Ciao - Luberto

Chapter 18

*Luca's pov*

It was later that day, and the two boys were sitting in their hide-hole. They were instructed to stay there if Giulia and Massimo ever went out, which they were. Giulia was buying food supplies for their trip tomorrow, and Massimo was at the town hall.

They were meant to be packing, but Luca was sitting in between Alberto's legs, his boyfriend playing with his hair as the two watched a show in their little portable tv. They heard rain slowly get heavier and heavier, with occasional cracks of thunder.

"Giulia's gonna get soaked." Alberto said.

"I wish I could go out." Luca sighed. He knew they both longed for the sea, for any body of water. The bath tub was barley substantial, but they went in there every few days "But you're right. I hope she doesn't get a cold."

They sat in silence for a bit, before Alberto spoke "..I..Luca..I'm scared." he said, his voice cracking. Luca turned around to face him. Alberto had tears brimming in his tears, which soon fell down his cheeks in great, heaving sobs. Luca hugged him tightly, wrapping his arms around his torso. Luca could hear Alberto's breathing get short, he was having an anxiety attack.

"I'm here, Beto. Deep breaths." he said reassuring, stroking his back.

"I just- what if something happened to you, and I wasn't careful enough, I wasn't looking, and you got snatched away. What if you got killed? I couldn't bear that..I couldn't live with myself-"

"Alberto, listen to me, tesoro. Nothing is going to going to happen to me, or you, ok? Niente. I'm here, and so is Giulia, and we will all be safe. There will be risks tomorrow, but they'll be far more if we stay here. But I will be by your side throughout all of this, I promise you, my love." Luca said, cupping his face.

Alberto's breathing slowed to a normal pace, and his sobs got quieter, though a few tears still slid down his face. He smiled lightly, before hiding his face in the crook of Luca's neck.

"I love you" Alberto said, Luca could tell his voice vibrate against his shoulder.

"I love you too, Berto."

Alberto broke away, wiping away the purple scales where the tears had been. He was still a little shaky, but a lot better. "Are you alright?" Luca asked.

"As long as I have you." Alberto said, hugging Luca again.

Luca blushed a little at the affection, hugging back. He broke away, kissing Alberto gently. He giggled, seeing his boyfriends cheeks go slightly pink. Alberto pulled him back into a gentle kiss, his arms around Luca's torso, Luca's around Alberto's neck. Luca pulled away, admiring the beautiful boy infront of him. His curls, his freckles, his god damn eyes. He was sure he couldn't love anyone more.

"Hm?" Alberto said, smiling at Luca's staring.

"You're beautiful." Luca said, looking away, embarrassed. Alberto took his chin and turned his face towards him.

"So you are, Luca. Bellissimo. La luce della mia vita." Alberto said with surprising fluency.

Luca smiled, before they heard Giulia's thumping footsteps form the front door. She walked to the top of the cellar stairs before calling out "It's me, ragazzi."

They both crawled out if the hole, running up the stairs.

"How's things going?" Alberto asked quickly.

"Honestly, it looks pretty similar apart from around the beaches and bays. They're completely swamped with Pellegrini men, with harpoons and even shotguns."

Luca felt his heart jolt at the thought. Harpoons were bad enough, but guns? One bullet, boom, you were gone. It could get him so easily. It could get Alberto so easily..

"And the markets are a little sparse" Giulia continued "But,, most things seem... a little staged, but normal."

"Staged?" Luca questioned.

"I don't know how to describe it. It..it's like, at the gelato shop, you know Chino, who worked there? And how he was always sticking up for sea folk? Well, he's gone now, and this other dude has taken his place. Says that Chino 'wasn't feeling well'." Giulia said, doing air quotes "And basically every 'Sea Folk Friendly' sign has been taken down, or covered by the Pellegrini shipping logo."

It was obvious that a lot more than any of them knew was going on, but what? Like, what happened to Chino? Was he imprisoned? Kidnapped? Murdered?No, it wouldn't go that far, Luca thought, shaking his head.

"Have you two packed your bags?" Giulia said, changing the subject.

"We..got distracted." Alberto said.

Luca could see Giulia's cheeks go slightly pink "Oh no no no! Not like that! We were watching Ragazza Mia!" he said quickly, going slightly pink himself.

"Um- well, anyway, you still should've packed your bags by now! You've gotta pick carefully what you take, we can take four suitcases, max."

Luca went up stairs to start on his bag, Alberto following him.

"..I cant believe Giulia thought.. you know." Luca said, covering his face in embarrassment for once they were in their room.

"I find the idea quite pleasant." Alberto said, grinning teasingly.

"-Oh my god, get over yourself, you big flirt!" Luca said, pushing Alberto lightly, to which he only pulled Luca closer, smiling at him.

"..Alberto?"

"I love you."

"I love you t-!" Luca said, interrupted by Alberto kissing him. He kissed back, smiling to himself as he wrapped his arms around Alberto's neck. Alberto arms hugged his waist, slowly going further down his back. Alberto walked them towards the wall, pushing Luca against it. Luca broke away for breathe, smiling at his boyfriend.

"Caught me off guard." he giggled, blush tainting his cheeks.

"Ah, but your blush too cute, I couldn't resist." Alberto smirked, leaning against the wall with one hand. Luca laughed, pushing his face away, going towards the closet.

"Come on, we're never gonna pack our bags at this rate." Luca laughed "I'll give you a kiss after." he said before Alberto could protest about his interrupted kiss.

Luca ended up packing 5 changes of clothes, the L'universo book Giulia gave him 4 years ago, a book on celestial bodies, a lighter (in case if emergencies) a bracelet Alberto had bought him, a comb, hat, gloves, a scarf, binoculars and a deck of cards.

Alberto packed 4 changes of clothes, his whittling kit, a shark tooth necklace Luca had bought him, the drawing he had made of them on a Vespa so long ago, a tape of Accattone (ignoring Giulia's prompting that there probably would not be a cassette player there), a hat and a photo of the three Underdogs the day they won the Portorosso Cup.

Giulia packed a bag for herself, and the last, and biggest, was for things such as food, matches and their money.

They left their bags hidden away in their cellar room, in case a Pellegrini came to the door before they departed and saw the cases by the door.

After a pleasant dinner, the three got ready for bed, earlier than usual as to get up early, to catch the first train of the day.

"I wish we could sleep in the hideout." Luca remarked sadly once they were in bed "We slept on the island, but we never slept out there."

"I miss those days just as much as you, tesoro. But I'd rather sleep in the sewers than have to sleep without you." Alberto said, kissing Luca in the head as they cuddled up.

"Goodnight Berto."

"Goodnight, Luc."

HELLOOO, AS I AM WRITING THIS MY BOOK IS AT 2.96K READS, WE ARE SO CLOSE TO 3K! THANK YOU SO MUCH <33 hope you enjoyed this chapter! - May