Work Text:
The sun was shining brightly as Antonio and Gabi, both dressed casually, were busy scrubbing down Ricardo's car. The radio played softly in the background, and for a moment, the world outside their bubble faded away. Antonio's heart thudded in his chest as he watched Gabi, her dark hair catching the sunlight, her laughter filling the air as they worked together to clean Ricardo's car. The opportunity was too good not to tease her a little.
“Gabi, you're missing a spot here!” he said, smiling at her.
At first, Gabi couldn't answer him with anything but a smile. It was so rare to see him relaxed. There he was, standing in front of her, his tank top revealing the tanned skin of his arms, his defiant eyes planted in hers. He was definitely playing with her.
She giggled and flicked some water at him with the sponge.
“ Well, maybe I need a better teacher.” she said, teasingly.
Antonio shook his head, laughing.
“Are you saying I'm not good enough?”
Gabi's eyes sparkled with mischief. She picked up the hose, aiming it playfully at him.
“I am just saying that maybe I am the one who should teach you a lesson.”
With a quick flick of her wrist, Gabi sprayed him lightly with the hose. She shrieked, her laughter ringing out, as he grabbed the hose, turning the spray on her. In moments, they were both drenched, water dripping from their clothes and hair. She tried to take cover on the other side of the car, but Antonio was persistent.
Soon, the cat-and-mouse game turned into a dangerous hand-to-hand contest. Their laughter flooded the sky, completely drowning out the sound of the radio, each trying to get the better of the other by grabbing the pipe. Finally, the reality of their bodies so close together brought them to a ceasefire.
Antonio grinned, eyes twinkling with a mixture of frustration and affection. The tension momentarily lifted.
“Now we're even.” he said softly, still teasing her.
Their laughter died down, replaced by a comfortable silence as they caught their breath, droplets of water glistening on their skin. They stood close, too close, the air thick with unspoken words and lingering gazes.
“Antonio…”
Her voice trailed off as their eyes locked, the weight of their feelings pressing down on them. Antonio’s hand lingered near hers, a heartbeat away from crossing a line they both know they shouldn’t. He stepped closer, their faces inches apart, water pooling around their feet. He could feel the warmth radiating from her, the scent of soap and water mingling with something uniquely hers. His hand reached out, almost on its own accord, to brush a strand of hair from her face.
“ Gabi…” he whispered.
Gabi's breath hitched, and in a moment of vulnerability, her fingers lightly traced the line of his jaw. Her touch was soft, hesitant, yet full of the unspoken feelings she had kept hidden for so long. Antonio closed his eyes briefly, savoring the tender contact before reality snapped back into place.
Their eyes conveyed what words couldn't. The attraction was undeniable, but so was the wall of impossibility between them. Gabi took a step back, her heart pounding in her chest.
“We should finish up. Ricardo will be wondering where we are.” she said, forcing a smile.
“Yeah, you're right.” he nodded.
They resumed their task, the playful mood replaced by a bittersweet silence. As they continued washing the car, the pull between them remained, a constant reminder of what could never be.