#massimo is the best father

[analviel]

Xanxus' mother: Your father is someone very important, I will bring you to meet him, and this is totally not because I'm about to die and never to be seen in the story ever again, and here's a keepsake from my favourite thing, for you to hold on to and ponder over alcohol.

Xanxus:...

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Timoteo: Hello, child. I am absolutely your father. I am the boss of the undisputed most powerful mafia family of the world and starting now, you will be living with me, I will provide you with the best of everything, you will grow under the best tutors and a silent weight of expectations, you will never want for anything except my attention and acknowledgement as I hold you at arms length, and make you feel like you're always on the verge of failing a test you don't know the details of.

Enrico: Hi, I am your eldest brother that will actually be taking care of you and who will provide the majority of your emotional needs, I will see past your feral cat behaviour and be undaunted in reaching out to the scared but fiercely loyal person you truly are.

Massimo: I am the temperamental second brother who will always loose his cool with the slightest provocation but have and will continue to throw fists with those who question your place, especially the ones in all those stuffy parties and galas we are required to attend all the time.

Federico: I am the cool, perfectionist older brother that will hold you at arms length like our father but secretly want to approach and just do not know how to, and we also might have gotten on the wrong foot, but I eventually help you in your studies and adapting to our noble- er, high class mafia life since our eldest brother is too busy with preparing to inherit father's position and I wish to lighten his responsibilities.

Xanxus: Hi-

Enrico: I will die and upend the life you know so far, your Great tragedy but only a precursor to the secret that will crush your heart and trigger your downfall as you question your identity and purpose.

Massimo: I will also die.

Federico: So will I. If only you can regress to a time we are all alive and you can do it all over again. But it's not this plot.

Enrico:...... Maybe.

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Xanxus: So the Academy -that only accepts mafia-born or mafia-sponsored students- are having a tournament, and the parents and alumni are allowed to watch the spectacle.

Enrico: Look at that silver-haired sword-wielding boy taking down his opponents and quickly advancing through the brackets, he is strong and quick and decisive and seems like someone that will swear his life, specifically his arm, to someone that impress him by their ambition and steady belief in themselves.

Massimo: He's really good.

Xanxus:.... I suppose.

Federico: Let me introduce to you to Dino Cavallone, who is your peer and share many similarities with you, including the fact that he cannot look away from the rabid silver-haired swordsman. I encourage you to attend the tea parties he hosts though I know you will not actually do so.

Dino: I am from a doomed and disgraced family but I will raise it to yet unprecedented greatness, so you will take note of me but will otherwise ignore me.

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Mammon: I am a mysterious hidden ace character of unknown age but at least older than your father and appear in the form of an avatar of cuteness, I was only briefly mentioned in the original story but am actually more than meets the eye and since you amuse me I will stay around you and watch over you and drop random helpful tips while also needling you, for my amusement, all the while demanding tribute be paid to me by chocolate and money, and inevitably get attached to you. And don't worry, no one else can see me if I don't want them to, and I speak to you through telepathy so you can ask me secret favors. Also my powers are currently limited due to reasons, so I may choose to hold back at certain times to help you grow and save it for truly life-threatening moments. And sometimes impart to you emotional lessons that help you mature.

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Bel: I am the token little brother figure to be both cute and not so secretly scary.

Lussuria: I'm always all out to make you look the best in those stuffy parties you are required to attend.

Levi: I am the overly loyal butler henchman.

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Squalo: So you are actually adopted and have no claim to the inheritance of Vongola, and because of your previous actions have essentially been disowned by Don Vongola, and left with practically nothing, while the legitimate heir, the one considered over you who'd been raised to fit this position, is actually a no good civilian who knows nothing of this world and stutters and stumbles over his feet. This is unfair and I, as your loyal friend who has stayed with you and waited for you all this time, will help you reclaim your rightful place, use me as the sword of your will and I will do anything to get you where you want as long as you want it, even at the cost of my sanity and morals.

Xanxus: You don't have sanity or morals.

Squalo: Fine, then my other arm. Happy, fuckface?

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Reborn, for some reason holding a handbag in the crook of his arm: Stay away from, Viper. You don't know them, you don't know what's best for them.

Fon: *standing silently behind Reborn and handing him an envelope.*

Reborn, sliding the envelope on the table between them: You don't need me to explain. We've tolerated you long enough but now that we're free, Viper no longer needs to be held back by you so they can meet a proper Sky.

Xanxus: No. That's not for you to decide. Not for us. Mammon can be whatever they want to be, and follow whoever they want to.

Reborn: *cocks his -water?- gun*.

Mammon: *stops Reborn with a tendril wrapped around his wrist* Muu, what is the meaning of this.

Fon: We only want to do what's best for you, Viper.

Reborn: He's not good enough.

Mammon: No one is good enough for you.

Reborn: Well, obviously. We've preciously and carefully raised you and you'll just settle with this?

Mammon: You don't know him. You don't know what he's done for me, you have no idea what we've been through.

Reborn: But-

Mammon: It's true he's not what you envisioned, but I don't care, he's fine just the way he is.

Mammon: Also, it's Mammon. Let's go. Boss. *grabs Xanxus by the hand and storms out of the Mafialand Cafe they tracked them down to*

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Xanxus: Oppa- I mean, fuck! Squalo come here dammit!

Squalo: What? Did you lose your favourite branded set of clothes again?

Xanxus: No.

Squalo: Do you want the chefs to prepare a meal with your favourite wine?

Xanxus: No- Oi, listen. Don't you think something's weird with my life.

Squalo: Yeah. After all if you were anyone else, you'd probably be dead at this point.

Xanxus: No I don't mean the mafia part. Hmmmmmmm.....

Squalo: Well, I mean it is strange that after a life altering incident you've eventually settled in this quiet and peaceful-

*Bang! Goddamit get back here Bel! Mammon stop him!*

Squalo: -out of the way place and not concern yourself with the heart of the chaotic events, doing what you excel at. Which is killing.

Xanxus: You're right, nothing's weird.

Extra:

Xanxus to Tsuna: Ah, so you're the main character- I mean the true heir of the Vongola, and I also see you have your own Avatar of cuteness.

Tsuna: Please don't call him that.

Reborn: He says it how he sees it.

Kind of got carried away but you see it, right? Can't stop thinking about that post saying Xanxus is the villainess in manhwas.

[valentinaonthemoon]

7 comfort movies, 7 tags

I was tagged thirty thousand years ago by the lovely @giorgiaink, whose list is over here! Thank you for the tag and for the patience xD

This Is Not What I Expected (China, 2017. dir: Derek Hui Wang-Yu) When a grumpy hotel executive finds that his favourite food is cooked by the cook that ruined his car, he is conflicted on what to do to their kitchen. I absolutely love how silly this movie is, and the romance is very fun as well!

Jab We Met (India, 2007. dir: Imtiaz Ali) A depressed businessman meets a happy-go-lucky woman on a train and helps her finding the man she loves. This is everything to me. I almost watched it twice in the same day once. There is a shot of a train made with a toy in stop motion and it's iconic. There is a song sung under the rain. I absolutely love it.

Tre uomini e una gamba [Three Men And A Leg] (Italy, 1997. dir: Massimo Venier, Aldo, Giovanni e Giacomo) Three men leave for a journey from Milan to Gallipoli, in Puglia, where one of them has to get married. They are given the task to bring a piece of art to their father-in-law: a very expensive wooden leg. In the journey, they meet many disadventures, and a new companion. I know this movie by heart. At one point in my high school class, we only talked using its references. The sketches inside the movie are still iconic, as well as the ending.

The Emperor's New Groove (USA, 2000. dir: Mark Dindal) Ma certo, il veleno. Il veleno per Kuzco. Il veleno scelto appositamente per uccidere Kuzco. Kuzco e il suo veleno. Quel veleno? I know this movie by heart in two different languages. Next!

Howl's Moving Castle (Japan, 2004. dir: Hayao Miyazaki) I cannot explain this movie as well as I should. Only know that it's magical.

To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar. (USA, 1995. dir: Beeban Kidron) A new entry in my comfort movie playlist! Three drag queens from New York leave for the grand final of a national beauty pageant, but their car breaks right next a small town. Here they teach the locals how to be themselves. Absolute joy.

