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[Sucks to be friends with someone who does whatever the hell she wants, huh?
She hasn't been to Abbacchio's room, out of some weird feeling that he wouldn't allow it even if he wasn't there. With Bruno, it should be fine, so she takes a deep breath and makes her way through the house over and phases through the wall. It's even emptier now, and she didn't think that was possible. Bruno gets a weak smile and a wave.]
She hasn't been to Abbacchio's room, out of some weird feeling that he wouldn't allow it even if he wasn't there. With Bruno, it should be fine, so she takes a deep breath and makes her way through the house over and phases through the wall. It's even emptier now, and she didn't think that was possible. Bruno gets a weak smile and a wave.]
Edited 2015-12-31 00:22 (UTC)
[While Izabel is making her way through the house to Abbacchio's room, Bruno's already pulled out Abbacchio's modest collection and is standing next to the small table with the gramophone. He glances up at her when she phases through the wall. He's not smiling, but he also doesn't look particularly sad either. Instead, Bruno's expression is relatively neutral.]
Buona sera, stellina, [he says quietly. Bruno looks back down at Abbacchio's collection, flipping through the records slowly, as Sticky Fingers appears, separating from Bruno and coming to stand beside him.]
Buona sera, stellina, [he says quietly. Bruno looks back down at Abbacchio's collection, flipping through the records slowly, as Sticky Fingers appears, separating from Bruno and coming to stand beside him.]
[Wow. She hates that.
But the appearance of Sticky Fingers is enough to distract her from frowning at him for now, so she goes over and wraps her arms around the Stand, head resting against his broad chest. She doesn't settle as easily as she does with Gold Experience, though that's natural given that he's really the only Stand she's done this enough with to memorize every muscle and ridge. It's still a comfort, though, even if it's not as comfortable.]
Buona sera. [She peeks over his shoulder, scanning the titles. Seeing one she recognizes, she gives Sticky Fingers's arm a tap.] That one -- can... Can we listen to that one first? Even though it's a waltz...
But the appearance of Sticky Fingers is enough to distract her from frowning at him for now, so she goes over and wraps her arms around the Stand, head resting against his broad chest. She doesn't settle as easily as she does with Gold Experience, though that's natural given that he's really the only Stand she's done this enough with to memorize every muscle and ridge. It's still a comfort, though, even if it's not as comfortable.]
Buona sera. [She peeks over his shoulder, scanning the titles. Seeing one she recognizes, she gives Sticky Fingers's arm a tap.] That one -- can... Can we listen to that one first? Even though it's a waltz...
[Sticky Fingers wraps his arms around Izabel when she comes to him. Bruno feels the weight of Izabel's head in a phantom sensation on his own chest, still not entirely accustomed to rougher touches resulting from a battle. He tries not to react to it, only pausing in flipping through the records when Izabel indicates the waltz. He can only guess it's something that Abbacchio listened with her specifically.]
Of course.
[Bruno removes the record from its sleeve, placing it on the gramophone. He hesitates a moment before taking the handle to start cranking it. Once it's wound, he removes the brake to set the turntable spinning and places the needle down to start playing the record. Bruno loosely folds his arms and looks over at Izabel and Sticky Fingers.]
How have you been holding up?
Of course.
[Bruno removes the record from its sleeve, placing it on the gramophone. He hesitates a moment before taking the handle to start cranking it. Once it's wound, he removes the brake to set the turntable spinning and places the needle down to start playing the record. Bruno loosely folds his arms and looks over at Izabel and Sticky Fingers.]
How have you been holding up?
[Izabel's eyes close as the music starts up. She'd been so happy, the last time she'd heard it. Abbacchio had been happy, too, in his crabby way.
She returns to Sticky Fingers, then, burying her face against him so she doesn't have to see the way Bruno looked. She doesn't have Abbacchio to turn to, anymore, when he was being like this. She has to stand on her own two feet in this situation -- and she can't, literally or figuratively. Not just yet.]
I'm... I don't know. It comes in waves, you know? Something distracts me and I forget for a while, but then I remember and I get angry. And sad.
[But mostly angry.]
I miss him. I miss all of them, but -- I miss him most. That's why I wanted to be with you, right now. Just for a little while, and then I'll be a good girl and go back to Giorno.
She returns to Sticky Fingers, then, burying her face against him so she doesn't have to see the way Bruno looked. She doesn't have Abbacchio to turn to, anymore, when he was being like this. She has to stand on her own two feet in this situation -- and she can't, literally or figuratively. Not just yet.]
I'm... I don't know. It comes in waves, you know? Something distracts me and I forget for a while, but then I remember and I get angry. And sad.
[But mostly angry.]
I miss him. I miss all of them, but -- I miss him most. That's why I wanted to be with you, right now. Just for a little while, and then I'll be a good girl and go back to Giorno.
