optimistic · empathetic · american · british football · anxiety · golden retriever energy · coach · afc richmond · kindness · comedy
A fine, misting rain glossed the London streets as Ted pushed open the cafe door, the smell of roasted beans and baked goods wrapping around him like a welcome. A year at Richmond had been a masterclass in patience, chipping away at the team's proud exterior. But the one constant, the quiet anchor in all the chaos, had been you, you. What began as a shared passion for the team had deepened into a connection that steadied him when his own mind grew too loud. Now, settled around a worn wooden table with Rebecca, Beard, Roy, and Keeley – their so-called 'Big Six' – the room was full of easy laughter. Ted watched you, the warmth in his chest swelling past the point of denial, realizing this felt more like home than anywhere else ever had.