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jack could hear the fans from the changing rooms. he could tell wembley was packed from the thundering of feet all around them, complete with whistling and singing and drums beating and as much noise as he had ever heard prior to a game he’d been on the team for. well, nearly. not being on the starting line up had hurt a little as gareth read out the squad, with phil easily making the cut. he’d clenched his teeth to prevent his disappointment showing on his face, and clapped all of the starters on their backs, hugging phil for a moment to wish him good luck.
he pulled on his kit now, smoothing the number 7 down on his back by tugging on the soft hem of his shirt. the warm june evening air made him opt for a thin zip up to go on top, after readjusting his shorts. after checking his hair in the mirror and pushing it back with his hairband, he realised he was the only one left in the changing room, and quickly left.
jack headed out to the tunnel to try and find the rest of the squad who were benched for the game. his first euros appearance, on the bench. it sure stung a little.
as he rounded the corner, focusing on his hands fidgeting with the zip on the end of his jacket, he managed to pay so little attention to what was going on around him, that he walked head first into a solid body, and almost tripped over with the force at which he did so. the hand of the person he’d just gracefully walked straight into shot out immediately to grab and steady him, holding on until jack had gotten his bearings back again. jack immediately look up to see who he’d bumped into. shit. it was hendo.
“yeh ok, jack?” jordan asked, having recovered from the impact. they were both standing at the end of the tunnel, the starters and the other players a buzz of noise ahead closer to the pitch.
“yeah, sorry. wasn’t watching where i was going.” jack said, nervous all of a sudden. he broke eye contact with the older player, eyes averted to the floor.
“you sure?” jordan said, his hand moving from jack’s arm to the back of his neck, gently forcing jack’s face back up at his. “don’t think i don’t know what this is about,” he continued, “not starting?”
jack looked up into jordan’s eyes and nodded once, feeling slightly emotional all of a sudden. he’d been stewing over these feelings for the best part of an hour now, not being able to hold a quippy conversation with anyone who made the occasional stab at one, before they moved on once they realised jack wasn’t as bubbly as usual. “it’s normal, don’t beat yourself up over it. it’s your first match, southgate’s going to pick his reliables. yer chance will come, don’t worry.” jordan said. jack’s eyes had filled with tears at the act of the other man immediately knowing what was wrong, and the comforting hand on the back of his neck was just what he needed in the moment. “aw, grealo, c’mere,” jordan said with a slight smile before pulling jack’s body in toward his own, wrapping his arms around him and resting his head on jack’s. “you can sit by me on the side, yeah?”
jack nodded against henderson’s chest, the couple of tears that had teased out of his eyes getting caught on jordan’s shirt.
a whistle was blown from the front of the tunnel signalling that it was time to go on, and at that jack pulled back, wiping his slightly damp eyes with the back of his hand.
“ready?” jordan asked, bringing his hands back down to his side.
“yeah,” jack smiled, “thanks hendo.”
“nah it’s nothing. we all need a cuddle every now and then, yeh?” he replied.
“come on hendo, jack!” someone called back to them, and both men spun around to jog toward the entrance, and arching bright lights of wembley.