Chapter Text
The season has not been going well. They’d managed to fight their way through the Challenge cup, at least until the final, but now their form is questionable at best. They keep losing games they really shouldn’t be losing. Compounding the issue, they are plagued by injuries and the games keep coming with far too little rest.
Kelley, who’s been in and out of the team with niggling injuries, is trying desperately to help hold them all together. It’s so hard when she’s not even getting on the pitch and the whole team is drowning in frustration. They’re still so young, most of them. Last season had been impossibly hard, but when it had truly counted, they’d been able to come together and pull out results. This season is not like that for whatever reason and for the first time, they’re having to cope with failing to meet expectations.
Despite everything, Kelley can’t help but take pleasure in certain aspects of the season. She likes this team. Likes the kids and the coaching staff. Likes that they finally have an owner who seems willing to help them be actual professionals. And then there is Sonnett.
Last season, playing with Sonnett had been a dream. Kelley had been thrilled when the younger woman joined the Spirit, but when Emily had come to DC, they’d just been friends. She’d had no idea how quickly their friendship would deepen into… whatever it is now.
They still haven’t actually defined the relationship. Kelley, who has a history of getting her heart broken, hasn’t wanted to admit the depth of her feelings. Surprisingly, Sonny hadn’t pushed. She seems perfectly content to take things at Kelley’s pace. It was… unexpected.
Kelley had thought the younger woman would be insecure, needing the reassurance of a clearly labeled relationship. However, if anything it now seems like Kelley is the one looking to Emily for support. It’s a new feeling for Kelley, leaning on someone else. It’s… surprisingly nice. To the point that Kelley’s thinking that maybe, finally, this is it. That Emily’s her, well, everything.
If only things on the field could be going as smoothly as they now are off of it.
They’d had another hard-fought game. It feels like about the tenth they’ve had in the last few weeks. Everyone is tired, emotionally, physically, just exhausted. They were all just basically trying to keep their heads above water until the blessed reprieve of the international break.
They’d faced North Carolina, at home, and it hadn’t exactly gone as planned. They’d gone down early and then settled into a dog fight to try and get themselves back in it. Kelley, who’d been a frustrated spectator for most of the game, felt like she was going to rattle apart by the time she finally got to check in with the forth official.
On the field, things were better for her. At least she could try to impact the game beyond shouting encouragement at her exhausted teammates. Kelley had played… okay. Not well, not really. But, as she’s gotten older, she’s gotten a little better at realizing she’s not going to be the best version of herself every minute of every game. She’s coming back from injury and it’s always hard to get thrown into a somewhat choppy match late. Kelley can give herself a little grace.
Emily on the other hand, is clearly willing to kill herself to get a result. After getting beat by Kerolin early leading to a goal, Emily was playing out of this world. Kelley would be more surprised but it seems like this season is going to be Sonnett’s year. She’s been incredible, and Kelley somewhat guiltily has enjoyed being on the bench so she can appreciate her not-quite-girlfriends prowess.
Once she’s in the game, Kelley’s to busy dealing with her own play to really focus on Emily’s. That said, Kelley still basically shrieks in delight when she sees Emily make a beautiful move in the box, drawing a PK. Why her girlfriend is in the offensive box Kelley doesn’t entirely know. But watching her receive the ball, get tripped up, and come up screaming, it kinda does things for Kelley.
Sanchez had stepped up and done her thing, converting the PK and evening things up. Kelley had briefly thought maybe this was it. Maybe this was when things were going to turn around for the Spirits. Her optimism had been short lived however. They’d conceded. Again. Losing to freaking North Carolina.
Kelley was frustrated with the result. She’s way to competitive not to be. But she’d tried to keep it light in the locker room. She’s worried that the team is teetering on the edge of falling into a despondent depression. They need to keep having fun otherwise they’re screwed. So Kelley teases Trinity and Ashley about some stupid TikTok they’d done of hitting each other in the face with tortillas. She relieves Emily of DJ duties and plays a serious of increasingly ridiculous music. Basically, Kelley embraces her wild side.
