More Hearts of Gold for today's Whumptober fic! We're going back in time in the series: this one is set very soon after Hearts of Gold, when Bruno and Maria are still newlyweds and Maria hasn't yet figured out that Bruno is very bad at taking care of himself.

For the prompts: Makeshift Bandages, Suppressed Suffering, 'I'm fine'

Breaking the Habit

(Hearts of Gold Verse) Even infected injuries will not keep Bruno Bucciarati from getting home to his new wife. However, Maria is less than amused when he collapses on a dinner date, leading her to make some hard and fast rules.

Day 15: Makeshift Bandages, Suppressed Suffering, 'I'm fine'

Bucciarati cringed as he threw the bloody cloths into the trash can of the hotel bathroom before re-applying zippers to his injuries. That would do for now until Giorno returned in a few days and if needed, he would ask him to fix them up. For now Bruno really just wanted to get back home to his wife.

He never used to think anything about being away on missions—they were tiring but part of the job. However, since marrying Maria almost two months ago now, he was less and less eager to leave for extended periods. Which is why he had promised her a night out as soon as he got back, for both of them.

Which…he needed to be leaving soon if they were going to make the reservation he'd had Maria book at their favorite restaurant that night.

He swiftly dressed, cringing slightly at the pull of fabric over the tender skin around the zippers in his side and thigh, then exited the bathroom to find Abbacchio already packed up and ready.

"Ready?" Bruno asked him.

Abbacchio glanced over, giving him a once over. "You good?"

"Of course, why wouldn't I be?"

"Because you didn't let me look at those injuries you got in the fight last night," Abbacchio said.

"There was no need to, they weren't serious," Bruno assured him, forcing himself to not limp as he went to grab his bag. Painful, maybe, but pain would hardly kill him. "Come on, I'm not going to miss taking my lovely wife out to dinner tonight."

"Don't worry, I was tasked with bringing you back specifically on time," Abbacchio said with a fond smile.

Bruno huffed a laugh. Honestly, the constant conspiring that went on between Leone and Maria behind his back was ridiculous. They were a force to be reckoned with.

"Then we'd best get going."

It was a couple hours' drive back to Napoli from the location of their mission and Bruno took that time to rest, trying to ignore how the seatbelt rubbed against the wound in his side. There'd been more opponents at the raid last night than he had suspected, and one man had come at him with a knife, slashing him a couple times before Bruno had taken him down with Sticky Fingers. He hadn't had time to deal with the injuries at the time, simply using his tried and true method of applying zippers to close them up as they cleaned up the rest of the operation.

He put a pair of sunglasses on and tilted his head back, trying to sleep. Clean-up had taken them until early afternoon, so neither of them had slept for over 24 hours now—going on 36. Bruno was feeling it more than he wanted to admit. He hoped he wouldn't look absolutely awful by the time he got to dinner.

He dozed fitfully, body warm and uncomfortable under the afternoon sun streaming into the car.

As they finally got back to Napoli, Bruno gave up trying to sleep, rubbing his head as he checked the time.

"It's gonna be a little tight," Abbacchio apologized.

"I still have to change too," Bruno said, and pulled out his phone. "I'll just call Maria and tell her to head over to the restaurant to meet the reservation time."

He blinked back the exhaustion, rubbing at his slightly swollen eyes as he dialed Maria's number.

"Hello?" her voice came over the line.

"Hello, my love. I might be a little late, so why don't you go on ahead and I'll meet you at the restaurant when I get back?"

"Oh, that's fine, but, Bruno, if you're too tired tonight, we can go some other time."

"No," he insisted. "A night out with you is exactly what I need right now."

"Well, I'll see you there then," she replied, a smile in her voice.

"See you soon, mi cara."

He tucked his phone back into his pocket and glanced at his watch again.

"Are you sure you're up for this? You look exhausted," Abbacchio asked.

"I am," Bruno admitted. "But a relaxing night out is a perfect remedy."

Abbacchio shrugged. "You do have a point. It's probably going to be chaos at home, especially with Giorno and Fugo also out of town."

