Archive of Our Own

Diego was... kind-of mixed in regards of the Marble Survival results.

On one hand, a fourth place out of 28 was a breath of fresh air after the abysmal performance the Indigo Stars put in the Snowdown. Diego fought as hard as he could on the races, made sure that the people at home had a reason to root for, and by all things considered, managed to restore a little bit of that hope again. If anything, that could be considered a good edition, and even as hosts they got plenty of praise for their professionalism and their hospitality.

But even with all the positive aspects, Diego still felt bummed out.

Another podium miss, another one of those 4th places that kept lingering in his track history. He felt like he was cursed in a sense, ever since his mishap back in 2019, it keeps happening. Elimination Race in that same exact year, Elimination Race back in 2021, almost scored another one in the qualifiers for 2022 at the 5 Meter Hurdles, Short-Track back in the qualifiers for Marble League 2024, and now this. In the six or seven years since he was part of the Indigo Stars, he only has two medals for individual events. He definitely did cherish them dearly - after all, a bronze and a silver are nothing to be looked upon negatively- but those 2 medals in comparison with the 4ths felt like paling his achievement track by quite a lot.

He was happy for the Turtle Sliders getting their first podium finish ever though! He really was! 

But Diego kept looping the moment and wonder what could've been if only he focused a little bit harder. It sucked in retrospect. Even the fact that he was engulfed in the calmer winds of his home didn't give him a lot of solace. He fell short again and in spite of what Indigo Stars overall would say, it wasn't enough. 

"Diego!" 

His bubble of thought broke in an instant as he heard silent footsteps roaming around. The hammock shook a bit as the Indigo Stars member shifted positions to check the vicinity, given he expected everyone to have left Kinikolu by then. 

"There you are! Thought I got lost and - wait, hang on, what happened?" 

The silhouette came nearer to Diego's side in a rush, breathing heavily and sounding more worried than ever. Diego processed it late, as his head was spinning around more with his own thoughts rather than his surroundings, only coming back to his senses when a pair of tight arms surrounded him. 

And he couldn't help but melt in this person's comfort.  

Silence felt heavy as the person retreated slightly just to take a look at Diego's face. Diego saw his vision getting slightly blurry, as thumbs lingered across his cheeks to remove any stray tears that fell. 

"You didn't leave?" Diego asked, his voice shakier than he wanted it to be. 

"Ignore that, who the hell did this to you?" The voice had a mixture of concern and anger, a tone Diego knew very well who it belonged to. "Did someone harass you before they left? I swear if it is so, they won't see peace for the next few Marble Leagues."

"Wait, it's not like th-"

"Their fucking audacity to even let you cry like that? Diego, give me their name. I'm not even joking. I swear to marble gods they'll b-"

"Rezzy." Diego softly spoke up, his hands wrapping around the other's wrists as a response mechanism. "I'm fine. I was just thinking of something and... I guess I reacted. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to worry you."

A sigh of relief came from Rezzy, as he gently hovered his fingers to clean Diego's face from any noticeable tears. His anger subsided significantly, but the worry lingered in his eyes.

"Don't. We've talked about apologies before, you don't have to do it with me." Rezzy said, before releasing his arms from Diego's gentle grasp. "You're alright and I don't have to punch someone, may as well consider it a good day." 

"Are you sure?"

"100%. Now let's get you out of here, maybe a little walk may help you ease out a little." Rezzy smiled, offering a bit of support for the Indigo Stars athlete to stand up. "Come on."

-----

The two were strolling on the beach in Kinikolu, as the sunset started to set over the islands the Indigo Stars have called home. It was a routine that Diego kept following ever since he was a young child, one that made him reminisce a little bit about his journey and how far he'd come. It was therapeutic to say the least - as the summer breeze kept wrapping him in a comforting embrace and the smell of the sea being nothing short of refreshing, it was a sensation that Diego could hardly replicate it elsewhere. Nothing felt quite like home, after all. 

