schoolingfish | (Reply)

From:

[ Alberto swallows hard when he hears his name. It's still hard for him to feel comfortable with being vulnerable and transparent, even after so much progress — largely with Bruno's help... and of course Luca's. Which is why it shouldn't surprise him when Luca pulls him into a hug right away; but the last two times "this" has happened (his racing mind already connecting these dots with losing his father and Massimo), there'd been no one to hug him. He was alone — and now, even finding himself in the same position again, he's not alone. Luca's hug reminds him of this, a powerful realization to break the surreal trance this news left him in. He hugs Luca back instinctually, but after a moment, just long enough to register this new reality, he tightens the hug and clings to Luca's shoulders more desperately, burying his face in the crook of Luca's neck. He takes in a sharp, anxious inhale and lets it out in a shaky, shallow sigh. He's willing himself to keep composure, but he feels a tidal wave swelling inside as the shock settles. His voice breaks slightly when he first speaks, but he swallows the lump forming in his throat again and tries to cover it up smoothly. ]

I thought maybe— M-Maybe he got kidnapped again or something. But Luisa said no... He's gone...