Raw for Alicia. Soccer and training for Ricardo. Stilted conversations with Alberto, slow progress in regaining what they'd lost as friends, as brothers. Meanwhile, all eyes on the weather for news on Irma, bearing down on the islands leading to Florida. As the weather reports get worse, Alicia frets, gnawing on her thumbnail. Tries to get Ricardo to agree to an evacuation plan, but he barely says anything about the looming threat to their home. "Ricardo," she tries again when it's clear that they'll be hit within a couple of days. "Please- we need to figure this out. I want to go to Nashville."

He stares at her fingernail on the map, a speck of purple against green and blue. "I'm not evacuating," he says finally. Had thought it since Texas- since Mexico- since every other possible issue lately where he'd been so helpless, so useless. Her lips part, her eyes widen, but she can't find the words. "I'm staying here, and I'm going to... try to help." He takes her hand and smiles weakly at her. "Take the puppy. Go, be safe."

She shakes her head, coming out of her fugue. "No, no, Ricardo, please you have to come with me. This is ridiculous! I- I need you to-"

He cups her face, kisses her softly. "I need to stay here. I know so many people in Florida, so many can't afford to evacuate. It's going to be bad, and they're going to need help. I know what to do to help them. But it'll be easier for me if I know that you're safe, that puppy's safe. Ok?"

She closes her eyes. Leans into his touch and grimaces. "Ricardo, please," she breathes out, one try. When he still refuses, she cries, wet hot tears running down his knuckles. "I can't lose you."

"You won't." He kisses her cheeks, grips her hands. "Please, Alicia, finish packing and go." He watches as she follows his commands, hands shaking, eyes red and wet.

She has just put the last few clothes she wants to bring in her suitcase when she turns sharply, grabs him and kisses him desperately, already tugging at his clothes. He needs to closeness too, the intimacy, so he allows her to do what she needs, soft whimpers coming from her mouth as she caresses his skin, kisses him desperately. "I love you," she breathes into his skin and he pats her hair gently. "I love you so much."

He sighs. Lifts her up into his arms and walks her into the bedroom, her lips still warm and insistent against his skin.

-x

When she leaves, he takes to Twitter, having nothing else to do with his time. Between not being in a great mindset already and his phone's autocorrect going haywire, as always, he's sure he's worrying people. Maybe even worrying himself. Retweets heart warming videos, tries to remember how to breathe normally when the sky starts to darken out of his window. He's just touched his phone again when there's a knock at the door.

He looks up, frowning. Not sure who would ever dare to come to him in this potentially hazardous weather. Getting up, he dusts his hands off and goes to look out of the window, eyes automatically widening. He recognizes that stance, the person on his step. "No way," he mumbles, gripping the door and forcing it up. "Alberto?"

Alberto stares at him, hoisting his bag up higher on his shoulder. "Hola, mi hermano. I am sure this is not the best time, but... well, I sent Paige and Sofia on to evacuate somewhere safe after I saw your tweets." He shifts forward. "I am not surprised you would decide to stay to assist. So... I have decided to stay with you. See what I can do as well. Is that alright?"

Ricardo swallows. Alberto was raised much more privileged than he, yes. But he is still an intelligent man with incredible charitable attitude sometimes, when his life is together and drama's at a minimum. He finds himself nodding. "Si, that's more than alright. Por favor, come in." He steps aside, watches Alberto enter his apartment, and exhales quietly. "I'm not sure what we'll be able to do once it hits landfall, but anything is better than nothing, si?"

Alberto puts his bag down with a smile, staring at Ricardo intently. "That is very true, mi hermano."