Rezzy followed him suit, walking almost shoulder to shoulder in spite of the height difference between them. Rubow was nowhere near similar to Kinikolu, and the first time he'd been here to visit, the weather was so opposed to the guy that he got a sunstroke by the next day and it took days for him to properly recover. Of course, Diego being present and alert (and perhaps a little bit more worried than Diego himself would like to admit) helped out lots. The sun in Kinikolu was a menace for the man that would happily brag about his stamina and resilience in the main competitions, but the sunset felt nice at least. 

"Why didn't you leave yet?" Diego asked, with a hint of curiosity. Rezzy's been eliminated earlier than him in Marble Survival, scoring a decent 14th place out of 32, a disappointing result over his first attempt, but good enough for the Raspberry Racers athlete's low expectations.

"Well, let's just say I extended my visa for at least two more weeks." Rezzy smiled, laying an arm over Diego's shoulder for support. "I told you I'd stay for longer this time, haven't I?"

"2 weeks?" 

"Mhm. Surprisingly Berry didn't make a fuss about it. Either that or he knows that I won't leave given it's you here."

"You're crazy." 

"Maybe I am. But I'm a man of my word at least, ain't I?"

That one part, Diego thought, was true. 

Their bond was one of the unlikelier ones in the marble sports according to some fans, mostly due to Rezzy's cold nature. Prior to Diego, Rezzy was solely focused on the sports and far less on making ties with other marble athletes, so much so that most people considered him a loner. The Raspberry Racers athlete was loud, he was overconfident and nowhere near as approachable as some other Razzies members happened to be. 

Which rose several question marks on how Diego came in the picture and how Rezzy warmed up to him in such a short time. 

Even the Raspberry Racers themselves were rather confused when they met Diego for the first time. Due to his gentle nature and his diplomatic approach to things, they liked him, and Razzy took a particular liking given that Diego was reasonable and patient. At one point there was an inside joke between the members, one that Ruzzy accidentally started during dinner - that Diego is an honorary 6th Razzie on principle given how close he was to Rezzy. 

But even with Razzy actually liking the one guest Rezzy brought with him, she always wondered what kind of witchcraft Diego used to make Rezzy act like a whole another person. 

"Everytime I see Rezzy around you," she began, a slight flashback coming back from the day him and Razzy had a rare one on one conversation, "he's acting nowhere near as the Rezzy we know."

"How so?"

"Well, the Rezzy we know was the kind where not even public humiliation humbled him even for a moment. He wouldn't listen to anyone but himself, even I struggle putting some sense into his head during Marble League, and I'm the captain of the team he's part of. Truthfully being a 5-member team kind of makes one left out unintentionally since Rizzy and Rozzy are very close and Ruzzy often stands by me in most competitions..." Razzy continued, taking a sip of the raspberry soda for a brief moment, "...but I did notice he behaves differently with you around. He actually listens to you even if you don't have to raise your voice. He takes notice of any small detail, and he even got in trouble for reacting hostile in front of other marble athletes that dared to even talk bad about you. I thought he took some weird fondness over your whole team at first, we didn't know much about the Indigo Stars... but nope, it was just you he was overprotective of. Hell, he wouldn't even look at the Marble Survival competition initially, but as Ruzzy mentioned you represented the Indigo Stars there, suddenly he wanted to go. Even insisted to the management about that." 

Diego only listened, as Razzy put a hand on his shoulder.

"Point is, I don't know how the hell you became friends, nor does Rezzy want to tell me why it's you he decided to soften up considerably, but you changed him for the better and even made my job easier, so thanks for that. But if anything, you have my full approval if you wanna knock some sense into him. Have my word that the Raspberry Racers will defend you in that regard. Doubt it would happen given what kind of person you are, but let it be known it's an emergency option." 

Razzy trusting someone wholeheartedly that wasn't a Raspberry Racers member was a huge deal, but her remark did linger in Diego's mind ever since. 

And a splash over his ankles brought him back to present day, as the waves became stronger and a lot colder than usual. 

"Diego!" Rezzy yelled, his gaze aiming straight at the Indigo Stars member who remained still. "Hey, everything alright? You seem off lately." 

"I'm fine, Rezzy, really." Diego reassured him, noticing how far behind he'd been. "I've been thinking a lot lately, that's all."

"Wanna talk about it?" Rezzy offered, although Diego signaled that perhaps it was better sitting down somewhere more isolated before doing so. The beach in Kinikolu still had tourists around and he wouldn't risk any rumor lingering post Marble Survival. 

