The morning sun helped with the bitter cold. The rays warming the people walking through the market. Mista had come there to look for ingredients. He was planning to actually try and cook something tonight. It sure was cheaper than buying those ready-made meals all the time. He looked around in thought. The fish looked good. Definitely caught this morning. His attention was drawn to the customer already by the fish stall. The young man was talking with the vendor, both very animated. Mista could wait. Let those two talk things out. That boy did look familiar though.
"Pesci! Buon Giorno!", Giorno smiled as he spotted the familiar bulky frame of his acquaintance Pesci, "You're up early."
"I have to. Fish don't sell themselves", Pesci shrugged, his green tuft of hair bobbing with the movement. He was smiling wide, shaking with excitement.
Giorno sighed, put his tote bag down and opened his arms to accept a hug from the man. Pesci was cute like that. Always up for a hug. Good thing he had removed his gloves beforehand. The blond didn't want to be covered in fish guts and smell the rest of the day. He personally preferred smelling like flowers.
"Alright, alright. Pesci, I can't breathe", Giorno wheezed as he was put back down. Eyeing the fish, the slimy things staring back at him with their lifeless, beady eyes, "How is Prosciutto? Still living with Risotto?"
"Yeah. Aniki says that it's cheaper", Pesci shrugged, "I prefer my boat. Beach Boy is perfect for me."
Pesci lived on a boat. He could basically live wherever he wanted. If a place got boring, just go somewhere else. There was no rent either. You sometimes had to pay a fee to doc. The weather might also be a problem from time to time. Giorno had previously kindly declined the offer to move in. He had visited the place a couple times. There was barely space for one. It was still a home though. It even had a working bathroom and a stove.
Prosciutto was Pesci's mentor. The younger looking up to the man, listening to his every word. Prosciutto was a serious man but definitely had a soft spot for Pesci, cheering him up whenever the other's self esteem let him down. Risotto was the man's partner. A gloomy man with an aura that would scare anyone away.
Giorno nodded. Pesci was so innocent. He still thought the two were living together just because it was cheaper to share the rent. Not because there was actually something more in the relationship.
"Oh right! These are for you!" Pesci dug a paper parcel from a cooler, "I never sell them all. You can have some."
"What are these?" Giorno smelled the paper. Fish. Duh.
"Sardines. Caught a whole bunch with a net this morning", Pesci looked proud.
A nod, "Yeah."
"Are you going to fry them? I usually just fry them. Throw a little salt in there. Done."
"Hmm", to be honest, the blond wasn't a big fan of meat but he could work with this, "Do you think fish would work in lasagna?"
"Fish is meat, right?"
A long silence. Both shrugged.
"Guess I have to find out. Thank you", Giorno smiled, taking the fish and sticking them into his bag. He already had the other ingredients he needed. Perfect.
"No problem. Better you eat them. Formaggio's cats don't want them anymore."
"Really? They can be picky, huh?" Giorno slipped Pesci a piece of paper, "That's for the Ham."
"You know Aniki doesn't like that nickname."
"Too bad", Giorno hugged the man as he left, "I'll come by later!"
"See ya!"
Mista had bought a coffee and was currently sitting on a vacant bench. He had found some apples and cheese. The granny selling the fruit had even thrown in some extra. After calling him handsome.
He watched the boy leave and walk a couple steps before their eyes met. There was a short pause before his eyes lit up. He ran to Mista, stopping just before him. His golden eyes were intense this close. Mista couldn't help but blush.
"Buon Giorno!" the boy smiled. He fixed the bag on his shoulder and swiped a stray strand of blond hair behind his ear.
"D-Do I know you?" Mista couldn't help but ask. This guy looked so familiar.
The younger was wearing something similar to a sailor outfit. The shirt at least. He also had on blue pants too tight to be comfortable. It was all topped with a red ladybug print hoodie. He took off his black leather gloves as he begun digging through his bag.