Bruno chuckled. "That's your problem tonight, amico."

"Thanks," Abbacchio muttered.

Bruno leaned back in his seat, suppressing a sigh.

His body felt like a lead weight when they finally got back to the mansion and he dragged himself out of the car.

After the initial greetings from Trish, Narancia and Mista, he hurried to change into a clean suit before heading out.

He'd thankfully been able to shower at the hotel so it was mostly a matter of fixing his hair and changing into his black date-night suit.

His muscles protested even the small movement of taking his shirt off, an uncomfortable tug on the zippered wound in his side. Bruno prodded the area lightly, gritting his teeth against the pain. The skin around it felt slightly warm and looked red and irritated.

He didn't have time to worry about it, though, and took some pills as he buttoned his shirt up, pulled on his trousers and coat and headed out the door.

"Have a good time, Bucciarati!" Trish called to him.

He smiled and thanked her as he grabbed his keys and headed out.

XXX

Maria started with a glass of wine as she waited for Bruno, eager to see him again. He'd only been gone with Leone for four days, but she had missed him, especially with the addition of him going into a dangerous situation. She knew she would have to get used to it, but it still kept her up at night, alone in their big bed.

But soon enough, she spotted her husband coming toward her table with a soft smile on his face.

"There you are!" Maria called, standing up to allow him to pull her into his arms, with a chaste kiss to her lips.

"I'm sorry I'm a little late, but I didn't want to come in work clothes," he grimaced.

Maria got a good look at him finally, holding him at arm's length. There were definite dark circles under his eyes, but he also just looked a little wan and pale in general.

She reached up to touch his warm cheek with concern. "Bruno, are you sure you're all right? You look a little…well."

He shifted so he could kiss her hand with a smile. "I am a bit tired, but I'm happy to be back. A nice relaxing dinner will be much appreciated."

Maria smiled, though there was still a furrow between her brows as she led Bruno back to the table and they sat. The waiter came over, offering more wine and taking their orders.

All the while, Maria was watching her husband, trying not to show too much concern outwardly, but he did really look a little rough, slumping in his chair, his brow pinched slightly. She would make sure to put him to bed early once they got back.

Once they had finished dinner, Bruno suggested a walk in the park nearby. "There's a gelato stand as well—we can get dessert."

"Are you sure you don't want to go home?" Maria asked, trying not to sound worried. "I know you're tired."

He waved her concern away. "I'd rather get some fresh air," he told her with a smile, reaching for her hand. "Come on—tell me what went on while I was away."

Maria took his hand and talked as they walked toward the park. Bruno felt rather warm beside her, but she had been slightly chilly in the restaurant and didn't think much of it.

When a jogger nearly ran into her, Maria was forced to bump into Bruno to avoid being hit, and was surprised when he staggered slightly, a small gasp escaping his throat.

"That was rather rude," she muttered before looking up at her husband, seeing his face had gone pale and there was sweat beading on his brow. "Bruno? Are you okay?"

"I—yes," he replied, forcing a tight smile. "I just—maybe I am a little more tired than I thought."

She took both his hands in hers firmly. "How about you sit here and I'll go pick up a pint of gelato that we can take home and eat in bed?" she suggested with a fond smile.

Bruno chuckled and bent to kiss her. "Well, I can't really argue with that."

"Oh, Bucciarati!"

An older woman who ran a flower stand called to him and he and Maria looked over.

"Ah, Signora Galini!" Bruno greeted with a tired smile, squeezing Maria's hand before letting it go. "Let me go see if she needs anything. Pick out whatever flavor you'd like—you know I like all of them."

Maria smiled and cast a fond glance back as the old woman asked Bruno to help her load her stand into the small trailer attached to her vespa.

She hurried to go get the gelato, picking out a rich chocolate mocha flavor, before returning to see Bruno finishing up and waving to the old woman as she drove away.

His face as he turned around though was crumpled in pain, one hand going up to press to his side. Maria hesitated, watching as Bruno reached for the back of the bench, going to lean on it.

