Work Text:
"Guido?" Giorno spoke the gunman's name softly, asking for his attention while he stared down at his paper-cluttered desk, frowning slightly.
"Yeah boss, what's up?" Mista spoke up the second Giorno had called his name. He set his gun down on his lap, having been fiddling with it moments before his attention switched to his boss.
Mista straightened his posture on the couch in Giorno's office, watching as the blond stared down at his work, never moving to actually sort through or work on anything.
"Do you ever feel lonely even when other people are in a room with you?" Giorno sounded more quiet and unsure than he'd have liked as he asked the question.
"Uhhhh....not really. I mean, how do you mean? I don't think I get what you're asking." He was a bit taken aback by the question, not having expected it to not be work related. It was difficult to wrap his head around the question, and even more difficult to answer since he couldn't think of an instance where he'd ever felt that way. Not off the top of his head anyway.
Giorno nodded, like he expected Mista to not understand his question, he had worded it a bit oddly, he supposed. He sort of slumped his shoulders, leaning back in his chair and turning to look at the gunman.
"Sorry, I'll rephrase it-- Do you ever feel alone, even in a situation where you're surrounded by people? Like even if those around you are people you like and enjoy being around, you still feel alone even when you're with them. Does that make more sense?" Giorno averted his eyes quickly after speaking, suddenly a bit self conscious of what he'd just asked.
He thought Mista probably still wouldn't get it, but not because he was dumb or anything, more like because Giorno felt he couldn't really articulate the feeling properly. Describing it to someone that's never felt it before was also more difficult than he felt it should be.
"Mmm, no. I don't think so? Why?" Mista tilted his head, brow line creasing as he thought probably too hard about the question his boss had presented him with.
"Wait, do you feel that way right now?"
"Yes, sort of."
Mista gave a 'huh' sound, but it wasn't a question, it was more of an 'oh'. He didn't really know how to reply so he went silent as he mulled over the possible responses he could give.
With the silence, Giorno turned around in his chair to stare at the paperwork on his desk once again. A sigh escaped him, feeling more exhausted than usual, mentally and physically. He probably should have just stayed quiet and started the paperwork. Now in addition to having to do all of the work, he'd have to deal with an awkward silence between him and Mista.
"What uh--what do you usually do when you feel like that?" Mista finally spoke up, scratching the back of his neck, feeling a little awkward.
"Huh? Oh, nothing really. I just sort of-- try to ignore it I suppose." Giorno turned to face Mista again, shrugging and folding his hands in his lap shortly after.
"That's...not helpful at all. Let me ask a different question then. What do you want to do when you feel like this?" Mista sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose thanks to Giorno's response.
Giorno didn't respond right away, not expecting the question. He of course knew the answer, but actually saying it out loud? That was far too embarrassing to say, especially to Mista. Instead, he fidgeted a bit in his chair, feeling far too vunerable for his own liking.
"Closeness...." He finally responded, mumbling and looking down at the hardwood floor beneath his feet. He moved to cover his mouth with his hand as he felt his cheeks get hot.
"What?" Mista sounded almost irritated with the response. It was too quiet, and he knew Giorno didn't like repeating himself. Though, he'd have to if he wanted this conversation to continue.
"Closeness." He replied louder this time, a bit short with his answer. "Physical contact."
Giorno's expression hardened, a bit irritated that he'd had to repeat himself. In addition, finally saying it made him feel even more exposed and vulnerable. Even if he was a bit on edge for the moment, he was still thankful that it was Mista he was talking to about it, knowing that he wasn't going to judge him.
"That's it? You know you can like...ask for a hug or something if you need it. You're the boss, that's gotta be plenty stressful enough, no need to bum yourself out more. Not like I do a hell of a lot when we're just in the office all day." Mista shook his head and shrugged, slumping back against the couch and relaxing, wordlessly inviting Giorno to hang out with him.
Giorno pursed his lips as he shook his head in response, feeling the vulnerability and stress dissipate with the way his friend talked to him. Smiling, he got up from his chair and joined Mista on the couch, not hesitating to lean against him, resting his head against his shoulder, thigh pressing against Mista's own.
Mista didn't skip a beat, wrapping his arm around the blond's shoulders and tugging him closer. He rested his hand on Giorno's head, gently brushing his finger tips against the younger male's hair, not wanting to mess up his curls or braid. He felt his boss relax against his body quickly, snuggling up and sighing contently, and smiled a bit.
"You're the boss but you're still young, it's okay to need help or attention. I'm not going to judge you, and I'm not going to go run and tell the world. I'll do whatever you need me to do. No questions asked." Mista's hand fell away from his boss' hair, squeezing his shoulder gently instead.
"Mm, this is fine for now. If I need something more I'll ask." Giorno smiled, closing his eyes. His hand came to rest on Mista's thigh but he didn't pay any mind to it or try to bring attention to how he was probably being more handsy than he should.
"Thank you, Mista."