Chapter Text
Elliot tapped his finger against the hard counter, leaning over it as he watched the front entrance like a vulture. It was nearing closing time, Elliot was all by himself as his coworkers never liked to close, along with the fact they were short staffed at the moment. Sighing, he stood up straight, staring at the clock as it ticked. Waiting for an hour for him, it was a boring process. He was all alone, no one to chat to and keep him busy. Usual customers never came near closing anyway, who would want pizza at 10pm? They so strangely closed at 10:30pm, as if they were nocturnal animals.
There was a chime, indicating that the door opened, Elliot perked up and quickly turned to glance. He noticed the familiar figure coming in, blinking. Mafioso, a member of the mafia and a ruthless criminal. The man was a regular at this hour, always coming in 30 minutes before the place closed. There were other men that would accompany him, men he would call his ‘boys’--they all filled the quiet pizzeria with their loud chatter. Though this time, Mafioso came alone, strange. When he first arrived, his first visit, he remembered he was afraid.
Afraid of getting on any of their nerves, scared that they were there for malicious reasons, it was obvious they were a part of something cruel and he ended up being right. Yet when mafioso first ordered, there was no rough demand made by the man. He ordered like any ordinary customer, never making Elliot give them their pizza for free. It was like they came to this place for a nice meal, a break from all their immoral activities. Elliot would have never imagined himself getting along well with a criminal, he considered himself a law abiding citizen. How would he clash so well with someone so opposite with their morals?
Nonetheless, out of any mafia member that showed up here, Mafioso was the one he bonded with. He wasn’t sure if he was the boss or some sort of high-ranking member, it never mattered to him. Elliot liked listening to his booming voice, he spoke with confidence, bragging to Elliot about his endeavors. It was surprising how sweet he was to Elliot, sometimes praising him for his hard work. Even with how much they talked with each other, he was still a mystery to Elliot, he didn’t even know his real name. Mafioso made his way to the counter, greeting Elliot with a grin.
“Hello Elliot.” He said flatly, tipping the Fedora he’d always wore, it casted a shadow over his eyes. His clothes were rather formal, something a typical mafia would wear in the movies. A fur coat draped over his shoulders, a grey vest over a white dress-shirt with a black tie, black slacks and nice dress shoes which were, also, black.
“Hi.” Elliot greeted him back, nodding his head. “Where are the rest of you?” He playfully added, tilting his body slightly to look behind Mafioso. Still, they never came in late, perhaps they were in a rush; waiting in the car for Mafioso to order and get their pizza to go. Yet, Elliot wasn’t sure if he even saw a car out there.
There was a pause, “They’re busy with other matters.” Mafioso told him dismissively.
“Well then, are you ordering a small pizza this time?” Elliot curiously asked, remembering the order he’d always order for his boys. A large pepperoni pizza, with 5 cokes, the number of mafia members usually there. Mafioso simply shook his head.
“I’m not planning on ordering anything.” He added, “I’m not here for pizza.” Elliot raised a brow, tilting his head.
“Are you here to order chicken?” He tried to joke, but Mafioso didn’t laugh which made him frown. There was an awkward silence between the two, Elliot bit his lip.
“I wanted to check up on you.” He answered, his voice sincere. “It isn’t safe to close alone.” Elliot’s smile returned, softer this time. This wouldn’t be the expected behavior from someone like Mafioso, it came as a sudden surprise the first time he showed concern for Elliot. He gradually got used to it over time. The first time Mafioso insisted on staying, standing guard near closing time, it was raining hard. Elliot couldn’t help but let out a chuckle at Mafioso’s soaked form, telling him lightly he had an umbrella he could’ve used.
“You don’t need to do that.” He tried to reassure Mafioso, words he would say every time he would offer. Usually he was helped by the other men, yet as you know, none of them were here. Mafioso held up a hand, as a way to disregard Elliot’s attempt to repel him .
“It’s necessary for the danger that lurks in the dark.” Mafioso spoke calmly, his expression was blank and hard to read. He was always so persistent, too stubborn to back down from a decision made.
“I’ve closed many nights before you ever came in to get pizza. I’ve been able to handle myself, haven’t I?” Elliot continued to try and assure Mafioso once more, though he knew it was futile. “Don’t you yourself have things to do?”
“Those matters can wait. I have you to focus on.” Mafioso responded with a snarl, so Elliot backed down, letting out a gentle sigh. How adorable it was for a Mafia man to worry so much about your average pizza worker.
