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It was a slow realization of reality for Sjoeke. Everyone in the Chelsea team and the German national team had teased her about it. She’d always brushed them off, rolled her eyes, said she and Hannah were just friends, she didn’t like women like that, and she loved her boyfriend. It was as if all the pieces of a puzzle she didn’t know she was solving were slammed into place as she watched the England v Columbia olympic game. She watched in horror as Myra miscalculated her run, knowing Hannah would dive, she could see the ripple of pain across Hannah’s face as Myra landed fully, studs down, on her forearm. She felt sick immediately.
Myra dropped down, not even noticing the ball go wide of the net and out for a goalkick with the help of a well timed Lucy Bronze kick at a Columbian forward so they would have the last touch before it went out. Hannah had cried out, clearly injured. Myra was kneeling next to her, holding onto her by the shoulder as the English team made way for the medical staff.
“Are you alright?” Ann asked quietly, as the camera panned away from Hannah on the ground.
Sjoeke opened her mouth but nothing came out. She didn’t have a clue what to say. Was she ok? No. No, she was not. She wasn’t ok because Hannah wasn’t ok. Hannah wasn’t ok.
Ann got up from her bed where she’d been leaning against the pillows and came to sit next to Sjoeke who was perched at the end of her own bed.
“Hannah’s hurt.” Sjoeke managed to state, she heard her own voice, but she didn’t realize she had said anything.
“Yeah, it looks like it. It was an accident though. Myra might not even get a card.”
They watched with rapt attention as the camera panned back to the huddle around Hannah, Myra standing off to the side looking shaken. Ellie and Anna were warming up on the sidelines, one of them about to make their olympic debut. Sjoeke knew Hannah’s olympic could be over now in only the second game. She’d wanted to play her friend once they got out of the group stages. They’d been teasing each other about it for months.
“Sjoeke?” Ann asked, interrupting her thoughts.
“What?”
“Do you want to head over to their hotel and wait for them? I was going to leave soon to see Jess for a bit when they get back. You can come with me and at least hear about Hannah first hand.”
“Ok.”
Sjoeke’s eyes never left Hannah as the camera followed her off the pitch, cradling her arm. She’d paused to accept a hug from Myra, who then walked her to the touchline, watching her friend leave, her friend, who she’d accidentally injured. Sjoeke knew how much Myra loved Hannah, how devastated she would be if Hannah was truly injured and out for the tournament.
Anna Moorehouse checked into the game, the Orlando pride goalkeeper was phenomenal in the NWSL, but she was no Hannah Hampton Sjoeke thought dimly. Anna played out the last five minutes of the game and the five minutes of injury time. The pundits didn’t have an update on Hannah, nor did she make an appearance for handshakes and to clap the crowd afterwards. Ann waited quietly, packing Sjoeke a bag for the night after texting their coach what happened and how the midfielder was doing. Sjoeke would get to stay with Hannah that night, the whole of women’s football knew it the moment Hannah went down, even if Sjoeke looked like she was just now catching up.
Ann flicked the tv off and leaned against the entryway.
“I packed you a bag. You’re staying at the England camp tonight with Hannah. I already cleared it with both coaching staffs.”
That was a tiny lie, she’d merely told Jess to hand her phone to Sarina and Ann explained that the young German would be with Hannah. Sarina had agreed bewilderedly, explaining that she didn’t have an update on the keeper yet. Ann told her that it didn’t matter, that Sjo would be their either way and that she would pick her up in the morning.
Sjoeke followed Ann wordlessly, Ann kept glancing over, a bit concerned that if she didn’t pay enough attention the midfielder would walk into traffic with as little attention she seemed to be paying to the world in that moment. Ann deposited Sjoeke in a comfortable chair in the corner of the England hotel lobby while she stepped out to call Jess again. They were in the bus on the way to the hotel. Hannah was with them, but she was sitting with the staff up front, Jess wasn’t sure what was happening yet.
The England team streamed in a few minutes later, the Chelsea women hugging Ann, as they came through. Jess dropped into her embrace tiredly.
“Good game.” Ann whispered.
Jess hummed, “I just want to go to bed.”
“I need to pass custody of Sjoeke onto someone and then we can do just that.” Ann explained nodding over to the catatonic looking midfielder.
“Is she alright?” Jess asked alarmed.
“She hasn’t been alright since Hannah went down.”
“Shit.”
“Yeah.”
“Alright, um, let me, hang on. Leah!”
Leah appeared, greeting Ann lightly, the Captain was clearly happy with the outcome of the match, but there was a hum of anxiety radiating off of her.
“I need a favor.” Ann told the English captain.
Leah raised an eyebrow and Ann again nodded over to Sjoeke.
“Oh. I see. I’ll…Hannah is…uh…I’ll take her to her. Don’t worry about it.” Leah told them catching up to speed.
“I’ll pick her up in the morning before our training. She’s fine to stay with Hannah for the night.” Ann added.
Leah nodded, already making her way to Sjoeke.
“Sjoeke?” Leah asked gently.
Sjoeke had looked dazed, but her eyes were sharp when she took in the English captain standing in front of her.
“Come on, I’m going to go check on Hannah. I think she’ll be grateful to have you come check on her.” Leah explained.
Sjoeke stood, nodding. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before falling into step with Leah.
“Is she alright?”
“I’m not sure. Her arm was pretty swollen when we got on the bus. It definitely hurts. I’m not sure if it’s broken or fractured or anything though. We have the portable x-ray here. She’s getting scanned now.” Leah knocked on the door to the treatment room.
The England doctor stepped out, eyed the German woman, and then turned to Leah, “We’re done here, they’re just wrapping her arm up in a brace and then she’s good to go. I gave her something for the pain and the swelling. It’s not broken, there’s a bit of a hairline fracture, but it’s going to bruise massively, all the way to the bone I’d assume.”
“Is she done for the tournament then?” Leah asked carefully.
“It’s possible she could play if it doesn’t hurt too much and she wears a brace, but it would be ill advised. If you’ll excuse me, I need to speak with Sarina.”
“Thank you.” Leah and Sjoeke both told her.
They waited at the door another moment before they were invited inside. Sjoeke hesitated, opting to stay outside and let Leah check on her first as Captain.
“All done, she’s yours now captain.”
Leah thanked the team and stepped up to Hannah who was curled on her side, with her back to the door as the rest of the medical staff cleared away.
“Hamps?” Leah asked gently.
“It’s not broken.” Hannah said thickly.
