Ricardo had reconciled himself to it a long time ago, truth be told. When Alberto had begun talking about possibly leaving WWE, the wheels had slowly begun to turn in his own mind. His training was picking up, he was learning more moves by the week, variations, growing stronger and more eager to be in the ring but yet all he had had the opportunity to do was the tag team matches with Kalisto which, while fun, never had any long-lasting sustainibility. His return to interviews and PPV commentary, while giving him something to do, wasn't what he really wanted to do. Reconciled himself with the fact that the years he'd spent had helped support his mother and sister, had aided him in learning so many amazing things to do with the business, and meeting so many incredible people that it makes his head spin, so he could never regret the time spent here, even if a lot of it was spent in the aid of other people's careers instead of his own.
Early Sunday, he strokes Paige's hair out of her eyes and sighs, pressing a kiss to her lips. "I think I'm ready," he tells her quietly. She looks up at him and swallows, nodding slightly. They had discussed it, especially lately. She had overheard him talking about it with his sister and figured out that he was about to make a change, and he had never wanted to blindside her with this news, especially when things between them started to get serious, so he'd sat down with her and told her everything. She had taken it well, understanding that urge for competition that every passionate wrestler worth anything feels.
"I'll be by your side every step of the way," she promises him, squeezing his hand. His smile is strained but soft as he pulls her up from the couch and walks to the door, glancing back at the apartment once more before settling into the car. The ride to Alberto's mansion is quiet, Ricardo's eyes trained on the road ahead as Paige allows him time and space to weigh what he's going to say, how he's going to say it. After imputting the security code, he drives slowly up to the house and stops, staring up at it. It's lit inside, the group of them doing who knows what, and for a minute, he regrets that he hadn't been with them through the last few days... but it wouldn't have been fair to Paige, and he'd never feel bad about the time they'd spent together either.
He gets out of the car with a sigh and meets her at the front of the car, once more entwining his fingers with hers before they walk side by side to the house. Sofia greets them at the door and he thinks she knows immediately, his smile halfhearted as he hugs her. "Hola, Sofia. Are the others all... available?"
She nods, "Si, of course, Ricardo. I believe that Senor Miz's parents are exploring the grounds, but the others are all around somewhere." Before she can finish speaking, AJ appears, stopping short in the hallway, and Ricardo subtly plants himself between the two divas. Paige doesn't make a move, however, understanding that this isn't the time or place for such things. The housekeeper looks anxiously from woman to woman before facing Ricardo. "I can go find them all for you, if you wish."
He smiles at her. "That would be great, Sofia. Gracias." She nods and quickly leaves as Ricardo leads Paige into the living room, AJ's sneakers hard against the floor as she follows them.
"What are you doing here?" she finally asks, eyes cold and narrowed when Ricardo turns towards her, her gaze bypassing him and boring into Paige.
"She's here for me," Ricardo tells her. "I have something to tell everyone."
Something about the tone of his voice registers with her because when she looks up at him, she seems more startled than anything else. "Oh. Alright."
Before long, the others are trickling in, Mike and Alex, Alicia and Alberto. Sofia moves to shut the door behind her before returning to the kitchen, but Ricardo stops her. "Por favor, Sofia, I want you to hear this as well." The housekeeper really looks worried at this, her hands slipping from the doorhandle as she turns and enters the room with the rest of them. Ricardo watches as she finds a seat, the others slowly following suit, before settling down next to Paige on a couch set facing the others so they can all see him as he explains. "I have considered this long and hard, and I've come to a decision." He can't look them in the eye, the words hard enough to choke out as it is. He knows that it's wrong, that he's truly given his all for the past four years, but yet... a part of him can't help feeling like something of a failure, for not accomplishing more in that time. "After this week's Raw and Main Event, I'm requesting to be released from my contract."
It feels like the air's been sucked out of the room, as if time has stopped. He can only imagine how they're all feeling; one of the group, as it is, hadn't left since Morrison's contract had expired back in 2011. It makes him feel even worse, dropping this on them all, especially Mike and Alex, who had gone through something like this once before. His only comfort, when he looks up finally, is that he'll be leaving while in a good place with all of them. Alex and he had forgiven each other for their earlier issues, Alberto and he had talked through their latest argument... and he holds no ill-will towards anything or anyone. Yes, he had, for awhile, considered toughing it out, working longer, at least through Summerslam and the Mexico tour, but the more he'd thought about it, especially after Alberto's disinterest in actually working with him again, the easier the decision had become.
