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1.
Colin Hughes was sipping on his Vodka Red Bull, sitting in a booth of some random club with his teammates Jamie, Sam and Isaac, celebrating their latest win against Crystal Palace. They were people watching and vibing to the music, looking out for some potential woman, or man in Colin’s case, to spend the night with to take their celebrations even further. As they weren’t really successful, Isaac and Sam decided to call it a night and left Colin alone with Jamie.
The pair grew really comfortable around each other since Jamie started playing for Richmond again, throwing around some playful banter, but also supporting each other through the struggles they had to face everyday. For instance, Jamie grew really protective of Colin if someone made a stupid comment about his sexuality. Some people saw him nearly throwing a stone at a journalist who was yelling at Colin if him not making any goals and being gay have any correlations. If you ask Jamie about the incident, he assures that he just told the journalist to fuck off, but everyone knows he was about to smash that man’s face and car. As for Colin, he continued to defend Jamie whenever someone couldn’t stop bringing up his past behavior. So hanging out only with Jamie wasn’t something unusual for Colin.
What was unusual is what happened later that evening.
As some bloke walked by, Jamie just said, as if it was the most casual thing in the world for him, that the guy was fit.
„Jamie you don’t need to look out for men for me.“
“Who said I'm lookin for you?“
Colin nearly choked on his vodka red bull.
And that was how Jamie casually came out to Colin.
“You couldn’t have told me that a bit sooner? For instance when I came out as the only gay man in the premier league?”
“I don’t like making a fuss about it. Y’know if it doesn’t matter, why should I bring it up?”
“Fair point.”, Colin mumbled into his glass. He knew it was Jamie’s choice and he was the last to be mad at him for keeping it a secret, but the knowledge that he really wasn’t alone…he just wished he would have had that sooner. Probably would have made some sad nights easier, knowing that someone was relating to his struggles.
“So, what is your type in men then? What kind of bloke are we looking out for?” Colin decided to change the topic and Jamie grinned.
“Brown hair, green eyes. Killer combination in a man. Cute smile. I like ‘em funny. Not looking for someone who has a PHD in being a smart-ass. Not taller than me.”
“Oh fuck off Jamie.” Colin grinned and Jamie just laughed. “What is it?”
“You just described me.”
“Oh, really. Did I? So you think you’re cute?” Jamie raised his eyebrow and Colin gave him a slight push against the forearm.
“I’m strong and capable. That doesn’t mean I can’t be cute.”
“Exactly what I’ve been saying.”
“Are you flirting or fucking with me?”
“Who says I can’t do both? Oh and may I add, I’m definitely also looking for a man from Wales.”
One thing led to another and the man Jamie was looking for to bring home with him ended up being Colin. It was, without exaggeration, one of the best hook-up’s Colin ever experienced. At first it was weird, seeing his teammate naked but in a different context than all the times he saw him naked before. But he quickly found out why Jamie never had to complain about waking up in a cold and empty bed. It’s not like Colin never thought about how attractive Jamie was and that his somehow cocky attitude was appealing to him, but he never thought that he would even have a realistic chance with the other player. Yet here he was, lying naked in Jamie Tartt’s bed, like a lot of men and women before him, being completely shaken up by how good Jamie was.
Speaking of the other man, Jamie started yawning next to Colin and he saw this as a sign to get up and leave.
“I’m pretty tired too. I should probably go home.” Colin mumbled, as Jamie was pressing his face into his pillow. “You can stay over if you want.” Jamie mumbled, eyes closing already.
Colin abruptly stopped leaving the bed. To be fair, he expected nothing that already happened tonight but this was the least thing he reckoned with. He was about to reject the offer, but something inside of him did not let him do that. The part of him that craved waking up next to someone else again. So he decided to stay.
"Okay. Yeah. I would like that. But um, Jamie?”
“What is it Colin?” Jamie was already half asleep, his voice not more than a faint grumble.
“I don't have any sleeping clothes with me. The shirt I wore at the club reeks of booze and I get cold very easily so if-” Jamie interrupted him by lazily pointing to the drawer in the corner of his bedroom, eyes still closed. “Colin. Take a shirt. Go to sleep. Please.”
Colin did what he was told.
There were lots of different colored and patterned shirts in the drawer, but also Jamie’s jersey from the last season. Colin didn’t know why he decided to grab it, maybe because it was something he knew. It was already crazy enough for him that he was staying at Jamie’s house after a hook-up, and sleeping in his clothes felt a little too domestic. The jersey could easily be his own, if he just ignored the number and last name on the back. So he put on the jersey that was a bit too big on him, slid under the covers and closed his eyes.
Jamie never mentioned it, but when he woke up in the middle of the night and saw Colin sleeping next to him, wearing his jersey, a smile spread up on his face and maybe, just maybe, he moved a bit closer to where Colin was lying, before he fell back to sleep.
