(A/N) Sorry if this chapter feels a bit messy. I suffered a bit of writer's block with this one a bit. Hopefully, it isn't noticeable. Hope you like it anyway.

Inside the Paguro's house that same night.

In a way, Luca was relieved that Luna was at his house when she was. Due to the cold October air, Luca had brought Luna into the house which helped him avoid an unpleasant confrontation about being past his curfew with his mother.

However, she had given Luca a look that had said 'We'll talk later.'

Grandma Paguro had been surprised to see that Luna had stuck around after she had told the girl to go home. Now Luca and Luna were in Luca's room, with the request they leave the door open. Daniela knew that her son was a respectful boy but she didn't know this Luna girl very well and she remembered what teenage hormones were like.

Luna had told Luca that she and Giulia had gone to the aquarium. How they had had a great time, how Giulia had stood up for a little sea creature girl and how she was finally going to let out her secret.

"I was going to tell her today. I really was, but when I couldn't change I realized that something is stopping me from doing it. I'm scared of something. I just don't know what." Luna said, feeling hopeless.

"It's gotta be something. Is there something about Giulia that scares you?" Luca asked.

"Well, at first I was nervous about her sea creature hunter ancestry. But then I realized I was just being prejudiced. I know Giulia would never hurt me if she knew. So why won't I change?"

"I don't know what to tell you. If you don't know then I'm not sure how I would know. But...you could just get yourself wet if you really want her to know."

"I know but...if my body doesn't want to change on its own and that's only happened when I want to show Giulia then there has to be something I have to come to terms with. If I just get myself wet and she finds out that way then I avoid the problem. If I don't get to the bottom of it I'll never know and never transform at will again."

Luca sighed. "Well, that kinda sucks. I can't stand all this secrecy. But...I understand."

Luna put her hand on Luca's.

Luna smiled sadly. "Thank you for keeping my secret for this long. I know it's been hard."

Luca looked down at their hands. The gesture made him blush. He always got like this whenever a pretty girl made physical contact with him. Luna was a friend but she wasn't Giulia. When Giulia made physical contact with him he felt nothing. Mostly due to the fact he could never see Giulia as girlfriend material even though many had mistaken them as a couple in the past.

"Y-yeah. No problem."

Luna's hand on his was warm and gentle but he removed his hand from hers a few seconds later as naturally as he could before he said or did anything weird.

"Well, thanks for listening," Luna said as she stood up. "I'm probably gonna get grounded when I get home."

Luca stood up as well. "Well, if it makes you feel any better I'm pretty sure I'm going to be grounded too."

Luca and Luna then said goodbye to each other. Lorenzo gave Luna a ride home since it was dark outside and they wanted to make sure she got home safe. Luca was indeed grounded for running off without saying where he was going and staying out hours past his curfew but with help of his nonna's convincing, Luca's sentence wasn't too severe.

The next day - Monday

All morning Giulia had been distant and short towards Luca. He couldn't figure out why. At first, Luca thought it was because Massimo had been let go at the fishery but Giulia said it was fine and that it wasn't his fault. If that wasn't it then what was it? Luca had asked Giulia about how her date with Guido went but her answer had been very brief. Saying it was fun and that was it. Luca also asked if she'd go out with Guido again. All she said was that she didn't know yet. So Luca decided to not dwell on Giulia's mood. Maybe he just caught her on an off morning.

It wasn't until lunchtime that things had started to feel even more awkward. The group all sat down with their food and had started eating when Giulia turned to Luna.

"Hey, Luna?" Giulia asked.

"Yeah?" Luna responded, taking a bite of her sandwich.

"What were you doing at Luca's yesterday?"

Both Luna and Luca flinched at that question while Guido and Ciccio's eyebrows rose with interest. Luna almost choked on her sandwich but she was sure to shallow it carefully before speaking.

"W-what are you talking about?" Luna asked, trying to play stupid.

"I saw you leave his house from my window walking away from his house with his dad a few hours after you and I said goodnight to each other."

"You guys went out?" Guido questioned.

"Just a friendly outing!" Luna said quickly.

Guido raised an eyebrow at her reaction. "Okay…"

Giulia had clutched her fork tightly at Luna's response. Why did Luna's comment bother her? It was just a friendly outing, right?

" Well? " Giulia pressed.

Luna then realized there was no playing stupid with Giulia. She had been caught. She had to come up with a lie. She looked to Luca with pleading eyes that begged for help.