"When?" Mike asks finally, the first of any of them to speak up.
"Wednesday," Ricardo says lowly. "Wednesday will be my final day with the WWE."
"What... what will you do then?" Alex mumbles, his eyes wide as he examines his roommate as if seeing him for the first time ever.
The former ring announcer swallows, shakes his head. "I haven't decided yet, outside of the fact that I just miss competing and want to get the opportunity to do more of that. But I do promise whatever it is, I won't leave you in the lurch, Alex. When I know, you'll know, with plenty of notice for the apartment, if I end up leaving." These words, in their decided finality, casts another pall over the room as AJ strokes Mike's back, Alicia lightly hugging Alex. Paige also reinforces her grip on Ricardo's hand, covering how badly he's shaking, while Sofia and Alberto stare blankly at him, the housekeeper's hand trembling against her employer's shoulder.
She's first to move, of course, Ricardo meeting her halfway as she hugs him tightly, murmuring in gentle Spanish to him as he nods and whispers back to her. They haven't even moved away from each other when Alberto joins them, wrapping his arms around both of them. His fingers brush through Ricardo's hair, sadness in his eyes as Ricardo shifts to allow him in closer, Sofia's soft sniffs growing louder in the more enclosed space. "Lo siento-"
"You have nothing to apologize for," Alberto tells him tensely. "I've thought for a long time it was criminal how they've undervalued you... You've always deserved more, mi amigo, and I sincerely hoped that my actions last- last year would have brought that about for you... but alas the Authority are as blind as ever... We will always be mejor amigos, si? Hermano?"
Ricardo nods, tears filling his eyes as well now. "Si, always, always, El Patron." He can tell by the tight grip Alberto has on the back of his shirt that he's close to crying as well so he's not surprised when he feels something wet splash against his neck that couldn't possibly be from himself or Sofia, not at that angle. He says nothing, settling instead for soothingly rubbing both Alberto and Sofia's arms. "We'll always be friends, si? No matter where any of us end up, or what we're doing. I'm always a phone call away." He pulls away and brushes the tears from Sofia's eyes, smiling down at her. "Gracias, for everything, Sofia." He then turns to Del Rio, not surprised to find his face already dry, if tight with held-back emotions. "Muchas gracias, El Patron. For giving me a chance when most probably wouldn't have, and ... and for always being my friend, no matter what."
Alberto's sharply released breath looks painful and he throws his arms around Ricardo, hugging him tighter than before. "Idiota, I should be the one thanking you. I never deserved your loyalty or trust, but you always gave it willingly. I will always hold that close to me, no matter where my career takes me. And if you don't stay in contact, I will hunt you down. I have the funds to do so, you know." They're laughing through their tears by this point, Ricardo tsking at his former employer, but alas there are others wanting time with him so he reluctantly backs away from Alberto, turning to stare at Mike, at Alex.
He can't read the look on either of their faces and he's starting to worry, but then Mike steps forward and tugs him closer, resting his hands on his shoulders. "You shoulda told me that interview was going to be one of the last things you did in the WWE, I would've handled it so much differently."
Ricardo shakes his head. "Trust me, Mike, that was just vintage you and I. You running roughshod over everything and me looking at you in utter confusion until it stops." Mike laughs brokenly at this, dropping his head on Ricardo's shoulder.
"Dammit man, I don't want to laugh right now, it hurts." Ricardo sighs and pats his back as Mike's arms curl around him in a hug, Ricardo responding in kind as AJ smiles sadly at them. This doesn't last as long as his hug with Alberto and Sofia, but it still means a lot to them both as they separate, Mike tapping him on the chest a couple of times before stepping aside.
Alex is next, his lips trembling as he tugs Ricardo into him, not wanting to wait. "I'm sorry, I'm such an idiot," he breathes into his hair. "If I had known... I wouldn't have been so selfish when you had that opportunity in NXT, I would've... I would've been cheering you on from the minute that tag team was formed."
"It wouldn't have changed things, Alex," Ricardo breathes back, squeezing him. "Don't blame yourself, I hope... I hope you find success too, in WWE, or anywhere the road leads you." He pulls back and smiles at him. "You deserve more too, mi amigo."
Alex half-shakes his head, half-shrugs his shoulder and the roommates hug each other again. "Hey, this isn't goodbye, I mean, we still live together and stuff."
Ricardo laughs against him, nodding. "Si, right, you're stuck with me for awhile longer, until I decide what I'm doing next, where I'm going."
