The team had been on a week-long roadie and a losing streak. Morale had gotten so low that the players had only sung along to one song while watching Moana at movie night that evening. One!
(And it was "Where You Are," the first song in the movie!)
"I think we're really losing some kinda steam, you know? I dunno if it's the yips again, or somethin' else, but we can't keep playing like this," Ted lamented as he changed for bed. "Heck! At this point I'd dance buck nekkid in front of Buckingham Palace if it would get us a tie! It's like we're cursed or something, like that time back in Wichita with Tommy Grazie. Poor kid stopped being able to catch a ball, had to get some witch in to remove the curse--"
"Possession, Coach," Beard corrected him through the open bathroom door, toothbrush still in hand. His voice was thick around the toothpaste foam, which speckled the hairs of his beard. Ted gave him a tired, fond smile.
"Right, possession," he agreed, nodding. "You think we should get a priest out to the clubhouse when we get back?" He paused, thinking of other options. "Have some sorta event? We haven't had a karaoke night in months, Coach."
Beard finished in the bathroom, drying his face on a towel as he shook his head at Ted. Ted, who'd had first dibs at the bathroom, was propped up against the headboard but already under the covers. Beard flicked the bathroom lightswitch and came around to his side of the bed.
"It's a tougher level of play," he reminded Ted as he crawled under the covers. To tired to sit anymore, he lay on his side and looked up at Ted. "We knew it would be a hard adjustment, especially without Sam and with five new players. It's demanding work, Coach."
Ted stared into his eyes silently. He appreciated his partner's candor, as always, but it wasn't helping with the general greyness that had settled over him. Beard wordlessly patted the bed in front of him, and Ted lay down beside him. They wrapped arms over waists and tangled their legs together. Ted leaned forward for a kiss, soft and warm and familiar.
"I guess I'm not just blue about the game," Ted admitted softly. "I miss Trent." Beard leaned back just far enough to make eye contact more comfortable.
"I know, Coach. I miss him too."
Ted sighed. Beard traced his eyebrows with a fingertip, then his mustache. He cupped the side of Ted's head gently, thumb resting alongside his cheek.
"Do you miss me when I'm with him?" Ted asked, breaking eye contact as his voice wobbled. Beard inhaled sharply.
"Sweetheart," he said, voice gentle and sad. It was an endearment he used sparingly, but a favorite of Ted's. "Coach. Teddy baby. I don't miss him when I'm with you for a night or two! This is - it's been a week since we've even seen him. It's not the same as when one of us spends a few nights over at his place." Beard's voice was firm. He searched Ted's face to see how he was reacting and saw the worry slowly drain from his expression. He continued, "I missed you like whoa when you were in Kansas over the summer. We both did."
"Right." Ted nodded. He chuckled at himself a bit. "Yeah, of course. I'm just really emotional right now. I don't usually think... you know." He trailed off, hoping Beard would understand him as well as usual.
"You don't think I love him more?" Beard's voice was neutral, inviting Ted to share whatever he was feeling. His words confirmed that he had love enough to share with both his partners.
"Of course not, Coach," Ted said. The word had been a term of endearment between them for decades now, but since they'd started dating it had acquired new layers. Especially behind closed doors, it was wrapped in love.
Beard stared for another moment, nodded, and snuggled in close to Ted again. Noses touching, he stretched his lips forward for a silly kiss. Ted met him halfway, like always.
"When we're back," Beard began, "when you're less generally sad, think about whether you still feel like this."
Ted nodded.
"You have to tell me if you do," Beard said. Ted pulled him closer, running one hand up and down his back.
"I will," Ted promised. "That is, I'll tell you if I'm feeling insecure or unsure or anything. But I reckon I won't be feeling any of that. I trust you. Both of you."
Beard kissed him, a press of lips that Ted knew he'd never tire of. They were too tired for anything energetic, but took pleasure in kissing.
A electronic tune rang, interrupting them. Beard turned over, reaching for his phone, and smiled when he saw the name on the screen. He showed Ted, who laughed.
"I can't believe you've got Trent in your phone as 'Good old-fashioned lover boy'," Ted was saying as Beard answered the video call. They snuggled together so they'd both be in frame. Trent was also in bed, hair tousled and sleep shirt baggy. His smile was warm, even though his eyes were tired.
"Ask him what you're saved as," Trent said. He drank in the sight of his boys. Ted's hair was dramatically messy, like he'd been pulling it out of shape, and Beard's short hair and beard were grown out a bit, kind of scraggly. Both men looked wrung-out--eyes puffy, wrinkles deepened, lips bitten and chapped. They were still incredibly handsome, and (more importantly) looked like home.
"What am I saved as in your phone, Coach?" Ted asked lightly. Beard noticed the uptick in his mood, of course, and kissed him briefly. This earned him fond smiles from both his boyfriends. Ted's eyes flicked to Trent on the phonescreen, sharing a look of affection.
"Currently?" Beard paused dramatically. "Hunka hunka burning love."
Trent snorted. Ted laughed and covered his eyes briefly with one hand.
"I'm glad you called, love," Beard told Trent. Ted nodded, still smiling.
"We miss you a ton, baby" Ted said.
"I miss you both, so much, my darlings," Trent said. "I. I just wanted to see your faces tonight."
"How's the week been going with Miz Skywalker?" Ted asked. The nickname was a running gag -- like her father, the youngest Crimm loved a bit.
"Pretty good," Trent said unconvincingly. He winced at his own tone. "I mean, it's been good, we've had fun. She misses both of you, too, especially when we go to the park and there's only one of me to boss around." He ran a hand through his hair, brushing it to one side. "It's... I haven't had to single parent more than a few days in a row in months. It's a lot of work. You two have spoiled me."
Ted beamed.
"Nothing less than you deserve," Beard said with a smile. Trent looked sheepish but accepted the compliment.
"Plus," added Ted, "you know we both adore Leah. Henry does, too. Far as I'm concerned, the more time we spend all up in each others' lives, the better." Beard pointed at him in wordless agreement.
"But her week with her mom still starts tomorrow, right?" Beard asked. Trent nodded.
"And Henry and Dottie aren't coming back to London early?" Trent asked eagerly. Ted and Beard both shook their heads.
"We'll have the house to ourselves for a coupla days," Ted said. He wagged his eyebrows comically, earning a chuckle from Trent and a smile/eyeroll combo from Beard.
"I'll be there when you get in. Love you both." They said their goodnights and hung up. Ted snuggled up to Beard, spirits lifted, and they fell into a restful sleep with the promise of a happy reunion tomorrow.
