𝔂𝓸𝓾'𝓻𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓸𝓷𝓵𝔂 "𝓯𝓻𝓲𝓮𝓷𝓭 " 𝓲 𝓷𝓮𝓮𝓭
summary: after a complication for the past two summers of not being able to make it to Portorosso due to a money shortage, luca, now 15, and alberto, 16, haven't seen each other in 2 years. however, today is the day!
{ this is long grab a snack! and yes, the title is inspired by ribs from lorde :] }
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"time won't wait for you to grow up, ragazzo."
alberto's ex-father's words rung throughout his head as he sat at the table, a cup of coffee as dark as the night sky. that man was wrong, yet again. time felt so frozen all the time, stretching longer than it needed to be. like that toy thing luca had written to him about! a slonk-...slanka? slinky? slinky! time was a slinky when his beloved friend wasn't around. always stretching. but! he didn't have to worry about that anymore! not for the next few months!
the thought alone made alberto pat his feet on the wooden floor with excitement, practically vibrating in his chair with a cheesy grin on his face. he gulped down the rest of his coffee as massimo walked into the kitchen. the father was surprised to see his adoptive son already in the kitchen and cocked an eyebrow up. "alberto? che cos'è? what are you doing up so early?" massimo asked him, pouring himself the rest of the coffee alberto had saved for him.
"well, y'know, it's only one of the important days of my life." alberto remarked slyly as he set his mug down and looked up at his papa. "no biggie!" he smiled. the beefy man let out a deep chuckle at the boy's behavior. there was never a dull moment with him, was there? massimo took a seat at the chair across from alberto, setting his mug down.
"it's been forever, no? are you excited?" he asked with curiosity, looking down at him.
"of course!" alberto beamed slamming his hands on the table and standing up a bit from his seat. but he withdrew a little bit when a few doubts began to rear their ugly heads. "but, i guess-...i guess i'm also just a little bit worried?" he spoke as he began to fidget with his hands and space out, eyes glued to the floor.
"about?" massimo inquired. machiavelli perched herself on his shoulder and stretched before taking a catnap right then and there. alberto found himself at a loss for words. he brewed it all in his mind a little bit before coming up with what to say.
"i dunno uhh...what if he? expects more of me? after all this time? i mean pfft that brainiac is gaining all this knowledge about stars and the solar panels-"
"system?" massimo chortled.
"right. solar system. man, see, i don't know about any of that!" alberto facepalmed and let out a frustrated sigh. "i don't wanna seem like an idiot next to them two just because i didn't go to school with them. what if they think i'm lame?" alberto finished his rambling as his papa put a hand on his shoulder and caught his attention.
"mio dio, it's like you don't even remember your own people." massimo offered a gentle smile to the boy. "alberto, they are your friends. luca's been writing to you for over 2 years now and neither her mother or i raised giulia to think anyone was "lame". plus, you have learned. you didn't know how to write very well and you learned that, eh? you know how to fish, how to fix vespas. all of that was you." he poked a finger softly into his boy's chest and alberto stared down at it before looking back up at him. "don't underestimate yourself or others." he winked at him. alberto's frown faded into his regular smile and his eyes lit up like they usually were.
"you're right, papa. thanks!" alberto walked his mug over to the sink and eagerly washed it before turning back to his father. "you ready?" alberto asked as he tugged on his sandals.
"ready? ragazzo, i haven't even had my first sip-"
"yeah, yeah, yeah, we can put it in the stove and heat it up later, just c'mon! the train's coming soon!" alberto swept up his father's hand and yanked him out the door, slamming it behind them.
luca fiddled with the seashell bracelet that was taped to a letter alberto sent once. it's become a nervous habit at this point. he doesn't take it off. ever. not even in the shower. the redhead across from him snapped in front of his face and luca jumped. "get out of your head, luca. he's gonna be thrilled to see you." giulia said placing her arm back on the armrest of the train seat. luca gave a nervous smile.
"i know! i just...hope doesn't hate me for how long it's been." he pouted looking down at his thumbs.
"that's ridiculous! alberto knows about the money situation, it's not like you didn't want to see him. you just...couldn't." giulia offered words of comfort to her worried friend. before looking out the window. "santa mozzarella! we're here!" giulia jumped up and pointed out the window making luca's head jerk.
