[Here is where Bruno finds himself reluctant again to answer. Because it feels like so many things and so much of it he doesn't want to put on Polnareff. He doesn't even want to part with it in general. He looks away again because he can't stand that look of hope in Polnareff's eyes. He put that there again and he knows he shouldn't have, but he can't see any other choice he could have made. So, he just looks out at the ocean again instead of at Polnareff while the debate carries on inside himself as to whether or not he can or should tell Polnareff anything further.]
[Would it be cruel to say nothing? To refuse to tell him? Or would it be worse? Would Polnareff be able to understand or would he see this as something he can surmount and just latch further onto that hope that Bruno wishes he didn't have? Bruno folds his hands together in his lap, neatly but also tight enough that his knuckles start to turn a little white. If he were the type to reflexively smile, it'd probably come across more as a grimace, but as it is, Bruno's expression remains neutral albeit straining to remain so in his eyes.]
[It occurs to him that he hasn't had a conversation like this since... Since...]
Where do I start? [he says absentmindedly and more to himself than to Polnareff.] Jean, this is just borrowed time for me.
[Which isn't a very sensitive thing to say, but he doesn't mean it nastily. He knows. He thinks he'll remember Giorno's description for the rest of his life, it was that horrifying. By the end he couldn't see or feel, a corpse stumbling towards the end, and if that doesn't send shivers down his spine . . . god, he can't imagine. He knows he can't; he's brushed against death, but never like that.
Kakyoin had died quickly. Horribly, yes, but quickly. So had Abdul. To have it linger on and on; to know it was coming, and yet to keep pushing forward . . .
Anyway. He knows, is the point. Polnareff watches Bruno carefully, studying the stillness of his face and the expression in his eyes.]
[There's another pause. This one isn't as long because Bruno knows the answer to that question without a doubt, but it's still not something easy for him to part with. He had admitted it to Giorno, but that had been once and when the wounds were still fresh and raw enough that he didn't think he could sit with them a second time. Not when he no longer had anything to move forward towards as he had the first time.]
It was different with him, [he says, his voice soft and quiet.] With Abbacchio.
When he got here, neither one of us really had anything but each other then. Giorno and I were at odds with each other, and Abbacchio would never forgive him because Giorno took over Passione in the end when I died and so did Narancia.
[He glances briefly at Polnareff because it's not a perspective that Bruno agrees with. He doesn't see his death, Abbacchio's, and certainly not Narancia's as sacrifices for putting Giorno at the head of Passione specifically. They were sacrifices in the name of something far greater than Giorno's advancement.]
Things got better.
[Bruno got better. He can't even objectively argue against that, not when he recognized that he wasn't fine. At least not as fine as he pretended to be.]
But if there was a chance that Abbacchio would have more beyond this place, I never would have...
[He doesn't move in closer, though he very much wants to. There's a foot between them, and somehow that seems insurmountable. There's still an emotional distance between them, so there has to be a physical distance as well.]
I know what happened to you at home. I know you're not alive, but you are here. You think-- what, that if we start something, you're gonna lead me on? Ruin me for something more when I go home? Except I know the risks, and I still want to try it with you. I don't have a wife and kids waiting for me in the future, you're not breaking up some big romance-- and while I'm here, while we're here, why can't we have this?
If you don't want to do this because you don't like me, or you're not attracted to me, I'll respect that. But if you're doing it because you think you're somehow sparing me by pulling away, you've got another thing coming.
[How long are you going to keep pretending you're still dead?]
[He let himself think then of a small future. Nothing beyond the limits of this city, but it was something for a few minutes while he was at Abbacchio's side. For just a few minutes, Bruno felt alive again and so did Abbacchio. He was there. The future faded completely, but Bruno didn't. And he's been okay with that because even in the position of consigliere to Giorno, things have stay settled as they are in the moment. There's nothing further beyond the day-to-day. There's no thought that Bruno is going to be there forever and Giorno's grown to be independent of Bruno. He's been grateful for all of it. But he knows more than that, and...]
