((**5.3k and a little warning for the end of this one...**))
YFN napped on the flight as she was expecting a long night of celebrations in Spain. She only slept half the flight and used the other half to work. Their preparations and training had been a success, the only negative being a broken camera from a little slip by one of the new staff. She'd called him before she boarded to make sure he was okay and offered to get him seen by a doctor but he'd been more embarrassed than anything. She took her time to make sure she checked on all of the crews from the terminal and had brief phone call debriefs with all of the supervisors.
On the plane, she read through the more in-depth debriefs they'd emailed through as well as the footage from the games. Having an editor in each team meant their content was up much quicker and cleaner. Also they'd sent out the relevant content to the players and teams for their own use.
The thing she'd been most worried about was the interviews, though. She'd spent a lot of time with the staff who'd be conducting the interviews and they'd spoken all things player specificities to who would work well together in an interview. As it was their first round, they picked their players to interview prior to the round, and she watched all of the footage from that – taking notes. Overall she was impressed but being the way she was, she always found a bit of room for improvement. The main thing was that she could see the players had been comfortable and open in front of the camera and with all of the questions asked. From here she was excited to push further and bring the questions a little bit further away from the safe little box they were currently in. She wanted fresh and new. Starting safe was always good, though.
She exchanged a few messages with Joe before her flight about their 'successful expansion' though YFN wanted to get a few more good rounds in before she would jump to that same level of excitement.
As they landed, and she turned her phone off of flight mode, she was overwhelmed with messages and videos from a few of her staff and other sources. She watched the video being sent. It was Jordan looking cold and scared as she had a camera shoved into her face asking about her relationship with Leah. She asked to be left alone but they persisted until Leah jumped in and snapped at them, declaring that she was going to only do media through Lumos from then on. She was surprised at that and although she didn't want to ruin Leah and Jordan's night, she figured a text would be okay.
YFN: Why am I getting second-hand news that you're only going to be using Lumos for media from now on? Is everything okay?
Leah: I asked the reporters to not approach Jordan outside of football and they did. Fair punishment for them, I reckon.
YFN: So it's true?
Leah: Yeah if that's okay?
YFN: Mate, perfectly fine with me. Everything okay with this little interaction?
She was worried about Jordan, and she knew Leah wanted their night to be perfect.
Leah: Everything's fine – I sorted them. Jordan's okay, she has cake.
YFN laughed at that. Oh, Jordan would be loving her cake reward.
YFN: Ah, yes she's fine then *laughing emoji* I'll leave you to it. We'll chat about this later. x
She was waiting for her little suitcase at the bag carousel, somewhere off in her thoughts about work when two strong arms wrapped around her, a warm body pressing against her back and familiar lips finding her cheek in soft kisses.
She hummed happily and leant back into her, tilting her head back.
"Hi Luce," she hummed at Lucy's excited cheek kisses.
"Hi little one," she said between kisses. "Did you sleep?"
"Just an hour. I had work to get done."
"Mmn, of course you did. There's a lot of chatter that everything went well..."
She wasn't surprised Lucy had been keeping up with Lumos and in particular – her.
"Always room for improvements."
"Take the win, love. How long do I have you for?"
It was just before 10:30pm on Sunday night in Spain. "The first few days this week are the supervisors working with their teams and I'll be zooming in so... you have me until Wednesday. I fly out Wednesday morning."
Lucy groaned in relief. "Yes! Three nights and it's not even my birthday." Her head found her neck and she let out a big sigh. They were already so sick of not knowing when they'd see each other. YFN was also equally as happy. She stroked Lucy's hair. "Three nights, two days. Are you training both of those days?"
Lucy groaned from her neck but this time it was a defeated one.
YFN chuckled again. "I'll take that as a yes." She turned and kissed her head. "We still have nights. Congrats on El Clasico, Luce. You played really, really well."
"All ninety-four minutes. I'm dead."
"Not dead enough for celebrations, I hope."
"I'm not young like the others... all the celebration I need is with you."
YFN scoffed. "Don't be like that, you're not old."
"Tell that to the interviewers and the younger players."
"Luce... you haven't even lived half of your life. And you're fitter, more determined and more play-intelligent than every other player. Besides – you're just a big kid."