It seems to help at least a little. By the time the girls are trickling out of the locker room the tension's seeping away slightly. People are back to looking exhausted rather then pissed. At this point, Kelley’s gonna take it as a win.
The only person who Kelley hasn’t really gotten a good read on is Emily. Sonny’s been… distant in the post-game team talk. She’d hung back in the locker room too. Not dancing or joking. Kelley hopes that Sonnett’s just tired and not upset. She hates thinking about her girl hurting.
Before the game, Kelley hadn’t wanted to commit to spending the night together. It seemed too couply to work out that sort of shit in advance. Now however, she regrets it. She knows Emily and she’s willing to bet that the younger woman’s likely to try and withdraw. Kelley’s not going to give her the chance though. She sticks to Sonny like a burr, keeping quiet so as not to be too much of a pest. When Emily tries to make some excuse to go home alone, Kelley bluntly rejects the idea.
“You’re coming home with me,” Kelley declares.
Emily, tilting her head slightly, asks, “am I?”
“Yep. Come on. You need food.”
Kelley doesn’t look back, trying to act like she’s confident that Emily will follow her. Luckily for Kelley, Sonny seems inclined not to argue. The trip is blissfully short. At least they’re not away. Kelley’s incredibly grateful to get to sleep in her own bed. Kelley lets the silence between them be, allowing Emily to work through whatever mental funk she’s got going on. Sometimes that’s enough, giving the young woman a chance to center herself.
Focusing on not limping, something that will only pique Emily’s concern, Kelley leads Emily into their apartment. Her apartment. Whatever. She hunts through the fridge, pulling out some of the meal prep she’d done earlier in the week. Kelley throws together some pizza, vegan crust and cheese thank you very much. She makes two, topping them with their respective favorites. She’s known what Emily liked for years. In hindsight, it was probably a sign she’d been paying a bit too much interest to the young woman really.
Emily had disappeared into the bathroom to shower while Kelley worked on dinner. When she emerges, she’s wearing shorts slung low on her hips and a t-shirt that’s sticking to her damp skin. Kelley can’t help but fixate on the fact that Sonny’s not wearing a bra. She can see the blonde’s nipples distinctly through the thin material of the shirt. She wonder’s how hard they are and daydreams briefly about how she could make them stiffen further.
Shaking it off, Kelley plates their food, grabbing the shitty tasting recovery drinks both of them should probably drink. And water that they’ll actually end up drinking instead. Hands full, she uses a socked foot to nudge Sonny in the thigh, urging her to go settle on the couch.
Emily makes a displeased noise, muttering, “gross. No feet.”
Kelley grins and replies, “you big baby. As if you haven’t helped me with my ankle about a thousand times.”
Sticking out her tongue, Emily says, “that’s different. I don’t need you poking me.”
“Quit your complaining, you totally love me.”
Whelp. That’s a thing. Kelley hadn’t really meant to say that particular thing. Or imply anything about how Emily may or may not feel about her.
Sonny, impressing Kelley again, doesn’t focus on Kelley’s offhanded comment. She smiles softly, eyes squinting with it. However, she also goes and collapses on the couch, making grabby hands at the pizza.
Kelley, who’s realizing maybe she doesn’t actually need to panic right now, passes one off. She takes a seat still feeling a little tense.
Taking a impolitely large bite of pizza, Sonnett says with a mouthful, “relax. I’m not gonna like, declare my undying love or anything. It doesn’t have to be a big deal.”
“Chew with your mouth closed.” Kelley focuses on rebuking Emily’s manners, trying not to ask questions about how Emily feels about her. Or you know, wish that Emily did love her love her. Whatever.
Focusing on her food for a bit, Kelley eventually says, “so are you gonna replace Hatchy as forward next game? That was a pretty sweet move.”
Emily snorts, “hardly.”
Kelley frowns, then says, “no really, it was impressive Son. You played great too.”
