Archive of Our Own

It was Alberto’s favourite day of the entire year. The first day of summer.

He was already eagerly waiting at the train station. In the past 3 years, not much had changed. The stones underfoot were various shades of grey and green and brown; blades of grass sprouted between them, pushing through the grout as they so often did this time of year. The wind was slow, hot, and humid; carrying with it the scent of fresh salt and fish from the sea.

Beside him stood Massimo; stoic as ever, but even Alberto could tell how excited he was to see Guilia and Luca again.

The train pulled in on the tracks, a sharp sound in the otherwise quiet air as the breaks squealed against metal. The smell of the gasoline and grit and oil was enough to make Alberto feel as though he lived in a big city — and the rather stench of it always reminded him of how glad he was that he didn’t.

The train seemed to take forever as it gradually came to a stop. Alberto was practically jumping on his toes. After what felt like forever, the doors finally swished open.

One person, then another, then another. He barely even skimmed their faces, searching the moving crowd for one face and one face only.

He caught glimpse of Luca’s curled hair before he saw his eyes; he fell into place behind those ahead in a stream from the train doors. Close behind him was Giulia. They were talking; finishing up a hearty conversation, eyes slightly crinked and cheeks the same rosy colour they always were.

But the moment Luca laid eyes on Alberto, there was no stopping him. Had he been any less polite, he would have bowled over the innocent bystanders just to reach him; but he didn’t. Instead, he politely weaved through them with a few head nods and sorrys before reaching Alberto.

Alberto always anticipated this part. He could already feel it; the way his heart tried to claw free from his chest. For the past three years, it had been this way. This subtle routine; this subtle conditioning.

He held out his arms, and he could barely get them open fast enough to catch Luca as he leapt into them. Alberto lifted him up, hugging him so tightly it hurt. He’d gotten quite a bit taller than Luca, so it didn’t take much to take him off his toes.

He spun Luca around in one swift motion, and then with the utmost gentleness, let him slip from his arms and plant his feet to the rocky floor once again.

Massimo swept Guilia up in a big hug, single handedly of course, the moment he’d laid eyes on her; and by the time Luca and Alberto managed to part, the two were already in conversation with Guilia’s voice carrying all the way across the platform. But she’d paused as Alberto glanced her way, and then quickly turned to approach with a beaming smile. Alberto gave her a sideways hug, and she returned the gesture with a full one. Over the years, and with Massimo’s adoption of him, he’d really grown to appreciate Guilia as a sister. And already, she’d fallen away from him to continue telling her loud and eager story to her dad.

The three had written letters back and forth for the entire summer, just as they always did, but there was always still so much to say whenever the time came to see one another again.

Alberto was already brimming with excitement at the summer to come.

He walked with Luca, Guilia, and Massimo back down the open street and towards his house.

Even so, Alberto was always reminded in these early summer moments of that first summer which they’d shared. Sleeping in Guilia’s hide-out, together, side-by-side each night. They’d still shared nights plenty of times, but it was… never enough.

But something about this summer felt new. Maybe it was the thickness in the air, or the static that crept up his skin. But Alberto somehow felt more confident; and he knew from the start that this summer would be a memorable one.

• • •

Luca couldn’t stay for long. The underdogs made their way to Massimo’s house, where Guilia and Alberto now lived. But Luca, of course, didn’t live with them. He had his own family, in the reef, to stay with.

In these past three years, Alberto had never visited Luca’s home in the reef. He’d thought about it, considered it, hesitated, and in the end always politely declined Luca’s offers. The truth was that Alberto knew nothing of sea life. His mother and father had already parted ways from their colony by the time he was born; he’d swam in the ocean, but never had he lived in it. Never had he slept in it. He wasn’t afraid of water, but he was afraid of people. More than anything, he was afraid that Luca’s family may not accept him if they discovered just how green he was.

But on days like this, Alberto couldn’t stand to watch Luca go. And he didn’t have to. It was a choice.

Today, he felt brave. Today, he’d make a new choice. A better choice.

A year ago, Luca had given up on asking him to come over, to eat dinner in the ocean, to spend the night; but today, Alberto would ask.

Luca sat between Guilia and Alberto at the table as Massimo excitedly prepared a lunch of blackened fish, topped with basil and lemon. The scent was fresh and lightly spicy; already, Alberto’s mouth was watering.

“So,” Massimo was saying from over the stovetop, “Luca, Guiletta was telling me of this… astrophysics program you are in. Very impressive.” He turned only to glance at Luca with a curious gaze, and Alberto followed his lead. Over the years, he’d become a bit more intrigued by the stars; and he’d learned quite a few fun facts about them from Luca.

“Oh! Yeah,” Luca said, rather sheepish, “It’s not a big deal—“

“Not a big deal?!” Guilia said, mouth agape. “Not a big deal? Luca, only 25 students of the entire school were selected for that program! Not even I could make it in. Papa,” and she turned to Massimo, “It is a HUGE honour!”

He huffed a laugh, “Learning lots there, huh?”

“For sure!”

Alberto soaked it all in; the familiarity, the amazement. The warmth of the room.

And then his excitement overcame him, and he shook Luca at the shoulder, “Luca, this is great news! I’m so proud of you!” And he hadn’t even realised he’d said it until Luca’s eyes widened, just a little, and then faltered into a bright smile.

“It is pretty cool,” he said, seizing the opening, “They’re teaching us how stars are made right now!” And then his sentence strung on with a bunch of bigger words that Alberto didn’t recognise, like nebulae and nuclear fusion and plasma, but he was excited to hear it nonetheless. He caught bits and pieces he recognised, and figured out the gist by the end of it — even more impressed by how far Luca had come in his knowledge of the stars.

Alberto seemed to have fallen behind some years ago. Massimo enrolled him in the local school of Portorosso, but it was no comparison to the private school in Genova that Luca and Guilia attended — and for the most part, Alberto was homeschooled. Not necessarily by Massimo, but with textbooks and homework that he hated; a part of the curriculum that Portorosso offered for those who had to work.

Sometimes, Luca seemed so far ahead that Alberto was certain if he reached out, he wouldn’t even be able to touch him. Once, there was a time when Luca seemed naive. And Alberto was grateful that he no longer was — but now Alberto knew what it meant to be in that place. He wasn’t great at acting human, and he wasn’t great at school; and worst of all, he wasn’t even good at being a sea monster, either.

But he was good at what he did. Catching fish; he’d taken up cooking, and had become quite the young chef. He’d continued to draw, realism now, and that had improved wide and far. But whenever it came to knowledge, to math, to anything requiring more than just… creativity and confidence, he’d failed or lacked.

But it did make him feel better to know that Luca was still just as terrible at drawing.

The group dined in on their lunch; and then it was afternoon, and Luca declared he had to leave to see his parents. On the first day back, he could never stick around for long.

Luca offered a thanks to Massimo for dinner, patted Machaveli’s head, hugged Guilia; and then turned to Alberto, almost expectantly, but completely quiet. He seemed as though he had more to say.

Alberto began before Luca could even start.

“Luca,” he said, “If it’s alright with you, could I…” he glanced at the floor. After years of avoiding this, of avoiding the seafolk, and now he was asking. But he decided to seize the moment before his confidence gave way completely. “Could I come with you? To the reef?”

He watched in awe as Luca’s entire expression lit up, his round eyes widening, and then a bright smile followed.

“Yes, definitely! I have been just dying to show you my town!” He almost hopped as he said it, the excitement trying to leave his body.