Lucy paused as she took that in. "Thanks, little one. I... I needed to hear that. I just had a tough game, that's all."
YFN spun in her arms and looked up at her. "I know... but that's why we have each other when times are tough. I've got you, Bronze."
Lucy grinned at the use of her last name. "And I've got you, YLN."
Her eyes flicked over her shoulder and she let her go to grab her little suitcase from the carousel. That's when YFN noticed that there had been a few people staring, obviously having noticed Lucy, though they were giving them their space together. Lucy wheeled her suitcase over and took her hand, interlacing their fingers as they strode through the terminal.
"Luce?"
"Hm?"
"Did you ever get that footage from the airport?"
"Oh, yeah. Sorry, I should have told you, we've just both been so busy. I have the footage of her and sent it to the lawyers. There's..."
She paused and YFN saw her hesitation. "Is it bad?"
"Well, the restraining order was based on stalking and harassment. However they also found footage of her bricking the car from a camera across the road and although you can't see her clearly, there's more footage of her walking towards the car from other cameras that match the visual image of her... so that's good enough evidence to prove it was her. They updated the restraining orders to include aggravated assault. Violating a restraining order that is based on aggravated assault means prison time."
"Ah." That's why she'd hesitated. She knew that YFN would feel guilty that she may go to prison.
"She will go to prison," Lucy said and as if reading her thoughts, "and it's not your fault. It's not my fault. She made this mess."
"You don't feel... just a little guilty?"
Lucy shook her head as they walked. "Not at all. If it keeps you safe, then I'm happy. That's all I care about."
If YFN withdrew from her empathetic brain far enough, she could see that it was deserved. Well deserved. That didn't stop her feeling awful about it though.
Lucy squeezed her hand in support as they reached her car, a matte black Cupra. Lucy peeled away towards the boot of the car when the passenger door opened and YFN jumped in fright as Alexia stepped out and both she and Lucy shared a laugh at the unintended jump scare.
"Welcome back to Spain," she said a little differently after she was done laughing and gave her a typical Spanish greeting of a kiss on either cheek. YFN looked from Alexia to Lucy.
"Um, were you two not supposed to be getting ready?"
"Are you saying we look bad?" Lucy teased. "We actually got a bit carried away talking and Alexia's been into the wines."
She looked at Alexia and noticed her flushed cheeks. Ah, that's why she was speaking differently. She was a little slurred but more uncaring about mistakes when speaking English.
"That... makes sense. Are your cheeks always that red?"
Alexia's cheeks reddened slightly more and Lucy laughed behind her before they all got back into the car, Alexia sliding into the back.
"Where are the players celebrating?"
"The group chat has been going mental," Lucy said as she drove, her hand on YFN's thigh. "They're at their regular bar in the city but some arrived earlier than others so there's a mix of drunk and sober messages."
YFN found amusing the idea of drunk Spanish messages. Surely sober ones were hard enough to translate.
"Do you have something to wear?" Alexia asked in her broken English.
YFN turned to look at her and nodded. "Nothing too fancy but yes. And you?"
"Si."
"And the excessive wine drinking wouldn't be about Ridley, would it?"
Alexia was confident about many things, but Ridley was not one of them.
"Maybe."
"Are you dropping in with us to visit her before the party tonight?"
"I am... not sure. She doesn't text me back," Alexia said with a face too neutral – like she was trying to convince herself she wasn't affected by it when she clearly was. Obviously Lucy had told her about her birthday also.
YFN felt sympathetic. She knew what it was like to be ghosted and barely responded to – though never with Ridley. Ridley was always quick to answer her messages.
"Why she does that?" Alexia asked, a little frustrated. YFN knew she wouldn't be asking if she weren't a little tipsy.
"She doesn't like feeling weak. You make her feel weak."
She saw the Spaniard's pupils dilate.
"How you know?"
"Because I've known her a long time. And because I've seen it."
"I don't think-"
Alexia was cut off by YFN's phone ringing. She looked at the number and rolled her eyes before showing Alexia. She went quiet as YFN answered on speaker. Immediately it was loud in between people talking and yelling and music playing.
"Hey Riddles, you're on speaker."
"Heeey baby Blue, I saw you landed and figured you'd be driving by now. Coming by for a birthday cuddle?"
