It had been a joke, Ricardo tweeting about making a fort out of blankets and pillows because the last two rows were empty except for them, but Alberto had gotten this strange look in his eyes and, as soon as the seatbelts sign had stopped flashing, he'd gone to talk to the friendlier of the two flight attendants. Ricardo had laughed, despite flushing slightly, when Alberto returned with an armful of blankets and pillows, smirking at Ricardo. "Uh, El Patron-" he starts to say, just to sputter when all of the bedding is dropped on his lap. Alberto sets to work, bridging both blankets over the backs of seats in front of them and across to the back of their own seats, Ricardo's eyes widening as he then takes the pillows and drops them on the floor.
"Come, mi amigo," Alberto laughs, entering in and folding the flap of the blanket back in place around the arm rest as he sits on one of the pillows. Ricardo scrambles, then joins him, wide eyed and looking around the dimly lit space. "Is this good enough for your fort?" he inquires, sipping from one of the mugs of coffee that they'd been given before take off.
"Si," Ricardo laughs, smiling up at him. "It's perfect, El Patron." He's still adjusting to how different Alberto seems now, more lighthearted... silly, even. Certainly still professional and serious when the situation calls for it, but when it's just the two of them... Ricardo's eyes soften as Alberto hands him his coffee. "Gracias. For all of this. I still can't quite believe it's all real..."
Alberto smiles at him. "It definitely is, mi amigo. Soon, we will be working side by side once more, and nothing will pull us apart this time." It's quiet and peaceful under the fort and the two men grin at each other, Alberto watching Ricardo sketch through part of the flight. When he takes a break, they lean back against the seats and discuss the weekend ahead. Ricardo's debut for AAA, Memo's wedding... Somewhere along the line, during the time that Alberto and Ricardo's friendship had been on the outs, Alberto's younger brother had determined that his girlfriend was the one, purposing to her. After a year long engagement, the time for the actual wedding had come, conveniently enough when Alberto was going to be in Mexico for AAA. He smiles, proud of his brother, and of Ricardo, of everything finally going right in his life. He could only imagine, if he still worked for WWE, that he would have to miss this moment... but here they are. "I'm glad you're going to be here for the wedding as well, mi hermano. It wouldn't have been the same without you."
Ricardo grins at him and idly traces at some blank paper on his pad. "Si, well, muchas gracias for inviting me. I'm glad I can come as well, that it all worked out so I could."
"Si, everything seems to be falling into place quite well since everything with WWE has resolved itself," Alberto nods, resting his head against the arm rest. "For both of us." He beams at his best friend and they sit in the semi-darkness for awhile longer, Ricardo tapping his finger against the pad of paper until the flight attendant taps on the seat over their head, lifting part of the blanket to look in at them.
"Excuse me," she calls out, an amused look on her face as she takes in the two Mexican wrestlers acting like little boys under their makeshift fort. "The plane is about to land, we need you to take your seats and fasten your seatbelts."
"Ah, si, gracias," Alberto tells her, scrambling to his feet and holding a hand out to help Ricardo up as well. They both take their seats and do as she says, Del Rio glancing over and winking at his best friend as Ricardo fights not to laugh at the realization that they really had spent the entire flight under a blanket fort.
Unfortunately Alberto's first match back with Ricardo by his side is far from as lighthearted... especially as it ends with Ricardo watching on, terrified and frozen, when his best friend gets put through a table and pinned. He grips the side of the ring and watches, lips tight, until the others leave the ring, Alberto still prone on the mat, though he's moving around. Ricardo slides inside and right to his side, gripping his hand as Alberto opens his eyes and peers up at him, his eyes dark with pain. "Ay, mi amigo," he grunts. "Help me up."
Ricardo nods and gingerly stands, supporting Alberto as he struggles to his feet, out of breath and clearly favoring his back with each step to the ropes, which he rolls under, Ricardo outside in a flash to support him up the ramp. "I've got you, El Patron," he murmurs, face grim with disgust at what those culeros had done... and how little help he had been, yet again. "Lo siento, I should've-"
He's barely said that much when Alberto shakes his head almost violently, clearly regretting the rushed movement as he sways and pales further. "No," he grunts once Ricardo has him back on track, their steps slow and careful up the uneven ramp. "Not your fault, mi hermano. It's your first night back as my ring announcer, I don't blame you... they are cowards, just like many others were, and will be." He squeezes Ricardo's side. "Relax, I'm not mad." He smiles a little when the younger man's shoulders lose some of their rigidness, a little of the troubled expression leaving his face. "Si? We're going to be ok, Ricardo. And come next Sunday, we will be heavyweight champions again."
