As soon as the class finishes and the last straggler is gone, Ricardo glances over at a patiently waiting Alberto before ducking into the back for a quick shower, changing into sweats and a baggy shirt. He swallows when he realizes that it's a shirt Alberto had surprised him with when they were still new to working together- Alberto's first merch shirt, back when things weren't as toxic and tense between them. Before all of the injuries and betrayals. Before Paige. He swallows and strokes the slogan before squaring his shoulders and going out to sit next to Alberto in the shadowed room. He licks his lips a few times, circling over the decision he's come to, trying to find the proper words. Him, he thinks with a scoff, able to speak so many different languages but still lacking...
Finally he clears his throat and turns to face Alberto, determined to ignore the soft twitching of his lips as he looks at the shirt Ricardo is wearing. "Alberto, when is the last time you were fully, 100% happy?" It's a strange question, he knows. Comes out of left field and leaves both of them floundering for an answer, a follow-up, something, anything.
"I..." He struggles but Ricardo thinks he knows. When Alberto had defeated Big Show for the World Heavyweight title and it had felt like anything was possible for both of them. He is searching memories, obviously, a look of panic growing as he fails and fails to find something recent to answer with. "Mi hermano..."
Ricardo hugs him fiercely, tears filling his eyes. "I went through a period of time where I was angry and hurt and nothing felt right, or good. But then... my hospitalization last fall opened my eyes and I knew it was time for a change." He pulls back and stares into Alberto's eyes. "I would give anything to help you find the peace and comfort that I have, but I can't. And I can't enable you any longer by always being here, accepting your apologies no matter how many times you hurt me mentally and physically." His nails dig into Alberto's jaw as he makes him look him in the eye. "Mi hermano, tienes que hacer esto tĂș mismo." He leans forward and kisses Alberto's forehead. "Please stay strong, and I hope you understand my reasoning when you think you're ready to see me again."
He forces himself to stand up and even walk off without looking back. Despite his certainty that this is the right action to take, he feels a vital piece of his soul shrivel up and die as he leaves his best friend behind, gaping after him.
Alicia greets him with a soft kiss and lengthy hug, stroking her fingers through his hair and whispering to him as his emotions overwhelm him and he sinks down onto the couch, tears pouring down his jaw as he faces the possible future, what could happen to Alberto with ahsolutely no one in his corner now. Not for the first time, he thinks he's made a mistake, but what's done is done. What happens from here on is up to Alberto.