It was Alberto’s turn to say his goodbyes, although he knew they’d be back in a day or so. Luca’s excitement settled him, but only so much, and as he gave Guilia her second hug of the day, he felt his hands tremble against her back.

She pulled back and eyed him, one brow raised knowingly. But then she lifted her chin, smiled, and said, “You’ll do great, just like you did in Portorosso.”

“Thanks, Guilia.”

“Caio, Ragazzi.”

• • •

The afternoon had settled into a warm, grey evening on the horizon as Luca and Alberto made their way down to the pebbled shore. The ocean was particularly beautiful here; the waves a translucent swirl over the coast, a soft crash in every frothy landing. Then the wave would fade into sea foam and gently caress the shoreline, right over Alberto’s toes, turning them purple.

Unlike in Genova, Portorosso was quite well known to the seafolk as an accepting town. Since their big win at the Portorosso Cup 3 years back, several more seafolk had climbed from the water to explore the town or hang out with human friends on weekends. A few had even decided to stay in the town, and all for similar reasons — but Alberto hadn’t put those pieces together just quite yet.

He glanced sideways at Luca, admiring the way the late sun and early moon glinted gentle white off of the curls of his hairline. He knew it would be his last chance to see it for a little while, so he took his time to stare before taking a deep, trembling breath. Luca nodded in his direction, and then took the plunge; and Alberto had to silence Bruno in order to follow. Before he’d even hit the salty water, his heart was already thundering in his chest.

The water was shockingly cold, but only for a second as his purple and blue scales popped over skin and shielded his blood from the temperature. And then it just felt softly cool, and the water enveloped him as it always did; like a comforting blanket, weighted and floating around him.

Luca took a little longer to adjust. Every year, getting back into the water seemed to get more difficult for him after spending most of the year avoiding it. He ruffled his head scales, swung his tail through the water twice, and then blinked as if just now opening his eyes to the abyss of the ocean before them. To a human, the water would just be black at this time of dusk; but with adept eyes made for salt water, they could see through it clearly.

And then Luca flashed Alberto a sharp, toothy grin, and pulled himself ahead. Alberto felt what he always felt in the water; it was like the ocean held his memories for him, keeping them tucked away neatly, and the moment he revisited they all came back to him. Those early days, the time on the island; the day he met Luca. That memory he held close to his chest.

The two flew through the water, tails like whips behind them. Alberto had always been proud of the fact that his tail was nearly twice the length of Luca’s, even more prominent now in their older age. He was a faster swimmer, but he would slow down to meet Luca’s pace and only hope that Luca didn’t notice how much effort it took to do so.

It didn’t take long for them to pass the shore of the island, and now, the place seemed shrouded in darkness. Alberto could never shake the creeping ache he got whenever he saw it in the distance from Portorosso’s shores. With Luca, he’d made good memories there. But any before Luca were a whipped up blur that he’d chosen never to revisit, although they crept up on him whenever the world went quiet.

From the island, it was only a short swim to reach Luca’s home town in the reef. The water felt bluer here, the kelp greener, the surface not too far above; even here, Alberto could see the moon rising over the water’s edge, a reflection of white swirls casting swishing pale rays over the homes of the seafolk. Most were settling in for the night, but a few waved their hello’s as Luca passed; and a few more stared with slightly narrowed eyes at Alberto’s approach. Not even a minute into town, and already, he felt his scales grow hot under their gaze. He knew he didn’t belong here, and they knew it, too. He hadn’t been raised in a town like this; all he’d ever known was the island. All he’d ever known was his father and his heavy absence.

Luca led him through the fields of fluttering seaweed and to his cave, where bioluminescent algae glowed like nightlights along the walls. His parents were already waiting for him. Luca did not hesitate; he swam into his mother’s arms, and she swept him into a big hug and spun him around with a swish of her tail. And then she glanced at Alberto, who was terribly still. She blinked with surprise and then smiled warmly, and gestured for him to come inside.

Her tone was a specific kind of gentle with Alberto, as if she was trying her best not to scare off a skittish dog.

“I see you finally decided to come down and see the reef,” she said.

“I… figured it was time,” he said with a slight shrug, and a somewhat awkward smile.

“Well,” she said with a nod, “I’m glad you did.”

“Alberto,” and Luca’s voice cut through the room at about double the volume of his parents. “Tomorrow, I will show you the entire town and the fields and I will introduce you to the neighbours, and then the next day we can watch the crab show and we can—“ and then he gasped, like a lightbulb had just appeared over his head. Alberto barely caught half of what he was saying, but he had to laugh as Luca cupped both hands to his face in an excitable squeeze, “Alberto has never seen the courting dance!”

He’d said it right to Alberto’s face, but really he was talking to his parents. He whipped around, but his eyes fell to his grandmother, who Alberto had actually grown to know very well as she would visit him often in Portorosso. She waved at him, and then turned to Luca with a short laugh.

“You’re old enough now that you could participate,” she said.

Luca’s parents exchanged a look; something with invisible words that Alberto had no idea how to read, but he judged Luca’s expression which slowly began to fall.

“Okay,” his mother finally said. “It should be fun.”

And like that, Luca was a rocket again; he swam in a circle around the dining table and then back to Alberto’s side.

Alberto had the feeling that he may be here for more than just a day or two.

• • •

It took a while to settle down, but eventually the two were off for the night.

“My bedroom,” Luca introduced him, leading Alberto to the hole in the wall. A kelp bed on either side; his grandmother already preparing for bed on the left. “Different than the humans, I know.”

“Seafolk are very… family oriented,” Alberto observed.

“It’s a, uh, small community.” But Luca didn’t hang twice on the words. “You know what the courting dance is?”

“Totally! But, uh, tell me just in case.”

Luca had to laugh. He settled down on the edge of the bed and gestured for Alberto to sit beside him.

Alberto felt… so out of place here. In an ironic way, like a fish out of water. But Luca’s gentle hand guided him, and he slowly sat down on the bed, the kelp a soft tickle against his scales.

“So the summertime is the best time for the reef,” Luca said, “That’s when we have our annual crab show and that’s when the courting season is. Basically, it’s just a way for seafolk to meet people and go on dates and stuff like that. It’s how my mom and dad met; and a lot of the other families, too.”

Alberto stiffened a little at the mention of that word, dates. Courting season? Of course. It was in the name. He knew what it meant to court a woman. To try and gain her affection, to see if she would have you. He remembered his father talking briefly about his mom from time to time; and one day, he’d told Alberto how he’d courted her with flowers from the shore.

And although it didn’t immediately jump to his mind, his following thought was just curiousity — and maybe a bit of embarrassment. Was Luca inviting him… Luca was, in fact, inviting him to this so-called courting dance summer thing. But the way Luca worded it had made it sound more like a fun, seasonal event, and less like… well, what the name made it sound like. Apparently it was a gathering for the entire town, as Luca explained, and the kids would play games and the adults would dance and sing and make great meals. It was traditional that couples would dance together and those without a partner would find someone to partner with for the night.

It was half past midnight when his grandmother finally hissed, “Go to sleep already or I’ll be up the entire night!” And with a short giggle, Luca settled into the bed against the wall and Alberto tried to make do with the small space beside him. He was so careful to try and avoid touching Luca, but in the space, it was impossible. Their arms and tails brushed in every breath fall.

