Work Text:
There. Are. Two. Beds.
Theo stares at the hotel room, standing by the door like bolted to the threshold.
"Everything alright?" Alexis asks, already dragging his dark magenta suitcase into the room.
"Yeah," Theo says. Lies. "Yeah, I'm… fine, I just…" He forces his one foot forward, then the other. It's harder than back when he played his first official match for Dynamo.
Bro 😳 you gonna love this! Erik texted him two minutes ago. And when Theo, in the elevator with Alexis, Karl, Paul, Igor and Steph, replied with a single question mark, he received an uncaptioned photo of Erik and Bene's queen sized double bed.
Double bed.
Theo's heart skipped a beat, and not from the movement of the elevator cabinet.
There's only one bed!!
Well…
Until there isn't.
Slowly, Theo walks into the room. Maybe he checks the corner for a hidden double bed, but there is none. Why? Why do Erik and Bene have a double bed and Alexis and he don't? When Michael is home sick and Theo finally, finally has his one chance to share a room with Alexis instead of Adjo or Khadem?! Nothing against Adjo or Khadem, but… But!
"Do you want the bed by the wall or by the window?" Alexis, oblivious Alexis!, asks him and Theo wants to scream with how cute and polite and cute and cute he is. God, so cute!!
"I don't care," Theo sighs. He doesn't want any of them! He wants Erik's!
"Me neither," Alexis replies sweetly. "I usually let Micha decide, so I don't have a preference." He looks at Theo with his big, beautiful eyes. SO CUTE!
"Wall then," Theo decides. The window side is probably the better option, so he'd rather Alexis takes it. Ah, he's so done for.
"Okay," is the answer, the smile that comes with it making Theo feel warm inside.
They start unpacking on their respective sides, and while Alexis rambles about the time Micha did this and Micha said that, Theo sneaks a second to text Erik.
Two!
And because that's a bit too cryptic he adds: We have two single beds!
Erik takes a moment, then replies with a gif of a toddler rolling on the floor laughing and literally pissing their pants.
Not helpful!
"Do you usually arrange your toiletries in the bathroom?" Alexis asks, making Theo send a middle finger emoji back quickly, then stuff his phone back into his pocket. "Because Micha needs a lot of space for his, so I usually just leave mine in my pouch."
Theo couldn't care less about Michael's toiletries. "I… uh…" he starts stupidly. "I don't have a lot, so…"
"Cool!" Alexis exclaims. "Then let's just share the shelf half and half, okay?"
Why does this make him so happy? Why is he so adorable??
"'Kayyy…" Theo agrees, short of breath.
Before they have a chance to check out the bathroom though there's a knock on the door.
"It's open!" Alexis calls and Noel Noa sticks his head into the room.
"We'll 'ave our meeting in five minutes downstairs," he informs them in his heavy French accent. "The elevateur seems to be busy with other guests, so if you want to take the stairs, we can all go togethère."
"Thanks for the offer," Alexis agrees, always so polite. "We can still unpack later." He smiles at Theo. "Let's go."
It's impossible to not follow him as if he were the cutest little puppy. Theo gets Michael, he really does.
.
The meeting is just their regular pre-match strategy discussion. Holstein Kiel aren't really a threat to Bastard München, even with Michael at home with a cold. Instead, Bene and Erik are pulled forward as an offensive duo and Alexis provides them with passes from the midfield, between Khadem and Adam.
Afterwards, Noel Noa repeats the rules for their evening off: "You are required to return to the 'otel by ten at the latest. Dinner will be offèred until nine, but you can eat somewhere else if you like. No alco'ol or other drugs though. I know the local brewerie offers workshops, but I will find out and I will kick your âsses. Also no boarding ships, please. That could, euh, go wrong." He doesn't elaborate, but it sounds like something has happened before and all of them exchange confused glances.
When they are dismissed, the usual plan-making for the evening begins to rise like a swarm of excited bees.
"We're gonna check out the aquarium," Paul, in a group with Khadem, Adam and Steph says. "If anyone wants to join, they're feeding the seals at seven."
Theo turns to Alexis who looks a little conflicted but doesn't seem to be too enthusiastic.
"I wanna check out downtown," Erik says. "I think they have a saltwater flagship store somewhere."
Alexis bites his lower lip. Yeah, Theo though so.