“Heard it still hurts like hell though.” Leah replied.
“Yeah.”
“I brought you something.”
“I just want to lay here a bit. I’m sorry. Is…can?” Hannah asked through tears.
“Of course. I think you’ll like what I brought you though.”
Hannah rolled over to face Leah, frowning through here tears. Leah turned to the door and called “come in.”
Sjoeke had barely stepped inside when Hannah let out a relieved but still strangled sob and flung herself off the treatment table and into the German woman’s arms. Leah had been concerned about how stoic and robotic Sjo had been, but that all melted away as she watched her catch Hannah in her arms and release a shaky full body breath.
“What are you doing here?” Was the last thing Leah heard as she tucked the door shut behind her, leaving the two alone together.
“I…I don’t know really. Ann and I were watching the game and we saw what happened and I got…um…she brought me here with her so I could check on you. Are you…Hannah that looked so bad.” Sjoeke managed as her brain came back online and she finally clocked back into reality.
“It’s not broken. It just hurt. A lot. The scan showed a tiny little hairline fracture, but mostly it’s just a massive bruise that’s going to hurt. I still get to play though, as long as I can play through it.” Hannah explained from where she was being crushed in a hug against Sjoeke, “I’m ok Sjo. I promise. It just hurts. I know it looked bad. Myra looked sick when she walked me off.”
“It looked really bad. I thought…I thought she snapped your arm when she landed on you like that.”
“I can’t imagine how that would feel when this feels as bad as it does.”
“How are you meant to take care of it?” Sjo asked still holding her.
“I’ve got a brace on right now until they scan it again to confirm it’s just the fracture in the morning and I’m meant to ice it and keep it a bit elevated.”
“Ok. Let’s get ice and elevate it then. Do you want a snack from the canteen? I saw it was set up when Leah brought me back here.”
“Yeah, I should eat something Since I pretty much played the whole game. How long do I get you for?”
Hannah attempted to let go of Sjo who seemed unable to release her.
“Until the morning. Ann packed me a bag and cleared it with Sarina already.”
“That’s great! Let’s go before the pain medication they gave me kicks in and I get loopy in front of everyone.” Hannah said tapping her sides gently.
The rough feel of the brace seemed to bring Sjo back enough that she could let go of Hannah. The two made their way to grab a snack quickly, Sjoeke snagged a rather large bucket of ice from the kitchens for her, and followed Hannah to her room.
“I wish we had our own rooms. I don’t know how Jess sleeps next to Ann every night. Ann snores.” Sjo noted sprawling out on the queen-sized bed after changing into her pajamas.
Hannah shook her head laughing, “I’m taking a shower, don’t fall asleep in the middle of my bed.”
When Sjoeke heard the shower cut off she sighed, she’d taken the last twenty minutes it took for Hannah to shower to have many feelings. Most were just a dull buzz of realization and panic that quickly slipped into a to-do list. She had a very shitty phone call to make to her boyfriend high on that list, but first she wanted to get Hannah settled with her arm propped up and iced.
Hannah winced as Sjoeke repositioned her arm so the icepack wouldn’t slip.
“Sorry.” Sjo murmerd.
“It’s alright. Hey, are you ok? I didn’t mean to scare you so bad that Ann brought you to me, but I really appreciate how much you care.” Hannah told her grimacing.
“I’m alright. I mean. I am now. I think. You just scared me. I’m so used to you popping right back up and you didn’t and I knew you were hurt. I didn’t like seeing you like that. Especially when I wasn’t on the field to get to you.”
“You’re sweet.” Hannah said softly as she settled into the cushions now that Sjo was satisfied with the elevation of her arm and placement of the ice.
Sjo smiled, barely able to meet Hannah’s gaze.
“I uh…here, pick something out to put on. I just have to make a quick call.” Sjo said standing up and handing her the remote from the side table.
It took three rings for him to pick up. He didn’t say anything and Sjo’s heart sank. He knew. He knew before she even called. He knew, just like everyone else did.
“Hi.” Sjo managed.
He sighed, not a sad sigh, but a dejected one, “You’re breaking up with me.”
“I…yeah. I didn’t… I’m sorry.”
“It’s alright. It hurts. But I knew it was coming. I was going to sit you down and talk to you after you got home from the Olympics. I’d already started packing.”
“Oh.” Sjo didn’t know what to say to him after that.
“I’m sorry it took her getting hurt on international television for you to realize your feelings, but I’m also…kind of happy for you I think. It’s a good thing, in the end. Is she alright?” He asked kindly.
Sjo blinked hard, “Yeah, she’s banged up, but she’s got her arm propped up and on ice right now.”
“You’re with her?”
“Yeah. Ann…uh…when Hannah went down she brought me to the England hotel to check on her. I…she kind of pulled me around like a ragdoll until they put Hannah in front of me and I could breathe again.” She explained.
He hummed knowingly, “Good. You two take care of each other. I’m here though, you know, just because we weren’t meant to be romantically doesn’t mean we can’t be friends. I’ll handle all of the stuff with the flat, just let me know if I need to do anything else.”
“I’m really sorry.”
He laughed, “It’s alright. I’d mostly come to terms with it already. It’s easier this way. I didn’t want to be the one telling you that you weren’t in love with me like you are with her.”
“I don’t know if she feels the same.” Sjo admitted fearfully.
“Oh Sjo, she does. It might take her a bit longer, just like it did for you, but she does. I’ll let you get back to her now, ok?”
“Ok. Bye.”
“Bye Sjo.” He told her softly and the line went dead.
She stared out into the city for another long moment, letting the bustle of noise ground her before she heard a knock on the hotel room door and went sprinting inside before Hannah tried to do something stupid like get up. She opened the door to a bewildered looking Aggie who stepped around her confused.
“Hey Hamps., what are you doing here Sjo?” Aggie asked her confusedly.
“What, you’re not happy to see me?” Sjo asked in mock offense.
Aggie rolled her eyes, “Just surprised. I guess I shouldn’t be though. Hannah got hurt, of course you were going to show up. You’re like an old married couple like that.”
Hannah rolled her eyes, “I don’t think Sjo’s boyfriend likes that joke.”
Sjo opted not to tell the two of them that she’d quite literally just broken up with him over the phone. She wasn’t ready for those questions yet.
“I just came to check on you before going to bed.” Aggie explained lounging on Sjo’s side of the bed and stealing Hannah’s snacks.
“Don’t get crumbs on my pillow.” Sjo grumbled shooing the striker out the bed.
