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The game was entering its final ten minutes before added time. Inter Miami were 3-0 up and it would take a miracle for Charlotte FC to catch up. This quarter final was practically in the bag but Leo wouldn't jinx it. If the World Cup final had taught him anything, it was that the game could switch up in the blink of an eye. Though given the time remaining, it wasn't all that likely for Charlotte to suddenly score three goals and make it go to penalties. Still, Leo would keep his focus until the final whistle. Said focus promptly shattered as his eyes landed on a particular figure in the stands.
"Mi amor?" Leo thought, nearly doing a double take. He snuck a few more glances towards the stands as the game continued around him. He simply could not believe his eyes. There was no way that he saw what he did. Or rather, saw who he did. Leo's eyes must be playing tricks on him because there was no way that his boyfriend Scaloni was sitting in the VIP section of the stands. How had he not noticed him before? Why was he here?
Now, it wasn't as if Leo was complaining. He was overjoyed to see his boyfriend despite how unexpected his presence was. Their busy schedules hardly allows them to spend much time together in person. Leo was even starting to become content with only seeing Scaloni through a screen for extended periods of time. So whenever their free time does align, or when one of them shirks their responsibilities in favour of seeing the other, they cherish it. And Leo was definitely going to cherish their time together after this match. Who knew how long Scaloni would be in Miami?
Soon enough, the final whistle was blown and the stadium erupted in cheers. Leo, in a rare moment where his mind wasn't consumed with thoughts of his boyfriend, had managed to score off of an assist from Campana. His goal brought the game to 4-0 and Charlotte FC had no chance of making a comeback after that. Inter Miami was off to the semi-finals! As the team celebrated, Leo was quicker in making his post-game rounds than usual. He swapped shirts with Harrison Afful almost hastily and started making his way across the pitch.
Along the way, Leo was stopped at practically every step he took. He was pulled into tight hugs by his teammates and handshakes by members of the opposition. He even had to stop and flash a quick smile for a couple pictures. Normally, Leo wouldn't mind doing these things but he needed to reunite with Scaloni about fifteen minutes ago and being stopped constantly was slowly starting to annoy him. Though, he'd never show it lest the media start spewing theories, which are always hilariously far from the truth, about what was bothering him.
Leo almost sighed in relief when he finally reached the sidelines. Unfortunately, that relief was short lived as fans in the stands above the tunnel started screaming at him. Several were waving Argentina jerseys at him and some were even gearing up tp throw them at him in order to get his signature. However, all the chaos faded into the background as Leo stole a quick glance towards his right. His eyes met Scaloni's and a brief silent conversation passed between the two. The older man shot Leo a small smile and Leo's heart melted. A faint pink dusted his cheeks as he quickly disappeared down the tunnel.
After that, it didn't take him long to reach the locker room. Leo was out of what remained of his kit and in the showers faster than his brain could process the change of scenery. He fought with his change of clothes as he was still dripping wet from his speedy, though not entirely rushed, shower. By the time the rest of the squad entered the locker room still high off of their win, Leo was zipping up his bag and very much ready to leave.
"Where are you rushing off to Leo?" Josef asked.
"Yeah, we still need to take the celebratory picture," Robert added.
Leo wanted to repeatedly ram his head into the lockers at that. The photo. Right. How could he forget about that? Yet another thing that was delaying what Leo's been looking forward to since spotting his boyfriend in the stands. Leo was so close to reuniting with Scaloni yet still so far away. All these interruptions were infuriating!
"Come on let's make it quick," Busi said, starting to wrangle everyone together to take the post-match photo. As he did, he sent Leo a knowing look and smirked. Leo averted his eyes and tried to ignore how his cheeks flushed. Jordi smirked at him too as the team all squeezed in frame and posed. The camera clicked three times and then Leo practically bolted out of there.
Outside the locker room, his bodyguard was waiting for him. Leo could see a twinkle of amusement in his otherwise emotionless eyes. He nodded his head towards a hallway that leads to a dead end which was very secluded. Leo nodded in return and smiled at him before turning on his heels and taking off in that direction. In doing so, he missed his bodyguard fondly shaking his head with a small smile, which is rare when he's on duty.
With each stride he took, Leo's heart beat faster and faster. A bright smile spread on his face and he increased his pace. He was almost giddy with excitement by the time he turned the corner into the dead end. If it was possible, Leo's smile would've grown even more as his eyes landed on Scaloni. Su media naranja. Scaloni soon turned his head in Leo's direction and smiled right back at him. That was all it took for Leo to drop his bag and sprint towards his boyfriend.
Scaloni chuckled and held his arms open as Leo ran towards him. He stumbled back a bit as Leo pounced on him but managed to keep his grip on his waist firm. The momentum caused Scaloni to spin Leo around as his legs left the floor. Both parties laughed lightly and Leo smashed his lips against Scaloni's. The older man wasted no time in kissing back as he set Leo's feet firmly back down on the ground. Their teeth and tongues clashing together as they hungrily attacked each others lips. Distance makes the heart grow fonder as they say.
All too soon, Leo and Scaloni broke apart. The taller touched their foreheads together as they gazed lovingly into each other's eyes. Their prior smiles returned to their faces as they panted lightly. The silence dragging on for a few moments as they drank in the other's presence. Almost two months apart was far too long indeed.
"Not that I'm unhappy with your presence," Leo spoke, his soft voice cutting through the silence, "but why are you here?"
"I was going to tell you that the federation needed me up here for their expansion plans but decided it would be better to surprise you instead," Scaloni answered.
"Well, I was definitely surprised when I finally spotted you in the stands."
"Oh, I know," Scaloni said, leaning in a bit closer to Leo's ear, "Don't think that I didn't notice you leaving the pitch faster than normal. You were that desperate to reach me, huh?"
A shiver ran down Leo's spine at his words and Scaloni chuckled. He gently nipped at Leo's earlobe and allowed his hands to travel lower. Scaloni laughed again as Leo sharply inhaled once his hands cupped the globes of his ass, giving them a firm squeeze.
"The feeling is mutual," Scaloni continued, "You don't know how much I've missed you pastelito."
"Then show me," Leo said, his boldness taking both parties aback, "Show me just how much you've missed me."
Scaloni backed off of Leo a bit to stare down at him. The younger's dark eyes sparkled with want and Scaloni could feel it building within him as well. He bit his lower lip and exhaled deeply through his nose to restrain himself. As much as he wanted to give Leo everything his heart desired, there was a time and a place to fulfill that particular request. Right here, right now was neither of them.
"Not here," Scaloni said, running his hands up and down Leo's sides in a way that he knew made the shorter man shiver, "Think you can wait until we get home?"
"I can try," Leo said, his dimple showing in his cheeky smile. Scaloni smiled back at him and brought a hand up to cup his cheek. He pressed his lips against Leo's in a short kiss. It was straight to the point but not any less needy than the one they shared earlier. As they separated, the couple held each other's gaze for a few moments. A silent question passing between them which made Scaloni grin devilishly and peck Leo's lips once more.
"Don't worry cariño, I'll be gentle," Scaloni promised, caressing Leo's cheek with his thumb, "You need to be able to walk if you're going to win the semi-final."