Ferris Bueller's Day Off (USA, 1986. dir: John Hughes) When Ferris decides to skip school for the day, he takes his girlfriend and his best friend around the city to live adventures and to try not to think about what'll be of them after they'll graduate. I love the carefree energy of this movie, honestly it's something I would like to have as well at times!

If you're interested to see some more of my comfort movies, here's my list on Letterboxd.

I tag, as usual without any pressure, @2minutes2midnight, @agentofship, @the-eclectic-wonderer, @an-imaginary-raven, @woofety, @imlivingformyselfdontmindme, and @pollodigitale.

Thanks for reading if you did, and I hope you have a lovely day! <3

[0-animelover-0]

Marcovaldo family x Reader

A/N: Massimo with a Feminine S/O, takes place after Massimo adopts Alberto.

My masterlist is -> here

Massimo (Luca)

Massimo is a kind man, we all know that.

He likes to hold your hands in his larger ones. He is a softly for the ones he loves.

Cooking together and walks are things he enjoys doing with you.

He isn't the jealous type, he trusts you completely.

He is a big guy so he gives you ever bigger hugs that last a few seconds unless he's in a hurry. Then it's just a quick hug.

He adores the things you do. Even if it is simple as doing something right. He treats you like you are the only person in the world.

Massimo may be a tall man with little words but his eyes and hands tell a different story. His light touches are gentle and love is always shown in his eyes as he looks at you. It's obvious that he wants to spend the rest of his life with you.

His daughter, Giulia, felt indifferent about you at first.

She wants what is best for her father and wants him to be happy.

But she also doesn't feel like he needs another potential spouse after him and her mother.

She felt like her father and mother would get back together but gave up on that hope after a while.

Giulia slowly warms up to you after seeing how happy you make Massimo.

She told her dad and admitted to you that she'd never call you "Mama" or "Mom".

You gently reassured her that it is completely okay if she never does. And you also told her that you'd never replace her mother which she greatly appreciated.

Massimo does plan things between the three of you to try and bond.

The man is a giant sweetheart when it comes to you and his daughter.

If he ever saw you and Giulia sleeping beside each other due to her accidentally falling asleep by you... Mans has an overload of emotions.

Of course he doesn't show it all that much but you can tell that he enjoys seeing you and his daughter getting along.

On the other hand, Alberto kinda liked the idea of having a mother figure in his life.

He thinks it is nice that Massimo found someone who loves him.

Alberto was hesitant at first during your first encounter but very soon he warmed up to.

He'd be protective over you if anyone came around you for too long.

He wouldn't admit it, but he enjoys moments when you run your fingers through his curly hair while he's in your lap. Instantly knocked out 'cause of it being so relaxing.

He would call you "Mama" or "Mom" at one point in yours and Massimo's relationship.

Alberto would want to show you everything he is proud of. How good he swims, how he can ride a bike, how fast he can climb, etc.

Moving on to tiny oneshot...

"Giulia! Alberto! Dinner is ready!" You yelled from the kitchen. When you received no response, you went outside and yelled it again towards the beach.

Giulia and Alberto looked at each other and big smiles broke out onto their faces. Giulia stood up before he could. "Race ya home!"

The boy quickly got up and laugher erupted from the both of them. They were both out of breath when they reached the house. Alberto put his hands on his knees and swallowed as he panted. "I won."

You smiled and rolled your eyes seeing the two of them compete against one another. "Come on you two. Eat before the food gets cold." You sat plates down onto the wooden table for everyone including yourself.

Giulia threw her hands in the air. "Yes! Trenette al Pesto!" Her and Alberto stuffed their faces with the pasta that you cooked.

You chuckled softly at the display and shook your head. "Woah woah, slow down. You're going to choke if you eat that fast."

Alberto shrugged and put more of the noodles on his fork. "It's alright Mama, I won't." The boy stopped mid bite with the fork close to his mouth; his mouth wide open. He was frozen as he realized what he had said. Giulia looked at him with big surprised eyes and her cheeks looked like a chipmunk since she was eating when he spoke.

Massimo raised one of his thick eyebrows while you tried not to tear up. Alberto put the fork down and finally looked at you. He cleared his throat and nervously met your eyes. "I'm sorry, it just slipped out."

You weren't mad or weirded out by him calling you 'Mama'. You found it sweet and made your heart swell. You leaned forward and put a gentle hand on the boy's shoulder. "Don't be sorry. I don't mind if you call me that. If you want to, you can."

Alberto smiled. "Really? I-I can?" He immediately jumped down from his seat and hugged you tightly. You blinked down at him but then happily smiled and wrapped your arms around him. Giulia was now smiling softly at the scene with her head tilted. Massimo cracked a smile and put a forkfull of pasta in his mouth.

[triviareads]

ARC Review of Mafia Virgin by Mila Finelli

Rating: 4.5/5 Heat Level: 4/5 Publication Date: December 13th

Premise:

Aspiring doctor Emma Mancini is forced into an arranged marriage with Cosa Nostra Don Giacomo Buscetta allegedly to keep the peace between their families, and now they have just a few months to get pregnant.

My review:

This was the perfect end to the Kings of Italy series complete with all the greatest mafia hits: an intelligent but innocent heroine who's just begging to be corrupted, a brutal, gruff don who is VERY into that, an arranged marriage, and an order to get pregnant.... or else.

Emma's vibe is innocent, but also not. As she won't hesitate to remind you, she's an aspiring doctor who's not squeamish of bodily functions, and then she'll proceed to interrogate Giacomo about how his foreskin impacts his dick piercing, and whether he's into prostate play (the answer is yes, in case you were wondering). Not only does Giacomo find her brand of scientific exploration hot, but it also compliments his blunt personality.

Giacomo (under no circumstances will I be calling him Mo I'm sorry) is very different from the previous three Kings of Italy heroes; he doesn't bother with an elegant or legitimate facade of any sort and is more of a rough-and-ready type (a bit o'rough, perhaps?). Everyone thinks he's a "more brawn than brain" kinda guy (which he also internalized thanks to his dad), but that couldn't be further from the truth. For one, every time Emma tries to pull one over him, he catches on real fast. And he's good at math. I thought it was interesting that always being second best in his father's eyes is also the reason Giacomo is deeply into Emma being an *untouched virgin* because she's just for him and no one else.

Much like Fausto and Enzo, Giacomo is an older hero (there's a 12 year age gap) who feels guilty for exactly 10 seconds for being attracted to the younger, more innocent heroine (well tbh, I don't think Enzo ever felt guilty) before going into full-throttle seduction mode. Let me put it this way— the first "little girl" he utters might be derisive, but the rest of them are... very much not. And on Emma's part, she's super into the biiiiig, jacked, tatted thing Giacomo has going on (shoutout to that gym voyeurism scene), even if she's slightly upset that biology has triumphed logic.

And that's actually a pretty big part of Emma and Giacomo's romantic conflict; you won't get a lot of histrionics from these two, but everything Emma regards as logical and right— her dreams of becoming a doctor, her bodily autonomy, and even her being able to return to Toronto— has little to no meaning in the mafia world. And because of Giacomo's powerlessness in the past, he has no interest in relinquishing the power he has as a Don now, which is why the overarching plot centers around him trying to take back his power after being forced to marry Emma, and the retaliation that ensues. Ultimately, Emma and Giacomo have to reconcile these two distinct worldviews to be together.

Sidenote: in case you miss the rest of the Kings of Italy gang, don't worry; Frankie and Gia show up to support their sister and to remind us they're getting dicked down on the reg by wealthy, powerful (older) men, Enzo and Fausto are still trading insults like hissy kitties off-screen, and tweedle dumb and tweedle dumber (Vito and Massimo) make appearances as well.

The sex:

EXCELLENT. What I love about Mila Finelli sex scenes is that they will always deliver (complete with loads of Italian—and in this book Sicilian— dirty talk), and then toss in a few extra things you're thinking about long after you finish the book.

For one, Giacomo and Emma have a pretty hilarious start to their sexual relationship thanks to some questionable advice from Giacomo's cousin and his cook that amounts to "if you wanna make nice with her to get her preggo, you gotta make nice with her pussy first", which Giacomo takes quite literally. You have to appreciate a man who's trying, even if he responds to her "you're beautiful" with "I love your tits".

Also, if there's a breeding kink involved (and there is; if you couldn't tell by the summary, there absolutely is), cum-play/cum-eating feels like the natural progression of this kink, and Mila 100% delivers.