“Your pillow? You staying the night?” Aggie teased.
“Of course I am.”
Aggie grinned, “Think I’d get caught sneaking into an opposition hotel?”
“Who’s hotel are you sneaking into?” Hannah demanded.
“No one’s yet. We’ll see.” Aggie grinned.
“No you can’t tease me like that! I’m injured!” Hannah complained.
Sjoeke smothered an amused chuckle as Hannah pouted.
“Sorry Hamps, that face only works with Sjo.” Aggie singsonged.
Hannah turned to Sjo, pouting, “Make her tell us.”
Sjoeke heard herself join in, “Come on kid, what are you getting up to?”
Aggie laughed, clearly pleased to witness the bewildered midfielder catch on to how much like puddy she could be in Hannah’s hands.
“No really, I uh…I don’t want to say…it’s too soon I think.” Aggie explained on a more serious note.
“Oh. Holy shit. Aggie, you’re actually serious?” Hannah asked surprised.
“Why are you so surprised?” Aggie frowned.
Hannah shrugged then winced at the movement, “You’ve just been more the few dates than the relationship the last few years.”
“Oh.” Aggie said, “That’s…uh…yeah…that’s why I’m not really sure yet if I should say anything. She’s scared I’ll chicken out and not mean it.”
“Oh Aggie, no, I’m so sorry. You’re such a kind and gentle person. She’ll come around if she’s meant to.”
Aggie sighed, “I know. I just…if I screw this up it’d definitely get my ass kicked by people who very much could kick my ass.”
Sjoeke shook her head, “You won’t screw anything up. Just be yourself. Let her get to know the you that we all know and adore and you’ll be just fine.”
Sjoeke caught the guilty and caught looking expression Aggie flashed her.
“We know her, don’t we?” Sjo asked softly.
Aggie shuffled around uncomfortably, nodding.
“I won’t guess, if only to spare you the anxiety for now, but really Aggie, you’ll be alright. And you can come talk to me anytime, alright?” Hannah told her gently.
“Ok.”
“I mean, I know I’m probably not the best since I’ve got no experience with women, but I can still be here for you.” Hannah teased.
Aggie rolled her eyes, “Honestly Hamps, that one’s fully on you. There’s a whole line of women you could have your pick of if you’d just open your eyes.”
Hannah laughed, “I just can’t see it. I mean, I’m not opposed or anything, just, never had the opportunity with anyone that mattered.”
“Oh? Our Hamps isn’t the straight edge keeper we thought her to be? Next you’ll be telling me neither is Sjo and it’ll be a match made perfect!” Aggie teased as she unknowingly ripped Sjo’s heart directly out of her chest and handed it to the room to be observed.
Hannah rolled her eyes, and then yawned. Aggie laughed.
“Alright, better let you two grandma’s get to bed.” Aggie said pushing to her feet.
“I’ll walk you out.” Sjoeke said standing, she just need a moment out from under Hannah’s attention.
Aggie paused with the door half open, looking fully at Sjo.
“You alright?” Aggie asked softly.
Sjo glanced back into the room, “Yeah, now that I know she’s ok.”
Aggie leaned in and hugged her gently. Sjoeke stood in the doorway a moment as Aggie walked away.
“Who do you think she’s talking about?” Hannah asked as Sjoeke clicked off the lights in the room and crawled into bed.
Sjo hummed, “I don’t know. It could be many people…but no one came to mind immediately.”
“Yeah, for me either.”
“Anyways, what’s this about not having any women you’re interested in?” Sjo asked in a teasing tone, hoping that Hannah ignored the slightly higher pitch than normal.
Hannah was quiet a long moment, “I don’t know. Just something I’ve been thinking about. I mean, no guy I’ve ever dated has held my attention. I’ve never been that interested in any of them really, just, I don’t know I like the way they look. But lately, and maybe because I’ve just been around more couples, just seems like women make more sense as a partner.”
Sjoeke hummed, “So do you think you’d ever date a woman then?”
“The right one maybe.” Hannah said softly, “You?”
“Me?” Sjoeke squeaked her voice shooting through four octaves.
Hannah laughed nervously, “On paper, you’d be the best. Not sure your boyfriend would love that though.”
Sjoeke was quiet a long moment, too long if the shuffling Hannah did was any indicator.
“Sorry, did that freak you out? I know you’re not interested and that you’ve got”
“I broke up with him.” Fell out of Sjoeke’s mouth so fast that the words seemed to slam together and come out as one.
“Sorry?” Hannah asked, Sjo wasn’t sure if it was the garbled words, if she’d said them in German, or if it was what she said.
“I said,” she swallowed, “I broke up with him.”
“Sjo! I’m so sorry! I…why didn’t you tell me?” Hannah asked rolling to flick the bedside lamp on, wincing as she repositioned so she could face Sjo.
“I…I don’t know how to talk about it yet.” Sjoeke told her honestly, “But when I talked to him, he wasn’t surprised. He said he’d already started packing and that he understood and that it made it easier that I’d realized some things and he didn’t have to sit me down and have an awkward conversation when we got home from the tournament.”
“Oh.” Hannah whispered, “I…I don’t really know what to say to that. You’re ok though? What did you realize?”
Sjo hesitated, she couldn’t tell her now. For one they were literally at the Olympics. For two, she was injured and under the influence of pain medication. For three, she’d literally just had the realization today.
“Sorry, I shouldn’t have asked.” Hannah apologized worriedly.
“You’re fine…I just…I don’t think I know how to talk about it yet, and I don’t think I’m ready to is all. But when I am, I’ll tell you.”
Hannah’s gaze flicked across her face, clearly searching for something, “Ok, that sounds like a big conversation.”
Sjoeke nodded against the pillow.
“Well, whatever it is, you know I love you, right? You’re one of my favorite people?” Hannah reassured her.
Those words curled their way around Sjoeke’s heart in a new way, squeezing and settling in as if they were some big T Truth that was just waiting to be accepted.
“You know you’re one of my favorite people too, right? That I love you too?” Sjoeke asked thickly, unable to stop a few tears from leaking out of her eyes.
Hannah reached over and wiped them with her non-injured wrist.
“After the Olympics, let’s go to Greece, just the two of us, leave our phones in the hotel safe, and put our toes in the sand for a week where no one and nothing else in the world can get to us and it’s just safe.” Hannah told her.
Sjoeke immediately could picture it. Filling in holding her hand, telling her all about what she was realizing, curling into the safety of her. She longed for it. Even if her stomach churned with the anxiety of how wrong it could go.
