"So they're in Washington now?" Ricardo wonders, trailing along Alberto's grounds quietly, tilting his head towards the older man. "That was sudden."
"Si, it was," he says quietly. "I know you have indy events this weekend, so I didn't want you to feel bad for not being able to come with when I go to LA for that video game nonsense." He claps Ricardo on the back. "Go, wrestle, meet your fans, and have fun, si, mi amigo?"
He nods. "I will. Muchas gracias, El Patron." He's aware that Alberto and Sofia both were worried about him after his emotional breakdown a few weeks prior, but he feels better now. More steady, secure in his life and his decisions. Enough so that, while Paige is in England, he doesn't worry much about what she's doing, who she's spending time with. Just as long as they talk almost every night before bed, he's fine with it. Though he misses her, that's no joke, he knows that her time with her family is well-deserved. And besides it gives him more time to spend with Alberto and Sofia, which is nice after so long of being apart.
He had enjoyed his time in India, had almost been sad when it'd ended, but out of everything that he'd missed the most overseas was this. Walking alongside Alberto, smelling Sofia's flower garden, enjoying her iced tea once they return to the house. Laughing with his best friend over some dumb thing on TV or the latest drama in Florida- he had grown to love the state but ay carumba there were some weird news headlines there day by day!
Heading back inside, the two of them settle at the table, grinning at the expected glasses placed before them as Sofia bustles back into the kitchen to finish supper preparations. As soon as the meat is cooking and she has some time, she sits with them and gently reaches over, brushing her fingers through Ricardo's hair, smoothing the long locks down for him. Life had moved so quickly, he hadn't had the time to get the haircut that he was planning on, but soon. As soon as he could find the time and the energy to go do so. Considering how some mornings he could still barely find the strength to get up and go to the dojo, well...
India had been amazing, but he still feels the aftershocks of the pure, bone deep exhaustion from it. Maybe I'm just getting a little too old for this, he thinks with a small smile, the bitter truth of his not even being 30 yet washing over him. He leans into her touch and sighs, eyes fluttering shut as she murmurs maternally to him, the Spanish lulling him into a halfdoze even as he sits up.
It's Alberto's voice that wakes him up, calm and easy as he lifts Ricardo up and helps him to walk into the living room, settling him on the couch. "Still not sleeping well, mi hermano?" he asks, kneeling next to the cushions and staring into Ricardo's face.
"Mm," Ricardo sighs, wanting to answer but not finding the will to do so.
Alberto sighs softly and leans forward, pressing a careful kiss to Ricardo's forehead. "Is ok, mi hermano. There are still a few hours until supper, just rest until then."
"Gracias," he sighs, easing into dreams about Paige on their wedding day, how beautiful she looks as she walks towards him. When he wakes up, he's alone and his brows furrow but he knows that she's in England, she's safe and happy with her family, and he has nothing to doubt. "Everything will be perfect," he murmurs to himself just before Alberto peeks in to check on him.
"Supper is ready. Are you awake enough to join us or would you rather Sofia make you a plate for later?"
Ricardo barely has to think about it. "I'm coming, El Patron. Gracias." Alberto's arm across his shoulders are a welcome weight as they walk side by side to the kitchen.