hi! could i request narancia who has a crush on his best friend? and how he would feel about it and how he would eventually confess. thank you!
Can I just say this was one of the best requests I've ever gotten? I've been looking for an excuse to write something like this for such a long time, and you're giving me the opportunity on a silver plate.
Many were the virtues that Narancia lacked, or so he thought, at the very least. Self confidence, despite his bold personality, was a rough spot for the young one. After all, it was no secret that those whom he crossed back with in his life did nothing but pushing him under the bus, taking advantage of his good faith and heart of gold.
Manipulation, betrayal and disappointment, in contrast with the boy's cheerful attitude, were an undeniable part of his past, and one that had cut deep in his mind too. So deep that, eventually, Narancia grew to believe that if those around him kept on leaving him behind, perhaps he deserved such treatment.
...That belief was, however, challenged by Y/N's eventual arrival in his existence, as his feelings for her cut even deeper than those past scars in his heart, acting as the softest and kindest bandages for the aches of the youngster. The girl gave him something he had craved for the longest time, perhaps a bit childish too, but that was really all that he needed from a close one: safety. In the wrecking mess that his life had been, and kept on being with all the troubles that came from his profession, there couldn't have existed one thing that made him more joyous: the knowledge that someone out there would never leave him, would never judge or expect too much of him, that they genuinely enjoyed his presence and wanted to keep him close.
At the end of the day, no one would have been surprised that he had chosen her as his best friend. He was certain that as long as she was willing to stick with him, everything would have been okay. In return, she could be sure that no matter what she was dealing with, he would have been around to lend her a helping hand or simply to keep her company. It almost physically hurt him when he had to be away from her for even just a couple of days because of a mission, it genuinely felt like a whole part of who he was stayed behind with her.
The two of them had shared such and many sweet moments and conversations, it was unimaginable to tell or remember all of them...That's what one would have thought, at least. But for Narancia, every single day, hour, minute or even second spent in her presence was a fundamental core memory, one that would constantly replay in his mind whenever she was not there for whatever the reason might have been.
All the times she defended him in an argument with Fugo, all the times she encouraged him to keep on with his studies deplete his difficulties, all the times she listened to him vent without ever thinking less of him because of it, all the times she agreed to join him on his crazy idea and adventures...I could go on for hours, if given the chance.
But the point I'm trying to convey is that Narancia was utterly in love.
Darling and with his heart on his sleeves, it would be easy to assume that these feelings for him would have been simple to accept and express. Nonetheless, the reality was far far different, almost impossible to see for how further it was...And just as impossible for him to see the way he felt for the girl.
After all, surely it must be quite troublesome to identify something one has never dealt with, let alone felt before. Of course, he loved the gang, the ones he considered his own family...But the relationship between them was an entire different story. He was a hopeless romantic who, ironically, had never gotten the chance to experience the passionate sensation that came with romance. When a disease hits one for the first time, it is no easy job to discern what it exactly is.
In the same way, for the longest time, the boy thought that these feelings were the normality, she was his dearest friend, was she not? Of course he'd want to be with het all the time, of course he'd remember every little thing that made her happy, of course he'd stay up thinking of that one compliment she unexpectedly caught him off guard with just the day before, he had everything under control...Didn't he?
...Indeed, it wouldn't be incorrect to assume that his apparent blindness came from a great amount of denial as well. As already mentioned, the young one did not think highly of himself, for reason that went past his personal traumas as well. No matter the struggle to hide it under his cheerful nature, he was very well aware that he was far from being a respectable person.
He was childish, loud, clingy, short, stupid and weak compared to his other friends. Why on earth would such a girl, perfect in his eyes, ever choose him above anyone else. He stood strong, despite how much it hurt him, by the conviction that he simply...Did not deserve her, that she was too good of a person for him to ever have a chance at professing his feelings for you. He would have just made a fool out of himself more than he already was.
There was no point on trying to fly too high, unless you want the sun to burn you. It was better this way, to remain in his little comfort zone, with you being his closest, most treasured, adored...Friend.
Unluckily for him, or perhaps not, the heart he aggressively tried to keep his under his sleeves was pounding with the desire to explode, to yell in Y/N's face just how much she meant to him, and how deprived of purpose Narancia's life felt when she was not around.