It wasn’t as if they hadn’t shared a room a thousand times before, but after Luca’s talk and talk of the courting dance that he would finally get to participate in, all Alberto could imagine was the idea of them dancing together. He tried to shake it from his mind, but more often than not lately, he would get those thoughts like that and they would bug him for the rest of the night. He tried to brush it off — of course he loved Luca, of course he wanted to spend time with him — but he’d also grown curious. Is this what it could feel like to want to court someone? Is this what his parents felt like? Luca’s parents felt like?

But he had no one to ask, so the questions would remain open to his interpretation. For now, he didn’t know what they meant; he only knew how excited he was starting to become for the days ahead.

He stared at the ceiling for a while, listening to the gentle breathing of Luca beside him; the light swish that water made against water. And he smiled fondly as he closed his eyes, hands crossed behind his head, because this was exactly where he needed to be — even for as out of place as he still felt.

• • •

The morning came far too soon and early. The water seemed to brighten up faster than the air above, and so it became a vibrant blue long before Alberto would have normally been awake. But Luca forced him up with a giddy grab of his claws on Alberto’s arm, practically pulling him out of the bed. Alberto fluttered in the water, shaking out the fins atop of his head, and then swishing his tail a bit to stretch it. Luca’s grandmother was already gone, and he could hear her and Luca’s parents chit-chatting in the living area of the little cave.

With a bit of grogginess, he allowed Luca to lead him by the wrist through the window and to the dining table. The good thing about water? He didn’t have to walk; with Luca at the reins, he just had to float as he was drug along.

Daniela greeted him first with a short laugh and a, “Good morning. Not an early bird?”

“Not really…”

She laughed again, but Alberto didn’t think it was that funny. “Luca is the same, but he’s just excited today to show you around.”

“Mom,” Luca hissed, and Alberto then recognised Daniela’s tone as teasing.

“I bet he barely slept at all last night,” she said. “He’s been hoping you’d join us every summer.”

And Alberto felt her heavy gaze on him. Calm, kind… almost accusatory. Almost fake. He couldn’t bear to look back at her, still waking up, and so he only turned and glanced at Luca’s green face which was bright as ever.

“Oh!” Luca said, “I’ll show you the fish first. The barn, I mean. I mean our fish.” And then he laughed sheepishly. “And then the town!”

“Eat your breakfast first, son,” his dad said, gesturing to the balls of seaweed his mother made in a bowl on the table. Alberto knew these well, as his dad had once showed him how to make them whenever he was younger. Slightly tart, slightly salty. He ate two, Luca ate one (very quickly at that), and then Luca was dragging him off again without so much as a goodbye. His parents only stared after them with half-smiles and hands on hips.

Luca didn’t catch it, but Alberto did. The slight look of worry in Daniela’s eyes, the slight crease of her brows, and the shared invisible look with his father. Alberto recognised it, because he’d worn it himself so many times. Only this time, he could not decide what it is that she was concerned about. But for some reason, he knew it had to do with his presence, and he felt utterly small compared to Luca’s family. For all the growing they’d done that one summer ago, Alberto rarely saw Luca’s parents; only when they chose to travel to Portorosso on rare occasion to share a meal with Massimo and Guilia. They’d always been kind and respectful and utterly polite. But here, in their territory, in their home, with their son… Alberto felt judged by their eyes for a reason he couldn’t place just yet. He couldn’t shake the creeping thought.

He turned back to Luca’s attention as they swam through the kelp yard. The sea grass swished side to side in a green rippling effect, like cattails in a windy field.

Luca took his hand then as he led him through the field and to another domed structure, lined with sea grass and kelp, and the silvery fish grazed in front. They raised them for meat and shedded scales, which could be eaten something like chips.

“It isn’t my job anymore,” Luca said, “But growing up, I was the shepherd.”

“The… shepherd?” Alberto repeated.

“Yeah! When you met me, that’s what I was doing. I herd the fish, and bring them to grazing grounds when this is all eaten up.”

“Ohhh.” And Alberto just pretended to know what he meant. He got the gist of it, after all; that was enough.

Alberto had been around fishermen of every kind, gardeners, those who farmed wheat with tractors and horses, but animal farmers? That was pretty much new to him, and he was a little surprised that in all this time he had never asked Luca what exactly he did on the reef when growing up. But it did remind him a little of word Massimo had gotten of fish farmers — people who would grow and raise fish in small nets out on the ocean, then mass butcher them for sale in stores. It sounded… superficial, as there was no hunt, no work involved, so he thought. But what Luca’s family did here seemed more reasonable, and he fairly quickly put two-and-two together that it was the same with the crabs. They’d raise them, show them, and eat them and harvest their shells to make dishes and bowls.

After all, a sea monster couldn’t sustain on kelp alone. Meat was essential, and in today’s age, hunting felt… graphic, and not to mention risky. So farming, caring for animals, and raising them from young was the humane alternative.

But in addition to growing kelp and seaweed and sea grass, Alberto learned they still foraged. Whenever he lived on the island, foraging was about all he did in order to find food. He could forage for kelp in small amounts, but a better delicacy was sea cucumbers, jellyfish for spice, oysters and clams, and even small fish and crustaceans which could be trapped with square nets. Even algae and moss could be eaten, usually much in the same way that humans ate rice; to be topped and flavoured with other ingredients, or formed into balls and wrapped with kelp and fish.

“Come on,” Luca said at last, and without hesitation, he grabbed Alberto’s arm once again — this was becoming a common occurrence, and one that Alberto was used to every year. “I’ll show you the rest of the town.”

Alberto was interested in how Luca and his family lived, in their crabs and their fish and their kelp garden, their unusual little homes and their sea beds. He was eager to see the town, but his heart began to sink the closer they got. He’d caught glimpse of it last night, and most of all, of the eyes which seemed to follow him as he swam along beside Luca. They stared so hard, they burned his skin.

Because it was Luca. The perfect child, the charmer. Maybe a trouble maker — but that wasn’t out of the ordinary. And despite all they’d accomplished together on the surface these past few years, the town had grown wary of Alberto as the classic bad influence. Not only had he been the one to introduce Luca to the surface, but he’d also been the reason that Daniela had agreed to let Luca stay on the surface; and he’d been the start to several other members of the town leaving to start new lives in Portorosso. To the seafolk of the reef, Alberto was the sole reason for their dwindling numbers. It was still a decent-sized town for seafolk, maybe a population of 200 or so, but the seafolk were still on edge. Decades of being hunted, and their population didn’t grow back overnight. If anything, it continued to shrink as more and more decided to pursue lives as humans rather than as sea monsters.

Alberto wasn’t quite entirely aware of this yet, but he could sense that they didn’t like him, and he could sense that a lot of it had to do with the freshly empty homes and Luca’s long leave of absences.

Luca was oblivious. He swam through the soft algae streets of the blue and green town, waving hello at perceivably friendly neighbours and acquaintances. A few young sea monsters — maybe 8 years or so — swam up to them and stopped them in their tracks. Alberto’s eyes widened a little. He’d never seen such small sea creatures before, with eyes so big and their skin a plethora of cool-toned colours.

“Luca!” One said, and reached out and hugged Luca, and Luca hugged him back. His voice was so high pitched, Alberto could barely understand his words. “Is this Alberto?” And the little boy pronounced his name so awkwardly, he had to laugh.

“It is!” Luca said, and he glanced at Alberto with such a warmth that he seemed to beam. He’d told this little kid about Alberto? That was enough to give his confidence back to him.