"Is there something you wanna do?" he asks and Alexis lifts his deep, pretty eyes to him.
"There is," he dares say. And when Theo keeps looking at him, he says: "I'd like to collect seashells at the beach."
Theo will explode with how cute Alexis is. "That sounds fun," he says instead, praying to God that no one else wants to tag along when he asks: "Can I join you?"
Alexis beams. "Yeah, sure!" And after a second he adds: "We should leave before it gets too dark, though."
"And cold," Theo throws in.
"Yes, that too! I'll need my jacket. I can bring yours if you like!"
Theo really feels like kissing him, but instead, he just smiles and nods. "Thanks. I'll wait here then." He watches Alexis hurry over to the elevator and his heart is so, so full.
"Romantic date on the beach after all?" Erik jabs him with his elbow.
Theo feels his ears redden. "It's not a date," he murmurs.
"But you want it to be." Erik has known what's up. "Sorry for leading you on with the bed. I guess it would be weird if you two swapped rooms with us at this point?"
"Yeah, probably," Theo sighs. "But it's still unfair. You're not even dating or anything. I mean, neither are we. But a walk at the beach is more than I hoped for, not gonna lie." He sighs, imagining it.
"Dinner should be on you," Benedikt says from where he has suddenly spawned next to Erik. It's a thing that happens. "A gentleman shouldn't aim too low, no matter his chances."
Theo thinks about it. Maybe Bene is right. It's not like Theo has never thought about what it would be like to date Alexis. After all, he's had a crush on the boy from basically day one. Of course he categorizes everyone who isn't as a psychopath. Alexis is not only a skilled midfielder beyond comparison, but also sweet, and clever, and pretty, and cute, and silly, and polite, and cute, and caring, and- Any sane person would crush on him!
The problem is Michael. Always and in so many ways.
But this time, he's not here, and what Bene says actually makes sense. Who knows when Theo will get another chance like this. If ever.
"You're right," he agrees after thinking about it way too long. "Even if he doesn't think of it as a date, it can feel like one for me, a little. That won't hurt, right?"
Erik and Bene exchange a glance, but don't get to comment on it, because Alexis returns, already sporting his jacket and carrying Theo's, too.
"Thank you for waiting!" he smiles and holds Theo's checkered flannel jacket out for him. "Shall we go?"
Theo shrugs it on and is about to follow Alexis outside, when Erik, a hand on Theo's shoulder stops him.
"Bro," he says, his voice low, and shoves something into Theo's hand. "Just in case."
It's a condom.
What? How? Theo stares at the little packet in his hand, black with the brand's pink logo, then at Erik who, apparently, has condoms ready when on an away game against Holstein Kiel? Because… why? Is he planning to get laid? With who? Where? When??
There are so many questions, but before Theo gets to even think of which to ask first, Alexis calls from over at the door: "Theo, are you coming?"
Erik pats his shoulder with a grin that reminds of a dog owner sending a hound to catch a rabbit, but Theo will make him explain at another point. His priority now is Alexis.
So he just deposits the condom in his jacket's pocket as quick and unsuspicious as possible and catches up with Alexis.
There's a bus going to Falckenstein that they take, but they get off one stop early because they don't know where the beach starts exactly. It's cool and windy, as it should be at the Northern Sea, and Theo wishes for a second he had a chance to take Alexis' hand, but that would be too cold for either of them without gloves. There are other reasons, too, yeah, but, well…
The beach is nice and the water busy with boats and ships of various sizes. Theo realizes he doesn't wear the right shoes for the beach—he'll have sand in them after a few steps for sure.
But he can live with it, and he knows that as soon as Alexis walks towards the water line with that solemn but content expression, picking up something here and there, then dropping most of his findings again when they don't suffice. Ah, right, he grew up in the north. This must feel like home for him.
"Is there something specific you look for?" Theo asks, following a few steps behind Alexis, so he doesn't step on clamshells Alexis hasn't seen yet.
"Not really," is the answer, given with a smile over his shoulder. "I just thought that I'd like to have some for my collection. I used to take them home when I was little and hide them in my treasure box under my bed with my other… stuff."
"Stuff?"
Unexpectedly, Alexis blushes. "My magic trinkets", he clarifies. "Not porn or something forbidden."
Theo's eyebrows crinkle. "Why would you hide that?"
