Date 2
Beth walked into the Arsenal training grounds feeling way too smug for her own good.
She had tried to keep her cool, she really had, but there was a certain glow about her this morning—one that had absolutely nothing to do with getting a good night’s sleep and everything to do with last night’s date.
And more specifically, the way Viv had kissed her senseless in the car.
She was still thinking about it. About Viv’s hands gripping her hips, the way she lost control, the way she pulled her onto her lap like she couldn’t help herself.
Beth bit her lip, trying not to smile like an idiot.
She was so distracted by the memory that she almost didn’t hear Steph calling her name.
“Oi! BETH.”
Beth snapped out of it, turning to see Steph and Jen standing by the lockers, both of them already staring at her like they knew something was up.
Beth tried to play it cool. “Morning.”
Steph narrowed her eyes. “Oh, no. No, no, no. Don’t just ‘morning’ us like you didn’t go on the date of the century last night.”
Jen smirked, crossing her arms. “You’re literally glowing.”
Beth scoffed. “I am not glowing.”
Steph gave her a once-over. “Mate, you look like someone who just got absolutely ruined by Viv Miedema.”
Beth choked on air.
“STEPH!”
Jen burst out laughing. “Oh my god, that reaction alone tells me everything.”
Beth groaned, covering her face with her hands. “You two are the worst.”
Steph grinned, practically bouncing on her feet. “Okay, okay, but tell us! How was the date?”
Beth sighed, resigning herself to the interrogation. “Fine. It was… good.”
Jen raised an eyebrow. “That’s it? Good?”
Beth hesitated for half a second too long.
Steph gasped. “IT WAS BETTER THAN GOOD.”
Beth rolled her eyes, but she couldn’t stop the smile tugging at her lips. “Okay, fine. It was really good.”
Steph grabbed Jen’s arm, shaking her dramatically. “I KNEW IT. THEY’RE IN LOVE.”
Beth groaned again. “Oh my god, calm down.”
Jen smirked. “Start from the beginning.”
Beth sighed but couldn’t even pretend to be annoyed. She kind of wanted to talk about it.
She leaned against the lockers. “Alright. So she picked me up at my place, looking stupidly good, by the way.”
Steph smirked. “I bet she did.”
Beth ignored her. “And she brought me flowers.”
Jen’s mouth dropped open. “Shut up.”
Steph gasped. “Viv Miedema brought you flowers?!”
Beth nodded. “Hand to god. I was actually in shock.”
Steph clutched her chest. “That woman has been hiding her romantic side from us for years.”
Jen shook her head in awe. “Respect.”
Beth continued. “Then we went to this really nice restaurant—cozy, quiet, really cute atmosphere. We talked a lot, she paid—”
Steph cut her off. “Okay, back up. She paid?”
Beth nodded. “Wouldn’t even let me split it.”
Jen let out a low whistle. “She’s got it bad for you.”
Beth smirked. “I know.”
Steph wiggled her eyebrows. “And then?”
Beth bit her lip. This was the part she knew they were dying to hear.
“And then,” she said slowly, drawing it out just to torture them.
Steph groaned. “BETH.”
Beth laughed. “Okay, okay. So after dinner, we walked by the river for a bit. Talked. Had a moment.”
Jen raised an eyebrow. “Define moment.”
Beth smirked. “Viv told me she doesn’t go out with people unless it matters.”
Jen and Steph both gasped.
Steph grabbed Beth’s arm. “BETH MEAD, YOU ARE IN A RELATIONSHIP.”
Beth snorted. “I am not—”
Jen cut her off. “You are.”
Beth rolled her eyes but didn’t argue. “Anyway. Then she drove me home, and… we kissed.”
Steph gasped dramatically again. “On the lips?!”
Beth stared at her, deadpan. “No, Steph. We kissed on the elbow.”
Jen snorted.
Steph smacked her arm. “Don’t sass me! How was it?”
Beth pressed her lips together, trying not to grin too hard. “It was… something else.”
Steph and Jen leaned in. “Go on.”
Beth exhaled. “Okay. So, I kissed her first, right? And I thought it’d be sweet and slow, you know?”
Jen nodded. “Sure.”
Beth’s voice lowered. “Tell me why this woman completely lost control and pulled me onto her lap.”
Jen and Steph both screamed.
Steph grabbed Beth’s shoulders, shaking her. “VIV MIEDEMA. PULLED YOU. ONTO HER LAP?!”
Beth grinned. “With zero hesitation. Hands on my hips, completely taking over.”
Jen looked like she was about to pass out. “I—I need a minute.”
Steph paced in a circle. “I did not know Viv had this in her. I have never seen her like this.”
Beth laughed, shaking her head. “Neither had I.”
Jen pointed at her. “And you?”
Beth smirked. “Well, I wasn’t gonna stop her.”
Steph screamed again.
Beth shrugged. “Let’s just say, things got a little… carried away.”
Jen narrowed her eyes. “Define carried away.”
Beth just grinned.
Steph gasped. “OH MY GOD.”
Jen put a hand to her forehead. “This is so much better than I ever expected.”