Ricardo blinks, then looks over at him in surprise. "Really? Like... in 2013?"
"Si, exactly that." Alberto grins at him. "It should've always been that way, mi amigo. I just lost myself for awhile... but I am back, and you are back, where we belong, so let's move past that, si?" He's relieved when they stop at the locker room and Ricardo helps him to sit on a nearby bench, moving to get ice for his back. When he returns, kneeling down to press the chilled bag to Alberto's faintly bruising flesh, Del Rio grips his arm.
Ricardo stands back up and leans over, looking at him. "What's wrong, El Patron? Do you need the trainer, or-?" He starts to fret, that perhaps Alberto's back is worse than he'd thought, or-
"No, no, just... let's take the ice to go, mi amigo. I want to go to the hotel and get plenty of sleep so we're well rested for Memo's wedding manana," he says with a fond smile as he winks at Ricardo. "Mi hermanito, I can't believe he's really getting married." He pats Ricardo on the arm as he stands and collects his things, stuffing them in a bag. "Are you ready to go?"
Ricardo's brows furrow and he swallos. "Do you think... you'll be ok for the wedding tomorrow? Perhaps we should alert Memo so you can-"
"No, mi amigo. I understand you're worried, but I'm not going to miss out on a minute of my brother's wedding. Dancing, and food, and all of the lunacy a wedding from my family can provide." He grins. "And you're going to be stuck in the middle of it all alongside me, Ricardo. So come! Let's go, get something to eat, and I promise you'll have fun tomorrow... and my back will be fine."
Ricardo swallows, not wanting to offend Alberto on their first official night working together in AAA. "Si, alright, El Patron." He doesn't mention it again, though he vows to keep a close eye on his best friend the following day, just in case. Despite his worry, he sleeps better than he has in a long time and awakes the next morning, well rested and with a smile on his face. Turning his head on the pillow, he finds Alberto staring back at him and they laugh softly. "Hola," Ricardo offers, sitting up and rubbing at his eyes. "How are you feeling, El Patron?"
"My back is sore, but I'm fine, Ricardo," Alberto murmurs, standing up and walking towards the kitchenette. "Coffee, mi amigo?"
"Por favor," Ricardo says off of a yawn, standing as well and padding towards the bathroom. He splashes water on his face and examines himself in the mirror, thinking that he looks younger, lighter somehow. He'd missed Mexico, he'd missed working with Alberto... he'd missed the hope of new opportunities. As Alberto joins him, staring at himself in the mirror as well, he thinks that Alberto also looks younger, happier since leaving WWE. The past year had been difficult, emotionally and physically, for them both, and only now are things slowly getting better.
"Come," Alberto says softly. "We will eat something, and then get ready for the wedding. I want to be there early for Memo."
"Of course," Ricardo nods, following him back out to do just that.
The wedding is beautiful. The impressively decorated chapel, the dancing, the traditions of it all... He greets Dos Caras and Mil Mascaras with smiles and handshakes, the entire family seeming pleased to see him, all of them observing how happy Alberto is as he congratulates his brother and new sister-in-law. When it is time to throw the bouquet, followed by the garter, Ricardo stands aside and allows the single males to group around, hoping to be the ones to grab it... when Alberto snags him by the arm and pushes him into the group, standing next to him. He's protesting vocallessly when the flimsy looking garment flies through the air and he realizes with a flush that Alberto's stepped aside, it all but seeming to fly directly into his fingers as he gapes at it, shocked. "Que...?" he mumbles, eyes wide.
Alberto's laugh snaps him out of his fugue and he turns towards him sharply as he claps him on the back. "It appears you will be next to wed, mi amigo. Might want to notify Paige first," he says quietly. When Ricardo flushes harder, his face looking like it's on fire, Alberto chuckles warmly and leans in to hug him, giving him a moment to be hidden from the teasing eyes of his relatives and Memo's friends.
