Chapter Text
Gavi wakes up with a headache.
"Hey, you awake?" A gentle voice asks.
Gavi groans, slowly opening his eyes.
He sees Pedri standing next to him, his whole exterior full of gentleness.
Gavi could suddenly smell his own scent in the air.
His hands immediately go to his neck, finding no patches over his scent glands.
Panic starts rising, the sound of alarms going off in his head.
A hand touches his cheek.
"It's okay, you're okay." Pedri immediately says, his scent sending out calmness and safety.
Gavi feels tears in his eyes.
No.
It was a secret.
His secret was out now.
The door opens, a doctor walking inside.
"Mister Gavira." He announces, walking over to the end of the hospital bed.
"Do you remember what happened?" The doctor asks, void of emotion or scent.
Gavi spots the scent patches on the doctor's scent glands.
Gavi closes his eyes, trying to remember what had happened.
There had been a game.
He had felt sick, hot and aching.
He nods, seeing the doctor writing something in his notebook.
"Okay good. You suffered a heat stroke because of your heavily inflamed scent glands. The inflammation caused sepsis, which led us to having to perform surgery to remove the worst infected parts. The surgery was a success, your scent glands back to normal." The doctor explains and Gavi feels relief.
"We've called your parents, they're on their way." The doctor adds and Gavi immediately tense up.
His parents.
They would be mad, would tell him about what would happen now.
"I'll be back in a little while. Press the button if you need some more pain killers." The doctor says before leaving the room.
Gavi realises that Pedri's hand hasn't left his cheek.
"I'm so happy that you're awake. You've been unconscious for two days." Pedri says, stroking Gavi's cheek.
Gavi can't help leaning into the touch, his inner omega preening.
"You don't have to tell me anything if you don't want to. I just want you to be safe." Pedri continues, eyes full of understanding.
Gavi swallows.
He wants to tell him, the secret being like an invisible pressure in his chest.
"I would be dropped from La Masia." He says quietly.
Pedri nods slowly.
"I've heard about that, the way they break the contracts of newly presented omegas." Pedri says, surprising Gavi.
Gavi had never thought that Pedri had knowledge about La Masia.
"I couldn't tell anyone. They would kick me off the team, I- I've worked so hard for my spot." Gavi whispers, leaning more into Pedri's hand.
Pedri nods again, his face turned into a sad expression.
"I'm sorry that you've had to fight this alone." Pedri says, continuing to stroke Gavi's cheek.
"I wanted to tell you, I just didn't know how." Gavi says and Pedri hums.
"You were scared." Pedri says, sending him a sad smile.
His scent still full of safety.
There's a knock on the door.
Gavi turns, seeing Flick entering.
"They told me that you were awake." Flick explains, walking over to them.
"I'll let you speak." Pedri says, turning towards the door.
Gavi immediately misses Pedri's hand.
He sniffs the air, but Flick's scent left no clues of his mood.
"They told me that you're recovering." Flick says, resting his hands on the railing of the bed.
Weirdly enough, Gavi doesn't feel cornered.
He had always liked Flick.
Flick held the same understanding as Pedri, he belied in Gavi and his skills. Flick almost felt like the father figure that Gavi had been missing, apart from Robert who had been like his extra father since Gavi had started in the team..
"I wish you would have told me, but I understand why you felt like you couldn't." Flick continues while Gavi only stares at him.
"We haven't informed the club yet, not without your consent." Flick explains, causing Gavi to immediately relax.
"The only ones that know is the medical staff, the team and us coaches. The hospital staff has been informed of exactly what would happen if they spread this information." Flick states, causing Gavi to relax even more.
"Are you kicking me off the team?" Gavi whispers, the first words he's said since Flick entered the room.
Flick's eyebrows furrowing.
"No. You're my player, I'm the only one that could kick you off. I don't care about your designation, the only thing I care about is your well-being." Flick explains, his face hard.
Gavi nods slowly, swallowing.
"Thank you, for believing in me." He thanks.
It causes Flick's face to turn fond.
"I hope that you will trust me. Nothing's changed, except for the fact that you'll be monitored for any changes in your body." Flick says gently.
Gavi nods again.
"I'm on suppressants, there's no risk of me getting into heat." Gavi says and Flick nods, his face turning back into hard.
"I'm not a fan of the suppressants you're using. They're dangerous and illegal for a reason." Flick states, a little less gently.
Gavi shrugs.
"My parents won't let me stop using them. My designation won't stand in my way." Gavi answers, leaving no room for argument.
"You're eighteen, you're allowed to overrule your parents' decision." Flick states but Gavi shakes his head.
Flick nods in defeat.
