Ice Cold (Sam Kerr x Reader)
You couldn’t have hated this more if you tried.
Every ticking second, every running, jogging, sprinting step was another towards the end of extra time. Another towards the shootout.
The game was nil all, and you'd hoped your team could only pull itself out of this.
Every cross, every run, every header, every attempt on goal was blocked and cut off at the neck.
You could feel your energy draining quickly and your resolve starting to wane. Every minute was another time your legs were taken out from under you. The ache in your body from hitting the turf too many times to count was starting to set in.
Being a sub, you were supposed to have been on fresh legs, considering you'd been put on for Viney after a nasty head collision, meaning you had to take her spot on the wing.
Thus, sideline tackle after sideline tackle was thrown your way, leaving you to bounce of the turf more times than even your usually stoic girlfriend could bear to watch. She was starting to get antsy, her patience with the game wearing too thin too quickly.
You could tell she was tiring fast as well. The full sixty minutes were starting to set in, and you only grew more concerned with every leaping header she couldn't take.
It all felt like they were aiming to have your heads at this point.
Le Sommer was getting physical with you and your backline, and it was quickly ticking you off considering your sister Clare was battered every time she cleared the ball, too.
In the end, the desparation to avoid penalties from both teams isn't enough, and when the whistle is blown, you have to hold yourself up by leaning on your knees to avoid crumpling to the ground in physical and emotional exhaustion.
Within but mere moments, there's a hand on your back and a familiar pair of brown eyes moving to meet yours, laced with concern.
"You doing alright? You hit your head pretty hard back there."
You nod, waving her off slightly despite the soft wave of nausea you were facing. It wasn't due to you hitting your head, though.
The mounting tension in your shoulders is pressing down into your stomach, and you feel ready to throw up at any point.
You take a moment to breathe, using your girlfriend's hand on your back to ground yourself, letting it calm your racing heart.
"I'm alright. Promise."
She looks sceptical but doesn't question you further as you both move to join the rest of the team. You take a drink as Tony reiterates your positions in the shootout.
"Clare you'll be in next, and then, Y/n, you'll be taking over Courtnee's position in the lineup, but It's unlikely to get that far anyways. You all know how to take these. You've all been prepared for this. I know you've all got this. Let's get out there and remind them why we're the better team."
You all nod, and move closer, hands outreached.
Sam's voice rings out and soothes your soul amongst the tension and rising stress of the situation.
"C'mon girls, we've made it this far, we make a final push, we take it, quick, easy, precise, I'm so proud of all of you, let's do this. Three, two, one!"
"Tillies!"
The ref calls for Sam and Wendie Renard, setting up for which end the penalties would be at and who would go first.
It goes to the Matildas supporters' side, but the french go first. You all move to line up along the quarter line as Mackenzie moves to take her position in goal while the refs explain the rules and order of which everything will go.
0-0
You can barely process the penalties as each is taken. It passes by blurrily.
Save.
Mackenzie palms it away.
0-0
Score.
Caitlin slots it away and brings the crowd to their feet.
1-0
Score.
Diani puts one away, sending Mackenzie in the wrong direction.
1-1
Save.
Durand palms away Steph's attempt.
1-1
Score.
Wendie Renard slots it away easily.
1-2
Score.
Sam puts it in to bring Australia level again. You cheer extra hard when she does.
2-2
Score.
Le sommer takes it, and you almost laugh at the way the crowd boos as she steps up. Their obvious distaste reflected in your own feelings. She had been a literally physical pain in your ass. Unfortunately, she's unbothered by their ministrations and slots it past Mackenzie.
2-3
Score.
3-3
Save.
3-3
Miss.
3-3
Score.
3-4
Score.
4-4
Score.
4-5
Score.
5-5
Score.
5-6
Score.
6-6
Save.
But it has to be taken again, and Mackenzie protests heavily. You swear you can see Sam almost cussing out the ref, and Steph has to calm her.
Save again. Mackenzie comes in clutch, and your heart is in your throat.
6-6
Your sister is up next to take hers. She could put it away for Australia right now. The penalties have gone on long enough.
