Fugo awoke confused and didn't know where he was. As he sat up and looked around he recognized that he was in Ghiaccio's room. How did I get here? He thought hard trying to recall. He'd been at the party, he'd gotten pissed at Giorno, and then...oh god, Illuso was there! He'd fucked that up pretty bad. He remembered talking to Ghiaccio when all that happened but then...he couldn't piece anything together. Then it hit him. Melone was there too. He felt a chill go through his spine as he remembered hands on him. He stood up and walked towards the door. He opened it up and stepped out into the hall. He heard the TV downstairs and approached the railing. He saw Melone curled up on Ghiaccio and he couldn't be sure but he thought they were holding hands.
He didn't want to go downstairs. Ghiaccio appeared to be solving his confusion over Melone and he really didn't want to interrupt that. However, Fugo was starving. He suddenly recalled the uneaten toast of this morning. Shit. He hadn't eaten anything yet today. He couldn't just hide up here either and creep, so he decided to make a decent amount of noise on the stairs so they would notice him coming. The two separated as he guessed they would and Melone left the room, but before he left he spoke to Fugo.
"Glad you're feeling better," Melone said and smiled sheepishly at him. Fugo turned and watched him leave. Then he turned back and walked over to the couch. He sat down next to Ghiaccio who spread his arms on the back of the cushions.
"Sorry about that. He didn't have to leave," Fugo said.
"He figured we wanted to talk." Ghiaccio looked at him. "You feeling better now?"
"I feel sore."
"Yeah, well. Not surprised, between me, Risotto, Narancia, Mista, and Giorno, I think any stand user would be tired."
"Wait, what the fuck did I do?" Fugo turned to fully face him.
"You really don't remember anything? Shit, maybe it's better that way."
"Ghiaccio, what did I do?!" Fugo insisted.
"You attacked Melone with Purple Haze," Ghiaccio said looking at the screen. Fugo stared at him. "In your defense though, Melone has no fucking boundaries. He learned his lesson."
"Ghiaccio...I'm sorry. I-I…" Fugo stuttered.
"I know about your professor. It was in the papers a while ago. I recently put two and two together and figured out you were the kid when you told me about it while high." Ghiaccio looked at him. "Besides, Melone shouldn't assume that everyone's cool with being touched. Trust me, he's never been good at that."
"That doesn't make me feel any better."
"Well, you shouldn't feel bad about it. I'm surprised no one's beat his ass for it sooner." Ghiaccio shrugged.
"What about the mixer?" Fugo asked, dreading the answer.
"They had to evacuate the building. They didn't postpone it since it was 'too important' for the Boss to miss," Ghiaccio explained. Fugo just threw his head back into the sofa and stared at the ceiling.
"I'm so fucked."
"Well, you didn't kill anyone. Giorno healed Melone. Narancia and I held you at bay until all the bulbs broke. Giorno did the real beatdown, that might be why you're sore," Ghiaccio snickered.
"Why are you so chill about this? I almost killed Melone!" Fugo looked over at Ghiaccio.
"You didn't though. Also, you weren't in control, if you were, you'd never have done that," Ghiaccio said, and he folded his arms over his chest. How did Ghiaccio know what Fugo would or wouldn't do?
"Why do you have so much faith in me?" Fugo asked.
"Because I trust you," Ghiaccio stated simply.
"But why? What have I done to deserve that? I certainly don't deserve it from my own team."
"You're honest with me, even if I don't want to hear it. You're a no-bullshit kinda person and I like that. I don't have to wonder what you're really thinking," Ghiaccio said. "I'm constantly having to guess what's going on in Melone's head. You also have normal fucking conversations that aren't about fucking people. And that's a goddamn relief."
"Well, thanks I guess."
"Trust me it's a compliment. A breath of fresh air and fucking sunshine," mumbled Ghiaccio.
"So...I've been meaning to ask you. What's, uh...what's happening with you and Melone?" Fugo crossed his legs and then his arms. Ghiaccio pushed up his glasses.
"I don't think he's disgusting."
"That sounded like you were still trying to convince yourself," Fugo said.
"Well, I mean, it's weird. He came to my room last night without asking, to sleep in my bed. I just woke up and he was there!"
"And how did you feel about that?" Fugo pulled his legs up onto the couch and rested his head against his knees.
