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As Robert shook hands with the interviewer he'd been sitting beside, his mind was still reeling about the game and their win. He was proud of the team - Gavi in particular - with the way he held himself on the pitch, helped assist the team and carried them to victory. He knew what the press were likely saying. It was easily his best performance on the first team by a mile. He'd been a key factor in their win today and Robert was sure there were numerous reminders.
Despite the flashing lights from the cameras on either side of him, he could see Pablo in the middle of an interview of his own. Once he'd told Robert he didn't do the best when he was the center of attention and he supposed that made sense. The kid was loud on the pitch and with his friends. With the press? Not so much.
Besides, his face was tinted red - an obvious blush from the compliments journalists were giving him about his performance.
Robert decided he'd wait for his younger teammate. It was better having someone walk with you to the locker room anyhow. The journalists who weren't able to get into the interview would likely hound him and Robert would feel better knowing he was there to keep them at bay.
He had experience in that department whereas Pablo did not.
Robert watched Pablo's eyes light up when he noticed he was standing there. He nodded toward the cameras, a silent reminder that he still had to answer a few questions before he could leave.
It wasn't until journalists were clearing out of the room that he noticed who was standing behind him.
It was predictable, really as Pedro followed Pablo everywhere.
More often than not, they were conjoined at the hip, their arms or legs or whatever skin they could manage touching in a warm mess of familiarity Robert knew to be teenage friendship.
He'd had his fair share of friends back when he'd been young with the world at his feet, though they were never as close to him as Pedro was with Pablo.
Mainly it was curiosity. As he followed Pedro's gaze, he found his eyes on Pablo's small frame sat uncomfortably in front of the press. Pedro looked like he wanted to march into the room and rescue the other.
Robert held the same sentiment.
He couldn't deny the protectiveness he felt over the young player. It was his own fault, really. After Pablo started coming over to his home for dinner when his mother wasn't able to cook for him, his wife practically adopted him.
It was expected, really, that Pablo would fit into their routine the way he did. He didn't mind helping with the dishes after a meal and if Klara wanted a bedtime story read to her, Pablo was always the first to volunteer.
It came as no surprise when Robert began taking him home on days Pedro couldn't. He'd ask stereotypical dad questions like how Pablo was doing in school or what he'd had for dinner the night prior. These things were always met with an eye roll even if it was endearing.
Robert never minded though and as he stood here beside Pedro, he found he never would.
Pablo caught up with them in a heap, an arm looping around Pedro's middle as he pulled him close. Robert didn't catch what the younger whispered to his friend but he recovered quickly.
"Xavi wants us back on the bus in twenty minutes, kids." he ruffles Pablo's hair and motions for them to begin their trek back to the locker room.
As usual, he walks ahead of them while they're in their own world - a bubble that never quite seems to pop for anybody but them.
It's a shield they put up - a lock only they have the key for. He can hear their laughter from behind him, can hear the shuffling of Pablo's boots - this was something Robert often chided him for.
Xavi passes them wearing an easy smile. He's combed through his hair, likely for interviews.
Robert nods in his direction.
"Great game boys!" Xavi shouts as he walks by.
This, like all else, elicits a laugh from both Pablo and Pedro.
It makes him want to smile but he isn't privy to the joke. He never is.
Robert can hear the music before he sees the party - can smell whatever alcoholic concoction the team has created within the locker room. It should make him angry - he's the eldest of the team, after all, but really, all it does is fill him with fondness.
They're chanting something as Robert walks in - something he's heard from the fans a few times before - it's familiar.
He's welcomed with a few claps on the back to which he returns with a warm smile. There are congratulations in order.
Sergio's the first to pull him aside just as the music switches to a song he's become rather familiar with. It was always on Pablo's playlists in the car.
He and Sergio were the closest on the team for numerous reasons.
"Congratulations are in order!" Sergio begins with a smile Robert's gotten used to.
"I could say the same about you." Robert teases.
He finds he prefers the hallway to the crowded locker room of celebrations he knows he's too old to participate in. Sergio must feel the same way because he's leaning against the wall.
"Your first trophy for the team. You must be on top of the world." Sergio sounds distant.
Robert knows he gets that way when they talk about anything about the future. The unknown has always been scary for him and he's not sure there's a lot of it left.
They're only getting older.
It's not a nice reminder.
"And definitely not the last." he tries for a joke but it lands flat.