The door is suddenly thrown open, his parents storming inside.
His father held an expression of tightly concealed anger, his mother holding a less concealed look of anger.
"What were you thinking?" His father growls, causing Gavi to shrink.
"I couldn't do anything about-"
"Your secret is out. You've thrown your career away, what are you supposed to do now? You'll be known for-"
"That is enough." Flick interrupts Gavi's mother.
His parents seem to realise that they're not alone, immediately changing their expressions.
"Mister Flick, we're so sorry about this. We hope that you understand this situation. There's no actual proof of Gavi not being a beta, his scent has always been different and-"
Flick holds up his hand, silencing Gavi's mother.
"What I don't understand is how you could force your son to take illegal suppressants for years." Flick states angrily.
"Mister Flick-"
"I have no interest in your son's designation, but I do have an interest when it comes to you hurting my player." Flick states, this time interrupting Gavi's father.
His parents grow quiet.
"I couldn't have you both arrested for child abuse and illegal drug possession." Flick threatens coldly.
His parents freeze.
"But I won't, for the moment. If I see you hurting my player one more time I won't be as kind." Flick continues, causing Gavi's parents to immediately nod.
Gavi's father sends him a hard look, causing Gavi to shrink further, his scent growing sour.
"Control your scent!" His mother growls using her alpha voice, causing Gavi to try his best to push it down.
It doesn't work.
No matter how hard his inner omega screams at him to listen to the alpha.
Flick suddenly takes a step forward, blocking his parents' sight of Gavi.
There's a low growling noise coming from Flick's throat, a warning.
"Using an alpha voice on an omega is a crime." He states, the growling still present.
He was challenging his parents, Gavi realises.
His parents immediately back down.
"Make sure your secret doesn't go out more than this. The team and your coach are the only people who can know." His father threatens before taking his arm around his wife.
"And you continue with your suppressants." His mother orders before they leave the room.
Gavi's sour scent was growing stronger.
Fear.
Shame.
Hopelessness.
Flick suddenly places a gentle hand on Gavi's shoulder.
"You just focus on getting better kid." Flick says, the door opening once more.
Gavi tenses, ready for more words from his parents.
Instead, Pedri walks inside.
He was probably smelling the air, smelling both Gavi's distress and his parents' anger.
Pedri immediately walks over to Gavi, placing his hand on Gavi's cheek once again.
"Are you okay?" He asks, sending out soothing pheromones.
Gavi nods against him.
He is now.
"We can get a restraining order." Flick says, having crossed his arms over his chest.
Gavi shakes his head.
"It'll just make them angrier." He whispers.
Flick looks like he's about to say something.
"They're not bad parents, they want what's best for me." Gavi adds quickly.
Neither Flick nor Pedri answer.
Flick swallows.
"I'll let you rest. The hospital says that you can be released in three days." Flick explains, moving to leave.
"Wait! My suppressants, I need to take them every day." Gavi states, feeling panic rising once more.
Flick's eye twitches.
"I'll get it." He says before taking his leave.
Gavi relaxes, sinking into the bed.
Pedri slowly pulls down the railing on the side. He sits down on the chair, grabbing Gavi's hand in his.
"It's going to be okay." Pedri promises, stroking the back of Gavi's hand.
Gavi turns so that he's on his side facing Pedri.
"Maybe." He answers quietly, not quite believing Pedri.
"It will. I'll make sure of it." Pedri promises, one hand caressing Gavi's right cheek.
"Don't worry, I'll fix everything." Pedri says gently and Gavi relaxes further.
His scent wasn't sour anymore, it smelt like usual: amber mixed with red mandarin.
Pedri smiles.
"Sleep, I'll be here." He promises and Gavi's eyes fall shut.
Mate.
.
Pedri drives him home once he's released from the hospital.
Gavi stays quiet during the ride, looking straight forward.
The staff had helped them sneak through the backdoor, not letting anyone get a chance to connect the pieces.
Gavi chews on his bottom lip, thinking about the words of the doctor.
"You will need someone to live with you for the first two weeks. They need to make sure that you're taking your medication and they also need to check your scent glands for any changes." He had said.
Who was Gavi supposed to ask?
He can't find it in himself to ask his parents.
Pedri stops the car and Gavi realises that they're parked outside his house.
Gavi sends him a thankful smile.
"Thanks for the ride, and for being with me at the hospital." Gavi says quietly.
Pedri nods, his expression gentle.
Gavi gets out of the car, heading up to his front door as he turns the keys in the lock.
He suddenly smells Pedri right behind him.
Gavi turns, seeing Pedri stand behind him with a duffle bag thrown over his shoulder.
