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Isolation is not good for anyone.
That's what Leone Abbacchio has learned from enduring it for a good half of his life.
He was thirteen when he first stepped into this wooden cottage deep in the forest as a woodcutter's helper. The old man was nice enough to take the inexperienced scrawny kid to his house and make a man out of him. Well at least he tried for some five years or so, before he died. From a simple cold.
The thing about living so far from civilization is that it'd take way too long to transport a sick person to the nearest town. Or even for a doctor to get here from there. In the middle of the winter no less.
Abbacchio can blame himself all he wants. Curse the fact that he had no strength to aid the old man back to health. Believe that he was cursed at birth and is going to kill anyone he ever gets close to. It's all useless, because in the end it was out of his control. The best he could do is continue what his mentor started.
And so he did. And does till this very day.
Chopping wood, cutting it into sizable pieces, and waiting for the merchant to come and buy it from him. Give him money that he doesn't need because he never goes to the town.
Anything he needs, nature can provide. Arrows to kill animals for dinner and skin, fertile ground in his yard to grow vegetables, spring water in his well, herbs for any sickness, grapes to make his own wine, wood that surrounds him… what else does one need?
Company perhaps?
He lived for years denying his need for that. Whenever he showed himself in the town he was whispered about and gawked at. The bastard son of a prostitute that decided to hang herself when money got scarce and leave her barely teenage kid on his own.
Nobody wanted to come near him back then and neither do they today.
So Abbacchio believed he was cursed. There must've been something repulsive and hideous about him that disgusted everyone around. Everyone but the old almost blind woodcutter. Who died because Abbacchio wasn't able to save him.
He's just a walking problem wherever he goes. Whoever he talks to makes a face at him. So he decided to not go anywhere and not talk to anyone. That way he won't bother others. Simple problem solving.
But he had to sacrifice a part of his humanity for that. Because it's a human thing to seek contact with others right? With how empty he feels lately it must have meant he lost something fundamental that makes a man whole. If he ever had it. If he ever was whole.
Though if he longs for it now, would it mean that this human part is still alive in him?
He tried coping with his loneliness by talking to animals, but they ran away from him. He was never good with them. Never had a pet.
Plants are far better at listening, but they can't answer him in any way.
He talks to himself plenty. Though it's mostly derogatory words meant to lower his already low self-value.
He thinks of going to the town's library to pick up some books to read. The thought is dismissed as quickly as it arrived. That'd mean he'd have to go back to return them. Besides he doesn't have time for it, his job takes the majority of his day.
When he has some time off, he likes to carve statues from leftover wood. Silhouettes of beautifully sculptured men, old wise looking wizards with long beards and various half-human folk creatures. He rarely makes animals, he realises. He figures it's because he sees plenty of them on a daily basis. Art is meant to give life to one's imagination, not just blindly recreate what nature already did better. His desires fuel his creations, and what he craves most are… other people.
Tonight when he sits down before his working desk, illuminated only by the dim light from his old battered lantern, he finds only one small piece of dark wood left for him to sculpt from. Barely the size of his palm. That indicates he should chop off some new trees soon. Honestly he always feels a little bad doing that. He often imagines himself being cursed by some forest spirits for it. He wants to believe that could happen. Maybe it'll spare him some of his misery. But the universe is cruel and let's him survive day by day to prolong his torture.
Anyways, he takes the small wooden block and wonders what he should make it into. It has to be something small to fit its size. He decides on a fairy, but omits to leave any swelling on the creature's chest or hips.
It's a male fairy.
Women are also rarely depicted in his works. He never liked women. Didn't get what beauty others saw in them that wasn't already present in a man. Perhaps it's because of his mother, but he always hated women. He doesn't know why that is. He never knew. Must be another one of his peculiarities.
His fairy has a bob cut that makes him look more childish. Quite a bold hairstyle for either a man or a woman to wear, but he imagines this particular fairy to be resolute enough to not be concerned about any criticism. Maybe even a little audacious. That'd be cute: a little fairy with a big personality. He'd need a matching name. Let's see… he is made of wood from a walnut tree of a beautiful dark brown colour. Brown. Bruno.
"Let's name you Bruno," Abbacchio says out loud. To himself, but he wants Bruno to hear it too. If he can. He imagines he does.
"I hope you like it," he rubs the pad of his thumb on the little dark cheek and he sighs.
"I do, only cuz you're so bad at naming that I was fully prepared to be called 'Nutty' or something! God bless you contained yourself this time, mister," Abbacchio replies to his own dialogue in his thoughts. He chuckles to himself.
Even my fictional characters hate me…
Nevertheless, he puts the newest member of his wooden family on the dusty display, just to quickly change his mind and grant him a honourable place on his bedside cabinet. So far, Bruno is the only one of his carvings that got a name and so he can't help but think of him as special.
Will you protect me from my nightmares?
"Can't promise you anything, big guy," Bruno replies in his mind. Just as cynical as the first time. Similarly to his other thoughts, he's just a reflection of Abbacchio's own self-loathing. And yet he doesn't want to get rid of him.
-
The next day he has to go chop some new trees. He takes Bruno with him. He drilled a little hole on his wing and threaded a string through it so that he could wear him like a necklace. That way he doesn't have to part from him. He thinks his new friend would also like to explore the big world.