"It was...kinda nice...I guess. He just confuses the shit out of me. I never know what to make of him. One moment he's being an over the top sexual deviant and the next he's just...being really candid. Like, half the time, Melone doesn't act real, like he's such an overblown caricature, but ever since going to therapy, it's like it's reigning him in," Ghiaccio tried to explain.
"Sounds like it's helping then," Fugo said.
"Yeah, I guess. I'm just...confused," Ghiaccio slid further into the couch.
"Have you talked to him about any of this?" Fugo asked.
"No. I wouldn't even know what to say or how to start," Ghiaccio sighed.
"Well, it seemed like you made a good start before I came in…" Fugo mumbled as he smiled.
"What?!" Ghiaccio's face flushed.
"I'm just saying, Glass. I think you were, uh, becoming less confused. At least from my vantage point." Fugo's smile got wider.
"Fuck off," Ghiaccio sighed but he still looked incredibly embarrassed. Fugo picked his head up off his knees.
"Look, I don't care what you do. If you like him, then what's stopping you?" Fugo said.
"He's like Abbacchio. He said he likes guys and girls," Ghiaccio mumbled.
"See? So what's the problem?" Fugo shoved him.
"It's Melone...he's so…"
"But you like him anyway, so who cares? And I know you're thinking about what your team is going to say, which by the way—fuck them. What they think doesn't matter. All that matters is what you think. Are you happy? If you're not happy, then what is the point of Giorno having brought us back?" He hated watching his friend torture himself like this over Melone. Abbacchio did the same damn thing with Bucciarati. He didn't understand. If two people liked each other, why suffer in silence when they could just be happy together? He didn't understand why it was such a big deal to begin with. Melone seemed to like Ghiaccio a lot so there was no issue of rejection. It just seemed to be Ghiaccio getting in the way of Ghiaccio's own happiness.
"I don't know…" Ghiaccio sighed.
"I'm right and you know it. So stop being such a pushover and get it already," Fugo stated with finality. "Now, is there food in this house because if I don't eat soon I'm going to die." Ghiaccio laughed and they went to the kitchen. They made sandwiches because Fugo couldn't wait to cook anything more substantial. He was ravenous and his energy was severely depleted, thanks to Purple Haze.
"I could make pasta," Ghiaccio offered.
"Too hungry. Need food now." Fugo said as he stuffed more of the sandwich in his face.
"Alright, your call," Ghiaccio shrugged but started making pasta anyway. Fugo watched him a moment as he chewed. He was such a damn good friend. Ghiaccio was still going to make him food whether he admitted to doing it for Fugo or not. He thought back to the look on Melone's face as he mounted the stairs. He knew he needed to go make things right between them. He had nothing against the lusty assassin but he knew it was better to mend this bridge especially if Ghiaccio would be crossing it soon. "Hey, Glass, I'm gonna go apologize to Melone. I'll be right back."
"Yeah, okay," Ghiaccio said as Fugo left the kitchen.
Ghiaccio wasn't sure how he'd gotten here. He continued stirring the pasta while he attempted to process. He and Melone earlier on the couch...and then with Fugo? He'd basically confessed to liking Melone by never refuting it. Oh god, what am I getting myself into? But it did feel good to just be honest with himself.
He heard the front door open and voices as the gang came in. Prosciutto was the first to walk into the kitchen.
"Hey, Ghiaccio. How's Fugo doing?" Prosciutto asked as he opened the fridge.
"He's up and around. He's talking to Melone right now," Ghiaccio said. "What are you guys doing back already?"
"We already had our shit hashed out with Giorno, so Risotto didn't see a point in staying. Also, he wants to have a meeting tonight about the mission tomorrow."
"Yeah, makes sense." Ghiaccio didn't really know much about this mission coming up except that it had been part of a long-standing operation that La Squadra was heavily involved in. He'd been there for the first few missions to take out the main gang when they'd refused to cooperate with Giorno but then they went underground and that was when Gelato and Sorbet had gone information seeking. Then Risotto, Illuso, and Formaggio had gone trying to eliminate the rest. Now tomorrow it was going to end for good. At least for this sect. There were still many others; the drug empire was far-reaching and it would be an incredible feat for a sixteen-year-old to achieve. But Giorno wasn't a normal teen by any means and Ghiaccio would be an idiot to believe otherwise.
The others settled down in the living room while Ghiaccio worked in the kitchen. Fugo returned shortly after and could be heard talking to Prosciutto in the doorway.