"But you might stay here, right?"
"I may, si." He pulls away from Alex and looks around. "I have a lot of thinking to do, but yes, I'll be in Florida for a little while longer yet."
Alberto and Sofia are first to speak up, at the same time. "Good."
He smiles at them before turning to look at Alicia as she approaches him, throwing her arms around him in a tight bearhug. He oofs slightly but hugs her back, smiling. "Thanks for all of the compliments on Twitter and everything," she tells him. "Not a lot of people seemed to enjoy my ridiculousness but... you always did."
"Well, you're definitely innovative," he says with a chuckle. "I guess that's why you and Alex work, you're both a little... creative at times." Alex rolls his eyes at him as Alicia pulls away, AJ quickly taking her place. Ricardo doesn't move, staring down at her in some surprise. "AJ?"
She looks a little anxious, as if even she's not sure why she's standing in front of him, but eventually she finds her words. "I just wanted to thank you. For being in our wedding, for... um, accepting me into the group despite everything I'd done to you. For... helping Mike when it looked like we might not work out." Her hug is tentative, uncertain, but he senses the sincerity of her words and hugs her back, looking up at the bittersweet look on Mike's face as AJ pulls away and nods, stepping away too.
Ricardo swallows hard and looks around at the others. "Raw and Main Event may be my last days with you all as a WWE employee, but we'll always be friends. Even if we only see each other sometimes now."
"You're going to take Morrison's role as Skype shaman away, aren't you?" Mike asks, his smirk seeming weak as AJ returns to his side.
"No, maybe we can just share that for awhile." Ricardo loosely drapes his arm around Paige, relieved that his friends seem to be taking this as well as possible, moving past the sadness of the situation to talk about his future possibilites, even as Alberto's dark gaze remains on him.
The trip to Texas, Raw, all of it goes quietly. He even sticks around for Main Event, watching Alberto compete against Dean Ambrose, just to lose after Seth Rollins makes an appearance and Ambrose goes all out to prove a point to him about what's to come in their future match at Summerslam. He still feels guilty for not spending time with the others so he doesn't go right home to Florida, although he has a long list of things ahead of him to sort through, figure out, but his staying in Texas with Paige, Alberto and Mike, while they wait for Superstars and Smackdown (Alberto having a match scheduled on Superstars, and Mike for Smackdown), turns out to be a good thing because first the news about his release is announced on Wednesday, which he hadn't wanted to be states away from his friends when that bit of news hit anyway, then Alberto takes a solid hit on Thursday during his match against Gabriel, splitting his eyebrow and causing it to swell immediately.
Ricardo can't enter the building, seeing he's not an employee anymore, but he stays in the parking lot, staring up at the building as Alberto stumbles out, struggling to carry his bag and shake his car keys loose all at the same time. When Ricardo approaches and rests his hand on Alberto's arm, the older man jerks and almost swings out with a punch, stopping short when he realizes who it is. "Amigo! What- what are you doing out here?" he wonders, eyes wide as Ricardo smoothly takes the keys from him.
"I saw your match," he says quietly. "And you shouldn't be driving with a possible head injury, so c'mon. I'll take you back to the hotel and we can talk for awhile. I feel like everything's been moving so fast, we haven't really been able to."
Del Rio nods grimly and follows him to the car, throwing his bag into the backseat before sinking into the passenger seat, relieved for the familiarity of Ricardo in the driver's seat, humming softly to the music as he drives them back to the hotel. "Is this my fault?" he asks abruptly, unable to keep the words inside any longer. "Because I didn't... I didn't want you to go back to being my ring announcer? If I had answered differently..."
Ricardo releases a soft breath. "I can't say that that didn't... encourage my decision, but no, it wasn't the only reason, Alberto. I should've faced some hard truths for a long time. I've been in limbo for close to a year now, and they haven't done much of anything with me in all of that time, and I was just... I missed the buzz of actually competing in matches, you know? Si, I had a couple of opportunities but they always fizzled out before anything really came of it... Maybe it was me, maybe it's just the way WWE handles things, but either way, this company and I have never really... fit all that well, I suppose. When I worked with you, things were ok, because you provided me stability, but on my own... I mostly just floundered. And I have to go out and find my way again, and I will, so por favor, don't feel guilty or start blaming yourself. I will be fine."
