Archive of Our Own

1.

When Luca came back to Portorosso, he lost count on how many things had changed. Or well, Alberto had changed and that was most of what made up Portorosso in Luca's mind. He hadn't realized just how much of the town he actually didn't know until Alberto was showing him around, walking down the streets with careless familiarity, waving at people and occasionally stopping to greet some families.

Alberto knew everyone and it seemed that everyone knew him. 

In hindsight Luca should have not been surprised. Alberto had a smile that made everyone become comfortable around him, and he carried himself with such ease that made people open up to him, much like Luca himself did. Still, the town people liked Alberto like he was one of their own and he was glad that Alberto had found somewhere where he truly belonged. 

(Luca tried to ignore the Bruno in his head telling him that he no longer had a spot in Alberto's life, Alberto had gone and filled his space with all these people.) 

"Of course, you know the gelato shop," Luca snapped out of his thoughts and nodded because that was the one shop in this town that Luca could recognize without fail. Every summer Alberto would get them gelato before taking them out to swim.

"Buongiorno Signora Francesca!" Alberto greeted once they were close enough. He had a wide smile and to Luca's surprise, the lady's eyes brightened once they spotted the boy. So this was definitely more than just a customer and seller experience. This woman was close to Alberto, Luca noted. She was a short woman, black hair pulled back into a braid. She wore a pretty dress, with a bright red apron wrapped around her waist.

" Mio caro ragazzo ! I haven't seen you all week, your father keeping you busy at the docks?" Alberto shook his head, entering the shop until they were across from her, the gelato freezer separating them.

"Actually-" he gestured towards Luca with a smile. She widened her eyes.

"Oh you must be Luca!" Luca nodded, suddenly feeling nervous about making a good impression.

" Piacere di conoscerla. " The lady turned to look at Alberto, giving him a knowing look before turning her attention back to Luca. The town people knew of Luca, the sea monster who won the Portorosso cup. But besides that, Luca was just another boy on this island who adults tried their best to ignore.

"So polite. It's great to officially meet the boy who Alberto keeps talking about." At that Luca darted his eyes towards Alberto, who shot a look to Francesca, blush beginning to form on his cheeks. She chuckled. Luca couldn't help the smile that formed on his lips, he would have to decide later whether to ask Alberto about what they talked about or let him be.

"Alberto here helps me test new flavors," she said, changing the topic. She took out a piece of paper from behind the counter, "and I kept a list on which ones he said would be your favorites."

At that Alberto widened his eyes, trying to reach over the counter to take a look at the piece of paper. 

"I told you I was kidding!" 

"But I'm sure Luca would appreciate it," the playful glint in her eye reminded Luca of Alberto. They were quite similar, and Luca could see why they have gotten along so well. Francesca ruffled Alberto's hair, laughing. 

"Let me get you two some scoops hm? Alberto, come help me will ya?" Alberto nodded and went around, grabbing the list she was holding out and shoving it in his pocket. She chuckled. Luca noticed just how easily Alberto grabbed the cones and how effortlessly he scooped gelato onto them. He wondered how often he did this, and why Alberto never mentioned it in his letters.

"How's the book I gave you last week?" Francesca asked, giving Luca a side look with a smile. Almost as if she was waiting for him to see Alberto's reaction. She had her arms crossed, leaning against the wall as she watched Alberto handle the gelato. 

"Oh, sorry I've been busy but I'm almost done. I'll give it to you next week!" By now Alberto was done serving them, and he approached Luca and handed him his gelato. 

"You read?" Luca didn't mean to sound so shocked, but by the sound of Francesca's stifled laughter that's exactly what his tone sounded like. Alberto only shoved him playfully with his elbow.

"You aren't the only one who can read Luca."  Luca felt himself his cheeks heat up in embarrassment. Of course Alberto would also read, the boy was as curious as him, he just happened to be a more hands on person. Get the experiences by living them. 

"I didn't -" Francesca cut him off.

"That's how Alberto and I became friends. He saw me reading one time and asked what it was about. So I let him borrow my book. And from there on he always comes at least once a week to eat gelato and get a new book to read. He is quite the reader." 

