"Just depends, we had to study for a school assessment, so that's why I came over today."

"Oh I don't have a problem with you being here, you're both adults, you can do whatever you like behind closed doors," she said, staring at him.

He wanted to tell her to get fucked but instead he just held Athena's hand under the table.

He deep breathed, trying to survive this horrid meal.

He then realised what he was doing and went to let go of her but she held him tightly in her lap.

He exhaled with relief. He was glad that he was providing some kind of comfort for her.

Her parents were talking amongst themselves and Andreas noticed Athena eat something. He rubbed his thumb along her hand proudly.

<><><><><><><>

"Hey Damiano." Giulia said as she opened the door.

"Hey." He replied.

"Everything all good? I just saw you at the procession."

"Yeah, yeah, my madre and Nonna are cooking already. We just set our palm branches around the house, so I thought I'd come over, see if you and your Nonna needed any help."

Italian Easter and Easter in general was usually a time for the family to come together and celebrate. Damiano had that. He had a huge family. But Giulia didn't and Damiano didn't want her to feel lonely.

"You don't have to help we're all good. Although she did mention she'd be cooking soon, so let's steer clear of her." Giulia said, laughing.

"Oh that's right, you'd have to learn how to make stratciatella finally."

They sat outside and Giullia offered him a cigarette, which he took.

"Yeah no thanks, I'm more interested in the eating part. But I do love seeing my Nonna cook."

"She does make good meatballs."

"You might just be in luck I saw mince meat in the fridge, and you can come eat later, have a double dinner situation."

"I will come over, but I don't know if I'll be able to fit anything else after my family's dinner. You're more than welcome as well by the way."

"Thank you."

They sat in silence, admiring the day.

"How's it going with Danijela?"

Giulia noticed him smile softly as he exhaled.

"It's good, really good. She's got a good personality."

"Well you look happy, so good for you."

"Yeah, I asked her to bey girlfriend."

"Ah it's official, that's awesome Damiano, really."

"Yeah, I can't wait to hang out with her again."

"That's a good sign."

He finished his cigarette and shortly after Giullia's Nonna walked outside.

"Ah Damiano, so wonderful to see you," she said in a strong Italian accent. She grabbed his face and kissed him on either cheek.

"Ciao Catherine, Buona Domenica Delle Palme."

"Ah, same to you," she said. 

"Did you need help with something Nonna?" Giullia asked standing next her with her arm around her as Giullia was taller than her Nonna. 

"No Darling, we have to set our rami di palma around the house."

"Oh, si si, we haven't done it yet."

"Damiano join us."

"I'd love to."

<><><><><><><>

After a long week of mourning for both the Greeks and the Italians we know and love, everyone comes together on Sunday. The big day where everyone eats more than they should. 

Giullia and her Nonna joined Greco's, and the twins, Athena and Nicholas celebrated together at Nic's mansion as well. 

After the traditions with family, they all organised to meet up at the beach.  

Athena and the twins got there first as Nicholas picked up Giullia and Damiano picked up Danijela. 

"We're almost there, alright, ciao," Damiano hung up on Giullia who had called to see if he was on his way. 

"I shouldn't be going."

"Oh be quiet, I'm as much of an outsider as you are. I'm only close with Giullia, I've known her for a year and I've only met Athena."

He dropped emphasis on Athena, hoping Danijela wouldn't ask about her. 

"Alright, I trust you," she said and leaned over to kiss him on the cheek. 

He parked and they got out, walking hand in hand towards the group. They were spread about on two picnic blankets, Nicholas laying in Giullia's lap with Alexander sitting beside them, and Athena laying next to Andreas, who sat next to her, playing with her hair. 

Damiano staired a little too long at them, at Athena. She was gorgeous, he thought, but he looked away and turned his head to Danijela and smiled. 

"You guys made it!" Giullia said and she grabbed Damianos hand and he shook it side to side as a hello. 

"Yes, we did."

"They're such a cute couple, I can't," Giullia said as Damiano sat down and held Danijela's hand as she sat down next to him. 

The sun was setting, and they all watched. 

Athena kept glancing at Danijela and Damiano, the cute couple. 

"I don't think it's beneficial." Andreas whispered to Athena. She faced him and saw his worried look. 

"What?"

"You being here, can I take you home?" She didn't want to ruin his fun, but she knew she shouldn't stay because all she could think about was how perfect Danijela was. 

"What about your brother? And what about you?"

"I don't give a fuck Athena, do you want to go?" She nodded and he leaned in to kiss her forehead. "Good girl, I'm proud of you. You don't need to worry about other people if you're self-hating in that complex mind of yours."

"Thank you Andreas," she said softly. 

Damiano saw that guy, Andreas, kiss her on the forehead. He didn't get it. By the conversations, Giullia, Nicholas, the twins and Athena have known eachother since childhood, and obviously there was something between Andreas and Athena, but apparently it's over, according to her.  Were they just this close? Isn't that a bit odd. 