[Bruno wordlessly shakes his head. Polnareff shouldn't be after someone who doesn't, who can't have a future.]
[A moment's pause, and then he slips over. There's still an inch of space between them, a gap that he doesn't yet close, but he's close enough to touch. Close enough he can see the way Bruno's fingers tighten against his legs; the way the emotion in his eyes flickers.]
I like you.
[He says it softly.]
And I think you like me. And that's all that ought to matter. That's all it should come down to. Even if it's just for a day, even if--
[It's his turn to glance away for a few seconds. Words, why does it always come down to words? He's not good at words. But he has to be right now, and so he takes a few seconds try and wrangle his thoughts into some semblance of order.]
I don't . . . I don't want to not start something just because it might hurt someday. That's not a good enough reason. You start letting that kind of thought stop you, what's the point of living at all? What's the point of anything if you're so worried about the future? Maybe we'll only last for a day, you and me, and maybe you're right, maybe I'll regret this years from now. I want it anyway. I want you anyway.
[Bruno has to close his eyes for the brief second when Polnareff moves closer to him. He opens his eyes and looks at Polnareff by the time he's settled that close. Bruno is tense now that Polnareff is closer. The physical distance between the two of them is so small and there's nowhere to go, but part of him still wants to get away. And he says I like you and Bruno can feel his heart rise up into his throat, and then he can't decide if he wants to pull away or stay here forever.]
[He listens to what Polnareff is saying, and he has arguments against all of it, some of which come before it's even left Polnareff's mouth. But he's also listening to the cadence of Polnareff's voice and he can feel the warmth of him this close. And all he can see are blue eyes that let the arguments become so weak that they crumble into dust to be carried off by the breeze. Slowly, Bruno's grip on his hands relax as Polnareff is speaking until they let go of one another. Polnareff stops speaking again and Bruno quietly lets go of a breath he didn't realize he was holding.]
[His hand moves from his lap to Polnareff's cheek, and for a moment, he thinks that's all he needs. He just needs the warmth of Polnareff's skin under his fingertips just one time. But he doesn't takes his fingers away and they instead move to cup Polnareff's cheek in his hand, and he watches them as they do so for a brief second before he meets Polnareff's eyes again. He doesn't hold eye contact long with Polnareff, however, his gaze dropping down to his lips. Bruno hesitates twice. He hesitates first to lean in closer, and then he hesitates again just before their lips meet.]
[It still feels like a bad idea. Nothing Polnareff can say or do will change that feeling, and Bruno feels like he should move away. But... But if this can be just for the moment... If Polnareff can promise him this moment.]
[Bruno closes the distance, pressing their lips together.]
[He knows what's coming the moment Bruno touches his face. It's a fight not to rush it, because this is something he needs to let Bruno do to him, not vice-versa. He's given enough; now Bruno has to meet him halfway. So he waits, holding himself as still as he can, staring at Bruno as he hesitates and then resolves himself.
It's worth the wait. The second their mouths meet it's worth it, because this is what he's been imagining for weeks now. And god, but it's a good kiss. It's not the hottest kiss he's ever gotten, no, nor the sweetest, but it's worth so much more because of who it's coming from.
It's hard not to laugh. He just feels giddy, that's all; it's just that Bruno is kissing him, that's all. Nothing to get worked up about, except he knows the second they break the kiss he's going to be grinning like an idiot. He leans in, pressing closer, his hand hesitating before blindly settling along Bruno's hip.
It isn't a long kiss. The first one isn't meant to be. Soon he breaks it, mouth sore in the best possible way.]
All right?
[He doesn't dare pull away. Just murmurs the words quietly, foreheads still pressed together, close enough he can feel Bruno's breath hot against his mouth. Christ.]
[It's a good question because even after it's said and done, it still feels like it was a bad idea. But with the weight of Polnareff's hand on his hip and the lingering feeling of his smiling against Bruno's, it feels a little more distant of an idea. Something closer to an afterthought that barely can even register in his conscious mind. So, yeah. It's all right. That's a way of putting it.]
