Pedri's intentions were clear; he knew he had to end things with Sienna before pursuing the younger.

It wasn't fair for her to be a part of his fake romance, a relationship that did not reciprocate her love . He could never love her the way he did when he was younger; not when his days were filled with thoughts of a certain set of brown eyes and his nights filled with dreams of the same boy's warmth on him.

Before being caught up in this mess, Pedro had been entirely unaware of just how much three lives would be fucked up for his rash decisions. But now that he had realised, he knew that he needed to be the one to make amends.

Honestly, he was still scared; terrified to face the fans and their emotions when they find out his sexual orientation. He still feared being kicked out of his dream club and ruining his career for good .

But the last few months had taught him that Gavi was way more important to him than anything; everything else disappeared into thin air when it came to the younger. Pedri couldn't exactly tell if he was gay or straight; he just liked Pablo... That's it. No other girl or boy could ever make him feel like this; like his heart was set on fire but in the most beautiful way.

And so here he was, sitting in an isolated coffeehouse with Sienna seated opposite to him while his mind came up with all the possible ways to break the news to her while hurting her the least. Ofcourse, he knew that it couldn't be avoided but still...

"What's on your mind??" Sienna spoke with a faint smile.

"I, actually... I've been thinking. Um... I don't know how to say this... You know I'd never do this intentionally but... I don't wanna hurt anyone, I swear. " He was spewing rubbish at this point.

"Pedri, stop... I don't know why you sound so nervous, but please just tell me what you want to say exactly..."

Okay, so this was it, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. This moment right now was going to change the entire trajectory of his future.

"I've tried so hard... The last few months I've done everything to catch feelings again... But I couldn't... I'm so sorry. I don't know why my heart just won't accept what I want it to feel. And you don't deserve to be treated like this, it's not fair. You'll find someone else who can give you the world and it's not me..." Cause my world is someone else, he wanted to add, but he didn't..."It's best we go our separate ways".

Pedri dragged his downcast eyes to look up at her and was surprised to see that she was still smiling gently.

"To be honest, I knew this was coming..." she shook her head as she let out a pained chuckle, "I think I was just being so selfish to let you go again that I ignored all the signs. But I'm glad you've finally said it, you're right, this thing-" her hands gestured between them, "isn't going anywhere... "

Pedri couldn't be more relieved that she had accepted it so easily, he still felt like a dick...

"Can you just tell me why though? Why couldn't you love me again?" She asked softly, "There's someone else, isn't it?"

"What?! No... I just need to... focus... on football." fuck... Even he wouldn't believe himself.

"Stop lying, Pedri. I know you're not one of those people who gets their professional and personal lives mixed up...It's not you. So just... tell me, honestly"

Her eyes looked into his, searching for an answer and he hated himself more and more with each passing second for doing this to her in the first place. He wished he hadn't rushed into a relationship to escape his feelings for Pablo... But it was too late to ponder on past actions now.

He knew that if he was going to be honest, he had to be entirely honest and not hide parts of the truth from her...and even if this was gonna hurt her, he had to say it.

"Sienna, you can hate me after this... I'm a horrible person for leading you on when I was actually trying to run away from these feelings I had for someone else; denied my feelings for so long that I didn't even realise that I was already caught up in them..." He looked at her intently, "I am hopelessly in love with someone else, even I just realised it myself a few days ago. I'm so sorry, but I couldn't stop myself .." he closed his eyes, waiting for a slap, splash of her drink, anything really...

"Pedri, I don't... hate you. Even if you've been wrong in so many ways but I know you enough to see that your intentions weren't. Your own thoughts are a mess, I believe you when you say that you've only recently come to terms with your own feelings...so I forgive you." She paused, as if contemplating something, "Although, a quick advice... You know, that time when we broke up a few years ago... I was so hurt, even when I knew I was wrong, I was in so much pain; couldn't stop blaming myself for months. And so, when you accepted a few months ago to give us a second chance, I was so happy; over the moon really. But now, I realise I was too late... So whoever you're talking about right now, I hope that it isn't to late for them either... Just make sure you tell them sooner than later!"