2.
Hooking up with Jamie quickly became a regular thing.
They went out for drinks after practice with the rest of the team and then either Jamie said he would drive Colin home because of his shit ass driving skills or that they would share an Uber because they had too much to drink. What the rest of the team doesn't know is that they never separated once they left the pub or club. Colin liked Jamie. He really did. He always had a good laugh with him and he knew that once you had a bond with him, that Jamie would always have your back. And he was also a great kisser. Like really fucking good.
But Colin also knew that this was still Jamie Tartt and even though he allowed himself to be more soft, he still wasn’t the man known for committed relationships. So whatever their thing was, Colin at least knew that it was a casual thing. He thought once he was out that he would also be able to pursue a long-term relationship but as long as he was having fun with Jamie, he would be content with just staying casual.
And now he was lying in a hotel room in Liverpool, phoning his teammate slash regular hookup, who was just five rooms down the hall.
„Why are you calling me? You are just down the hall?“
„Can’t call my occasional hook up partner when I miss him?“
„Aw shut up. You miss me? Just come over then?“
„And when someone sees me entering your room, then I say what? Oh Hey Dani, Hey Jan, yeah I was just going to Jamie's room to make out with him.“
“You know that you could like you know…lie?”
“What if the lie is so compelling that they want to come to your room too? Are we having an orgy then?”
“Colin for fucks sake, if, god forbid, someone sees you walking down the hall of the hotel our entire team is staying in, just tell them i gave you my charger and you are on your way to bring it back or something like that. Doubt that anyone wants to join you on that adventure.”
“So is this like an official invitation to come over?”
“I’m not going to beg.”
Seconds later and without anyone seeing him, Colin made it into Jamie’s room real quick and was greeted with a deep, passionate kiss from Jamie the second he made it into the room, the other player pushing him against the hotel door.
“Hi.” Colin smiled against Jamie’s lips and was immediately met with a returned smile from him. “Hi. Glad you made it. Pretty long distance that kept us apart.”
He gave Colin another quick kiss while putting his hands on Colin’s hips, the other man slowly leading his own hands up to Jamies face to cup his face in them.
“The amount of trouble I’m willing to take on only so I can do this.” Colin slowly stroked his thumb over Jamie’s cheek while leaning in for another kiss, his other hand making his way up into Jamie’s hair. “I wish you could spend the night.” Jamie whispered and pulled Colin a bit closer to him, closing the gap that was between them before, his hands still tightly gripped around Colin.
“Me too.”, the other man mumbled against Jamie’s lips, stroking through the longer hair of his lover.
“I know this might sound weird, but I’m so used to like…being with you at night, it already felt so weird being in the hotel room without you last night.” Colin made a little pout and that made Jamie grin.
“Is that so?", he asked and Colin nodded. Jamie internally cursed the fact that Colin was being so adorable right now, because he usually never ached for someone to stay in his bed, but with Colin it was different. It was just easier, calmer and more natural than most of the situationships Jamie had encountered in his life.
“I have an idea how to make it easier. You know, the lonely hotel nights.” Colin raised his eyebrow questionable at Jamie, who turned around to grab something from his bag. After throwing out some gym shorts and socks, Jamie got back to Colin, his jersey in his right hand, the other hand being used for nervously rubbing his neck.
“If you think it’s stupid just tell me, but I thought you might want something that is mine? So it’s like we are together. It’s dumb isn’t it?” But Jamie was quickly interrupted by Colin crashing their lips together. When they parted, Colin was practically beaming and Jamie, now more confident in his idea, gave Colin his jersey.
“I just need it back tomorrow for the match. But until then, it’s yours.” They spend some more hours making out and talking in bed, when Colin sneaks back into his own hotel room. There, he immediately put on Jamie’s jersey, taking in the known scent of the other man's cologne, that is always lingering on Jamie’s clothes, no matter how often he washes them.
Maybe their fling was not so casual anymore, Colin thought to himself while falling asleep and grabbing onto the soft fabric of the jersey that belonged to the man he was slowly but surely falling for.
3.
“This is exciting. Making out in the locker room like I'm secretly dating a famous football player.” Colin grinned in the middle of their make out sessions.
„You are secretly dating a famous football player, babe.“
„Yeah but I'm also a famous football player. So in reality it’s more like dating a coworker.“
„But the difference is that I am the best player. That should make it more special than just being like a coworker.“
“I feel so honored, being able to feel the lips of the great Jamie Tartt on me.” Jamie rolled his eyes at that comment but kept kissing Colin.
They arrived way too early at practice, their changing room being completely empty, so it’s not really their fault that they got distracted halfway during changing from their streetwear into their workout clothes and started kissing each other. That's why both of them were currently only wearing their training shorts and nothing else.
