Chapter Text
That night when the nurses wasn’t around Buccialatti hide. Hide in the toilette, in the closet, between the kids pretending he himself was a sick kid while he was holding a knife behind his back. Maybe he was sick. He was sick what he was ready to do, he was more scared to get caught than what he is planning to do or more likely that he gonna be late, but his father did everything to give him a good life and Bruno will do the same.
He knew they will be coming, but Bucciarati inherited the best or worst trait from his parents. He is ready to do anything for his loved ones and was strong enough to do it.
He decided to protect his father from death and his mother new life far away. He can do it alone.
After Polpo lighter test Bruno was dropped to the word of the mafia. His only objection was to get far away from the drug trade as possible and keeping his family safe and alive. He was pleased Passion wasn’t in the drug trade as much as arm trade and straight up assassin jobs and information gathering.
Thanks to his stand and small size he was a good information gatherer or thief in most occasion but he soon has to learn to be a body guard and collect protection money. People mostly looked down on him and laugh until their heads was rolling but people looked at him as a child… no, just a small, weak, dumb pawn happened to be 13. There is no age in the underworld.
„Your payment.” said Passerotto tossing Bruno some cash. „Same time tomorrow and don’t late again.” said the man coldly and he walked to his car while lighting his cigarette. Not a proper good bye, no acknowledgement of Bruno sorry state.
Bruno clenched the money cowered in dirt and grease put it in his pocket - don’t want to get more attention on himself. His clothes were dirty, he was limping his chest and one of his arms heavy, burning with pain, probably fractured and an ugly blue mark on his left cheek. If only his stand could heal him. He sits on the alley way breathing quietly hoping for the pain to go.
The young mafioso closed his eyes when he heard rumbling then a cold drown on his face. He opened his eyes to see gloomy clouds above him like feeling pity for him. He felt that toward himself to sometimes. This is gonna be the rest of his life to protect his father, to don’t burden her mother and her new husband. He wouldn’t change what he done to save Paulo but now he just wants to feel sad, want to feel the pain cry so it would go away from his chest both physical and emotional ease a little. Tomorrow he is gonna be the cold criminal, tomorrow he gonna be the smiling good son, but let he be a kid just a little.
A cold drop and another. On his face on his shoulder, on the dumpster on the asfalt. The world dressed in thin layer of veiling made of water as Bruno let his shoulder shake, the only warmth he felt in that moment was his own tears, he never felt so alone, so weak, so tiny, so hopeless. He closed his eyes hiding his face trying to think of his father when he visits him in the weekend telling him fairy tale of his days in the school or next month when he visits his mother and tell her everything fine, because everything is fine. He is fine, he is good so why he cries?
Suddenly the rain stops but doesn’t quite down nay getting louder like it was falling on something above Bruno. He opens his eyes seeing some wet used shoes clearly uncomfortable for the user. A dirty end of pants covered in mud and water. He looks up taking in the oversized used coat, a thin fabric of shirt and a pale face hugged by mopy black hair and the eyes… no pity just empathy and understanding.
„Can you get up?” asked a boy probably not older than 10 or so and Bruno nod. He looks at the boy face, a little bit too pale, a little bit too perfect and the beautiful teal eyes. He lets he boy, this unknow person gently take his hand while holding Bruno eyes like he was ready to jump back any time when Bruno just flinches in the wrong way but it didn’t happen. The younger just pull him under the umbrella and he started to lead him away from that lonely alleyway. Bruno thought he smelled wild flowers.
---
Bruno was led to dormitory of a really high ranked school for some rich kid. He knew this place he was sent here stole some document before. He never thought that kid in those used clothes belonged here but he won’t judge he himself not supposed to kill others so he just followed the younger without any remark.
The boy closed his umbrella as they stepped into the building already searching his pocket as he walks up the stairs. He stops looking at Bruno who just shrug and the other came back to help him up on the many steps. For Bruno luck the boy was on the just on first floor and near to the stairs. The student opened his dorm room surprisingly having only one bed what he leads Bruno in. The room was oddly plane without any decoration or personality.
„Who did it?” asked the kid as was searching through his closet only having a few everyday clothes and uniforms.
„Just some bullies.” said Bruno lying without think, he got used to do it when his father first seen him covered in bruises.