Normally, Sergio would tease him for his subsequent lack of human interaction but the adrenaline from the game is wearing thin and he knows it'll only be a matter of time before they're asleep beside each other on the plane back to Barcelona.
His muscles ache and for a moment, he longs for a home he hasn't known in many years.
"Should we head back to the party?" he asks though he already knows the answer.
Still, as expected, Sergio nods and solemnly trudges back into the room.
He lingers for a moment and basks in the moment of silence he sits in.
There are a pair of footsteps coming down the hall but Robert doesn't dare open his eyes yet. He wants this as long as he can get it.
"Robert, you okay?" it's Xavi which he'd been expecting.
It was either him or a journalist.
"Of course." the answer was strained, his voice filled with exhaustion and something he couldn't place.
Robert could see Pablo from where he was in the locker room. He was alone, sitting by himself behind his teammates.
Pablo was incredibly focused on what was on his device, probably responding to congratulatory messages from friends and family. That reminded Robert of the messages he’d yet to check.
Begrudgingly, he pushed himself off the wall he was resting against and headed into the party.
He scanned the room, counting off jersey numbers in his head to make sure everyone was there when his eyes caught on Pedro's. Much like earlier, he was staring at Pablo from across the room.
Despite where he stood, his eyes were always on Pablo.
It felt intimate.
There was something underlying he wasn't in on yet.
Pablo never looked up from his phone, too occupied with whatever it was he was doing but Pedro didn't seem to mind - he never did when it came to Pablo.
Eventually, he pulls his gaze toward the festivities happening in the middle of the room. Ansu was dancing, well aware he was being filmed and in another corner of the room, he could hear cameras snapping.
They'd hired a photographer for the special occasion.
The light poke on his shoulder pulls him out of his post-game daze.
He's not surprised to find Pablo standing there, his arms open as he awaits a hug.
Here's the thing;
Robert was never the most physical person in the world when it came to his teammates. He didn't like hugs and preferred words of encouragement to a hand shake. Pablo was the exact opposite. When Robert first joined the team, there was rarely a time Pablo wasn't touching someone.
Whether it was arms looped with Ansu, practically cuddling with Pedro when they weren't playing or jumping on Dembele's back for seemingly no reason, he was the physical person Robert never was.
It took him a while before he joined their celebrations. For the first few months, after Robert scored, he'd grab the ball and let his younger teammates do the celebrating for him. It was no big deal. Just a few more seconds of added time.
That all changed after Pablo crumbled in his arms on a chilly afternoon after training. He still remembers what he was doing, where he stood, what he had in his hands and what he'd been thinking when Pablo burst into the changing room hyperventilating.
"Where's- where's Pedro?" he rushed out. He wasn't getting enough oxygen and his face was the type of pale Robert never wanted to see again.
Truth was, he didn't know where Pedro was - he hadn't seen him since they'd been running drills on the pitch.
"Are you okay?" it's a dumb question to ask - obviously Pablo isn't alright, but Robert wants to know what he can do to help.
"Do you know where Pedro- where Pedro is?" he tries again, completely ignoring Robert's question.
"No, I don't."
His breath catches in his throat when Pablo crumbles to the floor, a broken sob tumbling out of his mouth.
Robert rushes over and squats in front of the younger. For a moment, he's frozen - doesn't dare say anything as the other cries.
"Can you focus on your breathing? We'll do it together, okay?" Robert remembers helping a teammate with panic attacks many years ago. He'd been about Pablo's age when he stumbled upon his then-captain practically passed out in the showers.
He reminds himself to focus on Pablo who nods at his request.
"Okay. Breathe in for 4 seconds, hold it for 5 and exhale for 6." with nothing but a shaky nod as his answer, he counts for the both of them - watches as Pablo visibly relaxes, though his hands are very much still shaking at his sides.
Robert wants to ask questions - he knows he shouldn't, so he keeps his mouth shut and waits for the younger to talk.
"Sorry," is the first thing Pablo gets out. He doesn't dare meet Robert's eyes, choosing to stare at his hands instead.
"You don't ever have to feel sorry for having a panic attack, Pablo." and the reality of what he'd said was tricky, wasn't it?
The younger doesn't say anything and frankly, Robert doesn't expect him to.
They sit like that for a while, in nothing but the silence they'd created. Eventually, Pedro finds them, his eyes pooling with worry as they latch onto Pablo's shaking frame.
They never hug.
Pedro joins them, keeping his distance but even then, their legs are nearly touching as he whispers into Pablo's hair.