Alberto looked away, embarrassed. Luca smiled, suddenly excited because he thought he knew everything about Alberto but turns out there was stuff about Alberto that he didn't know and had yet to find out. 

"You'll have to tell me what your favorite book is!" Alberto only rolled his eyes, taking a bite out of his gelato. 

"Right, but this doesn't mean I'll be a big nerd like you and Giulia," he answered, mouth full of the treat. 

"Of course not," Luca teased. Francesca laughed.

"Alright," Alberto turned towards her, "we have to get going but thank you for everything, as always Signora." 

"Always Alberto." 

Alberto smiled, a soft look in his eyes that the woman mirrored. 

"And it was nice meeting you, Luca. If you are even a fraction of how Alberto described you, you must be a wonderful boy."

Luca couldn't help but look at Alberto then, feeling flattered and warm at the thought of Alberto talking about him to others. It made the anxious feeling that was lingering in his head quiet down, until it was barely even a whisper. Alberto had grown three shades redder, eyes avoiding him, he pulled Luca away by his hand, yelling one final goodbye. 

It wasn't until they walked a couple blocks away that Luca noticed they didn't pay for their gelatos. It was also then that Luca noticed that his scoop was a new flavor and like Alberto had predicted, it quickly became one of his favorites.

2.

Luca knew that Giulia didn't know a lot of the kids in Portorosso. Between deliveries and training for the triathlon every time she came back, Giulia never made a lot of time to socialize. Luca also knew that as brave as Giulia was, she had a hard time talking to people, afraid of being too much for them. 

On the other hand, Alberto seemed to charm all of the kids in Portorosso. The young ones as well as the ones their age. Luca imagined maybe it was because of Alberto's job as a lifeguard. But right now, as he sat on the dock watching Alberto play with the kids, he came to the conclusion that no one was immune to Alberto's charm. 

"Is it ever weird to you?" Giulia asked him. 

They were both waiting for Alberto's shift to end so they could walk back together to the house and have dinner. They sat at the dock, not wanting to distract Alberto. Not like they possibly could, Luca thought, Alberto was laughing with the little kids, splashing his tail around while the kids giggled at the small splashes. 

Luca would be lying if he said he wasn't enjoying the view. It was cute, watching him work with children. Alberto had a childlike joy that made the kids flock to him. Plus Alberto's muscles were more defined, shown off by his tank top. The purple and blue scales in his legs and hands were also a pretty sight, one that Luca came to appreciate since they spent more time on land than on the sea now. He tried to memorize the colors, the quick shift in hues. 

Luca turned to Giulia, remembering that the girl had asked him a question. 

"Weird?"

"To see him as a sea monster and then human. Is it weird?" Luca thought about it for a second, gaze landing back on Alberto. His legs and hands were currently scales, bright purples that Luca always thought fitted Alberto all too well. 

"No. But sometimes I do miss seeing him in the water. He seems more at home." He wasn't sure if that was true for Alberto, but Luca always noticed the freedom that seemed to envelop Alberto whenever he jumped off a cliff and let the water catch him. Like the ocean was his, and he had complete faith it would always catch him.

Giulia hummed.

"What about you? When do you feel at home?"

With Alberto , he thought immediately. Then widened his eyes, cheeks flushing, and looked to Giulia to make sure he hadn't actually said it out loud. He hadn't, the girl was still kicking her feet back and forth in the water. 

Before he could reply he felt someone staring at him.

"I can't believe it." Both Giulia and Luca turned to look to the side, where there was a girl wearing the same red shirt with "LIFEGUARD" in big bold white letters in front. She had her brown hair in a ponytail. She was taller than them, and her face looked like she was maybe a year or two older.

"You must be Luca," she extended her hand with a grin. Luca hesitantly shook it.

"Do I know you?"

"No, but you are exactly like he described. Down to the amount of freckles in your cheeks!" 

"He? As in Alberto?” She nodded.

"I'm Valentina! I work with him."