Beth laughed. “I hate both of you.”
Steph smirked. “No, you don’t. You love us.”
Beth rolled her eyes. “Fine. Maybe a little.”
Beth rolled her eyes, still smiling. “Fine. Maybe a little.”
Steph and Jen smirked, about to dig into her more, but just as Steph opened her mouth, the locker room door swung open.
More teammates started filtering in, and just like that, the conversation shifted.
Beth wasn’t about to announce to the whole squad that she had spent last night straddling Viv Miedema in a car.
So, instead, she and Steph started talking about literally anything else—the new boots some of the girls were wearing, upcoming fixtures, how long Lotte took in the showers.
Jen leaned against her locker, still shooting Beth smug glances, but for the most part, the teasing was done. For now.
Beth pulled off her hoodie, tying up her hair, when the door swung open again.
And this time?
Viv walked in.
And Beth immediately forgot how to function.
So did Steph and Jen.
Because Viv looked good.
Annoyingly good.
She wasn’t even trying, just wearing a simple training kit, sleeves slightly rolled up, hair still damp from the shower she’d obviously taken at home.
Beth stared.
So did Steph and Jen.
Jen let out a low whistle. “Oh, this is gonna be fun.”
Beth ignored her, pretending to look at her bag even though she was very much listening to Viv’s conversation happening across the room.
Because Viv wasn’t alone.
She was talking to Katie.
And Beth wasn’t even trying to eavesdrop—except she absolutely was.
The locker room was mostly empty at this point, so she could hear every word.
Katie nudged Viv’s arm. “I’m just saying, that girl would love to go on a date with you.”
Beth froze.
Steph and Jen both turned their heads slightly, exchanging looks.
Viv let out a long exhale, clearly not thrilled with this conversation. “Katie…”
Katie smirked. “She was literally asking about you. Said you were cute, that she’d love to get a drink sometime.”
Viv shook her head. “I’m not interested.”
Beth felt something warm in her chest.
Steph elbowed her. Jen was already watching her reaction.
Katie groaned, dramatic as ever. “Oh my god, you are so hard to set up.”
Viv gave her a look. “Because I don’t want to be set up.”
Katie rolled her eyes. “C’mon, what’s the harm? You don’t even know her, she could be nice—”
Viv cut her off, calm but firm. “That’s exactly it. I’m not going out with someone I don’t even know.”
Beth felt her pulse quicken.
She didn’t know why, but hearing Viv say that out loud felt… significant.
Steph and Jen were barely containing their grins.
Katie groaned, throwing her hands in the air. “You are so vanilla sometimes, honestly.”
Jen chuckled.
Beth elbowed her.
Viv smiled, completely unbothered. “Yeah, I guess I am.”
And then—
She looked at Beth.
And Beth looked back.
For a moment, the entire locker room faded away.
Because Beth knew—that answer?
That was for her.
Training was in full swing, the heat of the afternoon settling over the pitch.
Beth and Viv stood side by side, waiting for their turn in the drill, bodies still buzzing with the kind of awareness that came from last night.
Beth could practically feel Viv’s presence next to her—the way she shifted on her feet, the way she was pointedly looking straight ahead, avoiding Beth’s gaze completely.
Beth smirked. Too easy.
She leaned in, lowering her voice just enough so only Viv could hear.
“Hey.”
Viv blinked, turning her head slightly but not quite meeting Beth’s eyes. “Hey again.”
Beth smiled, enjoying how Viv’s ears were already turning pink.
She leaned a little closer. “So… assuming how last night went…”
Viv visibly tensed, lips parting slightly as she finally turned to look at Beth properly.
Beth grinned, watching how Viv’s throat bobbed as she swallowed.
“I’d like to invite you on a date.”
Viv blinked again. “Oh.”
Beth bit her lip, suppressing a laugh.
Viv sounded genuinely surprised, like Beth hadn’t just spent the entire night on top of her in a car.
Viv cleared her throat, shifting on her feet. “Uh—yeah. Yeah, okay. That sounds nice.”
Beth tilted her head, enjoying this way too much. “You don’t even know where yet.”
Viv rubbed the back of her neck. “I mean… it’s with you, so… does it matter?”
Beth felt a little flutter in her chest at that.
But she wasn’t done teasing.
She licked her lips. “My place.”
Viv’s entire body stiffened.
Her eyes widened slightly, her posture going so comically rigid that Beth had to bite back a laugh.
Viv blinked rapidly, then looked at Beth like she had just short-circuited her entire brain.
Beth raised an eyebrow, watching her process it.
Viv’s eyebrows shot up before she quickly looked away, face going redder by the second.
Beth frowned in mock innocence. “What? What’s wrong with that?”
Viv shook her head way too quickly. “Nothing! No, nothing’s wrong. That’s—that’s totally fine. Your place is fine.”
Beth grinned. “You sure?”
Viv nodded aggressively. “Yep. Definitely. Completely normal. Totally fine.”
Beth laughed softly, nudging her arm. “Viv, I didn’t mean it like that.”
Viv let out a breath, still avoiding eye contact. “Right. Of course. I knew that.”
