It's difficult sometimes, still acting like he and Alberto hate each other. But Ricardo does it, especially in interviews for TV. He'd like things to go back to normal, but Alberto thinks this is best so Ricardo goes along with it as best as he can, even when his heart isn't in it and he just misses being around his significant other. But he keeps as busy as he can, doing various things backstage to help out, sometimes training people, sometimes helping the seamstresses, anything that he can find to do to keep his mind off of things until they can leave, reunite back at the hotel and be themselves once more for awhile.
This goes well until their second interview together, Alberto poking and taunting him with a dark, angry look in his eye that's only softened by a wink once he's out of the camera's path on his way out of the room. There's a multi-man match scheduled against the Shield, pitting eleven men (including Alberto) against the Shield, but the Shield had targetted various men through the night, leaving Ricardo tense and watchful, worried that any time it'd be Alberto getting roughed up backstage to the point of not being able to compete, but he survives the evening thankfully, and is one of the five men left to wrestle against the Shield.
Despite the uneven numbers, Alberto's team still loses ground against Ambrose, Rollins and Reigns, and Ricardo paces around the main locker room as he watches, chewing on his thumbnail. A lot is happening, Alberto, Barrett, Ryback, Titus and Sandow struggling to keep it all together, but eventually Alberto and Bad News try to escape up the ramp, leaving the other three men to continue getting beat up. Ricardo breathes a little easier when Alberto is almost safely behind the gorilla position, until the crowd begins freaking out and Barrett turns in time to see Roman Reigns coming after them, pushing Alberto into their path and getting away just in time as Alberto is taken out with a superman punch.
Ricardo curses in Spanish, tugging at his hair slightly as he bites his lip. "C'mon," he mumbles, closing his eyes. Shield wins the match and he breathes a little easier when they keep their focus on Titus, Sandow and Ryback, allowing Alberto to escape. He's still standing there, uncomfortable and worried, when Alberto joins him, deciding to drop the act for a little bit. "Are you ok?" he demands as soon as the door shuts behind him, reaching out with shaking hands to grip Alberto's shoulders.
"Sore," he admits. "But fine. I didn't want you to worry, so I'm here for you to see for yourself."
Ricardo swallows, looking Alberto over, touching his glistening skin. "Gracias," he murmurs, relieved for the consideration as he comforts himself with this closeness to his former employer. "Can we leave now?"
"After I get dressed," Alberto agrees, slowly turning to collect his bag. He stops when he realizes Ricardo is still trembling a bit and turns back to him, hugging him tightly to his chest. "I'm fine," he repeats, holding on until Ricardo relaxes in his arms, breathing in and out softly. "We're going to be ok."
Ricardo nods, lips twitching up into a smile as Alberto kisses the top of his head. "Lo siento, I just hate not being out there to help you anymore," he admits.
"I know," Alberto murmurs. "But this is how things have to be for now." He pats Ricardo's face, catching his eye. "I'll be out in a few minutes."
Ricardo nods, watching him go into the showers. He forces himself to relax with a couple of deep inhales and exhales. Everything's ok, he reminds himself. We're going to be fine.