The Sound of The Rain
-January 11th 2013-
I do recall now
The seat belt sign dinging above her, she let out a shaky breathe, as the pilot spoke. "Ladies and gentlemen we are beginning our decent into Dulles International …" She knew the routine, after all, she'd spent as much hours on a plane as she did on the pitch. Why she was nervous however was a mystery to her. I mean sure it's the start of a new league, but she's going to be home now, so nervous should not be an emotion to feel right now.
As soon as the plane touches down the pilot informs the rest of the passengers that they are ahead of schedule, so they will have to wait at least 15 minutes before they can get a gate.
At first Ali was sad that Ashlyn wouldn't be the one picking her up, she was in Florida until next week, but at the same time she was relieved. Of course she missed the blonde, they were best of friends from the moment they met, but Ali was still confused about their last encounter in Frankfurt. The thought of Ashlyn took her back to that night:
[Flashback, September 2011]
The lines between friendship and something more had been blurred a long time ago. The flirtatious banter between the two was constant, often times their hands finding each other, fingers laced mindlessly. In a cliche manner neither one wanted to make a move, for fear of making things awkward or losing the connection they had.
Ashlyn had a difficult time reminding herself that Ali was, in a sense, untouchable. Especially when Ali walked out of her bedroom wearing a red dress that hugged her as tight as Ashlyn wanted to. Never had the keeper wanted to grab the defender so bad and trace her body after seeing the dress, that showed the perfect amount of cleavage might I add. (Holy Shit. Breath Harris. Focus. Fuck …)
" are we going now?" Ali asked raising her eyebrows at a frozen Ashlyn.
"huh? oh... uh yeah, sorry you just look …. stunning" Ashlyn managed, trying her best not to stare too excessively.
"Hey... Eye's up here Stud." Ali stated with a devilish grin knowing it would make Ash flustered.
Ashlyn's eye's quickly shot up and she swallowed hard at the look on Ali's face, knowing she had been caught. (Damn.) It only took a second of blushing for Ashlyn to recover and turn the tables. With a smirk, she approached Ali slowly, leaned close to her ear, her voice low and seductive,"You're such a tease Krieger." she walked to the door holding it open for the brunette," are we going now?" Ashlyn teased.
Clearing her throat," yeah. let's, uh.. we should- go now." Ali tried to recover as smooth as the blonde but failed miserably. (Damn It! Keep it together Alex.)
Ali was not as drunk as Ashlyn assumed she was. The right back was, after all, a light weight considering she rarely drank. But this was a different kind of impairment, the physical contact from Ashlyn through out the night had become intoxicating to Ali. Ali would never admit that when ever they were dancing together, Ash was the only thing she needed to feel a high, and that was far better than any alcohol could do.
After late night turned to early morning in Frankfurt, the duo figured they should head back. They both stumbled in laughing and holding on to each other, worrying that the other was way to drunk to function. Once they both were stable, Ali found herself staring to those hazel eye's.
Ash lowered her hand so they were resting on Ali's hips never breaking eye contact. She became entranced by the golden brown eye's. (Just do it) She leaned in ever so slowly and placed her forehead onto Ali's, not brave enough to go the whole way. Ash closed her eyes (Chicken) letting out a deep sigh.
The Feeling of having the blonde so close to her was overwhelming. Ali wanted nothing more then the kiss the lips of Ashlyn Harris (Just do it.) She brought her hands to Ashlyn's shoulders gripping onto the collar of her button up.The blondes breathing hitched. Ali tilted her head, eyes fixated on the keepers lips.
"Ali…” Ashlyn whispers, her eyes still closed, not knowing the way the brunette was looking at her. Hearing the way her name came out of Ashlyn's lips Ali got the courage to close the gap, but she heard Ashlyn say “ we should go to bed…”
{End Flashback}
"Seems the rain decided to catch up with us-" The voice of the pilot made Ali snapped out of her memory letting out a sigh. Pulling out her phone Ali decided she should get a hold of Matheson to see if she was at the airport already. She heard the pilot say they were cleared for a terminal, just as she was about to make the call to her teammate, she received a message.
Best Keeper Ever: {a picture of baggage claim 5B sign} Can you guess where I am Princess ? : P
The smell of the rain
Fresh off the pavement
I ran of the plane
Ali's face lit up like a firework shows during New Years Eve. Once she heard the plane door open and the fresh smell of rain flooded the cabin, she bolted out of her seat. Running out of the plane, she was glad that she didn’t have a carry on this time. Her best friend was waiting for her, her Keeper, that was supposed to be in Florida, was here.
Once Ali reached the baggage claim area she searched frantically for the blonde. Her nervousness about seeing Ash disappeared. As seconds passed by she became more antsy, until a pair of arms scooped her up bridal style, twirling her around.
Ali let out a squeal, knowing the instant the hands touched her that they belonged to Ashlyn. She couldn't help the Billion dollar smile that spread across her face as she laughed, wrapping her arms around the keepers neck.
“I missed you! four months is way too long not seeing you Princess” Ashlyn smiled. Remembering they were in the middle of an airport, she reluctantly put Ali down.
“I missed you more Stud!” Ali kisses Ashlyn on the check. She giggles when she sees the keeper blush and look around. (I wish I could show you how much I missed you)
Ashlyn, quick to recover, smiles “nope not possible” she challenges.
