It's Difficult: Pablo Gavi
Content Warnings: Toxic relationship dynamics, possessiveness, controlling behaviour, jealousy, insecurity, trust issues, relationship conflict, arguments, emotional tension, reconciliation, and fluff.
You ignored Gavi since he got on your nerves. His anger flared again when you liked an Instagram post—your cousin’s, not a stranger’s. He didn’t believe you. Again, he accused you of cheating. Why? Because the post belonged to a man.
Was he really that insecure?
The thought irritated you. He acted like he could control your online interactions. So what if you liked men’s pictures? Most were family or old friends, people he’d never met—people from before he came into your life.
That wasn't your problem.
He was the one with trust issues.
You’d explained many times, but it never mattered. Every explanation fell on deaf ears.
Trying not to dwell, you curled up on the sofa with Brooklyn Nine-Nine. The familiar jokes distracted you until you heard the front door open.
Knowing how he was after a match, you went to the kitchen. You remembered his yellow card and figured he was frustrated. The last thing you wanted was another argument, the second he walked in.
You turned on the tap and washed the dishes, focusing on the warm water and repetition.
A few moments later, you heard his bag hit the floor, followed by the dull thud of his shoes being kicked off.
His footsteps approached the kitchen.
Before you could react, familiar arms wrapped around your waist from behind.
Normally, you would have melted into his embrace, comforted by his touch. But tonight, a tangled mess of anger and hurt tightened inside you, stopping you from letting go and keeping your body stiff.
Not today. Vulnerability and resentment gnawed at you, winding tight around your heart, making it impossible to soften.
You focused on the dishes, staying neutral, neither acknowledging him nor leaning in, your face a careful, blank mask.
After a few silent seconds, he scoffed quietly and let go before walking back out of the kitchen.
You finished the dishes and decided to make dinner.
Despite everything, you knew he would be hungry.
You knew your boyfriend well.
Even when annoyed, you never let him go hungry or treated him unfairly. Arguments happened. Though this wasn't your first, frustration lingered with your sense of responsibility.
You prepared one of his favourite meals, then plated it neatly and left it on the kitchen counter.
Not long after, you heard footsteps returning.
Without saying a word, Gavi picked up the plate and carried it into the living room to eat while you stayed behind.
The silence between you was suffocating, thickening the air with unspoken blame. Dread pooled in your chest, but at least the quiet kept wounds from splitting wider.
Feeling exhausted and wanting to wash the day away, you went upstairs for a shower.
Steam quickly filled the bathroom as warm water cascaded over your skin.
You hummed as you washed your hair and body, then shaved your legs. The warmth briefly cleared your mind.
Finished, you stepped out and wrapped yourself in a towel, drying and twisting your hair to squeeze out the excess water.
After brushing your teeth and skincare, you braided your hair for soft waves to wear with friends tomorrow.
Satisfied, you walked back into the bedroom.
You charged your phone, changed into pyjamas, and slipped under the duvet.
Sleep pulled at you quickly.
A little while later, you felt the mattress dip beside you.
Strong arms carefully wrapped around your waist.
You knew, even with your eyes closed, it was Gavi.
He played with your braids until one loosened and unravelled.
You stayed still as you felt him pause.
Your phone lit up, followed by the sound of a YouTube video.
"Split the hair into three sections and..."
You clenched your jaw, biting down a traitorous smile threatening to break through your stubborn mask.
His fingers awkwardly gathered your hair, fumbling as he tried to follow the tutorial.
He grabbed the wrong strand.
Eventually, unable to take his struggle any longer, you reached up and gently took his hands in yours.
Without saying a word, you guided his fingers into the correct sections, silently showing him what to do.
Slowly, the braid formed.
When he finished, you turned to face him.
A small smile spread across your face before you leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss against his lips.
He kissed you back instinctively but pulled away a moment later, confusion written all over his face.
"I thought you were mad at me," he mumbled.
You smiled reassuringly at him.
"I wasn't mad at you, babe," you whispered. "I was just annoyed."
You gave a breathy, tired laugh, shoulders dropping as your tension finally loosened.
"No, it isn't." You brushed a strand of hair away from his forehead. "But I'm not annoyed at you anymore, amor."
His expression softened immediately.
A hesitant smile grew on his face, relief and hope mingling in his eyes before he leaned in and kissed you again.
This time, neither of you pulled away.
With the tension finally gone, you let yourself relax as he drew you close, relief and comfort filling your chest while you settled into his embrace.
Before long, the two of you drifted off to sleep together, safe in each other's embrace.
