[When it comes to his birthday, Bruno falls somewhere in the middle between the refusal to acknowledge and the inability to talk about anything else. While he doesn't make nor want it to be a spectacle, he's appreciative and gracious for all the effort put into selecting presents for him, and putting together all of the little surprises that have been peppered throughout the day. He does, however, foolishly seem to believe this late at night that it's definitely come to an end because it isn't exactly a well-guarded secret that Bruno both turns in and wakes early.]
[He's genuinely surprised to find Polnareff not only waiting for him, but doing so with multiple presents.]
So the same man who couldn't wait to give me barrettes he made for me has been sitting with four presents for how long?
[It's been hell, keeping these a secret. He's fortunate that he found the Miles Davis record two days ago; he doesn't know if he could have kept that under wraps for long.
Polnareff scoots over, one leg curling up to press against his chest.]
Did you really think the cake was gonna be it? Please. I haven't even said happy birthday properly yet.
[Bruno sits down, toeing off his shoes before tucking his legs underneath him though not without leaning over a little to press a kiss to Polnareff's cheek.]
You didn't try to shake me awake at midnight and managed to get through the entire day. I'm very impressed by your patience, innamorato.
[Just when he thinks he's got some semblance of defense against those nicknames, Bruno come and shatters it. Polnareff grins, distracted for just one moment.]
Mmhmm. You can open em in any order, except this one. [He taps the record with two fingers.] That's gotta be last.
[He agrees to the terms, and he pulls the first present over to himself to open it, but he still gives that last present a mixed look of suspicion and curiosity before his attention turns to the present in front of him. Most likely it is without any surprise to Polnareff that Bruno is not the sort of person who just tears into a present and he's instead more precise and careful about it.]
[Once it's opened, he pulls a few of the cosmetics out of the box, looking at the colors, which for him is actually quite the variety. He looks over at Polnareff with a smile once he finds a shade of gold.]
How much help from Giorno did you get with these?
[The blues and greens he can see Polnareff managing on his own, but the gold? He just can't see Polnareff confidently picking out gold without a little gentle (or maybe not so gentle) encouragement.]
I love them. [He leans over, kissing Polnareff on the lips this time.] Thank you.
[Will that happen after every present? Maybe. Somehow, Bruno doesn't anticipate any complaints. Since his makeup bag is in the bathroom, Bruno places everything back in the box for now and sets it aside to consider his options. He'd be lying if he said he wasn't actually really curious what the last present is, but all he does is glance at it as he pulls the third to himself.]
[Just as with before, Bruno is careful in unwrapping. Pulling all of the books out, he chooses one to look at the summary on the back while the rest remain in his lap.]
You know you're reading some of these with me, right? [he asks, glancing at Polnareff briefly before turning his attention back to the book. Bruno really doesn't need Polnareff to read to him, but he likes the steady rhythm of Polnareff's voice as he reads with the occasional dramatic flourishes. Sometimes he nods off before Polnareff is done reading, but he thinks he sleeps just a little better on the nights he reads to Bruno.]
[He grins widely as Bruno unwraps the books, entirely pleased by the kiss and the proclamation both. He likes reading to Bruno, oddly enough. Maybe because it's all in French, or maybe he just likes the little hums and huffs of laughter that come from his audience. It's nice. He's never been one for reading, not like Kakyoin or Fugo, but he could get into the habit with Bruno.]
God forbid you miss out on my gangster voice! You'd never be able to do as good a one on your own, never mind in French. Anyway, I hear learning a language is best when you hear it out loud, so there you go, it'll be educational.
[Before he can stop himself, Bruno snorts softly at the mention of a "gangster" voice. He's pretty sure he just signed himself up for seemingly endless variations of French versions of Marlon Brando and Al Pacino. And yet he'll probably still give a glowing review of the performance regardless. Sometimes you just gotta take a hit like that for the team. He sets the book down with the others in his lap.]
Educational? [He raises a slight eyebrow.] Does that mean I need reasons other than I just like it to get my boyfriend to read to me?
[Don't forget the French version of Edward G Robinson.
Course not. You can do it just to want to hear me all night, cuz you're that in love with the sound of my voice. But if anyone asks, it's always good to have a less embarrassing backup reason.
