leaf by leaf and page by page

Independent FO4 OC. Icon by the amazing Abel!!

[leafbyleaf-blog1]

Hey guess what

((I posted a few days ago on Cat’s blog that I’m back and I wanted to make a note that I’m also going to try and be active on Gio too! I have plans here.

BUT ALSO I wanted to note that plotwise, he’s been mostly out of touch for the last few months. Long enough to get a haircut and have a few other small changes happen!

Anyway, definitely hit me up for everything from short interactions to planned ones. I’m completely down for anything.))

[leafbyleaf-blog1]

@railroad-heavy

Gio leaned against the wall behind him and sighed, running a hand through his hair. He didn’t need to have a watch to call it: his contact was most definitely late. Hopefully that wouldn’t be a sign of trouble.

He reached into his pocket and came up with a cigarette, popping it into his mouth. His eyes flickered down to the seemingly innocent box labelled as a crate of Fancy Lads and shrugged. If no one came in the next ten minutes, it might be best to go collect Gracie and haul off somewhere else.

[leafbyleaf-blog1]

∯

I’ve always appreciated that you were tougher than me. You’re younger, but I always looked up to you in a lot of ways. You’re always there when I really need you, even if you’re grumpy about it.

And I’m almost sorry I ate the last cookie instead of saving it for you when we were making a run last week, but not really that sorry. It was really good.

[leafbyleaf-blog1]

∯

...you know, I really don’t know what I expected out of you. Haha, god, I was such an idiot.

I loved you, but all you wanted was a warm body and someone who said things that made you feel good about yourself. I guess I can’t blame you too much for the last bit. Who doesn’t want to be wanted? I can’t say I wasn’t in it for similar reasons. Not really.

But I was so stupid, letting you use me like that. I can’t even promise myself it wouldn’t happen again, if you said the right words.

[cittamemes]

For every ∯ I get I will say/confess something without specifying for whom it is meant

eg:

∯ || You told me once that I was the only person on that team you might consider a friend… I can say now that I should have taken you at your word long ago.

∯ || I wish we had more occasion to speak. I can’t say I’ve ever disliked your company.

∯ || Leave the van Gogh works be; you’re going to give him an ulcer.

[leafbyleaf-blog1]

Gio’s known he was bi since a very young age, and his first partner was definitely a boy about the same age as him when he was in his early teens. He first started noticing himself getting crushes younger than that.

He’ll pour on the charm with anybody regardless of romantic interest in them because he very much wants to be liked and flirting was the first way he learned to accomplish that. He’s well aware that he can be a lot to handle due to his poor communication skills and tendency to fall for the other person hard and almost immediately, though, and has had it backfire on him enough that he’s been trying to tone that down.

Poly relationships would appeal to him if they were discussed upfront and agreed upon by everyone involved, but unless that’s the case he only ever has one partner at a time whether or not they do.

[leafbyleaf-blog1]

✿ ♪

((I’m gonna answer these under a cut because I might get wordy!))

✿: Does your muse find any value in sex? What value if any do they find in it? 

Gio definitely sees it as a form of intimacy that he largely enjoys! He values it as a way to get close to others, enjoy their company, and generally make someone he cares about feel good. It’s an expression of his feelings about the other person, even they haven’t really cemented into a solid relationship yet.

That said, he’s well aware that it’s historically landed him in trouble as far as developing feelings for the other person. Contrary to the image he gives off, he’s more of a serial monogamist in practice and generally only has multiple partners at once if it’s something they’ve all agreed to. He has issues with communicating what he wants out of relationships clearly more often than not because he’s afraid of scaring the other person off, which has led to a lot of heartbreak for him when he didn’t specify that he wanted more than a casual friends with benefits relationship with the other party. It’s left him feeling more than a little used before.

It’s getting a little easier for him to let go and have little no-strings attached flings from time-to-time in the past couple years, though, and he’s more likely to call people on their shit when he feels like they’re taking advantage of his problems talking honestly about where he stands as far as what they see him as. He doesn’t mind what sort of love you categorize your relationship to him as, provided you’re willing to define it for him and don’t act like feelings aren’t going to intersect with it from time-to-time. ANYWAY THIS WAS A LONG RAMBLING WAY TO SAY THAT GIO SEES A LOT OF VALUE IN SEX particularly as a form of self-expression and intimacy and gushy feelings no one would expect him to have at a glance.

♪: What factors and events shaped how your muse views sex and sexual matters? Were they influenced by other people or did their own experiences shape their view of it?

Gio, thankfully, had some amount of communication in his family growing up as far as sex. His parents were very frank in explaining everything, and never really batted an eye when it became clear that it wasn’t just girls he was going to bring home. The message was pretty clear: be safe, be sure you care about and for your partner, and be respectful.

That didn’t really stop him from making a lot of bad decisions and having some bad, toxic relationships and treatment from exes that were compounded by severe anxiety and self-esteem problems as far as the value he placed on himself as a person though. At the end of the day, Gio is someone who enjoys sex but didn’t necessarily start learning how to define his value in any other way than whether other liked him for much longer than was healthy.

