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Ted Lasso was a man of his word. Both his parents taught and raised him like that, always saying he couldn't make promises he couldn't keep. They also told him to always make sure people had all the reasons to trust and believe him.
This sentiment made him sad, now, knowing that a lot of the times he asked his father if he was doing alright the answer was probably a lie. "Just a bit tired from work, promise" would echo through his mind all the times. The man who taught him to believe in things was now one of the reasons he could easily stop doing so.
So when, at the end of the season, they hadn't won the whole fucking thing, he remembered the man their parents wanted him to be and got disappointed in himself. He knew that Rebecca bringing Zava to the team wasn't an easy job. He knew that Beard and Roy and Higgins and all the players worked their asses off to win it all, but they didn't. Damn Manchester City forever. And the pain hurt even more because he knew they had gotten close. So close. He was so close to giving the woman he loved (a fact he had accepted by now, after a couple of pints with Beard and some wise words from the man) everything she deserved and fought so hard for. And yet, at the end of the day, he couldn't. He failed his promise and his word - maybe he wasn't any better than his father after all.
Everybody on the team was disappointed, obviously. They wanted it as badly as he did. But hey, getting a Champions League spot, making 80 points in the Premier League and winning the FA Cup against Arsenal in their first season back wasn't a problem at all. It was great, actually. Just a proof that they were in the right direction and that their moments of glory would come soon enough.
But he still felt the need to go to her office after the last game and talk to her. Apologize. Because he still was Ted Lasso, a man of his word and hurt, after all. "Hey, boss. How ya doing?" he asked in a tone that implied that he was not fine at all. "I'm great, Ted. The team I own just made me the proudest team owner in the world", she said, smiling.
"That's mighty good to hear. 'S worried that me saying we would win it all made your expectations high. I'm really sorry about that, by the way. I am also really proud of those guys... I just think I could've done better, ya know? At least in keeping with my promise to you." he didn't like laying it all on her, and would never want to be a burden for anyone ever again, but she needed to know how sorry he was.
"What are you even on about, Ted? Look around. Look what you turned this club into. A relegated team into a Premier League third place and FA Cup winners one. And now this said team is a whole family of people and young boys who love and respect each other, Ted. Thanks to you, mostly." she said while making herself a cup of tea and getting a bottle of water for him, moving to the sofa and encouraging him to do the same.
"That's kind of you to say, Becca. Thanks. I appreciate that and you a whole lot." he said easily and she had to pretend the nickname that fell from his lips didn't make her shiver. "It's just that sometimes I wonder if y'all wouldn't win it all if it wasn't for me, you know? Possibly I am better off back in Kansas with Henry." he didn't mean to say that. But he did. And it was too late to take anything back when he realized it. "Look, Ted. I know that your son is the number one priority in your life. I would never ask you to put anything in front of him. So, if you feel, and I quote a wise man, deep down in your gut, that you should go back, I'm not gonna be the one to say what you should and shouldn't be doing. But, as your boss and as your friend who deeply cares about you, do not think for a second that we would have even one more point in the Premier League without you, Ted. You are one of the most important parts of this team and this club." she was trying really hard not to be so vulnerable, but the man she loved was beating himself three rounds harshly right in front of her. And she wouldn't allow it.
"Thanks again, Becca. Boss. You are also one of the most important parts" - if only he had the courage to finish the sentence and say "of my life". "The boys are heading to this pub in a couple of minutes, they want to celebrate and stuff. Will you join us? Heard they have great karaoke there." he said, teasing her and remembering her beautiful voice. If he wanted her to go just so he could listen to her singing again well, she didn't have to know. "Wouldn't miss a party with my boys for anything in the world, Coach Lasso. Let's go". And so going they did.
They arrived at the bar about 30 minutes after the rest of the team. Which wasn't suspicious at all, right? They were the boss and the gaffer. Maybe they had some things to work on. And if the players looked at them thoughtfully because they could maybe finally stop pretending they couldn't realize that those two were madly in love with each other, well, Ted and Rebecca didn't notice.
