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Sergio has liked Luka for the longest time now. And it was no surprise to anyone. After all, the Spaniard made it very clear everyday. By hugging Luka, kissing him on the cheek, joking around with him. He was known to focus on Luka so much during training that Zidane had to step in and break him out of his love trance. But it never really worked, because Sergio would be back to Luka seconds after he was separated from him.
Basically, everyone with eyes could see that he liked the Croat. You'd have to be blind to not notice the glances, the smiles, the warm love in Sergio's eyes..
…. And Luka was the one who was blind, oblivious to everything that the Spaniard threw at him.
It began all the way back in 2012, when the Croat first joined Real Madrid and met all of them with a big smile on his face.
He had met Sergio before, briefly, during Spain vs Croatia when the man patted him on the back and told him he couldn't wait for Luka to come to Madrid. Back then Sergio saw it as nothing more than a friendly exchange. And when he first met Luka in the club, actually met him, it was still friendly. Sergio thought there wasn't anything else to it but a happy feeling that he was getting a new teammate, a new friend.
That was until one day, after a match, Luka came up to him and told him straightforwardly that he didn't like his shitty attitude. Granted, it was said in some broken Spanish because he was still learning at the time, but Sergio's heart had done backflips.
The fact the man was so honest and prepared to speak if something was bothering him was what dragged the Spaniard to Luka. It was what made Sergio realize that what he felt for Luka had grown into something bigger and stronger than any friendship. His teammates looked at him like was going to snap at Luka, tell him to fuck off or yell at him, but he didn't. He looked at the Croat and told him 'I understand'.
And that simple exchange, without them knowing, had made their relationship bloom into something beautiful. Something absolutely amazing.
Sergio made Luka laugh till he was crying, Luka introduced him to delicious Croatian cuisine, they met each other's families, hell Sergio even spent holidays in Croatia with Luka…
They were close.
People like to call them friends, some like to call them brothers, some even refer to them as closer than brothers but Sergio doesn't exactly agree.
He loved Luka differently. A love that was different compared to one of friends or one of family.
He loved Luka like a partner. He adored everything about the Croat. From his blonde long hair to his sweet brown eyes, his way of speaking and his way of acting. He loved Luka's smile and his laughter, anytime he laughed Sergio could feel his stomach fill with butterflies. The sound was music to his ears. He loved Luka's fiery spirit, his need to fight and play, to win. But he loved his soft side as well. He loved his kindness, his humbleness, his generosity. His Lukita had that comforting aura around him that put people to ease, that let people know that he was there for them and he was never going to hurt them.
Just… Luka. Luka was perfect. And Sergio absolutely adored him.
And Luka.. well.. Luka was a special case. Of course, Sergio doesn't know what he's thinking, but the Croat has never shown any sign that he liked him back.
But he can't blame him because Sergio's vague. He is subtle. Sure, others notice his attempts but Luka doesn't. Luka remains as oblivious as ever when faced with anything Sergio threw at him.
That's why Marcelo had given him an idea. The man was tired of the sad puppy looks he sent Luka and he was tired of the fact the two just weren't talking about it. He told Sergio he needed to be as serious as possible, as obvious as possible, as CLEAR as possible. So..
He suggested he confessed to Luka, BUT, so he isn't confused by it, he should do it in Croatian.
And Sergio had agreed, after a bit of convincing. He didn't think it could be that hard, after all whenever he saw Luka speak Croatian it seemed too easy, so normal, not complicated at all.
Unfortunately for him though, he had been very wrong.
Luka is Croatian, he was born there, he's spoken that language and heard that language since he was a baby. Why did Sergio assume it's be easy? Shit if he knew.
What he did know though is that the language was: difficult to read, difficult to speak, difficult to understand and most importantly, difficult to remember. Sergio had the whole thing written down on paper, a whole confession not just an 'I love you', but it was proving itself to be hard to remember the words. He knew what he was saying, kind of, but it had still proven itself to be.. almost pointless to try.
'Luka,
Moja ljubav prema tebi je nekontrolirana. Moji osjećaji prema tebi su nezaustavljivi. Nema dana pa da ne mislim na tebe.
Bez tebe nisam potpun, a s tobom moje srce kuca.
Moje srce je ispunjeno radošću zahvaljujući tvojoj ljubavi. Ti si moja snaga i bez tebe sam slab.
Prije nego što si ti ušao u moj život, bio sam beznadan, usamljen, tužan. Kad si se pojavio, kao da si bio poslan.
Tvoj osmijeh me čini sramežljivim, I ponekad se pitam gdje si bio sve ovo vrijeme,
Ali drago mi je što sam te uspio dovesti u svoj životu... ISPUNJAVAŠ MI SRCE RADOŠĆU!
Even when he felt like he got it he didn't. And he can't show up to Luka with that dumb piece to appear in front of Luka, he can't ruin it..