Over the course of the last few weeks, their relationship changed from fling slash casual hook up to something more committed. Jamie felt comfortable to be vulnerable around Colin, which was probably the biggest sign for him that he could trust someone. And Colin, who was so used to being alone, suddenly didn’t want to be alone anymore.
They were dating.
Well technically not officially dating because, besides the two of them, no one knew they were dating. But they knew it and that was what mattered the most. It mattered because Colin spent nearly every single hour they were not at the stadium or doing some other promotion related stuff. They were cooking meals together, going out for dinner one time per week because one dinner every seven days wouldn’t make anyone suspicious. They fell asleep every night with Jamie putting his arm over Colin and woke up completely tangled up in each other. Jamie drove them to the countryside so they could just take some walks without fearing to be immediately recognized.
Currently, their little secret thing was still exciting. The thrill if anyone notices that they are leaving together again or that Colin starts smelling like Jamie’s cologne a bit too much. And also, they were just so unbothered. It was just them and no one was able to give their unwanted opinion on their relationship. Of course having such a secret came with a lot of risks. Like their teammates finding out about them because they arrive for training and find two of their lads, one of them who they believe to be straight, shirtless and entangled in each other, if you want to name one of these risks.
Luckily, Colin heard the chattering of the lads who were currently going down the hall to the locker room just on time to hastily grab his jersey. “Jamie!” Colin hissed. “Get dressed before they come in.” But Jamie just shrugged and gave Colin a confused look.
“They see me shirtless more often than not. And besides, you are wearing my jersey so I can’t really get dressed, even if I wanted to.”
Only then Colin realized that he accidentally grabbed Jamie’s jersey and not his own. Fuck. The voices of the other players were growing louder and there was no time to change anymore. His face that striked with panic just met Jamie’s grin which made Colin give him a slight hit against his arm.
“What? You look good in it, babe.”
“Jamie for fucks sake, mine looks exactly the same. I look like this every single fucking day!” That just made Jamie grin even more. “Maybe they won’t notice then.” He said while grabbing Colin’s jersey and casually putting it on when Sam and Dani walked in, loudly chatting and greeting the boys.
The truth is that every single player, including Ted, Beard and Roy noticed. Even Rebecca saw the big 9 on Colin’s back from her office window but everyone decided to keep their mouths shut. As long as Colin and Jamie wouldn’t comment on it, so wouldn’t they.
4.
“I should have packed my long sleeved jersey.” Colin mumbled while they were warming up on the field, ready for another day of training.
It was the middle of April but, thanks to the weird UK weather, it was freezing and even lightly snowing.
“I don’t get it Col. Isn’t the weather in Wales the same? Shouldn’t you be used to it by now?” Jamie responded to his boyfriends nagging while doing some effortless push up’s. Colin on the other hand was just watching him with crossed arms, currently too busy with shivering and complaining.
“I dress according to the month. It’s spring which means short sleeves are out. Makes sense when you think about it.”
“It really doesn’t. If it made sense, you wouldn’t be complaining.”
“Can’t change it now, can I?” Colin was starting to be annoyed, not exactly by Jamie and his smart ass comments but he was really not one to deal well with the cold. Jamie, who had finished his push up’s by now, got up, sighed, and suddenly pulled his long sleeved jersey over his body, standing shirtless in the cold UK snow.
“Here. Now give me yours. I might not run cold that easily but I don't wanna die of hypotertia.”
“It’s called hypothermia, dumbass.” Colin smiled sincerely while getting out of his own shirt.
“Wow. That’s what I get for saving your whiny ass.” Jamie mumbled while they put on their respective shirts.
“No, you get this.” Colin gave Jamie a quick kiss.
They officially came out to the team a few weeks ago, because Colin couldn’t stand the thrill of something like the locker room incident anymore. Not when it came to their team. They were family and they trusted them enough to keep their secret safe. Everyone was more than supportive, maybe surprised but in the best way possible. They only had to agree on no more PDA than a quick peck on the cheek or mouth, at least not during training. They happily followed through with that rule, but currently Colin was feeling grateful for the long sleeves covering his arms with warmth, that he didn’t care about the others watching.
“Go back to warm up! Some of us are single and miserable!” Isaac screamed from the other side of the field to which Colin and Jamie responded by giving him the middle finger, in an affectionate way.
5.
There was an absolutely legitimate reason why Colin wore a football jersey to take the trash out, do the dishes and watch tv. It’s not like he wore jerseys already often enough in his life but once again, he wasn’t wearing his own but rather Jamie‘s.
Colin officially moved in with Jamie two months ago and it was the first time since then that Jamie was away for more than two nights in a row.