There is many a "moglie" and "marito" in this book which I personally love (and many a "sporcacciona" because they can't be all sweet).

There is a also good amount of ball play (and Giacomo pondering on the sad lack of love they get lolol), and I mention this because the specific moment from this book that lives rent-free in my head involves said act during a shower blowjob, AND it ties into their breeding kink. Brava.

Overall:

This is a sexy and satisfying (and just really fun) end to the Kings of Italy series. I don't think the book is very dark, but it definitely has all the hallmarks of a mafia romance and I'd absolutely recommend it to anyone who is even remotely interested in this subgenre.

Thank you to Mila Finelli and Valentine PR for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my review.

[niyana-the-ambiguous-mobian]

You know that Luca short, Ciao Alberto, where Alberto tries to bond with Massimo and it ends with them accepting each other as father and son? I think that could apply well with Tom and either Tails or Knuckles, because on the one hand, Knuckles has a hole in his heart where his biological father once was, but on the other hand, Tails never had the best experience with people before meeting Sonic.

God, I’ve seen that short too and HONESTLY I CAN PICTURE IT IN MY HEAD.

I feel like it could be better for Knuckles on this instance if we’re including THAT SCENE near the end of it, instead of what Alberto said, maybe Knuckles is more insistent on doing more heavy lifting or work whenever Tom is about to do it, he’s gotten more used to being around him that he’s trying to have Tom as often not leave cause he immediately feels the huge absence of his presence

Tom realizes this and tries to console the echidna about it but the guy isn’t hearing it, leading the two to go back and forth to where it almost gets a little heated, causing Tom to question why he is acting this way.

“I just don’t want you to leave again, father!”

They are both stunned, not knowing what to say to the other. Knuckles keeps his head lowered, to scared in his thoughts to even move, Tom lets out a sigh and gingerly touches his arm, causing Knuckles to flinch a bit but he still looks at him.

“I remember missing my dad too, even when I was around your age. Even if he said he would “be back sooner than I thought”, it still didn’t make the feeling go away until he was back safe at home.”

"But, there was one thing that he taught me to do whenever I felt anxious and scared whenever he wasn’t around."

Knuckles tilted his head. "What was it?"

Tom takes his hand and gently clasps it with Knuckles' hand, bringing both hands to his chest.

"He would tell me, remember the way my heart gives its beat." He then moves the hands to Knuckles' chest, "and remember the way your heart gives a beat. Whenever you feel like you miss me, just listen to the beating of your heart with my heart and always be beating alongside yours even when we're miles apart."

Knuckles blinks. "And did it work, for you?"

The man gives him a smile. "That depends, do you feel calm?"

"Yes."

"Do you feel safe?"

"Yes."

"Do you still feel upset?"

"...yes."

"Then it worked."

He paused and looked up at him in surprise and awe. "H-how did you know that would work?"

Tom gave him a quick wink. "Parents always have a bit of magic to help their kids. It's our job to share that magic so you can have it when we're not around."

"That's astounding."

He gave Knuckles a pat on his head. "It definitely is."

[ginevrastilinski-ocs]

Plot bunny: noi siamo leggenda

Give me my new children

My babies! Your babies! Our babies! (You have no idea how much makes me happy someone throwing in my inbox asks about some of my italian babies, you literally have no idea)

Okay so, we have 7 babies, one born after we talked about fcs btw (never had this many for a fiction Rai or generally for one of my italian fandoms lmao)

(Also, can do a little moodboard thing with every ship vibes... if you want to... 👀 I have an idea that I could do even with different couples so... 👀)

Officially meet...

Elia Amato!

Michelangelo's older brother; Nicola Ravenna's best friend; kind of a dick until it's about his brother; no seriously, he's ready to kill a man in a second to protect him. Actually, he's very white cis man vibes but I swear he gets better! Powerless baby (lmao loser) Ship TBD

FC: Lorenzo Zurzolo

Michelangelo Amato!

Elia's baby brother; this boy's anxiety has anxiety; hates crowded places and loud noises and loves music aka he's always wearing headphones in public; a sweetheart with everybody but also the loner of the school; just wished to know what people thinks about him so he could finally fit in... honey, you've got a big storm coming Mind reader. But he struggles a lot with it bc he can't control it, he just hears everybody (the range depends on how much he panicks basically) thoughts all together, unless he's touching somebody, then he hears just that person. That's the main reason why he's always wearing headphones later on btw. Jean Liberati ship

FC: Domenico Cuomo (But could change bc some news says that he might be in it for season 2, so... we'll see)

Ambra Mariano!

Shares class with Greta; from a rich family; actress daughter of actors parents; loves her parents but sometimes wishes they were a "normal" family; tiny closeted lesbian btw Illusions bc she feels like her life is a big one Lin Mei Sun ship (but might evolve in a Lin x Sara ship)

FC: Ellie Bamber

Genevieve Liberati!

Jean's older sister (always complains that everyone thinks she's the younger one); the perfect daughter aka the favourite (hates when her father picks favourites bc Jean is her favourite person in the world); too smart for her own good; somehow always finds out everyone crushes even before them; also lowkey wants to set them all and is basically Cupid lmao Already excited for when in season 2 she'll find out that her father indirectly killed her girlfriend's mother but okay Powerless baby (she's already too much powerful she doesn't need them) Lara Petrescu ship

FC: Katherine Langford

Melissa "Meli" Perez!

Marco, Massimo and Andrea bestie; form a big colombian-italian family; total sunshine girl; just wants to make her people happy Empathy through aura reading. Bc my baby totally has witchy vibes and is already the most empathetic person on Earth. Also she technically has emotions manipulation, but like, very very light. Massimo Bianchi & Marco Nenchi ship

FC: Rachel Zegler

Sylvie Badeau!

Jean's childhood friend aka comes from a rich french family; trauma walking baby (you'll want to murder her parents trust me); the sweetie of the group; no really with her the found family trope is so strong, they all would die for her (Jean can't die so he would kill for her lmao) Invisibility. Bc my girl needs a way to escape her shitty familiar life and that's the fastest way. Marco Nenchi ship

FC: Flavie Delangle

Filippo Monti!

Nicola Ravenna's best friend; highkey hates the others in his group but hangs with them bc it's "or you're one of the cool guys and an asshole oer you're bullied"; technically Nicola's age but failed one year so he's in class with all the others Clairevoyance. This is actually very tbd but I just know it fits okay. You have to trust me on this Andrea Ravenna ship

FC: Francesco Centorame

[donovanoliver715]

Let’s be honest here, many of us can relate to a character who naturally has parental issues but none gets me down than following my heart. Seeing the main character relate to Princess Ariel in The Little Mermaid is so emotional at best. Inspired and dedicated by many users, here’s my cast for this Italian wonderful Pixar movie of a time about Luca. Which in this case, Elmer Cast: Flounder (Little Mermaid) as Luca Paguro Elmer (My Father’s Dragon) as Luca Paguro (Human) Nemo (Finding Nemo) as Alberto Scofano Barney Pudowski (Ron’s Gone Wrong) as Alberto Scofano (Human) Nash Durango (Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures) as Gulia Marcovaldo Buttsquat (Camp Lakebottom) as Ercole Visconti Rainbow Fish’s Mother as Daniela Paguro Dela Elevator (My Father’s Dragon) as Daniela Paguro (Human) Rainbow Fish’s Father as Lorenzo Paguro Del (Playmobil: The Movie) as Lorenzo Paguro (Human) The Terminator (Film Series) as Massimo Marcavaldo Patches (Pound Puppies) as Machiavelli Grandma Grooper (Freddi Fish) as Grandma Paguro Grandma Dynamite (Napoleon Dynamite) as Grandma Paguro (Human) Scut Farkus and Grover Dill (A Christmas Story) as Ciccio and Guido Jocktopus (Fish Hooks) as Uncle Ugo https://www.instagram.com/p/CoE7UWkuRT8/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[minetteskvareninova]

Minette watches Medici, part 19 (The Trust)

-Holyshiholyshitholyshit WHAT IS THIS?! A GOOD EPISODE?! Seriously, what is it with the third episodes of the third season and being surprisingly excellent? First ITV Victoria and now Medici. I mean the third season of Victoria was overall stronger, but still. You know the Doofenschmirtz quote about two nickels.