Alexis stands up, a few mediocre clamshell halves in one hand, but there's one or two very pretty ones as well. His smile has vanished and he stares into thin air for a moment in which Theo wishes he had never asked.
"I didn't want my siblings to know that I have that. They would've taken it and thrown it away. Or told our parents. They didn't like that I was weird, so they'd snitch to mother and father about things like that."
Yeah, that sounds like Alexis' family. Not that Theo knows a lot about it, because he isn't generally nosy, but what he's figured out from things Alexis says, and even more from things he doesn't say, about his two older siblings and his parents, what Theo has figured out is that Alexis didn't have a too happy childhood. And now, he feels bad for even bringing it up.
"What else did you have?" he asks, hoping that making Alexis talk about his secret collection lifts his spirits a little.
It works. "Oh, a lot!" And just like that, Alexis' smile is back. "Pretty stones and small sticks with interesting shapes. And dried flowers. And a really pretty snail shell." He starts walking again, scanning the sand for sea shells, and Theo walks with him, slow, like they have all the time in the world. "We went on a field trip to a medieval town one day with my class and I bought some gemstones and minerals in the shops there. Some amethysts and moon stones and things like that. They even had a little velvet satchel for them. They were pretty expensive and I didn't eat anything because I had spent all my money, which was hard, but it was worth it." He chuckles, and Theo smiles even though he hates how Alexis was so unhappy as a child and had to keep secrets from his family. But the way he thinks so fondly of his secret treasures is cute.
"Do you still have them?" he dares ask and Alexis beams.
"Yes, and I've gotten a lot more over time. I'm really proud of how much I have collected!" He picks up a long, square shaped half of a shell, but discards it again when he finds it's broken. "It's something I enjoy a lot. I can't tell exactly what trinket I've gotten where for all of them at this point, but some hold memories." He looks down at the sea shells in his hand, then up at Theo. "You're my best friend, Theo. I want to give you one. If you like. So you can remember today."
Theo can't decide if he wants to tear up or fall to his knees before Alexis. He's too cute!
"Only," he bargains, his ears reddening so much he can feel them burn, "if you take one I collect in return." It's only fair if Alexis gives him one of his potential treasures.
With a smile that Theo will never forget, sea shell or not, Alexis nods. "Okay! Let's see what we can find!"
They spend half an hour roaming the beach. It's fun, despite the wind that dishevels their hair, Theo's more than Alexis' because it's so much longer and he didn't think of bringing a hair tie. When it starts to get dark, Theo has found one white half shell with a pretty mother-of-pearl inside that shimmers in the reddening sunlight.
When he hands it over, Alexis bites his lower lip. "Thank you. This is so pretty."
But Theo can't pay attention to the sea shell much.
He wants to kiss him. Yeah, sure he was friend zoned (not for the first time, not for the last) thirty minutes ago, but he never really thought he had a chance with Alexis. Not as long as Michael is on this planet, and clearly not as long as he's on this team. But that doesn't change his feelings, and this urge to kiss this pretty mouth. This bottom lip that looks red and puffy from biting and the cold wind. He wants to weave his hands into the messy curls, wants to feel the cold ears under his palms. He wants to kiss Alexis and tell him that he likes him. If this was a date, he could do it.
But Alexis says: "I gave one to Micha once that looks similar. I wonder if he still has it."
Theo wants to scream. He also wants to punch Michael in the face if he hasn't treasured the shell Alexis gave him.
"Here, this is the one I found for you." On Alexis' palm rests an oval clamshell with a greenish color and three dark stripes. "It reminded me of you," he explains unnecessarily, because Theo can tell that it's a reference to his one green strand of hair and his jersey number. It's sweet how thoughtful Alexis is.
"Thanks," he says as Alexis places the small shell in his hand. "I like it a lot." 'I like you a lot,' but he doesn't say it. "By the way," he changes subjects instead. "I think I saw a vegan restaurant over there. Wanna check it out?"
Alexis nods, smiling sweetly. "I'm really a little hungry now. The fresh sea air does that I guess."
While they walk over there, Theo plays with the clamshell in the pocket of his jacket. The edge is nicely rounded and the ridges in the outer shell make it easy to follow the shape with the fingertip. The inside, on the contrary, is very smooth. The little condom packet Erik gave him feels foreign in the other pocket, but the sea shell feels nice, like it belongs here.
