(A/n)
Let's talk about how Mafia AU! totally suits Frank---- xbloodbulletx sent the prompt and it's so wonderful-
[I used some Italian words but some of them may be wrong because my Italian is so poor]
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Check the book I've written that's based on this oneshot, pls
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Run. - It's everything I need to think about now; run without bumping nor falling.
I mean, it's quite an injustice to run after someone who stole food for their own good. If at least there were centers of help to people who need food... but no, and the riches and merchants do what they can to keep the goods for them and just them.
As soon as I have the opportunity, I enter in an alley that leads to another street, hoping I'll lose, between one of its two turns, the policemen and the establishment owner that run after me.
Fortunately, I'm able to, but as soon as I'm five steps out of the alley, the sound of gunshots make me hide behind a car for security.
Hell, I should've known. - It's usual for the gangs to keep confronting themselves every once in a while- well, everyday, practically. That's why you need to check everywhere you go, so you won't end up like me now.
The whole city is taken by the mafia - apart from some rich people, but there remain some doubts about them. - The families have at least one person that's a gang member, there're the riches plus all the establishments' owners and even the police have a connection with the mafia. Yes, knowing this last fact, it makes stealing more dangerous for me, however, I have no other choice. When any gang comes after me, I just disappear for a time before returning.
There's a minority - thieves and poor people like me. The part of the society that's despised by the rest. Ones who either die from hunger or die stealing. And it also exists this tenth of them, who are sly enough to steal and not get caught, like me.
After calming down, I dare to take a look at the situation. It's a classic confront - suited men wearing fedoras and with fancy guns shooting at themselves because of some stupid reason, probably someone was killed or something stolen and maybe a private information leaked.
I hear a small cry and, in the middle of the gun fight, I see a young boy, frightened. - Shit! Are them cruel enough to let a small child in the middle of all this mess? I need to do something about it.
Quickly, I shove all the stolen food inside my bag and wait until there's a small pause to run and get the boy in my arms. The thing is: as soon as I stand up, the shots begin again and I run the faster I can to behind the car I was.
The boy continues crying and I put him down, hugging him in an attempt to calm him down. "Shh, shh, it's okay." I try to block the gunshots sound the most I can.
Felt like it was going to last forever, but, finally, the gunshots ceased with the sound of a car driving away.
I pull away from the boy - who isn't crying anymore - and look down at him. He is probably from a rich family, considering his expensive clothes and well maintained, clear skin. Presumably one of the mafia member's son.
"What's your name?" I ask him and he hesitates a bit.
"Miles."
Looking up to check around, I see that a gang is still there. "Be careful, Miles." I smile ruffling the boy's hair and stand up, running away again. It's not today that they'll get me.
~
Weird. I'm walking down the streets, not even hiding myself, and no one's running after me or even staring.
Brushing off the thoughts, I slowly approach a market, analyzing what and how I can steal. There are a few fruits and bread on the stand right out of the building. Of course there're people and employees around, but I'll be able to get everything I want if I'm lucky and fast enough.
When I see it is emptier than earlier around the stand, I start running and grab a couple of fruits and three baguettes, just stopping when I turn and enter in an alley.
The next step is to wait for neither the police or the market's employee to come after me and trick them. - However, that moment never happens. - Curious, I poke my head out of the alley to see if there's someone looking for me.
Nothing. Not even agitation.
Everything continues as calm as before and the people around the market and its employees don't show any difference in their behavior. That's really weird.
Still, it's better to be careful. - Slowly, I walk out of the alley and after a few steps, I start running.
.
And it wasn't the only time it happened. Every single time I stole something after this time, no one came after me. No one dared to stop me. I could - and can - do every crime I want and still get away with it - it doesn't mean I'll try anything, of course, I still have some sense that people lost long ago, before crime became more popular than other lifestyles.
I watch people come and go, walking down the street, as I sit on top of a building's roof. Everything is so calm and so nice. I didn't even need to disappear for a time - really, no one came after me. I was surprised and suspecting at the beginning but now, I'm just going on with it.
Luckily, I could get away from all the confronts the mafia had lately, so everything's been so fine, so calm. - Raising my head in the air, I close my eyes, enjoying the cold breeze of the beginning of the night.
As if the universe decided to contradict my words, a gunshot sound cuts off the silence, introducing screams and shouts into the scene.
I immediately jump in my place, startled, and stand up. The building is high, so jumping off of it to escape isn't an option. Just houses surround it, it's still a big fall until the houses' roofs. Obviously I can't consider continuing up here because they'll go after me if I hear something I shouldn't.
Going down the building seems like the best option now, so I do as thought and climb down the building, looking for the nearest alley. The gunshots just increase as 'normal' people in the area decrease, making my situation more and more difficult. Finally, I find a way where I can escape through and start running towards there - just to be held back by two men in suits.