"What are you making?" Pesci said from behind him.
"Alfredo. Fugo hasn't eaten anything at all today."
"You're a good friend, Ghiaccio," Pesci said. He turned to Pesci surprised by the praise. He didn't talk very often to Pesci since they didn't have a lot in common. He honestly thought he probably scared the kid, so he was startled by the assertion.
"Thanks, Pesci. You can have some when I finish if you want. There will be a lot leftover," Ghiaccio offered. Might as well mend his own bridges.
"Thank you, Ghiaccio. It smells good, I can't wait!" Pesci walked away and Ghiaccio smiled to himself as he continued to stir the noodles. No one's ever called me a good friend before. Not that he'd really ever had many. Melone had said he was his closest friend but that didn't mean he was a good one. What really constituted a good friendship? Well, he figured trust was an integral part of that. And talking. Communication was also key. Both of these things he had with Fugo. He had them to a certain extent with Melone, more than the rest of the team, but with Melone sometimes communication was difficult. He wasn't sure how much of it was Melone's personality and how much was just himself. If he were truly honest, it was probably both. He noticed the doorway was empty and the conversation seemed to be discussing the start of their mission meeting. He was almost done with the pasta so he figured he could listen to the beginnings of it from the kitchen.
"Round up everyone," Risotto called. "It's time we go over what's in store for us tomorrow." Ghiaccio took the pot off the stove and put some pasta on a plate for Fugo and one for Pesci.
"As you all know, we are heading into their base of operations tomorrow to clean out the remaining members of the insurrection. Melone will track to the hideout," Risotto said. Ghiaccio put the lid back on the pot and grabbed two forks for the plates.
"I've already tracked it within this area," Melone said as Ghiaccio walked out with two plates. As he sat down, Melone showed his computer screen to Risotto and Prosciutto.
"It looks like an abandoned warehouse by the docks," Risotto commented. Ghiaccio sat down on the couch next to Fugo and handed him a plate.
"Thanks," Fugo whispered and Ghiaccio nodded. He leaned over to the couch opposite him to hand Pesci the other plate. He smiled and thanked him.
"And it isn't one of the main docks either. It would be more likely to have contraband on the boats. It's a perfect place to move a lot of inventory without being on our radar," Prosciutto speculated.
"Hey! Pesci gets food but not me?" Formaggio interjected.
"Then go get a plate, dammit! It's on the stove, I think you can handle that," Ghiaccio huffed.
"Wait, seriously? I can have some?" Formaggio's eyes were wide. Ghiaccio didn't want to appear soft but he really didn't care about it and just wanted people in this house to be happy for once.
"Just go get it before I change my mind!" Ghiaccio snapped.
"Thanks, Ghi!" Formaggio jumped up and ran to the kitchen.
"Can we seriously, for just five seconds please?" Prosciutto snapped.
"Sorry! I'm coming, I'm just hungry!" Formaggio called from the kitchen.
"Maybe if you'd eaten at the party instead of shacking up with some girl," Illuso said snidely. Formaggio hopped back into the room and grabbed a seat as he shoved a forkful of pasta into his face.
"Look, she was fucking hot, okay? You'd have done the same, dude." Formaggio said through a stuffed face. "Besides, she's into me. I got her number."
"Continue this after the meeting," Risotto said sternly and Formaggio shrank a bit. "Melone it would seem you'd have a good vantage point from somewhere over here. You can observe and relay information to the rest of the team. Formaggio will be with you as a contingency. We don't know how many people are in there so I want Prosciutto to use Grateful Dead on the whole place, then Ghiaccio and Pesci, you guys will head in the front."
"So where do you want me then?" Everyone looked upstairs to the railing outside Gelato and Sorbet's door to see Sorbet standing there.
"Is that really necessary?" Formaggio said, looking at his chosen spot for the meeting. Sorbet looked back into the bedroom briefly and then back at the gang.
"It is. He won't come down and I'm not leaving him," Sorbet said as he propped his elbows on the railing.
"You and Prosciutto will be heading in together to find their leader," Risotto continued addressing Sorbet. "You have the most information since you infiltrated these guys. I only want Ghiaccio, Pesci, and Babyface to take on whatever men they have in the building. Clear it out. Illuso and I will run things from here," Risotto concluded. Fugo raised his hand.