The restaurant is small, cozy and the staff is friendly. Alexis has lasagna with chickpeas and Theo takes the mushroom ragout. They sit across each other and it's nice. Sure, Alexis talks about Michael a lot, but even that is something Theo likes about him: how loyal and passionate he is.
They don't get dessert at the restaurant, speculating they might find something on the way back to the hotel.
When Theo tells the waiter that he pays for the both of them, Alexis wants to talk him out of it.
"You don't have to, I brought my wallet," he tries to change Theo's mind, but Theo has already placed his card against the NFC reader with a generous tip. "I know I don't have to. But I want to. As a thanks for the nice evening."
Alexis bites his bottom lip. "But I'll pay for dessert, okay?"
Theo agrees with a nod and wishes the waiter a good evening.
In order to maybe find a dessert on the way, they decided to walk back to the hotel. It's an hour before their curfew and the town is nice with all the lights and the sea in the distance. It feels a little like when he was on vacation with his family. He tells Alexis that and then explains how after the German Reunification and after the Wall was demolished literally and metaphorically, his family had an opportunity to travel the world. That's how he ended up going to many places from Scandinavia to the Caribbeans and so many in between.
"Every year, we'd spend the summer vacations somewhere else," he recounts. "When I was in fourth grade, we went to the World Cup in South Africa. It was… like nothing else I'd ever seen. I knew I wanted to be a part of that."
Alexis smiles. "It was similar for me," he says in a dreamy voice. "Not the World Cup though. But I saw a game in Hamburg and it was…" He chuckles as if he was embarrassed to say it out loud, but he does anyway: "… magic."
"I know what you mean," Theo agrees. The atmosphere, the weightlessness, the passion and the connection that exists in such a place is something you only understand when you've been there. Now that Alexis mentions it, magic might be just the right word for the feeling he had back then.
"I guess we were too small back then to understand what a hooligan was," Alexis jokes and Theo joins in. It's funny because Alexis has a point.
"I'm glad you accompanied me today," Alexis says after a moment. "I usually just go along with what Micha has planned, so I wasn't sure how things would go without him."
Theo turns the sea shell in his pocket between his fingers. "It must be weird for you to be without him."
Alexis hums in agreement. "I'm not worried for tomorrow. Our strategy is good, and we have practiced for when Micha would not be able to play. I think we have a chance to win, even without him."
"I'm not the one telling him we don't need him anymore though!" Theo jokes and Alexis chuckles.
"You know what I mean." Of course he does. "I trust our team. Micha's not the only one who has talent and skill."
It's true. Actually it would be harder on them if Alexis weren't able to play. He's the most valuable player from a strategic point of view. Theo heard someone referring to Alexis as the beating heart of Bastard München, and it's not wrong. As long as they have Alexis, they can figure something out, no matter what.
"I'm confident we won't fail miserably," Theo agrees eventually. "And I enjoy being around you. You're fun."
Alexis ducks his head. "Thank you. You too." And after a moment he lifts his hand, trying to tuck a wild strand behind Theo's ear, and adds: "I never had friends before BasMün. I think you're the best friend I ever had. You're… a nice person, Theo." He smiles a beautiful smile in the dark of the night, surrounded by all those lights near and far. "Thank you."
It's just another moment perfectly suitable for a kiss. All Theo needs to do is lean down and place his lips against Alexis'. It would be easy. It would be perfect. It would be the perfect finish to a beautiful evening.
But it would also be not right.
Theo knows about Alexis' feelings for Michael. Everyone probably does. Those two have been living together, have been attached by the hip from the first day they came to Bastard München. Erik said that they vehemently deny they're a couple, but that might only be because being gay isn't so well-accepted in German soccer, or maybe just because Erik was too tactless when he asked about it. Most likely both of that.
Theo knows about Alexis' feelings, but he's still in love with him. He gets it, really, what it's like to have a long-lasting crush. At the same time he can't imagine that Michael doesn't love Alexis as well. He's way too soft around him. He keeps him so close. Maybe they're really not dating, but if they aren't (yet?), then Theo will still cheer them on. It's like that when you have a hopeless crush on someone. Either you sabotage your crush's relationship, or you are a decent person and root for them. Luckily, Theo is the latter.