"I know you will," Alberto sighs. "You are incredible at always finding your way, mi amigo. I just wish I didn't have a hand in bringing any of this about. Perhaps you would've been happier if I had left you alone, allowed you to remain in California with your familia."
If Ricardo had been frowning before, it holds nothing to the look on his face now. "Happier? Without your friendship, or Mike's, or Alex's... or without finding Paige? And where would you be without our friendship, Alberto? Still that self-obsessed rich man who couldn't see past his own shoes? The Alberto I first met wouldn't have cared when my ankle was broken, or when my neck was injured... nor would he be looking at me like this, now that I'm leaving."
Alberto ducks his head and nods slowly. "I know you're right, mi amigo. I am just... used to having everything I like and need in my life around me, but I know I can't do that with you, it wouldn't be fair, you deserve more than I or WWE could ever give you. And it will just take time for me to accept it. But I will because I want you to be happy and whole in all aspects of life."
Ricardo smiles and pats his former employer on the knee. "See, that little bit of sappiness right there?" he asks teasingly. "The old El Patron wouldn't have been able to think of the words, much less say them." As Alberto rolls his eyes at him, he sighs. "Come now, mi hermano, let's get you inside so you can rest, and I will find some ice for your eye."
"Oh," Del Rio murmurs, realizing that they are indeed at the hotel. "Si, alright." He quietly follows Ricardo inside, relieved to be able to kick his shoes off, heading into the bathroom to get ready for bed while Ricardo wanders around the main room, putting together an ice pack. It's not until he opens the bathroom door, looking out at Ricardo as he greets Paige, who had been waiting for them to return, that it strikes him anew. This will be the last time they will be doing this- after Smackdown, Ricardo will return home to Florida, and never be on the road with the WWE again. He swallows harshly and pats his face dry with a towel before throwing it back onto the floor, squaring his shoulders before venturing into the room and slumping down onto the bed.
Ricardo quickly joins him, examining his eye quietly before lightly pressing the ice pack against his brow. Alberto winces but, not wanting the younger man to move, grips his wrist and keeps him from leaving, Ricardo's face softening as he settles down next to him on the bed, patiently holding the ice pack in place. It's obvious he knows what Alberto's doing, but he doesn't protest, never has, probably never would, when his presence is something Alberto clearly needs right now. Despite the chill of the ice, Ricardo's warmth pressed against his side sooths him and he slowly falls asleep, leaning against Ricardo's shoulder, and the ring announcer smiles bemusedly as he gently strokes his fingers through Alberto's short hair. "Buenos noches, El Patron. Rest well."
The next day starts off quietly, Paige giggling helplessly as Alberto and Ricardo wake up, confused at being next to each other still, the melted ice pack drenching the floor, and both curse in Spanish as they exchange exasperated glances. "Ay!" Alberto grouses, getting up while Ricardo kneels over to collect the cloth. "Dios mio, my eye," he grumbles, looking at himself in the mirror. The ice had helped, some. It's less swollen, at any rate, but still sensitive to the touch, the rough stitches and bruising making his eye look like one large shadow. He hadn't looked this bad since... well, since Miz had clocked him outside of that bar almost a year ago. He glances up and over at Ricardo, frowning, as the younger man tosses the rag in the bathroom sink and moves over to kiss Paige good morning. He sighs and turns his attention back to his own reflection until Ricardo joins him, looking at his eye as well.
"Well, it looks a little better, El Patron. I think you're going to live."
Alberto grumbles a little and sighs, brushing past him to claim the bathroom first. He has to go to Smackdown soon, and endure Miz and Ziggler and who knows how many obnoxious people... and not even have Ricardo by his side to make everything a little bit easier. He winces and digs his fingers into the ceramic sink, wanting desperately not to lose it emotionally again. This is for Ricardo, he thinks. He deserves to be happy, after everything. And if this is what will bring that about... then who am I to begrudge him it? So he splashes water on his face, gingerly pats himself dry, brushes his teeth, and leaves the room for the others to use it. He stops short when he sees Miz in the room, pointedly looking away from Paige.
"Here, Ricardo," he's in the process of saying, holding out something to the former ring announcer. "I meant to give this to you sooner, and I know I said I'd email it to you but considering everything... I figured an actual, physical momento would be the way to go."
Ricardo laughs brokenly as he takes it, nodding quietly, and Del Rio slinks up behind him to get a look at it, almost rolling his eyes as he realizes it's a picture of the photo that Mike had insisted upon from their interview, held safe in a simple, black picture frame. "Gracias, Mike. I'll treasure it," he promises, returning the hug that Mike gives him with his free hand, the two of them looking down at the picture with a mixture of emotions that no one could determine in the short amount of time that it takes them to separate.
