YOU LOOK VERY ADORABLE WITH YOUR LITTLE HEADBANDS.

[ season 2 — episode 6 ]

"HAVE I MENTIONED HOW EXCITED I AM THAT YOU'RE BACK AT RICHMOND?"

"Maybe you should kiss me a few more times so that I get the picture," Roy said, smirking down at Daisy.

The couple were in the hallway of the Richmond facility, near Roy's new office that he shared with Nate. But he still didn't have to be there for a few more minutes, so he'd much rather spend more time with Daisy, slowly backing her into the wall while leaning an arm above her head.

Daisy was all too happy to stand on her toes and pull Roy down a little by the collar of his black leather jacket. Though it wasn't even eight in the morning, her day was already improved when she met him in yet another warm kiss. She smiled into it, giggling when he nipped at her bottom lip playfully.

Roy had been in a constant good mood since taking the coaching job, and that mood spread to the rest of the team. They'd been on a winning streak for weeks, and Richmond was constantly moving up in the FA Cup — or whatever it was officially called. Daisy just knew they were doing well in the tournament.

When they parted, Roy pressed his forehead to hers. "Yeah, any time I start to regret taking this job, I'll just ask for one of those."

"I mean, what do you expect? You're working with my father," she said teasingly. "I can't be here all day every day. I have a day job."

"Oh, lookee here," Ted interrupted, coming down the hallway with a chipper smile on his face.

Daisy smiled at him as Roy leaned back just the slightest bit. "Morning, Daddy."

"Hey. I tell you what, I'm shipping the heck out of you two," he said before imitating taking a picture of them with a camera.

Roy rolled his eyes, but Daisy knew he wasn't actually annoyed because she could see the amused smile he was trying to hide. "I'm calling HR."

"Yeah, well, tell Mr. Puf-n-stuf I said hello," Ted replied, walking past them. Daisy just watched him with a confused look. "That is a joke for people born in the early to mid-seventies!"

"You can't go to HR," Daisy told Roy as they ended up following Ted to the office. "I'm his daughter. You signed up for the harassment."

"You're so fucking lucky that it's worth it," he said, rolling his eyes playfully.

Beard and Nate were already in the office, talking about something or another, which Ted interrupted with an excited whoop as he entered. "I don't know about you fellas, but I am fired up for this FA Cup thing. I mean, come on. A March Madness tournament in the middle of our season featuring every dang team in the country? Yes, please."

"I mean, what we got? Davids versus Goliaths, right? You know? Rockys versus Apollos. Steve Wiebes against Billy Mitchells."

"One Directions versus The Wanted," Daisy added, crossing her arms. Roy just shot her an exasperated look.

"Exactly," Ted said, snapping his fingers. "You got real into that war when you were a yongin'. What's another one, Coach?"

"Pearl Jam versus Ticketmaster."

"Mmm. Classic battle of art versus commerce right there. Yeah," he agreed. "I got a question for you though. Has a team not in the Premier League, à la us, ever won the whole chimichangas?"

"Eight times," Beard replied.

"Eight times. Really?"

"But not for years." Nearly all of them flinched when they heard Higgins, who appeared behind Ted from seemingly nowhere. He was leaning through the open window that looked into the weight room.

"What have we got here?" Ted asked, looking through the window and seeing all his things on a bench. "Uh-oh. You back into floating office mode, huh?"

"Oh, yeah. But, uh, it's no bother," he insisted. "I'm a flaneur by nature."

"Mmm. I get that, yeah," Ted said before looking to Beard. "Hey, Coach, what's a flaneur?"

Beard let out a long, loud yawn as he answered. "A wanderer."

While Daisy eyed her uncle curiously, Roy asked, "What the fuck's wrong with you?"

"Nothing," he shrugged before actually answering. "Jane and I got back together."

"Wow," Daisy said with fake enthusiasm. "That's... I'm so happy for you."

Everyone reacted pretty much the same, everyone thinking that Jane was kind of crazy and toxic. But it wasn't their place to step in and tell him. Though Daisy knew that the first time he tried to nose his way into her relationship, she'd drop a truth bomb to get him off her back.

But that plan went out the window when Higgins said, "Do you really think that's a good idea?"

Everyone went silent, the awkwardness almost palpable. Daisy kept her eyes glued to the ground, but before Beard could get upset, he glanced at his phone and began to panic. "Oh, shit. Two missed calls from her. Be right back!"