So he doesn't kiss Alexis, even though it would be so nice. He's heard it just now: to Alexis he's his best friend. That's incredibly valuable in and on itself. Alexis' friendship is something so precious to him. He can be happy with that.
So he smiles. "I'm glad," he answers. Then he gestures towards the walkway. "Let's see if we find dessert. You still owe me waffles or ice cream."
They find a place that sells crêpes and eat them on the way to the hotel. When they arrive there, it's almost their curfew, so they head upstairs right away.
Theo isn't sad. He thinks about it when he's in the bathroom, brushing his teeth, washing his face and trying to get his windswept hair under control again. He had a really good time with Alexis. Sure, since it was set in stone that their ace striker caught a cold, he has imagined what it would be like without Michael clinging to Alexis' ass all the time, but that was really just silly fantasies. Of them hanging out just by themselves, holding hands, cuddling in their shared bed, and maybe there were some short thoughts about them in the shower together. Theo is certain every young soccer player has had thoughts about one team mate or another in the shower with him. Or the locker room. Or the back of the team bus. Or- but that's besides the point. The ultimate result is that despite none of that happening, he really enjoyed spending the evening with Alexis.
It was nice. And that's enough for him.
When he comes back to the bedroom, Alexis stands by the coat hanger with a black and pink condom packet in his hand.
Theo stares at him. Alexis stares back. Then, he blushes so quick and deep, his cheeks almost have the colors of his hair tips.
"I-i-i-i'm sorry!!" he stutters, beet red and with glittering eyes. "I didn't mean to- I was just- I just wanted to rinse the sea shells a little and I wanted yours so I could- I didn't know you had-"
Theo looks to Alexis' other hand. Indeed, the shells he collected and the one Theo gave him rest on his palm in a loose pile.
Now it's Theo's turn to blush. "It's not what you think!" he hurries to say, but Alexis shoots back:
"But it is!?"
And yeah, he's right, it looks like a condom, and it is one without a doubt, but-
"Erik gave me that!" he explains hastily. "Earlier, after the strategy meeting! I don't know why he has those in his pocket! I mean, I can guess why, but-"
Alexis stares at him with wide eyes.
"I didn't… ask for one!" Theo decides to say. "He just shoved it in my hand and that was it and I didn't know what to do with it, so I just put it in my pocket and…" He falls silent. That's about all he can say.
Alexis looks incredibly cute with that blush. "Am I in the way?"
What?
"What?"
Big, ruby eyes look at the condom. Stare at it, really. "If you… uuuh… need privacy, I can ask for another room or-"
"No!" Theo gasps. "No, no, please don't, I want you, I mean, I want you here, I want- If I needed privacy it's not from you, if anyone, you know, would be… I mean…" Oh fuck, he's deep in it now, isn't he? Alexis still stares at the condom. "I don't-" With a few steps, side back speed really, he's over there and plucks the condom from Alexis' hand and throws it across the room, just so Alexis stops staring at it. It flies in an awkward curve over Alexis' bed and hits the window pane with a dumb thud before falling to the floor and out of sight. "I don't need it! I'd only need it if- I don't need it, okay?" He swallows. "Okay?"
Now that the ruby eyes are on him, he's not so sure anymore. Alexis' lips are parted slightly, and so red and puffy. So kissable. Why does he have to be so cute?
"Okay," he murmurs, half an agreement, half a question. And after a second he says: "You're my best friend, Theo."
What the hell does that mean!?
"Yeah," he breathes, confused and a little dizzy. "I appreciate it." Or something. And just because his ears feel so hot and Alexis is so adorable, he says: "Let's… rinse those shells off, shall we?"
Alexis, his lips in a barely there pout, nods. "Okay."
They do just that. Theo fishes the shell he got from Alexis out of his pocket and they return to the bathroom to clean the shells under luke warm water, then dab them dry carefully with one of the towels. Alexis lines them up on the rim of the bathtub so they can fully dry until tomorrow morning.
"Maybe I wanna take a bath," Alexis says after a moment, looking at the shell decorated tub.
Which is a great idea. Not because Theo wants to imagine him in a steaming bath (yes, but no) but because he really needs a moment to a) collect his thoughts and b) collect the condom from the bedroom floor and let it disappear so Alexis never ever thinks of it again.
