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The night was quiet with the only sounds being the occasional chirping of crickets and Narancia’s shallow breaths. He stared vacantly out the window at the darkness below as he idly ran his finger along the band wrapped around his finger; the cool metal unbearable and suffocating. It felt like it weighed more than the stars and Narancia wanted to tear it off, cast it into the abyss and ensure he’d never lay eyes on it again. But that would never work as the awful thing would always find its way back to him, typically in the form of a ladybug that innocently crawled up his finger and transformed back to its original form. It frustrated Narancia to no end and he wished they housed a furnace hot enough to smelt the band and destroy it for good. Although, even if he succeeded in doing such a thing it wouldn’t matter in the long run as a new band would be delivered right to him in mere hours. An endless cycle that would persist so long as he lived, although he was certain it would continue even after he died. Even in death, he would be weighed down by a fickle wedding band; a symbol of the contract he was forced into signing. There was no escape for him, no reprieve from the nightmare he was ensnared in. It didn’t matter how much he yelled, fought, cried and begged as it all fell on deaf ears. Nothing he did regarding his freedom ever amounted to anything.
Perhaps it would be best to simply give in. To cease his apparent useless opposition and relinquish his autonomy. It was the easier option and Narancia was slowly losing his combative nature. He hadn’t noticed it at first, most likely because he was terrified to acknowledge it, but he fought less and less. The number of threats he made lowered and his aggression fizzled out alarmingly fast. Narancia was more approachable and conversational compared to when he was first imprisoned. Like a stray animal, he gradually grew accustomed to his environment and daily life. He went about his mornings as if nothing was wrong like things were normal and unassuming. He’d spend his days lounging around, watching TV and reading various books to pass the time. Walks in the garden were tranquil and he admired the abundant collection of flora; basking in the serenity of it all and allowing himself to forget what his life had become. At first, Narancia refused to leave his room and interact with anyone around him. He’d lash out in violent fits, spouting cruel words and threatening the lives of those close by. It didn’t matter who they were since, in his eyes, they were all complacent in everything that happened to him. Mindless drones who were either too scared to speak up or who didn’t care; always turning a blind eye to their boss’ actions.
Narancia hated him. He wanted nothing more than to tear out his blonde hair and turn him into a bullet sponge. He needed Giorno to suffer. It didn’t matter how or who inflicted it, so long as Narancia could bear witness to his pain. He liked Giorno when they first met and thought nothing much of him. He was a competent team member - intelligent and strong - and Narancia had come to admire him. They were friends, close ones, and that was that according to Narancia. But it was apparent that Giorno viewed things differently and he drastically changed following Narancia’s near-death. Suddenly, Narancia had found himself being constantly monitored. Giorno had told him it was for his safety and Narancia nodded along because he found it logical given their line of work. But as time passed he found himself slowly being stripped of his privileges. It started with him being given less work. Then he wasn’t allowed to go on errands by himself until he couldn’t go on errands at all. He was forbidden from leaving to live on campus for his studies and his social life began to fade as he could rarely go out unless Giorno was with him. He had slowly begun to go stir-crazy and lashed out at Giorno, demanding to know why he was being treated more like a pet than a human.
Giorno had simply told him that it was for his safety which only fuelled Narancia’s anger as no one else was being treated the same way. Maybe he should’ve seen it coming given how gradually unstable Giorno had become in the past years. He had essentially latched onto Narancia as if he were some sort of lifeline. Whenever Narancia returned from a trip out he was always greeted by an enthusiastic Giorno. It didn’t matter if he had meetings or events to attend; Giorno’s schedule was pointless so long as Narancia was around. Looking back, he was an idiot. The signs were all there, a budding crush that had been warped into an unhealthy codependency. Yet he had somehow missed everything. Maybe it was the assumption that Giorno couldn’t have liked him of all people or that it was just Giorno’s personality. It wasn’t as if they grew up together so Narancia didn’t know if Giorno was naturally a clingy person. If he had noticed earlier then would things have been different? Would he have been able to convince Giorno to back down and focus more on himself? Maybe have gotten him to speak with someone about his festering issues before they boiled over? Or would things have played out the exact same even with Narancia’s interference?
None of that mattered anyway since there was no changing the past. Giorno was the one who made each and every decision so the blame lay solely on him. Narancia couldn’t convince him to not do the things he did, especially considering how hellbent Giorno was on isolating Narancia. Maybe he had planned everything from the beginning and was simply biding time until all the pieces were in place. Narancia was most likely doomed from the start. From the second Giorno first laid eyes on him, his fate was sealed. It was unfair and he’d always find himself wondering why it was him who had to endure this hell. What did he do that was so deserving of such a suffocating and miserable existence? It didn’t matter how many gifts Giorno gave him. How he’d lavish Narancia with expensive items and luxurious treatments. When Narancia voiced his dislike for high-end goods, Giorno was quick to alter his plans. He instead gave Narancia the gifts he genuinely wanted; mainly being merchandise of his favourite musicians. He had amassed a collection of clothing and posters along with CDs and vinyls which he listened to daily. He also no longer had to put up with fancy restaurants every week for multiple days and could enjoy a simple home delivery instead.
