As Leo made his way back to his room, he found himself pausing at the door... Despite the overwhelming urge to shout with joy, there was still an under lying sadness in his chest. It was only 2 days ago, he watched Cristiano get in his car and leave the city. The distance that once felt so small now felt immensely larger. He didn't know when he'd get to see the other man again, at least not in person.
Leo stared down at the key in his hand, the hand that was not too long ago entwined with Cris'. He'd never actually noticed it before, even though it was often pointed out to him on a semi-regularly basis just how much larger Cristiano's hands were than his own. The night that they shared was brief, but it was full of soft touches and gentle embraces. The smile on his face was almost shy, it was as if he could still feel the warmth on his skin, the breaths on his neck.
The beep from the door as he pressed the key to it pulled him from his thoughts. Bittersweet.
Wordlessly, he walked into the dimly lit room. A room that was similar to the one Cristiano had, this one was a little smaller though. He glanced around the empty room and sighed, he had hoped that his teammate would make it back first. So they could at least fill this lonely void...
*****
Three knocks were what woke him from his slumber. When he first heard it, he simply thought it was his imagination toying with him. Then he heard it again, knock knock knock. Sleepily, he wiped his eyes and sat up. The sheets and blankets bunched up around his waist as he did so.
He glanced to his side, the other bed was empty, his teammate nowhere to be found. Leo frowned and slid out of bed as the knocks continued, his feet padding across the floor.
"Okay okay, I hear you." Leo spoke up as he got closer to the door. He cleared his throat and opened it without a second thought, "Ye-?"
His words were choked off into silence, standing in front of him was Cris. Cristiano holding nothing more than a backpack. The other man smiled and lifted his hand to do a little wave.
"I really missed you."
"It's only been 2 days." Leo's voice was soft, barely audible.
"I know, but I... I was in Portugal and when I was about to get off the plane I realized how stupid I was for leaving you.."
Leo could only stare in stunned silence, Cris had gone and done it again. He was rambling and explaining himself in detail, as if Leo deserved an explanation. As if Leo would be somehow upset or confused at his actions. He watched as Cristiano continued to blabber on, his face was so expressive and his words genuine. Without a second thought Leo grabbed the shirt of the other man and pulled him into the room.
"Leo the doo-"
He didn't even allow Cristiano to finish speaking, his hands already reaching up and ready to tug the other man's head down. Their lips slid together in an almost familiar dance. Although they hadn't kissed too many times, there was already something natural about it. It came to them out of sheer instinct, their hands knowing where to go and how soft or hard to grab.
Cristiano pulled away first, his forehead pressed against Leo's.
"You do that a lot," his lips were turned up into a smile. Leo felt himself blush even more, his fingers curled themselves further into Cris' hair.
"What?"
"Interrupt me with kisses." Cristiano chuckled, and Leo didn't know whether to feel embarrassed or unbothered. Cris must have sensed his unease and shrugged, pecking Leo's cheek playfully. "Don't worry, I'm complaining.. I actually think it's kind of cute."
"Shut up-"
"I'm serious!" He laughed as Leo lunged up again, Cristiano was prepared this time. He grabbed the other man by his legs and pulled them even closer together. Leo had his legs wrapped around him now, his hands cradling Cris' head. Leo had felt the mood shift as their lips danced, where Cristiano was slow and tender, Leo felt himself wanting more. He wanted that passion and heat, he could feel himself warming up and his cheeks were flaming. He forced himself to pull away. His eyes were surely dilated as he stared down at Cris.
He knew Cristiano could feel it too, judging by how hard he was breathing. They stared at one another and Leo felt the request at the tip of his tongue, his vivid imagination doing nothing to qualm his desires. He'd known this man for over 10 years, so why was it so hard for him to ask for this. Why was he hesitating? He felt himself growing more and more frustrated.
"I love you." Cristiano whispered, his hands still holding Leo up. "So much."
"Cris..."
Leo knew what he was trying to do, he was trying to calm him down. Cristiano kept shifting the mood from desire to something more intimate. Cris wanted love not... not this. He wanted to be cute and cuddly, he knew that Leo wanted more but he wasn't going to give it to him. Leo felt tears prickling up in his eyes and he tried to blink them away, Cris noticed of course.
"Leo? Whats wrong?" He gently sat the other man down onto his feet. Leo immediately backing away and holding himself.
"Nothing-"
"Leo-"
"Why don't you want me?"
The words were out before he could stop himself, the room fell silent after that. The gentle hum of the air conditioning and outside noise the only thing they could hear. Well... it seemed so, except Leo could feel himself heaving in breaths, it was ragged and it only served to make Leo feel worse. His heart was pounding and he didn't know what to think. His happiness from seeing the one man he wanted to see most was drowned out completely by embarrassment.
His hands were shaking and he wanted nothing more than to run away, hide and leave. Pretend he didn't just say what he said out loud. His eyes were locked onto Cristiano, whose appearance would've been described by Leo, had this been any other situation, as 'adorably caught off guard'... maybe if he wasn't in the middle of a borderline panic attack.
"L-"
"No." Leo's voice sounded far away, even to his own ears. His vision was still slightly foggy as tears threatened to spill.
"You need to breathe." Cris sat his bag down onto the floor gently and he was slow as he walked forward. Leo shook his head and backed up.
"Cris-" he sniffled but still tried to keep his distance.
"I'm sorry," Cris whispered and reached out, his hand grasping Leo's wrist. Leo tried to pull away but he couldn't. He felt so weak, the exhaustion from earlier resurfaced. "You're overwhelmed Leo, and that's okay."
"Cris-"
"I'm also sorry if I made you feel unwanted, you need to know that's not true." Cristiano continued, ignoring Leo's protests. He was now standing directly in front of the younger man. His hands holding Leo's softly, "I'm here for you Leo. I'm always going to be here for you, even when you don't want me to be."
I do though! Leo wanted to voice his thoughts but he couldn't, he already felt choked up with tears.
"I came back for you," Cristiano tightened his hands, his forehead resting on Leo's. "I love you."
I love you too... Leo could feel the words on the tip of his tongue but he couldn't bring himself to say them. Thats what ended up being his breaking point, the tears he'd been holding in for so long we're finally coming. He sobbed and reached out, pulling Cris close. Even though he couldn't say the words yet, he wanted Cris to understand. To feel it. To feel his love.
Cristiano held him and let Leo cry it out, his hand rubbing slow but firm circles into his back. His other hand resting on Leo's hair.
*****
Leo was tracing random shapes on Cristiano's chest, his finger barely dancing along his exposed skin. He couldn't help the occasional sniffle, his face still felt warm from his earlier crying session. Cris had surprisingly managed to calm Leo down from it, before Antonella was the only person Leo could trust himself to have a breakdown with. He mentally shrugged the thoughts away, storing it away as something to think about in the shower or whenever... just not now.
He hummed softly and lifted his head. Cris was staring fondly down at him, a smile barely tugging at the sides of his lips. Leo blushed under his gaze and looked away. Going back to drawing random strokes with his finger. He felt Cristianos hands gently slide through his hair, it was comforting... Leo felt warm and well... content.
He felt happy.
*****
Sad Leo/Happy Cris is my fave trope :)
Don't worry, we'll explore Leo's past a LOT more and see WHY he can't say the 3 big words.