Chapter Text
"So, how's the app going for you?"
Jobe blinked.
Felix stood in front of Carney and Jobe who sat side-by-side on the changing room benches, They'd just finished their match; the room reeked of sweat, nothing unusual.
Jobe glanced between them.
Jobe knew that Felix wasn't talking to him, but to Carney, who sat beside him.
"The app," Carney paused, recalling something before letting out a huff that sounded like a chuckle. "Oh! That app."
Felix instinctively grinned at Carney, a look that says 'you got it.'
Though, his face not long fell after hearing Carney's answer.
"I'm still figuring it out.."
"Seriously?"
Jobe stayed in his position, eyes darted back and forth towards Carney and Felix. What the hell were they talking about? What app? And most of all, why are they acting so secretive about it?
Finally, he joined in, "What are you guys talking about?" Jobe perked an eyebrow. Well, what's wrong with being curious? He wanted to know too.
Felix lit up at Jobe's question, he grinned.
"We're talking about this dating app. You heard of it? It's called Bum-ble." He pulled out his phone, and shoved the screen right in front of Jobe's face; making him squint.
The screen displayed a dating app interface. Probably. Jobe never downloaded these types of apps before.
"Mm, not familiar." Jobe shoved the phone away from his face.
Felix sighed at the disappointing reaction. "Come on. you guys aren't interested, even just a little bit?" He groaned towards the two of his friends.
Carney scoffed at the reaction Felix made, whilst he nudged Jobe. "This guy has been pestering me this whole time to download the app so that he wouldn't feel alone. Crazy," He grinned. "Well, I guess I'm a little curious too."
Felix had convinced Carney to register for a dating app with him, and Jobe had only just found out.
It didn't matter.
Love was never really something Jobe had bothered with. It wasn't that he hadn't thought about it. Of course he had, but he'd never felt the need to rush into finding love.
"You're curious now, aye?" Jobe grinned, but the thought of Carney setting up a dating profile makes his stomach churn.
His fists clenched just slightly. "Why though?" He asked, his voice sounding a little restrained. "You weren't curious before," Jobe's eyebrow raised.
Why would Carney want to set up some stupid dating profile? He could literally have any girl.
"Well, yeah, I convinced him obviously," Felix said before Carney could respond. "Besides, what's wrong with trying to stick your feet in the water? Dip your toes in just a little, eh?"
"Yeah, m'just trying out some things." Carney nodded and turned his head towards Jobe.
"You don't wanna try, Jobe? I can help you out."
Jobe stilled momentarily. Try it out? Hell, he's not even a bit interested. What's even the purpose of it? Sure, he can get a girlfriend, but then what? It's not like he wants one either.
Jobe stared a little too long before throwing his hands up.
"Okay, fine, shoot."
Felix practically roared in celebration, ruffling Jobe's hair in the process. Carney joined in, he patted Jobe on the back. "Yes! That's the spirit, Jobe!" Felix grinned a little too wide, while Carney chuckled at the reaction.
Jobe shoved Felix away from the close proximity. Sure, he's gotten used to the smell of sweat, but it still stinks. "Alright, pause the glazing. Felix, you fucking stink."
"No shit." Felix rolled his eyes, pulling back immediately.
Carney hummed, amused. He seemed surprised that Jobe had indulged Felix. Though he didn't comment on it. "Well I'm impressed. Felix's convinced three people in a row,"
"What can I say? Juju, you, and Jobe... You can never say no to THE Felix Nmecha!" He responded in an arrogant manner; letting out a devious chuckle.
Jobe scoffed. He hasn't found a reason why he would indulge in it, he's curious—sure, though he wouldn't say it was because of the hype.
He shook his thoughts away, and stood up from the bench, "I'm gonna go and change, guys," Jobe said, "If I'm here any longer with Felix, the smell would probably stay forever."
"Hey!"
Carney laughed at the snarky comment, nodding. "You can't blame him, Felix. He's not wrong," Carney shrugged.
The stream of the showerhead tickled down his body, the warm water hitting all sore muscles just right. Most of the players had finished showering earlier, leaving Jobe alone with the empty shower rooms. It was usually packed with noise, but now it's just the sound of water and his own thoughts.
He sighed to himself, leaning his forehead against the shower wall. He couldn't help but think back to the dating app Felix introduced him to. Which, honestly, was pretty stupid to think of.