As Beard left, practically running for his life, Higgins let out a long sigh. "I'd like to request an emergency meeting of the Diamond Dogs."

Daisy perked right up as he called for it, it having been a while since they needed a meeting. Her father was just as excited. "Diamond Dogs, mount up. Hey, Roy, you wanna sit in with us?"

"No," he said flatly before turning to go to his connected office. "Babe, c'mon."

But then Daisy released his hand and shook her head, earning a raised eyebrow from him. In response, she let out a little, high-pitched 'Aarf!' like a dog. Roy just sighed and kissed the top of her head before going to sit down, making sure to shut the door. Though Daisy didn't know why because the door wasn't soundproof.

As they had been doing that, Ted was trying to get Higgins to crawl through the window to join them. And Nate was quietly whispering about how it'd be faster if he just walked around and came in through the door. In the end, Higgins just decided to talk through the window.

"All right. Okay, Higgiebottoms, you called this puppy, so start barking," Ted ordered the man.

"Well, I'm just not sure that Jane and Beard are very healthy together," Higgins said, as if they hadn't already picked up on that. "And I'm a little bit disappointed that none of you backed me up when I just said so."

"Right," Ted agreed before letting out a low whistle. "Okay. Calling us out. I appreciate that and I hear you, but, uh, I mean, in my defense, I know why I didn't say anything."

"And why's that?"

"'Cause we ain't stupid," Daisy blurted out before quickly correcting herself. "I mean silly. You're not stupid — just silly."

"She's right," Ted said. "You should never say anything. And look, man, I learned that the hard way. One of my best friends growing up was this fella, Marcus Girard. He dated the same girl from grade school to high school to college, whole time. And she could be a little bit of a pill, if I'm being honest, you know? No reason to start lying now. And, uh, well, I let him know that. I told him so. And he was not too pleased, all right? That's the last time I ever gave a best man speech."

Nate mumbled in agreement before giving his two cents. "I try to be outwardly supportive of all relationships due to my dad sabotaging one of my first loves."

"Oh, no," Daisy said, frowning at him.

He inhaled deeply, like he was still traumatized. "In year four, he sat me and my classmate, Nadia Shookums, down in the living room and said he thought we could both do better. Well, she listened to him."

"Boy, that's a heaping spoonful of truth soup right there," Ted told him.

"Yeah. I know," he replied softly.

"Look, Higgy," Daisy then spoke up. "One thing I know from years of girl best friends — it is bad business getting involved in their relationship business. It's asking for trouble and for Angela Tanzer to cut your braids in the middle of trigonometry class for telling her that Ronny Reynolds was probably cheating on her with Trish Wilson in the boys' locker room on Tuesdays."

"Oh, my god," Nate said, putting his hands to his short and graying hair.

With a frown, Higgins nodded. "Okay, I understand," he said before gagging, letting out the same noise he'd make when helping Rebecca sabotage Ted.

"So even though this is an unsanctioned meeting because Beard wasn't here, let's just go ahead and Diamond Dogs dismount," Ted told them before they all let out quick and quiet barks and howls.

It was then that Roy let himself back in, clearly having heard it all. "Stupid barking means it's over, right?" Daisy let out another bark while nodding at him, grinning brightly up at him. "Alright," he said. "Quiet down, pup."

"Welcome back," Ted said, nodding to him.

It was perfect timing on their part as Beard ran back to his desk, off the phone with Jane. "Ay, ay, ay. That was a doozy."

"What's wrong?" Daisy asked, somewhat wondering if they'd already broken up again.

"Jane's roommate flipped out on her," he explained. "Kicked her out of the house. So now she's moving in with me."

"Oh," she said, dragging it out with a fake smile on her face. "I'll have to get y'all a plant or something cute."

✵︎

Daisy was shivering next to Roy as she stood and watched training. The good thing about him was that his larger frame blocked the wind. Even better, when he noticed her shivering in a sweater, he pulled off his thick winter coat and put it over her shoulders. She smiled and slid her arms into it before leaning against him, letting him wrap his arm around her waist.

Practice was going pretty smoothly right up until Colin messed up a kick, sending the ball soaring over the net and right into the parking lot. As Daisy heard an alarm sounding, she wondered why they put a parking lot behind the goal. Though Colin was upset by missing, Jamie tried to cheer him up.

"Chin up, lads."

But then Nate, who'd been a little snappy as of late, made him feel bad all over again. "Come on, Colin. You dolt."

"Colin," Roy shouted, stepping up, "you're leaning too far back. Head down, fucking whip it."

