[Believe it or not, Bruno listens to the entirety of the audio messages. More than that, he sets aside everything else for a short while to listen, setting his watch down on the coffee table in front of his sofa and curling up. Bruno has a soft smile throughout both performances though a slightly wider smile appears whenever Fugo's playing seems to drift out of its somewhat stilted play style after particularly longer pieces where it's held firm. These aren't perfect performances, but that hardly matters to Bruno. What matters to him is that there's feeling behind Fugo's playing, and that conveys easily and perfectly.]
[After all the music is done, Bruno sits in silence for a little while after the recordings are through playing, reflecting upon it. He leans over, closing his watch, and then stands up. Rather than going out into the hallway, he takes the shortcut of opening the door to his walk-in and crossing through their shared bathroom. He does still knock on the doorframe all the same, however.]
[Fugo looks up at the sound of Bruno's knock. He's sitting crosslegged in the middle of his bed, with a large book of crosswords spread in front of him. Rather than writing on the pages directly, he's got a piece of graph paper laid over top the puzzle and is using a pen and ruler to recreate it on something a little less permanent. There's a mug within reach on his night stand, filling the room with a warm and gingery smell. He smiles, brief and and crooked, before venturing:]
[Bruno's smile is a little more persistent than Fugo's, but for once it takes a little more effort on Bruno's part to keep it as quiet as it usually is. It's not childish excitement that causes the difficulty, of course. Bruno's not the type to get over-excited about his birthday and never really has been even when he was a small child. But it's hard to suppress a smile when there's this much outpouring of warmth and love from other people, and it would be an understatement to say that Bruno feels grateful for all of it.]
I am, [he says, stepping into Fugo's room. He sits down on the edge of Fugo's bed.] And I have you to thank for at least some of it.
Well, maybe a little. [He's not trying to be dismissive or coy. It's just that Fugo looks at what he's done for Bruno today and feels like he's come up a little short, somehow. Oh, there's no denying he's helped--but the duet was Giorno's idea, the cake was Polnareff's thing mostly, and when it came down to it he gave Bruno pastries and some music. One of which will probably be gone within a day, the other which is something he was working on anyway.
But he's still pleased, in his subtle Fugo way, to see Bruno so happy. His expression is light and unworried; when Bruno sits on the edge of the bed, he gathers what he was working on and sets it aside on the nightstand.]
[Bruno doesn't bother with trying to correct Fugo on the extent of his contributions. He imagines that Fugo did contribute in only little ways to the vast majority of the things he's received. The thing of it is that he contributes in only little ways multiple times, which is so characteristic of what Fugo often does for the people around him that he cares about.]
[He always strove to take little things off Bruno's plate when Bruno was still team leader, and Bruno imagines that he does the same for Giorno now. It's where Fugo is more comfortable because he can still see the results of his actions, but they often go without notice or, at the very least, commentary. But Bruno learned to see Fugo's actions a long time ago, and he feels confident enough that Fugo knows that he notices that he never feels the urge or need to lay it on thick whenever he takes a moment to truly acknowledge and appreciate what he does.]
Me, too, [he admits.] I couldn't ask for anything more.
[While not like Kakyoin and Fugo who would do everything they could to get out of celebrating their birthdays if given the chance, Bruno is glad that it's overall been a fairly quiet day and that its acknowledgment as his birthday has remained within the famiglia rather than to the household at large. It's simply more familiar to him to have it this way than any other.]
[It's always been nice how Bruno has never pushed praise on him. Fugo squirms under too much attention; slides out from underneath compliments and endeavors to work more unobtrusively when he is noticed. For Fugo, it's enough to know that he's helped and to know that Bruno can see his proverbial fingerprints left behind by his efforts.]
Well, then it seems like you'll be getting more than you asked for. [There's a warm touch of humor in Fugo's voice.] Because Polnareff has something planned for this evening. He's very excited about it.
But-- [He leans back against the headboard, making a flicking gesture with his hand.] You didn't hear that from me.
[As if it hasn't been obvious all week that Polnareff's been up to something, what with the way he's been buzzing around the house and leaning in confer with Fugo and Giorno in just barely-inaudible secret conferences.]
Of course not. [And certainly not because Bruno could have absolutely guessed that for himself. Giorno, Fugo, and Polnareff have been extremely covert. Such to the point that Bruno was completely surprised they even remembered it's his birthday today. Yep.] I noticed the three of you are becoming thick as thieves lately. I wouldn't want to disrupt that.