Her words came crashing down on Pedri with the weight of all the heavenly bodies. His eyes widened with the realisation of a possibility where the younger wouldn't be able to love him anymore, his heart twisted painfully at the mere thought.

"I'm so sorry ..." He knew he kept repeating his apologies but he couldn't help himself.

"I think I should leave now... " She said while getting and grabbing her bag.

"Let me drive you to your hotel..." Pedri offered, getting up himself.

"No ... Umm ... I wanna be alone right now." Sienna exhaled, reminding herself to hold her tears untill she could make it to the privacy of her room, "Okay... Goodbye " her shaking voice gave away her emotions.

"Goodbye, Sienna" Pedri said helplessly, he didn't know what else to say or do.

•••••

Walking into the training camp, Pedri felt completely drained, in every sense of the word after his heavy conversation with Sienna but he couldn't avoid the afternoon training even if he wanted to. Xavi would skin him alive if he missed it simply cause he was feeling 'tired'.

He walked into the locker room while dragging his feet against the floor, his eyes downcast and shoulders slumped with exhaustion.

"Hey! How're you feeling today?"

Pedri's eyes immediately brightened at the familiar voice.

"Much better..." he replied with a warm smile, turning to look at Gavi who still had the permanent frown on his eyebrows.

"That's good" the younger replied as he sheepishly brought his hand to the back of his neck, scratching at the skin.

Gavi wondered if Pedri remembered the events of the previous night; what he'd said and done, the kiss... He felt himself blush at the thought, his brain was beginning to disorganize as always when he neared the older.

Pedri did recall everything he'd promised but it was not something to bring up abruptly in the locker room with their teammates around, he knew he had to bring it up somewhere more quite, definitely just the two of them.

The silence that followed was a little too awkward. There was a time when the two would talk of everything under the sun and still have so much more to say; their conversations starting from Pedri's car, continuing to the locker room and in between training, even during showers separated by their own cubicles and then ofcourse, back home on the older's couch. And now, they had nothing to talk about even to fill the silence.

"I'll be heading out then... Hurry before Xavi makes it to the field before you." the younger finally said, before walking out the locker room.

Pedri could simply nod as he watched the younger leave, his gaze settling a little longer than necessary on Gavi's backside, his eyes trailing down to the younger's plump ass. He quickly shook his head at the provocative thoughts infiltrating his brain that would require him to spend extra time alone in the bathrooms. He made haste changing into his training kit before running out himself.

Xavi Hernandez had no intentions of going easy on them even though they'd already won the championship. He had prepared a torturous set of straining and rigorous workouts for the team. Everyone seemed to be struggling; faces strewn with exhaustion and sweat, their legs demonstrating great strength but barely standing without throwing themselves on the ground.

Pedri's gaze shifted to the younger who just then lifted his shirt to wipe the sweat from his forehead exposing his bare abs and chest. It was like everything suddenly shifted to slow motion; the older watched as Gavi's chest contracted with his heavy breathing while droplets of sweat sensually dripped down his abdomen. He watched as the younger's arms flexed with his movements and the way his long wet hair clung to the back of his neck and his forehead.

Pedri swallowed hard...

His eyes couldn't turn away from the heavenly sight ,he wanted to ravage the younger right in the middle of the ground; ruining him whole in front of the entire team.

He was a little startled by his own impulsive thoughts, the younger wasn't even trying to make it sexual and yet, Pedri couldn't seem to think of anything else. Maybe the last few months of sexual deprivation left him too horny...

Or maybe he was smitten.

•••

Finally after a few hours, training concluded for the day, making all the players rush into the locker room for their much needed shower and rest.

Pedri had just come out of the shower wearing his towel around his waist when he bumped into the younger's back with his chest.

Gavi was dressed as little as him and the older's skin erupted into flames where he had made contact with the younger's skin. The warmth emanating from Gavi felt so natural and comforting, he wanted to drown and soak into it.