Colin nodded and repeated the mantra that he'd come up with in therapy with Dr. Sharon. "I am a strong and capable man. Thanks, Roy."

"Bumbercatch, great pass, but it don't mean shit if they see it coming," he kept going. "The rest of you in the box, when the shit goes, you fucking follow it in."

Isaac grinned and looked out over his team. "Yeah, you smell that, lads? That's the Roy Kent effect."

As the players cheered and chanted his name, Roy just laughed, and Daisy loved the sight of his smile, just happy that he was happy.

Then Jamie came over, and Daisy just smiled at his little headband that kept his hair pushed back. "Anything for me, coach?"

After a moment, Roy just turned away from him and clapped his hands. "All right, let's go again."

"Hey, Roy," Ted spoke up. "You know you're paid to coach the whole team, right?"

"No, no, that's fine. Just take four percent off my paycheck," Roy said, unbothered.

"Ted!" they suddenly heard Rebecca yell. "Ted!"

"You hear that?" Ted asked, looking around. Daisy rolled her eyes and turned him toward the window that Rebecca was hanging out of as she shouted at them. "Oh. Hey!"

"Do you and Daisy have lunch plans?"

"As a matter of fact, I do, yeah. Not sure about Oopsie Daisy, but Coach Beard and I here are doing Secret Sandwich Switcheroo every other Friday. What we do is I make a sandwich—"

"I don't care, Ted," she cut him off. "You're coming to lunch with me and my mother. Daisy, you too. Keeley and Allora will be there."

"Can't wait!" Daisy called back.

"Okay. Sounds great," Ted told her before turning to Beard. "Spoiler alert. I made you a BLT."

"Samesies." Daisy giggled as they shook hands while making an explosion noise.

"Crown and Anchor at two!" Rebecca informed them.

"That's a real late lunch," Daisy said, frowning. She'd be starving by then.

Before Rebecca could leave, a woman, presumably her mother, leaned out of the window as well. "I look forward to lunching with you, Ted, Daisy!"

"Hi, Rebecca's mom!" Ted shouted excitedly. "Hey, fellas. Say hi."

"Hi, Rebecca's mum!" everyone greeted.

"Hello, boys. And the name's not Rebecca's mum, it's Deborah," she told them all with a grin. "I'm a work in progress, a voracious book on tape listener and a staunch believer that if you get dealt lemons in life, then you should make lemon lavender mojitos."

Rebecca was absolutely mortified as she pulled her mother back from the window, shutting it. And Ted just chuckled as he turned around. "Boy, I love meeting people's moms. It's like reading an instruction manual as to why they're nuts."

"Let's go!" Beard suddenly screeched, making Daisy cover her ears.

"How's Mrs. Beard doing, by the way?" Ted asked, waiting for Beard to prove his point.

"Full-blown QAnon."

"Mmm. Yep."

"That makes sense," Daisy muttered.

✵︎

After training outside ended and weightlifting began, Daisy followed her father to his office, getting ready to leave for their lunch. But first, he had a sandwich to toss to Beard, who caught it happily, looking forward to having two sandwiches now.

"Hey, look alive, Coach."

"Thank you," he said before sniffing it and frowning. "No horseradish?"

"I thought you was allergic?" Daisy asked, peering at him. And her father jut nodded in agreement.

"To horses and radishes."

"Oh, I'm sorry," Ted told him.

Then Keeley knocked on the door, Allora half a step behind her, having just come from a ballroom dancing lesson. "Hi, guys," she greeted. "Oy, Ted. Do you reckon you'd be up for driving us all back from lunch?"

"Sure, I'll give it a shot," Ted said as Keeley held up the keys to her sports car.

"I've got some creative work I wanna do this afternoon and I kinda wanna be a little buzzed for it."

"And I was getting buzzed anyway," Allora added with a smirk. "Some fucker in class fell and broke the mirror on the wall. So lucky she's not suing."

"Dang," Daisy muttered, wincing. She just hoped the student was okay, unlike Allora, who was more worried about the mirror.

"Seems like great ideas all around," Ted told the girls.

"Thank you."