[It might not really be qualified as a smile, but Bruno unmistakably has the beginnings of one on his face.]
Oh, that's how it's going to be? One kiss and you're already bossing me--
[This was a good idea. They're a good idea, the two of them, and every second that passes just confirms it. Bruno says that and suddenly Polnareff has to fight very hard not to shove him back against the boat and kiss him breathless. But that's maybe a little much for their second kiss, so he limits himself to a kiss that's just a touch harder. He leans into this one, his grip on Bruno's hip tightening. It's a kiss with intent, because he still doesn't know how long Bruno will allow this to continue, so he's got to make every one count.]
[Bruno hums in confirmation — because that sure is how it's going to be — but then all his attention is on the kiss. Polnareff's more sure of himself in the kiss, the way his grip tightens and he leans into it more. It has the positive side-effect that Bruno is, too. He doesn't lean into the kiss immediately, instead leading Polnareff in closer by leaning away at first. But once he has Polnareff where he wants him, his hand slips from his cheek to his neck and he leans into the kiss to return it in full. And perhaps more importantly, he really is starting to smile again.]
[Oh, hell. He's very aware of them both right now, and all the little places they're touching. He's half leaning over Bruno, drawn in irresistibly, and it's nice but it's also a little uncomfortable, physically. He's not going to stop kissing-- god, no, he wouldn't stop even if the damn leviathan decided to show up-- but it just makes him think of how this could be better. That instead of side by side, Bruno could be in his lap, and they could be kissing far more comfortably like that.
He likes the thought of that. He likes it a lot, actually. So much so that the next time they part for breath, he tugs at Bruno's hip, pulling him forward as he scoots back.]
C'mere--
[They've one lone sail on their craft, something that Polnareff suspects is more for show than substance, but it means he's got something to lean back on as he waits. Either Bruno will say yes or he'll reject him, but Polnareff's feeling pretty confident about his odds.]
[Bruno hesitates, but it turns out that Polnareff has good reason to feel fairly confident about his chances. Bruno shifts and lets Polnareff pull him into his lap. He doesn't settle in against Polnareff immediately. There's a moment or two where he seems to be sitting on pins and needles in uncertainty, fingers of his free hand now curling themselves in Polnareff's shirt.]
[He'd been questioned what seems like a very long time ago now as to whether or not he was really here. He claimed to be, but he had been so reluctant to be and he questioned it so deeply that he was justifiably doubted then. Now... Now there doesn't feel like there's room for any doubts about it. He relaxes and settles against Polnareff, and his world is a little bit smaller and focused on so very few things that aren't Polnareff, but it's warm and he feels secure in it.]
[He knows he's here.]
[Bruno lets go of Polnareff's shirt in favor of holding his face in both of his hands while they kiss until one settles on Polnareff's shoulder. He catches Polnareff's bottom lip gently between his teeth.]
[His own thoughts, just as genuine, nonetheless run a far less philosophical line. Yes, he thinks happily, and good, things that are far more about pure pleased emotion than anything articulate. Good, because Bruno is a pleasantly heavy weight atop him, and their hips are pressed together, and his hands are fantastically warm where they're resting against him. Carefully Polnareff settles his own hands along Bruno's hips, thumbs brushing up beneath his shirt, his fingers firm in their grip.
He could probably spend the rest of the day like this. He could certainly spend the next few hours like this. Bruno bites at his bottom lip and Polnareff shivers, an all-over thing that he doesn't bother hiding. He surges up into the kiss, returning it enthusiastically, too happy to bother tamping down his eagerness.]
[Bruno's a little surprised when he feels Polnareff shiver, but on second thought, he thinks he probably shouldn't have been. He meets everything with enthusiasm, why would he hold back now? He has to lean back a little to accommodate the way Polnareff moves forward into the kiss, but ultimately doesn't mind it all that much. It gives him an excuse to entwine his fingers behind Polnareff's neck and he huffs a small, pleased laugh between kisses.]
[But when a thought occurs to him, he breaks off the kiss.]