-Riario is kinda growing on me. Like this guy is never going to be a villain I can take seriously, but at least his cringiness has finally passed a certain treshhold beyond which he circles around to being enjoyable again, although ironically. When old Ferrante grabbed his lower jaw and chewed him out? I SCREAMED. This, people, is my boyfailure. Come to me, kiddo, all is forgiven.

-Speaking of old Ferrante! Honestly, what a character. He's like 50% less iconic than the real Ferrante I. of Naples, which still makes him the coolest guy in any room, possibly the whole show. I was sorely disappointed about the lack of Museum Of Mummies, but otherwise, what a man. Really makes you believe he's the father of the legendary Beatrice of Naples, second wife of Matthias Corvinus and godmother of the Hungarian renaissance. The only moment that made me rise an eyebrow a little was him trying to make Ippolita seduce, like that doesn't feel like something a renaissance prince would do, even a consummate whore like Ferrante...? Whatever. I guess I can't complain too much, since it gave him some more moral ambiguity, which is great, because real Ferrante was a lot of things, but like most renaissance princes (including real Lorenzo, but whatever), he was not a good dude.

-Speaking of Lorenzo and Ippolita! Fuck, what a duo. Like, what do you know, when you take Lorenzo out of his natural environment in Florence, so that he's put on back foot and can't pontificate on how he loves the republic, noone loves the republic more than him and he'd never, ever subvert it to gain more power for his family... Well, then he's just a clever strategist and one smooth motherfucker that's actually pretty likeable! Honestly, at one point I wouldn't even mind if he actually slept with Ippolita. Not like he never cheated on Clarice before, and honestly I am kinda lukewarm on Lorenzo x Clarice anyway... But he didn't, for which he gets a tiny little gold star. His dynamic with Ippolita is still pretty fascinating and their dialogues some of the best in the show. And I love Ippolita as a character so much. The girl deserves better. Pity she can't join Lorenzo's polycule, like if he didn't take care of her, his girls defo would...

-Which brings me to Clarice and Lucrezia D who FINALLY SHARED A SCENE PEOPLE CAN YOU HEAR ME SCREAM?! Sure, it was short and only mildly gay, but still. At this point I take what I can get. Lorenzo possibly cheating on Clarice didn't exactly move me, but I didn't hate it either; like, they didn't make it too annoying or taking up too much space, so I'll allow it.

-This episode's cast was honestly so stacked that Lucrezia T can't even be called its MVP, which is saying something, because this was a baller episode for her as well. And I am really looking forward to where the Medici financial issues plot is going to go, which together with Savonarola makes me mildly hopeful for the future episodes. Like I know the high of this episode probably won't last, but at least some of the rest of the show can possibly, maybe come close to it???

-BTW shoutout to Massimo from 365 days, who had a small role in this episode. Let me tell you, I nearly spilled my chocolate milk when I saw his face. Nice to see the guy got at least one dignified role in his life, like he's really not a bad actor...

-Anyway, great episode, the whole season was worth it just for old Ferrante.

[santa--mozzarella]

Giulia Alejandra Marcovaldo

Archetype — The Commander  Birthday — 1st October 1993 Zodiac Sign — Libra MBTI — ENTJ Enneagram — 6 Temperament — Choleric Moral Alignment — mostly neutral good, teetering into chaotic good Primary Vice — envy Primary Virtue — Diligence Element — Fire

Overview:

Mother — Luna Altomare (FC: Monica Bellucci), deceased Father — Massimo Marcovaldo (FC: Giancarlo Giannini), deceased Mother’s Occupation — professional seal Father’s Occupation — fisherman Family Finances — working class Birth Order — only child Brothers —  none Sisters — none Other Close Family — none Best Friend — her parents, and her childhood cat Machiavelli Other Friends — the occasional pod of monk seals Enemies — sharks, boats that don’t turn their engines off when wildlife is spotted in their waters  Pets — none currently Home Life During Childhood — very wild and loosey goosey. Lots of time spent in the water when she should’ve been doing other things, lots of helping her dad on the fishing boat  Town or City Name(s) — Baia Foca, Italy What Did His or Her Bedroom Look Like — it was like something out of Aquamarine. Lots of shells and things all over the walls, lots of books all over the place, very messy but very light and airy Any Sports or Clubs — football (soccer) Favorite Toy or Game — hide and seek was her favourite both in and out of the water  Schooling — Dropped out of University of Rome in her 3rd hear Favorite Subject — Astronomy  Popular or Loner — Loner Important Experiences or Events — Her mother’s traumatic death at sea coupled with her father losing his hand, dropping out of university, her father’s death Nationality — Italian Religion and beliefs — mildly Roman Catholic 

Physical Appearance

Face Claim —  Danielle Galligan Complexion — Fair  Hair Colour — Brown but looks auburn in the sun Eye Colour — Green (the FC is a suggestion thanks) Height — 5’5 Build — curvy  Tattoos — none Piercings — just her earlobes  Common Hairstyle — either worn down in natural waves or tied back in a ponytail  Clothing Style — comfortable but still fashionable  Mannerisms — talks with her hands a lot, fidgets a lot

Health

Overall (do they get sick easily)? — Not really, but she is prone to a wider range of diseases as a selkie Physical Ailments — None Neurological Conditions — None Allergies —  None known  Grooming Habits — big believer in baths over showers but maybe that is the seal talking  Sleeping Habits — early to bed early to rise she is routinely up at 4am Eating Habits — she’s Italian baby. There is no meal skipping here. Every meal is healthy but hearty and most importantly made with love Exercise Habits —  so much swimming  Sociability — very outgoing, very sociable, maybe a little too much so  Addictions —  caffeine tbqh Drug Use — none Alcohol Use — again, she’s Italian. She likes a good glass of wine

Your Character’s Character: 

Bad Habits — interrupting people when they’re talking, talking too loud, social smoker Good Habits — generally polite, respectful of her elders, always cleans up after herself  Worst Memory — getting the phone call about her mum Best Memory — her first time joining another group of seals out in the middle of the sea  Proud of — her family  Embarrassed by — dropping out and not going back to school  Driving Style — dreadful. Don’t let her on the road, she’s a menace  Fears — sharks :/ Regrets — not spending more time in the water, and simultaneously not spending enough time on land  Feels Vulnerable When — she’s away from her seal skin  Pet Peeves — slow walkers, people who litter Sexuality — bisexual  Exercise Routine  — she tends to go swimming very early in the morning, likes to cycle, but she doesn't have any real routine Day or Night Person — both  Introvert or Extrovert — extrovert Optimist or Pessimist — optimist

[byneddiedingo]

Clint Eastwood in A Fistful of Dollars (Sergio Leone, 1964)

Cast: Clint Eastwood, Marianne Koch, Gian Maria Volontè, Wolfgang Lukschy, Sieghardt Rupp, Joseph Egger, Antonio Prieto. Screenplay: Adriano Bolzoni, Victor Andrés Catena, Sergio Leone, Jaime Comas Gil. Cinematography: Massimo Dallamano, Federico G. Larraya. Art direction: Carlo Simi. Film editing: Roberto Cinquini, Alfonso Santacana. Music: Ennio Morricone.

My father was a huge fan of Westerns, which meant that whenever one was on TV -- which in the 1950s and '60s was almost all the time -- the set was tuned to Gunsmoke, Bonananz, Laramie, or Rawhide, and some shows I've forgotten. And naturally, that meant my adolescent rebellion took its course into a distaste for the genre. Which is why the "spaghetti Western" phenomenon escaped my notice in its heyday. Having had my exposure to Clint Eastwood on Rawhide, I was certainly not going to pay money to see him in a theater. Perhaps if you had told me that A Fistful of Dollars was based on (or stolen from) Yojimbo (Akira Kurosawa, 1961), I might have been interested. But it was not until years later, when people began talking about Sergio Leone as an auteur, that my curiosity about the movie was piqued. By then I had overcome my indifference to Westerns, having learned that they were the essential American Myth, and having admired Stagecoach (John Ford, 1939) and Red River (Howard Hawks, 1948), I was intrigued enough to check it out. I still think A Fistful of Dollars is a shade on the primitive side, and that Eastwood occasionally shows his discomfort at being directed by a man who doesn't speak English, but it holds up, not only as a precursor of the compelling violence of The Wild Bunch (Sam Peckinpah, 1969) and as a landmark in Eastwood's extraordinary career, but also as a tour de force: a Western filmed in Spain by an Italian with a polyglot cast. Best of all, it established the career of Ennio Morricone as one of the great film composers.