Alberto never mentioned a Valentina in his letters, Luca thought. In fact he never mentioned he worked with other people. He felt a knot form in his stomach. He wasn't jealous. Just... Concerned. Curious too. Why hadn't Alberto mentioned her?

"Now I really can't blame Alberto for ranting about you, you really are easy on the eyes!" She flashed them a smile and continued, "I actually taught Alberto how to swim!" At Luca's questioning look, she added, "well human swimming. The different strokes and everything. Took a while but now he can teach the other kids too." 

"Alberto is a quick learner," Luca snapped, surprising himself at the defensive tone in his voice. Giulia shot him a glare.

"And he gets along with the kids, way better than me." Giulia laughed.

"Don't take it too personally. I think it's because he is purple and shiny." Valentina chuckled.

"Yeah maybe that's it." 

Maybe that was it. But Alberto was purple and shiny and funny and smart and he managed to make a basic red tank top look amazing, Luca wanted to add. He didn't.

"Valentina!" They turned to see Alberto coming towards them, kids swimming towards the shore for a break. 

"Beto! I've been talking to your friends, you didn't tell me how cool they were. Way cooler than you," Alberto laughed. 

"I like to keep them to myself," he looked at Luca then, throwing him a wink that made Luca's heart skip a beat. 

"Valentina tells us you know how humans swim?" Alberto lit up then.

"Right! I was going to ask you Giulia, if you'd like I can give you some tips. I know you wanted to join your school's team, so, from one swimmer to another..." He looked nervous, one arm scratching the back of his neck as he awaited her response. Giualia grinned.

"I would love that!" 

Alberto smiled then. 

"I didn't know you were a swimmer!" Valentina exclaimed, "then again, Alberto only ever talks about Luca." 

Alberto splashed her with water then, making her yelp and Giulia to burst out laughing. Luca only stared at the boy, who was now looking at him with a sheepish smile. Luca felt his cheeks heat up, trying his best to stop his heart from racing. He was sure that at this rate they would all be able to hear it.

"I don't talk about you that much!" Luca must have dropped his smile because immediately Alberto shook his head, "No wait that's not what I meant. I talk about you a lot. A normal amount?" 

To Alberto's relief, Giulia splashed him then, making him shut up. Alberto only wiped his face dry, purple fading back into his skin color. He looked beautiful, Luca thought. And he wondered whether everyone else noticed the way the water glistened against him or if it was just him. 

"Alright my shift is starting so I'll see you later Beto!" She waved at Giulia, then at Luca, shooting him a smirk before heading towards the water, the little kids beginning to swim back out. Luca was suspicious of why Valentina lingered on him, and what else Alberto had told her about him. He didn't have much time to expand on his thoughts when Giulia stood up and yanked him by her side.

"Let's go get dinner then! I bet dad is just waiting for us!" The three of them began walking back, though Luca looked back at Valentina and then at Alberto. Alberto could apparently describe him perfectly to strangers. And even though none of his letters mentioned a Valentina, Luca felt a small sense of pride about the fact that Alberto mentioned him. 

3.

Luca was on his way to Alberto's from his parents when he almost crashed into him, making the boy lose his balance and fall on the ground.

"Oh sorry Luca!" Alberto extended a hand and pulled him up. He was in a rush, his usually styled hair now a mess of curls that Luca desperately wanted to run his hand through. He also had his shirt put on backwards, though Luca doubted he had noticed.

"Where are you going?"

"I can't hang out right now, I got some chores-"

"Let me come with you." Alberto nodded and grabbing Luca's hand, both boys began running. Luca wasn't sure where they were heading, or why Alberto was hurrying but if it meant getting to hold his hand, Luca wasn't about to question it. He would take anything he could get. 

After running through the streets, up a hill and down an alley, they ended outside a small mechanics workshop. There were old Vespas outside, motors and wheels laying around, almost everything covered with oil or paint. Alberto dropped his hand, and Luca tried to not let a frown show.

"Alberto!" A tall man came out and greeted them. He was wearing a hat, a denim jumper that consisted of mostly oil stains and two thick gloves.

"Signor Giorgio, is it here?" Alberto asked, coming forward. 

"Got it right here!" 