Then Ted's phone buzzed with a call, so he quickly answered it, seeing that it was an American number calling. "Hello? - This is him. - W... Is he okay?" As Ted turned his back to them, Daisy tensed up, worried that something was wrong with Henry. But then Ted sighed in relief, so she knew it wasn't serious. "Okay. Okay. I'll... Well, I mean, that's gonna be a little tricky 'cause I'm at work. - No, I work in London.  - Yeah, no, it's a heck of a commute. - Um, tell you what. How about I call my wife... uh... his, uh, mom, and then I'll see — Oh, she's pulling up right now? Okay, well, there you go. Crisis averted. Okay. All right now. Have fun. Bye."

"Little Bit alright?" Daisy asked her father, feeling a little nervous.

"Yeah, yeah," he assured her. "No, uh, Henry forgot his lunch today for his field trip. But, uh, no, Michelle's there. So, yeah, we're all good."

Daisy frowned, knowing it hurt Ted not to be around to help Henry and watch him grow up. But moving to London was the choice he made, and he loved it here. It was a tricky and upsetting situation all around.

Jamie then knocked on the door, gaining all their attention. He was just in his training kit and a pair of tight, black, boxer briefs, which made Daisy roll her eyes playfully.

"Hi, Daisy," Jamie greeted. And Allora and Keeley shared a look, noting that she was the only one he greeted before addressing the coaches. "You got to tell Roy he needs to start coaching me."

"Oh, wait," Ted laughed. "You want me to tell Roy Kent what to do? That's a great idea."

"Yeah, he's gonna love that," Keeley said, chuckling.

"Yeah, I'll totally drop it into one of our many conversations where Roy talks to me about his life and asks for my advice," Nate said sarcastically, making Daisy let out an amused snort as he went into his office. Beard even blew a raspberry childishly while giving a thumbs down.

"Philistines!" Jamie snapped, causing Beard to silently repeat the word. "I'm asking for help here!"

"Jamie, you and Roy got your own history," Ted told him. "Y'all got to get together and woman up. Hmm?"

Jamie let out a scoff. "I think you mean man up, mate."

"No, y'all have been manning up for a while," he said, and Daisy nodded in agreement. "Look where that's got you. Daisy, you got any advice for this young, half-dressed fella on how to get through to Roy?"

"Smile and nod," she stated, confusing them.

"That's an odd way to answer that question. Am I wrong?"

"No, I mean, like, smile and nod — agree. If he's in a baby mood, I just agree with everything he says. Really takes the anger wind out of his brat sails."

"I can see that," Allora noted with an impressed nod.

"Shall we?" Keeley then asked Ted, holding up her keys.

"Yes, ma'am," he said, catching the keys as she tossed them. "All right. Bon voyage."

"Bye, J," Daisy said, waving to the boy before following the others out.

"Bye, Daze," he muttered, watching her go with out a pout on his face.

✵︎

Daisy was all ears as Deborah recounted the way she dramatically up and left her husband, which led to her daughter's doorstep — and also Mae's for a late lunch.

"You see, there comes a point when you realize life is long, and it's also very short. And sometimes it's neither. But it is always what it is, you know? So, I looked him in the eye and I said, 'Paul, I'm leaving you. I'm gonna live my best life now, for as long as I can, until I die. Or until I'm murdered.'"

As Rebecca sighed in disbelief at her mother's sense of humor, Daisy just giggled. "And then I stood up, I flushed the toilet, I pulled up my trousers, and I walked straight out of there."

"That's incredible. Inspiring," Keeley told her as Ted nodded in agreement.

"Love the bit about the toilet," Allora added, a big grin on her face.

"You should do a TED Talk," Daisy suggested. "Oh, if Daddy did one, it's just be called a Me Talk."

Ted laughed and nodded in agreement. "Mm-mmm. No, I agree. Yeah, 'cause right now you're getting a whole heap of 'Ted listen.'"

From the corner of the bar, where one of the TVs was mounted, Paul, Jeremy, and Baz were shouting, clearly divided on what was happening.

"Yes!"

"Nah! Rubbish!

"Come on! Come on! Ugh..."

"And can I just say, as someone that's recently been divorced," Ted went on, "the best piece of advice that I received was to leave people well."

Daisy smiled and grabbed her father's hand, happy that he was semi-ready to move on with his life. She was just thankful that Michelle hadn't left him in pieces — if anything, he was doing far better than she thought he'd be doing. Of course, her smile fell when Deborah started talking.

"Oh, yeah. I completely agree. Yeah. It's slightly different in this case because I'm the one doing the leaving. And as I understand it, your wife left you?"

Rebecca took in a deep breath as Daisy squeezed Ted's hand tighter, but he let it roll off his shoulders. "No, that is correct. Big difference there, yeah."

