Chapter Text
Thursdays were just another ordinary school day for the group. A few shared classes in the morning, everyone would meet up at the same table for lunch, then reconvene after the rest of their classes. Emily usually had swimming practice while Spencer had field hockey, but the rest used the time to study. Since Emily and Alison lived closest to each other, Alison would often finish her homework in the natatorium waiting for a ride home.
Watching Emily swim had its benefits for her. She got to watch her girlfriend and spend some extra time with her unobserved by the others. Since Emily had gotten a job at the Brew, the group would often meet up during her shift. They were all a very tight knit group so finding time alone had moments of difficulty. Sometimes watching Emily in the water, the smell of chlorine, and the gentle hum of the lights was more than enough to be called quality time for Alison. Although her head had been buried in her history book, Alison always managed to steal a glance at Emily when she felt her looking at her from a distance. Emily would blush or get flustered, awkwardly rubbing the back of her neck to refocus on her coach. It was cute.
Emily's coach blew the final whistle, calling the other girls around for a quick huddle. Alison knew the practice was over once everyone started talking, chatter filling the natatorium. Closing the books she had sprawled open across the cool metal seats, Alison began piling them into her bag. She could finish later when at home.
Alison draped her bag over her shoulder and made her way down from the bleachers and out of the natatorium. She pushed through the doors toward the locker rooms. The sharp scent of chlorine followed her in, softer now but still unmistakable. By the time she entered the locker room the noises had shifted from whistles and splashes to voices around the corner of the showers, running water, and lockers clanging open and shut. She waited in the lock room, sitting on the bench closest to Emily's locker.
Emily toweled off after her shower and stepped out into the main locker area, scanning instinctively. Alison was patiently waiting, idly scrolling her phone. She must not have noticed Emily approach from behind because she didn't look up.
"Hey, Ali." Emily's locker door swung open. Her damp hair twisted up loosely, droplets still tracing down the back of her neck. She was halfway through changing, tugging a clean shirt over her sports bra, movements a little rushed, a little distracted from Alison.
Alison smiled to herself, tucking her phone away, standing and walked over quietly.
“Hey.” She said softly. Emily glanced over her shoulder, and her whole expression shifted. Tired and exhausted from her practice but brightening immediately.
“You almost didn't see me come in.”
“Sorry I was busy. Spencer and the girls want to meet at the Brew later.” Alison replied. Emily turned back to her locker, reaching in for something else inside.
“Practice ran long. Coach was in a mood.” Alison stepped closer, close enough to feel the faint warmth from her shower still clinging to her. Without really announcing it, she leaned in and pressed a light kiss to Emily’s bare shoulder, just where it curved into her neck. Emily stilled, instantly freezing whatever she had been doing.
“Alison..” She started, but it came out softer than a protest. Alison kissed her again, slower this time, a brush along her neck that lingered just enough to make Emily’s breath catch.
“I missed you.” Alison murmured against her neck, closer towards her ear. Emily let out a quiet, flustered laugh, one hand bracing against the edge of the locker.
“I have work in like an hour, I still have to get ready.” She said, like that explained everything. Alison pulled back just enough to look at her. A small, amused smile tugging at her lips.
“I know.” Alison responded pointedly.
“You’re making it very hard to be responsible right now.”
“That sounds like a you problem, Em.” Alison said lightly, almost giving off the sense she didn't care. Emily turned halfway toward her, cheeks a little flushed.
“Ali..” Alison softened, reaching up to tug gently at the hem of Emily’s shirt.
“I’m not trying to start anything.” Alison replied, an innocence heard in her tone. “Just trying to say hi properly.” Emily studied her for a second before she leaned in, closing the small distance between them, and kissed Alison properly this time. It was brief, warm, familiar, and grounding. When she pulled back, she shook her head a little, smiling despite herself.
“You’re impossible.”
“And yet...?” Alison grinned, gathering her bag from the bench.
“And yet I have to go be a productive member of society.” Emily said, turning back to her locker, though she was still smiling as she grabbed the rest of her things. Alison leaned backwards against the locker beside hers, just watching.