When Ali is about to reply they hear the buzzer from the bag claim conveyor, looking over to see the bags coming around. They make their way over and Ali spots her bag, getting ready to pick it up, but Ashlyn cuts in front of her quickly collecting the luggage. “come on you should know better by now” Ali just shakes her at her best friend. “I don't think I will ever get used to you being so chivalrous Ash”
They walk towards the doors and Ashlyn realizes it's raining, she looks at Ali's thin jacket and stops. Ali looks at her questioningly. “It's pouring out there” she says pointing to the doors. She lets go of the bag and slips off her leather jacket, while Ali looks out the door.
Ali feels something on her head, looking up to see Ashlyn putting the jacket over her. “Ash you'll get drenched you can't ..” before she finished her sentence the keeper is already half way out the door. “come on Krieger ” figuring it would be useless the argue, Ali follows secretly loving the feeling of her jacket on her.
Ashlyn grabs Ali's hand as the two rush out the door towards Ashlyn's Jeep. (good thing I put the covers on yesterday)
By the time they reach the jeep Ashlyn is of course soaked as Ali predicted. Laughing so hard they almost slip on the freshly wet pavement a few times. In true gentle lady fashion, Ashlyn opened Ali's door for her.
Much to Ali's viewing pleasure, Ashlyn was wearing a white V-neck that was now snugly clinging to the keepers muscled body. (unf) Biting the lower corner of her lip, the defender stole a few glances while Ashlyn helped her in the passenger seat and again when she got in the drivers seat. Noting every defined muscle from her biceps to her chiseled abs. Getting a look at the clearly visible tattoos on her side. (Why do you have to be so fucking hot) She could feel the wetness between her thighs as she tried to calm her libido. (seriously Alex stop. Take a deep breathe. Look away.)
"Well we have about an hour till we get to the apartment, you can connect to Bluetooth and be DJ if you want" Ashlyn says sweetly, knowing the right back must have a new favorite she's dying to share.
"I actually came across a few good songs." Ali chuckles, happy for a distract, the temptation to take Ashlyn in the back of her Jeep was way to strong right now. She starts playing with the stereo to connect her phone.
"Alright Alex let's see what you got." Ashlyn teased. Ali smiles and looks over at Ashlyn, her jaw dropping. When she was messing with the radio Ashlyn had reached back to grab her UNC hoodie. The keeper took off her shirt and was now slipping her hoodie over her head. Ali's eyes filled with desire at the half naked blonde, sending goosebumps through out her body, causing her to shiver .
"Gees Al if you're that cold you could have turned on the heat" Ashlyn said in a concerned tone as her head popped out of the hoodie, turning the car on as well as the heater. (Oh gosh. This is going to be harder then I thought) Ali quickly looked down at her phone, "Oh I'm fine." trying to distract herself once again.
Smirking at Ali, Ashlyn put the Jeep into reverse and then made their way to the apartment. (was she checking me out?) "so what songs have you been obsessing over" the keeper asked, shaking her head at the thought of Ali checking her out.
Ali playfully glares at her, "no judgement, got it" she states. Ashlyn lets out a little laugh and smiles, her one dimple showing, she crosses her finger over heart and lifts her right hand.
With out thinking about it Ali choose the first song, letting the beat carry through the Jeep. It didn’t take long for Ashlyn too move her head to the beat, listening intently to the lyrics. Wondering if Ali had a meaning behind it, as she heard the defender singing along to the chorus.
"But don’t you run away, run away when you get tired. cause this is will slip away slip away and start a fire. that can never be put out. oh hurry time is running out... before you tell her … you love her... "
The rhythm of the song matched perfectly with the soft sound of the rain hitting the windshield. Ali knew that something about this moment would stay with her forever, it was mostly likely the fact that Ashlyn's hand had found hers while she stared contently out the passenger window.
"I love the sound of rain..."
"Me too Princess"
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March 8th 2015
The deafening rumble of thunder frightened Ali awake. She shot up from the bed gasping for air, confused on her whereabouts. She felt the bed dip, her breathing was labored. Not focusing on who was beside her saying something she couldn't comprehend. She felt a strong yet gentle hand on her shoulder, at that moment everything came flooding back like the storm that raged on just outside the hotel. She collapse into the welcoming arms.
"I got you... " the person said.
She let out a few sobs willing herself not to do this again, her body was far to weak to handle an other fit of uncontrollable sobs. It's been 2 months since the love of her life left her alone in that hotel room.
Now she found herself unable to sleep in one, which became a problem for the professional athlete .
"Why... why did she just... just leave "
For the fifth night in a row since they arrived in Portugal, Hope held onto Ali as tight as she could, secretly praying that she could take this pain away. Desperately wishing she could give Ali the answers to the questions she asked every night. All Hope could do though was be the shoulder to cry on, the person to talk to, be strong for Ali. And that is exactly what she did.
An other rumble of thunder made Ali jump. The sound of the rain wasn't soft like it was 3 years ago, it didn’t calm her down. Instead it sounded violent as it hit the hotel window, becoming the physical representation of how she felt inside. How thing things were so painfully different now.
"I hate the sound of rain..." Ali whispers.
"The storm will pass ... " Hope reassures.