He chats with himself (Bruno) as he works. Three trees will be enough for now. Summer is approaching quickly after all. So many new plants blooming to life. Bruno loves plants, he imagines, he enjoys hiding in flowers and sliding on wet leaves, as a fairy would do. As expected, he also scolds Abbacchio for ruining the forest by cutting those trees. Even when he's just doing his goddamn job.
Eventually, the wind picks up and grows suspiciously strong. When he looks up at the clouds visible through the crowns of trees he can see they're dark. Heavy with rain. It still hasn't started falling though. Abbacchio has one last tree to chop down. Unfortunately the wind alters its fall and instead of a clean glade, it lands directly on top of some wild berry bushes. God damn it.
"I can see you've fucked up greatly this time," Bruno naggs at him from his mind.
Yeah I can see that, no need for your comments…
He stops the imagined conversation with his friend and focuses on fixing his mistake fast. The dark clouds are hanging above them, threatening to spill rain anytime. He has to somehow manoeuvre the tree trunk from those berry bushes. He manages to cut all the needless branches before the first heavy drops land on him. By the time he gets a good grip on the trunk, it's already pouring. The ground under his feet gets more and more slippery with added moisture. Good for the plants, not so much for Abbacchio right now.
"I wish I could help you somehow…"
The fleeting thought of Bruno's words warms him from the inside, but he has no time to answer when a thunder roars in the sky. He has to hurry back home or he's at risk of getting electrocuted. But on the other hand he's so close to dragging that godforsaken piece of wood out of the bushes. So he decides to find out how much he can stretch his luck.
He slips on some mud and falls into the bushes just when another thunder rings above. His knee lands on the wild thorns and when he lifts it slightly he sees blood. So his best pants were ripped huh? Great. That's what he gets for playing a Russian roulette with luck.
The weight of the trunk is too much for him suddenly. Makes his injured leg flare with pain. He opts for pushing instead of pulling. Since he already fell into here he might very well venture further. So he goes deeper into the bushes to get the other end of the wood. That grants him some brand new injuries and more ruined clothes, but at least the tree is laying flat on the glade, ready to be cut into smaller pieces. He'll leave that task for later. Now he really needs to get outta here before he gets striked by lightning.
He rushes home, leaving the chopped off tree trunk in the mudd. After he closes the door he sighs with relief. That was something. Quite an adventure.
It usually isn't this intense. Well, at least you weren't bored… , he thinks to his imaginary friend.
But Bruno doesn't respond.
How come? His voice is just Abbacchio's own thoughts. Why can't he think of any reply that would suit him?
He fumbles with the stripes of his overalls to find the statuette and get a good look at it. Perhaps that'll rouse his imagination again.
To his horror, he finds no trace of his new garment. Did he lose it? Back when he was trying to get the tree out of the bushes. Bruno must still be somewhere in there then!
As he turns to the door he can hear another thunder outside and opts to come to get his new friend after the rain ceases. For now he needs to dry himself. He wouldn't want to catch a cold, here in the middle of nowhere.
-
To his surprise, it rains for the rest of the day. And the whole night too! He's starting to get anxious that some wild animals are going to find his statue. He knows it's stupid of him to worry like that - animals fear rain just like humans do. Unless he's concerned about a snail or a frog stealing his wooden friend.
Toad stealing a little person that has become the only company for some old lonely soul?
Heh, that sounds awfully like the story of Thumbelina.
Well, in that case he hopes Bruno won't agree to marry any beetles or moles and eventually finds his fairy princess waiting for him in some cosy faraway land.
Abbacchio shakes his head at the thought. Stupid. He'll find that statue tomorrow. And if he doesn't, then he'll just make a new one.
Nevertheless, that night he dreams of Bruno on some fairytale-like adventure in the big forest. He doesn't let the toad kidnap him - he demands a shelter from the rain that can damage his delicate wings. He talks back to the beetle insulting his looks. He stays at the mouse's den, but doesn't agree to marry the rich mole - instead he plays the matchmaker and makes them realise that they're meant for eachother. He's just as pugnacious as he first imagined him. Then, he flies away on his swallow to explore the world. He comes back to Abbacchio long years after, since fairies are immortal, to introduce him to his fiance. She's a beautiful female fairy with the same bold haircut as Bruno, only her hair is as light as the wood from the maple tree. Then they leave to rule their faraway kingdom. And Abbacchio is left alone again. Like always.
He wakes up earlier than usual.
Damn, his dreams are against him too?
Well, better start the day earlier than dwell on his depressing thoughts.
After he makes himself a humble breakfast from homemade products, he notices the weather has finally changed to a more welcoming one. He puts on his tall and heavy wellingtons and a raincoat just in case, then ventures outside. When he reaches the glade however something in his stomach drops.
Amidst the prickly bushes he was fumbling with yesterday, there's a new life growing. A little tree sprouts out of the mess of dark berry leaves. Its trunk is so thin, it looks like a twig. It's clearly a young tree, not yet in any form to be casually outgrowing the thick bushes it was apparently planted under. And yet it's managed to climb all the way above them even when it shouldn't be the case. The poor thing wasn't even getting any light.
