Chapter Text
The day started out as many others. After everyone left for their missions, Bruno was, once again, left all alone in their base. He had higher position now after all. It meant that he had more power and respect, but also drowned him in a sea of paperwork. He was still adapting, it’s not easy to go from high levels of adrenaline and physical effort mixed with fighting and thinking strategically, paying attention to your surroundings, because one wrong move would kill you, commanding your teammates and having to take tons of melatonin to not dream about your opponents faces twisting in agony to…this. Almost all day, sitting by the desk and doing paperwork. To be fair, the paperwork wasn’t that bad, mostly reports about the missions and data regarding their enemies and their stands. Bruno was grateful, very grateful that he didn’t have to risk his life that much anymore. It was truly a blessing. But one thought always lingered in the back of his head, not wanting to leave even though he chased it off many many times:
What if someone else will die?
Then maybe, if he was there he could protect this person even with his own life?
But he couldn’t, that was the problem. It’s not like he cared that much for other people, but those who lived in this house with him, Narancia, Guido, Giorno, Trish, Pannacotta and of course Leone were all his family. If something would happen to them, something, that he could’ve prevented if he was there, he would never forgive himself.
Bruno shook his head. Again, the thought had won over him. He yawned and stretched his hands, while leaning backwards on the chair. It was eight in the morning and he already dozed off. Not good, Bruno thought as he looked at tons of documents in front of him. Then, he shifted his gaze to the sun shining high outside the window sending rays of warmth inside and covering everything in a yellow tint. It was still early. He had time, no need to rush anything.
Now that he was living differently, Bruno took extra work and sometimes spend sleepless nights with it. Maybe it was because of lack of missions or maybe he was always too hardworking. But it seems like someone higher caught up to this and banned him for taking to much weight on his shoulders. Now, Bruno, who had kept his approach, had plenty of time.
He slowly stood up and stretched out again. Coffee sounded very good right now. He made his way to the kitchen but first he went to the bathroom. After finishing his business he looked in the mirror. He looked decent enough with hair styled and comfy but stylish outfit put on. The thing that bothered him were his eye bags. Were they always that big? Maybe he actually needed to rest more? Bruno decided that today he will take it easy and won’t sweat too much. With this thought he slowly went downstairs to prepare his long-awaited coffee.
„Ahhhh” Bruno sighed with pleasure and thought: „This is life”.
Slower life had many pros that he forgot about. Like taking a coffee break in the middle of work with no need to finish it quickly. He relaxed his shoulders and let his thoughts wonder. He thought about what everyone else were doing now, once again overthinking if their assigned missions were accurate to their abilities and skills.
Leone along with Fugo were send to check for any traces of one of Passione’s enemies in the place that he was reportedly last spotted in. Leone’s was perfect for this job with Fugo watching his back. Meanwhile Giorno and Trish were escorting an important personage from the airport to the hotel. It was a daughter of an important friend of Passione, but that also meant that she was a daughter of an enemy of their enemies. Both of the mafia members were great in both offense and defense. Finally Mista and Narancia were on track of some mysterious stand user who’d been causing chaos in all of Italy. He was tracked down to being in an old house, so that’s were they went. Even if it was a trap, Narancia’s stand could find him fast and Mista’s quick and accurate reactions would prevent them for disasters. Even though he had rather light demeanor, in a battle he was very focused.
Bruno wasn’t needed there and he knew that. The thing was, he really wanted to fill his mind with something.
Like anything, maybe he should buy himself book of riddles or he should actually write a book. Well, it would be better to just focus on something useful right now.
Then he thought about family.
Of course, he already found one and he also knew that he probably won’t even live to his 30’s, children were completely out of the picture, but still maybe one day the fight will be over and he and Leone could settle in some small town and-
No. This thought was too dangerous. Why should he think about something that would never come true.
And besides, speaking of kids, how would he even raise them. He didn’t have any experience, he was an only child. His childhood was far from a normal one. What if he accidentally passes his trauma onto his hypothetical child?
Wait, Leone hated children. Maybe if he had his own, he would change his mind?
Bruno shook his head shaking off the thoughts.
He shouldn’t waste his time dreaming of something that had no way of happening.
He finished his coffee and, with a crash, he set the cup on the counter and stood up. Bruno headed back to work. He was just starting to go upstairs when suddenly…
BAM! BAM! BAM.
Loud and fast knocking echoed through the whole base. Bruno turned back with his hair spinning in the air in a circle and rushed to the door in a sprint. This couldn’t mean anything good.
