[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?
[He knows amore, of course, and si and e, which don't actually tell him all that much. But Bruno is saying something about love, which is something that's both terrifying and thrilling. Never let it be said the guy went halfway for something. Christ.
He'll leave it be for now. Better to focus on that teasing. Polnareff bites at his bottom lip in retaliation, his fingers tightening on his hips.]
Fooled you, didn't I, so watch your tone. Anyway, what was I going to say? I had to do it right. I couldn't just blurt it out, not with you, I had to wait for the right moment.
[Like the departure of their boat. It's a symbolic little craft, no doubt about it, and it's served quite well as a tool. Thank god, Polnareff reflects, he never stops to think before he speaks; if he had, he might never have suggested building a boat with Bruno, and then where would he be?]
[Bruno makes a small noise of protest at having his lip bitten, and yet does nothing about it except once Polnareff's let it go, taking it between his own teeth for a few seconds. Even then, he only lets it go to talk.]
If I didn't already know you're a romantic, I'd be surprised. [But on second thought... Bruno tips his head a little to one side. His smile is a soft one.] Thank you. For waiting. And being patient.
[Like with most things, it'd seem that Polnareff is effusive in his affection and feelings.]
That's alright, caro mio. [Bruno kisses a corner of Polnareff's crooked grin, but leaves his lips close enough for Polnareff to still feel his smile.] I think you've already told me a couple reasons why.
[A surprise? Bruno's smile widens just a little as he laughs quietly. He realizes he could be underestimating Polnareff, but it's going to be tough pulling a fast one like that on Bruno.]
I believe in French it would be . . . [He thinks a moment, placing another absentminded kiss to Polnareff's lips.] Mon cher.
[It's different this time. Dramatically different, in fact. Before when Polnareff looked at him like that, it didn't feel right and it didn't feel good. All Bruno could feel was an overwhelming amount of guilt and regret beginning to settle in as he had to try and figure out a way to put some distance between the two of them. Now they're so close together and Bruno rests so comfortably against Polnareff that he can feel every breath he takes and nearly every little tensing of muscle when it happens. He doesn't want to be anywhere else right now.]
[Bruno hums thoughtfully before he gives him gioia mia, cucciolo, and bello with a kiss between each and their translation in French.]
[Possibly. It's a little hard to think with all those kisses, but he'll do his best. Polnareff presses his lips together, savoring the lingering pressure there.]
I like them. But you'd better stick to the French versions, hm? Don't fall out of practice just because you've got me distracting you.
Fair enough. But there's at least one I'm keeping in italiano.
[Which means he's also not going to tell Polnareff what it means if he doesn't already know enough Italian to figure it out, or if French doesn't let him guess at the meaning. He'll either have to ask someone or look at a book, if that's the case.]
Tu sei la, [he says, pausing there to kiss Polnareff again. He brings one hand back to Polnareff's cheek as he rests his forehead against Polnareff's.] Luce dei miei occhi.
[He murmurs his attempts at a translation, but the bulk of the phrase escapes him. All he knows is that it's about him, which does him absolutely no good whatsoever. Polnareff tips his head up to sneak another kiss before murmuring:]
[Bruno hums softly and shakes his head no a little, which really only results in nuzzling noses with Polnareff, as he looks at him through half-lidded eyes. Quietly he says,]
I told you. Italiano only. I won't say it in any other language. [He kisses Polnareff once.] You'll have to figure it out. [Twice. He thinks he's starting to get addicted to it.] Or let it be a mystery.
[It'd be a whine at any other time, except he's too addled by those kisses to bother. Instead it comes out quietly, a plea more than anything. But fine, if they're going to play the language game . . . he speaks in French now.]
I'm not even learning Italian, you can't keep things from me like this. It's like the night of the wine all over again.
[He ought to be able to understand most of that. He's a quick study, Bruno is, and he's learned a lot since that night.]
[Oh, he likes the sound of his name when it's said like that. Not that he'd mind it terribly with some volume to it either, but it's nice hearing it as a soft little plea out of Polnareff.]
[Bruno doesn't quite know what Polnareff is taking about at first, but once it connects he turns his head a little to laugh. He'd forgotten about that entirely.]
No, I'd say this is better. There's more kissing. [He kisses him again, as if to prove the point because it clearly needed selling.] And no kids.
