Football One Shots

Neymessi AU pt.5

A bit shorter than I would've liked but I hope it's still good!!!
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A life of fear and loneliness was what Neymar had lived for as long as he could remember. There was never one memory that came to mind when he tried to think of happy times when he spent time with anyone other than his mother. No contact with others, even his own age, unless out in public with his parents or at school. It was a life of complete isolation and a life of complete misery. So, when Neymar woke up in the infirmary alone, he was confused by the tightening in his chest and the deflating of his shoulders.
Hope
That's what it had been, for sure. He had hope now, more so than ever before when he really thought about it. He also had trust, something he'd only ever put in his mother, yet at even the mention of Luis, Iniesta, Masche, Lionel... Neymar knew he had somehow been reborn into a life that was completely opposite of the one he'd had previous. No, life in prison wasn't perfect, far from it actually, but he knew he had others to protect him, care for him (even if they sucked at showing it most of the time), look after him, and he had a family that would fight for him. That's more than he could say for his actual family, even his mother. She was always too busy protecting herself and Neymar, she's never gotten around to the other things that a normal mother did. Hope, trust, heck he'd even go as far as to say there was love for the others somewhere in him. Sure, Lionel had blown up at Neymar for Kun, but Ney knew he was just hurting, far more than Neymar did from taking the hits. It took days for Neymar to finally realize that Kun's death wasn't his fault, and that Leo just really needed to get his anger out, like Neymar's father had so often, and Neymar was okay with that. If Leo needed to yell at him a thousand more times, Ney would let him, because he truly cared for Leo, and the others, and he'd much rather feel worthless than allow Leo to drive himself insane by keeping it all in. So, when he awoke to find none of them around, he was disappointed.
"Ah. Neymar. I'm Mourinho. A good friend of Leo's. How are you feeling?" Mourinho looked a bit too happy about being there, an that caused Neymar to hesitate.
"Oh, you must be wondering what's going on. Well, Leo, Gerard, and Luis brought you to me in an awful state of health. They were really concerned. I've treated you for dehydration and malnutrition, and I had to help lower your body temperature a bit, but other than that there is nothing long term." Neymar only paused for a second more.
"Where's Leo?" Thats all Neymar cared about. Forget his own well being, he just wanted Leo.
"He's taking care of something's at the moment." Mourinho replied cryptically.
Neymar only stared at him for a moment before siting up and swinging his legs over the side of the bed. With just a slight push off the bed, Neymar rose on his wobbly legs.
"Neymar I don't think-" Neymar didn't care.
It was as if he was a child taking his first steps as he slowly placed one foot in front of the other, as if the whole concept of walking was foreign to his body.
"Neymar please-" Neymar paid Mourinho no mind.
Just as he reached the door, Neymar stumbled forward and into the somewhat crowded hall.
Turning to head in the direction of Leo's cell, he began the process all over again, ignoring others as they passed with a huff of frustration at his slow pace.
A snail. That's what he'd been reminded of as others pushed past him, but Neymar noticed one thing. No one dared say anything to Neymar, despite their huffs and sighs of frustration, no one uttered even an inkling of disgust or annoyance verbally, and Neymar knew why. Lionel freaking Messi.
The fear Lionel brought upon others, even the biggest assholes in the prison, was enough to protect Neymar itself, without the physical protection. The fear Lionel brought was enough to force any opposing threats away from Neymar, and the man didn't even have to be present. That's what Neymar noticed, and it confused him even more. No one had hesitated to make nasty remarks before, so why now, why today?
"I'm going to visit Neymar. Keep an eye on this." Just as Neymar rounded the corner into Leo's room, the devil himself made his way out, colliding with Neymar and causing him to fall backwards, but not before Leo wrapped around his waist and pulled him back up right.
"Neymar. What are you doing?" Leo checked him over once before taking a half step back, leaving a space between the two that Neymar didn't really care for.
Leo's close proximity had always brought him peace, but now more so than ever, with his life going to shambles and all.
"I came to see you. I mean all of you. I've missed you guys." Neymar coughed dryly as he skimmed over everyone in the room.
"How are you feeling Ney?" Luis stood from his spot against the wall in the corner.
"I-" Neymar froze as his mind scrambled to compile an answer.
Neymar wanted to tell them all he was feeling great, that he was feeling perky and energized, that he hadn't been better, but it would be a lie, one that Neymar couldn't afford to tell, especially after everything he'd put this group through.
"It'll take some time, but I'll be okay." Neymar nodded to himself, deciding that his answer was sufficient enough for the moment being.
"Ney. Mourinho said you wouldn't be released for another day at least. You've been sleeping 'round the clock. What are you doing out of bed?" Now Luis was kicked into action, making his was to Neymar's slightly slouched figure.
