Chapter Text
21 January, 2022
”Happy birthday, Mari!” Gabby’s grin showed all 32 teeth, even through the pixilated video call.
”Thanks, Gabs.” Marine smiled softly. ”Sorry I haven’t called in a while.”
Gabby shook her head. ”It’s fine. I’ve been busy too.”
”I know. I saw your game yesterday. You did good.” Gabby flushed, smiling wide.
”Thank you.” Gabby said shyly.
”You’re cute when you’re shy.” Marine teased.
”Shut up, bro.” Gabby groaned, hiding her face in her hands.
”You love it.” Gabby moved her hands away, face still tinted pink.
”Sometimes.” Gabby grumbled begrudgingly. Marine made a small, pleased sound.
”So, is your team doing anything for your birthday?” Gabby asked.
”Uh…no? I’m just going to stay at home and sleep, probably. It’s cold.” Gabby gasped, offended.
”Well that's just wrong. Send me your address.” Marine furrowed her eyebrows.
”Gabby, you can’t possibly come here for my birthday.”
”No.” Gabby agreed. ”But I can send you things, so address. Now.”
2 hours later, a bouquet of flowers, a cake, and a suspiciously large package arrived at her door.
”Gabrielle, what did you do?” Marine laughed as she hauled the packages in.
”You’ll see.” Gabby grinned.
After placing the flowers into a vase (”Why do you have a vase?” “I think it was a housewarming gift?”) she grabbed her keys and cut through the plastic of the tape. When she saw what was inside, she promptly burst out laughing.
”How many did you get?” Marine asked through bouts of laughter, bewildered but charmed nonetheless.
”There should be 8 of them.” Gabby grinned wider as Marine pulled out the first of the blue drawstring bags, with “JELLYCATS” printed on it against a background of various cartoon animals.
”Oh my God, Gabby!” Marine laughed as she carefully took them out one by one, lining them up in a neat row.
A frog, 2 bunnies, one green, one blue, a dragon, sky blue with rainbow spikes, an octopus, teal, a deer, and a sun and moon set.
”Baby…” Marine exhaled, staring at the plushies in front of her. Gabby's heart fluttered at the pet name. It was one of the newer things she still hadn't gotten used to.
”Like ‘em?” Gabby asked nervously. “I couldn’t decide, so I just…got all of them.”
”How did you afford all this?” Marine asked, incredulous.
”I have my ways.” Gabby said mysteriously. “Not the point. D’you like ‘em or not? ‘Cause I can get you something else if—”
”Gabby.” The girl in question shut up quickly. “I love it. Thank you.”
Gabby flushed with relief. “Good.”
February 10th, Serbia, 10 a.m.
When Gabby made it out of baggage claim, all she saw was Marine.
Not the cameras, not the random business men going about their…business. Just Marine.
She ran. No hesitation, not a thought to it. Just ran.
When she got to Marine, the blonde stumbled backward from the impact with a surprised laugh.
”Hi, baby.” Marine whispered, and Gabby’s brain melted into mush, while Gabby’s body melted into the elder.
”I missed you so much.” Gabby whispered back.
”Me too.” Marine didn’t let go, letting Gabby squeeze all the air from her lungs until the younger was satisfied.
”C’mon.” Marine eventually whispered again, rubbing Gabby’s back soothingly. Let’s go, yeah?” Gabby nodded, still beaming, glowing even.
In the back of the taxi, neither of them could stop smiling. The driver probably thought they were insane, with how wide they were smiling, hands intertwined and resting on the middle seat.
When they made it to the apartment building, they hurriedly thanked the gruff old man driving them and rushed out the car, anxious to be alone again.
God, how Gabby missed this.
Gabby didn’t seem to care that she was still in airport clothes, but Marine did care, and forced her to change before letting the younger girl onto her bed.
When Gabby was finally allowed onto the pillow—and Jellycat—heaven, it was with a jump and a shriek from Marine.
”You little—Gabby!” Marine groaned as the younger jumped right on top of her with zero hesitation.
”I have less than a week with you.” Gabby declared, squeezing as far as she could into Marine’s space, “I’m not wasting it.”
”Yes, well, not tackling me would be nice.” Marine grumbled with a smile on her face.
”Excited.” Gabby said like it explained everything. At the very least, it explained everything to Marine.
”I know. But I need to be intact if you want to play together.” Marine reminded her, ever so steady. Gabby flushed, hiding her face in Marine’s collarbone.
”Hey, come back.” Marine said softly, hand finding Gabby’s cheek and gently nudging her to look back up. ”There she is.”
Gabby stared, drowning in…whatever that was. Marine’s shampoo was so incredibly strong, and her hand was so soft, and—
”Lost you again.” Marine called out quietly, hand sliding from Gabby’s cheek to her neck and squeezing gently, ”What’s on your mind, pretty girl? Huh?”
”You.” Gabby responded without hesitation, mostly because she quite literally couldn’t hesitate. Marine’s hand on her skin was very distracting.
”Yeah? What about me?” Marine hummed, smiling knowingly.
”Can I kiss you?” Gabby blurted out, and Marine laughed like she’d known it was coming.
”Yes, Gabby. You can.” But when Gabby stayed frozen for a second, Marine decided it was time to speed things up a little. So, using her hand on Gabby’s neck, she tugged the girl closer, initiating contact and keeping her near.
Gabby let out a small surprised noise, but kissed back, letting Marine lead. She kissed the same way she felt—reverent and nervous. Marine was there to pick up the pieces, guiding them along with her usual grace.
Marine pulled back first and slowly, giving Gabby time to adjust. She watched the brunette with amusement when she started taking deep breaths.
”You alright, Gabs? Didn’t mess anything up in your brain, did I?” Marine teased, rubbing her neck with small circles.
