Chapter Text
The match went... badly.
Not their worst. Didn't seem like there were any major issues to worry about. Just a few unlucky accidents giving the Blue Sox a 2 point lead. A few unlucky accidents they'd be spending all season trying to recover from.
Lupe couldn't quite face the changing room yet. She was too frustrated, with herself and her elbow and the whole fucking thing so she waited in the dugout for the tension to ease. Bouncing her leg. Itching for a cigarette but trying to resist.
A familiar shadow fell on the sand in front of her feet. She couldn't help the smile tugging at her lips. Jess had come to find her while she stewed.
Like they always did.
Even after 5 years.
"Hey there pitcher..."
Lupe turned her head to see that tall, angular frame. That broad smile. That blonde hair glinting in the sunset as Jess leaned a narrow shoulder on the back wall.
"Hey..."
She took another moment to run her eyes lazily over that body. To watch that smile turn truly cocky as Jess stretched and scratched the back of their head.
"C'mon, locker room's nearly empty"
Lupe stood, brushing the sand off her uniform, glancing around the pitch for any stragglers. She'd like to take Jess's hand, to pull them in for a thank you kiss but she resisted. Not here.
The walk back to the house was quiet. Back of the group, hands in their pockets, shoulders brushing occasionally against each other, sharing their secret.
After dinner, side by side at the crowded table, they went through the usual routine of sneaking out to the porch steps together for a final smoke. These days they mainly spent it in silence. Sitting as close as they could risk, closer than usual under the cover of cold and darkness.
Lupe found herself staring at the red of Jess's, slightly chapped, lips in profile. Thinking about the quick kiss she'd snuck in the empty locker room. Remembering the taste of them. Wishing she could taste them again. But not here. Not yet.
A flash above them 'caught Lupe's eye.
Jess looked up too, then at Lupe. Those blue irises shining in the moonlight. Red lips barely moving.
"Shooting star..."
Lupe glanced to the door. No one could hear if she whispered.
"Make a wish then baby"
Jess closed their eyes with a little sigh. The flicker of a frown across their brows as they concentrated. Lupe only hoped that whatever Jess wished, it could come true.
Eventually, stiff knees and tired eyes prevailed and they surrendered to the pull of bed. As they entered the hall they were all but slammed into by a very excited Esti.
"Jess! Jess! Greta is going to show me how to curl my hair in my sleep like she does!"
Lupe blinked and rubbed her eye. She loved Esti but a whole night of hearing about curlers sounded less than pleasant.
"Can we switch rooms tonight? Please?!"
Oh. Oh ok.
"Yeah, sure kid"
Esti ran up the stairs excitedly. Greta appearing elegantly behind her, shooting them an almost imperceptible wink as she passed.
Lupe wanted to make the most of this rare opportunity. Having Jess all to herself with a locked door and those red lips but fuck she was tired. So, instead of the more rigorous activities she might have liked to use this time for she settled for watching Jess change carefully into their pyjamas, well boxers and a vest the animal, followed by a slow, deep kiss, finally tasting again, feeling that warm body beneath her fingers, thinking vaguely about maybe there'd be time in the morning, definitely time when they got back to that little flat in New York, ending with her arms around Jess in a tiny bed as she drifted, drifted off so gently-
And was shaken abruptly awake.