[Who could he possibly be referring to?]
You're just going to have to learn more Italian, mon bonheur, if you want to know.
[Both that teasing and the nickname both. Polnareff huffs a little sigh and ducks down, kissing hard at the crook Bruno's neck.]
I'll just have to seduce-- [He bites firmly, sucking a mark there. Only when he's satisfied with what's left behind does he pulls back to finish his thought.] --seduce it out of you.
[He says the word twice-- first in English, then in French-- because every moment is a teaching moment.]
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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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He'll leave it be for now. Better to focus on that teasing. Polnareff bites at his bottom lip in retaliation, his fingers tightening on his hips.]
Fooled you, didn't I, so watch your tone. Anyway, what was I going to say? I had to do it right. I couldn't just blurt it out, not with you, I had to wait for the right moment.
[Like the departure of their boat. It's a symbolic little craft, no doubt about it, and it's served quite well as a tool. Thank god, Polnareff reflects, he never stops to think before he speaks; if he had, he might never have suggested building a boat with Bruno, and then where would he be?]
And flirt with you in the meantime.
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If I didn't already know you're a romantic, I'd be surprised. [But on second thought... Bruno tips his head a little to one side. His smile is a soft one.] Thank you. For waiting. And being patient.
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Worth it.
[It wasn't that hard. People have gone through worse for less. But it had been a little painful, and he's glad he doesn't have to wait any longer.]
You're worth it. And if you want, I'll tell you exactly why.
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That's alright, caro mio. [Bruno kisses a corner of Polnareff's crooked grin, but leaves his lips close enough for Polnareff to still feel his smile.] I think you've already told me a couple reasons why.
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[He could guess, but he wants to hear it properly.]
I'll tell you later. When you're least expecting it. It'll be a surprise.
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I believe in French it would be . . . [He thinks a moment, placing another absentminded kiss to Polnareff's lips.] Mon cher.
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[His fingers drag along Bruno's neck, tracing the lines there.]
What's another petname in Italian?
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[Bruno hums thoughtfully before he gives him gioia mia, cucciolo, and bello with a kiss between each and their translation in French.]
Think you can remember all of that?
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[Possibly. It's a little hard to think with all those kisses, but he'll do his best. Polnareff presses his lips together, savoring the lingering pressure there.]
I like them. But you'd better stick to the French versions, hm? Don't fall out of practice just because you've got me distracting you.
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[Which means he's also not going to tell Polnareff what it means if he doesn't already know enough Italian to figure it out, or if French doesn't let him guess at the meaning. He'll either have to ask someone or look at a book, if that's the case.]
Tu sei la, [he says, pausing there to kiss Polnareff again. He brings one hand back to Polnareff's cheek as he rests his forehead against Polnareff's.] Luce dei miei occhi.
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[He murmurs his attempts at a translation, but the bulk of the phrase escapes him. All he knows is that it's about him, which does him absolutely no good whatsoever. Polnareff tips his head up to sneak another kiss before murmuring:]
I'm your what?
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I told you. Italiano only. I won't say it in any other language. [He kisses Polnareff once.] You'll have to figure it out. [Twice. He thinks he's starting to get addicted to it.] Or let it be a mystery.
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[It'd be a whine at any other time, except he's too addled by those kisses to bother. Instead it comes out quietly, a plea more than anything. But fine, if they're going to play the language game . . . he speaks in French now.]
I'm not even learning Italian, you can't keep things from me like this. It's like the night of the wine all over again.
[He ought to be able to understand most of that. He's a quick study, Bruno is, and he's learned a lot since that night.]
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[Bruno doesn't quite know what Polnareff is taking about at first, but once it connects he turns his head a little to laugh. He'd forgotten about that entirely.]
No, I'd say this is better. There's more kissing. [He kisses him again, as if to prove the point because it clearly needed selling.] And no kids.
[Who could he possibly be referring to?]
You're just going to have to learn more Italian, mon bonheur, if you want to know.
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[Both that teasing and the nickname both. Polnareff huffs a little sigh and ducks down, kissing hard at the crook Bruno's neck.]
I'll just have to seduce-- [He bites firmly, sucking a mark there. Only when he's satisfied with what's left behind does he pulls back to finish his thought.] --seduce it out of you.
[He says the word twice-- first in English, then in French-- because every moment is a teaching moment.]
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