[What she says makes sense because it's been more or less the same for Bruno. It feels the same way that it did after the beach on Sardegna. He knows Abbacchio is gone, but still he turns and expects to see him standing there, feeling echoes of the loss again and again with each disappointment. Even now, standing here in his room, he expects Abbacchio to walk in and wonder why everyone is hanging out in his room, likely telling Izabel to get lost, but saying nothing to push Bruno out. He knows it won't happen. Yet he still expects it.]
[Although she's hidden her face in Sticky Fingers' shoulder, it strikes such a chord and Bruno has to look away from her again. He's silent for a long moment after she finishes speaking, letting the sound of the waltz drift through the air instead of any semblance of conversation. Bruno closes his eyes, waiting and expecting. When he opens his eyes again, Bruno's brow furrows. It's a private expression, something close to crying but without tears. It's anyone's guess as to whether the lack of tears is because Bruno either won't allow it or has no more to give. He smooths it back out by the time he speaks again.]
Non devi farlo, stellina. Abbacchio era anche la tua famiglia. You can stay as long as you like.
[Sticky Fingers gives Izabel a small, reassuring squeeze.]
[Although she's hidden her face in Sticky Fingers' shoulder, it strikes such a chord and Bruno has to look away from her again. He's silent for a long moment after she finishes speaking, letting the sound of the waltz drift through the air instead of any semblance of conversation. Bruno closes his eyes, waiting and expecting. When he opens his eyes again, Bruno's brow furrows. It's a private expression, something close to crying but without tears. It's anyone's guess as to whether the lack of tears is because Bruno either won't allow it or has no more to give. He smooths it back out by the time he speaks again.]
Non devi farlo, stellina. Abbacchio era anche la tua famiglia. You can stay as long as you like.
[Sticky Fingers gives Izabel a small, reassuring squeeze.]
I don't know what that means, [she murmurs, but she recognizes famiglia, which is enough, and Bruno isn't sending her away. Her hands curl into fists so she won't dig phantom nails into him while she clung, almost desperately. She can stay. It's fine. They'll be fine.]
...I'm sorry about the bracelets.
...I'm sorry about the bracelets.
I know.
[But she's still quiet and still sounds guilty.]
I know it...didn't do anything, that'd be stupid, but -- it isn't the first time this has happened. I... I even told myself I was going to stay out of it this time, because it wasn't any of my business, but I wanted to see you happy. I wanted you both to be happy.
[Izabel draws back from Sticky Fingers, taking up the zipper pull for something to do and then tracing against it, along the false collar, the zipper tracks down from where his eyes would be.]
I wanted Klara to be happy, too. I told her she should hurry up and just be with him, you know? And then he died. He died that day and I know it isn't the same -- [It's all so stupid and unfair.] Why do these things have to happen, Bruno?
[But she's still quiet and still sounds guilty.]
I know it...didn't do anything, that'd be stupid, but -- it isn't the first time this has happened. I... I even told myself I was going to stay out of it this time, because it wasn't any of my business, but I wanted to see you happy. I wanted you both to be happy.
[Izabel draws back from Sticky Fingers, taking up the zipper pull for something to do and then tracing against it, along the false collar, the zipper tracks down from where his eyes would be.]
I wanted Klara to be happy, too. I told her she should hurry up and just be with him, you know? And then he died. He died that day and I know it isn't the same -- [It's all so stupid and unfair.] Why do these things have to happen, Bruno?
[She makes herself fall silent for a while, forehead resting against Sticky Fingers's neck and hand coming back down to settle against his chest.
She shouldn't be doing this, she tells herself, except Bruno understands these feelings for Abbacchio best and Bruno was stubborn in his ways. He wanted others to get taken care of first.]
It's just not fair. [She tries for a smile, but it's so weak she doesn't even bother trying to salvage it or put up a matching tone.] He'd think I'm being so stupid right now, huh?
She shouldn't be doing this, she tells herself, except Bruno understands these feelings for Abbacchio best and Bruno was stubborn in his ways. He wanted others to get taken care of first.]
It's just not fair. [She tries for a smile, but it's so weak she doesn't even bother trying to salvage it or put up a matching tone.] He'd think I'm being so stupid right now, huh?
[Sticky Fingers rubs Izabel's back in small, slow circles as she settles back against him again.]
Most likely. [Bruno says this with a light smile. He doesn't entirely feel it for the most part, but he does to a small extent. It's hard not to.] He wouldn't want anyone making a fuss. He'd prefer it'd be like the first time.
Most likely. [Bruno says this with a light smile. He doesn't entirely feel it for the most part, but he does to a small extent. It's hard not to.] He wouldn't want anyone making a fuss. He'd prefer it'd be like the first time.
