Chapter Text
Benedikt woke up with his cell phone ringing. He groped the table beside him until he found his cell phone, seeing it was still 5 in the morning. He arched an eyebrow, he could still sleep for an hour! It was necessary to be in the restaurant for breakfast only at seven.
The music continued to play and it took him some time to realize where the sound was coming from. It was coming from Marco's cell phone, which was sleeping like a stone, not caring about the noise.
He gently massaged his temples. "Marco"
Marco merely murmured a distinct thing and turned to the other side, completely ignoring Benedikt.
"Oh, I deserve this!" Benni sighed and with too much willpower got up from the bed and tried to find Marco's cell phone in the still dark room.
After a few minutes of arduous searching, still half asleep, Benedikt found the cell phone under Marco's bed. No, he has no idea how the hell the cell phone went down there, he was just happy to find the damn thing. He turned the alarm off, set the phone back on the table beside Marco's bed, and went back to his bed.
30 minutes later, the cell phone rang again. Benedikt opened his eyes, angry. He felt as if it had only been 5 minutes. Again he stood up and cursed himself for not being completely aware of the surroundings and stamping his foot on Marco's bed, but managed to turn off the alarm.
Five minutes later the cell phone rang again and Benni wanted to bang his head against the wall. Because he was so focused on his pain, he didn't pay attention on the damn alarm and press up the snooze mode. He was beginning to decorate the music lyrics and hate it at the same time. This time he picked up the cell phone, controlling the urge to throw that damn thing across the room, and led it to his bed. He wasn't going to get up again.
Benedikt could feel his sleep fading, but he didn't want to wake up, not now. He shifted several times before he felt sleep come and he was so ready to give in to temptation, but the damn alarm started ringing again. He groaned in anger.
Damn alarm, damn music, damn Marco.
"For a goat, you sleep too much!" He murmured to Marco and turned off the alarm.
Another song started playing in the bedroom, but Benni recognized it as his own alarm, playing 'A Sky Full of Stars'. He sighed happily and took a minute to enjoy the music.
Marco started to roll over in bed, annoyed. "Benni, can you turn this damn alarm off? I need to sleep!"
Benedikt took a deep breath and was ready to say to Marco a simple 'Fuck you', but as fast as he woke he went back to sleep. Benni simply decided the argument wasn't worth it and went to the bathroom to take a good shower and cool his head.
He began to regret this plan.
xXx
"Now it's three in the morning, and I'm trying to change your mind..." Benni muttered in the elevator and Marco raised an eyebrow.
"Do you like Arctic Monkeys?" Marco asked "I didn't know that."
"I don't like it and I didn't even know it's them singing that damn song." Benni raised an eyebrow. "It's your alarm music."
"Oh, yes, truth." Marco smiled and Benni snorted.
The day had already started very bad. Besides all the 'Sleep/Wake up' because of the alarm, while Benni was in the bath the alarm rang again, getting louder and louder and Marco didn't bother. After his bath (he had the fastest bath ever), he had to wake Marco up and that was the worst thing he's ever done in his life.
All the attempts to wake up Marco kindly were useless, since the young man just turned the other way and ignored Benedikt, who even considered the possibility of going to Mario's room ask how the hell he woke up Marco, but he decided against it, that would be too much. What kind of boyfriend would he be if he didn't know how to wake his own boyfriend? Probably a bad one and he don’t need negative publicity now.
He just pulled the sheet and then Marco's foot, who woke up screaming, as if he were in a horror movie with Satan pulling his foot. Marco wasn't a morning person and was annoyed by the fact that he was awake, but after bathing and straightening his hair (Yes, he spent half an hour straightening his hair and this irritated Benni), he returned to normal.
Now they were in the elevator, going to the restaurant to make their first appearance as a couple in public.
Benni looked at Marco and saw that his breathing was altered. He raised an eyebrow, was Marco really that nervous?
"Are you okay?" Benni asked and placed a hand on Marco's shoulder.
"Oh, sure." Marco smirked and took Benni's hand to pull off from his shoulder, but before the action was completed, the elevator door opened and Benni saw everyone turning toward them.
He suppressed the urge to roll his eyes and was about to take his hand from Marco's shoulder, but he held his hand firmly, took it from his shoulder and twined his fingers together, making them hold hands.
Marco was the first to move, determined, toward a table away from the whole team, with only two chairs. Benni merely followed him, looking at the back of Marco's neck, not wanting to look at the team table and see Mats’ eyes.
Marco pulled out a chair with his hand, indicating it to Benedikt, who laughed at the other's sudden display of kindness. As soon as Benni sat down, Marco pushed his chair forward and laid a soft kiss on his cheek. The younger one sat down in the other chair fast enough to still see Benedikt's face completely flushed and he considered it a small victory.
"Well, we've already done one of the things on our list." Marco started.
"What?"
"PDA."
"Oh, cool, now there are only nine items left," Benni muttered.
"Cheer up!" Marco smiled. "Better than ten!"
Benedikt sighed, unwilling to argue with Marco, so he decided to deal with his feelings.
He was happy to have his back to the team table as he wasn't sure he could pretend to be completely in love with Marco if he was seeing at least Mats' hair. He hates the fact he loves Mats. This idiot gone to Bayern München without speaking ignored all his calls and turned him away, hurting him in a way he could not describe, but Benedikt still loves Mats. He loves so much that with a simple glance he wanted to give up on that damn plan.
Okay, maybe dealing with his feelings wouldn't be so easy and even the discussion with Marco would be better. So he decided to focus on his little happiness by not having to look at Mats.
Then he realized that neither of them had picked up any food and eventually would have to get up and consequently look at the team. Wonderful.
Marco arched an eyebrow at the sudden change of expression on Benedikt's face. One hour he was smiling and blushing, the other a little drowsy (which Marco tried to convince himself wasn't his fault), and out of nowhere he was sad...? Okay, apparently Benni is more complex than he'd imagined, but it's not like he's the simplest human being to understand either.
"What is it?" Marco broke the silence and Benni frowned. "You went thoughtful out of nowhere."
"Ah," Benni smiled, but Marco could tell was forced. "We need to get food."
Marco could also say that Benni was visibly uncomfortable and that was what he definitely didn't need at the time, so he decided to take some initiative.
"Bunny Bunny Benni." Marco smiled when he got a giggle from Benedikt. "Don't worry about it, I'll get our food."