Gavi's brain short circuits.
"What-" Gavi starts, but he doesn't know which words he's looking for.
Pedri looks amused.
"Do you really think that I'm going to leave you to fend for yourself after what the doctor said? I'm guessing that you're not exactly keen on asking your parents."
Gavi swallows.
"You don't- you don't have to stay with me. I'll be fine on my own, everything's healed and I just have to take the medication that they prescribed for me." Gavi tries, but Pedri's having none of it.
"You need someone staying with you. I'm not leaving, so either you open the door or I'll just camp out here on the porch." Pedri states, his face still full of amusement.
Gavi nods slowly, turning the lock on the door before opening it.
He lets Pedri walk inside first.
Pedri had been over to Gavi's place more times than either one of them can count.
"I'll get myself situated in the guest room." Pedri says, moving to the staircase.
Guest room.
His inner omega pouts.
He follows Pedri up the stairs, walking into his bedroom.
Gavi places the small bag he got from the hospital on his bed.
He's in desperate need of a shower.
A soft knock causes him to immediately look up, spotting Pedri in the doorway.
"I'll prepare some food, and you could really use a shower." Pedri says, reading Gavi's mind.
"Ass." Gavi answers, but he's grinning back at Pedri.
Pedri smiles, leaving the room to go back downstairs into the kitchen.
Gavi sighs, walking into the bathroom.
It seems to hit him.
Everything that's happened.
The whole team know about his designation.
Everyone knows that he's been lying for years, ever since he first came to Barcelona.
What were they thinking about him? What were they saying to each other about him?
Did they hate him now?
Had he just lost all of his friends?
What was he supposed to do if they hated him? He couldn't stay if none of them wanted him anymore.
He had known them for three years, they had practically become family.
The only family that Gavi's ever really cared about.
The only family that had truly cared about him.
The thought of losing all of them was too much.
Everything was becoming too much.
He sinks down on the ground, trying his best to stop the panicked breaths.
Panic.
Pure and utter panic.
The air in the bathroom grows thin, it's not enough for him to breathe.
He can't breathe.
He can barely think.
Too much.
Everything was too much.
There was no air left.
"Gavi?"
There's a knock on the door.
Gavi can't get up, it's impossible.
He couldn't even breathe.
The door opens, and Pedri immediately kneels down in front of him.
"It's okay, breathe with me." Pedri instructs, placing his hand on Gavi's chest, moving one of Gavi's hands to his own.
Gavi can feel Pedri's steady heartbeat, he can feel Pedri's lungs slowly moving.
He tries his best to match Pedri's own breathing.
"That's it, good." Pedri soothes, continuing to exaggerate his own breathing.
Gavi's own breathing continues to stutter, but it's growing less panicked.
"Good, just focus on breathing."
Gavi lets out a shaky breath, his breathing finally back to normal.
He moves forward, resting his head on Pedri's shoulder.
Pedri immediately cradles his head, his other hand stroking Gavi's back.
They had done this enough times that it almost became a routine.
"You're okay now." Pedri murmurs against him.
Gavi shakes his head.
No.
He wasn't okay.
None of this was okay.
"They hate me." He whispers against Pedri's shoulder, feeling tears running down his face and ruining Pedri's shirt.
"They don't. They're worried about you and they want you to be okay." Pedri answers, still rubbing his back.
Gavi tries his best to believe him, but his chest aches at the thought of losing his second-family.
"They also want to come and see how you're doing." Pedri says, causing Gavi's chest to hurt worse.
What would they say?
"They would be angry." Gavi whispers, but Pedri shakes his head.
"They're not angry cariño, they're worried about you." Pedri says.
Gavi's inner omega preens at the pet name.
He leans in further against Pedri, and Pedri immediately pulls him into his lap, holding him close.
Gavi's face turn into the crook of Pedri's neck, sniffing Pedri's scent gland.
Cedarwood and lemon.
Gavi's favourite scent.
Gavi doesn't realise until it's too late.
Until he's pressed his own scent gland against Pedri's, brushing them together.
He immediately pulls away, face red.
Shit.
He had scented Pedri.
Scenting was something you did with your family or your partner, not friends.
Pedri looks at him with a surprised expression.
"Sorry- I'm sorry." Gavi stutters, trying to pull himself together.
Pedri's face had turned from surprise into something else.
His eyes scan over Gavi's face.
None of them say anything, their smells intermingling.
Pedri places his hand on Gavi's cheek, face still.
Gavi leans into the touch.
Pedri's eyes grow big, surprise coming back.
His expression shifts again.
It turns into something else.
Love.
