Chapter Text
Two Years Earlier
December 24
9:52 PM
___________________
Neymar’s head rattles against the window of the car as he tries his best to fall asleep, trying to ignore the loud Brazilian Christmas music playing on the radio and the constant buzzing of the group chat on his phone.
His father was driving their family to visit their aunt’s house for the holidays, and although Neymar hated road trips, he was pretty excited to see his cousins so he could challenge them to multiple FIFA games on PS3. His mother was reading the directions to his father off of the map, while his sister, Rafaella, was humming to the music on the radio. Neymar opens his eyes and stares outside the window. It was quite ironic that the song “White Christmas” was now playing on the radio since it was raining outside. The raindrops pelted against the windshield making it harder to see in front of them. Neymar’s father slowed the car down and brightened his headlights.
“You kids alright back there?” Neymar’s father asked in Portuguese
“Yeah Dad, we are alright,” Neymar said as his sister asked, “How much longer Dad? I’m soooooo hungry.”
Neymar’s parents laughed as they told Rafaella that they only had a few miles left to go. As they were speaking, Neymar’s phone vibrated again. He pulls it out of his pocket with the intention of muting the group chat when he realized that it was Bruna, his girlfriend, that had texted him. Neymar smiled as he opened the message
Bruna <3:
Hey Juni :)
I just wanted to check up on you since you said you were driving to your aunt’s house. Oh and I wish you an early Merry Christmas just in case I don’t get an opportunity to tell you tomorrow morning lol. I love you!
Neymar could feel his face getting hot from the message. He and Bruna had been dating for a couple of months and they had a pretty good relationship. She would come to his football games and Neymar would go watch her plays and musicals. Not only was she sweet but she was very pretty, which made Neymar question how he was able to pull her. It is not that Neymar was ugly, in fact, he was quite the opposite since he inherited a lot of his mother’s pretty facial features. He just had a very, colorful , personality where he would always crack inappropriate jokes, pull pranks, and was ALWAYS laughing. Right after he sends his response to her, Neymar decides to check the group chat which had been blowing up for almost 10 minutes. The group chat included his friends which included Dani Alves, Thiago Silva, David Luiz, Luis Suarez, Marcelo, and his best friend Leo. Neymar could not help but laugh at the stupid things his friends were saying in the group chat.
Luis:
Merry Christmas Eve Everyone!! <3
Dani:
No one says Merry Christmas Eve dumbass. Stop finding an excuse to text the groupchat
Marcelo:
LOLLL Dani he's just trying to enhance the Christmas spirit
David:
Yeah Dani. No need to be a grinch.
Dani:
David, don't let me expose you. Keep talking and see what happens.
Thiago:
OOOOH, Dani expose him!! I wanna know!
David:
Dani chill bro. I will actually strangle you with Christmas lights if you say anything.
Leo:
Guys what happened is that David got rejected under the mistletoe lol.
Luis:
I-
Marcelo:
Oop-
Thiago:
HAHAHHAHAAHHAHAH OMG REALLY?? Bro David I’m using this against you for life
Dani:
Welllllllllllllll it didn't come from me…..
David:
Leo I know damn well you aren’t talking. At least I have the balls to confess my feelings to a girl *cough* *cough* ANTONELLA
Leo:
I hope you find a rock under your tree tomorrow and you accidentally drop it on your toe asshole
Luis:
Someone is sassy tonight. You are a mean one Mr. Grinch.
Neymar didn't even realize he was laughing out loud at the messages until he saw his dad’s eyes looking at him from the rearview mirror.
“What is so funny Junior?” his dad asked while chuckling.
“Noth–” managed to get out before a loud crash interrupted him.
He could hear his mom screaming and he could feel the car spinning as he saw the world around him get darker, and darker.
____________________
11:12 pm
Neymar’s eyes slowly opened. What kind of nightmare was that? he wondered. Suddenly he heard the sound of beeping beside him and quickly lifted his hands to reveal IV and multiple bandages attached to his arm. He jerked up and his heartbeat quickened. This was no dream. The accident actually happened. Neymar felt as if his heart would leap out of his chest. He ripped the cover off of him and tried to get off the bed, but he immediately collapsed to the floor and winced at the sharp pain he felt in his leg. Neymar cursed under his breath as a nurse quickly rushed in the room. She ran back out yelling, “He is awake!” and ran back in with the doctor.
The doctor helped Neymar back onto the hospital bed and suddenly Neymar snapped back into reality.
“Where is my mom? Is she alright? My sister? Please tell me they are ok. My dad is fine too, right?” Neymar sputtered.
The doctor had a nervous look on his face as he exchanged glances with the nurse.
“Listen son, you suffered a pretty hard blow to your head during the accident, I think it's best if you rest for now and you will see your family when you wake up–,”
“NO!! I need to know now! Where is my family?! What happened? What am I doing here?!” Neymar yelled as he could feel the pressure in his chest rising.
There was a long pause until the nurse spoke and decided to tell Neymar what happened.
“Your family was struck by another vehicle that was driving extremely fast, and due to this rainy weather, it lost control. It seems like the driver in your vehicle tried to swerve in the other direction, but– but it was too late. Luckily you only suffered minor injuries in your arm and thighs,” she said in a small voice.
“Ok, but what about my parents and my sister? Where are they? They survived, right?” Neymar could feel his eyes burning as tears formed.
“Your mother is recovering and your sister is still asleep–”
“What about my dad?”
There was another long pause when the doctor decided to speak up.
“I am afraid he died at the scene of the accident. There was nothing that could be done to save him. I am very sorry son,” the doctor said solemnly.
Neymar was silent. He wanted to scream and yell at the doctors for saying such a thing. There was no way his father was not alive. If this was a What Would You Do episode, he would make sure to sue the show for such a terrible prank, but there were no cameras and there were no pranks. Tears started falling uncontrollably down his face as the nurse and doctor rubbed his back and exited the room to give him some space.
“Why?” Neymar croaked, “Why me?” Neymar started bawling as the door to his room opened.
“Ney?? Neymar, are you alright?” the voice said.
It didn’t take any time to recognize the voice that belonged to Leo. Leo rushes to Neymar at the side of his bed and grabs his arms.
“Ney, please don’t cry. Why are you crying?” Leo asked.
Neymar opens his mouth to speak but nothing but more sobs erupt from his mouth. Leo wraps his arms around Neymar while rubbing his back.
“I came here as soon as I heard about the accident. I am here for you now OK? I always have been. Just let it out. I’m here.”
Neymar sunk into Leo’s arms and continued to cry for hours, but Leo never left his side.