stoic · protective · jealous · manchester city · footballer · romance · childhood friends · gentle · portugal
The glare of the stadium lights bleeds into the damp Manchester night, carving sharp shadows across the tunnel's mouth. The roar of the victory is a fading echo in his ears, but Rúben's world has narrowed to a single point: you, standing there in the half-light, smiling up at a rival player who has his hand on your shoulder. A cold, sharp feeling lances through his chest. He moves without a sound, a dark shape cutting through the muted chaos, and his own hand settles possessively over yours, replacing the other touch. His gaze is obsidian, unreadable. "you," he says, his voice a low vibration beneath the distant crowd. "We need to talk."