“Mm. Before you go be productive..” She said, tilting her head just slightly.
Emily paused, glancing over again, already suspicious of Alison's tone.
“What?”
“I think I deserve a little more attention than that.” Alison's smile turned into a more playful. Stepping closer, Emily fought off a laugh under her breath but receded in Alison's arms. She initiated another kiss, lingering for just a moment longer than necessary before pulling away and closing the locker.
The late afternoon light had started to soften by the time they made it out to the parking lot. Emily tossed her bag into the back seat before sliding into the driver’s seat. Alison climbed in beside her, tucking her own bag at her feet. The engine started and they pulled out of the parking lot in an easy silence that didn’t last long. Emily exhaled, long and dramatic.
“Okay, I need to complain.”
“I figured that was coming.”
“It was a mess today during practice.” Emily went on ranting, one hand on the wheel while the other drifted over without thinking, settling warm and steady on Alison’s thigh. “Coach kept switching drills halfway through, nobody knew what was going on.” She groaned softly, squeezing Alison’s leg a little to fight off the frustration she was beginning to feel again. “And stupid Paige.”
“Paige?” Alison glanced over.
“Yeah. She’s been… I don’t know. Acting like she’s already captain.” Emily shook her head, jaw tightening just slightly. She was definitely angry with Paige. “Correcting people, talking over me like I’m not literally right there.” Her thumb started tracing absentminded patterns against Alison’s jeans, grounding herself more than anything.
“That sounds annoying.” Alison commented.
“It is. And Coach hasn’t said anything, or told her to stop, which somehow makes it worse.” Emily groaned. “Like, if you want her to be captain, just say it. Don’t make it this weird power struggle thing.”
Alison shifted a little closer, her voice softer. “You’re the captain, though.”
“For now.” Emily muttered, though her hand didn’t leave Alison’s leg. It stayed there the entire drive, fingers flexing occasionally like she needed contact. Traffic was light, and before long Emily was pulling behind the coffee shop where she worked. The parking lot was mostly empty, with very few employees parked nearby. She parked, then checked the time on the dashboard.
“Oh, wow. We’re early.” Emily said, a little surprised. “Like, twenty minutes early.” Alison turned toward her slowly, something shifting in her expression.
“Oh?” Emily barely had time to register the tone before Alison leaned in. The first kiss was soft, exploratory, testing the waters to see how it would be received, but it didn’t stay that way for long.
Emily let out a quiet breath against her lips, one hand still resting on Alison’s thigh while the other came up instinctively, brushing along Alison’s jaw.
“Ali..” She murmured, but there was no real protest behind it. Alison kissed her again, deeper this time, angling closer, with one hand sliding up to the back of Emily’s neck. The confined space of the car made everything feel warmer, closer, their movements just slightly more clumsy than normal. Emily melted into it for a moment before pulling back just enough to catch her breath, forehead almost resting against Alison’s.
“You’re...” She started, still breathless. “You're really taking advantage of these twenty minutes.” Alison smiled, already leaning in again as she spoke. “You weren’t complaining a second ago.”
“I still might not be.” Emily admitted, and that was the end of that discussion.
The kiss deepened again, slower this time, lingering. Alison’s hand slipped from the back of Emily’s neck slightly higher, fingers threading lightly into the damp strands of hair on her hairline. Her lips followed. Emily inhaled sharply as Alison pressed a kiss just at the edge of her hair, letting Emily catch her breathing again. Another kiss followed, slower, more deliberate.
“Ali...” Emily’s voice wavered, realization dawning, but the sensation made her eyes roll, completely distracting her from functioning with any sense. “Ali, not the...” Alison didn’t stop, lingering just long enough to leave her mark before pulling back. Coming to her senses after the fact, Emily blinked at her, one hand immediately coming up to touch the spot.
“Not the neck.” Emily said, half groaning even though it was already too late. Alison tilted her head, entirely unbothered.
“It’s barely the neck.”