"This way." Diego tugged to Rezzy's shirt, switching the directions to a small hill on the side. "I know a spot." 

-----

The small hill wasn't a lot higher than the lower beaches that surrounded the island of Kinikolu, but it was surrounded by a patch of greenery and a few native trees. Diego knew about this spot ever since he was a kid, as he accidentally discovered it with Bingo one day. It wasn't hard to reach, but the path towards the top of the hill is nonexistent - therefore making it a rather isolated place from the few tourists that came by for their holidays. 

At the top of the hill, Diego could see the sunset very clearly, a key element that he noted. The setting sun was glowing the sea in colors someone would believe that they'd be faked out through digital enhancements, and the view was marvelous. 

"Can you help me out setting something?" Diego asked, pointing at a tree bark. Rezzy obliged, lifting the bark slightly to reveal a larger backpack underneath some sheets, one that Rezzy recognized from the first glance.

"Is this the bag you bought in Rubow?" Rezzy passed the backpack over, allowing Diego to unpack it. "What did you put in it?" 

"You'll see. Just help me set it out, please?" 

The bag's contents held a larger fabric, a few sticks, a larger blanket and two pillows - as Rezzy put the sticks into their designated places, Diego made sure the shape was right and set the tent in place. 

A small tent, that held at most two people inside it, but open enough to allow some movement. The blanket and pillows would soon follow, and eventually the two made their way in. 

And Rezzy could not help but feel mesmerized. 

On one hand, yes, the sunset was gorgeous. Picture perfect, magazine worth kind of sunset anyone would love to post on their Marblegram. The spot was perfect, it was high enough for the tree branches to frame the sky beautifully, and it was remote enough to not be ruined by pesky tourists. 

But on another, the sunset glow suited Diego so well that he couldn't help but stare. His tanned skin complexion combined with the warmth of the sun rays made him look absolutely gorgeous. The Kinikolan sunset truly enhanced Diego's features beautifully, and the slight smile he portrayed felt like the cherry on top for the Raspberry Racers athlete. 

"Like it?" Diego asked, as Rezzy only nodded without a word. "I'm glad. Kept this spot company for a few years or so. It's nice."

"It is." Rezzy replied, taking another look at the sunset. One of the many he'd experienced during his stay in Kinikolu. 

But none of those felt quite like this one. 

Presumably since Diego was in close proximity, looking attentively at his every move. 

"May I ask you something?" Diego continued, allowing himself to get a bit closer. 

"Is it about Marble Survival? You know that fourth isn't a bad spot, right?" Rezzy completed the gap, much to Diego's surprised stare. "I didn't have time to make the medal, I tried to do so before coming here, but with everything all at once I just couldn't finish it. I swear that once I'll make it, I'll bring it over to you." 

Diego even forgot about that 4th spot for a moment. Admittedly the podium miss stung and he felt awful that Rezzy saw him crying over such a small thing, but he ended up accepting the results. It's already done. 

"Rezzy... you really don't have to, you know that."

"But I want to. Even more than ever now with the results of Marble Survival. I hate seeing you disappointed and that I can't do anything to fix this. Let me do this much, at least." 

The talk with the medal is a long story. Rezzy, the stubborn head that he is, insisted for ages that he's working on a medal for the 4th placer given Diego kept missing the podium every once in a while. No matter how hard Diego would try to convince him it was not the case, Rezzy was not budging. 

But Rezzy wasn't the greatest handyman, and forging a medal was nowhere near his forte. The past attempts would crumble in his hands, or weren't good enough to give to Diego. He'd seen several of those attempts, but Rezzy looked almost ashamed that Diego even saw them in the first place to begin with.

For Diego, the gesture alone mattered more than anything material, and that's something he really loved about Rezzy. 

"Why are you doing this?" Diego quietly asked, facing his friend. "Why me?"

"Huh?" Rezzy was taken aback by the sudden questions, looking a bit confused. "What do you mean by that?" 

"...You've been really kind to me since we met back then. Helped whenever you could, shielded me whenever you could, been there when I needed support or comfort... You don't do this to anyone else, never been so vulnerable even in front of your own team, so why me in particular?" 

