[It would be a lie to say that hearing Polnareff say something like that doesn't stir up at least something akin to mild discomfort because Bruno is only human, which means he's just as flawed and occasionally selfish as the rest of humanity. But he also understands love to be a complex thing that people tend to over-simplify, which means he understands that loving Abdul doesn't inherently conflict, diminish, or change Polnareff's love for Bruno. It's not the point anyway, the foolish notion of Abdul vs. Bruno. The point is that Polnareff had something he wanted to say, he just didn't realize it in time. And now there's no telling if he'll ever get that chance again.]
[It's something that Bruno can relate to, and he thinks that Polnareff has at least a vague idea of that by now or it might not be that even now would he be able to say it. But unlike Polnareff, Bruno has the comfort in knowing for certain that Abbacchio knew to some extent. Maybe not the whole of it because Bruno could never be completely selfish enough to take and say it, but he knew and understood enough with needing Bruno to say it. Sometimes that's enough. Sometimes it falls a little short. But it's something compared to Polnareff's relative nothing to alleviate the guilt and pain surrounding the abrupt loss of Abdul.]
He probably knew, Jean. You have a big heart, and wear it on your sleeve, [Bruno says, speaking in gentle, quiet tones as he moves his hand up to run his fingers through Polnareff's hair. This isn't like the way he normally teases Polnareff at how obvious he is to anyone willing to pay attention. It isn't even the subtle praise of his exuberant affection. It's softer reassurance instead.] I know that's not the same thing as being able to say it, but I think he knew. But even if he didn't know, I don't think he'd want you to torture yourself like this because it was his decision to save you, not yours.
[Because chances are, he thinks, Abdul loved him, too. Because it's impossible not to love Polnareff even just a little. And because he knows that no matter how good a person is, they have to hold some love for someone they're willing to make that kind of sacrifice for.]
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[It's something that Bruno can relate to, and he thinks that Polnareff has at least a vague idea of that by now or it might not be that even now would he be able to say it. But unlike Polnareff, Bruno has the comfort in knowing for certain that Abbacchio knew to some extent. Maybe not the whole of it because Bruno could never be completely selfish enough to take and say it, but he knew and understood enough with needing Bruno to say it. Sometimes that's enough. Sometimes it falls a little short. But it's something compared to Polnareff's relative nothing to alleviate the guilt and pain surrounding the abrupt loss of Abdul.]
He probably knew, Jean. You have a big heart, and wear it on your sleeve, [Bruno says, speaking in gentle, quiet tones as he moves his hand up to run his fingers through Polnareff's hair. This isn't like the way he normally teases Polnareff at how obvious he is to anyone willing to pay attention. It isn't even the subtle praise of his exuberant affection. It's softer reassurance instead.] I know that's not the same thing as being able to say it, but I think he knew. But even if he didn't know, I don't think he'd want you to torture yourself like this because it was his decision to save you, not yours.
[Because chances are, he thinks, Abdul loved him, too. Because it's impossible not to love Polnareff even just a little. And because he knows that no matter how good a person is, they have to hold some love for someone they're willing to make that kind of sacrifice for.]
[He presses another kiss to Polnareff's temple.]