Ricardo's cheeks are still a dark pink when he pulls away, shrugging. "Alicia still has AJ's bouquet, I think she and Alex get first dibs," he mutters, feeling awkward as he toys with the garter, unsure what to do with it. The fact that it'd been on Memo's new wife's leg only a few minutes earlier... He swallows hard and looks around, spotting Memo talking with his wife, a smile on his face as he leans in to kiss her. He grimaces faintly and walks over to them, waiting for an opportune time to interrupt. "Eh, excuse me," he says sheepishly, half-bowing his head as she turns towards him, a smile on her face.
"Si? Ah, Ricardo," Memo realizes, greeting him. "Good job on catching the garter, I guess you're next," he teases him, grinning.
"Time will tell, I suppose," he says, eyes darting around as he feels his blush growing yet again, imagining the look on Paige's face when he'd first told her he'd loved her. "Uh, oh. Right, I don't want to keep you from enjoying your reception, I just... thought I should ask if you wanted this back," he tells the new bride, holding her garter up.
She smiles at him and slowly shakes her head. "No, we bought that one especially just for this tradition. I still have the actual garter I wore... you may keep it, Ricardo, but gracias, it was sweet of you to ask." She squeezes his hand. "Perhaps your future wife will wear it, and it will bring her the same good fortune as ours."
He nods, growing more flustered as Memo takes it from him and pokes it into the inside pocket of his suit jacket. "Just so you don't lose it, mi amigo," he says, winking at him. He doesn't have as much of his brother's easy charm, but he's good-natured enough that people gravitate towards him anyway.
"Ah, si, of course." Ricardo hesitates for a moment. "Well, um, I'll let you two get back to celebrating... congratulations," he tells the newlyweds with a smile before taking his leave, returning to Alberto's side. As Alberto hands him a flute of champagne, he flushes a bit more and nods his thanks, downing a good portion of it, trying to ease his embarrassment while wondering how Paige would react to all of this.
-x
He sleeps well again that night, encouraged by the drinking and the dancing and how well of a party Alberto's family puts on when so inclined. When he wakes up, Alberto is eager to explore Mexico City, so they do, taking in other cathedrals and many other beautiful sights, their eyes wide with renewed awe. When here with WWE, they had never had the time to properly examine the city, take in all of its beauty and culture. There's so much to see, it's disappointing when they have to leave on Monday for Florida. Alberto feels the same, clearly, but he smiles at Ricardo. "Is ok, mi amigo. We will be back soon, and this weekend, we will have gold... Everything is perfect."
And it is, for them, anyway. A message is waiting for Ricardo when he returns home, Sofia looking surprisingly sober as she awaits their arrival. She hugs them and hands the note to Ricardo, his brows furrowing as he reads it again, and again. Paige's thin, direct handwriting seems a little shaky, her farewell simple and somber. I wish I could stay at the house and wait with Sofia for your return from Mexico so you could tell me face to face how your debut for AAA goes, but although I doubt that they'll book me, I want to be there just in case. I'm sure you understand how it goes. I'll see you on Wednesday. ~Paige.
"Ricardo," the housekeeper murmurs, looking as worried as Ricardo feels. "It has been a few weeks, hasn't it?"
He nods grimly and presses his fingers to the garter still tucked away protectively, this time in his jeans pockets. "Si, it has," he sighs. He's tired and a bit jetlagged, but he can't let this go. So, after checking the clock, he turns on the TV, just in case, and calls her. She answers on the first ring, proof more than anything that she's not booked, and he sighs. "Hola, Paige," he greets her gently.
"Hola Ricardo." He can hear her smile and he's glad that he'd gone ahead, despite his weariness from the long flight. "How did your weekend go?"
"It was amazing," he says. "But there is so much to say, I'll hold on until Wednesday so I can look into your eyes as I do." He again plays with the garter and wonders if perhaps he shouldn't tell her, if it would make things weird between them... but he knows her, and she knows him, and he thinks she'll know better than thinking that such things are a hint. "Mi fuerza, I do understand," he whispers. "They are foolish for not booking you. And Alex. And many other people. I hope that things get better."
She chuckles weakly. "I can't complain, Ricardo. After all, it may have been a few, frustrating weeks for me... but you went through this for almost a year."