Luca noticed this. Luna had asked him to lie to Giulia a lot recently to the point it was driving him crazy but he was also in the hot seat. If Luna didn't give in and answer soon then Giulia would no doubt switch to asking him about it instead.

'Think, Luca! Think!' Luca said in his mind.

"Aww, man! Am I a fifth wheel now?" Ciccio asked suddenly.

"N-no! Uh….Luna was at my place because she wanted help with…" Luca trailed off.

"My homework!" Luna blurted.

The other four teens stared at Luna, surprised at her outburst. Luna looked at Luca again, now with a looked that said 'Just go with it!' .

"Yeah! Yep!" Luca confirmed, nodding vigorously.

"Yeah, I was completely stumped on this one really hard math problem and I figured since Luca is tutoring someone in 10th math then Luca would be perfect for helping me," Luna said finally.

Luca looked at Giulia and when he did he could tell that she didn't entirely buy their story. But he was thankful she didn't ask any more questions.

Third Period

Alberto was on his way to art class. Luca had left so suddenly the night before. Alberto had slept overnight at the tower which he had done many times before. Bruno didn't care enough to give him a curfew so he had nothing to worry about. Alberto wasn't surprised that Luca did have one but it had been a bummer that he didn't say goodbye. But then Alberto admitted to himself that he probably wouldn't have remembered it if Luca did. He had been completely out of it when Luca left anyway. Alberto had made an effort not to tease Luca at all the night before and it went well. He enjoyed teasing Luca a lot but if not doing it made progress with Luca he would try his best not to tease him...as much.

Then Alberto remembered the moment they had. He had been thinking about it all morning. The pinky thing didn't feel like something friends would do. If it was then his heart wouldn't have felt like it was thumping as hard as it was against his chest. Maybe he shouldn't have taken things that far when Luca's hand touched his. Why did he do that anyway? It was like at that moment Alberto's body had a mind of its own. But then again, Luca never pulled away. One thing he knew for sure was that he was never going to bring attention to it. It'd just be awkward.

Why was he thinking like this again? He wasn't gay goddamn it! And if he wasn't gay then what happened the night before shouldn't concern him. And he knew Luca wasn't gay because he was 80% sure that that one girl from the soccer team was probably his girlfriend or at least Luca harboured some kind of feelings toward her. She looked to be the standard of cute enough that other guys could find her attractive but she wasn't his type.

Alberto was almost to his art class when he heard a small commotion not too far away. He followed the sound and it led to a few guys from his gang, Bartolo being one of them. They looked to be crowded around someone. As Alberto got closer he could see that the person who had gotten cornered by them was Luca!

Alberto then saw one of them push Luca against the wall hard. He wanted to spring into action right then and there but these guys weren't just any assholes. These assholes were his peers. He had to be smart about this. So instead of running onto the scene Alberto casually walked into it looking as if he didn't care.

Luca instantly locked eyes with Alberto as soon as he saw him come out from behind the crowd. Alberto could see the cry for help in his eyes.

"Hey, guys...What's going on here?" Alberto asked, standing in front of Luca. "This is a little juvenile. Don't y'all have somewhere better to be?"

Luca let out a tiny smile. Though Alberto was acting cool about it, he seemed to be on his side. He hadn't been sure if Alberto would actually come to his aid. Maybe Alberto didn't succumb to peer pressure as he feared.

"Well, well, well, it's the man of the hour," Bartolo said. "I told ya I'd find out what you've been doing lately. Protecting your new little buddy?"

The others chuckled at his comment.

Alberto ignored the snickers. "What are you talking about?"

"The tutoring. I know our math class is a bitch to deal with but you seriously need a tutor? That's hilarious!"

Alberto's eyes widened. His fears had finally come true. How the hell did Bartolo find out? He was going to have to make up some bullshit fast.

"It's not funny…" Luca piped up, albeit a bit timidly.

"Pshhh! That's what you guys think this is?" Alberto asked suddenly. "Jeez, you guys know me better than that. He's not actually tutoring me. That's just what the teachers and my dad think is going on, right? " Alberto said the last part roughly, now looking down at Luca.

The look in Alberto's eyes was intimidating and scary. Alberto had never looked at him like that before. Luca had been wrong. Alberto did succumb to peer pressure and he looked like if Luca didn't go with whatever he was going to say next he might let him have it. Alberto hadn't come to rescue him. He came to save his reputation.

