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The interior of the bus was mostly silent aside from the occasional rattle of the engine. Majority of the team were either quietly scrolling through social media, listening to music or were taking a nap as they travelled to Strasbourg. A win or a draw would secure PSG the league title. Taking that into consideration, it was odd how calm everyone was. Not to mention, it was PSG's second to last match of the season. Leo's second to last game at PSG.
Marco frowned at the thought. Come the final whistle next week Saturday, the couple of nearly a year wouldn't be playing together anymore. The Italian had known of Leo's decision to leave the capital club for months at this point, but the reality of the situation was just hitting him now. Wherever his boyfriend, who was currently resting his head on Marco's right shoulder, went after this, whether it be a miracle return to Barcelona or Inter Miami, they'd be apart from each other. Separated by either a meagre two hour flight or by an entire ocean.
The Italian's frown deepened at the prospect of being so far away from Leo. The pair have spent periods of time apart from each other since getting together but that was merely for international duty. This upcoming degree of separation would be entirely different. Marco and Leo wouldn't see each other aside from on a screen for most of the year. Even when they are able to meet up in person, they won't be able to spend nearly enough time in the other's presence before they must part ways again. And that's not even the half of it.
Leo leaving Paris in the summer meant no more morning cuddles. Instead, Marco would wake up cold and alone without the warmth his boyfriend emits seeping into him. The pair could no longer steal kisses from each other while on the training grounds. Marco wouldn't be able to sneak up behind Leo and snake his hands around his waist. An action which always makes the older man jump before he melts into the embrace. They wouldn't be able to sit next to each other while travelling to games and lean on each other much like they are now. All the little things that Marco especially valued in his and Leo's relationship would be gone for majority of the year.
So many things would change and it terrified the Italian to think about. Change wasn't always a bad thing but it wasn't always a good thing either. There were so many ways a long-distance relationship could turn sour. There was also a lot of good that could come from it too. The space between Marco and Leo's could strengthen their bond. The distance drawing them closer together and making their their relationship blossom to new heights. Then again, there was still so much that could go wrong. So many possible miscommunications that could occur through a screen, insecurities that could form and crippling loneliness that eat away at both parties until it exploded. Destroying everything the couple had achieved together thus far. There were just too many possibilities.
Marco shut his eyes tightly and took a few deep breaths. He was spiraling and it wouldn't do him any good in the end. Leo wasn't happy in Paris. Even those who aren't that close to him could see it. Marco recalls the waves of relief that rolled off of his boyfriend when talks of extending his contract finally ended. This change was inevitable but that didn't make it any less scary.
Finally, Marco reopened his eyes and turned his head to the right. He gazed down at Leo, who had dozed off on his shoulder, and couldn't help the small smile that formed on his lips. The Argentinian looked so peaceful which was a stark contrast to Marco's mind. The Italian sighed and rested his head on top of Leo's. He then gently slid his right hand into his boyfriend's left and gave it a reassuring squeeze. It was more so for himself than for Leo. There were only a few more hours before the match and he needed to focus on it. Marco took one last deep breath and pushed the thoughts of the upcoming change in his and Leo's relationship to the back of his mind. However far apart they ended up after this season, they would make it work.
They had to.