Gavi isn't sure if it's real or if he's imagining it.
Love.
Gavi's scent grows sweeter.
Love.
He's in love with Pedri.
He loves Pedri, and Pedri's looking at him like he feels the same.
"I- I'll go down and continue with dinner." Pedri says, ending the silence.
He pulls his hand away, standing up.
Gavi frowns.
Pedri reaches for him, helping him up.
There's something in his expression that shows that he doesn't want to leave.
Gavi waits.
Pedri reaches his hand out again, but he stops himself before he can touch Gavi's cheek again.
He leaves, closing the door behind him.
Gavi lets out a breath.
He had scented Pedri, and Pedri hadn't pulled away.
Pedri had put his hand on Gavi's cheek.
Again.
This time feeling like something more than just friendly.
Something more than just a friend soothing a friend.
He had seen the look in Pedri's eyes.
The look of love.
.
Gavi wakes up with a gasp.
The dream fresh in his mind of his team angrily bashing him.
Flick yelling at him, Robert telling him to get out.
"Gavi?" Pedri's voice causes his eyes to immediately find him in the doorway.
The room was dark, but he could still see the contours of Pedri's body.
Gavi tries his best to slow his breathing, a hand pressed against his chest.
Pedri walks over, standing by the bed.
"You were screaming." Pedri murmurs, stroking a hand over Gavi's sweaty curls.
Gavi forces the dream down.
"Just a nightmare." He answers and Pedri nods.
"Can you sleep here tonight?" Gavi asks quietly, looking up at Pedri.
Whatever Pedri sees in his eyes makes him nod.
Pedri slowly lays down under the covers next to him.
Gavi feels his heartbeat slowing.
Pedri's grounding scent envelopes him, helping him calm down.
"Did you know? About my designation, you didn't seem surprised." Gavi asks, looking at Pedri.
Pedri turns, laying on his side so that both are facing each other.
"I wasn't sure, but I had my suspicions." He answers truthfully.
"It didn't feel right, you being a beta. Something in me told me that there was something off." Pedri continues.
Gavi nods slowly.
"Are you angry that I didn't tell you?"
Pedri's face turns into a gentle smile.
"No, never." He answers steadily.
Gavi nods slowly.
"I wish I told you, I wish that I didn't have to lie to you." Gavi says, voice low as he frowns over to Pedri.
"I know, but I know now." Pedri answers easily, finally reaching for Gavi's cheek.
Gavi lets out a quiet preen.
Pedri's expression turns fond as he caresses Gavi's cheek.
"Sleep, you need to rest." Pedri says and Gavi nods against his hand.
"Don't leave." Gavi whispers anxiously.
Pedri sends him a soft smile.
"I won't, I'll stay." Pedri promises, causing Gavi to let his eyes fall closed.
The room feels less lonely, less hurting.
His breathing falls even, his body relaxing.
He feels his mind growing silent, the blanket of sleep slowly enveloping him.
He's about to fall asleep, but Pedri's quiet words reaches his ears.
"I'll stay, for as long as you want me to."
Gavi sleeps.
.
Gavi groans against the harsh light.
He must've forgotten to close the blinds before going to bed.
He burrows his head against his pillow, willing himself to fall back asleep.
His pillow had a light thumping.
Gavi groans again, moving his face away as he opens his eyes.
He immediately tense up.
Pedri.
He was laying atop of Pedri's chest, and Pedri had an arm around his waist, still fast asleep.
Gavi can only stare.
Pedri.
He was laying on Pedri's chest and Pedri was holding him.
He wills his memories from last night, where they had fallen asleep next to each other.
And now they were curled up against each other.
"You're staring."
Pedri's voice was full of sleep, his eyes still closed.
Gavi huffs.
"You're not even looking." Gavi argues, still not moving.
"I don't have to, your eyes are practically boring holes into me." Pedri says, eyes still closed.
Gavi slaps his chest, pulling away as he sits up.
"You're an asshole." Gavi says without any heat.
Pedri opens his eyes, pulling arm back so that he can rest his head against it.
He smirks over at Gavi, causing Gavi to slap him again.
"Ow okay, you're mean when you haven't had your coffee." Pedri laughs, causing Gavi to perk up.
"Coffee?"
Pedri laughs again.
"I'll get you some, just because you're still hurting." Pedri adds, making sure to let Gavi know to not use his kindness against him.
Gavi nods happily.
Pedri groans before sitting up, stretching a bit before getting up.
"The team wants to come today, only if it's okay for you." Pedri says, turning to look at Gavi.
Gavi swallows.
The memory of his dream causes him to start chewing on his bottom lip.
"You don't have to." Pedri reassures with his phone in his hand.
