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Contrary to popular opinion, Laporte actually liked international break.
He got to see a lot of his teammates that he otherwise couldn’t when playing for his club. One of those mentioned teammates was Gavi, everyone’s favourite little brother. The player never understood how people could hate that boy when he was such a likeable kid - sweet, caring, loyal, you name it! Even though he was an adult now, most of the team still babied him, including himself.
So when Gavi showed up at the hotel lobby, Laporte all but cooed at the sight of him. “Looks like someone has the sniffles...” he smiled in sympathy, his arms outstretched. The midfielder met him with a sulking pout, simply melting into the hug without reciprocating. The older gently held him in the embrace, rubbing his back comfortingly as Gavi’s forehead rested on his shoulder.
“Tired?” the player nodded, grumbling. “Come on, let’s get you to bed little guy.” the defender wrapped his arm around the younger’s shoulders, taking his bag with his other hand and guiding him to their shared hotel room. They had to stop on the way when Gavi had a pretty bad coughing fit. “You’re lucky the first game is in five days so you should have enough time to recover.”
Laporte practically drags him to bed and the midfielder all but collapses onto it. “I know you could probably fall asleep like that, but why don’t we get you into a more comfortable position, hm?” the boy doesn’t reply and this time he does carry him, spinning him around and pulling him up to the right side of the bed. Gavi almost sniffles, unbothered by the action.
“Did you eat anything yet?”
“Not hungry.”
“Appetite decrease is a common symptom, but you gotta eat Pablito.”
“Had bread.”
“That’s not-”
“...with cheese.”
Laporte frowns, but doesn’t force the subject any further. He could probably convince him to eat something later... The midfielder blows out his nose, throwing the wet tissue to the side. “Is there anything I can get for you?” the man feels like he’s taking care of his sick younger brother again when he was younger. He suppresses a smile when he realizes they’re even the same age.
“Water.” he croaks, probably saving his voice as much as possible. The older goes to retrieve his water bottle from Gavi’s bag, but finds it empty along with another. There was no question about it - Gavi had a sore throat. And what is best for a sore throat? Hot tea. “I’ll bring you a water bottle from the lobby. They might also have some tea that’ll soothe your throat.”
The player leaves the room, momentarily leaving the boy to himself. The midfielder coughs indignantly, just about managing to cover his mouth after a surprise sneeze. He forgot to ask Laporte for more tissues so the midfielder forced himself to get up and rummage his bag. “Why aren’t you in bed?” he jumped, not expecting the older to return so quickly. “Tissues?” Gavi asked after coming out empty handed.
The defender set down, what he assumed was the tea, and two water bottles onto the bedside table then pulled out a box of tissues from one of the cabinet drawers. “Luckily, the hotel has some.” he smiles and the boy lies back in bed. “Did you tell coach you’re sick?” the man softly asks to which the other shakes his head. “I can train tomorrow. I just need to rest today.” and with that he closes his eyes.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Laporte frowns because there was no way Gavi could get back to training by tomorrow.
“I don’t want to miss out.” the younger whispers.
“You’ll miss out more if you push yourself and play when you’re clearly not at your best. I’m sure coach won’t even let you once he gets one good look at you.”
“...okay...” the midfielder sighs, taking a careful sip of the tea.
“Yuck, why is it so bitter...”
Laporte had to hold back a chuckle at the younger’s expression.
“It’s ginger green tea.”
“Bleh!”
“That’s the only one they had, sorry. Apparently it’s really good for you though...?”
“No thanks.”
Despite his original concern, Gavi did sound a lot better now that he wasn’t muttering only two words as a reply. Maybe the player was right and the older was just overreacting, but he still stood by what he said. ‘A cold should not be left untreated.’ his mother always used to say so as long as Laporte is at least tending to him, it should be fine...right? “If i get more honey, do you think you could drink at least half of it?”
“I’d rather down some pills.” this time the defender snorts.
Gavi stares at the cup for a moment like the liquid itself was going to jump out and onto him then, to his surprise, the younger plugs his nose and downs almost all of it. However, he gets into another coughing fit right after and the player has to pat his back. “I didn’t say you had to choke on it, brother. Take it easy.” the midfielder lies back down, pulling the covers over himself.
“No more.”
Laporte gently smiles, putting the cup on the other side of the room to dispose of later. “Alright. I won’t force you, Gavi. Do you want to drink some water to wash out the taste?” the other peeks and he takes it as a ‘yes’. After the younger has washed out his mouth, he requests for his bag to be moved closer so that the other doesn’t have to keep bringing him his things.
The boy blows his nose out a couple more times before pulling out drops and squeezing two in each nostril then turning away to the other side. “I’m gonna sleep.” he announces. “If you need anything, I’m here.” Laporte replies. “I can get you cold meds from the reception if you want.” Gavi takes a while to respond and the older thinks he may have already fallen asleep.
“Maybe later... if I’m not feeling well...”
“Then how would you say you’re feeling now!?”
“Still manageable. With the drops, I can breath at least.”
“If you say so. Sleep well, Pablo.”
The younger simply hums in response, already dozing off.
In the end, he doesn’t need the pills, but he’s also not any better tomorrow so Laporte excuses himself from training and continues to take care of his little brother figure who obliges, mostly, without refute.