“That sounds amazing.” Sjoeke agreed.
Hannah grinned so wide her eyes crinkled and Sjoeke felt something in her chest flutter that never had before.
“One of us better have a gold medal.” Hannah added as an afterthought.
Sjoeke grinned, “And it’ll be me.”
Hannah huffed dramatically, “Not if I have anything to say about it. Round of 16 is next, and we aren’t set to play each other, but I bet we do in the quarter-finals. That is, if you think you can beat Ireland.”
Sjoeke laughed, “I think as long as Katie McCabe is playing for Ireland they’ll give me a headache, but I know we can handle them. Think you can take Denmark? It’s Pernille’s last tournament before she and Magda retire.”
“Oh yeah. I know they’ll want it for her, but I can make those saves. I’m sad that she and Magda play their last game against each other tomorrow though. That’s been a beautiful rivalry to watch the last 15 years.”
“I can’t imagine playing your partner and then going home like it’s normal. They have to have amazing communication, and ability to let it go on the field and not bring it home.”
“I’m just glad that they’re both going to make it out of the group stage. I think if they had to knock the other out it would be so hard to know it was your team doing that to your partner.”
Sjoeke hummed, “Do you think whoever Aggie was talking about will come against England?”
“I don’t know. We don’t play with anyone from Denmark so at least not yet, assuming she plays for Chelsea at least.”
Hannah sighed heavily a few minutes later, Sjoeke was nearly asleep.
“Sorry, wrist just hurts.” Hannah grumbled.
Sjoeke in her near sleeping stupor merely leaned over, placed a featherlight kiss to the offending area and fell asleep nuzzling closer to Hannah’s shoulder. Hannah stared at her a long moment as her breathing fully evened out and her body relaxed before she shifted just enough to bring Sjo’s head to a better angle before she allowed the steady sound of her breathing to tug her under.
When Hannah woke up the next morning she was pleasantly confused to find herself curled around Sjoeke, her arms would around her as well, as if they’d both sought each other out. She woke up slowly, aware of the discomfort in her wrist as she flexed her fingers. Sjoeke’s alarm went off and she grumbled, wacking around for it until it was quiet before settling back down. She cracked an eye open a few moments later, clearly confused, then smiled groggily at Hannah.
“Comfy?” Hannah asked lightly and Sjo seemed to realize how they were curled together and stiffened. She gave a tiny nod, only for Hannah to curl even further into her.
Sjoeke sighed, she could have lay there for the rest of her life probably, but football awaited.
“I have that second scan when I go down if you want to go now so you can hear the news with me.” Hannah said quietly checking her phone.
“Do you want me to?”
“Yeah.”
Sjoeke tightened her arms just a tiny bit around Hannah before untangling their limbs.
“How do you feel today?”
“It hurts.” Hannah admitted holding it out between them. There was a clear print of Myra’s boot in a purple and black bruise.
“Well, you’re lucky I think.” The England physician said looking up from the x-ray and Hannah’s arm.
“How’s that?” Sjoeke couldn’t help but ask.
“From the print on your arm, it seems like your arm was at the perfect angle to take that kind of impact and it not shatter the bones. There’s that little fracture, but honestly that may not even be from the collision, you take a lot of impacts with your hands and wrists. I think it’s just probably the worst bruise of your life and you’re fine otherwise. I imagine it hurts though.”
Hannah snorted, “Very much, but differently from when I broke my collarbone.”
“Then I think if you want to participate in training you should be fine to load as normal, maybe go easy on the wrist for the next few days, but if you feel like it’s doable, you can do it. I’d like to scan it again just before the Denmark game in four days though, as a precaution at least.”
“Thanks so much.” Hannah smiled as they stood.
Sjoeke felt a bit sick at the idea of Hannah taking on Pernille Harder in four days after a collision like that, but there was nothing she could or would say about it.
“Thank you for coming to take care of me.” Hannah said suddenly wrapping her arms around Sjo tightly.
“Of course. What else was I going to do? It’s you.”
Hannah just squeezed her again, “I guess I have to give you back to Germany though. You’ve got a game in three days.”
Sjoeke half laughed, half groaned, “McCabe is going to kick me in my shins.”
Hannah kept her arm loosely around her waist as she walked her to the front of the hotel right as Ann and Jule came strolling inside dressed in their German team issued training outfits.
“Ah, don’t even have to search that hard!” Jule grinned as Sjo waved.
“You brought backup?” Sjo complained to Ann.
Ann shrugged as Jess slipped under her arm from seemingly nowhere.
“Come on you two, leave your English ladies to their recovery days, we’ve got Ireland to prep for.” Thankfully Jule said it in German so Sjo didn’t have to explain it to Hannah.
Sjoeke shook her head, “She’s not my English lady.” She grumbled.
Ann and Jess both rolled their eyes, Jule snorted, “Yet.”
“One day I’m going to learn German.” Hannah grumbled.
Sjo grinned, “You’re tried, and I’ve watched it bounce off your brain instead of absorb.”
Hannah pouted, Sjo merely poked her cheek to turn it into a laugh as she was swatted away.
Oh shit we’ve been flirting this whole time
Sjo blushed suddenly and stepped back a bit, turning to Jule, “Alright, let’s not be late.”
Jule was looking at her so pleased and Sjo knew that she was going to have a great time sandwiched between Ann and Jule on the walk back. Ann leaned down to kiss Jess quickly before letting her go and the trio made their way out of the England camp’s hotel.
“Wanna tell me what that was all about?” Jule teased.
“Not unless you want to talk about Lena.” Sjo teased back.
“What about Lena?” Ann asked grinning.
“Nope, forget I asked.” Jule said hastily as she blushed.
Ann wrapped an arm around each of them laughing as she steered them towards the German camp.
England was set to play France the day after Germany played Sweden in the quarter-finals. Hannah had played like a woman possessed against France. She made saves that had even the German coach on the edge of her seat in the community room as they all gathered to watch after recovery. At the end of 120 minutes it was still 0-0. Sjoeke thought was pacing as Hannah stepped up for the first penalty. Ann looked on pensive, just enough to seem a bit stressed as her eyes tracked Jess in the group before flicking to Hannah to see how the young keeper would respond to the shoot-out.
Hampton saved the first shot. So did Picaud.
Hampton saved the second shot. Picaud barely knocked the second wide.
Hampton saved the third, and the England team was getting squirmy. Chloe Kelly did what Chole Kelly does and sent the ball rocketing into the top right corner.
