[Fugo has a problem. He's agreed to figure out something to do with Giorno after the party. It'd a date. The whole night is a date. Or it might be two dates. He's not exactly sure of the protocol here, if it's just one long date or two shorter ones. Because here is a fact: Fugo has only the vaguest ideas of what counts as a date between two actual people. He doesn't want to think back and rely on movies that Mista's made him watch, mostly because they seem fake and also because he's not good at being funny on purpose. The point is that despite promising he'd figure something out, he doesn't have any idea where to start.
There's no way in hell he's asking Polnareff for advice. Period. The thought of asking Kakyoin makes him want to bury his face in a pillow. He has no idea how to navigate this sort of conversation with Suzie, even though she's offered excellent advice in the past. Which leaves one person as the natural choice: quiet, even-tempered Bruno Buccellati. Pros: he's had boyfriends before and has gone out on dates. Cons: he knows Giorno and will know what's up immediately.]
Buccellati? Do you have a moment? I'd like to ask you something.
[He still. Absolutely does not want to do this in person. Or even in the same house. This message will come to Bruno in the afternoon, when he is supposedly practicing piano in the theater.]
[In case the folks are wondering at home, Bruno has no idea what Fugo's question might be. He often opens most conversations like this, so it could be anything from unimportant to severely important. Bruno just answers in his typical fashion by leaving the door wide open for Fugo to ask whatever it is he'd like to at his own pace.]
Ugggh. [In real, actual life, Fugo doesn't respond immediately. He covers his face with his hands from where he's sitting in a dusty theater seat, knees pulled up most of the way to his chest. He can't back down now. He's started the conversation. He's thought about all the ways he can broach it and has found one that he's... sort of satisfied with.]
When two people go on an outing. Together. What sort of things do they do?
[He regrets the message as his thumb moves down to make the final button press to send it off. But it's too late now. Off it goes.]
[Bruno's patient while he waits, but the prolonged silence from Fugo after Bruno gives him permission to ask indicates that this is a more serious matter. When it comes to the little things, Fugo doesn't need much spacing or preamble. He just cuts the chase.]
[...Even when he responds though, he's not cutting to the chase. He's dancing around the word he actually means.]
[There's really two ways that he can handle this, of course. He can be blunt and direct in the ways that Fugo isn't right now, or he can be a little softer. The former is how Abbacchio would handle it. No, Bruno knows that's exactly how Abbacchio would handle it. It'd just come with not-so subtle digs directed towards Giorno as well. Oddly enough though, Bruno thinks that would actually help Fugo coming from Abbacchio.]
That depends on the people involved. I assume you're one of them?
[Bruno takes the softer approach because, of course, he does. He knows, and he's fairly confident that Fugo knows that Bruno's aware, but he'll allow Fugo to tell him instead of taking the words out of his mouth.]
[Or rather out of his fingers as the case currently is.]
[Bruno waits patiently, anticipating that Fugo will likely squirm, hem, and haw over how best to reply to this message next. He's likely going to cover his face with his hands at some point if he had to guess.]
[Nnnnnnoooooo, why can't they both just pretend this isn't about him and about some nebulous hypothetical absolutely-not-Fugo person. They're clever enough. They're polite enough. They could make this happen.
So Fugo hems. He haws. He deliberates over what he wants to say. He doesn't want to lie. But he also doesn't really want to be plain about it either, because it is extremely, extremely embarrassing. He knows what he's talking about. Bruno clearly knows what he's talking about and would be able to spot a lie about it a mile away. Eventually, Fugo just... sort of gives up and starts rambling. It's a little easier over text, which is why he chose this medium.]
Ok. Fine. Yes.
Giorno invited me to that costume party tomorrow night. And said that we could leave early. And then I said I'd figure out something that wasn't going and taking inventory at the music shop because while yes I am very concerned about the state of affairs in that store even I know you don't take someone out cleaning after going to a party. Except I'm not sure what to suggest because I don't ... have much contextual knowledge.
