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Gavi knows that his parents love him.
He refuses to believe anything else, refuses to see the facts that say otherwise.
His parents love him.
But he also knows that other people love him.
Pedri loves him, he tells him that every day.
Fermín loves him.
The team loves him.
The only one that Gavi isn't sure about is himself.
It sounds cheesy and pathetic, he knows that.
It still doesn't change the fact that it's the truth.
He's hated himself ever since he presented, everyone being so sure that he would be an alpha.
But his parents love him.
They had found a way for him to become successful.
They had saved his career, had put everything they had into making sure that no one knew.
Aurora had presented as an omega, but there was no reason to try and change her designation.
Her dreams wouldn't be ruined, only harder to achieve but not impossible.
Gavi knows that his parents were disappointed when he presented, but they had never outright told him.
They love him.
Despite yelling at him, despite scruffing him or using their alpha voices against him.
They love him, and Gavi loves them.
It had to be true.
Because if they didn't, then who would?
The team, the coaches, Pedri: they wouldn't matter.
Parents are supposed to love their children, they're supposed to be the ones who love their children the most.
They were the foundation for a successful life.
Without their love, Gavi wouldn't be sure that he could survive it.
No one had outright said that his parents don't love him.
People had hinted at it, but never said anything.
Pedri had told him that people who love you don't hurt you.
But maybe they did.
No one's perfect, people make mistakes.
That was the simple truth.
His parents weren't perfect, they make mistakes.
They try to do what's best for him and sometimes they fail.
It didn't mean that they didn't love him.
They love him.
...
"Come on guys! Let's beat those motherfuckers!" Ferran shouts, throwing his fist up into the air in the locker room.
"Language!" Robert immediately reprimands.
"We show them respect." Flick states.
"Alright sorry, let's beat those players!" Ferran corrects.
Flick sighs but he doesn't comment on it.
"Remember, Gavi plays as a double pivot so the rest of you can attack. Pedri and Fermín focus on offence." Flick reminds them and all three midfielders nod.
"Let's go out there and win this shit!" Araújo shouts, no one reprimanding him for swearing.
Gavi nods, feeling his blood pumping.
They head out to the field, the crowd chanting "Barca! Barca!"
The team line up, waving when their name is spoken by the speaker.
They shake hands with the Alavés' players.
Joan Jordán practically crushes Gavi's hand when they greet each other.
He pulls Gavi closer.
"Stay out of my way or you'll see just what I can do." Joan whispers into Gavi's ear.
Gavi glares at him.
"You won't score a single goal today." Gavi answers the alpha.
Pedri grabs Gavi from behind, pushing him forward and away from Joan.
Gavi continues to greet the other players, anger boiling in his stomach.
They stand up for the picture, Pedri slinging an arm over Gavi's shoulders.
"Ignore him, just focus on playing." Pedri murmurs in Gavi's ear.
Gavi nods, but he barely listens to Pedri's words.
Joan had just threatened him.
There was no way that Joan Jordán of all players was threatening him, the player had barely scored this season.
Why in the fuck would he threaten Gavi?
Gavi can feel his teeth grinding.
No one would threaten him and just get away with it.
There was no way that Jordán would score, not even hold the ball.
Gavi is pushed into the circle they always form.
"Focus on our mission, don't let them get under your skin. Let them shoot outside the penalty box." Marc-André instructs and the team nod.
"Let's get these fuckers!" Ferran shouts, earning a slap over the head from Raphinha.
"Keep your cool, don't let them rile you up." Marc-André scolds.
The referee blows his whistle.
They line up, Alavés starting with the ball.
The referee blows his whistle, starting the game.
Carlos Martín starts, passing the ball to Carles Vicente.
Ferran immediately runs, trying to get ahold of the ball.
Vicente dribbles past him, passing the ball backwards to Moussa Diarra.
Gavi sees Toni Martínez running to the left of him in his periphery.
Gavi immediately runs towards him, intercepting the ball that Diarra passes.
He dribbles past Martínez, passing the ball to Pedri.
Pedri has already lined up the pass, kicking a long pass to Lamine.
Lamine easily gets it, sprinting up.
Both Ferran and Lewandowski run with him and Lamine passes it over to Lewandowski.
He takes it, passing it back to Lamine who's in into the penalty box.
Lamine shoots.
The ball sails over the goal.
Lamine puts his hands over his face, clearly displeased by the shot.
Gavi looks over to Flick who's clapping his hands, telling them to keep going.