[This could be the start of a playful argument, and that would be fun. But there's still two presents to go, and Polnareff is terribly eager to have Bruno open them. So he darts forward, cutting Bruno off with a kiss, and adds:]
[It is a good start to one of their usual playful arguments, and Bruno is about to fan the flames a little more when Polnareff cuts him off with another kiss. He can't be too mad about it though.]
Don't rush me.
[Bruno doubles down on that warning by kissing Polnareff again before he sets aside the books. When he unwraps the notebook next, he's momentarily perplexed by it until he starts looking through the pages.]
So, this one's the gift that gives back to you in the long-run, [he teases as he flips through.] Where did you find all of these?
[It is, it absolutely is, but he'll also do his best to make any one of those recipes on his own if Bruno asks him to.]
The library, mostly. There's a bunch of cooking books there, so I just went through them and grabbed the ones that looked the best. I dunno on the Italian ones, you'll have to make sure they're actually decent, but they sounded good, at least.
You can make anything good with the right ingredients.
[Bruno says this in a way that is not pointedly at all. Nope. He would never. Flipping through a few more recipes and pausing on a few that really catch Bruno's eye, he eventually closes the notebook and leans over to give Polnareff yet another kiss.]
We'll have to try all of these out. If you can manage to avoid distracting me long enough in the kitchen, anyway.
[Rude. Again, that's another statement that could spark a playful argument, but he bites his tongue. Anyway, it's more fun to flirt.]
No guarantees. Never any guarantees when I gotta just sit and watch you, but I'll do my best to keep my hands to myself.
[But then that's the last present left, and he can't hide his eagerness. Don't rush me, Bruno had said, and so he bites his bottom lip, containing his urging.]
[Bruno shakes his head a little as he carefully stacks the notebook with his other presents.]
I'm sorry you'll have to face such a hardship, [he says, rolling his eyes. Finally, he's to the last present. Feeling it now, it feels fairly light, but that's not enough for him to make a guess at what it is.]
[Like all the other presents, he's careful in unwrapping it. And then...]
[Well, and then there isn't much of anything. The fact of the matter is, Bruno's actually been rendered speechless, which is an entirely different silence than his usual lapses. Because there's something that he should (or wants to or needs to) say and it's palpable, there's just no making anything happen right now.]
[It just might be a little hard to tell whether it's a good or bad stunned silence as Bruno moves the wrapping paper out of the way absentmindedly, only staring at the album in his hands. Bruno opens his mouth to say something before closing it again because he just can't speak even if he really wants to right now.]
[When Bruno looks up at Polnareff again, he still looks a little shell-shocked, but it only lasts for just a few seconds longer because that is when the widest and most excited grin that's ever been on Bruno's face breaks out.]
Jean, you actually found it!
[Hopefully Polnareff is ready because more or less, Bruno launches himself at Polnareff. The first kiss he gives Polnareff is rough, hard, and haphazard at best, and he wraps his arms tightly around Polnareff's neck. Frankly, the others he peppers Polnareff with aren't much better, but there are bilingual and eventually trilingual words of gratitude, praise, pet names, and yes, even I love you a few times to go along with the kisses. All the while, Bruno is still holding onto the record because honestly like hell he's going to put it down right now.]
[For an awful moment, he thinks maybe he's misjudged the situation. Bruno had expressed such longing for home that one night, and maybe the reminder is just too much. Maybe Bruno hadn't wanted any kind of momento from home; maybe he should have just stuck to those first three presents.
That doubt fades the instant Bruno begins to grin. He's never seen such a wide smile on his boyfriend's face, and god, what he wouldn't give to have a picture of that. Even then, though, he isn't prepared for his boyfriend to outright tackle him: he laughs and scrambles to grab him, arms wrapping tight around his hips. Each kiss is returned just as haphazardly, as Polnareff laughs and tries to withstand the onslaught.]
Darling-- darling, hang on--!
[Only when Bruno finally pulls back does Polnareff get out any significant response. He tips his head first, kissing him firmly, mouth open to it. Then he pulls back, breathless, and says:]
I love you. Anything for you, I'm just glad I could find it.
small>[Another kiss, this one slower, and he pushes his fingers through Bruno's hair. A little grin as he adds:]
Do I like my favorite album by my favorite artist as a birthday present from my boyfriend?
[Bruno laughs, loosening his hold some on Polnareff's neck and resting his forehead against Polnareff's. It seems as though he might be settling down, but not really. Or at least not entirely. There's a giddy energy that hasn't left his smile just yet because Bruno is still over the fucking moon delighted with this present.]