It's not the hype he was curious about.
He wondered what Carney's profile would look like. Sure, Jobe had never used a dating app before because they'd never been relevant to him, but he knew how the system worked.
Something about finding matches, wasn't it? You set up a profile, talk about yourself, and the app matches you with someone.
Has Carney found his match yet?
Jobe scrubbed the soap on his body just a tad faster.
Carney did say he would help him set up the app. He isn't unfamiliar with gadgets, he's not some millennial nor a boomer. But Carney had offered.
So, sure. Why the hell not?
Lost in his thoughts, Jobe didn't hear footsteps enter the shower room. A familiar voice eventually cut through his daze. “Jobe?”
He blinked, turning his head towards the sound.
It was Carney. Well, speak of the devil. He was just thinking of the guy. “Carney,”
“There you are,"
He heard a quiet sigh before it was muffled by the sound of the shower head turning, followed by the pouring water. “Weirdly quiet now are we? Usually, you're singing some Drake,” Carney's voice echoed through the walls along with his chuckle, “Or have you run out of songs?”
A smile tugged at Jobe's mouth despite himself. Carney's familiar chuckle made the room feel less empty. “Is admitting you like my singing that hard for you, Chukwuemeka?”
He is, in fact, not that good at singing. It's practically a Bellingham trait at this point. “Gosh, dude. No way.“ Carney snickered.
“Felix didn't come with you?” Jobe ignored the comment, fingers kneading the roots of his hair; the fruity, citrusy scent from the shampoo filled his nostrils. His eyes sneaked a glance towards Carney's figure.
A hum echoed through the walls. “Nope,” Carney answered, “Coach called him out of nowhere.”
“It's probably nothing, though. Said he'd catch up with us.” He explained.
Jobe murmured a quiet ‘alright’. He rinses the shampoo with the falling water, before turning off the showerhead. He dried himself with a towel, while also sneaking another glance at the other. His eyes lingered just a little longer.
“Yeah, take a good look, mate.”
Carney's voice startled him. He was caught red handed from staring, quickly, he tried to laugh it off to not look so flustered. Carney joined, their laughter filled the room.
He finally looked away with a grin. “What? I got distracted.” Fuck. Jobe almost shat himself. He hoped that Carney didn't look too much on how Jobe was startled. But, why the hell would he feel so scared of getting caught?
“Don't worry, Jobe. I don't blame you.” Carney smirked, his expression didn’t seem to believe Jobe's words.
“Cheeky,” Jobe rolled his eyes, walking away with the towel now wrapped around his waist. “Whatever, I'll see you outside then.”
Carney responded with a nod as Jobe left the shower room to his lockers, with a heart pounding too fast for his liking.
Jobe zipped his tracksuit jacket to the top, the cold Germany air never failed to make him shiver despite him living in the country for about a year now since his contract in Dortmund. Sitting outside the bleachers while waiting for Carney, Jobe decides to take a look at the app who has been haunting his mind for the past few hours.
His thumbs clacked on the screen of his phone, swiping across each letter on the keyboard—spelling out the dating app Felix had talked about earlier. Jobe was conflicted whether to download the app or ignore it, but he was curious, just a little.
The app appeared on his screen, a yellow icon of two bees with a heart, and the name of the app. Bum-ble.
Bum.
He stared at the name.
Huh.
Beside the app icon was the download button. He hovered his thumb over it. Jobe still stands by his statement; he wasn't interested in finding a girlfriend. Yet, here he was. Ironic.
Enough thinking, Jobe pressed the download button. His dark eyes stared at the percentage of the app, counting the seconds it went higher.
A hand patted his shoulder, Jobe jumped at the touch; almost dropping his phone. Why the hell was he so jumpy today? He got irritated at himself. It was quickly washed over when he looked to see the familiar face of Carney.
“Mate! I've been searching for you.” Carney groaned, sitting beside him. Jobe turned his head towards the other, raising an eyebrow. “I literally told you I was going to wait outside though?”
“Yeah,” Carney rolled his eyes, “Except you didn't fucking specify outside where!”
Jobe just grinned.
Carney sighed, and glanced at Jobe's phone—the familiar yellow app glowed on the screen. “Wait, you actually downloaded it?” He blinked.
