Chapter 25 : Power Couple(Bonus For Power Stones)

After that day, two weeks passed in a blur of relentless matches and intense training sessions. Nico was unstoppable, scoring and assisting in every single game, proving to the world why he was the next big thing in football.

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February 15: Málaga vs. Espanyol (La Liga, La Rosaleda Stadium)

In an intense away fixture at La Rosaleda, Espanyol triumphed 3-1, with Nico playing a pivotal role in the victory. His performance once again stole the spotlight, as he scored a crucial goal and registered an assist. The match saw Espanyol maintain their resilience and come away with a deserved three points, further cementing their position in the league.

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February 18: Espanyol vs. Athletic Club (Copa del Rey Semifinals, 1st Leg, RCDE Stadium)

Espanyol turned in a dominant performance in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals. With the crowd roaring behind them, they dismantled Athletic Club 4-1, thanks to a remarkable hat-trick from none other than Nico. His clinical finishing, combined with his vision and creativity, led Espanyol to a commanding advantage ahead of the return leg. The match was a clear statement of their Copa del Rey ambitions.

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February 22: Espanyol vs. Real Madrid (La Liga, RCDE Stadium)

Espanyol faced a stern test against a powerful Real Madrid side at RCDE Stadium. Despite a valiant effort, Espanyol fell 3-1, with Nico providing an assist in the loss. Real Madrid's superior quality and clinical finishing proved too much for the home side, but Espanyol's fighting spirit was evident throughout, as Nico's creativity shone even in defeat.

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February 25: Athletic Club vs. Espanyol (Copa del Rey Semifinals, 2nd Leg, San Mamés Stadium)

In a tense second leg at San Mamés, Espanyol managed to hold Athletic Club to a 0-0 draw, securing their place in the Copa del Rey final with a 4-1 aggregate victory. The match was a hard-fought battle, with both sides creating chances, but Espanyol's defensive resilience and Nico's leadership ensured they advanced to the final. The atmosphere in the stadium was electric, but Espanyol kept their cool under pressure, moving one step closer to securing the trophy.

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After Espanyol's hard-fought battle against Athletic Club, securing their place in the Copa del Rey final, Nico lay in his bed, exhaustion weighing on him, but his mind still buzzing. Without hesitation, he grabbed his phone and called Aitana. 

She picked up almost instantly. "Took you long enough," she teased. 

Nico smirked. "You were waiting?" 

"Maybe," she admitted. "So, how does it feel? You're in the final." 

He exhaled slowly, staring at the ceiling. "It hasn't sunk in yet. Feels unreal." 

"Well, it's real," she said. "And now, you're one step away from your first major trophy." 

He ran a hand through his hair. "Yeah… just one problem." 

"What?" 

"We're facing Barcelona." 

There was a pause before she sighed. "That's right. You're playing against your club." 

"Exactly," he muttered. "I grew up there, wore that crest like it was part of me. Now I have to try and beat them." 

Aitana's voice was gentle but firm. "That's football, Nico. You have to go out there and play your best." 

"I know," he murmured. "But it's going to be strange." 

"I get it," she said. "But this is your moment. You've worked so hard for this, and no matter what happens, you deserve it." 

A warmth spread through him at her words. "Even if I knock Barcelona out?" 

She huffed. "That part, I won't like." 

Nico chuckled. "Figures." 

"But I'll still be proud of you," she admitted. "Just… don't celebrate too much if you win." 

"No promises," he teased. 

Aitana clicked her tongue. "You're impossible." 

Nico grinned. "And you love it." 

She didn't argue.

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February 28 , 2015

The night before Espanyol's match against Real Sociedad, Nico was lying in bed, staring at the ceiling when his phone buzzed. He grabbed it and saw Aitana's name flashing on the screen. A small smile tugged at his lips as he answered.

"Couldn't sleep?" he asked.

"Maybe," she admitted. "And you?"

"Same," he said, shifting to his side. "Thinking about the game tomorrow."

"I figured," she murmured. "Another match, another goal?"

Nico chuckled. "You make it sound easy."

"Well, for you, it kind of is," she teased.

He smirked. "I'll take that as a compliment."

She hummed softly. "Just don't overthink it. You're playing some of your best football right now. Trust yourself."

His heart warmed at her words. "You always know what to say."

"Of course," she said smugly. "I am your girlfriend."

Nico laughed. "That you are."

There was a comfortable silence before she spoke again. "I wish I could be there tomorrow."

"I know," he murmured. "But just knowing you're watching is enough."

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After watching Is Enough, they stayed on the phone for a while, talking about everything and nothing in particular. Eventually, a thought crossed Nico's mind, and he decided to bring it up.

"Aitana," he said.

"Hm?" she hummed sleepily.

"I was thinking… would you post a picture of us on Instagram?" he asked. "You know, to make it official."

She blinked, caught off guard. "Huh? Why now?"

"Jorge told me it's better to do it before any media issues," Nico explained. "If we announce it ourselves, there won't be any ridiculous rumors or made-up stories."

Aitana was silent for a moment, then chuckled. "You really want the whole world to know you're mine?"

Nico grinned. "Of course. They should know I have the best girlfriend in the world."

She sighed dramatically. "Fine, fine. I'll find a good picture and post it tomorrow."

"Make sure I look handsome," he teased.

"You always do," she muttered, just loud enough for him to hear.

Nico's heart did a little flip, but he played it cool. "I know."

She laughed. "Good night, idiot."

"Good night, mi reina."

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Before sleeping, Nico grabbed his phone and opened his gallery, scrolling through the countless photos he had with Aitana. Some were playful, some candid, some filled with inside jokes only they would understand.

Then, he found the one. Aitana on his back, her arms wrapped around his shoulders, leaning in to kiss his cheek while he grinned at the camera. It was perfect.