”Just…forgot how that felt.” Gabby caught her breath, smiling goofily at Marine. ”I understand the wizard nickname now.”
Marine rolled her eyes and pinched Gabby’s thigh. The younger let out a yelp, rolling off while rubbing her leg.
”Rude.”
”Weak.”
Gabby scoffed, but wrapped an arm over Marine’s torso. The blonde softened, her own hand reaching up so their fingers were intertwined.
”Missed you.” Gabby mumbled against soft, pale skin.
”Missed you too, love.” Marine sighed into curly, brunette locks.
Dinner was, thankfully, just them that night. Gabby was craving French onion soup, which Marine was completely fine with, so she found a random restaurant and called in to order for delivery. Marine also ordered potato gratin and tian de légumes. (”Isn’t that ratatouille?” smack “Ow! Okay, I’m sorry!”)
They ate quietly, with barely any conversation but with a concerning amount of physical contact. They sat side by side, Gabby’s leg hooked over Marine’s, both of them down a hand from holding the other’s.
”This is kinda stupid.” Gabby announced with a giggle after processing what they were doing.
”It is.” Marine agreed after swallowing her food, smiling as she turned to look at Gabby. ”You’re not letting go, though.”
”I said it was stupid, not that I didn’t want to do it.” Gabby confirmed.
”I know.” Marine’s eyes twinkled. ”I don’t want you to let go either.”
They watched a movie that night—La La Land—while buried under too many blankets in a bed made for one. Marine didn’t flinch when Gabby pressed closer, just smiled and reciprocated the action until there was no telling where one ended and the other began.
”I’ve missed us.” Gabby admitted quietly as the opening credits played.
”I’ve missed you.” Marine said, just as quiet. Their fingers were practically glued together, the space under the blankets a bundle of warmth.
”I really don’t know how I survived without you.” Marine huffed a laugh.
”Me too. I missed your cooking. And your warmth.” Marine sighed. ”Didn’t miss the terrible French, though.”
”Wh—you said it was getting better!” Gabby jumped up, making Marine whine.
”Don’t move, you’re warm.” Gabby obeyed, but still gave Marine one last indignant glare.
”You’re lucky you’re pretty.” Gabby finally said, and Marine smiled.
”Glad you think so.” Marine kissed Gabby on the cheek, and the younger promptly started malfunctioning.
Half an hour later, Marine was out like a light. Mouth slightly open, head tilted backwards, and completely gone. It took Gabby almost 20 minutes to notice, too engrossed in the movie to realise. Only when Marine’s hand when slack in her grip did she turn and find a sleeping Marine.
She laughed to herself, grabbing her phone and snapping a picture before turning the laptop off, folding it and placing it on the bedside table. She carefully adjusted Marine until she was lying down, kissing her temple and whispering, “goodnight,” before turning the lights off.
”These practices are not world cup level.” Gabby groaned as they stepped into their hotel.
”I know.” Marine said grimly, dropping her duffle on the floor. ”We’ll get there. We always do.”
”I hope so.” Gabby sighed, sitting on the edge of the bed. ”If we carry on like this, we won’t even qualify.”
”Hey.” Marine stepped in front of Gabby, who tilted her head up to look at Marine. ”Stop that. You know the team feeds off each other’s energy. One person’s doubt infects everyone.”
”I know.” Marine kissed the top of Gabby’s head.
”It’ll be fine.” Marine whispered.
11th February
”I think I might go back to the Liberty.” Marine told Gabby quietly, the words barely audible in the small hotel room.
”Yeah?”
”Yeah. I just…I don’t know. Is it worth it?” Marine sighed, turning on her side to look at Gabby.
”Do you want to?” Gabby asked, shifting nearer to Marine, hand under her pillow.
”I don’t know. It…would be fun, I think? I don’t know anyone, though. It’s basically a different team.” Marine’s eyes darted around, focusing on everything except Gabby.
”That’s a fair fear. But do you want to go play, regardless of what team it is?” Gabby rephrased her previous question.
”Always.” Marine answered without hesitation.
”Then do it. Plus, Stef will be on the Liberty too. I think you two would make quite the pair.” Gabby nudged Marine’s arm.
”You know us best, I suppose.” Marine shrugged, but the corner of her mouth tilted upwards.
”Course I do. That’s my job.”
13th February
”Okay, but,” Gabby giggled, ”he waddles up to the lemonade stand, right? And guess what he asks for?”
”Grapes?” Marine asked, exhausted. Drunk Gabby was truly not easy to deal with.
”Grapes!” Gabby exclaimed, bursting into yet another bout of laughter. ”And it’s a lemonade stand, so obviously they don’t have grapes.”
”Gabby, baby, I love you so much. It’s 2am. Go to bed.” Marine groaned, covering her face with a pillow. Marine thought it was over when Gabby grew quiet, and let out a sigh of relief.
”Hey, Mari?” Gabby called quietly a few minutes later.
”Yeah, love?” Marine turned over with a sigh, tired.
"I don’t want to leave you yet.” Gabby confessed, voice cracking, eyes shining with unshed tears. Marine adjusted quickly and softened in an instant, reaching out to caress Gabby’s cheek.
"I don’t want to either.” Marine admitted. ”But it’s just a month, remember? Then we’ll see each other in March.”
"But it’ll only be one day.” Gabby’s lower lip wobbled, and Marine moved a little closer, pulling Gabby into her chest.
”Oh, my love.” Marine sighed, kissing Gabby’s forehead gently.
”I’m gonna miss you.” Gabby choked out. Marine could feel Gabby’s tears soaking her sleep shirt. She didn't really care, though.
”I know.” Marine murmured, rubbing small circles on Gabby’s back. ”But we’ll be okay, won’t we? We always are.”
Gabby sniffled, looking up. ”Promise?”
”Always.” Marine promised.