Sonnett’s jaw clenches in frustration. Something that Kelley can’t help but note makes her look far too attractive.
“I played like shit. The first goal, that was all on me.”
Kelley hums noncommittedly. Carefully, she says. “Karolin’s a hard mark. She got by you once but the rest of the game, you had her number.”
Sharply, Emily says, “I don’t need you to coddle me Kel. I’m not one of the kids.”
Slowly, Kelley says, “I know muffin. I’m not blowing smoke up your ass. You’re having a good season, don’t discount all the good you’ve done for us.”
Still looking broody, Emily goes back to her pizza. Kelley lets it go. She knows Emily and pushing at this point won’t get her anywhere. She’ll just have to wear Sonny down. Keep reminding her of how good she is. For now though, Kelley refocuses.
“What do you need Em?”
“For us to win? For us not to play every three days?” Emily’s voice is calmer even as she repeats the familiar complaints.
“What do you need from me? What can I do?” Kelley has an idea of what Emily might need, she’s just not sure if the younger woman will ask for it or not.
Emily eyes her, assessing. Eventually she says, “I need to not think about football for a bit.”
“And do you have an idea of what you’d rather think about?”
Kelley’s question is blatantly leading at this point. Clearly suggestive. She’d been keyed up since Sonnett got out of the shower looking like an absolute snack. Now she feels herself growing warm as Emily’s eyes track over her.
Slowly, Emily half asks, “you? If you’re offering that is.”
Kelley takes Sonnett’s now empty plate. Moving slightly slowly because of her own stiff muscles, Kelley moves to straddle Emily. Leaning in, she rubs her nose along the still tense muscles in Sonny’s neck.
With an almost inaudible groan, Emily lets her head fall back against the back of the couch. Kelley takes advantage, kissing the bared flesh. She’s gentle, tender, loving.
Keeping her mouth moving over Emily’s skin, she murmurs, “you were so good baby. You did so well.”
Emily pulls Kelley’s face up, slamming their mouths together in a searing kiss.
Kelley rolls with it. If Sonnett’s not ready to hear it, Kelley can wait. Besides, she’s never going to be unhappy about making out with Emily. Not when the younger woman feels so good under her lips.
Kelley’s current position isn’t really providing any pressure where she needs it, so she wiggles forward, tilting her hips into Emily. That’s… better. Much better. Like this, she can rock against Sonnett, working herself up as they continue to kiss.
Trying to remember that this is about Sonny, not her, Kelley draws back.
Breathlessly, she asks, “what do you want baby? How can I make you feel good?”
Not responding, Emily uses one of her broad palms to gently press Kelley’s face to the side. Kelley feels the slight stretch in her muscles before Emily’s mouthing along her neck. The younger woman is using a healthy about of teeth, something that sends bright sparks of pleasure arcing down Kelley’s spine.
“Emily, come on, what do you…” Kelley’s voice trails off as Emily sucks hard on her skin. There’s gonna be a mark. No way there wont be at this point.
“Kel, I don’t want to think for a bit, okay?”
“Sure love, let me just…” Kelley tries to squirm away. She’s thinking she’ll get Emily off with her mouth first. She’s a little sore to really want to be on her knees right now, but she’s also eager to taste Sonny. Make her into a needy mess.
Emily is apparently not on the same page because her hands firm on Kelley’s hips, holding her in place. Kelly tries to move for a while even after it becomes apparent she’s not going anywhere. It’s working for her, not being able to escape. Having Emily’s strength blatantly on display.
“I want…” Emily hesitates. “Kelley, I want to wreck you.”
Surprise causes Kelley to freeze.
Sonnett’s watching her closely for some reaction. When Kelley doesn’t respond negatively to Emily’s startling declaration, the younger woman asks, “can I Kel? Can I take you apart just a little bit? I’ll make it feel so good I promise. You’ll be beggin for more.”
Off balance, Kelley protests, “I don’t beg.”
Smirking knowingly, Emily says, “is that a bet? Cause I bet I can have you pleading so nice and pretty for me.”