The little packet lands in the trash and Theo on his back on the bed with a deep sigh. He takes his phone to accuse Erik of almost making Alexis find out about him having a crush on him, but there are a few messages already.
21:26 Were having a party wont you guys come over its room 316 🎉
It's a text from Erik. And there's another one, from half an hour later:
21:54 partys over Noa came ☠️ French people arent fun
Theo chuckles and responds:
22:12 Get some sleep, you need to score tomorrow
22:13 Dont worry ill make Michael lose his job tomrowwo
22:13 tomorrow*
Theo changes into the loose shirt and boxers he wears for sleeping and gets into his bed, listening to the small sounds the bathwater makes when Alexis moves. It's oddly peaceful to listen to it, comforting in a way. He's actually really tired. Must be from the long bus ride and the trip to the beach. His lids are so heavy that he closes his eyes while he waits for Alexis to return from the bath room. Moist and warm and steaming for sure. His skin must be so soft. He'd like to touch it. Would like to look at the cute flush of it. He wonders whether someone would buy Alexis' bathwater if they filled it in bottles and sold it online, or if he and Michael would be the only customers. Are you supposed to warm the bathwater up again once you've purchased it?
He doesn't even notices that he falls asleep.
.
"Theo."
It's dark. The light's switched off and the curtains closed. On the wall on the opposite side of the room, the small TV has a fittingly small red LED that looks at them through the darkness.
Alexis stands by Theo's bed.
"What the fu-" Theo gasps startled, sitting up as if bitten before realizing he knows the silhouette of his teammate and his cute curls that look soft even in the dark of the night.
Alexis stands by his bed and looks at him.
"Alexis?" he asks hoarsely. "Why are you up? What time is it?"
Alexis sighs. "Half past eleven." His voice is small and soft. "I can't sleep."
Not really a reason to stand by his bed like an absolute creep if you ask Theo, but then again he's never shared a room with Alexis.
"Why not? Are you nervous about tomorrow?" It's the first thing that comes to mind. Not that they have to feel threatened by Holstein Kiel in general, but it's indeed a new situation to play without Michael. Sure, they trained for cases like that, but especially to Alexis, who is so close with Michael in matches, it must be upsetting.
Yeah, that's totally not it.
"No," Alexis says. "I just…" He makes a small sound in the back of his throat that's incredibly cute. "I can't sleep alone."
Theo's breath catches. "What do you mean?"
"I'm not used to sleeping in my own bed all by myself," Alexis confesses, his voice weaker with with every word he says. "I usually…"
Theo inhales deeply.
"… sleep in one bed with Micha."
JESUS
FUCKING
CHRIST!
"Oh." Oh God, oh shit!
They sleep in the same bed!?
"That's why," Alexis murmurs, "I can't sleep…"
Is this real? Is this
Is this normal?
Erik said that they said that they're not a couple! Why would they sleep in one bed!? Why do they-
How can-
What do-
"Do you," shut up shut up SHUT UP, "want to sleep in my bed then?" WHO SAID THAT??!! THEO, WHAT THE HELL!?
"Okay," Alexis says quick and sweet, and when Theo realizes what's happening, Alexis has already lifted the blanket and is half in Theo's bed.
What is happening?!
Alexis is a little smaller that him. He's warm and he smells like raspberry bath bomb. He cuddles up to Theo who has no choice but to drape the blanket over them both and try not to completely freak out.
This is-
What? A dream? A nightmare? Really happening?
Wasn't this supposed to be a "There were two beds"-situation?
And now Alexis is on his side, his arms and legs pulled close to his body, his cheek leaning against Theo's chest and his curls a little moist against Theo's chin. It's not uncomfortable. At least not when Theo decides he needs to relax his left arm and the only way that can happen is by draping it over Alexis.
This is everything he ever wanted. Everything he's dreamt of and thought he could never have. It's better than his imagination, his fantasies. Because this is real. They're cuddling. Vaguely. One cheek and one arm contact. Alexis' raspberry sweet hair. His breath on Theo's collar bone. His small voice.
"Thank you, Theo." He sounds so cute. "I'm glad you're my best friend." So, so cute.
Is he being friendzoned—again!—with his crush in his arms?
"No biggie," he says. So what? Being Alexis' best friend got him into this situation. "I'm glad, too," he decides to say.