Beth bit her lip, fighting back a full-blown grin.
Viv was so red.
Beth leaned in just a little more. “Unless you thought I meant it like that…”
Viv’s entire soul left her body.
“I—” Viv choked, ears completely flushed, before shaking her head furiously. “I—no! I mean—obviously not, I just—”
Beth laughed, full and bright.
“Relax,” she said, grinning. “I just thought it’d be nice to have something more private. Just us.”
Viv exhaled slowly, still flustered but visibly relieved.
“Yeah,” she murmured, finally looking at Beth again. “I’d like that.”
Beth smiled, soft and teasing at the same time.
Before either of them could say anything else—
“OI, LOVE BIRDS! PAY ATTENTION!”
They both jumped, turning to see Leah glaring at them.
A few teammates were already smirking, and Beth could hear Steph and Jen trying (and failing) to hold in their laughter.
Beth cleared her throat, grinning.
Viv, still red-faced, mumbled, “This is your fault.”
Beth nudged her lightly. “Aw, come on. Don’t pretend you don’t love it.”
Viv sighed dramatically but couldn’t quite hide the small smile playing on her lips.
Beth just smirked.
The afternoon sun streamed through the windows as Beth hurriedly wiped down the kitchen counter for the third time, stepping back with a deep exhale.
She wasn’t usually one to stress over a clean house, but Viv was ridiculously neat—the kind of person who probably organized her fridge by category and never had so much as a single sock out of place.
So, yeah. Beth cared.
She wanted tonight to be nice. Intimate. Something different from their usual nights out with the team.
She glanced toward the kitchen, where she had already laid out the ingredients for dinner.
She had considered playing it safe—maybe a simple pasta dish, something easy—but then she thought about how Viv was good at everything, and suddenly, making basic pasta felt pathetic.
So, in a moment of pure delusion, Beth had decided to try something complicated and fancy—homemade stuffed ravioli with a sauce that had way too many steps.
Would she absolutely regret this decision later? Probably.
But if it impressed Viv? Worth it.
Satisfied with how everything looked, Beth flopped onto the couch, letting out a deep sigh.
Her phone buzzed beside her.
She picked it up, smiling as she saw Viv’s name on the screen.
Viv: Just finished training. Heading home, showering, then leaving.
Viv: Should be at yours by 7.
Beth smirked, typing back.
Beth: A shower? Hmm. Are you sure you don’t want to come over all sweaty?
The typing bubble appeared immediately. Then disappeared. Then reappeared.
Beth laughed.
Then, finally:
Viv: Beth.
Beth: What? Sweaty you is kinda cute.
Viv: Oh my god.
Beth: What??
Viv didn’t reply for a moment. Beth could practically picture her flustered expression, sitting there, staring at her phone.
Then—
Viv: I am literally ignoring you.
Beth: No, you’re not.
Viv: I am TRYING to ignore you.
Beth grinned. Too easy.
Beth: You love it.
Viv: You are impossible.
Beth: And yet, you’re still coming over.
Viv didn’t reply for a second. Then—
Viv: Yeah. I am.
Beth’s stomach flipped.
She chewed her lip, staring at the message for a moment before replying.
Beth: Good.
Viv: Good.
Beth exhaled, a small smile tugging at her lips.
Now, she just had to somehow pull off this ridiculously ambitious dinner.
No big deal.
Beth had completely overestimated her cooking abilities.
What had started as a sweet, romantic plan to impress Viv had quickly spiraled into an actual disaster.
The dough was too dry at first, then somehow became too wet.
The filling? An absolute nightmare.
It was supposed to be smooth and creamy, but it was lumpy and weirdly runny at the same time. How was that even possible?
Flour covered the countertops, a bowl had tipped over, and the kitchen smelled slightly burned—which made no sense because she hadn’t even cooked anything yet.
Beth groaned, dragging a hand down her face. Why didn’t I just make normal pasta?
She was elbow-deep in trying to salvage the filling when the doorbell rang.
Shit.
She barely registered it, too busy frantically stirring something that was absolutely not fixing itself.
“Hold on!” she shouted, quickly wiping her hands on a kitchen towel before rushing to the door.
She swung it open, revealing Viv standing there, looking painfully good in a simple outfit—organized, put-together, the complete opposite of whatever mess Beth was right now.
Beth barely even said hello before immediately turning back toward the kitchen.
“Come in!” she called over her shoulder, already moving back to the stove.
Viv stepped inside, closing the door behind her, brow slightly furrowed.
And then—
She saw the absolute disaster that was Beth’s kitchen.
Viv blinked.
There was flour everywhere—on the counters, on the floor, even somehow on the handle of the fridge.
A cutting board was stacked with misshapen ravioli, half of them already falling apart.
The stove had a suspicious-looking sauce bubbling aggressively, and next to it, a bowl of something that looked nothing like the smooth filling it was supposed to be.
Beth was moving around like a frantic madwoman, hands in her hair, clearly struggling to fix whatever catastrophe was happening in front of her.
Viv covered her mouth with her hand, trying so hard not to laugh.
“What,” Viv finally said, voice full of amusement, “is going on in here?”