"Great, man," Mike murmurs. "Look, I'd stay longer but we have to... to get ready for Smackdown." He shifts awkwardly then, for wont of anything else to say, looks up at Alberto. "I'll see you there, I guess." He says nothing to Paige, claps Ricardo on the arm once more, and then leaves as abruptly as he'd arrived.
Ricardo sighs and settles the picture on his bedside table, smiling wanly at it as Paige joins him, resting her head on his shoulder. Alberto quietly resumes preparing for the show himself, the unnatural normalcy of it all leaving them all mute, unable to think of anything to say. When it's time to go, he and Paige leave for the arena together, Alberto hugging Ricardo quickly before exiting the room, each step taken away from him making it harder and harder to breathe. He spends the day in a fog, barely aware as Mike offers him the Intercontinental champion locker room to stay in, have some privacy, barely blinking when Paige attacks AJ and leaves her unconscious to the side of the ramp.
He does, however, spring into action when he's heading for the gorilla to compete against Ziggler just to see Miz cornering Paige, eyes flashing darkly as he considers what Ricardo would do if here. Grips Mike around the middle, pulling him back and demanding he stop. Paige escapes and as soon as she's out of sight, he tells Mike what he thinks will help. That AJ is awake and needs him, and that he can come commentate his match against Ziggler when he's seen his wife for himself. This registers, Mike quickly pulling away and running to his wife's side, and Alberto sighs, shaking his head. "One day, mi amigo, and we are all falling apart without you..." He's tempted to check on Paige, for his best friend's sake, but he ultimately leaves it alone and heads for the ring.
Mike returns quickly, his lips tight and eyes tense, but he nods when Alberto looks at him, putting his sunglasses on before his music hits and he makes his way to the commentary desk. In the end, inviting Mike to commentate was the best decision Alberto ever made, because the distraction he provides is invaluable, Ziggler so desperate to attack him that he doesn't see Del Rio coming, eats the armbar and taps hurriedly, needing the pressure off of his arm. Alberto is smug in his relief as he stands on the turnbuckle and looks down at a leaving Mike, lifting his arms in incredulousness as the man saunters past. Looking at him, you'd have no idea his wife was backstage, about to be transported to a local hospital, but he can only imagine the turmoil lurking behind those glasses.
Alberto is unsurprised by the news following this match that AJ had indeed been transported to a local hospital for overnight evaluation, nor the murmured conversation Paige and Ricardo have at the hotel room afterwards, Paige still insisting that AJ is her bestest friend in the whole world while Ricardo all but begs her not to get into trouble, especially when he's going to be far away and can't help her. She hugs him then and shakes her head. "Don't worry, Ricardo, I can take care of myself! Besides, I'm your fuerza, remember?"
The flush on his face is priceless but Alberto pointedly looks away when Ricardo glances his way, swallowing loudly. "Si, of course, Paige, I just... I want you to stay safe, alright? You deserve to be champion, definitely, but not if it costs you-"
"It won't cost me anything," she tells him lowly. "I'm perfectly fine. Though I appreciate how sweet you are, caring so much about me..." Whatever else Ricardo might want to say is muffled as she draws him in and kisses him softly, her fingers lost in his thick black hair.
Alberto rolls his eyes skyward before escaping into the bathroom, relieved for a brief reprieve as he gets ready for bed. He's trying not to be selfish in the wake of his best friend's decision, but this is not how he imagined Ricardo's last night on the road with them would go, focused on Paige's drama and nothing but. He sighs tiredly and shakes his head, staring at himself blankly in the mirror. When he leaves the room, however, Ricardo is standing by the bed, absently staring at his iPad, Paige captivated by some British comedy she had somehow found, and their eyes lock. He pauses for a moment, clapping the younger man on the shoulder with a half-hearted smile.
"Buenos noches, El Patron," Ricardo murmurs, his smile strained as well as he reaches up to squeeze Alberto's wrist.
"Buenos noches, mi amigo." Their shared glance tells it all, and Alberto heads to bed, feeling better. Life may move on, Ricardo may not be with the WWE anymore, but there's no way they'd ever drift apart, not after everything that has bound them. He sighs and closes his eyes, the familiarity of his best friend's muffled laughter at whatever Paige is watching relaxing him enough that he falls asleep easily.