[atomcatgrouch-blog]

Tall, dark, handsome. [Eyebrow waggle.]

Flattery will get you everywhere my friend… Except a fucking discount. 

[leafbyleaf-blog1]

“Aww. That’s too bad.” Gio laughs into his hand. “Woe is me, I never stood a chance.”

[atomcatgrouch-blog]

“Hey now man, everybody has exceptions, maybe you’ll be the one quiet person I fucking know.”

[leafbyleaf-blog1]

“Ha! Me? Quiet?” This just makes GIo laugh all the harder. “That’s a good one!”

[atomcatgrouch-blog]

Tall, dark, handsome. [Eyebrow waggle.]

Flattery will get you everywhere my friend… Except a fucking discount. 

[atomcatgrouch-blog]

“If you take a look at my fucking associates, you’ll find that i guess i prefer shit talking assholes.”

[leafbyleaf-blog1]

“Aww. That’s too bad.” Gio laughs into his hand. “Woe is me, I never stood a chance.”

[atomcatgrouch-blog]

Tall, dark, handsome. [Eyebrow waggle.]

Flattery will get you everywhere my friend… Except a fucking discount. 

[leafbyleaf-blog1]

Ha! But will it get me preferential treatment? That can be almost as handy. [Winks and takes a drag on his cigarette.]

[miscellanyofmusings]

Sexual Sunday Headcanons

ϟ: How much does your muse value sexual intimacy?

✿: Does your muse find any value in sex? What value if any do they find in it?

♪: What factors and events shaped how your muse views sex and sexual matters? Were they influenced by other people or did their own experiences shape their view of it?

❤: Do they have any insecurities about sex?

❣: How comfortable are they talking about sexual matters? Do they have any problems discussing sexual things in front of strangers or acquaintances?

❥: Do they brag about their sexual prowess or the amount of sex they have? Why or why not?

✯: Do they talk to their partner during sex? Do they talk dirty? Do they whisper sweet nothings?

☂: Do they prefer having sex in one environment more than another?

[leafbyleaf-blog1]

♠

“You’re such a goddamned baby, Gio!” Gracie crossed her arms over her chest and grumbled irritably. “Shoulda left you at home, s’what I shoulda done.”

“But…but…” Gio hiccuped, then let out a sniffle. His hands were clamped tightly over his skinned knee and tears were starting to form in the corners of his eyes. “It r-really…really…!”

“What’re you, two?” She hissed accusingly. Honestly, it was like he hadn’t just had a birthday a week ago. “It’s just blood! An’ you’re older! Act like it!”

“B-but…” Gio whined, “But…”

“…ugh!” Gracie kicked up a cloud of dirt and dust angrily. “Fine!” She turned around and knelt down. “Get on, asshole, we’re going home.”

“Really?Okay!” His voice brightened. Gracie felt a weight on her back as he climbed up; she heaved him up, wobbled a bit to regain her balance, and began to walk.

“Goddamned baby.” She quipped one more time, just for emphasis.

[leafbyleaf-blog1]

♠

The door gave a loud slam and Tobias flinched, burying his nose deeper into his book. He hunched his shoulders and tried to ignore the loud voice ringing down the hallway.

“Miiiiiiiiiielaaaaaa! Principessa? Are you here?”

Tobias let out a long, drawn-out sigh and shut the book around his finger to hold his spot. “…she’s not home, Giovanni.”

A short, blessed silence followed, then footsteps. Moments later, Gio’s mop of messy red hair bobbed into view. He flashed Tobias a toothy grin. “Oh! Hello to you too, grumpypants. Any idea where your mom went?”

“She’s not my mom.” Tobias took in a sharp breath, “She’s only three years older than me.”

“Three years is a lot, kid.” Gio laughed into his hand and walked over to lean over the back of the couch and peer at his book, “So, what are you reading today?”

Tobias hunched his shoulders up and drew the book up to his nose again. He cracked it open. “You can read. I suggest you put that skill to use and read the cover.”

“And where’s the fun in that?” He chuckled again and reached into his pocket for a cigarette. “I’d rather have you tell me about it. We don’t talk enough. I mean, you don’t talk to me at all.”

“I talk.” Tobias frowned. “I talk to people I like.”

“Ahhh, such sharp words!” Gio pressed the back of his hand to his forehead and feigned swooning over the back of the couch; Tobias scuttled back to avoid bumping his knee into Gio’s head. “You wound me. I am slain. Expired! Alas, poor me, I knew me well.”

“Ugh! Stop that!” Tobias glared over the top of his book. “You’re so weird.”

“And you’re so serious.” Gio cracked his eyes open and beamed.

“Serious about you being annoying.” Tobias groaned and sunk back into the couch, sullenly resigning himself to his fate.

[leafbyleaf-blog1]

“You do that,” Gio smiles and shrugs, “Although I have to admit I’m not really sure how much good it’ll do. I don’t really come by this area very often. And I can’t really be sure how often I’ll have ammo when I do.”

He squints into the distance for a moment. Gracie sure is taking her time. It’s probably for the best, anyway. When he turns back, he offers Finn a hand. “Let’s call it a done deal, then.”

