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It was easy to underestimate Pau Cubarsí.
With his innocent baby face and a sweet smile that bore an uncanny resemblance to that one two-toothed emote, it was not difficult to understand why. Hell, some would even say that he looked suspiciously like a class-ditching high-schooler who somehow snuck into the starting line-up of the Spanish national team, which was technically true.
The point was, to any unknowing person, Pau just seemed too cute and innocent to commit any sinful acts, or play professional football.
They should have known better.
To any strikers unfortunate enough to face Pau near the goal, he was a monster, albeit a deceptively adorable one. With his eerie composure and steadfast determination, the 19-year-old could easily deny any of their desperate attempts at the goal. Only one goal conceded and the best young player title in the World Cup season should be enough testament to his talent.
To the ones lucky enough to be on his side, they could always be rest assured. He defended with all his heart and soul, tackled with no hesitation and passed with terrifying accuracy. There was really no exaggeration to say that he would be an invaluable asset to any team in any competition one could name.
To Lamine, he had become much more than that.
The day they first met at La Masia, Lamine was struck with the quiet determination stirring in those deep green eyes. They had been close since, with Lamine practically gluing himself to Pau's hip. He just could not help it. Pau had always stood tall and firm, a dependable anchor to Lamine’s chaotic antics. A perfect balance for a dynamic duo that was about to sweep the world off its feet.
“... Lamine, go to sleep.”
Lamine felt a nuzzle on his neck. Oh, it was already 1 AM and the perfect man that he was musing about was mumbling blearily from behind his back.
“Worried about me, Cuba?” He teased easily.
Truth was, he found it difficult to fall asleep. He was still riding on the high of the World Cup’s final. The trophy was proof that they had done it. They had conquered the world at 19 years old.
“Yes. What are you thinking about?”
Pau seemed more awake now, probably because Lamine sounded like he had not got a wink of sleep. If there was anything he knew about Lamine, it was that he was much less shallow than he loved to make people believe. Behind that mask of a carefree prodigy with an effortless charm was a boy who cared more than anyone else.
“I am thinking…” Lamine turned back, facing Pau with a mischievous grin “about how cool you are. Like seriously, have you seen all the thirsty tweets about you Cuba?? These people have already done like hundreds of Capcut edits of you diving for a ball, not that I can blame them, and…”
Pau began to zone out. It was not like he cared for what the Internet had to say about him. Besides, did it really matter when he had only ever had eyes for the one currently in his arms?
“Uh huh.”
“You were not listening to me” Lamine pouted, “I was lecturing you on the intricacies of social media posting and you just uh huh me. That’s it, we are over, let’s get a divorce.”
“Nooo…” Pau tightened his arms around Lamine’s waist, feigning desperation, “Please don’t dump me for being socially illiterate. I am trying to do better but you are so cute that I couldn’t focus…”
Lamine could confidently say that people were underestimating how big of a whiny baby Pau Cubarsí could be. He could act mature and composed on the pitch all he wanted, but in private, he was just as childish as any young adult his age tended to be. Not that anyone else was privy to this little secret though.
Also? He was such a bad flirt. And a dork. And an idiot. And…
Lamine let out a barely stifled yawn. The adrenaline crash was getting to him.
“Go to sleep Lamine, you can sign the divorce paper tomorrow.” Pau smiled, the small, barely-there ones that seem to be reserved only for Lamine.
“And all your possessions will be mine?” Lamine asked, tucking his head into the crook of Pau’s neck.
“Sure, everything including myself is yours.”
“Ew. I’d pass.”
Pau chuckled, and held Lamine closer. The younger huffed, and slung an arm over Pau's body. After a few minutes or so, he gradually relaxed and slowly drifted off to sleep. Pau followed soon after.
They fell asleep in each other’s warmth, with the certainty that they will conquer the world together for years to come.