I headed to the gaming room, comfortable kind of quiet. Alessio was already in there, sprawled out on the beanbag with the PS5 controller in hand. He barely glanced at me as I walked in, his focus entirely on the game on the screen. FIFA, of course.

"Took you long enough," he said, tossing a second controller toward me without even looking.

I caught it easily, sitting down on the couch across from him. "Didn't know we had plans," I muttered, plugging the controller in.

"Cuz you are an idiot " Alessio said with a smirk, his fingers flying over the buttons as he navigated the menus.

I rolled my eyes but didn't argue, even when I wasn't in the mood for conversation, Alessio had a way of filling the silence

---

We started the first match, Alessio picking his usual team with an overconfident grin. "You ready to lose, Marco?"

"Dude shut up, you say that and always lose" I replied flatly, my fingers already moving across the controls.

The first half of the game passed in near silence, broken only by the occasional curse from Alessio when I scored. I wasn't playing my best—my mind kept drifting back to earlier, to Luca, to his quiet request for help and the way he flinched when I touched him. I didn't blame him for being nervous around me. I'd made myself hard to approach, especially for someone like him.

"Marco, focus!" Alessio snapped, jolting me out of my thoughts. He'd just scored, and his grin was as smug as ever.

"Well it is just luck ," I said, rolling my eyes and diving back into the game.

The next round went better—at least until Alessio's phone buzzed on the floor next to him. He grabbed it mid-play, glancing at the screen. "Hold on," he said, pausing the game. "It's lorenzo" One of his friends that I know, even though we are twins but we are not in the same friends group but it's not like I don't like his friends.

I leaned back against the couch, watching as he answered. "Hey, man. Yeah, I'm free. Who's coming? Cool. I'll head out in a bit."

Alessio hung up and stood, stretching his arms above his head. "That was enzo. He is meeting up at the park with the rest . I told them I'd come."

I frowned, raising an eyebrow "When did you plan this?"

"I didn't plan it," Alessio said quickly, but he wasn't meeting my eyes. "It's just a hangout."

"You should come with us," he offered, trying to sound casual.

"No thanks," I said shortly, picking up the controller again.

"Alright, suit yourself," he said with a shrug. "Try not to scare Luca too much while I'm gone."

I glared at him, but he was already halfway to the door

"Did you even tell papa that you are going out?" I smirked asking

"Yeah yeah of course I did" He scoffed leaving , I just rolled my eyes and switched to another game. ---

The house felt even quieter after Alessio left, I knew I couldn't just sit there, stewing in my thoughts. Luca was probably still in his room, and as much as I didn't know what to say to him, leaving him alone didn't feel right, I want to be with my little brother again.

I walked upstairs, stopping just outside his door. It was slightly ajar, and I peeked in to see him laying on the bed, his back to me with his crutch leaning against the wall beside him.

"Hey," I said, knocking lightly before stepping inside.

He turned and looked up at me, his expression nervous but curious.

"You hungry?" I asked, keeping my voice even.

He nodded hesitantly.

"Come on," I said, motioning for him to follow me.

---

In the kitchen, I started pulling out ingredients for pasta. Red sauce was the easiest thing to make, and I figured it was a safe choice. Luca stood nearby, watching me quietly.

"Why Don t you sit Luca?" I said, nodding toward one of the stools at the counter.

"M-my l-legs W-will h-hurt" He stuttered

oh

I went to him and crouched to his height

"Can I carry so I can put you on the counter or You can sit on the couch, In The living room"

He Just got near me and I carried him and took his crutch from his hand and god he was so light

I put him on the counter making sure his leg is stretched.

The silence between us was heavy, but I didn't know how to break it. Instead, I focused on the cooking, boiling water for the pasta and heating the sauce in a pan.

I just wanna spend some time with my little brother why did it have to be this awkward.

"Y-you c-c-cook?" Luca asked softly, his voice breaking the quiet.

"Sometimes," I replied, glancing at him, smiling "It's not that hard."

He nodded, his fingers fidgeting with the hem of his shirt.

I served the pasta on two plates, setting one in front of him before sitting across from him with my own. "Here," I said simply.

"T-thank y-you," he murmured, picking up his fork.

We ate in relative silence, but it wasn't as uncomfortable as I'd expected. Luca seemed more relaxed as he focused on his plate, and I found myself watching him, trying to figure out what to say.

" I am sorry again, Luca " I apologized again " I just wanna say that I missed you so much, Really" I looked at him and he was smiling at me

"s o-okay M-massy said you j-just had a b-bad d-day but s okay "

I nod, Grinning

The sound of the front door opening pulled me out of my thoughts, and I heard Papa's voice calling from the hallway.

"Marco? Luca?"

"In the kitchen," I called back.

A moment later, Papa appeared in the doorway, his sharp eyes immediately taking in the scene. His expression softened when he saw Luca, and he smiled. "How are you, bambino?"

"I-I'm good," Luca replied smiling, his voice still timid but less hesitant.

Papa walked over and ruffled my hair gently and asked. "You cooked?"

"Yeah," I said, shrugging.

"Good," he said, his smile widening slightly. "Luca want to watch tv while you are You eating ?"

Luca nod hesitantly and papa grinned " Okay guys you go put on a show you like while I change my clothes"

As he left, I glanced at Luca. He looked up at me, his eyes wide but calm. I reached for him and when he nodded I carried him to the living Room and put him on the leg making sure his leg is stretched " I am gonna bring the plates and put on a show okay?" he nod smiling and I hesitated to ruffel his hair but I did it and He did not even flinch

For the first time all day, I felt better and better.

____________________________

hellooo missed me?? well I actually wanted to make it longer but the next chapter will be extra fluffy I promise and guys whenever you feel I am taking to long to publish a chapter do not hesitate to write a comment or even write on my account these things really encourage me to writeee it really make me feel so excited to write and btw I have a supriseeee I am gonna write a newww book actually it is in Arabic so If u an arab make sure to read ittt it is about a father-son Relationship so d not forget to coment and votee byeee love u alll