"Y-yeah…" Luca said, feeling dejected.

"Oh? So then what is going on?" Bartolo asked, sounding skeptical.

"He's doing my homework for me obviously ," Alberto said a matter-factly.

"Oh. Well, why didn't you say so? Why aren't you sharing? I know I could use him." Bartolo said, smirking at Luca.

Alberto didn't care for the look Bartolo had given Luca. He was going to have to say something quickly before the others got any ideas about trying to use Luca for their own benefit.

Alberto shook his head coolly. "Heh, I don't think so. There's a reason I didn't tell you guys. I don't plan to share him with any of you. I found him by myself in secret just so I wouldn't have to. That's not going to change just because you guys know now."

Alberto suddenly grabbed Luca close as if he was clutching onto something that belonged to him away from the others, making Luca drop his things.

"This one's mine," Alberto said, showing dominance over the rest of the boys.

Bartolo and the others now bared very displeased expressions.

Bartolo scoffed. "Alberto, come on. You're kidding."

Alberto let go of Luca and walked closer to Bartolo, no doubt to now talk down to him.

"Nope. Do you really think it's okay to stick your nose into my business? If I see any of you touching my things again I won't hesitate to get my dad to kick you out of the gang. You got that? " Alberto asked, whispering the last part.

Alberto could tell that threatening to take away his place in the gang sent a message loud in clear. He knew that that was all these guys cared about. Bartolo backed down, as did the others.

"Fine," Bartolo said.

Bartolo and the others then walked away, defeated. Alberto smirked at their retreating figures, feeling triumph.

"Knew that'd work," Alberto said once they were out of sight. Then turned around to face Luca only for his smirk to falter. Luca looked troubled. "What's the matter? I got them to go away."

"Yeah, with a lie. I'm not your property, you know." Luca stated, looking at him finally.

Alberto mentally smacked himself. He had said all that without thinking. "Look, Luca, I-"

"Just answer me this one thing. Do you respect me?" Luca said suddenly

Alberto rolled his eyes. He couldn't believe Luca would ask him that.

"Yes, Luca. I do. I only said those things to -"

"To what? Protect your image?"

"No! ...Well, okay, that too but I also said it to make them leave you alone. And, as you just saw, they did." Alberto reasoned. "I had it all under control."

Luca sighed and nodded in understanding. "...Okay….Let's just get to class before we miss it."

The boys didn't say much else to each other during class. Luca wasn't angry at Alberto. He understood why Alberto said what he did and Luca supposed if he was in Alberto's position he might've done the same thing. But the interaction with Alberto in the hall had made him a bit cautious of the older boy's tendency to not think before speaking. Something that, if he wanted to keep hanging out with Alberto, he was going to have to look out for.

After Tutoring - After Soccer Practice

Luca and Alberto had just finished their tutoring session. Alberto was starting to get the hang of the routine to Luca's relief. Luca believed that if they kept up at it Alberto would be able to pass 10th grade with at least an above-average score which was the goal.

As they were packing everything up for the day, Alberto turned to Luca.

"So...since we're done want to maybe...go to the tower again? I wanna introduce you to one of my favourite past times. And I know for a fact that you've never done it before. You'll love it." Alberto said, his voice sounding more excited than he seemed to want to let on.

Luca frowned. "I would but I can't. I got grounded yesterday when I was late for my curfew."

Alberto's excitement instantly evaporated at that. "Oh...sorry about that."

Luca slung his backpack over his shoulder. "It's not your fault. We fell asleep. Besides, I'm only grounded for a week and a half."

"A week and a half?"

"Thanks to my nonna. If it weren't for her my parents would have made my sentence longer."

The two boys started to walk to the soccer field as they continued to talk.

"What did she say to make them go easy on you?" Alberto asked.

"Ah...It's kind of a long story." Luca said sheepishly.

"Meh, it's a bit of a ways to the field."

"But that's where I'm headed. You're free to just go home."

" Please , I go home whenever I feel like it."

"Well, my uncle did something stupid. He fired one of his employees that just happens to be Giulia's dad. So he's out of a job right now..."

"That sucks."

"Yeah. We can't afford to keep him at the fishery anymore. The business is having money issues right now I guess."

Alberto had slowed his walking pace at that. "...Your family owns a fishery?"

"Yeah. Almost my whole life. My dad and uncle started it together. I'm actually surprised it has been successful this long. My uncle is kinda creepy looking and not a people person at all. But he's an alright guy."