[thepercy6andtheradicalsabbatical]

Sanremo to Monterosso

Matt and Becca left Emily in charge and went for a 12 km run this AM to celebrate our 12th anniversary. The bike/running path in San Remo is super nice and at one point we ran 1 km into a tunnel on it before turning around as we still hadn’t reached the end. There were banners all along the tunnel about the big one-day bike race from Milan to San Remo (we think 🤔…Italian is not our strong suit) and so we imagined the final push before town is through that tunnel. We then navigated the MASSIVE (somehow longer than DIA terminal B, despite only having 2 platforms) San Remo station and made the train to Genoa (Genova en Italiano). We then caught another train to Monterosso al mare, the first town on Cinque Terre, where we’d be staying for the next 3 nights. We hopped off the train station and Matt noticed Il Massimo de Focaccia, which Lonely Planet had recommended as the best focaccia in Cinque Terre right next to the train station, but decided to hold off until later on buying. We walked along a beach full of colored rental umbrellas and chaise lounges then through a tunnel to the “older” part of town, then up a small alleyway to find our spot. We only had one flight of stairs to navigate up to the place (a luxury for us on this trip) and the hostess met us and showed us around and explained the very complex trash sorting system where there are 5 separate bins to keep track of and put out on different nights of the week. We dropped bags and hit the beach where the kiddos soon discovered you could rent a pedal boat with a slide coming off the top of it for 20 euros for an hour. Matt asked the rental guy the max capacity and he said 5, and Becca gladly volunteered to watch the bags. The guy then asked if all the kids could swim (despite them all getting lifejackets) and Matt was honest that Oli really couldn’t so Oli got to hang out with Becca on the beach. Matt and the 3 big kids then headed out under 2 person pedal power to explore. We were able to make our way out of the harbor and off to the left, where we got good views of the other towns of Cinque Terre along the coast. Emily was first to try the slide and said it was fun, then dad went, then (semi reluctantly) Henry. Buggy slid down the slide very slowly, then stepped off back onto the boat from the end of the slide rather than going in the water and despite (or because of?) lots of peer pressure from her father and sister she did not end up going off into the water. Our hour passed very quickly and we booked it back to the beach to ensure Matt didn’t lose his driver’s license collateral. We then went to the playground just behind the beach and Becca watched kiddos cavort around while Matt walked back to the focaccia place to pick up a sampler for dinner. Twas delicious as advertised! we then headed back to our place and relaxed a bit before Matt took the kids out for some gelato and ordered take out salads to supplement our prior carbs-only anniversary dinner. We then hit the hay, somewhat wary that the forecast called for 90% chance of rain the next 2 days.

[sunskate]

Ice Dance Programs 2023-24

Misato Komatsubara/Tim Koleto 🇯🇵JPN RD: Ghostbusters FD: Loving You (from Passion) Barbara Streisand & Patrick Wilson; Love Grows (from Final Fantasy VIII) Nobuo Uematsu (choreo: Romain Haguenauer)

Azusa Tanaka/Shingo Nishiyama 🇯🇵JPN FD: choreo Romain Haguenauer

Nadiia Bashynska/Peter Beaumont 🇨🇦CAN RD: INXS, Never Tear Us Apart; Duran Duran, Wild Boys

Miku Makita/Tyler Gunara 🇨🇦CAN FD: choreo by Matthew Gates

Alicia Fabbri/Paul Ayer 🇨🇦CAN RD: AC/DC, choreo Zach Donohue FD: Lewis Capaldi, Someone You Loved

Sandrine Gauthier/Quentin Thieren 🇨🇦CAN RD: Joan Jett, I Love Rock n Roll

Emma Goodstadt/Christian Bennett 🇨🇦CAN (Jrs) RD: B-52’s, Love Shack

Hannah Lim/Ye Quan 🇰🇷KOR RD: Prince, When Doves Cry, Let's Go Crazy FD: Umbrellas of Cherbourg

Emilea Zingas/Vadym Kolesnik 🇺🇸USA RD and FD choreo: Benoit Richaud

Emily Bratti/Ian Somerville 🇺🇸USA RD: Prince, When Doves Cry, Let’s Go Crazy FD: Celine Dion, Ne Me Quitte Pas choreo by Greg Zuerlein, Charlie White, Tanith White

Eva Pate/Logan Bye 🇺🇸USA RD: Bobby Brown, My Prerogative; Run-DMC (feat. Aerosmith) Walk This Way

Katarina Wolfkostin/Dimitry Tsarevski 🇺🇸USA RD: When in Rome, The Promise; Blondie, Call Me

Isabella Flores/Ivan Desyatov 🇺🇸USA RD: Prince, When Doves Cry; Def Leppard, Pour Some Sugar on Me, choreo Massimo Scali FD: West Side Story, choreo Kaitlyn Weaver

Angela Ling/Caleb Wein 🇺🇸USA RD: Aretha Franklin, Hold on I'm Coming

Raffaella Koncius/Alexey Shchepetov 🇺🇸USA RD: Stray Cats, Rock this Town, Stray Cat Strut

Klara Kowar/Thomas Schwappach 🇺🇸USA RD: INXS, Never Tear Us Apart, What You Need FD: James Bond

Leah Neset/Artem Markelov 🇺🇸USA (jrs) RD: Scorpions, Still Loving You; Joan Jett, Hate Myself for Loving You. choreo Kaitlyn Weaver FD: choreo Nikolai Morozov

Eliana Peal/Ethan Peal 🇺🇸USA (jrs) RD: Janet Jackson, What Have You Done For Me Lately, Rhythm Nation FD: Lord of the Rings

Jenna Hauer/Benjaming Starr 🇺🇸USA (jrs) RD: Tina Turner, Simply the Best (?)

Caroline Mullen/Brendan Mullen 🇺🇸USA (jrs) RD: Wham!, Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go; George Michael, Father Figure (?)

Yahli Pederson/Jeffrey Chen 🇺🇸USA (jrs) RD: Queen, Kind of Magic; Queen w David Bowie, Under Pressure (?)

Evgeniia Lopareva/Geoffrey Brissaud 🇫🇷FRA FD: choreo Guillaume Cizeron

Holly Harris/Jason Chan 🇦🇺AUS RD: Madonna (Material Girl, Express Yourself?), choreo: Marie-France Dubreuil FD: choreo Marie-France Dubreuil

Olivia Smart/Tim Dieck 🇪🇸ESP RD: Blondie, Call Me, Rapture

Sofia Val/Asaf Kazimov 🇪🇸ESP RD: Top Gun

Jennifer Janse van Rensburg/Benjamin Steffan 🇩🇪GER RD: Beds are Burning, Midnight Oil; Don't Leave Me Now, Supertramp; Runaway, Bon Jovi FD: wild west theme choreo: Pasquale Camerlengo for both

Phebe Bekker/James Hernandez 🇬🇧GBR RD: Prince FD: Muse

Layla Karnes/Liam Carr 🇬🇧GBR RD: Sweet Dreams, medley, Eurhythmics FD: Hit the Road Jack, 2WEI

Shira Ichilov/Dmitriy Kravchenko 🇮🇱ISR RD: Get Down on It, Yesterday, It's Raining Men FD: ("to a singer from Montreal") choreo: Pasquale Camerlengo, Igor Shpilband

Mariia Nosovitskaya/Misha Nosovytskyi 🇮🇱ISR RD: FD: Gladiator choreo: Pasquale Camerlengo, Igor Shpilband

Elizabeth Tkachenko/Alexei Kiliakov 🇮🇱ISR RD: Yello, Oh Yeah, Desire, The Race FD: Incantation, Ojo Azules; Inca the Peruvian Ensemble, Danzante Vasija del Barro; Inti-IllMani, Sikuriadas choreo: Elena Novak, Jimmie Manners

Yuka Orihara/Juho Pirinen 🇫🇮 FIN RD: choreo Luca Lanotte FD: music from Chicago choreo Massimo Scali

Carolane Soucisse/Shane Firus 🇮🇪IRL RD: Rick James, Super Freak, Give It To Me Baby, Mary Jane

Mariia Holubtsova/Kyryl Bielobrov 🇺🇦UKR RD: Bonnie Tyler, Holding Out For A Hero; Bonnie Tyler & Bryan Adams, Straight From the Heart; Bonnie Tyler & Desmond Child, If You Were a Woman (And I Was a Man) FD: Joe Hisaishi, Merry Go Round of Life, Fragile Dream, A Walk in the Skies choreo: Romain Haguenauer, Pascal Denis, Sam Chouinard

Zoe Larson/Andrii Kapran 🇺🇦UKR RD: Pointer Sisters, I'm So Excited; Grover Washington/Bill Withers, Just the Two of Us; The Weather Girls, It's Raining Men (?)