Lucy scoffed, a little jealous, though she knew Ridley well enough that it was more amusement. YFN also wasn't surprised that Ridley had been using a plane tracker for her flight.
"Yeah of course, we were just going to get dressed and come over."
"I'm a little bored, Bronze how about you swing by and grab me on the way through? I'll spend a few hours with YFN before... get the fuck off me you mung bean... before I head back to my party."
It wasn't unlike Ridley to skip from place to place, party to party. She was a bit of a drunk wanderer. Before they had a chance to speak, Ridley got involved in a little, amusing argument that they all enjoyed listening to. It sounded like Ridley was scaring a guy away from a girl.
"I'm surprised you're not chopped up in someone's freezer by now, Gabby. Your taste in men is awful. Come over to the dark side, we have great clothes and better sex."
YFN bit her lip and saw Alexia pale. There was some shuffling amongst the loud background noise and Ridley spoke again.
"Fuck, not with me, baby. I'm not your type, trust me."
YFN had heard that many times before and loved that Ridley always said it that way around rather than 'you're not my type'. It was more polite. Her way of refusing someone. YFN could picture the girl must have been someone who became emotionally attached quite easily, otherwise she knew Ridley wouldn't have turned her away.
More shuffling and then, "Okay I'm back. So?"
YFN looked to Lucy who shrugged and Alexia who looked a little unsure however agreed.
"We're on our way, Riddles, we'll be there in twenty."
"Okay just look for the hot one."
YFN rolled her eyes and groaned but before she could reply, Ridley had hung up.
They heard Javier's before they saw it. Even the car park was jammed when they'd arrived.
"No parking," Lucy murmured as they approached one of the people in a hi-vis vest who were directing the cars in and out of the car park amongst the numerous drunk bodies around.
"Just stop at him," YFN said.
Lucy stopped and rolled her window down so YFN could unclip her seatbelt and stretch over Lucy to lean against her door. Lucy tickled her tummy that was showing a little and then rested a hand against the back of her thigh, obviously enjoying the view.
"Hi! Do you speak English?"
"A little. Car park is full." He looked a little grumpy which was normal given how overwhelming his job seemed to be that night.
"We're here to pick up Ridley."
"Ridley?!" His face lit up. "Birthday girl?"
"Si, we'll bring her back soon, I promise," she couldn't help but laugh at the excited look on his face.
"Drive over here, I move cones for you."
"Gracias!"
YFN moved back into her seat and Lucy followed his direction as he stopped the cars.
"How did you know that would work?" Lucy asked.
"Ridley knows everyone. She takes her time to meet all of the workers wherever she goes, and besides, I know she's a regular celebrity at Javier's."
Lucy was impressed. "That's the first time someone hasn't had to use Alexia or I to get in somewhere."
They parked up almost directly out the front and promised to be back soon. He didn't seem to care if they took all night, he only cared that they knew Ridley.
Lucy led the way inside and they were excitedly yelled at as they passed through the crowds of drunk people throughout the beer gardens outside. YFN had spotted her as soon as they stepped into the building. Although there were more than hundreds of people, most of which were dressed up and incredibly good-looking, Ridley was always the main focal point in a room. Alexia had spotted her immediately also, though Lucy was a bit delayed. "It's going to be hard to fi-" She cut herself off as she too spotted Ridley on stage. She was wearing a suit with no shirt, her suit jacket covering only some of her body as her abs were on show. She had a few scars and tattoos, though she never cared who saw them. Her bra was black, like her suit, and obviously someone had put a cap on her backwards as she entertained the crowd with a song.
Oh, to be Ridley. It was never something YFN wanted, however she always did wonder how it must have felt to be so popular, so talented, so present, so... Ridley.
The song finished and the DJ started yelling something exciting in Spanish, YFN only recognising the words "La Reina" and "Lucy Bronze". Alexia gave a polite Captain's wave while Lucy's was a bit more exaggerated. She loved the attention. YFN tried to step aside to give her more space but she kept her arm tightly around her body, holding her close and smiling down at her with an expression that said, 'We're in this together.' Ridley grinned at them from afar as she took the cap off and tossed it into the crowd before taking the microphone. She started speaking in her perfect Spanish and there were upset groans from the crowds that ended in yells of approval. For the English speakers, she repeated it in English.