"Am I still on this mission?" Fugo asked.
"Giorno told me it was up to my discretion. Are you in a fit state to handle it?" Risotto asked.
"I feel much better, I think it's out of my system now. I can handle this," Fugo stated firmly. "So where do you want me?"
"I think it'd be better if you entered from the side where there are likely to be less men. I want you alone since your stand is so volatile. You will be more than capable of taking them out as you go. Giorno said you had vials of antidote?" Risotto asked.
"Yes, I always have it with me just in case."
"Leave some with Melone. Should the need arise, I want both groups to have access," Risotto turned to Prosciutto. "I want you and Sorbet to bring their leader down. Sorbet has seen her before and will be able to recognize her. We don't have any information to go on besides appearance, so be wary. She's a wild card." He placed a bunch of files on the table.
"These are some of the people we know of that are working for them: Terra, Angela, and Tulmine Sputare. They are all siblings and stand users."
"Tulmine, that's the guy that attacked Giorno and me! His stand is Shinee," Fugo pointed to the picture of the blond man.
"Shinee is something we all have to watch out for," Prosciutto interrupted. "He can cancel a stand for over an hour. Pesci and I got ours back before Giorno, so the exact times seem to vary based on stand user. It's better to take him out as soon as possible or he could seriously be a threat to us."
"Junior isn't a stand, he's his own entity. So, worst-case scenario, he shouldn't be affected," Melone added.
"Assuming there isn't more to this stand than what we already know," Risotto said as Prosciutto lit a cigarette.
"Alright, so what about the girls?" Formaggio gestured to the pictures."
"Well, Angela Sputare possesses the Kill Kitty stand which is used for psychological warfare. She brings out people's fears and uses it against them. I don't have more details than that since it seems to vary greatly," Risotto held up the last picture and looked at it closely.
"Terra, on the other hand, is an unknown. She seems to have some ability to manipulate people but past that there isn't enough data," Risotto concluded. "I wish I could give you more information than this but that's all we've got to go on."
"Getting the names and stand information was hard enough. However, they were all very tight-lipped about Terra's ability so she must be their trump card. Be especially on guard for that," Sorbet warned.
"Are there any other questions?" Risotto looked around the room. When no one responded he said, "Alright then you are dismissed until o-eight-hundred tomorrow." Sorbet went back into his room while Risotto and Prosciutto left for the den. Illuso watched Formaggio and Pesci eating when he finally spoke up.
"Ghi, can I get some too?" Illuso asked timidly.
"Oh for fucksake, I made it for the house. Just go eat it," Ghiaccio sat back and folded his arms. He still wasn't very hungry after having a sandwich, even though he knew he should make himself eat before Formaggio and Pesci ate it all. Maybe he should offer it to Gelato. He wondered if he'd even eaten yet today. He glanced over at Melone who was absorbed in his laptop. He hadn't even looked up at the mention of the food and he knew for a fact that Melone hadn't eaten. He'd been with him all morning unless he had a stash upstairs which wouldn't surprise him any. Fugo nudged him.
"Whatcha looking at?" Fugo smirked.
"Shut up," Ghiaccio murmured half-heartedly and looked away.
"Hey, thanks for the food. I think I really needed it." Fugo looked up at the rest of the gang. "It seems they all needed it." Ghiaccio understood his double meaning and stood up.
"I'm gonna see if Gelato's eaten anything." Ghiaccio walked back to the kitchen and prepared another two plates and walked back out towards the stairs. He walked down the hall to Sorbet and Gelato's room and kicked the door lightly since he didn't have hands to knock. Sorbet opened the door with surprise clear in his eyes.
"You guys eat yet?" Ghiaccio asked.
"I did several hours ago...but I haven't gotten him to eat yet," Sorbet answered softly.
"Thought so. Here." Ghiaccio offered both plates to Sorbet who took them. "I don't make shit very often so tell him he should be honored to eat it," Ghiaccio said and Sorbet nodded.
"Thanks, Ghiaccio. I appreciate this, and I know he does too." Sorbet smiled. Ghiaccio felt awkward standing there outside the door and wanted to retreat as soon as possible.
"Yeah, well. Just tell him he better eat it or I'll be back to shove it down his throat," Ghiaccio said. Sorbet chuckled and nodded as he closed the door again. Ghiaccio headed back downstairs to hang out with Fugo and the rest of his team.