𝒮onny is strong and dominant, Michael is intelligent and a strategist… heavens, even Connie has more personality and control than him.

He always lived in the shadows of his brothers, even the youngest. Yes, he's in the business, but he never makes the important decisions nor is he even remotely involved in them. He serves more as a mere sidekick… and although he tries to prove he's capable of more, he ends up failing foolishly.

When the attempt on his father's life happened, Fredo was there. And his reaction to seeing his father fall to the ground after being shot was neither ideal nor what one would expect from a Corleone. He was in shock; even when he tried to pull the gun from his pocket, it slipped out as if he had butterfingers, and he ended up on the floor next to his father's bleeding body, crying like a child.

Now, old Vito was in the hospital, and Fredo was hiding in shame in his room. Whiskey in hand, head bowed, sitting on the edge of the bed.

And there she was, the only one who still had some respect for him. The only one who didn't blame him.

"When Michael finds out, he's going to kill me..." Fredo said through tears, his head resting on her stomach.

Her hands moved through his short hair, gently.

"If I had been more careful... my father wouldn't be fightin’ for his life in the hospital right now..." He swallowed.

He placed a hand on her waist, over the silk nightgown she was wearing, and lifted his head to look at her.

"I tried to do somethin’, but it was too late... they ran away..." Fredo gasped through his tears. Then, lowly. "You know I tried..."