The Londoner
London — October 2024
Arsenal beating Chelsea always felt good.
But this?
This felt personal.
The Emirates had been electric from kickoff. Rain under floodlights. Katie screaming at everyone. Beth causing chaos. Leah absolutely everywhere in midfield like she physically refused to lose.
And when Arsenal scored the third goal in stoppage time, Leah turned instinctively toward the family section.
Toward Elle.
Who stood laughing and clapping in one of Leah's old Arsenal jackets while the crowd erupted around her.
God.
That feeling again.
Not just winning.
Seeing her there afterwards.
Waiting.
Leah smiled before she could stop herself.
Which of course meant cameras caught it immediately.
Again.
—
"She's unbearable when you're here," Beth informed Elle afterward while they walked through the tunnel.
Leah looked offended. "That's not true."
"You literally smiled during rondos this week."
"That proves nothing."
Katie snorted loudly. "You're in love. It's disgusting."
Unfortunately true.
Leah ignored them both and reached automatically for Elle's hand instead while walking toward the car park beneath the stadium.
Cold London air wrapped around them while fans still sang outside somewhere in the distance.
"You played really well today," Elle murmured softly once they were alone.
Leah smiled faintly. "Yeah?"
"Yeah."
The look in Elle's eyes nearly ruined her emotionally on the spot.
Because after everything — the ACL, Australia, all the fear and rebuilding — being seen like this still overwhelmed her slightly.
Leah squeezed her hand gently.
"You trust me?"
Elle blinked once. "That depends."
"Helpful."
"What are you planning?"
Leah only smiled.
Which honestly should've worried her more.
—
Twenty minutes later the car pulled into Piccadilly Circus beneath glowing neon lights and London traffic.
Elle frowned immediately looking out the window.
"Leah."
Leah looked deeply pleased with herself now.
"What?"
"This is not your apartment."
"Observant."
The car stopped outside The Londoner.
Luxury lights glowed warm against the wet pavement while suited staff moved through the entrance beneath soft gold canopies.
Elle looked back at Leah in disbelief.
"You booked a hotel?"
Leah tried for casual and failed completely.
"Maybe."
"Leah."
Leah physically started laughing then because Elle looked genuinely stunned.
"It's only for the night."
"ONLY?"
God.
Cute.
Very cute.
Leah climbed out first before walking around to open Elle's door dramatically.
"Your carriage awaits."
"You're insane."
"And yet you continue dating me."
Fair.
Very fair.
The penthouse suite overlooked Piccadilly Circus entirely.
Floor-to-ceiling windows wrapped around the room while London glittered below them in blurred autumn light.
Soft jazz played quietly somewhere in the background. Champagne chilled beside the windows. The entire suite smelled faintly of expensive candles and fresh flowers.
Elle stood frozen near the entrance taking it all in.
Meanwhile Leah suddenly looked nervous.
Interesting.
Because Leah Williamson could captain England in front of eighty thousand people but somehow still looked shy planning romantic things.
"You hate it," Leah concluded immediately.
Elle turned toward her in disbelief. "Are you joking?"
Leah shoved both hands into her pockets awkwardly.
"I just thought after the Chelsea match and your meetings all week and—"
Elle kissed her before she could continue spiralling.
Warm.
Certain.
And immediately Leah relaxed against her with a soft exhale.
When they finally pulled apart, Elle smiled softly.
"This is perfect."
The relief on Leah's face nearly made her emotional.
Hopeless.
Absolutely hopeless.
Later that evening they stood together beside the windows overlooking London while rain fell softly across Piccadilly lights below.
Leah had changed into black joggers and a hoodie while Elle wore one of the hotel robes curled into Leah's side.
Comfort.
Always comfort now.
"You know what's funny?" Leah murmured quietly.
"What?"
"A year ago I think this kind of happiness would've terrified me."
Elle tilted her head slightly to look up at her.
"And now?"
Leah smiled softly against her hair.
"Now I think I'd be terrified without it."
The honesty settled warmly between them.
Outside, London glowed endlessly beneath rain and traffic and city lights.
Inside, Leah held the girl she loved inside the nicest hotel in the city and realised something life-changing:
she wasn't scared of building a future anymore.
Not if it looked like this.