He watches them move in tandem - watches as Pablo leans his head on Pedro's shoulder, lets his hands fall into the other's lap so he can pull at the string on Pedro's pants.
Robert thinks this was the first time he felt like he was intruding.
He doesn't say anything as he stands to leave, but the silent nod from Pedro tells him more than any words could.
After that, Pablo started seeking him out on the field - during celebrations, he was the first Pablo clung to - the first he jumped on when they ran toward the stands. There was a time where he refused to be touched - told them to celebrate without him.
Now, however, he relished in the coordinated dances and signature celebratory poses his teammates created. He held his arms open for group hugs - let himself fall into the grass as Pablo, Ansu and Pedro toppled onto him - it was all so different to everything he'd been used to.
It was a good different, though.
Naturally, Robert envelops Pablo in his arms as he stands in front of him.
"You did good today, kid." he whispers though he's not sure his voice has been heard over the music.
"Cause of you," and Robert laughs because that's not true.
"Who taught you to be humble?" this is their thing - teasing back and forth.
Pablo kicks Robert in the ankle with no real malice but it's enough to separate the hug.
The younger has his arms crossed now, his head tilted in what Robert assumes is meant to convey confusion. It's mock confusion, though.
"You did, genius." and, well, Robert supposes he's correct.
"I did, didn't I." it's more of a statement than a question because he knows he was the one to chide Pablo about respecting his opponents.
The media would be easier on him that way.
He didn't want to listen, though.
"You also told me to learn english which I'm not going to do." Pablo teases, sticking his tongue out.
By now, the festivities have died down with an air of exhaustion that hangs over them like the morning fog in Catalonia.
The team were packing away their things in a haste to get to the bus since they had a plane to catch. Robert already had his things stowed away, his bags sitting beside his feet as he talked to Pablo.
"Have you packed your things yet?" he questions, already knowing the answer.
"You know I don't like packing." Pablo retorts.
"So you're just going to leave your things here?" Robert raises his brow, his hands on his hips.
"No, Pedro's doing it for me." he mumbles.
"Oh, is he now? How'd he get roped into that?"
"He likes me." Pablo says. It's funny, really, how red his face is getting but Robert knows better than to tease about that.
"What are we talking about?" Pedro's holding backpacks in either hand as he leans into Pablo's space.
"You, actually." Pablo's eyes widen ever so slightly.
"Me?" Pedro's looking at the other now, a teasing smile playing on his lips.
"Don't listen to him. He's just old and hasn't taken his medicine." Pablo snaps, shoving his hands into his jacket pockets.
"I should be offended, really." Robert’s mock-offense was never very good.
They're walking to the bus now and he does note Pedro's willingness to carry Pablo's bag. It's sweet, really.
"But you aren't." Pablo retorts.
"Don't you have homework to do?" Robert presses, remembering the conversation they'd had about school on the way to the game.
"I'll do it on the plane, dad."
Robert doesn't miss the teasing glint in Pablo’s eyes. He also doesn't miss the wince, even if it's small and very well concealed, on Pedro's end - how the limp is there but because he's walking on the leg, Pablo can't tell from where he stands.
He wants to stop them - wants to pull Pedro aside to ask him about it but it doesn't seem like the right time. From the way he's hiding it, Pedro obviously doesn't want Pablo to know he's injured.
Robert vows to wait until they're on the plane.
As usual, Pablo and Pedro make their way toward the back of the bus. Though there aren't assigned seats, everybody knows the back of the bus is unofficially their space.
Robert prefers sitting up front so he can talk tactics with Xavi and speak with Sergio about things other than the team. As he slides into his designated spot, shoving his backpack under the row of seats in front of him, he steals a glance toward the back of the bus where he knows Pablo and Pedro are.
When Pablo isn't looking, Pedro shuts his eyes and massages his hamstring. His right leg seemed to be bothering him significantly.
Robert knows how dangerous and injury like that can be without proper rest.
Ansu and Ferran are the last to situate themselves before the thrum of the engine lulls him to sleep.
It's not unusual for Robert to crash after a game. The only people who seem to have an energy after a grueling match are the youngsters. He and Sergio can't relate.
He just hopes Pedro is okay.
He knows he's not.
*
Airport security doesn't give them much of a hassle as they make their way to the private plane they're taking back to Barcelona. Robert and Sergio walk side by side behind everybody else, a silent way to keep track of the team as they head outside.