Alberto approached the little fellow, “I have finally come to see your town! It’s amazing,” he said. “I really like your sea grass fields.”

“The fields?” The boy said with a frown. “Those are boring!”

“I don’t think so,” Alberto said. “I think they’re really pretty.” He felt a hand on his shoulder; Luca’s, there for comfort, or maybe just to ensure that Alberto couldn’t get away if he abruptly changed his mind and headed back for the surface.

“Are there fields on the surface, too?” The boy squeaked, eyes wide and dazzled.

“Yes,” Alberto said. “Big ones, ten times the size of yours!”

And the little kid swept himself up into a quick spin, “One day, I’ll go to Portorosso, too, and see for myself! I can work in the fields here, but maybe I can work in the fields there, too!”

“Yeah, maybe!”

But that last sentence of his hung in the water so sharply, Alberto could almost hear the next words spoken before they’d even been pronounced. The boy’s mother, sitting at the porch of her cobbled home, called him back to her.

“Eli, come back home now, dear!” And she tried to hide it with a gentle tone, but he could sense the desperation there. Alberto tentatively turned, slowly, to look her way. She stood (or rather hovered) on the porch then, tail swishing behind her, her clawed hands clenched over a very pregnant belly. And Alberto saw her. A mother desperate to keep her children at home.

Luca and Alberto watched the grumpy little boy swim off. And then they shared a quiet glance.

Luca blinked, “That was a little weird… wasn’t it?”

“It’s, uh, your town, not mine. I don’t know what’s normal here…”

“She usually lets Eli hang out with me in the summertime,” he said, and he actually looked a bit disappointed. “He’s kind of like my apprentice.”

Alberto let out a laugh, “Apprentice? For what?”

Luca laughed, too, “I don’t know. That’s just the kind of dynamic we have.”

But the short laughter died down, and then there was just the sound of the rocking waves overhead and the distant call of a whale.

“Well,” Luca said, “I can introduce you to the Branzinos.”

“Introduce me?”

“They’re our neighbours!” And Alberto didn’t have a chance to protest as Luca pulled him forward by the wrist. But slowly, he grew a sinking feeling in his chest. Would they even want to meet him? What would they say? What would they think of him?

He only clenched his fangs and tried not to think about it as Luca’s tail propelled them forward.

It wasn’t long for them to swim through the main part of the town, past a few fields of kelp, and then circle back around to Luca’s house. His house and the stone barn was in the distance, but Luca slowed his swim and approached the neighbour’s home instead. A pale green sea monster was out front, tending to some corals and sea grass. Not far behind him, on the porch of their home, was a dark purple woman carrying a 2-year-old in her arm, who was ferociously chewing on the green coils of her top.

“Mr. Branzino,” Luca introduced. “How is Camilla?”

The man smiled at him, looking up from his garden, “She’s doing really well. Spoke her first words a few months ago!”

“Awe, congratulations,” Luca said. “I wanted to introduce you to Alberto!”

Alberto was more sheepish than he pretended to be. But with a bit of surprise, the man approached him warmly and offered a hand to shake.

Alberto hesitated only a moment before reaching out for it.

“Alberto,” he said, with a sharp pronunciation of the L. “I’ve heard a lot about you. Glad you finally decided to join us.”

Alberto wasn’t entirely sure what he meant — and he wanted to make sure he knew that Alberto wasn’t staying forever. But for fear of ruining his one chance at connecting with someone in Luca’s town, he only smiled awkwardly and said, “Yep! I thought it was finally time.”

“I know you didn’t live in a reef town growing up,” Mr. Branzino said, “But Luca does good work here, so I’m sure he will teach you well.”

Luca beamed a little, and then turned to Alberto to share the joy. Alberto’s shoulders fell a little as he slowly began to relax.

“He has shown me the whole town,” Alberto said. “He told me you have some annual events coming up.”

“Oh, yes! The crab show, and of course the courting season is among us.” He gave a suggestive look, and Alberto faltered. “Any women in your life for you to bring to the festival?”

He hesitated, but Luca piped up for him, “Alberto is from Portorosso, he has not had a chance to be around any seafolk except for me.”

“Ah, well. Maybe you’ll meet a pretty girl there, then.”

Alberto glanced in Luca’s direction, and his face seemed bluer than usual. He only laughed a little, “Maybe,” and then turned back to Alberto. “We should get going! I am sure my mother has lunch ready now.”

“Okay, Luca,” he said, “Stop by again and I will introduce Alberto to Camilla.”

“Will do!”

They nodded a small goodbye, and then Luca gestured for Alberto to follow.

Alberto felt a little better about himself then. He swam more confidently; there was no need for Luca to drag him back home.

“So,” Luca spoke as they slowly swam, “What do you think?”

“I’m not sure what I was expecting,” Alberto admitted, “But I like your town. The people seem… nice.”

“They are! Very, ha ha, folksy. But sometimes they can be rude, too.”

“Not too different from Portorosso.”

Luca thought about that for a minute, “Yeah, you’re right! They are pretty similar.” There was a brief silence, and Luca followed again, “So, you’d really never been to a town on the reef before now?”

“No. I mean, I’ve seen it. I’ve seen your town before. But I was pretty much born and raised on that island.”

“Well, Alberto,” and he felt Luca’s gaze fall on the side of his cheek, “I am very glad you decided to come down this time. What changed your mind?”

“I… I don’t know. I’d just been so worried that I wouldn’t fit in but… I know how much it means to you.”

He felt a bit of a shock as Luca took his hand; this time, not to drag him along, but just to hold it there. Just to provide comfort.

“Well, thank you. I’m sure my town will get used to you! My family didn’t take that long.”

“Yeah…” He had to look away, but he held Luca’s hand just a little tighter. It made sense that he didn’t fit in right away. He wasn’t from here; he’d never been here. But still, it felt… almost hurtful. He didn’t completely fit in with humans, and now he was certain that he didn’t fit in with the seafolk, either.

• • •

They swam into Luca’s home, and sure enough, lunch was ready; this time, crab and kelp. The family gathered around the table to eat.

“How was the tour today?” Daniela asked the two of them from across the table.

“It was good,” Alberto said.

“I showed him the entire town, and the barn, and the fields. Oh! And I introduced him to the Branzinos. Did you know Camilla spoke her first words already?” And then he sighed dramatically, “I can’t believe I missed it!”

“I’m sure she will have plenty more words to say to you,” Daniela laughed. “With the way her mother talks,” and then she turned a bit sour, “I’m sure she will be just as loud and just as perfect at everything.”

Alberto almost laughed, but then thought twice about it. He’d never seen her like that before, and as amusing as it was, it was a little scary, too. After all, Camilla was just a baby, and the Branzinos seemed to be their friendly neighbours.

• • •

After lunch, Luca and Alberto went out exploring once again; they stayed clear of the island, but they ventured out past the town and Luca brought Alberto to the fish’s grazing grounds. It was almost uncanny, seeing it all these years later; Alberto had only been there once, and that was the moment he’d met Luca.

They laid down in the reef together, letting the tall, wavering grass wash over them while staring up at what little they could make out of the sky.

“I used to spend a lot of time here like this,” Luca said. “Because for half the day, I’d just be out here doing nothing.”

“That sounds… pretty boring.”

“Ha ha. Yeah, it was. But I’d always daydream about going up to the surface.” He reached out a hand, as if even from here, it was all he could think about.