Hampton saved the fourth and the English crowd was screaming. Picaud saved the fourth as well.
The whole of the German team was on their feet, if Hannah saved the fifth, they were going to the semi-finals against the Netherlands or Spain. Bacha sent her the wrong way, the ball rocketing into the net. Leah Williamson stepped up to the line. The whole stadium seemed to be holding their breath. Sjoeke was watching through her fingers. Half the room cheered as Williamson cleanly sent the ball just over the keepers head and into the side netting. England were through to the semi-finals.
Sjoeke pulled out her phone, she’d been live texting Hannah her feedback on how amazing her saves were.
SN: The whole of the team was gripping their seats. You were amazing. That save against Mallard was the stuff of dreams. Bacha’s shot was unpredictable. Since when does Williamson do shoot out kicks? That was a beautiful ball in from her, and Kelly. I do not want to be up against you in the final, but at the same time, I really really do. You did amazing, hope Sarina let’s you celebrate a bit tonight.
She didn’t really expect a response for a few hours. She really didn’t expect a phone call from Aggie.
SN: Hi Aggie, great game against France.
ABJ: Thanks, um, can…can you come to the England hotel?
SN: Uh…yeah? I’ve got a few hours before we’re supposed to be in bed. Is everything alright?
ABJ: It’s Hannah. She’s freaking out. I think she’s having a panic attack, but she won’t let anyone in her room. I…we didn’t know who else to call.
Sjoeke barely grabbed her room key as she ran out of her room at top speed.
SN: I’m on my way. I’ll be there in less than 10 minutes.
She hung up on Aggie and turned on the jets, she knew if she timed it right with the cross signals she could get there in six. She took the stairs two at a time and nearly slammed into Leah and Keira as she skidded into the hall near Hannah’s door.
Aggie banged on the door again, only for Sjo to gently shove her out of the way, and keying into Hannah’s room with the extra card.
“Thanks. I got her.” Sjo managed to tell the group as she pushed the door just enough to slip inside.
Hannah was curled at the foot of her bed, eyes wide, shirt soaked in tears. Sjo crossed the room and knealt down in front of her, tugging her hands away from her knees, and gripping under her arms as she lifted her into a seated position on the bed before standing between her legs and pulling her into herself. She rubbed firm circles from her shoulder blades all the way down to her lower back before coming up again. This wasn’t the first time Hannah had been gasping for air in her arms from panic. When her gasps turned more to shuddering sobs Sjo knew she could start her mantra.
“You’re doing so well Hannah. Keep trying to breath for me. Slow breathing. You did so well today. You kept a clean sheet for 120 minutes plus extra time. You saved four penalties. You did amazing. No one is mad at you for going the wrong way on Bacha’s. I’m so proud of you.” She began gently but firm, leaving no room for the Englishwoman to question what she was telling her.
“I don’t know what happened.” Hannah said finally once her breathing had evened and her sobs had slowed to a cry.
“It’s ok. Sometimes it just happens when you’ve been stressed and penalty shootouts are stressful, even if you save four of them and take the team to the semifinals.”
Hannah shuddered again, settling into the post panic attack shaking as her physical and emotional stress was wrung out of her.
“I’m sorry they called you.” Hannah said guiltily.
“Don’t be. I was putting my shoes on the second I saw Aggie’s name pop up on my phone. I want you to always call me when you need someone.” Sjo reminded her.
“I should be fine dealing with this on my own.”
“You wouldn’t tell me that if the roles were reversed so don’t tell yourself.”
Hannah pressed her forehead more firmly into Sjoeke’s stomach as she continued to rub circles on her back.
“Thank you.” Hannah whispered and Sjoeke knew the worst of it was over, at least for now.
“Always.” Sjoeke replied gently, pressing a soft kiss into her hair and squeezing her shoulders until Hannah taped her side signaling that she could let go.
Sjo pulled back, letting her hands linger on the tops of her shoulders as she took in her expression, making sure her own was soft and open. She’d never seen anyone have a panic attack before Hannah, and she never wanted to see another in her life, but every time Hannah had one she was there. She’d rolled out of bed and ran before she’d even realized she was awake a few months before when one of her teammates burst into her room saying that there was something wrong with Hannah. She’d left a date without a second thought even though it was her rescheduled anniversary date. She held Hannah before and after the first time they played each other at Wembley, Hannah’s first game at Wembley. She’d never forget elbowing Mary Earps out of the way as the older keeper tried and failed to calm her down before the game, afterwards, Mary merely knocked on the German dressing room and asked for Sjo to be told that Hannah needed her. She nearly knocked Mary over in her dead sprint down the corridor to the other locker room.
Hannah was taking normal breaths now, sniffing a bit as her tears dried up. Sjo wiped her thumbs under her eyes softly, tugging her back into a soft hug.
“You did so good Hannah. I’m so proud of you.”
Hannah shuddered once more before letting out a long sigh, the tension dissipating.
“I’m going to check on the women outside the door and let them know you’re alright. Do you need anything?” Sjo told her glancing around the room for any presumed need.
“I’m ok.” Hannah said shaking her head.
Sjo carefully stepped back, Hannah stood shakily and made for the bathroom to take a scalding hot shower. Sjo left her foot in the door so she could get back to Hannah and took in the small group in front of her.
“She’s alright. She was just overwhelmed with the stress. Sometimes it’s hard for her to process it and she just needs a bit more. Are you all alright? I know it can be scary to see her struggle like that.” Sjo asked the group, flicking carefully over the Chelsea players, they’d seen Hannah like this before.
The English captain’s face was drawn. Keira, Alessia, and Lucy looked varying degrees of shaken. Lucy nodded, resuming what Sjo assumed was a reflexive stroke of Keira’s hand with her thumb. Alessia looked pensive as she looked over at Leah.
“We’re alright. Just worried about her. She did so amazing today.” Alessia replied slowly.
Sjo nodded, waiting for Leah.
“I’ve had my fair share, coming back from injury. Thank you, Sjoeke, for coming when you knew you could help her.” Leah finally said after another beat.
Sjoeke smiled softly, “Anytime, if this happens you are all more than welcome to call me, and barring being actively on the pitch, I’ll be there for her.”
“Are you able to stay with her? I can talk to the German captain.” Leah offered.
Sjo hesitated, “We have an early session. I probably shouldn’t stay tonight, but I can stay for a couple hours. She shouldn’t really be alone though, I agree.”
“Could she go to the German camp?” Lucy asked.
