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Alisson had barely made it through the farewells for not one, but four of his teammates. As soon as the ceremony had ended, he retreated to a place where he and Firmino could share one last, post-home match moment—the music room.
“ Baixinho!” Alisson cheered when Firmino walked into the room. He picked up his guitar case, painted a soft green. “It’s been too long.”
“We live in the same building, we share a room, and we just got off the pitch together,” Firmino pointed out. “Are you okay?”
Alisson silently cursed himself for letting Firmino see through him. Everybody around Alisson always told him he was terrible at putting up a facade. “Yeah, brilliant, fantastic. Absolutely fine.”
“Good luck getting me to believe that.”
“I'm serious.”
“I'm not convinced.”
Alisson gave up trying to hide it. Firmino knew him too well. “I know, and I’m not. I'm just saying that because then you'd be focused on me, and you're already upset.”
“I'm not.” But unshed tears still pooled in Firmino’s hazel eyes. He’d already been emotional before the start of the game, and the farewell ceremony had only made it worse.
“You are.”
“No, I'm not!”
“Yes, you are!” Alisson had rarely seen Firmino being so stubborn before.
“No I'm not!!!”
“Yes you are!”
“Okay, so I am!!!” Firmino yelled, storming closer to the black baby grand piano. “Why can't anything work now? Where's the miracle? Why couldn’t I do anything?!”
Firmino sat beside Alisson on the piano bench. Alisson put his hand on Firmino’s shoulder, pulling the smaller man closer.
“That’s not true. Você salvou nosso pelé! You didn’t give up, we didn’t give up.”
Firmino looked at Alisson sadly and nodded. "You don't give up, either. Even when things are tough, and even when you want to give in, you don't. You keep going. You keep fighting.”
Somehow, Firmino's words brought a smile to Alisson, even when both weren't in the mood. "I've got something for you, baixinho ."
"Ali..."
" Sim ?"
"I think I'll cry if you play another rendition of 'By Your Side'."
"Ay Deus. ..it's not that song. Here, I'll start. It might make you feel better."
Firmino smiled, pulling on his yellow fingerless gloves. His hands would stiffen while playing the piano, affecting the smoothness that he stuck the chords. So on his most recent birthday, Fabinho had given Firmino the gloves. “You always know how to make me smile.”
I guess that's why music is a universal language. It can bring people together, even when words fail.”
Firmino nodded in agreement. Alisson took up his guitar and started strumming softly. Firmino watched on, and added some piano chords before singing.
If I should stay
Well I would only be in your way
And so I'll go, and yet I know
I'll think of you each step of the way
"You won't be in our way!" Alisson protested. "We love you here, you're needed here."
"Not as much as I used to. It's time to step aside and give others a chance."
"We can find a way to make it work! You can play in midfield, or defense, or become a specialist coach!" Alisson started singing, edging closer to Firmino.
And I will always love you
I will always love you
Darling you
Firmino chuckled. His voice rose and fell with the melody.
Bittersweet memories
That's all I'm taking with me
So good-bye, please don't cry
'Cause we both know that I'm not
What you need
"Cale-se! You're exactly what we need." Alisson grabbed Firmino's hand, preventing him from striking the keys. "And good luck telling me not to cry, because I have been crying since the day you told us you were leaving."
Firmino shook his head, prying Alisson's hand off his. "You're never going to let me forget it, will you?"
"Roberto Firmino Barbosa de Oliviera, I don't care if I have to hammer it into your mind. You are valuable to the point where you are invaluable."
But I will always love you
I will always love you
Darling you
All of a sudden, Alisson changed the tune he was playing to something more lively and upbeat. Firmino had to stop playing to comprehend what was going on—he’d never heard anything like this before.
“This one's for you, Bobby.”
I'll tie you to Kirkby walls if I have to
I'll write a brand-new law if I have to
Don't underestimate what I'll do to keep you
You can't go away
Firmino's eyes widened in realization. "Is this about me leaving?"
Alisson stopped singing, still holding his guitar. "I don't want you to go."
"I don't want to either. But the youngsters need a chance, and they'll never get it if I don't go away."
"But you don't need to!" Alisson insisted, continuing to sing.
You don't need to give us chances
All you need to do are dances
I'll do whatever it takes, don't you see?
I'll give up my gloves and my Lev Yashin
Firmino sighed, and began to sing again. Partially as an answer, partially to reassure Alisson that he didn't need to give up anything.
I made up my mind, I can't change it now
I've given my all and taken my bows
I did what I needed to, I served my time
Eventually we had to say goodbye
"Don't leave," Alisson whispered. But he knew Firmino had made his decision. "You know you don't want to."
"No, it's already decided. I'm sorry, irmãozinho , but this is goodbye." Firmino hugged Alisson from the side, careful not to bump into his guitar. "I love you and the other guys more than I ever could. I'm going because I want you to go far, this is the only way."
Alisson pulled Firmino even closer, setting his guitar aside to hug his best friend with both hands. "I don't want to let you leave like this."
"We'll stay in touch, I promise. And make sure Fabi eats, okay? He's already Flaco, we don't need him to become o esqueleto ," Firmino joked. "Play something for me?
"I guess." Alisson picked up his guitar, hesitantly striking a chord. "Assim?"
"Perfect, now improvise."
Alisson played a few chords in succession, improvising as he played along.
"Keep up that melody." Firmino began to sing, playing the piano once more.
I'm leaving the club, not the team
But my heart will be left behind for you to keep
Vou te abraçar querido pra mim
Even in my dreams
It'll be like I never left, like we were never apart
I'll sing a special song to you from deep inside my heart
"Lembre de mim..." Alisson joined in with the strings, playing his own melody. His voice was soft and gentle, and the words carried a message of love and appreciation. It was a song that, just like its name, would never be forgotten.
"You remember!" Firmino exclaimed. "You used to sing that all the time."
"I do."
"Ay, nao chorar."
Alisson nodded, wiping away tears. "It's going to be so strange not having you here with us."
Firmino closed the piano, leaning on the keyboard cover. "If my club is close enough, I'll stay in Kirkby."
"I'd love that. But don't you dare play for Everton or Trent and Curtis will kill you."
"Don't forget our other Scouser on the team."
"Which one? I don't remember."
Firmino grinned, mimicking Tsimikas' voice. "The Greek Scouser, man!"
Alisson went along with the game, imitating Klopp's German accent. "How much do I pay you to chop it off?"
"Aaah, help Thiago! The gaffer's trying to cut off my man bun!"
The two laughed, barely managing to stay balanced on the piano bench.