Mae then brought over another round and a soda for Daisy while the boys were yelling at the TV.  "Could you tell them to stop shouting at the football?" Deborah asked her sweetly.

"There's not a match on right now," Allora spoke up, checking the time on her watch.

"She's right. They're watching last night's Bake Off," Mae explained.

"Oh, I missed it!" Daisy said, sliding out of her seat. "Roy wanted to watch The Bachelorette — don't tell him I told you he watches that."

Then she rushed over and joined the trio, groaning as she watched a cake practically falling apart. "Look at that sponge!" she exclaimed. "It falling apart!"

"That's rubbish!" Jeremy shouted.

"Temper your chocolate, you twat!" Baz ordered, all knowing that no one on the screen could hear them.

Back at the table, Rebecca was rolling her eyes because her mother was answering a phone call from her psychic. Unlike her, the other three at the table were quite charmed by Deborah.

"What a brave thing for a woman of her age to do. Is she gonna move in with you?" Keeley then let out a gasp. "Oh, you should buy that Pilates machine, and then I can teach her when I come over and use it."

"Babe, your arse is already perfect," Allora told her.

"Awe, yours is too," she cooed, kissing her quickly.

"Please," Daisy scoffed. "Forget every word she just said. They do this every couple of years. My dad acts up, then she leaves him. Then they 'move on,' then he buys her some expensive, environmentally conscious gift, and they'll be back together in a week. But, hey-ho, she'll be paying the bill, so do enjoy your free lunch."

"Well, I mean, maybe it's different this time, you know? People can change," Ted suggested.

"Some can," Rebecca agreed stiffly. "She can't."

Then the sound of Paul, Jeremy, Baz, Mae, and Daisy singing interrupted them. They were chanting as if it was a football match.

"Poor little cake! Soggy bottom. Poor little cake, soggy bottom. Poor little cake, soggy bottom."

Allora shook her head in amusement as Daisy copied the others and wiggled her butt. She looked over to Ted, who had a smile on his face. "She is so your daughter, Ted."

He just grinned and nodded. "That's a good thing, Ally."

✵︎

When they returned from lunch and training was done for the day, Roy sought out Daisy, planning to take her back to his flat for the rest of the day after also picking up Phoebe from school. As they walked toward the office hand in hand to get the rest of Roy's things, they passed Jamie, who was leaving for the day.

"Big man, Roy Kent," Jamie greeted, trying to get on his good side.

"No," Roy said, not giving him the time of day.

"Come on, man. Why won't you coach me?" he whined.

"Because you don't deserve it."

"You're right. I don't deserve it," Jamie agreed, making Daisy grin.

"And the way you play is dull and conformist."

"It's true. I do play in quite a... dull and conformisty way."

At that, Daisy's smile dropped. Evidently, Jamie couldn't be subtle about agreeing with Roy, who obviously caught on as he came to a stop and faced Jamie.

He stepped closer, pulling Daisy with him. "And you're ugly." He took another step toward him. "You're an ugly, ugly boy. With bad hair." Roy was practically chest to chest with Jamie now, a commanding look in his eyes, daring Jamie to disagree with him — Daisy wouldn't admit it out loud, but it reminded her of the way he was on nights when he was more dominating in bed. "Say it."

Jamie felt humiliated as he whispered to him. "I am..."

"Yeah?" Roy asked, not able to hear him.

"I am an ugly, ugly boy..." Jamie said before sighing. "...with hair that maybe could be slightly... With — With bad hair, fine!"

Roy just nodded pathetically at him before slapping him on the shoulder. "Cheers. I enjoyed that."

As he walked away, pulling Daisy with him, Jamie filled with fury. "You fucking arsehole!"

"Yeah. I know you are, but so are you," Roy said childishly as they all entered the locker room.

"Roy," Daisy sighed.

"I'm trying to build bridges here," Jamie argued.

Roy stopped and turned back around, dropping Daisy's hand. "You couldn't fucking build Jeff Bridges," he said before pushing Jamie back roughly.

"Hey!" Daisy exclaimed before getting between them. Even her father came out of his office.

"Hey, hey, hey! What's going on? What's wrong?"

Jamie grabbed the back of Daisy's sweater, using her as a human shield while also keeping her closer to him than Roy. "This man refuses to coach me."

"He refuses to stop being an arsehole," Roy shot back.

"Roy, you're not gonna like this," Ted spoke up, "but right now, Jamie here is being the mature one."