Rezzy was stunned for a moment, so much so that Diego thought he broke the athlete. It felt unusual to see the Raspberry Racers athlete be so quiet out of the blue. 

"Promise you won't laugh?" Rezzy meekly responded after a while, his fingers roaming through the hair strands. "It may sound incredibly stupid." 

"I'd rather laugh with you than laugh at you, you know?" Diego answered, arranging the collar of Rezzy's shirt. "Whatever you say here, will stay with me. No one else has to know." 

Rezzy took a deep breath, trying to figure out how to explain things logically. He knew Diego was nothing but honest, as he'd always been. 

He still felt a sheer amount of fear deep down that whatever he'd say will be misinterpreted and risked losing it all. 

"Alright, so," Rezzy started, locking eyes with Diego in the meanwhile. "You know that I've had this obsession with knights from ancient marble history? I think you pointed it out back when we were at the castle near Rubow." 

"I do, yeah."

"...Well, let's say that my obsession with knights was taken a bit too literally." 

Diego listened, sensing immediately that Rezzy was a bit tense and a lot more apprehensive than usual. 

"So the thing with knights is that they made vows. A lot of them. Vows to become and act like a knight, to be specific. Some which they held onto until the day they died." 

Diego had a small flashback as Rezzy explained what the knights vows meant. Back in 2019, after the Elimination Race ended, Rezzy was searching for Diego like crazy.

"I still don't understand." Rezzy said back then, the gold medal dangling around his neck. "You were guaranteed a podium based on how you performed during the Elimination Race. You could've run for gold. You would've eliminated me by then. Why did you drift to the wall to clear the track for me and get eliminated on 4th place? Why did you help me?" 

The Elimination Race events back in 2019 were perceived differently by Rezzy and Diego. From Diego's perspective, it was just an unfortunate miscalculation of a strategy he thought he mastered back in the day, and the shuttle did not cooperate with him by then. From his standpoint, his own actions cost him a podium, a thing that happened more than a handful of times in the Indigo Stars history book.

Rezzy saw Diego's sudden turn for the wall a lot differently, though. For the Raspberry Racers athlete, one especially as rigid and as distant as Rezzy was - Diego's shuttle suddenly drifting on the right side and slamming into the wall right in front of him, given he wasn't very far behind, made no sense. The sudden movement felt very calculated from Rezzy's perspective, and Diego's action managed to get him to score a final spot on the podium - where he'd later on win the gold for the Raspberry Racers.

Rezzy's first ever individual gold. 

And only then Diego made a whole realization of it all. 

"Wait! I..." Rezzy hesitated, counting on his words, "Fuck, I'm sorry, I'm a mix of emotions right now... This gold medal means so much to me, and I got it through you. I know you won't accept the medal or the merit for yourself, but let me be the one you can rely on for the rest of the competition at the very least. You've done more than I could ever comprehend, I feel beholden to you already. Just let me know if you need anything and I swear I'll do my best to make it happen. Anything at all, really." 

I feel beholden to you already.

Beholden. 

Diego missed the essence of that line, as he only now realized what Rezzy meant. And given how Rezzy was quite transparent with him since day 1, Diego could only feel dumb that he didn't figure it out earlier. 

"So that day you claimed you owed me your first medal... was that your vow?" Diego asked, mostly as a way to confirm his suspicions.

"It was, yeah." Rezzy meekly replied, "Knights call that a vow of service. One they used to do when they feel indebted to someone for a gesture they've made, regardless if it's something small or not. This one held sentimental value to me. I couldn't just let it slide given you helped me with gaining it, I had to pay you back somehow." 

"And I assume this wasn't the only vow you made?"

"Yeah. There's also a vow of protection. I've sworn I'd protect you on the same principle, even if you say often you don't need it." 

Diego took his hand to wrap his into Rezzy's, with the latter feeling almost startled by the sudden touch. "What else should I know of?"

"Oh, wow, you're actually not laughing at that, alright!" Rezzy awkwardly laughed, more as a shock response than an honest one, before recollecting himself. "A last one, but I thought that one was the most obvious. You always say that you like this about me." 