Enrique García Martínez gets a new ball, putting it down on the grass before kicking a long ball.
Jon Guridi picks it up, managing to dribble past Fermín, pushing the ball forward.
Guridi passes it over to Joan Jordán who starts running, dribbling past Pedri.
Gavi sprints, there was no way that Jordán would score.
He manages to kick the ball out from Jordán's feet and the ball rolls over the sideline.
Jordán growls.
"You got lucky, don't count on it again." He snarls over to Gavi.
Gavi fists his hands, forcing himself to not push Jordán.
Focus.
Stay calm.
Guridi lines up on the sideline, looking for someone to pass.
Gavi stands in front of Jordán, arm outstretched and forcing Jordán to stay behind him.
Jordán slaps his arm away just as Guridi throws it in to Diarra.
Gavi follows Jordán, marking him.
Diarra passes it back to Guridi who tries to get passed Pau.
Pau easily wins the ground duel, kicking it to Araújo.
Araújo receives the ball, looking up for a potential pass.
Gavi immediately runs, getting the ball from Araújo.
A strong body slams into his back, making him fall onto the grass.
He lets out a groan, immediately rolling onto his side.
"I told you to get out of my way." Jordán spits, standing over him.
Alejandro immediately runs to Gavi, standing over him.
"Are you good?" He asks as Gavi manages to sit up.
He could feel the upcoming bruises on his chest, but he takes Alejandro's hand, standing back up.
The referee blows his whistle, signaling a free kick.
Jordán was standing by the referee, arguing about the free kick.
The referee only shakes his head.
Gavi lines up the ball, waiting for the referee to restart the game.
The blow of the whistle causes him to pass the ball over to Pedri.
Pedri receives it, pushing the ball forward.
He dribbles past Diarra, continuing forward.
Guridi tries to tackle him, but Pedri's already passed the ball to Lewandowski.
He takes the shot.
The goalkeeper manages to get a hand on it, stopping the goal.
The referee indicates a corner kick.
Raphinha walks over to the corner, getting a new ball from the ball girl.
The team walks into the penalty box.
Gavi feels Jordán pushing his back, but he manages to stay on his feet.
Raphinha raises his hand, showing that he's going to go for a long pass.
He kicks the ball.
Arms grab onto Gavi's chest, throwing him onto the ground.
Fucking hell.
The sound of cheering from the stands causes him to roll, seeing the ball in the net.
He forces himself to stand up, running over to the rest of the team who's celebrating.
He hears the crowd screaming "Lewandowski!"
Gavi runs to Lewandowski, hugging him as they jump.
"Great pass hermano!" Lewandowski shouts to Raphinha as they slap each other on the back.
The team walks back to their side of the field and Gavi's pretty sure that no one saw him getting wrestled onto the ground by Jordán.
It doesn't matter, they scored.
"You okay?" Pedri asks, having run up to him.
Of course Pedri saw it.
"Yeah, the goal got rid of the pain." Gavi answers with a grin.
Pedri grins in return, walking over to his defence position.
Alavés starts, Martínez running towards them.
He sends the ball over to Martín, who sends it to Guridi.
Guridi challenges Lewandowski, but the forward easily kicks the ball out of the midfielder's feet.
Vicente steals it back, kicking it to Diarra who manages to push past Fermín.
He's too far away from the goal and Gavi knows that Pau will manage to win a ground duel against him.
Gavi runs into the penalty box, ready for Diarra to try to pass it to someone else.
Diarra kicks the ball anyways, a high ball that Gavi immediately jumps for.
He doesn't know which Alavés player who jumps for it too, but it doesn't matter.
The ball connects with his forehead, flying over to Fermín who immediately manages to get control of it.
Gavi runs forward, ignoring whichever Alavés player he jumped against.
A hard shove in his back causes him to trip again, falling onto the grass.
For fuck's sake.
He already knows who it is.
The referee doesn't stop the game.
Gavi is about to push himself up, but cleats suddenly dig into his hand.
He lets out a loud yell, but the cleats aren't removed.
They're pressed down harder.
Loud shouting is heard over him.
He manages to turn his head, seeing Araújo shove Jordán away.
Gavi immediately cradles his hand, gritting his teeth.
His hand was throbbing, but he couldn't see any blood.
It was fine, everything would be fine.
It wasn't even swollen yet.
"Shit are you okay?" Lamine asks, standing by his curled up body.
