Bilbao
May 2024 — Spain
Leah spotted Elle immediately.
Even in a crowd of thousands outside San Mamés Stadium.
Even with sunglasses on and Barcelona shirts everywhere and cameras flashing around the stadium entrances.
She still spotted her instantly.
Like instinct now.
Elle stood near the barriers looking slightly overwhelmed by the chaos around her, curls pulled back loosely while holding her phone in one hand searching the crowds.
Beautiful.
Leah smiled automatically.
God.
There it was again.
That stupid overwhelming feeling every single time she saw her after time apart.
Leah walked faster before she even realised she was doing it.
"Hey."
Elle turned instantly.
And the smile that spread across her face the second she saw Leah nearly knocked the air from her chest.
There was no hesitation anymore.
No uncertainty.
Just relief.
Elle crossed toward her immediately and Leah pulled her close without caring who saw.
Warm hands around her neck. Familiar perfume. Soft lips against hers beneath loud stadium noise and Spanish evening heat.
"You're here," Leah murmured softly against her mouth.
"You invited me."
"Still feels slightly unbelievable."
Elle laughed quietly before pulling back enough to look at her properly.
Leah wore simple black trousers and an oversized blazer, blonde hair loose around her shoulders after media work earlier in the day.
And Christ.
Elle physically stared for a second too long.
Leah smiled smugly immediately. "You're doing the thing."
"What thing?"
"The staring thing."
"I hate you."
"No you don't."
Unfortunately true.
The streets around the stadium buzzed with Champions League final energy — Barcelona shirts everywhere, chants echoing from bars nearby, cameras flashing at arriving players and guests.
But somehow standing here beside Leah made all of it blur slightly into the background.
Because this mattered more.
Leah taking her hand openly.
Leah introducing her into this part of her world properly now.
"You nervous?" Elle asked softly as they started walking toward the entrance.
Leah glanced sideways at her.
"A bit."
"Why?"
Leah laughed quietly under her breath.
"Because football people are intense."
Elle grinned. "So are models."
"Fair."
Then softer—
"I just... care what certain people think."
The honesty in that made Elle squeeze her hand gently.
Because Leah acted fearless publicly.
But privately?
She cared deeply.
About loyalty. About family. About the people she let close.
And this—
bringing Elle here—
meant something huge.
They reached a quieter corridor inside the stadium before Leah slowed slightly.
Then stopped.
"You ready?" she asked.
Elle frowned slightly. "For what?"
Leah smiled nervously.
Interesting.
Because Leah Williamson only looked nervous when emotions were involved.
"My best friend."
Before Elle could answer, a familiar voice echoed down the hallway.
"Well this must be the American."
Elle turned instantly.
Kiera Walsh walked toward them wearing relaxed training gear, phone in one hand, grin already spreading across her face.
And immediately Elle understood why Leah loved her.
Same calm energy.
Same warmth.
Kiera reached them and looked directly at Elle first.
"So," she said casually, "you're the reason Leah's become unbearably happy."
Leah groaned instantly. "Absolutely not."
Kiera ignored her completely.
"She smiles at her phone constantly now," she continued. "It's actually sickening."
Elle burst out laughing while Leah physically covered her face.
"Why does everyone keep saying that?"
"Because it's true," Kiera answered simply.
Then softer, more genuine now—
"It's really nice to finally meet you."
The warmth in her voice surprised Elle slightly.
Not polite.
Real.
Like Leah had already spoken about her countless times before this.
Kiera leaned lightly against the wall beside them and looked toward Leah knowingly.
"You were nervous."
Leah rolled her eyes immediately. "Don't start."
"You were," Kiera repeated smugly.
Elle looked between them smiling.
"Oh my God. She really was."
"Traitors," Leah muttered weakly.
Kiera laughed softly before looking back toward Elle.
"You know she talks about you constantly, right?"
Leah looked genuinely horrified now.
"Kiera."
"What? She does."
And suddenly Elle's chest tightened painfully in the best possible way.
Because hearing it from someone else made it real somehow.
Leah wasn't separating her from football anymore.
From life.
She was weaving her into it.
Kiera's expression softened slightly then.
"I haven't seen her this settled in a long time."
The words landed quietly.
Heavier than the joking before.
Because Kiera knew.
Knew the ACL wrecked Leah emotionally.
Knew how hard missing the World Cup had been.
Knew how much pressure Leah carried even after coming back.
And standing there in a stadium corridor in Spain, Kiera could see it instantly:
Elle made her lighter.
Leah looked down briefly, suddenly shy in a way Elle almost never saw.
Then softly—
"Can we stop emotionally analysing me before kickoff?"
Kiera grinned immediately. "No."