A miraculous save from Durand puts the dream away, though, and you clap your sister on the back as she jogs back to the line.
Save.
6-6
Becho is up next. Mackenzie takes a steadying breath and you all wait with bated breath.
Mackenzie goes the wrong way, and you're milliseconds from dropping to your knees, but the ball bounces off the post.
6-6
Your breath catches. It's your turn. You have to end this. You have to score this. You can't let it go on longer. You have to put it away.
For your teammates. For your sister.
For the love of your life.
For Australia.
Your heart races with every step you take forward.
6-6.
You take a breath.
6-6.
You've got this.
6-6.
One hit.
6-6.
That's all it takes.
The whistle blows. Your run-up is slowed, but your kick is hard.
You wait with bated breath.
It flies under Durand.
The net ripples.
7-6.
Australia Wins.
It takes but a second before you're tackled by the oncoming charge of your teammates. Screaming, cheering, yelling. All of it echoes in your head and around you as the victory settles into your head.
"You fucking beautiful bitch!"
Ellie's screams in your ear are almost as deafening as the crowd around you. There's another pile on top of you in seconds as the subs run to you as well.
Mackenzie is tackled into another pile beside you, the girls all cheering on her historic performance as well.
You did it.
When they all finally pull off you, Sam's hand is the one to pull you up, arms wrapping around your waist tightly. When she pulls back enough to make eye contact with you, her deep brown eyes swimming with pride and tears, your hands settle on her collarbone, one sliding up to hold her cheek.
You look at her, curious expression in your gaze. She nods, and you don't wait for a second, pulling her back into you, lips meeting hers in an emotional, passionate lock.
The crowd fades as your lips slide against hers, her hands grip you tighter, letting a groan slide from her throat into the kiss as your fingers slide into her hair.
A group of wolf whistles breaks you out of it. You can see your sister, Charlie, Hayley, Ellie, and Caitlin all standing, watching you both, hollering in your direction.
The crowd nearest to you is cheering louder now, all of them whistling and their phones out, snapping pictures.
You'd been far too ready to come out to the world. You'd only waited this long because of the mounting pressure of the World Cup looming over you both, overshadowed again by Sam's calf and the both of you agreed to wait a bit longer.
However, there was a mutual agreement in you both tonight, it seems, and Sam had no fear in kissing you once again, leaving you giggling into her as your hands move back to her shoulders, squeezing comfortingly.
Finally coming up for air, her forehead presses to yours, your breath intermingling.
"There's my girl, I'm so proud of you."
You grin and peck her lips again.
"I should be saying that to you. Coming back like I knew you could, my captain."
Her cheeks come through a little pink, and she hums softly.
"Your captain huh?"
You chuckle.
"Yeah. My captain. My girl."
Your hands caress one final circle into her skin before stepping back.
Before Sam can react to that, you both let out a yelp as a rush of ice cold washes over both of you.
Clare, Charlie, and Kyra run away, cackling, holding now empty bottles as both you and Sam stand drenched.
"Come on, lovebirds, get a room!" Hayley yells out with a cheeky grin.
You glare at the group of them, shaking out your hands, lightly shivering as you look at Sam again.
She nods at the rest of the team now moving to do their victory lap.
"Let's go. Better get moving unless we want another ice bath before we even get to recovery."
You roll your eyes affectionately and nod, walking with her back to the group.
--------------------
The room is littered with shouts of your name from various interviewers as you walk along the marked path.
"Y/n over here!"
"Y/n, we have a few questions!"
You resist the urge to roll your eyes at that one.
Instead, you pick the optus sport crew to go to first, spotting Chloe Logarzo, a familiar face on the team.
"Well, first off, Miss L/n, can I just say a big congratulations on scoring the winning goal today. Those penalties were certainly keeping us all on the edge of our seats tonight. What can you say about how you were feeling throughout that montage of absolutely heart-wrenching moments?"
You laugh.
"Thanks, Chlo. Honestly, it was a bit of a heart-in-mouth moment for the penalties, but that's just how it goes. I'm glad to have been able to finalise that. It was certainly something I've wanted to remember forever, and now I can. Watching my teammates score, watching Macca play how she did, it's all been absolutely amazing to witness."
