Echoes of Glory: FC Barcelona Imagine

⊹₊｡ꕤ˚₊⊹ In Every Victory, Your Support (Marc Bernal.)

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The scent of antiseptic and the soft hum of hospital machinery filled the sterile room where you sat by Marc Bernal’s side.

His leg, propped up with pillows, was heavily bandaged, and the once vibrant football star now looked subdued, resting on the hospital bed.

The last few days had been a whirlwind of emergency rooms and worried calls, but here you were, settling into the role of his caretaker.

Marc had always been a pillar of strength, his athletic build and confident demeanor a stark contrast to his current state of vulnerability.

You had watched him recover from countless bruises and scrapes before, but this injury— a torn ligament from a particularly brutal tackle—was different.

It had sidelined him and left him with a growing sense of frustration.

You gently adjusted the pillows around his leg, trying to make him as comfortable as possible. He winced slightly, but his eyes softened when they met yours.

You could see the appreciation and love in them, mingled with a trace of embarrassment for needing so much help.

"How's the pain?" you asked softly, brushing a stray lock of hair from his forehead. His face brightened at your touch, and he gave a small, appreciative smile.

“It’s not too bad,” Marc replied, his voice hoarse but earnest. “Thanks for being here.”

You offered a reassuring smile, settling into the chair beside his bed.

“You’d do the same for me, Marc. You know that.”

He chuckled, though it was more of a strained attempt at humor.

“Yeah, but I wouldn’t have to be this pampered.”

You laughed, the sound a welcome relief in the quiet room.

“Well, you’re getting the royal treatment whether you like it or not. Now, tell me about that new movie you wanted to watch. I thought we could have a little movie marathon to pass the time.”

His eyes lit up, momentarily lifting from the weight of his injury.

“I’d love that. I’ve been dying to see that one—what’s it called? ‘The Horizon’s Edge’?”

“Exactly,” you said, pulling out your phone to set up the streaming service. “I’ve got it all queued up.”

As the movie began, you settled into a comfortable routine. You adjusted the blankets over him, made sure he had a good view of the screen, and fetched him snacks and drinks with a kind of attentiveness that only someone who deeply cared could manage.

Occasionally, you would glance over to see him smiling or laughing at the film, and it made the effort worth it.

The days turned into a steady rhythm of doctor’s appointments and recovery sessions, and through it all, you remained his steadfast supporter.

You helped him with physical therapy exercises, encouraging him with every small improvement. Your soothing presence and unshakeable optimism became the anchors he relied on.

One evening, as you helped him settle into bed after a long day of exercises, Marc reached out and took your hand in his. His grip was gentle, but the gratitude in his eyes was palpable.

“I don’t know how I’d have gotten through this without you,” he said quietly. “You’ve been incredible.”

You squeezed his hand, feeling a warmth spread through you.

“You’ve been strong through all of this, Marc. I’m just glad I can be here for you.”

He leaned back, a contented sigh escaping his lips.

“I guess I’ll owe you a lot of dinners and pampering once I’m back on my feet.”

You chuckled, nodding in agreement.

“Deal. But for now, let’s just focus on getting you better.”

As the days passed and his recovery progressed, the bond between you grew stronger. Marc’s spirit, once dampened by the injury, began to shine again, and you were there every step of the way, offering support and encouragement.

His journey to recovery wasn’t just about healing his body but also about cherishing the deep connection you shared, proving that love and care could turn even the toughest challenges into a testament of strength and togetherness.

And when he finally returned to the field, the cheers of fans and the thrill of the game were overshadowed by a simple truth: the real victory was the unwavering love and support you had given him throughout his journey.

(ps. get well soon, marc! we are all with you 💙❤️)