FROM FRIENDS TO MORE || Gavi x Pedri

Chapter 28 :: Still a kid

The city thrummed with life, a kaleidoscope of lights and sounds, a constant hum of energy. Pedri, his head throbbing from the previous night's excesses, squinted at the bright sun, his hand shielding his eyes. He was sitting on a bench in the park, a half-eaten churro clutched in his hand, watching Gavi, who was chasing pigeons with a mischievous grin on his face.

"You're a mess," Pedri said, his voice hoarse from lack of sleep.

Gavi, his hair ruffled by the wind, turned around, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "I'm a mess? You're the one who's been asleep for the past three hours, snoring like a walrus."

Pedri snorted. "I was recovering from your drunken shenanigans last night."

Gavi's grin widened. "You're just jealous you didn't get to have as much fun."

"Fun?" Pedri scoffed. "You were practically a human piñata, Gavi. I swear, you were dancing on tables and singing karaoke in Spanish, even though you don't speak a word of it."

Gavi laughed, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "It was hilarious! You should have seen the look on the bartender's face when I ordered a 'cerveza con limón' and then proceeded to drink it straight from the bottle."

Pedri shook his head, a smile tugging at his lips despite himself. "You're a menace, Gavi. I don't know how I put up with you."

"You love me," Gavi said, his voice soft. "You know you do."

Pedri looked at him, his heart softening. He couldn't deny it. Gavi, with his infectious energy and his unwavering optimism, was a force of nature, a constant source of joy and chaos. He was the brother Pedri never had, the friend he never knew he needed.

They sat in silence for a while, watching the pigeons flutter and peck at the crumbs on the ground. The sun warmed their faces, the air filled with the scent of blooming flowers.

"What are we doing today?" Gavi asked, his voice filled with the excitement of a child on a holiday.

Pedri shrugged. "I don't know. Whatever you want to do."

Gavi's eyes lit up. "Let's go to the beach! We can swim, play volleyball, maybe even build a sandcastle."

Pedri chuckled. "You're still a kid at heart, Gavi."

"And you're still my best friend," Gavi said, his voice serious for a moment. "No matter what."

Pedri smiled, his heart full. He knew he was lucky to have Gavi in his life. He was the one constant in a world of chaos, the one person who could always make him smile, even when he felt like everything was falling apart. And as they walked towards the beach, the sun on their faces and the laughter bubbling up from their chests, Pedri knew that he wouldn't trade this feeling, this friendship, for anything in the world.

***

The beach was a tranquil expanse of sand and shimmering water, the air still and warm. Pedri, ever the adventurer, looked at Gavi with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Wanna race?" he asked, already starting to unlace his sneakers.

Gavi, always up for a challenge, grinned back. "You're on!" he said, but a small voice inside him whispered a warning. He couldn't swim. Not really. He'd always pretended, always stayed close to the shore, but the truth was, the ocean was a vast, unknown territory to him.

Pedri, oblivious to Gavi's secret, charged into the water, the shallows barely reaching his knees. "Come on, slowpoke!" he called, splashing playfully.

Gavi hesitated, his heart pounding in his chest. He should have said something, confessed his fear, but the sight of Pedri, so carefree and confident, made him swallow his words. He waded into the water, the cool water washing over his feet, the sun warming his skin.

The water was deeper than he expected, reaching his waist, then his chest. He felt a sudden surge of panic, his legs starting to tremble. He tried to call out to Pedri, but the words caught in his throat.

Pedri, unaware of Gavi's struggle, turned back, a playful grin on his face. "You're lagging behind!" he shouted, unaware of the terror that gripped Gavi.

Gavi, desperate, tried to push himself forward, but his feet couldn't find the bottom. He started to panic, his arms flailing, his breath catching in his throat. The water, once playful, now felt heavy and suffocating.

"Pedri!" he cried, his voice barely a whisper.

Pedri, finally noticing Gavi's distress, turned back, his face etched with concern. He saw Gavi struggling, his face pale, his eyes wide with fear. He didn't hesitate, his instincts taking over. He swam towards Gavi, his heart pounding in his chest.

He reached Gavi, his hand grabbing Gavi's arm, pulling him towards the surface. Gavi, gasping for air, clung to Pedri, his body trembling with relief. Pedri, strong and steady, guided him back to the shallows, the water receding around them.

Gavi collapsed on the sand, coughing and sputtering, his eyes wide with fear. Pedri sat beside him, his hand resting on Gavi's shoulder, his voice calm and reassuring. "You're alright," he said. "You're alright."

Gavi looked at him, his face pale, his eyes filled with gratitude. "I... I can't swim," he whispered, his voice choked with shame.

Pedri smiled, his expression gentle. "I know," he said. "I saw."