I will.
[And it's instinct now, in a way it wasn't when he first got here, to cross the room and sit beside Bruno. Too close to be professional, but they have to be family now, even if it's in quiet ways, in ways that would be hard for a bystander to notice underneath the serious discussion.]
[Still, he doesn't touch. He holds his body boxed-in carefully, hands on his knees.]
And you?
[Which could mean any number of things; he's going to let Bruno interpret that as he chooses.]
[And it's instinct now, in a way it wasn't when he first got here, to cross the room and sit beside Bruno. Too close to be professional, but they have to be family now, even if it's in quiet ways, in ways that would be hard for a bystander to notice underneath the serious discussion.]
[Still, he doesn't touch. He holds his body boxed-in carefully, hands on his knees.]
And you?
[Which could mean any number of things; he's going to let Bruno interpret that as he chooses.]
[Bruno looks at Giorno for a moment or two out of the corner of his eye, but he doesn't look at him nor makes any motion to touch him when he comes to sit next to Bruno on the couch. The question, he realizes, is phrased in a way that leaves it up to interpretation, simultaneously making it an invitation and an escape. Frankly, he feels...exhausted. Just too exhausted to parse through what he's thinking and feeling, what he wants to say and what he doesn't. So for a moment, he says nothing until he feels he's able to say anything at all.]
I'll be here if Izabel needs me, but I'll be keeping a closer eye on Narancia. And if you need anything, Giorno...
I'll be here if Izabel needs me, but I'll be keeping a closer eye on Narancia. And if you need anything, Giorno...
[Yes, that's fair enough. This kind of avoidance - he wouldn't expect anything else, after all of this. And sitting here, looking at Bruno, there's more than just theorizing going on now; he knew this would be bad, but he's beginning to understand how bad exactly.]
[He will never be Abbacchio. He will never be anything like Abbacchio. He will never be as good for Bruno as Abbacchio is.]
[Was.]
[Grieving. He will grieve for Abbacchio now, but for Bruno, too, for the thing that's died in him.]
[He laces his fingers together, dangles them between his knees. His posture isn't a leader's now, even if his voice is still commanding.]
I would prefer not to be the focus right now. I don't believe that that will be a productive use of our time and energy. In a little while, maybe. Not now.
[He will never be Abbacchio. He will never be anything like Abbacchio. He will never be as good for Bruno as Abbacchio is.]
[Was.]
[Grieving. He will grieve for Abbacchio now, but for Bruno, too, for the thing that's died in him.]
[He laces his fingers together, dangles them between his knees. His posture isn't a leader's now, even if his voice is still commanding.]
I would prefer not to be the focus right now. I don't believe that that will be a productive use of our time and energy. In a little while, maybe. Not now.
[Bruno makes a small hum of acknowledgement. He's willing to respect Giorno's wishes to a certain extent. While Bruno won't place his energy into keeping Giorno afloat as he asked, that doesn't mean he won't seek outside help. Already he plans to speak to Jotaro soon on the matter, to keep a close eye on Giorno.]
[But.]
[He sees that shift in Giorno's posture. He places a hand on Giorno's shoulder wordlessly, not out of pity or even to comfort him necessarily. Instead, it's a gesture of solidarity.]
[But.]
[He sees that shift in Giorno's posture. He places a hand on Giorno's shoulder wordlessly, not out of pity or even to comfort him necessarily. Instead, it's a gesture of solidarity.]
[He sags a little, just a little. Maybe an inch, under the weight of Bruno's hand. It's a comfort, but he feels guilty about it. He shouldn't be taking right now. He should only be giving.]
[He does his best, then, to give in little ways - lays his hand over Bruno's on his shoulder.]
I'm here, you know.
[For him. For himself. Or for whatever there is between them, the comfort they can take from each other; if they can find the right balance between giving and taking so it's equal, then they can both be here. They can both have that, and maybe it'll be safe.]
[He does his best, then, to give in little ways - lays his hand over Bruno's on his shoulder.]
I'm here, you know.
[For him. For himself. Or for whatever there is between them, the comfort they can take from each other; if they can find the right balance between giving and taking so it's equal, then they can both be here. They can both have that, and maybe it'll be safe.]
I know, [Bruno says softly.]
[He knows and he won't forget that, but he also won't take Giorno up on that either. They both know that. But it's enough for Bruno to know that Giorno is there. He gives Giorno's shoulder a light squeeze.]
La nostra famiglia è ancora forte.
[He knows and he won't forget that, but he also won't take Giorno up on that either. They both know that. But it's enough for Bruno to know that Giorno is there. He gives Giorno's shoulder a light squeeze.]
La nostra famiglia è ancora forte.
