Ricardo stands in the middle of the ring, readjusting to it all. Alberto's wrestling company has its first event coming up this weekend and he's so nervous, moving to lean against the ropes and staring out at the seats, imagining all of the people waiting to experience the show. He breathes in and out, feeling his nerves settle as a familar, warm hand rests between his shoulderblades. "It's almost here," he says quietly.

"Si, mi hermano," Alberto says. "Are you alright?"

"Mm, si," Ricardo murmurs. "Just a little anxious I suppose." He turns to look at Alberto. "I don't want to disappoint you."

Alberto chuckles, shaking his head. "Impossible, mi hermano." He chuffs Ricardo's jaw. "As long as you remember how to properly count to three." He winks at him and Ricardo's lips twitch up. "No worries, you will do great as referee."

They stand side by side, looking out at the empty arena and Alberto sighs. "Are you nervous?" Ricardo enquires.

"No, not so much," Alberto muses. "Just, perhaps, a lot going on at once. I have... failed at quite a few things in wrestling, and perhaps, if this fails too, I may be done." He shrugs. "But I will not fail. I have you by my side. That's all I've ever needed to put my best foot forward in this business. I lost sight of that for far too long." He smiles at Ricardo and leans against him. "You were always my grounding force, my good luck charm."

Ricardo feels a little emotional, exhaling raggedly as he blinks hard, trying not to cry. "I wish I could've always been that for you," he whispers.

"Si, well, it was my mistakes that led to our separation," Alberto says. "But things are better now. I will not make the same mistake again. I swear to you."

"I believe you," Ricardo says quietly, the two of them standing in comfortable silence as they imagine this weekend, the event to come, how well-received it will be, any problems being minor and easy to move on from.

-x

Alicia is waiting up for him when he finally comes home and he settles in between her legs, closing his eyes as she kisses his forehead and temple. "I love you," he tells her, finding her fingers and tracing them lazily. She giggles and nuzzles closer to him. "So much."

"I love you too," she says, her lips trailing down his jaw until she tilts his face and kisses him on the lips. He rests against her, eyes fluttering closed, as her hands rest in his, fingers curling together. He sighs and kisses her back, his lips parting as she hums and traces the shape of them with her tongue, Ricardo letting out a low moan when she continues to kiss him intently, overwhelming him.

"I need you," he tells her and she chuckles.

"I'm all yours," she promises, nails lightly scraping down his palms as he pulls back and rolls over so they're eye to eye, Alicia's legs resting lightly at his hips. "This is nice," she sighs out as he kisses down her throat, trailing his lips along the cut of her tank top.

"Yes it is," he agrees, feeling her gasp and tense under him as his hand grazes up her thigh, searching out new places to explore to bring her pleasure.

"Ricardo-" she gasps, shivering as he continues to kiss and touch. "Oh-..."

He eases up and stares down at her with a small smile. "Maybe it's a sign that everyone's getting pregnant, huh? Maria Kanellis, Maryse..." He leans closer and kisses her. "AJ..." Mike and AJ had finally started to tell people, the news spreading fairly quickly now that they're past the first trimester. "Maybe it's our turn too."

She swallows and runs her hands up his back, nodding slowly. "Maybe... can't hurt to try some more, huh?"

"That's what I've been thinking," he says, grin large and hopeful as she winds her arms around his neck, drawing him back down with a soft sigh.