Ever since RVD had left and Ricardo hadn't been used on TV, a change has come over Alberto. Subtle at first but growing with time as his match against Cena loomed. The former ring announcer hadn't thought much of it at first, but after the PPV, after Cena defeats Alberto for the title, it becomes clear. Especially when Ricardo wakes up on Monday morning and finds Alberto still in bed, seeming quite content just to lay next to him and doze. Worried, he leans over and strokes his hair, kisses his forehead. "El Patron," he whispers. When his dark eyes open and lock on Ricardo, the former ring announcer smiles slightly, relieved that he's awake. "You need to get up," he tells him simply. "It's Monday, you have to go travel to Raw... your flight is soon, si?"
Alberto yawns and shakes his head, rolling over and wrapping an arm around Ricardo, burying his face in the younger man's neck. "No," he murmurs sleepily. "I'm not going." He hadn't wanted to face Cena, he hadn't wanted to be Superman's return match. Not because he was scared, but because Cena bores him. The entire company bores him. Especially when Ricardo's attempt at being booked had fizzled out before given a real chance to catch on. So if he opts instead to spend the day in bed, blocking out the world and hugging his former ring announcer, so be it.
Except that Ricardo is worried and when Ricardo's worried, it means Sofia's worried, which is something both of them try to avoid. "But El Patron," he insists, running his fingers through Alberto's hair again. "You need to go to Raw. I know it's annoying, especially now, but you can't win your world title back unless you're there to challenge Cena, remind people that Alberto Del Rio will fight for his goals."
Del Rio groans vaguely and pulls away from the younger man, looking up at him once more. "You don't want me to stay at home, Ricardo?" Beneath the slight snap of his voice, there lies weariness and a little bit of hurt, Ricardo's eyes widening in realization. "I am tired of this, mi valiente. Time away from you, the same old song and dance with Cena that I feel like I've been struggling to get free of for two years, and now I have to fight to get the title back yet again. This is not my destiny, I don't know what this is, but there has to be something else- something better..."
Ricardo cups his face, searches his eyes. "El Patron, you've never been one to give up, in all of the years I've known you," he tells him quietly. "No matter who or what stood in your way, you'd dust yourself off and fight even harder until you achieved your goals. I'll be on the road with you again soon, but for now, you can't let that hinder you. I'll find my place either on TV, or in NXT, and everything will be alright."
Alberto sighs, his eyes lowered as Ricardo's words wash over him, reminding him of all of the years they'd spent side by side, fighting for just the slightest recognition in the high-paced, stressful world of the WWE. He looks back up and examines Ricardo's face, understanding abruptly. I can't allow it all to be for nothing, I can't allow Ricardo's willingness to focus on my career and needs over his own for the last few years be meaningless. He feels himself nodding before he realizes just what he's doing, the smile dawning on the younger man's face making the decision easier for him. "Very well, I will fly out shortly... but I'll miss you, mi valiente."
"I'll miss you too, El Patron," Ricardo nods. "But we'll sort it out, select a day when both of us are free to spend it at home, doing absolutely whatever you want." He smiles as Alberto leans in and kisses him before pulling away just enough to rest his forehead against Ricardo's, their eyes closed as they absorb strength from the other. "I love you."
"I love you too," Del Rio murmurs, offering him one more kiss before he gets up and pads off to the bathroom to get ready to leave for Raw, prepare for his rematch against Cena... to get his world title back once more.