✧ take a breath and the answers align

[infezione]

[The house is suffocating sometimes.

The house is suffocating, the people in it are suffocating, and those people's expectations are suffocating, and Pannacotta Fugo needs space to just breathe.

He's going to be in so much trouble if he gets caught, but he doesn't care. Getting out is simple, getting back in later will be harder, but if this works out right...

Well, if this works out right, nobody's going to know.

And that's why little Pannacotta Fugo is currently wandering down the street, away from that house, the people in it, and their expectations.]

Comments

[esperienzadoro]

[If he wanders out towards the center of town, he'll find a group of boys about his age, shoving another boy off the sidewalk and nearly into the (thankfully empty) street.]

Look at him he's not even crying! Hey, freak, do they not cry where you're from!?

I bet we can make him cry if we kick 'im!

[The other boy doesn't even get up off the ground.]

[infezione]

[... He hears what those boys are saying to that one they shoved into the street and he sees red.

His feet move on their own as he takes off through that group of boys with a furious yell, ready to start throwing punches and just-- Just making sure they get away from that other boy--

The bullies scatter, eventually, and he feels his rage slowly start ebbing away. He turns to the boy in the street and offers his hand.]

Are you hurt?

[esperienzadoro]

[Haruno stares at the other boy for a minute, mouthing "are you hurt" until it hits him what the boy said. He takes his hand.]

N-no. [He is bruised and scraped.] I'm fine.

[infezione]

[Pannacotta helps the boy to his feet and after a pause, like he's not sure what to do, he awkwardly starts dusting the boy off a little--just around the shoulders.

He frowns a little, worried.]

You're bruised...

[esperienzadoro]

[And Haruno just lets this happen.]

They didn't do that. That's from my stepfather.

[infezione]

... Oh. [Frowning more!! Pannacotta does not like this at all!!] And the scrapes...?

[Fretful noises.]

[esperienzadoro]

From when I fell. But I'm okay. They don't really hurt.

[infezione]

[Quiet concerned noise. But if the scrapes don't really hurt...]

Um... what's your name?

[esperienzadoro]

...Haruno Shiobana. Sort of. I can't say my stepfather's name and he doesn't want me using it anyway. What's yours?

[Time for more bullying.]

[infezione]

... Pannacotta Fugo.

[As he quietly braces himself for laughter.]

[esperienzadoro]

...Pannacotta. Did I say that right?

[infezione]

Uh-huh. But if you just want to call me "Panni" because it's easier, that's okay.

[esperienzadoro]

Okay, Panni.

[A tiny, tiny smile.]

You can call me Haru, then.

[infezione]

Okay, Haru!

[Small smile.]

... Do you wanna play together for a while? I can't stay out for too long because my parents will be really mad if they find me gone, but...

[esperienzadoro]

You want to play with me? I don't know any Italian games, though. Just Japanese ones.

[infezione]

Oh, um! I wouldn't mind playing a Japanese game... you'd have to teach me how, though.

[esperienzadoro]

Okay!

[So Haruno teaches Panni one of the games he remembers from television. It's not entirely accurate, but it's fun. He has a friend, at least for a little while.

A little while that extends beyond that one day. They meet up a few days later in the park, and they decide that if they can they'll try to meet there every three days. There's a wooded area that no one ever goes to, and it's really good for playing and climbing.

A couple of years later, some time after Haruno protected the mafioso, Haruno waits for Panni in their secret spot, working on some homework in the meantime.]

[infezione]

[It's a little easier getting out today. It's a little surprising, but Panni is not about to complain.]

Haru!

[He's brought snacks with him this time, when he arrives.]

What're you working on?

[esperienzadoro]

[Snacks!]

Italian. I'm just not very good at metaphors.

[infezione]

Do you want some help?

[esperienzadoro]

Sure! Oh, and then can you help me with something else?

[infezione]

Of course!

[Metaphors are a pain sometimes, but Panni's more than happy to help Haruno through them. Once they're done--]

What else did you want help with?

[esperienzadoro]

[Haruno pulls out a book of names he borrowed from the library.]

I want to change my name. Not right now, obviously, but I want an Italian name.

[infezione]

Oh! And... you want help picking it out, then?

[esperienzadoro]

Mhm. You'll know what sounds good, and you're my best friend. You should have a say in it.