La Seleccion Strip Poker Nights - ROUND THREE
Author: kitty69lover
Rating: NC-17 overall; Round III is PG-13
Category: rom-com with a dash of drama
Characters: La Seleccion - more or less all of them, i'll try to get everyone involved.
Length: short story - 10-12 chaps tops
Summary: in order to beat boredom during the nights, the guys engage in games of strip poker. unlike any other times, when nothing outrageous happened, this time some will go overboard.
Disclaimer: this used to be only in my head, but overload of sexiness made it spill on the webpage.
Authors Notes: round three is under way, and mil apologies it took so fucking long to update. it's almost 4000 words too.
Previously
Gerard and Cesc, after finally making up, were preparing the table for the third round of poker. Gerard wasn't very enthusiastic this time around, as he knew the guest list and he thought it'd be boring.
Although, there was at least one interesting name on it. Cesc had almost made him spill twice but he had managed to hold strong.
It was 10 sharp when he heard knocks on the door. Of course, eager as always Cesc went to open.
“OH MY GOD, FERNANDO TORRES GRACING THE POKER GAMES!” he squeaked as he opened the door widely for both Fernando and Sergio to walk in.
“Only because he made me promise when I was sleepy and didn't know what I was agreeing to.” Nando shot a glare at Sergio.
“Come on Freckles, it's good fun, you'll see.” Gerard snickered.
As much as he disliked Ramos, him managing the feat to bring Nando along was worthy of putting up with his annoying presence.
“So, I heard you two are back on speaking terms.” Sergio said, seating himself.
Fernando smacked him over the head, pursing his lips.
“Well yeah.” Cesc said in a small voice.
Gerard glared at Sergio, controlling himself to not say something he shouldn't say to a teammate when more knocks on the door signaled they had more guests.
This time, he went to open the door himself, greeting in Javi Martinez and Jesus Navas. After the cheers and them taking their seats, there was a bit of silence. Gerard had no clue if these two were together or not, they shared a room and all, and he knew that not all roommates hooked up, but these particular ones were way too secretive.
Having two couples in the game already made him nervous. He had no clue anymore if what he was allowing to happen was good or not.
Jesus was chatting about Sevilla with Sergio and Javi was eating popcorn, Nando was inspecting his fingernails, trying to not look like the odd man out when the door was creaked open by a shy Sergi Busquets.
“Hello?” he said tentatively.
“You're supposed to knock!” Cesc scowled at him.
“It's OK Sergi, it's your first. No problem. Come, sit right here.” Gerard motioned him to take the seat next to him.
“What about me?” Cesc pleaded.
“Are you playing, Francesc? No? Then this is Sergi's seat.”
Sergi sat down feeling a little uncomfortable. He glanced at the rest of the guys and started playing with his room key.
“So. When do we start?” he asked.
“As soon as the last two guests make it.” Cesc uttered from the bed.
“Relax guys. No need to start the fights before the poker even began, right?” Sergio intervened.
Gerard was a little annoyed with Ramos talking back to his boyfriend, but he was right. He couldn't grasp Cesc's sudden animosity towards Sergi. He was about to say something when there was a sharp knock on the door so he had to get up and answer.
“Carlos, great to see you. One of the veterans, I feel honoured.”
“I'm a veteran too, Pique.” Sergio quipped, sneaking a hand in Nando's lap, only to have it pushed away in a second.
Javi just shook his head. Carrying club rivalry to the national team was childish and pathetic in his book. He resumed whispering game rules to Jesus, who didn't really have any clue.
It was getting a little tense in the room, Cesc glaring at Sergi's back of the head and Sergio and Nando not touching for once, Gerard wanting to throw a vase [had there been any] at Sergio and the other 3 looking lost in the midst of all the hatred, when knocks on the door broke the silence and defused the situation.
Opening the door, Gerard let Pepe in.
“Glad to see you bro, we need your cheer.” he whispered to him.
Pepe glanced around the room, started at the sight of Nando there of all people and then began to explain why he was late.
“I had to explain to Victor a dozen times that he cannot come anymore...he's being so...” he shook his head and took his seat. “But anyway, now that I'm here, let's get this show on the road!”
***
Fernando looked at his cards. His fingers touched each of the signs on the cardboard rectangles, trying to suppress his excitement. He felt relieved no-one here knew of his dalliances with this particular card game and couldn't blow his cover.
The three jacks almost mocked him, and he took a deep breath. If he had ever gotten the courage to tell Sergio about it, of his gambling addiction and all those post match poker sessions when he was still in Madrid, maybe the Sevillan would've been more considerate and wouldn't have dragged him to the game.
He glanced at Pepe once, hoping the older man had not caught his usual signs of nervousness and announced he was in. After all, this was going to be one session and would stay at that.
“So am I.” Pique inspected his three nines and decided to have some fun.
“In.” quipped Jesus, turning red in the face for some reason.