"It's true. I'm being super mature," Jamie told him before tacking on, "you big, dumb, hairy, baby twat."

"He just wants to learn from you, baby," Daisy said, pouting at Roy, who just rolled his eyes.

"If you know how to make me better, I want to hear it," Jamie said.

"See?" Ted noted.

"Fine. I'll tell you what's wrong with you," Roy gave in.

"All right, now. Here we go!" Ted said excitedly.

But he wasn't expecting for Roy to turn on him. "You fucked him up."

"Whoa!" Jamie muttered.

"Okay," Ted said, surprised. "Expound."

"You've made him a team player. You've got him to pass and shit, and in doing so, you've made him average. 'Cause, Jamie, deep down, at your core, you are a prick. So just be a prick. We need you to score more goals, and we need you to get in the other teams' fucking heads and drive them up the fucking wall like only you can fucking do."

Daisy looked back at Jamie, who looked incredibly hopeful. "So I can go back to being a prick?"

Roy rolled his eyes in annoyance. "No. I'm saying sometimes. When it is appropriate... yes, be a prick."

"Okay," he nodded. "How will I know when?"

Ted leaned in next to Jamie's face. "I'm actually curious about that myself too."

"We'll give you a signal," Roy said simply.

Jamie looked between the two Lassos as if they'd have an answer for him. "What signal?"

"Any specifics we need to look out for?" Ted asked.

"You'll know it when you see it," Roy said before walking into the office.

"Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Okay," Ted mused, looking to Jamie. "Okay, that's good. All right. You get that? He said you'll know it when you see it. So, um, you know, just keep your eyes peeled and, uh..."

As he slowly returned to the office, Ted pointed up at the Believe sign over the door. Then it left Daisy alone with Jamie, who kicked the air and muttered, "Stupid fuckin' shit."

"Well, look on the bright side," Daisy told him, putting a hand on Jamie's shoulder. "Agreeing with him worked."

"I am not an ugly boy with bad hair," he whined.

"No, you aren't," she said, laughing a little. "And Roy knows it too. You're just growing your hair out. That's why it looks like this right now."

Jamie frowned and put a hand over his slicked-back hair. "You don't like my hair?"

Rather than actually answer that, she opted for a compliment. "You look very adorable with your little headbands."

✵︎

When the match arrived on Saturday, Daisy was a little excited for the signal. Sure, it was a little rude, but the metal image of all the coaches sending it to Jamie made her laugh. So, she was happily bundled up in Roy's coaching jacket again, sitting next to him in the box as the thirty-minute mark hit, with both Richmond and Tottenham at zero points. That aggression that used to get at Roy's fucking nerves was missing from the pitch.

When Roy finally got up from his seat, Ted figured it was time, and he was less than thrilled. "I reckon it's time for the signal?"

"Yep," Roy said as Daisy came to stand next to him as well, ready to participate — well, not really, but still.

"Yeah, okay," Ted muttered. "You didn't by any chance come up with a better one, did you?"

"No."

"All right. Hey, Jamie! Jamie!"

It took a few seconds to get Jamie's attention, but once they had it, in sync, all four coaches put up their middle fingers, flipping him off in unison. Meanwhile, Daisy just grinned and made a heart with her hands, opting for a nicer approach. When Roy saw it, he swatted her hands, holding both in his single free one.

As everyone in the stands laughed, Jamie got the message. And in an instant, the old Jamie was back as the next play began, Richard getting ready to throw the ball into play. Since he was so close, Daisy and the others could hear from the sidelines as he got in front of another player, a cocky grin on his face as he stayed on him, not giving him a inch to move freely.

"Oy, Barnett, here's what's gonna happen, yeah. You're gonna foul me, and I'm gonna score all the way from back here."

The player scoffed and tried to throw him off. "Piss off, Tartt."

Richard threw the ball right to Jamie, who got it and easily manuvered past all the players that tried to come at him. He couldn't be stopped until Barnett came at him, kicking the ball out from underneath him and also kicking Jamie in the shin, making him fall. As he was knocked over, the referee called a yellow card on Barnett.

While Ted, Beard and Nate were concerned with what play to use, Roy and Daisy kept their eyes on Jamie as he poked Barnett in the chest with a cocky grin on his face. "What'd I tell you, mate? What'd I—"

"You fucking—"

Barnett pushed Jamie back, but Sam quickly came to his teammates defense. Daisy just couldn't take her eyes off of Jamie, loving the competitive spark that'd returned to his eyes as he stuck his tongue out teasingly at the other team.