“Are you… happier on the surface?”

Luca glanced at him quizzically, “I don’t think that I was unhappy down here. I think I just… needed to do more. Needed to go my own way.” He rolled over onto his side to face Alberto. “I am very happy now.” Alberto looked him over, studying his face; his features, the way his skin blended into the green and blue of his scales. The way the water casted shallow, blue ripples over it. “…Are you happy now?”

Alberto felt himself freeze, blinking; only then realising he’d been staring for far too long and hadn’t said anything in over a minute.

“Uh, yeah!”

“You seem unsettled down here,” Luca said, almost with a laugh. “It’s funny, because I always thought you knew everything about everything.”

“Hey, I still know a lot!”

He laughed, “I know! You know more about humans, about fishing, about Portorosso than I ever will. But down here, in the water, you’re… quieter.”

“I can’t help it. I don’t know what to say. If I say the wrong thing…”

“You don’t have to say the right things, Alberto. You can just talk freely, like you do with me. And anyone here who says otherwise, is not someone we want to be friends with, anyways.”

Alberto felt himself settle into the softness of the grass. He sighed, glancing back up at the light streaming through the surface of the ocean in a miraculous, translucent blue. The light danced, white sparkles at the peaks and deep navy at the lows.

• • •

The two boys swam back into town, hand in hand as Luca led the way. He was Alberto’s tour guide, showing him the ways, teaching him the culture, introducing him to the neighbours. It had taken nearly a full day of exploring, but at last they’d seen the entire town, and Alberto felt much more comfortable in his skin. He took Luca’s words to heart, and found himself more settled than ever, and with a genuine smile as he passed other seafolk.

A weight had been lifted.

He knew he was different, and green, and uncertain. But everyone in the town knew that, too. By Luca’s words, they should grant him grace. He could make mistakes, and that would be alright. For now, he was spending the day with his best friend in his hometown, and that was enough for him.

The two returned to Luca’s home. They all gathered around the table for a formal family dinner — a meal of aged salmon with a mixed salad side — and slowly, the conversations started up.

Daniela asked the boys about their day, and then her husband complimented the meal; and then Luca’s grandmother mentioned something about her game club in Portorosso. It went by fast, and for the first time, Alberto actually felt like he could actually belong here.

He was already excited for what tomorrow may bring as they finished their meals and conversations. He helped Daniela gather the dishes and she thanked him with a nod. And then he was ready for bed, Luca was already waiting for him in the bedroom with a smile just as bright as the day.

But as Alberto turned to leave the living area, Daniela’s hand fell on his shoulder, holding him back. He glanced up at her with raised brows.

“Alberto,” Daniela said, soft but assertive. “I actually had something I wanted to talk to you about.” He could tell that she was trying to be extra calm and gentle; as if at any moment, Alberto could lash out or run off.

But he felt his heart fall to his stomach, his blood run cold. He had no idea what this could possibly be about, but the entirety of every single mistake he’d ever made in the past 17 years flashed through his mind.

Still, he stiffly settled in; turning around to face her with his tail curled around his ankle.

“It’s alright,” and she almost chuckled a little, “You’re not in trouble; don’t worry.”

He let out a shallow sigh of relief, and tried to roll back his shoulders to relax, but he couldn’t shake off the intense feeling that something was very wrong.

“Alberto,” she said, still gentle as ever, “I know Luca mentioned the courting festival a bit to you. Did he talk about the courting season?”

“Uh… a little?” And now Alberto was just confused.

“The courting season starts the first day of summer,” Daniela said, “Yesterday. So the courting festival, the dance — that is all for celebrating. But the entirety of the summer is whenever the…” she sucked in water through her teeth, as if she wasn’t sure how to word it. “…The young adults, about you and Luca’s age, search for a life partner.”

Alberto nodded slowly. He was with her so far, and had assumed as much for the name of the courting season. But he still didn’t know why she was bringing it up now, nor what her point could possibly be. It seemed like a fun tradition to get young adults out of their homes and into the world; but surely it wasn’t that serious? And even if it was, Alberto hadn’t even talked to any girls yet, so how could he have possibly violated their tradition?

The confusion and the guilt for something he wasn’t even certain he’d done began to slowly creep in. He felt small under Daniela’s gaze.

“I know that Portorosso is… different,” Daniela continued, and she almost seemed… anxious? The way her eyes darted to the sides, the way she struggled to get the words out. “But I am… concerned… that the people of our town may get the… wrong impression about you and Luca.”

“…The wrong impression?”

“You were holding hands almost all day today,” she said.

“We weren’t—“

“I am just concerned that the town may be getting the impression that… you…” she almost seemed to be in physical pain as she tried to get the words out. “…That you are trying to court Luca.”

“…As in, like, a couple?”

“Yes.”

He mulled over her words for a minute. He didn’t get it; that wasn’t the case, but even if it was… “…Why does that matter…?”

“I’m… not sure what it’s like in Portorosso, but here, it is custom for a man and a woman to court, not…”

He understood then what she meant, and his gaze fell to the floor; his scales suddenly feeling hot.

“…I understand.”

She sounded much chipper then, “Good! I’m glad we’re on the same page. Now head off to bed, Alberto — tomorrow we will be helping set up for the festival, so it will be a big day!”

She patted him on the cheek, and he fought the urge to push her away.

Why did it matter? Why did anyone in this stupid town even care if he and Luca… There were plenty of same-sex couples in Portorosso, and nobody batted an eye. Alberto thought it was typical. But here, it wasn’t? It didn’t even occur to him that that could be an issue. And worst of all, he found comfort in Luca’s hugs, in his hands. Now, would he not be allowed to touch him at all? Not even…

He slowly turned and made his way out of the living area, his stomach a heavy rock; his mind swirling. He’d been scolded, and yet, he still wasn’t exactly sure why.

He stood in the doorway to the bedroom for a moment. Silent. The darkness had slowly crept in, and all he could see was the faint blue glow of the moon over the water outside, and the subtle outline of Luca’s green scaled form in the bed, his tail hanging off the edge.

Alberto tried to keep quiet, but the water held resonance, and Luca slowly lifted from the bed to look at him. At first, it was bright-eyed; but as he saw Alberto, his smile faltered and his eyes widened. He slowly pulled himself off of the bed and swam over to Alberto by the round doorway, careful so as not to wake his grandmother.

“What happened?” Luca asked, his voice a low whisper. “Why are you late to bed?”

“Nothing,” Alberto said, far too quickly. Luca saw right through him, his eyes a yellow sheen in the dark. “I heard it’s a big day tomorrow.”

“Don’t change the subject.”

“It’s fine. Let’s just head to bed now.”

“Alberto…” But Alberto had already swam past him — careful so as not to brush arms — and fell into the bed, leaving ample room for Luca to lay against the stone wall.

Luca stood in the doorway for a moment, and then quietly followed; but there was a density in the air that he could not place, and as he fell into the bed beside Alberto, he felt colder than usual.

• • •

They awoke early, but today, there was less excitement and both were equally groggy. They had to help one another out of the bed, lazily into the living area; lazily getting ready for the long day ahead.

Daniela and Lorenzo were already up and moving. They were making a large, delicate meal, but it wasn’t for breakfast; today, breakfast would be skipped as they needed all of their time to be focused on preparing for the upcoming festival. Daniela was in charge of providing ample snacks, as were several other families, and so she was putting together algae balls with crab legs for a neat, savoury presentation, topped with a single sour scale.