He had come solely because Javi didn't want to go by himself, and even if he had no clue how to play, he thought it'd be nice of him to accompany his roommate. But he was going to be a good sport and the pair of fives, diamonds and hearts looked good enough.
“Folding.” Sergio wasn't too happy with his three tens, he didn't want to risk so early in the game.
“Folding as well.” Pepe put down the pair of aces and other three random cards.
“I'm in.” Carlos grinned, looking again at his two pair, queens and fours.
He liked the risk, and any of the seven teammates around the table was fuck material as far as he was concerned. He was highly appreciative of the new, risky approach of the poker sessions. He would have to congratulate Gerard after the game.
“Out.” Sergi put his single pair of eights down, sulking.
He wanted to get laid. But he didn't like losing and he wasn't that good of a player to make sure he won.
“All in baby!” Javi snickered, flipping the cards to almost reveal his hand.
He had just an ace and a king, not even high cards, but he was enjoying himself in antagonizing the poker experts, such as Sergio or Carlos.
“All right, let's see them.”
There was a loud gasp as Nando, the last one, revealed his winning hand.
“I be darned!” Sergio leaned in to kiss his boyfriend but Fernando ducked.
“Sergio. I'm still mad at you, remember?” he bitchfaced him.
“But you're winning, Nando.” Sergio pouted.
Yeah, don't remind me. He didn't say anything out loud though, noticing the face Jesus Navas was making.
“All right, let's play some poker, you two can fight like little girls any other time.” Marchena interfered.
“Thanks Carlos.” Gerard nodded curtly and dealt the cards.
Three more hands cleared things completely. Fernando Torres was a natural, with a perfect poker face, which most would confuse for his trademark bitchface, while Jesus Navas was as clueless as a newborn, bidding even if he had lousy hands.
“You never told me you were that good.” Sergio sulked, feeling left out.
“Maybe he didn't want you do feel too bad.” Gerard chuckled, dealing the next hand.
“Shut up Pique!”
“Now, now. There'll be none of that!” Pepe intervened. “We all have secret talents we don't share with anyone.”
“What's yours?” Sergi asked innocently, making everyone roll their eyes.
“I don't have one. I was just saying that...” Reina made a face.
“Look, Sergio, I am not exactly proud that I'm so good at poker, OK. This is why I didn't tell you.”
It was the most of what he could reveal to his lover in public. He was well aware he would have to explain things once they got back to their room, but for now, he just wanted the pressure off so he could enjoy his winning streak and the long lost joys of the game.
“Guys, I don't see anyone complaining I dragged Jesus along, when he hardly knows how to hold the cards...” Javi intervened.
“Hey!”
“It's true, I can see your cards almost all the time.” Sergi confirmed.
“All right. Jesus, hold your cards tight. Nando and Sergio, please, just behave, everyone else, let's just enjoy this night. I'm not sure how many sessions there'll be after this one.” Gerard tried to bring them to order.
“Why, what's happening.? Carlos demanded to know.
“I have the feeling that someone complained to Mister about it.” Gerard shrugged.
“Holy crap!” Pepe exclaimed, slamming the fresh cards on the table. “Treason, god, I hope that didn't happen. Gerard, are you sure?”
“He's been looking odd at me last few days and asking me if I’ve been getting enough sleep.”
“For your sake, Gerard, I hope you're not accusing Iker.” Sergio commented low.
“While Iker hates this new version of poker, he's no rat. I have the feeling it's Villa. That he didn't appreciate the little stunt Silva pulled.” Gerard explained, trying to let club rivalries out of it.
“Whoa!!”
“I do have to wonder if Carles stretched him too much...” Cesc could be heard, a snorting attack rendering him unable to finish his own joke.
It took them a while to calm down and stop laughing like mad men, Gerard close to howling and Sergio wiping tears.
“He's been spending way too much time with you, Pique.” Carlos jokingly said.
“I don't even want to imagine these two reunited in Barca.” Sergi commented.
But that was a faux pas, as Cesc shook his head and went to the bathroom.
“What?” Sergi shrugged, innocently.
“Guys. How about some poker. Jesus might catch a cold.”
Which reminded them all that Jesus Navas had lost three games in a row and was now down to his trousers. He was trying his best to be casual about it, but the flush wasn't leaving his face.
“All right. I'm folding.” Javi announced.
He had brought Jesus along fully aware he didn't know how to play, as a very simple ploy to get in his pants without having to go through the other steps, but he had not anticipated, although maybe he should've, that there would be more experienced players that'd win the games.
“I'm in.” Jesus announced.
He had a straight hand, six of clubs, seven of clubs, eight of diamonds, nine and ten of spades and he was a little hopeful that this was a better hand. Not that he minded losing, especially not to Nando. But he didn't want to be too obvious.
“I'm out.” Gerard placed his cards face down.
He was disappointed with his bad luck and he was beginning to understand Xabi's frustration. The one pair, eights was mocking him even out of view.
“In.” Sergio said, haughtily.
He had a straight, high card a jack and he felt he could win this one. He wasn't cautious in his poker, but Nando's knowledge was bewildering and he didn't want to seem too bold, nor too scared.
