Work Text:
Tidal waves of emotions knocked Emily off her feet. Water rising over her head, one after the other. Salt water constricting the back of her throat. Out of her depth. Literally.
Wishing it was figuratively.
Emily barely making out Kelley’s laughter as she too fell in the water — more so out of sympathy if anything else.
Kelley’s laughter music to Emily’s ears. Not sure who was helping who by this point.
Emily noting to curse Kelley the minute she touched land again. How could Kelley think that Bondi Beach would be the perfect place to teach her how to surf?
Space had grown between them recently. Trades would do that. But Emily understood Kelley needed an outlet — Sweden. That game only a few short days ago. A crushing blow. The writing on the wall. The USWNT were out.
Emily glancing at the shoreline. The world forgotten. Maybe that was the whole point. Out of arms reach. Social media had no place out here.
Emily paddling, exhausted. And yet still proud in the face of defeat. She had worked her arse off. Putting in the performance of her life. Leaving it all out on the field. Zero regrets. One exception — wishing she could have shown her versatility earlier. Helped the team earlier. Agina, a shock to the system.
The US were out — tournament over.
Emily conflicted in every sense of the word. Finally getting minutes, in a position that had been screaming out for a body to fill all tournament. A position she had previous expereince in. Tailor made for her. Thankful in more ways than one for the trade to the OL Reign.
Emily Sonnett basking in her mid field era.
Finally!
Coming together as a team. A team she knew had not entirely been set up for success. Reffered too with the same chaotic energy, though this time affectionately by her own team mates. Past and present. Praise something Emily was not use too.
Relieved.
Glad she could read the social media posts for once. New territory she had found herself in. A bright spark in the game. Now though not the right time to have these inner affirmations. Strangely today was not about her. Understanding her feelings were not shared.
Kelley.
The post had been a cruel mistress — the US were out.
Kelley…a born leader — possible future USWNT coach. No stretch by any means. The one who had taken Emily under her wing all those years ago. Taking charge. Control.
PKs were hard.
The post be damned, if only for a little while.
Kelley back in her element. Already back on her board, legs draped on either side. The salty ocean breeze in her hair.
You’re kidding right?! Emily’s lungs screamed out. Kelley making this look way too easy.
The wet suit Kelley was half wearing something Emily had forgone with. Kelley once again taking Emily under her wing.
The student.
Kelley making this look way easier said then done.
Emily struggled, gripping the side of the surf board tightly. Kelley there in an instant, trying to stifle her laughter, hand outstretched. Emily snipping away the help, shaking her head, glad her distress was amusing for someone.
The reaction did little to stifle Kelley’s laugh.
Emily could never let herself become a damsel in distress.
“You got this!” Kelley encouraged, Emily happy to see glimpses of her friend’s old self, even if it was at her own expense.
“I don’t got this.” Emily’s shaky voice snapped back, ungracefully sliding back onto the board. Hugging it close to her chest. Deciding right then and there would be the perfect place to have a nap, catch her breathe. Needing to forget she was miles out at sea and no doubt surrounded by countless men in grey suits — sharks.
An alarmed thought. Envisioning Kelley looking every bit the perfect seal right about now.
“You do this for fun?!”
Kelley’s head tilting back, giggling at Emily’s smushed up face as she tried to speak, exhausted. Kelley didn’t need to remind herself Sonnett had played an absolute baller of a game against Sweden. The whole world now finally knew it.
The student becoming the master.
Kelley’s unwavering gaze kept on Emily. Torn between wanting to inch closer to the saucy blonde, and not wanting to miss the moment. Kelley’s head turning back to the crowded shoreline, wondering just how long they could stay out here.
Kelley tired of Emily constantly running through her mind — Emily a little too tough to get too. A little too hard to handle.
Kelley, known to be too upfront, tenacious. Now finding herself in unusual territory. Distracted,
Caught even. Daydreaming about feelings. Feelings that were becoming too hard to resist. Reawakon — as if they were really buried to begin with.
Emily noticing Kelley’s distraction. Curious now. Watching the way the salt water dripped from Kelley’s hair, running down her body, as if the ocean was reading her mind.
Emily knew Kelley was a heartbreaker — A fact she was sure Kelley didn’t even know. Space, especially during the world cup was a universal rule. A rule with no words spoken or needed between them. Emily understanding Kelley had put them in the friendship box a long time ago. That hadn’t changed.
Or so she thought.
Laughter, jokes even, hid feelings well. Copying Kelley’s silhouette, Emily kept herself busy. Detangling her own mop of her hair. Trying to occupy her mind. Emily’s thoughts had no place out here. Remembering the unspoken rule, the friendship zone. Emily tapping her knees with her hands to imaginary music. Needing to fill the awkward space.
Emotions all turned around. Feelings upside down — back to front. Unsure what she was even doing out here. Being this close to Kelley was dangerous.
Honesty kept for herself. These thoughts were Emily’s and her’s alone.
If only she knew.
Kelley looking at Emily — beautiful once you broke through. Nothing more attractive than confidecence, comfortability in one’s own skin. Kelley had watched that game like a spectator, caught up in the moment of it all. Emily had grown.
Knowing the fierceness in Emily. The way she had moved on the pitch. The knee high socks with a voice, presence on the field, dictating play. Energy.
Emily’s swivel hips in full force.
Kelley looking at those same hips sitting just above the water’s surface.
Emily’s gaze sensing Kelley’s own eyes. Emily envisioning looking at her own reflection. Listening to the ocean waves hitting the underside of the board. Rocking them both from side to side. The sea now the only thing keeping them apart.
Kelley unable to resist. Spilling into the waves below. Two strokes in and she was on Emily’s board. Emily’s hands bracing behind her, trying to stabilise the both of them.
Back held straight by the pull of Kelley’s hand, guiding her forward. Firm but gentle. Legs bracing together.
Now the game was finally over.
Kelley could taste the salt against Emily’s lips…
Was I falling in love with the one who could break my heart.