Stand by me (Jjba X Reader)

Protection from an unlikely place|Bruno

Bruno looked at the time, 11:30 pm. It was late, and Narancia should have been back ages ago.

"I'm going to go look for him, keep an ear out for the land line."

Abbacchio nodded as he counted a large sum of money and began putting it in a safe.

"Don't die."

"I'll try not to."

Leaving the table Bruno looked over the list of residents Nara had been tasked with collecting from. There weren't any new neighbors and the majority of the residents were old. However, age meant nothing to a seasoned vet.

'What could have possibly held him up?' Bruno himself had collected from this neighborhood countless times. To his knowledge, none of the elderly had stands. And very few had direct ties with the mafia. Nara had developed good instincts since joining. But he was still a kid, and he feared the worst. 

The drive wasn't terribly long, a few turns, and a couple of red lights brought him to the elderly neighborhood of the retired. Getting out he checked the last house address. Just as he remembered, it was the home of an elderly woman who used to serve as a nurse. No stand or hint to having one was ever recorded.

The home was humble, the real beauty lay in the garden surrounding it. With the fog coming in thick and the fairy lights reflecting off the fog. It was a beautiful sight in all honesty. Maybe once he found his charge the two could take a short stroll?

Inside the lights were on and the faint sound of the TV and music could be heard.

Knock knock knock

He tucked his notes into his back pocket as he waited for the door to open.

A wobbly 'yes? Who is it?' Was heard from the other side.

"It's Bruno, Miss.____. I'm sorry for disturbing you so late, but I'm looking for my- "

Click the door swung open

"Good evening Mr. Bruno." You greeted, using your cane to prop the old wooden door open.

"Good evening, I assure you we aren't here to collect anything. I came to ask if you had seen Narancia. He was supposed to be back hours ago."

"Hm? Oh, little Nara? Oh well, he was just too precious, I couldn't get myself to move him. " You let him follow you into your cottage of a house and revealed the boy was knocked out on the pull-out couch. There was a cup of half-drunk milk on the table and a black cat sleeping on his head in a rather uncomfortable position.

Relief washed over Bruno as he fixed his scarf, wrapping it around his arm instead.

"Thank you for watching over him. I'm sorry he crashed on your couch like this. I'll take him home and-"

"Oh, nonsense! He was a sweetheart! Helped me clean my good china and even helped me cook. He's a sweet young man." You stroked his hair with shaky hands and shuffled into the kitchen," Now don't think I forgot about you young man, here." You were already reaching for a bowl and scooping a heavy bowl of chicken and Gnocchi with crackers.

"Really, miss.____. We shouldn't trouble you." He tried his best to convince you. His hand was already reaching to wake Narancia up when you pinched his ear.

"Ah! Ah! Ah! Oh no you don't!" Pulling him back into the kitchen where your Tiffany lamp glittered. Sitting him down in a cushioned wooden chair you placed the bowl in front of him and slid him ice-cold water.

Bruno, now realizing defeat hung his head," I'll have a bite and then we'll get out of your hair."

"Good, now let me get my sewing kit, the Goodwins down the land have a daughter you know? Said she's due to give birth any day now!" You sat down in your rocking chair and picked up where you left off," What about you Bruno? A handsome young man surely has a wife?"

Bruno downed half his glass, unconsciously rubbing his stomach," Not this one miss. ____. The one in there is already a handful." He took another spoonful of soup and melted into his chair.

"Well you should bring that one handsome fella over here, just looking at him makes me wish I was young again ohohoho!"

"I'll be sure to tell Abbacchio, I'm sure he'll be honored." Bruno smiled when you swatted at him.

"You'll do no such thing!"

Warmth and the soft sweet smell of bread had him yawning.

"Are you sure you don't want to stay the night? Its awfully foggy and cold out." You offered, it got rather lonely with just your cat for company. And perhaps Bruno could see that. He himself knew what it was like to be lonely. A night of rest where no one would try and slit their throats in the night was welcomed.

"Ahhh miss.____ you'll make me fat at this rate," Bruno finished off his meal and sighed, leaning back into the chair and patting his stomach," If youll allow me to do the dishes, id be more than happy to stay."

You smiled so hard your dentures popped out!

"Oop! Sorry about that my boy! I'll get little Nara and that soot sprite I call a cat into bed." You wasted no time letting Bruno handle the dishes.

Shuffling into the living room you manged to lift the boys leg up enough to pull the couch out. Your cat decided that naras chest would be more suitable. And started violently purring and grooming the boys hair.

You tossed a large,heavy knitted quilt over his body and took his shoes off. Placing them by the door.

Bruno eventually came and settled down next to the kid. Looking out of place in his street wear.

He felt as if he were a child again, staying up late with a friend. Truely some of his most fond memories.

"You're doing great, Bruno." You said, sitting in the love seat with your embroidery. You combed the top of his hair with shakey hand.

He sighed and let warmth lull him to sleep.

"Thank you."