Here's something for a yan!reader/Bruno. I had so many ideas for this, but this is where I ended up. Maybe one day I'll give ya'll some more of this bread. @yourfaveisyanderematic, you asked for this.
Warnings: Mentions of drugs.
"This... This can't be true."
"I'm sorry, but it is."
You watch Bruno's fingers tremble as they hover over the packets on the table in front of him, as if he were afraid to even touch them. He retracts his hand and presses his fingers to his forehead instead. "But... He would never... Not Narancia..."
There's a familiar rush of anger flooding your chest like a hot trail down your esophagus, but you're used to cooling it down in moments like these. Your voice sounds level, concerned even, as you answer him. "I told you, I found this in his bag this morning."
Bruno's frown deepens, his eyes locked on the white dust packed tightly in those plastic wraps. There's a shade of doubt in his expression, and you swoop in to put it out before it can take root in his mind.
"Bruno... You don't believe me?" you ask slowly, your voice pitched high with a hint of hurt.
He winces, his gaze jumping to you now, sat across him at your kitchen table. "No, I... I do." Some traces of that doubt remain in him even now, but he's fought past them for you. That he found it in himself to say those words is good enough for now - the rest will take care of itself soon. "I just..."
Bruno's discomfort with the substance you had placed in front of him is evident. You lean in and swipe the packets of drugs away, shoving them to the corner of the table. His shoulders sag in gratitude and he rests his elbows on the now clear surface, hiding his face behind both hands as he sighs.
You frown. Despite it all, you don't like to see him like this. It'd be so much easier if he didn't care as much as he did. Not about them. He only needs to direct all of those feelings to you, and then he'd feel so much better. You can be that for him, someone he can rely on completely. The only person he needs to rely on.
You keep your voice quiet, reassuring. "Let me take care of it."
Bruno splays his fingers out so he can look at you between them. "What are you going to do?"
Kill him. Fucking destroy him for making you look at me like this, for making you care so much for anyone other than me.
You smile. "I'll just give him a good talking to. I'm sure he'll come around."
Bruno sighs again, his breath heavy as if he were carrying the weight of all of Italy’s crimes on his back. "Alright. Maybe he just got involved with the wrong kind again..." he trails off, then shakes his head and runs his fingers over his hair, ruffling some of those perfectly straight black locks. "God..."
You get up from your chair, and in a few short steps you're around to his side of the table. "You work so hard," you drawl, gently placing both your hands on his shoulders. "You must be so tired. Don't worry, I'll take care of everything." You rub your palms firmly on his back. His jacket slides under the pressure, but you let him keep it on for now.
Bruno leans into your touch, but he keeps his arms on the table and his head facing forward, gaze staring out the little window on the other side of the kitchen. Your flat is one of the more modest ones you could find in central Naples, but you did always like the view of the Piazza Plebiscito it provides. For one of Italy's biggest plazas, it's surprisingly serene on most days, a great stretch of ancient stone with hardly a soul to walk upon it. Today, too, you can’t spot a single person out and about, the square devoid of movement entirely.
"I'm really glad you're here." Bruno’s quiet voice reminds your eyes to look at him again. "What would I do without you?"
You hum, your hands still massaging him in slow, circular motions. "You'd be a great Capo all the same," you reply, smiling when you see him shake his head.
"No. I've already failed so many times." Even through his jacket, you can feel him shaking. "I couldn't protect any of them."
Oh, yes. The poor dears. It had been laughably easy to blackmail Fugo into staying away. A little harder with Mista, a little more violent, but you managed it in the end. Abbacchio had proven a surprisingly hard obstacle, but there's nothing he can do now that you've put him six feet under mud and dirt.
And Narancia, sweet little Narancia who adores your Bruno to a fault. He's clung on stubbornly through it all, each departure only strengthening his utter devotion to his Capo. And while he may not be the book-smart genius that Fugo had been, his instincts are annoyingly well-trained. He's been suspicious of you for a while now, and you’re certain he pronounces accusations against you to Bruno in the rare moments you have to leave the two of them alone. You know there’s nothing you can do to change Narancia’s mind any more, nothing you could say that would ever convince him of your innocence.
