A few days since Luca had spilled the news of him leaving again had passed. The conversation had ended with Alberto crying in Luca's arms and the young boy letting down walls he never thought he would. But it felt nice to let his lover in and not have to hide his emotions all the time. That was something he loved about his bond with the blue sea monster. He understood him in a way that nobody else, even himself quite did. Alberto didn't know what he was going to do when Luca left for real. Phone calls and letters were no where near as nice as this. Currently, Luca was napping on Alberto's chest as Alberto ran his fingers through the soft chestnut curls of his boyfriend's hair.
Tonight was it. All the time they had left would end, morning come. Alberto looked out the window, trying not to let the pools of tears forming in his eyes free. He felt like all he had done in the past week was cry. He wasn't losing Luca for good but he knew it would be a good nine months before they would see each other again. The sun would rise in the morning and then set in the evening and take Luca with it. He imagined himself at the train station and didn't know how he would keep it together. But, he knew he had to. On account of that Luca's family and his family would be there to send him off.
Alberto's gaze drifted from the dark cerulean sky out the window to the angel sleeping on his chest. Luca's breaths were slow and leisurely as he rested. Alberto smiled. He's never seen Luca look so peaceful. Alberto gently stroked his cheek, as not to wake him. How did he end up so lucky? It was in that moment that Alberto knew he would do anything not lose Luca. Not many things in his life were certain, but he did know that this sea monster was his other half, his soulmate. He was willing to fight, and fight he would.
"Verro per ti amore mio, lo prometto." The purple sea moster whispered.
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Inevitably, the morning came. Just as they knew it would. So why was it still so hard to say goodbye? The morning started off with Alberto finding himself in the same position he had been the night prior. He and Luca must have fallen asleep like that. The younger boy woke up not long after his lover. They shared a morning of soft kisses, and whispered conversations about how Luca promised to write to his partner everyday. The rain pitter-pattered on the window sill, creating a soft ambiance that seemed to distract them from the fact that their goodbye was mere hours away.
Alberto made a promise to himself that he wouldn't cry today and yet here they are. On the train station platform as Luca stares up at the taller, olive skinned boy with cinnamon curls and star like freckles. He stares back down, not quite knowing what to do with himself. But, how could anyone know what do with them self as they are forced to say goodbye to the one piece of heaven he has here on earth?
"Please don't cry, I can't stand to see you cry." Luca pleads.
"Shit. I promised myself I wouldn't cry. I'm sorry caro, I feel like thats all I've been doing this week. You deserve better." Alberto responds. His gaze fixates on the ground, becoming ashamed of what he's putting his lover through. This can't be any easier for Luca.
"Hey look at me." Luca titles Alberto's chin up, not caring about the stares and gasps coming from on-lookers around them. They must not be used to seeing two boys in love. "Look me in the eye."
Alberto does as he's told and looks into those darling, mahogany eyes. The purple sea monster could pick them out in room of millions of pairs of brown eyes. His breath hitches as he fixates on Luca, taking in the melancholy and angelic beauty all at once.
"I love you Beto. And me being faraway is not going to change that one bit. I promise to love you forever."
Alberto felt a surge of joy rising up from the bottom of his stomach. Hope glowed in his eyes. The older boy placed his hand on his lover's cheek and gently stroked it with his thumb, taking a step closer.
"Luca, you have showed me what love truly is. I didn't start living until I met you. I will never stop fighting for you, no matter how far you are. I'm never giving up on us. Ti amo piu della vita stessa."
Luca placed his own hand over Alberto's on his cheek and leaned into it. The hope radiating inside of his chest was contagious to his lover. The purple sea monster stepped even closer.
"Can I kiss you, one last time?" He whispered.
Alberto's hushed voice sent shivers down Luca's spine. Gosh, how he would miss the boy standing in front of him.
"The last one for now." Luca replied as his eyes peered up at Alberto's delicate smile
As warm breaths and rosy lips combined, Luca caressed his hands through Alberto's curls. Alberto let his hands travel down to the small of Luca's back, feeling every curve and shape, committing them to memory.
The other people at the train station didn't matter right now. It was just him and Luca in the world and this was their moment. Alberto didn't care about the slurs yelled at them by people passing by. The gasps of the public around them meant nothing. He would kiss his lover for the last time if it was the last thing he did.
They pulled apart, gazing at each other sorrowful but with a tinge of hope still remaining.
"Have a good trip, il mio tesoro. I will see as soon as I can." Alberto urged himself to keep his tears welled up just until Luca stepped on to the train. Gosh, this felt like that first summer all over again. It's funny how history repeats itself.
"Finche non ci incontreremo di nuovo, Beto."
And with one last embrace, the train rolled up. Luca stepped on and Alberto let himself cry, breaking his promise once again.
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Hey Guys! I hope you are enjoying the story! I'm gonna try to update this more frequently as this project is important to me and I love these two! Thank you for all your support, every vote and comment means the world!!
X,
Charlie
Italian Translations:
Finche non ci incontreremo di nuovo- Until we meet again
Il mio tesoro- my treasure
Ti amo piu della vita stessa- I love you more than life itself
Caro-dear
Verro per ti amore mio, lo prometto- I'll come for you my love, I promise.