14th February
”Baby.” Gabby whispered, poking Marine’s arm to wake her up. ”It’s valentines.”
Marine, in response, rolled over and mumbled something about it being too early.
”Come on, Mari. I made breakfast.” Gabby paused thoughtfully. ”Well, I didn’t make the croissant, because if college taught me anything, its that I can’t be trusted with an oven, but I made everything else.”
”What time is it?” Marine croaked, peeking out from under the blanket.
”9am.” She was met with another groan and Marine burying herself back in the pile of blankets.
”Can we sleep until 11? Valentines gift.” Marine asked, voice scratchy with sleep.
”But then the food’ll go cold.” Gabby pouted. ”Please, Mari? Our flights are tonight. I don’t wanna spend my last day with you sleeping.”
”Fine.” Marine relented, and Gabby cheered. ”Nope. Too loud.” Gabby shut up immediately.
”I’ll go grab your coffee.” Gabby said quickly, running out the room. Marine sat up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
Gabby returned, two mugs in hand, both still steaming.
”Here.” Marine murmured her thank you and took the coffee, taking a sip and raising an eyebrow.
”Did you buy the creamer I use?” Gabby shrugged bashfully, and Marine leaned over and kissed her on the cheek.
”Thanks, pretty girl.”
Later that day
”Mari?” Gabby called, and Marine turned.
”Hm?”
”We’re leaving the team lunch early. We have plans later.” Gabby grinned wickedly.
”Oh no what did you do.” Marine asked monotonously, all too familiar with Gabby's shenanigans and schemes.
Nothing bad!” Gabby rushed out. ”Just…y’know.”
”You’re being awfully secretive, G.” Marine raised an eyebrow.
”You’ll understand later. Finish packing your stuff and we can go.” Marine sighed again, but relented and returned to folding her jersey.
”Gabby.” Gabby glanced over to see Marine giving her a very “what-the-fuck” look.
”Yes?”
”Where the hell are we going?” They’d been in the taxi for 30 minutes already, and Marine was growing more and more concerned.
”We’re almost there.” Gabby reassured her. She glanced out the window. ”Yeah, we’re here.”
They pulled up in front of an eerie looking building—paint peeling, blacked out glass doors, the grass in front of the building brown. Marine raised an eyebrow.
”If you’re trying to kill me, it won’t work.” Gabby shushed her, paying the driver before climbing out. Marine sighed and followed her out, letting Gabby take her hand and pull her into the building.
The inside was a completely different world. Neon lights, carpeted floors, claw machines, kids screaming—everything needed for an arcade.
"…Holy shit.” Marine breathed, staring at everything wide-eyed.
”I remember you said you like arcades, so…” Gabby trailed off nervously, watching Marine's expression carefully for her reaction.
”Gabby.” Marine turned, eyes still wide. ”If I didn’t already love you, this would convince me.” Gabby froze.
”…Repeat that last part?” Marine gave her a confused look, retracing her words before the realisation dawned on her. Still, she replied without hesitation, as she always did. It was Gabby, and her words were true. Why would she hesitate?
”I love you, Gabby.” Marine whispered, squeezing Gabby’s hand. She looked right into Gabby's eyes.Gabby, brain overwhelmed and blanking, just stared for a moment. Then—
”I love you too, Mar.” Gabby broke into a dopey grin, skin painted red from bright neon lights, leaning forward, pausing just before their lips met.
”Can I…?” Marine nodded wordlessly, and Gabby closed the gap. Marine pulled back first, after what felt like an eternity but was likely closer to a couple of seconds, still smiling lovingly and giving Gabby’s hand one last squeeze.
”Come on. I have arcade games to win.”
As it turned out, Marine wasn’t kidding about winning. She won every single game they played. Skee-Ball, the basketball one, the shooting at zombies one, even the racing game.
”Okay,” Gabby announced after losing the 6th game in a row, ”You’re cheating.” She crossed her arms with a pout, turning to face Marine.
”I’m not cheating. You just need to get better.” Marine shot back, grinning cockily. And as much as Gabby wanted to stay mad at Marine, she simply couldn’t, especially with how excited the elder looked.
(It didn't help that Marine looked unfairly good with her hair down like this.)
”Whatever.” Gabby grumbled, but her pout melted into a smile.”Can we do the claw machines now?”
Gabby was becoming tired of Marine being good at everything. At the very least, though, Marine’s freakishly good claw machine abilities benefited her, too.
”That one!” Gabby poked at the glass.
”Which one?” Marine frowned, trying to identify Gabby's chosen victim.
”That one!” Gabby repeated, poking the glass more insistently. Marine frowned harder.
”Gabby, you’re pointing at every single stuffed toy in the machine. Use your words.” Marine said, exasperated.
”Sorry. The shark with the sunglasses and hat.” Gabby said sheepishly. Marine rolled her eyes affectionately.
”Of course you want that one.” She said, but she placed the tokens into the coin slot anyways.
”I am a woman with good taste in stuffed toys.” Gabby said solemnly, focusing on the claw as it whirred, gliding over to the shark.
The claw dropped, and Gabby watched with anticipation as it picked the shark up by the body and…fell down the hole and into the “PRIZE OUT” portion. Gabby cheered, jumping up and down as Marine bent down to retrieve it.
”One very stupid shark for my favourite very stupid girl.” Marine presented, holding out for Gabby, who took it hesitantly.
”I really don’t know if I should be offended or grateful.” Marine patted her cheek lovingly.
”The answer is always both.”
10.26pm
”Gabby, baby, I’m not dead yet.” Marine laughed softly as Gabby bawled in her arms, her hoodie covered in tears. The sunglass-and-hat-wearing shark was tucked under Gabby's arm.
”I know.” Gabby whined. ”I don’t know why I’m crying.” Marine shushed her gently, loosening her grip ever so slightly to allow Gabby a little more breathing room.