No matter how fast you may be, you will always get tired from running away. Delaying it simply takes away the energy to deal with it in a positive way. Unsurprisingly, the one that prompt him to stop running was whom he considered his mentor: Bruno.
In fact, the gang could read the young one like an open book. He was so open and spontaneous, even without realizing, that not even a blind person could have been able to not see just how deeply he had fallen for the other. And while most of his family would just tease him for that, only pushing him to hide away his feelings even more, Bucciarati, the sweet and caring man he had always been, eventually decided it would have been a good idea to take him aside and have a proper conversation regarding the matter.
He saw the bright, purple, blatant and enormous heart eyes the boy used to look at her, they warmed his heart too. He had truly never seen Narancia so happy with anyone so far, and despite how he knew it was not directly "his business", he could not resist standing by the side and watching him avoid the problem.
After the girl had left in order to go attend some errands, the older one silently called the other in the kitchen, a soft smile on his lips, as he could tell that his sudden request had intimidated him. They sat around the table, right in front of each other.
"W-What is it, Bucciarati? Did I do something wrong? Do you have a mission for me? Do you want me to catch up to Y/N and handle those errands with her?"
A small chuckle escaped Bruno's mouth as he looked at the other, shaking his head.
"Hehe...Not exactly. Forgive me if I sound sudden with my question but...You think about her quite a lot, do you not?"
He was right: he had, indeed, caught him off guard with such a direct input, enough to get the dark haired one to direct his gaze away from him, looking down at the table.
"Y-Yeah...So what? I mean- it's normal, right? Like- of course I think about her often, she's my..."
He concluded, in an uncertain and subtly provoking tone, as if he was telling him "I'm not going to buy it".
"That's right...Best friend"
"Narancia...You do know I'm quite good at telling when someone is lying to me or not, don't you?"
"Last time I said the pistols ate our leftovers, you licked my entire face"
The blue haired one smiled, hearing him relieve that episode.
"I admit, I may have exaggerated that time, but my point still stands. So, if I were to ask you something, you'd be honest with me, mh?"
"O-Of course...You know you can trust me, I'm not a liar!"
The boy's mind was already imagining anything he might have done wrong to make him so suspicious, but could not find anything. Yes, he was a prankster and annoying from time to time, but he was very respectful towards him and would never do something to anger him.
Such uncertainty, mixed with his apparent good faith only confused him further, as he watched Bruno crossed his hands.
"I don't mean to spy into your personal life, but I really cannot bear seeing you act like this anymore. I've figured you would have taken actions by now"
"Take actions? Wait- act like WHAT? None of what you're saying is making sense!"
"What I'm saying is...Do you have feelings for Y/N, Narancia?"
The silence that followed his little inquisition was am almost...Funny one. Or rather, ironic, you could say. After all, it was curios to see the bubbly and happy go lucky boy incapable of even forming a sentence. It was as if his brain hadn't really taken in what had just been said to him, maybe because it couldn't, or maybe because it did not want to.
That was all he was able to reply after an entire minute of reflection. The man looked unfazed, as if he was expecting this answer.
"I- uh-! I don't- W-WHAT SORT OF QUESTION IS THAT?!"
He stood up from the chair, trying to use anger as a way to change the subject and brush it off as soon as he could. Of course, it wasn't actually necessary for him to say it, but it was an excuse for Bucciarati to dive deeper in the topic.
"For someone as open as you, it's rather odd to hear you deny this, of all things...Why is that?"
"...I don't wanna talk about it."
Narancia looked down, very aware that, if the discussion were to continue, what he actually felt and his insecurities would have eventually come out. He knew it was a stupid motif, but he didn't care: he had his reasons and insisted on not changing his mind.
"You said I could trust you, and I do, I really do"
Seeing him agitated, Bruno got up from his own chair, approaching him.
"But you should know you can do the same with me. I've figured it was obvious by now"
"I- I do trust you! But..."
The young one grabbed the edges of his skirt.
"...I dunno, I always feel...Weird when I think about her"
"I mean- she makes me happy! Like- a ton, I'd let myself get fucking tortured if it meant seeing her content, but...I don't get it, at the same time she..."
"Makes you nervous, doesn't it?"
