Confusion | Erik Durm + Marco Reus

3rd Person

"Glad you and Erik got to work things out," Mats said as he noticed Marco and Erik becoming friendlier to each other. "You guys have been doing great in training."

Marco nodded, admiring how good he had become at hiding that he still liked Emma--a lot.

"The boss knows everything, by the way," Mats said. "And he's noticed your improvement."

"You told the boss?" Marco asked.

"Do you think I wouldn't?" Mats raised his eyebrow. "He was beginning to notice anyway. It's not like when you're in school and the principal just overlooks all the problems. We're not a lot of people, and it's easy to notice when something's wrong."

"Oh," Marco said blankly.

"Anyway," Mats said, "I'm glad you got to work it out before now."

In just an hour, the team would be playing a match that was very important if they still wanted to snatch the third place spot.

They'd usually gun for first place, but at the start of the season Dortmund slipped and ended up fifteenth at the end of the first half of the season. They did what people deemed 'impossible' and were now battling for third place.

As they lined up in the tunnel, Marco slapped the back of Erik's head.

"Ow!" he said, and once he turned around and saw who it was, he began to laugh.

"Don't fuck up, alright?" Marco grinned at him.

Erik nodded, grinning also, "I'll try not to."

"Good," Marco nodded back at him before they high-fived.

As they stepped onto the field, a woman in the stands caught Marco's eye.

Emma.

She was sitting there with Cathy again wearing her DURM 37 jersey. She was obviously here for Erik, and not him. He looked over at Erik and saw him wink at her. The urge to punch Erik in the face had just grown.

Leave it, Marco. You have a game to play.

****

Marco ran around the pitch, ecstatic. He had just completed his hattrick in the last minute of stoppage time.

His teammates ran up to him, hugging him and patting him on the back.

"Awesome job, Marco!"

"Good job!"

"Congratulations!"

The whole stadium was cheering his name, and he loved it. He loved what he did and he loved that he was good at it.

Once they finished celebrating, opposition kicked off and the full-time whistle was blown after a few passes.

As he was about to reenter the tunnel, Marco felt someone hug him from behind.

"Oh my God, Marco!" Emma squeezed him. "You were so amazing!"

"Danke," he kissed her on the forehead.

"I'm such a proud best friend," she giggled.

"You're entitled," Marco winked at her. "I mean, it's not like there's nothing to be proud of--he's super hot and super talented."

"You're so freaking cocky," Emma laughed. "Anyway, go change and do your boy stuff... that sounded weird, but yeah."

"Marco!" Sven called as Emma walked away. "Pierre's inviting everyone to this really awesome bar later. You coming?"