Man, I can't believe I actually guessed his name XDXD! I missed an 's', but well.

Remember how I said I'd make more one-shots if I got inspired? Well, I am right now! Though it won't exactly follow a storyline or order... probably. For now, I'll just post whatever comes to mind.

Then again, this is a good opportunity to expand the Helluva Dad AU a bit.


Alessio's never been the emotional type. There was always a cold, stoic expression on his face as he carried out his duties as the Family's consigliere.

Deathslinger even took a fancy to calling him Mr. Balls of Steel.

The coldness wouldn't leave his expression even at his own wife's funeral.

Those who knew him well, however, could see the grief in his eyes.

Alessio swore a part of him might have died alongside Bianca. He did not cry in front of other people, but the pain was there.

He held Pietro's hand the entire time. Unlike his father, the four-year-old was bawling his eyes out. It broke Alessio's heart even more.

The ride way back to the house was quiet. Eventually, Pietro cried himself to seat in the backseat.

When they got home, rather than wake him up Alessio carefully picked him up to take him to the nursery.

He was greeted by the sight of his mother sitting next to Giulia's cradle, watching her sleep. Alessio was glad she could look after the little one; there's no one else he'd entrust his bambina to.

"How was it, figlio?" Mother inquired grimly.

"It's done, mamma. She's finally resting..." Alessio took a peek inside the cradle. "How's Giulia?"

"She slept the whole time, the little angel." Mother got to her feet and touched his cheeks with both hands. "Goodness' sake, Alessio. When was the last time you slept? Have you been eating well?"

"I'm fine, mamma."

"I'll make you some tea."

"I'd rather have coffee—"

"I'll make tea." With that, Mother left for the kitchen.

Alessio sighed. No matter how old he got, she'd still treat him like a child sometimes.

After tucking Pietro into his bed, Alessio went back to the cradle. He leaned down to kiss Giulia's cheek, hand resting on top of her frail little body. Giulia stirred a bit, but didn't look like she'd wake up anytmie soon.

Alessio felt somewhat guilty for not bringing her to Bianca's funeral, but it's no place for a baby so young.

With the children asleep for the time being, Alessio went downstairs and entered the kitchen. The familiar aroma of his mother's biscotti almost made his mouth water. There was a time when he'd beg his mother to make him biscotti back when he was a child.

As he sat down, Alessio remembered to take off his hat.

Mother placed a cup of tea and the biscotti in front of him.

Alessio frowned at the cup. "I hate tea."

"It's for your own good, Alessio. You look tense, you need to sleep."

"Mamma, just buried my wife and the mother of my children. How can I be anything but tense?"

"More of a reason! Stop making a fuss and drink."

"Mother..."

"Drink."

There it was. Mother's strict gaze and stone-hard voice. There's no way out once she switches to that mode.

With an unhappy grunt, Alessio took a gulp of tea. The warm sensation did help his muscles relax, but the beverage was still as tasteless and bland as ever.

"Now, that wasn't so hard, was it?"

"Speak for yourself." Alessio took a bite of a biscotti. In different circumstances, he would have smiled at the sweet, familiar taste.

"Alessio, you need to take care of yourself. The children need you now more than ever."

"You think I don't know that?" Alessio rubbed his temple, eyes closed. "I just... I don't know how I'll do it without Bianca..."

"Does Pietro know what happened to her?"

"No. I told him she got ill." he met his mother's gaze with a sternness of his own. "I'd thank you if you kept it a secret."

"You don't have to ask, figlio. It's best to save them that pain..." Mother looked him over. "...There's something else, isn't it?"

Promise me that you'll keep them safe.

Don't let them get involved with the Family.

Alessio took another sip of tea.

"...I promised Bianca that I would keep Pietro and Giulia out of the Family's affairs. I promised her I'd keep them safe."

"Does that mean your leaving the Family?"

"It's not that simple, mamma. You can't just 'quit' the Family and leave without looking back. Those who've tried..." Alessio trailed off, leaving his thoughts unfinished, but clear.

"Can't you talk with your boss or something? You're his consigliere, aren't you? That means you're close."

"Professionally, yes. But it's not like we're best buddies." Alessio sighed. "Besides, being the consigliere means you can't quit under any circumstances unless the boss himself dismisses you..." his grip on the cup tightened. "And we both know what that means." he finished darkly.

Mother sighed. "I still don't understand how you ended up involved with those people, Alessio."

"It was either that or being used as a live target dummy."

Alessio would never forget that day.

How he'd been beaten, tied up, gagged, and left to rot in a cell.

How Crimson had showed up at his cell one day, offering him a purpose in life.

How he'd been given a 'test' involving a rival Family to see his worth.

What he had to do...

The things he had to do to get to where he is now.

Sometimes he still wonders how his pure, sweet-natured Bianca could love one like him, with such a troubled past.

I did what I had to do, didn't I?

"I have to think about it, mamma. All I know is that I'm keeping my children away from the Family for as long as I can."

A small cry echoed from the nursery. Giulia.

Alessio was about to get on his feet when a gentle, but firm hand on his shoulder pushed him back down.

"I'll go check on her, figlio. You stay and try to eat some more." Mother frowned. "And don't even think of spilling that tea down the sink, young man."

Alessio murmured under his breath as his mother left him alone. His tail twitched in irritation as he kept sipping the tasteless tea little by little.

She really knew him well.