Gavi manages to let out a grunt, nodding his head.
He manages to push himself up with his other hand, standing up.
The referee was discussing something with the other two referees.
None of them had seen it, clearly focused on where the ball was.
Araújo's pulled away by Alejandro who's trying his best to stop Araújo from earning a yellow card.
The referees seem to have come to a conclusion, throwing out both arms to signal for no foul or card.
Fuck.
Whatever, he was fine.
Jordán stands further away, sending a smirk over at Gavi.
"How's your hand?" Lamine asks, trying to catch a glimpse at the still cradled hand.
"Fine, no blood and I didn't hear a crack." Gavi answers, letting go of his hand, shaking it in hopes of shaking off the throbbing.
Lamine doesn't look convinced, but he nods.
He sees Pedri standing a couple of meters away, his eyes glued on Jordán.
Gavi can see Pedri's fists resting at his sides.
Shit, well Pedri seems to have lost some of his own composure.
"You sure that you're okay kid?" Robert asks with a concerned face.
Gavi nods in answer.
Robert grabs his arm, examining Gavi's hand.
"It's not swollen yet, but maybe-"
"I'll be fine." Gavi interrupts.
His voice was surprisingly calm.
Robert smiles.
"You're a fighter kid."
Gavi sends him a grin and Robert pats his shoulder.
The referee blows his whistle, signaling for the players to stop having their tea party.
He gestures for the Alavés goalkeeper to have the ball.
Immediately the crowd boos.
Gavi stretches his both sides of his neck.
Jordán won't make him lose his control, they were leading with one goal against zero.
He won't jeopardize their lead.
The game starts and the goalie rolls out the ball to Adrián Pica.
Ferran attacks, but Pica just passes it over to Aleksandar Sedlar.
Lamine challenges him, but Sedlar sends it to Facundo Garcés who starts running up the field.
He sends a pass to Guridi, managing to tunnel Fermín.
Pedri's quick on his heels, following Guridi the best he can.
Gavi sees Jordán running into the penalty box.
He grits his teeth, Jordán can't possibly try to foul him again.
He would definitely earn a yellow card this time.
Luckily he doesn't have to fight against Jordán because Pau intercepts the pass.
He kicks it over to Araújo who passes it to Jules on the very right side.
Jules kicks it to Fermín, letting Fermín dribble past Martínez.
Gavi runs up the field as Fermín passes it over to Pedri.
Pedri sends to to Ferran, but Ferran loses control of the ball and Pica immediately steals it.
Gavi gets ready to challenge Pica.
He angles himself so that Pica can only try to get past him on the outside.
Pica still tries to get past Gavi on the inside and Gavi can easily steal the ball.
He looks up, trying to analyse who to send it to.
No one was open and he starts running with the ball, letting his teammates get away from the Alavés players.
Cleats suddenly dig into his left ankle, making him shout in pain.
He rolls onto the ground, immediately grabbing for his now hurting ankle.
He doesn't have to look up, knowing full well who it was.
Gavi grinds his face into the grass, groaning from the pain.
Hands are immediately on his shoulder, trying to move him so that his back's against the grass.
"I'm going to fucking murder him." Araújo growls over him.
"Don't, we don't need a red card." Gavi manages to bite out.
He sees both Raphinha and Pedri arguing with the referee.
"Shit you're bleeding." Pau swears and Gavi looks down, seeing his ankle turning red from the blood.
He immediately looks away, forcing down both the panic and the potential vomit.
Jordán won't break him.
The medical team runs to him, immediately pulling off his shoe and sock.
"Bandage it up, I'm fine." Gavi grits out.
"Gavi we can't do that, lets get you off the field and we can-"
"No! I can't let that fucker win." Gavi growls.
The medics look at each other, debating quietly.
"Okay, but if you start limping we'll take you off the field." Carles states and Gavi nods.
The wrap a thick bandage over the wound, pulling out a new sock for him.
Gavi pulls on his shoe, trying his best not to cry out in pain as he stands.
He rolls his ankle slowly, trying to warm it up.
The medical team sends a thumbs up to Flick and Flick nods.
Gavi meets his gaze, sending him a determined nod.
Flick nods back, clapping his hands.
"Did he finally get a yellow card?" Gavi asks, looking to Pedri.
Pedri's face was dark, deeply controlled anger clear on it.
"The referee says that he was on ball." Pedri grits out and Gavi groans.