„Sure.” he shrugged the other boys getting a first aid kit trying to help out Bruno. He wasn’t gentle but proficient. As Bruno looked closer the boy, he noticed some red marks around his neck and one of his eyes swollen but well-hidden with makeup. „Your bullies are very kind not taking your money”
„That’s what you after?” asked Bruno calmly not minding if the young take what he earned today for this shitty treatment.
„I would take it already if I wanted it!” smirked the younger holding one o Bruno hair clip in his hand. When did he…? „You are in the mafia, aren’t you?”
„No.” forced out Bruno. „Why do you care, they don’t employ 10 year olds.” He sighs annoyed.
„I’m 12 thank you very much.” reply the boy calmly. „What kind of 10 year old would go to a high school?
„Ok, sorry I tough you were like that Terracotta guy!” murmured Bruno with a little blush.
„What?”
„You know that Terracotta dude who got into high school at the age of 9? He was in the newspaper.” he said Bruno thinking back at the article with a very annoyed boy.
„You mean Pannacotta Fugo?” snorted the younger making Bruno blush.
„Yeah that… I didn’t read it I just seen the title!” said Bruno quickly making the other laugh harder. „Ok, sorry you’re not a genius!” barked back Bruno folding his arms slightly annoyed.
„Genius, maybe not but I have a full paid scholarship.” said the boy with a little pride on his face and sit next to Bruno.” My name is Giorno, by the way.”
„And you laugh at ’Terracotta’.” rolled Bruno his eyes with a smile.” I’m Bruno and thanks.” he said lifting his hand where a cut was tended neatly. „Not to sound ungrateful but why did you help me?”
„I don’t know, I’m sure you wouldn’t do the same for me.” Auch! „Maybe… because you looked lonely.” said Giorno but it almost sounded like a question.
„Lonely?” repeated Bruno, he doesn’t deny it but would not say it neither.
„Acting like everything fine, then go back into a terrible place, you can’t ask for help and no one can help.” continued Giorno looking down. „Or I’m just projecting so I will not feel so bad about myself.” He leaning back on his arms looking like he doesn’t really care, unfeeling. Bruno eyes went on the red marks around the boy neck and the little swollen eyes hidden by pale colored make up.
„I…” started Bruno looking down on his own hand. The little patch on his palm looked like a small flower on his hand. „I will not let you join the gang… but can I come here another time… maybe?” asked Bruno his sight blurred a little even if he doesn’t shed the tears.
Giorno looked up the older boy taking his hand gently giving him the kindest smile he can and Bruno felt just a little easier.
This is how Bucciarati and Giovanna friendship started. After the first time Giorno didn’t ask how he got his injuries and Bruno was grateful and Bruno didn’t either, it wasn’t needed.
Giorno the worthless scum of the earth met a boy just as lonely as him. If people capable feeling the same what he is maybe he only heard lies before.
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Haruno was worthless, this is a fact. He was a burden and a failure. He failed looking like his (real) father, he was a bad needy kid taking more of mama time than he deserved, being in the way of padre deserve his anger, being ugly and disgusting earning beatings and harsh words from the other kids, not smart enough so teachers feel sorry for him. He knew he was worthless because once he deserved smile and praising.
He once looked nice in the little suit what he was wearing at mama and padre wedding, he learned the language so quickly, he was polite he even earned a headpat and a big proud smile, a new pretty name. It was obvious Giorno messed up, so he earned all the hits, cruel words and the loneliness. He never seen any other kid so sad and so miserable like him, he knew they exist thou, poor hungry kids in the cold without food and Giorno dare to feel sorry for himself, that just showed how bad he was.
…bad, bad, bad, BAD… so worse than worthless…
Worthless, useless thing were overlooked, bad things were something deserve beatings. Bad things deserve being lonely.
One day Giorno seen a man on the ground. He bled from bullet wounds, wearing a grey soaked long coat, looking at the stone in front of him not even noticing the boy in front of him. His eyes looked so familiar, he was alone, pitiful, and lonely. He probably deserves it, he was a mafioso, probably doing bad things when he is not beaten… kind of like Giorno. So, he told the other mafiosos the man run in the opposite direction without any fear in him.
That day Giorno felt a little bit less lonely, he hoped that man did too.
Indeed, he did, he never forgot Giorno kindness, never asked just thanked, like the boy never asked and protected him. It proved to Giorno he did something good maybe, can bads do good thing? Was it good thing saving a cri… it was a good thing saving somebody, it has to be. That why his padre beating stopped, that’s why his bullies kindness was paid, that’s why he got kindness now.
