Work Text:
Emily knows this is a bad idea.
JJ is the captain of the soccer team. She has a boyfriend, who Emily hasn’t bothered to learn the name yet, and although she’s friendly, she doesn’t hang out with anyone outside her clique. And Emily is quite sure she doesn’t belong in that group, which is mostly made up of the school’s varsity players and other popular kids.
After all, Emily has a hard time fitting in and prefers being alone. She enjoys staying at the chemistry lab after classes and reads in the library until it’s closing time.
Yet, here she is, leaning against the door frame, waiting for Emily to come out of the chemistry lab. JJ’s eyes follow her every move as she packs her things and removes her lab coat.
“So you’re just going to ignore me, Prentiss?” JJ sighs in annoyance, checking out her freshly manicured fingernails.
“That’s the plan, yes.” Emily replies, nonchalant, as she starts to align the beakers carefully at the shelves. Emily nearly stumbles against a shelf when she turns around and JJ is only a few inches away from her. She can easily smell the lavender scent of her hair. “What are you doing?” Emily’s hand grips the shelf.
JJ continues to inch closer. “Why are you so afraid of me?”
“I’m not afraid of you,” Emily huffs, quickly detaching herself from the blonde and sprints back to her seat. “You’re small.”
JJ chuckles. She would normally be offended if she didn’t find her adorable. “You’re not that tall, Prentiss.”
“Still taller than you, Jareau.” Emily quips.
“I was taller last night when you were on your knees for me.” JJ shrugs, smiling smugly.
Emily shushes her and looks around if anyone heard JJ. “Shut up, please. I thought we’re not going to talk about that anymore. It’s a one time thing. We were drinking at the party.” Emily hisses, blush creeping up her cheeks.
“Oh, come on. You only had one iced tea.”
“How did you know?”
“I’ve been watching you like you ‘ve been watching me.”
Emily huffs. “I don’t watch you.”
“Sure you don’t look away every time I look at you in class. And you’re in all of my classes.” JJ rolls her eyes.
“You wouldn’t have caught me if you weren’t looking too, you know.”
“That’s what I’m trying to tell you.”
JJ slides her fingertips on Emily’s forearm and Emily could feel shivers all over her body. It shouldn’t affect her this much. She hates that it does and she can’t do anything about it.
“Why is this so bad?” JJ asks seriously. She moves closer to Emily again and this time the blonde corners her and traps her between her body and the lab table. Emily doesn’t answer, too focused on JJ’s fingers fidgeting the end of her sweater. “You told me last night that it was. I want to know why.”
“Because you have a boyfriend.”
“So? I will dump him tonight.”
Emily’s brows furrow, skeptical about the statement. “You will?”
JJ nods. “You’re much prettier, anyway.”
The heat on Emily’s face makes JJ grin.
“My mother will have a stroke if she finds out.” Emily lies. She actually doesn’t care what her mother thinks. They’re already past the caring stage and into just tolerating each other.
JJ chuckles. “I’m sure the ambassador will live.”
“The entire school will talk.”
“Let them.”
“You’re not worried?”
“Why would I be?”
“I mean, we’re both girls.” Emily lets out a nervous chuckle. “It’s not exactly the safest idea.”
“I don’t want to be safe or normal. ” JJ’s hand travels to Emily’s cheek. “I want to be myself. I want to be happy. I want you. And I want everyone to know that you’re the one I choose.”
Emily blinks, processing what JJ said.
“Fuck them, honestly.” JJ adds. “And what are you scared of? The school doesn’t care about Tara and her girlfriend and everyone knows about them.”
Sure, everyone doesn’t care about that but it would be different with her and JJ. She’s the popular kid, the varsity star. Everyone likes her. She’s most teachers’ favorite. The girls want in on her clique while the boys are lining up to get one chance with her.
And, honestly, who wouldn’t want Jennifer Jareau? She is athletic and in good shape. Her grades are above average and she’s quite the public speaker that people are convinced anxiety is afraid of her. Everyone envies JJ’s long blonde hair and fair skin. She never had a bad picture taken during games. And though her inner circle may be questionable, JJ is kind, compassionate, responsible and respectful to everyone.
But most of all, JJ has a captivating and infectious smile. When she smiles, it paints a ray of sunshine all over her face and Emily just feels fortunate to have seen the sun here on earth.
And Emily doesn’t want her to lose that smile when people become indifferent about their relationship (or whatever this is).
JJ draws closer to Emily, cupping her face. She almost wants to lean into her touch. “Stop thinking so much, Prentiss.”
“It’s hard thinking for two, you know.”
JJ lets out a short laugh. “You’re a dork.”
“I’m not.”
“You are.” Before Emily knows it, JJ brushes her lips against hers. It’s soft, delicate and just long enough for JJ’s lipstick to linger on Emily’s lips once it was done. Emily’s heart pounds in her chest. “You’re always welcome to give that back anytime.”
“Well,” Emily swallows hard. “Don’t count on it anytime soon.”
JJ raises her eyebrow, smirking. “But you will?”
Emily shrugs, suppressing a smile by biting her lower lip. “Maybe. Maybe not.”
“I’ll wait.” JJ smiles widely. “See you around, Emily .”
“See you around, JJ .”
As she walks away, JJ could feel her own heart ramming against her ribcage.
Damn, Emily Prentiss.
—
The biggest soccer game of the school year ends with a majestic victory that Friday night. And during the big celebration in the field, Emily manages to get through the crowd and to a triumphant and beaming JJ. She’s proudly wearing her gold medal and holding the team’s trophy.
“You’re here!” JJ exclaims, as if her smile couldn’t get any wider and brighter.
“I’m here to return something.”
“Wha -”
Emily surprisingly pulls JJ by the neck, catching the soccer captain off guard. She nearly bruises their lips with how intense and sudden this kiss is. But for JJ, this is infinitely better than the passionate yet frightened kisses - mostly due to being caught - that they shared at the party.
JJ could feel Emily pouring all the emotions in this kiss and she’s here to take it all in, to accept what she’s allowed to give her. It feels like an explosion of the best flavors coming altogether and creating the ultimate sensation that caused her body to float in another universe.
Suddenly aware of the crowd surrounding them, Emily is just about to pull away when JJ’s free hand pulls her by the waist and draws her closer, not wanting the moment to end just yet.
She will not let anyone take Emily from her. Not these people. And most definitely not fear.