Abbacchio wonders how the hell did he manage to miss, and let alone not accidentally destroy that little thing.
He lowers his head to the ground seeing all the damage his heavy boots caused to the bushes. There are footprints all over the muddy ground, but somehow this small plant remained untouched. Almost like it grew here overnight.
More importantly there's no sign of his wooden statue. He looks around the area intently, goes over the same places several times, digs in the ground. Still nothing. Quite some time must've passed cuz the sun starts bothering him with its strong rays that get hotter and hotter.
He eventually resigns himself to sitting down on that trunk he was planning on cutting and stares at that little seedling. The more he looks he realises that it's a walnut tree.
How ironic... Bruno was made out of walnut wood…
Fuck. Now his chest hurts from that sentiment. It's almost like Bruno was buried alive and new life grew on his corpse. Now what a fucked up thought is that. First fairytales and now this. He really needs to get out of his mind sometimes. Too bad he has noone to talk to…
He notices a little green sphere hanging from the topmost branch of that young tree. Yeah, it was really hard to notice before - that was actually how he identified it as a walnut tree, but that's not what grabs his attention. It's rather how full and ripe it looks. It's early spring. Walnuts are normally harvested around the beginning of September. Also, this is pretty much the only nut on this tree. Something isn't right…
He squats down before the plant and gently touches the fruit. Its husk is dark green instead of the light colour it should have when it starts developing. It's also quite heavy and plump. Yeah, it's definitely ripe. What the hell?
He decides to break it off the tree before any woodland critters get to it, and takes it home. He was supposed to head back anyways since he's dressed inappropriately for the weather now, and besides that, he's getting hungry.
In his cottage, he settles his new finding on his work desk to examine it. He notices there's already a crack in the husk so he digs his nails in to spread it further.
To his utter bewilderment, instead of a hard shell inside is… a little creature. Something that looks suspiciously naked and hairless. It's curled up like an embryo. He can clearly see small arms hugging its bent legs, its face hidden in between the knees. It doesn't move. But it's breathing.
It's… asleep?
He breaks off one half of the green husk to get a better look at the thing sleeping soundly nestled in between the white inner walls of the nut's hull in such a way that it has to be uncomfortable. He hesitantly pokes the little being with his pinky. It suddenly turns its head to him and Abbacchio instantly recognises that face. The face he himself sculpted out of walnut wood.
"Bruno?" he whispers, afraid to startle him.
Midget eyes flutter lazily and then he stretches, spreading his limbs outside of the nut's husk. There's a voice too. A sleepy groan that sounds almost like an actual person's... Well, a normal-sized person that is. Though it's still a little more high-pitched. He's not wearing anything, his full body on display. His… everything is so small Abbacchio can hardly believe he's an actual living creature and not some hyper realistic micro doll.
"Ah, it's time already? Too bad.. I had a good sleep," he whines in a quiet voice. Talking to himself perhaps?
"Bruno?" Abbacchio repeats his previous question just out of pure astonishment. Little Bruno looks up at him. His eyes are blue. He didn't imagine what colour they'd be, but god does this one suit him well.
"Hello. You seem to know me already," he smiles up at him, and proceeds to drag himself out of the nut's hull. He does a few more stretches before massaging his back a little, just to open up his translucent wings a moment later. They're magnificent and take quite a bit of space when they're fully spread. He'd definitely be bigger than a dragonfly.
Abbacchio shakes away the awe from seeing such beauty, registering what the other has said. "A- and y- you don't?" he stammers the next question.
Bruno's face lights up with a proud and knowing sort of smile. "Oh I know myself quite well," he answers, chuckling. Then he jumps up and hangs in the air with his little wings working as fast as hummingbird's and letting out a faint buzzing sound. He doesn't seem exhausted by the action at all.
"I'm a flower angel. I was born from a human’s strong desires. My job is to grant a single wish of the human that gave me life. Once I fulfil that mission, my life ends and I turn into dust. But before that happens I must guard my human from any evils. You are my human, therefore I'm here to hear about your wish," he introduces himself nonchalantly with as much grace as one can have flying naked in front of someone's face. All of that expository talk was done without a single stammer. Not a single crack in his expression as he says that he'll perish after he grants a wish– what? What the fuck? This is really messed up!
"So you're not a fairy?" Abbacchio asks in disbelief of what he's just heard. Is this real? He must be high off some mushrooms or something. There's no other way.
"I don't know what that is," Bruno responds sheepishly. "I may not look like a child but I've just been born, so I don't know anything about the world outside of my mission," he concludes.
Ok, Abbacchio is getting even more confused.
"Then how do you know me?"
"I don't. I just know you're my human," Bruno states, still smiling. Then he gets a little closer to Abbacchio's face. "Perhaps you'll be so nice as to introduce yourself to me?"
Goddamn, he really is just as abrasive as he imagined him.
"I'm Leone Abbacchio. I'm a woodcutter," he says, not knowing how to elaborate. Then adds at length: "Two days ago I carved a statue from a walnut wood that was meant to resemble you, but I lost it yesterday. Today I found you in the place where it should have been…"
Bruno, still humming in midair, stares at him with a straight face for a second. Then bursts out into a hearty laugh.
"Ahhhahaha so I was wood before?" he holds his stomach and curls his legs with laughter. "Oh my, then that explains why you already had a name for me."