“In as well.” Sergi announced, kissing the three fives he had.
“Folding.” Carlos announced, not happy with his two pair, fours and threes.
Pepe decided to go for it, seeing that he had a diamond flush. He grinned at Nando, in obvious daring manner.
“Come on Nando, show us how we do it on Anfield!”
Fernando looked at his full house, queens and aces and for a few seconds, he was sorely tempted to fold and fight the need to gamble. He felt that if he managed to fold this one hand, a sure winner by all accounts, he could keep it under control. Pepe's comment did not help though and all eyes on him made him absolutely unable to resist.
“All right, I'm in.” he slapped his thigh, a gesture of self disgust Sergio knew so well.
“Show the cards, lads.” Pepe cheered.
In about a minute, the tension in the room had been defused, seeing that Nando had indeed won another game, Jesus had had far better cards and the loser was Carlos.
“You sill have to take it off, Jesus.” Sergio instructed him.
“What?”
“You really haven't paid any attention, have you?” Gerard scolded.
“Jesus, if you lose, you lose, no matter how big your hand is, if it's not the biggest. If we played for money, not only Carlos woud've lost his, but us all. I'm taking my top off as well, so lose a sock.” Pepe explained.
“Oh I see. So what if I am not sure if I have a winning hand?”
Gerard and Sergio both shook their heads, they were annoyed with such a neophyte ruining the game.
“Well, this is why poker is a luck game. If you have 8 players, there's only that many card combinations. If you get a full house, like Nando here or an even bigger hand, like four of a kind - that's all four colours of a rank - your chances of winning are high. But if you get a straight, or three of a kind, which is still a pretty good hand, depending on the rank of the cards, then you have to risk. Because while you can win against a lesser hand, there's still good chances that another player has a bigger hand than yours. This is where poker instinct kicks in...” Carlos explained to a wide eyes Jesus.
“Which is the main issue, he has none. This is the first time he's playing the game, ever.” Javi intervened.
“Ever?” Sergi wondered, puzzled.
“Yes.” Jesus replied shyly.
“OK hands up, who here wants to fuck Jesus and couldn’t find another way but to make him lose at poker?” Pepe quipped.
They all started laughing, but Javi had turned a bright red and Jesus was squirming in his seat, no longer able to look at his roommate.
“I was kidding.” Pepe apologised to the Bilbao player.
“Oh lord, you're turning my poker into a brothel now? Out!” Gerard roared.
“Calm down, Pique. Be quiet.” Fernando put his hand on Gerard's shoulder.
“I'm sorry. I thought it'd be fun.” Javi let out, ashamed.
“But it is. It is. Gerard, this is indeed your poker session and your room, but you're not kicking anyone out. Let's carry on playing.” Sergio intervened, getting up.
“You're not telling me what to do, Ramos.” He replied hotly, raising from his seat to counter the Madridista.
“Look, Pique...”
“Guys, guys, GUYS!” Sergi got up as well, putting a hand on each of his teammates' chests. “Let's have some Pepsi, take a minute to calm down and resume the game, OK?”
“Sergi is right. Javi, you should apologize to Gerard and to Jesus. This is between you two and I thought here, with La Seleccion, we didn't have such issues.” Carlos helped Busquets calm the two hotheads.
“Are we still gonna play? I think I’m getting the hang of it.” Navas took the opportunity to express his beliefs.
“Do you feel like a whore, Jesus?” Cesc, who had been quiet till then, asked out of the blue.
“What?”
“Cesc, this is not the right time...” Javi whispered, glaring at the Catalan.
“Just answer the question, Navas.”
“Ah, no. I like the game. I never thought about it this way, and frankly, Javi, if you wanted me, you should've just told me.” he snickered.
“Great. Seeing that the offended party is not really offended, I say we take 5 minute break and resume the game. If Jesus turns to be a prodigy, Sergi looks all but ready to shed the rest of his clothes.”
They all agreed to this, and after discussing with Cesc in a corner for a while, Gerard went to shake hands with Sergio, silently apologizing.
They resumed playing and the next game, Jesus lost his other sock, but it was Gerard the winner, Fernando looking a little crestfallen as his queens full house had been beaten by the Catalan's four tens.
“I think Nando's a clear winner already, he has most wins. And Jesus most losses.” Sergi showcased his math skills.
“Yeah, in theory. A few unlucky hands and things could change drastically.” Carlos let out.
“Either way, It's not like Jesus will get any clothes on.”
The green eyed man smiled, blushing. He didn't feel one bit of shame. After all, it was said that one of the most remarkable hookups had started during the poker.
For all it's worth, it was Fernando that felt a little embarrassed, but mostly with this lack of restraint and his easiness in giving in his former addiction.
“Let's just play on, we'll see.”
“All right.”
Fernando, Sergio, Gerard, Pepe and Javi went in, Carlos, Jesus and Sergi Busquets opting to fold.
“Someone doesn't want to go all the way.” Pepe teased.
