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Soaring was the feeling he got when he looked at Bruno. Sometimes he would stare, and then suddenly it would hit him - he’s absolutely breathtaking. Watching him accomplish the smallest tasks, a tight feeling would grasp at his chest and he would feel like throwing up. Fleeting words exchanged by the others surrounding him meant nothing to him as his eyes would automatically widen and his stomach would clench. The adoration he felt was terrifying and exhilarating. It wasn’t just admiration, it was as clear as day - this was what he would come to know as love.
Rushing heartbeats would start echoing around him, and he would watch Bruno’s small expressions, perhaps a slight eyebrow quirk, perhaps a small smile tugging at his lips - dear god, that smile. It’s dazzling. Sometimes he would catch Bruno’s eyes, and they would occasionally question him, but more often they would reflect his. That scared him the most. He didn’t think it was possible for his affection for him to increase, but it did everyday, and that horrified him. He couldn’t possibly fall further, deeper, but when he looked at those ocean blue eyes, goddamn he jumped in willingly, throwing away all rational thought. His heart would stop when Bruno’s lips would pull apart, spurting out some words about casual day-to-day whatever or something more intimate - either way, Leone always took a while to get his cogs working again.
His hair would slightly move every time he made small movements, and noticing those dark strands - the ones which are slightly out of place, and the ones which are perfectly tidy - he would want to weave his hands through them, already feeling their tenderness just by imagination alone. If he asked, Bruno would let him do it, but would he ask such a thing? It’s enough to let Bruno witness his lovestruck gaze. He’s smart, Leone knew he’d already pieced everything together. Besides, he couldn’t stand the chuckle he would let out at the request - it would be devastating and he’d be in danger of perishing.
It wasn’t just about the care he felt about him. It was everything, all together, mixed into a pile that turned Leone into mush. It was the feeling he got when he laid his eyes on him - the weight on his chest, the desire to instantly give him everything he wanted, and the need to cherish him and see him happy. It all scared him. Like a sudden minor chord in a relatively cheerful sounding song - he knew one day it’d all disappear. Working in the mafia, he didn’t expect such lively faces, especially that of Bruno Bucciarati. But getting attached has its consequences, he knew that - but would he ever stop? No, not even if he was given a million chances to ‘redeem’ his choice. This lifetime with him was a blessing and a curse, but mostly a blessing - he would give anything to be together with him, and continue to meet in different realities - slightly different, but entirely the same - because this feeling will never go away, will it? Maybe that’s what hurt so much, the uncertainty that came with the job never failed to give him anxiety, but that’s just life, he figured. He was terrified of the affection he bore, but he will bear it till it breaks him.
Leone knew the consequences; he knew them by heart. His brain hammered it into his conscious thoughts - you can lose Bruno at any time, maybe by a stray gunshot, maybe by a sneak assassination. He would argue that Giorno was always there to help, but what if he wasn’t? What if this world that welcomed him with open arms was snatched away from him, again, and all he could do was cry? That’s all that he would do anyway, right? Asking for reassurance was not his thing, but Bruno would always guess - he would know what to say to comfort him. Even though it all ate him from the inside, he would listen to his words, elated, and cry holding him, as if he would slip away from his grasp if he squeezed a bit gentler.
But then, he would look at Bruno’s smiling face, hands reaching to wipe his tears away, uttering the slightest of phrases to ease his worries, and he would realize he had nothing to worry about, he wasn’t going anywhere. At least not right now, and not ever. They would find a way to make everything alright if anything went wrong. They always did. Even in unpredictable situations, they always stood their guard, even if they lost sight of each other. Because they would do anything to be with each other. Risking their own life was just a part of the bargain - if it meant the other would be safe, they’d do it.
That’s why they work so well together, don’t they? The feeling is mutual - the feeling that they would actually fall apart if they lost the other. Hearts were exchanged, and they can’t be given back. And those hearts would rush at each other’s presence, because they’re inseparable.