"My party have arrived to pick me up, unfortunately," she said with fake sadness, the crowd a little upset. "But I will be back soon!" Cheers. "And I'll be very disappointed if you aren't all drinking and laughing and fucking while I'm gone!" Louder cheers. "Respect the workers and I'll return in a few hours, my friends!"
Ridley's ability to dominate an entire crowd was rare, unique almost. A lot of them weren't her friends, but she always wanted to make everybody feel good and share the love and excitement at the possibility of knowing her.
Ridley worked her way through the crowd, and when she reached them she took YFN in a massive bear hug, lifting her up and twirling her around like they were kids. Yep, drunk. Though, to be fair, she also did it sober.
"My baby Blue!" She delighted as she spun her around. YFN laughed as she did so.
"Happy birthday Riddles."
"Thanks, baby," she gave her a wink and a kiss on the cheek as she put her down. She shared a hand clap and Spanish kisses on the cheeks with Lucy and then turned to Alexia, looking her up and down unashamedly. That was one way to tell that Ridley was drunk, though also she did do that sober too. She stepped forward and gave her a Spanish hello, her hands finding Alexia's waist and her own finding her biceps. YFN heard her murmur something in Spanish but only understood 'la Reina'.
Alexia did a great job of holding herself together as she replied. Usually humans tended to melt or malfunction at that level of Ridley's attention.
Ridley held her gaze a little longer before she led them outside.
"You're looking good, baby." Ridley drawled as she slung an arm over YFN's shoulder, dragging her into her half-naked side as they walked with another kiss to the temple.
YFN chuckled as she put an arm around her waist.
"Don't lie – I came straight from work and a flight." And prior to that, sex with Lucy in the airport bathroom...
"I don't lie, you know that." She gave a wicked grin that flashed across her eyes.
Ridley had that annoying ability to look and sound passably sober even when she'd consumed enough alcohol to knock out a small elephant.
YFN laced her fingers with Ridley's half braced hand dangling from her shoulder.
"How's the hand?"
"Oh, you know, ruining my sex life."
YFN saw Alexia frown and then nod to herself, as if she'd just confirmed that Ridley was in fact still very much sexually active with people. To be fair to Ridley though, she and Alexia were very far from together. In fact, they'd barely spoken since the broken hand incident and prior to that, before their apology dinner in Valencia.
They reached the car and Ridley slid into the back with Alexia while YFN took the front. The ride was much less awkward than their drive to Valencia; Ridley drunk enough to chat about all sorts.
"Oh, I have a joke for you, Riddles. You'll love this one."
"Shoot, Blue."
"What's 6.9?"
She tilted her head as she thought. She usually liked to try and figure out the answer. "Nope, nothing but tequila – tell me."
"A good thing ruined by a period."
That managed to crack the entire car into hysterical laughter. Lucy was laughing, almost unbelieving that she'd said it; Alexia was chuckling to herself in the corner and Ridley had a good laugh too.
"You're right, I loved it. Though, a good partner likes their woman at any time of the month..."
"Alright! Alright calm it down."
Ridley sighed as their laughing died down and turned her attention to the driver. "You're my friend, Bronze, but I need to say this out loud so you know... if you ever hurt her, I'll fucking kill you."
YFN squeezed Lucy's hand as she assessed her in the rear-view and although she was smiling, Lucy could see just how serious she was. "You're stuck with me, I'm afraid. I'm not going anywhere."
A pause as they shared a stare a little longer. "Good."
The rest of the ride were in pairs with Lucy and YFN talking; Alexia and Ridley murmuring in Spanish in the back. It sounded calm and important so YFN made sure they gave them their space.
They arrived and Lucy carried YFN's bag up into her apartment while she carried her backpack, the other pair still in a discussion off in their own little Alexia and Ridley world. When they got inside, Narla was excited to see company.
"Narla! Hi, girl. Come here." YFN picked her up and gave her all of the attention she demanded. "You're so cute aren't you? Have you been lonely at home without anyone?"
She introduced Ridley to Narla and Alexia had a pat also, though noticed it was a slightly melancholy one. She'd lost her own Nala, a little Pomeranian, not long ago.