"Your voice?" 

Rezzy's eyes widened as his face turned red at the remark. "I... um... you don't have to lie on that regard, you know I talk too much..." 

"Have I ever lied to you?" Diego asked, his tone calm as usual. "I do love your voice. That you talk too much is fine, it's you and that makes me feel more at ease. Even mentioned it to Razzy once."

"Hold on, you told Razzy what now." 

"She was more astounded than anything since she was prepared to make you shut up, but I guess she didn't expect the answer either." 

"It's actually about- wait, what do you mean that you feel at ease with me?"

Diego paled for a brief moment before trying to divert the subject. "Nothing, it's nothing, just keep talking!"

"It's not nothing if you say that, Diego. But that does make me really happy, you know?" Rezzy eventually admitted, bringing the Indigo Stars athlete into a close embrace. "Thought I was an annoyance to you as well."

Diego only hugged him back, like they did thousands of times before. 

Only this time it felt different.

"So, what's the last vow exactly?" Diego asked, allowing Rezzy's forehead to rest on his shoulder. 

"Vow of loyalty." 

"But wouldn't that be useless over the service and protection one?" 

"Usually yes, since loyalty is required in any vow." Rezzy completed, "But this one's... a bit personal, as there's a thing that the vow of loyalty does and the others can't." 

"Is that so?" 

"...Yes."

So three vows. Service, Protection, Loyalty.

Diego did not know what to think.

Sure, Rezzy could be a bit eccentric once he allows someone to know him better. The two didn't initially click, as Rezzy still felt apprehensive at times - and given that Diego himself wasn't the usual chatter, it took a while for them to start bonding. 

But as soon as that happened, they were inseparable. Almost as if they were two peas in a pod.

As if they were friends since the very beginning, not because of a simple mishap a few years back during Marble League that Rezzy kept a tab open ever since. Everything fell naturally, as Rezzy was the avid chatter and Diego the quiet listener, even if it let others wonder in the back. 

And truth be told - they didn't know Rezzy quite like he did. Nor would they ever, as he'd only allow himself to be vulnerable only in moments like this.

Only for a single person. 

"I told you it sounds stupid, Diego." Rezzy admitted, his chin propping itself on top of Diego's shoulder. "It's just that I wanted to make this right for you. That you wouldn't have to endure this competition all alone. You're stronger than you give yourself credits for - hell, I'd even say you're stronger than me and I don't say that often - and seeing you hurt or disappointed just... breaks me too."

Diego held tighter as he ruffled Rezzy's hair gently. He could already tell Rezzy was melting into the embrace, as he sighed briefly before standing up to Diego's level. 

"Thing is that I did these three vows specifically for you and only you. I don't think anyone from my team even knows about it." 

"I'm honored, really." Diego said, with a smile, "But you didn't have to do all of it. You've already done more than enough." 

"Again, I wanted to." 

-----

So, based on Diego's calculations, the vows had a timeline and a specificity to them. The vow of service was the easiest by far to distinguish since the timeline was clear and the motive was paying back the favor. 

The vow of protection was a bit hazy, but he had his suspicions given that Rezzy was one of the first few that knew the constant rejects the Indigo Stars had for Marbula One. Rezzy's been openly vocal about defending Diego even in the online field, and he wouldn't hesitate to do so in spite of getting in trouble far too many times. From his point of view, the motive was clear.

Which left the final one - the vow of loyalty. The newly discovered one among the three. The two had common tropes, a specific scene and something Rezzy had to give in exchange. 

For Diego, loyal was perhaps the best one word description he could give to Rezzy. He was indeed loyal from the very beginning, the shoulder to cry on, the support in need, the friend he'd never thought he could have. And would've done a lot more if it wasn't for Diego himself to stop him in his tracks. 

He could guess a scene where that would've come in place, but he had no clue what was the thing Rezzy would've given to Diego as a sworn piece of his loyalty to him. 

"Hope this didn't creep you out." Rezzy spoke up in the silence that ended up engulfing the tent, as the night sky fell onto Kinikolu. "I told you they're stupid."

"No, Rezzy, they're not, I'm not creeped by the vows. How is it stupid?" 