“It is absolutely the neck.” Emily shot back, though there was no real heat behind it. “I have work. People have eyes. If my mom sees it she will probably kill me.” Alison only smiled, softening, and leaned in again before Emily could keep arguing. Intentionally kissing her, slowly and distractingly, cutting off the rest of her complaint entirely. Emily made a quiet sound against her lips, any remaining protest dissolving as she gave in again, her hand tightening slightly on Alison’s leg.
By the time they pulled apart, her earlier frustration had dulled completely. She forgot about her issues from practice.
“I’m blaming you if anyone says anything.”
“You’ll survive.” Emily shook her head, but she was still smiling as she finally reached for the car door.
The Brew was louder than usual. Orders being called out over each other, the constant grinding of coffee beans in their machines, the bells on the door chiming every few seconds as more people filtered in. It felt like at least two coworkers were missing, maybe three missing from behind the counter. Emily barely had a second to breathe between customers, moving quickly, efficiently, but it didn't feel like she was doing enough. Like she could barely keep up with the customers.
By the time her break finally came around, she exhaled hard, like she’d been holding it in for hours. She grabbed her water and slipped out to the half of the room where Alison and her friends had claimed their usual spot. The group was already in the middle of a conversation.
“I’m just saying.” Hanna was leaning forward with dramatic emphasis. 'If Caleb forgets our anniversary again, I’m done. Like, actually done this time.”
“You said that last time.” Spencer shot back, not even looking up as she gestured with her drink. “And the time before that.”
“That was different.”
“How?”
Hanna opened her mouth, paused, then waved it off. “It just was. Caleb needs to step it up.” Next to them, Aria was barely present, thumbs flying across her phone, a small smile tugging at her lips.
“He didn’t forget on purpose, Hanna” Aria muttered absently, clearly half in a completely different conversation.
“Oh my god, can we not defend boyfriends right now? I just got a ninety nine on my essay.” Spencer groaned. Alison was quieter than usual, leaned back slightly in her chair.
“That’s tragic, Spence.” Alison said, deadpanning her tone.
“It is tragic.” Spencer insisted. “Do you know how insulting that is? Like, just give me the point. You already know I deserve it. She just refuses to give anyone a perfect score.” Emily approached, dropping into the empty seat beside Alison and Aria.
“What are we mad about today?”
“Everything.” Spencer said immediately, her drink returning to her hands.
“Specifically men and grading systems.” Hanna added. Emily shook her head, smiling faintly as she took a sip of water. “Sounds about right.” She reached up and gathered her hair with both hands, clearly overheating from the rush inside.
“It’s been so busy today.” She muttered, pulling it back into a ponytail. “I swear we’re like short staffed or something. I am not getting paid enough for this.” The motion exposed the side of her neck.
There was a moment of silence. It felt like suddenly all eyes were on Emily.
“Whoa.” Spencer leaned forward instantly, setting her coffee down immediately. “Hold on.” Hanna’s eyes widened.
“Is that..?” Aria finally looked up from her phone. Alison didn’t move. Not outwardly. She stayed exactly as she was, expression calm almost uninterested, but there was something quieter underneath it. A flicker of satisfaction she didn’t let reach her face.
Spencer pointed, fully invested now.
“Emily.”
“What?” Emily froze mid motion. Hanna was already grinning.
“You wanna explain that?” Emily's s hand instinctively flew to her neck. The faint mark near her hair was definitely visible.
Her cheeks flushed almost immediately. “It’s nothing.”
“Nothing?” Spencer repeated. “That is not a nothing. That is a hickey.” Aria tilted her head, actually paying attention now.
“That looks recent, too.” Emily laughed nervously, eyes darting anywhere but at her friends.
“You guys are being dramatic.”
“Yeah, Em.” Alison finally spoke, glancing at Emily. “Who’s the lucky girl?” Emily tried hiding behind her bottle of water, but she choked on the water.
“Oh my god. Just forget about it.”
“Mmhm..” Spencer mused, unconvinced. “So, it just appeared out of thin air?”
“Maybe she walked into something.” Hanna added, clearly not helping.