"Whatever, it doesn't matter. Let's just continue, there's only ten minutes left." Gavi shrugs but Pedri's face was still full of anger.
His hands were on Gavi's hips, steadying him.
"You're sure that you can continue?" He asks and Gavi nods.
Pedri finally drops his angry expression, switching it to a warm smile.
They pull away from each other.
The referee signals for a free kick and Gavi rolls his eyes.
At least they got a free kick.
Jordán sends him a dark grin and Gavi sends him a challenging look.
"Try better next time." He mouths and Jordán nods with a smirk.
"Trust me, I will." He mouths back.
The referee blows his whistle and Gavi kicks it over to Pedri.
His boyfriend seems to be done with his calculating plays.
Pedri runs with the ball, rounding Guridi and continues to run.
Pedri doesn't pass their forwards yet, continuing his attack.
Gavi manages to run with him and Pedri sends him a well-timed pass.
Manu Sánchez tries to slide tackle him but Gavi only kicks the ball into the air, jumping over him before retrieving the ball.
He continues to run, seeing Diarra to his right.
He sends the ball over to Pedri who takes the shot.
The ball hits the net and they immediately start running to the stands, jumping and yelling.
The fans go crazy, yelling "Pedri! Pedri! Pedri!"
Gavi jumps into Pedri's arms, laughing and cheering.
"You're amazing!" He shouts and Pedri grins.
"You're amazing." He answers as the whole team runs to them, embracing them from all sides.
"Fucking magnificent!" Jules shouts as they continue to jump up and down.
Gavi sees Flick cheering and jumping along with the rest of the players on the bench.
Gavi points to him, throwing his fist up in the air.
Flick shouts something that Gavi can't hear over the cheers, but he's confident that Flick's yelling praises.
Pedri does his usual goal celebration as he runs back to their side of the field.
The rest of the team runs back with him, still cheering.
Gavi smirks over towards Jordán.
He raises his hands, showing two zero.
Jordán snarls but he doesn't march over to him.
Alavés rushes to the half line, ready to start the game again.
The sound of a whistle is heard and Gavi turns to the sideline where the referee holds up the sign, showing five extra minutes.
Alavés still had a chance to score, especially with their defence line standing higher up.
A pass is kicked to Facundo Garcés on the right.
Gavi sees Ferran managing to kick the ball over the sideline.
They immediately move to mark players, Gavi stands in front of Diarra, marking him well enough that Garcés throws a long ball towards the other side of the field.
Gavi spots Vicente trying to run closer to the penalty box on the opposite side.
Gavi sprints as fast as he can while Vicente manages to dribble past Alejandro.
Gavi manages to slide forward, blocking the shot.
Vicente swears as the ball once again rolls out the sideline, rolling right to Flick's feet.
Flick doesn't move, letting Vicente run to it.
Gavi spots Jordán standing close to Vicente, clearly wanting the ball.
Gavi immediately moves, getting in front of him.
"Pass it!" Jordán growls out and Vicente.
Vicente gestures at Gavi who's marking him.
"Pass the fucking ball!" Jordán yells and Vicente reluctantly throws it.
Gavi easily gets control of it, internally huffing at the stupid decision.
The huff quickly goes away as a leg sweeps his feet from under him.
He lands on his already hurting hand in an awkward position, letting out a loud scream of pain.
He looks down, seeing his left hand not sitting where it's supposed to be.
It's completely bent and he tries his best not to throw up by the sight.
He can hear Flick yelling by the sideline, only decimetres away from him.
Gavi rolls onto his side, facing away from Flick.
He doesn't exactly want his coach to watch him cry.
It turns out to be the wrong decision.
A hard foot connects with his ribs.
And again.
And again.
He hears louder shouting, and the kicking stops.
Jordán had fucking kicked him?
Gavi gasps, desperately trying to inhale, but his chest screams in protest.
Hands rolls him onto his back and he sees Flick kneeling next to him, holding his shoulders.
"It's okay, breathe Gavi. Breathe, cálmate." Flick soothes with his extremely limited Spanish.
Gavi gasps, tears rolling down his cheeks.
He can barely hear anything except the ringing in his ears.
Flick suddenly seems to have spotted his hand because he swears in German.
"Gavi!" Pedri's voice breaks through the ringing and he sees Pedri's face over him.
Pedri was looking completely panicked, something that he rarely looks like.
He must've seen Gavi's hand.
Hands touch his cheeks, calming his gasping.
