Bruno stayed close to the ground mostly half emerged in a zipper portal as he looks inside the rooms he passes through. He seen the light was on in Passerotto office when he arrived. So, his way lead toward that direction.
Finaly Bruno see the door and behind that was his target.
How he gonna approach his killing? Sneak in and quick? Or should he be slow and cruel? Bruno had a bad day, he was thought he was ok killing to numb that feeling but now in front of the door he wasn’t sure.
Maybe he should disarm the man and say all the thing what disgusted Bruno about him. His greed, his sloppiness, his style, his disrespect, his laziness…
He stayed low, zippering hole just to peek inside. He was on the phone calling somebody while smoking a cigar in the other hand.
Bruno waited until he was looking on his papers before slowly opening a zipper to enter his room. The teen walked up to the older man eyes cold, heart calm – for now – and the man loo up to him with surprised instead of the usual annoyance.
“…I call you back.” he muttered into the phone before putting it down looking at Bruno with an unreadable expression. He had to realize Bruno intension. “Why are you here boy?” he asked carefully.
“Polpo order.” answered Bucciarati stepping closer to the man. He suddenly jumped up reaching to the opening to his suit but Bruno sends Sticky Finger toward the man to zipper off his arm when a red and yellow colored stand stop his fist and kicked the teen backward.
“Whatever that fathead think he can’t send his dogs after me!” snared the man sending his own stand to attack Bruno. From the kick the teen knew Passerotto stand outdo his in strength but Bruno was faster. He stands up before the stand fist hit the ground under him.
Where the enemy stand hit the ground, the carpet swollen and burst into beehive like structure and bees start to fly around attacking the teen.
Buccarati scream as he zippers himself under the ground careful not to cut too deep between the building levels. He was lucky he is not allergic to bee sting even if it is mildly uncomfortable. But he can’t rest because he felt the floor vibrate above him and soon in his limited place the lumps of beehive started to grow.
He escaped his self made prison only to get a hit in the face. The whole room was full of bees buzzing around and some of the attacking Bruno. Some of them just chilling on him buzzing harder. He figured the ones not stinging him might be safe for now before the place started to feel warmer and warmer.
“Did you know when the bees try to eliminate an attacker bug instead of stinging them, they swarm around it and vibrates their body creating heat!” he remembered Giorno voice sharing it in a lazy afternoon.
“Be smart kid! Give up and I consider letting you lick my footsteps!” mocked the man in front of him as the patch of bees on Bruno body started to get warmer. If he remembers correctly, they stop at 36C° but when he felt his arm burns, he swipes them off seeing most of them as a little dried bug corpse.
“Of course, these things will act irrationally throwing away their life to help their master!” he thought as he gets a hit on his face falling back as the man laugh.
“Pathetic, did Poplo send you for a suicide mission?” laughed the man and Bruno can already feel the bees move under his skin buzzing angrily as Passerotto try to attack him again Bruno barely jumping away as he felt the larvaes start to move under his skin. He had to defeat this man quickly.
Bruno mind travelled to Giorno, to the memory he talks about bees. Using a flying pattern to communicate, using royal jelly to create queen, sometimes nap in a flower…
He felt his cheek swell much slower than the floor probably because Bruno is a living human.
…their stinger rips out when they attack, their it has acid in it the best to treat is with a baking soda solution… they can’t fly in the dark!
Bruno avoided the next attack rushing the light switch and he turn off. The buzzing almost immediately stopped. And Bruno sees the light of the victor.
“What the…? What did you do with my bees?!” asked Passerotto but Bruno already targeted him based of faint light of the man cigar using his stand to take him aparts. He probably hit his table a few times but he felt the larvaes stop under his skin and the bees stop on his arm even more.
He let out a breath in the dark room when the door flies open and two of Passerotto man stand there with a pistol in hand. But naturally Bruno used his ability to escape. The man barely catches a glimpse of him.