The air is dry yet cold, a weird combination but even then, Robert pulls his jacket closer as he holds the door for Xavi who's busy on his phone.
Pablo, Ansu, Dembele and Pedro are laughing at something as they walk up the steps and as Robert watches, it's the little things that has his heart tugging for Pedro - he struggles up the stairs, opting to walk behind everyone so he doesn't draw too much attention to himself and okay, if Robert wanted to make a scene, he'd rush over and help him up but he doesn't. He stays where he is at the door, waiting for the last of their staff to exit the airport. Each of them thank him and he responds with a polite nod.
Once Robert boards the plane, Pablo's tugging on his arm, asking him to take pictures with him.
"Give me a second," he nudges the other to take it easy but rarely does Pablo listen.
"No! Let's take pictures now!"
It just reminds Robert of his naivety.
"Pablo, I have to put my things down." Robert's hands are full, one with a thermos and the other his bag filled to the brim with lord and boots.
"Well hurry up." the rushing should bother him - in fact, he's sure it would if it were anyone else but Pablo. The only people who can boss him around are his children.
"I'm hurrying." somehow, the trophy's been handed to him as Pablo positions himself in the seat next to the one Robert had chosen.
"Babito, take the picture!" Pablo says, handing the phone to the elder.
Much like Robert, Pedro can never say no to Pablo.
Once Pablo and Robert are situated, Pedro snaps a few photos of them, the same easy smile he only ever wears for Pablo resting on his face like a light in the dark - his eyes are on Pablo like they had been back in the interview room.
It is apparent to him now that Pedro loves Pablo - loves him like he loves football and painting and music, akin to a burning passion for something he's been completely devoted to since he was a child. Robert knows of their bond, knows they're closer than most and now that he thinks about it, it makes sense in a way most things do.
It's easy to understand - easy to figure out where the puzzle pieces of Pablo and Pedro go.
There is nothing but adoration in Pedro's eyes any time he's with Pablo, an easy smile that rests on his face when they're next to each other - it's innocent.
But love was like that, wasn't it? There was innocence when Pedro's hand brushed against Pablo's during training - when Pablo's melted ice cream had gotten on his nose. Like he did with everything else, Pedro helped him wipe it off. There was never a time he wouldn't help Pablo.
"Are there enough pictures?" Robert asks after the sixth 'funny' pose Pablo asked him to do.
"That should be good. Thanks old man." Robert rolls his eyes playfully as Pedro and Pablo head to their seats.
They're two rows up on the right side and Robert can see them laughing together from where he sits.
If they need anything, he'll gladly help.
Once Sergio gets comfortable, he shuts his eyes. Nobody's going to need him for anything and the flight's going to be long.
Just as he dozes off, something - rather someone - is shaking his seat. At first, he thinks it must be turbulence and quickly looks at Sergio who points behind him.
He has to squint to make out the person in front of him - the plane was dark after all and he'd been asleep - but it's only Pablo. His expression is panicked and as clammy arms grip the front of his shirt, he can feel the younger shaking.
"Pablo? What's wrong?" his voice is rough from sleep.
Pablo doesn't say anything, just pulls at his arm until he unbuckles his seatbelt and follows him. He's not sure where he's going.
"Pablo, you have to tell me what's going on." he demands once they're behind the curtain sectioning off the kitchen from the main part of the plane.
"It's Pedro. I think- I think he's mad at me." he sounds wrecked, his voice cracking halfway through but he's too panicked to care.
"What?" he's trying to piece together what little information he has.
"He got hurt today- god I shouldn't have said that- he told me not to-" Pablo's sending himself into another panic attack so Robert cuts him off.
"I could tell he was." is all he says because, well, it's the truth.
Pablo tries to catch his breath, toying with the hem of his shirt. He doesn't meet Robert’s eyes.
"I told him he shouldn't play on an injury and he just- he brought up the fight today and said he was worried. I just- he told me he needed a minute but it was the way he said it. I don't want him hurt. He can't be hurt." Pablo rushes out.
"The fight wasn't your fault." Robert reasoned, stepping in to defend Pablo. Real Madrid were always like that, especially when they were losing.
"I know, I know it's just- I can't have him angry with me *and* injured. He said- he said I should find another place to sit." his lip is wobbling now and all Robert can do is open his arms for the kid, holding him as he cries quietly.
"It's okay, Pablo." he rubs circles into the younger's back, hoping it helps.