Sjo blinked, “We share rooms, I don’t know how Ann would feel about that.”
Leah dialed Jess and caught her up in a few quick sentences before hanging up. Sjo felt her own phone vibrate with a call and she pulled it out to answer Ann.
AKB: Bring your keeper.
“Ok.” Sjo told her nodding to Leah.
“If you need anything, or if she needs anything, you’ve got my number haven’t you?” Leah asked.
“If I don’t she does and I know her phone password.”
Leah cracked a smile at that, “Tell her we’re proud of her and we’ll see her for recovery at 2.”
Sjo wandered back into the room taking stock of the bits of chaos. They’d moved hotels for the quarter and semi-finals, thankfully they were even closer to the German hotel than in the last city.
“Hey Hamps?” Sjo called knocking lightly on the bathroom door.
When there was no reply she tried the handle, it wasn’t locked so she cracked the door.
“Hannah?”
“Yeah?”
“Sorry, I couldn’t hear you through the door and the water. Leah said she’d get it cleared with Sarina for you to come stay the night with me at the German camp.”
“Oh, that’s, you don’t have to do that.” Hannah called.
“Please, I’d feel better if you were with me tonight.” Sjoeke coaxed.
“What about Ann?”
“She’s fine with it.”
“I…” Hannah shut the water off, “I don’t want to be a burden.”
“Hannah. You never could be.” Sjoeke said gently through the crack in the door.
“Alright.” Hannah sighed opening the door.
Steam billowed out behind her. Her hair was down, and she was wearing soft pajama shorts and a t-shirt Sjo recognized with a start was hers.
“We’ve got about three hours before we need to be in the German hotel. Want to watch a movie?” Sjoeke asked tearing her eyes off Hannah in her too big t-shirt.
When Hannah didn’t respond Sjo looked up from where she’d settled herself into the pillows. Hannah was shuffling her feet, clearly chewing on a request.
“What is it Hannah?” Sjo asked softly, hoping to tug the information out of her rather than drag it.
“Can…can we…can you like um cuddle me?” Hannah asked blushing scarlet.
“Of course, you don’t have to be nervous to ask for that! Come on.” Sjoeke patted her own shoulder indicating Hannah should come lay her head on her shoulder.
Hannah did so, nestling easily into Sjoeke’s side. She wrapped an arm around her waist, settling a bit more into her. Sjoeke kissed the top of her head as her hand brushed through the still soaked strands of her hair lightly. Hannah sighed into the feeling.
“The Netherlands game should be starting any minute.” Hannah said quiety.
Sjo hummed, “You want to watch Weike?”
“Of course. And one of us is going to play them.”
“And one of us has to play the USA.” Sjoeke grumbled.
Hannah sighed contentedly as the Spanish national anthem played and the game got underway. Viviane Miedema opened the scoresheet in the fourth minute, somehow dispossessing Aitana in the midfield, nutmegging Ona, and taking a shot directly on goal as Cata dove when she should have jumped.
“Well. Viv’s back.” Sjo noted dryly as the game reset.
Hannah snorted. Fifteen minutes later Viv dragged the attention of two defenders before lobbing the ball straight to Weike’s feet who slammed it into the net with her first touch. She young midfielder was immediately tackled by the whole team and came up with her hair mused and a sparkle in her eyes so clear the camera picked it up.
“Spain is rattled.” Sjoeke winced as Ona swiped Weike’s feet out from under her.
“I would be too if I was down two within 20 minutes. OH MY GOD.” Hannah gasped as Viv sent a ball perfectly into the net from outside the 18 yard box, soaring over three players heads before tipping just under the crossbar. Cata Coll looked stunned at the ball in her net.
“That’s the goal of the summer right there.” Sjoeke said after watching the replay, “That was stunning.”
Jill Roord decided she needed to get in on the action in the 39th minute putting the Netherlands up 4 goals. Spain was scrambling. Irene and Alexia were trying to close down the holes and calm the ranks, but the Netherlands had cracked them wide open. In minute three of four of added time, Weike bagged a brace from a scramble in the six yard box. Aitana screamed in frustration. Cata Coll was beside herself. The Spanish bench was ready to revolt.
Spain came out the second half ready for war. Ona fouled Jill in the box and Weike stepped up for the penalty.
“She wants a hattrick against Spain.” Hannah said in awe.
“She’s gonna get it.” Sjo agreed as Weike slammed the ball past the Spanish keeper.
“What the hell happened in the Spanish camp?” Hannah asked shaking her head before wincing as Aitana was stripped of the ball after being surrounded by orange shirts.
“I mean, there’s only four or five players on the roster who actually should have made it over others who’ve just refused to come in because of the federation.” Sjo noted.
“Yeah, but you’d think that would be smoothed over by now, it’s been a full cycle. They did great at the World Cup and the squad isn’t that different.” Hannah noted.
Spain kept them quiet for the next twenty minutes, Aitana and Alexia both getting on the score sheet.
“Viv’s scoring that.” Hannah gasped as Viv feigned around two defenders. The ball ricocheted off Coll directly into Viv’s boot for her to slam it home.
“Is Viv going to get a hattrick as well?” Sjo asked as Viv got in the box again.
“Seems more likely than Spain scoring again.” Hannah agreed from her place on Sjoeke’s chest.
Viv got her hattrick in the 91st minute, thumping the Netherlands badge on her chest.
“She’s going to be a nightmare.” Hannah realized as she somehow got a fourth goal a minute later.
“I think your defense knows what it’s doing a bit more than Spain right now.” Sjoeke reminded her.
Spain was crashing out, on the field, on the bench, in the stands. The whole thing was in disarray and the Netherlands punished them for every single mistake.
“Hand me my phone? I want to text Weike.” Hannah asked pointing at her phone on the nightstand.
They both texted their Netherlands friends, listening to the post match commentary in the background.
“Ready to head to the German camp?” Sjo asked.
“Yeah.” Hannah sighed, dragging herself to her feet.
“I’ll be in the stands for the Netherlands game.” Sjo told her lightly on their walk to the German hotel.
“Really?” Hannah asked.
“Most of the German team will be there. Your game is the day after ours and since we’re playing one of you for sure, a bunch of us are going.”
“I can get you a field pass.” Hannah offered, “I’m sure Jess will get Ann one as well.”
Sjoeke smiled, “That’d be fun.”
Ann wasn’t in the room when they got there. Hannah was exhausted from the events of the day, and dreading the Netherlands game so they crawled into bed. Sjo gathered Hannah into her arms again.