She’d already made about two dozen, but she’d need to make two dozen more at least. She was a rush around the small kitchen, rolling algae as Lorenzo harvested fresh crab and fresh fish scales.

The seafolk’s foods weren’t as strongly scented as humans’ were, but even from where he stood on the other side of the table, Alberto could tell they would taste good. Of course, just about anything would taste good to Alberto Scorfano.

“Anything you need us to do?” Luca asked.

Daniela gave the two boys a once-over, thought about it for a moment of stillness, and then said, “Not for now, but be back by lunch to help with the set-up.”

“Okay, Mom.”

“And Alberto,” she added, and Alberto froze. “Today, remember what we talked about.”

“I… I will, Mrs. Paguro.”

She nodded with a kind smile, and Alberto wondered how she could be so concerned about this. About him and Luca, whenever generally, she seemed to be… reasonable.

Luca flashed them both a confused, or even concerned, look. But then he slowly swam out of the home, and Alberto followed close behind.

The two swam on in silence for a short while. Today, Alberto wasn’t sure where they were going; but as if on instinct, he seemed to follow Luca as Luca mindlessly swam towards the barn. Just far enough to be alone; just close enough to still be in town.

And then he slowed to a halt with a sigh, turning around to face Alberto.

“What did my mom tell you? Last night?” He asked, and the worry was loud. “I swear, if she said—“

“Don’t worry,” Alberto said, and he tried his best to keep his cool. “She didn’t say anything bad. She just… gave me some tips on how to fit in with the town.”

He didn’t even understand why he didn’t just tell Luca the truth right then and there. Maybe he was trying to protect Luca’s relationship with his mother; or maybe he was trying to protect his relationship with himself. After all, if he heard the town thought the two might be a romantic couple… would that change things between them? Would Luca be disgusted at the idea?

It was a strong fear of rejection. A strong fear of losing the person who mattered to him most.

Luca didn’t seem to believe him, but slowly nodded anyways. “Alright…”

“Is there anything else you wanted to show me today?”

Luca thought about that for a moment. “Let me bring you to where the dance will be held,” he finally said, and his enthusiasm was replenished.

Alberto smiled rather softly, but allowed, unthinkingly, for Luca to take him by the hand and drag him away from the barn. It was so commonplace for them, so completely natural; Luca’s hand fell into his as easily as they fell into water.

But as they approached the core of the reef, and the stares started up again, Alberto remembered Daniela’s warning. No — her threat.

Slowly, Alberto pulled his hand away from Luca. He’d hoped Luca may not notice, but Alberto had to think about it so hard before doing it that he’d fallen back too many paces behind Luca for him to not notice.

Luca faltered as their hands fell apart, slowly turning around to face Alberto in the water.

“You alright?”

“Yeah! I’m fine,” he said. “Where is the dance?”

Luca saw right through him, but for now, he played along. “It’s in the centre of town,” he said, gesturing vaguely. “Not far now. They’re probably already setting it up.”

Alberto felt hollow as he followed Luca farther into town.

In the middle was a square of braided kelp, making for a deep green dance floor. To the side, rods from the floor had been decorated with colourful corals and sea urchins, and bioluminescent algae for nighttime. It wasn’t as impressive as the humans’ structures, but it was just as captivating.

Alberto watched as a few older women continued to braid the floor, knitting it tightly so that it wound like weave. Another was hanging up a string of kelp from one corner rod to the other, making a sort of purgala. And on the other end, a long table of makeshift boards and stones had been built, and already he could spot Daniela and Lorenzo bringing out the dish they’d made.

Seafolk bustled around, moving, chatting, and swimming about. It was lively.

Alberto couldn’t understand why Daniela had told him what she had. How could any one of these people not accept… it just didn’t make sense, and even now, seeing all of them like this, it was all that he could think about.

He hadn’t realised just how silent he’d gotten until Luca’s voice pulled him back to the present.

“Alberto,” he said. “Seriously. Are you alright? You know, you can tell me.”

But Alberto couldn’t. That was the problem. He wasn’t even sure why this had affected him in such a way. Why it felt like his world was growing smaller; why it felt like Luca would crumble in his hands if he got too close.

“I’m fine, Luca,” he said, but he hadn’t intended it to sound as sharp as it did.

“…Do you want to go home?”

And by home; he knew he meant Massimo’s place in Portorosso.

Alberto shook his head, waving his hands in protest, “No, Luca! I enjoy it here, really. I love seeing your town. And that—“ he pointed to the expertly weaved dance floor, “Is amazing! I’m excited to see the dance.”

Luca softened, “Okay. But if you change your mind… all you have to do is let me know.”

Luca reached out a hand, but Alberto focused intently on the seafolk gathering below and pretended not to see. He pretended not to see his wavering hand fall back to his side; nor to see the slight slump of his shoulders.

It killed Alberto silently.

The two swam back down to the floor and offered to help set-up for the dance.

It was a good change of pace for Alberto. This is what he was good at; carrying heavy things, gathering fish, helping tie knots and put together tables and seats. He fell into his grind as Luca was busy helping his parents with the snacks; and only from his peripheral vision did he occasionally catch a glimpse of him.

• • •

The day seemed to go by quickly as Alberto got caught up in his help. He felt a bit more comfortable as he slowly got to know the seafolk; he talked a bit more with the Branzinos, including Mrs. Branzino and her daughter; and here and there, he would get other seafolks introducing themselves and saying hello, or asking him for his help carrying or moving something.

The sky above the water gave way to a deep russet afternoon, and the work was slowly winding down. Come nightfall, the festivities would begin and stretch late into the next morning; but for now, most of the families fell back into their homes for an afternoon of relaxation or sleep.

Alberto and Luca finally managed to get away from helping out as the crowd dwindled. Luca’s parents returned to their home.

But instead of joining them, Luca swam off to a rolling field of fresh sea grass, and Alberto quickly followed him. This was a field they’d swam past several times, one that Alberto had admired as the water ran over it in waves; but it wasn’t one that he’d actually swam through before.

“Luca!” He called after him, uncertain of where they were heading now. His body was sore from a day’s work, and he was ready to head back; but he wouldn’t go anywhere without Luca. Not in the reef.

But Luca fell to a stop in the water ahead and then allowed his body to sink into the grass. It was about a foot high, just enough for Alberto to make out the outline of his glistening scales against the soft green blades.

He slowly stretched himself out and then settled down beside him; the sea grass softer than he’d expected.

“Alberto,” Luca said, slowly rolling over to look at him. Alberto knew what was coming before he’d even spoken it. “What did my mom tell you yesterday? I know you’ve been… avoiding me today.”

But what he really meant was you’ve been avoiding my touch, because the two had spent about the entire day together; and before helping out with setting up the dancing and dining areas, they’d been practically glued to the hip.

But the sea grass rustled with the rolling waves high overhead; the evening sun above the water a broken fractal of orange, casting a shimmering, warm glow over their scales. The shadows slowly grew long.

There was no one else around.

Alberto laid on his back, his tail wrapped around his left leg; he let out a sigh, staring up at the blue and orange and yellow.

“She… she just told me…” he wasn’t even sure how to word it. How could he tell Luca in such a way that didn’t threaten their friendship?

But Luca’s hand found a firm place on Alberto’s arm, and for the first time that day, he didn’t flinch away. Instead, he settled into it; practically melting on the spot. Letting out another shaky exhale; painfully aware of Luca’s eyes boring into the side of his cheek. Expectant. Worried.

