NUR DIE SGE

In The Heart Of Europe (Niko/Ante)

In the Heart of Europe

The first in his arms even before the end of the match is Ante, Ante's always the first anyway. The first in his heart, the first to help the team, the first to help him when he wants to die. Ante is always the one who keeps him warm, the one who reassures him, Ante is the one he loves. Niko remains focused on the match, he learned to never celebrate before the last minute, they're facing Bayern, and even if they are 2-1, they had to be present on all balls. Ante climbs on his back, Niko feels too old for that but he keeps his player on him, he wants to kiss him, but not in front of the cameras, not in front of his future club. Ante laughs in his ear before dropping them, Niko lets out a little shout while Ante tells him that he will miss him. Niko almost wants to cry, but he restrains himself, Ante has been smiling for a while now so he doesn't want to see him worried about him. Niko replies that he will also miss him, then he gets up, ignoring Ante's hand on his buttocks, he can spend the night with him, but he must first finish the match, his last with them.

The next in his arms is not Robby as Niko had expected but Hasan at the final whistle, they haven't seen each other for years, Niko went to an other Bundesliga club while Brazzo had always stayed at Bayern. Niko felt good in his arms, Hasan congratulated him, told him how much he was looking forward to seeing him again at Bayern. Niko felt his throat tighten, he would miss Frankfurt, he didn't know if Bayern was really his place, it was a whole new level, he just hadn't known how to say no to Brazzo, Ante had told him to go, to think of him first... Niko smiled at him, trembling, he didn't feel up to it, he didn't know if he could be something for Bayern, he was always so afraid of failing... Hasan whispered in his ear that he was proud of him and that he wanted to see him win lots of other things. It was at that moment that Niko felt his tears would flow anyway, even if he did his best.

Robert took him gently in his arms when Niko was on the field, he had left to take all his players in his arms and not leave before having congratulated them all, all encouraged to persevere. Robby laughed in his ear, Niko was proud to have been able to make him happy, his brother was his greatest pride; Niko preferred that he was the most successful in the family, he had always dealt with that, his only wish had always been for Robby to succeed. His tears did not flow but they were present in his eyes, Robert had accompanied him all this time, Niko did not know how to thank him for his patience... Robby lifted him from the ground, Niko wrapped his legs around his hips, he felt uneasy in front of so much happiness, it was his last match with Frankfurt and yet nobody seemed to want to accept it, Niko was almost already the coach of Bayern... He put his head in Robby's neck and thanked him for staying with him, Robert kept laughing, patting his back, Niko left a tear or two, maybe he was someone tonight.

After having hugged all his players without exception, Niko had to go to the press conference. He was proud but realistic, he already had to focus on his speech, and on the future season at Bayern. As he answered a question, Niko heard a noise coming closer, he quickly turned his head to see the players rush towards him with their bottles. Shit. Niko got up at lightning speed, he had to run away from the beer shower or he was going to smell alcohol for the rest of the evening... He ran one or two meters away, but he was definitely too old compared to his players and ends up soaking in beer. Niko could see the smile of his players and he was happy, he didn't want to leave them on anything but joy. Leaving the press conference, Niko still wanted to cry, but he couldn't, not again. He went into the locker room, taking off his wet shirt to retrieve a shirt not used to cover himself, but before he could get dressed, Luka took him in his arms, placing his head on his chest. Niko stroked his hair while looking at Ante who seemed almost jealous, he lifted his shoulders smiling at him, he couldn't do much except enjoy the heat of Luka.

Niko did not know if he would manage to live so many pleasant things at Bayern, but he knew that he would not forget Frankfurt, Ante, Luka, all that would remain with him. At the end of the day, Ante kissed him and let him cry, Niko was happy, but also sad to have to leave him already. Ante took him to his room, making him live one last time his strong proof of love. Feeling naked with him, Niko loved it, he hoped to be able to relive it soon with Ante.

"Niko, I love you." Ante whispered in his ear before falling asleep, Niko laughed for the first time of the day, hugging him. He knew he had his place in Frankfurt, Niko could come back home, it was his new family.

The End