"I have to agree with you, Mackenzie was playing outstanding tonight, four crucial saves to bring you all to the semis, making Australian history here. I can imagine what that might feel like, but I want to hear it from you, care to share?"
"A hundred percent. I'm still in a bit of shock at the moment. It still hasn't quite settled, to be honest. Give me a few days, and it might, though." You chuckle. "I'm definitely feeling very thankful, very lucky to be here, I'm glad in the end we could bring it home and the looks on each and every one of those fans in the crowd was worth it. Hearing them all cheer on in such a crucial moment for us was definitely what we would have hoped to hear but actually having it happen is another step up for us as players."
"Agreed, the crowd has been insane, and getting to watch you guys do this has been an absolute pleasure. Coming onto another topic, if you don't mind us asking that is."
You nod, knowing this would have come, but you trust Chloe more than anything, so you'd rather answer her asking the question than anyone else.
"You and Sam. Everyone got to witness the celebrations. The pile up of players, the hugs, the cheers, the tears, but what we've witnessed, that certainly had the crowd cheering for you yet again. The loving embrace between you and our Matildas captain, Sam Kerr. Anything you want us to know?"
The smile on her face is mischievous, and you give a loving eye roll.
"Yeah, at first, we hadn't wanted to do anything to release that to the public, but we just had this silent agreement on the field. When you make history like that, everything feels so overwhelming, and you want to be able to share that. So Sam and I wanted to share that in the moment. She's been family to me for years, and I love her more than anything, and she lets me know daily that she loves me as well. I just want to give her everything. I'm so proud of her, I don't tell her that enough, in my opinion. Though, don't let her hear that, she'd protest."
Chloe laughs, nodding.
"Certainly. It's great to see you guys thriving, and thank you for talking to us today. It looks like you might have someone else wanting your attention, though."
She nods to your left, Sam is in an interview, but her eyes are locked on your form, and she gestures in your direction as she's talking, and you give her a soft salute, making her chuckle, and you wave to the camera that turns toward you. The interviewer gestures you over but you shake your head.
It was Sam's time. Not yours.
She raises both brows at you, hands on her hips. It's her 'get over here and save me.' Face.
You laugh, but shake your head.
You mouth a 'you'll be fine.' And walk to the next interviewer. You can see her pout for a mere second before turning back to the interviewer to finish out the questions.
After a few questions, surprisingly, you only end up answering one about Sam, and after that, you return to the locker room without much issue.
What you're met with is certainly a sight to behold. Twenty-two other women, half of them shirtless (your girlfriend included), dancing to "Freed from Desire," chugging and spraying champagne left by the stadium staff.
"Macca's on fire!" That makes you chuckle.
With the beat drop and all of them chanting to the song, you slip by and head to your locker, dropping your shirt, wanting to save it from being soaked. You run up to the group, joining the bouncing and singing, a few cheers coming out as they notice you.
Sam spots you, quickly moving to dance beside you.
You give her a wink, taking one of the bottles of champagne off the table and cracking it open. You aim it towards her, hosing her down in her sports bra and shorts.
She shrieks lightly, smacking at the bottle in your hands. When the spray stops, she immediately grabs you, swiping the bottle and wrapping her arms around you, now rubbing the alcohol onto you.
You squeal and try to slip away but she's got a tight hold of you and you just curl up slightly, laughing as she growls playfully.
"Serves you, right, you little shit."
The ring of laughter coming from your lips is like music to Sam's ears, and she pulls you tighter to her, spinning you around in her hold as your teammates bounce around off to the side.
Your hands find their place on her shoulders as hers find your hips, giving them a squeeze.
"Hey."
"Hi."
"You wanna know something?"
"Sure."
As you assume she's about to tell you something, you feel a bucket of water get dumped over you.
"You're ice cold, baby!"
You scream as you get drenched before shaking off and chasing after your girlfriend, who takes off out the door cackling.
The rest of the team can only watch on amused from the doorway as you sprint after their captain.
--------------------
And she's done, and I continue to suffer at the hands of tumblr and its shite draft saving software.
Lol but jk, hope you guys enjoyed.
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