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Most of the money Abbacchio got from Passione went to Bruno. Small coffee dates after missions, footing the bill for groceries, trips to local museums. Overall just spoiling him. He was eternally grateful for Bruno saving him from his death, and this felt like one of the only ways he could repay that. While Bruno spoiled him with love and tender care, Abbacchio wasn't the material type like Bruno was. But that was ok, Abbacchio had more than enough money to support his boyfriend's expensive tastes. Their shared closet held an array of designer brands, Mugler, Versace, Dior, YSL, Alexander McQueen. Bruno wasn't an elitist snob so he made a point to only buy second-hand clothing, designer and non-designer. He appreciated the craft more than the brands and firmly believed that it doesn't have to be designer to be good quality. After Abbacchio started dating Bruno, his wardrobe grew as well, and opened up to more eccentric pieces that he would never be caught dead in while working for the police. The couple could be seen on the streets of Naples immaculately dressed. Bruno stuck to well-fitted suits and heels, with bold yet tasteful patterns. Abbacchio had a more androgynous style, mixing dresses with leather jackets and biker boots. Some days he wanted to be more masculine, some days more feminine, some days neither, some days both at once. The one drawback to their closet was that Abbacchio towered over Bruno, both of them were unable to share clothes so if they both liked a piece they begrudgingly bought two sizes. Abbacchio often teased Bruno about his pants not being able to go halfway up his long legs. On the rare weekends Passione has absolutely nothing to do, Abbacchio invites Bruno to go shopping and have lunch dates with him. The rest of the group was almost glad to have them out of the house, their "parents" out for a while so they could wreak havoc. Giorno would probably enjoy the shopping, Bruno thought, but knew you couldn't bribe Abbacchio with all the money in the world for him to invite Giorno. Bruno glanced in the mirror one last time, fixing his hair, adjusting his suit jacket. He decided on a burgundy double-breasted piece with copper buttons. He wore no undershirt, his bare chest framed by the buttoned up suit jacket. He pulled copper Margiela Tabi boots with a wide block heel from the back of his closet. He needed to wear these more.
"Abbacchio? I'm ready!" He called. He heart a grunt from the bathroom and walked over to the door, heels clicking against the tiled floor. He was getting impatient, that was just his nature, trying to quell it with the thought of how hot Abbacchio will probably look today.
"Abbacchio?"
"I'm coming, I'm coming!" He heard rustling in the bathroom and finally, finally, the bathroom door swung open. They shamelessly checked each other out, eyes slowly moving down the other's bodies. God, Abbacchio was whipped for Bruno. He pulled Bruno by his waist against his own body.
"You trying to make everyone in Naples stare at you?" He smirked, cupping the back of Bruno's head.
"Ever the jealous type. You look amazing too." He wore full Comme des Garcons, a sage green pinstripe button-up with a mulberry sweater vest overtop. His loose stormy blue jeans flared out over his brown leather dress shoes, the only thing that wasn't Comme des Garcons.
"Let's get going. Intra Moenia for brunch?" Abbacchio nodded and the two walked onto the streets of Naples.
●
After spending way too much time sipping coffee and sharing savory Crepelles they decided it was time to walk to thrift stores. They made their way through the streets of northern Naples, dragging bags of garments that had accumulated along the journey. They saved their favorite for last, pursuing the hangers and shelves. Abbacchio noticed Bruno going back to a stunning Vivienne Westwood, fall 1990s velvet corset. The rich purple color paired gorgeously with the gold detailing all over it. He noticed Bruno would frown and slightly shake his head when he would revist it, promptly distracting himself with a shelf near it after he got another look. Was it the price, Abbacchio thought? It was quite expensive, but worth it in his mind. Bruno was getting visibly impatient, but Abbacchio had made a plan to get that corset.
"Bruno, you go outside, I have to go to the bathroom. I'll be out in a minute."
"Be quick!" He yelled from the front door. Abbacchio flashed him a thumbs up. Once Bruno was out of site, he pulled aside rhe closest worker to get the corset off the mannequin.
"Superb choice, what a lucky woman!" said the cashier while Abbacchio paid. He wanted to give the cashier the most dramatic eye roll ever at this statement, but he ignored it. He put the bag with the corset into another bag in his hand before stepping outside and hooking his arm around Bruno's waist.
"What is it?" Bruno chuckled, confused by a sudden beaming Abbacchio.
"Nothing."
●
They arrived home after a romantic dinner at a rooftop restaurant, ready to cuddle and crash out together, maybe take a warm bath with the new soaps and bath salts they got. Abbacchio was itching with anticipation, the corset in his bag ever-present in his mind. It was now or never, while they were undressing and unpacking their shopping bags in their room.
"Caro, I have a surprise for you."
"Oh?" Bruno was used to Abbacchio just giving stuff to him and dropping the whole surprise act altogether. His interest was suddenly piqued. Abbacchio turned around and pulled something out of a bag, holding it nehind his back and walking towards Bruno.
"Here!!" Bruno gasped, his face lighting up, then falling just as fast.
"Caro? What is it? I saw you eyeing this. Don't worry about the price."