Adrienne Carhart/Oleksandr Kolosovskyi 🇦🇿AZE RD: Billy Ocean, Caribbean Queen

Maria Kazakova & Georgy Reviya 🇬🇪GEO RD: Queen, A Kind of Magic, Save Me, I Want To Break Free, Need Your Loving Tonight FD: Schindler's List choreo by Matteo Zanni

Natalie Taschlerova & Filip Taschler 🇨🇿CZE RD: Janet Jackson, The Knowledge; James Mtume, Juicy Fruit; The Pointer Sisters, Serious Slammin' FD: Negramaro, Bluecobalto; Havasi, Terra Rosa; Giuliano Sangiorgi, Son Felice choreo by Matteo Zanni

[lady-scorpion-and-friends]

The Duke wondered what type of announcement it was still Giulia asked "Are you going to find her, father?" she asked King Massimo as Duke step in "It's a huge risk Sire, this slipper may fit any number of girls, how we know who's the right one?"

meanwhile as Scorpion return home, she quickly went to change clothes and get her chores done before the step-mom and step-sisters arrived, when they did, Scorpion did her best to get them ready for bed making sure no one knew about that she were the girl at the ball, once she were done she went to her room, laying down in bed as she holds the slipper in hands, felling asleep as she remembers the handsome stranger who she dance with it.

Cinderella AU - Open RP (Scorpion)

Scorpion could never feel so miserable then she already had. Not that she complains about it, what she could do? She was just a maid working for a despicable and cruel woman, Lady Tremaine, and her two daughters, Anastasia and Drizella

She’s been working day and night to make them satisfied, she was also wearing a miserable and poor dress, since the despicable daughters get rid of all the gowns she had, they always give her even more work to do and always had the opportunity to bring her down, she barely had time for herself.

She was now taking care of the animals on the garden, less she knew was that someone might been watching her.

[elizabeaufort]

✘ ╱ margot robbie + female + she/her ╾ better keep an eye on NIKITA BELOVA whenever they are around. Some say the TWENTY-EIGHT year old made their name by being a(n) ASSOCIATE for THE CONTROL. Feared by their MOODY + ALOOF tendencies, however, their OPEN MIND + ADVENTUROUS side helps maintain the facade. Can be easily found in THE LEVINE HOTEL working as OWNER. ( ooc allie + 29 + she/her + gmt )

Full Name: Nikita Irina Belova

Nickname: Nikki

Age/Date Of Birth: 2nd, July  

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Gender: female (she/her)

Place of Birth: Moscow, RU

Current Location: The Levine Hotel

Sexual Orientations: Heteresexual (lil bi-curious idk)

Occupation: Heir

FAMILY

Parents:  Ivan Aleksei Belov (alive), Dasha Belova (deceased)

Children: Aleksander (Sasha).

Status: Divorced.

Tw: child abuse, death, betrayal, pregnancy, drugs, age gap

Nikita was born in Moscow, RU. Unfortunately, the day she breathed for the first time was the day her mother passed away. Since that day, life had been tough for her. Ivan Aleksei Belov had very difficulty raising his daughter, mostly because she was a reminder of the last day he saw his wife which he loved dearly, it was safe to say he died a little on that day too.

This is when everything starts, he wasn't really a good father to Nikita, always getting himself in trouble and abusing her. The more she grows the more she looked like his deceased wife, and the more he avoided looking at her. She starts to do odd jobs since he always comes home drunk or high, using his money for gambling or else. She passed through some difficulties at home, sometimes she had nothing to eat for days, and also trying to care for her father.

One day appeared to Ivan an opportunity for a better life in America, but of course, he moved with Nikita to there. Little by little, he started to grow there, and the income comes from his illegal business and gambling. In spite of whatever it was Ivan was doing, Nikita continued studying and graduating promising herself she would whatever it is to work on her own business, without being affiliated with her own father.

But the best part was when she met Massimo. She never fell so hard on someone like him, he was somebody that captivated her heart, although she is a bit young than him, she was mature enough from everything she had been through in life. Eventually, they quickly got married. All the good things have come to an end... Nikita found out her husband betrayed her after 4.5 years of marriage. On this day, she also received the news that her father died, and she has forced to pay her father's debts by joining The Control, she never really wanted to join in any kind of this thing it was this or her life was in danger.

Soon she assumed the role of Ivan's work by being the new owner of the hotel and living there and now divorced. Ivan's body never was found, but one year later he appeared and confessed his death was fake because he wanted her to be part of the gang (and he knew she would never join them, considering how hard she was trying to have a normal life).  And to complete her life, there is one time she met with her ex husband Massimo by chance after the divorce, in which resulted in a pregnancy. Now she is living her of a single parent and managing the hotel.

[thefashionvibesofficial]

Double Murder: Megan Fox to star in thriller with 365 Days star Michele Morrone

Double Murder: Megan Fox to star in thriller with 365 Days star Michele Morrone

Megan Fox and Michele Morrone, best known for her role as Massimo in the hit Netflix movie 365 Days, will play the lead characters in the sci-fi thriller Subservience. It will be interesting to watch because both actors are very handsome… Megan Fox (Photo: legionmedia.ru) Michele Morrone (Photo: Getty Images) The movie is about a struggling father played by Michele. He will buy a home…

[peachtree-dish]

A Te Che Sei Il Mio Grande Amore Ch. 4 Di Volta in Volta

Luglio 20, 1969

“Commander Neil Armstrong is making his way out of the spacecraft and is taking his first steps down the ladder to the moon’s surface. In mere moments he will be the first man to step foot on the moon…” The voice was narrated through the tv screen as the events of the first human moon landing played out in front of nearly the entire village. Those who did not have access to radio or television were crammed into their neighbor’s houses to either listen or watch on the small television screens. The usual Sunday atmosphere had been disrupted by the whole world waiting with bated breath as history played out in their living rooms. Luca sat between Giulia and Alberto in front of Massimo’s secondhand TV, fighting the urge to press himself against the class so as not to miss a single detail. He hadn’t slept a wink the night before because he had stayed up listening as the Apollo 11 crew had taken their last orbit around the moon before landing their naveta spaziale on the surface. Behind him, his family was sitting at the dinner table tightly pressed between Massimo and the several cats that had found some form of purchase on his broad shoulders. Luca had not thought it possible, but Massimo’s eyebrows seemed to be furrowed even deeper than usual; they were the only indication that he seemed just as anxious as everyone else.

Luca’s eyes widened as the man on the screen as the astronaut hopped onto the last ring of the ladder, his hands gripping tightly to it as if he were afraid to float away into the expanse of space. Beside him, Alberto squinted closely at the emerging astronaut and rubbed his chin.

“Their suits kinda look like that old diving suit, no?” he muttered in Luca’s ear. Guilia loudly shushed him from Luca’s other side, promptly cutting off any further commentary. Instead of vocalizing his agreement he instead gave an energetic nod to Alberto before the older boy could swat Giulia’s arm in revenge.

“I can see my footprints as I step away from the spacecraft…the surface appears to be covered in… fine, sandy particles…” For one moment, Luca pictured himself bounding across the surface of the moon, the old diving helmet pressed tightly to his shoulders, and space sand floating behind him. He could almost feel himself levitating away from the worn, wool rug of Massimo’s small kitchen, thousands of stars floating above him.

Giulia gasped, startling Luca back to reality, “He’s letting go of the spacecraft!” Sure enough, Armstrong’s grainy figure on the screen was slowly letting go of the ladder and stepping into the unknown of space. In a moment of trepidation, Luca reached wrapped his hand around Guilia’s as they waited for the next few moments to pass. He could hear Alberto inhale sharply beside him, assuming he was just as anxious as the rest of them.

“That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,” in one moment the entire world released its breath with a cheer.

