Ricardo hates his reflection sometimes. Red rimmed eyes, puffy, pale skin. Long limp hair that he's even given up on trying to donate, just letting it to whatever the hell it pleases. He just doesn't look healthy 90% of the time. Insomnia and general aches and pain leaves him unable to find any sort of rest, he's gone over a week without a decent night's sleep again, and he knows Alicia is worried for him. She's not been asked back to WWE since her one match a few weeks back, so they're constantly in each other's orbits, observing, worrying, trying to hold it together for each other.

He holds her close as she kisses along his jaw and throat, brow furrowing with fresh worry when she feels how uneven his heart rate is at times. "I'm ok," he whispers until she looks like she believes him, continuing to press gently, affectionately, against him, his eyes closing against the overwhelming sensation that, despite his own shortcomings and weaknesses, she still loves him. "Alicia..." Spanish pours from his mouth, low and droning, and even he doesn't know why he says some of it, as she only knows some conversational Spanish, but he continues professing his dedication to her, how she deserves so much better from him, from the world.

He wonders later if she had grasped what he was saying while lost in the overwhelming pleasure of her touches and kisses, her eyes searching his face as she cups his jaw and kisses him for long, tender moments. "All I've ever wanted is you," she tells him quietly. "Nothing more, nothing less. You're perfect just the way you are." It brings tears to his eyes and she gently kisses his lids, tasting the salt there, and he shivers as she claims him again, her body so warm and perfect against his.

"I love you," he whispers against her and she smiles.

"I love you too, forever and ever."

-x

"I know it's asking a lot, but you're a smart man. He's your best friend, you need to do something, because I can only accomplish so much, but he needs you to do what I can't."

"Fine, I... I've been trying to think of a way to help him. I just..." There's a lengthy pause on the other end of the phone. "Si, si, I know what to do."

-x

Alberto works fast, Ricardo thinks in awe, holding the pile of papers from Alberto's new wrestling federation. He already has sponsors, and a broadcasting plan, and so many wrestlers agreeing to be on the card. He knows so many people, and so many are willing to give him a chance. He smiles, just a little. "This is incredible, El Patron."

"Si, mi hermano!" Alberto's hand is warm against his back and Ricardo leans into his touch, yearning for any sort of heat he can get after so many weeks of feeling cold and miserable, the insomnia really warping everything for him. "So everything looks in order so far?"

Ricardo nods, skimming over the papers once more. "Si, I believe so. Gracias for including me in this, I always enjoyed helping you with your professional ventures."

Alberto nods. Takes a breath and squeezes Ricardo's shoulders. "Si, well, there's more..." He straightens his shoulders and examines Ricardo. "What say you work side by side with me on this? I trust no one as much as I trust you, and..." He exhales. "I have missed you, mi hermano. This will give us chance to spend more time together, and do what we do best- work alongside at making yet another venture successful. Si?"

"Really?" he asks, eyes wide with surprise. With hope. "You would want me?" He knows his tweets throw people, leave them leery and uncertain about him, and that's fine- he's uncertain about himself a fair amount of the time as well. For anyone to look him in the eye and tell him they trust him with their fledgling business venture, well...

"Si, of course! You are mi hermano, the absolute best person I've ever met," Alberto tells him, smile warm and soothing as he hugs Ricardo close with one arm. "You can take this offer home and think on it, if you so wish-"

"No, no," Ricardo breathes out. "I don't have to think about it. I accept. Muchas gracias, mi hermano."

Alberto's grin is so wide and so happy that Ricardo can't help but smile back.

That night, he sleeps long and hard for the first time in weeks.