Beth groaned, waving a hand dramatically at the disaster in front of her.
“This was supposed to be a really nice homemade dinner,” she grumbled, grabbing a towel and attempting to clean up some of the mess on the counter. “And instead, I think I’ve committed a crime against Italian cuisine.”
Viv bit her lip, failing miserably at holding back a smile.
Beth sighed, turning toward her. “Say nothing.”
Viv held up her hands innocently. “I wasn’t going to say anything.”
Beth narrowed her eyes. “You’re literally saying something right now.”
Viv chuckled, stepping forward, inspecting the cutting board with the sad-looking ravioli.
She picked one up gently, turning it in her hands, clearly trying not to insult it.
“…Is this supposed to be stuffed pasta?”
Beth sighed dramatically. “In theory.”
Viv grinned. “And what happened in practice?”
Beth groaned, rubbing her forehead. “I have no clue. I followed the recipe, and then suddenly, it all just… fell apart.”
Viv finally let out a soft laugh, shaking her head.
Beth huffed. “I knew I should’ve just made something simple.”
Viv looked at her, smile a little softer now. “You did all this for me?”
Beth paused.
She suddenly felt ridiculously shy.
She scratched the back of her neck. “I, uh… yeah. Thought I’d impress you.”
Viv blinked, something warm flickering across her face.
Then—without hesitation—she reached out and dipped her finger into the ruined filling, bringing it to her mouth.
Beth gasped. “Oh my god, Viv, that’s—”
Viv’s face instantly changed.
She froze mid-chew.
Beth watched in horror as Viv slowly turned toward the sink, grabbed a glass, and gulped down some water.
Beth covered her face. “It’s that bad, huh?”
Viv cleared her throat. “…It’s definitely unique.”
Beth burst out laughing.
Viv finally turned back toward her, eyes crinkled with amusement.
Beth sighed, dramatic but smiling. “You really want to eat this disaster of a meal?”
Viv grinned. “I want to eat dinner with you.”
Beth felt her heart do something weird and stupid.
Before she could say anything else, Viv’s eyes flickered toward the counter, spotting the bottle of wine Beth had completely forgotten about.
Without a word, Viv stepped away, grabbing the bottle and twisting off the foil with practiced ease.
Beth watched as Viv effortlessly uncorked it, pouring a generous amount into a glass before turning toward her.
Viv held it out. “Sit.”
Beth blinked. “What?”
Viv raised an eyebrow. “Sit down. Enjoy your wine.”
Beth scoffed. “I’m not just gonna let you clean up my—”
Viv tilted her head. “Beth.”
Beth paused.
Viv’s voice had softened, but her expression was steady, firm.
“I got it,” Viv said simply, placing the wine glass in Beth’s hand before nudging her toward the barstool at the kitchen island. “Just sit.”
Beth hesitated for half a second longer before finally giving in, muttering, “You’re bossy.”
Viv smirked. “You like it.”
Beth rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide the smile tugging at her lips as she took a sip of wine.
She watched as Viv methodically started fixing the mess.
She wasn’t frantic or rushing like Beth had been. No, Viv was frustratingly good at everything—including organizing absolute chaos.
She wiped down the counters, set the pots back on the stove properly, adjusted the heat on the sauce like she actually knew what she was doing.
Beth took another sip of wine, watching with thinly veiled admiration.
“You’re weirdly good at this,” she mused.
Viv shot her a quick look, amused. “Because I know how to clean?”
Beth smirked. “Because you’re fixing my disaster of a meal like you’re on some fancy cooking show.”
Viv chuckled, shaking her head as she worked. “I just like things to be… organized.”
Beth rested her elbow on the counter, chin in her palm, watching her. “Yeah, I noticed.”
Viv gave her a look, but she didn’t deny it.
Instead, she took a small spoon, tasted the sauce, then added a pinch of salt like some kind of expert.
Beth narrowed her eyes.
“Are you secretly a chef?”
Viv huffed a laugh. “No.”
Beth raised an eyebrow. “Then how do you know how to do all this?”
Viv shrugged, focused on adjusting the ravioli. “I just… read instructions properly. And I’ve made pasta before.”
Beth scoffed, dramatic. “Unbelievable. You’re good at football, piano, and cooking? You’re making the rest of us look bad.”
Viv smirked, glancing up briefly. “I think you’ll survive.”
Beth sighed loudly. “Debatable.”
Viv shook her head, chuckling as she finished fixing the last of the ravioli.
Beth watched, still sipping her wine, still studying Viv’s movements.
It was kind of unfair how attractive she looked like this—focused, in control, sleeves pushed up, moving around Beth’s kitchen like she belonged there.
Beth’s stomach fluttered.
She hadn’t expected tonight to go like this. Hadn’t expected Viv to take over so easily, so effortlessly.
Beth smirked, tilting her head. “So… does this mean you’re cooking for me now?”
Viv glanced at her, lips twitching. “No. It means I’m saving you from poisoning both of us.”
Beth laughed, swirling the wine in her glass. “Mm. So heroic.”
Viv rolled her eyes, but her smile gave her away.