"...Damn, am I really that easy to read?"
"Well...Some people are better at hiding themselves but...I've known you for quite a while, of course I'd notice this sort of thing"
The older one soon realized that he seemed to be struggling to speak back, so he continued, in a soft tone.
"Are you afraid of rejection, Narancia?"
Of course, the answer was a simple nod and an expression of sorrow. Feeling compassion for him, Bruno gently patted his head.
"You really have no reason to worry this much, you know?"
"Well, it's easy for you to say! I'd like to see you try to get with some woman when you're a literal grown up child!"
"Yes it is! And don't try to deny it. I can't tell her, do you just want me to get humiliated?"
He strayed away from his touch, clinging to his own arm with one of his hands.
"Just because you haven't finished school doesn't make you a kid"
He gave him the space he wanted, without losing his composure.
"And, excuse all of my assumptions, but I'm quite sure she'd gladly agree on being your partner"
"...You're just saying that to make me happy"
"I don't tell lies, just like I don't let anyone tell them to me. It wouldn't be fair otherwise"
It was just for a second, but hearing those words gave the boy the smallest hope, in his heart, that they may have been true, before he went back to thinking that it simply was not possible. He started to imagine her, what she could have been doing in that moment, her sweet voice, her look, her thoughts...
Which were, most definitely, not directed at him.
"...I don't wanna, I just don't. What's wrong with what I'm doing right now? We're close and I don't risk making an idiot out of myself more than I already am"
"You're just seeing things the wrong way. Y/N likes you too, and a lot. Doesn't all the time you spend together give it away already?"
"...Maybe she just likes being around me"
"Maybe. Or maybe you ought to stop being so blind and accept she may just feel the same way. I'm sorry for my rudeness, but aren't you being a bit of a coward running away from this problem by now?"
"Hey!- I'm...I'm no coward, don't call me that!"
"Then have the courage to face her, just like you face those stand users"
"...This is far scarier than a stand battle"
"But with a far sweeter victory too"
"And what if it's bitter instead?"
"I don't recall you ever failing so far"
Bucciarati gave him a reassuring look, one of those that seemed to, somehow, always ease to other's nervousness, perhaps at least a small bit.
"You've always been one for taking risks. Do what you've done so far, and everything will be okay"
"...Heh, you believe more in me than I do"
The man softly placed his hands on his shoulders.
"Maybe this will help things change"
Finally, the black haired one gave a smile to his friend and looked up at him. He still was not very faithful towards the outcome of this whole situation, but he had figured that, at the very least, Bruno was right about not telling him to run away from such situation anymore. It wasn't easy, especially not for him, but he found the confidence to at least take a stand.
"...I still got no clue of how to tell her though"
He admitted, embarrassed.
"Trust me, the planning process is the hardest part. Once you're actually together, everything will be a lot more natural"
"I hope you're right, man"
This time, he sat on the table itself, fidgeting with his fingers without even realizing it. He couldn't help but feel a slight headache just trying to cope up with something. He just wanted everything to go smoothly, to actually look...Charming for once, to make her believe that he could be a worthy boyfriend to her.
It was just do hard when, no matter how hard he tried, none of what he imagined was good enough for someone as perfect as she was.
"I just want it to be special, ya know?"
"I know, just do what you always do: take it as it goes. After all, surely you don't want to win her over by being someone you are not"
"I'm glad we can agree on this"
With a sympathetic smile, the eldest approached the door, briefly turning around before making his exit.
"Good luck, although I'm quite confident you won't be needing that"
"...I wish I had half of the confidence you have"
Muttered the young one under his breath, left alone with nothing but the urge to run up to the girl and just kiss her until his lips went dry. Needless to say, that alone was enough to make him drown his burning face in his hands, making it even harder to think rationally.
"God, I'm so fucking screwed"
The passing week, Narancia had barely gotten any sleep, his mind chastising him for being incapable of finding a way to convey what seemed like a waterfall of feelings, in a small bucket.
He was never good with words, he was perfectly fine with the idea of telling she that he liked her, he truly did, it was everything leading up to that moment that overwhelmed him. He didn't care about the build up, be wanted to get to the point, to be direct, but he couldn't. She deserved better than that, and he was very well aware of it.