If he was with her, this would bother him. A lot. But he's not, he's with Danijela. 

Andreas quickly messaged Alex seeing if he would have a ride home, and he replied with yes, so then Andreas stood up with Athena. 

"Bye everyone, we're going to head off, Athena has to get home."

They all said bye, "nice meeting you both," Andreas said to the younger couple, purposely standing in front of Athena as she smiled as a goodbye. 

Once they had gone, the sun was completely down. Nicholas, Alex and Giullia were speaking amongst themselves, giggling and whatnot, while Danijela stared at Damiano. 

"I missed you this week," Damiano said to her. 

"Well we both had Easter to celebrate. Although mine was a 3-day thing whereas yours goes for 9 days apparently." Damiano chuckled and then put a strand of hair behind her ear.

"We can make up for it. I promise." She leaned in to kiss him softly, and he kissed her back but more passionately. 

She moaned softly leaning away. "Can you climb a tree?" She asked him. 

"Well depends on the tree," he replied, looking confused. 

"It's one that resides just outside my bedroom window." His eyes widened. 

"Then I can definitely climb trees. Are we leaving now so I can prove it?" She laughed and nodded. He grabbed her hand to help her up and they said bye to the other three. 

"See, I told you Damiano and her were like a proper couple. Damiano is like family to me, you guys don't need to worry." Giullia stated. 

Alex was now cuddled close to them now that everyone was gone, and he shared a look with Nic.

"Yeah we've realised that now. They're all over each other." Nic said.

"Yeah, and they so just left to fuck." Alex added making them all laugh.

Nicholas's phone rung, it was his house security company. 

He stood up quickly and answered, 

"This is Nicholas, what's wrong?" There was silence as the other person on the phone spoke.

Giullia and Alex waited to hear what's happened.

The phone call ended and Nic faced them, putting his shoes on.

"Apparently someone tried to break in so I have to go home and lock our security again, and make sure everything's alright."

"Oh my god, alright, well tell me if anything happens," Giullia said and he leaned down and kissed her. "I'll take an uber home, I'll message you."

"Alright." 

Nic rushed off, leaving Alex and Giullia.

"And then there were two." Alex said, and Giullia chuckled. She laid down next to him and leaned her head on his chest. 

"The best two in my opinion."

Alex laughed, and hugged her closer. He's never actually been this intimate with just Giullia. Before he joined her and Nic, when they hooked up all that time ago, it was just a hookup, purely physical, this was... different. 

"Are you alright?" Alex asked her. 

"Yeah, it's just, well you know when I first asked you to... join me and Nic, at that party?"

"Yeah I remember."

"Well, you picked up on it, but Nic and I," she began but stopped, and Alex didn't know if it was because she didn't know what to say or she didn't want to say. 

"Nic and you what? You can talk to me, we've done a lot more with each other." She chuckled and took a breath before sitting up. He sat up with her as she continued. 

"We haven't been good, emotionally. And we were starting to talk about it and a main problem was that we hadn't had sex in a long time, which is weird considering we've been dating for so long. So I brought up several ideas to fix our problem and he jumped at the chance to try a threesome, but it was just meant to be a one time thing so that we could then move on as a couple and be better off. But now I think we're just delaying the inevitable, because he does not like sex with me anymore, I'm not stupid."

She breathed, and Alex realised how much she's been holding in. He wanted to give her a hug but he knew she would rather speak about what's going on first.

"I didn't know how bad it was. You don't think he might go for both sides? Or you're sure he's fully... you know." He was scared to say. Because he wanted to hear her say it. He didn't want to admit something for her before she came to that conclusion. Thinking back at their encounters, Nic was always getting horny and looking for release with Alex, and going to Giullia for comfort. 

"He's gay Alex, I made my boyfriend gay."

"That doesn't mean you're not beautiful. Because you are. You are so fucking gorgeous Giullia, and I could fuck you any day." 

"Thank you, I really needed to hear that."

"Anytime, love. So do you want me to remove myself from the equation."

"I don't want him to know. Well, I want him to know but I just don't want everything blowing up in my face and changing. Because I know what's going to happen. It'll be over for us and he'll be excluded from the group by his own doing. He won't want to be around you at first or me. He'll have to come out essentially, it'll be horrible. I dont give a fuck that he's gay but be honest so I can then move on and get what I deserve."

"You're completely right, but it needs to happen, he's an adult at the end of the day and he's technically doing wrong by you, someone he's known and loved for almost two decades now."

"I know, you're right. Why are you always right?" She looked at him, no longer sad or stressed. She just smiled. "Thank you for being there for me."

"Giullia, we're practically family. In a non-incestual way."

"I know what you mean," she said, and she ran her fingers through his hair. The moonlight almost casting a spotlight on them.

"Giullia, you're strong, really strong. And you don't need to hear me repeat how beautiful I think you are."

"You know, I could actually hear you repeat that." She said and he chuckled, unknowingly leaning towards her. Like some kind of magnet was between them.