FROM FRIENDS TO MORE || Gavi x Pedri

Chapter 67 :: I'm not

The training ground buzzed with the usual pre-game energy. Players jostled each other, laughing and shouting, their voices blending with the rhythmic thud of the ball against leather. Gavi, however, felt anything but at ease. He found himself constantly glancing at Pedri, his gaze lingering longer than necessary, his heart pounding a little faster with each stolen glance.

"Gavi, you alright?" Busquets, ever observant, noticed Gavi's distracted demeanor.

Gavi, startled, quickly looked away. "Yeah, fine," he mumbled, forcing a smile. "Just a bit tired, that's all."

But even as he spoke, his eyes were drawn back to Pedri, who was demonstrating a new passing technique to the younger players. He watched as Pedri's hand moved with effortless grace, guiding the ball with a gentle touch, his focus unwavering.

"You're staring," Busquets chuckled, his voice a low rumble. "You're practically glued to him."

Gavi's face flushed. "I'm not," he protested, his voice too high, too defensive. "Just... admiring his technique, you know?"

Busquets raised an eyebrow, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. "Sure, sure. Just admiring."

Gavi felt a blush creep up his neck every time their eyes met, a rush of warmth spreading through his cheeks. He'd quickly look away, feeling a mix of embarrassment and excitement. It was as if his body was betraying him, revealing his secret desires in a way he couldn't control.

He tried to act nonchalant, to maintain his usual playful demeanor, but the effort felt strained, forced. He found himself stumbling over his words, his usual sharp wit dulled by a sudden wave of shyness. He'd laugh at Pedri's jokes a little too loudly, his voice cracking at the edges.

"Gavi, you okay?" Pedri asked, his voice a soft melody that sent shivers down Gavi's spine. He was standing right next to him, their shoulders brushing, and Gavi felt a wave of heat wash over him.

"Yeah, fine," he managed to stammer, his voice barely a whisper. "Just... thinking about the game."

Pedri smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "You're always thinking about the game, Gavi. You're a machine."

Gavi felt a pang of guilt, knowing he was lying, that his mind was consumed by thoughts of Pedri, not the game. He tried to distract himself, to focus on the game, but Pedri's presence was a constant presence in his mind, a whisper that lingered even when he was trying to ignore it.

He'd catch himself staring at Pedri more than usual, his gaze lingering on the way his muscles tensed as he ran, the way his breath caught in his throat as he dribbled past an opponent. He'd find himself wanting to reach out, to touch Pedri's arm, to feel the warmth of his skin against his own.

But then he'd pull back, his heart pounding in his chest, his face flushed with shame. He couldn't let Pedri know, not yet. He wasn't ready to face the possibility of rejection, the fear of ruining their friendship.

He tried to hide his feelings, to bury them deep within himself, but they kept bubbling to the surface, a constant reminder of his growing affection. He felt a sense of urgency, a need to understand these new emotions, to find a way to express them, to reconcile them with the reality of their friendship.

He knew he couldn't keep pretending forever, that his feelings were becoming too obvious, too difficult to ignore. But he also knew he wasn't ready to face the truth, to confront the possibility of losing Pedri, of pushing him away.

So he continued to play his role, the carefree teammate, the loyal friend, hiding his secret behind a mask of playful banter and boisterous laughter. But deep down, he knew it was only a matter of time before his true feelings would surface, before the dam would break, and his heart would be laid bare for all to see.