Geesh I need to udpate more often.

[tempered-rose.livejournal.com]

Title: The Captain And The Kid Part Three
Characters: Bojan Krkic, Iker Casillas ; Fernando Torres/Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique, Carles Puyol, Pep Guardiola, David Villa/David Silva, Juan Mata/Pablo Hernandez mentioned
Rating: PG-13 [this part, higher later]
Summary: Bojan has a chat…
Words: 1,776
A/N: Yeah I know it’s been forever and a day since I updated this but butbyskylight really wanted it and has been waiting for months for it so…here you go love. <3 Sorry for such a long wait! :-\

One | Two



From the time the team had returned back into the locker room and away from cursing Germans to the return trip to the hotel, Bojan had been assaulted by congratulations and praise for his assist. On the bus back to the hotel, Nando had insisted upon sitting next to him, despite Sergio’s pouting. Nando thanked him for a wonderful pass and Bojan blushed at the gentle demeanor of the blonde and his praises.

Gerard and Carles had promised to buy him a drink at the party later, there was always a party it seemed Bojan thought, and they told him that they were proud of him. Pep had even called him and congratulated him for his good performance in the second half. He had promised that Bojan would have to start more often. Bojan felt conflicted about that. On one hand he was thrilled that he was trusted enough to start but on the other, it had taken a Spain match for Pep to see how good a player he was to start him?

Despite his success in the match, Bojan couldn’t let the thought of disappointment in Pep fade from his mind. It played over in his head so many times he thought he was going to really be sick. He had left the party early for that reason and now leaned back against the pillows on his bed and stared at the ceiling. Geri had called him a spoilsport but hadn’t been able to tease him long before Cesc had demanded his attention to go play a joke on Sergio. Xavi still ignored him and had left the party early too, claiming a need to go check on Andres. Bojan wondered why the two of them were really close together all the time here in Munich when they saw each other back at home all the time anyway. He had the distinct sense that he was missing something but he didn’t even know where to begin to look for an answer.

Things definitely were odd when la selección met up, he had realized.

And then there was the captain. Iker was more confusing than the rest but he was also equally simple. Bojan could not understand why he was giving him such attention when he had others to worry about too. Maybe he was and Bojan just didn’t see it, after all, Bojan didn’t follow him around all the time. But Iker was being very sweet and kind to him, more so than the others. Was it really because he was actually like that or was it only because he was the youngest on the team and that’s why Iker felt responsible for him?

Bojan was confused and he didn’t know what to do to ease that confusion. He decided that he would ask Iker about it the next time he saw him. After all, hadn’t he said that he was going to come and talk to him after the party? Bojan flopped back against his pillows and sighed. He reflected over the match and the disappointed look on the German players, coaches, and fans faces when they had left. He felt bad for helping to beat them so late into the match and causing that look.

A knock came on the door and Bojan looked over at it thinking that it could be one of several people. It could be Silva returning from the party at last. Or it could have been Geri asking him to come back and get smashed with him. But Silva never knocked before he entered a room and Geri would have been more enthusiastic with his knocking. Bojan stood up and made his way slowly to the door, already knowing that it was the captain on the other side.

He opened the door slowly and looked up nervously at the very relaxed Madridista.

“Hey kid, can I come in?” Iker asked and Bojan wondered just how much partying Iker had done before he had come up.

He nodded and moved back to allow him entry.

“You did very good Bojan.” Iker complimented on the way inside the room and over to the chair beside the bed. “It was an amazing pass.”

“Thanks.” Bojan spoke in nervous Catalan and blushed slightly and changed it back to Spanish quickly.

Iker smiled gratefully at him for the translation. “I know some words, Xavi taught me some a long time ago. Not many, but a few.”

Bojan nodded and sat back down on his bed nervously. It was then that he remembered something about that morning’s breakfast and he looked shyly back up at Iker. “Why did you say Xavi hated you in the tunnel?”

Iker sighed and leaned back in the chair and watched him with a guarded expression. Bojan wondered if he asked something he shouldn’t have and bit his lip. After several moments of silence, Iker answered the question.

“He feels very protective of Andres and doesn’t like it when I meddle in his affairs.”

Bojan frowned in thought. “Why does he feel protective of Andres? I mean, I guess it’s because they are friends and all, but even so. He shouldn’t hate you because he’s his friend…”

Iker smiled at him and Bojan noticed it wasn’t a proud smile more like an amused one. “Bojan, you are so naïve and so innocent in the ways of things.”