"No, it's not!" he says, his voice muffled from Robert's sweater.
"Yes, it is. He's coming from a place of worry. It's scary to watch you throw yourself into fights like that knowing we might not be there to help you in time." he doesn't want to take sides.
"But they were talking about him. They- they made fun of us. Called us names."
Robert's lost. Was Pablo referring to the team as a whole?
"The team?" he tries but this frustrates Pablo.
"No!" he throws his hands in the air, frustrated and tired. "You wouldn't understand," Pablo's voice is quiet, barely eligible but Robert heard him.
"Then make me understand, kid."
It takes him a moment but Robert doesn't mind. He has all the time in the world when it comes to Pablo.
"Pedro's ... He's my boyfriend," he's quiet once more but Robert can tell he's nervous in the way he avoids eye contact, opting to stare out the window.
"Thank you for trusting me enough to tell me," is what Robert starts with.
He pulls Pablo in for another hug. The football world isn't the kindest toward gay players and Robert knows second-hand how terribly they're treated.
"When Pedro was pushed and I came over to help, they started mocking me- calling me his little boyfriend. Said I was nothing but his pet." Pablo seems so, so defeated.
Robert finds he's furious. His knuckles whiten at his sides and it takes everything in him not to snap. At what? He's not sure. Maybe Real Madrid.
"They were just jealous." he reasons. "You did so well today. So good. I'm proud of you, you know." the ghosting of a smile forms on Pablo's face.
"You already told me, old man." Robert breathes a sigh of relief, happy to know he'd been able to cheer Pablo up.
"I think you should try and talk to him. Explain your side. Tell him you were coming from a place of love. I'm sure you were, anyway." Robert ruffles his hair and waits until Pablo's ready before he opens the curtain, letting him walk out first.
Sergio's curiosity is apparent when he gets back to his own seat, buckling his seatbelt just in case.
"What was that all about?" he asks though it comes out as a whisper.
"Trouble in paradise." is Robert's curt response. He keeps an eye on Pablo as he scoots back into his row, sitting as far away from Pedro as he can.
Eventually, his mouth starts moving. Robert, of course, can't make out anything he says but there's no malice - no anger from either of them as they talk in whispers and a language only they understand.
Pablo gestures at Pedro's leg, frustration pooling in his eyes. He's begging for the elder to understand.
The only thing Robert does hear is this;
"You said you'd take care of me. Let me do it too. Let me take care of you." Pablo's pleading now, his hands balled into fists at his sides.
Robert watches as Pedro repositions himself - watches as his fingers brush against the side of Pablo's face, how Pablo leans into the touch, his eyes shutting with a sigh.
They're in their own world - the only two awake on the plane as they stare at each other, almost as if they're longing for what they can't do in the company of others. Robert can't see Pedro's face but he's sure it's full of the fondness he has for Pablo.
There's that feeling again. Like he's intruding.
He leans back against his seat and focuses on the screen in front of him. It's tracking their flight - currently, they're in the middle of the ocean.
His eyes land on Pablo and Pedro again - not that he can help it since he's monitoring the situation - to find they're holding hands though it looks to be uncomfortable on Pablo's end since he has his face smushed up against the window.
Faintly, he can hear them conversing. He should remind them to be quiet - they're not alone - but he doesn't want to disturb them. Pedro's the eldest. He should know when to quiet Pablo down.
"I swear I saw a shark." Pablo whispers dramatically, rapidly pointing out at the water.
"Sure you did, Pablito." Robert watches as Pedro shuts his eyes, nodding along to whatever Pablo's saying next to him. How he isn't exhausted yet Robert doesn't know but he's too tired to ask.
He falls asleep like that, listening to the two of them chatter quietly until the sun rises.
*
He offers Pablo a ride home but it's no use, especially since he's clinging to Pedro sleepily. They'll probably nap, he thinks. Robert knows he needs one himself.
It's interesting to watch Pedro and Pablo in action - the way they do things together, the way Pedro would do absolutely anything for Pablo and he knows the gesture is reciprocated. Last night was all he needed to see.
He trusted Pedro would take care of Pablo - trusted he'd continue to make the younger happy. It wasn't hard to make Pablo smile, but it came naturally for Pedro. It seemed that no matter what he did, Pablo always smiled at him - for him.
That's why it doesn't surprise him when Pedro walks toward him apprehensively.
"Hey Robert?" he asks and really, all it does is remind him that they're both so young.