”Breathe, darling.” Marine coaxed with the patience of a saint, ”It’s okay.” Gabby took in a shuddering breath and let out a choppy exhale.
”Fuck.” Gabby laughed tearily, stepping back to wipe her eyes. “Sorry.” Marine shook her head.
”It’s okay.” Marine reassured, reaching out and swiping a tear away with her thumb. She didn't move her hand from Gabby's cheek after, instead running her thumb over Gabby's cheekbone in a gentle caress. ”You’re okay.”
”I’m gonna miss you.” Gabby whispered.
Marine hummed to herself, letting out a small chuckle. ”You’ve made that very apparent, baby.” Gabby flushed, rubbing the back of her neck.
”Just…can’t help it.” Gabby shrugged, and Marine softened, pulling Gabby back into her embrace.
”It’ll be alright.” Gabby nodded. The intercom chimed, reciting Gabby’s flight information monotonously, and Gabby and Marine both glanced up.
”That’s me.” Gabby said, and Marine nodded knowingly, giving Gabby one last squeeze and peck on the lips.
”I love you.” Marine murmured. Gabby froze.
”…I’m not getting used to that anytime soon. But I love you too.” Gabby declared, and Marine laughed, shoving her gently.
”Go. Before you miss your flight.” Marine let go, but Gabby…didn’t. She held onto Marine's hand with the insistence of a five-year-old.
”I don’t wanna.” Marine sighed, a small, sweet sound, because she didn't want Gabby to leave either, but she also didn't want Gabby to be late.
”You’re going to miss your flight.” Marine pointed out, and Gabby just pulled Marine back into her arms while Marine did her best to pry Gabby off of her.
”Good. I’ll go with you to France.”
”Bad decision. FIBA won’t be a fan of that. Gabby, go.” Marine pushed a little harder, and Gabby—very reluctantly—let go.
”You better call me when you land.” Gabby pointed at Marine accusingly.
”When have I not?” Marine tilted her head, eyes twinkling. ”Go be you. Safe flight.”
”You too.” Gabby hesitated for a beat before leaning forward and giving Marine a peck and scurrying off. Marine just shook her head, amused, face definitely warmer than 2 seconds ago.
10th March, France
After an annoyingly long month, they were finally meeting again. Gabby cried twice on the flight while Stef laughed at her.
”You are aggravatingly irritating.” Gabby grumbled as Stef made a delighted sound and passed her a tissue.
”I know.” Stef grinned, whipping out her phone. “Smile for the photo! Your girlfriend’s gonna love this.”
On her way to the airport, Marine received a picture of crying Gabby on a plane, courtesy of Stef texting from Gabby’s phone. She’d let out an audible snort, causing the taxi driver to look at her weird, but she paid him no mind.
Marine: Tell her she looks stupid.
”Marine would like me to tell you that you looked stupid.” Stef informed Gabby, who was digging through her bag for her passport. She paused for a moment, then resumed digging.
”That’s not very nice.” Gabby frowned, tucking the French passport into her pocket.
Marine: but lovingly.
”Oh, she says it’s lovingly though.” Stef added, and Gabby pretty much melted like ice cream on a hot day .
Gabby: Gabby thinks that’s not very nice Gabby: But also she melted like 2 seconds later soooo
Marine rolled her eyes fondly, getting out of the taxi with a quick thank you to the driver.
Marine: Typical. Marine: Good luck for your game tonight.
Gabby: You too!
Marine smiled to herself as she stepped into her apartment building.
She couldn’t wait for tomorrow.
”You really expose me like that?” Gabby asked, eyes practically falling out their sockets as she re-read the texts while Stef giggled next to her.
”I’m the ultimate wing woman. This is a full time job, hun.” Stef gave her a pat on the back. “Plus, I heard New York’s trying to get her back. That could be my future teammate.”
”Lucky.” Gabby grumbled. “I miss playing with her.”
”…Didn’t you two just play together, like, a month ago?” Stef squinted. Gabby could've sworn Stef's vision was fine, though.
”Yes, and? God forbid I have a favourite person to play with.” Gabby scoffed, making a 'duh' face.
”And it’s not me?” Stef gasped with mock offence, placing one hand on her chest and the other to her forehead. “Gabby, how could you do this to me? How will I ever survive this betrayal?” Gabby rolled her eyes.
”Girl, shut up. You know the difference just as well as I do.” Gabby gave her a pointed stare, and Stef just shrugged and giggled, hands falling back onto her lap.
Gabby was on the first train to Lyon the next day.
Originally, she’d planned to get on an overnight train, but when she’d told Marine that, she’d gotten cursed out in a mix of French and English about not taking care of her body.
So, begrudgingly, she spent an extra night in Lattes. (If sleeping in a proper bed actually did help her recovery, she wasn’t telling Marine that.) Then, at 8am, she was off to the train station, luggage already packed.
She’d taken the train—2 and a half hours was nothing if it meant being with Marine—whilst sending text updates to a very sleepy Marine.
As she grew closer, her heart pounded harder, leg shaking so hard it made the lady next to her give her a side eye. Gabby wasn’t sure if it was because they lady was French, or because she was actually weirded out. She figured it didn’t matter.
She was up before the train even hit the breaks, standing by the door, hand hitting her leg repeatedly. She didn’t bother with the escalator, just yanked the luggage down the stairs while skipping every other step.
(If she almost face-planted on the way down, Marine didn’t need to know that.)
Marine was waiting for her in the parking lot. Car boot open and waiting, leaning against the car, watching Gabby sprint with that knowing smile on her face.
”Hi, baby.” Marine giggled, breath warm in the still cool air of March.
”Hi.” Gabby grinned, breathless and panting.
”Missed you.”
”Missed you too.”
