𝑺𝒆𝒂 𝑴𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓 // 𝑨𝒍𝒃𝒆𝒓𝒕𝒐 𝑺𝒄𝒐𝒓𝒇𝒂𝒏𝒐 𝒙 𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓

Ch.6

After dragging Alberto back home, I force him to sit on the kitchen table. Luca and Giulia decided that they'd practise for the race and that they'd catch up with us both later.

Massimo tended to keep a medical box on top of the fridge, packed to the brim with all the necessary medical items for situations such as this. After reaching it, I pull it down and open it, grabbing a packet of cotton balls.

Alberto runs his tongue delicately against his split lip, tasting the coppery blood which dripped from it. He cringed a little bit, before smirking. "This'll form a wicked scar, eh?" He poked the blood which was dripping, smudging it against his tanned skin.

"Alberto, leave your lip be! I've got the stuff to help that." I order firmly, getting a slight glare from the tanned boy.

To emphasise my point, I gently shake a clear bottle labelled filled with transparent liquid. It was labelled 'antiseptic wound spray'. Holding a cotton ball between my fingers, I spray some of the antiseptic on the cotton ball. Sliding a chair out from the table, I plop down. "Sit still, Alberto."

The curly haired boy stopped touching his bruised eye and lip, turning his attention towards me. His green eyes flash with worry and mistrust, leaning away as I approach with the cotton ball. "Just get it over with, okay? We've got to practise for the race.."

"No, your wellbeing is more important than a race. You really didn't have to stand up for me, Alberto. But I appreciate it, grazie." Raising my hand, I gently dab the cotton ball on where his lip had split open, applying pressure gently to stop the bleeding. "You might have to wash your face with some water when the bleeding stops. To clean off the Ercole germs."

Alberto looks at me in disbelief, looking like he's going to scold me. "What? (Y/N), I could see him. He was going to kick your stomach, I had to help. Even if it costs me a few bruises. Besides, they look cool." He chuckled somewhat awkwardly, reclining back against his chair after I removed the cotton ball from his lip.

My eyes widen softly at the kind words. "I..grazie, Alberto." Leaning fowards, I open my arms and embrace the boy in a warm hug. The tanned italian must've not been used to hugs, since he tensed for a good few seconds before relaxing and slumping his weight against me, wrapping his arms around me in return. He buries his head in my neck, enjoying the attention. But it also made him feel a little emotional. My brow furrows a little as Alberto takes in a small, shaky breath. "Are you okay?" I ask softly, rubbing his back as his breaths rattled softly.

Sniffling, he nods and mumbles against my neck. "Yeah..yeah, I'm okay..just..thank you, (Y/N).." he says nothing more, but instead hugs me tighter, like I was going to leave him if he let go.

I didn't want to pressure him, so I rubbed soothing circles against his surprisingly toned back. "It's okay..I'm here. You don't have to hide your emotions. It's not cool." I speak honestly, feeling the wetness of tears against the crook of my neck.

"Alberto, has somebody hurt you? Emotions like this don't come out of nowhere." I ask gently, pulling away to see his bloodshot eyes watering tears and running nose. He wiped his eyes extremely quickly, I could notice flecks of blue, but I assumed it was just my imagination. He opened his mouth to speak, but choked on his words and latched himself onto me once more. "My dad..h-he.." Alberto couldn't even finish his sentence, but I didn't want him to feel uncomfortable. "Oh..I think I understand. I'm sorry, Alberto.."

I could feel his knees get a little weak and he slid off his chair. "Woah woah, okay." Carefully, I guided him to the floor so he wouldn't hurt his knees if he fell. I sank to the floor with him, cupping his warm face between my hands. It's warm and a little sticky from his emotions, but I didn't care. All he needed was comforting. "You're okay, Alberto. I'm here." Wiping his tears away with my thumbs, he shakily nods and shuffles closer to me, shivering as his breaths are sharp.

"You still up for icecream? We can postpone training, we still have a week and I think you need a little break from everything." I pull my hand from his face, clasping his slightly bigger hands in my own to comfort him. "I'm sorry..I'm a-a mess. But, heh..icecream sounds n-nice." Alberto hiccups softly, using his wrist to wipe away furiously at his tears as he leans gently against my side.

Gawking at him a little, I shake my head and wrinkle up my nose. "No, no. You have absolutely nothing to be sorry for, Alberto. It's actually good to release your emotions, it's not good to bottle them up like this. Just because you're a boy doesn't mean you can't cry. It's not showing weakness, you hear me?" Squeezing his hand, I sigh in relief when I earn a soft hum from Alberto.

His breathing steadies a little, causing me to relax softly. "Alberto, I think you need some rest. Come on. Icecream can wait." Helping him to his feet, I guide him upstairs and into Giula's bedroom. My bed was still on the floor and I gesture to it. "Why don't you take a nap? I can sit on Giula's bed and do some reading. I'll be there if you need me."

Alberto chews the inside of his cheek, rubbing his now stinging eyes. "No I don't- Y-yeah. I think I suppose I need..a little nap, heh." He gets to his knees, sitting down on my makeshift bed, kicking the top duvet off so he could get himself comfortable.

Leaning over, I pull Giula's curtains and settle on her bed, grabbing my phone which was placed neatly on her small bedroom cabinet. "Let me know if you need me, Alberto."

As I lean over to check on him, I see he's already asleep.