"Wait a second. Just a minute. I swear I put it here", he mumbled.
Mista just sat still. He thought about leaving. The situation was just that strange.
"Here it is!" a brown paper bag, "You forgot this yesterday."
What did he forget yesterday? Yesterday? He had been in a bar. There was this nice girl there.
He must've looked funny because the boy giggled.
"What?" Mista huffed
"Your hat."
"Huh?"
"You forgot your hat."
Mista's hand flew onto his head. True. His beanie wasn't there. His favorite beanie. It was gone.
"You really must be hungover", another giggle, "Here. It's clean. I made sure."
"Thanks", Mista mumbled, "Did- Did Goldie send you?"
He took out his hat, checked it over and put it on his head. Much better.
"You could say that", a wink, "Knew I'd see you around."
"A small city", the older shrugged.
"If that's so, I'll see you again", a quick wave and he was off. Stopping by when another seller greeted him.
Mista felt something poking him. He dug a piece of paper from his recently returned hat.
Unfolding it he read the contents aloud, "Lasagna will be served tonight before opening."
The message was signed with a star.
Mista flipped the paper over a couple times. No address or anything. The bar maybe? It was with the hat, after all.
Guess he could eat lasagna tonight then.
With a light meal behind him, Mista headed to the bar. Should he have worn something better? He was still wearing the same clothes from yesterday which also happened to be his work attire. He sniffed. When had he last washed these? Didn't smell too bad so couldn't be that long ago. He made sure to run his hand through his hair a couple times. Check.
The note had said that the place wouldn't be open yet. When Mista arrived the lights were on. The sign was flipped and said CLOSED this time. He made his way to the door, took a couple deep breaths and knocked.
"The door is open! Come in", a familiar voice called from inside.
Mista did as he was told and closed the door behind him. He was met with two new characters.
"I'll be there shortly! Just sit down and wait for a bit", Giorno called from behind the bar counter. There must've been some sort of a kitchen area there. A nice smell floated in the air.
As Mista sat down, the two strangers focused their gaze on him. They looked intimidating. Both were probably older than him.
The trio sat in silence, waiting for the one who had invited them to come.
"There we go! I'm sorry it took so long. Luca wanted me to clean upstairs before this", the blond entered the room. He had changed once more, now wearing a pair of black leggings and a baby pink knitted sweater. It had a turtle neck and a heart-shaped hole on the chest. It showed the boy's pale skin.
"Today is lasagna day", a huge serving of the stuff was placed in the middle of the table. The table was already set and there was a pitcher of ice water as well.
"I thought you said we'd have fish", the raven haired stranger asked.
"It's in there."
"Fish lasagna?" the white haired asked, sounding very doubtful, "And I thought Bruno was the one to experiment in the kitchen."
"Shut it. You love it", Bruno jokingly hit the other man, "Who is your friend, Giorno? Introduce us!"
"Of course. Sorry", Giorno took off an apron he had on and sat down with them. He nodded to Mista, telling him to introduce himself.
"A-Ah, okay. I'm Mista", the man in question waved his hand awkwardly, "I really don't think there's much more to tell."
"How do you know each other?" Bruno asked, leaning his elbow onto the table. The other man was helping himself to a serving of the food, not focusing on the conversation.
"We don't", Mista blurted out. He knew Goldie. Not this boy.
"Mista? Are you still drunk?", Giorno smiled.
"No. I met you today. You returned me my hat which I had forgotten here", Mista explained, "Thanks for that, by the way."
"We met yesterday."
"No we didn't."
"Yes we did."
"Giorno, were you possibly dressed a bit different from now?" Bruno tried to help. He was trying his best not to laugh. Poor man. Wouldn't be the first one the boy had deceived.
"Oh right! I was."
"You're Goldie?! I mean you do look alike but damn", Mista blushed. He could go die in a ditch right about now. He had probably said all kinds of things to this boy.
