𝑺𝒆𝒂 𝑴𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓 // 𝑨𝒍𝒃𝒆𝒓𝒕𝒐 𝑺𝒄𝒐𝒓𝒇𝒂𝒏𝒐 𝒙 𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓

Ch.10

(Hi peeps! Enjoy this chapter, which I shall use to make up for the intense sadness I've caused jsje)

My head hangs low as we take a stroll back home. Tears swelter softly in my eyes. I'm frustrated with myself and Luca. I can't believe he was a sea monster too and betrayed one of his only friends.

And for what!? So he can learn about algebra and what a terrible place the world is? I get it he wants to go to school, but that's just upsetting he'd be willing to lose his friend.

In fits of anger, I was very close to snapping at them as we stepped indoors. It was apparent to me Luca was more worried about the race rather than his friend and Giulia wanted to drive them away for their safety. I didn't even speak as they chattered anxiously between them.

"You know what? I'm going to do something about this. You two stay here and worry about the race." I spit, the harshness of my voice making Luca flinch softly. But he said nothing and fiddled with his hands shamelessly. "You should go to him..I don't think he wants to see me right now. He's on the island with the cobblestone tower." Luca says softly. My expression ceases and I nod quietly.

✮ ∴ ∵ ✰ ∵ ∴ 🐚 ∴ ∵ ✰ ∵ ∴ ✮

Hopefully Massimo doesn't mind if I use his boat. Sighing deeply, I step out of the front door into the cold evening.

"It's freezing.." my teeth chatter a little at the drop in temperature and I glance up to the sky, feeling something cold hit against my forehead. Rain.

Grumbling, I walk over to the local berth and slide onto the wooden dock housing the boats. After spotting Massimo's boat, I slide inside and sit onto the wooden board located inside the boat. I have to give the motor a good pull before it actually decides to start.

"Right..island with a cobblestone tower." Using a handle connected to the motor, I steer the boat out towards open sea.

The rain pours heavily, sticking my (H/C) hair to my face and my clothes becoming uncomfortable to wear. Soon, I spot a lonely island, shrouded by trees and thickened shrubbery. But, I see the faint shape of a tower. As I got closer the boat's nose hits the sand gently and secures itself there.

I failed to realise how weak my body was from the cold until I tried to rise from the boat. "Woah..okay, (Y/N). Move your damn legs, dai." Gripping the boat, I force my way out and trudge through the thick wildlife, swatting away bushes that got in my way.

Soon, I came to a grey, cobble tower which must've been at least forty feet tall. There was a ladder going all the way inside the tower, but the wooden ladders were soaked and slippery.

Taking in a deep breath, I grab onto the ladder and clamber my way up the tower. The soaked wood breaks away at my hands, which I wipe off on my soaked clothes. "Alberto, y-you up h-here?" I get to the top, shaking profusely as my jaw chatters. Forcing my way up to the top of the tower, I roll my way to the deck at the top and look around through the darkness.

My eyes land on a figure hugging their knees, fins drooped to the sides of their head. A sniffle passes their nostrils, but they turn around. Their green eyes looked as if they were glowing. "(Y/N)! What're you doing here?" I recognised the voice to be Alberto. His voice as still shaky as he stands up, tail swaying softly.

I hurry over towards him, almost slipping over. Immediately, I envelope him in my arms. "I'm so sorry.." I whisper, holding my arms tightly against his scales. "No no..it's okay, I-I deserved it. I was being a l-little overprotective." His fins drooped even more as he wraps his scaly arms around me, his four clawed hands almost gripping my shirt for comfort.

Pulling away, I cup his face in my hands. "You weren't, your papa left you. It's understandable why you're so protective." I use my thumbs to wipe away the tears that begin to flow from his emerald eyes.

"Aren't you..scared of me? Am I not a beast?" He asks in uncertainty, hesitant to lean into my touch like he usually does.

Mustering up confidence, I carry on speaking. "No. I didn't find fear in you. Quite the opposite. I will do everything in my power to keep you safe from people like your papa and Ercole. Because.." My speech trails off and Alberto tilts his head softly. "Because what?"

Why is confessing so nerve racking? My thoughts are ceased when Alberto removes my hands from his cheeks and uses one of his own to tilt my chin up to look into his emerald green eyes. I see so much emotion in those orbs of his. But they're mostly filled with sadness and mistrust.

The fins on the sides of his head raise for a moment before falling a little.

My heart begins thundering in my chest as he leans his face closer. His eyes were half lidded. As he approached me. I bit my lip a little, but quickly stopped once I realised what he was doing.

He connects his scaly lips with mine, moving his hand from my chin to caress my cheek lovingly. I melt as his lips connect with mine, wrapping my arms over his scaled shoulders as I return the kiss with an equal amount of passion. The sea monster's tail wraps around my waist, pulling me closer.

Pulling away to catch some much desired air, I open one of my eyes sneakily to see his disappointed expression. With a giggle, I pull him in once more and place one of my hands on the back of his head, gently dragging my nails from the top of his neck and back down his scales, repeating this motion several times in our kiss. He shivered softly at the contact, but didn't complain at all.

Alberto pulls away after a good few minutes, leaving me stunned yet happy at the same time. I feel giddy and warm inside.

The sea monster embraced his large, clawed hands in mine, looking me in the eyes. "I love you, (Y/N). You make me feel..wanted and loved again. You give me a reason to get up in the morning with a smile. Thank you." He smiles tenderly at me, placing my forehead to his.

A smile passes my lips and I shut my eyes as our foreheads connect. "I love you too, Alberto. Thank you for just being you and showing me what true happiness is." I latch onto him, burying my face into his soaked tank top.

Alberto carefully removes his hands form mine and puts his arms underneath my legs, carrying me bridal style. He rubs his head against mine affectionately, his fins rising as water dripped from them. "Come on, il mio amore. It's freezing up here. Let's get inside, so you can give me more kisses and cuddles. Uh, please."