Are you sure you shouldn't have gone with the Seaduction?
[This is unfair. This is unfair, and he'd scowl if he wasn't so delighted. How is he supposed to choose? He loves kissing Bruno and he's not nearly ready to stop-- but at the same time, Bruno is laughing and making truly awful jokes, and he quite likes that as well. He doesn't want either to stop, and frankly, it's pretty rude of Bruno to force him to choose between the two.
But he's a consigliere. He's good at coming up with solutions. One hand skims along the back of Bruno's neck, fingers pushing up into his hair, as Polnareff kisses along his throat. His teeth scrape against the skin, a promise of what's to come-- but rather than bite down just yet, he murmurs:]
Too on the nose. You would've seen it coming. I had to be subtle.
[Bruno tips his chin up a little as Polnareff kiss his throat, but it's the scrape of teeth that cause Bruno to inhale sharply with a small movement closer toward Polnareff.]
Subtle?
[He doesn't sound as skeptical as he means to sound, but Polnareff's mouth is against his throat and there's fingers in his hair. He can't be that fussed about it.]
Like you're one to talk. I told you my favorite dessert and suddenly it's in the fridge-- you wanna talk about subtle?
[Except that's not what he's focused on at all. Polnareff hooks two fingers into the waistband of his pants, pulling him in closer as his teeth scrape against his skin. It's a rougher movement this time, something intended to tease, and he listens intently for the resulting reaction.]
Says the man who ga-ave me barrettes. [The word gave is broken into two syllables, bisected by a hitch in Bruno's breathing as his fingers curl behind Polnareff's neck, nails grazing his skin. His throat's only bared for a brief few seconds before he moves just far enough away that he can catch Polnareff's lips in another kiss. Mm, but that wasn't his full point, was it?] Because he couldn't wait for my birthday.
[This time when Bruno bites at Polnareff's lip, it's almost hard enough to hurt before he kisses it better.]
[That broken up word is worth everything. Polnareff grins fiercely as he hears it. Good. And he can't help but wonder, too-- because if he can get Bruno to react like that with just a bit of teasing, how quickly will he fall apart when Polnareff manages to get him into a bed proper? And oh, what a thought that is: Bruno splayed beneath him, struggling to keep his composure as he's driven to distraction, his cheeks flushed as he's pinned to the bed, shirt rucked up and mouth dropped open-- god, it'd be so easy, too--
Maybe not that easy, he hastily amends. Not if he's kissing like that. His lip throbs where Bruno bit, and his eyes have gone a little darker when he pulls away. That's hot too. That's very hot, actually, and he suddenly wishes they were somewhere a little more steady.]
And that was before I knew I liked you.
[It's theoretically a joke, except his voice has gone rougher now.]
[He doesn't say it out loud because he's noticed that word choice. Polnareff says like and liked. But the same principle behind the saying that drifts into Bruno's mind applies: Amore e tosse non si nascondono. Love and a cough cannot be hidden.]
[There's certainly no hiding it now, is there? Not with Polnareff looking at him like that and his voice sounding the way it does right now. He's grateful to be sitting down because that kind of look's enough to make the core of him feel just warm enough to inspire a weakness in his legs. Bruno hums softly in acknowledgement and he misses Polnareff's mouth at his throat already.]
But probably not before other people knew. [He says other people, but he really means Giorno. Giorno had been sniffing around about Bruno's time spent with Polnareff well before Polnareff ever gave him those barrettes. Bruno looks aside for a moment before looking at Polnareff again.] Can this just be ours until the end of the day? I don't care if they know or if you tell them — or what you tell them for that matter.
[Bruno plays with his own fingers behind Polnareff's neck for a second or two. It's as close to a fidget as Bruno will likely ever get to.]
[There's a touch of indignance there, as if Polnareff is going to fight somebody in order to make that come true. Quite possibly he'll fight himself. He's not good at keeping a secret, not at all, but for Bruno he'll fight against his own talkative nature for a while.