And I'm happier now than I have been in longer than that, he thinks, looking up as Alberto joins him, sneering distastefully as Raw carries on quietly from the TV. He moves to grab the remote and shut it off, but Alberto forestalls him, resting a hand on his with a subtle headshake. "Si, but I don't want you to feel like you need to keep your thoughts and feelings to yourself, Paige. Things are much better now, and you have a legitimate gripe. It's ok." He looks up, curious to see what Alberto is peering at so curiously and, when the older Mexican spots him, he rewinds the show, allowing Ricardo to watch as Zeb Colter is found, writhing in pain in the hallway by Jack Swagger, who starts yelling for a doctor.
They exchange glances and Alberto shrugs. "Karma," he mumbles, both men remembering when Swagger had broken Ricardo's ankle a few years back. When he shivers slightly, Del Rio turns to look at him, tapping the couch cushion pointedly. Ricardo closes his eyes and rests his feet next to Alberto, biting his lip as his employer rests his hand on Ricardo's ankle and lightly massages, careful over the scarred flesh.
"Ricardo?" Paige asks, bringing Ricardo back to the present, his eyes snapping open even as his head rests back against the arm rest, Alberto's touch so gentle and careful that it's almost drawing him to sleep. "Are you ok? I can hear Raw in the background, did you see what just happened...?" She knows. She'd seen his ankles, being one of very few people he'd felt comfortable enough to allow to take it in. She had been so loving, compassionate as he'd explained to her his teen years, spent fighting the infection, trying to get the strength back in his ankles... and then, after all of that, deciding to break into the wrestling world anyway. She'd smiled at him, impressed by his bravery and determination to see his dreams become a reality, and leaned in, gently kissing his imperfect skin, and for a moment, he'd felt whole, unmarred.
"Si, I did," he mumbles. "Couldn't have happened to a better guy." Alberto chuckles in agreement, switching ankles as Ricardo peeks at him, smiling slightly.
"Seems so," Paige comments, relieved she'd never dealt with Colter much. She can only imagine what he would say to her, being a British native. Probably the same things he'd said to Wade Barrett over the past couple of years, she guesses. "Ricardo, you sound exhausted. I'll let you go... and I'll be on the first flight to Florida on Wednesday."
His smile is sleepy and gentle as he nods. "Alright, sounds good, mi fuerza. See you then."
"See you," she whispers back, sensing that he's already drifting. "Good night, my love."
Alberto grips the phone before it slips out of Ricardo's slack fingers, laying it and the remote down on the table after turning the TV off. He then settles back in on the couch and resumes massaging Ricardo's ankles, head tilted towards the younger man to watch him sleep, the years of pain now long behind him.
-x
Paige laughs softly on Wednesday as she holds the delicate lacy garment in her hands, raising her eyebrows at Ricardo as he blushes and looks away from her, hands buried in his pockets. "You're adorable," she tells him, the fabric rasping against his flesh as she cups his face and kisses him warmly. "I guess the race is on with Alicia and Alex now."
He groans and she grins wickedly, leaning in to nip his bottom lip as he curls an arm around her and draws her in closer. "Are you really going to make this a competition with them, to see which of us may get to the I dos first?" he asks inanely, closing his eyes when she presses her forehead to his, their breaths mingingly in the midafternoon peace surrounding Alberto's pond.
"No," she says, shaking her head. "When we do... it'll be because of us, nothing to do with them. I promise you." Her kiss is soft and tantalizing, but his eyes are locked on her anyway, searching her face. She pulls back and stares at him, surprised by the look in his eyes. "What is it?"
"When?" he repeats, his voice a little strangled. "You really would want to get married to me someday?"
She blinks, her lips parting as she takes in the self-conscious disbelief in his eyes and she wonders who all had had a hand in bringing this beautiful man to doubt himself so thoroughly, never quite able to allow himself to believe in Alberto's friendship, her love for him, anyone's affection. The things she would give to know so she could go and personally kick all of their asses... She strokes his face and shakes her head, smiling slightly. "Of course I do," she tells him softly, his expression darkening as he momentarily misunderstands why she's shaking her head. "But this may have to wait awhile." She smiles at him, pressing the garter back into his pocket. "We have all of the time in the world, Ricardo. There's no hurry..." She curls her fingers around his and tugs him towards the pond, settling down on the grass and bringing him with her, resting her head on his chest as he strokes her back with his free hand, lips pursed against her temple. "We've been friends for so long," she explains, "I just want to be us for a little while before we decide to make that next step... is that alright?"