"we are? we are!" luca jumped up and the two of them cheered and hollered, getting looks and glares from fellow passengers. once luca looked around, he let out a bashful laugh and sat back down, turning bright red with embarrassment. giulia snorted at him, her red curls bouncing as she tried to hold in her laughter.
the train came to a slow stop and the brunette watched anxiously as passengers filed out of the train frantically. giulia looked over at her friend. after living with him for so long, she knew luca like the back of her hand. she could see the fearful glint in his eyes, the beads of sweat that decorated his pale skin. he was a nervous mess. she sighed and took one of his sweaty hands in hers, giving him a reassuring look. luca smiled and took a deep breath before they hopped off the train. "okaaay, they have to be here somewhere..." giulia trailed off, squinting and scanning around the station before gasping. "PAPAAA! ALBERTO!" giulia ran off from luca leaving him astounded. and at the mention of his name, his heartbeat picked up and all the fear had washed from his body. he realized he was here, he was tangible, he was gonna see him and be able to touch him and play with him and laugh with him and-
luca's heart stopped and a wave of emotion overcame him as the tanned, freckled boy was looking for him amongst the crowd with worry. he looked worried, breathing picking up a little as if luca wouldn't be there. always thinking about him, always caring about him. the schoolboy's feet began to race towards him before he could even think.
"ALBERTO!!" luca exclaimed, his voice cracking and echoing throughout the portorosso train station, watery eyes blurring his vision. nevertheless, alberto couldn't have been any more clearer in that moment. alberto's head jerked towards the familiar friend's voice and the breath left his body as he smiled with joy despite the boiling feeling in his excited jade eyes. he laughed for luca to hear and opened his arms as luca jumped into them with a happy whimper and the two of them spun with the force of the impact. laughing, crying, clinging onto each other for dear life as if they would disappear if they let go.
"i missed you so much i missed you so much i missed you so much-!!" alberto repeated with a smile as bright as the coral reef, tears running down his cheeks as he pet behind the other boy's head.
"i missed you too, alberto, i'm so sorry!" he apologized as if it was his fault and wiped his tears on the strap of his yellow tank. the smell of it felt like home. he felt like home.
they laughed until their ribs hurt.
after a long day of catching up, visiting luca's family underwater, and getting back to were they started from, the two boys, giulia, and massimo were eating the father's classic, 'trenette al pesto'.
"mother of pearl, i missed this food!" luca swooned as he ate his last bite and slouched back, patting his stomach and letting out a tiny burp. everyone at the table giggled as luca covered his mouth and murmured an apology.
"pretty good...but alberto scorfano-marcovaldo can do better." the fisherboy bragged before shoving the pasta into his mouth with his hands, acting almost animalistic as everyone watched and giulia cringed. he took a big gulp before letting out a big belch and sighing with satisfaction. luca 'woah'ed at him in amazement, not knowing that was even possible.
"blegh! ever learn about manners, fish-head?" giulia scowled at her brother. alberto crossed his arms and blew raspberries at her. "so as i was saying, papa, the teacher let me look through this huge telescope and-!" luca had zoned out on giulia's story-telling when a 'psst' from next to him made him turn his head.
"andiamo, luca. i have something to show ya." alberto told the boy as he looked at him, the antsy vibe emitting from his tall figure. luca's curiosity got the better of him and he gave a smile before nodding. "well, this has been fun but if you'll excuse us!" alberto took luca by the hand and whisked him away to giulia's window. he let go of his hand and pushed the window open before pointing to the previous hideout, now official treehouse. "look familiar? eh?" alberto asked with a hand on his hip.
"woah-ho-ho! but how-? it was so...tiny!" luca said waving his hands at the now actual treehouse.
"keyword 'was' , mio amico! massimo and i spruced up the place. gave it a roof and four walls." alberto looked at his nails pretending to look cool. "but the inside is where it's at! c'mon!" alberto carelessly ran across the planks, almost slipping in the process but landing on the houses surface, letting out a sheepish laugh. luca rolled his eyes with a smile and carefully walked across, helping the boy up in the process. alberto stood in front of the door before opening it slowly for suspense. "this is where the magic happens." alberto smirked with a cool nod.
luca took in the sights of this space before him. the room was painted baby blue, a purple lightbulb in a lantern on a nightstand next to the twin-sized bed illuminating the room, along with fairy lights draped on every corner. every one of luca's drawings he'd sent and some of his own were hung up on the wall next to his bed.