"Y- you didn't have your own name?" Abbacchio asks like a moron. Fucking- did you even listen to what he said?
"No! Like I said - you created me, so you're supposed to name me. Wow you're really dense aren't you?" Bruno puts his hands on his hips in a mocking manner. Oh god, what has Abbacchio done? This little stinker is going to be insufferable with all these comments.
"Do you at least like the name?" He mimics the little guy's pose and also puts his palms on his waist. Bruno's dark eyebrows rise with interest, or perhaps surprise that he got talked back to? It must be the first time for him after all.
"Yeah, it's catchy," he says simply. Still teasing.
"It means 'brown' - like your hair, and… the wood I carved you from…" Abbacchio mumbles, but with their size difference there's no way that Bruno didn't hear him.
"Oh. I didn't know that…" he mumbles back, a little more humble.
Abbacchio is still processing what kind of unholy magic just happened to him. He'll have to take some time to fully grasp the reality of it. Well, there's one thing he gets - he's found his statue… only it's alive now. This surely won't get weird with time…
"Well…" he starts, lifting his hand to Bruno, palm down like he's about to let a bird land on it. He figures his sweaty palms would be uncomfortable to sit on. The little not-fairy settles on it in a Japanese crouch with his legs held tightly together. He feels heavier than any insect, but still lighter than a small rodent would. "I don't know if you realise that, but you're nude. Look at me - I'm wearing clothes. Let's get you some too," he explains.
"Oh good, I won't be feeling cold anymore, thank you," Bruno replies with a mischievous grin. This mocking little bastard.
He’s gonna be a real pain…
-
But Bruno proves to actually not be a little pain in the ass, but rather a very valuable companion. Abbacchio made him a small cloak from his own ripped clothes. Initially, it looked like a potato sack on him, he knows, but he’s not good at sewing such microscopic clothes. Thankfully, Bruno knew how to customise it on his own. Using a pine needle and spider’s web he managed to create a really nice piece that looks like a miniature white suit. Though it has quite a big opening on the front of his chest, Bruno says it’s for ventilation. There’s another one on the back, this one is for his wings. He even went out of his way to decorate the white material with little ink blots despite Abbacchio’s hints that it’s going to wash out quickly. He looks so adorable in it.
He makes him other clothes like little coats and hoods to keep him warm and safe from the rain when he… accompanies Abbacchio on his job.
He’s only ever done it once before, but nostalgia still floods him when Bruno says.
“Don’t slip on any mud with those heavy feet of yours!” He’s sitting on his arm as he makes his way to the glade where he left his work undone. He holds onto Abbacchio’s long overgrown silver hair with his small hands for balance. “I don’t get why won’t you just fly! It would’ve been way faster…” he says next to his ear.
“Do you see any wings on me?”
“No. Where did they go? I was about to ask; did something bad happen to them?” Bruno questions. There’s concern in his voice. He’s completely unaware of such simple things and yet he aspires to be Abbacchio’s guardian. How absolutely endearing.
“Humans don’t have any,” he responds with simple facts.
“Oh…” he just sighs, looking crestfallen. Then he changes the topic. “So! Do you have any wishes on your mind?” he asks in a beaming voice.
That’s a good question. He doesn’t really know. Well…there’s one thing, but…
“Not much. I’m satisfied with my life,” he states emotionlessly.
“Hmm…” Bruno stands up from his shoulder, humming. Flutters his wings a little to prevent himself from falling. Then Abbacchio can feel bare little feet tapping further on the length of his collarbone and small hands touching his neck. “I know you’re lying,” he whispers right into his ear. Shiver goes up his entire body as if he was splashed with cold water. “If you were truly happy, I wouldn’t be here, so there must be something bothering you.”
Damn that fairy.
“You don’t have to know what that is,” he growls in response.
“But I do! How else am I supposed to grant your wish?” Bruno utters, a little offended.
“If it’s my wish, then I’ll decide when I want it granted,” he grunts. However, guilt in the pit of his stomach doesn’t let him swallow those words, so he adds: “Will something happen to you if you wait a little bit?”
“No. I don’t think so,” is Bruno’s reply.
Good. Then he’ll have to be a patient little fairy and let Abbacchio think it over.
He was thinking about wishing to get his little statue back, but now that it has been returned to him with such an upgrade, he doesn’t want the old one anymore.
Should he wish for friends? Family? Love ? – All of them feel so far away and unreachable that even an enchanted creature of magic shouldn’t be able to make them work for Leone Abbacchio.
Besides, for now all he wants is to spend some time with Bruno. Get to know him. Teach him about the world that surrounds them. Just talk to him. About anything. That’d be enough.
Bruno sits on a branch and watches him work for the rest of the day. Abbacchio often overworks even when the chill of the night comes. But not today.
“It’s dark and cold already! When will you go back home?” Bruno starts whining from his spot on the branch.
“When I’m done here. You can go without me,” he states, not sparing him a glance, still working with his saw.
“But I’m your guardian! I can’t leave you!” Bruno responds by stomping his foot.