“On her neck?” Alison shot back, rolling her eyes. Emily’s face had gone fully red with a deep, mortified blush. She shook her head quickly, staring down at the bottle in her lap.
“You guys are annoying.”
“We’re just curious.” Alison replied softly, reaching over to squeeze Emily's arm. Emily didn’t respond. She couldn’t. She kept her eyes down, shoulders slightly hunched, completely unable to meet anyone’s gaze. For once, she had absolutely nothing to say.
The rest of her break didn’t help with her embarrassment. Every time the conversation lulled, someone would glance at her again, or smirk, or start to say something before she immediately shut it down. By the time she had to head back to the counter she was still blushing, still avoiding eye contact, grabbing her hair like she could somehow hide it again. Alison watched her go back to the counter, undeniably pleased by the work her mouth had done.
By the time Emily disappeared behind the counter, the group sat in silence for two, maybe three seconds at most before Hanna turned immediately to Alison.
“Okay. No.” Hanna said, pointing toward the counter Emily was at. “We’re not just moving on from that.”
“Absolutely not.” Aria commented, already back on her phone.
“That was definitely a hickey.” Spencer commented. Alison just shrugged lightly, like it hadn’t been particularly interesting. “Maybe.”
“Maybe?” Spencer echoed. “Alison.” Alison leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms.
“What do you want me to say?”
“You were literally at practice with her.” Hanna said. “Did you see anything?” Alison tilted her head slightly, like she was thinking about it.
“Not really. They were in the water most of the time.”
“That’s suspiciously unhelpful.” Spencer narrowed her eyes.
“Sorry. I was busy doing homework, I didn't have time to watch Em every two seconds.” Alison came off more dismissive than annoyed. Spencer finally eased the pressure once the conversation had changed, but she knew the minute she got another opportunity she would be bringing it back up.
Spencer offered Alison a ride without much discussion, tossing her bag into the passenger seat while Alison climbed in. The car had music playing low in the background as Spencer pulled out of the parking lot. They didn't get far down the street before Spencer reached for the volume control and turned it off completely.
“Alright.” Spencer said, glancing over when they got to a red light. “We’re talking about it.”
“Are we?” Alison looked out the window, already knowing what it was.
“Yes, we are. Mystery girl. Hickey. Hello? We are not going to let something like that slide.” Alison let out a soft, amused breath. “You’re really stuck on that.”
“You’re not?” Spencer shot back. “That came out of nowhere.”
“People date.” Alison shrugged, keeping her tone even and as normal as ever.
“Yeah, but Emily?” Spencer asked. “She’s so.. scheduled. Like, where does she even have the time?” Alison smiled a little at that, gaze still out the window.
“You’d be surprised.”
“Okay, but think about it. It has to be someone from swim, right? That’s the only place she is besides work and school.”
“Probably.” Alison said.
“Did anyone seem close to her?” Spencer pressed. “Like, too close?”
Alison paused just long enough to make it feel genuine.
“Not really. I mean, she talks to everyone.”
“That’s true.” Spencer admitted.
“Maybe she just doesn’t want you interrogating her.” Alison responded, floating the idea.
“Emily wouldn't keep her relationships secret. And from me of all people?” Spencer said. “I’m delightful.”
Alison laughed. “Debatable.” Spencer shot her a look, then focused her attention back on the road. “Okay, but seriously, if you had to guess. Who?” Alison finally turned her head, resting it lightly against the seat.
“I don’t know.” She said, voice softer now. “Could be anyone.”
“I hate not knowing things.” Spencer sighed dramatically.
“Yeah.” Alison murmured, almost to herself.
They drove the rest of the way throwing out half serious theories, dismissing them just as quickly. Someone from another school, maybe. A coworker. A random girl no one had noticed before. Nothing stuck. Alison never gave anything away which added to their fun. Alison was known for keeping secrets and mainly using them against someone. If she had one on Emily, she wouldn't have been participating so casually at speculating about Emily's love life. By the time Spencer pulled up across town and Alison grabbed her bag, the conversation had gone in circles. Going nowhere, but it had filled the drive instead of suffering from silence. It was easy and curious, with just a little conspiratorial.
