FROM FRIENDS TO MORE || Gavi x Pedri

Chapter 23 :: Don't be jealous

The Estadio de Vallecano was a cauldron of noise, a sea of red and white, a symphony of whistles and chants. The air crackled with the tension of a derby match, a battle for Madrid's pride. Tonight, it was Rayo Vallecano, their fierce rivals, standing between Barça and another three points.

Gavi, a whirlwind of energy and passion, paced the sidelines, his eyes glued to the field. He could feel the weight of expectation, the hopes of millions resting on his young shoulders. He was ready. He was hungry.

The whistle blew, and the game exploded into action. The first half was a whirlwind of tackles, passes, and near misses. Gavi, a blur of movement, was everywhere, a tireless force, a constant threat to Rayo's defense. He weaved through players, his vision sharp, his touch precise. He was a maestro orchestrating the symphony of the game, his every move a testament to his talent.

Pedri, a calm and collected presence in the midfield, was the anchor, the steady hand guiding the team through the chaos. He controlled the tempo, his passes finding their targets with laser-like accuracy. He was the conductor, keeping the rhythm of the game, allowing Gavi and the rest of the team to flourish.

The second half saw the tide turn. Rayo, frustrated and desperate, pressed forward, their attacks becoming more frantic. The tension on the pitch was palpable, the crowd holding its breath with every near miss.

Then, it happened. A moment of brilliance, a flash of lightning in the storm. Pedri, with a deft touch, slipped a pass through Rayo's defense, finding Gavi making a daring run into the box. The stadium held its breath as Gavi, with a flick of his foot, sent the ball soaring past the outstretched hand of the goalkeeper. The Barça fans erupted in a wave of cheers, drowning out the frustrated roars of the home crowd.

Gavi, his face a mix of exhilaration and relief, ran towards the sideline, his arms outstretched. He was met by a wall of blue and red, a wave of joy washing over him. He was surrounded by his teammates, their cheers echoing in his ears. He was a hero.

But amidst the celebration, his eyes found Pedri. Pedri, with a smile that could melt glaciers, was already on his way, his arms open wide. Gavi felt a surge of warmth, a feeling of camaraderie, a sense of shared victory.

Pedri enveloped Gavi in a tight hug, his arms strong and reassuring. Gavi felt a wave of relief wash over him, a feeling of being safe, of being part of something bigger.

"That was amazing, Gavi!" Pedri exclaimed, his voice filled with pride. "You were incredible!"

Gavi grinned, his heart swelling with happiness. "It was nothing without you, Pedri," he replied, his voice a husky whisper. "You were amazing too."

Their embrace, however, was interrupted. João Félix, a whirlwind of energy and excitement, charged towards them, his arms outstretched.

"Gavi! You were incredible!" he shouted, his voice booming through the changing room. "That goal was pure magic!"

He reached Gavi, his arms wrapping around him in a bear hug. Gavi, caught off guard, struggled to breathe, his face turning red.

Pedri, watching the scene unfold, his smile faltering, felt a surge of annoyance. He watched as João held Gavi tight, his arms squeezing him, his face inches from Gavi's. He felt a pang of irritation, a feeling he had never experienced before.

"João," he said, his voice laced with a hint of annoyance, "give him some air, will you?"

João, oblivious to Pedri's discomfort, laughed, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Come on, Pedri, don't be jealous," he said, his voice dripping with amusement. "We're just celebrating."

Pedri, his jaw clenched, shot João a look that could curdle milk. "Just let him breathe," he snapped, his voice a low growl.

João, finally realizing the tension, released Gavi, who looked around, his face flushed, his eyes wide with confusion.

"Sorry, Gavi," João said, his voice now a sheepish murmur. "Got carried away."

Gavi, still catching his breath, nodded, his eyes flitting between Pedri and João. He felt a strange sense of unease, a feeling he couldn't quite place.

Pedri, his eyes still fixed on Gavi, felt a wave of relief wash over him. He knew he had been acting out of line, but he couldn't help himself. He valued his friendship with Gavi, he respected their bond, and he couldn't bear the thought of anyone else being so close to him.

"You okay, Gavi?" Pedri asked, his voice softer now, laced with concern.

Gavi, his gaze meeting Pedri's, felt a warmth spread through him. "Yeah, I'm fine," he replied, a small smile playing on his lips.

Pedri, his heart easing, nodded, his eyes still locked on Gavi's. He knew he had to talk to him later, to apologize for his outburst, to reassure him of their friendship. But for now, he was content to just look at him, to admire the way his hair fell over his forehead, the way his eyes sparkled with a mixture of joy and exhaustion.

The victory, the goal, the celebration, all faded away. All that mattered was the feeling of warmth in his chest, the feeling of camaraderie, the feeling of being part of something bigger.

But as they walked off the field, the tension between Pedri and João remained. The victory celebration was overshadowed by a simmering undercurrent of irritation and possessiveness. Pedri couldn't shake the feeling that João was encroaching on something important, something that belonged to their team dynamic. He knew he had to address this, to make sure that João understood the boundaries, the unspoken rules of their friendship, the unspoken rules of their team.