He nods, brushing his hand down her spine and smiling as she shivers against him. "Of course. I'm just glad that you didn't take this the wrong way. I was a little worried..."
She sighs and cups his face, raising her eyebrows as he stares down at her. "I'm in this for the long haul, Ricardo. Stop worrying so much, please. I'm always here, and I always will be... You're stuck with me."
He grins and kisses her, nuzzling against her cheek as he whispers, "Good. I'm ecstatic to hear it..."
Paige has to leave early Thursday for a match on Superstars against Emma and he kisses her goodbye, wishing her good luck, watching her go before turning to get ready mentally for AAA this weekend. Alberto is locked in his gym downstairs, clearly doing the same. Ricardo smiles at the thought, sinking into a relaxed pose, trying to clear his mind of his various worries and fears, focusing on what's to come. His best friend achieving a world title... the success he'd long deserved... He breathes in deeply and exhales slowly, feeling peace slowly come over him. He can sense Sofia padding around the kitchen, careful not to disturb either of the men as she prepares the next meal.
He loses track of time and when he finally opens his eyes, he finds that Alberto's joined him, his eyes locked on Ricardo even as his breaths follow along with Ricardo's. "Hola, amigo," he whispers once he's sure Ricardo's back in reality. "Sofia has lunch ready, if you want to join us."
Checking the clock, Ricardo's eyes widen and he nods. "Si, of course," he comments, following Alberto through to the kitchen. He smiles apologetically at the patient housekeeper before taking his seat across from Alberto, staring down at the grilled chicken breasts and mashed potatoes with corn filling their plates. "Gracias, Sofia, it looks delicious," he tells her, Alberto echoing his sentiment before they begin to eat in peaceful silence. Ricardo is calm, at ease after his meditation, and Alberto seems focused and peaceful as well after his training in the gym for the last while, and the housekeeper observes them for a moment before biting into her own handiwork, her lips pursed in a proud smile. She has absolutely no doubt that they'll be successful this coming weekend.
When Ricardo's phone rings late Friday, waking him up from a deep sleep, he's almost ready to throw it out of the window, but ultimately answers it anyway, his eyes too blurry to focus on the name flashing on the much too bright screen. "Hola?" he grumbles, wondering if it's perhaps Paige, or Miz. Alberto would've just come in, and-
"Ricardo! You won't believe this, I-"
It still takes him a moment to register the excited babbling in his ear but he finally blinks, the voice clicking. "Alex?" He sits up. "Say that again, maybe a little slower this time, por favor."
"I've been booked at a live event this weekend, on the WWE touring cirquit! It's- it's not NXT this time!" He sounds emotional, shaky in his happiness, and Ricardo smiles. "I... I'm sorry," he says after a moment, abruptly subdued. "I'm not trying to rub it in, I know it's kind of a tough subject for you-"
"Alex, you're my friend," he sighs, shaking his head as he pinches his nose, wondering if he's really been so much of a jerk about things since leaving the WWE and how things shook out with Alberto that both Paige and Alex were so very reluctant to talk to him about their problems and successes, "I just want the best for you, and I'm glad you're happy. That's all I've ever wanted for you, and for any of my friends still with the company. Don't doubt that, ok? And don't stop yourself from talking about WWE... You were there for me through a lot of the worst times of my life, professionally and personally, and I wouldn't be a very good friend if I didn't try to reciprocate it as well sometimes, si?"
"Alright, if you're sure," he sighs, quickly losing himself in his happiness. "I just can't believe this... I'm not going to mess this up, I'm going to go out there and show them what they've been missing."
Ricardo grins at the pure determination in his voice. "I'm so happy for you. Call me and tell me how it goes, alright? Whether I'm here, or in Mexico... I definitely want to hear everything."
"And I want to hear how Alberto's title opportunity goes! Maybe we'll all have success stories this weekend!"
"Counting on it," Ricardo tells him warmly. As he settles back against his pillows to catch up with his former roommate, he can't stop smiling. Miz is champion, Alex is finally getting booked, Morrison is doing well in Lucha Underground, Hernandez will defeat Ray Gonzalez on their behalf in Puerto Rico, Alberto will be world champion, Ricardo has job security again, and... the only thing missing is Paige, but she hasn't lost hope yet, and he has no doubt that things will soon turn around for her, as well. He smiles and stares up at the ceiling, taking it all as a good sign. Guadalajara, here we come...