Completely the Same | Imagines

Saturdays (Eric)

"Shush... it's just getting interesting..." Eric said, eyes glued to the TV.

It was Saturday and his favourite football team was playing an important match. For half an hour he had already been sitting in the armchair, nestled into the cushions and being pretty much completely consumed by the happenings on the screen. The glass of beer in his hand was gripped more or less tightly, depending on the current tension of the game.

You could only sigh and lean back on the couch, waiting a few minutes till Eric lifted the glass to his lips - a dead giveaway that the game was easing a little right now.
This was your moment to try again. "Eric, can't we go out instead of watching this?"
"We are going out... We've arranged to meet the others later tonight, remember?" He replied absent-mindedly without lifting his gaze from the screen.
"No, I mean like going on a walk. Now. In the daylight. The weather is so nice!" Your gaze wandered over to the window.
It really was a beautiful day. The perfect spring Saturday: Sunny, warm and the freedom and calmness of the arriving weekend filling the air. And now that the sun was warming the ground more and more, the fresh green tender leaves on the trees and bushes and the burgeoning flowers that were peaking through added the final touch to the wonderful mood.

But you were already familiar with this kind of situation. Eric loved his football. Watching it was just his favourite way to relax from work - beside reading and sex that is. And it wasn't his fault that they happened to usually play on Saturdays.

"Oh (Y/N), do we really have to? You know this is an important match today..." Eric grumbled.
"Yes, Eric, come on. It will be so worth it. It's so lovely outside!" You persisted, again trying to convince him.
"But look, there'll be more beautiful days in the next weeks but this game is only today and there's no chance to rewatch..." His sentence ended abruptly when halfway through his full attention was again pulled towards the 22 men plus their stupid ball on the field. And it seemed to become rather eventful right now. Suddenly people were cheering and players were hugging, only Eric didn't look too enthusiastic.
He swore under his breath and grumpily set his half empty glass onto the coffee table.
"Look, why don't you just go alone if you want to so bad?" He then added, turning around to look at you for the first time during this conversation. The frustration about the deficiency of his team resonating in his voice.

You huffed, returning the eye contact for a while, before simply standing up.
"That's exactly what I'll be doing now..."
One more time you quickly glanced at the TV -your enemy for today- before walking out of the room, holding back a snarky comment.
You had decided that this situation wasn't worth the effort and you rather wanted to enjoy the day as best as possible. Afterwards you could -and would- still see Eric for the rest of the day anyway.

While you went up to your bedroom to get changed and ready to go for the walk, the football game reached its half-time. Eric leaned back in his armchair, crossing his hands behind his head. He sighed quietly.
His team couldn't stand a chance against the opponent. In fact they were so out of condition this time that he had little hope left they would improve at all during the second half.

Now, during the short break, he finally let his gaze wander to the window, too, and as his mind was going through the conversation from before again -finally being able to process it properly without distraction- he thought about your proposal again.

To say goodbye you appeared in the living room once again.
"See you then!" You announced, buttoning up your coat and not really expecting much of a reaction.
To your surprise Eric almost immediately jumped out of his beloved armchair.
"Wait a second... I'm coming with you," he declared.
Surprised at his sudden change of mind, yet happy about the outcome, your eyes followed him as he now walked past you, disappearing to get ready himself as well. You shook your head slightly in astonishment but also couldn't help smiling to yourself.
You simply followed Eric out into the hallway.

"How come you changed your mind so suddenly?" You just chuckled lovingly, burying your hands in the pockets of your coat. Watching him as he put his shoes on.
He looked up at you with a sheepish grin. "I just figured it's sad enough to hear about their defeat in the news tomorrow. Don't have to also watch the complete tragedy unfold in front of my own eyes today."
He shrugged then opened the front door, holding it open for you with his usual cheery smile.
"Very wise decision indeed!" You happily kissed his cheek, walking past him as you both finally left for a nice Saturday spring walk.