About outings of that nature.
[It's not an outing. It's a date. Noun. Secondary definition: "A social or romantic appointment or engagement."]
[Bruno can't really criticize or fault him for using the word "outings" instead of calling it what it what it actually is. He was brave enough to admit it was with Giorno — even though they both know — and there's really only so much bravery one can expect him to exert in a single text.]
[Unfortunately, while he may not criticize, Bruno doesn't dance around the word.]
I understand first dates come with a lot of pressure. You want to have a good time, but you especially want Giorno to have a good time, too. The best advice I can give you though is not to focus so much on that part. You'll only remember what you did on the best dates because your attention was so focused on each other, not because of what you were doing.
So, even though I know Giorno's tastes and preferences tend to run towards the extravagant, it doesn't need to be like that. Especially not after spending part of your night at a party where he's already getting all of that and you're probably wearing yourself out some.
I'll help you if you need it as far as putting something together, but I won't tell you what to do, Fugo, because that should come from you, not me. But I promise it can be something incredibly simple and the two of you will be happy to share the time together without any distractions from anyone else.
[It's sort of awful that Bruno's being this blunt and matter-of-fact about it. But so much more than that, the bluntness cuts through the worst of Fugo's anxiety; it pulls in the opposite direction of the ball of worry that he's wound together in his chest, gently untangling his nerves. Fugo bites absently at a hangnail and reads through the message several times. Each time he does, it gets a little less embarrassing and Bruno's genuine good advice helps him to feel a bit better.]
I was thinking of doing something at home. Or playing something for him or with him at the theater. Because even if we're leaving early from the party, it would still be dark. So something like a walk might not be the best idea considering the monsters that might be out in the park or on the way to the beach. I can't believe that monsters are a legitimate concern I have to keep in mind when planning this, that's ridiculous.
Anyway. You're ... right, I think, about a lot of that. ... most of the things I've thought of are things we do together anyway and I don't
You're especially correct about the second point. I've been worried a lot about that.
[The ebb of Fugo's anxiety is palpable in his responses. He's thinking in a more productive manner than spiraling with his anxiety now, which is good. It's more or less the intended effect of speaking a little more bluntly than usual.]
If you're planning to do anything at home Jean and I will probably be at the party most of the night and I can get him to agree to sleep in his room. You can have our end of the upstairs to yourselves. Even if he manages to put two and two together he won't start pestering Giorno until the morning at least.
[Mostly because Bruno's not above subtly zipping the door shut if he has to, but he doesn't think it'll come to that. Polnareff will respect their privacy enough to leave it be until the morning. And for Polnareff, morning tends to be defined at a much later hour than either Bruno or Fugo designate it; Fugo should be able to make his escape and avoid Polnareff asking questions in person most of the day.]
I know it might not be the most thrilling, but you can still walk around the city and go as far as the bridges without worrying too much about the monsters. It should still be quiet.
And for what it's worth, he had a lot of fun playing with you for my birthday.
If JP puts together that something is happening between then and now and/or during the event I think I am going to scream. Note: probably not out loud, but at least in my head.
[God, he doesn't want to deal with that. Talking with Bruno is not as uncomfortable as he thought it was going to be but that does not mean he has the energy to... he doesn't know. Properly respond to Polnareff being happy and excited about something that he's not even sure how to define. He and Giorno are something. That something is good, but he doesn't even know what to call it.]
Not thrilling is ... you're probably right about the party. That it's going to take a lot of my energy and will hopefully use up some of Giorno's. So not thrilling is probably not just fine, but for the best.
Thank you. [There's a brief pause, and then:] For both your offer to distract JP and talking with me about it. My head feels a little clearer.
[And it never will, Bruno promises. Fugo's heart tightens to read even this small, offhand reminder. It's true, he knows. Bruno means it when he says it. Fugo swipes at the corners of his eyes with the heel of his hand.]