More faces appears and he hears loud swearing.
They probably spotted his hand too.
His extremely fucked up hand.
"Gavi, look at me. Don't look at your hand, just look at me." Flick soothes and Gavi manages to focus on Flick's face.
"You're going to be okay, everything is going to be okay." Flick promises, but Gavi shakes his head hard.
"My- my hand-" Gavi manages to gasp out.
"It is fine, there's no blood. You don't have to worry about any blood." Flick answers and it somehow soothes Gavi.
No blood.
He doesn't like blood.
There was no blood.
No blood.
"That's it Gavi, no blood." Flick says calmly and Gavi nods shakily.
Flick grabs his good hand, squeezing it.
"Move! Move!" Carles' voice shouts and Flick moves to pull away.
Gavi immediately tightens his grip on Flick's hands, tears still streaming down his face.
"No! No don't- don't let go." Gavi sobs and Flick nods gently.
Pedri moves, being helped up by Robert who's pulling him into his arms.
Flick's other hand moves to Gavi's cheek where Pedri's hand was earlier.
"I'm here Gavi, I'm not going anywhere." Flick promises and Gavi nods weakly.
The adrenaline starts to fade and the pain takes its place.
He whimpers, feeling Carles' fingers on his broken hand.
The stands have grown quiet.
It was the worst sound in a stadium.
The silence meant that something was incredibly wrong.
"Call for an ambulance." Carles' orders, holding a pair of scissors.
"We need to cut open your jersey, I need to get a look at your ribs." Carles' explains and Gavi can only nod in agreement.
His jersey is cut open and he feels Carles' gentle fingers pressing on his chest.
"At least three broken ribs." Carles' states and that would explain why Gavi can barely breathe.
"Get an oxygen mask." Carles' instructs and a mask is immediately put over his mouth and nose.
It helps, his breathing grows easier.
"I want my parents." Gavi cries, not caring that he sounds like a child.
Flick looks conflicted, but nods.
"They can meet us at the hospital." He answers and Gavi lets out a sob.
"You're not alone Gavi, we're all here." Carles' promises.
Gavi accidentally looks down, spotting his hand.
Vomit immediately erupts and he chokes on it.
They immediately roll him onto his side and fingers force his mouth open.
The pain in his chest increases and his breathing stops.
"Gavi! Gavi stay with us, don't close your eyes!" Someone orders, but Gavi's eyes have already closed.
...
There's an annoying beeping noice when he wakes up.
Gavi groans, wishing that someone would turn it off.
He forces his eyes open, immediately wincing at the bright lights.
The second time he opens his eyes the lights have been dimmed.
He flops his head on the side, seeing Flick sleeping in a chair next to him.
He looks down, seeing his left hand in a cast.
"Wha' happened?" Gavi asks.
Or rather tries to.
It comes out as a garbled mess, but it makes Flick jolt awake.
"Hey Kind." Flick says, immediately stroking Gavi's forehead.
His sweaty hair is moved away from his eyes and he leans into the touch.
Flick presses a button by his bed before handing him a glass of water with a straw.
Gavi manages to sip it without choking.
He moves his face away when he's finished and Flick puts it away.
"How are you feeling?" Flick asks gently.
"Like shit." Gavi groans just as the door opens.
A man in a white coat walks inside.
"Mister Gavira. How are you feeling?" He asks, clearly not having heard Flick's question.
"Like shit." Gavi repeats tiredly.
"I can imagine. Do you remember what happened?" The doctor asks and Gavi nods.
"Yeah, Joan Jordán is a dick, that's what happened."
Flick doesn't scold him, he actually hums in agreement.
"It's good that you remember. I'm Doctor Diaz, I was the one who performed surgery on your left hand." The doctor explains, looking down in his papers.
"The surgery went well, you will regain full mobility. You had four broken ribs and one managed to puncture your lung, but we took care of that too. You also suffered a tear in your ankle, but it will heal on its on. You're going to be just fine." Doctor Diaz informs and Gavi grunts in reply.
"How long until I can play again?" He asks, making Flick let out a huff.
"Kind, you need rest." He says but Gavi still looks at the doctor.
"You will have to stay here for two months before we can release you. After your release you'll need to rehab for a couple of months." Doctor Diaz explains and Gavi whines.
Two months in the hospital?
He had to stay here for two whole months?
"Where are my parents?" He suddenly remembers.
Doctor Diaz looks over to Flick.
Flick sends him nod and Doctor Diaz hums.