Alberto let out a whoop, then placed his arms around Luca's waist and spun him around in excitement. Alberto's joy was contagious, Luca found himself grinning even though he had no idea what exactly they were here for.

"It's here!" He repeated, setting him on the ground and walking towards Giorgio. 

"What's-"

"Is that Luca?" 

Luca waved at the man, politely sending a short greeting his way. The man broke into a grin and then patted Alberto on his shoulder.

"Not bad. You got good taste ragazzo ." Alberto only shoved his hand away, his response coming out in an embarrassed stammer. The man let out a deep laugh and then picked up a box.

"Anyway here's your part. Let me know how it goes alright?" 

Alberto nodded, then turned to explain.

"I'm trying to build a vespa," he admitted in an almost uncharacteristic shy voice and if Luca thought he couldn't fall any more for him he was wrong, "so far it's more just a lot of attempts on what parts work better than others but-"

"Alberto, that's amazing!" 

His parents always gave him too much credit for being curious and wanting to go to school. But Luca really believed that Alberto deserved it more. He learned and discovered and taught everything himself. That was harder than sitting at a desk and having someone explain it to you. Alberto was always motivated, curious and hardworking. Alberto never ceased to amaze him. 

At Luca's compliment, Alberto stood a little straighter, his confident attitude back in place.

"Yeah! So with this piece I'll finish up one of my prototypes!"

"Alberto!" They both turned towards Giorgio.

"You forgot one more thing." He held out a small, silver lock and placed it on Alberto's hand. Luca furrowed his eyebrows, wondering what of Alberto's was so precious that it needed a lock.

"So you can show Luca that tradition I told you about," he wiggled his eyebrows at Alberto. 

"What tradition?"

Alberto shoved the lock quickly in his pocket and began walking away, Giorgio's laughter following them. Once again, Alberto was blushing, the red spreading from his cheeks to the tip of his ears, and he avoided looking at Luca until they were at least a block away.

Later, Luca asked Giulia if she knew anything about the lock but the girl was just as confused. Massimo, overhearing them, explained that there was a bridge near the outskirts of town where two people would put a lock, names written on it, to show their everlasting love for each other. When Massimo asked what had brought it up, Luca lied and said he read about it in a book. All night though, he kept replaying Alberto's face when he took that lock in his hands.

4.

"You need stamps?" Luca nodded.

"I need to send my application for the astronomy program at school." The way Alberto's eyes softened made Luca’s knees go weak. He was so supportive of Luca's dreams, that sometimes Luca wondered if he really deserved it, the unconditional faith Alberto seemed to have placed on him.

"I think I got some on my desk." Alberto opened a drawer, hands scrambling through envelopes and loose pieces of paper before letting out a sigh.

"I ran out. Here, we'll go to the post office." Luca nodded and they both began walking towards the office. It was smaller than the one in Genova, but it somehow felt more vibrant and filled with life.

Alberto opened the door and stepped in. Immediately the smell of paper and parcels reminded Luca of going to the post office back in the city to get his stationary to write to Alberto.

"Alberto!" There was a woman who put some boxes down before hugging the boy. She had a muscular frame, red hair that reminded Luca of Giulia's. She had it tied in a bun though, some strands framing her circular face.

"You haven't been around for a while. Which means-"

Alberto smiled, stepping to the side and opening his arms to introduce Luca.

"Your Luca came back huh," she said with a smile.

"Buongiorno ," Luca greeted, pausing when he realized he didn't know her name.

"Rossina." Luca nodded, hands carefully placed behind him. The woman smiled, eyes scanning him for a second before landing back to his face. She gave him a small hug.

"Ciao ragazzo ." 

She pulled back and turned to Alberto.

"So if he's here what brings you to the office?"

"We need stamps. Oh and Massimo had a package coming too." Rossina took out some keys from her pockets and handed them to the boy.

"Go ahead and check. You know where I put the parcels." Alberto nodded, twirling the keys in his finger.

"I'll be right back Luca!" He ran off behind the counter and Luca lost sight of him as he stepped behind into another room where boxes filled with letters could be seen peeking out. 