Massimo slammed his fist down on the table with a shout of “Vittoria” ringing through the house. His outburst startled the cats into a hissing mess and Nonna Paguro slapped his arm with her cane, claiming a premature heart attack. Around them adults and children were shouting and cheering, many even taking to the streets, their cacophony mixing with the howling of dogs. Giulia hurriedly leaned over to wrap her arms around Alberto and Luca’s shoulders, relieved giggles echoing in their ears as she rushed over to embrace Massimo in earnest. Luca grinned, sparing one last glance at the screen as the rest of the astronauts filed out of the ship, before turning excitedly to Alberto. Without a moment’s hesitation, Luca embraced him, only realizing mere seconds after that his hand was still entangled with someone else’s. At his friend’s stiff posture and flushed face, Luca’s excitement died only to be replaced with confusion. He rocked back onto his heels, one hand draped awkwardly around Alberto’s neck and Alberto’s left hand resting on his hip.

“Alberto?” he breathed, forcing the older boy to peer at him as he pulled away. Alberto blinked rapidly, his hand clenching and unclenching around Luca’s and his green eyes looking desperately around the room. He licked his lips and did not fail to notice Alberto’s eyes following the movement. He opened his mouth to say something before a loud crash broke the atmosphere between them. Machiavelli’s son, Bocelli, had become spooked in the excitement and had managed to knock over Massimo’s favorite tea kettle along with a few teacups. While the kettle had merely been bumped from the impact, three cups had met a disastrous end on the floorboards.

Amidst shouts and curses from the adults, Alberto had firmly and quickly untangled himself from Luca, rushing to the pantry to remove a broom and pan for the mess. Lorenzo was trying his best to scoop the remaining cats into his arms so they wouldn’t get hurt and Daniela was simply yelling at them all to move. Massimo was cradling the kettle with his arm, gently checking for any damage while Giulia remained unseen in the mess, her eyes flitting between Luca and Alberto who still hadn’t said anything. On the carpet, Luca watched as if frozen, unsure of why he felt like crying.

The days following the moon landing and the Apollo 11 crew’s return to earth found Giulia and Alberto working overtime to fill the town’s orders. At least, that was what Luca was telling himself. Since their awkward moment on the rug, Alberto hadn’t spent as much time around Luca, instead of spending hours out fishing and hauling the day’s catch through the streets. His conversations with them would always be clipped, though not unfriendly and he always found a reason not to spend time with them. Giulia, feeling as if she were walking on eggshells, tried to ask Alberto what was going on while they delivered, but he simply brushed off her inquiries with a forced grin. In her opinion, his lies reeked more than days old trash left in the heat. Her frustration grew to an extreme one evening when Alberto bid them both a halfhearted goodnight from the dinner table, claiming he would be staying up later than usual to fill in the finance charts. Ignoring Giulia’s glare and Luca’s hurt expression, he pulled out the counting charts Massimo had been filling out the previous afternoon and began adding the day’s earnings.

“I think he really does hate me,” Luca admitted to Giulia once they passed the archway leading to the docks.

“Don’t be ridicolo, I think he’s just... acting weird?” She floundered, unable to come up with an acceptable response.

“Oh, really, Giulia?!” Luca burst, his frustration surging, “He's not the one who acted weird, I was! I messed up, and now he can’t stand to be around me. I disgust him!” He kicked at a pebble, his expression strained. Luca tried to inhale deeply to calm himself, but the lump in his throat wouldn’t allow it. He turned back to a solemn Giulia, his voice choked. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me,” To his mounting horror, large drops of water began to spill down his cheeks and before Giulia could even reach out to offer comfort, the teen was tearing down the cobblestones leading to the water's edge. Giulia’s calls were lost in the water as it enveloped him, his salty tears mixing with the sea. He swam for a long time, wanting to avoid his own home for as long as possible. He couldn’t stop thinking about Alberto’s hands on his hip or how it felt to look down into his eyes. Had they not been interrupted, what would have happened? And then he remembered how Alberto had looked frantic, almost afraid of what Luca was going to do. With a half-formed snarl, Luca dove towards the ocean floor. Reaching a shallow cave, he sat down and curled in on himself while his stomach heaved, and his tail thrashed.

“Stupido, stupido, stupido, stupido…” he sobbed over and over, unable to silence Bruno in his mind.

Giulia marched into the house fuming, her eyes landing on Alberto who stared at the wall in front of him, his expression blank. Wordlessly, she picked up the discarded papers on the table and smacked them across the back of his stupid, curly head.

“OW! What the-” Alberto spun around to glare at her.

“Non posso crederti,” she seethed, her hands shaking.

“I don’t have time for your hormonal dramatics, Gi,” Alberto deadpanned, moving to stand and escape from the redhead’s wrath.

“Don’t you dare,” she pushed him back into the chair, her brute strength surprising him. Small as she may be, Giulia was still Massimo’s daughter.

“How can you both keep hurting each other like this? You’re friends, no? Start acting like it!” She flailed her hands hysterically in such a way that Alberto almost wanted to laugh.

“We are friends, tutto bene,” He argued, inwardly wincing at the lie.

“Then why does Luca always look on the verge of tears after being around you? What happened, fratello? You haven’t been the same since the moon landing.” Giulia stared him down with both fists resting on her hips. She rarely referred to him as her brother, and when she did it was because she was trying to show how much she actually cared. That was the one thing Giulia and Alberto always agreed on, they hated to show feelings. Alberto could feel the anxiety he felt on that day building again inside him. He hadn’t meant to make it worse; he was going to make a joke about Luca being scared, but then he had grabbed Alberto’s hand. They touched each other easily all the time, frequent in their affection and friendly nature, but Luca had never held Alberto’s hand like that. Alberto hadn’t wanted to let go. It was just a harsh reminder that eventually he would have to let go of Luca forever. He swallowed thickly and peered at Giulia.

“I’m not going to get in the way of Luca following his dreams,” He said slowly, trying to get his friend to understand. “Luca is meant for grander things than whatever I had planned, I’m just helping him realize that.” Giulia stared at him for a moment before pinching the bridge of her nose and screwing her eyes shut.

“Oh, Dio, I’m surrounded by idiots.”

“Giulia, listen,” He began only to be interrupted by Giulia holding up her hand.

“Silenzio, Bruno. I know you don’t believe that. Luca wouldn’t have any of his dreams without you, and if he were to lose you, those dreams would fade.” Alberto shrank into his seat, not wanting to look her in the eye. With a defeated sigh, the young girl sat beside him.

“You’ve never told us about how you ended up alone, and I’m not going to ask you to tell me,” she interrupted him before he could speak. He swallowed his objection and let her continue, “but I wish you could understand that we’re not like your old family.  Berto,” she reached out and held one of his hands in both of hers, “we will never abandon you, and neither will Luca. But I am afraid that if you continue to act this way, he’ll think you abandoned him.”

Alberto’s head snapped up and he gazed fiercely at Giulia, reminding her of the first time he revealed his sea monster form to her.

“I would never abandon him.”

She stared back coolly and pointed at the bracelet on his wrist, “Then prove him wrong.” With that she stood and marched upstairs, her steps sounding with finality. Alberto watched her empty seat for a few moments, his ears roaring with the pounding of his heart. Before he could reconsider his actions, the chair scraped harshly along the floorboards, and he was rushing towards the warm ocean.

“Luca!” He called desperately into the waves, not caring if any of the other sea folk were sleeping. His shouts startled a school of pandoras swimming by, and they rushed past him as fast as possible. Alberto sped towards Luca’s home, his heart thundering as he reached Luca’s window. Peering in he found Nonna Paguro sleeping on her side of the room, her snores rattling through the water. To his growing anxiety, he found Luca’s bed empty and so turned towards the island where he had often hidden. Crashing clumsily upon the rocky shore, Alberto called out to the tower, its windows and roof dark and unresponsive.

If he looked too closely at the darkened mouth of the tower, he’d see a small child, crying anxiously for his papa to come home. Pushing the dark memories away, Alberto took deep breaths in an attempt to remain calm. Feeling the anxiety in his chest close to bursting, he dove back into the darkened waters and shouted again.

“Luca! I’m sorry, please talk to me!” He swam frantically, his gaze twisting in every direction, hoping to catch a glance of blue. He swam farther out to the ocean, the fields of seaweed sloping into rocky, sand-filled terrain.

“I’m s-sorry,” He gasped, bubbles escaping his mouth and floating towards the moonlit surface. He felt his hope slipping away with them when he heard a hiccupped cry.

