Work Text:
Pedri can see from the corner of his eye as Gavi looks at him. It’s maybe the third time that Ferran has missed a big chance, the goal right in front of him, the goalie nowhere to be seen, and yet somehow the ball hasn't found itself on the back of the net.
Pedri keeps his eyes glued to the screen, because looking back at Gavi would be to acknowledge that something's wrong, and there's nothing wrong.
On the screen Ferran is going for goal again, Iñaki is in a bad position, it’s a very good chance. Unfortunately the defender gets there first and the ball is taken away from him, Ferran rolling around on the ground.
“Oh my god…”
Pedri looks over at Gavi to see him with his hands on his head. He hasn't necessarily said anything bad about Ferran yet, and Pedri has to make sure it stays that way.
“He was pushed. It would've gone in otherwise."
Gavi pulls his hands away and sighs, a defeated look settling on his face, “Yeah… also if he'd run a bit more, probably.”
Pedri frowns at him but doesn't say anything else.
Gavi is being surprisingly nice, actually. Meaning he still hasn't cursed anyone's family out. Pedri can tell it’s only because Ferran is important to him and Gavi doesn't want to offend Pedri. He should maybe be a little bit embarrassed about it, but to be honest he appreciates it. He doesn't want his friend verbally obliterating his other friend, even if Ferran kinda deserves it.
But Gavi’s only human, and he has his limits, so when Ferran shoots the ball and it bounces on the crossbar of the goal and then back on his shoulder only to be expelled outside, he finally bursts.
“Oh, come on!! How can you miss that?!”
He has risen slightly from where he’s sitting on the couch, his hand pointed at Pedri's TV.
Pedri braces himself for what's coming. He knows he shouldn't even try, but he can't help himself. “It was a difficult shot.”
Not even he believes that, but when the camera pans to Ferran and he sees the disappointed look on his face he can't help but defend him.
Gavi is getting agitated now, his hands punctuating every word, “Pedri, he was right there, you can't be serious.”
“It was bad luck. He couldn't have shot the ball anywhere else without Iñaki saving it. It just happened to hit the crossbar.”
Gavi plops back onto the couch and desists, “You know what? You're right. I'm not even gonna say anything anymore.”
Pedri is getting a bit annoyed too, he just doesn't know whether it's at Gavi, at Ferran, or at himself. But he needs to let it out onto something, or someone.
“Fermín has missed just as many chances and yet I'm not hearing you say anything.”
That was pretty uncalled for and he silently apologizes to Fermín but it only seems fair for Pedri to target someone close to Gavi as well. Why the hell is he taking this so personal anyway?
“What does Fermín have to do with it? Yeah he's been shit and I'm gonna make sure to tell him, that's what friends are for. Unlike you with your…”
Pedri waits for the word he knows Gavi wants to use but doesn't dare. It's not like Pedri has ever used that word when talking about Ferran. It's not like he and Ferran have even used that word to describe their relationship. It's just something that doesn't really matter.
"My what?”
“...Nothing. Jesus.” Gavi looks away from him and back at the match on the screen, a silly smirk making its way on his face, which can't be good. “Actually, maybe they feel bad for Iñaki, he's still our teammate after all. Or maybe Ferran doesn't wanna go all out on a fellow valencian. Yeah, that must be it.”
“You're so mean.” Pedri says but can't help the slight grin that tugs on his lips. “Just give him time, he'll score.”
When he does score after what feels like forever they both jump from the couch as much as their injuries allow. Pedri feels so much joy and pride it almost feels like he's the one that's scored the goal, which makes him blush a bit.
When they've calmed down a bit and are back at their respective seats, he adds “Buena, Ferri,” as if Ferran can hear him and is not 500km away.
Gavi smiles at the nickname directed at the screen but doesn't tease Pedri about his excess of enthusiasm. He is happy about the goal too, Pedri can tell. “It was a good one.”
Ferran doesn't make his celly, only hugs a few of their teammates, and that's all Pedri needs to know. He still hopes his goal brings back some confidence and he can go through the rest of the match a bit more smoothly.
Unfortunately not long after there's the half time, and shortly after Ferran gets subbed off. So that was it. Gavi doesn't comment on him any further and they just keep concentrating on the match, which thankfully ends in 1-3. They both are happy even if it wasn't the most satisfying watch. Gavi says his goodbye not without telling Pedri to congratulate Ferran on his goal when he gets home, a wink added at the end. To which Pedri only rolls his eyes and promptly closes the door on his face.
But he does want to congratulate Ferran on the goal. He knows he'll be beating himself up for the match and wishes he could be there with him. For now, though, he settles on sending him a message, not really expecting a reply.
hey, nice goal. lmk when you get here.
Usually depending on his mood Ferran will either go to his own house or Pedri's house, which he has the keys for. They like to crash together after games and talk a bit about the match until they fall asleep. But if he’s mad it’s possible that he will just straight up go to his house and not even reply to Pedri until the next morning, which is fairly probable given the circumstances.
So it's a pleasant surprise when he gets a text from Ferran a couple of minutes later.
thank you❤️
don't want to bother you, it'll be late
He's probably on the bus on the way to the airport right now.
don't worry, I'm not tired. just come by when you get here.