He proceeded to sit at the table where Beard was waiting for him and saw Roy on the sofa with Keeley on the way. Rebecca looked to find Keeley, but when she saw Roy was with her, she thought that maybe she should give them some space and some time. She was really happy that both of her friends had finally worked things out between them. When she was just passing by, Keeley got up and yelled at her to join them. "Congratulations on a remarkable season, Coach", Rebecca said. "Thanks, Blondie. Same for you." he answered before getting up, giving Keeley a kiss and going to find the other coaches.
"I'm so so so happy for you guys! I'm really glad you figured things out, Keeley. I truly am. You deserve someone that makes you that happy." she said, grinning. "Thanks, babe! I'm really happy too. It was a long way but when you know it's right, it is worth it, right?" she answered, hoping Rebecca understood what she truly meant. "But hey! Enough about me. So... you and Ted, huh? I'm so glad you two finally realized you love each other!" she said excitedly, knowing no one could hear them with the loud sounds and music at the bar.
"What are you talking about? There's nothing going on between us. We're good friends, that's all," she said, sadly enough for Keeley to notice. "So why on Earth did it take so long for you guys to come here?" Beard would probably respond something like "Ha, metaphor." to that, but he was not there to listen. "He came to talk to me after you guys headed out. Don't make that face, it was not like that. He apologized to me, can you believe it? He said he was sorry he didn't win the whole fucking thing. As if that's the most important thing" she said. "Well, maybe it is for him, sweetheart." Keeley replied. "Because he wants to prove himself to this club. And, well, to you." Keeley added empathically, knowing this could be difficult for Rebecca.
"Why on Earth would he need to do that?" she asked and laughed at the same time. "Durh, because he loves you. Do you have any idea how many times Roy told me that the man couldn't stop talking about how significant it was to him to win it all for you? He told me Beard and him always shared looks at that, but Ted didn't seem to notice because his mind was too far off thinking about you." it was Keeley's turn to laugh now. "Well, if he did love me like you're saying, he wouldn't have said to me today that maybe he was better off in Kansas." she said while gazing at the floor, knowing it would be too much to look Keeley in the eyes right now. "Wait, he said he was going back?" the shorter one asked, preoccupied.
"No, he didn't. But he said this team would be better without him and that he could be better back there." she said, trying to build a strong image of herself in that moment, one that Keeley didn't buy at all. "So maybe he just said that 'cause he was sad, yeah? I know he has his son there, Rebecca, but I also know that man truly loves you. And if there's one thing I learned from one Ted Lasso, it is to never leave the ones you love behind. Now, enough of this and let's just enjoy the night and this team, alright?" she asked because maybe Rebecca didn't need all that thoughts right now. She should be able to just enjoy the night. "Alright, then" she said and grabbed Keeley's hand.
It's odd, funny even, how 3 years ago they were at a karaoke bar - not this one, but still - and she was singing and stopped mid-song to chase after him because he didn't seem okay. She interrupted a moment of fun with her "best friend" and her goddaughter (who would see the video later), just to see if the man she hired to destroy this club was doing okay. And now, 3 years later, the players sing and she's worrying about him again. Not because he doesn't seem fine, he really does, at least he does now, but because she's worried she won't be if he leaves. She doesn't know anything for sure, doesn't know if even he knows what he's going to do, but it sure as hell breaks her heart in pieces just to think of going to work someday and not waiting for his knock at her door, not smelling her biscuits and not listening to his voice through the window for the rest of the day. She's terrified of losing it all. Of losing him.
How could a man, hired for all the wrong reasons, having basically zero knowledge of the game, get them back into the elite of English football and still think they would be better off without him? How could he coach a top 4 Premier League team and feel like they didn't need him anymore? Zava was the biggest reason for how well they were doing, and she was the reason he was in Richmond, for sure. She knew that and was proud of it. But how could he not realise that the main reason she wanted this club to do well was him? She loved Richmond, really did. However, she doesn't know if she would if such kind people like him and Keeley and Beard and Roy and all her players hadn't gotten into her life. How could he not be aware of that by now? If Richmond felt like a true home for her, he was the one who brought the small bricks and the bags of cement that came in the form of small pink boxes of biscuits and genuine conversations to her heart. And they built it all together. The team. Just the two of them.