Abbacchio looks up at the tree his guardian is sitting on. Sees him shivering. Hands clasped on his elbows. Wings folded tight to his body to not get frostbitten from the chilly wind. Immediately he feels bad for not considering his needs. This poor fragile thing, that he just assumed will be alright after just eating some berries, is now trembling from the cold. His guardian huh? Well it seems he’ll have to guard him first.
“Alright then, let's head back,” he says, extending his hand so Bruno can land on it. The fairy takes off but opts for sitting on Abbacchio’s shoulder instead. He’s sweaty and smelly from work, but the little guy nuzzles into his neck, mumbling: “You’re so warm… are all humans like that too?”
Ah, how long has it been since he felt another person's body so close? He searches his memories, but the closest thing to physical contact he finds is the old woodcutter helping him to put on his thick and heavy overalls. His hands felt warm even through the cloth though.
“... Yeah… They're plenty warm…”
Since Bruno prefers heat, he nestled him on a shelf above his own bed because the cold currents that go along his always icy floor won't reach him there. He also prepares a small bowl of hot water every evening, he puts a tea plate over it and settles Bruno's makeshift bed on top of it. That way he can be warm at least for the most of the night. He doesn't voice any complaints so he's probably enjoying his new cubby hole. He's always quick to express his dissatisfaction or annoyance so he'd tell him if he doesn't like it. Abbacchio swears to himself that he'll take good care of his new guardian.
-
The days went by lazily. Abbacchio would wake up around 5am, which is earlier than he used to, but Bruno would rise up along with the sun and he would get bored easily with his human still sleeping. He'd accompany him while he worked, chatting about various things. Bruno always had so many questions. What certain things are and what are they used for. But he learned fast. He didn't know the names of many plants and animals but he seemed to instinctively recognise which could be a threat to him. He could even tell apart poisonous mushrooms from edible ones. He also came to know that too much of that 'grape juice' that Abbacchio likes to drink can cause you headache. The first time he drank it he made a face and declared it 'an unholy abomination' even if it was made of natural ingredients only!
Before they went to sleep, they'd chat too. About life and death, forests and towns, humans and fairies. And about wishes.
"When will you finally decide on your wish?" Bruno asked one night per usual.
"Are you really in such a hurry to turn into dust?" he asked back.
There wasn't an immediate answer, but Abbacchio imagined him rolling his eyes up there on the shelf where he couldn't see him. Then his thin voice reached his ears:
"You talk a lot, you know. Who did you talk to before you had me?"
Does he really? Is this the impression he gives off? He'd never in a thousand years call himself 'talkative' and yet Bruno just did. Maybe he's just teasing him again. Or maybe Abbacchio is just so long lost that he doesn't even notice how much he talks anymore...
"I talked to my figures," he responds sincerely. As pathetic as that sounds. But it's the truth.
Bruno is quiet again.
"Don't you want to have a family? A loving wife and children? I could make it happen for you," he says at long last. Thankfully omitting any teasing comments about Abbacchio's embarrassing confession.
A family… a loving wif– no, hold up.
"I don't think so."
"Should I prove it to you? My magic, if fuelled by a true desire, can make anything real!" Bruno argues. He sounds offended.
"No, it's not that. I don't deny you can make miracles. And having a family would certainly be nice, but…"
"But what?" Bruno must be clearly fed up with his hesitance, because he sticks his head from the edge of his shelf and peeps at him from above. His tiny brow twitches in annoyance.
"... It's just that … it's not the right miracle for me…" he says, again, being purely honest, because he knows Bruno can detect lies.
There's silence for a moment.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Bruno asks. "If you want to have a company, I can create someone who'll stay here with you. It can even be a princess! Anyone you'd like!"
"Why does it have to be a princess?"
"What? You want a prince?" Bruno jokes sarcastically. Then he looks down at Abbacchio's serious face and has a moment of realisation. "Oh you'd–… wait really?" he asks, still clearly confused. For someone born from a plant and who's never seen a woman in his life, isn't it weird that he knows how traditional relationships are supposed to look like? Who told him? Abbacchio didn't! "Alright, I mean it's your choice… just know that you won't make kids out of it, unless you decide to adopt some orphan that got lost in this deep forest–"
"Why does this even matter!?" he snaps at the fairy. "Whoever you create with your magic isn't going to want to stay with me from their own will! It'll be all fabricated!" Same if he wished for money or fame, but with all those shady ways that people get to have it nowadays it wouldn't even be so immoral.
"But wasn't it the same when you created me?" Bruno asks way too confidently.
"No! I didn't make you stay with me! I just took a piece of wood, gave it a name and started talking to it! How was I supposed to know that it's going to rise into living?!" he argues. He hopes he doesn't sound too mean. Bruno is quite proud of his origin.
"... Well, I'm not technically 'living' ," he quotes with his fingers. "I only exist to grant your wish. I don't have a life ," he states dryly. Then goes quiet again for a second. "Actually…" he starts. "I should be really grateful to you for letting me stay with you for so long." He sounds shy. There's a red blush visible on his long elvish ears as he fidgets with his cotton sleeve. He doesn't look at Abbacchio anymore, avoids his stare. "T- thank you for that, by the way… for letting me exist for longer than you need me to. I appreciate it."
Oh god…
Abbacchio's heart outright breaks at that statement. He doesn't know how to respond. And on top of that his cheeks start getting hot too. It's embarrassing. His thoughts race in his head uncontrollably.
