For you, always | Jobe Bellingham
Months of navigating different time zones, unsaid words and dismissed feelings have caused your and Jobe's relationship to start crumbling. After seeing you in the stands, supporting him, after a fight, he breaks down in tears as he's leaving the field.
"Fucks sake, what do you expect me to do?" Jobe's voice rings out over the phone. "I'm working, I can't just be there whenever you want." You're shocked by his harsh words, tears welling up in your eyes. But you quickly shrug them away.
"Are you serious right now, I know that-- you don't think I know that Jobe?" your voice raises irritatedly. "I've supported you through all of this, I understand, I never asked or expected anything from you, and I never complained, it didn't matter because I had you." you voice out frustrated. "What matters is that you never call, you never check up on me anymore, you're always either exhausted or out with the team. Your excuses are getting predictable." you accuse him. "It's like I don't even matter anymore." Your voice breaks on the last word, your confidence slowly shrinking.
Jobe sighs and after a few seconds he finally speaks, "Love-- fuck I'm sorry, I never meant for you to feel like that, like an after thought, genuinely, I'm sorry."
You clear your throat, masking away your sadness. "It's fine, I just need you to try, please."
"I will baby, you don't have-" He gets cut off by the sounds of his teammates speaking loudly. "Shit baby, I have to go right now, but we're good right?" He asks slightly rushed.
You sigh inwardly, "Sure sure, I hope have a good pra-"
And before you can finish your sentence, the line goes dead.
You stare at the blank screen disappointed, because the truth is, it was never fine. It's not been fine for a while now. And the worst part-- Jobe just doesn't seem to really care anymore.
The struggle of the different time zones has slowly been creeping it's way into your and Jobe's relationship, at first everything seemed somewhat manageable, you both optimistic about figuring out the long distance, but now after months of being apart, that has changed drastically. Everything between you two getting harder to manage with each passing day.
This doesn't bother you though, what bothers you though is that it seems he's completely forgotten you exist.
"What are you doing, baby" You'd ask. "Me and the boys are out tonight- Yeah, can you get me a drink!" He'd laugh with teammates. "Just having a few beers tonight, before coach kills us Monday morning", "That sounds nice baby, just don't have too much fun." You'd try to joke. "Yeah yeah" he'd say nevermindedly. "Night baby" is all he'd say before he'd end the call.
You'd put up with this for months, because the truth, is you love him so much. You love his quirks, his laugh, how stupid he sometimes could be, his little moods... you love everything about him, and you simply can't imagine what you'd do without him in your life. And that's why you decided to put up with it, because just maybe you two could make it work.
A single tear falls from your eye at the thoughts forming in your head and you swipe it away, realising. I won't cry. Because if you did, you'd be admitting to yourself that your and Jobe's relationship truly is struggling.
Your phone rings, Denise's name lights up the screen. You take a composing breath before answering. "Hi Denise," you say sweetly. "How's everything?"
From the moment you met Jobe's family two years ago, you and Denise immediately clicked, she was like a second mother to you, always listening to you rant about the silliest stuff and giving the most perfect advice when you're struggling at work.
"Hi baby girl, how are you-" she doesn't give you a second to answer and immediately continues talking. "When are you flying in for Jobe's game?"
You're eyes shoot open instantly, you haven't even though about that. You sigh before speaking, "Honestly, I don't even know if I should go..." you say softly.
"What do you mean?" she askes softly.
"Denise, you know I'd never ever want to turn you against your son... it's just that I don't think Jobe would even want me there right now." you say defeatedly.
Denise gasps softly, "How could you even say that, that boy loves you more than anything, why wouldn't he want you there?" concerned she adds, "You're his everything." she states it as a fact.
"It just hasn't felt like that these last few months, and I know it's supposed to be hard- us being so far apart and everything, but why doesn't it feel like I'm his everything anymore?" You speak softly, tears now freely falling from your eyes.
"Oh, you poor baby." Denise speaks softly. "I know it's hard, but you and Jobe are each other's person. I know that for a fact. You two may be going through a rough patch right now-- it happens to the best of us-- but you'll make it out. Trust me. And I know that boy would absolutely love it if you were there supporting him, even if he can't say it." She speaks purposefully. "Look, me and Mark are going in two days time and we're booking you a ticket." You're about to speak when she cuts you off, "No, no, listen to me. You're coming and that's the end of the story. You don't want me calling him and biting his head off for how he's been treating you, do you?"
