snooze | pablo gavi

thirteen

azaria opens her eyes to a room that was not hers, blinking confusedly before her memory set in. she was really here, at gavi's place, in barcelona. she repeats the words in her head a few times, mulling over how fortunate she was.

gavi picked her up from the airport the day before, hugged and spun her around in the air in greeting. he had hoisted her luggage into the trunk of his sleek car like it weighed nothing. he was all wide grins and friendly banter, putting azaria's anxieties at ease.

she was worried that going from internet friends to real life so suddenly would be awkward. but gavi was so easy to be around; her nervous thoughts were tucked away quickly.

gavi was already awake downstairs, munching on a piece of toast at the kitchen island when she walks in. he was dressed in barca's training kit, revealing his lean and defined arms under the singlet.

"hey," azaria says with a yawn, heading straight for the coffee machine. as it powers on, she studies gavi for a moment. the morning sunlight filters through the blinds, hitting gavi's hair in just the right way to make it look golden.

"good morning," gavi says through a mouthful of toast, eyes following her movements. "you filming today already?"

"yeah," she grumbles, cradling a warm mug in both hands as she leans back on the countertop to face gavi.

"i'll drive you."

"thanks."

gavi's eyes unconsciously wander up and down, taking her in. something about her presence made him want to reach out and touch her. not in a romantic way, of course. gavi had always been overly affectionate with friends and family, but he wasn't sure if it was too soon with azaria. so he held back.

the pair had always talked over the phone about the fun things they would do when they ever met again, beyond online games and late night talks. it had felt like a fantasy, some made up thing they could never achieve. yet here she was, in gavi's kitchen.

this was the girl he called after every game, the one who would cook dinner while they were on a call so it felt like he was right there in her kitchen, alongside her. the one he had opened up to about his fears and dreams and she did the same in return.

"what is it?" azaria notices his watchful gaze and takes another sip, looking down at her pjama shirt. "since you're gonna comment on it, yes, i know i still wear pusheen pjamas to bed-"

"it's not that." gavi's eyes crinkle as he laughs lightly.

"then what?"

"just can't believe you're here."

a smile creeps up on azaria's face. "it doesn't feel real, does it?"

gavi nods in agreement. "you might disappear if i look away from you, or something."

"oh, i don't plan on going anywhere."

a peaceful silence settles over them as they share a smile, glad to be in each other's company.