Chapter Text
He sat down in front of his flat screen tv in his empty Manchester apartment. He’d been living here since the whole breakup happened. John had an injury, meaning he wasn’t able to travel with the squad to Germany. It sucked, It really did. He hated not being able to be apart of the squad helping them out. Especially the way the game was turning out. Otamendi getting sent off and conceding two penalties wasn't the best start they could've had luckily the game ended 3-2 to City, thanks to an amazing free kick from Leroy and a last minute goal from Raheem.
His eye caught Leroy on the screen. Thinking back to the free kick he scored, an absolute beauty it was, he couldn’t deny that. Cracking a smile when the german scored it, knowing Leroy would be gutted that he wasn’t able to celebrate that strike properly. The camera was on the former Schalke player filming him as he made his way into the crowd of home fans, giving his jersey to a girl in the crowd. John watched him carefully, he would never admit it out loud but the cameras didn’t do the man any justice. The man had a way to him in real life, graceful and elegant, both on and of the pitch. The younger man made everything look so easy when he had the ball. In training people would up their performance levels to try and match his. The way he played football almost irritatingly well. John would never admit it to his face though, the man had a big enough ego as it was.
They both joined City at the same time, and whilst John found it pretty easy getting along with the other boys, Leroy had found it harder. It was a mix between not knowing the language that well and him closing himself off. After a few months the younger man had started to come out of his shell more, joking around and turning into the Leroy they all knew and loved. They had a similar sense of humour and the same youthful rebellion to them, which Kyle hated.
They once decided to sneak out at one am in search for somewhere to have a drink, instead they’d gotten side tracked when they’d seen the empty hotel pool, where they'd been staying. He’d dared Leroy to jump in, not thinking the german had it in him, surprised when he made a run for the illuminated water. They were in the pool for about 45 seconds when they’d heard a staff member coming down the corridor. Running away as quickly as possible, nearly getting caught. He lived for moments like that, those adrenaline rushes you get when you’re doing something you’re not supposed to, almost getting caught. Yeah he loved it, they made him feel like a teenager again. He pulled up his phone from his pocket, opening his phone messages.
Stunning. he typed out. No, It sounded way too serious. He quickly added, Stunning goal. Shit celebration. Send.
He waited a couple of minutes seeing the three dots appear. What do u know about celebrations?
John smiled. He’s getting quicker with the comebacks, John thought, he’s learning.
Ouch He typed out pretending to to be hurt, knowing Leroy would see right through it.The german reminded him of his friends from back home. They were only a year apart. Kyle was different, he was older and had his life together. He had a beautiful family that he obviously loved and cared for. John needed Kyle in his life, to keep him in check and to tell him off when he was being a dick. Despite all that the 28 year old was far from mature, he still had a childlike side to him, and the reason they'd pretty much instantly clicked. He knew he could talk to Kyle about anything, relationship problems, football stuff, anything, but sometimes he just wanted to let loose and not think about the consequences.
That was when he could hear Kyle’s dad voice come. He knew the older man only wanted to look out for him, stopping him from getting in trouble. It was at times like those John really missed the lads from back home, missed getting pissed on a friday night until he could barely stand, him and his friends getting into a stupid squabble at the pub almost resulting in a fight. Not giving a shit about what might be written in the press the next morning. Being a normal twenty four year old not having to worry about his professional career and the public's opinion.
The german had that in him, maybe not the fighting bit, but he had the youthful stupidity and carelessness that he had. The man didn’t care about others opinions about him. John found himself more and more in and around him after the his break up. He would text his teammates in their whatsapp group, asking if they’d want to go out, get a few drinks with the motive of then hitting the club and finding a girl he could take home. Leroy almost always said yes, along with some of the other boys. In the end, it always ended up just the two of them In some top club in Manchester, sharing some cigarette they’d been offered by a girl at the club, hiding behind the dumpsters as if they’re still in 6th form.
John scrolled up reading the previous text that had been sent a couple of weeks ago. The englishman smiled to himself thinking back to the memory. About two weeks ago they’d gotten high on this couch, where he was sitting right now. Listening to some vinyl record, John couldn’t remember what it was, just that it was a really good one. It had been the day after his ex and her family had sold the story about their break up to the press. John had had paparazzis following him all day and lies being spread about him online. All he had wanted to do, came the night, was to take his mind of of everything that was happening. Kyle had invited him to stay at their place, he loved Kyle but the last thing he’d needed was to be reminded of what a fuck up he was. So instead he’d texted Leroy to come over, asking him to bring something strong, to take his mind of the shit storm unfolding.
They’d talked about smoking weed before, he brought it up once when they'd been drunk. If Kyle had found out what they’d been up to that night in his apartment, he would’ve probably had a brain aneurysm, going on a rant about what if Pep found out, what if this got out to the public, it would end his career blah blah blah. It had been a one time thing and John had really enjoyed it. They had stayed up late talking about absolute nonsense, laughing at absolutely nothing. John forgot about everything that night, it was just him and a friend enjoying themselves, for that night only he felt like a normal twenty four year old. He’d woken up the next morning laying on the sofa, Leroy fast asleep on his chest. He pushed the man off to go take a shower and when he was out the apartment was empty, left with only a text from Leroy that said. Had to go get ready for a meeting. Everything suddenly resuming back to normality.
John scrolled back down to the latest message. He felt himself typing, Knew you’d score. Clicking the send button. A few seconds passing, he felt his phone vibrate.
Knew u’d be watching
An unfamiliar feeling setting in his stomach.