“You’re going to be alright.”
“I’m glad I watched that game with you and not the team.”
Sjo hummed, “I’ve got you. Try and get some sleep.”
Sjo traced random shapes on her back until her breathing evened and she was certain Hannah was asleep. Ann slipped in quietly just before curfew.
“Is she going to be alright against the Netherlands?”
“I think so.”
Ann nodded, her brow furrowed. Sjo smiled, Ann was always a bit protective of the younger goalkeepers, even if they weren’t on her team.
Sjo kissed Hannah on the temple one more time before letting sleep pull her under. The two were tangled together when Ann’s alarm went off the next morning. Hannah had slept close to ten hours, telling Sjo more than she needed to know about how exhausted she really was.
“Sorry.” Ann grumbled silencing the noise as she sat up.
Hannah shuffled a bit, slowly waking up. Ann smiled over at them, shooting a heart their direction with her hands. Sjo rolled her eyes.
Hannah sighed against her collarbone, sending goosebumps all over her.
“Morning.” Sjo said softly.
Hannah nuzzled closer, always cuddlier in the mornings and Sjo preened at the attention.
“I don’t think I’ve slept that well all tournament.” Hannah grumbled.
“Well you did sleep at least ten hours.”
Hannah grumbled unintelligibly and Sjo chuckled lightly.
“You’re comfy.” Hannah told her.
“Thanks.” Sjo mumbled.
“Am I going to get to cuddle like this in Greece or is this a tournament only thing?”
“We’ll figure it out in Greece.” Sjo said softly as she played with her soft blond hair.
Ann got up and got dressed before shooting Sjo a sly grin and slipping out of the room to head to breakfast.
“What time do you need to get up to get down there?” Hannah asked.
“I’ve got about twenty more minutes before I need to get up and move.”
Hannah nodded, curling into her even more somehow. Sjo kissed her forehead, smiling at the sound of her soft sigh.
The Netherlands lost to the USA. Sjo spent the full 90 minutes locked in a midfield battle with Lindsey Horan and Rose Lavelle. Sjo managed a goal, but in the end Rose pulled out her firepower and sent the USA through to the final. Hannah was sitting outside her hotel room door when she got back that evening. Ann had slipped off to spend the night with Jess.
“I know England is about to be on lockdown.” Sjo managed with a thin smile.
“I’ve got a few hours. I wanted to check on you. You’ve spent so much time taking care of me, I didn’t want to let the opportunity to do the same to pass.” Hannah explained twirling her fidget ring, “And I brought snacks.”
“Snacks?” Sjo perked up.
Hannah dumped her bag on the bed revealing Sjo’s favorite candies before she flopped on the bed and patted her shoulder like Sjo had done just a few days prior. Sjo smiled softly before quickly changing out of her postgame tracksuit and into pajamas and crawling into bed. She sighed as she relaxed into Hannah. Hannah played with her hair and put on mindless tv and let Sjo process.
Sjo sighed from her toes, curling into her a bit more. Hannah dropped a kiss to her head and Sjo hummed contentedly.
“If I’m getting a bronze medal, you’re getting a gold one. You’re beating the Netherlands tomorrow. I’ll be right there off to your side cheering you on. I believe in you Hannah. You know what you’re doing. Your defense knows what they’re doing. Don’t let them rattle you.”
“You’ll be where I can see you?” Hannah asked quietly.
“Yep. I made sure of it. You’ll be able to hear me cheering for you.”
Sjo walked her back to the England camp a few hours later, walking back quietly with Ann. Sjo wisely didn’t comment on the redness of the goalkeepers eyes.
Sjo was barely surprised when Mary Earps slid into the seat next to her at the match the next day.
“Nice goal yesterday.” Mary said quirking a smile.
“Thanks. You wishing you were out there right now?”
“And deal with that stress? No. I have full faith in Hannah.”
“Me too. England’s getting gold.”
The Netherlands came out fighting, Viv getting a shot off in the first ten minutes that Hannah collected easily. Most of the first half aside from that run was played in the Netherlands defensive half. Hannah was halfway to the midfield most of the time, making a few runs back while Leah and Millie dealt with the stray run.
Hannah let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding when Alessia scored in the 21st minute, quickly followed by Aggie in the 29th. She ran up and joined the huddle when Beth joined the scoresheet in the 40th minute. They were up 3 when they came out at half-time.
Weike decided to ruin her clean sheet ten minutes into the second half having gotten just enough space to fire off a shot around the outside back. Hannah couldn’t see it. She could see the defensive battle happening, but there were too many bodies between her and them and she missed the ball breaking through and dove just a second too late. Aggie put them back in a comfortable lead in the 74th minute. She put in a full shift the last ten minutes of the game. Viv seemed to decide she needed to let loose some steam and the waves of attack just kept coming. Somewhere dimly in her brain she could hear Sjo cheering for her and smiled.
When the final whistle sounded, sending England to the final against the USA, the England bench tackled her, smothering her and the defensive line in compliments. She shrugged them off, dragging Alessia, Aggie, and Beth into hugs for their goals. Viv made her way over to her and Hannah smiled shyly up at the striker.
“That was an amazing day in goal. Swap shirts?”
Hannah grinned, complimenting her waves of attack. Viv patted her arm one more time and went off to find Beth. Hannah found Aggie and Weike chatting off to the side.
“Congrats on the hattrick and thanks for not doing that to me.” Hannah called coming up to them.
Weike laughed, pulling her into a massive hug, “I forget how annoying you are to try and score against.”
“I try.”
“I was just telling Aggie how I thought she was going to get a hattrick against us tonight. She did really well.” Weike told Hannah.
Aggie looked like she was bursting with happiness at that and squished Weike into a hug. Weike grumbled in Dutch but was smiling as she hugged Aggie again. Hannah made her way around the pitch, chatting with players and coaches from both sides, before a steady set of hands snagged her around the waist.
“Superstar.” Sjo whispered in her ear as she wrapped her in a tight hug.
“I could hear you cheering for me.”
“You did amazing. Mary sat next to me and she had nothing but praise for you as well.”
Hannah’s cheeks turned even more pink.
“How do you feel about playing the Netherlands in the Bronze medal match?”
“Good I think. Depends on what kind of day Viv is having and if Ann is matching that energy. You kept her insanely quiet tonight.”
“She literally screamed in frustration at one point.” Hannah pointed out.
Sjo snorted, “I saw that. But I mean in goal. She didn’t get a single one past you. She put four past Spain four days ago. You were on fire. Goalkeeper of the year level on fire.”