"He tells me you are his best friend," Rossina said, breaking the silence. She had a knowing glint in her eye that made Luca nervous. 

"He's mine too." At that, her shoulders relaxed and Luca hadn't noticed her stiff posture until now. 

"I'm glad he has you." She crossed her arms, looking in the direction of Alberto.

"I used to get so worried. I would see him write his letters, put all his heart on it. Made me worried he would only get heartbroken. But then I saw you doing the same. Each week your letter would arrive like clockwork and Alberto's smile?" She let out a chuckle, facing Luca. "It's like you sent him the sun."

"Got your stamps!" 

Alberto was running back to them, hands gripping a set of stamps. Once he reached Luca he handed them to him.

"And Massimo's package hasn't arrived so," he trailed off. Rossina waved her hand.

"I'll keep an eye out and let you know. Maybe get you two to visit me before your friend leaves again." Luca sent her a nod and Alberto chuckled.

" Grazie ." 

They both began walking out, Luca looked back once more. It was odd to picture Alberto spending his time here, though he could recall him mentioning someone teaching him how to improve his handwriting, as well as his spelling. It must have been her. With one look at Alberto, Luca thought about telling him how it also felt like Alberto sent him the sun in each letter of his.

5.

"Alberto, you know I care about you right?" The other boy nodded.

"So don't take it the wrong way but why are you here?" 

Luca had one eye opened, half asleep on his bed at his parents house. Right in front of him was Alberto, purple skin and sparkling green eyes and very awake.

"How did my mom even let-"

"They are all asleep," Alberto whispered. Though by the look on his face, he was doing it just to keep the rest of his family from waking up. Luca groaned.

"What time-"

"No time to answer. We have to get there soon!"

Alberto grabbed one of his hands and pulled him off the bed, then began swimming towards the town. Luca only let himself be carried, too tired to question or to swim back to his bed. 

Once they reached the surface Alberto threw Luca a shirt and he put it on, following Alberto. 

He widened his eyes as they walked down the mostly empty street. There was a delicious smell, sweet and warm and-

Alberto chuckled.

"Now you see why I woke you up?" They were in front of the café. Fresh pastries being taken out of the oven.

"Buongiorno Signor Marco !" 

The man set the pastries down, lips curling up when he spotted Alberto.

"Ciao piccolo ! You here for my famous Pasticciotto?"

It made sense why Alberto woke him up so early then. They probably sold out quickly if the smell was anything to go by. 

"Of course. I brought-"

"Luca?" 

By now he was getting used to strangers knowing his name.

"Buongiorno- "

Immediately the man chuckled, grabbing two pastries and putting them on a plate.

"Alberto promised me he would make you try my pasticiotto even if he had to drag you out of bed. Did he?"

Luca chuckled while Alberto shrugged.

"He did."

"Well Luca I hope my pastries are worth the trouble." 

"Signor Marco you know they are," Alberto replied, grabbing the two plates and passing one to Luca. 

"Can we also have two espressos?" Marco rolled his eyes.

"I already told you I think you are too young for caffeine." 

"Massimo lets me-" 

"Fine. Go make yourself and Luca some. But I will talk to your father about your caffeine addiction piccolo ." Alberto laughed, handing his plate to Luca and pointing him to a table before walking towards the espresso machine.

Luca set down their food and pulled out a chair, sitting down and looking as Alberto made their coffee in such a graceful way. Maybe that was Alberto's talent, being able to do anything he tried and looking effortless while at it. 

"That boy really loves his coffee." Marco pulled out another chair,  sitting across from him. 

"He does."

"He really puts his heart into everything he does that boy," Marco said as they watched Alberto make their espressos, a focused look in his eyes.

Luca sighed then, a smile appearing on his face.

"Yeah, that's Alberto for you."

"Of course, nothing beats what he has for you." Lucas eyebrows shot up, eyes darting towards Marco. He still was looking towards Alberto. 

"What he has?" 

"Done!" Alberto held two cups in his hand, carefully approaching their table. He set one in front of Luca and then one by his plate, letting out a breath of relief when he didn't spill anything.

"I left one for you by the counter."