Alberto's face started to pale more and more as Luca went on. Luca's uncle couldn't be the same person the gang was extorting. He just couldn't be! But it added up. The reason Luca smelt like fish a lot of the time, the one they were extorting was also a sea creature like Luca, though they didn't look anything like each other in their sea forms...maybe it was just a coincidence. Alberto took a breath. He was just overthinking things...but a tiny part of him had to make extra sure.

Luca continued. "Anyway, the bottom line is, my uncle firing Giulia's dad is a huge mistake because he is the best fisherman I know. I got mad at my dad over it yesterday and since I was mad for the right reason and the rest of my family and I agree that my uncle shouldn't have done that, I was granted a shorter sentence."

"Uh...what's your uncle's name?" Alberto asked.

"Ugo. Why?"

Alberto started to panic internally. Maybe it's just different last names. That's it. No way the world was that fucked up to him that they'd be the same person. No WAY!

Luca turned to look at Alberto's now pale face. "Hey..., are you okay?"

Alberto straightened up and tried to play it cool. "Yeah! Uh...that's too bad about Giulia's dad I guess."

Alberto wasn't ready to ask about it further. If he did Luca would start asking questions and he wanted to keep the fact that his dad was extorting people on the down-low with Luca.

Luca did pick up on Alberto's off-ness but decided if something was going on with Alberto he probably didn't want to talk about it if he was pretending like everything was normal.

"Alright then…"

Luca and Alberto had made it onto the field and were now making their way towards Giulia who was seemed to be having a conversion with Guido. As the boys got closer to them the awkward atmosphere of last Friday's encounter with the same combination of people returned on Guido's end. This time Giulia looked as if she was drained of energy to care about the situation, her mind clearly somewhere else. But once again Guido glared at Alberto as soon as the two made eye contact. Instead of glaring back Alberto just stared back with disinterest.

Luca had the same urge to look around for an escape. He had hoped that this wouldn't happen again since Alberto had followed him to the field again. Like last time, Luca's eyes landed on Luna a bit further away. Guido seemed set on what he planned to continue to do and Giulia was out of it so who else could he run to?

"Thanks for walking me to the field. Ciao." Luca said, expecting Alberto to turn around and go home. He had no reason to stay.

Luca then had gone in Luna's direction which had snapped Giulia out of her inner thoughts, her eyes now following Luca's retreating form. Alberto did the same.

Noticing that he was now being ignored, Guido rolled his eyes. He had better things to do than give Alberto even a smidge of his attention, especially if the jerk was suddenly going to pretend he didn't exist. Guido turned to Giulia.

"I'm gonna head home. Call me later?" He asked the redhead.

"Oh...yeah...sure," Giulia said back, her eyes never leaving Luca's body as he walked closer to Luna.

"O...kay…" Guido said quietly, unsure if she had even heard him at all.

Guido then slowly turned to leave. Giulia had been acting weird all day. He'd asked her if everything was okay but she had just waved him off saying all was well. He was hoping whatever was wrong wasn't anything he had done. Guido believed that his and Giulia's date had gone really well. He may have messed up a bit when he kissed her on the cheek without warning but Giulia didn't seem mad about it, just surprised. However, she never called him yesterday at all like he thought she might which made him second guess a lot. But he had tried to not let that fact bother him too much. He now knew that she was just out all day with Luna. So knowing that Giulia had just been busy and not avoiding him was a comforting thought.

When practice had ended he brought up if Giulia wanted to make plans for a second date. They had thrown around ideas so it didn't seem like she was opposed to the idea of a second date. But throughout the conversion, before they were interrupted by Luca and Alberto, Giulia had seemed as if her mind was elsewhere. Guido only hoped that she really would call him later.

"Ciao." Luca greeted, as he finally reached Luna who was packing up.

"Oh, ciao, Luca." Luna greeted back. "You grounded?"

Luca sat down beside her. "For about a week and a half."

"Aww, lucky. I have the traditional two weeks." Luna then chuckled "But I guess I should count my blessings. If my parents knew where I actually went yesterday I'd miss the Halloween Dance."

Luca and Luna both laughed, making light of the situation.

Seeing the two teens laugh together from where they stood, Giulia and Alberto's faces looked far from content. Alberto felt his hands ball into fists while Giulia crossed her arms with a huff. Luca and Luna were looked like they were having a bit too much of a pleasant time in each other's company.