Anyway, he rather likes that timeline. It isn't that he's frightened of what people might say, because of course they already know. It isn't as if Jotaro or Kakyoin is going to suddenly change their minds or jeer. But in some ways this is all so terribly new to him, and the unknown is always terrifying. So better to keep it to themselves for the next day, so he can start to get used to this.
He wants people to know. He really does. But fear and anxiety curls in the pit of his stomach, so maybe not right this second.
But that raises another question, and his eyes dart down for a moment, studying his throat.]
This is more than for just right now.
[It's not posed as a question, but it's there in the way he glances up, meeting his eyes again. He's a little more certain of this part. Polnareff runs his fingers idly against Bruno's neck, the gesture more affectionate than sexual.]
[Bruno lets a breath go slowly through his nose, unaware he was even holding it in the first place, and relaxes a little more in Polnareff's lap when he has his answer. He's uncertain. Not anxious or afraid, but uncertain as to whether or not this is really the right thing. He knows he won't have his answer to that question probably anytime soon if he ever does, but a little time to let the dust settle... That's all he wants. To let things settle and to be here in the moment.]
[But then Polnareff asks about something that's beyond that moment and Bruno gets about halfway through starting to tense when there are fingers running along his neck. He settles again, but remains quiet for a long moment once he breaks eye contact with Polnareff. He can feel his heart pounding in his ears without having to reach for his pulse, so he doesn't. He has the arguments, doesn't he? But... He doesn't want to make them. He doesn't want to say them or listen to them. He just wants to be.]
More than just for today, [he echoes, quietly, looking at Polnareff again.]
[And then he kisses Polnareff again. It's sweeter and gentler than the last, but it's also a promise. More than just for today. He can do that.]
[Good. Bruno's pressed so close; he'll be able to feel how Polnareff relaxes, the tension leaving him in one happy exhale. Good. Does this make them-- what, boyfriends, then? Or no, that's probably a term that's better saved for later, but it makes them something. It means that he's got Bruno for more than just a few hours, and that he doesn't have to worry about each kiss being their last.
So he happily loses himself in them. They're good kisses. Sweet at first, light things broken up by little hums of pleasure and murmured words; hotter later on, as he keeps Bruno pressed close and grins fiercely against his mouth. There's no way he's not leaving a mark before they get off the boat. He'll be merciful about it; he'll bite somewhere low that Bruno can cover up as he sees fit-- but god, he deserves to be marked up. It'll look good on him.
It's during one of the pauses that he speaks. Not just murmured endearments, but a proper sentence, spoken as they both catch their breath.]
That's when it started, you know. I gave you those barrettes and you looked at me like . . . [He huffs a wry little laugh.] Anyway. I knew then.
[That makes sense in retrospect. It's not like there was this large, noticeable difference from Bruno's perspective, but Polnareff began asking so many more personal questions than usual. He wanted to know things like Bruno's favorite kind of music and even his favorite color. And he wanted to know about Renato, not Alessandra or Sofia.]
Amore e tosse non si nascondono... [he says it this time without thinking, but it's true. He just hadn't been looking at things the right way as Polnareff had been. Maybe he didn't think it was a possibility or maybe subconsciously he didn't want it to be because he didn't want to lose their friendship. Whatever the reason, he just hadn't been looking at things the right way. That's why he missed it and even outright ignored it.] So you didn't say anything to me about it for nearly a month?
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[Would it be cruel to say nothing? To refuse to tell him? Or would it be worse? Would Polnareff be able to understand or would he see this as something he can surmount and just latch further onto that hope that Bruno wishes he didn't have? Bruno folds his hands together in his lap, neatly but also tight enough that his knuckles start to turn a little white. If he were the type to reflexively smile, it'd probably come across more as a grimace, but as it is, Bruno's expression remains neutral albeit straining to remain so in his eyes.]
[It occurs to him that he hasn't had a conversation like this since... Since...]
Where do I start? [he says absentmindedly and more to himself than to Polnareff.] Jean, this is just borrowed time for me.
