Lucia wasn’t usually the type to be early, but today, she was ready and waiting before Fermín even arrived.

She sat on the edge of her couch, checking the time on her phone every couple of minutes. It had been a while since she and Fermín had properly spent time together, just the two of them. Since moving to Barcelona, her life had felt like a blur of training, matches, and trying to keep up with everything. Sure, she saw him often, but always with other people around - his teammates, her teammates, family gatherings.

Not like this.

When the doorbell rang, she grabbed her jacket and opened the door to find Fermín standing there, grinning.

“Ready to go?” he asked.

She nodded, stepping outside and locking the door behind her. “You’re actually on time. I’m impressed.”

He scoffed. “You act like I’m always late.”

“You are.” She shot him a knowing look.

Fermín just shrugged. “Okay, maybe. But not today.”

They walked down to his car, and as soon as they were on the road, he asked, “So, how’s Barcelona treating you?”

Lucia exhaled, leaning back in her seat. “It’s good. I like it. But it still doesn’t feel like home, you know?”

He glanced at her. “Not even a little?”

She hesitated. “It’s getting there. It’s just… different.”

Fermín nodded in understanding. “Yeah, I get that. It takes time. But you’ll settle in.”

She hummed in response, watching the city pass by through the window.

A few minutes later, they pulled up to the movie theater. Lucia grinned when she saw the poster for the new Marvel movie plastered across the entrance.

“This is so nostalgic,” she said as they walked inside. “Feels like when we were kids.”

Fermín chuckled. “Yeah. Except back then, we thought we were so grown-up sneaking into PG-13 movies.”

She smirked. “We were rebels.”

They got in line for popcorn, and when Fermín reached for his wallet, she shot him a look.

“You’re actually getting popcorn?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Fermín sighed. “Yeah, yeah. Just don’t tell anyone. If my coach finds out, I’ll never hear the end of it.”

Lucia laughed. “Your secret’s safe with me.”

With popcorn and drinks in hand, they made their way into the theater. The room was already filling up, but they found good seats near the middle.

As the movie started, Lucia found herself completely immersed. Marvel movies always had that effect on her, taking her back to simpler times.

At some point, she noticed Fermín sneaking a handful of popcorn from her bucket.

She nudged him. “I thought you weren’t supposed to eat too much of this.”

He smirked. “I’m making an exception.”

She rolled her eyes but didn’t stop him.

Two hours later, they walked out of the theater, the cool evening air hitting them as they stepped onto the street.

“That was actually really good,” Fermín admitted.

Lucia shot him a look. “Did you think it wouldn’t be?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know. Some of them have been kinda mid lately.”

She sighed dramatically. “You have no taste.”

He chuckled. “Says the person who forced me to watch the worst rom-coms when we were kids.”

“Hey, The Princess Diaries is a masterpiece.”

Fermín rolled his eyes. “Sure.”

They kept walking, wandering toward the park nearby. The streets were busy, the city buzzing with life, but the park was calmer. The trees rustled in the breeze, and streetlights cast a warm glow over the path.

Lucia took a deep breath, enjoying the peacefulness of it.

“So,” Fermín said after a while. “Uh, by the way, I met someone.”

Lucia turned to him, eyebrows raised. “Oh?”

He nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. “Yeah. We went out a few nights ago.”

Lucia grinned. “And? Do you like her?”

Fermín exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yeah. I do.”

She nudged him. “You sound surprised.”

“I don’t know. I guess I wasn’t really expecting it.” He hesitated before adding, “We’re going out again this week.”

Lucia’s smile widened. “That’s great. I’m happy for you.”

“Thanks.” He glanced at her. “You’ll have to meet her sometime.”

“I’d love to.”

They reached a small ice cream stand, and without even needing to ask, Fermín ordered her favorite flavor.

Lucia grinned as he handed her the cup. “You remembered.”

“Of course.” He grabbed his own and started walking again. “You’ve been eating the same flavor since we were kids.”

They found a bench and sat down, the city lights twinkling in the distance.

After a moment, Fermín turned to her. “What about you?”

Lucia frowned. “What about me?”

He gestured vaguely. “Are you seeing anyone?”

She hesitated for a fraction of a second before shaking her head. “No.”

Fermín narrowed his eyes slightly. “Really?”

“Really.”

He studied her for a moment. “I don’t know if I buy that.”

Lucia scoffed. “I’m serious.”

“I’m not saying you have a secret boyfriend or anything, but…” He gave her a knowing look. “You’re hiding something.”

Lucia kept her expression neutral. “I’m not.”

Fermín sighed. “Alright. If you say so.”

She took another bite of her ice cream, pretending not to notice the way he was still watching her.

It wasn’t that she wanted to lie to him. But telling him the truth? That was impossible.

Fermín would never suspect anything between her and Pablo. It was so far out of the realm of possibility in his mind that she didn’t even have to worry about it crossing his thoughts. And she intended to keep it that way.

They finished their ice cream, chatting about other things - training, family, childhood memories.

Eventually, Fermín checked the time and stretched. “I should probably get you home.”

Lucia nodded, standing up. “Yeah, it’s getting late.”

The drive back was quiet, a comfortable silence between them.

When they reached her apartment, Fermín parked and turned to her. “It was nice, spending time together like this.”

Lucia smiled. “Yeah. We should do it more often.”

He grinned. “Agreed.”

She opened the door, stepping out. “Good luck on your next date.”

He smirked. “I’ll let you know how it goes.”

She waved as he drove off, then turned and walked inside.

The day had been nice. Familiar. Safe.

And yet, as she entered her apartment, closing the door behind her, she couldn’t help but feel like she was living two completely separate lives.