Archive of Our Own

"I can't do this, Steph." Jamie stared at the offending shirt presented to him by one of the photo shoot runners.

Jamie's agent sighed through the phone. "It's just a shirt, Jamie."

"Yeah, but it's a Man United shirt. It'll burn me skin off if I put it on," Jamie hissed. "And me family is gonna see this! They'll disown me!"

"Okay, you gotta stop being overdramatic." I swear, this man and his football. "This is a job. A step up from local ads at Liverpool. Just do it, J. Beggars can't be choosers."

"Fine, but we're not listing this shoot on my modeling page."

"Okay, okay. Just go get changed already." Steph says before ending the call.

Jamie grabbed the shirt and reluctantly put it on. He's gonna need to take a long shower after this and walk on his knees around Anfield to repent for wearing a United shirt.

Once changed, he stepped out of the locker room and walked onto the football pitch, where the photographer started to direct on what poses to do. Jamie did his best to keep the annoyance out of his face. If it did show in the pictures, the photographer didn't mention it.

In the middle of his shoot, he spotted a few United players step on the set, coming out the same locker room and wearing the same kit.

God, let this day be over with, Jamie thinks as he picks up a football.

For the rest of his shoot, Jamie noticed one of the United players staring at him with great intensity.

It was Gary Neville.

Jamie hated him with a passion, especially after his stunt at Old Trafford. Jamie had travelled to watch the Liverpool away match. For most of the game, the score had been nil-nil. That was until Ferdinand managed to score a late winner. Neville then ran over to the away stand where he taunted them by kissing the United badge repeatedly. Ever since that moment, what respect he had for the player was gone.

When he was done, Jamie walked off the pitch. He couldn't leave just yet, in case they needed him to do additional shots. So he sat at the side, watching the United players take their turns to get their photo taken. Once in a while, he caught Gary Neville looking over where he was standing.

Once the photographer was satisfied with the pictures, everyone was cleared to leave. Jamie immediately went to the locker room to rid himself of the blasphemous shirt.

In the locker room, he found Gary Neville changing next to where Jamie set his stuff down. Someone up there is really testing me right now.

Jamie sat on the bench and started to change. As he took of his shoes, Jamie felt eyes trained on him again.

He looked to his left and found Gary Neville openly staring at him.

"What d'you think of the new kit?" Gary asks him, eyes still fixed on Jamie's face.

Jamie just shrugs and goes back to untying his shoes. He doesn't dare talk, not wanting his accent to betray his club ties.

Gary continues on. "I wasn't sure of how I felt about it when I first saw it. Before I thought the huge Chevrolet logo was bad... but this new one though? 'Team Viewer'? Pssh, it's worse."

Jamie couldn't help but chuckle. The new United kit is a downgrade from the previous season's.

"But seeing the shirt on you...I think I change my mind. I think it's my favorite now. Might even be better if yours had 'G. Neville' on the back," Gary says, as he grazes a finger across Jamie's upper back.

This surprised Jamie. He looked over at the Manc and found him smirking at him. Is he flirting with me?

An idea popped into Jamie's head. He wants to see Gary Neville's reaction to his accent. Let's see if you'll still be interested after this.

"It's pretty bad that it takes a Scouser to make your kits look good."

His reaction was as good as Jamie imagined. That stupid smirk dropped from his face and his eyes widened. Under his breath, Jamie heard the other man whisper, "You've gotta be kidding me."

It was Jamie's turn to smirk. He feels he has avenged every Liverpool fan for that badge celebration. It's a small win, but a victory nonetheless.

And on top of that, he can go back to changing in peace. Or so he thought.

As Jamie removed his shirt, Jamie heard Gary whisper again.

"It's just not fair."

"What?"

"How can someone as gorgeous as you, um-" Gary points at him.

"Jamie."

"Jamie, how can someone as gorgeous as you be a Scouser?"

Jamie rolls his eyes and goes back to putting on his own shirt.

"I guess God had to give you some flaws. Can't make you too perfect," Gary says as he stands up, having finished changing.

Jamie stands up as well to remove his joggers. "Are you really still flirting with me?" Jamie asks in disbelief.

Gary follows his movement before looking at Jamie in the face again. "Yeah, I just can't help it... and you sure aren't helping right now by standing in front of me without trousers on," Gary smirks.

Jamie can't help but feel a bit flustered... and he doesn't mind it.

He shakes his head. Jamie grabs his trousers and quickly puts them on. He then sits back down to put his shoes on.

Gary sits back down as well and leans forward. "So...where are we going to dinner after this?"

"Does that chat up line usually work for you?" Jamie replies as he ties up his laces. He doesn't want to look at the other man right now.

"I don't know. You tell me." Gary gently bumps his shoulder against Jamie's. "It's the first time I'm trying it."

Jamie finally faces Gary. "And how many guys have you told that lie?"

"It's not a lie."

There was sincerity in Gary's voice that makes Jamie want to believe. And that soft look Gary was giving him was swaying him to believe him.

"So...we going out?" Gary asks as he run his hand through his hair.

That was the last straw. Despite himself, Jamie finds himself agreeing to go out with Gary.

I'm going to have to walk on me knees around the entire of Liverpool now to make up for this one.

Gary's smile widens.

But maybe it'll be worth it.