Gio heard the sound of keys opening the front door.
Slowly he put away his phone, got up and strolled to the entrance area. With a little smile he leaned against the doorframe. "Welcome home, babe!", he greeted softly.

Erling didn't respond.

With his jaw twitching he put off his shoes, got out of his jacket and grabbed into his ponytail, pulled out the tight hair tie and tossed it onto the counter.

Erling bend down to grab the training bag he had dropped onto the floor prior, but froze in the movement, when he saw that Gio still leaned there with crossed arms, patiently waiting, observing him.

He straightened up. Gio's smile didn't drop a bit. No, it passed over into a cheeky grin.

"You want a hug?", he asked, slightly provocative.

Erling looked back without any emotions showing in his body, but something in his prior hard, emotionless eyes cracked and Gio knew just where to keep hitting to break the wall.

"Oh come on, I know you want one!"

Erling shook his head wordlessly.
Gio ignored it.

He went up to Erling and wrapped his arms around his boyfriend.

The blond dropped his defensive attitude instantly. He gladly accepted the warm gesture and returned it by pulling Gio tighter to his body.

"You don't know how shitty this game was...", Erling murmured into the silence.

Gio chuckled. "I've seen the whole thing on TV, but I don't want to imagine how it must've been to acctually play. It was visible that something was off..."

Erling nodded and nuzzled deeper into the crook of Gio's shoulder. He let himself be held and calmed down by the gentle stroking of his hair.

"You did good, Erl. The whole situation was just unlucky." Gio let go slowly as the other stepped out of their hug.

Erling sighed. "I know, but... I just-"

"No 'but's!", Gio raised a finger. "You gave your all and that's what matters. Acknowledge your work and what you did today!"

There was no arguing with Gio in this matter. Erling always lost those discussions about appreciating his work and body and, because Erling was a dickhead, some days it even spilled over and he had to sleep on the couch.

But tonight he simply admitted defeat.

Gio smiled gently when he met no resistance. "Let's get you to bed, yeah?", he whispered.

Erling nodded again.

"Okay."

-

THEY ARE SO DOMESTIC I CANT EVEN-

i just read through this very old draft and didn't want to keep this wholesomeness from you any longer <3

a toast to my old me writing this when she missed Gio. stay strong girlie, it's going to get better! he's back now :)