Beth leaned forward slightly, resting her elbow on the counter again.
“You know,” she mused, voice a little lower now, “this is kind of nice.”
Viv glanced up, pausing just for a second.
Then, quieter—“Yeah?”
Beth nodded. “Yeah.”
Viv held her gaze for a moment longer before clearing her throat, quickly turning back to the stove.
Beth swirled the wine in her glass, watching Viv move around her kitchen like she’d been there a hundred times before.
It was kind of unfair, really—how effortlessly she had taken control of the situation, how she’d turned Beth’s absolute disaster into something that actually looked edible.
And now, here they were.
Sitting across from each other at Beth’s small dining table, plates of salvaged ravioli in front of them, candles flickering softly.
Beth had insisted on setting the mood properly. (“If I almost burned my kitchen down for this, we’re at least gonna act like it was the plan all along.”)
Viv had just shaken her head, smiling, but secretly Beth could tell she liked it.
They ate in comfortable silence for a few minutes, the soft clinking of silverware filling the space.
Then Beth leaned back in her chair, studying Viv.
“So,” she said, spearing a piece of pasta with her fork. “Since you’re apparently good at everything—how do you rate my cooking?”
Viv wiped her mouth with her napkin, pretending to think. “Hmm.”
Beth narrowed her eyes. “Choose your next words carefully.”
Viv smirked, tilting her head. “It’s actually really good.”
Beth blinked. “Wait, seriously?”
Viv nodded, chewing another bite. “Yeah. I mean, I did fix most of it, so…”
Beth threw her napkin at her. “Oh, piss off.”
The clinking of silverware and the occasional soft hum of appreciation from Beth filled the cozy space between them. The candlelight flickered, casting a warm glow over Viv’s face, and Beth found herself watching her more than she was eating.
She liked this.
The quietness. The intimacy of sitting across from Viv, just talking, eating, being.
Beth rested her chin on her palm, studying her.
“So,” she said, poking at her ravioli with a smirk, “what do you do when you’re not being annoyingly good at everything?”
Viv huffed a small laugh, shaking her head as she took a sip of wine. “Annoyingly good?”
Beth grinned. “Yeah. You cook, you clean, you play piano, you probably fold your socks in a perfect little row.”
Viv tilted her head. “And that’s annoying?”
Beth shrugged, teasing. “A little.”
Viv rolled her eyes but smiled anyway.
Beth leaned forward, genuinely curious now. “But really—what do you do when you’re not training or playing?”
Viv thought for a second, then set her glass down, tracing the rim absentmindedly.
“I like routines,” she admitted. “I like… structure. It helps me feel balanced.”
Beth nodded, watching her. “That why you’re so organized?”
Viv smirked slightly. “I wouldn’t say I’m that bad.”
Beth raised an eyebrow. “Viv. You color-code your notes. You probably schedule your grocery runs to the minute.”
Viv let out a soft laugh. “Okay, maybe a little.”
Beth grinned. “So what else?”
Viv tilted her head, considering. “I read a lot.”
Beth’s eyebrows rose slightly. “Oh? What kind of stuff?”
Viv exhaled through her nose, a little shy now. “Mostly fiction. Stuff that lets me switch off for a while.”
Beth smiled. “That makes sense.”
Viv glanced up at her. “And you?”
Beth shrugged, leaning back in her chair. “I don’t know. I feel like football’s always been… everything.”
Viv nodded, like she understood that all too well.
Beth tapped her fingers against the table. “I think sometimes I worry that I don’t have enough outside of it. Like, what happens when I stop playing? What happens when football isn’t my whole world anymore?”
Viv watched her carefully. “You’ve thought about that a lot?”
Beth nodded. “Yeah. I mean, injuries make you think, right? When I was out, it was the first time I had to really sit with the idea that… maybe one day I won’t have this. And then what?”
Viv was quiet for a moment, taking that in.
Then, softly—“I think you’ll figure it out.”
Beth looked at her, lips quirking slightly. “You think?”
Viv nodded, earnest. “Yeah. You love the game, but you’re more than just football.”
Beth’s stomach fluttered.
She swallowed, looking down at her plate for a second before glancing back up.
“What about you?” she asked. “What happens when you stop playing?”
Viv exhaled, a small crease forming between her brows. “I don’t know. I’ve never let myself think about it much.”
Beth nodded, understanding that completely.
“I do know that I don’t want to be one of those players that just… disappears.” Viv picked at a piece of pasta. “I think I’d like to be involved in football somehow. Maybe coaching. Maybe something else. But I want to stay in it.”
Beth smiled. “You’d be a good coach.”
Viv scoffed, shaking her head. “You say that now, but you’d hate me as a coach.”
Beth grinned. “True. You’d probably make me run too much.”
Viv chuckled. “Definitely.”
Beth took another sip of wine, then rested her elbow on the table. “What else?”
Viv raised an eyebrow. “What else?”
Beth nodded. “Come on, tell me something no one else really knows about you.”
Viv sighed, tilting her head in thought.
“…I used to want to be an architect.”
Beth blinked. “No way.”
