blank space ; davies + rodon + bale

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Brennan had heard the murmurs in the Welsh dressing room before, back when Gareth was still around, but thought it was just baseless gossip – the kind that every footballer, particularly of Gareth's level, gets involved in, or perhaps it was just one of the teammates having a laugh. Because a 19-year-old Brennan simply refused to believe that the Gareth Bale could have been even remotely involved in an entanglement with a teammate, let alone two of them.

It was Harry who had first implied it sometime during the first international camp of the COVID season, back when Brennan was still finding his place in the squad. "Gareth's been playing a few favourites nowadays, even if he doesn't act like it," and Brennan simply nodded at the time, thinking it was merely Gareth playing around with the squad. "Don't tell him anything, though," Harry says with a laugh, but a reason never comes.

Gareth's all the same, yet rejuvenated, and Brennan can only assume it has something to do with leaving Madrid and returning to London. But Brennan's still shy and quiet, his place in the squad present yet not quite there on the bigger stages, so he doesn't ask for the whys. It's instantly noticeable how he gravitates towards Ben – who Brennan had always expected, two of the longer serving players, leadership group and all that – but also Joe, which had surprised him. But he bites his tongue like the rest of the teammates and doesn't say a word; Brennan tells himself it's just Gareth becoming closer with his new teammates at club level, but there's something undeniably sensual about the air between them – the looks, touches, smiles – it's like they know every nook and cranny of each other, and Brennan isn't sure what to make of that.

Suddenly, it feels like there's no space for the rest of them, and Gareth's world only has two names: Ben and Joe.

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Gareth has always been a bit of a teaser and jokester, but around Joe, he took it to a whole new level. He lets it happen, watches the younger frown and his cheeks turn red at the embarrassment, and lets him moan about his problems (most of them involving Gareth himself, but he can't help but find it rather amusing). It's all rather endearing how little Joe seems to be able to pick up the massive signals Gareth is trying to convey, but he lets the boy be oblivious – as time goes on, Gareth finds the utter ignorance blissful at times. The ability to push people's buttons and have everyone, including Joe, think it's all friendly banter. Gareth knows he already has that power, with seniority, being captain, and all that, but to push Joe's buttons specifically, he knew he was falling harder.

Almost everyone thinks it's friendly banter, but Gareth notices how Ben always keeps a watchful eye on Joe. Knows that if he asks, Ben will shrug and mention something about a new young lad, keeping an eye on him, defenders and their chemistry and all that; the stuff that makes Gareth roll his eyes and call Ben an overthinker. Ben would just frown, shrug, take no offence and move on like the gentleman is he – never one to daddle with subjects he doesn't find any worth in talking about – Gareth supposes he admires that, though he'd never bother doing that himself. Bit too carefree, a bit reckless, but that's just who he is.

Gareth admits that he doesn't entirely know if there's more between Ben and Joe – doesn't entirely care, if he's honest – because they could very much be sharing the same bed at night, every night, two Swansea boys together, but Gareth pretends he doesn't notice. It's one of those days where Joe attaches himself closer to Ben than the rest, even though they're most certainly not in the same age group and really, Ben's a full-back, so Gareth's not sure why Joe has any need to be so close to Ben. By that logic, Gareth knows he has no business meddling between them, even less than Ben if anything, but he still approaches the pair with the same teasing look on his face.

Joe makes some comments about having to split into their positions for training, but Gareth merely shrugs, resulting in an eye roll from Joe, though Ben laughs it off and jokes about Gareth trying to compete with him in left-back. Neither push him away, and Gareth takes that as a good sign. Really, he should be asking what you two are, but the words come and go out of his head, and he decides that the banter was more fun than any foolish confrontation in front of the squad. Ben doesn't say much, knows he doesn't quite fit in with the banter when it's on a roll, but makes the occasional wayward comment that leaves Joe and Gareth supporting themselves on their knees.