“I have really, really bad cards.” Jesus smiled innocently.
“That didn't stop you before.” Javi said, a little resentful.
He wanted it all to be over with. He had no doubt on how it was going to end and in his opinion, there was no need to drag it on. In fact, the faster it concluded and the quicker Jesus returned to their room, he could explain things to him. And maybe fuck him.
The cards were turned, to reveal that Fernando, as usual, had the best hand, a hearts flush. Gerard had a ten high straight and Pepe, Javi and Sergio, each had three of a kind, Sergio having the lowest rank, fours.
“I beat you, baby.” Fernando patted Sergio's thigh affectionately, for the first time that evening.
“You like that, don't you?” Sergio nuzzled his neck in response.
“We couldn't be more pleased to see all's well in the Sernando world, but could we continue? Javi demanded.
“There's no time limit for the poker.” Sergio said, taking off his pants.
“Pants off, really? When you still have socks on?” Sergi laughed.
“What can I say, I’m hot.”
Throwing in a long fake laugh for good measure, Gerard dealt the cards again.
The third night of poker under his patronage was a little awkward, maybe because he wasn't as good friends with these guests as he had been with the others, but it was certainly interesting and way more relaxed, even if one couple would be parted at the end.
This time, Jesus, already kind of aroused by being in a hot room and surrounded by his teammates in various states of undress, went in.
He had a single pair of jacks and he was sure he would lose. He just hoped it'd be Fernando the winner, because he certainly didn't need the game to drag on forever.
Sergi was also in, barely concealing his excitement over his four of a kind, kings no less. Gerard also had a good hand, a full house, queens and fives. Pepe sat the hand out, annoyed with his two tens. Sergio went in as well, sporting four nines. Fernando checked them all out, mere casual players that had not mastered a straight face, and folded his full house, sevens and fives.
Carlos went in, with his three aces, while Javi didn't even register his hand before folding, as he was bored.
Losing to Sergi wasn't as much fun as losing to Fernando, Jesus decided, as he took off his other sock. He was going to take his pants off for the Liverpool player only, but that was a gamble in itself, because even if he could imagine Fernando winning all hands he didn't fold, given the rotation of the cards, he couldn't be sure Nando would go in all the times before it was his turn to decide.
“Well, this could turn interesting.” Sergi eyed Jesus.
“Or not.” Carlos looked straight at the lanky Catalan, unsettling him a bit. “Laws of poker are rather creative.”
“Of course. We could argue all night on the possibilities that Jesus, down to tracksuit bottoms, which is two games away from complete loss, could turn out to win this.”
“You sure know your poker, Sergi!”
“Very well so. We play in la Masia. We all learned it there.”
“Stop the presses, Busquets flirting in public! Get a room you two, and Gerard, deal the cards.” Pepe patted his younger teammate on the back.
Sergi blushed and subsequently folded, stealing glances at Carlos Marchena, as the older man arranged the cards better in his hand.
They all pretended not to notice it anymore, as such hookups were normal during the poker sessions, as men lost their inhibitions along with their clothes.
“This would work better if we had booze and cigars.” Gerard commented, before folding his three sixes, an ace and a four.
“And if we weren't professional footballers, competing for only the biggest trophy possible.”
“Darn, I knew there had to be a downside.” he offered a toothy smile to Javi, who had made the remark.
Fernando and Jesus went in, as well as Carlos and Pepe. Sergio set aside his two pairs and waited, suddenly realising, as Fernando took the hand again, with a a beautiful full house, aces and jacks, that his lover would soon be fucking another man.
He had known this would happen. He knew the gods would punish him for forcing his boyfriend into coming to the poker game, and in their bitter irony they would make it so that Fernando would be losing or heck, why not, winning.
Trying his best to stay calm, he figured it could've been worse, as Nando could've lost to Pique, or even Busquets.
“Last call for alcohol!” Cesc chanted, as what would be the last game, should Navas lose again to Fernando, was about to take place.
“Now, now.”
Jesus knew he should fold, having not even a pair. But he was more than ready. Fernando looked at Sergio and how his lover was biting his lip and he also knew he should fold, but for fuck's sake, who in their right mind would fold an ace high straight diamonds flush?
Gerard had a regular clubs flush and Sergi had a full house, tens and aces. Sergio folded, feeling a little bitter. Carlos folded as well, while Pepe boiled for a full minute over his three queens before folding. Javi went in, knowing he only had a pair of fives.
“You are a slimy little bastard, Jesus, aren't you?” Sergio shot at him, getting up immediately as the cards were revealed.
“Segio, I...”
“Guys. Let's not do this. Fernando won, Jesus lost. Off you go. What happens in the morning...well, it's not morning yet to tell.” Carlos tried his best to cap the situation.
Jesus looked at Sergio once more and exited as gracefully as possible. Fernando wanted to speak up, but the stern look on his lover's face stopped him and so he bolted out the door after Navas.
“That went well.” Cesc said, picking up the half empty bowls of rice crispies.
