After re-watching the movie a thousand times, I felt in the need of writing something about it. I'm planning on doing a longer fic in the future, but for the moment, this is what I've got.
These guys are weird, Giulia thinks the more time she spends with Luca and Alberto.
Since their first meeting she sensed it. What's under the dogs? Okay, that is justifiable. Even though it is a pretty common word for her, not everyone has to know what she knows. Maybe it is a rare slang somewhere else, or wherever it is that they come from.
However, something in their behavior… it's just off; how Alberto asks certain questions in a certain way (which is fine, after all he's from out of town and doesn't seem to ever being in a race before or heard from one even though the Portorosso Cup is pretty well known), or how Luca doesn't mutter a word and hides behind him, as if the taller boy is a shield that protects him from, well, everyone else. She sets aside the fact that they are dressed weird (not wanting to agree with Ercole), but it does surprise her how much they long and fuzz for an old, dirty and most likely, broken Vespa (it starts to make sense when they tell her they are runaways).
Giulia doesn't know what to say nor what to do. Not until she sees Alberto helping Luca (to no avail) riding a bike, or raising him up caringly when he falls. And when Luca finally opens up and looks at her with hope and will, she feels their hunger and spirit, not only to win the race, but to carry on with their personal goals, as well as the trust and endearment Luca and Alberto have for each other.
She feels slightly embarrassed at dinner. They are definitely weird. Even Machiavelli has better manners when eating, yet, it's not a big deal (not like the fact that they are runaways but at that point, what does it matter?) Her papà doesn't seem to mind, so it's fine. Even more, when they offer to help with the Pescheria, her heart beats faster with excitement and warmth. They do not look reluctant about it, more like thrilled and delighted.
After splitting Machiavelli from the boys' faces, Giulia doesn't hesitate in offering, as Alberto calls it, her hideout for them to rest. And after slipping and almost falling down, she calls it a day, turning off the lights.
Before falling asleep she can't help but think about those two. So what if they are weird? After all, so is she. Besides, they are kind and funny and brave. They are underdogs, and now, they are a team. And for Giulia, that has a nice ring to it.
Guido doesn't think too much about Luca and Alberto when he first sees them. They're just another pair of out of towners that want to win the race. Two knuckleheads that foolishly believe they can beat Ercole. Makes sense they befriended Giu- Spewlia.
He almost pities them. Because Luca and Alberto are truly committed in winning the Portorosso Cup; why else would Luca keep jumping on that bike even though his knees are full of scratches, why else wouldn't Alberto flinch to Ercole's provocations, why would they stay with sweaty loser Giulia. Aside from the redheaded girl, no one stands up to Ercole, not even him. And that just makes them, to Guido's eyes, so helpless. What will happen when Ercole crushes them?
He has only seeing fearless Alberto and assiduous Luca until now.
And probably that is why he almost pities them.
They don't need his pity, and most likely, they don't want it. No matter what he does, along with Ciccio and Ercole, they will keep striving forward. They don't need to sabotage anyone, belittle the competition, or be nasty. Faster than he (and Ercole) thought, everyone was suddenly cheering on Luca, and getting more courageous like Alberto. Giulia was never as troublesome as now, since she had no one to back her up before. They don't know what giving up is. Even after almost crushing boats (which gave him the scare of his life, oh, how he wishes to apologize), or even beating Alberto, they won't stop.
And Guido is astonished of how much he thinks about, and even looks up to, Luca and Alberto. He can't help but think how pleasant it would be to see their hard work paying off. And how pissed Ercole would be that some out of towners overthrew his evil empire of injustice.
Daniela grows anxious everyday. She can't help it. The thought of her precious Luca among those treacherous land monsters keep her awake at night. And even though she wants to blame it on Luca's unwary friend, or even her mother (what the heck was she thinking when telling him about the surface so nonchalantly), she knows, not so deep down, that it's her fault.
She never meant to upset him, or sent him to the deep; the last thing she wants is her son away from her. She loves him too much to have him away from her for so long. Luca is her treasure, her little bubble, she would do anything for him, to keep him safe and sound. And after a couple of days, Daniela realizes that she may have been a little too much. It's not like she wants to keep him from being happy, but why the surface? Isn't the sea enough?
Then again, Luca's inquisitive mind could've never settled for just enough. He is her son, but not her. He is far more valiant, intelligent and imaginative. Is it wrong that she cares too much? She only wants what she thinks it's best for her little bubble. If something were to happen to him…
Going to the surface and doing the change is something she definitely does not enjoys, but she has no choice. She has to find him. And this time, she will do better.
Luca feels his heart shatter upon Alberto's disheartened face. He regrets it, he really does. And it pains him to being unable to stand by his side. He misses his touch; how they lean on each other, tap each other's arms when excited, holding hands when rising from falling, or simply hugging on their sleep.
He can't blame Alberto; he has all the right to not even want to look at him. However, Luca does not want it to end there. He won't just forget about everything they did together; how Alberto welcomed him to a whole new, weird, and phenomenal world. How he shared his dream, encouraged him to ride their first Vespa, and taught him how to be human.
That's why he's at the Portorosso Cup the next day, for Alberto. For their friendship. Because their friendship is what has saved Luca from his tedious former life. And now, he has to save his friendship, and show Alberto how much he means to him.
And when it starts to rain, he sees his opportunity fly past him. He wants to cry. It can't end there.
And then, he sees Alberto.
He doesn't deserve his help. But he's still there, running to him, because that's just how he is. Always there for him. Always standing, protecting and liberating him. It makes his heart pound with joy. Until he sees him changing back to his sea monster form, and Ercole trying to hurt him.
He is not having any of that.
For once, he steps forward without fear. And he realizes how Alberto has made him embrace his true form with pride.
And just like that, they make it. They win the race and gain the acceptance of most of Portorosso.
But Alberto knows that his dream is not the same as Luca's anymore. No matter how much the brunette tries to hide it, or pretend he never mentioned it, Alberto knows. And to be honest, his ambition has changed too, thanks to Massimo.
He doesn't know how he does it so fast; but with Giulia's help, he buys a ticket to Genova, and thanks to his eloquence, he convinces Daniela Paguro to make Luca's wishes come true. Until Giulia's goodbye, Luca is unaware of his actions. And it's making him anxious. Because moving in with Massimo sounds like a better dream. However, without Luca, he has second thoughts.
He doesn't want him to leave. He wants him right there with him. He can't imagine how it's gonna be without his dearest friend by his side. After all they've been through, Luca chose him, and he is grateful, that's why he chose Luca's dream. But he's scared.
Alberto sees Luca's eyes grow wider upon his mother's news. How could he ever take that away from him?
When Luca starts to realize Alberto's not going with him, Alberto acknowledges Luca doesn't want to leave him either. And that the brunette is also scared. So, he is strong for both of them. But he can't keep it together for so long, so he hugs him tight. Luca answers the same way, with tears on his eyes. It's hard for both. Neither want to leave each other's side. So, they hold until the train accelerates.
And Alberto thinks that he doesn't want to remember Luca's downhearted face. Because Luca is like the ray of sunshine that brings hope to a new day. He should be happy that he will learn a lot more than he will. That is why he screams, and is able to bring a sincere smile to Luca's face.
And even though Alberto knows he will miss him every day, he doesn't feel scared anymore. They will be living their dreams, and they will be reunited sooner than they think; because even though the winter cold sweeps over the sun, those glimmers of light show that summer will come.