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"Welcome, coach. Congrats on the season." Beard said as Ted arrived at the table and handed him a bottle of beer. "The same applies for you. You know I wouldn't have done any of it without you." He replied, really grateful that his best friend, who had been with him since the beginning, had joined him on this adventure. "Oh, I know. But you would do just fine anyway, coach." he said. "Buuuuuut... On another note, you and Rebecca, huh? You don't like being late for team stuff, coach. Did you finally tell her? he asked at the exact moment Roy arrived at their table. "Why the fuck is he whiter than normal? Did you ask him about him and Blondie?" he asked while sitting down in his chair. "Yes", he heard Beard say. "What?" Ted asked at the same time. "Look, fellas, coaches, there's not a 'Me and Rebecca'. I mean, we're really good friends but that's all."
"You don't seem happy with that." Beard said. "Did you tell her that you love her and you can't imagine your life without her and you want to make her the happiest woman on Earth if she would have you and all that stuff that you told me?" Beard asked, not moving his eyes from Ted with his usual serious Bead expression. "Wow, that is some deep shit. Why the fuck you didn't tell her yet?" Roy asked him. Ted tried to protect himself by saying, "I didn't even say if I told her or not!". "We know you didn´t." the other two coaches said unison. "You should tell her, you know?" Roy asked. "And why's that, coach?" Ted asked back. "Because she fucking loves you too."
"And what am I supposed to do? Go up there to the mic and sing my love for her just because you two lunatics think she feels the same about me?" Ted asked, half joking and drinking his beer. "Yes" both coaches said in unison again. "You're the only fucking stupid one here, so don't mind us being fucking lunatics. But yes." Roy said looking into his eyes. "You know what? I might do it, you know? Since you guys want me so desperately" Ted said allowing the beer to talk for him. "Go on, then. Pick a song and get in line." Beard said and Ted stood up threatening to go, hoping they would tell him they were joking. But they never did. So he went through with his (their) plan.
There're too many songs here, coach.
Good thing you just have to sing one, coach.
But I don't know which one to choose. What if I just blow it all up?
Sing whatever your heart wants you to sing. You'll be just fine. ;)
<333 Love ya Beardo
I know that already. She's the one you need to tell. Get there, Tiger. Love you 2.
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She didn't think that, of all things, what would take her mind off her conversation with Keeley would be Isaac announcing that Ted was going to be the next karaoke singer of the night. She never heard him really singing. There was that couple of seconds at Christmas and sometimes he would sing a little bit when he thought he was the only one in the building late at night, but that was all. Well, thankfully, as they say, there's a first time for everything in life.
The music starts with a soft guitar sound and of course Ted wouldn't choose an agitated song just like everybody else. Because he wasn't like them. He was unique on his own.
"Honey, you are a rock... Upon which I stand" he starts singing and everybody screams. Of course Ted Lasso has a beautiful singing voice. Why wouldn't he? Then she catches up on the lyrics. She thinks about his trust in this team, how much he relies on them all.
"And I came here to talk. I hope you understand." This was exciting. This man was about to pour his heart out to this team, his team, their team and she truly thinks that's beautiful
"The green eyes. Yeah, the spotlight... Shines above you." That's funny. She has green eyes. He never tried to hide how beautiful he thinks her eyes are. But he wasn't singing for her, duh. Who else on the team has green eyes? Maybe Richard. Probably Colin. Well, Ted wouldn't flirt with his own players, right? Especially knowing Colin had a boyfriend. No, he wouldn't. Well, maybe it was a metaphor about the grass because it was green and they played football. Yeah, it was probably it. He did love metaphors.
"And how could anybody deny you?" Owch, that hurts. She's way over Rupert, but it still hurts to think about all the cruel and horrible things he did to her. Her therapist said that traumatic things would always hurt, and that was ok; she just couldn't deny her feelings about it all anymore. She also thinks about Ted denying her and leaving back to - no, nope. Not tonight. She promised Keeley.
"I came here with a load. And it feels so much lighter now that I met you." She thinks back about the time Ted arrived at the team, trying to bond with her, helping her at the gala night and telling her he also saw Rupert for who he really was. She thinks about him telling her about his problems with Michelle. About her helping him with his panic attack in Liverpool. She regrets a lot of things in her life, but if everything she did in the last 3 years led her to here, well, she'd do it all again. After that, she hears everyone screaming about how beautifully his voice goes high and low during his last sentence.