YFN jumped in the shower the first chance she got washed away the stress of the day. She groaned at how good it was. As she stepped out, Lucy was there with a towel to wrap her up like a burrito.
"Your suitcase is unpacked," she said with a kiss on the forehead.
YFN looked over at her face care and toothbrush laid out near the sink and smiled. "Excited to keep me around, Bronze?"
"Something like that... " she murmured as her lips found her own. Lucy tasted like she'd just had a sip of wine.
"Already drinking?"
"Just a sip to take the edge off. They're intense..."
YFN laughed. "Pretty sure we're the same."
"Well now I know how everybody else feels around us."
"Do you really care though?" She asked like she already knew the answer.
"Nope." Came the response as she kissed her again, this time her tongue finding YFN's as they eagerly leaned into each other.
YFN was the first one to groan and break the kiss. "I'm starving, Luce."
"I have food."
"I was thinking I'd run out for a quick pizza? I think Narla would like a walk."
"Good idea – there's a nice little restaurant a few blocks up. I'll get my shoes."
"No, Luce, you need to stay."
Lucy frowned.
"They're okay talking when someone else is nearby but when they're alone there's a lot more pressure. They need someone to be here... and I don't trust you to behave and not distract me with sex in a park or something."
"But I want to come." Lucy groaned, saying the last word in such a way that it sounded like a different sort of come so she knew she was right. She leaned forward and bit her lip, tugging it. "I can be well behaved."
"I don't like you well behaved..." she whispered.
Lucy's eyes twinkled. "I know."
YFN cleared her throat, reminding herself that if she started anything with Lucy right now, they wouldn't be making it into town. "Can you call and order the pizzas please? I'll be quick and then we'll eat and get dressed and go." She paused. "And then we'll come home and come."
She said the word just as hard as Lucy had which elicited a needy pout from Lucy with her darkening eyes.
Oh, they'd be coming.
"Fuck yes, I'm starving," Ridley moaned almost sexually.
Alexia's eyes widened at that. "You have not eat?"
"Nothing all day," she said as she smacked her stomach. "All tequila here."
"Catch." Lucy threw a packet of cheese rings at her which she tore into.
"Want some company, Blue?" Ridley asked.
"No thanks, I want to talk advice though."
"Advice?" She sucked a cheese ring from her finger. "You've come to the right place."
She rolled her eyes and grabbed her, dragging her out of Alexia's earshot while she spoke to Lucy. "Advice for you, not from you."
She munched on her cheese rings, waiting.
"Open up to her... she's right here. She's waiting."
Ridley sighed. "So that's your scheme, Blue? You go out so Alexia and I can talk while Lucy stays here and hiding as an intermediary if she's needed?"
YFN was always impressed by how quickly Ridley managed to decode situations, even ones involving herself.
"Maybe..."
"Blue-"
"You like her."
"No-"
"Tell that to your face."
She smirked and put down the packet on cheese rings, sucking her fingers clean. "I was going to say 'no shit'. But you know I can't. I... she deserves better than me. I can't give her what she needs."
"You haven't even asked. We've been through this, and you've been through this with her in Valencia. You're scared to let her in because it'll make you feel unsafe."
"Exactly."
"News flash. Unsafe is where the real world is. Not these parties and random fucks of yours. In here." She put a hand over her heart softly and looked up at her.
"I..." she bowed her head. "I don't feel loveable. I have this unlovable coldness to me."
"Then what's this?" She asked, gesturing between them. "This is love. Now imagine this, even more deeply but a different sort of depth. One where you want to work for a future together, want to wake up next to each other and do anything to see the other laugh and be happy."
"I want you to laugh and be happy."
"Weak argument, Riddles." She cupped her cheek with her hand, her thumb touching that scar and reminding her of her dad and how Ridley had been there to protect them.
"Can't we just be friends?"
"It's too late for that."
"We haven't had sex... I mean not really."
"That's not what I meant. It's too late for that because you two are already more than that." She sighed and caught eyes with Alexia over her shoulder who looked curious and quickly turned her attention back to her conversation with Lucy. "You look at each other a little too long to be friends."
"Now I understand why people become villains." Ridley murmured, almost defeated. She rarely ever accepted defeat. "Have I ever told you how smart you are?"
"Not nearly enough."