"But you don't even know-" Before the older man could finish the sentence, Marco was already on his feet, but he paused for a moment.
"Of course I know." He said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world and that impressed Benedikt, who merely watched as Marco vanished from his line of sight.
He wasn't going to turn around to check if Marco really knows what he likes to eat, he chose to take the risk just to not have to look at Mats even for a second. It was coward, and as much as Benedikt hated it, he wasn't ready to face Mats. Not again.
So he picked up his cell phone and checked his messages. There were some in the revenge plan group and another of Manuel's. He ignored the group and opened the conversation with Manu.
xXx
~Manuel Neuer:
Are you alright?
~Benedikt Höwedes:
Hm? Of course.
~Manuel Neuer:
Doesn't seem like. You didn't even look at us.
~Benedikt Höwedes:
Maybe I'm trying to ignore Mats' existence.
~Manuel Neuer:
Oh, yes, I realized that.
You realize that... It shows that he still affects you, isn't? This isn't good
~Benedikt Höwedes:
I know that, and I don't like it as much as you do.
But what the hell can I do?
~Manuel Neuer:
Pay attention to your 'wonderful' new boyfriend.
Just that.
~Benedikt Höwedes:
You make it seem so easy...
~Manuel Neuer:
You make it seem so difficult...
xXx
Benedikt was thinking of a valid answer to give to Manuel, but he knew it was in vain... Manuel always has a way of leaving Benni speechless, so most of the time Manuel is the only one to win a discussion.
He was ready to accept defeat when Marco put a bowl of cereal with milk in front of him. He was startled by the unexpected return of the younger, but soon he relaxed. Time to focus on the wonderful new boyfriend.
"I said I knew," Marco murmured as he placed a plate of assorted fruit and a glass of orange juice next to Benni's bowl of cereal.
And as incredible as it may sound, Marco really brought everything Benedikt like to eat in the morning before a good training and as curious as it sounded, Benedikt decided not to ask how the hell Marco knew that.
They ate in silence for a few minutes, each caught in their own thoughts about how all this was extremely embarrassing.
Benedikt finished his bowl of cereal, set it aside, took the plate of fruit, but before beginning to eat, he faced Marco, who was passing strawberry jam on a toast.
"What's it?" Marco asked after biting his toast.
"I don't understand." Benedikt frowned. "The reason you're doing this, I mean."
"What?" Marco shook his head. Why the hell is Benni asking this?
"Look, you and Mario seemed to be so happy together and understood each other and did everything for each other--" Benni looked at the window, sighed, and looked at Marco again. "You had everything to be a couple like Schweinski."
"Funny how everyone thinks that." Marco laughed. "Everyone thinks that we are a wonderful and happy couple, and with everyone thinking this, I think: 'It must be true! I am very lucky to have someone like Mario by my side, I have no right to be unhappy', But when the international breaks are over and I go back to an empty house, I don't feel happy at all."
"I..." Benedikt was completely astonished. "I never imagined that--"
"It's alright, no one ever imagines." Marco ate the rest of his toast in silence.
Benni never thought he could feel so bad for saying something, but now, seeing Marco' distant gaze, he felt the weight of the world on his back. He felt that he needed to do something to at least take that look off the younger's face. Then he said something that he thought would, at least, make Marco laugh.
"I love you." Benni said and smiled.
Marco looked at Benedikt immediately, a shocked look on his face. Benedikt considered a significant progress, even though it wasn't what he had planned, and picked up an apple, biting it.
A few moments later he realized his bad luck for having spoken this phrase just when the whole team had been silent.
xXx
~Thomas Müller
Where are 'the' couple?
~André Schürrle
Probably sleeping... At least Marco.
In fact, if Benni manages to wake up Marco, it's going to be a big breakthrough in their relationship.
~Julian Draxler
Guys... They...
~Thomas Müller
THEY ARE HOLDING HANDS!!!
~André Schürrle
Close your mouth, Müller, I can see your food and that's disgusting.
~Julian Draxler
Even I'm shocked... =O
~Thomas Müller
They didn't even sit here...
~Manuel Neuer
Better that way.
Also, I don't know why you're talking here if you're literally sitting at the same table, facing each other.
~Thomas Müller
We can't comment on them out loud! We should be accustomed to this sort of thing, since we've known about them for a long time!
And you're talking here too!
~Manuel Neuer
I'm talking to Benni.
~André Schürrle
Speaking of Benni... Where's Marco?
~Julian Draxler
Are you really asking about Marco when they're talking about Benni?
He's at the coffee table... Picking up cereal??
~André Schürrle
What?!
~Manuel Neuer
Probably for Benni.
~Thomas Müller
How cute! <3
~Julian Draxler
I agree with Thomas! *o*
~André Schürrle
How the hell does Marco know what Benni eats?
~Julian Draxler
Everyone knows what Benni eats.
~André Schürrle
I don't!
~Thomas Müller
Me neither.
~Manuel Neuer
I know.
~Julian Draxler
See? :P
~Thomas Müller
That awkward silence.
~André Schürrle
It happens to the best couples.
~Julian Draxler
Wow, wow... What happened?
~André Schürrle
I have no idea, but Marco doesn't look good...
~Thomas Müller
He looks sad...?
Distant?
~André Schürrle
Distant is the correct word.
~Julian Draxler
Whoa! Did you hear what I heard?!
~André Schürrle
I'm just as shocked as you and apparently Marco too.
~Manuel Neuer
Amazing how the whole team was silent just when Benni spoke.
~Thomas Müller
And still in silence waiting for Marco to say something!!
~André Schürrle
Marco... Say something...
~Julian Draxler
Gosh, he's freezed.
~Thomas Müller
SAY SOMETHING FOR THE SAKE OF THIS PLAN, MARCO!
~Manuel Neuer
For the plan...
~Julian Draxler
Whoa! He took Benni's hand!
~Thomas Müller
HE SAID! WHAT A WONDERFUL COUPLE!!
~Julian Draxler
-Throwing fireworks-
~André Schürrle
I'm so proud, Marco!
~Marco Reus
Guys...
Just…
Stop...
xXx
"You look so much better today." Manuel murmured to Benedikt.
Benni, who was picking up his boots, looked around to make sure no one was near them. They were in a relatively empty corner of the changing room, which was incredible, but of course Manuel knew.
Benedikt's gaze stopped at Marco, who was on the opposite side of the changing room talking to André.