Rezzy kept quiet for a brief moment, grabbing one of the pillows for support before laying down. "I thought it wouldn't translate well to you. I'm not the greatest at expressing my feelings." 

Feelings, huh?

A new pathway opened up to Diego, but he was a bit hesitant on that regard. On one note, he could pinpoint a scene or two where this vow would've happened - the Marble Survival announcements and their first escapades in Kinikolu. Rezzy's been quite intrigued and excited back then.

But what was his giving part of the deal? 

The scene was there, maybe not as clear as night but it's a plausible explanation. The motive, however, raised more question marks than answers.

Mostly since his hypothesis on that regard revolve around Rezzy's vulnerable side - his feelings and his emotions. 

And by default, how Rezzy sees Diego at this very moment in time. 

"Rezzy, you're hogging the pillows again..."

"They're comfy though." 

"Rezzy!" Diego reached forward for the nearest pillow to Rezzy, but he wouldn't budge without a small fight. As Diego tried to tug the pillow from underneath, Rezzy caught on and pulled the pillow back to his side, taking Diego with him by sheer accident. 

Rezzy caught on quick, reaching his arms wide enough to catch an unsuspecting Diego into another embrace, toppling the man into the blanket below. 

And Rezzy couldn't stop staring into Diego's eyes afterwards.

Diego's noticed the shift since Marble Survival. Rezzy's been acting a lot clingier, taking advantage of any moment they had in private. He wasn't the type to openly demand physical or emotional affection from anyone, given that he was walking with his defenses high for most of his life. Diego could even say he was hesitant in some regards, as if he tried to test the uncharted waters but not having enough strength to do so.

As if Rezzy was waiting for a moment to come. A cue, a sign, anything that could tell him it's fine to do so. 

"What are you thinking of?" Diego asked, still maintaining the eye contact from before. He could tell the athlete was staring at him in awe, almost as if he was admiring him from that distance.

"I don't know. Me, that medal I failed to finish, my vows, that pillow..." Rezzy answered, sounding a bit tired. "You, perhaps. Us." 

"Us?"

"Yeah, us." 

"And how does that look like?" 

Rezzy stopped for a moment, looking like he was still lost in his thoughts. After a while, the first response he could give was a warm smile, one of those genuine smiles Diego adored far more than he thought. 

"A wish too good to be true." 

The lightbulb started to flicker immediately in Diego's head, as the statement had a tinge of uncertainty and sadness written all over. That vow of loyalty, the humble beginnings of Marble Survival, the gradual change of demeanor from Rezzy's part...

"Oh, Rezzy..." Diego thought to himself, his hand caressing Rezzy's cheek gently, "now everything makes sense." 

Rezzy melted into the touch in an instant, portraying the same soft smile only Diego will get to see in this lifetime.

"For how long?" 

"Start of Marble Survival." Rezzy explained, lowering down low enough to maintain some space between their bodies. "But if you'd ask me, I think it was since we first met. I just didn't find a word for it until then. And by that time, I felt more guilty than relieved to know I could put a name to what I was feeling." 

"Explains why you were so afraid to tell me." Diego stated, "Or that you only act this way when it's only us two and no one else." 

"I did tell you that I've never been good with this. I can't even tell when was the last time I felt so strongly about someone." Rezzy foolishly admitted, still sounding a bit tense, "And yes, I'd rather abandon my career as a marble athlete than ever see myself softening in front of others, even if it's for a tiny bit." 

"Because you're a proud man still." Diego continued.

"But I'd leave that pride out in an instant if you'd only tell me to." 

Silence engulfed the tent as Diego pulled Rezzy lower so their bodies eventually connected. Rezzy's head pressed firmly against his chest, being lulled by the sounds of Diego's heartbeat. 

For the first time since they've known each other, Diego could say that Rezzy felt content for once. Not even the multitude of medals he gained post 2019 made him feel at ease to the point where his guard was down in its entirety. 

But that moment was short as the state of calm was suddenly replaced by one of panic, and Rezzy jolted in an instant, his eyes wide as if he saw a ghost.  

"Fuck!" Rezzy yelled out of the blue before leaving the tent, his hands covering the face, "I'm sorry... I'm so so sorry... I fucked up everything, I just know it. Please tell me this didn't ruin our friendship, I don't think I could handle losing you because of some feelings I had..." 

