Fortified -Pau Cubarsí-

7 - bus rides and music

The bus hums quietly around me, the engine's low growl blending with the faint chatter of the team. We're heading back from the away game, and while the excitement of winning is still there, it's already starting to fade. The rain outside is steady, tapping against the windows as the city lights blur past us.

I lean back in my seat, earbuds in, letting the music take over. My playlist is all mood tonight—slow beats, deep bass, the kind of songs that feel like they're made for rainy nights. Chase Atlantic's voice drips with sultriness, SZA pulls me into something darker, and the smooth tones of The neighborhood settle into my chest. It's a vibe I'm sinking into, a mood I can't shake off, and I don't want to.

I lose track of time, letting the music swirl around me, but then I feel a shift. The air between us changes, subtle but enough to make my pulse hitch.

"Hey."

I blink, my gaze snapping to the aisle. Pau is standing there, looking at me with that usual relaxed smile. His eyes flicker from my earbuds to my face, a quiet curiosity in them.

"Yeah?" I pull one earbud out, voice casual, but I can feel the heat in my cheeks that I'm trying to hide.

"How's the stitches?" he asks, his voice low, easy as he turns his head to show me the now healing gash.

I laugh, trying to cover up the flutter in my chest. "You really want me to obsess over your stitches again?" I tease, folding my arms across my chest, leaning back in the seat. I refuse to let him see how much I care.

His lips curl into a grin. "I'm just saying, you seem obsessed with my health."

I roll my eyes, but there's a smile tugging at my lips. "I'm just making sure you don't bleed all over the place again."

Pau chuckles, his eyes softening for a split second. "It's fine. Healed up well."

I feel my heart do a strange little skip at his words, but I try to shrug it off. "Good," I mutter, glancing away, pretending to be focused on the window, even though I'm not really seeing anything.

Hector leans over the back of the seat, a smirk on his face. "You're really obvious, Cesca," he teases.

I shoot him a glare, my stomach tight. "Shut up, Hector."

Pau laughs at the usual sibling banter but turns back to talk with one of the other guys. I try to focus, but I feel that strange pull toward him again, that magnetic tension I can't quite understand.

It's then that I catch his eye again. Just for a second. The way his gaze lingers on mine makes something warm flutter in my chest. He doesn't say anything, doesn't even break his conversation with the others. But the way he looks at me... it's like we're sharing something no one else can see.

I push the feeling aside and plug my earbud back in. But the moment doesn't quite leave me.

Suddenly, Pau pulls the earbud out of my ear, catching me off guard. I blink up at him, heart stuttering in my chest.

"You're not the only one with good taste in music," he says, his grin widening. "Let me hear it."

I can't help but laugh a little, feeling my cheeks warm. "You sure you're ready for this?" I ask, trying to sound playful, even though my stomach is doing flips.

He raises an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "I think I can handle it."

I hand him the earbud, watching closely as he slips it into his ear. His face shifts immediately, his brows knitting together slightly as he listens. I wait for him to pull it out and make some kind of comment about how it's too dark or weird for him. But instead, his lips curl into a half-smile.

"Okay, I wasn't expecting this," he says, his voice low, amused.

I raise an eyebrow, trying to hide my nervousness. "What, you thought I was all pop music and fun beats?"

"Honestly? Yeah." He shakes his head, his smile widening as he taps his leg to the rhythm. "This is... pretty intense."

I can't help but laugh, though it's more out of relief than anything. "It's not my usual vibe," I admit. "But sometimes you just need something a little moodier."

"I'll say," he murmurs, his fingers tapping along with the beat. "It's kind of sexy, though."

The way he says it sends a flush to my cheeks. I tug my sleeve down over my hands, trying to hide how warm I suddenly feel. "Yeah, well... I don't do happy all the time."

Pau pulls the earbud out and looks at me, his eyes a little softer now. "I didn't know you were into stuff like this."

I swallow, trying to keep my cool. "There's a lot you don't know about me."

He grins again, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "I'm starting to think there's more to you than I thought."

For a moment, I'm not sure what to say. That playful tone, mixed with something softer beneath it, throws me off balance. I can't tell if he's just being his usual teasing self or if he's... noticing something more.

I shift in my seat, trying to distract myself. "You're not trying to impress me with your music taste, are you?" I ask, trying to keep the mood light.

Pau chuckles. "No, but now I'm curious about what else you're into."

I try to act nonchalant, but there's a part of me that wonders if he's really interested in me—or just in the music I'm into. I smile, though it feels a little unsure. "You'll just have to keep guessing."

The conversation fades as the bus continues its journey, but the tension between us lingers. I try to focus on the road outside, but all I can think about is the way Pau's eyes held mine, and how every little interaction between us is starting to feel... different.

Lunette yaps:

Lolzies im like in love with this chapter🤭🤭.

and like have you lot seen the xmas jumper pics??? im telling you i was a giggling mess when i saw them.. if you haven't seen them js go to the barça store web and come back.

now that you're back....

DFGHJKLIUTFVBHJNOILKGJHGDFVBHIKJGJFHDFTYGUJOLKHTRSDFGUKJMUHEYRFGVYBHIKJRFGYITRFTGVHBUYTR54ESDCFVGHJIU87Y6TYHUJIKMJNHBGVFRT6YT6R5EDFGYH🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭.

and there's gonna be a double upload tn so watch out😜

Word Count: 1037