Te Adoro - Book 2 ✔️

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A small dive into Alberto's mind.

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Alberto always felt drawn to the ocean.

He didn't know if it was because of his roots, being a sea monster and all, or it was because it always reminded him of a certain chocolate eyed boy.

5 years in pain and solitude had done quite the number on his spirit. He swore to himself he'd close people off. He swore to close him off, if he ever came to look for him.

Alberto woke up to add another tally to the wall. 1,814 days since he's seen Luca, whether it be from afar or right by him. He sighed and moved away from the wall, running a hair down his face. He dragged his feet to the roof, next to the firepit, and looked on.

He eyed the distant city, sighing before turning to look at the sun.

"Woah! Don't look at it! Just kidding, definitely look at it."

Alberto smirked at the memory. He eyed the sunrise, unable to sleep as always, but it was times like this he loved. The cool air and the chirping of seagulls, and the waves. Dio, he loved those waves.

Yet, the waves made two important people in his life leave.

His father was the first. He belittled the young Alberto, resenting him for taking after his late mother. He was too soft, his father would tell him, no one likes a sensitive man. He'd get distracted when he accompanied his father in fishing- playing with them instead. He'd collect shells, just like he used to when his mother was alive, yet she wasn't here to gush about how pretty they were and want to cherish them forever.

It got to the point he made his papà leave. He packed his things and left on the spot.

He cried during the long nights, under the fish. Being alone caused his mind to wander, remind him what he did to send them away, what he did to make them stop loving him. Yet he was hopeful under the sun, marking how long his dad was gone, imagining what would happen, promising himself he grew up to be the boy his father wanted him to be.

With Luca, well.

His smile dissolved. Luca left him after showing Giulia who he was. Who he really was.

He even threw him under the bus! Whatever that expression meant.

He blinked. His memory was still hazy, no matter how many times he shut his eyes, no matter how many times he played what he remembered on repeat in his mind, nothing.

"What color Vespa should we get?"

Alberto let out the breath he didn't know he was holding, moving to sit against the tower's wall, feet dangling. He said nothing, letting the memory play.

"Want it to shoot lightning?"

Luca looked so sad, yet happy at the same time.

"How about green like your eyes?"

"Definitely," Alberto mumbled finally, scoffing.

"I want to run away with you..."

Alberto furrowed his brows. He didn't remember saying that. He didn't know he said anything after talking about the Vespa. He furrowed his brows, focusing his eyes on the broken abandoned Vespa resting on the grass beneath him, trying his damnest not to lose the memory.

He remembered the Harpoon tip. They sawed the wooden handle down to make him easier to work with. He remembered the vibrations from it made him writhe in pain until they poured something into the wound; a feeling of searing fire, but it deflated into nothingness, letting him fall into a blissful sleep.