Wait, was Ted looking at her? Has he being looking at her the whole time? No, that couldn't be it. It was only buzz and her imagination. Get a grip, Welton. "He's indeed looking at you, babe." She said that all out loud? And Ted was really looking at her? What? In? The? World?
"And honey you should know that I could never go on without you... Green eyes." She recalls their talk earlier. How he thought he would be better in Kansas, without this team, without her. That hurt deep in her heart because she didn't really know if she could ever live without him again. She was afraid; afraid of losing him, afraid of letting him, afraid that he would be just fine without her and all her baggage. And yet, here he was, looking into her green eyes and saying, or rather singing, he couldn't
"That green eyes. You're the one that I wanted to find." Oh he could sing alright. Magnificently, even. That was a beautiful high note. He even closed his eyes and shit. And when he opened them again... Yes, he was looking at her. With the most adorable eyes anyone had ever looked at her. He was singing that to her. Holly hell.
"And anyone who tried to deny you must be out of their minds." She had been denied so much in her life. She never had a good experience with her father after the day that keeps hunting her until this day - she was denied of that. She was denied of her mother's maternal love since her teenage years. She was denied of being a mother. Of having a group of people that would love her for who she is. And here was the man that helped her to get through her problems and to make her wishes come true. He would never deny anything to her.
"Honey you are the sea upon which I float." Ted always made her feel safe in this messy sea of life. It didn't matter if things were tough, if the storm was too intense, he would always be there for her. To pick her hand from the drowning sea waves. He always was. She could easily navigate him for the rest of her life.
"I think you should know... that green eyes... You're the one that I wanted to find. And anyone who tried to deny you must be out of their minds. Because I came here with a load and it feels so much lighter since I met you. And honey, you should know that I could never go on without you." His eyes never drifted from her as the lyrics repeated itself. If the whole team was staring at him staring at her and staring at her staring at him, well, let them stare. It was a truly beautiful scenario. Maybe she would want to share it with the people she loves. Maybe she wanted to scream at everybody there and at him how much she loved him.
And maybe she would.
"Honey you are a rock... Upon which I stand." he finished the song. At least she thought he did because it was the last thing she heard before getting up from her spot next to Keeley and stepping up on stage to meet him. She heard people screaming and yelling and cheering at and for him. That man was a really good singer. And she couldn't wait to learn all the chords of his heart.
"Hey, Becca. Fancy meeting you here. How did you-" she shut him up with her lips before he could finish his questions. And she could feel his smile through their kiss. Could feel his heart beating fast and close to her chest. Could feel his hands hugging her and holding her as if she was this precious diamond. With a simple yet tender and passionate kiss, he could feel all the love she had for him being reciprocated. In front of their friends, players and team. For the way she heard even more cheering, maybe they were happy for them.
She remembers hearing something like this. It was when they won the FA Cup and they had this shine trophy and beautiful medals to hold and run with trough the pitch. And they were, again, champions. Only now they'd be holding each other and the love they felt. Maybe they did win everything. "And you were worried you wouldn't give me the whole fucking thing." she said, embracing him and looking into his big brown eyes. "Oh, Becca, I can't wait to give way more than that. The whole world. Hell, maybe even the Moon and the Sun." he answered, trying to hold back the tears that formed in his eyes. "You'll always be more than any of this things, darling". she said while trying to fix the strand of hair that fell on his forehead.
"For me, for us, we will always be the one that we wanted and needed to find."
"Always? You want me for that long, Becca?"
"For the whole coupon of our lives, Teddy."
At the end of that year, when he had Henry sleeping on one of his shoulders and Rebecca on the other, while he could hold and watch and love both of them, he was pretty happy he had Roy and Beard to make him go onstage and declare his love on that day. He was really glad for all the people he had in his life now. And if you asked him if he would ever think he didn't belong there ever again, well, he would most definitely not. Because they wouldn't let him. And he couldn't, either, imagine his life without them. Maybe it was a random but hard choice, maybe it was a bad thing or maybe it was fate. But he was certainly really glad for the star that brought him to this place with these people.
He kisses Rebecca's forehead, then Henry's, looks up and whispers "Thanks for never letting me quit anything, dad." and goes to sleep himself. Tomorrow was gonna be a good day. How did he know that? Well, he just had to look around.