"I don't share your thought..." Benni twisted his lip. "Things seem forced and extremely embarrassing."
"It exceeded my expectations at breakfast." Neuer laughed. "Extremely romantic of Marco catch your food and your 'I love you' was really unexpected"
"I'm more shocked than you because this had an opposite effect to what I expected!" Höwedes sighed. "But I've decided I will not care about these things while they keep working!"
"And, incredibly, things work out for you."
"Ready, Bunny?" Marco's voice echoed through the changing room, and Benedikt felt the glances turn to him.
"Wait a minute, Markhor." He forced himself to say in the most normal tone he could.
"What the actual fuck?" Manuel whispered.
"Don't ask." Höwedes murmured.
"Okay, Bunny." Neuer laughed.
Benedikt snorted, finished tying his boots, stood up, and turned to Marco, nodding slightly so that the younger boy accompanied him.
"I think you're going to be my duo in training today." Marco said when he was close enough.
"Do I have a choice?" Benni raised an eyebrow.
"Uh, Actually, nope!" Marco laughs and put his arms around Benedikt's shoulders.
"Hey, Lovebirds!" Thomas shouted. "Training! Leave the rest to your room, please!"
Marco raised an eyebrow, looked at Benedikt, who was blushing more than usual, and smiled.
Benni looks so cute when he's blushing, why the hell did Mats leave him? Never mind, it's better for Marco.
xXx
Benedikt didn't know how that had happened. I mean, he had an idea, but it was so unexpected that even he was without reaction for a moment. He could hear Marco cursing to the last generation of the Hummels family as he brought his hand to his ankle, an expression of pain on his face.
But worst of all is: he could see.
See Mats's sly little smile as the dark-haired man stared at the other writhing in pain, not caring. It was hard to believe that this was the same Mats who would jump over any player who threatened to touch a finger on Reus and the next second was making sure that his friend was well.
He also didn't know where things started to go wrong. I mean, probably the day before. He should have taken it more seriously when Thomas said that Mats had threatened to kill Marco, but who's taking Thomas seriously? And since when could Mats kill someone? He should have considered a broader concept of 'Death'.
Everyone on the team knows how Marco have been when he lost the World Cup because of an injury. Everyone knows how important it is for Marco to play for Germany. Everyone knows how heartbreaking it is to see Marco lose another contest because of an injury. For Marco this must be like... 'Death'.
Mats knows this, and didn't think twice before stick his boots on the other's ankle? Apparently Benedikt doesn't fully know what Mats is capable of doing and it gave shivers in his spine.
Ironically, everything seemed so normal in the warm-up, with Mats being Weigl's duo and apparently not caring that Benni and Marco were a duo, who sat side by side, drink water and hold hands (Courtesy of Marco, because Benni never found the courage to hold the other's hand and honestly he was too tired to even think he had a plan to follow.)
Everything seemed normal when the warm-up was over and they started dividing the team into two teams for the game training. Honestly? Benni couldn't say that things were normal, obviously that was Marco's fault, which apparently thought it was a good idea stir with Benni's hair and then massage his neck and shoulders... Marco is a really good masseur! And that fact made Benni completely disconnect from reality and only come back to it when Marco patted his back gently and said, 'Looks like we're on the same team!'
And now this.
Now Marco was on the ground, no longer writhing in pain, but still, frowning and biting his lips as if he were forcing himself to ignore the pain and show no sign of weakness, and then, anger spread in the countenance of the younger.
Apparently that was enough to make Bastian and Lukas get out of their trance and as a first measure, they dragged Mats away from Marco to a bench where they sat down and started talking to the brunette.
Benedikt also got out of his trance along with André, and they both ran toward Marco.
"Marco!" Benni said as he knelt beside the younger boy. "Are you alright?"
"Great," Reus murmured and sat up, pulling his boot off his left foot.
"Dude, you should go see a doctor." André sighed and turned back, gesturing with the hand for the rest of the team to stay away.
"I'm fine." Marco massaged his ankle lightly and slipped his boot back on. "Let's continue."
"Really?!" Benedikt arched an eyebrow.
Marco only looked at him, his eyes conveying all the anger he felt.
Benni found out he hated it. He hates to see Marco with such an angry countenance, especially when is turned to him.
"Okay." The Schalker sighed and stood up, helping Marco get up straight away. "But we'll go to the doctor after that, Reus."
"We?" The younger one laughed wryly.
"We." He looked with a serious expression to the other, who rolled his eyes and nodded.
He turned his gaze to Mats, who was visibly angry. Benni should talk to him, ask what the hell he did and why he had to act that way? Maybe scream at him for being so childish, but he decided not to. Mats would not get more than a cold treatment for what he did with Marco! And that would be the cruelest of punishments, he was sure.
He only watched as Lukas indicated the changing room to Hummels and Bastian ran toward Löw probably to say that everything is fine, even when it's obviously not.
Point is: Things were getting rough. They need to be careful.
xXx
Mario sighed. He was completely exhausted. Not because of training, though it did contribute considerably, but because of the flurry of conflicting feelings he had from the day before.
Benni and Marco were a surprise to him and the whole team, so he was shocked, then went into denial stage, after the whole scene at dinner he was sad, early in the morning he was determined to ignore any and all interaction of the two, but that proved impossible when everyone was silent just as Benedikt said "I love you" to Marco.
From there, Mario's feelings bordered on anger. Did Marco really think he could do this to him?! That he could play with his feelings like that?! He was well mistaken.
He was planning what to do to get revenge on Marco and trying his best to ignore Benni & Marco (It's kind of hard to ignore the fact that Marco had given an excellent massage to Benni, to the point where the other didn't even know which team he was on) when It happened.
Mats, with all the class in the world, stick his boot on Marco's ankle. On purpose. No way it wasn't on purpose, Marco had already passed the ball to André a long time!
He was impressed. I mean, he had not even thought about it, and if he had, that would be one of those things that would go to the list of 'Too cruel things to do even for the worst enemy'. Trying to injure Marco Reus because of jealousy? Yeah, Mats had gotten over whatever Mario can came up with.
But despite not agreeing with the whole scene, he now knew that he had an exceptional ally in this war. He had Mats Hummels!
And that's why now, at the end of the training, while everyone was going to make sure Marco was all right (Mario didn't bother about that, after all, Marco played the remaining 10 minutes of training! That could only mean that he was okay. Or that he was playing injured, but this is unlikely.), He was heading towards the changing room, more specifically, going to talk to Mats.