[It's enough, but it's not enough. And it's moments like this when he wishes he could just sink into Italian and Bruno's arms for hours and hours and maybe never come back to the real world. But he knows he can't. That even if he wanted to, it would be foolish and unwise.]
[He squeezes his eyes shut for a moment anyway, just for a moment.]
Sempre forte.
[And open again. Moment's over.]
I wonder if my saying anything to Narancia would be intrusive.
[He squeezes his eyes shut for a moment anyway, just for a moment.]
Sempre forte.
[And open again. Moment's over.]
I wonder if my saying anything to Narancia would be intrusive.
I don't think Narancia would mind, but I'm sure he'll let you know if he does.
[Giorno has not obviously known Narancia for even half as long as Bruno has known him and Narancia's loyalty and trust will always be greater in Bruno, but that doesn't mean that he doesn't have something significant with Giorno. It's something that should be encouraged to grow. It will be good for both of them.]
[Giorno has not obviously known Narancia for even half as long as Bruno has known him and Narancia's loyalty and trust will always be greater in Bruno, but that doesn't mean that he doesn't have something significant with Giorno. It's something that should be encouraged to grow. It will be good for both of them.]
Yeah. Because you're all idiots that way.
[She loves them, but... Man, they sure are dumb. Her breathing slows a little -- always a strange tell, because she didn't really need to breath, did she? It was still something so automatic.]
...He might prefer it if we let him go quietly, but I don't think he'd actually like it if I did that. Stopped being stupid. Stopped.
[He knows what she means, surely. Has to know it's not just about her.]
For my sake, I think he'd be angry. I'd like to think that.
[She loves them, but... Man, they sure are dumb. Her breathing slows a little -- always a strange tell, because she didn't really need to breath, did she? It was still something so automatic.]
...He might prefer it if we let him go quietly, but I don't think he'd actually like it if I did that. Stopped being stupid. Stopped.
[He knows what she means, surely. Has to know it's not just about her.]
For my sake, I think he'd be angry. I'd like to think that.
[Bruno hums softly in agreement. It's true. Abbacchio ultimately wouldn't want people changing on his behalf. He'd want things to remain the same, or at the very least quickly return that way. In a way, Bruno's trying to give him that. He's trying not to let this affect him. He needs to not just for Abbacchio's sake, but also for the others, including Izabel.]
The first time wasn't really my preference anyway, [Bruno admits.] He's worth more than he ever realized.
[He's worth so much more than a quiet send-off. Abbacchio would struggle to accept it and would likely never believe it, but that doesn't make it less true.]
Had there been time... [He shakes his head a little.] Mourn him the way you feel is right and in your own time, Izabel. It's what he deserves.
The first time wasn't really my preference anyway, [Bruno admits.] He's worth more than he ever realized.
[He's worth so much more than a quiet send-off. Abbacchio would struggle to accept it and would likely never believe it, but that doesn't make it less true.]
Had there been time... [He shakes his head a little.] Mourn him the way you feel is right and in your own time, Izabel. It's what he deserves.
[Finally, Izabel shifts so that she can watch Bruno, though she remains in Sticky Fingers's arms. She'd been refused contact the last time she was in this room, so it was almost wrong to want to soak up as much as she could, now. But was horrendous.]
He's so good. So, so good...
[Abbacchio had snapped at her when she told him that.]
What if the way I want to mourn him includes making sure you're okay? Not now -- not when he's just gone, even if i want for you to be okay. But eventually. Would that be alright?
He's so good. So, so good...
[Abbacchio had snapped at her when she told him that.]
What if the way I want to mourn him includes making sure you're okay? Not now -- not when he's just gone, even if i want for you to be okay. But eventually. Would that be alright?
[Izabel is the third person to try and negotiate terms like this with Bruno, but his impulse is the same. He still feels the words that's not necessary and I'm fine on the tip of his tongue, ready to leave the moment he allows for it. He almost does if only because she's the third person and he can likely be more honest in saying that it's not necessary. But he bites down that impulse for a moment. Just long enough to try and consider it because...]
[It's what Abbacchio would want, isn't it?]
[Bruno draws a slow breath in and out.]
If it would make you feel better.
[It's what Abbacchio would want, isn't it?]
[Bruno draws a slow breath in and out.]
If it would make you feel better.
[She closes her eyes, for a moment touching her lips against Sticky Fingers's shoulder in lieu of Bruno's. It wasn't fully giving in, but it was closer than what she'd been able to get the last time she wanted to pry feelings out of him.]
I can't make you happy the way he does. I wouldn't want to try.
[He was too special, and too special to Bruno.]
But he would want you to be okay, too, and that's...kinda why we can't be right now, huh?
I can't make you happy the way he does. I wouldn't want to try.
[He was too special, and too special to Bruno.]
But he would want you to be okay, too, and that's...kinda why we can't be right now, huh?
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