”You really didn’t need to run.” Marine said knowingly, and Gabby looked away with fake guilt.
”Why would I waste time walking?” Gabby sounded genuinely offended at the idea.
”To be safe.” Marine raised an eyebrow. ”You being alive is far more important to me.”
Gabby shrugged. ”I’m alive, no?” She stuck her tongue out.
”You are.” Marine conceded hesitantly, not wanting Gabby to get the wrong idea. ”Just be careful next time. C’mon, let’s go, yeah?”
Marine’s Lyon apartment wasn’t glamorous or fancy. It was, like Marine, simple. Grounded and well maintained. The counters were made of a white marble that glistened even in the sparsely lit kitchen, while her fridge was decorated with lists and calendars galore.
”You can put your stuff in my room.” Marine said casually, tossing her keys onto the counter, the metal clinking against marble.
”First of all, you say that like I’m going to put my stuff anywhere but your room. Second of all, where’s your room?” Marine rolled her eyes fondly, grabbing Gabby by the wrist and dragging her to her room.
”Put your stuff there.” She pointed to a side of the room that was empty, big enough to fit a suitcase. Gabby did, laying her suitcase flat.
”I want hugs.” She announced two seconds later, giving Marine no time to run before pouncing on her.
”Wai—Gabby!” Marine yelped, falling backwards onto the bed, stuck in Gabby’s very tight embrace.
”I’m never letting you go.” Gabby pressed her cheek against Marine’s neck. ”You’re never leaving my side.”
”Don’t plan on it, baby.”
”I have an optional team dinner tonight,” Marine explained as Gabby appeared from the bathroom, ”Do you want to come along?”
”Yes?” Gabby said, confused, ”Why wouldn’t I?”
”Don’t want you to feel awkward, is all.” Marine hummed.
”I’m awkward no matter where I go. Also, I’ll have you.” Gabby reminded her, kissing her cheek.
”Okay then.” Marine agreed steadily. ”Start getting ready at around 5.30, we leave at 7.”
”Sounds like a plan.”
They were almost late, which didn’t really matter because everyone was almost late, so really, no one was late—the reservation was just early.
”The women of the year!” Alexia called, grinning widely.
”Alexia. Do you ever shut up?” Marine tilted her head, but she was smiling too.
”For you? Never. Hi, Gabs.”
”Hi.” Three girls—Julie, Juste, and Marieme, if Gabby remembered correctly—were already there. Gabby could hear a few others approaching behind them.
”Is that everyone?” Julie asked, glancing around while Marieme did a head count next to her.
”I think we’re just missing—ah, there she is! Hélèna.” Another girl—Kayla, Gabby was pretty sure—lit up, pointing at Hélèna.
”You still okay?” Marine asked quietly. Gabby exhaled, doing her best to regulate her nervous system.
”I think so.”
Gabby ended up sandwiched between Alexia and Marine, much to her relief. Plus, she wasn’t required to talk to anyone she didn’t want to.
She could survive this.
Two hours later
”Gabby.” Marine said quietly, turning to face her girlfriend. “Are you okay?”
”Yeah?” Gabby did her best to sound convincing, but it came out more unsure than she hoped. Her senses felt fried and overused, the lights were screaming at her, and the electricity was being loud again.
”Gabby.” Marine gave Gabby a stern look.
”It’s fine.” Gabby insisted.
”Do you want to leave?” Marine asked, studying Gabby carefully.
”It’s fine, Mari.” Gabby repeated. “I’m okay.” She faltered slightly under Marine’s harsh gaze.
”if you want to go, we can go.” Marine told her. Gabby shook her head.
”I’m not about to take you away from your team.”
”They’ll still be here.” Marine waved her off. “So? Do you want to go? I can make something up.”
Gabby hesitated. That was enough for Marine.
”Gabby and I will head off first. I’m tired.” Marine announced, and the team all let out various sounds of disappointment. ”You guys act like I said I’m going to war. I’m just going to bed.”
”See you at practice, Mar.” Alexia grinned, and the rest of the table echoed their agreement as the couple got up.
”Bye!” Marine called before walking off with Gabby’s hand in hers.
”See, not so bad, right?” Marine hummed, smiling softly.
”That was so stressful I could die.” Gabby muttered, leaning her head against Marine’s shoulder. Marine laughed, soft and melodious.
”You’re alright.”
They flew to Mersin together on the 16th. Gabby followed ASVEL as a significant other (”I’m a WAG! I did it!”) and sat with Marine the whole time.
”You know,” Gabby mused, ”I could get used to this.”
”Get used to what?” Marine asked, putting her phone down.
”Being with you.” Gabby murmured.
”You’re such a sap.” Marine giggled.
”For you.” Gabby cheesed, smiling sweetly and kissing Marine on the cheek. Marine rolled her eyes but grabbed Gabby’s hand anyways.
Gabby watched Marine’s semis game in stands, hidden under a hoodie, mask, and sunglasses. By some miracle, the camera team didn’t notice her, and she cheered until her throat was raw and clapped until her hands went numb.
”You really didn’t need to go that hard.” Marine scolded, giving her a mug of green tea with honey. Gabby was serious about this whole biggest fan thing, and her voice was cracking and on the brink of death.
”Yes I do. How else will I tell you I love you?” Gabby argued, taking a sip of the tea.
”I already know you love me, idiot. I don’t need you losing your voice for me.” Marine murmured fondly, stroking Gabby’s hair gently.
”I have to show people I’m your biggest fan.” Gabby grinned, pleased with herself. Marine rolled her eyes, kissing Gabby’s head.
”Just drink your tea.”
Marine wasn’t as affected by the semis loss as Gabby would’ve been. In fact, she seemed more concerned about Gabby losing her voice than she was about the semis loss.
