Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
•••
February 17, 2024
Martha throws her arms around Erling's neck and leans on him. "Oi Erling, why are you sharing pictures of me?" she slurs. "And I'm not drunk," well maybe she's a bit tipsy, but definitely not drunk.
"Have you seen yourself recently, Mar?" Erling grins. "But no worries, I'll make sure you don't do something stupid,"
"You're the best, Erl," the blonde girl gives him a big kiss on the cheek. "My protective and tall little brother,"
This makes the Norwegian laugh wholeheartedly. "I don't think you need protecting, Mar. You're perfectly capable to look after yourself," he pulls the older woman closer to him. "But I'll happily scare off any guy if you want me to," While he says this, his eyes catch a certain Portuguese teammate, watching the pair from afar. "Starting with Rúben,"
Upon hearing the name, Martha lets go off Erling. She follows his gaze and sees Rúben. She hasn't seen him yet tonight, so she thought he wouldn't be coming and that's what made her decide to let lose for once tonight.
"What's going on between you two?" Erling goes on. "Like you have such a weird vibe going on,"
"Nothing, there's nothing," Martha says rushed. She feels like deer caught in the headlights. How did even Erling notice it? Has she been that obvious? All of a sudden the air around her feels suffocating.
Erling notices the colour leaving his friend and asks worried. "Everything okay, Mar? I didn't mean to upset you,"
"I'm going to be sick," She pushes past the taller man and sprints towards the bathroom, but there's a long line, so she decides to go outside. Once the cool air hits her face, the feeling to puke leaves her body and she just sits down against a wall.
•••
On the other side of the club Rúben notices the girl running away. It's hard not to when he's been watching her the whole night. He wants to go after her, but is stopped by Bernardo.
"Don't," is the only thing he says with a stern look. Rúben wants to protest. "No buts, you just had a fight with Emma and you're drunk out of your mind. I'm just making sure you don't do anything stupid."
His Portuguese teammate resumes his chat with Ines and Rúben waits a minute to make sure Bernardo isn't looking anymore, before he still goes after the woman.
He finds her outside sitting on the ground against a wall, after going to the bathroom and not seeing her waiting in the line. "Are you alright, Martha?" he asks, making her look up at him. A light slur can be heard in his voice, indicating he also consumed more drinks than he's supossed to.
"Go away, Rúben," she says.
"I'm not leaving you here alone. You're obviously sick," Rúben says while moving to sit down next to her. "Let me at least call you a cab," the girl nods and the Portuguese takes out his phone.
"Thank you, Rúben," Martha says after the man's done ordering a cab. "You're too good for me. I've treated you so badly," she lets her head rest against his shoulder.
Rúben swears his heart misses a beat at the physical contact. Hesitantly he puts his arm around her shoulder. "You didn't, Martha,"
"I did, you just wanted to be my friend and I just ignored you, because my feelings got in the way,"
"Who says only your feelings got in the way? And just maybe I don't want to be just your friend as well," Rúben doesn't know what comes over him to say this. Maybe it's the amount of alcohol he consumed tonight. Or maybe it's the fact that he finally has the woman in his arms, that has been clouding his mind for the past few months.
The blonde woman shakes her head while looking back up at the man. Their heads dangerously close. "Don't say that, Rúben. You're drunk."
"What? The truth? My mother taught me not to lie. Don't you learn your students the same thing, Miss Martha?" Martha's breath hitches and Rúben can feel it because she's so close to him. If he moves his head any closer, he'll finally discover what her lips taste like, and that's exactly what he does.
•••
Erling 💪
martha where r u? have u gone home? is everything okay? not delivered