He escaped from the villa a quick call to Polpo saying he took care of the pest problem and he will report tomorrow.
Bruno didn’t feel bad, he felt numb. He will be ok, he just has to carry out task, he just has to burry himself into the organization, he just has to close off people who might get hurt. He didn’t have to think or feel right now so let his legs lead him in the quite city intended to stay away from people.
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Bruno started to build up his walls around himself. He felt like coward using the preparation to his father funeral to hide from Giorno even he intended to invite him later to the actual ceremony.
During the preparation with his mother Bruno tried to not think of anything, he hide behind long walks staying away from the two people who might comfort him but he doesn’t deserve any.
One day Bruno was walking around as usual, reaching a lookout point what he visited almost every day now. He looked down the city his head is empty and his heart is too heavy.
“Bruno?” he heard a voice making his heart even heavier as he didn’t even turn around to face with Giorno. “It’s almost morning. You should get some rest.” advised the younger teen. Bruno can’t answer, he didn’t trust his own voice. “Bruno?” tried Giorno again putting his hand on the older teen shoulder who jerked away.
“Leave me alone!” he said in a monotone voice. “…please.” he added looking away tears collecting in his eyes. Bruno is fine, he will be fine why he feel like crying just because he hears his voice?
Giorno stand a little awkwardly, he wasn’t really good with comforting people even if it’s Bruno who need it. Giorno awkwardly look around before reaching for Bruno hand to comfort him like in his “bad days” but now instead of comfort it seemed it just pissed him off.
“I said leave me alone!” he snaps and even Bruno already felt regret bubbling he can’t stop. “My father is dead and because of me, you can ‘fix’ this!” he ranted and Giorno froze up for a moment. Good, Bruno wants him away to be safe. “You don’t know how good for you! I don’t have a choice but to join this stupid gang, I had to do horrible things and you just want to follow me? Why?! This is not a stupid game or petty pickpocketing!”
“Bruno, I want to be with you because I care about!” insisted Giorno stepping closer making Bruno afraid. Giorno doesn’t know when to give up…
“Oh, so you want to throw your life away because you have a stupid crush on me?” he snapped again stabbing his own heart. “Well, you are alone with that! I don’t like you! So, you can go now!”
The silence was cutting deep, Bruno can’t read a single emotion on Giorno face. The other teen was quite for a long time and the knot in Bruno throat start to grow as he holds back his own tears. He doesn’t know if he wants to see Giorno angry or sad for his cruel words.
“You are wrong, Bruno.” refuted Giorno his eyes are full of determination more than Bruno ever seen. “I wasn’t fully honest with you. This city is place when mafiosos can sell drugs to kids, even your very organization. I want to stop that, but I can’t since the law enforcement in the hand of your very boss.” he said as walked to the railing leaning on it as the sun started to rise behind him giving him a divine aura as he looked at Bruno eyes. “Buccarati, join me as cease the power of Passion.” declared not awarding his eyes from Bruno’s.
The whole scenery was like Bruno was looking not only his best friend real self been revealed. He seen hope in front of him, not a teen with black hair but a man with golden hair and determination in his eyes. He knew Giorno is not just talk, he has the mean achieving his dream even if it seems impossible, something in Bruno just stirs, like his heart suddenly start to beat again since the worst time in his life started. He knew Giorno aways gets what he wants even if Bruno reuse now one day he found himself bowing in front of him, it seemed a nice future.
“Are you serious?” he muttered quietly fearing if he too loud the illusion will disappear.
“Yes, I’m going to be a GangStar!” smiled Giorno offering his hand to Bruno who accepted it and stepped closer.
Bruno thoughts and feelings were still grim and melancholic, but he felt the hope starting to grow inside him as he kissed Giorno hand as sign of loyality and maybe something else with a small smile.
“You always amaze me!” he smiled as he runs his hand trough Giorno new long golden locks making Giorno realize the change in himself too