But once Luka enters the dressing room, saying good morning to everyone and Sergio is forced to put his helping paper back in the duffle bag.. he knew that there was no other option than to just go for it.
He wasn't confident that he knew everything but skipping over a word or two won't ruin the sentence.. right?
So he watched Luka walk over to his locker first, which was placed between Gareth's and Karim's and laid his duffle bag on the bench. He caught Sergio's gaze and smiled, waving his hand. Sergio was quick to return it, waving as well before smiling a bit..
Luka didn't see any worry, any anxiety, so he simply focused back on his bag yet again and tried to find his kit for training. It wasn't very Luka, who noticed stuff right away just by looking around for a few seconds, but Sergio couldn't blame him. It was pretty early in the morning and no one was exactly too awake yet, just like Luka.
The man inhaled a bit, looking around the room at the few people that were in the dressing room..
Marcelo, Pepe, Cris.. not many people yet. Which honestly Sergio appreciated, he didn't want to fuck this up in front of everyone..
Sergio made eye contact with Marcelo for a moment, who was sitting across the room from him with Pepe. The Brazilian blinked before sending him a bright and comforting smile, his white teeth rows shiny and they spoke volumes to Sergio. The man was urging him but assuring him at the same time.
If not now, when? If not here, where? If not this way, how? I’m sure everything will be fine, just do it.
Sergio was suddenly hit with a small burst of confidence. He took in a deep breath, sending Marcelo a brave smile, before standing up and making his way to the Croat.
Luka was straightening up his back, the shirt and shorts in his palms. He was prepared to change himself but he paused once the other man was spotted. He grinned, happy to finally talk to his friend and was about to open his mouth as Sergio stepped in front of him. However, before a word could leave his mouth Sergio raised his hand to stop him, a small frown on his lips. His heart beat quickly against his ribcage, his stomach turned and his body felt hot all of a sudden. Anxiety was taking hold of him, its claws sharp and unmoving. They forced his brain into another speed, forcing him to think about everything that could go wrong.
Luka raised an eyebrow, confused.. “Se-”
“Luka, I need to tell you something”
Sergio spoke, despite the words fighting to stay inside his throat and disappear. He needed to speak, he needed to tell the Croat how he felt..
“Okay..” Luka said, suddenly becoming serious and nodding his head, “Go ahead”
That was the cue. Sergio took in another deep breath and exhaled it though his nose. His eyes closed for a moment before he reopened them, spotting Luka and his worried brown orbs. It hurt his heart to see something like that on the Croat, worry didn’t belong on him. Sadness did not belong on him. His smile was the beauty that was meant to be there.
And though Luka was always beautiful he wished to see the other always happy.
He needed to get rid of that expression, that emotion.. And he knew how to.
“Moja.. ljubav tebi.. je nekon..troli..rana” He spoke.
And suddenly the worry was gone, Luka’s eyes instead widened in shock, like he couldn’t believe what he was listening to. Sergio stood strong though, even if his confidence crumbled under the look.
"Moji osjećaj.. tebi su nezaustavljiv" he spoke again, "Dana..ne da pa misli.. tebe."
He didn't know what he was saying, at all. He knew his words were jumbled though, he knew that what he was saying was what was written, 100%.
But Luka's confused face, brows furrowed and lips fixed into a frown proved that what he was saying made no sense to him.
So Sergio's stopped, staring at Luka..
"I'm.. sorry I don't understand" Luka spoke, in Spanish so Sergio could understand better.. "Your words are all jumbled. What are you trying to tell me?"
And Sergio.. crumbled.. It felt like his heart had been ripped out of his body and like it was stomped on and spat on. So.. he just smiled and shook his head "It's.. nothing, really. I'm just kidding a bit"
"But Se-"
He turned around and made his way to the dressing room door, waving his hand "It's fine, Luka. It's not important."
"Ser-" the door slammed shut "Gio.."
Luka blinked.. "What just happened?". A sigh was heard throughout the room and Luka was quick to focus on the Brazilian, Marcelo, who seemed more tired than before.. "I can explain". Luka walked over to him "You can? Then what's going on?"
Marcelo watched as his friend came closer before responding..
"Do you see the folded paper on Sergio's bag? Go and open it"
"I can't just look through his stuff—"
"Just do it. Trust me."
—
The ball hit the net at the speed of light, Sergio thought that if it was hit any harder it definitely would've caused the net to rip apart. And honestly that would've been nice, given how much anger and shame flower through his veins.
It was such a stupid idea! What was he thinking?! Why did he listen to Marcelo?! Why did he even TRY to do it now! He could've done it tomorrow!
Sergio groaned, walking over to the goal to take the ball from the net. His palms were quick to find it as he straightened up with it in his hands before walking back to the penalty spot..
This could've gone so much better if he wasn't so fucking stupid. This could've been so much better if he had half a brain. It's like the only thing he knows how to do is be a captain and even THAT is questionable given how much he rages. How much he fights.