"The customers tend to call me that but it's Giorno to you", Giorno flirted, "Oh the things you said to me last night."
Mista slammed his head onto the table, "What did I say?"
The guy was definitely a minor. He could go to jail had he done something stupid enough.
Giorno laughed, the angelic voice taunting Mista, "Nothing at all. The usual stuff. Kept complaining about work and your girlfriend. You did call me cute though."
'Still true' Mista shrugged.
"Disgusting", the white haired man spat. He wasn't talking about the food. He was eating that with a steady pace.
"Abbacchio dear, is that lipstick you have on?" Giorno just smiled, "It's a nice shade. Really suits you."
So the other was named Abbacchio then? Mista would keep his distance from him. He didn't seem that welcoming.
"Stop it, you two", Bruno huffed, "Not when we're eating. My name is Bruno and this grumpy man is Abbacchio. Nice to meet you, Mista. Now let's eat before it gets cold. We can talk more after."
"Yeah. Sure", Mista let the man shake his hand.
"I really need to get this recipe", Bruno told Giorno as he took a bite, "The fish fits surprisingly well."
"Anything is good when the ingredients are fresh", the blond simply shrugged. He had pretty much freehanded the dish and could hardly remember how much and what he had put in.
Bruno was a polite man. Mista noticed that right away. He kept up small talk and would often ask Mista little questions like 'What do you do for work?' or 'What do you like about this town?'. Abba was the complete opposite, choosing not to talk at all. He might nod if something Bruno said included him.
The two were very well-dressed. Mista felt even worse about his wardrobe now. Bruno had on a two piece suit. It was all white with black drop-shaped embroidery all over. The gold details made everything pop and were very nice on themselves as well.
Abbacchio wasn't as over the top but he still made an impression. The way he carried himself made him look like he had just walked off a fashion photoshoot. He was a cool beauty with his long hair and lipstick. He wore a long, dark, lapel-less overcoat. It had some sort of lacing in the front. His whole outfit was black save for the buckle of his belt with a letter "A".
The two really fit well together. Both their outfits and personalities fit together. Mista wondered if they were a couple. Nothing against it. They'd look pretty good, to be honest, walking down the street hand in hand.
Giorno kept looking at Mista when the man thought he wasn't watching. He'd then smile all innocent if he was caught, taking small bites of the red apple he had. The blond wasn't really eating. He had told the three that they could eat all they wanted. No need to hold back. He'd take the rest to Luca. Giorno was just enjoying the company. He'd feel guilty eating something that had been a living creature once. The blond's love was animals was too strong.
Giorno went to take the empty dishes to the kitchen, leaving Mista alone with Bruno and Abba once more. The first one's stare turned to Mista as soon as the youngest was out of sight.
"So, you called him cute?" he smiled. He somehow managed to look kind and threatening at the same time. That was just how powerful Bruno was.
Mista blushed, "I was drunk!"
"Of course. That was the first time you two met?"
"Can't say. We could've walked past each other on the street or something."
"True. You think you would've noticed?"
"M-Maybe."
"Because he is cute."
"Maybe."
"He has a girlfriend Bruno", Abba mumbled. He had demanded he get a beer with the food. He was currently nursing it as the food was already gone. It was getting too warm. Warm beer was disgusting.
"That's a girlfriend. Not a wife", the other simply waved it off, "Giorno said you told him about your problems."
"Well yeah", it was Mista's turn to mumble, "It was hard to keep up a relationship when you hardly see each other."
"Trish… I think I've heard that name somewhere."
"She's a singer", Mista explained, "She's on a tour at the moment. She mentioned world domination or something."
"I liked her earlier work better", Abba surprised them both.
Bruno smiled. His man really was full of surprises. This was just one of the things he liked about him.
"She got a new manager. Keeps telling me they argue all the time", Mista agreed with the statement. He too had liked her earlier, more jazzy music. Now it was more pop and sounded like anything else out there.