His hand missed and he stumbled, legs seeming to give out under him.

"Bruno?!" Maria cried and pushed herself into a run, collapsing beside him, not caring about the grass stains on her dress. His head lolled and she took his face between her hands forcing his chin up to look at her.

"Just…need a second," he murmured.

Maria looked down where he was still pressing a hand to his side. She opened his coat and pulled it aside.

From the light of a streetlamp she could see a patch of red against his white shirt.

"You're hurt!" she gasped. "Bruno, why didn't you tell me you'd been injured!"

"It really wasn't that bad," he sighed tiredly. "I'm sorry to alarm you, lifting the stand pulled at the injury and I think that made me a little woozy."

Maria pressed her hand to his cheek again. "But you're fevered! The wound could be infected."

She was already pulling the phone from her purse and dialing as she wrapped her arm around her husband, bringing his head to rest on her shoulder.

"Leone," she said shakily as the phone was answered wearily. "Could you please come pick us up from the park?"

"I can get back to the car," Bruno protested before Maria shushed him.

"What's wrong?" Leone asked.

"Bruno's hurt," she said sternly. "Please—the park by the restaurant."

There was a quick confirmation and the call cut out. Maria tucked the phone away and pulled one of Bruno's arms around her shoulders. "Come on, you can sit on the bench which we wait."

He cringed as he forced himself up, right leg shaky as he sank down onto the bench. She practically forced him to lay down with his head in her lap but once he was there he sagged tiredly, eyes closed as she ran her fingers soothingly across his brow, stroking his hair.

"Is that the only injury?" she asked suspiciously.

"That and my leg," Bruno said tiredly.

"Bruno!" Maria scolded, a lump forming in her throat. He reached up to take her free hand.

"I'm sorry, mi amore," he told her sincerely. "I should have said something."

"Yes, you should have," she replied shakily, hurt and fear clashing inside of her.

Headlights illuminated the area and a car came to a quick stop on the side of the road.

Leone got out and hurried over to the bench.

"Maria," he called, stopping as he saw Bruno laying in her lap. He huffed a sigh, reaching down to help Maria heave her husband up. "Bruno, I asked you if you were hurt."

"Yes, yes," Bruno muttered, cringing as they pulled him up between them.

Leone swore and Maria pressed her lips together. They got Bruno into the backseat and then headed back to the house.

"I think he might have an infection since he's running a fever," Maria said worriedly.

Leone glanced back at the injured man. "Did you just zipper yourself shut again?"

"I didn't really have that much of a choice, Leone, we were in the middle of a fight."

"Yes, and we had plenty of time to take care of them properly this morning when we got back from the job," Leone replied in exasperation, shaking his head.

Bruno was silent, slumped against the seat as they drove.

Once they got back to the house, Maria and Leone helped Bruno upstairs to their room and left him sitting on the bench in the bathroom.

"Help me find the medical supplies," Maria said to Leone as they left the room.

Once they were downstairs, Maria grabbed Leone's arm and glowered at him. "I can't believe you didn't try to discourage him from going out tonight if you knew he was injured! You should have let me know, Leone!"

"You're right, I should have told you," he admitted. "But I honestly didn't know how bad it was—the only time he ever lets me look at injuries if he's still standing is when I actually see them happen. I know that's not an excuse but—you're not alone in your frustrations."

Maria's eyes welled and Leone's face softened again, taking hold of her hand and squeezing it. "You know he's just like this. I'm hoping that you might change that in him."

"Well, apparently not," Maria sniffled, reaching up to wipe her eyes.

Leone pulled her into a hug, kissing the top of her head. "I think he'll start to see reason once he realizes how upset you are. But let's go take care of the idiot, okay? I think we still have some antibiotics around here somewhere."

They gathered what they would need and returned to Bruno who was struggling to undress, taking his trousers off with one hand while he steadied himself with the other.