Hannah let Sjo’s words wash over her and make her feel confident in what she accomplished. The Netherlands, England, and German players found themselves intermingled in the community rooms of their various camps that evening, most playing together at club level. There was a peace knowing where they stood going into the final in five days. The games were played back to back. The Netherlands and Germany would play at 2 in the stadium across the city while England and the US would kickoff at 4. If the Netherlands and Germany game went to overtime, England wouldn’t know who had Bronze until the final whistle.
The score was 2-2 when Hannah text Sjo one last time before shutting her phone off and heading out to warmups. The crowd was already thunderous and the stadium wasn’t full yet. Hannah watched as Ally Sentnor and Emma Sears warmed up their scoring boots. Both wingers were young, new to the National team, and played in the NWSL so Hannah didn’t have experience against them aside from a single friendly. She’d watched every single NWSL game they’d played in though, knowing that she would come up against them at some point in this tournament.
She closed her eyes, taking a steadying breath and thinking briefly of the Greek sand waiting for her in three days. She opened her eyes right before the whistle blew, taking one last survey of her backline made up of Lucy Bronze, Leah Williamson, Alex Greenwood, and Jess Carter. They weren’t letting anything through tonight.
Hannah was called into action a few times by Ally Sentor, Rose Lavelle, and Lindsey Heaps, but none made it through. The defensive line kept Emma Sears at bay so well she was subbed at half-time. The English defense dealt with wave after wave of attack. Hannah cleared a ball up to the midfield to give herself a second to breath, placing it right at Keira’s feet. She took off without a single thought, slamming the ball into the net behind Tulles-Joyce, scoring just her second goal for England in the 87th minute.
Hannah wasn’t sure what to call the noise that came out of Lucy as she barreled into her wife, swinging her around for the whole world to see. Hannah could hear her screaming “You scored! You scored! You scored!” As Keira tried to get her feet back on the ground, laughing.
The midfield dropped back, parking the bus in defense. They were riding this match out. The US was desperate to hold onto their title, but they couldn’t break through the lines. Alessia and Aggie feigned runs into their half dragging their attention away and running down the clock.
When the three blasts rang out, Hannah went running and screaming towards her teammates. She and Keira were lifted into the air and tossed around. Leah was sobbing, hugging Alessia. Lucy was beside herself with joy, practically shoving Keira into every spotlight she could find for her. The two other goalkeepers sandwiched Hannah between them screaming unintelligibly into her ears.
They were ushered into the changing rooms and into their tracksuits, still dripping with sweat.
Hannah had two seconds to wonder who won bronze before she saw the German tracksuits on the field. She and Jess broke away from the group finding Ann and Sjo in the mass of the crowd on the pitch. Ann scooped Jess into her arms, kissing her brightly as she laughed and told her how proud of her she was. Hannah clung to Sjo.
“We had your game on in the bus on the way over. You played out of your mind.” Sjo told her, squeezing her tightly.
“What happened in the last of your game? It was 2 all when we went out for warmups.”
Sjo blushed, tamping down a grin, “I scored.”
“You got the winning goal.” Hannah asked, an even broader grin breaking across her face.
Sjo nodded, “Right at you all went out to warm up probably.”
“I’m so proud of you.”
“I’m so proud of you, Olympic Champion.”
The night was a whirlwind of celebrations. They were at the closing ceremony on two or three hours of sleep, then ushered onto the flight home. The next day they had celebrations in England. Hannah walked into her apartment the morning of the third day long enough to dump her suitcase, pack her swimsuits, and a random assortment of beach worthy attire, and a few books before she walked right back out and got on a plane to Greece.
Sjo was leaning against the baggage area waiting for her when she turned the corner.
“Are you still drunk?” Sjo asked laughing.
“I honestly might be. I’ve also only had about eight hours of sleep in three days, two of which were on the plane just a bit ago.”
Sjo shook her head, “Let’s get to the resort, get the plane off of us, order room service, and pass out.”
“Sounds amazing.” Hannah agreed as they clamored into the car the resort sent to collect them.
They both slept 12 hours that night, curled together.
“I want to lay on the beach and do literally nothing.” Hannah announced when they were both awake enough to remember where they were.
Sjo laughed, “Sounds nice, I do have a spa day booked for us though.”
Hannah nearly moaned at the idea of being pampered. They spent most of the day quietly together, Sjo had splurged on the full two hour full body massage for both of them and Hannah was certain she drooled, but all the knots were worked out of her body. She fell asleep in a face mask to someone massaging her scalp that afternoon and woke up thirty minutes later tucked under a blanket with a warm towel over her eyes. They had dinner in the resort that evening, both avoiding the wine in favor of asking the waiter to leave the whole pitcher of water and downing it. They went for a walk on the beach as the last of the sun set that night before curling up in bed together, the second bedroom still untouched.
It took two days for Hannah to remind Sjo that they needed to talk about why Sjo left her boyfriend. They were curled in bed together having just woken up to the soft Greek sun. Sjo sighed, rolling onto her back to stare at the ceiling.
“When you got hurt.” She began slowly, “It was like a puzzle I didn’t know I was doing I suddenly solved. I realized it was you who I fit together with.”
“Me?” Hannah asked a mix of relief and surprise in her voice.
Sjo hummed, her whole body tense.
“Sjo.” Hannah said softly.
“Are you letting me down easy?” Sjo asked carefully.
Hannah laughed, “You beautiful fool, would you come here already so I can cuddle you.”
Sjo’s eyes snapped open, “You?”
Hannah laughed brightly, clear relief and joy on her face as she nodded. All the tension drained out of Sjo’s body as she rolled over, pulling Hannah into her arms, laughing with her.
“I do need us to go slow.” Hannah said softly, a bit shy a few minutes later.
“This is a first for both of us, so that’s fine.” Sjo agreed threading their fingers together.
Hannah kissed her on the temple, blushing a bit when she pulled back. Sjo nearly melted.
She thought back to the first day she realized it was always going to be Hannah, how she’d told her she was one of her favorite people and she loved her and the way those words curled around her heart. She relaxed, content to let them live there.
Sjo knew they would have their struggles. She worried about how Hannah would handle the pressure of coming out. She knew they would argue. But she also knew they would be ok. They just had to sandwich the good between the difficult and hold each other through it. She smiled, relaxing as Hannah’s breathing shifted into deep sleep later that night after a day of giddiness and shy flirting. She kissed her on the temple one more time before letting sleep take her under.