That better not be a serious question, or you're just lucky you're so damn cute.
[He can't help himself; he kisses Polnareff again because it's not just that it's his favorite album by his favorite artist. It's that Polnareff listened and remembered. It's that Polnareff gave Bruno a piece of home that he can share with him beyond just stories and words. Which is why despite the exuberant joy Bruno still feels at receiving this present, he stops teasing. At least for just a moment.]
Grazie infinite, luce dei miei occhi. Per me tu sei tutto.
[Oh. Oh, and he doesn't speak Italian, but he knows enough to understand that. His breath catches, his fingers tightening around Bruno's hips. It's not just the words (though they play no small part in his delight). It's the fact that Bruno so rarely allows himself such permanent affection. Even those I love yous were surprising; to hear something like you are my everything is stunning.]
Per me tu sei tutto.
[He echoes the words clumsily, his accent stressing on the wrong syllables. He means it, though. Every word. Polnareff smiles, his fingers dragging down to wrap around the back of Bruno's neck.]
Mm. You should thank Fugo, too. It cost me a song to get it. He's the only reason that song was any good.
[Bruno feels Polnareff's fingers tighten around his hips, but it doesn't bother him because he's here and he's grounded. The words he's used, well, they aren't always easy for him to say. Not because there's doubt in his mind about whether or not they're true, but always the weight of them. There are some moments though, where it's easier. Sometimes it's a case of the feelings being too big to keep quiet about them. Other times, it's just the moment being a perfect reflection of what love is supposed to look like. Right now and here on their bed (because Bruno sometimes has a hard time remembering that it's just his), it's a little of both.]
I will. Later, [he promises. And then he kisses Polnareff again, slow and sweet, for his clumsy Italian a moment ago. He pulls back and ends the kiss with smaller, gentler kisses as he lets go of Polnareff's neck.] But right now...
[He grins a little wider again, pressing a quick kiss to Polnareff's lips, and gets up to head over to the gramophone. How he's managed to last this long without doing that is really anyone's guess.]
[As Bruno gets up to put the record on, Polnareff clears the bed. He's surprisingly neat about it, stacking everything carefully next to the bed, out of the way where it won't be stepped on. Then he stretches out, settling on what's become his side of the bed, waiting for Bruno to come back and curl against him.]
So do they have individual tracks, or's it just one long piece?
[He curls his arm around Bruno's side, fingers idly slipping under his shirt to tease against his stomach. And . . .
The truth is, he doesn't like it. It's just not his style; he likes music that's loud and fast, with a hard beat. Clubbing music, rock music, anything that gets him energized. This isn't that. It's slow and smoky, drifting from one note to the next. It isn't bad-- he'd probably like it a lot more in the background-- but it's just not his style.
But he loves Bruno, so he keeps quiet and contents himself with enjoying the press of his body.]
[Quiet from Polnareff would normally be impossible not to notice and probably earn at least one comment, but not right now. It's not so much that Bruno's ignoring Polnareff or even forgotten he's there. He's aware of the fingers that have slipped under his shirt and the solid feel of his body next to him. It's just not where his attention is.]
[Bruno could never forget what this album sounds like. He's listened to it hundreds, perhaps even thousands of times, making it so that he knows each track from start to finish. But in some ways, this feels like his first time hearing it after having gone this long without it. He's practically basking in it, relaxing entirely against Polnareff with his eyes closed and a content smile on his face.]
In the afternoons, before my parents divorced, it would just be me and my mother. Sometimes I helped her out with chores around the house, but I always helped her with dinner. She usually let me pick what we would listen to, but I picked this one so many times out of her collection that she actually hid it from me. [Bruno smiles a little wider.] She told me that only lasted for a few days though because the guilt started to eat at her.
I remember it was her turn to pick when she managed to "find" it again. She put it on when I wasn't paying attention, and I was so happy she did, I tried to convince her to let me just make dinner by myself.
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[He's genuinely surprised to find Polnareff not only waiting for him, but doing so with multiple presents.]
So the same man who couldn't wait to give me barrettes he made for me has been sitting with four presents for how long?
well how can i resist tagging this back
[It's been hell, keeping these a secret. He's fortunate that he found the Miles Davis record two days ago; he doesn't know if he could have kept that under wraps for long.
Polnareff scoots over, one leg curling up to press against his chest.]