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[Which isn't a very sensitive thing to say, but he doesn't mean it nastily. He knows. He thinks he'll remember Giorno's description for the rest of his life, it was that horrifying. By the end he couldn't see or feel, a corpse stumbling towards the end, and if that doesn't send shivers down his spine . . . god, he can't imagine. He knows he can't; he's brushed against death, but never like that.
Kakyoin had died quickly. Horribly, yes, but quickly. So had Abdul. To have it linger on and on; to know it was coming, and yet to keep pushing forward . . .
Anyway. He knows, is the point. Polnareff watches Bruno carefully, studying the stillness of his face and the expression in his eyes.]
Is that a reason for your sake or mine?
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It was different with him, [he says, his voice soft and quiet.] With Abbacchio.
When he got here, neither one of us really had anything but each other then. Giorno and I were at odds with each other, and Abbacchio would never forgive him because Giorno took over Passione in the end when I died and so did Narancia.
[He glances briefly at Polnareff because it's not a perspective that Bruno agrees with. He doesn't see his death, Abbacchio's, and certainly not Narancia's as sacrifices for putting Giorno at the head of Passione specifically. They were sacrifices in the name of something far greater than Giorno's advancement.]
Things got better.
[Bruno got better. He can't even objectively argue against that, not when he recognized that he wasn't fine. At least not as fine as he pretended to be.]
But if there was a chance that Abbacchio would have more beyond this place, I never would have...
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[He doesn't move in closer, though he very much wants to. There's a foot between them, and somehow that seems insurmountable. There's still an emotional distance between them, so there has to be a physical distance as well.]
I know what happened to you at home. I know you're not alive, but you are here. You think-- what, that if we start something, you're gonna lead me on? Ruin me for something more when I go home? Except I know the risks, and I still want to try it with you. I don't have a wife and kids waiting for me in the future, you're not breaking up some big romance-- and while I'm here, while we're here, why can't we have this?
If you don't want to do this because you don't like me, or you're not attracted to me, I'll respect that. But if you're doing it because you think you're somehow sparing me by pulling away, you've got another thing coming.
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[How long are you going to keep pretending you're still dead?]
[He let himself think then of a small future. Nothing beyond the limits of this city, but it was something for a few minutes while he was at Abbacchio's side. For just a few minutes, Bruno felt alive again and so did Abbacchio. He was there. The future faded completely, but Bruno didn't. And he's been okay with that because even in the position of consigliere to Giorno, things have stay settled as they are in the moment. There's nothing further beyond the day-to-day. There's no thought that Bruno is going to be there forever and Giorno's grown to be independent of Bruno. He's been grateful for all of it. But he knows more than that, and...]
[Bruno wordlessly shakes his head. Polnareff shouldn't be after someone who doesn't, who can't have a future.]
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I like you.
[He says it softly.]
And I think you like me. And that's all that ought to matter. That's all it should come down to. Even if it's just for a day, even if--
[It's his turn to glance away for a few seconds. Words, why does it always come down to words? He's not good at words. But he has to be right now, and so he takes a few seconds try and wrangle his thoughts into some semblance of order.]
I don't . . . I don't want to not start something just because it might hurt someday. That's not a good enough reason. You start letting that kind of thought stop you, what's the point of living at all? What's the point of anything if you're so worried about the future? Maybe we'll only last for a day, you and me, and maybe you're right, maybe I'll regret this years from now. I want it anyway. I want you anyway.
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[He listens to what Polnareff is saying, and he has arguments against all of it, some of which come before it's even left Polnareff's mouth. But he's also listening to the cadence of Polnareff's voice and he can feel the warmth of him this close. And all he can see are blue eyes that let the arguments become so weak that they crumble into dust to be carried off by the breeze. Slowly, Bruno's grip on his hands relax as Polnareff is speaking until they let go of one another. Polnareff stops speaking again and Bruno quietly lets go of a breath he didn't realize he was holding.]