"Abbacchio..." He reached his hand out and glided his thumb across the soft velvet. It was absolutely gorgeous, but the price wasn't what worried Bruno.
"Well... try it on!" Abbacchio urged, trying to hide his embarrassment at Bruno's lacking reaction.
Bruno didn't look him in the eye as he took the corset into the bathroom with him. His back was turned to the mirror, his heart was pounding in his chest. He shucked his suit jacket and bit his lip as he ran his fingers along the healed scars below his chest. He sighed, held out the piece and just stared at it for a moment. It was extremely form-fitting and feminine, it didn't have built-in cups but it had an underwire designed to push up someones chest. He closed his eyes as he put his arm through the sleeves, reaching behind him to fasten the clasps. When he opened his eyes they immediately fell on his chest, slightly pushed up and visible with nothing underneath it. Even with top surgery, cis men still had fat on their chests, and of course this fucking piece had to push up what little he had. He didn't want to look in the mirror. He couldn't. Years of trying to love himself would be crushed with a single look at his body. He still had his days, of course, but steering clear of dysphoria-inducing clothes over the years helped his mental health immensely. He closed his eyes again and turned to face the mirror. He nervously ran his thumbs across the rest of his fingers.
"Bruno?" He heard Abbacchio call from the bedroom. He couldn't keep delaying this. He couldn't worry Abbacchio. He opened his eyes and just stared. He stared at his hips, accentuated by the corset, his slightly pushed up chest, suddenly his entire body felt "womanly". A wave of hurt, disappointment, amd disgust crushed him and he put his elbows on the bathroom counter, burying his face in his hands. His heart ached, ached, ached, he desperately tried holding back his tears. He sharply inhaled and shook his hands out. Abbacchio was waiting for him. He tried to smile but he could tell his face had a look of discomfort. He bore his gaze into the ground as he walked through the door.
"Bruno... you look gorgeous!" Abbacchio oggled at his boyfriend. His body looked absolutely stunning in the corset, it flattered his frame perfectly. He ripped his gaze from his body and noticed his eyes empty and a wrinkle between his eyebrows. His lips smiled, but Abbacchio could immediately tell something was wrong. It was a dry, I'm-so-uncomfortable-right-now smile.
"Caro, tell me, what's wrong? Come here." He patted his thigh and motioned Bruno towards him. Bruno trudged towards Abbacchio and sat on his thigh, shrinking his body towards into Abbacchio's shoulder. He could feel Bruno shaking. Bruno felt absolutely defeated. Vulnerable, now that he exposed himself to someone else. Even if that someone had seen him naked countless times and could relate to what he felt.
Abbacchio put the pieces together and just stroked Bruno's hair, hugging him close. He felt heartbroken that he put his boyfriend in such a horrible mental state. He felt selfish and guilty.
"I'm sorry..."
Bruno sobbed into Abbacchio's shoulder. He couldn't keep his tears in anymore, the dam violently broke and he felt like all his progress was gone.
"It's not your fault. It's my body, not the clothes fault. If I was just born as a fucking man I wouldn't look like this. Cis men don't look like this!" Abbacchio sighed and kept stroking his hair. His heart throbbed with guilt and a sense of relatability. His dysphoria was never bad as Bruno's, but he understood the pain he felt.
"Bruno... I know everyone says this, but no matter what you wear, you're still a man. So what if cis men don't look like you? It's about fucking time we redefine what a "man" looks like. It's not your fault for feeling the way you do, but society has such a specific idea of what a man should be, what they wear, how they act. That's not how you should live, by the means of society and what others deem acceptable for you. Men wear these things. You're a man wearing these things. Adding femininity doesn't subtract your masculinity." Bruno sighed into Abbacchio's shoulder. He could feel a smile at the corner of his lips, a new feeling of love and acceptance trying to wash away his dysphoria.
"Thank you. Thank you..." He breathed in Abbacchio's smell. He was smart, brutally honest. Everything he said was true. While he still feels that seed of doubt and self-loathing trying to wither him away, the feeling of being loved and accepted was greater.
"Y'know where I got that from?"
"Hm?"
"You said that to me when we first started dating all those years ago. When we came out to each other, opened up. Take your own advice for once!" He laughed, nudging Bruno's face from off his body. Bruno couldn't remember saying something like that to him, but he was notorious for ignoring his feelings while helping others, so Abbacchio was probably telling the truth. He didn't care about that though, he just relished in Abbacchio's love and comfort, a tether, something to always go back to, that will always, always be there. He cupped the back of Abbacchio's head, bringing it down for a kiss.
"Thank you again. And I know you're feeling guilty right now. Don't you dare feel fucking guilty. I truly wanted this piece, I blame my worst enemy, myself, you did nothing wrong. Thank you for this. It's one of the most gorgeous things I've ever owned. And... It's purple, every time I wear it I'll be reminded of your ass. I'm still going to make this more masculine though, but don't worry that I won't wear it." Abbacchio chuckled.
"Of course."
As always, Bruno hit the nail on the head once again. He smiled at him and dragged him down on the bed, ravaging him with kisses and love like he needed. Like he deserved.