Without overthinking, he uploaded it to Instagram, captioning it simply: "My Girlfriend ❤️"

After hitting post, he smiled to himself, placed his phone on the nightstand, and closed his eyes. Sleep came easy that night.

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The next morning, Nico woke up and went through his usual routine—yoga, jogging, and a quick gym session. After washing up, he got dressed, preparing to head to training before the match.

As he picked up his phone, his eyebrows shot up. His Instagram had exploded. Overnight, the post had racked up hundreds of thousands of likes, and the comments section was absolute chaos.

@laliga: "The crown jewel of La Masia has found his queen 👑❤️"

@neymarjr: "You grow up so fast 🥲😭 Proud of you, little bro."

@leomessi: "Finally. About time, kid."

@3gerardpique: "Even at 14, he's better at relationships than me 💀"

@nikefootball: "A prince on the pitch, a king off it. 🔥👑"

@badbunnypr: "Damn, even footballers be getting cuffed before me 💔😂"

@espanyol: "Our star boy scoring on and off the pitch. 😉"

Nico let out a breath, half-laughing, half-stunned. He wasn't expecting this level of attention, but seeing the reactions—from footballers, celebrities, and even official league accounts—made it hit differently.

Shaking his head, he smirked and typed out a quick reply under the post: "Y'all acting like I won the Ballon d'Or. Chill. 😭😂"

After posting his comment, Nico kept scrolling, still amused by the chaos. Then, he came across a post from @espnofficial.

The post had two side-by-side photos—one of his post and the other of Aitana's post. Below that, ESPN had added both of their stats from the season so far, highlighting their performances.

The caption read:

"Football's newest power couple? 🏆🔥 Nico Cryuff and Aitana Bonmatí are proving that talent runs in this La Masia love story. 💙❤️"

He clicked on the comments, and it was pure gold.

@barcacentre: "La Masia's ultimate duo. Pep, we need both of them in the same squad ASAP."

@laliga: "When your date nights involve winning Man of the Match awards. 🤝🔥"

@barcafan_1899: "First Xavi and Iniesta, now Nico and Aitana. The Barcelona midfield is built on love stories. 😂"

@puyol5: "Beautiful football. Beautiful couple."

@espanyol: "We're just happy to have our star boy for now. 👀"

@culesforever: "Nico better take notes from Piqué and NOT mess this up. 🤣"

@fabriziorom: "Here we go! 💍👀"

Nico shook his head, laughing. "La Masia Love Story"—he wasn't expecting that.

He took a screenshot and sent it to Aitana with a text:

"We're apparently a football power couple now. 😂"

Aitana replied almost instantly:

"Took them long enough to realize. 😏"

Nico smirked, locked his phone, and headed out. The world could talk all it wanted—he had a match to win.

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March 1, 2015 – Matchday

Real Sociedad vs. Espanyol

Reale Arena, San Sebastián

The Anoeta Stadium stood under the evening sky, its floodlights piercing through the dusk as a crisp breeze swept through San Sebastián. The Basque air carried the scent of the sea, mixing with the anticipation of thousands of fans eagerly awaiting the clash between Real Sociedad and Espanyol.

As the Espanyol team bus rolled up to the entrance, a wave of whistles and cheers rippled through the gathered crowd. The Real Sociedad faithful, draped in blue and white, voiced their presence, hoping to intimidate the visitors. Some fans pounded on the side of the bus, others raised scarves, chanting in unison, trying to create an unwelcoming atmosphere.

Inside the bus, the Espanyol players remained unfazed. Nico, seated near the window, looked out with his usual calmness, his emerald-green eyes gleaming under the bus lights. Next to him, Felipe Caicedo tightened his shoelaces, while Sergio García stretched his legs, cracking a grin at the noise outside. The energy was electric, but Espanyol had a job to do.

As the doors swung open, one by one, the players stepped out, dressed in their navy-blue track suits, headphones in, focused. Nico was the last to exit, his silky black hair catching the glow of the stadium lights. A few female fans in the crowd gasped, their voices blending into the stadium noise as they whispered about his almost godly features.

The Anoeta was alive, and the battle was moments away.

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The atmosphere inside the Reale Arena locker room was tense yet focused. The players sat on the benches, some taping their wrists, others stretching, as head coach Sergio González stood in the center, his voice firm and commanding.

Sergio González:

"Alright, listen up, boys. We've come here for one thing—three points. Real Sociedad is no pushover, especially at home. They like to control possession, and they'll look to suffocate us in midfield. But we don't let them. We press, we stay compact, and when we get the ball, we move it fast."

He turned to his defense, locking eyes with Álvaro González and Héctor Moreno.

"Keep an eye on Agirretxe. He's strong, he's smart, and he'll punish us if we give him space. Javi, Juan—when you push forward, be mindful of Vela on the break. Don't give him an inch."

His focus then shifted to the midfield trio.

"Víctor, Cañas—control the center. Win the second balls, dictate the tempo, and don't let them settle. Salva, you'll be the link between midfield and attack—find those pockets of space and keep the ball moving."

Finally, his eyes landed on Nico, who was adjusting his captain's armband.

"And you—this is your stage. You create, you dictate, and when the moment comes, you strike. They'll try to take you out of the game—let them try."

A smirk flickered across Nico's face.

Sergio clapped his hands together, his voice rising.

"We fight for every ball, we stay disciplined, and when we get our chances—we bury them. Let's bring the three points home!"

The players roared in response, clapping, fists pumping. The time for words was over. It was time to battle.

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Author's note : Vote if you like what you're reading , he will play with barcelona in the upcoming chapters . It'll be crazy , Do comment about things you dont like , so i can fix it in the upcoming chapters