“Text me if you figure it out.” Spencer said as Alison opened the door. Alison smiled, stepping out.
“I will.” She closed the door, watching as Spencer drove off. Only then did she let her expression shift. Still thinking about Emily. Still thinking about the way she’d blushed when everyone noticed the mark she’d left behind.
The rush at the Brew didn’t last forever. By the time the evening crowd tapered off, the shop finally settled into something manageable. Quieter, slower, the kind of pace where Emily could actually breathe without feeling like she was already behind. She wiped down the counter and stretched her shoulders, the lingering ache from practice settling back in now that she’d stopped moving. Her phone buzzed in her back pocket. She pulled it out, already knowing it was Alison.
"I made it home"
"I hate you btw"
"No you don’t"
"I literally do. I got interrogated for 15 minutes"
"Sounds like a you problem"
"You’re the problem??"
"You’re smiling, Em"
"Maybe"
"Oh, definitely"
"..."
Emily leaned back against the counter, thumb hovering before she typed again.
"Work’s still busy but not as bad. I’m so tired"
"You sounded tired earlier"
"Practice was hell. Work is worse. I still have homework. I miss you"
"You’ll see me soon"
"Are you coming over or am I going there"
"You can come here. I have your notes so you don’t fail"
"Wow how romantic. Academic support"
"I’m very giving"
"I'll see you in a little bit"
Emily smiled to herself again, this time without even trying to hide it. She tucked her phone back into pocket. The rest of the shift went by with a breeze.
When Emily finally made it over to Alison's house, her bag dropped a little heavier than usual by the side of Alison’s bed, and she barely hesitated before sitting down. Before too long she had already collapsed back onto the mattress with a long exhale.
“I’m dead.” She mumbled, staring at the ceiling. Alison sat beside her, already pulling out her notes.
“You’re being dramatic.”
“I swam for two hours and then worked a shift from hell.” Emily countered, not moving from where she was laying. “I’ve earned it.”
“Sit up.” Alison said quietly. Emily listened, pushing herself up and shifting so that the books wouldn't fall off of her lap or the bed.
“Here.” Alison set the notes beside them, settling herself into the bed beside Emily after gathering all of the necessities for studying. “We’ll go through them together.” Emily leaned into her without thinking. “You’re carrying me academically.”
“Don’t get used to it. Spencer could probably do a better job, but for now this was the best I could do.”
At first Emily helped walk her through the note process, but Emily was familiar with how Alison took notes. They were on the same page regarding information that needed to be highlighted, which made studying much more simple for Emily.
Settling more into bed, Alison finished working on her own paper. At least, she wanted to. Sitting so close and alone was difficult. Unable to resist the temptation her hands were already on Emily’s shoulders. At first, it was a simple touch. Fingers pressing lightly, working out the tightness that had settled deep into muscle. Emily let out a slow breath, her head tipping forward just slightly.
“That actually really helps.” Alison didn’t answer. Instead, she continued more deliberately now. Her thumbs traced along the knots in Emily’s shoulders, easing the tension bit by bit.
Emily softened gradually under her hands.
“I didn’t realize how sore I was.” Emily admitted.
“Mm..” Alison hummed. “You hold it here.” Her fingers pressed slightly deeper, earning a quiet exhale. Alison’s hands shifted lower, then back up again, slowing, thoughtful. Each touch was intentional. Gently, she hooked her fingers at the hem of the shirt. Alison lifted the fabric just enough, exposing warm skin along her back, still faintly flushed from the day. Alison knew what she was doing. Her hands returned first, smoothing over the newly exposed skin, grounding, familiar. Her lips followed. The first kiss was soft, barely there, right between Emily’s shoulders. Emily inhaled sharply, her fingers curling tightly around the pencil she had been using for her own notes.
Alison lingered, slower this time, pressing another kiss along the muscles she had worked loose. Then another, unhurried. She was tracing where the stress had settled and easing it away piece by piece. Alison’s lips curved faintly against her skin.
“You said you were sore.”