"wow..." luca's lips were parted so perfectly in that moment. alberto couldn't help but stare a little bit before shaking his head and muttering a 'silenzio, bruno'
"isn't it cool? massimo helped me with the painting and the lights. it wasn't easy, trust me. machiavelli knocked over the paint can..." alberto grimaced at the end, pointing to a corner of the floor with some spilled paint. luca snickered, imagining alberto of all people trying to get along with a cat, machiavelli, for that matter. he flopped onto the bed and looked at a square-shaped hole. alberto flopped next to him and they both looked up.
"what's that hole in the ceiling?" luca asked pointing at it and looking at him.
"oh! my sunroof!" alberto answered pointing up along with him. "massimo built it from me because-!..." alberto's usually glow trailed off.
"....because?" luca propped himself up on his elbow to look at him.
"n-nevermind! i don't remember what i was gonna say. lost my train of thought, you know how it is." alberto brushed it off. luca was not one to let things go. and he could definitely tell when his dear alberto was lying. he looked...embarrassed?
"i'm not stupid, alberto. because what?" he asked shaking his arm. alberto looked away from him and turned on his side.
"it was nothing! honest!" alberto tried once more to usher the boy away.
"per favore! albertooo, you can't just do th-"
"becausethestarsremindmeofyou." alberto squeezed his eyes shut tight and blurted everything out. luca was taken aback by his response ad his heart grew wings. he stared at the boy who's embarrassment was so prevalent on his face. a groan escaped his lips and he covered his face. "why did i say that?! sorry, luca, that was kinda weir-" alberto was cut off by two hands gently but suddenly grasping onto his wrists and slowly pulling them away from his face. and there he was. right in front of him with a dazed expression, dumbfounded and all. his cioccolata curls adorned his forehead and swayed along with the warm, sea-salty italian breeze in the room from the open sunroof. his eyes were darting across his face, making him feel so vulnerable in that moment. "l-luc-?"
"is that true?" he asked him, losing all concepts of personal space and a good 2 inches away from the boys face. there was nowhere to look except for each other's eyes. the sea monster's hearts beat in sync, the electricity between them exchanging with one another. alberto took a shaky inhale before speaking up again.
"yeah. you remind me of the stars. i think i'm gonna throw up later thinking i even let this come out of my mouth but...even on my darkest days, all i have to do is think about when we met, or your laugh, or the way you look at gelato!" he chuckled nervously. "and...and everything is brighter, y'know? i don't feel so scared or lonely anymore." alberto finished.
luca's stomach was bubbling. with what? he couldn't tell you. butterflies? anchovies? vomit? whatever it was, it was so sickeningly sweet, you could almost smell it in the air. even if it was the bakery making the next batches for tomorrow, the smell wafting throughout the room. nothing was sweeter then an all-walls-down alberto. the pair couldn't stop staring at each other, treasuring the fact that they were now as they once were before. together.
"do you know what love is?"
"i think so. is that what your mom-"
"and my dad are in? yeah..."
"...do you uh...love me? luca?"
"does love feel like anchovies swimming around in your stomach all the time?"
"hm. that's what i feel when i look at the stars so...yes?-"
"yes." luca's never been so quick to reply or be so sure of something in his life.
hearing that. hearing luca say it. everything he felt fell into place. he felt like he could fly all of a sudden
"me too, luca." a warm smile made itself known on his freckled face. luca smiled back and pressed his nose against his, the both of them breaking out into an awkward laughing session to ease the romantic tension. what a lame feeling to love. luca looked over at alberto, the boy still laughing.
"can i...try something? miss marcovaldo watches people who love each other on tv and i've seen them do it. i wondered if maybe i could try it?" luca twiddled with his fingers. a blush plagued alberto's cheeks as he knew what he was talking about. he nearly fell off the bed.
"k-kiss?!" alberto said a little too loudly before covering his mouth.
"is it bad? mi dispiace!! i-i don't know what i was thinking, it was way too fast and way too out of the blue i mean it's not like you'd want to do that, and i shouldn't have assumed-!!" alberto couldn't stand seeing the boy doubting himself anymore. he sat up on the bed, holding the boy's hands and ignoring the pounding in his heart, he swiftly captured the boy's lips in a small peck. luca finally shut up, covering his mouth, the feeling lingering before gripping alberto's hands tighter.
without hesitation, alberto cupped the boy's cheeks and truly, truly kissed him. no doubts. no fears. lost in each other's seas as hands were held and puppy love transpired.
but they could never get enough of each other.
that will never be enough.
yousharknotpass
theartofmadeline
ellievsbear
vaporwave
stormborns
prguitarman
gracieabrams