“Shut up Cesc.”
Rating: NC-17 overall; Round III is PG-13
Category: rom-com with a dash of drama
Characters: La Seleccion - more or less all of them, i'll try to get everyone involved.
Length: short story - 10-12 chaps tops
Summary: in order to beat boredom during the nights, the guys engage in games of strip poker. unlike any other times, when nothing outrageous happened, this time some will go overboard.
Disclaimer: this used to be only in my head, but overload of sexiness made it spill on the webpage.
Authors Notes: round three is under way, and mil apologies it took so fucking long to update. it's almost 4000 words too.
Previously
Gerard and Cesc, after finally making up, were preparing the table for the third round of poker. Gerard wasn't very enthusiastic this time around, as he knew the guest list and he thought it'd be boring.
Although, there was at least one interesting name on it. Cesc had almost made him spill twice but he had managed to hold strong.
It was 10 sharp when he heard knocks on the door. Of course, eager as always Cesc went to open.
“OH MY GOD, FERNANDO TORRES GRACING THE POKER GAMES!” he squeaked as he opened the door widely for both Fernando and Sergio to walk in.
“Only because he made me promise when I was sleepy and didn't know what I was agreeing to.” Nando shot a glare at Sergio.
“Come on Freckles, it's good fun, you'll see.” Gerard snickered.
As much as he disliked Ramos, him managing the feat to bring Nando along was worthy of putting up with his annoying presence.
“So, I heard you two are back on speaking terms.” Sergio said, seating himself.
Fernando smacked him over the head, pursing his lips.
“Well yeah.” Cesc said in a small voice.
Gerard glared at Sergio, controlling himself to not say something he shouldn't say to a teammate when more knocks on the door signaled they had more guests.
This time, he went to open the door himself, greeting in Javi Martinez and Jesus Navas. After the cheers and them taking their seats, there was a bit of silence. Gerard had no clue if these two were together or not, they shared a room and all, and he knew that not all roommates hooked up, but these particular ones were way too secretive.
Having two couples in the game already made him nervous. He had no clue anymore if what he was allowing to happen was good or not.
Jesus was chatting about Sevilla with Sergio and Javi was eating popcorn, Nando was inspecting his fingernails, trying to not look like the odd man out when the door was creaked open by a shy Sergi Busquets.
“Hello?” he said tentatively.
“You're supposed to knock!” Cesc scowled at him.
“It's OK Sergi, it's your first. No problem. Come, sit right here.” Gerard motioned him to take the seat next to him.
“What about me?” Cesc pleaded.
“Are you playing, Francesc? No? Then this is Sergi's seat.”
Sergi sat down feeling a little uncomfortable. He glanced at the rest of the guys and started playing with his room key.
“So. When do we start?” he asked.
“As soon as the last two guests make it.” Cesc uttered from the bed.
“Relax guys. No need to start the fights before the poker even began, right?” Sergio intervened.
Gerard was a little annoyed with Ramos talking back to his boyfriend, but he was right. He couldn't grasp Cesc's sudden animosity towards Sergi. He was about to say something when there was a sharp knock on the door so he had to get up and answer.
“Carlos, great to see you. One of the veterans, I feel honoured.”
“I'm a veteran too, Pique.” Sergio quipped, sneaking a hand in Nando's lap, only to have it pushed away in a second.
Javi just shook his head. Carrying club rivalry to the national team was childish and pathetic in his book. He resumed whispering game rules to Jesus, who didn't really have any clue.
It was getting a little tense in the room, Cesc glaring at Sergi's back of the head and Sergio and Nando not touching for once, Gerard wanting to throw a vase [had there been any] at Sergio and the other 3 looking lost in the midst of all the hatred, when knocks on the door broke the silence and defused the situation.
Opening the door, Gerard let Pepe in.
“Glad to see you bro, we need your cheer.” he whispered to him.
Pepe glanced around the room, started at the sight of Nando there of all people and then began to explain why he was late.
“I had to explain to Victor a dozen times that he cannot come anymore...he's being so...” he shook his head and took his seat. “But anyway, now that I'm here, let's get this show on the road!”
***
Fernando looked at his cards. His fingers touched each of the signs on the cardboard rectangles, trying to suppress his excitement. He felt relieved no-one here knew of his dalliances with this particular card game and couldn't blow his cover.
The three jacks almost mocked him, and he took a deep breath. If he had ever gotten the courage to tell Sergio about it, of his gambling addiction and all those post match poker sessions when he was still in Madrid, maybe the Sevillan would've been more considerate and wouldn't have dragged him to the game.
He glanced at Pepe once, hoping the older man had not caught his usual signs of nervousness and announced he was in. After all, this was going to be one session and would stay at that.
“So am I.” Pique inspected his three nines and decided to have some fun.
“In.” quipped Jesus, turning red in the face for some reason.
He had come solely because Javi didn't want to go by himself, and even if he had no clue how to play, he thought it'd be nice of him to accompany his roommate. But he was going to be a good sport and the pair of fives, diamonds and hearts looked good enough.