The older instinctively brought his hand up to the younger's back, touching him lightly. Gavi flinched away from the touch and turned around to face Pedri with a frown.

"I'm sorry I didn't see you." the younger spoke.

"No it's fine... It's actually my fault." the older replied in a monotonous voice, like a recital or a memorised speech; so fucking formal and so fucking awkward.

But his mind couldn't dwell on their conversation, not when the younger had flinched at his touch like that; like he couldn't bare the older's touch on him. He didn't want to ponder on how Gavi had moved away as though he was a stranger and not Pedri. His Pedri.

A part of him wanted to yank the younger back into his arms and hold him tight, muttering a million apologies into his ears, not bothering about the teammates that would pass by because right now, all he saw was Gavi.

But he couldn't...

Ofcourse, a part of him felt like he deserved it. Why would Gavi trust him of all people? He had been a dick to him; using him for pleasure and then running away when he confessed only to get back with an ex girlfriend. The younger had all the right to be mad and angry but hopefully, not for too long cause Pedri was dying to have him back.

As soon as they both made it to their lockers beside each other, Ferran came up behind them, already changed and ready to leave.

"Hey! Since it's the weekend tomorrow I was wondering if you boys would like to hang at my place? All the other guys are coming too! What do you say?"

"Yeah, sure..." Pedri answered while pulling a shirt above his head.

"I don't think I can make it... Sorry " Gavi said slowly while changing into his clothes.

"No worries, kiddo. You have some other plans?" Ferran said, ruffling the younger's wet hair.

"Yeah... Hanging out with a friend." Gavi replied, fully dressed bending down to tie his shoe laces .

"HUH..." Ferran dramatically inhaled sharply, placing his hands over his heart with a shocked expression, "YOU HAVE FRIENDS OTHER THAN US??!!! WHO??"

Gavi chuckled at the older's comical expression before adding, "You met Oscar at the party right? My childhood friend."

Pedri's entire being froze at the mention of the name, he looked at the younger's excited expression and the simple thought of having to see his boy with that Oscar again made him go feral. His hands slowly formed into fists on his sides, nails digging deep into his palms leaving painful cuts as he felt his blood run cold. He hated, absolutely hated the image of Gavi being with anyone else but him.

"Oh him.... Yes, I remember." Ferran answered , shaking his head, totally unaware of the fact that his bestfriend beside him was currently holding back urges to rip somebody's head off.

"Okay then, you two have fun tomorrow. " But he wouldn't be Ferran without adding, "without us... Which I highly doubt you will."

Gavi simply snorted at him as he mumbled a silent 'ofcourse we will.'

Pedri, on the other hand, barely registered anything else after the mention of Oscar. Even Ferran's loud voice bidding them goodbye sounded like a far off distant chant.

Why was Gavi suddenly hanging out with this Oscar guy? Was something going on between them already? Had the younger fallen for his first love again? A million questions poked at him while deep in his heart, an ugly curl of jealousy and insecurity started to take root.

Pedri was surprised he managed to get home without being involved in an accident, considering how wild and recklessly he'd driven; his sour mood reflected on his actions.

The older was crazy jealous. Every ounce of him wanted to take the younger and hide him away ; away from prying eyes and lustful stares. Gavi was his to love and protect; only he could give him what he really wanted. And not some random guy like Oscar who thinks he can snatch him away. Hell no...

Pedri knew he had no right to feel this way but he has realised a long time ago that he was not the master of his own emotions, instead, the younger ruled over them; making them go left and right, happy one second, sad the next, making him feel like he was flying high then crashing him to the ground. He was completely enamored and smitten in every way possible.

So when he decided to drive up to the younger's appartment that night, he knew he was going insane but he couldn't help himself, not when he knew that Gavi would spend the next day with someone else; someone who made Pedri hate his mere existence. He'd been there just the previous night, albeit in a drunken state the events still fresh in his mind; he felt the same agonizing desperation this very night as well.

