Despite his new focus, Alberto Del Rio turns his attention to a #1 contendership match he's randomly thrown into for the Intercontinental championship on Raw, content in his abilities and chance at walking out this week Intercontinental champion. After all, he's had enough wins against Big E over the past year. But everything goes downhill when he misses a kick, landing wrong and gasping as sharp pain stabs up his knee. He still tries to fight, seeing the benefit of walking into the Wrestlemania battle with any kind of gold around his waist.
He smirks, considering all that he could do upon winning the title, his distraction leaving him open to attack- once the dust clears he stares into the ring, glaring at Christian as he celebrates his victory. Mumbling to himself in Spanish, he limps back up the ramp, fingers scrambling against the edge of the gorilla position until he's out of sight, only looking up when arms wrap around his midsection, supporting him. "Ricardo," he mutters against the dark hair tickling his face.
"El Patron," Ricardo responds, shifting his hold and helping him walk forward. "Are you ok?" Alberto releases a wary breath, shrugging dully, allowing himself to be guided over to the locker room so they can collect their things and leave. Ricardo winces and squeezes his side before helping him to sit down on the nearest bench, kneeling down in front of him. "May I?" Alberto blinks and stares down at him, nodding quietly as he loosens his knee brace and rests his hands against his leg, frowning as he checks for inflamation and bruising, all too aware of the knee issues that Alberto's been suffering for over a year now.
"Am I going to survive?" he asks after a moment, grinning half-heartedly when Ricardo looks up, blinking. "Mi amigo, I'm fine. If I didn't think I was, I would've gone to the trainer's office. It's just sore because I missed that kick. Some ice and rest, I'll be fine. Don't worry."
He hesitates, touch warm against his flesh. "If you're sure."
"I am." Alberto smiles as Ricardo slowly stands and dusts his hands off on his pantlegs, smiling sheepishly. "Muchas gracias for caring so much, mi amigo. What do you say we get out of here?" he asks, throwing some of his things into his bag. Ricardo nods and moves to help, the two of them falling back into their old rhythm side by side, Alberto trying to forget that he's yet again failed at a goal he'd set for himself, no matter how impromptu.
But the week isn't over yet, Del Rio receiving notice the next morning that he's needed for Main Event, due to Christian suffering a concussion which had reset the playing field for the Intercontinental title scene, except even easier now as the contenders had shifted from four to three. He fights all over again, determined to see it through this time, snapping all of his kicks a little harsher, landing punches with more weight behind them, doing all that he can- but it's still not enough. Ziggler walks away with the win this time and Alberto grits his teeth, staring Ricardo in the eye as he once more meets him backstage. "Will it ever end, mi amigo?" he hisses out, the last couple of losses hitting him particularly hard. "If I can't even defeat two or three perros, what chance do I have in a match like the battle royal at Wrestlemania?"
Ricardo swallows and steps closer, wrapping his arms around him in a hug. When Alberto wearily hugs him back, he smiles sadly and squeezes a little bit tighter, uncomfortably aware that, if anything will sway Del Rio's decision on re-signing or not, it'll be moments like this one, and he himself may not have many chances like this in the future.
"Let's go home," Alberto mutters after a moment, gingerly pulling away to look Ricardo in the eye.
"El Patron?"
"Florida," he clarifies. "I doubt I'll be needed for Smackdown. You've finished your interviews for the week, si?" Ricardo tilts his head, thinking, and Del Rio smirks when he nods. "So we go back to Florida and... if you wish, I could help you with your training?" The former ring announcer's eyes light up and Alberto grins too, clapping him on the shoulder. "Then let's go, mi amigo."
After they land in Florida and both split to go check on their homes- Alberto at the mansion and Ricardo at his and Alex's apartment, they meet back at the training facility, Ricardo blinking in surprise when he realizes they're not alone. "Sofia?"
"Hola, Se- Ricardo," she smiles at him. "Senor Del Rio mentioned that he was going to train with you and... I was curious to see what you've learned in the last few months, so I asked if I could accompany him. As long as that's alright with you, of course."
He nods after a moment, leaning in and hugging her. "Of course, I would be honored to show you what I've learned." She hugs him back, eyes gleaming happily as she looks up at Alberto. He nods at her, resting a hand on Ricardo's shoulder before moving past them to find a chair for Sofia to sit on while they do their thing in the ring.
Once this is done, he enters the ring and waits for Ricardo, smirking. "Ready for this, amigo?"
Ricardo quickly joins him, a matching expression taking over his face as he raises his eyebrows daringly. "Si, let's do this." As they circle each other before locking up in the middle of the ring, all of the times they've done so in the past returns to them and they hesitate, exchanging glances. "Hm," Ricardo chuckles, Alberto shaking his head fondly, before they resume struggling against each other, trying to get and maintain the upperhand, Sofia taking it in turns to cheer both men as the afternoon wears on.