Ciao - Luberto

Chapter 17

*Alberto's pov*

Alberto awoke with Luca cuddled into his chest. He blushed slightly, even though it had been about a week since they'd confessed to eachother, Alberto couldn't help but get flustered when Luca hugged him, kissed him, held his hand, cupped his face..

"I love you." Alberto said fondly, stroking his boyfriend's hair.

"A-berto.."

Alberto looked down at him, confused "You're awake?"

"Al..berto" he repeated sleepily "I have..to tell you something."

It was at this point Alberto realised he was sleeping talking. He chuckled "And what may that be?" he asked.

"I'm in love..with you."

Even though Luca wasn't awake, it still made Alberto's heart flip to hear those words.

"Im in love with you t-"

"But there's..just one problem.." Luca said, cutting him off "I'm a fish." he whispered

It was all Alberto could do to contain his laughter "Well...if I'm being honest Luca, I'm a fish too." he said, fake gasping "But you mustn't tell anyone."

"Secret fish.." Luca mumbled.

Alberto let out a laugh, his chest rising and falling, causing Luca to stir.

"What's so funny?" He asked groggily, rubbing his eye and propping himself up on one elbow.

"You were sleep talking" Alberto chuckled "About loving me and being a fish."

Luca giggled slightly "Yeah.. I started sleep talking a bit in Genova. Giulia always said I would mumble about the constellations."

Alberto smiled, looking around the room. They had put everything back in place, but he still felt..wary. He couldn't shake off a slight nervous feeling all the time, though that was a good thing, in case they came back. He was alert.

"..Where do you think we'll..go?" Alberto asked quietly.

Luca hugged him "I'm not sure.. but I'm worried.. about Giulia."

Alberto gave him a puzzled look "Giulia?"

"Yeah, I mean, if we go elsewhere, would she come with us? She's your sister..and practically mine too."

That hadn't occurred to Alberto, but the thought troubled him. What would happened to Giulia? He wanted to protect after what had happened a few days before, even though he knew Giulia could fight anyone almost as well as he could. But he felt this big brotherly bond, like he was.. responsible for her, in a way.

"I'd want her to come with us. But it is up to her, and she might want to stay and look after Papà." he said, looking down.

"Hey, look at me" Luca said, smiling "Silenzio Bruno. It'll be okay, I promise. Giulia knows her worth, and how to fight. Trust me, there's been times where I've offended her and she's hit me. Hard." he joked.

As if on cue, the heard a knock on the door.

"Come in." Luca said.

Giulia walked in, looking melancholy. "Morning guys." she said groggily.

"Morning" Luca replied.

Giulia sat down on the bed and immediately started talking "Ok I'm just gonna cut to the chase- I stayed up all night and I think I have a plan of how to get us out of here."

"And that is?" Alberto asked, sitting up.

"Well, Papà got a call from an old friend last night, Carlo Aldegehri. We've helped him through tough times in the past, and when he heard about Portorosso's struggles, he immediately offered his cabin to us."

"Wait- really? Where's this cabin?" Luca said.

"It's up in the forest, 20 or so miles away. That's where our plan is kinda stumped. The only way to get you there is by train, and that's going to be hard. I think our best bet is for Papà to take us to the station, we will go up to the counter with three tickets, distracting the guards while you two get on the train. Once you're on, I'll take the tickets and and get on the train, and Papà will come back here. And then.. we'll be off."

"Thats.. a pretty solid plan." Alberto said "But how are you gonna get past with three tickets if they think you're the only one getting in the train?"

"Oh, I'll spin some tale about my friends boarding the train at a later stop or something. Won't be hard." she replied.

"..When do we go?" Luca asked quietly. He seemed down, and it wasn't hard for Alberto to tell why. He couldn't say goodbye to his parents.

"Tomorrow, preferably." Giulia said gently taking his hand. Alberto felt a small flicker of jealousy in his chest, before shaking it away.

Luca looked up, smiling slightly "Well done. On thinking of all that, I mean."

"Oh, you know me, the mastermind of the group." she joked, as they all chuckled.

"I'm assuming Papà knows this plan?" Alberto asked.

"Yes, though he is worried about it."

"He's not the only one." Alberto said. It would be so easy for them to get caught. But it was easier for them to get caught here. It was their best, and only option.

"Are sure you wanna come, Giuls?" Luca asked "I mean, it would make us so happy, but you'd be safer here."

"Would I though? They've started to ration food, it's ridiculous. They might even take me because I know you two. But even if it was more dangerous going with you two, I'd still do it." she assured him "Even if Papà can't come.."

"D'you think he'll be alright?" Alberto said, staring at his hands.

"He knows what to say and do. Even with one arm, he fights well, though he promised me he wouldn't unless it was life threatening."

"This,, doesn't seem.. real, does it?" Luca said, after a short pause.

None of them spoke, but they all knew they were thinking the same thing. It didn't feel real, like it was some sort of fever dream. But one that they couldn't wake up from. So they're have to fight this nightmare. Together.

THINGS ARE GETTING HEATEDDD. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter, AND THANK YOU SM FOR 2K READS! Ah, I love you guys :') -May <3