Mats was still there, of course. Annoyed as Mario had never seen before, packing his things quickly so he could return to the Hotel, perhaps walking to cool his head.
Mario sat on the bench behind Mats and waited. It was not long before the other turned and asked without any patience:
"What do you want?"
"Talk to you." He stared at Hummels and smiled.
"I'm not going to apologize to that traitor you used to call boyfriend." Mats folded his arms, leaning against the cabinet there.
"I'm not here to ask that." Mario frowned. "You think I'm happy with this whole situation?"
"I don't know, maybe." Mats shrugged. "Is not that part of your little agreement with Marco?"
Mario swallowed. Mats knew. Of course Mats knew, Marco and he were best friends until a few days ago, obviously Marco would tell. He closed his eyes, trying to suppress the anger that began to spread through his being. Maybe Mats' attempt to hurt Marco wasn't so bad.
He was brought back to reality by Mats' sneer laugh. "You thought this deal was only for you? Did you really think Marco would not take advantage of the situation?"
"Marco never-" He began, but was interrupted by Mats.
"No, it's alright. I also thought he would never take advantage of that deal. He only had eyes for you... Until he saw Benni." Mats' expression went from ironic to angry in a matter of seconds, but then he smiled again. "I don't blame him. Benedikt is much better than you."
Mario arched an eyebrow and was ready to reply, but he remembered that he was not there to fight but to get an ally.
"Look, Mats, I have no idea what Marco told you about our deal and me or if you're just trying to hurt me to feel better about yourself. I don't care." He stood up. "The fact is: I don't have Marco and you don't have Benni. I can see that you're not happy about this and guess what? I'm not either. What I'm suggesting is an alliance."
"An alliance?" Mats arched an eyebrow.
"Exactly." Mario smiled. Mats was finally listening. "If we're not happy, they should not be happy too. I know exactly how to hurt Reus, unfortunately I have no idea how to proceed with Höwedes, but I think you should know."
Mats shook his head. "This isn't Benni's fault. It's Marco's fault."
"Of course it's Benni's fault." He rolled his eyes. "He agreed to date or be Marco's fuckbody."
Mats slammed the cabinet behind him and Mario bit his lips lightly. Poor choice of words. Obviously Mats was in denial and would not accept the truth.
They spent a few minutes in tense silence before Mats spoke again.
"Anyway, Lukas and Bastian told me to stay away from Marco and I'm sure they'll keep an eye on me." Mats took his bag and placed it on his back. "Consider my part in this alliance made."
Hummels left the changing room, leaving Mario alone with his thoughts.
Two minutes later, as the rest of the team started to enter the changing room, Mario got up and took out his towel.
All right, he could do it all by himself.
xXx
Bastian walked quietly along the corridors toward the medical department. Nothing too suspicious, after all he is the captain of this team, it's his obligation to make sure everyone is well and living in harmony, which obviously isn't true, especially after Mats' being uncontrolled in the training camp.
Okay, but he would be lying if he said that his only motivation was to make sure Marco was free of injuries. He knew Benedikt would be there! But not because of all the 'dating' thing, which sounded extremely fake for Bastian, but rather because he knows Benni felt guilty about the whole scene.
And to no one's surprise, Benedikt was sitting outside the room reserved for the Medical Department.
"Hey, Benni!" Bastian smiled as the other looked at him. "What are you doing?"
"Waiting for Marco."
"Oh, sure." He nodded, but then frowned. "But why you aren't there with him? I mean, if it was Mats, I'm sure you'd be with him now."
An angry expression appeared on Benedikt's face, but was soon replaced with curiosity and then disbelief.
Bastian smiled again. Now Benni knew he wasn't believing in any part of that story and would unmask the two as soon as possible.
"He asked me to wait outside." Höwedes arched an eyebrow.
"Oh, yes, of course." Bastian nodded and sat down next to the other. "Incredible, right?"
"What?" The other was visibly suspicious.
"How you and Marco went from being simple 'colleagues' to 'boyfriends'." The irony was present in every word of the older man. "It must be a new record!"
Benni laughed. "Yes, it must be... But Marco and I have so many things in common and after everything that happened between Mats and me, I thought, 'Why not?'"
The answer seemed convincing, but he still suspected, so Bastian merely smiled and asked:
"Would you mind telling me how it started?"
Benni's eyes widened and Bastian suppressed a laugh. He got them both.
The other opened and closed his mouth several times before biting his lips lightly and sighing.
"Before the rumors started, Mats was already strange... He started to keep away, started canceling our meetings, our calls were being reduced to a 5 minute call a week..." Schalker laughed sadly. "It was obvious that there was something wrong with Mats, but he always said that everything was fine and that I was wrong, I was being dramatic and anything like that."
Bastian put a hand on his friend's shoulder. He never imagined that Mats could do this to Benni, but the sadness on the other's face made it clear that this wasn't a lie.
Benni smiled slightly at Bastian and continued. "I went to talk to Marco. He was always a good friend to Mats, he would certainly know what was going on and above all, he would tell me what I was doing wrong."
"Wait," the older man raised an eyebrow. "Did you think it was your fault?"
"You have no idea what I thought in those days, Basti." Benedikt's sneer laughter echoed down the hall. "Marco knew as much as I did back then... Almost nothing! So we started trying to figure out what was happening and with that we got a lot closer..."
Schweinsteiger frowned slightly. Okay, that would be something Marco and Benni would do, that would bring them together, but still... It's Marco and Benni! They can't have gone from nothing to a relationship in what... 2 or 3 weeks?!
"So the rumors came..." Benedikt spoke too quickly, taking Bastian out of his thoughts. "Mats ignored Marco and me and soon after he was announced by Bayern and had moved to Munich without communicating his decision... He just... Gone! Marco was so angry and I was so sad... We spent the night together and... We discovered things in common and I remember thinking 'Marco is such a good person. Mario is so lucky!'"
"You know I think that too?" Bastian interrupted the younger. "They looked so happy on the last International Break and now there's the two of you."
Benedikt simply stared at the other with a half-shocked, half-aggrieved expression.
The older man rolled his eyes. "I understand your situation. You were sad and Marco was angry, but still... He has Mario!"
To Bastian's surprise, Benni laughed.
"What is it?" Schweinsteiger raised an eyebrow.