"Rezzy?"

"Why was I so so dumb to think you'd feel the same? I just caved into those fantasies I had, I've wanted this moment for so long and now I've royally screwed up. Because of course I fucking do that! It's not like I did anything else better!"

"Rezzy, I love you too." 

"And the fact that I thought that, maybe, perhaps, I had a chance to make things rig- wait." Rezzy stopped abruptly, facing Diego once more. "-what?"

"At me." Diego pointed out, making eye contact for one last time. "I love you too. You didn't ruin anything." 

Rezzy stood motionless, as if he tried to process what he just heard. He had all sorts of scenarios and even practised the words he wanted to say, but all he could blurt out was a hesitant "you do?" out of shock. 

Diego could tell the man was prepared for a rejection, all signs gave that impression. He wasn't prepared to hear his feelings reciprocated. 

"Can you say it again? Please, I just... I just need to know it's not my mind playing tricks on me." 

"It's not, I promise you that." Diego reassured the Raspberry Racers athlete, who was still in disbelief. "I love you too. Did for a while now. Just didn't think I was worth enough to have you more than just a friend, thought you deserved better than me." 

"Better?" Rezzy's shock dissipated, now feeling a mix of confidence and relief he hadn't felt in a long time. "There was no one better. You've had my heart since the day we met. I made sure of that."

"...The vow of loyalty." 

"I wouldn't have done this vow to anyone else, at least not like that." Rezzy explained, "I was willing to wait for as long as it took if that meant I heard those words from you. Even if it was forever. Even if you didn't like me back. It's just... surreal that you actually do. That this is real, that it's not my imagination speaking."

"You didn't expect it?" Diego stood up, making his way out. The starry sky was the only witness to the two, as the only light that surrounded the area was a dim lamp sitting next to the tent. 

"I made like 50 scenarios on how you'd reject me and in what ways. I was hiding it for years just so I wouldn't lose you. What do you think?"

"I think you were wrong." Diego replied, reaching out to Rezzy. "But I understand."

Rezzy hesitantly made his way back to Diego's side, still looking like he was walking in a haze. He could feel a pair of hands wrapping around his neck, he could feel his heart racing like never before, but for one brief moment, he refused to believe this was true. 

But once he got some clarity, all he saw was Diego standing there looking at him in awe, and that look alone made the world a little bit brighter.

"You actually love me back. Holy shit."

"That's what I've been saying for the past hour, Rezzy." Diego laughed, a heartfelt laugh Rezzy couldn't get enough of. "But thanks for noticing."

"But why?" 

That must've been the stupidest question he'd ever asked. If anyone from the Raspberry Racers saw how he'd be fumbling his words around Diego like that, he wouldn't have seen the light of day from all that humiliation. They'd have kept this moment framed and on display. 

"What a way to kill the mood." Rezzy thought to himself. "The guy has said 'I love you' like four times, one at your insistence, and the first question to ask is why? Stupid Rezzy..." 

"Because I know I'm safe with you." Diego eventually admitted, causing a short circuit inside Rezzy's brain. "Because no one made this effort just to see me or be with me. No one loved me quite like you did, and that was just as a friend. You underestimate yourself when it comes down to expressing your feelings, since that's what made me fall for you in the first place." 

"I did that because I promised y-"

"Rezzy, you cared enough to linger, to comfort, to listen, all in your own ways. You did this far more than anyone could count. It didn't have to be perfect, but the gesture alone meant everything to me, and that's all that mattered."

Rezzy only listened this time, his eyes full of pride and joy that was hard to describe to someone that's never been in love before. 

"You could've just asked me on a date, but fuck it, at this point you're forcing me to buy the engagement ring earlier." Rezzy spluttered, receiving another one of those heartfelt laughs from Diego. 

"Then I expect it to come with the medal, my love." Diego smiled as he held his newfound partner closer. "But it's no rush, you know? I can wait for those as long as you're sticking around." 

Rezzy pressed a soft kiss on Diego's forehead, before pressing his own gently, hands intertwined with one another.

"Anything for you, my shining star. My heart is all yours."