”I feel like you should be more upset about this. Is that weird to say?” Gabby told Marine, who just shrugged in response.
”I have everything I need right here.”
”And you say I’m the sap.” Gabby teased.
”Just take the compliment.” Marine huffed. Gabby giggled, quick and light, and marine let herself smile too.
19th March, Mersin
”Gabby?” Marine heard faint sniffles as she stepped out of the bathroom. She’d just been taking a shower and had left Gabby to watch her show, but when she next saw Gabby, she was sobbing. Full body, choking on tears, red in the face sobbing.
”Hey, Gabs, what’s wrong?” Marine rushed in next to Gabby, eyebrows creasing, hand already finding Gabby’s.
”She’s fucking dead.” Gabby choked, and Marine glanced down at her screen. She saw the ever familiar animation style of Attack on Titan—the same show she knew Gabby had watched enough times to quote it word for word.
”Gabby, baby, haven’t you seen this dozens of times?” Marine asked, doing her absolute best to remain gentle and not laugh.
”And I cry every time.” Gabby wailed.
”Oh, my love.” Marine shushed her, wrapping both arms around her and holding her close. ”It’s okay.”
”I feel so stupid for crying over this shit again.” Gabby sniffled. ”You’d think I’d be more ready for it after watching so many times.”
”You just care a lot.” Marine said firmly. ”There’s nothing stupid about that.”
”And you’re stupidly good at saying the right thing all the time.” Gabby let out a watery laugh, wiping her tears away as best as she could.
”Just trying my best for you.” Marine hummed, unravelling her arms to cup Gabby’s face gently and kiss her on the nose.
”You’re doing just fine.” Marine promised. ”You’re allowed to feel whatever you feel.”
”How the hell did I get so lucky with you?” Gabby asked herself incredulously, gazing at Marine with wonder.
”You didn’t get lucky. We just found each other.” Marine corrected with a small grin.
20th March
Despite having a game in 3 days that she definitely needed to get ready for, Gabby was more irritated than Marine was about having to return to Sopron.
”I want to stay here with you!” Gabby droned on, clinging to Marine like she was life support.
”Baby, I’m leaving for France in 3 hours as well.” Marine laughed. She herself had a game in 4 days. ”We’ll be together again before you even know it. Until then, we have FaceTime, right?”
”I don’t want to go back to FaceTime. I hate not being able to hug you, and kiss you, and hold your hand whenever I want.” Gabby pouted, pressing her face further into Marine’s chest.
”baby.” Marine sighed, hand stroking Gabby’s braids. ”I’m going to miss it too. I wish we didn’t have to be apart.”
”This is never going to get easier, is it?” Gabby mused.
”I really don’t think it will.” Marine grimaced.
”Well, that sucks.”
”It really does.” Marine said, shaking her head. ”It’s nice to have something worth missing, though.”
”Doesn’t make it any more pleasant.” Gabby huffed, making a face.
”The reward is pretty worth it, don’t you think?” Marine hummed, and Gabby giggled.
”I quite like this reward.” Gabby leaned in and pecked Marine on the lips.
”Gabrielle!” Stef squealed, pulling Gabby in for a hug.
”What happened to COVID regulations?” Gabby groaned, but let Stef squeeze her to near-death.
”Not a thing when it's you and me!” Stef grinned gleefully, entirely too delighted at the chance to revel in Gabby’s misery. “But seriously, I’ve missed you.”
”Missed you too, Stef.” Gabby hummed, pulling back and following Stef to the drop off point. “Why did you come, anyways? I thought a car was coming to pick me.”
”A car did come to pick you up, that’s where we’re going now. I’m just the dude with the sign showing you to the car. Although, I wasn’t given a sign.” Stef frowned, staring down at her hands like the sign would magically appear.
”Tough luck.” Gabby nodded solemnly.
”So, how’s the missus?” Stef wiggled her eyebrows, nudging Gabby’s side. Gabby groaned, face flushing almost completely unprompted.
”She’s good. She plays in, like, 3 days, I think?”
”You know damn well that’s not what I’m asking.” Stef said pointedly.
”She’s perfect, alright? She's everything. There's nothing more I need to say.” Gabby sighed dreamily.
”Oh, you’re gone gone.” Stef gave her a pat on the shoulder.
”I feel like that’s been clear.” Gabby replied dryly.
”It’s still funny to see though.” Stef grinned. “Oh, hey, is there any news about her coming back to the W?”
”Actually, yeah.” They reached the car, and Gabby loaded her suitcase into the boot before joining Stef in the backseat.
”She’s almost definitely returning to the Liberty.” Stef cheered.
”I’m going to turn your girlfriend into my best friend.” Stef informed her. “I have a scheme. My schemes always work.”
”That’s true. But uh…” Gabby hesitated. “Could you do me a favour?”
Stef sobered instantly, “Of course. What’s up?”
”Take care of her? I’m worried about her.” Gabby confessed. “Her English has improved but it’s nowhere near perfect. A-and I trust you. So please just…watch over her for me.”
”Yeah, of course.” Stef smiled reassuringly. “I mean, I can’t serve as a translator, but I can serve as a friend.”
Gabby let out a small sigh of relief. “Thank you, Stef. Seriously.”
”It’s what I’m here for.” Stef hummed. “I’m still tormenting her though. That’s also what I’m here for.”
”I don’t doubt it.”
Gabby got an email from ASVEL’s front office a few days later, asking her to join them in the next season. Her first move was to call Marine, as always.
”Mari. Mari. Big thing. Not problem, but big.” Gabby said quickly as soon as the call connected.
”Hello, love. What’s up?” Marine asked, tilting her head curiously.
”ASVEL made an offer for the next two seasons and it’s good and I wanna know if you want me there playing with you because if you don’t then I won’t go but if you—”
”Gabby. Breathe.” Marine instructed soothingly. Gabby did, inhaling and exhaling. ”Good. So, ASVEL?”