"Everyone thinks so." The Schalker laughed a little more. "It's incredible!"
"What?" What the hell was Benni talking about?!
"They were not as happy as you think, Basti." Benedikt frowned slightly, as if he was sorry he'd said that. "What I mean is: Doesn't had as much happiness in their relationship as we thought."
"I don't believe in that," Bastian murmured more to himself than to the other.
"It's hard to believe, I know, but unfortunately I can't say more than that. This is a subject that concerns only Marco and Mario."
Schweinsteiger was shocked. Höwedes had managed to leave him completely speechless. He was so sure that the other would end up saying that in fact this was all just a bad joke that Marco thought was hilarious and ended up convincing him to be part of.
He sighed. There had to be some way to prove it was a complete farce!
Apparently someone heard his prayers, because Marco chose that exact moment to leave the medical department.
Bastian smiled. Now, he got them both.
xXx
Marco was waiting. He hated it. He hated waiting for a medical examination that will likely indicate an injury that will get him out of the competition. He'd been there before, and apparently now would be no different.
Still, he should have been accustomed to the disappointment of being cut off from the team again. But incredibly the deception could be worse than it was in the first few times. Maybe now it's worse because it was Hummels who injured him.
Oh, Mats Hummels.
Marco was so angry with the 'ex-friend', but also with himself for not taking in consideration that Mats could try to get him out of the competition (Both, for Euro and Benedikt) in that way. But of course, he was also hurt. I mean, they've been friends for so long! Marco trusted his life and all his secrets to Mats, and that was how the other paid him back? Not only with the injury, but with the transfer in secret. What the hell did Mats think? That he was going to judge him? Stop him? For God sakes! He would support him as always!
His line of reasoning was broken when the team's doctor, Dr. Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt, returned to the waiting room where he had left Marco waiting after taking the exams.
"Marco." The doctor sat in front of Marco, leaving the exams on the table between them. "What happened?"
Reus could feel Hans' concern. The doctor has become very fond of him, since most of his time was spent in the medical department thanks to his injuries. Now the Doctor was basically a father to Marco at International Breaks, always giving advice and making sure he was okay.
"The usual," Marco murmured. "Someone randomly tried to break my leg."
The Doc rolled his eyes and Marco sighed.
"Replace 'Someone' for Mats Hummels..."
"Okay, now I'm impressed." Hans frowned slightly before questioning. "Why did he do it?"
"Someone is dating Benedikt Höwedes, and Mats didn't officially break up with him and hoped they could 'come back'." The other raised an eyebrow, and Marco continued. "Replace 'Someone' for 'Marco Reus'."
"For God's sake, Marco! You really--?"
"Yeah, I know! It sounds strange and you don't believe in it, of course." Reus interrupted. "Can we continue?"
The doctor raised an eyebrow and inclined his head slightly to the side. He was analyzing. Marco hated that. Hans never made a mistake in his analysis.
"Are you okay, kid?"
"Nervous," the younger one murmured, knowing he didn't need to explain more than that.
After a few minutes, the doctor spoke again.
"Incredibly, Mats didn't give you a serious injury, but rather a slight injury, bordering a median one." He indicated the exams to Marco. "What really worries me is these other medial injuries that you have... How long have they been there, Marco? How long have you been playing while injured?"
Marco opened his mouth, ready to deny everything the other had said, but Hans' gaze stopped him. "A little time ago..."
"Marco Reus, what did I say about playing while injured?!" The older man raised an eyebrow.
"I know, Doc! But were important games for Dortmund and... "
"Your health is the most important thing, Marco!"
The two were silent for a while, each locked in his own thoughts until Marco broke the silence.
"What are we going to do?"
Hans sighed. "Well, we have a week to work on it as you have a chance for recovery."
"Don't give me hope, Doc!" The blond crossed his arms.
"Have I ever given you false hope?"
"Only after the worldcup, five times."
"It was not my fault." The doctor rolled his eyes. "But if you don't want to try, fine. Mats will be happy for sure."
That was a low move. Marco couldn't give the taste of the victory to Mats. In fact, he is willing to show Mats that everything is fine and that he is very happy... With Benedikt. He will leave Mats so angry and maybe that will compensate for the injury.
"What time do I have to be here tomorrow?" Reus twisted his lip.
"After breakfast." The doctor took the exams from the table and began to analyze them again. "Early, Reus!"
"Okay, I'll see you in the morning." Marco smiled a little and got up, but paused momentarily. "Oh, I'd appreciate if you won't tell anyone, you know? Just to not leave anyone worried..."
It was a half-truth. He didn't want André to be extremely worried and that would start rumors that he would be out of Euro... He still has chances, right?
"Sure." The doctor nodded. "But you know by the end of this week I'm going to have to talk to Löw..."
"I'm going to be okay by the end of week, isn't it?" Marco tried to sound confident, but it didn't work.
"I hope so." Hans smiled, but then he became serious. "Marco, be careful with that, or you'll end up hurting yourself."
"Mats will not try to hurt me anymore." The blonde laughed. "Apparently I'm out of training...?"
"I was talking about your situation with Benedikt."
"We're pretending." Reus rolled his eyes.
"I know, kid." The doctor sighed. "This is a very strange way of getting 'revenge' on Mario--"
"But it's valid!" The younger one interrupted.
The other rolled his eyes. "But what if after a while you don't have to pretend anymore?"
Marco swallowed. Nope, that was not going to happen. Benni and he are different and, as Manuel said, they don't have chemistry! "Never gonna happen."
"Careful, Reus. Or in the end you'll be the only one hurt."
Marco nodded, even not agreeing, he would take the advice into consideration.
He sighed relieved as he left the room, always feeling better out of the medical department, but apparently the relief had come too soon.
Bastian was there. Sitting next to Benedikt. And for some reason he felt extremely uncomfortable with the smile Bastian gave when he saw him.
"Marco!" Schweinsteiger began. "The person I wanted to see! How are you?"
"Fine..." Marco raised an eyebrow and looked at Benedikt. What the hell was going on here?
From the desperate Benni's look, Marco understood that what was happening was not good at all.
He rolled his eyes, all he wanted was to go to his room, lie down on his bed, rest and pretend that everything was fine and he will for sure play the Eurocup... And maybe make a revenge plan against Mats. Again. But now he had to deal with Bastian.