Giorno started a new journey, as thanks for all this kindness, he started to take care of himself, trying to eat, try to get friends, try to get good grades. He started to make his worth so when that man disappeared and his padre wrath returned in full force, he still held his heads up. Lied, hiding his scars, steal money for food, charmed people around him into something like an empty friendship and dared to dream in the first time. He even earned a real friend in the color of gold, only for him.
He got into a boarding school with full scholarship so his padre has nothing to complain – he did anyway – only returning home at the weekends so it was easier hiding the scars what number got a little bit less. The school uniform made him look like he was in the same level as the other students so he wasn’t bullied by his old teared up clothes.
He learned to pickpocket so help himself disguise like somebody taken care, being fed, being clothed in nice new things but he never forgets the feeling of loneliness. He knew he was wearing a mask, but everybody did in a way, didn’t they? So, when he found in the rain a crying Bruno, Giorno felt he can move his own mask for somebody, just a little bit. Two lonely souls, beaten and needed to dirt their own hands to stay alive.
Giorno walked into his dorm room seeing a lump under the cover of his bed, and hearing the sound of Bruno breathing. He sighs closing his door quickly and putting down his books on his table. He started to get used to Bruno presence in a year and unannounced appearing here, doesn’t really mind either. Giorno knew his friend life was hard too and didn’t take much energy to let him be so near to him, hell he even admit it was nice Bruno company.
“Hey sleepy head, did you get hurt?” asked Giorno caressing Bruno hair – Giorno like those so maybe Bruno do it too. The older boy mumble something under his nose then hide his face under Giorno fluffy pink blanket. “I know you are tired but I can’t help if you not showing me.” said Giorno sitting on the edge of the bed and Bruno turn towards him now seeing the blue bruise forming under the teen eyes. Making the younger frow his brows. “We should get some ice on that.”
“It’s nothin’…” protested the older with a yawn. “Tell me about your day?” he asked with a smile.
It was a usual thing that Bruno asked all the time. Giorno always talked about tests, school drama and gossip. He himself didn’t care about that but it seemed these mundane things made Bruno felt like he was normal. The secret love story between the math teacher and the principal, the boys newest scheme for a stupid prank what will surely fail and Giorno finished holding a love letter what he just get one of the girls.
“Wait somebody confessed?” asked Bruno surprised.
“Yeah… not a big deal.” answered Giorno ready to throwing away the letter but Bruno used his stand to catch it.”
“Hold up you have to answer it!” said Bruno seriously looking kind of offended.
“Yada!” looked away Giorno using GE to turn it into a frog jumping away from Bruno into the trash, now the older catch with his bare hand.
“You can’t throw it out! You have to answer it!”
“Why?” asked Giorno opening his hand and the little froggy jumped into his hand with a satisfied croak. The frog was created from something for him it was natural it wants to close to him. Bruno looked serious.
“If you give a girl a love letter you would be happy to be answered, don’t you?” protested Bruno looking into the eyes.
“Muda! It’s useless, it obvious if the person doesn’t answer or talk about it it’s a rejection.” said Giorno like it was normal petting the little frog in his hand.
“Yes but… the girl put her heart in it… you would like an answer if you write a letter to a girl, don’t you?” asked Bruno again trying to get through Giorno stupidly logical thick head.
“I don’t care about girls!” murmured Giogio calmly sitting next to Bruno.
“Still, please!” said Bruno making a face with puppy eyes Giorno tried to stand with his logic then dramatically sighed.
“Fine…”
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Coming to the hospital never was easy. His father was let out some better day, he even was let out for a longer period of time but he was bad at taking care of himself and Bruno can see his turmoil.
Paulo hated himself being chained to a bed or weak to work. Some day he can sail out with his son but in the way back Bruno has to take the charge. Paulo’s son was turning into a fine man and he can’t give him any guidance. He already hated himself asking help from his ex-wife, he can’t even ask her himself to take care of Bruno and she even let him visit so often. That what Bruno told him. What a kind boy telling lies to his father to his own sake, but Paulo felt Bruno carried more than he let on. He didn’t force anything.
“Hello Bruno, how was your day?” asked the man, in the hospital bed looking at his son with his small smile. He was too weak for more; not like he was a person showing much of expression ever.
“It was fine.” said Bruno bringing a box with a famous bakery name on it. His father looked a little sad but he still smiled.