"I will give you some privacy." The doctor says before leaving.
Gavi looks at Flick with confusion.
"Are they in the waiting room?" He asks, puzzled by Flick's somber expression.
Flick takes Gavi's good hand, shaking his head.
"Are they on their way?" Gavi presses but Flick shakes his head again.
"They're not coming Kind." Flick answers, his voice steady.
Gavi furrows his brows in confusion.
That can't be right.
"Did you contact them? What if something happened to them?" Gavi tries but Flick sighs.
"We did get ahold of them, but they told us that they won't be coming." Flick explains.
Gavi turns his eyes to the ceiling.
What?
Why where they not coming?
They- they know that he's in the hospital.
Why- why didn't they-
Gavi's eyes sting.
"They- they have to come, they have to!." He argues, looking back at Flick.
Flick sends him a pained look.
"Kind-"
"They're my parents! They're- they're supposed to come!" Gavi interrupts, tears clouding his eyes.
"They- they love me! Why- why won't they come?" Gavi says tearfully.
Flick swallows.
"I'm sorry, but they're not coming." Flick says sorrowful.
A sniffle leaves Gavi's mouth.
Why-
They're his parents, they're supposed to come if he's in trouble.
"I'm so sorry Kind." Flick repeats, still holding his hand.
A quiet sob forces itself out.
"They- they love me! They're supposed to love me!" Gavi argues with tears in his eyes.
Flick doesn't say anything, he only keeps stroking his thumb against the back of Gavi's hand.
"They're supposed to love me! I'm their son!" Gavi continues, the tears running down his cheeks.
"I know." Flick answers sadly, his face sorrowful.
"They- they-" Gavi feels panic.
His whole foundation was breaking.
His brain was breaking.
A nurse enters the room, hearing the machine beeping louder.
She puts something in his IV bag, murmuring that he has to calm down.
The drug inside the IV bag works within seconds.
Gavi's eyelids fall closed.
...
The next time he wakes up he's more calm.
He's not sure if it's because of the drugs or because of the exhaustion.
"Hey." Flick says softly and Gavi turns his head.
Flick was still sitting in the chair, still holding his hand.
"You're still here?" Gavi asks tiredly and Flick nods.
"Of course."
Gavi sighs, starting to realise that it's probably the drugs that has calmed him down.
"What does 'Kind' mean?"
Flick sends him a gentle smile.
"It's 'kid' in German." He explains and Gavi nods.
He takes a slow breath, most of the pain was gone.
"You're going to be okay, I'll stay with you for as long as you want me to." Flick states and Gavi furrows his eyebrows.
"What?"
Flick chuckles, stroking away the returned sweaty curls.
"Because I care about you." He answers, his expression gentle.
Gavi swallows, his eyes turning to Flick's hand laying over Gavi's.
"I didn't mean what I said before, about you not caring about me and Xavi being a better coach than you." Gavi says quietly, not brave enough to look at Flick.
Flick squeezes his hand.
"I know Kind, you're forgiven." He answers and Gavi looks up at him with surprise.
"Just like that?" He asks and Flick nods.
"I know that you're a good Kind. You were hurting and you lashed out." Flick explains and Gavi swallows again.
He keeps looking at Flick.
"My parents don't love me." The statement comes out more as a question.
Flick sighs in response.
"They don't love me, they've never- maybe they've never loved me." Gavi says quietly.
His eyes have dried out from all the crying.
The hurt was still present, but so was the growing emptiness.
"I'm not sure." Flick answers softly.
Gavi takes a deep breath.
"I wanted to believe it so bad: that they loved me. I- I just want them to love me, but they don't." Gavi concludes tiredly.
He looks over to Flick.
"Do you love your children?" He asks and Flick nods.
Gavi sighs.
"I guess most parents do. Maybe there's something wrong with me, maybe it's my fault that they don't love me." Gavi wonders.
Maybe there was.
Parents were supposed to love their children, but maybe some kids were just unlovable.
Flick leans in closer.
"It is not your fault Gavi. You are not unlovable, you are loved by the team, your friends, Pedri." Flick answers, sounding so sure of himself.
None of them say anything for a moment.
"I see you as my son Gavi. You know that I don't have any biological sons, but I see you as one." Flick says after the silence.
Gavi's brain stops.
Flick-
He saw Gavi as a son?
"I know that Robert does too, he sees you and Pedri as his sons. He's known you for a very long time and I've barely known you for a year. But I see you as a son Gavi." Flick states.