"What if I screw it up? I'm teetering on the edge here. Half of me wants to worship the ground she walks on and half of me wants to give her the best sex she's ever had in her life. Again. And again. And again."
Her thumb stroked her cheek and Ridley took her wrist and held it there. She was the only human she allowed physical touch like that from, and so she wasn't used to the feeling and closed her eyes.
"You always do what's right, Riddles." She lowered her hand and stepped forward, wrapping her arms around her. "It's why I love you."
"I love you too." She admitted huskily. There was a happy, warm pause during their hug until Ridley spoke again. "Margarita, extra basil please."
YFN scoffed and pulled away, slapping her arm. Happy moment over.
"Come on Narla! Come here little girl."
Narla trotted over, already in her pink harness and Lucy gave her the lead which she clipped up.
"Here's the address, and I've called them already. Just two pizzas. Call me if you need help."
"I think I'll be fine getting pizzas, Luce."
She gave her a lingering kiss on the lips on the way out the door.
She and Narla wandered down the footpath, enjoying their light exercise and looking around. She was a stubborn little dog, typical for a Westie and even more typical of Lucy's dog. They had a light jog to warm themselves up in the cold weather and it was crazy to YFN just how busy the streets were. It was a Sunday night and getting close to midnight, though all of the restaurants they saw were still open and mostly packed. She reached the restaurant and was happy to see they served through the window. They only spoke Spanish so there was a slightly awkward exchange as she blushed and said, "For Lucy?"
"Ah... Lucia! Lucia Roberta!" The lady smiled and patted her cheek. "YFN?"
YFN nodded. Lucy must have told her about her.
The older lady smiled and said something else to her in Spanish as she paid in the cash Lucy had given her, putting the remainder in her tip jar. Although there was a language barrier, they understood the body language. It was a happy exchange and as she and Narla wandered off with the pizzas, she knew she'd be asking Lucy to bring her back and translate.
They were half-way home when YFN felt a bit strange, as if something were off. She looked around and noticed a man behind her who she'd seen outside of the restaurant. Was he following her? She paused and looked at him and he froze on the spot, their eyes locking. Suddenly he was running and YFN dropped the pizzas, picking up Narla and running. He was much quicker though and grabbed her, dragging her into the alleyway. He shoved her and she stumbled forwards, dropping Narla but the Westie was okay. YFN picked her up again and ran up the alleyway, grabbing her phone and calling Lucy.
Lucy picked up immediately. "Hi, little one!"
"Lucy!" She cried out in fear. "Luce please help-"
She dropped her phone and heard it break on the bitumen as the man caught her and tackled her to the ground, YFN managing to keep Narla safe in her arms as she bore the brunt of the impact with her knees and arms. Before she had a chance to get up, a foot connected hard with her ribs and she heard a crunch and felt a sharp pain that tore a scream from her. Narla was scared and started barking up at the man. He wasn't the one who'd kicked her though. She looked up and locked eyes with Kristie just before her foot hit her again in the ribs. She screamed again at the blinding pain and her back hit the wall as the force of the kick had launched her into it. The man grabbed Narla's lead and wrenched her towards him.
"No!" She yelled and tugged on the end of the lead she was still holding, unclipping Narla when she was close enough and shielding her body over the little white Westie.
"We need the dog!" Kristie yelled at him.
"Give us the fucking dog!" He snarled, trying to reach under her to no avail. She couldn't fight back; she was too small. She had also found out that she wasn't quick enough to run. And Lucy had no idea where she was. She felt the tears running down her face as the pain from her ribs stabbed her with each scared breath.
The man became frustrated quickly and grabbed her hair, pulling her head up just high enough to be able to connect his fist to her face. Her head snapped sideways and she felt a resounding pain in her jaw, her lip splitting. She tasted blood. She didn't get much reprieve before Kristie's foot connected somewhere else on her body.
"I'm not going to prison because of you. Give me Narla!"
Did she think she could blackmail Lucy with Narla to avoid prison? Another blow to the side of her head. Another to her arm. The guy grabbed her and tried to drag her, her knees and elbows scraping across the bitumen but she stayed strong, holding her body over the scared little dog who was now shivering and scaredly yapping beneath her.
"Give us the fucking dog!"
And then another blow.