”Thank you. And yes. I just…I don’t want to commit unless you want me to commit.” Gabby murmured.
”I always want you with me.” Marine promised. ”Two seasons, huh?”
”Until 2024.” Gabby confirmed.
”Sounds like a plan, then. I don’t need to recruit you, do I?” Marine asked jokingly.
”I dunno…what’s your pitch?” Gabby tilted her head as if she was really considering it.
”Well, for one, you would be on a French team. And for another, rumour has it there’s a very pretty blonde who likes you quite a bit that also plays for ASVEL.” Marine giggled, and Gabby did too.
”Really? Well, she should know, I already have a lovely girlfriend who would fight her over me.” Gabby teased.
”I would.” Marine stuck her tongue out. ”I already got you, I’m not letting you go that easy, Williams.”
”Good thing I have no plans to leave, then.”
10th April
Gabby: WE WON EUROLEAGUEMarine: I was watching!Marine: So proud of you my loveMarine: Go celebrate, you deserve it
Gabby's voice was hoarse from shouting. If she felt tired, it didn't show on her face, not one bit. She was smiling so hard her cheeks ached, but even then she couldn't stop. Her hands were red from clapping, and her brain was fuzzy with alcohol.
Still, before the championship photo shoot, Gabby called Marine.
"Hi, Gabs. You okay?" Marine struggled not to laugh at Gabby's drunken state and the ridiculousness of the ski goggles on her face.
"Hi Mari!" Gabby had to yell to be heard over the cacophony of voices behind her. "I miss you!"
"Miss you too baby. Where're your teammates, huh?" Marine asked, sitting upright in bed.
"Somewhere. They aren't important right now. You are." Gabby waved her off.
"I'd argue winning a championship with them renders them quite important, but alright. You need something?"
"Just wanted to talk to you. Wish you could celebrate with me." Gabby pouted.
"Don't pout baby. You just won Euroleague. That's amazing." Marine reminded her.
"I'm still allowed to miss you." Gabby argued.
"You are," Marine agreed steadily, "but missing me and moping are two different things, and right now, you're moping. Go celebrate, my love. I'll call you tomorrow, okay?"
"Okay." Gabby nodded, smiling dopily.
"Proud of you. Go have fun."
"Love you Mari."
"I love you too.">
11th April, 3pm
Gabby's phone had been ringing for a while now.
She groaned, head pounding, a ringing in her ears that wasn't from her phone. She reached out blindly, hand smacking the wood of the bedside table.
She answered the phone after seeing a glimpse of blonde in the caller profile picture.
"Yes?" She mumbled, voice thick with sleep. Putting the phone to her ear was more like slamming it into her face.
"Just making sure you're alive. Hi my love." Marine spoke softly to accommodate for Gabby's sleepiness.
"Alive but definitely not well." Gabby huffed, and Marine chuckled softly on her end.
"Sorry, baby. I'll let you sleep." Marine apologised.
"I've woken up in worse ways. It's alright." Gabby smiled sleepily. "G'night."
"Little bit late for that, but goodnight. Sweet dreams." Marine made a small kiss sound before hanging up, and Gabby was out like a light not even a second later.
Gabby was in Lyon two days later, and signed with ASVEL right after she landed. She took a picture of the contract on the table and sent it to Marine.em-jayyy: this isn't a trick?em-jayyy: you're really coming to ASVEL then?gabs 💞: why would i trick you?gabs 💞: that's my signatureem-jayyy: come overem-jayyy has started sharing their locationgabs 💞: on my way princess
True to her word, Gabby showed up at Marine's Lyon apartment 20 minutes later. Marine melted into Gabby, and likewise for the younger girl, until Gabby was almost choking just to breathe.
"Okay, okay! I get it, you love me very much!" Gabby called, voice strangled and straining, "Please let me go!"
Marine relented, releasing Gabby. Her face was flushed, usually pale skin a pretty shade of pink. She reached out, pushing Gabby's glasses up her nose.
"Your glasses are falling." Marine supplied, and Gabby laughed, head tipping forward, braids following obediently.
"I've missed you." Gabby replied, seemingly out of nowhere, but Marine glanced away nervously, eyes blinking rapidly, chest rising and falling quicker.
Gabby looked around the apartment, then. It was as if she'd never left—just as spick and span as she remembered. Walls a pristine white, marble counter of her kitchen that seemed to glow.
"Did you clean recently? It's like your house is never dirty." Gabby teased.
"I just enjoy my spaces being clean, actually." Marine retorted.
"I prefer mine covered in figurines and posters." Gabby smiled cheekily, dimples popping the smooth surface of her skin.
"I know." Marine smiled fondly, reaching out to take Gabby's hand.
"So, ASVEL?" Marine prompted as they stared at the ceiling that night, laying side by side, fingers intertwined.
"ASVEL. 2 years, Mar. We're gonna play together for 2 years." Gabby's eyes were bright, even in the dark of the room, as she turned to look at Marine. Marine reached out to cup her cheek gently, and Gabby's smile widened.
"I'm a little in shock too, if I'm honest. Not bad shock." She added quickly when she saw the flash of panic, "Just…disbelief? But good disbelief."
"What's it like here?" Gabby asked, not unlike a child asking their parent to tell them a story.
"I will always prefer Normandy, obviously. But it's nice here. Very nice. You'll like it. So many Prêt-à-Manger's." Gabby laughed at the last bit.
"I'm just happy I can be with you." Gabby whispered, earnest.
"I am too." Marine murmured. They melted into each other, two bodies moving in tandem in a way only lovers could under the cover of night.
April 26th
"Gabby, you're going to go play with Sue Bird. I really don't know why you're crying." Marine smiled, amused, but soothing Gabby nonetheless.