It made their relationship seem normal. Narancia received more than favourable treatment from Giorno with the amount of gifts and affection he was given. Maybe things weren’t as bad as he thought. He was treated like royalty and never once was Giorno aggressive with him. He was only ever soft-spoken and gentle, considering Narancia’s needs (except for Narancia wanting freedom) and ensuring that he was comfortable with their arrangement. Compared to other relationships he had seen, his and Giorno’s seemed like it was ripped straight out of a romance novel. Everyone dreamed of being swept off their feet by a charming prince who would spoil and love them until the end of time. Such a fantasy was Narancia’s reality and perhaps he was coming to enjoy it… Narancia quickly straightened up and slapped his face as he attempted to ground himself. He had grown more than used to what his life had become since his numerous escape attempts failed and he accepted that there was most likely no way out. His desperate attempts on Giorno’s life never amounted to anything and Giorno never retaliated in response to Narancia’s attacks. He’d simply shrug them off and ask Narancia why he’d try to do such a terrible thing. It made Narancia feel guilty and he began to wonder why he wanted to kill Giorno in the first place. After all, he was a picturesque partner and people would do anything to be in his position.
Narancia’s thoughts moved at a rapid pace as he felt his heart sink - he loved Giorno. He wanted to scream, to destroy everything in his sight because it was stupid. Stupid, stupid, stupid. How foolish was he to fall for the man who held him captive? The man who made him sign his name in marriage, binding them together for the rest of their lives. It was sickening. No one falls for the person who imprisons them since it makes no sense. Yet here Narancia stood as he found himself loving Giorno. Was it love if he had pushed Giorno away and refused his affection for months on end? If he utterly detested Giorno’s existence and wanted him dead? Could you love someone you wanted to kill? It wasn’t as if Narancia held those feelings anymore, much to his horror. He no longer wanted to hurt Giorno and use him as target practice. He wanted to see Giorno more often and speak with him about random things; wanted to be with him and spend nights together. Removing the whole captive aspect of their relationship it was like they were a normal couple. And since Narancia had grown accustomed to being imprisoned it didn’t matter to him anymore so he focused more on their relationship rather than his prisoner status. He was as complacent as Giorno’s underlings in the construction of his own gilded cage.
There really was no point in fighting anymore. His life was much more comfortable and enjoyable when he gave into Giorno’s advances; when he allowed Giorno to love him so. If he behaved and was a good husband then Giorno would perhaps loosen his restrictions. Maybe they could go on dates like every other couple and enjoy the outside world together. Narancia could show Giorno his favourite shops and they could enjoy days out shopping for various trinkets. They could relax on the beach or sit in parks and watch birds like an elderly couple. Narancia could introduce Giorno to his mom one day. He thought she’d like him, given how well he treated Narancia and how happy Narancia had become. She’d disapprove of how their relationship started but Narancia would assure her that it wasn’t all that bad. After all, Giorno was kind and considerate of him so what was the problem? They were a good match and it didn’t matter how they came together so long as they loved one another. Because that was all that mattered in a relationship - love. It was the only thing needed to make things work and if two people loved each other then everything was fine. No one needed to interfere or voice their complaints because they didn’t understand. They could never comprehend how deep Giorno’s love ran for Narancia so they needed to shut up.
The sound of the door opening snapped Narancia out of his thoughts and he turned to see who it was; shining green eyes meeting his deep purple ones. In an instant, Giorno moved across the room and embraced Narancia. He pressed his head against Narancia's shoulder and breathed deeply which made Narancia shudder. He should've pushed Giorno away and berated him for having the gall to touch him. He should've been more assertive and aggressive, but he couldn't bring himself to. His tongue weighed heavily in his mouth and he couldn't articulate a single word. He could only lean into Giorno's touch when he pulled back and cupped Narancia's face, running his thumb across Narancia's parted lips. It made Narancia’s heart rate quicken as if there were countless fluttering butterflies trapped in his chest. He drew a sharp breath as Giorno leaned in and he didn’t pull away. He’d justify it by saying it was out of fear, that he completely froze up, but he knew that was a lie. He wanted it. He wanted to be kissed. To be loved and lavished with everything he could have ever desired. He wanted Giorno, and his return of Giorno’s kiss was undeniable proof of that. To be bound for the rest of time, to live and die alongside one another, was Giorno’s dream and Narancia was more than happy to indulge him. They were destined for one another so it didn’t matter how their relationship came to be. So long as they were in love, nothing else in the world would ever matter.