Jobe realized his phone was still on. He scratched the back of his neck at Carney's question, trying to defend himself. “You said you'd help me.”
“That I did,” He nodded,
“Although I wasn't actually expecting you to download the app for real—” Carney shook his head, a smile tugged on his lips. “Alright, let's get you started then…”
Jobe scooted closer beside Carney, angling the phone near so that Carney could see.
“Come on Jobe, you know the basics, sign up with your email.” Carney's eyes stared at the screen as Jobe's thumbs moved to create an account for the app. “Also, do you really need my help? It's not like you're unfamiliar with basic registration.”
He doesn't respond.
“Set up a profile picture,” Jobe repeated the instructions from the app. It automatically opens up the gallery for him to pick the photos. His thumb scrolled down to his camera roll—passing through every picture he has. “Which selfie do you think I should put on my profile?” He turned his head towards Carney.
“Just pick the ones you think look ace.”
“All my selfies are ace.”
“Mate.”
“Come on! I want to know which one you think is best.” Jobe scooted even closer, the other sighed taking the phone to scroll through the gallery. He watched Carney closely as the other took his time viewing each photo.
There was a moment where Carney stilled as he stared at a photo of him, before Jobe could question it, Carney scrolled past.
“This one?” He showed the photo to Jobe, it was a photo of him, taken off guard with a semi serious expression on his face. Jobe raised an eyebrow, “Why that one?”
“Why not?” The other furrowed his eyebrows, it was only the first step on setting up Jobe's account yet they were taking their sweet time on it.
“Why?”
“I don't know, it looks good.”
“Why?”
“Dude, I don't know. You look good I guess, and—”
“Alright.” Jobe shrugged it off.
Carney placed the photo he picked as Jobe's profile picture, and moved to the next instruction. “Alright, your likes and dislikes,” He turned his head towards Jobe. “Easy, right?”
“Um,” He blinked, quiet for a few seconds to think about his answer.
“I like reading, and watching movies, and playing games,” Jobe hummed, “And I don't like carrots.”
“Deadass?” The other let out a ‘pfft,’ when he heard Jobe's answer before his thumb swiped across the screen; filling out the question. “You're so basic it hurts.”
“Like yours is any better.”
Carney continued, “Your preferences, what do you look for in a partner?”
Jobe stilled at the question. What does he look for in a partner? For a second, Jobe forgot they were setting up his dating profile. His eyes stared at Carney's face, lingering, the answers should be at the tip of his tongue but nothing seems to come out. Hearing no answer from Jobe, Carney turns his head towards him.
“Jobe?”
“I dunno,” He didn't look away. Carney sighed at how clueless his best friend looked. It was a simple question, but Jobe doesn't have it figured out. They both stare at each other.
“I don't know.” Jobe repeated, his eyes still lingered.
“It's a dating app, mate. You can't really continue without it.” He huffed, a smile tugged on his lips.
“Something simple is alright. Like… for example, funny, um, friendly, whatever—something you like in a person.”
Jobe hummed quietly, finally looking away from Carney. It's not a hard question. Why the hell is he having such a hard time thinking about it?
“Alright, I guess, how about someone I can get along with well?” He snapped his fingers at his own answer, Carney on the other hand just shrugs before typing out Jobe's answer. Finally, setting up Jobe's account was finished before they even knew it.
“There you go mate,” Carney gave the phone back to him, their fingers making contact just slightly. “Congrats, your very first dating profile. How do you feel?”
“Superb.” The bored expression on Jobe's face says otherwise.
He rolled his eyes, standing up from his seat. “Let's get going then, they're starting to turn off the field's lights.” Jobe looked up at Carney for a moment, before he followed; standing up.
The green football field laid empty. The duo walked to the parking lot, muttering short conversations beneath the sky that painted a dark sunset, capturing the German evening just perfectly.
“What about you, mate?” Jobe suddenly asked, “Have you found a match?”
“What?” Carney blinks, before shaking his head. “Oh, nah. I haven't.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
“I've only made my account just recently, so…”
“Oh,” He breathed out. He wasn't sure what he was expecting from Carney's answer.
Well, whatever it was, Carney's answer made something inside his chest loosen just slightly. Jobe didn't think much of it. He walked, his hands shoved into his pockets.
A smile tugged on his lips.