Ten Plus Seven

In Health

CW/TW: MENTIONS OF HATE CRIMES/ASSAULT AND PTSD CARE, PLEASE SKIP TO THE NEXT CHAPTER IF YOU FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE WITH READING.

6 weeks after Cristiano was placed on the injured reserve list and Lionel took time off, citing his need to take care of him, they left Dr. Ramirez's office after Ronaldo's 6th Cortisone injection and updated x ray. "You did so good today. The bones look like they're healing correctly, and things are definitely going in the right direction. I'm so proud of you, Cris!" Lionel praises and gushes over Cristiano. The larger athlete is now using one crutch and mostly walking on his own. "Gracias, Mi Amor. You're a big part of why I've been healing so well. The last time I was hurt like this, it required surgery. I love you so much." Cristiano moves up to Lionel as they reach the Lexus, hugging and giving Lionel's head a kiss. Lionel snakes his hand and arm around Cristiano's waist to pull him closer, Cristiano bending down to gently kiss Lionel in the near vacant parking lot. Lionel then gently lifts Cristiano to put him in the reclined passenger seat. "I can get myself into the car, you know?" Cristiano protests as he laughs. An hour later, and they are back home, Lionel grabs the mail from the front door, and one of them is a Miami Dade County court summons, it's for the assault he experienced during the International Friendly match. He freezes, and his body runs cold. Cristiano notices his boyfriend tense up as the positive energy in the room is quickly sucked out of it.

3 AM...

Cristiano is woken up by Lionel. He's tossing and turning again. It's been over a week since his last bout of night terrors, "My poor Leo, it's okay! You're with me, and you're safe. No one is going to hurt you!" Cristiano anxiously reassures his younger lover as he gently rubs his shoulder to wake him. Lionel feels a touch in his sleep and initially tries to fight the unknown threat. He opens his eyes after he punches Cristiano's hand away hard, hyperventilating and sweat dotting his hairline. He slowly comes undone at what he did, apologizing repeatedly. "Mi Amor, it's okay, you're with me, you're safe, and I'll never let anyone hurt you." Ronaldo gently reassures while he takes his panicking lover into his arms."Sit in my lap, Mi Amor, and slow your breathing. You'll get lightheaded. Please do it for me." Lionel shakily gets in his lap."Cris, I'm so sorry! I hit you! Oh god, I'm so sorry!" Lionel pants those words, tears slowly start to follow. "I'm glad and grateful you did. You chose to fight. I'll never be mad at you for choosing to fight back. I will always love you, Mi Amor." Cristiano then places his large hand on top of Lionel's chest to gently slow his breath. "Take a few deep breaths. Slowly, baby." Lionel shakes as he grabs ahold of Cris's forearms as he struggles to control his breath. Eventually, Lionel's breathing is slowed and becomes less panicked. Both men look at the clock and realize it's 3:15 AM, "I think I need help for this, I love you, Cristiano. This might need more than just the both of us managing this. I may need to seek counseling to deal with it." Cris looks down at Lionel with the most love and care he's ever had for anyone in his life.

Cristiano turns Lionel around "I support you, Mi Amor. I only want you to experience happiness and peace, which is why every moment we have, I put as much love as I can. You deserve the whole world. I love you so much, I'll love you in good times and in bad." Cris says as he gets a jewelry box out of his side table drawer. "For better, for worse, in sickness and in health, until death do us part. Mi Amor, this might not be the way I pictured this going, but I couldn't have had it go any other way. I love you so much. Words aren't enough to possibly describe my love for you." While getting up, Cristiano has tears welling up in his eyes as he opens his heart and takes the jewelry box into his hand, getting himself and his boot off the bed to go down on one knee to a seated Lionel. "Lionel Andrés Messi, will you take this journey with me? To be by my side for the rest of our lives?" Cristiano says as tears pour out of his eyes while facing Lionel. "Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aviero, nothing would make me happier. Yes, my answer is yes! I love you so much!!!" Lionel practically yells as he pulls his new fiancé into his arms, mixed laughter and tears of joy from both of them. They both go in for a kiss as Cristiano is now on top of Lionel. The giggles in between kisses are slowly replaced with moans of absolute pleasure. "Wait, Mi Amor! Let me put your ring on you! I'm so sorry I'm new at this whole thing!" Cris laughs through his joyous tears as he finds the box. "I want to see how beautiful it is, please, Cris!" Lionel begs him. Cristiano opens the black box, and there's a light in the box, shining down on a bright 14K yellow gold antique styled signet ring with the The Sun of May. The national symbol of Argentina, with the band paved with Alexandrite and Amethysts on both sides, Lionel and Cristiano's birthstones. The eyes of The Sun are colorless diamonds. Lionel's eyes almost popped out at how beautiful his engagement ring really is, Cristiano thought of every detail and carefully designed it with Lionel in mind the entire way. "This is the most beautiful gift anyone has ever got me! I absolutely love you, Cristiano Ronaldo! I'm never taking this off!!!" Cris gently takes his fiancé's slightly shaking left hand, takes the ring out of the box, and slowly puts Lionel's ring on his finger. Perfect fit. "I have a confession, Mi Amor." Cris admits."I snuck a thread around your finger months ago while you were sleeping and sent your measurements to my jeweler!" Cristiano giggles as he tries to wipe away his blushing cheeks. "NO WONDER WHY IT FIT!" Lionel laughs as he grabs his fiancé's head as he kisses him. A wave of relief and exhaustion hits them, as they both fall asleep in each other's arms at 3:30 in the morning.