That was, however, until (at least at first sight) a perfectly ordinary and standard night, one of those one would not think in too deeply, that would let go by without probably realizing just how far time is already passing, and would perhaps look back the day after and think "I had a good time".
One of those that Narancia loved so dearly, where he could simply chill and dedicate himself to whatever he preferred.
And of course, that was Y/N.
Predictably, his shyness around her had not gone untoticed by the young one. She could tell how he seemed to blush more easily each time she'd initiate physical contact, how he'd avoid her eyes when she'd turn around to look at him, how he kept on losing at every game they played together no matter how easy she'd go on him.
She had considered calling him out for such behavior, but eventually decided to let it go, assuming that it would have passed before she could really think about it further.
She was just going to spend that time with him as she always does, maybe nothing had changed and she was making it all up.
Although, she had to admit, it was quite the curious coincidence, how everyone in that exact moment had decided to go on a date with their respective partner: Bruno and Abbacchio, Giorno and Fugo, Mista and Trish...
...Oh well, a chance to have the house by herself, right? Why rummaging over it, now?
Boredom was quick to take over her, as she cyclically watched everyone leave, said goodbye to them with a smile and went back to playing Final Fantasy on her Gameboy.
She hadn't seen her best friend for the whole day, spending the entirety of her Morning helping Trish with her newest song, being distracted by Mista's weird theory during the afternoon and, once she had finally some time for Narancia, finding out he had gone out for...Reasons.
Weird, he'd never leave the house without telling her where he was headed to. Surely he would come back soon, would he not? She... Did not enjoy being alone for long.
The smell of freshly baked pizza called out to her stomach, but she brushed it off, refusing to have dinner before he came back. She assumed that Bruno had prepared it for the two of them before leaving, and she had even thanked him for it, but it was as if he hadn't heard her.
"Heh, he was too busy thinking of how he's going to break the bed tonight to pay attention, I suppose."
In the middle of an unexpected Boss fight, the strategy she was coming up with was immediately blown away by the sound of the door opening. The small console quickly hit the sofa's soft cushion, as she sprinted to the entrance to finally greet him.
The embrace she was waiting to give him, however, was interrupted once she caught a glimpse of the bouquet in his hands.
"Sorry! Sorry, I'm sorry...I didn't wanna be away for long but, uh, I forgot it's Sunday and most shops are closed and-"
"W-What- What are these?"
She commented in amazement, staring at the perfectly arranged flowers.
"I uhm- I got them for you! You know, they're your favorite, I thought they looked nice..."
He awkwardly extended the bouquet in her direction, his usual toothy grin not leaving his face, hoping with all his heart that he had picked the right ones.
The girl was about to ask more questions as she made a mental recap to find out if she had, somehow, missed some important date or event, but nothing could cross her mind. Despite this, noticing the nervousness in his tone, she figured it would have been better not to add any more gas to the fire.
She grabbed them gently with both of her hands, looking at them as a smile curved on her lips.
"Thank you! You're sweet as ever, Nari"
"I-It's nothing, really, just a little surprise"
He took a moment to admire the sweetness she was looking at him with, his gaze softening in return.
"I'll go put it in my room, be right back!"
"Alright! I'll see you outside?"
"Yeah! In front of the house"
"How come? Do you want to go on the swings?"
"Kinda...Eh! Come on, you'll see!"
As she understood it was best to play along if she wanted to find out, she just smiled once more and turned around. She was fast to disappear into the hallway, but making sure not to let a single petal fall off as she did so.
Briefly fixing up her hair from the short run, after putting the flowers on the desk in her room, Y/N headed out as she was asked to.
"I didn't want to keep you waiting"
Narancia contained a small laughter, as he gestured he to follow him in the back of the villa.
"You gotta check this out!"
"Now you've made me curious, Nari"
He slowly stopped on his track, and just as calmingly got closer to Y/N, just enough for their fingers to intertwine.
"Let's not waste any time then, right?"
She repeated, her glance falling on their hands, feeling relieved from the warmth of his against her frozen surface. While they had never done this before, the gesture felt natural to her, probably because of how they'd always cuddle and cling to each other without even noticing.