“That’s not..” Emily exhaled, the protest dissolving as Alison kissed slightly lower, right along the tightest point of her back. “That’s not what I meant.” Alison didn’t stop.
Her hands stayed steady, anchoring, while her kisses remained soft, deliberate, careful, purposeful. Emily began relaxing into it despite herself, tension slipping away in layers.
“You’re being nice..” Emily said doubtfully, like she didn’t entirely trust the gesture.
“I can be.” Alison replied quietly. There was no teasing in it this time. Emily leaned back into her more, not wanting Alison to stop.
“Don’t let it ruin your reputation.” Alison's hands stayed gentle, her touch unhurried.
Eventually Alison stopped, lowering Emily's shirt back down. She had thoughts about kissing her neck again like she had in the car but withheld from doing so. Maybe the back rub was because she felt guilty, but it wouldn't be the first time she had ulterior motives. They eventually got through the homework. Slowly. With a few breaks. With Emily leaning a little too heavily against Alison at times and Alison quietly nudging her back on track. The tasks got done, the notes shared, the last assignment finished with more effort than enthusiasm.
After that Emily changed first, swapping into an oversized shirt and shorts, her movements slower now, drained. Alison followed, more unhurried, but she was intentionally doing insignificant things, like plugging Emily’s phone in before she could forget, setting a glass of water within reach on the nightstand, making sure everything was ready for her while she changed. Emily noticed. She always did.
“You didn’t have to do that, Ali.” Emily spoke as she climbed into bed.
“I know.” Alison said simply. That was the end of it.
They settled in easily, the familiarity of it second nature. Like they had been doing this routine for years. Which they had, almost. As long as they could remember they had shared beds during sleepovers. After they started dating, they started sleeping at each other's house almost nightly, especially since they lived across the street.
Emily curled slightly on her side, facing Alison. Exhaustion evident in the way her body sank into the mattress.
“Tomorrow’s going to be bad.” Emily began complaining, keeping her voice low and quiet. “Practice before school. Then classes. Then practice. Then work.” She let out a quiet breath. “Again. I’m already tired thinking about it.” Alison shifted closer, brushing a piece of hair back from Emily’s face.
“You’ll get through it, Em.”
“Barely.”
“It's been this way for the last few weeks. You're only stressing because you're tired.” There was a pause. Emily’s eyes were closed but not relaxed. There was still tension, subtle but present.
“I’m so tired.”
“Then sleep.” Alison murmured.
“I’m trying.”
Alison studied her for a second, then leaned in. The kiss wasn’t urgent.
It was light, barely more than a brush of their lips at first. Enough to pull Emily's attention away from everything else. Emily responded instinctively, but there was no rush to it, no intensity. Just warmth. Another kiss followed, just as soft. Emily exhaled into it, her shoulders loosening slightly. Alison stayed close, her hand resting gently at Emily's side, thumb tracing absentminded patterns. When she kissed her again, it lingered just a little longer. Still gentle, still careful, just enough to calm Emily. Emily let out a quiet hum, the tension in her forehead easing.
“You’re doing that on purpose.” she murmured.
“Mm, I am.” Alison replied softly, barely audible.
It was working. Emily melted into the mattress, into her, the troubles of the day blurring out. Her breathing slowed, evening out, though she still fought it just enough to speak again.
“Wake me up early?” She asked, voice drowsy.
“I set your alarm.”
“Don’t let me skip breakfast, I need some kind of fuel more than coffee.”
“You won’t.” Lips curving faintly, Alison pressed another feathery kiss to her lips. Emily nodded slightly, like that was enough to settle it. Alison shifted closer, closing the space between them completely. Emily relaxed fully as Alison’s hand moved to her hair, fingers threading gently through it. Slow and repetitive, soothing, steady. Another soft kiss pressed to her forehead, and she could feel Emily already drifting asleep.
“You’ll be fine tomorrow.” Alison murmured quietly. Emily didn’t respond, her breathing had already deepened, sleep taking over. Alison stayed awake a little while longer, her fingers still moving lightly through Emily's hair, unhurried and consistent. If anything, she was making sure she stayed asleep.