It's early Friday morning when Alberto wakes up to find Ricardo pressed close to him, still fast asleep with an arm around Alberto's waist. He smiles and checks the clock, pursing his lips as he remembers an over the phone interview he has to take shortly. But they have a little bit of time so he tilts his head and watches as Ricardo sleeps on peacefully, his lips twitching into a fond smile as he reaches out and brushes hair out of Ricardo's face, the younger man not even stirring at his touch. He sighs and looks out at the late November weather, pondering the upcoming holidays, Thanksgiving and Christmas and New Years, and...
"Stop thinking so hard, El Patron," Ricardo's drowsy voice finally cuts into his thoughts, Alberto turning to stare at him as he shifts upwards, resting his head on Alberto's shoulder as he too looks out of the window. "Looks nice outside."
"Si, too bad we have to fly out to colder states for Smackdown," he murmurs, pressing a kiss to the top of Ricardo's head. "But first, remember what I have to handle soon this morning, mi valiente?"
He thinks for a moment, rubbing at his eyes. "Eh, phone interviews?"
"Si," Alberto nods, stroking Ricardo's hair. "I'm unsure what questions they'll be asking... But if you don't want to listen, I understand. I'm sure Sofia has breakfast cooking, and-"
"No, I'll stay," he murmurs, his eyes slipping shut once more as he curls into Alberto's warmth. "I know not to take anything personally." One of the hot topics still on most people's minds were their former partnership, even though nothing had happened between them in public since October 5th when Ricardo had last been on TV sans a mask. He smiles slightly, only able to imagine the general reaction if they knew the truth.
"Alright," Alberto murmurs, still sounding a bit uncertain. Even so, when the phone rings, he's careful not to dislodge Ricardo from his arm as he reaches out and answers it. "Hola." After some exchanged pleasantries, they get into the meat of the interview, which is fairly simple, commonplace. They ask about his toughest opponents, his opinion on a few people and situations, then they ask about Ricardo. His voice catches in his throat and he glances down at the sleepy man, slowly blinking awake at the lengthy pause Alberto is trapped in, but their eyes lock and Alberto finally finds his words. He claims not to care, that he's forgotten Ricardo already, and although Ricardo doesn't say or do anything, some light fades from his eyes. No matter how fake the words are, Alberto knows how much it hurts to hear them, especially considering the things that Ricardo had had to say about him to sell it back in August. It disgusts him that it's been over three months and they're still stuck trying to convince people that they're not a unit anymore... why, he's not even sure any longer.
The attempt had failed, both men were in worse places career wise than before, but he's not sure how to fix it any longer, those in WWE seeming content with keeping them apart. Probably because they know together, we're unstoppable, he thinks, stroking Ricardo's arm as he wraps the interview up with a question about Eddie Guerrero. Hanging up the phone, he cups Ricardo's face and stares into his eyes. "Lo siento, I said more than I should, perhaps-"
"It's fine, El Patron, I know you were only selling what we put into motion months ago." Ricardo pats his wrists and moves like he's about to get up, get started for the day, but Alberto leans forward and grips him, tugging him back onto the bed, his arms snug around his midsection. "El Patron-"
"Uno momento," he breathes, pressing his face into Ricardo's hair. "I do care," he murmurs. "And I'll never stop. I love you, Ricardo."
Ricardo sighs and sinks back into him, smiling. "I know, El Patron. It is exactly the same for me, no matter what happens or where our roads lead... I love you too." He gives Alberto a few more moments to hold him, easing his guilt from having to say so many ugly things, before squeezing his arms. "But we really do need to get moving or we'll either anger Sofia for ruining her breakfast, or risk missing our flight. Personally, I'm more worried about the first of those two things."
Alberto laughs against his neck and nods, slowly freeing him from his possessive hug. "Alright, mi valiente. When you put it that way, si, let's go." But Ricardo waits at the doorway and, when Alberto joins him, wraps his arms around him as they walk side by side to the kitchen to greet the housekeeper.