As he walked up to Gavi's appartment, a part of him wanted to turn and run away, be a coward as always...but he knew he may lose the younger forever if he always kept running away from every inconvenience and Gavi was someone he was not willing to give up. So he left all his thoughts aside and pressed the buzzer at the entrance.

The younger took some time to open the door and Pedri during that short span of a few seconds, once again, contemplated running away a thousand times.

Gavi's eyes widened as he saw the older's unexpected presence at the door, they looked at each other in silence; stares of longing and confusion in a mixture.

"Hey..." Pedri finally spoke cautiously , "Can we talk?"

"Um...sure" the younger spoke drawing his words out slowly as he opened the door wider to let the older in, the air around them thick with an uncomfortable presence. Forget about talking, the pair had barely made proper eye contact the last few weeks, except for the drunken incident the previous night and now suddenly, Pedri was here at his doorstep asking to talk, Gavi didn't know what to think.

They made their way to the couch, sitting far apart on its opposite ends. Faint sounds from whatever was playing on the television filled the silence between them .

Pedri didn't really know exactly what he wanted to say to the younger, everything and nothing at the same time. But he finally decided that it was best to get straight to the point. He cleared his throat earning a glance from the younger.

"I...uh... I broke up with Sienna." he said, looking at the younger's unreadable expression; his face void of emotion.

"Oh... That's sad.. You okay?" Gavi spoke, uncertain what he should say or do, he kept his eyes on the ground, refusing to look at the older.

Pedri's heart throbbed louder against his chest as he realised the confession that was on the tip of his tongue.

"Yeah... Actually, it didn't work..." He was ready to lay out his heart for the younger, leaving it to him to ruin or mend him.

"Gavi..." he moved closer to the younger on the couch, close enough to take Pablo's hands in his, "I don't want to wake up one day, years down the line and realise I missed my only chance at happiness because I was too scared or embarrassed. I... I care about you more than I let on. And right now everything in my world revolves around what you think of me... I'm in lov-"

"Stop." Gavi abruptly stood to his feet, he was not prepared for whatever the older was going to say. He ran his hands over his face releasing a sigh.

Pedri followed the younger to his feet, standing face to face, his heart on his sleeves and emotions strung high.

"You're not fair, Pedri..." the younger said, voice below a whisper, "You don't get to do this to me now... You don't know how I missed you so much, my entire being desperately begged for you to look at me, tell me I meant something to you, tell me I wasn't crazy for still loving you ..but you seemed so perfectly fine, you didn't even spare a glance..." Gavi frantically wiped his tears and let out a weak chuckle, "But hey, I'm not delusional so I understand, I told you I loved you but you weren't ready for it and so you rejected, and I did everything to move on from that cause I was not going to pour myself on hands that weren't ready to hold me. So now that I've finally started to turn the page on your chapter, please... I'm begging you please don't do this to me."

Fresh tears filled his eyes before overflowing down his red cheeks, long dark lashes coated in them. The older tenderly wiped away the tears with his thumb, before leaning over to place soft kisses on the stained cheeks. The younger closed his eyes, soaking in the feather like kisses.

"Gavi, it's okay if you've moved on... But you've captivated me in ways no other soul ever will and I'll spend my entire life chasing the possibility of an us. I love you. I love you so much, you're always on my mind and I can't take it." Pedri took a step closer, gently holding the younger's face in his hands, he leaned his forehead against the younger's; their noses touching delicately. "What I feel for you is not even remotely close to anything I've ever felt for anyone... I'm in love with you Pablo Martín Páez Gavira."

He pulled the younger into an embrace, his arms over the younger's shoulders clinging desperately onto him with immense longing. Pedri held him tight, every atom in his body begging him to never let go again. The younger's hands slowly encircled his waist letting out a sigh. Gavi turned his head to place his lips over the older's ears, softly whispering-

"I know it's just a phase. You're not in love with me..."

A/n: I'm really sorry this chapter took forever but I wasn't sure which way to go with this and I wanted to put out what was best suited for the story so it really took a long time ..😭😭

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