Work Text:
College was a dream come true for Giorno.
From the Giovanna house, to the system, to the house of his biological father; Dio Brando, he’d never considered college a possibility. It had always just been a fantasy, yet the big letters that read OXFORD were definitely tangible before him.
He'd worked so hard to get into Oxford with scholarships on scholarships. His dad could barely provide for his college fee, with his gambling addiction and alcoholism, yet he’d somehow announced one night that he had in his possession, over 30 thousand euros in cash. Giorno didn’t dare question where he got it from, because the money meant he had a shot at getting in with an achievable scholarship!
He’d made it. He’d seen the day where a letter of fate came in the mail, and the fate it read had brought him tears of joy. The moment of his dad giving him a hug and telling him to text often, and to do well was real!
He was going to Britain!
He’d opted for a Biotech course, and promised himself he’d put his heart and soul into this opportunity. He’d made it from under his step-father’s gloomy roof to the well-lit halls of an Ivy-equivalent college. He ensured that he was a top student- straight As. Never got in trouble. He was popular and had friends, although, he had to be a different person in those well-lit halls. He couldn’t show any side of himself that could compromise this experience. With his poorer background, if he wasn't cold and aloof, then the elite rich kids would undoubtedly pick on him and cause him trouble.
All this work to get in, stay on top, and stay out of trouble, was tiring, so one could empathize with his incredulous irritation when he heard the news of a transfer from Engineering to the Biotech class mid semester.
Now in Giorno's major, was Fugo. He was from old money, and from Italy too, though Giorno did not wish to befriend his fellow Italiano. Sure, this Fugo did not seem snobby, or the type to pick on kids for their social standing…In fact, he was rather rowdy and violent and not in the discreet way upperclassmen were. He was also non discriminatory in who he picked a fight with. Rumour was he got in trouble for getting violent with a professor in Engineering, but his family supplied hush money to keep it quiet and simply move him to another major.
Giorno wasn’t one to believe rumours, but Fugo still pissed him off. He no doubt had caused trouble multiple times during his stay at oxford- He had bruises that were yet to heal, yet he had no fear of expulsion. Why would he? He had daddy’s money to save him from any scandal, and still have some cash left to wipe his arse.
Giorno was perhaps…’salty.’ Perhaps it was unfair of him. But still, he refused to forgo his hostility towards the new kid.
-x-
“Hello everyone. I’m Pan Fugo. Well, my first name is actually Pannacotta, but that sounds silly as fuck, and a nickname after the god of nature sounds way cooler. So don’t ever call me Pannacotta. I was in the engineering major here, before which I was doing literature I’m 18 years old, here from Italy. I hope to be friends, since we are classmates now.”
A few murmurs followed Fugo’s introduction, and Giorno realised too late that his regular bench partner for Mechanical Designs was absent that day.
The professor instructed Fugo to sit next to Giorno in the back, while Giorno mentally cursed out Trish for ditching class for the mall.
“Um, hi,” Fugo said as he sat down, propping his head up with his arm. He gave a genuine half smile to the other that did nothing to hide his awkwardness. “I like your hair. Er- what’s your name?”
“Giorno,” Giorno said evenly, though he didn’t return the smile.
“Well, Giorno, it wouldn’t kill you to be more friendly, you know?” Fugo sighed frowning. “At least try not to make it obvious you don’t like me.”
Giorno paused, weighing his options. On one hand, he did not want to start a fight with the kid with a reputation for violence, but on the other hand, he was indeed annoyed.
“Though I suppose you’re transparency is refreshing,” Fugo continued, interrupting Giorno’s thoughts. “Very rare to see in this place. I think, deep down, no one here likes me after the incident in Engineering- I’m sure you heard. Of course, no one would bother to ask for my side of the story, but well, it’s not like I’d tell them anyways,” he scoffed. “So I guess I appreciate that you aren’t scared I’ll bash your face in for being unfriendly.”
Giorno blinked, taken aback by the unexpected rant. “Er- should I be scared?”
Fugo’s shrug did nothing to reassure Giorno that he was safe, and it must have showed, because Fugo scoffed once more. “I don’t think you need to be. I may have a short temper, but I suppose that you don’t seem annoying.” He smiled, though it wasn’t a happy one. “I’ll move seats-,”
“I don’t dislike you because of whatever you did to your professor,” Giorno said. “Well, not exactly anyways. My dislike of you is…petty, and dumb, so don’t get butt-hurt over it, and stay here.”
“Fugo tilted his head, confused. “What exactly is petty?”
Giorno sighed. “I’ve just worked so very fucking hard to get to the top- to get here, and to stay here. I was…salty that it was so unfairly easy for you,” he admitted. “It’s silly, I know.”
“No it isn’t,” Fugo replied. “Getting mad at unfairness makes perfect sense to me. You are one impressive guy though. I’ve personally never met anyone with the personality to own up to your bias” He had a bit of awe in his voice, and he only then properly looked at Giorno. “You have nice hair.”
“You mentioned,” Giorno smiled, finally meeting the other’s gaze. “I guess you’re not an arsehole.”
“Astute observation,” Fugo said, sarcastically.
“Yes, well I also observe that you’re okay enough to be friends with, perhaps,” Giorno chuckled.
“Well,” Fugo looked a bit surprised at the change in tone, but quickly changed his expression to a smile. “The honour is mine.”
-x-
“Satisfied, Sheila E? That’s how we met. That’s your story,” Fugo said to his friend, as he sat with Giorno, the living room decked up for their small Christmas party.
“Very,” Sheila E said, as Mista laughed in the corner at the eye roll Fugo gave the girl.
“I guess I should thank Dio for making you a little bitter and whiny,” Fugo joked, turning to Giorno, who reclined on the couch next to him.
“Oh I dare you,” Giorno laughed, leaning towards the other. “But really, I’m glad you broke that impression I had of you.”
“Me too,” Fugo smiled.
“Oh, Me three,” Sheila E added.
“God dammit! Why did that number have to land on me!” Mista cried.