He's known that Robert sees him as a son.
Gavi has seen him as a father-figure ever since he started in the team.
But Flick?
Gavi hadn't dared to think about it.
Because Flick?
It seemed impossible.
Yes, he knows that Flick cares about him. He knows that Flick has a soft spot for Gavi, but-
"I- I didn't think that you- I-" Gavi's completely baffled.
"I do." Flick answers with a sure voice.
"So- so you-" Gavi can't seem to find his words.
"See you as a Kind."
"Love me?"
They say at the same time.
Flick sends him a fond smile.
"Of course I do Gavi." Flick answers and Gavi swallows.
"Are- are you sure?" He asks quietly, internally begging that Flick does.
"I am." Flick answers with the same sure tone he used before.
Gavi dares to smile.
"I- I see you as a father-figure too, I just never thought that you saw me as your son." Gavi says honestly.
Flick hums.
"Now you know."
There's a knock at the door.
Gavi looks, seeing Pedri standing in the doorway.
He looks horrible.
His hair was tousled, his eyes red-rimmed and there was dark bags under his eyes.
"Hey." Pedri says hoarsely.
"I'll leave you two." Flick says, squeezing Gavi's hand before standing up.
He pats Pedri on his shoulder before leaving.
Pedri doesn't move, doesn't walk forward.
"You look like shit." Gavi smiles.
It makes Pedri walk over to him.
"I've been worried. You've been asleep for three days." Pedri answers and Gavi hums.
"Well, I'm awake now." He answers, seeing tears in Pedri's eyes.
Pedri lets out a wet laugh.
"Yeah."
Gavi moves his right hand, touching Pedri's cheek.
Pedri immediately grabs it, holding it.
He swallows, tears finally falling.
Gavi strokes away his tears.
"I'm okay." He promises and Pedri nods.
"I was scared." Pedri sniffles, keeping Gavi's hand on his cheek.
Gavi nods with a gentle smile.
"I know." He answers and Pedri lets out a quiet sob.
"Come here." Gavi says, pulling Pedri close.
"I don't want to hurt you." Pedri tries but he can't make himself stop Gavi from pulling him into his arms.
"You could never hurt me." Gavi says, holding Pedri close.
The hug was probably awkward, Pedri standing over him with his upper body in Gavi's arms.
Pedri lets out another wrecked sob.
Gavi strokes his hair, gently murmuring comforting words.
"I'm okay now, nothing will happen to me." Gavi promises and Pedri nods shakily.
They pull away and Pedri grabs Gavi's right hand in both of his.
"I love you." Pedri manages and Gavi sends him a soft smile.
"I love you." Gavi answers easily.
Pedri sits down in the chair, holding Gavi's hand like it's a lifeline.
Gavi lets out a slow breath and Pedri manages to do the same.
"What happened after I went unconscious?" He asks, making Pedri's eyes darken.
"Araújo pulled him off of you and punched him before anyone could stop him." Pedri starts and Gavi's eyes widen.
"Both teams started fighting, but it stopped as soon as you fell unconscious." Pedri continues and Gavi sigs.
"Jordán got a red card and is probably banned for life, if not put in prison for hurting you."
That makes Gavi grin.
Pedri rolls his eyes at Gavi's grin.
"The game was stopped, we'll finish the game in a couple of weeks."
Gavi groans.
"But we were in the lead." He whines, making Pedri chuckle.
It's the best sound Gavi's ever heard.
"Yeah, well none of us were particularly enthusiastic about the game after you were placed in the ambulance." Pedri states and Gavi rolls his eyes.
He doesn't argue though, he would've probably felt the same if someone else got injured.
"Flick told me that he sees me as his son." Gavi suddenly states and Pedri chuckles again.
"I thought that was obvious." He answers and Gavi rolls his eyes for a second time.
"Well, not to me."
Pedri smiles, kissing his hand.
Gavi swallows, his smile turning into a dejected look.
Pedri waits for him to speak.
"My parents don't love me." Gavi says quietly.
Pedri sends him a mournful look.
"But you are loved by others." Pedri says softly.
"Yeah, I realised that." Gavi answers and Pedri kisses his hand again.
"I don't know if they've ever loved me." Gavi whispers.
Pedri sighs.
"Maybe, maybe not." He says and Gavi exhales.
"I- can you call Robert?" Gavi asks and Pedri snorts.