"Here," Maria said quickly and went to help him, revealing another reddened injury on his thigh. She sat him back down and eased his shirt off. The sight of his old scars sent a different emotion through her than usual. Maybe he did have a point in these injuries being relatively minor when he had suffered such grievous ones in the past.

"Undo the zippers," Leone said.

Bruno sighed and waved his hand briefly. Maria watched as the wounds parted slightly and began to bleed sluggishly again.

"They do look infected," Leone said darkly. "We'll have to flush them out."

Maria nodded stoically, lips pressed together, as they helped Bruno to sit in the tub. He lay back wearily, wincing and making small sounds of pain every once in a while as they washed the wounds out with a saline solution.

"Is that all?" Maria asked as they finished.

Leone probed the wound in Bruno's side, maybe a little more harshly than he would have normally, causing the other man to tense. "There doesn't seem to be any puss yet, so, it should be fine with an antibacterial cream and the antibiotics."

Maria nodded, dabbing the wounds dry with a swatch of gauze.

Bruno was silent as they bandaged him up and helped him to bed. Maria brought him a glass of water and the pills.

"Please take them," she coaxed.

Bruno did as he was asked. Maria took the glass and sank down next to him tiredly as Leone cleaned up the medical supplies.

"Maria," Bruno finally said, reaching for her hand. "I'm truly sorry for scaring you."

"It's not about scaring me, Bruno!" she snapped, feeling the lump form in her throat again. "Don't you get it? I know your job is dangerous, I knew that from the beginning—it's not that I don't expect you to get hurt on occasion. I know it's just an inevitability of our lives." She sighed, shoving her hair back. "What I'm mad about is that you think you need to hide your pain, and you don't. Don't you think I would have been just as happy cuddling and watching a movie with you tonight while you recovered instead of forcing yourself to go out while you were obviously not well?"

Bruno looked chastised, eyes falling to his hands as his lashes brushed fever-flushed cheeks. "You're right. I know it's something I need to work on. You understand, when I started down this path in this life, I had no one. I had to be strong constantly, otherwise I would risk letting myself break under the pressure. It made me admittedly rather negligent toward my own care so that, even when I had people I could count on, I kept some very bad habits." He looked up at her again, reaching up to brush his fingers across her cheek. "But I'm not alone anymore, and I should remember that more often."

"Yes," Maria pleaded, placing her hand over his and holding it to her cheek. "Please remember that you have a wife at home, and a family who loves you."

Leone finished up in the bathroom and speared him with a look as he carried the first aid kit out. "Listen to her, Bruno. For the love of god, change your ways for her if not for the rest of us."

Bruno sighed tiredly as Maria tucked him into bed. "I'm going to clean up." She offered a tentative smile. "If you want, the gelato is a little melted, but I'm sure it's still good."

Bruno smiled back softly and nodded. "That sounds good, amore."

Maria hurriedly went to change into her pajamas and wash her face. She detoured to the kitchen to grab the gelato before one of the kids could find it and hurried back upstairs to her injured husband.

She crawled into bed beside him, producing two spoons and the pint of dessert. "Are you comfortable, darling?" she asked, leaning over to kiss his forehead.

"As comfortable as possible," he said truthfully. "I'm rather sore."

"Well, chocolate helps," Maria smiled, before she leaned over him. "And so does kissing it better."

She pressed her lips to his and Bruno reached up to cradle the back of her head, holding her close for a few long minutes as their mouths worked against each other.

When Maria finally pulled away, she met his love-blown eyes and said, "Remember that the next time you go on a dangerous mission and promise me you'll come home safe."

Bruno slid his hand down her cheek and brushed his thumb across her cheekbone. "I promise I will."

Maria, satisfied, tucked herself against his side and they both dug into the gelato.

When it was finished, Bruno could barely keep his eyes open another second and Maria kissed his cheek and folded the blankets more firmly over them both as she pulled his head in under her chin. He gave a soft sigh, wrapping his arms around her and burying his face in her shoulder.

"Thank you, my love," he whispered.

Maria kissed his head and played with his hair until he fell asleep. "Sleep well, darling. I'll look after you tonight."