“Alright, if you have to.” Elliot agreed, pulling out keys as they jingled in his hands. It was the pizzeria's keys, it was time he should start. “Well, i’m going to start closing up so-“
“Allow me to help you out.” Mafioso interrupted swiftly, his voice almost sounding desperate. Elliot raised a brow, confusion spread across his face. The man had always sat outside, not bothering to lift a hand before, he was being rather clingy today. Though he wasn’t exactly sure his request was allowed, he would feel bad if he denied it.
“Uh, if you want to, go ahead!” He nodded, “You can wipe the tables while I sweep the floor.” Mafioso hummed, nodding. Even if this was strange behavior, he appreciated the help. Closing alone took a lot of work, prepping for the openers. He handed the other man some wipes he had been holding onto, Mafioso immediately got to work on the tables, as if he were rushing.
Brushing it off, he grabbed a broom for the closet, rusty and wore down from many years of being used. They cleaned in the heavy silence, Elliot paid no mind to the glances Mafioso would give Elliot. He wondered if he was just being extra cautious today, there was something going on with him. Maybe he was on edge from something related to his work, looking at Elliot for comfort. If there was anything on the man’s mind, he wouldn’t try his best to be there for. After all, it was the least he could do for all the times Mafioso was there for him.
The clean up was long and slow, the only words Elliot uttered were suggestions on what Mafioso could do next, the other man was completely silent besides occasional “mhm” after being told what to do. There was definitely something on his mind, yet Elliot didn’t wish to budge.
“Alright, that should be good.” Elliot announced, his voice booming through the empty restaurant. He turned to Mafioso with a grin, the other man’s face blank as it always was. So hard to read, he’d never let anyone else inside that head of his. Sometimes Elliot wondered if the Mafioso he saw was a persona, and this one, when they were alone, was a peek of his true self seeping through. Whenever he would come in, he was confident and a bit cocky, loud and bold. That’s how he presented himself, with his boys, with his target, never with Elliot.
He was much more soft and tender, a worried wreck. Though, he was still social, never shy like he was being tonight. Elliot finally had the courage to ask.
“You okay, man? You’re so… silent.” He noted, Mafioso stared down at him, unmoving.
“Hmm… You noticed?” Mafios sounded pleased, “I’m fine, lots running through my mind, though.”
“Would you like to talk about those thoughts?” He shrugged, feeling a little nervous. Mafioso seemed to perk up at those words.
“Yes, one of them. Something that has been in the back of my mind for a long while.” A careful smirk appeared on his face, hand reaching out for Elliot to grab. “Why don’t I walk you home tonight?” Elliot blinked, he has never offered that before. He never drove to work, he’d always walk due to the distance. Perhaps that was why Mafioso would always show concern, yet Elliot never thought of his town as something dangerous. “Yeah, sure.” Elliot chuckled, nervous to take Mafioso's hand fully. So he turned it into a small shake, before turning to turn off the lights. He heard a small sigh from the man, the door dinging, signalling Mafioso went outside to wait patiently. Elliot soon followed, fumbling with the keys as he locked the door. Their eyes locked for a moment, under the pale moonlight, no car insight with how late it was. It felt barren, as they both began to walk on queue. The defeating hushed air sent shivers down Elliot’s spine, Mafioso still form behind him.
It began to feel a little awkward, he felt his heart beat at a fast pace. Elliot was beginning to get a wrenching feeling in his gut, he became increasingly cautious of the man behind, feeling as though the shift in his behavior were signs of danger. He wished to be overthinking, that Mafioso simply had a bad day. Yet he couldn’t get his heart to stop pounding, the feeling of his breath heavy of pure nervousness.
The feeling of Mafioso’s eyes boring into him sent a shiver down his spine, he couldn’t help but turn around, seeing a blank expression on the other man’s fan. Before it was quickly replaced by a soft smile, making Elliot quickly turn around, feeling a little flustered. That gentle smile of his relaxed Elliot slightly, causing his mind to wonder about the other possibilities.
Mafioso had told him he needed to get something off his chest, yet he remained so hushed Elliot couldn’t help but be curious as to why. They were running out of time to really talk at all, as Elliot was approaching his house. Swiftly turning his head again, he locked eyes with Mafioso.
“Hey… you said you wanted to get something off your mind?” Elliot spoke up, tugging at the collar of his work uniform. “You mentioned you wanted to talk about a specific thought you had for a while..? Unless you’ve changed your mind, which I understand! Don’t feel pressured, I’m just curious.” Elliot stopped near the stairs entering his deck, garnished in wood. Mafioso stayed silent, as if he was hesitant, something the pizza worker wouldn’t expect.
“Elliot I...” He began, his mouth opened and closed, as if struggling to choose the right words. Elliot gave a careful smile, trying to look comforting for Mafioso.