But I need you! If you weren't here I'd go mad for sure! I'll start talking to trees! Having you here makes my life worth living. I don't know if I can ever be truly happy without you!
Ultimately he settles on asking him what was on his mind for quite some time.
"Do you have any wishes, Bruno?"
The tiny head disappears from his view. He half expects him to say something along the lines of 'I'm not allowed to dream' or 'My only purpose is to grant wishes, not have them.' Though that'd make no sense. Who is above Bruno after all? God? The Tooth Fairy? What would even happen if he doesn't grant the wish? If he decides to leave his human or he stays with him until he dies, what then? Would he still turn into dust? He said he's immortal… Did anyone give him any instructions for how he should act? He seems to operate on pure instincts alone.
The answer he gets is the most innocent thing he's heard in his life.
"I guess I'd like to be bigger. So that I could hug you, Leone…"
Oh…
That's the first time he's heard his own name in a long while. And it's said with so much affection that it sounds outright foreign. Nobody ever addressed him like that. And the notion that Bruno wants to be big just to be able to embrace him? That's too much. It keeps him quiet for some time, still processing what he heard.
"You don't like your size?" he answers at last.
"It's impractical compared to yours…" the fairy starts. "If I had a choice between making you smaller and making myself bigger so we could hug, I'd choose the latter anyday," Bruno confesses.
How cute…
"Well, I guess I'm fine with my size," he chuckles. Then asks: "You can't grant yourself that wish?"
"No. Only yours," Bruno explains.
Well then, that should be simple! He finally knows what to wish for!
"Then I wish for you to be bigger so you can give me a hug!" Abbacchio proclaims sitting up on his bed. If it's truly that easy he's going to do it for him. Let him have his wish!
"It's not your true desire. I can't grant it," he says simply and then shuts himself completely.
Abbacchio stands up to check on him. The thought of Bruno turning into dust still plaguing his head. He sees him sleeping on his side, facing away from Abbacchio. Is he mad at him? Disappointed that his wish cannot come true? Either way, Abbacchio is just relieved that Bruno is still in one piece and that his rushed, potentially dangerous wish didn't count, so he lets him sleep. He himself also lies back in his bed.
I'd like the hug though…, he thinks.
-
Tonight his dreams consist of Bruno turning into dust. Over and over. Each new one shows them trying to get around the enchanted boundaries of those wish-granting rules that may or may not exist in real life. But they haunt his nightmares regardless. Bruno leaves for his own journey just to come back with the news that he cannot fly too far from Abbacchio, some sort of magnetic pull connecting them. Abbacchio wishes for it to disappear and Bruno turns into dust before he can explore the world. Abbacchio wishes to become a fairy and he's connected to a different human while Bruno turns into dust, alone. Abbacchio wishes for Bruno to become human and he turns into a baby that grows way too fast and soon he's an old man. He dies before Abbacchio's eyes, turning into dust. They stay together until old age comes, human and fairy, and time turns them both into dust.
Suddenly, something strikes his head and there's wetness all over his face. The loud clatter of a metal dish hitting the floor rings in the room.
He wakes up, panting heavily.
"Finally!" he hears Bruno's voice from above.
When he looks up he sees him hanging his head from the shelf. He looks annoyed but relieved at the same time.
"I couldn't for the life of me wake you up! I had to splash you with the water from my mattress. Be grateful it's not hot anymore!" he says, crossing his hands on his chest.
His mattress? Abbacchio looks at the floor and notices the metal dishes he used for Bruno's bed. So he pushed it down on me? That must've been a lot of hustle for his tiny frame…
"I'm sorry…" he mumbles, voice still groggy from sleep.
"Don't apologise ! Just dry yourself fast, it's getting colder by the day and you don't want to get sick, don't you? Then you can clean it up," he tells him, sounding like a mother scolding her child. Or perhaps a wife scolding her husband?
Abbacchio looks dumbfoundedly at him for a second, before he finally drags himself out of his wet bedding. He can't quite fight off a grin that makes its way onto his face.
"Yes, sir," he replies playfully. Bruno just huffs at him like a pompous rich lady and sits down on the remains of his bed. "And don't forget to dry the sheets too! You won't be able to hang them outside soon," he adds.
"Yes, ma'am!" Abbacchio repeats his answer from the bathroom. When did their interactions become so casually domestic? He only knows that he really likes it for some reason. Wouldn't mind having more of that…
-
“I wish I could help you somehow…” Bruno says from his spot on the shelf as Abbacchio cleans the wet floor. He didn’t bother moving from there since waking up. Even when Abbacchio mentioned breakfast. Which is unlike him. Usually he’s first to try new dishes that his human makes (though thanks to his eagerness, he discovered in a not too pleasant way that he doesn’t like meat, while Abbacchio eats it frequently). He’s never one to miss on food, even if he says he doesn’t need it to survive.
Furthermore, his words make Abbacchio peculiarly nostalgic. Has he heard them before? He doesn’t remember. But his gut floods with warmth the moment they reach him regardless. It's bizarre.
“You don’t have to worry about it. It’s fine. Besides, if you were my size I’d take the cleaning on myself anyways,” he says making an attempt to lighten the mood. Tries to cheer his little fairy up.
