TWELVE

Connor Hartland looked across the football pitch, Simon sat on the side, cheering the team as he was currently a sub. Connor had been playing for 60 minutes and it was about time he swapped out.

"Coach!" He calls out, jogging across the pitch, "Let Minter come on,"

"Alright Hartland," The coach says, gesturing for Simon to come forwards. The boy pulls off the black bib he'd worn over the white football shirt he was wearing and the two boys pulled each other into a 'bro hug'.

"Go get 'em," Connor says, breath hot against Simon's ear, it made his spine tingle.

The game finished after another 30 minutes and as the referee blew the whistle to alert Hull University they had won, Connor stormed the pitch and ran into Simon's arms, hugging him tightly before the rest of the team joined in, hugging and celebrating as a team.

"Drinks are on me tonight boys!" Connor yells and they all cheer again.

The group move off the pitch, the crowd were cheering for their university team and as the boys made their way to the changing rooms they congratulated each other on their plays throughout the game.

"You played well," Connor says, sitting beside Simon, smiling as he did so.

"So did you," Simon replies as he pulls on his t-shirt.

"You're coming for drinks, right?" Connor asks and Simon nods, smirking.

"Wouldn't miss it for the world," He replies, chuckling.

The bar that Connor had chosen to 'host' the post match celebrations was a beautiful building made of glass, and the view was beautiful, looking out over the river and filled with middle class women in tight dresses, holding wine glasses and bitching endlessly about their husbands or their children or their bosses.

Simon sat at the bar with a scotch, on the rocks, sitting in front of him, his eyes peering down the bar every so often at the man he'd come to love. And Simon used the term love very lightly for he feared he was falling too fast.
He gulped back a bit of his drink and replaced the glass on the napkin the bartender had put there.

"Hey," The word came from a female on Simon's left, a tight purple sequin covered dress rested on her slim frame and she gaze the boy a dazzling smile when he looked up.

"Hi," He says, turning his body to look at her better, which meant turning towards Connor and his little group of friends.

"I saw you sitting all alone up here and thought you'd enjoy some company," She says, "Sara,"

"Simon," He says, shaking her offered hand, "Can I get you anything?"

She looks down the bar and then back to Simon, "So, I was actually wondering if you knew those boys?"

"Those guys?" Simon asks, nodding towards Connor's group.

"Yes, those guys," She says, "I've seen that tattooed boy on the university campus, I was wondering if he was single, I've seen you with him before,"

"Yeah...Yeah, let me call him over," Simon says, he stands up and walks down the bar, he places a firm hand on Connor's shoulder, "Come with me a second,"

"Alright," Connor says, leaving behind his friends to walk with Simon.

"This is Sara, Sara, meet Connor Hartland," Simon says, sitting back down and looking at the boy beside him.

"Hi to meet you," Connor says, shaking the girls hand.

"You too," She says, sending him a wink. A twang of uncomfortableness runs up Connor's spine.

"So, I see you're making friends, Simon, what did you need me for?" Connor asks and Simon smirks.

"Sara wanted to know if you were single?" Simon asks, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Ah...Actually, I'm taken," Connor says, the response is fast and sharp and it takes Simon by surprise.

"Oh...Well, I'll just take your lovely friend here," Sara says, sending a grin towards Simon.

"Sorry love, but he's the one I'm taken by," Connor says, grabbing Simon's hand and sending a smirk towards Sara.

"I have a few mates who might be looking for a quick fix though," Connor says, pulling Simon into a stand and guiding him towards his group of friends.

"You're finally holding hands," Kian says, grinning towards Connor.

"You fucker, we'll have sex on the bar if you want," Connor laughs, and Simon could feel his cheeks burning and his palms growing sweaty, he pulls his hand from Connor's almost instantaneously.

"I'm confused," Simon mumbles to Connor.

"They know, they've known for ages, but I've been worried as to how you'd react about them knowing," Connor says and Simon gulps, wondering how long they'd actually known.

"I'm not...I'm not sure how I feel," Simon says, stomach churning with anxiety, "I need some air,"

He turns on his heel and walks out of the bar, feet carrying him across the road and to the wall that separated him from the river. His arms leaned against the concrete walls as he took in a deep breath of fresh air. His eyes closed and suddenly a hand was on his shoulder.

"I'm sorry if that was all a bit rushed, but I wasn't going to lie to them or you anymore," Connor says, lighting a cigarette and blowing a plume of smoke into the air.

"I just wish you gave me a bit of warning," Simon tells him, "Thats all I ever get with you. Spontaneous bullshit,"

"Hey, fuck you!" Connor says, "You knew what you signed up for, you grumpy motherfucker,"

Connor stamps out the cigarette and then crosses back over the road, leaving Simon to stare at the river, tears threatening to spill onto his cheeks. He hadn't cried since Cleo left him, and here he was, in love again, crying again, broken again.

_____________

Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed!

i'm sorry for the lack of updates lately guys but i've been on a bit of a writers block road trip and well, here i am

much love to the most Savage fam on Wattpad!

~lachys-loch
❤️