Did you really think the cake was gonna be it? Please. I haven't even said happy birthday properly yet.
you are so cute
You didn't try to shake me awake at midnight and managed to get through the entire day. I'm very impressed by your patience, innamorato.
[He taps the first present with a finger.]
Should I start here then?
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Mmhmm. You can open em in any order, except this one. [He taps the record with two fingers.] That's gotta be last.
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[He agrees to the terms, and he pulls the first present over to himself to open it, but he still gives that last present a mixed look of suspicion and curiosity before his attention turns to the present in front of him. Most likely it is without any surprise to Polnareff that Bruno is not the sort of person who just tears into a present and he's instead more precise and careful about it.]
[Once it's opened, he pulls a few of the cosmetics out of the box, looking at the colors, which for him is actually quite the variety. He looks over at Polnareff with a smile once he finds a shade of gold.]
How much help from Giorno did you get with these?
[The blues and greens he can see Polnareff managing on his own, but the gold? He just can't see Polnareff confidently picking out gold without a little gentle (or maybe not so gentle) encouragement.]
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[The gold absolutely was Giorno's contribution, though, no doubt about it.]
I figured you could at least add em to your bag, even if you're still more a black-and-white kinda guy.
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[Will that happen after every present? Maybe. Somehow, Bruno doesn't anticipate any complaints. Since his makeup bag is in the bathroom, Bruno places everything back in the box for now and sets it aside to consider his options. He'd be lying if he said he wasn't actually really curious what the last present is, but all he does is glance at it as he pulls the third to himself.]
[Just as with before, Bruno is careful in unwrapping. Pulling all of the books out, he chooses one to look at the summary on the back while the rest remain in his lap.]
You know you're reading some of these with me, right? [he asks, glancing at Polnareff briefly before turning his attention back to the book. Bruno really doesn't need Polnareff to read to him, but he likes the steady rhythm of Polnareff's voice as he reads with the occasional dramatic flourishes. Sometimes he nods off before Polnareff is done reading, but he thinks he sleeps just a little better on the nights he reads to Bruno.]
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God forbid you miss out on my gangster voice! You'd never be able to do as good a one on your own, never mind in French. Anyway, I hear learning a language is best when you hear it out loud, so there you go, it'll be educational.
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Educational? [He raises a slight eyebrow.] Does that mean I need reasons other than I just like it to get my boyfriend to read to me?
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Course not. You can do it just to want to hear me all night, cuz you're that in love with the sound of my voice. But if anyone asks, it's always good to have a less embarrassing backup reason.
[This could be the start of a playful argument, and that would be fun. But there's still two presents to go, and Polnareff is terribly eager to have Bruno open them. So he darts forward, cutting Bruno off with a kiss, and adds:]
Keep going.
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Don't rush me.
[Bruno doubles down on that warning by kissing Polnareff again before he sets aside the books. When he unwraps the notebook next, he's momentarily perplexed by it until he starts looking through the pages.]
So, this one's the gift that gives back to you in the long-run, [he teases as he flips through.] Where did you find all of these?
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The library, mostly. There's a bunch of cooking books there, so I just went through them and grabbed the ones that looked the best. I dunno on the Italian ones, you'll have to make sure they're actually decent, but they sounded good, at least.
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[Bruno says this in a way that is not pointedly at all. Nope. He would never. Flipping through a few more recipes and pausing on a few that really catch Bruno's eye, he eventually closes the notebook and leans over to give Polnareff yet another kiss.]
We'll have to try all of these out. If you can manage to avoid distracting me long enough in the kitchen, anyway.
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No guarantees. Never any guarantees when I gotta just sit and watch you, but I'll do my best to keep my hands to myself.
[But then that's the last present left, and he can't hide his eagerness. Don't rush me, Bruno had said, and so he bites his bottom lip, containing his urging.]
1/3
I'm sorry you'll have to face such a hardship, [he says, rolling his eyes. Finally, he's to the last present. Feeling it now, it feels fairly light, but that's not enough for him to make a guess at what it is.]
[Like all the other presents, he's careful in unwrapping it. And then...]
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[It just might be a little hard to tell whether it's a good or bad stunned silence as Bruno moves the wrapping paper out of the way absentmindedly, only staring at the album in his hands. Bruno opens his mouth to say something before closing it again because he just can't speak even if he really wants to right now.]
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You found it . . .