[His hand moves from his lap to Polnareff's cheek, and for a moment, he thinks that's all he needs. He just needs the warmth of Polnareff's skin under his fingertips just one time. But he doesn't takes his fingers away and they instead move to cup Polnareff's cheek in his hand, and he watches them as they do so for a brief second before he meets Polnareff's eyes again. He doesn't hold eye contact long with Polnareff, however, his gaze dropping down to his lips. Bruno hesitates twice. He hesitates first to lean in closer, and then he hesitates again just before their lips meet.]
[It still feels like a bad idea. Nothing Polnareff can say or do will change that feeling, and Bruno feels like he should move away. But... But if this can be just for the moment... If Polnareff can promise him this moment.]
[Bruno closes the distance, pressing their lips together.]
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It's worth the wait. The second their mouths meet it's worth it, because this is what he's been imagining for weeks now. And god, but it's a good kiss. It's not the hottest kiss he's ever gotten, no, nor the sweetest, but it's worth so much more because of who it's coming from.
It's hard not to laugh. He just feels giddy, that's all; it's just that Bruno is kissing him, that's all. Nothing to get worked up about, except he knows the second they break the kiss he's going to be grinning like an idiot. He leans in, pressing closer, his hand hesitating before blindly settling along Bruno's hip.
It isn't a long kiss. The first one isn't meant to be. Soon he breaks it, mouth sore in the best possible way.]
All right?
[He doesn't dare pull away. Just murmurs the words quietly, foreheads still pressed together, close enough he can feel Bruno's breath hot against his mouth. Christ.]
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[It might not really be qualified as a smile, but Bruno unmistakably has the beginnings of one on his face.]
Kiss me again, and I'll let you know.
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[This was a good idea. They're a good idea, the two of them, and every second that passes just confirms it. Bruno says that and suddenly Polnareff has to fight very hard not to shove him back against the boat and kiss him breathless. But that's maybe a little much for their second kiss, so he limits himself to a kiss that's just a touch harder. He leans into this one, his grip on Bruno's hip tightening. It's a kiss with intent, because he still doesn't know how long Bruno will allow this to continue, so he's got to make every one count.]
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He likes the thought of that. He likes it a lot, actually. So much so that the next time they part for breath, he tugs at Bruno's hip, pulling him forward as he scoots back.]
C'mere--
[They've one lone sail on their craft, something that Polnareff suspects is more for show than substance, but it means he's got something to lean back on as he waits. Either Bruno will say yes or he'll reject him, but Polnareff's feeling pretty confident about his odds.]
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[He'd been questioned what seems like a very long time ago now as to whether or not he was really here. He claimed to be, but he had been so reluctant to be and he questioned it so deeply that he was justifiably doubted then. Now... Now there doesn't feel like there's room for any doubts about it. He relaxes and settles against Polnareff, and his world is a little bit smaller and focused on so very few things that aren't Polnareff, but it's warm and he feels secure in it.]
[He knows he's here.]
[Bruno lets go of Polnareff's shirt in favor of holding his face in both of his hands while they kiss until one settles on Polnareff's shoulder. He catches Polnareff's bottom lip gently between his teeth.]
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He could probably spend the rest of the day like this. He could certainly spend the next few hours like this. Bruno bites at his bottom lip and Polnareff shivers, an all-over thing that he doesn't bother hiding. He surges up into the kiss, returning it enthusiastically, too happy to bother tamping down his eagerness.]
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[But when a thought occurs to him, he breaks off the kiss.]
Are you sure you shouldn't have gone with the Seaduction?
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But he's a consigliere. He's good at coming up with solutions. One hand skims along the back of Bruno's neck, fingers pushing up into his hair, as Polnareff kisses along his throat. His teeth scrape against the skin, a promise of what's to come-- but rather than bite down just yet, he murmurs:]
Too on the nose. You would've seen it coming. I had to be subtle.
[To a point, anyway.]
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Subtle?
[He doesn't sound as skeptical as he means to sound, but Polnareff's mouth is against his throat and there's fingers in his hair. He can't be that fussed about it.]
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[Except that's not what he's focused on at all. Polnareff hooks two fingers into the waistband of his pants, pulling him in closer as his teeth scrape against his skin. It's a rougher movement this time, something intended to tease, and he listens intently for the resulting reaction.]