“But I’m the one who made the mess!” Bruno argues, gesturing to the flooded floor with his hand. “You want to spoil me?”
“Maybe…” he teases.
“Then I’ll take advantage of you and make a mess on purpose! You're a really terrible keeper! Teach me some manners!” he demands playfully.
Well, at least he’s laughing now. But he needs to correct him about one thing.
“I’m not your keeper,” he denies sharply.
Bruno looks at him defiantly and asks: “Then what are you to me?”
“A partner?” he asks boldly, but when he sees Bruno’s eyebrows rise in surprise he quickly corrects himself: “Or just a housemate, whatever you prefer.” Maybe that was too close for his comfort. He likes to think that they’re on good terms, but there are still boundaries that Abbacchio should respect. Nevermind that he’s so lonely and touch-starved that he’d fall for anyone. The first person who’s nice to him. Or even a fairy. “You’re here to protect me and I’m protecting you in turn. So it’s like we’re both responsible for each other… Kinda like partners, I thought…” he adds.
Bruno seems to ponder on his words for a while.
“If I’m your partner… then you should let me help you all the more! We should be sharing chores, not putting everything on your shoulders,” he states. How did he manage to turn that conclusion in his own favour? That cheeky little bastard.
“Well, I can let you try, but I doubt you can even hold the mop,” Abbacchio responds, wanting to pick on him in return. Unfortunately he hit the wrong soft point.
“God! Ok, I know I’m useless and can’t do any work in the house! You don’t need to remind me about it!” Bruno raises his voice. It’s still faint in comparison to how Abbacchio would sound if he shouted though.
“I didn’t mean to. Please stop thinking about such needless things, it’ll only drag you down,” he calms the fairy. These self-deprecating thoughts ring way too close to home. He doesn’t want Bruno to follow his path. Certainly doesn’t want him to think he’s useless because in the grand scheme of things he can’t provide much manual help. But… he has one very important role and that’s keeping Abbacchio sane by accompanying him in his daily routine. If it hadn’t been for him, he would’ve surely lost his mind by now. He really needs to tell Bruno how much his presence is worth to him. Too bad he’s always hesitating to do it. He doesn’t even know why. Must be his poor social skills.
“I know it’s needless, but I can’t help it! I’m consciously dwelling on something unachievable!” the fairy rambles, running his hand through his hair. “What is this pathetic state called again?”
“Wishful thinking?”
“Wishful thinking,” Bruno agrees.
Silence follows. Both of them lose themselves in their thoughts.
Abbacchio wonders how great it would be if they were both the same species. If perhaps Bruno was a lost traveller who’d found his cottage while wandering around the woods. Maybe he’d ask to stay with him because his journey has no real destination. He’d welcome him with open arms and let him live with him till the end of times. Or if they were both fairies who met one day collecting ambrosia from flowers on the same meadow. They’d settle somewhere in the crown of the tallest tree in the forest that overlooks the land like a balcony of a royal palace…
Why are his thoughts always making them into a couple? Is he really so high on fairy tales he loved to read as a kid that he can’t imagine platonic relationships? Bruno probably doesn’t even see him that way, if his reaction to the suggestion of them being partners is any indication. He bets if he were to confess, he’d get rejected. It’s all just wishful thinking at the end of the day.
“Leone…” Bruno suddenly breaks the silence. Using his first name again! Abbacchio turns to him and sees the fairy setting off so he extends his hand. Palm up this time. He stopped being insecure about the sweat when he discovered that Bruno prefers the warm inner part of his hands to their calloused and dry tops.
The fairy purposefully lands on the side of his palm to make him abandon whatever he’s holding in his other hand and cup them together. He’s done that before. Usually to annoy him. Today though, his mood is fluctuating between playful and dejected so Abbacchio feels he should be more generous. He holds him carefully in both hands like a little treasure.
“What’s wrong?” he asks.
“You know… I’ve been thinking all night about what you suggested…”
Oh, is it about the–?
“I’m positive that I can grant any wish. Even one you make for someone else… one that won’t benefit you, but you truly wish to do a good deed…” Bruno looks down at his feet. This feels like he’s admitting his misconceptions. It’s not like it’s his fault though! “If you want to help me grow or… become a human - because I thought about that too - so that I could be of use, and you’re willing to sacrifice your wish for me then… well it’s your choice…” he mumbles.
Is he really thinking about becoming a human? He’s willing to take the risk to try? Perhaps when he said he wants to be bigger - he actually meant becoming a human. All for the sake of being able to live with him as equals! Abbacchio’s excitement builds up in him.
“As if that wouldn’t benefit me too!” he beams. He has to clarify his feelings right now or there wouldn’t be another chance! “Bruno, don’t you realise? You’re the only thing that keeps me going! I don’t know what would happen to me if I lost you…” suddenly he has to blink because his vision is getting blurry. “I’m sorry if it’s selfish of me but… I- I can’t live without you, Bruno!” he concludes, unable to stop his tears anymore.
Bruno looks at him longingly, extending his little arm in his direction weekly. Until he remembers that he can fly and he comes closer to his face. Abbacchio brings his cupped hands along to give him some stable surface to stand on.