[When Bruno looks up at Polnareff again, he still looks a little shell-shocked, but it only lasts for just a few seconds longer because that is when the widest and most excited grin that's ever been on Bruno's face breaks out.]
Jean, you actually found it!
[Hopefully Polnareff is ready because more or less, Bruno launches himself at Polnareff. The first kiss he gives Polnareff is rough, hard, and haphazard at best, and he wraps his arms tightly around Polnareff's neck. Frankly, the others he peppers Polnareff with aren't much better, but there are bilingual and eventually trilingual words of gratitude, praise, pet names, and yes, even I love you a few times to go along with the kisses. All the while, Bruno is still holding onto the record because honestly like hell he's going to put it down right now.]
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That doubt fades the instant Bruno begins to grin. He's never seen such a wide smile on his boyfriend's face, and god, what he wouldn't give to have a picture of that. Even then, though, he isn't prepared for his boyfriend to outright tackle him: he laughs and scrambles to grab him, arms wrapping tight around his hips. Each kiss is returned just as haphazardly, as Polnareff laughs and tries to withstand the onslaught.]
Darling-- darling, hang on--!
[Only when Bruno finally pulls back does Polnareff get out any significant response. He tips his head first, kissing him firmly, mouth open to it. Then he pulls back, breathless, and says:]
I love you. Anything for you, I'm just glad I could find it.
small>[Another kiss, this one slower, and he pushes his fingers through Bruno's hair. A little grin as he adds:]
You like it, then?
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[Bruno laughs, loosening his hold some on Polnareff's neck and resting his forehead against Polnareff's. It seems as though he might be settling down, but not really. Or at least not entirely. There's a giddy energy that hasn't left his smile just yet because Bruno is still over the fucking moon delighted with this present.]
That better not be a serious question, or you're just lucky you're so damn cute.
[He can't help himself; he kisses Polnareff again because it's not just that it's his favorite album by his favorite artist. It's that Polnareff listened and remembered. It's that Polnareff gave Bruno a piece of home that he can share with him beyond just stories and words. Which is why despite the exuberant joy Bruno still feels at receiving this present, he stops teasing. At least for just a moment.]
Grazie infinite, luce dei miei occhi. Per me tu sei tutto.
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Per me tu sei tutto.
[He echoes the words clumsily, his accent stressing on the wrong syllables. He means it, though. Every word. Polnareff smiles, his fingers dragging down to wrap around the back of Bruno's neck.]
Mm. You should thank Fugo, too. It cost me a song to get it. He's the only reason that song was any good.
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I will. Later, [he promises. And then he kisses Polnareff again, slow and sweet, for his clumsy Italian a moment ago. He pulls back and ends the kiss with smaller, gentler kisses as he lets go of Polnareff's neck.] But right now...
[He grins a little wider again, pressing a quick kiss to Polnareff's lips, and gets up to head over to the gramophone. How he's managed to last this long without doing that is really anyone's guess.]
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So do they have individual tracks, or's it just one long piece?
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This record has one track per side, and the other has two. Each side's between 20 to just a little under 30 minutes long.
[Once it's been cranked enough, Bruno sets the needle, and returns to the bed, settling in against Polnareff as soon as he gets there.]
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The truth is, he doesn't like it. It's just not his style; he likes music that's loud and fast, with a hard beat. Clubbing music, rock music, anything that gets him energized. This isn't that. It's slow and smoky, drifting from one note to the next. It isn't bad-- he'd probably like it a lot more in the background-- but it's just not his style.
But he loves Bruno, so he keeps quiet and contents himself with enjoying the press of his body.]
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[Bruno could never forget what this album sounds like. He's listened to it hundreds, perhaps even thousands of times, making it so that he knows each track from start to finish. But in some ways, this feels like his first time hearing it after having gone this long without it. He's practically basking in it, relaxing entirely against Polnareff with his eyes closed and a content smile on his face.]
In the afternoons, before my parents divorced, it would just be me and my mother. Sometimes I helped her out with chores around the house, but I always helped her with dinner. She usually let me pick what we would listen to, but I picked this one so many times out of her collection that she actually hid it from me. [Bruno smiles a little wider.] She told me that only lasted for a few days though because the guilt started to eat at her.
I remember it was her turn to pick when she managed to "find" it again. She put it on when I wasn't paying attention, and I was so happy she did, I tried to convince her to let me just make dinner by myself.
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