Only Time Will Tell (A Luberto Story)

Chapter 4- Alberto Gets Ready

"But... How am I gonna know you're okay?"

"You got me off the island Luca; I'll be okay"

Those were the last things Alberto and Luca ever said to each other before being separated. Alberto wished he would've said more. He wish he would've told Luca how much he means to him. He just wish they would've had more time together.

Throughout the year, Luca was someone that Alberto always found himself thinking about. When he went to catch fish with Massimo, he remembered the day when he helped Massimo catch a boat full of fish in order to enter the race. Luca was there. Whenever he decided to sleep outside in Giulia's hideout, he remembered the first time he slept there with Luca; the day they almost got caught in their sea monster forms. Luca was there. When Alberto rented a Vespa for the day and took it on a joyride around town, he remembered 'the dream' Alberto had about riding a Vespa around the world. Luca was there.

Alberto enjoyed his time in Portorosso, especially with Massimo, who had adopted Alberto on his birthday. Alberto cherished that day so much... The day that he finally was apart of a family. But even though he had a loving father and a home to call his own, it just wasn't the same without Luca around. Alberto sighed remembering Luca. His brown eyes, his curly brown hair. The way he was always so nice and caring for others. Alberto thought it was kind of cute how he got nervous and startled so easily.

Snap out of it Alberto, the boy thought to himself. You are his best friend, start thinking straight.

Alberto was lying to himself every day. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get Luca out of his head. He loved Luca. He was so excited to see Luca again, yet he also felt awkward. At this point, he couldn't fully accept that he loved his best friend. How awkward will it be when they see each other today? Alberto was happy and nervous at the same time. But seeing Luca again... seeing his adorable...

ALBERTO, snap out of it.

Alberto started to silently cry in his room. He sat down on the bed and buried his face in his arms. He felt so ashamed. He loved Luca so much, yet he just couldn't tell himself that it was okay. Tears fell down the boy's face, turning his cheeks and chin into a shade of purple. He didn't care if he was in his sea monster form right now, it just didn't matter.

You're a monster Alberto, he thought to himself.

With no warning, there was a loud knock on Alberto's door. Alberto hurriedly got off of the bed, dried his face off, and tried to calm down. He didn't want to look like he just bawled his eyes out in front of Massimo. Taking a deep breath, Alberto turned the doorknob and slowly opened the door.

"Buongiorno, Alberto. Are you okay?" Massimo asked. Although Massimo never had too much emotion in his voice, there was a certain concerned tone that he used whenever he asked questions like that. Massimo was really just a big teddy bear, and Alberto had grown to love him as his own father.

"Am I alright?" Alberto said. "Yeah, yeah totally fine. I'm fine."

Alberto gave Massimo a fake grin, which caused Massimo to raise an eyebrow. Alberto always tried to look tough, but Massimo could always tell when Alberto was obviously faking it.

"Mmmm," Massimo said. "Alright, if you say so, figlio."

Alberto let out a silent sigh of relief and started to fidget with his hands as he nervously looked up at the towering Massimo. Compared to Alberto, who had in fact built some muscle over the past few months, Massimo was a giant. But, Alberto didn't care. If Massimo was a giant, then he was a very gentle giant.

"I came up here to tell you that your cake is done," Massimo said. "I took it out of the oven for you, it's on the counter."

Alberto clapped his hands together and started to walk towards the door. "Ooh, yes! Cake time"

Before Alberto could run downstairs, Massimo stopped him. "Ah ah ah, hold on Alberto. Remember, we need to save it all for when we go to the train station. Then you can eat as much as you want, ok?"

Alberto knew he was right. It was for Luca, anyways, so it was worth it. "Yeah, you're right papà."

Massimo gave Alberto a warm smile before grabbing one of his knives tied around his waist. "We'll leave soon, Alberto. You should go get ready before then."

Alberto replied, "Alright."

Massimo headed downstairs with his knife to finish some work from this morning's fishing trip. At least, that's what Alberto assumed.

Alberto got out of his nightclothes and went into the bathroom to take a shower. He rinsed off the dirt he had gotten on himself from earlier today, and then put on a new pair of clothes. He decided to wear the same yellow tank top that he wore when adventuring with Luca. Alberto never got rid of that tank top, despite growing a bit over the course of a year. He put on one of his more fancy pairs or shorts instead of the regular brown ones he always wore. This pair was black and buttoned up, and also came with a brown belt that Massimo had given Alberto on his birthday. Now, Alberto had a real belt to wear.

Alberto quickly rushed down the stairs, while almost tripping over Machiavelli, Massimo's cat.

The cat growled at Alberto and gave him an annoyed look.

"Oh come on Machiavelli," Alberto said while petting the cat. "You know you love me."

The cat purred and went back to laying on the cool floor of the kitchen.

At long last, the cake that Alberto had spent so long preparing was finally done baking! To be exact, it was Tiramisu cake, a recipe that Massimo had told Alberto. Determined to make it, Alberto had learned the recipe one night, and after many attempts, he finally made it perfect.

Alberto grabbed the cake pan before setting it down quickly. "Oooh hot hot hot."

"Alberto, gloves please."

Alberto nodded back at Massimo and put on a pair of oven mitts. Carefully, he moved the pan over to his container and set it in his already cooled container. Massimo told Alberto that it was best served cold, so Alberto decided to cool it off before serving the cake.

Massimo walked by and took a sniff of the cake. "Smells pretty good, Alberto. Nice work."

Alberto proudly grinned. "Yeah yeah, I'm pretty much an expert at baking, no big deal."

Massimo raised an eyebrow. "I guess we're just ignoring the time you started a fire in the house."

Massimo and Alberto started to laugh, remembering that time.

"Oh yeah! And you were TOTALLY freaking out!" Alberto said in between laughs.

Massimo chuckled before setting the cake down on the counter again. "You're lucky I managed to put it out."

Alberto laughed again before finally calming down. "Soooo.... when are we gonna go?"

Massimo scratched his chin, "I would say we can let your cake cool down more. Then, we can go."

Alberto pumped his fist, "Alright!"

Massimo asked, "Are you excited to see Luca again? I guess I never asked."

Alberto blushed at the thought of Luca. Massimo pretended not to notice Alberto looking like a tomato.

"Y-yeah! Yeah, I am excited. He's my best friend, papà."

Massimo chuckled, "I'll bet he's excited to see you too, Alberto."

Alberto grinned, "You think so?"

Massimo nodded, "Of course. You two have always been best friends."

Alberto let out a forced laugh.

"Yeah, best friends for sure!"

Massimo put a hand on Alberto's shoulder before walking off.

Yeah.. Alberto thought.

Best friends.