"She should fire him then", the raven nodded.
"She is the one with the contract. Complain too much and you can kiss your career goodbye."
"Tough."
"You know what else is tough?" Abba mumbled once more. It was almost impossible to make out what he was saying, "You and the newbie."
"Abba. Don't say that", Bruno nudged his partner, "And don't call Giorno a newbie."
"He is fifteen. I could call him a baby if that makes you feel better."
"Don't call him that either. With his contacts, he could have you put in jail with a couple phone calls."
"Fifteen?!" Mista gulped. Giorno's confidence easily masked how young he was.
"Hardly out of the womb", Abba drank the rest of his beer.
"Yes. He is fifteen", Bruno smiled as he kicked Abba under the table, "Acts older, right?"
"Why isn't he with his family?"
"That you can ask him personally. All I can say that they aren't the best bunch out there."
"Should he even be working? Shouldn't he be in school?"
"Shouldn't you be in school? He needs the money. Eating is nice too", Bruno just shrugged.
"Can't argue with that. I guess Luca doesn't care."
"You've met him."
"Clearly doesn't care", Mista agreed.
"What are you boys talking about?" Giorno asked as he re-entered. He had poured them all drinks. He didn't have any dessert prepared so these were the next best thing. Luca usually did the drinks. Giorno had picked up a couple by watching the man work. He also had served so many that he was beginning to know what was in them.
"Nothing!" Mista said a little too quick for it to be believable.
"Here, you dropped your wallet", the blond handed Bruno a brown leather wallet as he sat down next to Mista. The thing looked like a name brand and expensive. Mista couldn't understand the point of having an expensive wallet. It just didn't make sense to him.
"Your fingers are as sticky as always", the adult smiled as he took it. He checked to see if all the money was there, noticing a paper note. Giorno just looked away when Bruno met his gaze.
"I have no idea what you're talking about", was the simple reply.
"You stole it again, didn't you?" Abba grumbled, glaring at the youngest.
"And you, an ex-police, didn't notice?"
"Shut it."
"Shouldn't you get going? I heard you had some work tonight", Giorno asked Bruno, deciding not to continue the teasing.
"Thanks to you", Bruno gave the boy a hug as he and Abba collected their stuff and got ready to leave, "Thank you for the food. It was delicious."
"No problem. It was nice to catch up."
Mista noticed Bruno slip Giorno some money. He decided that he better get going too. He didn't want to overstay.
"I-I'll come by later", he stammered.
"Of course. You're welcome in any day."
"What about when you're closed?"
"Are you asking me out?"
"N-Not necessarily."
"Can I take it that way?"
"Well…"
"Just joking with you", Giorno laughed, "You're so cute."
"I'm not cute."
"Of course. That was my job", Giorno stuck his tongue out, "See you soon!"
"Yeah", Mista nodded, beginning his walk back home. Good thing it wasn't raining today.
As Mista glanced over his shoulder, he noticed Giorno duck to an alleyway near the bar. Two figures emerged from the shadows.
"Narancia! Fugo! Lovely to see you two. I made some food. Come to the back and I'll give you a plate", the blond hugged two rather dirty-looking males.
Mista couldn't really tell. The shorter could've been a girl. He didn't trust his eyes anymore.
"Good to see you too", the taller one smiled as Giorno kissed his cheeks. He was blushing too.
"Hell yeah! What is it?" the other one was loud. He ran to wherever Giorno had pointed them to. Didn't even greet the blond.
"Lasagna!" Giorno shouted after him, "Are you guys hungry?"
"We did find something yesterday", the remaining young man admitted, "But it doesn't compare to what you do. Wouldn't last that long either."
"Better get a second serving then", Giorno hummed a tune as the two disappeared into the alleyway. It apparently lead to the back of the building. Mista hadn't realized with all the trash cans and bags in the way.