He steadily grabbed the handle, pushed down an immediately slammed the door to the side revealing…
Narancia. Who was standing in front of him without even a scratch. Bruno quickly examined him, turning him around and looking for even a smallest hint of an injury. When he didn’t catch anything, just then he stepped back and shifted his gaze to Narancia’s face. He was alarmed and clearly in a rush, words wanting to blow out of his mouth, Bruno would be even impressed how did the teen managed to suppress them so long, if he wasn’t so worried. Maybe, at this point Narancia was familiar with this procedure and knew that even if he started taking, Bruno would just ask him to not do it yet. Now when he finished, he could start asking the questions.
He was trying to redirect Narancia inside and also encouraging him to take deep breaths, but the teen didn’t want to cooperate. Bruno wasn’t gonna force him to do anything, so he just sighed and asked calmly:
„What happened Narancia?”
The younger man was relieved to finally let his words go freely. Bruno had thought that Narancia might actually explode.
„Bruno, it’s Mista he’s-„ Narancia took a deep breath in. Meanwhile Bruno was already starting to panic on the inside. How could he forget about the fact that Mista was also on this mission?! He began to scan the entrance and was ready to go look for the guy outside, but Narancia stopped him.
„Bruno, he’s… he’s not injured. He’s okay.”
This stopped Bruno and calmed him down a little bit even though Narancia’s voice was far from calm. Maybe he was really overreacting? Mista was an adult after all.
„So, where is he?”
Narancia looked really uncomfortable, kind of curling in himself. This behavior differed from his typical one, he would’ve said what’s going on normally now. That was really confusing for Bruno. If Mista was okay what there is to worry about. Did they have a fight or something? Bruno’s focus became centered once again when Narancia actually responded.
„He’s in the car. In the back.” He said and started to make his way into the kitchen.
„I’m gonna get some orange juice if you don’t mind. Just… Be careful.” He explained himself.
„Of course, go on.”
He must’ve already be so tired after a mission, especially one that put him in such state. It’s good that he knew when to rest and didn’t strain himself too much. Though there was something that concerned Bruno a lot. Why was Mista in the backseat? Wasn’t he the one driving? Well, he’ll have to ask Mista himself about that. With that in mind he headed to the car.
He carefully approached the vehicle. It looked absolutely fine. Behind concern there was actually another feeling in him that he was kind of ashamed for right now. Bruno was still a young man, even if he came off as older. So he was of course curious what actually happened. Who wouldn’t be? Stands powers were so unique for each of them and you could never know what to expect. But right now he had to be careful just like Narancia warned him. When he got to the car, he first knocked on the window. With no answer in return he peeked inside.
He couldn’t see very clear. There was a figure laying in the backseat probably asleep considering their rhythmic movements.
Wait, was it Mista? Bruno couldn’t see the face, but who else could it be. But… it was so small. And Mista wasn’t a small man. The figure was even tinier than Trish. Bruno grew more concerned. What actually happened to Mista? Did he shrink? Did someone cut off his legs?? Or torso and the legs were the only thing left??!!!! (okay that was an exaggeration) Buno had to calm down. If something that bad happened than Narancia would act differently.
He took a deep breath.
In.
Out.
In.
Out.
Okay. It was okay.
He relaxed and slowly opened the door.
The sight was surprising. If someone from outside saw Bruno reaction he wouldn’t thought much of it, his mouth was just slightly open and eyes a bit shocked. But inside of Bruno’s head, thoughts were swimming like crazy and his heartbeat definitely sped up. In the seat, covered in a big coat and with his hat on it’s head, someone Mista sleeping. Bruno was thankful that Mista was okay, really. He looked spotless and actually really peaceful. There was a one tiny problem.
Well, actually Mista was the tiny problem.
Because he was tiny. Not like shrinked.
He was a literal child.
Though his face differed from the normal one’s Bruno recognized him instantly. But he really looked so much different. Even from the age of him joining the mafia.
He looked around 8 years old, had olive skin, more tanned than his usual. His black long lashes brushed against soft cheeks. His eyebrows were relaxed and less refined and sharp than normal. He was also kind of scrawny. His hat that seated perfectly on top of his normal sized head, was now too big and when he tilted his head it slipped off revealing a head full of chocolate locks. They fell softly on his forehead.
Bruno realized that this might actually be the first time that he sees Mista’s hair. He wore this hat all the time, Bruno wasn’t even sure if he was taking it off while showering.