“Leone… It’s not selfish! I’m your guardian, your angel, and you’re allowed to expect things from me,” he utters fondly, trying to wipe his tears but getting his whole arm wet in the process. It really must suck being that small. “And I… I also don’t want to part from you. It’s in my nature after all. But there’s more…” he goes on.
“More?” Abbacchio asks, feeling his hopes rise up in his heart.
Bruno huffs like he’s preparing himself for reciting a poem. The pressure must be high because he lands on the palms held out for him, too nervous to support himself in the air.
“I…” he starts, looking at his feet again. Then he raises his little head and holding his hand on his chest he proclaims: “I love you, Leone Abbacchio! I’ve fallen for you in our time spent together and I don’t want it to end, but… I also want to get closer to you and this form holds me from achieving my dream. I wish to become a human so I could be with you!”
As Bruno’s words ring in the air, Abbacchio mentaly pinches himself to check if this is real. This must be real! Please don’t be just a trick of his sick mind!
“I– I wish for that too! I wish I could have you!” he confesses. “I love you and– and… I don’t want you to turn to dust!”
Bruno beams and flies up to his face again. His tiny hands touch his nose. “Eventually we both will,” he says. “But let’s drop magic out of that and just leave it to mother nature, shall we?” He lowers his flight so that he’s on the level of Abbacchios chin. He can't see him well, but he hears a faint request: “Don’t move…”
So he holds as still as he can. Fixes his mouth into a straight line to not blow on him too much. He closes his eyes and just waits for what’s about to happen. Anticipation wrecking him on the inside.
He’s said his wish. They both did.
And then he feels something the size of his finger pressing on his lips.
Bruno kissed him!
So he kisses back. As delicately as he can, just by puckering his lips slightly. He prays this won’t be the last time he sees him, that he won’t turn into dust before him.
The pressure on his lips steadily grows from just a little spot in their centre to soon covering his entire mouth. There’s something heavy on both of his shoulders now and a breath strong enough to tickle his skin. When he opens his eyes he sees a head of auburn hair in a perfect bob cut. And when he pulls off a little he’s met with those breathtaking bluer than the sky irises that are now so big they seem to suck him right into their bottomless depths.
It takes a moment before he realises he’s got a young, slightly shorter than him and very naked man before himself. Behind his beautiful figure, the light catches on the remains of his wings. As they slowly turn to dust.
Abbacchio grabs him by the shoulders, too afraid to touch his back right now, and observes that sparkly rim that evaporates into the air. Getting closer and closer to his skin. Once it disappears from his view behind Bruno’s shoulders, he tightens his grip on him, holding him flush with his own body until it ends. Or until they both turn to dust. Together. Entangled in an inseparable embrace.
He waits and waits. But nothing happens.
Slowly he drags his palms to that spot on Bruno’s back. There's nothing there! Just warm skin and a sunken valley of his spine. He feels solid. Real.
“Bruno?” he asks. He’s still scared he’s going to wake up any minute.
Bruno pulls back from him. Looks him in the eyes in disbelief. Looks at his own hands placed flush on Abbacchio’s body and rubs them along his sturdy overworked arms. Looks down at himself. Then back where his wings should be. But they’re gone now. He’s not a fairy anymore.
Slowly his distant look of bewilderment fades into a radiant smile.
“It worked!” he proclaims triumphantly. Does a little jump and makes a surprised sound at how loud his stomp is. He’s laughing like a child, unable to contain his joy. Then he twirls around, but quickly loses his balance, falling directly into Abbacchio’s waiting arms.
“Easy!” he chides him.
“What the heck? I'm so very heavy?!?” he laughs in stupefaction. Still can’t wrap his head around the transformation.
“And so very naked!” Abbacchio adds.
“Does this bother you?” Bruno asks, pulling a bare leg up Abbacchio’s clothed one and hiking it on his hip.
“Not in the slightest, but it’s–” he doesn’t get to finish because his now-human fairy suddenly shivers and snuggles impossibly close to him. Seeking warmth as usual.
“Cold!” he mumbles against his chest. It’s so cute he can’t handle it. He’s going to burst out from sheer happiness right on the spot.
“Thought so,” he responds. “Now, let’s get you dressed up and we can clean the mess you made together,” he can’t believe this really isn’t a dream. That Bruno is real and his right now. Not just some wooden figurine he created out of boredom. Or a fairy he imagined just to converse with someone. His lonely mind is what tortured him the most for years, he cannot fathom that this part of his life is over now. That deja vu from their first meeting he’s getting right now isn’t helping at all.
“Wait!“ Bruno stops him suddenly. Then, before he could start any doubtful thinking, he pulls him into a passionate kiss. It’s sloppy but full of emotions previously repressed and passion burning so hot it’d be enough to warm them through the long winter. He feels Bruno’s tongue everywhere and can’t help but whimper, adding to the lewd sounds their connected mouths are making.
How can someone who’s never kissed before be so good at kissing?
When they finally pull away, they both need a full minute to catch their breath. Bruno is the first one to speak up.
“I’m hungry. I wasn’t eating much as a fairy so I need to catch up. Cleaning can wait~”
God, this man. He’ll overwhelm him to death. Abbacchio isn’t used to this much affection! At this rate, he’s really going to turn into a pile of dust!