"I'm glad for that! We were worried." The older man said and Marco was ready to pull Benni and leave, but the other continued. "We were talking about the beginning of your relationship."
He had to deal with a not-so-friendly Bastian.
"Yeah? Cool. "It was probably the worst thing he could say, but he couldn't think of anything better.
He took a step toward Benni and Schweinsteiger's smile widened.
"Could you tell me your version of the story?"
He had to deal with a Bastian willing to unmask them.
Marco arched an eyebrow and did his best not to show the anger that was growing in his being. He looked at Benedikt, who was trying to mask his despair, and he knew the other had already told his version. He couldn't spend much time thinking without leaving Bastian even more suspicious, so he said the thing he thought would come closest to Benni's version.
"Well, it all started with Mats." Of course, that damn bastard is the reason for this plan. Or part of it, but 'Mario' isn't a subject he wanted to talk about now. "He started to get weird. Not just with me, but with the whole team."
It was no lie, it was his version of all 'Mats Drama', the only challenge would be to fit Benedikt in this damn story. At least the Schalker seemed calmer now.
"We didn't know what was happening to him, except he was under pressure because he was the captain, but it's a normal thing." Marco folded his arms and leaned against the wall. "We thought he had a fight with Benni, but if that was the case, Mats would be dramatic... But maybe he had evolved, right?"
Bastian nodded slightly and Benedikt arched an eyebrow, his eyes widening, calm fading completely. Marco knew the other wanted to tell him something, but what?
"So...?" Marco frowned. "Benni came to talk me...?"
Was he right. No doubt. Benedikt was about to launch fireworks, so Bastian's motive to be with his arched eyebrow is undoubtedly the way he spoke.
"I found it odd, after all, if Benedikt didn't know what was going on, who would know?" He spoke more confident now. "So we tried to figure out what had happened and even did some theories."
"Crazy theories," Höwedes interrupted and laughed a little, trying to mask his nervousness.
Okay, he was at a crucial point. Again.
"Sadly not even the craziest theory came close to the truth."
"Maybe because the craziest theory was 'Aliens'?" Benni muttered.
Marco stared at the other and smiled. God, Benedikt is so fucking clever. He was giving background to history and making everything more real! And the best of it all? Marco was there and all he had to do was agree.
"In my defense, it seemed plausible at the time and you agreed, Sweetheart." Marco smiled.
"You made it look realistic and I was desperate."
"Of course you were." Reus laughed and glared at Bastian, who analyzed their interaction with one arched eyebrow. "The point is: We were impressed when the rumors went out, because Mats could not transfer to Munich and leave Benedikt without even communicating right--?"
"Like Manuel did, right?" Bastian stared at Benni.
Benedikt lowered his head and bit his lip hard. This was a touchy subject as much as the subject 'Mario' was for Marco, but that was past and he wasn't going to let it affect him. Not again.
"Or like Julian did..." Bastian continued.
Marco raised an eyebrow. Did he get it right, or was Bastian deliberately trying to make Benedikt feel bad so then he could confess that the relationship was fake? He never imagined that Bastian was so low, but he also never imagined that Mats would hurt him, so...
"That's enough!" Marco glared at Bastian and took two steps toward Benedikt.
"No, it's okay." The Schalker lifted his head and smiled at Marco before facing Bastian. "Julian told me his motivations. He explained to me why he would leave and incredible as it may seem... He asked me permission to leave, which I found unnecessary since is his life and he can do whatever he wants."
Bastian nodded and turned to Marco, smiling. "No need to be nervous, Marco. And, please, continue your narrative."
The young man leaned against the wall again. "I tried to talk to Mats. He ignored me. And suddenly Mats had moved to Munich and was announced by Bayern. And yes, it was all very fast. I was annoyed, after all, my best friend packed up and left without saying anything, but Benni was worse of course, he was sad."
He looked at Benni, waiting for some reaction, and the other's grin was the best answer he could get. Everything was going perfectly well.
"So I sent him a message and went to his house..." He was unsure how to follow from there, but as Benedikt didn't object, he continued. "We spent the night together...? Talking about everything that had happened and about other things too... And we started from there."
Marco smiled as Benedikt sighed with relief. It's done.
"You are so fucking lucky," Bastian murmured, shaking his head negatively as the other two stared.
The older man turned to face Marco. "What about Mario?"
The smile faded from Reus' face. He knew Benni couldn't say anything about it and he didn't want to talk about it.
"Very personal, Basti. I'm sorry." Marco sighed and stared at Benni. "Can we go now?"
He didn't wait for a answer from the other and didn't even say goodbye to Bastian, he just went toward the elevator.
Benedikt muttered a 'Goodbye' to Bastian and ran after Marco who was already in the elevator.
As the two of them stepped out of the elevator into the hallway where they room was, Marco said, "He's right about one thing."
"What?"
"We are so fucking lucky."
They both laughed.
xXx
"God, I'm soo frustrated!" Bastian spoke, his voice muffled by the pillow.
"Didn't work?" Lukas asked, not looking away from his cell phone.
Bastian turned his head to the side, staring at Lukas as best he could. "No."
"Impressive." Poldi laughed and got up from the couch where he was sitting, heading toward the other and sitting beside him on the double bed they shared. "Why are you so worried about that?"
"Because I know they're lying! It's so obvious! They would never work out!" He plunged his face back into the pillow. "Why can I not prove it?"
"It was only one day, Schweini!" Lukas rolled his eyes. "And I don't even think they're the most important thing right now."
"What?" Bastian glared at his boyfriend again. "How not? They are ending up Mats' emotional--? And maybe Mario's too."
"That's exactly what we should focus on!" Lukas smiled as he brought his right hand to his boyfriend's blond, almost white, strands. "I didn't think Mats would have courage to do more than threaten, but look what he did in training, right? If Marco doesn't participate in Euro it's totally Mats' fault with his emotional instability."
Bastian sighed. "Marco is fine."
"How can you be so sure?" The other rolled his eyes. "How many times have we seen Marco be 'fine' and end up missing out the competitions?"
"A little bit."
"Correction, Dear Schweini. A lot."
Schweinsteiger rolled his eyes and sat on the bed.
"And what do you suggest we do? We've already told Mats to stay away."
"We have to make sure of that, before Marco and Benni get very injured in this International Break."
"He wouldn't hurt Benni." The blonde raised an eyebrow. "He thinks it's Marco's fault"
"I don't trust him anymore." Lukas sighed. "Until the day before, Mats and Marco were best friends who would do anything for each other and today Hummels injured Reus."
