Invisible string (Robin Le Normand)

Chapter 11

A/N: I changed the injury to something more mundane because Robin's head injury scared me so much and it ended up being so much worse than it looked when it happened. So I didn't want to write "banter" about something so serious, you know? But I thought I would explain the reason quickly so you don't feel confused. Hope you enjoy the chapter! ❤️

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Even from afar, Leire knew Madrid derbies were exhausting. The media tried to create so many more problems and fans ended up wishing the match ended as soon as possible to move on to less stressful times. Basque derbies were not like that. Not recently anyway. And Robin was used to that more calm approach at the Basque derby so everything surrounding this new derby was getting to him. Leire could tell how tense he was and how much winning this match would mean.

Leire was back sitting with Paddy and both of them didn't enjoy the end of the match at all. Well, they enjoyed Atleti equalizing the match but then...the two men they were there for suffered different types of misfortunes. VAR determined that Llorente had to be sent off and then Robin suffered an injury.

It wasn't the first time Robin got injured. He had literally broken his jaw the previous season but this time, there was blood. The Madrid player kicked his back and caused the shirt to rip. When his teammates approached Robin, they called the doctors because of the blood. It didn't look that bad but Leire felt like she was about to have a panic attack.

"I have to see him", she said when the referee signaled the end of the match

"You need to wait a minute", reminded her Paddy. "Security is making sure nothing else happens. It's been a crazy match".

"But Robin was bleeding! What if it's a really bad wound?"

"He's fine, honey. He looked fine leaving the pitch but you'll see him soon, ok? Just try to take some deep breaths".

"I'm sorry".

"What for? It's normal you worry about your friend".

"Yeah but Marcos was sent off and you didn't overreact...", Leire felt guilty for not realising her new friend was probably dying to go see her husband too.

"He'll be fine. It happens".

Once the stadium's security determined it was safe for the families to go meet the players, Leire had to control the urge she felt to run down the stairs to go see Robin.

"Are you ok?"

"Yeah...why are you here?", he asked, surprised by Leire's presence there. She always waited by the car.

"You were bleeding...".

Leire then started to look at Robin's back, searching for the wound but he was wearing a shirt. So she started to lift his shirt to be able to see his back but only managed to confuse Robin more. "What are you doing?"

"Trying to see if you're bleeding".

"Pretty sure the doctors checked that already", he chuckled.

"This isn't funny, Robin".

Robin stopped laughing and took one of Leire's hand. He hadn't touched her like that in so long. "I know but I'm fine. Don't worry".

They stared at each other for a few heartbeats. It had been so long since they both felt comfortable around each other like they had at that moment. And what brought it back? Leire worrying about Robin. He could feel how his heart had reacted to that realisation.

She still cares, he thought. Leire was thinking the same but she wanted to admonish herself for it. He'll break my heart again, was what her mind told her while she allowed her actions to be dictated by her heart.

The drive home was used by Leire to try and go back to her previous behaviour around Robin. But he wasn't done enjoying how good it felt to have the old Leire back. Even if it was only for a few minutes.

"Wanna see the wound?"

"Why would I want to see that, Robin?"

"You looked so worried earlier...", he teased and then took his shirt off.

"Oh please...".

Leire rolled her eyes and left the living room but Robin followed her, still wearing no shirt. "You used to love seeing me with no shirt on".

"Yeah, well...you know how the body responds to primitive instincts even if you don't want it to. So my eyes see a good body...".

"Thanks".

"Shut up! And...whatever, it might react. But that happens all the time and I never act on it because sadly, a good body isn't usually accompanied by a good personality".

"So what I'm taking from this speech is you think I'm hot and you get very...let's say excited when you go out and see men but refuse to sleep with any of them because men are dumb".

"Well", Leire gave Robin her best duh face. "Men are dumb. And you know I think you're hot. You know that and so much more. Let's not insult each other by pretending we don't know things we know".

Robin regretted his teasing immediately noticing how Leire's voice kept rising. He always had to push her too far.

"I'm sorry...".

"No, you aren't sorry, Robin. And that's the issue".

"Leire", he tried to touch her and she moved away quickly.

"Experts should truly study your ability to ruin every moment. I'm going to bed".

"Good night", whispered Robin, seeing Leire go away from him again.

That argument was truly going to haunt them forever.