He managed to get the words out after a moment of prolonged silence. “She told me that I needed to stop…” a little quieter, “…Holding your hand and stuff because the town might get the wrong idea about us.”

And then the words were out; and his gut had a rock forming in it, and for a moment, he couldn’t even breathe.

“Alberto,” Luca said, thinking for a moment. The silence seemed to stretch on forever. “Maybe… she’s right.”

Alberto sat up at that, only to look down at Luca laying beside him. Only to get a better view of him. His brows furrowed; eyes slightly narrowed. He couldn’t be serious? Was he… disgusted at the thought? Would it really be so bad? How could he agree with his mom on this? The thoughts swirled, and then it turned into hot rage.

“How can you say that she’s right about this?” Alberto blurted. He hadn’t intended for it to be so sharp, so angry — but he didn’t care.

“I don’t like it, either,” Luca said, although he seemed taken aback as he slowly sat up. He seemed… smaller. “But you know Concetta and Pinuccia?”

Alberto blinked. What did this have to do with them, the elderly seafolk couple that lived in Portorosso? “I know them,” he said, though the words were taut.

“They’re a couple, right?”

“…Right?”

“They had to leave our town,” Luca said, and then his voice softened; almost cracked. “They travelled to Portorosso because my town would not accept them.”

Alberto blinked. “They wouldn’t accept them? Because they’re… because they’re both women?”

Luca nodded, and then glanced away; pulling his legs to his chest, wrapping his arms around his thighs. “I should have told you. But that’s just how it is here. Many others have left, as well, for the same reason. And now many of the townspeople are angry that there will not be as many children born this year.”

Alberto let the concept fill his mind. He’d never heard of anything like it.

“Why does it matter?”

“I don’t know why it does,” Luca said, “It just does. So maybe my mom was right. Because if people see us like that, we can get kicked out, too.” The words didn’t sound like him. They almost sounded… rehearsed.

But Alberto bristled. “Kicked out? Mi stai prendendo per il culo!”

Luca gave him a wide-eyed glance. “Alberto, it’s fine.”

“It isn’t fine,” Alberto hissed, and he felt his scales raise along his back as he slowly pulled himself up from the ground. “Porca puttana, Luca, how can you say that is fine?! What about the future, then? What if we—“

And he’d almost said it. He’d almost said, what if we become a couple? What happens then?

But he stopped himself. His eyes were a sharp glint in the evening waters; glassy as the tears threaten to spill up from the edges. Luca only stared wide-eyed, mouth slightly agape; like he wasn’t sure what to say anymore.

This wasn’t his town, he had to remind himself. This was Luca’s town, and Luca… could do whatever he wanted.

In a flash of fury, he lifted himself into the current and used his tail to propel himself through the water. He was faster than Luca ever was, and there was no hope for Luca to catch him. He was blinded as the tears began to spill; his heart racing as fast as it could possibly go. Almost nauseous.

He didn’t know where he was blindly swimming to until the ground raised to a gravelled shore and he pulled himself onto the coast of the island. The island he’d avoided for three years.

He didn’t understand why he’d had such an outburst. It was completely childish, and he thought that he had grown past them. But again, he found himself on the island. He shook off the water and allowed his scales to fade away. He ran a hand through his curls, as if making sure they were still there.

And then he fell to the gravel floor, the pebbles biting into his bare knees. The tears fell in large beads down his freckled cheeks; he couldn’t keep them down. He couldn’t stop it. He could hardly breathe.

He knew that this was it for him and Luca. Luca would never be friends with him now.

And slowly, the visceral realisation struck him. He would have never been so bothered by some stupid rule if it never applied to him.

But it did.

He’d always imagined a future with Luca. Whenever it came to the courting festival, the dance… he imagined it would be with Luca. But now that was gone. It was all, entirely gone.

He slowly turned around to face the water. The breeze was warm and gentle; the sun a glow of vibrant orange against the horizon; the waves a soft, rhythmic swoosh. He pulled his knees up to his chin and rested it there, waiting for his heart to slow down — or to stop beating completely.

• • •

The sun had set, but the sky was still faded with grey light. The stars had just started to appear; the moon slowly growing brighter overhead.

Alberto was tired. He thought about heading back to Portorosso, to Massimo, to his sister. How badly he wanted to fall into their arms and spend a night in his own bed.

This was his own fault, and he knew that well. He was terrified that Luca would never want to see him again.

But he knew that he couldn’t just up and leave. He had to go back into the ocean; at the very least, he had to apologise — and then say goodbye. This time, he wouldn’t wait for someone to save him.

Slowly, he got to his feet. One after the other. The waves gently overlapped his toes, turning them into claws. He took one last breath of fresh air and then made his way back into the water.

He let the scales envelope him; the water envelope him.

He blinked. Luca was right there. Two feet away, staring right back at him with wide, worried eyes.

“Alberto!” He exclaimed, and he swam towards him in a hurry; but Alberto shifted back.

Luca faltered.

“Alberto, I’m sorry,” he tried.

Alberto softened. This was not Luca’s fault.

“No,” he said, “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have run off. I can go back to your town. It shouldn’t have been a big deal — and I didn’t mean for it to sound like I—“ and he faltered, because he didn’t know how to word it. They were just friends.

“We can go back to Portorosso if that’s what you want.”

We. So effortlessly. There was no second thought behind the word. But Luca had said it; We. Because they were in this together.

Alberto buckled under the weight of the word. Slowly, he reached out; hesitated; and then Luca pulled him in by the wrists for a hug. He pushed his snout into Alberto’s shoulder, pulling at his backside so tightly it hurt.

“Luca,” Alberto said, gently, “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For coming back to me.” He meant to say ‘for me’, but the words slipped out. He stiffened, but Luca only held him tighter — as if that was even possible.

And then Luca pulled away, and Alberto was cold again, but at least he could breathe. “I want to go back to your town,” he said. “I meant what I said. I do like it. I’m sorry… that I overreacted. I didn’t mean to make it sound like… I mean, I know we’re not…”

“Alberto…” and Luca seemed like he had more to say, but he didn’t. He gave Alberto a look, as if he was scanning him over; and then he offered an open hand. “Alright. Let’s go back.”

“Okay.”

And this time, Alberto did not pull away his hand. He took Luca’s hand in his, and allowed Luca to swim with him back to the reef.

• • •

It was a leisurely swim, but not a long one. The two reached the town shortly; now illuminated by nightlife and blue and orange algae and wavering moonlight.

Already, he could see the dance floor; and his heart sank. He would have to avoid it.

He almost pulled away as they approached the town. Almost put the space between them again; almost built the wall up again. But Luca’s claws dug into the skin at his arm, forcing him to remain.

He followed Luca, unsure of his plan. Unsure of where exactly they were going.

And about halfway there, it struck him.

Luca was taking him to the dance floor.

“Luca,” Alberto tried to pull away, but Luca refused. He slowed, glancing back at Alberto; his eyes a gleam in the navy.

“Alberto, this town will never learn unless we show them. Like we did in Portorosso.”

“But Luca, you will be — your town means so much to you. I couldn’t stand you to… to have to leave because of me and something stupid I got upset over.”

“Alberto, you’re not the only one upset about this.”

Alberto blinked. He didn’t even consider that.

In his stunned silence, Luca drug him along. The sound grew louder; the bustle of tails and bodies dancing and chatting and eating; and someone was playing some sort of drums and chiming music to the left. Another was singing a soft, melodic tune.