Panic takes over me and I start to fight against their grip - ugh, I knew it! It was just a trap they did to get me! I was so fucking stupid! - Even with all my kicks and pulls, they continue with their tight grip on me and I end up giving up, seeing it's useless to resist.
After I'm taken, everyone gets inside a car - taking me along - and I notice it wasn't a gunfight; they just shot to make people get out of the area.
"Where are you taking me?" I ask looking at them, nervous and confused. My mind racing, creating hundreds of theories per second while it still focus on waiting for the men's answer. But none comes. They just remain in silence, looking forward.
Sighing and concluding it's also useless to try to get something out of them, I sigh and lean back against the car seat. What is left to me is just to accept a terrible fate.
I must've fallen asleep on the car - yes, even with all the tension - because I wake up to a man shaking me awake.
Grumpy, I stand up and get out of the car. Turning around, my jaw falls - a enormous white mansion there. I wonder who's the owner; the name is probably on the gates but, sadly, I was still asleep when we went past it.
My daze is interrupted by a man poking my shoulder and motioning for me to continue walking.
We walk inside the mansion and I feel like trash compared to all the fanciness of the place. - My ragged dirty clothes and dirty skin, miserable. My old and worn out shoes against the polished marble floor as if they are nothing - and they are.
I stare down at the fluffy white carpet that decorates the living room in a certain fear of dirtying it. Above me, I admire the beautiful chandelier that hangs from the ceiling. The walls have beautiful adorned wallpapers on them and the paintings that hang on them can't have the poor ones sold in the streets compared to them. Everything alone is more expensive than everything I own together.
"Dai!" Someone says and I jump startled at the strong voice before I follow them up the stairs. They open a door before pushing me inside. Looking around, I deduce it's some kind of office.
As soon as I notice the man with a deadly serious look behind the wooden desk, I straighten myself and stop observing the room. Behind him, by his sides, are a few other men. - I swear, just one of their suits may worth enough to open a big store like the ones I steal things from and buy a house. - The man has his hands folded over the desk and keeps his eyes on me. Slightly nervous, I just look down.
"That ragazza, Miles?"
"Sì!" - I hear the familiar young voice and look up to see the boy I saved from the middle of the gunfight. I widen my eyes lightly.
"Lasciaci soli, per favore." The man speaks up again and the suited ones leave, taking the boy with them. The door is closed after the last one exits the room. More anxious than before, I start chewing down on my bottom lip as I wait for him to speak up again. "First, thank you."
"Wh-what?" I ask shocked and confused. His expression remains serious, dismissing any chance of this being a joke or something.
"Between the reasons I brought you here, one of them is to thank you."
"Perché...?" I ask, still not understanding what does he mean.
"You saved my son. My men told me you saved him in the middle of a confront and you instantly joined the no-harm list." He explains calmly.
"Oh..." I say in realization - that's why no one bothered I was stealing things... Huh, but "Wait, who are you?"
"Sorry for not introducing myself earlier, but I had presumed you already knew." He stands up from behind his desk and stands in front of me. "I'm the head of the Iero family, the one who controls Italy's widest gang, Frank Iero." While he says it, I can't help but blush as I analyse his figure.
"If you have son, you must have a Mrs. Iero...?" I question.
"I had until three years ago when a bullet took her." He says and I'm about to apologize when he cuts me off, "And what's your name? (Fake/name)?" I nod and Frank narrows his eyes at me. "It isn't, is it?" I shake my head.
"That's the name I give to trick people... I'm (y/n), (y/n) (l/n)."
"Got no family?"
"I left them when the mafia started coming after me and they found better opportunities in England." I shrug.
"Why didn't you leave too?" He asks curiously, leaning back against his wooden desk.
"Nah, I like Italy its own way." I grin.
"I agree." He nods slowly. "Uh, anyways, I have a proposal for you."
"I do." I blink a few times, giving him a side look with a grin.
"No," He rolls his eyes, shaking his head, "not that. It's that I've been watching you for a time, every move and whatever you do and, may I say, you're very skilled." He smiles - even tho there's still some dark feeling or intention on his eyes.
"I mean, years of being in the streets, alone and all..." I shrug.
"Would you like to join us?" Frank asks. "You're fast, know how to hide, look for protection, know every street like the back of your hand and much more that can be really useful for me." He pauses. "I'd give you a high post right away. Che ne dici?"
I stare at him for a moment, trying to take in everything he said. Am I really going from homeless thief to mafia member this fast? - I narrow my eyes at him, "Hm, no... I, I prefer everything the way it is..."
His look gets more serious and he walks closer, standing just a few inches away. "Are you sure, dear? There's no joke at all. You just got my attention after being wanted for years, never caught and even saved my son. I'm offering you a good deal and you're just refusing it like this?"
I can feel my cheeks reddening but I keep my look straight, not changing my expression. - Well, he does sound convincing and has good arguments. I guess I should really consider it. "I... I-I accept it." I say hesitantly.
A smirk makes itself present on his lips as he looks down at me. "Perfetto."
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