Work Text:
Midnight. A cold, desolate concrete structure that had not seen human life in years, left for nature to mercilessly reclaim, save for a single rose that somehow thrived in the sea of concrete.
It was perfect for a meeting like this.
You cautiously peeked around the abandoned area as you walked towards the center, its lifelessness unsettling. By now, the reason why you were in a godforsaken place like this should be here.
An informant.
The rose in your hand had a note attached to the stem. In impeccably neat handwriting was the message, including the latitude and longitude of this location:
Meet me here at midnight. I will tell you everything you need to ruin Giorno Giovanna.
H.S.
After tonight, you would be prepared to take down Passione's boss and finally get rid of its venomous influence over Italy.
This so-called change in ideals, this step towards a better and more wholesome organization was nothing more than a mere facade, fitting for the angelic features of Giorno Giovanna, Passione's leader, and his devilish intentions. After what his gang had done to yours, both with the members of your famiglia that were taken, as well as the drugs distributed, you were set on vengeance. Rumors that there was a coup-de-tat years ago and that the boss responsible for your loss was long gone were just that: hearsay.
Keeping tabs on the organization's movements, you trailed after any leads that would bring you to him. You heard that his Stand was one that could bring life to any object as easily as it could end any who dared to get in Giorno's way. His fearsome ruthlessness--though rare--was enough to outweigh any good deed that Passione had done thus far in your eyes. That charming demeanor of his was lethal as you found yourself entranced during your stakeouts. Were it not for your current circumstances, you could easily consider him to be an ideal lover.
It even came to the point that you wondered whether he was completely evil, or even responsible for the destruction of your gang. Vengeance could blind anyone to the truth, you acknowledged, but the pain of your loss kept you focused on your ultimate goal.
You read over the note once more, so desperate for any method that would bring down someone who was otherwise untouchable. When you looked up, you nearly shrieked to see a dark-haired adult man standing near the center, his back turned towards you. The dim, cool lighting of the structure made him hard to see, but you could tell that he had a lithe build and was rather tall. You wondered how much the suit he was wearing cost.
The sudden disappearance of the rose on the floor was not caught by your eye.
"Are you..." You began slowly, wondering whether it was right to call out your Stand--however, doing so would only demonstrate your distrust of this person, the last thing you needed. "Are you the person who gave me this rose? At the birthday celebration of Leone Abbacchio in Milan-?"
"Yes," he spoke lowly, continuing to look straight ahead.
You did not feel the need to push this man and ask that he faced you. If he was truly concerned about anonymity, he would have showed up in a mask, or simply sent you another note. Besides, his face was not important, regardless of your curiosity. That could wait for another time.
"How do I know whether to trust you or not? You were at the party, a restaurant that had no one else but Passione members. Are you telling me that you're willing to take down your own boss?" You minded your tone to ensure that it was not accusatory. For as much help as an inside job would provide, could you really live with yourself from accepting help from a traitor?
"Well, you found your way inside too, no?" His voice had an amused tone to it. "Who's to say that I wasn't the very waiter who handed you that rose, or hiding amongst the restaurant staff."
You groaned internally. Were it not for the stress of being caught at the party, you would have paid more attention during the delivery of the flower. "...You have a point there."
He did not turn around but you could sense that he was feeling rather prideful over this exchange.
"Besides that, I have something more important to ask," you affirmed while your tone became serious. "What do you get from helping me destroy Passione? What lead you to helping me?"
The informant did not hesitate to confess, "Giorno Giovanna stole my life."
"Your...life?"
He ran a hand through his black hair, his voice surprisingly calm for such a heavy statement, "My very existence was stolen by that man. My identity, the life that I once knew...he took all of it. "
Your hands balled into tight fists. How much more would Giorno and his greed take? The corruption of Passione must be stopped and you would see to it.
"I...see..."
Laughing softly, the man remarked, "It is much to take in, I understand. But I am not worried, because I know that you will be successful in your goal, especially when I tell you the secret to defeating Giorno."
You froze in place, your breath hitching at the mere thought. Thankful, you replied, "I will avenge what we both lost..." You trailed off, unsure, realizing that you had not asked this man for his name.
Your informant chuckled once more, deeper and louder. "I will not hold the secret any longer. For you see, the only way to take down Giorno Giovanna..." He trailed off and at last, he turned around and stepped forward to where the structure's lighting shined most. Touching his hair, which now looked to be a golden blonde, he grinned wickedly and stated,
"...is to kill me, amore."
For a moment, you felt paralyzed. Shock? Fear? To finally see the man whom you had lost so much to? It was odd to feel impressed that he had played you so effectively into walking into his grasp.
That moment of hesitation costed you. Before you could bring out your Stand, the rose and note that you held suddenly burst into a myriad of vines, all of which wrapped around your body, binding you in place. For a faint moment, you saw none other than Gold Experience Requiem appear behind Passione's infamous boss.
"Giorno...Giovanna...!" You spat out as he approached you, his demeanor as calm as you had witnessed for so long.
Yet there was no arrogance or amusement to be seen on his face, but rather desire, an unshakeable want for that who stood before him.
"I apologize for our first proper meeting to be like this, amore," he sighed while bringing his hand to your cheek. "Though I don't think you would've taken too kindly to an invitation from me. You see, in the same way that you had your eyes on me, I have also kept my gaze on you..."
You wanted to feel disgusted by the way his thumb ran along your face, but you found the contact to be quite soothing, fitting for the kind, charitable personality that you swore was a facade.
Giorno brought his lips to your ear and murmured, "Passione needs someone like you." His face fell to your neck, nuzzling it affectionately while purring out, "I need someone like you."
"Gio..." You could not bring yourself to say his name. The tenderness that conflicted so wonderfully to his ruthlessness only sparked your own desire, one which you had been fending off for so long.
His teeth lightly nipping your neck while his hands rested on your body, the vines moving accordingly so he could touch you, Giorno stated, his voice raspy, "As that name seems to pain you, you may call me Haruno, amore."
Keeping you in place, his arms embraced you as he slurred,
"Please, let me show you why Giorno needs you so much."
You let him plead his case.