[southiesfavoriteson]

“Hey, it’s bettah n’ nothin’, yeah? And I’m always hoofin’ it up t’ Goodneighbah n’ DC, might be I’ll catch ya there.”

The young man takes the offered hand with only a token bit of hesitation.

“It’s a deal. I’m uh, I’m Finnegan, by th’ way. Finnegan MacNamara.”

[leafbyleaf-blog1]

“It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Finnegan.” Gio gives the younger man’s hand a shake and releases it. “I’m sure we’ll bump into each other again, given the circumstances.”

[southiesfavoriteson]

Finn blinks at him, confused.

“Tutto fa…?”

But at the offer, the kid’s eyes widen. He’s a little stunned, honestly. Most traders aren’t willing to offer something like that to such a small, out of the way community.

“You… uh, really?” Finn rubs at the back of his neck. “I… yeah., yeah tht’s uh, fair. Bettah n’ fair. Thanks, I guess. I’ll uh, I’ll tell th’ rest of ‘em what you look like, so they’ll let ya up if I ain’t there.”

[leafbyleaf-blog1]

“You do that,” Gio smiles and shrugs, “Although I have to admit I’m not really sure how much good it’ll do. I don’t really come by this area very often. And I can’t really be sure how often I’ll have ammo when I do.”

He squints into the distance for a moment. Gracie sure is taking her time. It’s probably for the best, anyway. When he turns back, he offers Finn a hand. “Let’s call it a done deal, then.”

[leafbyleaf-blog1]

((AS LONG AS I’M TALKING SHIPPING ON CAT, I SHOULD TALK SHIPPING HERE TOO))

So haha oh my god holy shit is Gio ever prone to making romantic mistakes. He has a severe fear of being alone, fragile self-esteem, latches onto others easily, and a tendency to not speak up about his feelings when he’s hurt.

This version of him is actually getting a little bit better about Not Doing That, but it’s very slow progress. He definitely recognizes that he’s been in some very toxic, unhealthy situations and is trying to avoid attaching himself to people who trample all over his heart intentionally or unintentionally. He’s still fragile, though, and bad at turning others down, although he’s started actually working up the nerve to talk about his emotions from time to time.

A good relationship for him would be one where he was happy, healthy, and with a good communicator who knew him well enough to try and talk stuff through when he tries to avoid having actual conversations about feelings.

Although the perfect ship is Gio/realizing he doesn’t need to be in a relationship to be happy and that his worth isn’t based on what other people think about him

THAT SAID I DO REALLY LIKE TALKING ABOUT HIM DATING/RPING CUTE INTERACTIONS WITH HIM AND OTHER CHARACTERS/ETC. so people should definitely hit me up to talk about that stuff sometime and also to talk about Gio and non-romantic relationships

[leafbyleaf-blog1]

♠

Leo crossed his arms over his chest and raised an eyebrow, staring down at his cousin. “…well, Vanni? What do you have to say for yourself this time?”

“Me? Say anything at all, ever?” Gio feigned a grin and waved a hand dismissively. “Surely you jest. What about you? Anything new? Read any good books lately, or make interesting trips, or–”

“You know what I’m talking about.” Leo rubbed his temples in irritation. He had to hand it to Gio–out of his whole big, extended, endlessly frustrating family, he somehow managed to be the most annoying of them all. It was probably why they made for such a good team. Like with like, and all that. “We both know that your parents sent me in here to try and tell you not to run out in front of anymore Rippers, so let’s pretend I did that and move on.”

“Ahhh. See? This is why you’re my favorite cousin.” A weak laugh from the bed. “You know just what I want to hear.”

Leo sat down the chair by the bed and ruffled his cousin’s hair. “Ha! Now I know it’s the Med-X talking. You’re never this sappy sober.”

“I’m aaaaaalways a sap.” Gio dragged the word out, blinking blearily and visibly straining to focus on Leo’s face. “You’re just not paying attention!”

“Seriously, though.” Leo’s eyebrows knit together, “No more running out in front of raiders, okay? I don’t care how bad it looks. I’ve probably got it handled, and Gracie definitely does. I don’t care how bad it looks.” He sighed. “I don’t have it in me to get all gushy and emotional over another near-death experience outta you, got it? One is more than enough.”

“Noooo,” Gio made to sit up; Leo pressed him on the shoulder to hold him in place and he sank back into the bed in defeat. “I couldn’t let you die or get hurt–”

“See, this? Is why I keep telling you, you’ve gotta be more selfish, Vanni.” Leo flicked Gio gently on the nose and earned himself a pout in return. “Like me. You don’t see me stuck in bed for who knows how long over anyone, do you?” He shook his head. “’Cause I think it through before I jump in front of people that want me dead. Take care of yourself first, then me. Capiche?”

“Nnnngh.” Gio murmured unhappily and flicked his eyes away. After a moment, he glanced back up in Leo’s direction. “…do you have any cigarettes? I could use one real bad.”

Leo sighed and smiled. “Of course. At least you still have your priorities in order, heh.”