Echoes of Glory: FC Barcelona Imagine

₊˚ʚ ᗢ₊˚✧ ﾟ.I Know I Loved You (Fermín Lòpez.)

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The rain doesn’t let up as you sit on the cold metal bench, its icy surface biting through the thin fabric of your jeans. It’s not supposed to rain in November, you think.

But there it is—falling endlessly, soaking through the leaves, the streets, and you. You don’t move. You can’t. The cold feels fitting, almost deserved.

You glance at the empty soccer field ahead, the floodlights dim and flickering, like a metaphor for your life right now.

Everything feels dim. Everything feels... wrong.

And yet, you stay. Because he might show up.

Fermín always finds you.

You draw your knees closer to your chest, the lyrics of a song stuck in your head like a haunting melody:
"I'm full of problems, love sick. No way to go. I was fine to die."

It’s not like you want to feel like this, but the truth is undeniable—before him, you were nothing more than a collection of jagged edges trying to fit into a puzzle that didn’t want you.

Life felt like a never-ending chess game, one you were destined to lose. And then there was him—your angel in this endless darkness.

“You’re going to catch a cold.”

The familiar voice pulls you from your thoughts, and when you turn, there he is. Fermín. His dark hair clings to his forehead, soaked from the rain, his hoodie offering little protection.

But his eyes... his eyes are warm, a sharp contrast to the cold rain that surrounds you.

You feel a lump rise in your throat.

“You came.”

“Of course, I came,” he says, stepping closer. He shrugs off his hoodie, draping it over your shoulders before sitting beside you, letting the rain soak him further.

“What are you doing out here?”

You don’t answer right away. Instead, you stare at the field, your voice barely a whisper when it comes out.

“Just thinking.”

“About what?”

You hesitate. About how much you need him. About how he’s the only light in a world that feels so suffocatingly dark.

But how do you say that without scaring him away?

“Everything,” you say instead.

He doesn’t press you, but his presence speaks volumes. Fermín has always been like that—offering comfort without asking for explanations. He doesn’t need to; he just knows.

The silence between you stretches, filled only by the sound of rain hitting the ground.

Finally, he breaks it.

“You know, I’m not going to let you drown in your own thoughts.”

You manage a weak smile.

“Who says I’m drowning?”

He gives you a look—one that says he sees right through you.

“You don’t have to say it. I can feel it.”

Your heart clenches at his words.

How does he do that? How does he make you feel seen when the rest of the world looks past you?

“I don’t belong anywhere, Fermín,” you admit, your voice cracking.

“Not at school, not at home... not even in my own head.”

His brows furrow, and before you can say anything else, he reaches for your hand, his fingers cold but grounding against your skin.

“Don’t say that,” he says firmly.

“You belong here. With me.”

The tears come then, unbidden and uncontrollable. You try to pull your hand away, but he holds on tighter, his grip steady.

“Hey,” he whispers, his tone softening.

“It’s okay. I’ve got you.”

You look at him through your tears, the weight of his words sinking in.

“Why?”

“Why what?”

“Why do you care so much?”

His lips quirk into a small, almost sad smile.

“Because I know what it’s like to feel like you’re losing. Like no matter what you do, it’s never enough.” He pauses, his gaze locking onto yours.

“But you’re enough for me.”

The sincerity in his voice is almost too much to bear. You lower your head, his words replaying in your mind. You’re enough for me.

“Fermín,” you whisper, your voice trembling.

He leans closer, his forehead resting lightly against yours.

“I’m not going to let you fall,” he says.

“I don’t care how many times you think you’re losing. I’m here. And I love you.”

Your breath catches. The words hang in the air between you, fragile but powerful. You search his face, looking for any sign of doubt, but there’s none. He means it.

“I...”

The words get stuck in your throat, but you force them out.

“I love you too.”

A relieved smile spreads across his face, and for the first time in what feels like forever, you feel like you can breathe.

The rain continues to fall, but it doesn’t matter anymore. Because for the first time, you’re not drowning. Fermín is your lifeline, your anchor, your everything. And as he pulls you into his arms, holding you close, you realize something.

You’re not a loser. Not when you have him.

Not when he loves you.