@bellissimolto liked for a 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐑 ♥
"Not a venue I would have expected him to meet us…" Abbachio's voice resonated across the table.
Bruno and he sat in a remote corner spot of a central café and bistro, as they always preferred. He opted to keep delicate topics and more mundane interactions discreet and covert, even after his rise to a higher position following Giorno's designation as the new boss. He studied the menu with composure as a pot of freshly brewed coffee and delicate white porcelain cups adorned with blue and gold patterns rested in the center of their table.
"Would you have preferred an alley at night?" Bruno inquired, his tone indifferent yet tinged with mischief, as his gaze remained fixed on the menu. "Hmph… not with him at least." Abbachio retorted with a smirk on his dark purple-painted lips, yet the drumming of his fingers on the table revealed the white-haired man's unease. He would never have allowed Bruno to attend this meeting alone. Passione remains the most important family in Italy. Even though Giorno handled it and Diavolo was defeated, he knew that some of his followers and members weren't too concerned about this ascent. Old loyalties were lurking everywhere.
The same applied to Bruno's rise as consigliere. Abbachio possessed unwavering confidence in Bruno's judgment, for despite his profound empathy, he was seldom swayed by his own emotions or permitted them to impede his actions and decisions. One of many reasons why Abbachio had stayed.
"I just wonder…" he murmured after a moment, gaze flicking to the window, concern in his strong voice. "How many of them might still be out there and survived. And if maybe… it’s too soon for us." Both of them suffered great wounds from their revolt against Diavolo, and Abbachio's hand automatically stroked his own chest, eyes turning to the other man, completely aware of the equal damage he harbored. Both were severely weakened.
Bruno had low expectations for the upcoming meeting and was curious to see how it would turn out. He had his motives and the messages he intended to deliver. La Squadra was recognized as the most proficient team of assassins, and Bucciarati's group had also endured significant losses due to them -- however, much had been avenged. Knowing Abbachio was doing everything in his ability to guarantee his safety, he wanted not to overly burden him. If things escalated, both of them could get to safety with Bruno's Sticky Fingers Stand. Bruno was always reflective and cared just as much as Abbachio did for him. And that had always been Bucciarati's problem, something he couldn't demonstrate in his high position.
"Consider this, Leone. Melone's not what he used to be, he's been weakened since the last time we crossed paths. I doubt he could show us his full hand now. And he doesn’t need to know a thing about how we’re recovering, does he?"
Abbachio responded with a low, noncommittal gruff, unwilling to press the matter further with Bruno.
There was a look in Bruno’s eyes, that unmistakable something, which told him the man already had everything mapped out. He wasn’t even sure if Giorno had been informed Melone was still alive or if Bruno had acted on impulse after learning that La Squadra hadn't been completely wiped out. Was this a gesture of peace? A chance at business? Abbachio didn't dwell too much on Melone himself; the man had always struck him as unnerving, downright creepy at times. But he also knew better than to underestimate him.