“Folding.” Sergio wasn't too happy with his three tens, he didn't want to risk so early in the game.
“Folding as well.” Pepe put down the pair of aces and other three random cards.
“I'm in.” Carlos grinned, looking again at his two pair, queens and fours.
He liked the risk, and any of the seven teammates around the table was fuck material as far as he was concerned. He was highly appreciative of the new, risky approach of the poker sessions. He would have to congratulate Gerard after the game.
“Out.” Sergi put his single pair of eights down, sulking.
He wanted to get laid. But he didn't like losing and he wasn't that good of a player to make sure he won.
“All in baby!” Javi snickered, flipping the cards to almost reveal his hand.
He had just an ace and a king, not even high cards, but he was enjoying himself in antagonizing the poker experts, such as Sergio or Carlos.
“All right, let's see them.”
There was a loud gasp as Nando, the last one, revealed his winning hand.
“I be darned!” Sergio leaned in to kiss his boyfriend but Fernando ducked.
“Sergio. I'm still mad at you, remember?” he bitchfaced him.
“But you're winning, Nando.” Sergio pouted.
Yeah, don't remind me. He didn't say anything out loud though, noticing the face Jesus Navas was making.
“All right, let's play some poker, you two can fight like little girls any other time.” Marchena interfered.
“Thanks Carlos.” Gerard nodded curtly and dealt the cards.
Three more hands cleared things completely. Fernando Torres was a natural, with a perfect poker face, which most would confuse for his trademark bitchface, while Jesus Navas was as clueless as a newborn, bidding even if he had lousy hands.
“You never told me you were that good.” Sergio sulked, feeling left out.
“Maybe he didn't want you do feel too bad.” Gerard chuckled, dealing the next hand.
“Shut up Pique!”
“Now, now. There'll be none of that!” Pepe intervened. “We all have secret talents we don't share with anyone.”
“What's yours?” Sergi asked innocently, making everyone roll their eyes.
“I don't have one. I was just saying that...” Reina made a face.
“Look, Sergio, I am not exactly proud that I'm so good at poker, OK. This is why I didn't tell you.”
It was the most of what he could reveal to his lover in public. He was well aware he would have to explain things once they got back to their room, but for now, he just wanted the pressure off so he could enjoy his winning streak and the long lost joys of the game.
“Guys, I don't see anyone complaining I dragged Jesus along, when he hardly knows how to hold the cards...” Javi intervened.
“Hey!”
“It's true, I can see your cards almost all the time.” Sergi confirmed.
“All right. Jesus, hold your cards tight. Nando and Sergio, please, just behave, everyone else, let's just enjoy this night. I'm not sure how many sessions there'll be after this one.” Gerard tried to bring them to order.
“Why, what's happening.? Carlos demanded to know.
“I have the feeling that someone complained to Mister about it.” Gerard shrugged.
“Holy crap!” Pepe exclaimed, slamming the fresh cards on the table. “Treason, god, I hope that didn't happen. Gerard, are you sure?”
“He's been looking odd at me last few days and asking me if I’ve been getting enough sleep.”
“For your sake, Gerard, I hope you're not accusing Iker.” Sergio commented low.
“While Iker hates this new version of poker, he's no rat. I have the feeling it's Villa. That he didn't appreciate the little stunt Silva pulled.” Gerard explained, trying to let club rivalries out of it.
“Whoa!!”
“I do have to wonder if Carles stretched him too much...” Cesc could be heard, a snorting attack rendering him unable to finish his own joke.
It took them a while to calm down and stop laughing like mad men, Gerard close to howling and Sergio wiping tears.
“He's been spending way too much time with you, Pique.” Carlos jokingly said.
“I don't even want to imagine these two reunited in Barca.” Sergi commented.
But that was a faux pas, as Cesc shook his head and went to the bathroom.
“What?” Sergi shrugged, innocently.
“Guys. How about some poker. Jesus might catch a cold.”
Which reminded them all that Jesus Navas had lost three games in a row and was now down to his trousers. He was trying his best to be casual about it, but the flush wasn't leaving his face.
“All right. I'm folding.” Javi announced.
He had brought Jesus along fully aware he didn't know how to play, as a very simple ploy to get in his pants without having to go through the other steps, but he had not anticipated, although maybe he should've, that there would be more experienced players that'd win the games.
“I'm in.” Jesus announced.
He had a straight hand, six of clubs, seven of clubs, eight of diamonds, nine and ten of spades and he was a little hopeful that this was a better hand. Not that he minded losing, especially not to Nando. But he didn't want to be too obvious.
“I'm out.” Gerard placed his cards face down.
He was disappointed with his bad luck and he was beginning to understand Xabi's frustration. The one pair, eights was mocking him even out of view.
“In.” Sergio said, haughtily.
He had a straight, high card a jack and he felt he could win this one. He wasn't cautious in his poker, but Nando's knowledge was bewildering and he didn't want to seem too bold, nor too scared.