"Here. Into bed now." Neymar rolled his eyes and grumbled nonsense as Luis pulled the sheet up to the man's chin and patted his hair.
"There you go. Now you must rest. It is key to a full recovery." Luis smiled as he sat on the floor beside the bed, as if making an effort to keep an eye on Neymar and protect him from an unknown danger.
"Well does your head hurt? Do you feel nauseous? Is your body feeling fatigued?" Luis pressed as he rested his head against the bedside.
"My legs are weaker than usual. And I walk like I have a stick up my bum, but other than that, everything is just peachy." Neymar exhaled as he relaxed into the sheets, picking up a heavy scent of Leo.
"Leo? Are you alright?" Neymar gave a pointed look to Leo as he noticed the growing bags beneath his eyes and the looked of pure exhaustion gracing his face.
"Come here." Neymar lifted the side of the sheet to invite the older in with him, but when Leo approached, he paused slightly before collapsing on top of Neymar and nuzzling into him.
"I've missed you Leo." Neymar whispered lightly as his arms wrapped around Leo's back and his hands found their way into his overgrown locks. The only response Neymar got was a hum before Leo nuzzled once more and settled into his neck, finally relaxing and growing motionless.
"It's been a rough week without you Ney. You have no idea." Luis smiled and relaxed into the window sill that Neymar had been assigned to time and time again in the past.
There, holding Lionel in his arms, feeling his heart beat into his chest, feeling his warm breaths against his skin, it made Neymar smile. With Leo in his arms, Neymar felt untouchable. A settling feeling loomed over Neymar's body, his mind feeling reassured, but it didn't last long.
"Leo. They're onto us." Marc-Andre wasted no time with greetings, coming in like a man on a mission.
Leo shot up and made his way past MAtS, looking down the hall both ways before signaling to Luis with a nod.
"Let's get you some rest Ney. You look worn down." Luis pulled at his arm and ushered him to follow, a look of urgency crossing his features as Neymar tried to pull away from his grip.
"Leo?" Neymar questioned, only allowing a slight panic to flow into his veins and drip into his chest.
"Go Neymar. Please." Leo nodded and looked to Luis again.
"Ney come on." But Neymar refused.
"No. Leo. What is it." Leo only shook his head and approached Neymar.
"I need you to go with Luis. You know nothing and it needs to stay that way. Please. Trust me on this." Leo's hand cupped Neymar's thinning cheeks and looked into his eyes.
Neymar opened his mouth to reply, but commotion sounded from out in the hall and caught his attention.
"Where the hell is he!? Lionel Fucking Messi! Show yourself you coward!" Leo hissed under his breath and grabbed Neymar, shoving him behind his slightly smaller frame, Luis tensing up as Neymar looked to him in pure fear.
"Neymar keep your eyes down. Don't say a word. " Luis instructed as he stood taller and did his best to block Neymar from the sight of the approaching guards.
"Henchman Bettoni. Nice of you to stop by." Gerard said dryly as the bald man walked through the cell entrance.
"I'm not a fucking henchmen." Bettoni pointed a hard finger to Gerard, who only laughed in reply.
"You, Messi, are coming with me. Now." Leo sighed, but stayed in place.
"What are you going on about Bettoni," Masche stepped forward, arms crossed in irritation at the disruption, "we don't have time for your shit."
"I suggest you come with me now or Unzué and I will beat the shit out of you for resistance and drag you off like that. Your choice."
"I'm not interested in your games. I've done nothing." Lionel countered calmly.
"Is that why Ronaldo came running to us? Saying you'd hired Pepe to do your dirty work and kill Allegri." If Leo was angry, he didn't show it.
"You have no proof any of what you are claiming actually happened." Gerard bit impatiently as Unzué entered through the doorway hastily.
"Let's fucking go Messi. I'm not dealing with your shit." Unzué left no room fo argument as he reached forward and grabbed onto Lionel, yanking him away from Neymar's grip on his forearm.
Neymar panicked as he watched Leo be shoved against the wall and punched in the side of the face. With frantic eyes, Neymar looked at his friends, trying to urge them with just his eyes to do something, but they all watched helplessly, and Neymar knew why. They'd all be thrown into solitary if they tried to fight back. Using their words was as far as they ever pushed with the guards, knowing their mouths were less likely to land them a spot in a room of complete isolation for a set amount of time.
Leo took another blow, blood oozing from the same lips Neymar had thought about kissing at night, dying them crimson. A twitch in Neymar's throat urged him to say something, say anything to help Leo, the man who had helped him so many times.
"You could've saved your mother. You could've fought harder. You let her down. You were selfish." Neymar didn't want to be selfish anymore. He didn't want to hide behind others to save himself. He didn't want to watch everyone around him hurt just so he could live a life of comfort.
"It was me." Everyone's attention turned to Neymar, all wearing a look of shock and surprise.
This is for you Leo.