Ricardo is laying in the grass, his eyes closed, absorbing the sun overhead, when a shadow crosses over his body and he squints his eyes open. Looks over. He's not surprised as Alberto sits next to him, quiet and staring ahead. "Hola," he says sleepily, wiping at his face.
"Hola, mi amigo," Alberto tells him with a small smile. They sit quietly for awhile, neither sure what to say, or do, now that they're in each other's presence. They've been texting here and there, slowly thawing some of the ice between them. "It is good to see you."
Ricardo hadn't been up to actually play soccer with Alberto, not wanting his rare enjoyment in life to be completely tarnished, but inviting him to this field is the first step. Leaves him feeling a little choked and tense, but he swallows hard. "I'm... glad we've taken this step," he forces out through pale lips. They were important parts of each other's lives for so long, he can't stay mad at the man who helped him through some of the hardest years in his life professionally and personally, no matter how tired and hurt he may feel when he really thinks about Alberto and Paige.
He has Alicia. They're happy. It's time to move on. Or at least try to. Even so, just looking at Alberto feels like a vice on his chest and he knows it's going to be a long road before he fully trusts the man again.
"I know I've said this before, in various ways, various places," Alberto hedges, dark eyes locked on Ricardo. Despite the rumors and horror stories going around the internet, he looks good. Healthy, strong. Ricardo's thoughts trail in a bunch of different directions before he gives himself a good shake and eyes Alberto. "But I want to say it once more, now that we're here. Eye to eye." He rests his hand on Ricardo's shoulder, leans in to look him in the eye. "I am so sorry for all of the pain I caused you, mi hermano. All the way back when we first met, when you still worked for me. To when you were in India and... I did the worst thing possible to you. To now. When you are still suffering because of me. Lo siento. I can never forgive myself for causing you this..."
Ricardo shakes his head. Breathes heavily. Brushes Alberto's hand off, not entirely unkindly, just in need of some space after that diatribe. "We were all to blame, it... it wasn't just you," he whispers. "I was blind to some very deep problems Paige and I had, before I even left for India, and..." He smiles mirthlessly. "Who wouldn't be charmed by the rich, handsome man living just down the hall? In comparison to me? It is a surprise it didn't happen sooner."
Alberto's face darkens at Ricardo's hint of self-loathing. "Mi amigo, do not talk about yourself in such a fashion. You are incredible, loyal and a better friend than I ever deserved. What transpired between Paige and I was not your fault. You were following your dreams, none of us expected what was to come of it."
Ricardo says nothing for a few moments, allowing his eyes to wander around the soft grass spreading out before them to the nearest goal. "I'd rather not dwell on this, especially here," he says quietly. "You know Alicia and I have taken up meditation lately. We work on our... chakras... and it's something I haven't had much time for lately, but I feel like I've reconnected with myself in a way that I haven't been able to for quite awhile. So inviting you here wasn't to rehash all of the bad things from the last couple of years." He picks at his cuticle, pushes himself up onto his feet and nudges at the soccer balls lined up a few feet away by his cleats. "It is for... forgiveness." He exhales roughly and looks over at Alberto. "I don't want to be angry and sad anymore. I want to be able to look myself in the mirror and not think about everything, everyone I've lost. I want my brother back."
Alberto stands slowly, walks up to him. Gently claps his shoulders, searching his face. "Mi hermano," he says quietly, testing the words out on his tongue. Smiles when Ricardo doesn't flinch away from his touch. "I want that as well."
"It's not going to be an overnight thing though," Ricardo warns him. "I'm still... sorting through things. But I've missed you and the text messages have... reminded me just what a vital part of my life you have been, and always will be."
Alberto nods desperately. "And I promise you, mi hermano, I will not break your trust. I will not talk about my relationship with you at all. I would not hurt you in such a way."
"I hear plenty about it from the internet anyway," Ricardo says with a rueful kind of grin, shaking his head when Alberto's shoulders slump.
"Lo siento, I-"
"No, it's fine, what else would those rumormongers do without ridiculous stories to spread?" he wonders with a small smile.
Alberto's touch gentles, glides over his shoulder. "I've missed you, mi hermano."
Ricardo doesn't respond, forcing his gaze away. It doesn't stop it from being true for him as well however.
Alicia is groggy when Ricardo drags himself home later that night after a lengthy session at the wrestling school, easing down over her and kissing her. She tugs at his hair and sighs into his mouth, staring at him through the partial darkness. "How was your day?"
"Fine," he says, kissing down the column of her throat and smirking when she arches up into him. He rubs at her thighs, feeling the soft rasp of her shorts against his fingers, and closes his eyes. "I think I've forgiven Alberto. Or I've at least started to."
She kisses him, noses at his cheek, and smiles up at him. "I'm glad to hear it. I know you've missed him more than you would admit..." He mouths lazily at every inch of skin not covered by her tank top and she whimpers, lifting herself up so he can free her of the clothes, settling back atop her. "I love you," she whispers into the night.
He shfits, enjoys the heedy warmth of her body against his, the soft scent of her wildberry shampoo, and smiles. "I love you too."