"He's not so frustrating when he's actually doing stuff like that while on our side," Daisy noted, unable to wipe the smile off her face.

"Hey, what do you think? Trick play? You know, maybe a Loki's Toboggan or Upside-Down Taxi?" Ted was asking.

"You don't need it," Roy said. "The little prick's gonna fucking score from there."

Nate scoffed. "No way."

"Yes way," Daisy said, having faith in Jamie as he set the ball down and got his teammates to back up.

Jamie slid back smoothly, getting ready to take the shot as the other team got in position to try and block him. Jamie took in a deep breath before looking to the sidelines, catching Daisy's eye, who was smiling encouragingly.

"It's too far," Beard muttered worriedly.

The whistle blew and Jamie took the shot, all of them watching in awe as it soared over the pitch and passed the goalie, right into the net. Daisy started jumping up and down excitedly, hugging Roy as she did. Then Ted came over and hugged him too, trapping him between the two Lassos.

"Roy Kent effect right there. That's what that is," Beard praised.

Jamie looked at Roy from the pitch and smirked at him while flipping him off with both hands. Roy rolled his eyes playfully while Daisy put up a heart again, already singing his song along with the fans in the stands.

"Jamie Tartt, doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo. Jamie Tartt, doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo! Jamie Tartt!"

As the match continued, Tottenham tried their hardest to score a point, and every time they were on defense, Jamie was marked, them making sure he couldn't get the ball again. The last ten minutes of the game were especially intense, and every time someone grabbed onto Jamie's jersey to pull him back, Daisy found herself on her feet, yelling for them to let him go. She almost didn't notice when Coach started talking to her father.

"Coach? You okay?"

She looked to the side and saw him with his fists shoved in his pockets, hunched over with a tight expression on his face. "Daddy?"

"Uh, yeah, no, I'm — I gotta go. My - My stomach."

Ted left suddenly, stumping Daisy. The crowd noticed right away and started yelling and jeering.

"What's happening?" Roy asked, seeing Ted flee quickly.

"He - he said his stomach."

"He can't abandon the game," Nate said with a frown.

"He can't go on the field," Daisy countered, giving him a look. No one wanted to see the head coach shit his pants.

Unfortunatly, the team noticed Ted's departure, and in their moment of confusion and worry, Tottenham managed to score, which put everyone into a panicked frenzy, knowing that Richmond needed this win.

Well, they needed every win, but still.

"Roy, what do you think we should do?" Beard questioned.

"We need a fucking goal," he said.

"What do we do? Put on a striker?"

"Bring on Cockburn, take off Dixon."

Daisy was the only one to hear Nate muttering, "Park the bus," while the others continued to debate. So, she nudged him, silently telling him to speak up. She didn't expect for him to spit before doing so, but finally he stepped forward and started calling out orders.

"Reynolds, Winchester, Babatunde, you're going in. Hey! Colin, Dani, Richard, you're coming off."

"Me?" Colin asked, pointing to himself in confusion. Why would he take off the top scorers when they needed a goal?

"Yes, you, Colin."

"What's going on?" Roy asked in confusion.

" Park the bus!" Nate yelled at Isaac so that he could spread it to the rest of the team. "Park the bus! No one up front. Do it."

"But we need a goal!"

"Park the goddamn bus! Go!" Finally, Isaac did as he was told and got the rest of the team ready.

"What's going on?" Beard asked.

Nate just put up his hand, saying, "I got this."

Daisy was on the edge of her seat as they entered stoppage time. Richmond dropped back and began playing defensively, and as Barnett passed Sam, he made a mistake, and Sam could swoop in and get the ball. Then, he was racing down the field before passing to Jamie

Jamie made a second goal just before the goalie could jump in front of the ball, getting them an extra point and winning the game.

Unable to believe they'd won, everyone ran in from the cold, shouting and cheering excitedly. Roy had Daisy on his back as he entered the warm office, grinning as the players danced around, shouting the Richmond Til We Die cheer. Rebecca was already in the office, smiling at them.

"Hey, boss. Congrats," Beard said as Daisy slid off Roy's back.

"Yeah."

"Where's Daddy?" Daisy asked, not seeing him around.

Rebecca just sighed. "I don't know."

"Uh, a stomach thing. I'll check in on my way home," Beard waved it off.

"Great. Thank you," she said before looking to Roy. "Congratulations."

"Congratulations," he repeated, kissing the side of Daisy's head.

