“It’s okay to admit that you signed for the inferior London team. That’s okay.”

She rolls her eyes. “You are insufferable.”

You turn, eyes sparkling with amusement. “I mean, when your sister, sister’s fiancée, and your very own girlfriend all sign for the same rival team…”

Lucy has to remind herself to take a deep breath. “I should’ve bullied you more when you were younger. You could use some more humility.”

“I have more than enough humility. Otherwise I would be rubbing it in your face that Ona just signed for Arsenal.”

Lucy raises an eyebrow. “And what is this then?”

This time you don’t even try to hide your smile. “Just checking in to make sure my sister isn’t feeling unsafe in her relationships.”

A retort is burning hot on her lips, but a knock at the doorway has both of you turning. 

Leah pauses in the entryway, an empty cup in hand. She’s not sure what she just walked into, but you have that sheepish look of guilt on your face, like a kid who was just caught with their hand in the cookie jar.

“Do I even want to know?”

You make a grabbing motion. With a short laugh, Leah leans in for the requested kiss.

“What can I do to convince you to break off the engagement?”

You break apart with an indigent squawk.

Lucy looks somewhat serious, eyes focused on Leah.

“My sister needs a hit to the ego.”

“Good fucking luck,” you snort. “Leah’s obsessed with me.”

The hand on your back tightens almost imperceptibly, but Leah’s face gives nothing away. 

“Are you giving her a hard time because your girlfriend decided Arsenal was the superior London team?”

There’s a moment where it looks like Lucy cannot believe what she’s just heard. Here she is, a simple woman looking for some support during these trying times. And what she gets instead is this.

Lucy sighs in resignation. “You two are perfect for each other.”  

Leah grins, pressing another quick kiss against your cheek.

“I know it can be tough, being in a house full of gunners--”

“Keira is literally right there.” Lucy points towards the window where you all have full view of her snacking on a platter of snacks you brought out over an hour ago.

“She doesn’t count. She’s here for emotional support.”

“For me or you?” Lucy snorts, ignoring the way Leah objects. “Look,” she pushes herself off from the counter she was leaning on. “All I’m saying is that there’s nothing wrong with playing for Chelsea. Keira plays for Chelsea too.”

You shrug. “We can’t all be perfect. She was bound to make a mistake at some point in her career.”

This is a conversation the two of you have had on and off since your sister returned to England. One of you would make a jest towards the other’s club, only to be (rightfully) told off by the other. If either of you are feeling particularly hot headed that day, it would end in hurt feelings and an unwillingness to speak to the other for a couple of days. But today it’s all done in good fun. 

A flurry of nails clicking has all three of you dropping your eyes to the ground right before a white blur comes zooming into the kitchen.

“Narla!” You gasp, dropping to a knee. Her face is peppered with kisses the second she comes within reach. “Oh you’re a good girl, yes you are!”

The red scarf tied around her neck is a hard thing to miss. As is the cannon emblazoned on its side. 

“Absolutely not.”

You sidestep, moving Narla out of Lucy’s range.

“Leave her alone.”

“My dog is not wearing that monstrosity. Give her back.”

“No.”

Food preparation has now long been abandoned. The girls could manage and order a pizza if they’re hungry, you reason.

Lucy reaches for her dog again. You spin around her, cradling your new favorite animal safely in your arms. Narla gives your chin a lick, more than content to stay in your grasp.

“Don’t you even--”

You’re gone before she can even finish her sentence.

---

Ona’s the first person you see when you make it outside. 

“Oh hey.” She blinks when you come to a stop behind her, using her as a shield. “Just the girl I was looking for.”

“Hola,” Ona says softly, letting Narla lick her fingers in greeting. “Are you okay?”

You nod just as your sister comes into view. 

Lucy comes skidding to a stop, narrowly missing out on crushing the two of you.

“You!” She pants, eyes still focused on her dog over Ona’s shoulder. “Give her back.” 

Ona feels your hand on her back, a gentle reminder that her sole purpose is to distract and protect you from your sister.

“It’s okay if you feel unsafe,” Ona starts.

Lucy blinks, taken off guard. She tilts her head in question. 

And then she sees it. 

The glimmer in Ona’s eyes. The one that looks suspiciously like the same one you gave her earlier today. 

She briefly remembers you pulling Ona to the side when they first showed up. The way you threw something about sister-girlfriend bonding over your shoulder before disappearing. Her and Leah had both ignored the two of you, chalking it up to you not having seen Ona for a couple weeks.

Clearly she was mistaken.

Lucy’s eyes narrow.

“It’s never too late to change teams--”