You laugh through your tears, sniffing. "Yeah no, I don't want that... you're right." you're quite for a second before speaking, "Thank you Denise, I appreciate you so much."
"Aw" she laughs, "You don't have to thank me, I mean you're my daughter in law, I'm here for everything-- especially slagging off Jobe." she whispers the last part.
At that you laugh out loudly, "Denise!"
"Yeah yeah", she replies brushing her comment off, "We'll see you at the airport then?" You sigh happily, "You will, you and Mark have a nice day."
"Thank you baby girl, you too. Bye" she replies. You sing out a bye before ending the call.
You sigh loudly, even if Jobe didn't want you there, you'd be there. Because even if things were rocky right now, you'd still support him through anything and everything.
The energy in the first half of the game is electric, the stadium roaring with infectious support. The crowd shouting proudly at every successful pass and practically jumping out of their seats each time a goal is attempted. But somewhere past the second half, the game changed for the worst.
The ball gets passed to him successfully, he dribbles up to the box with precision and attempts to score--the crowd groans in disappointment-- he missed the shot. Your eyebrows draw together concerned.
Your eyes find Jobe automatically-- he's off his game today, missing passes and standing around, it's like his head is not in the game at all.
Denise's hand finds yours and you turn to give her a faint smile. "Don't worry so much" she smiles and all you could manage was to nod your head while your eyes were fixated on the field.
The game flew by fastly, The team attempting to score, but missing every time, and now they're unfortunately behind by two points.
In the last minute the crowd started to get restless, slightly irritated and disappointed, nothing was going correctly, and you could see that.
The final whistle blew harshly, and Jobe's hands found his head disappointed. You hate to see him like this, let down in himself.
You sit in the stadium seats quietly, watching the supporters slowly leave, one by one. The players finally moving towards their families.
Jobe turns away from the crowd, heading towards where his parents usually sit.
"Go to him... " Denise's gentle voice snaps you out of your head, softly squeezing your shoulder.
"Yeah..." you say nodding softly. You stand from your seat hesitantly, and your legs slowly start moving towards the entrance Jobe's walking to.
You carefully walk towards the end of the seats, your heart pounding against your chest with every step.
A few strides from you Jobe abruptly stops as he notices you. You stare at each other for what feels like minutes, you can't seem to understand what he's thinking, what's going on in he's mind-- but then you're absolutely shocked.
Jobe's shoulders slouch down, he's head looking down, and his hand comes up to cover his eyes. Is-- is he crying?
He starts moving and so do you and when you're finally in front of each other you whisper softly, "Jobe?" concern lacing your voice.
His looks at you and you immediately find his red-rimmed eyes and tear-stained cheeks. You silently move to hug him and his head falls on your shoulder softly, his arms move around your waist tightly.
And you swear this hug feels a hell of a lot like an apology.
Jobe sniffles softly, his head still on your shoulder and his hands now pulling you impossibly closer to him.
"I'm so so so fucking sorry, love." he says into your shoulder. "Jobe, baby--" you start your hands gently rubbing his back. He interrupts you swiftly, now looking directly at you, "No, don't baby me, I don't deserve your comfort right now, I've been nothing but an absolute dick to you-- and you didn't deserve it... any of it. I was stressed, overwhelmed and overworked, and I took it all out on you and you never said anything... I know I don't deserve you after how shitty I've been-- but god am I happy you're here right now."
Your heart swells at his apology, and you go soft immediately. You throw your arms around his neck gently and you sadly smile at his words.
"Jobie-- for you, always" you whisper honestly. He laughs his eyes still full of tears and he's hands find your cheeks gently, "I love you." he says soflty before kissing you. And you kiss him back.
The kiss isn't rough nor is it demanding. It's deliberate and soft-- it's apologetic.
You laugh breaking the kiss, gently wiping the tears from his cheeks. "Let's go find your parents..." You joke, intertwining you hand with his.
A/N
hihi! i've been working on this for WAY too long, and i genuinely don't know if it works, im sorry but i just needed a yearning jobe. hopefully you all enjoyed it <3
banner/divider by @im4yeons
