I know it's repetitious, but ... thank you, again. For always being there.
[Even when he wasn't, even when the things that are worrying him are as silly as but what am I supposed to do on a date. Bruno has never, ever made him feel foolish for worrying. Even when Fugo has felt that his concerns were frivolous and pointless, Bruno has responded to them with care, respect, and understanding.]
I'll make an effort not to worry about, at the very least, JP. If anyone can keep him in line it's you.
[Fugo does have the tendency to sometimes worry about details that aren't productive to worry about. But Bruno's never seen the sense in shaming him over it. For one, Fugo most likely does that enough all on his own that he doesn't need the assistance. For another (and more importantly), it isn't trivial to Fugo in the moment. Others may fail to see that and that's what causes them to fall short in offering Fugo guidance or compassion, but Bruno knows that Fugo isn't the sort of person to ask for help if something doesn't feel overwhelming in the moment.]
[He'd much rather offer the help and guidance with the hope it instills Fugo with the confidence to face things head on next time. And even if it doesn't work out that way, that's okay, too. Maybe next time.]
Whatever you end up doing, I hope the two of you have fun.
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10/20ish - text
There's no way in hell he's asking Polnareff for advice. Period. The thought of asking Kakyoin makes him want to bury his face in a pillow. He has no idea how to navigate this sort of conversation with Suzie, even though she's offered excellent advice in the past. Which leaves one person as the natural choice: quiet, even-tempered Bruno Buccellati. Pros: he's had boyfriends before and has gone out on dates. Cons: he knows Giorno and will know what's up immediately.]
Buccellati? Do you have a moment? I'd like to ask you something.
[He still. Absolutely does not want to do this in person. Or even in the same house. This message will come to Bruno in the afternoon, when he is supposedly practicing piano in the theater.]
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[In case the folks are wondering at home, Bruno has no idea what Fugo's question might be. He often opens most conversations like this, so it could be anything from unimportant to severely important. Bruno just answers in his typical fashion by leaving the door wide open for Fugo to ask whatever it is he'd like to at his own pace.]
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When two people go on an outing. Together. What sort of things do they do?
[He regrets the message as his thumb moves down to make the final button press to send it off. But it's too late now. Off it goes.]
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[...Even when he responds though, he's not cutting to the chase. He's dancing around the word he actually means.]
[There's really two ways that he can handle this, of course. He can be blunt and direct in the ways that Fugo isn't right now, or he can be a little softer. The former is how Abbacchio would handle it. No, Bruno knows that's exactly how Abbacchio would handle it. It'd just come with not-so subtle digs directed towards Giorno as well. Oddly enough though, Bruno thinks that would actually help Fugo coming from Abbacchio.]
That depends on the people involved. I assume you're one of them?
[Bruno takes the softer approach because, of course, he does. He knows, and he's fairly confident that Fugo knows that Bruno's aware, but he'll allow Fugo to tell him instead of taking the words out of his mouth.]
[Or rather out of his fingers as the case currently is.]
[Bruno waits patiently, anticipating that Fugo will likely squirm, hem, and haw over how best to reply to this message next. He's likely going to cover his face with his hands at some point if he had to guess.]
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So Fugo hems. He haws. He deliberates over what he wants to say. He doesn't want to lie. But he also doesn't really want to be plain about it either, because it is extremely, extremely embarrassing. He knows what he's talking about. Bruno clearly knows what he's talking about and would be able to spot a lie about it a mile away. Eventually, Fugo just... sort of gives up and starts rambling. It's a little easier over text, which is why he chose this medium.]
Ok. Fine. Yes.
Giorno invited me to that costume party tomorrow night. And said that we could leave early. And then I said I'd figure out something that wasn't going and taking inventory at the music shop because while yes I am very concerned about the state of affairs in that store even I know you don't take someone out cleaning after going to a party. Except I'm not sure what to suggest because I don't ... have much contextual knowledge.