“Happy Birthday!” he said quietly.
“Thank you and don’t start to feel bad, you are too weak for getting out too much.” Said Bruno as he gets some paper plates and disposable fork from his bagpack.
“Still, I got you something. It’s at home in my closet. The red shopping bag, I didn’t have time to warp it. I’m sorry.” continued Paulo trying to not look upset with himself, for Bruno.
“Well then, you have to warp it then gave me.” smiled Bruno opening the box seeing 3 slice of vanilla cake. He seen the surprise on his father face. “I brought a friend; it’s my birthday after all.” smiled Bruno then the door opened and Paulo seen a short pale boy with black hair. He looked calm but he can’t stop the little reddening on his ear.
“My name is Giorno Giovanna, nice to meet you sir!” said the boy bowing his head a little. He looked younger than Bruno or he was just small Paulo not gonna judge but give a big friendly smile.
“Paulo, thank you for being there for my son.” said the man kindly and he gestured the chairs next to his bed – Bruno brought a plus one – and Giorno accepted the invitation.
The boys talked about their day in a school while eating the cake with Paulo, how they met, what they do when they hang out. It was just a half lie, Giorno usual school day told like Bucciarati was next to him, Bruno learned a few stories too and in the end the boy sprinkled with few complain about tests and grades. Paulo nod and smiled until the end.
“Well, if you pick up the text books once in while you would get ‘better grades’.” teased Giorno well knowing Bruno dropped out and his only education was what he seen on Giorno desk.
“I… Dad!” looked Bruno at Paulo for help.
“You never really liked school even if you were a decent student.” said Paulo making Bruno gasp dramatically.
“I don’t have to listen this.” said the boy with a red face walking out.
“Where are you…”
“Toilette.” he answered before Giorno can finish. The younger boy sigh then looked at Bruno’s father who was looking back at him with a probing gaze. Giorno have no idea what he was searching, probably the truth. Did they fail to deceive the older man. Was he angry at Giorno? Will he forbid Bruno to meet him.
“Did he told the truth about school?” asked the man his eyes were serious, not tolerate more lie. Gio was good at lying, he was sure he didn’t get caught, it was his son. “Bruno always turned the topic away from the school or his every day, please Giorno I have to know, is he safe?” asked the man looking at Giorno such desperation in his eyes it made the younger heart ache. It would be easy to lie again, Giorno was good at it but he didn’t answer that was enough. His silence was louder than any word. The man looked at his own hands in his lap, he felt like a failure.
“He is not alone, even if he tries to push me away, I won’t let him.” said the younger seriously.
“That would be my job as his father, I failed him.” said the man, his eyes were empty, tired for being weak. Giorno knew words can’t reach him, he was like his son.
The man was pulled out from his self-hate from white butterfly landing his hand - it was a cabbage white – resting ever so trusting. The man lifted his head looking at the young who was tearing one of the paper plates one by one and from his hand a new white butterfly flied out, one by one. It was a miracle he never seen or heard.
“I never knew my father, my mother ignored me looking at me like I was a nuisance, my step-father didn’t try to make me think I am not.” said Giorno quietly as most of the butterflies was resting in his black hair, shoulder, legs and he was somehow petting on in his tiny hands. “He always talks about you highly and he really loves you, even I can tell. You may not understand but I have the power to protect him, so just try to feel better and heal.” said Giorno looking into his eyes.
The moment Giorno stepped in the room he knew the boy was not average. He was smart, calm, charming, determent in such a young age while Paulo was swallowed in self-pity. He was really pathetic; he will be better and he will get Bruno out whatever dark place he fell in.
“You are a good kid, just like my Bruno.” smiled Paulo kindly. “Please next time I get out I would like if you join us for sailing, I think you might enjoy it.”
“I would love too.” Answered Giorno with a smile.
The two enjoyed the peace in the room looking at the butterflies slowly leaving the room. Bruno shortly returned and Giorno leave the two alone for some father son time since he has to return to his dorm. Bruno stayed a little longer, one of the nice nurses let him stay until they make Paulo dinner ready.
“He is a nice young man.” said Paulo suddenly.
“Who? Giorno? Yes, he is.” Smiled back the young.
“I’m happy you bring your boyfriend to intoduce him to me.” Smiled Paulo make Bruno face turn into red like tomato.
“MY WHAT?!”