"It's good to see the Roy Kent effect is alive and well."

Roy just shook his head. "Nothing to do with me. That is all Nate."

"C'mon," Daisy said, pulling Roy's hand, leading him to the locker room. She instantly began jumping around him, chanting with the others. "We're Richmond till we die! We know we are! We're sure we are! We're Richmond till we die!"

✵︎

After the celebrating was done and everyone got showered and changed, Daisy followed Roy to the office so that he could grab his bag and coat before leaving. Nate was still in the office, scrolling through his phone.

"Oy, Nate, great fucking work today," Roy told him.

"Thanks, Roy," he smiled.

"Proud of you," Daisy beamed before they left.

And as they did, the whole team was leaving the locker room, dressed in nicer clothes. They ran across Dr. Sharon first, who was leaving the recovery room.

"Dr. Sharon!" Colin called. "We're going for a drink. Will you join us?"

"Wait, are we even allowed to talk to you at night?" Sam asked nervously. "If not, I'm so sorry."

"For a quarterfinal win, you get me for one drink," Dr. Sharon agreed, making them cheer. "I'll see you after."

Once the doctor passed, Richard ran up to Daisy like a german shepard and lifted her up. "You are coming to, ma choupette. I suppose you can bring Roy as well."

"I'll have to run home and change," Daisy said, looking at her sweater that wasn't suitable for the club. "But we'll be there."

"Oy," Jamie said, coming over and bumping Roy's shoulder. "Hope you had your nap today, Grandpa. We're keeping you out way past your bedtime tonight."

✵︎

Daisy was nuzzled into Roy's side in a dimly lit corner booth, content to sit with her boyfriend as the others dance. His warm hand was on her thigh, and her fingers traced his strong fingers, not entirely sober as she'd finished a rum and Coke.

"Wanna dance?" she asked in as sweet of a tone as she could muster when she had to talk over the music.

"Babe, you know I don't dance," he told her with an easy smile.

"I know, Mr. High School Musical Two," she said, rolling her eyes, not all that upset with him. She'd just seek out Allora and Keeley for the tenth time that night. "Jamie's really taking forever."

"That's because he can't do anything right," Roy said, earning a pinch in the side from her. Jamie had been kind enough to offer to get them more drinks, so Roy didn't need to go complaining.

"Be nice," she ordered — or more like pleaded given that she couldn't really order him around. "Please. I like how nice you've been to him."

"Flipping him off and calling him a prick isn't nice," Roy argued.

"It's nice for you," she mused before kissing his cheek. "And I liked how you were with him this week."

"Well, he just better not piss me off and make me change my mind," he grumbled, hiding the fact that he liked how he was with Jamie as well. He'd had fun with every cocky look and challenging interaction where he always came out on top, putting Jamie in his place.

Before the couple could discuss him more, Jamie repaeared, expertly holding three drinks with his large hands.

"Old fashioned for the old geezer," Jamie said teasingly, giving Roy his drink. "And a lemon-levender mojito for the lady."

"Really?" she asked, giggling as he handed her a purple drink. She liked regular mojitos, so she was sure she'd like Deborah's favorite twist on the drink.

"Drink up, love," Jamie said while sitting at her other side, slinging his arm around her shoulder. And surprisingly, Roy didn't make him remove his arm. "Then you're joining me on the dance floor. Kent too."

"No fucking way," Roy said, shaking his head.

"I already tried to get him to dance. He's a lost cause," Daisy said with a pout on her lips that both men wanted to kiss away — even if only one was allowed to.

"Boo, Grandpa!" Jamie exclaimed, making Roy just shake his head. "Fine then, sit and sulk. But I've got a win to celebrate. Let me take our girl out on the dance floor, yeah?"

Something inside of Daisy, real deep down, liked when Jamie called her their girl — not that she'd ever admit to that out loud. In fact, she pushed that realization straight down, refusing to think on the implications of the new feeling. Instead, she looked to Roy with pleading eyes, wanting to go and dance no matter who it was with.

After a moment, Roy let out a grunt and nodded his head toward the crowd of dancing strangers, giving his silent go-ahead. Though he gave Daisy's thigh a tight squeeze before letting her up.

Jamie was all too happy to drag the girl toward the dance floor, staying within Roy's sight as they moved to the music. And Roy just took a long sip of his drink, his eyes glued to Jamie's hands that would pull Daisy even closer — and for some goddamn reason, Roy didn't stop him.

All he wanted to do was watch.