Chapter Text
It’s a tie.
Of course it’s a tie.
And Tobin knows why - they both gave it their all. Soccer is a team sport, of course, but there are always rivalries. Smirks traded from across the field, footwork a little too fancy, everything during the game leading to-
This.
Tobin catches Christen’s eye from across the room, music booming through the speakers and echoing into her core. Even though the bar’s dimly lit, she can see the heads of Christen’s teammates; Kelly, Vero, others she’s too preoccupied to name.
She watches as Christen puts her hand on Vero’s shoulder, saying something that Tobin can’t decipher.
Christen head’s thrown back a moment later as she laughs, the purple and blue lights of the bar reflecting off the sheen of her slightly sweaty throat and Tobin can’t help that she notices these things.
She just does. It doesn’t have to be healthy.
But Christen’s laughing at something Vero just said and the thought ignites something in the back of Tobin’s brain - jealousy, Tobin realizes but wants to deny.
Christen turns her head again and brown eyes meet green. And she can feel something crackle between them, as cliche as it sounds; electricity in a dimly lit bar with beers in their hands.
“You done?”
The question brings Tobin back to the table she’s at; Alex gripping onto her forearm, Allie grinning while taking a sip of some alcoholic beverage (Tobin doesn’t know what, nor does she care), and Kling eyeing her reaction.
“What?” Tobin asks.
“You done eyeing Press?” Kling questions again. “You aren’t that discreet, you know.”
“I don’t have to be,” Tobin replies, smirking a little. “She’s staring back.”
“Stop chasing her,” Alex says, her words only slightly slurred. “Stay with me- us.”
But Tobin’s already looking away, searching for those green eyes but Christen’s gone from her table, Vero still chatting with Kelley.
“I’ll be right back.”
Tobin shakes off Alex’s insistent hand, worming her way through the swarms of people before reaching the back of the bar.
Walking out of the back entrance, Tobin takes in the breath of fresh air, appreciating the slight breeze brushing across her skin as opposed to the body heat and sweat from inside the bar. The music is muted from out here and it smells faintly of cigarette smoke, city lights poking out from the top of the building.
“Fancy seeing you out here,” someone says from beside her and the voice sends chills down her spine - she knows, already, that it’s Christen.
“I could say the same for you.”
Christen takes a sip of her drink, then lets out a laugh. “Please. You followed me out here.”
“Maybe I needed a break,” Tobin replies, walking over to the wall Christen’s leaning against. “It’s a little much in there.”
“And out here?”
Tobin looks at Christen - her crop top, bra straps poking out, a pair of flowing pants that cut off just above the ankle, and yes, it’s-
“A lot better.”
“You’re just saying that.”
Tobin smirks, taking a sip out of her own cup. Her nose crinkles at the beer, lukewarm after staying in her hands for so long.
“Maybe,” Tobin shrugs. “Probably not.”
They descend into silence for a couple of moments, observing their surroundings. Tobin notices the overflowing trash can a couple of feet from them, an ashtray full of cigarette butts.
“You played well today. Nice goal,” Christen suddenly says, her voice quieter than before. She’s looking at Tobin, really looking and Tobin meets Christen’s gaze, letting herself get lost in those green eyes. She subconsciously leans forward, towards Christen who’s doing the same and it feels like something’s building - slowly, surely, the opposite of a fire spreading through the trees-
The sound of sirens come and go, and Tobin feels a gust blow a strand of hair into her face.
They both jump away from each other simultaneously.
“Thanks. You too.”
The door swings open, slamming against a random plastic crate presumably there to hold it open and a couple of people, obviously drunk, come swaying out. There’s a car waiting for them, thank god, and Tobin listens as the car door slams shut and drives away.
“You going to head back in?” Tobin asks.
“Yeah,” Christen replies, standing up from the wall. “I need to go make sure Vero and Kelley haven’t killed each other yet.”
Tobin stands a little straighter (ironic, since she’s anything but) at the sound of Vero’s name, taking another swig of her lukewarm drink.
“Is Vero the type to kill someone?”
Christen looks at her a little weirdly, then lets out a sigh. “No, she can just be a little- much, with this much alcohol in her system.”
“Got it,” Tobin replies a little awkwardly, knowing whatever moment they had - if there even was one - is now gone.
“Will I see you in there?” Christen asks, walking over to the entrance.
“Yeah,” Tobin replies. “I’ll be back in a few.”
Christen gives her a small smile then walks back into the building, the sound of the crowd swelling for a moment before the door shuts. Then it’s muted again, music still thumping from inside the building, crowd effectively silenced.
Tobin takes in another deep breath of the night air, placing her head on her hands.
Jesus.
What the fuck am I doing?