[A comment that is equal parts just continuing to feign ignorance, but also expressed pleasure at seeing the people who matter the most to him doing more than just coexisting. More days than most and more often than Bruno would likely admit to it, he misses his team. This isn't the same, of course. The configuration of Bruno with Giorno, Fugo, and Polnareff doesn't match that, but there's still something equally special about it.]
Too bad there's nothing to steal here. We'd run a pretty tight operation. [Fugo's only being a little sarcastic. He is perhaps a little more adjusted to life outside of the mafia thanks to the time he spent in Milan, but it's still unsettling to him to be living such a relatively peaceful life. He itches for Napoli and the work that waits there, helping Giorno to manage Passione and steadily increase and refine its influence.]
JP was actually pestering me about what Giorno and I had planned. He's kind of nosy. No wonder Giorno likes him so much.
I'm a little surprised they haven't yet. [Fugo's gaze drops down to one of his hands, which is fiddling with the corner of a pillowcase.] Considering all the hints I've been sidestepping from Giorno and how annoyed JP was when I wouldn't tell him after he asked.
Unless they've already asked and you've already told them. But I don't think you would have brought it up like this if that were the case.
[Bruno shakes his head in confirmation that he wouldn't bring it up if they'd already asked and he gave the answer.]
If they had asked, I wouldn't have told them without talking to you first, anyway. I know that Jean would keep himself under control like he did for Kakyoin, and I think Giorno would, too, but I know you don't really like a big production on your birthday all the same.
[Even subdued, Giorno and Polnareff are not exactly like Bruno picking up a small cake from a local bakery alongside a modest present meant to come from the entire team. Those are two different things even in small ways.]
I feel kind of like an asshole for not telling them. I know they mean well, but-- [Polnaref... is really excited to celebrate Bruno's birthday. And so is Giorno. Even the idea of what they did for Kakyoin, leaving presents outside of his door-- it makes him feel uncomfortable to think about. Itchy, almost.] I just want it to pass.
I think it's hard for them both to understand that.
[There had been a period in Giorno's life where his own birthday had likely been completely overlooked and forgotten, and he probably still carries that with him when it comes to others' birthdays. As Fugo says, he means well. He just doesn't want Fugo to feel sad or alone on what's supposed to be his day, and Polnareff is the same way who meets every form of celebration with exuberant enthusiasm because like Giorno, he'd do just about anything to avoid someone feeling sad for too long.]
[Which is why Bruno allows both of them to make a fuss over his own birthday. He feels no particular strong feelings one way or another about his birthday being made into a big deal or not, but it's because he doesn't particularly want it to be quiet either that he's able to allow them to celebrate it in a way that feels good for both of them. For Bruno, even if it feels nice to be the center of their attention and affection, it's really not about what he wants or needs. At least not entirely.]
[But for all the ways in which Fugo is like Bruno, he isn't Bruno. He doesn't want the attention and feels uncomfortable with open displays of affection. There is a middle ground here, Bruno believes, but it just hasn't been found yet.]
I don't think it's impossible for them to understand though. They want to show you that they love and care about you, but it needs to be in a way that you're okay with. I think whatever limits you set, they'd listen to because they care so much.
[Bruno tips his head a little because,]
Well, Jean might fuss a little because he's had a very different childhood than you, me, and Giorno. [It makes it harder for Polnareff to really understand their approaches to life completely. At least not without a lot of (repeated) explanation.] But if you set a hard limit, he'll respect it. He didn't like leaving presents outside Kakyoin's door, but he did it anyway because that's what Kakyoin told him was acceptable.
I think if you do that with each of them, it might feel a little better for all three of you. You won't feel like you're being an asshole, and they won't feel like you're being left out or forgotten in something important.
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[After all the music is done, Bruno sits in silence for a little while after the recordings are through playing, reflecting upon it. He leans over, closing his watch, and then stands up. Rather than going out into the hallway, he takes the shortcut of opening the door to his walk-in and crossing through their shared bathroom. He does still knock on the doorframe all the same, however.]
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Having a good birthday?
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I am, [he says, stepping into Fugo's room. He sits down on the edge of Fugo's bed.] And I have you to thank for at least some of it.
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But he's still pleased, in his subtle Fugo way, to see Bruno so happy. His expression is light and unworried; when Bruno sits on the edge of the bed, he gathers what he was working on and sets it aside on the nightstand.]