He expects Ferran to decline or at least offer some sort of resistance, but he just sends an okay. Maybe his mood isn't so bad, after all? That's good. Or maybe he's sad and needs company? Pedri can only wait and find out, which turns out to be quite difficult.
He starts getting ready for bed and decides to just wait for Ferran there, he can't take that much longer, can he? He looks at the clock by his nightstand, 00:31. So about an hour until Ferran gets here, he can do that. He gets his phone and starts going through instagram reels on his burner, his eyes drooping as he scrolls.
Of course he ends up falling asleep, phone still in his hand and bedside lamp still on. God knows how long after a door shutting wakes him from his slumber, and he realizes that Ferran did finally end up coming home.
Knowing Ferran must be tired and probably not in the best mood and yet he still wants to spend the rest of the night with him brings a flutter to Pedri's chest that makes him get up and rush to the entryway.
Ferran is there, long hair disheveled and bag slung over his shoulder, which he lets drop once he sees Pedri.
“Hey. You weren't sleeping?” He's taking off his jacket now, his shoes following suit.
“No. I told you I wasn't tired.”
If his face betrays any type of sleepiness, Ferran thankfully doesn't comment on it.
Pedri comes to greet him with a hug, and Ferran hugs him back, if only a bit languidly, his usual strength not there.
“Did you see the match?” he mutters once they separate.
“Yeah, Gavi came over.”
Ferran visibly grimaces at that and forces a tight smile, “Did you have fun?”
“It was… entertaining." To put it somehow.
“That bad, huh?”
“No! I mean… it wasn't just you.”
Not the best thing to say. But he can't just lie to Ferran either, he knows he wouldn't like that.
“I don't know, people on Twitter seem to agree that–”
“Ferran, why would you open twitter?”
That's like rule number one after dropping a stinker.
“To face the consequences! I can't just hide.”
Pedri had to admit sulky Ferran was kind of cute. But he still didn't like seeing him like this.
“Okay, you had a bad match, it's not the end of the world, you'll do better in the next one.”
They are still on the entryway, the cold from beneath the front door seeping in. All Pedri wants to do is to fall back into bed, with untroubled Ferran lying next to him, if possible.
“Well yeah I sure hope so. It's a knockout.”
“Yeah, against Albacete.”
“I mean… you never know.”
Pedri guesses that's true, it's the team that eliminated their biggest rivals, after all.
“You'll be fine, I know it.”
Ferran shyly looks down, “You're too good to me, Pepi.”
Pedri smiles at him and takes his hand, pulling him into the hallway, “Let's just go to sleep, yeah?”
Ferran looks back up at him and returns his smile, fond but still a bit hurt, “Yeah.”
Pedri pulls him in and then up the stairs to his room, begrudgingly distancing himself for some minutes so Ferran can get ready for bed as well.
He waits for him under the covers, feeling himself drift off again. The door to the bathroom starts him awake though, Ferran emerging from it.
He settles under the covers as well, on his back, his right arm extending in clear invitation for Pedri to rest his head on his shoulder, which he does, his hand snaking around Ferran's middle.
“How's your leg, by the way?”
Pedri drinks in the scent of Ferran's shirt mixed in with Pedri's detergent. The pleasantness of the moment completely drowning any physical discomfort he may have been having.
“Good, pretty sure I'll be able to come back sooner than expected.”
“Better not to rush it, though. Even though the team clearly needs you, if today was anything to go by.”
Pedri chuckles and caresses his hand along Ferran's side. And because he knows Ferran is still beating himself up for it and probably will continue to do so for the next hours or days, he says, “It really wasn't so bad, you know. Your goal was amazing.”
“It was mostly Frenkie's doing, though.”
“Yeah he was great, but it wasn't an easy shot, you did good.”
“Well, thanks.”
He doesn't sound too convinced, but Pedri guesses it's fine. He'll get over it.
Ferran's hand finds its way to the back of Pedri's head, his fingers gently rubbing at the scalp, and Pedri turns his head to look at the man beneath him. Ferran is already looking at him, and when their eyes meet he sees such admiration and love he can't help but reach up a little to settle his lips against Ferran's. It's a lazy and uncoordinated thing, but he can feel Ferran smile against his mouth. They eventually pull away so Pedri can rest his head again on Ferran's shoulder, and Ferran continues caressing his hair. Pedri feels his eyes shutting closed and this time doesn't fight it, instead welcoming the warmth as if it's the only thing he needs.
***
The next day he wakes up with a message from Gavi. It's a screenshot of a chat conversation with Fermín in which he tells him his honest thoughts about his game, to which Fermín simply replies with an emoji of a middle finger. With the picture also comes a message.
what about you?
Pedri glances at the figure sleeping peacefully next to him on the bed, all traces of worry seemingly gone from Ferran's features. Pedri quickly types a response and sends it before leaving his phone back on the nightstand and cuddling back to the warm body beside him.
already did too, in person
Maybe his way of reprimanding is a bit different from Gavi's, but if Gavi wants to tease him or question him any further then he's gonna have to wait.