Like he's doing right now..
He's about to take another shot, placing the ball where it once was, but he's stopped by the sound of footsteps from behind him. The gentle sound of shoes walking over the soft grass under them. Sergio took in a small breath before looking over his shoulder..
Luka was walking over to him. Of course he was. One glance and he even saw the letter in his hand as he walked over.
'He's probably here to tell me off' the Spaniard thought to himself, anxiety filling his heart yet again..
He huffed and fully turned around, slightly glaring at the man walking towards him. The Croat finally stopped right in front of him, a look on his face that he couldn't quite read.
"Sergio-" Luka started but was quickly cut off as Sergio, yet again, began talking as he only began too.
"Luka, I know what you're going to say, okay? You read what's on the paper right? So you clearly know how I feel about you. So how about we make this as simple as possible and skip over the 'I don't like you back' garbage and just get to the park where I'm leaving you alone for the rest of our stay in this club." Sergio said all of this while looking away from the Croat, looking over the green grass under them and the blue cloudless sky above them. Anywhere but the face that definitely held so much resentment and disgust.
"But Sergio-"
"I would still like to be your friend though. So if you can get over this stupid stuff I'd still LIKE to, y'know, laugh with you, talk to you, everything we used to do-"
"Sergio-"
"I know I messed up but I still want to be with you. But if you don't want to be friends I completely understand-" he was rambling. His heart was hurting. His lungs were burning. Fuck he was breaking under his own words. "And I won't bother you ever again-"
"Sergio!!"
The Spaniard jumped, finally looking at Luka with wide eyes. His eyes had become slightly wet from his words, his aching, so his vision was slightly blurry as his gaze fixed on the blonde man. He hadn't realized his hands curled into fists either, so tightly his knuckles had turned white from all the pressure. But as soon as Luka's voice, loud and demanding his attention, broke through his ramble, they relaxed.
In the eyes of Luka there was no disgust. Frustration, yes, but he was disgusted. He wasn't angry or upset. Luka was usually a man that hid away behind a stoic expression, or one of a deer caught in headlight, but now it was evident what he was feeling.
Little bit of annoyance, as it is allowed given Sergio was basically ignoring him, and..
Fondness. Tenderness. Even some amusement.
"Will you finally let me talk?" Luka wondered, raising an eyebrow at the man. A small smile was theartning to bloom on his lips, but he remained as stoic as he could.
"..." Sergio stared down at him, searching over his face for anything bad, before nodding his head, finally passing the microphone to the other man do he too could speak.
"Did you make this?" Luka asked, raising up the paper to Sergio, "You wrote it in Croatian?"
Sergio nodded his head, before shrugging his shoulders, "Marcelo-"
"Shhh I'm talking" Luka pressed a finger to his lips, signaling the other to quiet down before he continued "I have to give you some credit first. Everything is written properly somehow. I don't think I saw a single mistake.. in the written part anyways." He chuckled and Sergio couldn't help but blush at that..
"Next.." he smiled, looking at the words written on the paper before the sparkling beautiful eyes found their way to Sergio's. There was.. love in them. A lot of it. Sergio couldn't help but let his eyes widen. "Sergio, you wanted to confess to me in my own language. That's… so sweet of you. That's so considerate. I don't think anyone ever cared this much about me. No one's ever liked me so much that they tried to learn my language and confess to me in it. And even though you clearly weren't prepared enough I appreciate this.. I appreciate you." He sighed.. "You fill my heart with happiness too, Sergio."
Wait.. did that mean..?
"Luka.." Sergio whispered quietly, under his breath.. "Do you mean.."
Luka nodded his head "I love you, Sergio Ramos"
A huge smile grew on Sergio's face and his face lit up right away. He picked up Luka, forcing the smaller man to squeak and wrap his arms around him, holding on for dear life. Sergio spun them around, spinning them in circles for a few seconds before stopping.
He looked up at Luka, who stared at him as he panted, with that pretty smile on his lips.. "Sergio.."
"Luka.." he chuckled, "Will you do me the pleasure of-"
But before he could finish Luka pressed his lips against Sergio's, his head leaning down to press them together. The two lovers closed their eyes, breathing in each other's scents as their plush lips moved. Sergio finally got what he wanted.
He finally got to taste the man he's loved since 2012. Only 6 years later. Sure, it was a long time but he's happy with what he's got..
Luka pulled back suddenly, chuckling "Sorry, but I think it was finally my time to cut YOU off.."
Sergio grinned wide, staring up at his lover and he tightened his hold around his back, just as Luka tightened his legs around his waist. Luka wrapped his arms around Sergio's neck, smiling happily..
"Lukita?"
"Hm?"
"How do you say I love you in Croatian?"
Luka blushed a bit, basically melting in the hold of the other "Volim te.."
Sergio pecked him on the lips yet again,
"Volim te, Luka"
"Volim i ja tebe, Sergio.."