Work Text:
Massimo noticed one thing that worried him the night he met Luca’s family. The Paguro’s were lovely people, his worries had nothing to do with them. Instead it was more so what they got him to think about.
Where was Alberto’s family?
The fisherman learned that Luca had basically run away to Porcorosso for the few weeks that he got to know the young boy. Of course any parents would come looking for him. Massimo assumed that Alberto would be the same, yet no one seemed to be there looking for the other sea monster.
It was the first night when the Paguros were over after the race that Massimo asked the taller of the two boys where his family was.
“Alberto, where are you mother and father?” The fisherman asked after the Paguros went home for the night.
“They’re uh … they’re not coming” Alberto responded. He didn't look at Massimo as he spoke, instead focusing his gaze on the table he was cleaning.
“What do you mean “they are not coming”? Do they know that you are here, in Porcorosso?”
“They um … they don’t care” Alberto struggled to speak. It was hard for him to be honest about what happened to his family, but he somehow felt safe talking to Massimo.
“So you will not be going home once the summer is over?”
“I do have a home, sorta, I live on that island of the coast of the beach”
“You live in the abandoned Porcorosso seafort tower? Alone?”
“Yeah, I mean it’s not so bad. I’m there by myself sure, but I manage just fine.”
“Alberto.” The fisherman addressed the young sea monster, wanting him to look at him as he spoke. Alberto didn't turn his head, instead stopping his movement to convey his attention. “Would you like to stay here, I could use the added help, we even have an extra room that you could use.”
It was then that Alberto turned to look at Massimo. The look in the child’s eyes was something Massimo wouldn’t forget. Without another second Alberto jumped up to hug Massimo, wrapping his arms around the large man. Massimo quickly hugged the sea monster back.
“Is that a yes?” The fisherman asked
Alberto pulled away, wiping away tears from his eyes with his arm. “Sure, I’ll stick around a little longer.” The kid said as sniffled. “So, can I see this room?” He smiled, trying to lift up the situation.
Massimo brought Alberto through the house to a door in the back of the kitchen. He opened it and it revealed a dark staircase going down below the house. Taking Alberto down the steps, Massimo turned on a single ceiling lightbulb.
“This room is normally just for storing some things, but there’s nothing here that can’t be put into the shed outside. We can clean it too. “ Massimo did his best to make the room seem like it could be turned into something nice. When he looked down at the young sea monster, he saw the boy look around in amazement.
“Wow, I’ve never had a room with a ceiling before.”
“We can begin cleaning very soon.
“That’s’ ok I’ll just sleep in Giulietta’s treehouse for tonight. I like the stars anyway.”
The next day following Luca and Giulietta’s departure from Porcorosso was a bittersweet one. On one hand the sun was shining, children played outside and the heat was more than bearable. However Alberto already missed his friends. To distract himself Alberto would focus on moving in with Massimo.
The first task was to get the basement cleaned out. Massimo commended the boy on his rigorous work ethic. The young man worked tirelessly for hours, moving boxes full of old junk and whatever out the basement and into the shed. It was hardly even the middle of the afternoon when Alberto got the whole basement and shed rearranged. The fisherman’s words of affirmation only made Alberto want to work faster. Especially since when he was done he’d have a new room to decorate.
The first item that would go into the new room would have to be a bed. Instead of just buying one, the two decided to take the time to build one. Saving even more money by just using some of the old wood collected from the basement to piece together a bed frame. Again Massimo was impressed by the boy’s aptitude for handy work. Alberto easily made himself a bed frame. Massimo only had the suggestion that he make it big so he’d have room to go into it, subtly suggesting that Alberto would live here for a while. Alberto didn't seem to mind the idea at all.
That first night Alberto still didn’t sleep down there. Massimo told him that he’d be able to once they gave the room a good cleaning. Lots of dust, dirt, and bugs had moved in before Alberto.
Day number two opened with Alberto and Massimo cleaning the room out of all the uninvited guests. The room’s plain stone walls and cold floor now clean for the first time in a long time. Cleaning was a less enjoyable activity for Alberto, he was clearly much more of a “move big stuff around” kind of man, than a “carefully sweep and mop the floors” one. With Massimo’s help and encouragement the task was done in just a couple of hours, including the moving of the bed frame into the basement.
“Come, let's go and get you a mattress and some bedding” Massimo wanted to complete the bed so Alberto could finally sleep in it.
“Actually … Can I go back to my island? I have some stuff there that I want to put in this room.” The teen explained.
“Of course, be home before dinner time, so I can teach you how to make your bed.”
“But I already did make my bed.” Alberto responded, pointing out the fact that he was the main one to construct the bed frame.
“I know.” The fisherman’s point still stood, though Alberto didn't understand it.
The evening brought with it a lesson on how to neatly make a bed. Massimo showed Alberto which sheet went first and why.
“I hope blue is okay.” The man said, presenting the dark blue bed cover and pillow case he got for the sea monster.
“Wow! It looks so nice!” When the bed was finally done, Alberto didn’t hesitate to jump on it. “I've never had a bed before, its so soft!” He said “Thanks da-Massimo”
Alberto's words of appreciation warmed Massimo’s heart, but saddened him at the same time. The teen spent the rest of his night filling his room up again with junk, but this time it was his junk. He hung his favorite posters and drawings on the wall. On his way home he saw a rug left out on the street for trash, he liked it enough to put on his floor. Alberto even took the Christmas lights he found in the basement and hung them all around the room. In a way they reminded him of looking at the night sky, though with a winter festivities style of color.
Albetto laid back in his bed, tired from his day of work. He would’ve drifted off, the softness of the bed pulling him into sleep. He was woken up by the sudden voice of Massimo calling down to him.
“Alberto! Dinner is ready!”
Alberto was quickly learning that he now had a parent who genuinely cared about him.