And then they were there, and it was all happening so fast. Alberto could not breathe. They were hovering over the edge of the square, knitted floor. The algae strings overhead were neon lines through the dark water.

Luca pulled Alberto in at the arm. He felt eyes on him. He felt eyes the second they’d approached; hundreds of them, all turned in his direction with some form of judgement. He shrunk beneath them, but Luca glowed.

Luca took his free hand in his; intertwining both of their hands’ claws. Alberto stared at him with wide, glassy eyes; his heart trying to claw its way up his throat.

Luca was… trying to make a statement, he reasoned. That was all. That was it.

“I don’t know how to dance,” Alberto said, which wasn’t entirely true; but the dance for this was a specific one that he did not know.

“It’s the one thing I haven’t shown you yet,” Luca said, and that enthusiasm returned to his tone in a beaming grin. “The courting dance. A very traditional one.”

“That’s—!”

“Alberto, relax.”

Luca pulled one hand away and swept his tail to the left; then he curled back around and clasped hands again.

He was dancing. And not just dancing; but *dancing*.

And he was so confident, so sure of himself. It was as if they’d switched roles in the water. On the surface, Luca had always been the timid one, the uncertain one. But down here, he was in his element.

Alberto was a fish out of water. He allowed Luca to guide him into a short spin; allowed their tails to brush as Luca fell back and then came forward.

The eyes were all around them; gleams in the dark; the stares of judgement, of cruelty.

“Luca!” And it was a strong shout from his mother across the way. Alberto sensed her presence before he saw her; and she was approaching fast. And damn, she looked angry.

But before she could approach, Luca pulled Alberto from the dance floor and stood in front of him.

Daniela swam right up to him, nose flared, eyes thin slats within her skull. Then she glared back at Alberto.

“Alberto, I told you—“

“It wasn’t him,” Luca hissed. Alberto almost fell backwards. He hadn’t seen him like this before; at least, not in a very long time. “You had it backwards, Mom. Alberto knew nothing of our customs or of our dances. But I did.”

Alberto watched in slow-motion as the commotion grew and the music fell to a quiet dribble around them. Daniela faltered back in a way he’d never witnessed before.

“But you can’t…” she started, searching for the words, as if there were any at all. “You can’t court him, Luca. I forbid it.”

Court him? Alberto was in a daze. Is that what was happening? This entire time, this had been… Luca had been…

“You forbid me from going to the surface. You forbid me from going to school.” Luca almost growled.

“This is different. You belong in the ocean, in this town. You don’t—“

“I know I do, Mom! Concetta and Pinuccia did, too. But they had to leave because none of you could accept anything different.” And he bristled. “You’re not any better than the humans!”

Daniela gasped, but fell back. She seemed to shrink beneath his words.

Alberto could sense the stillness in the water. The way the entire town had stopped only to stare in utter disbelief.

“Let’s go, Alberto,” Luca said, the words sour.

But as Luca tried to pull him away, their hands fell apart. Luca froze, turning back to stare at Alberto.

“Luca, I never asked you to do this,” he said.

“I know… I—“

“It isn’t worth it.”

Luca fell back. Physically; like the sentence was a spear to his chest, and Alberto felt his chest crack in two as he spoke through a broken voice.

“You love your town,” Alberto said. “You love your parents. You can’t… you can’t abandon that.”

Luca shook his head, “Alberto, that isn’t the point. This is for everyone who had to leave.”

“That isn’t enough!” Alberto blurted out. “Luca, that isn’t enough. This—“ he gestured to the townsfolk, “This isn’t something we can fix with a stupid, fake—“

“It isn’t fake!” And Luca’s voice gave way to a broken cry. He reached out for Alberto, and he let him take his hand. “Alberto, you don’t understand. I have…” and he broke under the weight, and Alberto lifted him back up; feeling nothing in the world but worry. “I didn’t want to abandon my town,” he said, and now the words were so small that Alberto could barely make them out. “But I’d hoped someday that I could have both.”

“Both…?”

Luca placed hand on Alberto’s shoulder; slowly lifted himself up with his tail.

The water was hot between them; the silence so loud, it was deafening.

And then there, in the middle of town; everyone staring; his mother behind them; Luca leaned in and kissed Alberto. Quietly, briefly, as if it was hardly there at all. As if it could somehow be forgotten tomorrow.

“I never wanted to have to choose,” Luca said, and his voice cracked. “I’d hoped that whenever you came to my town, they’d have a different view. I’d hoped that one day, we could make them see. I’d hoped — I’d always hoped you’d felt the same. But I see—“

Alberto couldn’t stand him. This self-pity, this sorry talk. He pulled Luca in for a hug; a tight one, one long overdue.

“I feel the same, Luca. I think I have loved you since the moment I met you.”

Luca buried himself in the crook of his neck as if it would be the last time he could ever do it.

Alberto only remembered where he was at the sound of Daniela’s voice, a sharp echo over the murmurs of the crowd.

“And you’re going to send my son away?” She hissed. “Any of you are going to bully them out of our town?!”

Alberto and Luca pulled away only to stare at the crowd. They both felt small; they both shrunk under the pressure. And it was all too much.

But a voice spoke up from the crowd; Mrs. Branzino, her nasally a tone a clear identifier as she moved forward with her daughter in arm. Daniela was particularly furious as she approached.

But then Branzino stood around to face the crowds.

“Nobody here can tell me that love — of any kind — is wrong.”

Daniela faltered with surprise. Mrs. Branzino turned around to face her with a soft smile.

“I have a daughter now,” she said. “I want this town to be a place where she can be free to grow up.” She turned back to the floor. “And everyone else here should feel the same.”

• • •

The night ended late.

The town had not accepted them — but they had not been asked to leave.

Progress was progress.

They retired early to Luca’s underwater home, and then tomorrow, they would swim back up to Portorosso.

But for tonight, it was just Luca and Alberto in the bedroom; and his grandmother had left, most likely to give them space; but Luca would never know for sure.

They sat on the bed in silence. The night had worn on them. Alberto felt hollow through his bones; he was ready to be back with his family in Portorosso.

But for now, he gently took Luca’s hand in his. He turned it over, as if he couldn’t believe it.

“Thank you,” Alberto said, “For everything you’ve done.”

“I just had to tell Bruno to shut up,” Luca said with a half laugh.

“And it’s true?” Alberto asked, hesitantly. “I mean, after tonight…”

“Alberto,” Luca said, and he brushed the side of his cheek with the back of his hand. “I… could not imagine my life with anyone else.”

“And after you graduate—“

“And after I graduate, we can live together. We can travel.” He raised a hand as if to paint the picture in the dark water. “We can do anything we want to do, just like we always planned.”

“You can be an astronomer,” Alberto said.

“And you can fish.”

He almost laughed. Their lives had grown so different, so far apart these past few years. But they would make it work. Together, they always did.

Luca laid back in the bed, and Alberto followed beside him, staring at the hollow ceiling.

“Will we tell Guilia and my Dad?”

“First thing tomorrow,” Luca said, “But I have a feeling Massimo and Guilia already know.”

Alberto gave him a sideways glance, and Luca almost laughed.

“I had to talk to someone for advice… whenever I found out that I liked you.”

Alberto felt himself flush, and he settled back into the kelp bed.

“…Do it again next summer?”

Luca laughed. “Okay.”