[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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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.