I'm glad you're having a good day.
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[He always strove to take little things off Bruno's plate when Bruno was still team leader, and Bruno imagines that he does the same for Giorno now. It's where Fugo is more comfortable because he can still see the results of his actions, but they often go without notice or, at the very least, commentary. But Bruno learned to see Fugo's actions a long time ago, and he feels confident enough that Fugo knows that he notices that he never feels the urge or need to lay it on thick whenever he takes a moment to truly acknowledge and appreciate what he does.]
Me, too, [he admits.] I couldn't ask for anything more.
[While not like Kakyoin and Fugo who would do everything they could to get out of celebrating their birthdays if given the chance, Bruno is glad that it's overall been a fairly quiet day and that its acknowledgment as his birthday has remained within the famiglia rather than to the household at large. It's simply more familiar to him to have it this way than any other.]
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Well, then it seems like you'll be getting more than you asked for. [There's a warm touch of humor in Fugo's voice.] Because Polnareff has something planned for this evening. He's very excited about it.
But-- [He leans back against the headboard, making a flicking gesture with his hand.] You didn't hear that from me.
[As if it hasn't been obvious all week that Polnareff's been up to something, what with the way he's been buzzing around the house and leaning in confer with Fugo and Giorno in just barely-inaudible secret conferences.]
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Of course not. [And certainly not because Bruno could have absolutely guessed that for himself. Giorno, Fugo, and Polnareff have been extremely covert. Such to the point that Bruno was completely surprised they even remembered it's his birthday today. Yep.] I noticed the three of you are becoming thick as thieves lately. I wouldn't want to disrupt that.
[A comment that is equal parts just continuing to feign ignorance, but also expressed pleasure at seeing the people who matter the most to him doing more than just coexisting. More days than most and more often than Bruno would likely admit to it, he misses his team. This isn't the same, of course. The configuration of Bruno with Giorno, Fugo, and Polnareff doesn't match that, but there's still something equally special about it.]
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JP was actually pestering me about what Giorno and I had planned. He's kind of nosy. No wonder Giorno likes him so much.
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You realize the two of them are going to come to me for your birthday if you don't tell them when it is, right?
[Because it's not just Bruno that serves as a uniting factor for those two.]
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Unless they've already asked and you've already told them. But I don't think you would have brought it up like this if that were the case.
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If they had asked, I wouldn't have told them without talking to you first, anyway. I know that Jean would keep himself under control like he did for Kakyoin, and I think Giorno would, too, but I know you don't really like a big production on your birthday all the same.
[Even subdued, Giorno and Polnareff are not exactly like Bruno picking up a small cake from a local bakery alongside a modest present meant to come from the entire team. Those are two different things even in small ways.]
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[There had been a period in Giorno's life where his own birthday had likely been completely overlooked and forgotten, and he probably still carries that with him when it comes to others' birthdays. As Fugo says, he means well. He just doesn't want Fugo to feel sad or alone on what's supposed to be his day, and Polnareff is the same way who meets every form of celebration with exuberant enthusiasm because like Giorno, he'd do just about anything to avoid someone feeling sad for too long.]
[Which is why Bruno allows both of them to make a fuss over his own birthday. He feels no particular strong feelings one way or another about his birthday being made into a big deal or not, but it's because he doesn't particularly want it to be quiet either that he's able to allow them to celebrate it in a way that feels good for both of them. For Bruno, even if it feels nice to be the center of their attention and affection, it's really not about what he wants or needs. At least not entirely.]
[But for all the ways in which Fugo is like Bruno, he isn't Bruno. He doesn't want the attention and feels uncomfortable with open displays of affection. There is a middle ground here, Bruno believes, but it just hasn't been found yet.]
I don't think it's impossible for them to understand though. They want to show you that they love and care about you, but it needs to be in a way that you're okay with. I think whatever limits you set, they'd listen to because they care so much.
[Bruno tips his head a little because,]
Well, Jean might fuss a little because he's had a very different childhood than you, me, and Giorno. [It makes it harder for Polnareff to really understand their approaches to life completely. At least not without a lot of (repeated) explanation.] But if you set a hard limit, he'll respect it. He didn't like leaving presents outside Kakyoin's door, but he did it anyway because that's what Kakyoin told him was acceptable.
I think if you do that with each of them, it might feel a little better for all three of you. You won't feel like you're being an asshole, and they won't feel like you're being left out or forgotten in something important.