Alberto was excited to see Signora Paguro. It had been a while since they talked. Signora Paguro was full of wisdom and Alberto loved when she shared her wisdom with him. He had truly learned a lot from the old sea monster.
Luca's family's cave came into view and Alberto felt his tail swish a little faster at the excitement that he felt building up inside of him. For the first time in weeks, he felt a little hope. He was going to get his best friend back.
Signora Paguro was sitting at the dining stone (what sea-folk call their dining table).
"Ciao, Signora Paguro!" Alberto shouted as he swam into the cave, embracing the old woman in his arms.
"Aye Alberto, Guppie, to what do I owe this lovely surprise?" Nonna Paguro replied.
Alberto felt the corners of his mouth stretch up into a smile at the mention of the old nickname she used for him.
"It's been a while Nonna! I just wanted check in on how you were doing, seeing if you needed anything fixed or someone to go hunting for sea cucumbers."
Alberto tried to dance around the real reason he was here but the old sea monster was smart and knew him well.
"Thats very kind of you Guppie but I know you better than that. Why are you really here?"
Alberto scratched the back of his neck with his arm, a habit he did when he was nervous.
"Well, it's actually about your grandson, Luca."
"Aye, si. Well, go on." Signora Paguro gave a little smirk. She'd been waiting a long time for this day.
"Oh wow, okay," Alberto took a deep breath. "Well it all started while Luca and I were watching a movie, the two main characters kissed. I guess that sparked some curiosity within me because I got this idea to sort of uhh..kiss Luca. I mean he just looked so beautiful sitting there in the dim light of the moon shining through the window..um not the point. And so basically, he kissed me back and then I pulled away because I got scared. I mean why would anyone as wonderful as Luca ever even consider me? And not to mention the fact that humans look down on the idea of being with the same gender, I'm not normal but I bet Luca is, I bet he didn't even want to kiss me. And then the next day Giulia told me that she likes Luca and asked me to help her come up with a plan to tell him and so right now their on a date. And he probably said yes and I just couldn't handle that so I came here. Because now everything between me and Luca is so messy and we're not even talking and I just want my best friend back. I wish I never kissed him."
Signora Paguro just smiled the biggest smile at Alberto. His brows creased in confusion.
"Congratulations, Alberto." She said.
"Huh, for what? Io sono confuso."
"Guppie, everyone around you can see, you and Luca are very fond of each other."
"Well, I know I'm fond of him, but why would he be so fond of me?"
"Because you two are mates! You are meant to be, I'm sure of it!"
"Nonna, I appreciate your comforting words, but why would you want a reject like me mating with your grandson?"
Signora Paguro swam over to Alberto, sitting down and placing a scaly hand on his shoulder.
"Alberto, there is no one else I'd rather have to date my grandson. I see you two together and I have no doubts."
"Wait- so you think he feels the same way? Then why did he say yes to Giulia?"
She poked his chest. "You need some confidence Guppie. I know for a fact that Luca returns your feelings. There's no one else he talks about, his face lights up whenever I mention you. He most likely said yes to Giulia because he's getting mixed signals from your end, I know you Alberto. If you are sure of your true feelings, then you need to make it known to Luca before it's too late."
Alberto felt the sudden urge to go wherever Luca was and just confess everything to him. His jaw dropped expression quickly turned into a big smile.
"I will Nonna, I promise you."
"Good Guppie, now go! What are you waiting for?!"
Alberto was about ready to swim off and find Luca where ever he was but then a sudden realization floated into his mind.
"Wait Nonna, what about the other big problem? You know..."
Signora Paguro looked at Alberto in confusion. "I don't quite understand what you're trying to say Guppie."
"Luca's a boy. I'm a boy." Alberto looked down at the ground feeling shameful.
"Alberto, tesoro, first of all we are sea monsters, not humans. Look around, you know plenty of sea monsters with same sex mates. We don't mate by gender down here or looks, we mate by connection."
It was true. Alberto could think of many sea folk he knew with same sex partners.
"But what about the humans, how will they react?"
"Frankly, the humans are still dealing with a lot of their own moral quandaries. But we as sea folk cannot wait for them to catch up. I will tell you, Guppy, this world isn't perfect. Not everyone will accept you. But, those who truly love you will stay by your side and they will support you."
Alberto smiled and gave Signora Paguro the biggest hug he could. He owed her everything.
"You have no idea how much you have helped me. Thank you Nonna."
Alberto was ready to find Luca.