"Yeah?" he's not looking at Pedro while he helps Ansu get his bag out of the bus but he can see where he stands from the corner of his eye. Pablo must be back in his car.
"Thanks."
It's simple and not what Robert had been expecting.
"For what?"
"For yesterday - with Pablo." he clarifies and now it makes sense. Robert had a feeling Pedro would have something to say about the fight that transpired on the plane, he just hadn't been expecting Pablo to tell him Robert was aware of it.
"You don't have to thank me." and it's true - Pedro did most of the talking. He was the one who took initiative.
"But you- you helped him when I couldn't."
"And you help him when I'm not there." Robert reasons. Now that Ansu has his things, Robert looks at Pedro - really looks at him - and can see the worried expression he wears on his face, the way he plays with his fingers as his eyebrows crease. He's nervous.
"I just- I just don't want you to think of me badly." he confesses quietly. The bus starts again but they pay it no mind.
"Kid, I could never think of you badly. Everyone argues. It's healthy. It's normal. Do you think my wife and I don't argue?" he's not sure if Pedro knows he knows they're dating, but he hopes the comparison he just made lets him know he's safe - that Robert doesn't mind. He has to be careful.
"I just hate when he gets himself in trouble." Pedro whispers. It's hard to hear over the noisy engine behind them but Robert gets the gist, finding he relates.
"Trust me, I do too. We were lucky we were there when it happened or we might be having a different conversation right now." it's hard to admit that Pablo might get seriously injured one day, but Robert knows they're both thinking it.
Not everyone is going to be kind.
"Hey, you should let Pablo bring you around for dinner sometime. Anna loves cooking for him." Robert says.
"Thank you," is all Pedro says before Robert envelops him in a hug.
A few months ago, he didn't think he'd be doing this - he was never a hugger, but right now it makes the most sense.
They stay like that long after the bus leaves until Pablo honks the car horn from the passenger seat, asking them to hurry up.
"Remember. It's not your fault." Robert says as Pedro nods, heading back to his car. He's saying something to Pablo Robert can't quite hear but if the laughter tells him anything, they're doing okay.
*
He's sitting on the couch with a book in his hand when the doorbell rings. He can hear his girls hollering from upstairs about their guests and really, he should check his cameras to make sure it isn't a fan but only four people including himself know the code to get into his home - he knows who it is, anyhow, having invited the both of them over for dinner.
Pablo and Pedro are standing closer than necessary when Robert opens the door but he doesn't care, inviting them in with a smile.
Pedro has an expensive wine in one hand with his other encased in Pablo's. It's sweet.
"For you," Pedro says, handing Robert the bottle.
"You shouldn't have." he says, memorizing the name - Teso La Monja.
"You brought wine?" Anna says as she makes her way down the stairs, both Klara and Laura giggling as they run past her and into Pablo's waiting arms.
"Hi guys!" he says happily and as Robert glances at Pedro, he notices the fond expression he always seems to have on the presence of the younger.
Pedro's eyes yearn.
"Hi Pablo!" the girls chorus together.
He seems so, so happy to see them. In a weird way, it makes Robert proud.
"How have you been?" he asks them, still crouched so he's leveled with their heads.
Pedro stands behind him and watches on with fondness. Laura is only 2 and isn't the best with words yet so she lets her sister do the talking, chiming in when she can.
"We're- we're going to have dinner and play games together and build a puzzle!" Klara shouts, playing with the sleeve of Pablo's sweater. His eyes widen and his smile grows.
"A puzzle!?" Pablo's always been so, so good with his kids.
"We can't start till after dinner 'cause mom said so but it has unicorns on it!" she giggles, pulling at Pablo's arm so he stands up.
Pedro, of course, helps him and Pablo kisses his cheek. It's like second-nature for them and nobody bats an eye as they head into the living room. Robert isn't sure what's on tv - he knows it's a show for the girls, but it was mainly background noise while he read.
"You guys can make yourselves comfortable while Robert and I cook dinner. Help yourselves to anything in the fridge and feel free to change the channel if you want." she says politely.
The kitchen is connected to the living room so they'll be able to hold a conversation while they're cooking.
Pablo gets the girls comfortable and grabs Pedro by the hand, leading to the island.
"Can we help?" Pablo asks. Their hands are still intertwined.
"Of course. Pablo, you can help me cut the vegetables. Pedro .." Anna thinks for a moment. "Why don't you and Robert head out and start the grill."