Once they got to their apparent destination, the young lady was surprised at what she was met with, especially since she could have sworn she knew every centimeter of the house, in and out.
There was a ladder leaning against the wall, big enough to reach even the top on the building, or at least she thought...It was a bit hard to see from down there. It seemed hand made, but very resistent nonetheless.
Her grip on him surely was resistent as well, as the idea of climbing up did not exctite her in the slightest. Fear of heights can be a pain to deal with, and it surely did not enjoy befriending ladders.
Noticing her nervousness, the boy began to gently rub her palm with his thumb, as he moved her a bit closer.
"Y-Yeah uhm...You know I don't sit well with heights"
He approached the ladder, taking the first step.
"Come on! I'll help you up, okay?"
Reluctantly raising her eyes, she was a bit taken aback by his comforting expression. Not in a negative way, of course, it was just... Out of the ordinary. After all, she was accostumed to his silly grin and sparkly eyes.
But there was just this reassurance that told her that she was safe, if he said so, and she was not going to miss out on this chance.
"Okay, I guess I'll...Give it a shot"
"Awesome! Here, just...Hold on"
Taking her own first step on the ladder, she mase sure to keep her head high, keeping the ground under her right out of her sight. It was fine, she was fine, she just had to focus on...The unusual softness in his voice, the little dimble on his cheek whenever as he smiled, that fluffy, dark, messy hair...
Yeah, she really was fine.
Once they finally reached the roof, Y/N let out a sigh of relief.
"I...Really am not, but thank-"
Before she could finish the sentence, she couldn't help but notice the tempiting smell she had spotted in the house beforehand. The boy had set up a nice little dinner up there, the home made pizza laying nicely on a tablecloth they probably had never used before, and everything illuminated by a small candle.
"S-So? Do you...Uhm, like it?"
He asked nervously, slightly intimidated by her lack of response.
"Sorry, maybe it's too cheesy, I just thought we could have done something a little different and-"
But soon, he was shushed too when he felt a hand on his cheek.
"And you did it magnificently"
Bashful, he looked down, his excitement being impossible to hide.
"Well...Do you want to sit down?"
As they took a seat, the girl instinctively laid her head on his shoulder, as she'd always do whenever she helped him study. Remembering the advice he had gotten from his immensely reliable older brother, Narancia took a deep breath, sneakily (or at least, he thought so, but let's ignore his shaking) putting an arm around her waist, prepared to take it off as soon as he saw her ever so slightly uncomfortable.
Instead, she snuggled in closer.
"So? Is the view here better than from your balcony?"
He asked, in an attempt at building up even a bit of atmosphere. It's too bad Y/N did not have the patience for that anymore. She hummed in response, slightly lowering her dear Nari's head until they could touch foreheads.
"The best I could ask for"
There was a moment of silence between them, as both the young ones did not know where to look: the other's eyes or lips.
"It's only fair...You deserve the best"
His fingers shyly made contact with her hip, slowly moving up and down.
"That's why I...I really don't know if I should do this"
Contemplating each of her feature for a second, he continued.
"You're perfect. I just want to make you happy, to protect you, to hold you my entire life"
Y/N couldn't do anything but listen to those sweet words, the ones she had already played in her head a thousand times, even though she was not so open about it as him.
"...No, scratch that: you are my life, but I understand if you don't-"
With a little push from the girl, their lips soon followed their foreheads' example. The boy soon let all thoughts or speeches he had made out in his head disappear, as every part of his body was taken over by that idyllic sensation he had so desperately longed for. He refued to pull away from her, it didn't matter if he was starting to hardly even breath: he would have taken her taste over air every day.
Eventually, just enough to undo the touching, she pulled away, taking small breaths and taking in that moment she didn't know that she needed so much, but to whom she couldn't resist once she felt it coming.
"...W-Would it be alright if I said I've been dreaming of this moment ever since you visited me in t-the hospital?"
"Only if I can do it again"
The kisses they shared were more than the stars that watched over the two, giggling between some of them as Narancia had to resist the urge to pick her up and spin her around. Like children falling in love, they couldn't help but just let it happen, give in to the comfort the other offered, the feeling that maybe, just maybe, it wasn't simple puppy love.
But, for the youngsters' amazement, a bond that, for the first time, could actually last.