“You don’t have to-”
“I want to.” Mafioso cut Elliot off, his tone a little frustrated. Though not at the other man, more at himself. “It’s rather… hard to say. It’s a little pathetic, I’m a man who could murder a whole town without any sort of hesitation yet I can’t speak these simple words.” Those words made Elliot blink, feeling a sudden flutter in his heart, as if his body had an idea of what those simple words were. He ignored the mention of violence from Mafioso, he had grown used to his casual talk of his crimes. It felt so wrong to be so friendly with this mobster, yet Elliot felt so drawn to him, so comfortable in his presence.
He had always looked down upon others for associating criminals, anyone who was a danger to society. This friendship had proved how much of hypocrite he became, the feeling of yearning for the touch of the vile man. Even if Mafia’s are hard to take down, Elliot could’ve gotten a few of Mafioso’s men and him, reporting to the police that they’d have turned his workplace into a hangout spot.
He never did.
His father wouldn’t be proud, this would affect his business, wouldn’t it? These weren’t the expectations that his father raised him on. “If you see something suspicious, report it.” That’s what his father would always say to him, to bring justice to those who deserved it. Despite all of those teachings and warnings, Elliot put himself in this situation. Allowing himself to grow close to Mafioso, to show a grin anytime he came in, and to show kindness to the man who never gave it.
So when Maifose began to kneel, holding Elliot’s hand close to his lips, pecking the back of his hand in a gentle manner; Elliot never pulled away. Instead, a soft shade of pink displayed on his cheeks, breath hitching in his throat at the bold action. It caught him off guard, all Elliot could do was stare, looking like a deer in headlights, completely frozen in Mafioso’s grasp.
“Elliot, I fear that I am falling in love with you.” He confessed, his hand squeezing Elliot’s. “Something about you pulls me towards you, I can’t express how much joy I feel anytime I see you, anytime I hear you. I would’ve never imagined to feel this way with the line of work I do, but you… You’re something I can't ignore.” Elliot listened keenly, his eyes widened at the words. It was such a surprise, he couldn’t form a proper response. Mafioso here, pouring out his heart to Elliot, it seemed like something in a dream. He couldn’t help but look around for anything that looked odd, which indicated it was a dream.
When he couldn’t find anything, his focus was back on Mafioso. “This isn’t some sort of lie, right..? Something to distract me or catch me off guard-”
“Of course not!” Mafioso cried, making Elliot flinch. “This is the most honest I have ever been, this isn’t to deceive. I am a little hurt you would assume as much, though I understand your caution.”
“So you're serious?” Elliot asked, gullit bit at him for doubting mafioso, he just wanted to make sure this was real. Mafioso stood up, hand slowly drifting from Elliot’s, the sudden coldness made him feel empty. It had moved to his cheeks, Mafioso’s thumb brushing against the bottom of his lip, he felt the texture of his leathered gloves tickling his lip slightly. There was an intense racing in Elliot’s heart, knowing what was going to happen, eager for it. Something that’d appear in the movies, the confession then the kiss. It was clear Mafioso was hesitant, as if waiting for Elliot’s permission.
Elliot decided to go for it, closing his eyes and pressing his lips against mafiosos. Mafioso was surprised by this action, but quickly melted into the kiss. Elliot’s hands grasped Mafioso's shoulder. It was a little awkward, both too shy to deepen it or take it farther. A quick brush against the lips, before they pulled away. Silence fell on both of them, avoiding the gaze of the other. Though neither wanted to let go, holding onto each other. Elliot was the first one to speak.
“So… uh… Does this make us official?” Elliot chuckled weakly, feeling incredibly flustered, unsure of how to really ask the question. “Implying this wouldn’t… get in the way of your work, right?”
“No, it wouldn’t.” Mafioso replied with a hum, sliding his hands off of Elliot’s cheeks, straightening himself. “Though I must get going, I’ve never told anyone where I was going.” He scratched under his chin, looking to the side. Before Elliot could ask anymore questions, confusion running through him, Mafioso was gone in a blink of an eye. Elliot stood there dumbfounded, biting his lip as he stared out into the streets. His answer was never a solid yes, it was vague.
Elliot felt a little worried to assume things based on his desire, how he hated that Mafioso suddenly disappeared out of thin air. He was so desperate for the questions he had running his head to be answered. The worker had no experience with relationships, he wasn’t sure on what to do exactly. People in romantic relationships seemed to know their significant other’s name or have their phone number, Eliiot had none of that. Did Mafioso even have a phone number? Or even a name?
He wasn’t sure if he’d ever know. Rubbing his neck, he stood out there for a while, his mind scrambled, trying to make sense of everything. Sighing, he decided to go inside of his house, maybe he could ask his questions at a later date. Right now, he should be getting ready for bed.
Elliot was sure he’d see Mafioso soon.