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It was in the locker room when it happened for the first time.
They had finished the day's training session a while ago, and both Jude and Erling had stayed behind to finish tidying up and putting away the equipment. The team had reached an agreement to rotate this task, and that day it was their turn. The activity always stretched out a bit longer than usual because they didn't just pick things up; in between, they would throw balls at each other, brush against one another, or shove each other around, ending up in "wrestling matches" on the pitch until someone found them and scolded them to shower quickly so they wouldn't end up sick before the season started.
That day had been strange from the very beginning. Jude and Erling couldn't take their eyes off each other, and even though they had played a small training match on opposing teams, they always ended up sharing a laugh, a hug, or a word. To anyone watching, it wasn't unusual, as those two had built a friendship that was clearly very deep. However, for Jude and Erling, it wasn't just friendship; every time they were next to each other, they felt something in their chest and stomach—a mix of excitement, nervousness, and a bunch of things they didn't know how to describe.
At first, they ignored it, but over time it became more evident to Jude that something was happening. Yet, they never took that extra step, perhaps because of the fears, because of the doubts. What would happen if he decided to give in to what he was feeling? That was a question that haunted him until that exact moment in the locker room, with Erling standing far too close once again.
Both of them walked into the locker room. There was no sound around; apparently, they had taken longer than ever, as none of their teammates were anywhere to be seen. It was just the two of them.
—"2 to 1, huh..." —Erling mentioned with a smug tone as he pulled a towel from his locker and draped it over his shoulder.
That smug face was exactly what made Jude angry—jokingly, of course. He let out a low whistle.
—Oh come on, that only happened because I was distracted. Otherwise, you wouldn't even stand a chance, —he scoffed, flatly denying what the blonde was telling him.
Erling began to walk slowly toward him, laughing right in his face. Jude took off his boots and, just like him, grabbed a towel.
—Jude, you're too young to be such a sore loser.
He knew exactly what he was doing. Jude had a bad temper when losing; he didn't usually show it too much, but when someone called him out on it, it was like pressing a button. However, there was something strange about Erling's tone this time—lower than usual, almost pressed against his ear. Jude chalked it up to the proximity, just a desire to tease him a little more than habitual.
Laughing, he swiped the towel with every intention of hitting him. It didn't even graze him, though it did get close enough for Erling to grab it. And so he did.
They were both still laughing as Erling pulled the towel toward himself. He didn't seem to judge his own strength; he forgot sometimes how big he was compared to his friends, and especially to Jude, who was in great physical shape, but Erling still stood more than a head taller and had a much broader build.For a second, Jude stared blankly at him, his laughter fading little by little, as if something in that sudden closeness had distracted him more than it should have.The brunette couldn't keep his balance. He went flying forward and ended up slamming both hands against Erling's chest, knocking him hard against one of the lockers.
They stopped laughing instantly. Suddenly, he became aware of the skin-to-skin contact. There was no pitch involved here anymore, no teammates, no managers—just the two of them, with their breaths quickening and standing far too close to one another. He tried to create some space between them. Erling was faster; he tossed the towel aside and covered Jude's hands, which were still resting against his chest, with his own.
Jude's lips were slightly parted, as if wanting to say something, but the words simply wouldn't come out. He didn't understand what was happening, only the warmth emanating from Erling's body, so close to his own.
—Erling, I... —he began, but the words trailed off.
Erling let go of his hands and brought them up to his face. He leaned in and planted a soft kiss on his lips. A mere graze. Testing the waters. Then he pulled back a few centimeters and smiled. Jude still had his mouth slightly open and his eyes closed, still trying to process what had just happened.
Erling stepped close once more. This time, he grabbed him by the shoulders and carefully reversed their positions, pinning him against the locker. He pressed his right leg against Jude's, but he waited. He waited for Jude to give him permission to go further. Jude looked up. The hesitation was still there, but only for a second, because little by little, his legs began to part, leaving enough space.
The invitation Erling needed. He pressed a little closer. With his right hand, he began a slow trace up Jude's arm, who followed every movement with his eyes, his breath growing more and more hitched.
When he reached his neck, Erling slid his hand to the back of Jude's head. Gentle, but firm.
Jude let out a gasp of satisfaction and slid his right arm under
Erling's shoulder, pulling him a bit closer to himself.Erling tilted his head back slightly to look him in the eyes. He didn't ask any questions, but in his gaze, Jude recognized that final wait, that silent request. He moved his face just a fraction closer. That was enough.
The blonde slammed his lips onto Jude's again, this time in a completely different way. He was no longer testing the waters; now he was claiming it. The exchange was clumsy and frantic at first, as if neither knew what to do with everything they had held back for so long, but neither wanted to stop, either. The contact was interrupted only by the moans that escaped Jude due to the pressure of the blonde's leg against his body. Erling took advantage of those moments to deepen the kiss.
When they finally broke apart, neither moved too far away. Erling continued with small kisses, slowly tracing down his jawline to his neck, where he lingered for a good while. Jude ran his fingers through the blonde's short hair and then slid his hand down to the back of his neck, trying to pull him even closer.
For a moment, it felt as if the world had vanished. Until footsteps began to echo from the hallway, and everything was shattered instantly. Panic was immediate. Erling scrambled to the side, while Jude dashed to his locker and grabbed his things. He didn't even get to put on his boots; he simply grabbed his shoes in his hands and, without looking back, sprinted out of the room.
He left Erling there, completely bewildered.
Only outside, with his back pressed against the hallway wall and his heart still racing, did Jude allow himself to breathe. He didn't quite know what he was feeling—whether it was shame, fear, or the longing to have gone back inside and finished what they had started. The only thing he knew for certain was that nothing was ever going to be exactly the same between them again.