"But we told him to stay away from both--" Lukas was ready to protest, but Bastian continued. "But we'll keep an eye on him."
Lukas nodded and pulled his boyfriend closer, leaning his head against the other's shoulder and closing his eyes.
All he wanted was a quiet Euro where he could enjoy time with his boyfriend after an exhausting season, but apparently he would have to babysit an emotionally unstable Hummels. What a wonderful thing to do.
"So we leave Benni and Marco alone?" Schweini murmured.
"Don't you think that eventually they'll mess up this story?" Lukas replied without opening his eyes. "I mean, one hour they will not be able to pretend there's something going on between them, right?"
Poldi didn't have to look to know that his boyfriend was pouting. Sometimes Bastian could be worse than a child when he couldn't get something.
"I'm not asking for you to stop with your arduous mission of proving that 'Höweus' is a lie." Lukas finally faced Bastian. "I'm just asking you to help me keep an eye on Mats...?"
"I'll help you, dear." Bastian pulled Lukas close and gave a soft kiss to his forehead. "And 'Höweus'?"
"I thought it was cool." Lukas shrugged and hugged the other.
They spent a few minutes like this, hugging each other, seizing the moment, until Bastian broke the silence.
"You don't think Mario is responding very well to this?"
"Calm before the storm," Poldi murmured.
Schweini laughed because he knew his boyfriend was right.
xXx
~Thomas Müller
Will Reuedes have dinner with the team?
~Julian Draxler
Reuedes?
~Thomas Müller
Ship name.
~André Schürrle
Did you give them a ship name?
~Thomas Müller
I'm helping with this plan, so I have that right.
~André Schürrle
You are weird.
~Thomas Müller
Everybody says that =P
Reuedes is dead?
~Benedikt Höwedes
I tried to wake Marco up 3 times.
And don't call us Reuedes.
~Thomas Müller
Again, I'm helping with this plan, so I have the right to call you by the ship name.
~André Schürrle
Two words:
Cold water.
~Benedikt Höwedes
Two words:
No way.
~Manuel Neuer
In my opinion, that will probably be right, you have to go to dinner, otherwise it will look like you are running away.
~Benedikt Höwedes
We can say that we are watching over Marco's security...?
~Thomas Müller
I heard that Schweinski will keep Hummels on the leash.
~Benedikt Höwedes
Leash?
~Thomas Müller
Just a way to say.
~Manuel Neuer
The point is: You have to go to dinner.
~Benedikt Höwedes
I'm going to wake up Reus.
~Manuel Neuer
Good boy.
~Thomas Müller
Hey! I'm your 'good boy.'!
~André Schürrle
Oh God...
I'm not here to see this strange couple dynamics.
~Julian Draxler
I think it's cool... :x
~André Schürrle
What?!
...
I mean, I just find it strange because it's Thomas and Manuel...
~Benedikt Höwedes
Fuck off, Schürrle
~André Schürrle
Shouldn't you be waking up Marco? ¬¬
~Benedikt Höwedes
I woke him up.
He's cursing me.
It's in these moments that I wonder what I'm doing with my life.
~Manuel Neuer
I wondered the same thing yesterday, but I decided not to criticize your decisions.
~André Schürrle
How did you wake him up?
~Marco Reus
He knocked me out of bed!!
~André Schürrle
Wow, I'm proud of you, Benni.
~Benedikt Höwedes
It's a lie.
I touched his arm and he decided to turn the other way... But there was no bed anymore.
I honestly expected that he was going to still sleep on the floor.
~André Schürrle
I wouldn't be impressed if that happened.
~Marco Reus
I'm here, you know that?
~Benedikt Höwedes
Oh, nice! I thought I was going to have to wake you up again! :P
~Thomas Müller
That's why I love Reuedes.
See you at dinner, guys.
xXx
There was something wrong.
Okay, it's not like he really knows Marco as André knows, it's just that it was very obvious. He could feel how different, thoughtful, quiet and tired Marco was and that bothered Benedikt in a way.
He wouldn't ask what was wrong with the other, no, that would be very rude and he wasn't even being directly affected by this sudden change of mood of Marco, so he just ignored. After all, if Marco wanted to share, he would have shared it right?
Benedikt was taken out of his thoughts by a growl so low that he was sure that if they weren't in an elevator, he would not have heard.
"Marco?" He turned toward the other. "Are you alright?"
"Uh? Yes, just a little... Uncomfortable." Marco indicated his left foot with his head.
He stared at the other man's ankle. It was visibly swollen and it sure was hurting, maybe that's why Marco was putting all his weight on his right foot which sounded at least painful for Benedikt.
"You should have bandaged it," He murmured.
"I'm fine." Marco rolled his eyes.
The younger one held out his hand and Benedikt raised an eyebrow, not knowing what the other wanted. Marco sighed and took Benni's hand, entwining his fingers, just as he had in the morning. A second later the elevator door opened and Benni felt a slight deja-vu. Would the team look at them like this all the time?
"Last ones, as always." Marco murmured and pulled Höwedes.
He stared at the floor, but incredibly wasn't to avoid the team, especially Mats, it was to look at Marco's footsteps, which were strikingly alike. Marco was applying the same force on both feet and Benedikt couldn't help frowning because obviously this would cause pain in the other's left foot and would make the situation worse. What was Reus trying to prove here?
Again, they sat at a table away from the team and it was Benni's turn to point the chair at Marco, who smiled, thanked him and sat down. The Schalker gently ruffled the other's hair and sat down in the chair in front of him, still seeing Marco's adorable pouting.
Obviously he sat with his back to the team, but now for different reasons. He didn't want to face Mats for fear of an inevitable discussion about what the brunette did to Marco. He didn't want to face Bastian because he was sure the older man would be looking for flaws in his relationship with Marco. He didn't even want to face Manuel because the conversation with Bastian reminded him of the times that Neuer had left and yes, thinking about it still hurt him.
"You're thinking too much, Bunny." Marco drew him out of his thoughts. "I can see your--"
Benedikt expected a conclusion that never came. Marco was looking at something behind him, something that was on the team table. He didn't turn around to see what it was, but he could tell that it was serious by the way Marco's jaw locked and his face has a frown.
"Marco?" He arched an eyebrow. "Is something wrong?"
"No." The other answered and opened the menu in front of him.