Then Bruno’s shocked gaze lowered. Rope. Mista was tied up with rope. And super tightly, with his small physique he couldn’t have the power to move. Bruno furrowed his brows. He’ll have to talk to Narancia about this later. But Narancia wouldn’t tie Mista up without a reason, he thought. He sighted. Let’s just wait for Narancia’s report from the mission, because he supposed that he can’t count on Mista on this.
He decided that it probably would be the best if he transported small Mista to their house. If he woke up all tied up in a random car, he would freak out. Especially if he was a child.
He uncliped his seatbelt and took Mista in his hands. Gosh, he was so light. Bruno prayed for the kid to not wake up, but it was surprisingly still sleeping hard as rock. Bruno thought if his uncocnciousness was caused naturally.
While going back home, Bruno wondered if Mista’s body only got shrinked down or if his mind regressed too. Will he remember them? Bruno tried to recall any moment in which Mista talked about his childhood, but he couldn’t remember any. Bruno probably knew the most about him since he knew him the longest. It might be quite challenging to take care of that child.
While lost in thought he hadn’t noticed some old lady walking near. She stopped in her tracks and was staring Bruno to death. Bruno didn’t know what she meant so he just weaved and smiled at her. That made her even angrier. He decided to ignore her and just walk away. Only after a moment he realized that a grown man, carrying little child tied up and knocked out wasn’t a very pleasant sight. Damn, maybe she will call the police after him. But rightfully so. He should’ve been more careful.
Hi finally reached the front door and knocked. Narancia, with orange juice in one hand, opened it, his gaze immediately sitting on small Mista.
Without saying a word Bruno walked inside and put Mista on the couch. He was about to untie the boy, when suddenly Narancia pushed him aside.
„Are you crazy? You can’t untie him!” He was really serious. Bruno took a deep breath.
„Okay.” He raised his hands up. „But you have to tell me exactly what happened at the mission.
Narancia relaxed and sat down. Bruno sat on the opposite side.
„So, we went to this old house and we decided that i’ll go first since, you know aerosmith easily could find someone.” Bruno nodded. That’s why he assigned Narancia for this mission. „But i couldn’t find anyone, so i went back for Mista and together we began searching the house, which was by the way super big. We searched and searched but couldn’t find anyone. But just when we were going back something, like a stream of power struck, so Mista pushed me aside, but he didn’t manage to get away. So it hit him and he was laying there, but i checked and he was conscious, so i checked the source of this beam, but nothing was there.” Bruno was concerned. That sounded nothing like stands that he knew. A stand without a stand and an user. Narancia continued.
„So i got back to Mista, but he wasn’t Mista anymore but this small Mista.” He pointed at the boy sleeping peacefully beside him. „And i thought that he would at least act decent, but when I woke him up he just looked at me and started to run away and when i got to him he was screaming and kicking like a madman. I couldn’t, of course, use aerosmith so i had to chase him. I was calling him to calm down, but he completely ignored me. Only when i knocked him down I was able to tie him up.” Bruno looked over at the boy. He looked so delicate, not like a demon that Narancia described him. Narancia noticed his expression. „DONT EVEN THINK ABOUT IT. Please Bruno, this child is a monster.”
„I believe you Narancia, don’t worry.” Bruno reassured him. „But tell me please what state of mind was he in. I really would like to know what we’re standing on.”
Narancia thought for a moment. „Well, he didn’t recognize me, didn’t respond to his name, was running away, that looks to me like he doesn’t remember a lot.”
Bruno sighed. „Okay, we will take care of it when he wakes up and when everyone will be there.”
His family could be useful here, maybe someone had better experience with kids than him. He could plan the missions and even kill people, but taking care of a child was something he had never done.
„Narancia, I’ll sit here and watch over him and you go get some small clothes, please.” Narancia nodded and went upstairs. Out of all of them he should have a size that will be the closest to a child’s.
Just right after he left, Bruno collapsed onto the couch and curled up on himself. Of course something had to happen, he couldn’t just have a peaceful period of time in his life. The situation wasn’t the worst, but the stand’s ability was actually really dangerous and he was worried about the stand’s ability user that apparently could be really far away from the stand. He looked at Mista, who’s cheeks reddened healthily. He was so skinny and little, even normal human could’ve beat him up. Looks like they’ll have to protect him for as long as it takes. That’s not to bad. Bruno can do it. He actually can do anything for his family.