Viv shrugged, a little sheepish now. “Yeah. When I was younger, before football got serious, I loved designing things. I’d sketch out floor plans, imagine what I’d build one day.”
Beth smiled, fascinated. “That’s actually really cool.”
Viv smirked. “I thought so too. But then football took over, and… I guess that was that.”
Beth studied her, soft but curious. “Do you ever miss it?”
Viv paused.
Then, quietly—“Sometimes.”
Beth leaned forward slightly, eyes never leaving hers. “You ever think about doing it again? Even just for fun?”
Viv exhaled a small laugh, shaking her head. “I don’t even know if I’d be any good at it anymore.”
Beth shrugged. “So? Doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try.”
Viv looked at her for a long moment, something soft and thoughtful in her gaze.
Then, a small smile.
“Maybe I will,” she murmured.
Beth grinned. “I’ll be your first client. You can design my dream house.”
Viv laughed, shaking her head. “You’d be a nightmare client.”
Beth gasped. “Excuse me?”
Viv smirked. “You’d change your mind every five minutes.”
Beth huffed. “That is absolutely not true.”
Viv raised an eyebrow, amused. “Beth, you literally changed your dinner plan three times today.”
Beth froze.
Then, narrowed her eyes. “Okay, fair point. But still.”
Viv chuckled, shaking her head.
Beth smiled, resting her chin in her hand again, watching her.
“You know,” she said, voice a little quieter now, “I like learning about you.”
Viv’s fingers stilled slightly against her wine glass.
She swallowed, then looked at Beth, something unreadable in her eyes.
“…Yeah?”
Beth nodded, soft and sure.
Viv held her gaze, then exhaled through her nose, a small smile playing at her lips.
“I like learning about you too.”
Beth stacked the last plate in the dishwasher, shutting it with a soft click before turning around.
Viv was at the sink, methodically wiping down the countertop, sleeves pushed up, movements precise and neat—because of course she was.
Beth smirked, leaning against the counter with her arms crossed. “You know, this is kinda nice.”
Viv glanced over at her. “Cleaning?”
Beth huffed a laugh. “No, you idiot. This. Us. Just… hanging out.”
Viv’s lips twitched slightly, but she didn’t look up, focusing on aligning the dish soap and sponge like they were part of some master plan.
“Yeah,” she murmured. “It is.”
Beth tilted her head, watching her.
She liked learning things about Viv—how she liked things in order, how she didn’t do anything half-heartedly, how she was so good at making someone feel like she was really there with them, not just physically but fully.
Beth picked up a towel, helping dry the last of the dishes Viv had washed.
“So,” Beth said, a little teasing now. “You ever do this with anyone else?”
Viv snorted. “Wash dishes?”
Beth grinned. “No, dumbass. Have a night like this.”
Viv’s hands stilled slightly before she set the dish down carefully. She took a breath, shrugging one shoulder.
“No.”
Beth glanced at her, brow raising slightly. “No?”
Viv shook her head, reaching for the last dish. “Not really my thing.”
Beth watched her for a moment, chewing on her lip.
Viv wasn’t looking at her now, but Beth could see the way she was choosing her words carefully.
Beth grabbed the towel from the counter, nudging her slightly. “But this?”
Viv finally turned her head, her eyes flickering up to meet Beth’s.
Beth swallowed.
Viv’s gaze was steady, unreadable—but something about it made Beth’s chest tighten.
“This is different,” Viv murmured.
Beth felt her breath hitch slightly.
Viv blinked, eyes flickering briefly to Beth’s lips.
It was barely noticeable, barely there at all—but Beth caught it.
The air between them shifted, the warmth of the kitchen suddenly feeling heavier, closer.
Beth could feel it, the space between them getting smaller without either of them moving.
She could feel Viv’s breath, the faintest brush of it as she exhaled, hands still resting lightly on the counter.
For a moment—just a moment—Beth thought Viv might close the distance.
Beth almost wanted her to.
Instead, Viv cleared her throat softly, turning back toward the sink.
Beth blinked, taking a step back, forcing herself to breathe again.
“Right,” she said, voice a little too light, like the moment hadn’t just happened. “Good to know.”
The movie played softly in the background, but neither of them was really watching it.
Beth and Viv sat on opposite ends of the couch—not intentionally, but with that awkward hesitance of two people who weren’t quite sure how to act in this new space together.
They had done this before—sat on couches, watched movies, spent time just the two of them.
But never like this.
Never with the memory of last night’s kisses still burning on their skin.
Never with the weight of what could happen next sitting between them, thick and electric.
Beth felt it in the way her fingers fidgeted in her lap, the way her stomach flipped every time Viv shifted slightly.
She wasn’t used to feeling like this.
Beth Mead was usually confident, playful, in control.
But tonight? Viv made her nervous in a way she didn’t expect.
She glanced at Viv out of the corner of her eye, noticing how her hands were clasped tightly in her lap, her shoulders slightly tense.
Yeah.
Viv was nervous too.
Beth exhaled softly, then, before she could overthink it, she shifted closer.
Slowly, deliberately, she reached for Viv’s arm, gently lifting it and tucking herself under it.