But that's alright. You've been itching to get your hands on him from the start. You hate the way he sticks to Bruno like a pesky child, hate the light you see in his big eyes any time he looks at Bruno, that sickening adoration he has for a man that’s meant to belong to you. And more than anything, you hate the way he's wormed his way into Bruno's heart, made him care so much for Narancia even though you're right there.
"Tesoro?"
You realise you're digging your fingers into Bruno's back in a way that can’t be anything but painful. You hurriedly let go. "Oh, I'm sorry, I got lost in thought. Are you okay?"
Bruno's chair scrapes as he turns around to look at you. "Are you sure you want to do this? Maybe I should talk with Narancia after all."
"No." Bruno looks surprised, but you grab both sides of his face and lean in. "No, my dear," you say, softer. "I promise you, I can take care of it. Just leave it to me, alright?"
His eyes shine in relief, and you know those words are exactly what he wanted to hear. And you mean them. That’s what you’re here for. You're here to take all of that weight from him, bear it in his place, protect him from the harshness of reality that's so determined to ruin his gentle, beautiful heart. Bruno doesn't need to think about any of that, doesn’t need to do anything any more but stay right here and let you look after him.
"Alright." He places his hands on yours, and then he kisses you. It's a slow, languid thing, just lips against lips, but it still sends a thrill down your spine. If only Narancia could see this. Would it infuriate him? Would it make him jealous to see how you've wrapped his Capo around your finger? Would it upset him to see just how deeply Bruno trusts you, despite Narancia’s words against you? The thought is so satisfying.
You lean away a little, and for a few moments the two of you remain close, sharing space and warm breaths in silence. You're almost tempted to stay, kiss Bruno again, get your hands on him and his on you and spend your afternoon in his arms.
But the sooner you get to business, the sooner you can come back and spend all the more time together without anyone left to disturb you. Besides, your flat is hardly the perfect place for this, the walls thin and the neighbours nosy. Bruno's house would be better suited, but you know he doesn't like spending much time there.
But that won’t be an issue for much longer - you've found a great way to get a proper money's worth out of Passione. You're certain you will be able to find a perfect place for you two soon enough. Somewhere outside of the city limits, perhaps in the suburbs or along the coast. Somewhere where no-one can find you two. Yes, nice and quiet and isolated.
You straighten up, freeing your hands from his. He lets you go somewhat unwillingly, which leaves you smiling. "I'll be back soon with good news." Of that you're certain.
He nods, and you go to put on your shoes and fetch your bag. When you return to the kitchen, Bruno watches you place the criminal packets inside of your bag with a small frown.
"What are you going to do with these?" he asks as you zip up the bag and throw it over your shoulder.
"Don't worry, I'll get rid of them safely," you reassure, leaning in for another quick kiss.
Bruno still looks worried. "Just... Don't get caught with them," he says quietly, and you wish so badly you could sweep all that worrying right out of his pretty little head. He doesn't need to worry about you. You're not like them - you're not here to add even more on his plate. You're here for him. He'll understand that eventually.
"I won't. See you later."
You walk out and start skidding your way down the stairs. As far as you know, Narancia should be hanging around somewhere in the vicinity of the restaurant, but that can wait a little longer. Your first destination is a more indecorous area - you've got to do something with those packets in your bag, haven't you?
You did promise to get rid of them safely after all, and what better way than to let them get in the hands of those eager to let the substance disappear inside their bodies? And if you can get some cash out of it, then everyone's a winner. It's a good trade off you've invested in, and the profits are starting to add up nicely. Just a little more and that perfect house will be yours, and who knows what other use you can put the money to after that. And Bruno?
My obsession with patterns is telling me that the number 2007 that keeps just popping up is no fucking coincidence.. but the voices in my head are telling me to just let it be..