Bojan frowned more and looked even more confused. “What do you mean ‘innocent in the ways of things’?” He pouted slightly and Iker chuckled before leaning forward towards him slightly.

“Bojan, have you not noticed the way Sergio insists upon being with Fernando all the time?” When he nodded, Iker continued. “It isn’t because they are just friends that miss each other when Nando goes away to England. Have you noticed the way Silva always leaves you alone to be with Villa?” Bojan nodded again and Iker smiled softly at him. “It isn’t because Villa’s social skills are so wonderful. Do you understand what I’m trying to tell you?”

Bojan shook his head and Iker moved a little closer and watched him so intently that Bojan had to swallow in nervousness. “Juan and Pablo, always together even though they both stay in Valencia. And the same goes for Villa and Silva. And Andres and Xavi. Always together and never apart? It isn’t because they are all just very good and dear friends, though that is part of it.”

Bojan stared at Iker in confusion thinking over what Iker was saying. The good Catholic innocent naivety of the boy that he really was shone through before fading as realization dawned on him. “You mean they are all—?!”

Iker nodded and sat back again. Bojan squeaked his surprise and sat back. “But, but they… How can they— Why?”

Iker shrugged and watched him carefully. “Some do it for the thrill of something forbidden. Some do it because they went from really good friends to the next natural step it seemed. Others do it because they love someone so much that they turn into a fool.”

Bojan’s reeling thoughts zeroed in on the last part of what Iker had said and he looked up at the man in the chair. Iker wasn’t looking at him anymore and had turned away to stare bitterly at a memory that had ceased his thoughts.

“You—you too?” Bojan asked quietly and Iker nodded slowly.

“Xavi. Ages ago.” Iker replied just as quietly and Bojan stared again.

“But, what happened?” He blushed at his own curiosity about the sordid subject and even more so when Iker looked back at him.

“I wasn’t as good a person as he needed me to be and I let him down. Before I realized that I needed to change, too much time had been spent passing up chances where he needed me and I ignored him. He resents me for it but not anywhere near as much as he used to. But he still doesn’t like it when I usurp him in some way, like earlier this morning about Andres. Andres is good for him though, he is that man that Xavi needs. I’m happy for them, but I wish I had been better back when he needed me to be.”

Iker shrugged after he finished and looked away and out the window. Bojan swallowed and stood up and moved over to the chair. Iker’s dark eyes flicked back to him with a dark curiosity and his eyebrow raised in confusion. Bojan moved closer and put his arms around his shoulders lightly and hugged him very loosely.

“I’m sorry, but you looked like you needed a hug.” Bojan mumbled quietly and Iker let his breath out slowly and patted Bojan on the back.

“Thanks kid.”

Bojan frowned again at the use of the name but didn’t say anything on it. Instead, he focused on the warm strength found in Iker’s shoulders and the way his hands were resting warmly on his back. It seemed that Iker radiated warmth from everything. When he realized that he had been hugging Iker for a good few minutes, he pulled away and mumbled an apology.

“It’s okay kid. I just wanted to make sure you were okay. I know you aren’t used to this stuff.”

“Do you check on me because of that or because you want to?” Bojan blurted out and looked away, cheeks flushed for his forwardness.

Iker shrugged. “A little of both I guess.”

For some reason that Bojan couldn’t explain, he felt disappointed. “I’m okay. I’m tough.”

Iker smiled at that and stood up slowly and walked over to ruffle his hair. “Yes you are, mi gatito.”

Bojan frowned and ducked away from the hand on his head while his hand swatted at Iker’s arm. “I’m not a kitten!” His lips turned down in a pout and Iker chuckled softly.

“Yes you are Bojan, you are many things you don’t realize.” Iker smiled at him and stood up. “The boys will be returning later, you get some sleep. And I don’t think Silva will be returning tonight.”

Iker winked at him before starting for the door. Bojan watched him leave and continued to pout even when Iker turned and gave him a final smile before shutting the door quietly behind him.

Bojan caught his reflection in the mirror on the dresser and cleared his facial expression. He stared at himself in the mirror for a moment and then he told himself determinedly. “I am not a kitten.”

He nodded once at his reflection, making sure that the person in the glass knew that, and then turned away to get into bed.