"Because I want you!" Gabby whined, "I could play with every great in the world and it wouldn't even come close to playing with you." She pouted.
"That's sweet. And a lie, but I'll take it." Marine mused, softening. She kissed the crown of Gabby's head, "It's just a few months. It'll be okay."
"Yeah, yeah." Gabby grumbled, squeezing Marine tighter. "You better reply to the TikToks I send." She accused, pulling back so she could poke Marine in the chest.
"I always do. That's not changing." Marine told her firmly. "Go. Before you miss your flight." As if on cue, the intercom chimed, calling Gabby's flight.
"That's me." Gabby said, fiddling with the cuffs of her hoodie. "I love you, Mari. So much. You're perfect and you're everything to me."
"Once again, not dead yet baby. Go have fun. Tell me what it's like playing with Sue Bird, yeah?" Marine giggled as Gabby kissed her face all over.
"I tell you everything anyways. Bye baby." Gabby adjusted her backpack and disappeared out of view.
When Marine reached home, she found a note in the little dish where she kept her keys. She picked it up and smiled just upon seeing the handwriting.
Marine,
I'm leaving this note as a physical reminder, because we all need those sometimes. You're the most perfect person in the world, and I'm the luckiest woman alive to be able to call you mine. You're everything I dreamed of and more.
I'm not amazing at telling people how I feel (I'm working on it, I promise) so I figured I'd write this note instead. Verbalising my feelings hasn't always been simple, and you make my life especially difficult because I see you and my brain melts to mush.
Thank you for always rooting for me, for reminding me to remain where my feet are when I lose myself in my head. You always know just what I need, and never ask for anything in return. Thank you.
I love you, baby.
Gabs <3
Marine's smile grew wider with every word, dimples embarrassingly obvious. By the end of it, she looked like an idiot—red in the face, smiling so hard all her teeth showed, eyes practically shining with joy—but she didn't really care.
em-jayyy: you little sapem-jayyy: i love you so much babygabs 💞: glad you like it baby :)
May 6th
"I swear to god, this season is never ending." Marine grumbled to no one in particular as she tumbled down onto her bed. Her phone was…somewhere. Probably on the couch. It didn't really matter right now.
Currently, she was attempting to muster up the strength to go and bathe, which was not going very well, as she'd gone from the couch to the floor and now to her bed.
She was very sure future Marine would regret this decision—she hated when her outside clothes were on her bed—but current Marine has discovered bones are heavy.
The very loud ringtone that only played when Gabby called screeched out into the quiet apartment, and Marine jumped up like she'd suddenly been rebooted, not even trying to act unbothered but instead scrambling to find her phone.
"Baby!" Gabby beamed. She was 3 hours ahead of Marine, making it 7pm in Seattle. Halleberry was sat on Gabby's chest.
"Hi, my love." Marine smiled softly, trying to hide her slight breathlessness, "Is that Halleberry? Is that her name?"
"You sound weird." Gabby frowned, "But yes, this is HB. Say hi."
"Hello, HB." Marine laughed slightly at the ridiculousness of talking to a cat, "How have you been?"
"Me, or the cat?" Gabby raised an eyebrow, and Marine rolled her eyes.
"You, dumbass."
"I know. Just teasing." Gabby giggled.
"So? Seattle?" Marine questioned again.
"I feel like my legs are going to explode," Gabby announced, "but it's been fun. Sue is the coolest. She's terrifying, but also nice. Like, she'll scream at the whole team and then smile at you and invite you out to coffee."
"The duality of Sue." Marine nodded solemnly.
"And how's France?" Gabby volleyed back.
"This league is never-ending." Marine complained, "I think I'm going to die."
"Please don't, I quite like you alive."
"If I must."
They went about their days side by side. Marine turned off her camera while she was in the shower, which made Gabby pout, and kept it off when she was changing, which made Gabby pout harder, and turned it back on when she was making dinner while Gabby talked with too much excitement for 10pm.
"Gabby, you have to sleep." Marine rolled her eyes while Gabby whined, fighting to stay awake. By then, it was nearly 1 am for the Storm player. Even Halleberry had stalked off a few hours ago.
"But I don't want you to hang up." Gabby pouted, giving Marine big doe eyes and—ah, shit, that was not good, Marine decided, because she was absolutely awful at resisting Gabby.
"I'll stay on call until you sleep, my love, but you have practice in the morning, remember?" Marine reminded her, and Gabby whined again.
"Do I really have to go for practice?"
"If you want to keep your job, yes." Marine raised an eyebrow.
"I mean, I don—"
"Gabby."
"Right, yes, I love practice." Gabby swallowed, nodding, "Mhm basketball is great."
"Go to sleep then." Marine rolled her eyes, smiling fondly. Gabby went quiet, staring at Marine wordlessly for a few seconds.
"Yes, my love?" Marine prompted, tilting her head curiously.
"Talk to me?" Gabby asked with a small voice.
"About what?"
"Anything. Just…talk. Your voice is soothing, and I'm bad at falling asleep without background noise." Gabby admitted.
"Okay." Marine agreed easily.
So she talked. She told Gabby everything—if a thought came to mind, she'd say it out loud. She told Gabby about the movie she went to see with Dominique, the ice cream parlour she liked that had shut down recently, the time in practice where they got a ball stuck between the rim and backboard and, in their attempt to un-stick it, got another ball stuck.
Eventually, Gabby dozed off, mouth slightly open, shoulders rising and falling gently. Marine did not get to see asleep Gabby, much to her despair, because upon falling asleep, the phone had been forgotten and was now looking up at the ceiling.
Marine stopped talking once she heard Gabby's breathing even out.
"Goodnight, my love. Sweet dreams." She whispered, pressing the "end call" button, placing her phone down, and following Gabby to sleep.