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[This time when Bruno bites at Polnareff's lip, it's almost hard enough to hurt before he kisses it better.]
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Maybe not that easy, he hastily amends. Not if he's kissing like that. His lip throbs where Bruno bit, and his eyes have gone a little darker when he pulls away. That's hot too. That's very hot, actually, and he suddenly wishes they were somewhere a little more steady.]
And that was before I knew I liked you.
[It's theoretically a joke, except his voice has gone rougher now.]
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[There's certainly no hiding it now, is there? Not with Polnareff looking at him like that and his voice sounding the way it does right now. He's grateful to be sitting down because that kind of look's enough to make the core of him feel just warm enough to inspire a weakness in his legs. Bruno hums softly in acknowledgement and he misses Polnareff's mouth at his throat already.]
But probably not before other people knew. [He says other people, but he really means Giorno. Giorno had been sniffing around about Bruno's time spent with Polnareff well before Polnareff ever gave him those barrettes. Bruno looks aside for a moment before looking at Polnareff again.] Can this just be ours until the end of the day? I don't care if they know or if you tell them — or what you tell them for that matter.
[Bruno plays with his own fingers behind Polnareff's neck for a second or two. It's as close to a fidget as Bruno will likely ever get to.]
I just want this to be ours for one day.
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[There's a touch of indignance there, as if Polnareff is going to fight somebody in order to make that come true. Quite possibly he'll fight himself. He's not good at keeping a secret, not at all, but for Bruno he'll fight against his own talkative nature for a while.
Anyway, he rather likes that timeline. It isn't that he's frightened of what people might say, because of course they already know. It isn't as if Jotaro or Kakyoin is going to suddenly change their minds or jeer. But in some ways this is all so terribly new to him, and the unknown is always terrifying. So better to keep it to themselves for the next day, so he can start to get used to this.
He wants people to know. He really does. But fear and anxiety curls in the pit of his stomach, so maybe not right this second.
But that raises another question, and his eyes dart down for a moment, studying his throat.]
This is more than for just right now.
[It's not posed as a question, but it's there in the way he glances up, meeting his eyes again. He's a little more certain of this part. Polnareff runs his fingers idly against Bruno's neck, the gesture more affectionate than sexual.]
More than just for today.
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[But then Polnareff asks about something that's beyond that moment and Bruno gets about halfway through starting to tense when there are fingers running along his neck. He settles again, but remains quiet for a long moment once he breaks eye contact with Polnareff. He can feel his heart pounding in his ears without having to reach for his pulse, so he doesn't. He has the arguments, doesn't he? But... He doesn't want to make them. He doesn't want to say them or listen to them. He just wants to be.]
More than just for today, [he echoes, quietly, looking at Polnareff again.]
[And then he kisses Polnareff again. It's sweeter and gentler than the last, but it's also a promise. More than just for today. He can do that.]
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So he happily loses himself in them. They're good kisses. Sweet at first, light things broken up by little hums of pleasure and murmured words; hotter later on, as he keeps Bruno pressed close and grins fiercely against his mouth. There's no way he's not leaving a mark before they get off the boat. He'll be merciful about it; he'll bite somewhere low that Bruno can cover up as he sees fit-- but god, he deserves to be marked up. It'll look good on him.
It's during one of the pauses that he speaks. Not just murmured endearments, but a proper sentence, spoken as they both catch their breath.]
That's when it started, you know. I gave you those barrettes and you looked at me like . . . [He huffs a wry little laugh.] Anyway. I knew then.
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Amore e tosse non si nascondono... [he says it this time without thinking, but it's true. He just hadn't been looking at things the right way as Polnareff had been. Maybe he didn't think it was a possibility or maybe subconsciously he didn't want it to be because he didn't want to lose their friendship. Whatever the reason, he just hadn't been looking at things the right way. That's why he missed it and even outright ignored it.] So you didn't say anything to me about it for nearly a month?
[He's teasing now, sounding halfway impressed.]
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