"You don't think they're angry?" Gavi asks, wringing his hands.
"They're not, they're just worried." Pedri promises.
Gavi nods.
"Okay, they can come over." Gavi answers quietly.
Pedri nods sending a reassuring smile before leaving the room.
Gavi swallows.
He trusts Pedri, could practically trust him with his life.
Pedri would never do anything to hurt him, he knows that.
Gavi gets up from the bed, putting on one of his softest hoodies, a light blue hoodie with strings that he usually chews on when he's worried. He pulls on grey joggers and walks downstairs.
Pedri would never hurt him.
Mate, his inner omega whispers.
.
Gavi chews on the string of his hoodie, sitting on the couch as he waits for the team to arrive.
Pedri had made him some tea, helping with his anxiety.
"It's going to be okay, and if you at any point want them to leave you just tell me." Pedri assures, sitting next to him on the couch.
"I trust you." Gavi says, causing Pedri to smile over at him.
Pedri puts a hand on his knee, squeezing it.
"I'm glad, and I trust you too." Pedri answers just as the doorbell rings.
Gavi tenses, wishing that he was wearing his scent patches.
The doctor had adviced him to only wear them for short times, like when he was playing football or going out in public.
Pedri gets up, unlocking the door.
Fermín stands in the doorway, looking both worried and anxious.
Gavi stands up, watching his best friend hurrying over to him.
Fermín immediately hugs him, pulling Gavi close.
"I'm so happy to see you." Fermín says, breathing having evened out.
"Me too." Gavi whispers truthfully.
It was true.
He's missed Fermín, missed his best friend joke with him, care about him and love him.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you." Gavi says, causing Fermín to pull away, grabbing ahold of Gavi's shoulders.
"No, don't be. I understand why, you were scared. I'm just happy that you're feeling better." Fermín promises just as there's another ring from his doorbell.
Pedri opens and Gavi spots the whole team crowding his porch.
"Is he okay?! Does he feel better?! Is he in pain?!" Raphinha's voice was loud and full of worry.
Pedri gestures to Gavi.
Raphinha immediately hurries forward, enveloping Gavi in a strong hug.
"I'm so glad you're okay kid. I've- we've been so worried." Raphinha says, hugging him tighter.
Gavi feels himself relaxing in Raphinha's arms.
"I'm okay." Gavi answers quietly.
"Alright stop hogging the kid!" Someone shouts as the entire team hurries forward.
Gavi's hugged by everyone, everyone asking questions about his wellbeing.
No one asks about why he hid his designation, either because Pedri or Flick had told them not to, or them not caring.
"Wow it's the first time I can smell you, your smell suits you." Ferran says which causes Gavi's cheeks to redden.
"Thanks?" He answers, causing the whole team to bristle out in laughter.
"Way to make the kid uncomfortable." Araujo states whilst laughing.
Robert walks over to him slowly.
Gavi immediately walks into his arms.
Robert's hug was gentle, so full of love, so safe.
"I'm sorry." He says against Gavi's curls.
Gavi scrunches up his face, but he doesn't have it in him to let go.
"I wish I could've made you feel safer, but I'm just happy that you're alright now." Robert says softly.
"Not your fault." Gavi mumbles, causing Robert to let out a soft rumble.
"I won't leave you, I promise that you can trust me." Robert says, and Gavi can only nod against him.
Robert lets him go and Gavi swallows.
He turns to the rest of the team.
"Thank you- for understanding. I'm sorry that I lied to all of you." Gavi says, his voice quiet and unsure.
He dares to look at their faces, not finding any anger or hate.
"We understand kid. From now on we won't let you down, we'll protect you." Eric says as the rest of the team nods.
Gavi nods slowly, seeking out Pedri.
Pedri seems to realise, immediately standing by his side.
Gavi rests his head against Pedri's shoulder, causing Pedri to pull an arm around his waist.
"Lets give them some rest, we'll be back tomorrow kid." Raphinha says and the rest of the team nods.
They say their goodbyes, patting Gavi on his shoulder and back.
Gavi stays glued to Pedri, letting Pedri hold most of his weight.
"Lets get you your medication and then you can nap for a bit." Pedri suggests as Gavi nods tiredly against him.
Pedri helps him up the stairs and hands Gavi two pills along with a glass of water.
Gavi takes them before opening up the covers.
He sends Pedri his best puppy look and Pedri smiles in return.
He lays down under the covers next to Gavi.
A hand strokes through his hair, gently massaging his scalp.
"Sleep, I'll be here." Pedri promises.
Gavi hums, his brain already starting to turn off.
Safe.
He was safe.