"So, are they together or something?" Alberto asked Giulia, trying to keep his cool.

"Tch, how am I supposed to know?" Giulia said, raising her voice a tad. Then she looked down, disheartened. "Luca hardly tells me anything anymore...and it seems to be the same deal with Luna too…"

"You sound pissed. That idea bother you?"

"Of course not! They can do whatever they want!" Giulia pouted.

"I'm going over there," Alberto said, now speed walking towards Luca and Luna.

"Wha- well what about you? You yourself sound pissed. What do you care if they're together, hmm?" Giulia asked, following behind the taller boy.

"I don't! I just feel like saying 'Ciao' to somebody new." Alberto lied.

When Giulia and Alberto got close enough, the other two teens acknowledged them coming. Natural smiles appeared on Luca and Luna's faces as they approached, while forced smiles dawned on Giulia and Alberto's. However, Luca and Luna didn't seem to notice their disingenuous expressions.

"Ciao! I'm Alberto!" Alberto suddenly said, marching onto the scene and then holding out his hand in front of Luna to shake. "Who the hell are ya and what grade are you in?" he tried to come across as joking around while he asked, chuckling to pull off the act.

Luna just stared at his hand for a second with an eyebrow raised before finally taking his hand and shaking it.

"Uh, ciao...I'm Luna. I'm in tenth grade..." she said.

"Huh...never seen you around," Alberto said.

Luna let go of his hand and then put her hands on her hips at that. "You haven't?"

"Nope."

Luna let out a weak and awkward laugh. "But...I'm in your math class."

"Oh, I've never noticed."

"Eh- Ah...hmm." Luna was at a loss for words. If Alberto saw her as a forgettable face what could she really say to that?

Luca stepped in. "It's been a month and you didn't recognize her?"

"It's fine, Luca, I get it..." Luna said, patting Luca's arm. A gesture that did not go unnoticed by both Alberto and Giulia. Luna continued. "It seems that people below Alberto on the 'food chain' don't need to be recognized unless they have a part to play in his life." she finished bitterly.

Giulia couldn't help but giggle at Luna's comment. Luca just stood there, surprised by the older girl's character observation of Alberto. Alberto, now embarrassed, glared at Luna but she seemed unphased by his dirty look.

Realizing he had made a fool of himself and had failed to intimidate Luna, Alberto was done with this conversion. He was no longer interested in conversing with this girl. If she was Luca's girlfriend then he had no interest in knowing her anyway.

"Whatever. I'm going home. Ciao, Luca." Alberto said, only acknowledging Luca now. With that, he stormed off.

Luca had put out a hand as if to say something but Alberto had been in too much of a hurry leaving the scene.

Luna, feeling proud of herself for putting the high and mighty in their place, finally finished packing up her things in her backpack. She had noticed that she had made Giulia laugh with her comment about Alberto which was most of what had made her feel good about saying it. Luca had been worried that she was on Giulia's bad side today. Making Giulia laugh had been a silver lining.

Luca and Giulia waved goodbye to Luna as they parted ways. Luca and Giulia then started homeward.

Now alone with Luca, Giulia had to ask something. "Hey, Luca?"

"Hmm?"

"Do you...have feelings for Luna?"

"Huh? No! I mean, she's cool and she's pretty but no, I don't." Luca replied.

"Really? You sure?".

" Yes. What makes you think I do?"

"Well, you two do hang out a lot and talk a lot and she seems to go to you for reasons she doesn't want to go to me for...whatever those reasons are ."

Luca felt bad for Giulia. If he was allowed to tell Giulia about Luna's secret all of Giulia's questions would be answered. But he had made a promise and until Luna was ready he was going to have to bear with it all. At least Giulia wasn't teasing him about having feelings for Alberto like she had before.

"Giulia. Nothing is going on with Luna and me."

Giulia still looked unconvinced but she dropped it for now and nodded.

(A/N) Am I doing hints of a one-sided attraction for a totally-not-gonna-happen ship (Luca X Luna) for funsies? Yeah, kinda. Why not? Tell me what you guys think of that. I'm curious about the reception of that.

Man, poor Alberto. He's gotta think before he acts and speaks more. At least Luca understands why he lied. And omg Alberto is starting to put the pieces together about who it is the gang is extorting! Ooooo!

Let me know what you thought of Alberto and Luna's first interaction.

Next chapter there will be a time skip.

Reviews are very much appreciated! They really do motivate me and make me feel good. I read every one.