Chapter Text
Juliana Caruso was having a dinner at a fancy restaurant to celebrate her eighty-third birthday, her children and grandchildren were there with her. It was quite an elegant restaurant, everyone was wearing their finest clothes and the food was gourmet. Not many times had she been able to attend such places, in her youth during her first marriage from time to time her first husband would ask permission to let them dine in a similar place, there he played the piano every afternoon and evening. Fugo was a magnificent pianist and although she had told him many times that he could make a career in the music world, Fugo always denied. He said he didn't want to be recognized or stalked, that he preferred the tranquility of anonymity. Juliana didn't understand him, she didn't understand him until the day they signed the divorce papers. Fugo confessed to her that he had been a mafioso when he was just a child, to please never mention that she was married to him, now that he wasn't there to protect her. Juliana did so and although she never forgot him, because she loved him very much, she decided that from now on it would be her most intimate secret.
-Oh GioGio! - A voice near them brought her back to the present - It's been so long since I've been in a place like this. It seems like ages.
The voice sounded so familiar and at the same time so strange, like when you have a word on the tip of your tongue that you just can't remember, Juliana then saw them. They were two boys, they didn't look a day over 20, but there he was, in a red suit and strawberry earrings, his hair white and his eyes red. Her first husband, Pannacotta Fugo.
The other boy looked like an angel, with long golden hair and golden skin, Juliana almost seemed to remember him too, she once thought she saw such a boy spying on her house, the one where she lived with Fugo so long ago. Then she shook her head, it was absurd but she wanted to be able to at least say something, to break her secret now that she was old and there was no more danger. She doubted it very much, that someone would attack her or her family after so many, many years.
-Young man- She said, her children and grandchildren looked at her strangely and the golden haired boy turned to look at her, his eyes looked a little scared for a second and the white haired one stopped at the other's hesitation. She felt embarrassed for a moment but continued.
- Excuse me, are you... Your grandfather is Mr. Fugo?
Then the white haired boy turned around, his face was a poem, there was pain, guilt and somehow also a hint of hope, longing, melancholy. There were so many emotions on his face that she couldn't help but let out a tear, it was Fugo, her Pannacotta Fugo but in the body of a boy, she met him when he was 24, this boy was by far 17, but there he was, the exact face of her first husband, of a man she loved with all her heart when she was young and beautiful.
-Yes, good evening, madame,- he replied, his voice slightly clipped, almost fearful. Juliana gave him a smile.
-Is he well? You see... we used to be old friends.
The golden haired boy took the white haired boy's hand, his eyes were still the same, maybe for a young person those emotions would go unnoticed, but she knew. There was something hidden in this encounter that she could not decipher but that somehow caused pain in everyone present.
- He... He died a few months ago. I am very sorry Mrs. Caruso. - He replied, letting go of his partner's hand for a moment and approaching her.
Ah, that was it, thought Juliana.
- No, no... I'm sorry, I would have liked to say goodbye but... we stopped talking so long ago that I simply lost track of him.
Everyone was silent, it only seemed that the three of them were in the restaurant.
- But he told me a lot about you, I'm sure it's you. He loved you too, Mrs. Caruso, he really did. - He took one of her hands and gave her a little kiss, then bowed his head. Nobody did that anymore, it was so old fashioned but she felt 24 years old again and her heart pounded at the memory, she let out a few tears again and he looked at her tenderly. - I'm sure he would be very happy to know that you were happy, that you have a family that loves you and that your life was full.
She nodded.
- I hope his was the same, young man... Fugo?
-Pannacotta Fugo- the blond said, taking his hand again, -He is named after his grandfather. - He gave her a beautiful, genuine smile, the fear was suddenly gone, now there was only a hint of compassion left.
Pannacotta nodded.
- This is Giorno, my boyfriend. And yes, my grandfather had a good, full life.
She smiled.
- I'm glad to hear it. You make a beautiful couple... Thank you for giving me a few words. Have a wonderful evening.
-To you too Mrs. Caruso, have a happy birthday.
They both said goodbye with a nod and went to the back of the restaurant, in the most exclusive area, Juliana could only wipe her tears and continue with her birthday dinner, her children and grandchildren did not say anything, they did not want to sadden her any more. Juliana was not sad, not at all. She just felt that she had finally been able to close something that she didn't know until now, was still open in her heart.
-I can't believe you're jealous of her.
-I'm not, I just... You loved her and I didn't want you to be sad.
- GioGio, I'll always have reasons to be sad, but that doesn't change that I'll also have many reasons to be happy. Especially if you are by my side.
Giorno smiled.
- Thank you.
- No, thank you for giving me another chance. - Pannacotta said, kissing his cheek.
-As many as it takes. - Giorno smirked.