About outings of that nature.
[It's not an outing. It's a date. Noun. Secondary definition: "A social or romantic appointment or engagement."]
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[Well.]
[Bruno can't really criticize or fault him for using the word "outings" instead of calling it what it what it actually is. He was brave enough to admit it was with Giorno — even though they both know — and there's really only so much bravery one can expect him to exert in a single text.]
[Unfortunately, while he may not criticize, Bruno doesn't dance around the word.]
I understand first dates come with a lot of pressure. You want to have a good time, but you especially want Giorno to have a good time, too. The best advice I can give you though is not to focus so much on that part. You'll only remember what you did on the best dates because your attention was so focused on each other, not because of what you were doing.
So, even though I know Giorno's tastes and preferences tend to run towards the extravagant, it doesn't need to be like that. Especially not after spending part of your night at a party where he's already getting all of that and you're probably wearing yourself out some.
I'll help you if you need it as far as putting something together, but I won't tell you what to do, Fugo, because that should come from you, not me. But I promise it can be something incredibly simple and the two of you will be happy to share the time together without any distractions from anyone else.
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I was thinking of doing something at home. Or playing something for him or with him at the theater. Because even if we're leaving early from the party, it would still be dark. So something like a walk might not be the best idea considering the monsters that might be out in the park or on the way to the beach. I can't believe that monsters are a legitimate concern I have to keep in mind when planning this, that's ridiculous.
Anyway. You're ... right, I think, about a lot of that. ... most of the things I've thought of are things we do together anyway and I don't
You're especially correct about the second point. I've been worried a lot about that.
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If you're planning to do anything at home Jean and I will probably be at the party most of the night and I can get him to agree to sleep in his room. You can have our end of the upstairs to yourselves. Even if he manages to put two and two together he won't start pestering Giorno until the morning at least.
[Mostly because Bruno's not above subtly zipping the door shut if he has to, but he doesn't think it'll come to that. Polnareff will respect their privacy enough to leave it be until the morning. And for Polnareff, morning tends to be defined at a much later hour than either Bruno or Fugo designate it; Fugo should be able to make his escape and avoid Polnareff asking questions in person most of the day.]
I know it might not be the most thrilling, but you can still walk around the city and go as far as the bridges without worrying too much about the monsters. It should still be quiet.
And for what it's worth, he had a lot of fun playing with you for my birthday.
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[God, he doesn't want to deal with that. Talking with Bruno is not as uncomfortable as he thought it was going to be but that does not mean he has the energy to... he doesn't know. Properly respond to Polnareff being happy and excited about something that he's not even sure how to define. He and Giorno are something. That something is good, but he doesn't even know what to call it.]
Not thrilling is ... you're probably right about the party. That it's going to take a lot of my energy and will hopefully use up some of Giorno's. So not thrilling is probably not just fine, but for the best.
Thank you. [There's a brief pause, and then:] For both your offer to distract JP and talking with me about it. My head feels a little clearer.
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[The door happens to be more figurative this time around, but he also means literally as well.]
If you need me to intervene sooner with Jean I'm happy to, but really just focus on being with Giorno and don't worry about anything else beyond that.
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I know it's repetitious, but ... thank you, again. For always being there.
[Even when he wasn't, even when the things that are worrying him are as silly as but what am I supposed to do on a date. Bruno has never, ever made him feel foolish for worrying. Even when Fugo has felt that his concerns were frivolous and pointless, Bruno has responded to them with care, respect, and understanding.]
I'll make an effort not to worry about, at the very least, JP. If anyone can keep him in line it's you.
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[He'd much rather offer the help and guidance with the hope it instills Fugo with the confidence to face things head on next time. And even if it doesn't work out that way, that's okay, too. Maybe next time.]
Whatever you end up doing, I hope the two of you have fun.