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Roy always knew the end of his career would come one day. When he would go from famous footballer to just Roy. He fucking dreaded it because he spent so much time on football, he didn’t know what else there was to do.
From nine until his late 30s, it was what Dani says: Football is life. Roy ate, slept, and lived through football. It’s what got the women and paid his bills.
But even as Roy walked away from that field, he heard the roar of the crowd screaming his name. The sound echoed in his ears as he made his way to the locker rooms. This was it. It was done.
The weight of the whole thing hit Roy like a thousand bricks when the adrenaline came off like his jersey. No more training. No more crowds coming just to see Roy. No more… doing the one thing he loved that kept him going.
Roy Kent would not cry over his retirement, he told himself. He’d suck it the fuck it and go back out there. Sitting on the fucking bench.
Footsteps were heard coming towards Roy. At first, he thought it was Keeley because he don’t look up.
“You’re not supposed to be in here during a game.”
“When has that ever stopped me before?” a certain Kansas drawl said.
Roy’s eyes snapped up. He didn’t expect Ted but the same still applied. The coach should be out there, not looking out for the player mourning his career and life choices. Roy stiffened before lowering his head back down.
“I mean it, go away,” Roy said hurriedly. He was not going to cry in front of his coach, for Christ’s sake. Roy gripped the bench with a fervor.
Ted kept getting closer to him.
“Ted, get the fuck away from me!” Was meant to come out as a growl but Roy’s voice cracked. It was pathetic in Roy’s eyes.
Through Ted’s eyes, he didn’t just see the player he coached. Ted didn’t see the tough cookie Roy Kent who cusses out everybody. Ted saw the damaged man he vented a friend grieving. The one seconds from crying in a locker room because he won’t let the press see it out there. What Ted saw was vulnerability and vulnerability took guts.
Ted sat shoulder to shoulder with Roy. He looked over at Roy. Roy caught Ted’s eyes for a second before looking down at the hand Ted was holding out.
Ted only nodded towards it. No smiling, no smart crack of jokes, and no life lesson either. Just support.
Roy stared at Ted’s hands for a bit before taking it and interlocking their fingers. Roy then leaned against Ted’s shoulder and properly let himself sob.
“What do I fucking do?” Roy whispered, voice hoarse. “I don’t know what to fucking do.”
Where Roy was leaning into Ted’s shoulder, Ted leaned against Roy’s head. “We’ll figure it out.”
“We?”
“Heck yeah,” Ted moved away for a second. “I’m here for you, Roy. And you know what, it’s gonna be a-okay.”
Ted looked so sincere in that moment. Roy could tell her was being for real, just through his eyes. Ted held real emotion in his eyes. It’s like the optimism bubbles over. And that dumb fucking smile. It was so infectious that Roy did feel a bit better.
But what he wanted to do wasn’t professional. He had been feeling it for a while, thought it was feelings for Keeley. Keeley was the same way, thought it was feelings for Roy. But it didn’t with that way for them. Keeley liked Rebecca and Roy unfortunately liked…
“You okay there, Roy? You kinda spaced out there.”
Roy met Ted’s eyes and then glanced at his lips. Damn it, Roy.
“Fucking forgive me for this,” was the only warning Roy gave before he cupped Ted’s face and quickly leaned forward to press his lips to Ted’s. Roy wanted Ted to know the appreciation he had towards him, a thank you for giving him the best last year of his football career. For teaching him the meaning of leadership and what it tastes to be a good leader. The kiss in itself wasn’t the greatest, a quick brush of the lips, but just enough to set off the fireworks for both of them. Roy jerked back just as quickly as he had kissed Ted as if he had just been burned.
“TedI’msofuckingsorryIdon’tknowwhatcameovermeimsuchafuckingidi-“
“Shut the fuck up, Roy.”
“What?”
Ted’s hand went to the back of Roy’s neck and pulled Roy back in. This time it was a proper kiss, the type both have been needing. They were both sensual and needy and dumping every emotion they were feeling into the kiss. Ted wasn’t used to the scratchiness of Roy’s beard against his face but oh gosh he never wanted Roy to stop. Roy was skilled with his lips and his tongue, leaving Ted breathless but wanting more. Roy could feel the softness of Ted’s mustache against his own beard and Roy just knew he never wanted the moment to end. His hands were gripping Ted’s shoulders tightly. The kiss was making Roy properly hard, which he hoped could be covered when he actually walked back out to the pitch.
When the two were properly breathless from their passionate kissing session, they pulled back. Ted had the stupid happy grin on his face that Roy returned.
“Ted, you’ve gotta get back out there. The team needs their coach and you don’t want to miss any important goals,” Roy had said, brain cells suddenly working again.
“The world can wait a sec,” Ted returned. “What does this mean for us, Roy?”
“Ted, I’m going to be honest with you. I can’t let this be a one night stand,” Roy began. “I fucking like you too much.”
“Yeah you told me you loved me earlier.”
Roy glared at Ted. “I’ve had tons of one night stands. Ones without emotions that end when morning comes.”
“That leave you watchless, too.” Ted joked.
“Go fuck yourself. Anyways, I’m too old for that shit. I’m tired, I’m old, my knee hurts, and I watch the muppets more than the average man should.”
“Same.”
“If that’s not what you want, tell me now so we can act like it’s never happened,” Roy lowered his head.
“Roy, my goal this whole time has been winnin’ you over. And believe me, you didn’t make it easy. But this time, I think I knocked my feelings to just being winning you over. I didn’t hesitate to bench Jamie but you know what, I’ve fought tooth and nail over you. Roy, I know I might have gotten recently divorced, but I’m the all in type. So yeah, if you’ll have me.”
Roy looked at Ted. “For real?”
“As real as me and you, Roy Toy.”
“God, don’t call me that?” Roy grumbled before leaning in for one final kiss. It was a sweet chaste kiss.
“What was that for?” Ted asked. “Not that I’m complaining.”
“Good luck. Now go kick Tartt’s little bitch ass and if anybody asks, just say you ate some bad food or something.”
“Well, thanks, Roy. Maybe it’ll help.”
Ted left, leaving Roy alone, to handle the boner making itself more visible through his shorts.
“It was one fucking really good kiss! No need to show your face.”
Roy just ended up taking a cold shower though. Roy’s kiss did not help, but that didn’t stop the two from continuing their relationship. They were no longer alone. They had each other, the way it was always going to be.