“Alberto?” Luca’s voice was raw from his emotional outburst, but it was still the most beautiful sound Alberto had ever heard. Twisting around with enough force to nearly snap his neck, Alberto found Luca peering out from underneath an overhanging rock bank. He felt his own sob of relief escape his throat before he swam down to his friend. The older boy floated in front of Luca, unsure of how he would react.

“Is everyone okay, you sound upset,” Luca’s eyes were red-rimmed, and they pinned Alberto to the spot with their concern. Alberto wanted to slap himself; Luca was obviously hurting yet here he was making sure Alberto and everyone else was alright. How selfish can you be, Alberto?

“No, everyone’s fine, but I’ve been an idiota, Luca. We only have days left before you go back to Genoa, and I’ve spent the past two weeks ignoring you because…” He stopped as he felt his fear resurfacing. “I don’t want to lose you.”

“But that doesn’t make se-”

“I know, that’s why I said I’m an idiota,” he chuckled drily at Luca’s confusion. “You got me off the island, but there are days I feel like I’m drowning.” He explained patiently, “There are so many new things here and I feel like I’m always behind while you’re always ahead.” He swallowed, watching as Luca still looked confused. “I feel like one day you’re going to realize that I’m slowing you down and I don’t want to get in the way of you becoming who you’re meant to be, even if that means I get left behind.”

Luca’s eyes widened and his mouth fell open in shock, “Alberto, there is no dream worth having if you’re not in it.” Alberto stood stunned before him, his mouth had gone shockingly dry considering the saltwater in it.

“Caro,” he whispered, pulling Luca into his arms, too overwhelmed to finish speaking.

“I thought I offended you,” Luca admitted softly, his voice humming against Alberto’s collarbone, “I thought I had made you uncomfortable, when in reality I thought I grabbed Giulia’s hand, I promise.” Alberto felt his stomach drop out from him. He badly wanted to contradict Luca, tell him he had wanted more than anything to grab his hand whenever he could. But he wouldn’t, his fear wouldn’t let him.

“It’s okay, you didn’t offend me. If anything, I can’t blame you. No one can resist my good looks and charm,” He joked, laughing a bit too loudly to be considered natural. Luca snorted and pushed away from him, rolling his eyes.

“You wish, Berto,”

I really do, Alberto thought helplessly.

“Thank you for coming after me, again.” Luca laughed exasperatedly, hiding his face in his hands with a groan. “Giulia probably thinks I’m the most dramatic idiot in all of Italy.”

Alberto shrugged and glanced to the side, “Eh, you’d be surprised, she has her own moments. Must be an Italian thing.” Luca glared at him halfheartedly through his claws.

“Do you wanna head back to your house, or…” Alberto motioned his head back towards Porto Rosso. Luca smiled and motioned back to him.

“Wherever you want, I’ll follow you.”

“Well, it’s about time. I’ve only been waiting for over a year,” Alberto teased, swimming back towards the shining lights of the port town, his best friend’s laughter ringing behind him.

31 Agosto 1969

The last weeks of summer came and went with the laughter of children and a full season of fishing; having decided that winning the Porto Rosso Cup last year had been enough of an adventure, Giulia, Luca, and Alberto had instead spent time behind the scenes helping with the race alongside Signora Marsigliese. The woman had been extra grateful for the help and had run the three of them nearly ragged with preparations. With no Ercole in sight, the race had been far more enjoyable for all the town’s children, and even more so for their families.

Alberto volunteered to keep watch in the bay as the kids swam, already used to having lifeguard duties. He made sure to help anyone who got stuck or might have struggled especially hard. It made Luca’s heart especially warm to watch Alberto interact with the smaller children, encouraging them and even allowing the smallest bambina to latch onto his tail when she got too tired to swim back to shore. This year, Daniela and Lorenzo actually helped by offering water to kids as they struggled up the hill, this time without threatening to dump it on their heads.

In the end, the race was one by a brother and sister from the Ricci family who both were so exhausted they could barely keep the trophy held up between them. The end of the season also meant that Alberto would be working in his many diverse side jobs once it got too cold.

“Do you actually like working in la panetteria? Luca asked him from where he sat on the floor packing his things away.

“It’s not bad,” Alberto shrugged nonchalantly, “it was kinda stressful at first, but Signora Aurora is really nice, and I don’t make nearly as many mistakes as Ciccio.”

“I don’t think anyone could make as many mistakes as him, Ciccio’s a league unto his own,” Luca muttered absently, comparing two different books in his hands. In Alberto’s opinion, they looked the exact same.

“After the weather gets colder, I start baking in the mornings at the Pasticcini, and then Signore Ciano has me help him and Guido in their garage. I offered to help Padre D’uva at the church, but” he shrugged again with a half-smile, “babies don’t really like getting baptized by sea monsters.” Luca snorted and rolled his eyes at the image of a scaled Alberto trying to dunk a screaming child.

“I guess your smile and good charms don’t work on everybody, amico.”

Alberto flipped upside down on the bed and bit his lip suggestively and waggled his eyebrows, “Just you then?” Luca paused a moment to look at him and his gaze was almost enough to make Alberto stop. The young monster tilted his head to the side, considering Alberto’s features.

“Eh, could use some work,” He answered finally turned his head back to his bag, trying to stifle his laughter as Alberto made a face.

The sound of knuckles rapping on the doorframe causes them both to look up. Giulia leaned against the chipped white paint and smiled warmly, “Mind if I come in, ragazzi?” Alberto happily scooted to the side, ultimately remaining in his upside-down state.

“You’re not done packing?” Giulia asked incredulously. Luca only pouted from the floor.

“I can’t decide which books to take,” He ran a hand through his already stressed curls, the motion capturing Alberto’s attention even from his angle.

“You’re such a nerd, you know that right,” She ruffled his hair affectionately.

“As a nerd, it is, in fact, my job to know that, Giulietta.” The brunette stuck his tongue out defiantly before tossing the books back onto their pile. With a groan he stood and stretched his back, the muscles popping into place. Throwing himself on the bed he looked up at the ceiling and said, “I can’t believe summer’s already over, I feel like we just got back!” He flopped back down, his arm thumping Alberto’s stomach.

“Hey, attento!” Alberto swore. He swung himself back up and flopped backward, tugging Giulia along with him. Luca patted his stomach by way of apology before sighing dramatically.

“Why doesn’t school go by this fast?”

“Because then more people would enjoy it,” Giulia sighed from the other side of Alberto, who remained oddly quiet. He turned his head from one side to the other, watching how the late afternoon sun turned Giulia’s hair a violent copper and how it made Luca’s eyes seem molten. Suddenly reaching out, he tugged both close to him and said, “Vi amo, ragazzi.” Luca and Giulia shared a look of befuddlement.

“…Okay?” They replied in unison

“Learn as much as you can and then tell me everything in your letters, okay? Just like before. Except for this time, I’m going to learn new things, too. That way, we can all share what we learned next summer.” He grinned proudly at the thought.

Giulia sat up and cocked an eyebrow at him. “Are you feeling okay, pazzo? Do you need a doctor or something?”

“No, I’m serious. Giulia, you remember what you asked us at the beginning of summer?” She cocked her head to the side before nodding.

“I asked what you wanted to be when we got older.”

“Esattamente! And I have no idea, but I want to find out.” He looked at both Luca and Giulia as they processed his words. Luca was the first to move, wrapping his arms tighter around Alberto’s middle and grinning into his shoulder.

“I think that’s a great idea, caro. I’m proud of you.” Giulia nodded in agreement as she settled back down.

“Even if you don’t figure it out this year, or the next, just goditi il viaggio, like my mama always says. Life is about discovery, if you can’t enjoy it, learn from it.” Alberto hummed contently in response.

“Your mom sounds smart,” he mused.

“She is,” Luca and Giulia answered together, causing the trio to burst into a fit of giggles.

Later that evening, when Massimo climbed upstairs to check on the children, he found Giulia, Alberto, and Luca curled around one another on Giulia’s bed. Alberto had both arms wrapped protectively around both his daughter and Luca while they snored away peacefully. Machiavelli waltzed between his legs before alighting himself upon the bed and curling up next to Alberto’s head. He softly chided the cat to remain quiet and leave the children to their dreams. Without waking them, he softly tucked them in with the blanket from Alberto’s bed before walking out of the room. As he closed the door, he chanced one last glance at his little family and allowed himself a small smile. He could not wait for summer to return.