Alexis chuckles. "Your heart is beating so fast though," he observes. "Just like Micha's."
Figure that Michael gets nervous with Alexis close like that. Theo really, really gets him.
"We should go to sleep," he reminds Alexis. As if he could just fall asleep again.
Alexis seems unfazed. "Good night, Theo. Sweet dreams."
They could never be sweeter than this.
.
They manage a 1:1 draw against Holstein Kiel. And only because Steph saves their asses by stretching across the goal as if he had gummi arms. Theo is personally responsible for letting one of Kiel's strikers score, and Erik ruined one penalty shot by hammering the ball against the goal post. It's Ali who scores their one goal in minute 76. Theo knows Michael will never let them live it down. They screwed that up and they all know it.
Theo has slept really bad. Well, not bad. Just not enough.
Erik frowns. "At least you seem to have had a good, short night," he tells Theo on the way back to the bus that takes them back to Munich during the next ten hours or so.
"I didn't use what you gave me, if that's what you're referring to," Theo defends himself.
"So you played like shit sleep-deprived without even getting laid?" Erik shakes his head. "Weak, Theo. I'm disappointed on your behalf."
"I'm not like that," is his answer and Erik shrugs.
"I was afraid you were not like that. Your loss I s'ppose."
It's not, actually. He liked tonight. And he's reminded of it again when Alexis smiles at him from where he waits by the bus door before calling: "Wanna sit together, Theo?"
Yeah, no. Tonight was amazing. Even with not more that four hours of sleep.
.
Michael, when it's only them, shoves him against the wall of the locker room. His hand is big and warm on Theo's chest. "Are you stupid, Sachs?"
Oh, how he hates it when Michael calls him by his last name to punish him for what-fucking-ever his problem is this time.
"Maybe," he says vaguely. He knows that whatever he answers doesn't matter to Michael anyway.
"I thought that you were a grown man, but it turns out you're just a pathetic wet rug."
"Wow, that's mean, even for you," he glares at Michael. He's not overly enthusiastic about challenging Michael, but he's not a coward either. "Just spit out what your problem is and let's get it over with."
Michael huffs an arrogant laugh. "So, you're saying that you had Alexis crawling into your bed and you did nothing with it?"
What's that supposedly to mean? "Did nothing like what?"
Michael takes a step back and smirks. "You have a crush on him."
Theo blushes. "And?" There's no point denying it. Michael is too smart for his own good and observant on top of it. He must've been aware of Theo's feelings.
"And you didn't fuck him."
Theo sputters from surprise.
But Michael is talking again: "Didn't make him suck your dick, didn't kiss him. You didn't even join him in the godforsaken bathtub."
How does he know that?!
"You went on a fucking date with him and left him hanging, literally. Ridiculous."
"It wasn't a date!" is the first thing he manages to say. "We're friends! I'm his- He said I'm his best friend!"
Michael takes another step back and looks Theo up and down. He's taller than Theo, but that's not the only thing that makes him appear threatening. With his red eyeliner and sharp jaw, Theo feels intimidated.
"Yeah," Michael says after a moment of thought. "You sure act like it. Can't recognize the dumb puppy has been flirting with you for two days straight."
Wait-
"What?"
Michael chuckles at the exclamation. "Oh, you think he takes lengthy walks at the beach with everyone? With Adjo maybe, or Karl? Think that he soaks in the bath tub waiting for Khadem or Stephan to come and join him?"
What the hell is he talking about!?
"Crawl into bed and cuddle with Igor or fucking Noel Noa?" He chuckles. "You are stupid, aren't you?"
Theo swallows. "Maybe?" Is Michael for real? Was Alexis flirting with him? "I… I thought…"
Michael grins in the meanest way Theo has ever seen. "Your fucking loss. My immune system's running higher than ever. Won't have a chance like that too soon again." He turns and walks away. "I hope you enjoyed your, what did he call it?, "harmless, cute cuddling". Because that will be the best you can get for a long time if I can help it." Over his shoulder, he throws Theo, who's still pressed against the wall but on his own accord, a searing look. "Unless you finally decide to get your ass up and fight for your cookie, Loverboy."
He's gone before Theo's brain has a chance to understand what the hell Michael just suggested.
When it's so easy:
He has a chance with Alexis?
He has a chance with Alexis?!