“In as well.” Sergi announced, kissing the three fives he had.
“Folding.” Carlos announced, not happy with his two pair, fours and threes.
Pepe decided to go for it, seeing that he had a diamond flush. He grinned at Nando, in obvious daring manner.
“Come on Nando, show us how we do it on Anfield!”
Fernando looked at his full house, queens and aces and for a few seconds, he was sorely tempted to fold and fight the need to gamble. He felt that if he managed to fold this one hand, a sure winner by all accounts, he could keep it under control. Pepe's comment did not help though and all eyes on him made him absolutely unable to resist.
“All right, I'm in.” he slapped his thigh, a gesture of self disgust Sergio knew so well.
“Show the cards, lads.” Pepe cheered.
In about a minute, the tension in the room had been defused, seeing that Nando had indeed won another game, Jesus had had far better cards and the loser was Carlos.
“You sill have to take it off, Jesus.” Sergio instructed him.
“What?”
“You really haven't paid any attention, have you?” Gerard scolded.
“Jesus, if you lose, you lose, no matter how big your hand is, if it's not the biggest. If we played for money, not only Carlos woud've lost his, but us all. I'm taking my top off as well, so lose a sock.” Pepe explained.
“Oh I see. So what if I am not sure if I have a winning hand?”
Gerard and Sergio both shook their heads, they were annoyed with such a neophyte ruining the game.
“Well, this is why poker is a luck game. If you have 8 players, there's only that many card combinations. If you get a full house, like Nando here or an even bigger hand, like four of a kind - that's all four colours of a rank - your chances of winning are high. But if you get a straight, or three of a kind, which is still a pretty good hand, depending on the rank of the cards, then you have to risk. Because while you can win against a lesser hand, there's still good chances that another player has a bigger hand than yours. This is where poker instinct kicks in...” Carlos explained to a wide eyes Jesus.
“Which is the main issue, he has none. This is the first time he's playing the game, ever.” Javi intervened.
“Ever?” Sergi wondered, puzzled.
“Yes.” Jesus replied shyly.
“OK hands up, who here wants to fuck Jesus and couldn’t find another way but to make him lose at poker?” Pepe quipped.
They all started laughing, but Javi had turned a bright red and Jesus was squirming in his seat, no longer able to look at his roommate.
“I was kidding.” Pepe apologised to the Bilbao player.
“Oh lord, you're turning my poker into a brothel now? Out!” Gerard roared.
“Calm down, Pique. Be quiet.” Fernando put his hand on Gerard's shoulder.
“I'm sorry. I thought it'd be fun.” Javi let out, ashamed.
“But it is. It is. Gerard, this is indeed your poker session and your room, but you're not kicking anyone out. Let's carry on playing.” Sergio intervened, getting up.
“You're not telling me what to do, Ramos.” He replied hotly, raising from his seat to counter the Madridista.
“Look, Pique...”
“Guys, guys, GUYS!” Sergi got up as well, putting a hand on each of his teammates' chests. “Let's have some Pepsi, take a minute to calm down and resume the game, OK?”
“Sergi is right. Javi, you should apologize to Gerard and to Jesus. This is between you two and I thought here, with La Seleccion, we didn't have such issues.” Carlos helped Busquets calm the two hotheads.
“Are we still gonna play? I think I’m getting the hang of it.” Navas took the opportunity to express his beliefs.
“Do you feel like a whore, Jesus?” Cesc, who had been quiet till then, asked out of the blue.
“What?”
“Cesc, this is not the right time...” Javi whispered, glaring at the Catalan.
“Just answer the question, Navas.”
“Ah, no. I like the game. I never thought about it this way, and frankly, Javi, if you wanted me, you should've just told me.” he snickered.
“Great. Seeing that the offended party is not really offended, I say we take 5 minute break and resume the game. If Jesus turns to be a prodigy, Sergi looks all but ready to shed the rest of his clothes.”
They all agreed to this, and after discussing with Cesc in a corner for a while, Gerard went to shake hands with Sergio, silently apologizing.
They resumed playing and the next game, Jesus lost his other sock, but it was Gerard the winner, Fernando looking a little crestfallen as his queens full house had been beaten by the Catalan's four tens.
“I think Nando's a clear winner already, he has most wins. And Jesus most losses.” Sergi showcased his math skills.
“Yeah, in theory. A few unlucky hands and things could change drastically.” Carlos let out.
“Either way, It's not like Jesus will get any clothes on.”
The green eyed man smiled, blushing. He didn't feel one bit of shame. After all, it was said that one of the most remarkable hookups had started during the poker.
For all it's worth, it was Fernando that felt a little embarrassed, but mostly with this lack of restraint and his easiness in giving in his former addiction.
“Let's just play on, we'll see.”
“All right.”
Fernando, Sergio, Gerard, Pepe and Javi went in, Carlos, Jesus and Sergi Busquets opting to fold.
“Someone doesn't want to go all the way.” Pepe teased.