Benedikt knew that wasn't true. Anger was evident in Marco's voice, but why?
He decided to ignore the situation and picked up the menu as well. He hadn't even chosen the main course and Marco had already called the waiter.
"I'll get the parmegiana filet and an orange juice," Marco said, looking back at the team table.
"No entry, sir?" The Waiter asked politely.
"No," the younger replied, and before the Waiter could ask Benedikt, he continued. "He will not want an entry, either."
"What?" Benni raised an eyebrow. Was Marco really managing his meals?
"You will not want an entry." Reus stared briefly at the other, his eyes were explicitly begging for Benedikt not to say the opposite and that was why Benni agreed.
"I want the same as him, but with a glass of water, please." He smiled at the waiter, who nodded and left.
Benedikt turned to face Marco, who was squeezing the edge of the table tightly, his eyes focused on the team table. "What the hell you're doing?!"
"Nothing."
"Marco, what's going on?"
"Nothing."
"Of course something is happening!" Benedikt was beginning to get impatient.
"Is not."
"Look, I got two words out of you!" He was clearly being ironic, but if Marco realized or not he decided to ignore it.
Benedikt sighed. That was all that couldn't be happening right now. He took a deep breath and tried to push the anger that was growing in his being to the back of his mind, he couldn't argue with Marco here, he couldn't put that damn plan at risk.
"This son of a-" Marco muttered, catching Benni's attention.
"What?"
"Nothing."
He bit the inside of his cheek. He was sure that if he heard another 'Nothing', he would strangle Marco.
Luckily the food came soon after, and his thoughts turned solely and exclusively to the dish in front of him, until, of course, Marco caught his eye again.
"What the fu--?" He murmured.
Marco was basically with his face on his plate and eating so fast that Benni wondered how that was humanly possible.
Marco stared at him (Except that Benni could see that it was not exactly for him, Marco was always looking through him.) momentarily, muttered a "Eat." And faced his own plate again.
He arched an eyebrow, ready to question Marco again, but he remembered that the answer would probably be 'nothing', so he just let out an ironic laugh and start eating.
It was a long ten minutes, where everything that happened made Benedikt's anger increase significantly, especially the curses that were directed to whoever was on the team table and all the "Benni, quick!" that Marco was saying. He'd never had dinner in 10 minutes and if that were to happen at every dinner, Benni would rather end up this damn relationship soon.
"I'm done!" He said as he saw Marco's mouth open to probably hustle him. "I'm done!!"
"Great!" Marco said and didn't wait for a response before getting up and picking up Benni's arm, forcing him to stand up as well.
He didn't think he could be so angry with someone, but Marco proved that he was terribly wrong.
He suppressed the urge to pull his arm, because surely it wouldn't be good for their image as a couple if Benedikt pull his arm, Marco turn toward him, probably in anger, and the two of them start arguing. But as soon as the two of them stepped into the elevator and the door closed, Benni drew his arm quickly, causing Marco to drop it instantly.
He felt his phone vibrate in his pocket twice and ignored it, but when the cell phone vibrated again he picked it up ready to send that damn group to shut up, but he stopped momentarily when he saw it was Manuel.
He didn't want to talk to Neuer, but if the other was sending message it's because it's something important, so he opened the conversation, ignoring his anger.
xXx
~Manuel Neuer
What happened?
You are the last to come and first to leave??
Benni??
~Benedikt Höwedes
I have no idea what happened!
It was all relatively well until we arrived and sat at the table, from there Marco began to be strange!
We just ate the main course in a hurry and he practically dragged me out when I finished.
~Manuel Neuer
I noticed that.
Any idea why?
~Benedikt Höwedes
No.
All I know is that he spent the whole dinner staring at the team table.
What did you do?
~Manuel Neuer
Nothing.
Are you going to ask him what happened?
~Benedikt Höwedes
No way.
Today was a very stressful day with all that Mats did and the conversation with Bastian.
I don't want to get angry any more than I've already been.
~Manuel Neuer
Conversation with Bastian?
You didn't tell me that.
~Benedikt Höwedes
I don't need to tell you everything that happens in my life.
From what I can remember, you haven't told me a lot of things since you went to Bayern!
~Manuel Neuer
...
It's that so?
~Benedikt Höwedes
What?
~Manuel Neuer
Why you're acting strange to me.
Is that why you're ignoring me?
I'm so sorry, Benni.
~Benedikt Höwedes
Oh yes, of course you are!
I know what comes next, Manu.
You don't have to type all your: "If I could change the past..."
I'm already tired of it.
I'll talk to you tomorrow.
~Manuel Neuer
I'm so sorry...
I don't know what happened, but you have every right to be angry.
The only thing I ask is: Talk to Marco.
Ask him what's wrong.
Try to resolve this between yourselves, because the team is already suspicious about this whole history.
Help him.
For the sake of the plan.
xXx
Manuel is right and he knows it. Then as soon as he closed the bedroom door, he turned to Marco.
"What happened at dinner?" He struggled to keep his voice as normal as possible, but still, anger was projected.
"It's the hundredth time I say that nothing happened, Höwedes!" Marco was almost screaming and it irritated him even more. "Leave me alone!"
Benedikt clenched his fists and began to speak. "You are acting weird the whole damn dinner! You didn't let me pick a damn entry and a damn dessert! You made me eat so fast that I didn't have time to taste the food! You dragged me out of the damn restaurant! You insist on saying nothing happened, but it's obvious that something happened!"
"You want to know what happened?! I tell you what happened, Höwedes!" Marco was shouting now and Benedikt thanked the heavens for his teammates were still in the restaurant. "I've been called for my first International Break since a long time and on the first damn training day your fucking boyfriend decided to injure me! Bastian decided to stick that stupidly big nose of him in my life! And now in that damn dinner those two--"
Benedikt stared at Marco, waiting for the conclusion of the speech, but it never came.
Marco closed his eyes, took three deep breaths, and looked back at Benedikt.
"I need to go to sleep," Marco murmured, a little more calmly, but still he could feel the hate in his tone.
That said, the youngest lay on his bed, turned in the opposite direction to Benedikt's bed.
Benni forced himself to relax his hands, then looked at his palms and saw small cuts his nails did. He sighed and tried to calm down. When he was calm enough, he grabbed his towel and headed for the bathroom, needed to cool his head.
He completely regret that he had agreed to participate in this damn plan.