Luca x Alberto Oneshots Collection!

Coming Down with a Cold

This oneshot idea was requested by sandrastar1 and titaniumninjasgirl!

Also, this occurs the summer after the one in the movie~

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Type: Fluff

Word count: 2,607

In a relationship yet: No

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"Are you sure about this?" Giulia asked hesitantly, eyeing the confident Alberto up and down as if he was plotting something.

"Oh, yeah, for sure! Haven't I told you I'm an expert at humaning stuff?" Alberto asked smugly.

"Too many times to count. Listen." Giulia nervously rubbed her arm. "I'm not sure how well you can handle sickness, but I'm pretty much immune to it. So, really, I'd be the better pick for taking care of Luca."

"Doubt it. He probably got sick from dumb Genova germs."

"That is so not true!"

"Ay, children." Massimo turned to them from the stove (the kids were waiting in the kitchen as Massimo prepared tomato basil soup). "What matters here is that both of you are here for Luca while he's under the weather. There is no need to fight."

Alberto looked up at the ceiling. "What weather? We're inside."

The others ignored that.

"So why can't Luca go in the water while he's sick?" Giulia asked.

"The sea is too cold for him right now. His body does need to cool down, but his sneezing won't get better while underwater. So we have to ensure that your bedroom is cool enough." Massimo turned the stove down. "Daniela said he can stay here as long as he needs to. And I'm okay with that too."

Giulia tilted her head. "But... if he needs to cool down, why are you making something that's hot?"

"The soup will help soothe his throat and nose." Massimo waved her over, and pointed down at the soup. "You used to eat this too, you know. When you were sick as a little girl."

Giulia gasped. "Ohhh! That's why it smells so familiar."

Massimo beamed, and tenderly placed a hand on her shoulder.

While the two bonded, Alberto brought his knees up to his chest, hugging his legs. Conversations like these he usually tried to block out, as they reminded him of his father... and the lack of fatherly things he's done. He sighed, and started messing with the cuticles on his thumbnail. Machiavelli noticed his distress, and came up to him, nuzzling his side.

"Come here, small fuzzy human." Alberto cradled Machiavelli in his arms and leaned back, not minding the coolness of the wall against his bare shoulder blades.

The serene atmosphere was soon interrupted by small footsteps and sniffles.

"Luca!" Giulia exclaimed, causing Alberto to open his eyes and look to his right. Luca stood there, rubbing his tired eyes as he leaned against the doorway. It was definitely noticeable that he had a cold; his cheeks were streaked with pink, his hair was slightly disheveled, and his shoulders noticeably drooped.

Alberto didn't have to think before he rushed over to Luca, gently gripping his upper arms as if he were to faint any second. "Luca, are you crazy? You should be in bed!"

"But I don't want to. I'm bored up there. It's not fun feeling so... eugh."

"Well, you've got to!"