Viv stiffened for half a second, then let out a quiet breath as she relaxed into it.
Beth smiled to herself, resting her head lightly against Viv’s shoulder.
She tilted her chin up, voice barely above a whisper.
"I like this."
Viv’s lips parted slightly, and then, so tentatively Beth could barely feel it—she pressed a kiss to the top of Beth’s head.
Beth’s eyes fluttered shut for a moment, her stomach doing that stupid little flip again.
She swallowed, then murmured, “I like when you do that.”
Viv smiled softly, just barely.
For a while, they stayed like that—wrapped up in each other, letting the tension slowly settle into something warm, something quiet.
Beth could feel Viv’s breath against her hair, could feel the way Viv’s fingers twitched slightly against her arm, like she wanted to do more but didn’t know if she should.
Then, on the screen, the mood of the movie shifted.
A sex scene.
Beth could feel Viv go completely still.
Her muscles tensed under Beth’s touch, and after a second, she shifted slightly, like she didn’t know where to look.
Beth smirked, lifting her head just enough to glance up at her.
"You okay?"
Viv swallowed hard. “Yeah. Just—”
Beth cut her off before she could talk herself out of it.
"I loved last night."
Viv froze.
Beth felt her own cheeks heat up, but she didn’t back down.
Viv turned to look at her, eyes wide and hesitant, like she wasn’t sure what to say.
She exhaled, voice barely a whisper. “Me too.”
Beth watched as Viv’s throat bobbed slightly, her fingers tightening on Beth’s arm.
“I don’t know what happened,” Viv admitted, voice low, shaky. “I just… lost control.”
Beth smiled, brushing her fingers lightly over Viv’s arm.
“Why haven’t you kissed me today?”
Viv blinked, eyes flickering to Beth’s lips before quickly looking away.
“I don’t want to mess this up,” she admitted, voice softer now, more vulnerable.
Beth tilted her head, heart squeezing a little at that.
She leaned in, barely a breath between them now, and whispered against Viv’s lips.
"That's impossible."
Viv let out a shaky breath—then closed the distance.
The kiss was slow at first, soft and hesitant, like Viv was still afraid of pushing too far too fast.
But then Beth sighed against her lips, tilting her head, parting her mouth just slightly—
And just like that, the restraint crumbled.
Viv groaned softly, gripping Beth’s waist, pulling her closer, deeper, hungrier.
Beth’s fingers tangled into Viv’s hair, tugging slightly, earning a sharp inhale from Viv that sent heat pooling in her stomach.
Viv kissed her harder now, her mouth trailing from Beth’s lips to her jaw, then lower—pressing heated, open-mouthed kisses along her neck.
Beth let out a small gasp, her hands gripping Viv’s shoulders for support.
They pulled apart, just enough to breathe, to look at each other.
Beth’s lips were swollen, her chest rising and falling fast.
Viv’s eyes were dark, pupils blown wide, lips parted like she wasn’t sure how to stop.
Then—
A loud alarm rang from Viv’s phone.
Both of them jumped.
Viv pulled back, blinking at the screen like she had forgotten it existed.
Beth huffed a breathless laugh. “What the hell is that?”
Viv exhaled sharply, rubbing a hand down her face. “It’s… my reminder. That it’s late.”
Beth raised an eyebrow, still trying to catch her breath. “You… have an alarm for that?”
Viv groaned, embarrassed. “I set it so I wouldn’t stay up too late before training.”
Beth bit her lip, grinning. “Well. That’s adorable.”
Viv rolled her eyes, but Beth could see the blush creeping up her neck.
Then, shifting slightly, Viv hesitated.
“I should probably go,” she said, but her voice lacked conviction.
Beth’s chest tightened.
She didn’t want her to leave.
Before she could think too much about it, she blurted—“Stay.”
Viv stiffened slightly.
Beth’s eyes widened. “Not like that—I just mean…” She exhaled, softening. “Just stay.”
Viv searched her face, debating for a moment.
Then, slowly, she nodded.
Beth smiled, standing up. “Come on, I’ll get you something to change into.”
Beth led Viv into her bedroom, flicking on the warm bedside lamp as she rummaged through her drawers.
“Alright,” Beth muttered, pulling out a pair of sweatpants and an oversized shirt. “These should fit you.”
Viv stood awkwardly near the door, rubbing the back of her neck. “Are you sure? I don’t want to—”
Beth arched an eyebrow, tossing the clothes onto the bed. “Viv, you’re staying. You need something to sleep in unless you want to wear your jeans to bed.”
Viv huffed a soft laugh, shaking her head.
Beth smiled, then grabbed her own clothes to change into. “Alright, I’m gonna turn around, so you can get changed.”
She spun on her heel, facing the other way as she started pulling off her sweater.
Viv exhaled, then hesitated before shifting out of her own clothes, slipping into the sweats Beth had given her.
Beth was focused on getting out of her jeans when she suddenly felt a presence behind her.
She turned slightly, catching Viv standing there, completely still, eyes frozen on her back.
Beth frowned. “Viv?”
Viv’s eyes flickered down for half a second, then snapped away so fast it was almost comical.
