Vanilla and Chocolate (BruAbba Oneshots)

Work

Bruno's work tired him.
Worked him to the bone.
Wearied his very soul.

Being a mobster wasn't easy, especially when you're Bruno; When you have so much riding on your shoulders, so much on your plate.
And when you consider he has to try and maintain a working realationship with his partners as well, things start becoming increasingly difficult.

Bruno was hoping to end his day early. He had done so much running back and forth doing errands, so much time wasted. He was quite content to go home. He just wanted to slump into the warm embrace of his bed, surrounded by the familiar, comforting scene of his apartment.

He was climbing into his car, a heavy sigh on his lips, just as his phone rang. He pulled it out of his pocket.
Abbacchio.
He sat in the drivers seat, adjusted his bangs and stared at the small digital display for a couple of rings. He held in his sigh and answered the phone.

"Bruno," Abbacchio's voice came through, making Bruno feel a pang of something he didn't recognise. It was a mixture of exasperation and tension and something like comfort.

He took a sharp intake of breath. "Yes, Leone," he was trying to hide the impatience behind his voice but failed miserably. He winced.

Abbacchio carried on. "The guy's wallet, the mole? Yeah well, you left the wallet here. The capo is gonna need that," he explained.

Earlier that day, Bruno and Abbacchio had captured and interrogated a potential mole in the organisation. He was just a small time thug, really, but a rat is a rat and he needed to be  dealt with.
   Unfortunately for Bruno, the mole's wallet, along with all forms of personal identification, which would be needed in his report to the capo, had been left at Abbachio's apartment.
   Or at least, Bruno forgot them and Leone had been kind enough to save it for him.

Bruno closed his eyes and swallowed deeply. "Yes, Leone, I'm sorry, I'll be right there,"
He hung up quickly before the conversation could go on. It was already 10 oclock at night. As said, early by Bucciarati's standards, but still late. He wanted an early end to his day.
Nevermind.
He'd be staying up to god-knows o'clock again tonight.

He let out that deep sigh.

It was 10:40 PM when Bruno had driven to the other end of town. He entered the apartment building and dragged himself up 6 flights of stairs to get to Abbacchio's flat.

He knocked on the door, rubbing his eyes and yawning. He barely had the thought to adjust his bangs again.
   He heard a dulled thud and what sounded like someone saying, "Shit," but he couldn't be sure. A few moments later, the door opened and Abbacchio was staring right at him with those golden-violet eyes.

"Bucc-" he began. His eyes scanned Bruno's face.

Bruno held a hand up to silence him, not having the care to say anything. He walked past him as Abbacchio made way.

Leone closed the door and followed after Bruno as he moved into the sitting room. He opened his mouth, a frown on his face, but then decided he should say something else instead.  "The wallet's on the coffee table in the lounge." he told him.

Bruno surveyed the room before dragging over to the coffee table and spying the mole's wallet. He turned and made as if to leave, with a whisper of a "thank you" on his lips but Abbacchio stopped him at the door, putting an arm in his way.

"I don't think you should be driving, Bruno," he said, frowning again.
   Bruno shook his head and closed his eyes for a moment.

"I'm fine, Leone, I have work to do. Lot's of work. I'd best be off." he made a forced smile but deep inside he felt guilty for Abbacchio's concern. Something about his soft eyes made him want to sink to his knees and give up; made him feel safer.

It was Abbacchio's turn to shake his head. "No, I think..." He looked away for a moment, scratching the skin underneath his black t-shirt. "I think you should stay here." There was just the hint of a shake to his voice.

Bruno gave up. "But my...work..." he nodded. "I'll sleep on your sofa."

Abbacchio guided him by the shoulder through to the sitting room and into his bedroom.
It was dark and messy, with CDs strewn all over and rock band posters on the walls. His bed was queen size.

"I won't have that. Take my bed, don't worry, I cleaned it yesterday. I'll sleep on the couch."

Bruno's shoulders sagged. "No, Leone, I don't want to be a burden. This is enough as it is. I'll sleep on the couch."

Abbacchio grimaced, trying his best to look stern. "You either sleep in my bed or you don't sleep at all. I'll kick you out."

Bruno knew he didn't mean it. He was just trying to get his way and sacrifice his sleep. But nevertheless he relented. He nodded, saying goodnight to Abbacchio before stripping to his lingerie when he left.

He slipped himself into the sheets, feeling very uncomfortable being in someone's bed without them. Hell, being in another person's bed at all. Regardless, very soon exhaustion took over and he succumbed to sleep. His last thoughts were not of his work but of Abbacchio.

During the night, Abbacchio awoke with a quiet groan, his back complaining from the extremely uncomfortable sleeping arangement on the couch. He was only wearing his black t-shirt and boxers. He was very cold.

He deliberated for a moment before deciding to creep back into his bed. It would be awkard, sharing a bed with his partner and technically boss. But he was tired, cold and in pain and so didn't really care. It was nearly 3am.

Sneaking into his room, he crept by the bed and slipped in alongside Bruno, taking up as little space as possible and staying to the very edge. Top and tailing wouldn't work, because he'd have to disturb Bruno to extract one of the pillows. He looked so peaceful...

He heard a small groan from Bucciarati, followed by a mumbling. It seemed like he was stirring.

Shit.

Then he felt something warm wrap around his waist. His heart lept and he rolled over to face Bucciarati. It was Bruno's arm.
Abbacchio's heart skipped yet another beat.
He heard Bruno murmur two things. "Leone...no more work..."

Their feet brushed under the sheets and Bruno's arm wrapped tighter as they both fell asleep again.
It was warm, comforting.
Leone squirmed slightly, as his boss hugged him in his own bed. He probably wouldn't sleep, but he already knew he wouldn't the moment Bruno came round.

No more work...