Chapter Text
Bucciarati's crew knew that their capo was a kind soul. Bruno saw the light in people and did everything he could to protect and care for the ones he loved. He always saw the best in people, even when it caused him momentary trouble. The group understood this and usually trusted his judgement when he introduced somebody new. They rarely questioned his decisions.
However, they sure as hell questioned this one.
Bruno turned to the slouching man, putting a gentle hand on his back as he gestured to the rest of the group, “Secco, I’m sure you’re fairly familiar with Giorno and I, but this is the rest of the crew.”
The rest of the group stared blankly at the duo, looking netween the former enemy and their boss, struggling to connect the dots. Bruno only acted oblivious to their expressions.
Secco grunted and fumbled over his words as if he were trying to find the right ones, but eventually raised his hand and said “Hi.” as normally as he could. Mista chuckled at his futile attempt and Bruno shot him a glare. “I expect for you all to be very warm and welcoming to our guest, he’ll be sticking around for awhile.
Narancia grumbled a protest, “But why? Don’t he already got his own house in the ground or sumn?”
“Narancia has a point.” Fugo added, “Besides, doesn’t he live with Ciccolata? He’d at least have Cioccolata’s house to reside in.”
Secco sniffled and his eyes darted over to Bruno, who replied promptly, “He will be staying with us temporarily, that is all you all need to know.”
Fugo squinted at his vague answer, but just shrugged and muttered something about Secco staying away from his room as he walked off. Narancia and Mista followed soon after, whispering to eachother and bursting into laughter.
Secco watched them leave and his eyes looked between Giorno and Abbacchio, waiting for them to say something else as well. He was biting his nails and grumbling things that nobody couldn’t quite understand, and it was making Abbacchio’s eyes twitch. So Bruno pat his back again, making the feral man jolt. “Go ahead and make yourself comfortable, I’ll show you where you’ll sleep later."
Secco blinked at him for awhile before his face broke into a large grin (that spooked Giorno quite a bit), and the man soon scrambled off to another part of the house. His laughter carried throughout the small house as the three stood in silence.
Giorno locked eyes with Bruno and gave him a small nod before he turned on his heel to retreat to his own room. Giorno knew better than to question Bruno’s decisions, but this one certainly left him a bit... surprised. Abbacchio had felt the same way, except he was much more vocal about his opinions than Giorno was, and he made that very clear when he quickly pulled Bruno aside and into the kitchen.
“Bruno, what the fuck?!” Abbacchio hissed as soon as he was able to get Bruno to the side, to which the latter only sighed in reply.
“I’m aware of how this seems, but I promise that Secco will best behavior and keep his space tidy.”
“That’s not what I’m talking about!” Abbacchio shouted, “You’re letting a known enemy into our home! Our safe place!” The angry man got a bit embarassed by his temper and took a small breath, looking around the kitchen. “Bruno, dear, you have to understand, this idea is awful. You should’ve just left him wherever.”
“I couldn’t, not considering his situation.”
“What situation?”
Bruno sighed, “There was something off about Ciccolata and Secco’s relationship that I couldn’t quite put a finger on, but it didn’t feel right. I happened to be correct about my assumptions, that’s all.” Bruno’s face softened in the slightest as he spoke, softening the same way it did when he’d speak about the rest of the group when he and Abbacchio were alone. It was enough to make his heart pang and make Abbacchio want to give his lover all the hope and promise in the world, he even started to feel bad for doubting him.
“I know this is going to be a bit of an adjustment for everyone, but I really think this is for the best.” Bruno continued, lifting Abbacchio’s hand and holding it against his cheek, “Do you trust me, Leone?”
Abbacchio’s eyes scanned Bruno’s facial features one more time and seeing how genuinely hopeful he was, he sighed and nodded slowly. “Yeah, fine. Of course.”
Bruno grinned and gave him a small kiss on his hand before releasing it. “Thank you.”
Abbacchio’s face reddened and he looked away, waving Bruno off, “Yeah yeah, go find Secco before he melts the ground or something.”
The man kept smiling as he left to go look for Secco and get him settled in the home, and Abbacchio could only sit there and rub his temple. He wasn’t sure how many more people off the streets that Bruno was going to take in before he’d be satisfied, but Abbacchio wouldn’t complain as long as it made Bruno happy.