“I have really, really bad cards.” Jesus smiled innocently.
“That didn't stop you before.” Javi said, a little resentful.
He wanted it all to be over with. He had no doubt on how it was going to end and in his opinion, there was no need to drag it on. In fact, the faster it concluded and the quicker Jesus returned to their room, he could explain things to him. And maybe fuck him.
The cards were turned, to reveal that Fernando, as usual, had the best hand, a hearts flush. Gerard had a ten high straight and Pepe, Javi and Sergio, each had three of a kind, Sergio having the lowest rank, fours.
“I beat you, baby.” Fernando patted Sergio's thigh affectionately, for the first time that evening.
“You like that, don't you?” Sergio nuzzled his neck in response.
“We couldn't be more pleased to see all's well in the Sernando world, but could we continue? Javi demanded.
“There's no time limit for the poker.” Sergio said, taking off his pants.
“Pants off, really? When you still have socks on?” Sergi laughed.
“What can I say, I’m hot.”
Throwing in a long fake laugh for good measure, Gerard dealt the cards again.
The third night of poker under his patronage was a little awkward, maybe because he wasn't as good friends with these guests as he had been with the others, but it was certainly interesting and way more relaxed, even if one couple would be parted at the end.
This time, Jesus, already kind of aroused by being in a hot room and surrounded by his teammates in various states of undress, went in.
He had a single pair of jacks and he was sure he would lose. He just hoped it'd be Fernando the winner, because he certainly didn't need the game to drag on forever.
Sergi was also in, barely concealing his excitement over his four of a kind, kings no less. Gerard also had a good hand, a full house, queens and fives. Pepe sat the hand out, annoyed with his two tens. Sergio went in as well, sporting four nines. Fernando checked them all out, mere casual players that had not mastered a straight face, and folded his full house, sevens and fives.
Carlos went in, with his three aces, while Javi didn't even register his hand before folding, as he was bored.
Losing to Sergi wasn't as much fun as losing to Fernando, Jesus decided, as he took off his other sock. He was going to take his pants off for the Liverpool player only, but that was a gamble in itself, because even if he could imagine Fernando winning all hands he didn't fold, given the rotation of the cards, he couldn't be sure Nando would go in all the times before it was his turn to decide.
“Well, this could turn interesting.” Sergi eyed Jesus.
“Or not.” Carlos looked straight at the lanky Catalan, unsettling him a bit. “Laws of poker are rather creative.”
“Of course. We could argue all night on the possibilities that Jesus, down to tracksuit bottoms, which is two games away from complete loss, could turn out to win this.”
“You sure know your poker, Sergi!”
“Very well so. We play in la Masia. We all learned it there.”
“Stop the presses, Busquets flirting in public! Get a room you two, and Gerard, deal the cards.” Pepe patted his younger teammate on the back.
Sergi blushed and subsequently folded, stealing glances at Carlos Marchena, as the older man arranged the cards better in his hand.
They all pretended not to notice it anymore, as such hookups were normal during the poker sessions, as men lost their inhibitions along with their clothes.
“This would work better if we had booze and cigars.” Gerard commented, before folding his three sixes, an ace and a four.
“And if we weren't professional footballers, competing for only the biggest trophy possible.”
“Darn, I knew there had to be a downside.” he offered a toothy smile to Javi, who had made the remark.
Fernando and Jesus went in, as well as Carlos and Pepe. Sergio set aside his two pairs and waited, suddenly realising, as Fernando took the hand again, with a a beautiful full house, aces and jacks, that his lover would soon be fucking another man.
He had known this would happen. He knew the gods would punish him for forcing his boyfriend into coming to the poker game, and in their bitter irony they would make it so that Fernando would be losing or heck, why not, winning.
Trying his best to stay calm, he figured it could've been worse, as Nando could've lost to Pique, or even Busquets.
“Last call for alcohol!” Cesc chanted, as what would be the last game, should Navas lose again to Fernando, was about to take place.
“Now, now.”
Jesus knew he should fold, having not even a pair. But he was more than ready. Fernando looked at Sergio and how his lover was biting his lip and he also knew he should fold, but for fuck's sake, who in their right mind would fold an ace high straight diamonds flush?
Gerard had a regular clubs flush and Sergi had a full house, tens and aces. Sergio folded, feeling a little bitter. Carlos folded as well, while Pepe boiled for a full minute over his three queens before folding. Javi went in, knowing he only had a pair of fives.
“You are a slimy little bastard, Jesus, aren't you?” Sergio shot at him, getting up immediately as the cards were revealed.
“Segio, I...”
“Guys. Let's not do this. Fernando won, Jesus lost. Off you go. What happens in the morning...well, it's not morning yet to tell.” Carlos tried his best to cap the situation.
Jesus looked at Sergio once more and exited as gracefully as possible. Fernando wanted to speak up, but the stern look on his lover's face stopped him and so he bolted out the door after Navas.
“That went well.” Cesc said, picking up the half empty bowls of rice crispies.
“Shut up Cesc.”