He was currently in Spain where this event for a brand he was the face of was hosted. Jamie insisted on taking Colin with him, talking about a well deserved vacation and something about making love on the beach that disgusted Colin more than anything else. After all, sand gets stuck everywhere.
That’s not why he stayed home but rather because he was having some meetings with Keeley about his own future brand corporations. He already rescheduled it three times and started to feel bad about it, so he just decided to be responsible and do his job instead of drinking Sangrias in Barcelona with his love. He didn’t like wine that much anyway. And how hard would it be to be without Jamie for five days?
Well, at least by day three Colin missed his boyfriend badly.
So badly, that he searched through their now shared closets and drawers for something that just screamed Jamie to him. Sure, technically the house was Jamie’s but Colin had been in there nearly everyday even before he moved in, so that wasn’t enough to comfort him.
Of course they both had their own clothes but Colin was sure that Jamie accidentally wore a pair of his jeans a few days ago and Colin himself wears all of Jamie’s hoodies when they chill in front of the TV at night. The only thing that really belonged to Jamie, was that piece of clothing with his name literally printed on it. His jersey. Wearing the jersey that hung loosely around Colin’s smaller frame, immediately comforted him, as if Jamie was with him right now.
When Jamie returned from the airport he found Colin asleep on their couch, and much to Jamie’s surprise, he was wearing his jersey. Even though it’s a view Jamie has been graced with a lot by now, his heart still flutters, seeing Colin in something that belongs to him.
He bent down to give Colin a kiss on the forehead, when the other man slowly stirred awake.
„You‘re home.“ Colin whispered, voice still hoarse from his nap.
„Just walked in.“ Jamie sat down on the couch, pulling Colin closer to him, so the other man's head rested on his chest. As they lay there, Jamie, who was still holding Colin in his arms, started twisting the fabric of the jersey around in his fingers.
“Y’know, I missed you too.”, he mumbled and Colin looked up at him, a small smile on his face.
“Hope you don’t mind me wearing it.”
“Not at all. As long as you’re happy.” Jamie buried his nose into Colins hair, pressing another soft kiss at the top of his head.
+1
Playing against Man City was always more intense for Jamie than playing against any other club.
He still feels like he had to prove something, even though he wasn’t talking to his Dad anymore. And yet, winning against the team he left was one of these things he felt like he had to do. To make it worse, the one person who grounded him and made it clear that he was not worthless or too soft or a failure, couldn’t be on the field with him today.
Colin suffered from a concussion he got during practice three days ago. He was feeling a lot better than the days before, which consisted of headaches and vomiting, but he wasn’t cleared to play yet, so he had to miss out on the match. Of course, the other players supported him too, but it was Colin whose reassurance really got to him.
But then again, he was actually relieved that Colin was not allowed to play yet. The last few days were very hard, Colin struggling physically with the symptoms of the concussion while it did a hard take on Jamie mentally seeing his lover suffer so much. So not having to worry about Colin getting hurt again made him a little bit less nervous in prospect of the upcoming match, especially since Colin insisted on playing. But after some discussions and a clear no from Ted, Colin came to terms with cheering for Jamie and supporting the team in the stands with Keeley and Rebecca.
So naturally, that was the first thing he looked out for when the team walked on the field, and he immediately spotted Colin smiling widely at him. Jamie grinned and winked at him, when his boyfriend suddenly turned around and revealed what he was wearing.
At first, Jamie thought Colin was simply wearing his own jersey to signal everyone he did not leave the team or anything, but it was even better: Colin wore one of Jamie’s old jerseys. His name and the 9 were shining brightly on Colin’s back and Jamie's heart swelled with pride. Colin openly and publicly showed his support to his boyfriend and that he got his back.
Hell, if Jamie wasn’t already motivated enough to win this match, then he would be by now.
They did win eventually, with Jamie scoring one of the goals. The boys erupted in happy screams, jumping down on each other, falling to the ground. Jamie was smiling so brightly his face hurt, eyes scanning for Colin in the crowd, when he saw his boyfriend running down from the stands towards him.
“You fucking did it!” Colin jumped into Jamie’s arms, making him stumble a bit, surprised by the force of his lover, but catching him anyway.
Colin put his legs around Jamie’s waist and Jamie held onto him so tightly, no force could rip them apart.
“I fucking did. For you. For us.” Jamie grinned and Colin just gave him a deep, passionate kiss. T
hey didn’t care that they were in the middle of the field in a sold out stadium, cameras still rolling. They went public with their relationship a few weeks ago. The reactions were mixed, of course they were, but the good ones definitely outweighed the bad ones by far.
And Jamie was so glad that they did it, because that meant he could just hold his boyfriend in public, celebrating their victory together. And for Colin it meant he could finally wear Jamie’s jersey for the sole reason of showing support for his boyfriend with it, no more excuses or hiding were needed.