Robert isn't sure he hears this right but he thinks he hears Pablo reassuring Pedro. Did Pedro want to talk to him?
They're shrouded in silence for a moment as Robert gets the grill set. Pedro looks to be contemplating something, his lips parted ever so slightly. His eyes are stormy with the things he must be thinking - he was never a very discreet person - not that Robert can blame him. He's an open book as well.
"Look, you don't have to apologize again. We've been over this already. It wasn't your fault." Robert assumes this is where the conversation is going to go so he beats them both to it.
Pedro's eyes widened, completely thrown off guard.
"No, that's not what I was going to say," his arms are crossed protectively over his chest.
"Well, whatever it is, I'm sure it can wait a moment - can you help me with the grill?" Robert stutters out. He's bent over and the position definitely isn't comfortable.
"Oh! Of course." Pedro sputters, turning each of the heat nodules up.
Small, lithe flames alight under the grates as the smoke bellows into the air. It smells of gas now and Robert grimaces.
"What's up?" Robert says now that he can give Pedro his full attention.
"I know you and Pablo are close and, well, he looks up to you," Robert hadn't known that. "And because of how important you are to him as both a parental figure and mentor on the field, I .. I wanted your permission." this seems to be taking a toll on Pedro.
"Permission for what?" Robert inquires.
"Pablo and I are moving in together." he rushes out.
"I'm glad you trust each other enough to do that but let's be frank - even if I disapproved, which I don't by the way, do you really think he'd listen?" Robert jokes, waiting for the grill to heat up.
"Probably not, no." Pedro reasons. "I still wanted your permission. You mean a lot to him."
And really, Robert shouldn't be beaming at the admission but he can't exactly help it.
"He talks about you sometimes too." he says instead.
Pedro doesn't look like he believes him.
"I'm serious. You should see the way he gushes about your playing when he's over for dinner with Anna and I." and it's not like he's lying. Pablo loves when the topic is Pedro.
"He does?" Pedro never seems to believe Pablo actually wants to talk about him.
"I'm sure he and Anna are talking about you right now."
It's funny how shy Pedro gets about everything to do with Pablo. He's usually so put together - it's so different.
It reminds Robert that they're young. The media forces anybody to grow up.
"He's such a mess." Pedro says and Robert has to agree.
"But he's your mess, isn't he." and though there's silence on Pedro's end, his eyes glint in the way they do when he's at peace with something.
"What are we talking about?" Pablo asks, his arms full of the meat they're having for dinner.
Pedro hums, helping Pablo set everything down.
"Nothing important," he responds, kissing Pablo on the nose when he begins to pout. They're incredibly domestic.
"Fine. Be secretive." he huffs annoyedly.
"I've got the grill from here. You two can head in and keep my children company." Robert tells them.
"Okay!" Pablo chirps, dragging Pedro back into the house though he doesn't seem to mind in the slightest.
He never does when it comes to Pablo.
*
Later in the evening after they've finished eating while the dishes are done and sitting on the drying rack, Robert pokes his head into his daughters' room to watch Pablo read them a bedtime story. He's sitting in Pedro's lap on the floor and it can't be comfortable but they make do.
"And the fox says to the bear 'I don't want to go!' and promptly sits down," Pablo animates each voice excitedly.
Pedro cards his fingers through the other's hair as Robert stands behind them. His girls are both dozing, Klara blinking as fast as she can to stay awake. They love when Pablo's over, always asking for him when he isn't there.
In fact, Pablo never gets to finish the story since both girls have fallen asleep. He hugs each of them before he leaves the room, letting Robert shut the lights out.
The house is incredibly quiet now.
"We should probably get going." Pablo says, leaning into Pedro like he usually does when he's tired.
"You sure, Pablito?" Pedro asks, but his eyes soften when the younger yawns into his hand.
"Get him home." Robert says, remembering the conversation they'd had earlier. "And don't forget what I said."
"What did he say?" Pablo asks, ever the curious one.
"It's not important. Let's go home." Pablo lets Pedro drag him to the car after they've said goodbye to Anna who makes them promise they'll return soon.
Robert watches them drive off, Pablo, despite being tired, bubbly explains something in the passenger seat, and it makes him think of how they compliment each other.
They love each other and he's been trusted - he's been let in on their secret.
His heart twinges as he shuts the door.
It's bittersweet in a way.
But he supposes most things are.
If anything's going to last, it'll be them.
Pablo and Pedro.
It's always them.