Chapter Text
Ever since Will got scouted at his local under 15s team at the age of 14, his life revolved around one thing: football. His weeks were simple, structured: Mondays and Wednesdays were recovery days, Tuesdays and Thursdays were intense training days, Fridays were match prep days and weekends were match days. He liked it that way, his entire life arranged for him, organised.
James’ days on the other hand were more unpredictable, some days he would be on tour playing to crowds of thousands, other days would be slower, relaxing and tranquil. Those were his favourites, the days he could wake up, go get coffee and spend his time writing his craft. The fact that they met was purely by chance, a cosmic mystery that brought them both together. What was even more remarkable was the deep and profound connection that they formed.
It was November, Will had a rare midweek game against Athletic Bilbao at home, he didn’t like midweek games, they threw off his entire week but that did mean his Thursday was now a rest day. Much like James, he too liked the slower starts on rest days; a walk into town, a coffee and a spot of lunch. That’s how they met, the universe’s divine intervention to bring them together. A cafe, a short walk away from where they were both staying, the same place at the same time. It was a cool, crisp morning, the mist peppering the streets of Newcastle. James had just gone for his morning run, Will a gentle stroll down the street both with one intention: coffee. James arrived first, a cold brew oat latte, Will got the same but with matcha.
“Can I sit here?” Will asked, looking at James. The coffee shop was full and Will wanted to sit by the window to people watch.
“Yeah sure,” James responded, barely looking away from the coffee in his hand. Will on the other hand couldn’t look away. James was pretty. He had delicate curls that cascaded down the back of his neck, his eyes were vibrant hazel and his mouth curled into a sweet grin every time he took a sip. Will was in awe. He had to introduce himself, he had to say something.
“Hi,” Will half-whispered.
“Hello,” James looked up, meeting Will’s gaze, “Are you okay?” he continued confused.
“Yeah, yeah. I’m Will,” he stuttered.
“Hello Will, I’m James,” he smirked, his voice kind and soft.
“You’re not from here, what brings you to Newcastle?” Will said now smirking.
“A gig, and you, you’re clearly a Geordie but what do you do?” James said, picking up on the accent.
“Football.”
Neither of them noticed the cafe thinning out, neither of them noticed that their drinks ran dry over an hour ago, neither of them noticed that they had been talking for far longer than what you talk to a stranger for.
James glanced at his phone, it was 3pm he had left his hotel room at eleven, “I’m so sorry, I-I have to go I have work,” He said heavyheartedly. He didn’t want to leave. “It was nice meeting you,” he continued.
“Wait, sorry, can I, if you don’t mind, your number,” Will stammered.
“Yeah sure,” James passed Will his phone and sent him a text. “You got it?”
“Yeah, thanks. See you around.”
“Bye.”
Will watched him through the window, unable to turn away until he was out of sight.
***
He couldn’t eat, he couldn’t sleep, the only thing he could think of was the man he had met. James Marriott. Touring musician, he would be in Manchester tomorrow playing another sold out show. He had to see him again before he left.
Will: 11:38pm - 6/11/2025
Hey mate, it’s Will again. Hoping your show went well. Do you want to grab a coffee tomorrow morning with me? I have training so it might be too early for you, no worries if not.
He was half expected to be ignored, for that morning to be the first and last time that he met James Marriott. Thankfully he was wrong.
James: 11:59pm
Yeah it was fantastic thanks, always a good crowd in Newcastle. I’ve got a show tomorrow in Manchester so I'll be up early too. Can do 7am?
Will: 12:01am - 7/11/2025
7am is good. See you there :)
James: 12:05am
:)
Will went to bed happy, he was going to see James at least one more time.
***
“Hey.”
“Hi.” Both spoke softly like they didn’t know how the other one would feel, as if yesterday’s connection was a one time thing. Fortunately though, that was not the case. It was as if they had known each other their entire life. It almost didn’t matter what they spoke about, just that they were there together.
“Oh shit, I was supposed to be at training half an hour ago,” Will exclaimed.
“I can drop you off if you want?”
“Yeah, that’d be nice, thanks mate.”
Will couldn’t concentrate on training. The only thought that plagued his mind was that of James. This chanced encounter with unexplainable consequences. He yearned to meet with him again, but who knows when that would be. James would be who knows where for the rest of the month and he couldn’t leave his job. What would everyone think? William Lenney: Centre back extraordinaire, drops it all for a man he met yesterday. He didn’t know why he felt like this, he had never developed such a connection with anybody before, not with friends, family or even his past relationships had taken this much thought from him. What was so special about James Marriott that he had instantly become infatuated with him?
***
“Why are you so late?” James’ photographer, Kiwi, questioned him as he sauntered onto the bus over an hour later than he should have.
“I was having coffee,” James replied and Kiwi shot him a look of disbelief.
“Who takes two hours to have coffee?” he asked.
“It was very good coffee.”
James was quiet, too quiet on the drive to Manchester. He had one thing on his mind and that was Will. He knew there must be a reason why he was thinking about him so much, but he couldn’t place his finger on it. Why did they get on so well? They were from completely different worlds. He was a musician and Will was a footballer, how could they possibly find common ground and yet they did.
“You’ve been really quiet after your ‘very good coffee’ this morning, what’s up with you?” Kiwi continued to integrate.
James stared out the window, counting the trees going by in a desperate attempt to take his mind off of Will. “Nothing, just tired,” It wasn’t a lie, he was tired. He had only been on the UK and EU tour a week and was already worn out, but there was something else. Emotionally he was drained, he didn’t know how he was feeling or most importantly what he was feeling. Why could he not get the thought of Will Lenney, the outstanding footballer, out of his mind? Even back when he was a child he never once thought about football or a footballer and now he was going mad about one.