tr_fic | When The Stars Crossed, Chapter Two (Reply)

Title: When The Stars Crossed… Chapter Two: The Fading Taurus’
Pairings & Characters in order of appearance [this chapter]: Pepe Reina, David Villa, Iker Casillas/Cesc Fabregas, Iker/David Beckham
Rating: PG-13 [higher later]
Words: 1,118
A/N: Thanks to those of you who read and commented on the last part, I really appreciate it :D If anybody needs help understanding the transition, let me know and I’ll hopefully clarify any confusion. If you’ve ever seen Wimbledon, I’ve done one of those kinds of transitions.

First Part, Two Red Dwarves

“It’s going to be quite cold today so make sure you are properly bundled up, especially if you’re going to the matches. Tonight’s big match is Germany against Australia. Will the Aussies pull an upset like the American’s did last night? I don’t think anybody saw England going down like that in the books but the Yanks pulled out a win two to nothing against—”

“Turn that off if nobody’s listening to it, please?”

“Relax Pepe. I haven’t seen you this worked up since Cesc ‘borrowed’ your head cream…”

“Very funny Villa.”

“Well you know me, I was born to be a comedian.”

Iker rolled his eyes and decided to put an end to the banter session before the pair got carried away. “Really David? I thought you were born to be a professional footballer.”

Villa shot his captain a scowl but Iker just let it bounce off his shoulders before he gave Cesc a small smile. Cesc gave him a tentative nod back and Iker fought himself not to frown. He hated seeing Cesc so unsure of everything, doubting, questioning him and his motives. They had danced this circle a thousand times but every time the words England, David, and Beckham, appeared Cesc got stiff and Iker had to reassure him.

It was for Cesc’s insecurities and worries that Iker had lied to him about what he was going to do tonight. Some might call it a contradiction in terms, but he did not see it that way. He knew that Cesc would worry about what he and David were doing if he had told him the truth. Nothing would happen, it never did. But no matter how much he tried to convince Cesc otherwise, Cesc never really believed him.

For that reason, Iker had told Cesc that he was going to be working with Del Bosque over tactics for their first match against Switzerland in three days. It wasn’t a complete lie; he was going to be with the coach for a good part of the evening, but he was going to drive to Bloemfontein and meet David in the middle for one drink.

All it would be was a simple drink, no more and no less. It would be just to catch up and see how the other was. But Iker did not want Cesc to worry over something that would not happen ever again, so he had just omitted that detail from the itinerary. He told him that he loved him and would see him later. Cesc had nodded but Iker knew that with the English team close by, he was still very worried.

It was for Cesc’s state of mind that Iker didn’t tell him. He didn’t want to worry the man who loved him so selflessly and thus cause a big fuss. Iker reassured himself of his plan once more before he gathered his gloves in his hand and started out for the practice field.

When training was over, Cesc waited for him in the locker room. Iker smiled when he saw him and Cesc gave him another shaky nod.

“Amor…you really do not have to worry.” Iker said as he packed away his things.

Cesc shifted uncomfortably before he sat down on the bench next to Iker’s bag. “Can’t you see? You don’t get it do you Iker?”

Iker held back the sigh, but only just. “Get what Cescito?”

Cesc shook his head while his knee started bouncing. “You are always going to love him, aren’t you? Not in the ‘we should just be friends’ kind of way either. You’re always going to love him in the ‘let’s rip our clothes off right now’ sort of way. You don’t get how it makes me feel knowing that I will never hold a place that strongly in your heart!”

Iker shook his head and opened his mouth to speak but Cesc beat him to it. “No, deny it all you want and tell me I’m wrong. But I’m not Iker. I know how you look at him, even on television, and I know that I’m not wrong.”

Iker’s pent up sigh came out and he sat down next to Cesc. “I don’t think you are right, but even if you are, what do you want me to do about it?”

Cesc stayed silent a moment, thinking of his answer. When he found it, he looked at Iker sadly. “I don’t know Iker, but one of these days you are going to have to choose.” Cesc swallowed hard enough to make it audible. Iker was rocked by the sadness in his eyes. “And I know that I am going to have to struggle to pick up the pieces when I’m left standing alone.”

Iker walked into the bar in Bloemfontein and looked around for the familiar face. He saw a few other English players floating around in the crowd but not really speaking to anyone besides each other. He could see the defeat on their faces. Then his eyes caught that one very familiar face.

He had not changed much, only aged slightly. But David was like a fine wine that only improved with time and was sweeter than the first taste.

When David saw him, he smiled brightly at him. And in that one moment, Iker forgot about schedules, boyfriends, families, trophies, and a country’s glory. All that remained was that one very strong threaded bond that had cooled considerably but could never been extinguished between them. In David’s eyes, Iker was home.

It did not take a great amount of intelligence to see the chemistry between the two men. Even if he didn’t know their history, almost all of it, he could still tell that the two of them had one of those special connections.

The light touches on Iker’s thigh and arm, the twinkling in Iker’s eyes when he teased David, and the affectionate closeness that the two of them shared was obvious. It made sense that the two once close teammates would enjoy each other’s company once again.

He was not surprised at all by the soft touch of David’s lips on Iker’s cheek but that was the last straw before he had to look away.

But a moment later when he turned back, the two hardly-touched bottles of liquor were left behind quickly when David took Iker’s hand and pulled him towards the door. His silent observations remained unseen in the corner but he had not missed a moment between the two. Some might call their love beautiful, but to him, it was just gut-wrenchingly wrong.

When he looked away once more, he decided it would be the last time he ever looked at him ever again.