"Do you really think that the whole team aren't sitting in the waiting room?" He asks and Gavi sends him a surprised smile.
"Really?"
Pedri lets out a laugh.
"Yeah, it's really crowded out there." He answers and Gavi laughs.
"I'll get him." Pedri states, bending down.
Pedri's soft lips touch Gavi's chapped ones.
The kiss is gentle, comforting, full of love.
"I love you." Pedri says once they've pulled apart.
Gavi smiles.
"I love you." He answers back.
Pedri lets go of his hand.
Gavi takes a deep breath, trying to quell his anxiety.
He's not sure how he's supposed to say the words he wants to say.
The door opens only seconds after Pedri's left.
Robert looks almost exactly like Pedri.
"Hey kid." He says, his face breaking into a relieved smile.
Gavi smiles back as Robert walks forward, cradling his face.
"Are you feeling better?" He asks and Gavi nods.
Robert kisses his forehead before sitting down on the chair.
It's probably warmed by both Flick and Pedri.
"I- I wanted to ask you something." Gavi says, forcing down the anxiety.
Robert nods, his face turning serious.
Gavi swallows, looking down at the sheets.
"I don't know how to say it." He says truthfully.
Robert grabs his hand and Gavi looks back at him.
"Take your time." He says comfortingly.
Gavi nods.
"I- I wanted to ask you if you want to become one of my emergency contacts, instead of my parents." Gavi asks anxiously.
Robert's face turns surprised.
Then it turns into a warm smile.
"Yes, if you're sure?" He answers and Gavi nods.
"My parents, they're not who I thought they were. I see you more as a parent than them." Gavi replies honestly.
Robert's face grows into a mix of happy and sad.
"They- they don't love me, but you do." Gavi continues, the last part turning into a question.
"I do, and I hope that you know that I see you as my son." Robert answers softly.
Gavi sniffles, nodding whilst smiling.
"Yeah?"
Robert nods.
"Of course I do, I love you. You've been my son ever since you came to the first team." Robert answers with a wet laugh.
Gavi lets out a wet laugh too.
"So you're saying yes?" He asks and Robert chuckles.
"Yes, of course."
Gavi feels the anxiety turn into warmth.
"Are you okay with the situation with your parents?" Robert asks gently and Gavi swallows.
"I don't know." He answers and Robert nods.
"Let it take time, it's not an easy thing." Robert states and Gavi nods.
He feels tiredness hit him.
He's exhausted from the emotional rollercoaster.
Robert places a warm hand on his forehead, gently stroking it.
"Sleep kid." He murmurs quietly and Gavi's body immediately listens.
...
The months are full of tiredness, frustration and pain.
The rehab was always the worst, but it was effective.
Gavi swallows, standing in the tunnel.
Pedri walks over to him, sending him a comforting smile.
"You ready?" He asks and Gavi nods.
Five months.
Five months of blood sweat and tears.
Pedri takes his hand, kissing the scars from the surgery.
"You deserve this." He states and Gavi nods.
He does.
He had put in the work, he didn't give up.
"And we welcome back our number six: Gavi!" The speaker shouts and Gavi walks out from the tunnel.
Loud applause and cheering fill the stadium.
He can see the whole crowd standing, chanting his name.
Gavi smiles, waving to them.
Both teams applauds him.
He never thought that Real Madrid of all teams would applaud him.
Even Vini and Bellingham were applauding.
Bellingham sends him a respectful nod.
Gavi walks over to each Real Madrid player, shaking hands an getting a one-armed hug.
"It's been boring without you." Vini states when Gavi gets to him.
Gavi sends him a grin.
"Well, not anymore." He smiles.
Vini laughs before actually pulling him into a hug.
When he gets to Bellingham he's immediately pulled into another hug.
"I'm glad that you're alright." Bellingham says and Gavi smiles back.
"Thanks."
He moves to the last couple of players before getting to his own team.
All of them pull him into a hug, ruffling his hair and praising him.
Once Pedri gets onto the field Gavi puts his hand over his mouth before leaning in.
"I can't believe Vini and Bellingham hugged me." He says, completely baffled.
Pedri snorts.
"Me neither."
Gavi smiles to himself.
He had earned this, and he's had his whole team behind him.
People who loves him and will do anything to protect him.
The emptiness in his chest from his parents rejection was slowly starting to fill with warmth from knowing that he's still loved.
He had brothers, two fathers and Pedri.
And that was more than enough.