"Graci Alberto." Marco stood up.

"Boys, have a good rest of your morning." He sent a nod their way before going back to working on his pastries and checking on the oven. Alberto took his seat,  taking a sip of the coffee and then a bite.

Luca followed. True to his word, the pastry was amazing. Melting in his mouth until Luca couldn't help but take one bite after another. Not even a minute later the only thing left on his plate were crumbs. 

"Worth it right?" 

Luca hummed in approval, licking what was left of the bread in his fingers. 

"I knew you'd love it," Alberto said, the soft look in his eyes back. Luca's heart began to race, and from the corner of his eyes he could see Signor Marco, shaking his head with an amused smile on his face.

+1

They were sitting by the fountain, looking out towards the dock. There weren't a lot of people out, it was late evening now and the streets were all lit up, some light pouring out from the shut windows in the balconies. 

They had just finished the dinner that Giulia's dad had made for them. Luca's parents were expecting him to come home that night, but right now Luca wanted to be by Alberto’s side just a little bit longer. He could face his mom's reprimands another time. But for now, he was content.

So there they were, not doing anything but being in each other's company. 

"Can I ask you something?" Alberto nodded.

"How come you tell everyone about me?" At the way Alberto's shoulders dropped, Luca shook his head, trying to clarify his intentions.

"Not that I'm mad or anything. I just- I didn't know you thought about me."

"What?" The bewildered expression on Alberto's face sent a shiver down Luca's spine.

"I figured you would make new friends and I would be out of your mind," Luca said with a chuckle, though Alberto could tell that he meant it, that this was something that Luca was genuinely concerned about.

"Luca you are always on my mind," Alberto hoped that it sounded casual but even if it didn't (which he knew was probably the case), he didn't care as long as Luca knew.

"I go to the mail office and think about you. I eat gelato and I wonder if you would like it. I get coffee and I make a note to visit with you. You are always there Luca"' he chuckled, hand rubbing the back of his neck in embarrassment, "its kind of stupid how much you are there." 

Luca stared at him, wide eyes and crimson cheeks. It was the sort of confession he would expect out of Alberto. He never said 'I like you' , or ' I love you' or ' I want to kiss you .' But right now Luca could read Alberto as easily as his astrology book. In a way, this confession was better. More personal because Alberto was a person who didn't like sharing. But here he was, telling all of Portorosso how much he loved Luca. Luca had enough ' I love yous ' and the ' I like yous ' for both of them.

"Its not stupid. I think all of Genova knows I'm in love with you too." 

Alberto dropped his hands to his side, a small ' oh ' escaping his lips. Luca could see the realization slowly sink in, until his green eyes stared back at him with a knowing glint. A grin appeared on his face, and Alberto leaned forward.

"In love?" Alberto wiggled his eyebrows. Luca laughed then, shoving Alberto teasingly. The boy laughed in response.

Luca could feel his heart race as he stared at Alberto. He wanted to kiss him, pull him close until there was no space between them. And well, there really was nothing stopping him now. Not now that he knew Alberto felt the same. With one quick ' Silenzio Bruno ' and a second of adrenaline, Luca cupped Alberto's cheeks and pressed his lips against his.

Alberto let out a small gasp before melting against the kiss. It didn't take long for the two to find a rhythm. Just like always, both fell in sync almost instinctively.

Alberto pulled away first, chuckling. He rested his forehead against Luca's, his hand rubbing circles on the other boy's palm.

"Maybe the middle of the plaza was not the smartest place to kiss," he pointed out, though the dazed look in his eyes showed that he had no regrets about their kiss. Before Luca could ask why, Alberto pointed at the different windows around them. All of them were half opened. 

"Half of Portorosso was waiting for me to make a move." He kissed Luca once more, "so they are not going to stop talking about it."

True to Alberto's word, as they walked hand in hand through the town the next day, Alberto was congratulated and asked about his new boyfriend. Alberto's blush never disappeared, but neither did the proud smile as he introduced Luca to everyone again, this time as his boyfriend. Not that Luca minded, let the whole world know that he loves Alberto Scorfano.