Beth smirked, turning fully. “Were you staring at me?”
Viv’s entire face went red. “I—no, I—”
Beth laughed, stepping forward. “Viv.”
Viv shook her head furiously, waving her hands. “I wasn’t—I just—”
Beth bit her lip, watching her squirm. “You totally were.”
Viv groaned, covering her face with her hands. “Beth.”
Beth reached out, gently pulling Viv’s hands away from her face, her smile softening.
“It’s okay,” she whispered.
Beth handed Viv a spare toothbrush, watching as she brushed in front of the mirror, her posture too stiff, like she wasn’t sure where to put her hands when she wasn’t using them.
Beth grinned, nudging her lightly with her hip. “Relax, it’s not a test.”
Viv gave her a half-hearted glare, but Beth saw the small smile she tried to fight off.
They went about their routines, Beth washing her face while Viv combed through her damp hair, both of them moving around each other in small, easy ways that felt strangely intimate for a first night together.
Beth caught Viv’s reflection in the mirror, how her expression softened as she watched Beth pull her hair into a bun.
Beth’s stomach flipped.
“You keep staring,” Beth murmured without looking up.
Viv immediately looked away, flustered. “I’m not.”
Beth smirked. “You are.”
Viv exhaled sharply, shaking her head.
Beth turned, leaning back against the counter. “Do I make you nervous?”
Viv let out a short, breathy laugh. “You have no idea.”
Beth’s chest tightened in the best way possible.
She reached for Viv’s hand, squeezing it gently.
“I like it,” she whispered.
Viv’s breath hitched.
Beth smiled, tugging her toward the bedroom.
They slipped under the covers, the air suddenly thick with something heavier.
Beth turned off the lamp, but even in the dim light, she could still see Viv’s face—still see the outline of her lips, the gentle rise and fall of her chest.
Viv was stiff, lying flat on her back, arms resting awkwardly at her sides.
Beth bit back a laugh, rolling onto her side to face her.
“You don’t have to be so awkward,” she whispered.
Viv let out a soft chuckle, shaking her head. “I just—this is…”
Beth tilted her head. “New?”
Viv nodded slowly.
Beth’s smile softened. She reached out, brushing her fingers against Viv’s cheek.
Viv sucked in a breath.
“Sleep well,” Beth whispered.
Viv hesitated, then—so tentatively, so delicately—she leaned forward and kissed Beth.
Beth sighed against her lips, melting into it.
The kiss started gentle, but then Viv shifted slightly, tilting her head, pressing just a little deeper.
Beth hummed, moving closer, pulling Viv into her.
The warmth of Viv’s hand found Beth’s waist, hesitant at first, then tighter, more certain.
Beth slid her fingers through Viv’s hair, tugging slightly, earning a soft, shaky breath from her.
Viv pulled back for just a second, their foreheads brushing.
Beth licked her lips, whispering, “Why’d you stop?”
Viv exhaled sharply, her hands gripping the sheets.
“I don’t want to rush.”
Beth’s stomach twisted—not with frustration, but with affection.
She leaned in, pressing another kiss to Viv’s lips, slower this time.
“I don’t mind,” Beth whispered. “I want you.”
Viv swallowed hard, her fingers tightening on Beth’s hip.
Beth pressed small kisses along Viv’s jaw, trailing down to her neck, feeling the way Viv’s breath staggered beneath her.
“Beth,” Viv breathed.
Beth smiled against her skin.
Then Viv’s hand slid lower, tentative but firm.
Beth’s breath hitched.
She felt her thighs part slightly, anticipation curling in her stomach as Viv’s fingers traced the waistband of her sleep shorts.
Beth’s fingers dug into Viv’s back, her own breathing uneven now.
“Is this okay?” Viv whispered, her lips brushing Beth’s ear.
Beth nodded quickly, whispering, “Yes.”
Viv’s hand slid lower.
Beth let out a quiet moan, pressing her forehead against Viv’s shoulder, heat pooling in her stomach as Viv’s fingers moved, slow and careful but deliberate.
Viv swallowed, her own breathing uneven as she felt Beth tremble under her touch.
Beth gripped Viv’s wrist, guiding her exactly where she needed her.
Viv groaned softly, tilting her head, pressing an open-mouthed kiss to Beth’s throat.
Beth gasped, arching into her touch.
Viv’s hand moved expertly now, slow but building, her name slipping past Beth’s lips in a whisper.
Beth’s grip tightened on Viv’s arm, her body tensing, her breath coming out in sharp, ragged exhales.
“Viv—”
Viv shushed her gently, her lips brushing Beth’s cheek, her fingers never stopping.
Beth let out a soft, breathy cry, shuddering against her, her body trembling as she finally let go.
Viv held her, kissing her temple as Beth’s breathing slowly steadied.
Beth buried her face in Viv’s neck, pressing a small kiss to her skin.
They lay there in silence, wrapped in each other, warmth lingering between them.
Beth smiled sleepily, whispering, “Told you it was impossible to mess this up.”
Viv huffed a soft laugh, pressing one last kiss to Beth’s forehead.