Caitlin and I arrived at the training facility just as the sun was beginning to fully rise over London, the cold January air biting at our skin as we rushed from the car into the warm building. It was our first day back after winter break, and the energy in the room was a mix of grogginess and excitement. As we made our way to the breakfast area, I couldn't help but smile at the familiar sight of Steph, Beth, Katie, and Viv already seated at one of the long tables.

"There's the lovebirds," Beth calls out, her eyes sparkling with mischief as Caitlin and I approached. It had been 2 months since her acl and she was beginning to do physiotherapy at the club again, slowly but surely. "Did you two even leave each other's side during break, or did you just fuse into one?"

Caitlin rolls her eyes but grinned. "Jealous, Beth?"

"Please," Beth scofs. "I love you both, but not enough to be stuck with either of you that long."

Katie smirks, taking a bite of her toast. "Yeah, but I bet Elena would make you a nice cuppa every morning."

"Exactly," I chime in, sitting down next to Steph and nudging her with my elbow. "See? Beth just knows I'd spoil her."

"Oi, don't go stealing my girl," Caitlin teases, sitting across from me and giving me a playful wink. "She's mine."

"Relax," Steph says with a smirk. "No one's stealing anyone. Besides, Beth's too much work."

Beth shoots Steph a glare but doesn't argue, instead reaches for her coffee. "You're all just bitter that I'm the best looking one here."

Viv, who had been quietly sipping her tea, finally spoke up. "It's definitely the confidence, Beth. Keep telling yourself that."

The table erupts into laughter, and I feel a wave of warmth wash over me. I really loved this team because of these small moments. Houston would forever hold a place in my heart, but I'd grown attached to Arsenal. It had given me people like Steph, Katie, Viv and, of course, Caitlin.

But the moment is interrupted when one of the staff members approaches me.

"Elena? Jonas wants to see you in his office."

My stomach drops instantly. I nod, excusing myself from the table. The laughter and banter continues behind me, but it all sounds distant as I make my way down the hallway, the weight of dread settling over me.

When I step into Jonas' office, he's already seated behind his desk, his expression serious. My heart thuds in my chest. This couldn't be good.

"Elena," he begins, gesturing for me to sit. "I need to talk to you about something important."

I sit, nerves buzzing under my skin.

"We're sending you on an emergency loan," Jonas says, his voice gentle but firm.

I blink, my mind reeling. "What?"

"It's to London City Lionesses," he continues. "It's only until the end of the season, but they're in desperate need of players right now."

"But... we just moved in together," I stammer, thinking of Caitlin. "I thought—"

"I know," Jonas sighes, rubbing the back of his neck. "I didn't want to have to do this. I know what it means to you and Caitlin, but the club needs to do what's best for everyone. London City is only 45 minutes away, but traffic gets rough, and they've arranged for you to stay in temporary housing closer to their facilities."

My chest tightens, "So I won't be able to stay at home with Caitlin?"

"Not regularly," he admits, his eyes filled with regret. "I'm sorry, Elena. I truly am."

I nod, unable to speak. The reality of it crashes down on me, and all I could think about was how I was going to tell Caitlin.

Training was called shortly after, but I barely paid attention as we all made our way onto the pitch. My body moved through the warm-up drills automatically, but my mind was anywhere but here.

We were doing races, competing in pairs as usual, but my focus was shot. All I could think about was how I was going to break the news to Caitlin. It felt impossible.

After the warm-ups, it was time to partner up for drills. Caitlin jogs over to me, a familiar smile on her face. "Partner up?"

Normally, we would team up without a second thought, but today, I couldn't do it. I couldn't be that close to her, not when I hadn't told her yet.

"I'm going with, uhh, Teyah today," I say quickly, not meeting Caitlin's eyes.

Caitlin pauses, clearly confused. "Teyah?" She asks, knowing we'd never partnered up before.

"Yeah," I mumble, already turning toward Teyah, who was chatting with Katie. "Teyah, you want to partner up?"

Teyah glances between me and Caitlin, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Sure, but... what's going on?"

I shake my head, giving her a small, tight smile. "Nothing, just... let's go."

Teyah raises an eyebrow, but thankfully, she doesn't press the issue. Still, I could feel her eyes on me, and worse, I could feel Caitlin's confusion from behind me.

This was not how I had planned to handle things.

After training, Caitlin calls my name as we walk back toward the changing rooms. I heard her, but I pretended I didn't, speeding up my pace and heading straight for Steph's car.

"Elena?" Caitlin calls again, but I'm already sliding into the passenger seat of Steph's car.

Steph glances at me as she climbed into the driver's seat, her brow furrowed in concern. "What's up with you today?"

I shake my head, staring out the window. "Nothing."

Steph doesn't press me as she starts the car, but I knew she could feel the tension radiating off me. When we arrived at her apartment, I all but collapsed onto her sofa, my body feeling heavy with the weight of everything.

Steph sits down next to me, waiting. Finally, after a long silence, I speak.

"I'm going on loan," I whisper, my voice breaking. "Until the end of the season."

Steph's eyes widen. "What? When did this happen?"

"Today. Jonas told me right before training," I mutter. "London City Lionesses."

Steph sighs, shaking her head. "And you haven't told Caitlin?"

I shake my head, tears pricking at the back of my eyes. "I don't know how to tell her. We just moved in together, and now I'm leaving."

Steph wraps an arm around my shoulders, pulling me close. "You've got to tell her, Els. Avoiding her is just going to make it worse."

"I know," I whisper, my voice shaking. "I just... I don't want to hurt her."

"You won't," Steph says softly. "She loves you. You'll figure it out."

By the time I got home, night had already fallen. The apartment was dimly lit, and as I stepped inside, the familiar scent of home washed over me. Caitlin was already in bed, her form curled up under the blankets.

I stood in the doorway for a moment, watching her sleep. Her hair was draped over the pillow behind her and her chest rose and fell in a slow, steady rhythm following her breaths. She looked so peaceful, so content, and my heart ached with the thought of being away from her.

I slipped out of my clothes and slid into bed beside her as quietly as I could, trying not to disturb her. But as soon as I settled in, Caitlin stirred, turning over and wrapping her arm around my waist instinctively.

"Elena?" she murmurs, her voice thick with sleep. "What's wrong? You've been off all day."

My heart clenches. I didn't realise how well she could read me. I hesitate, not knowing how to start, but then Caitlin shifts, her hand gently brushing over the promise ring she'd given me not long ago.

"Remember the promise?" she whispers, her breath warm against my neck. "No matter what, I'm not going anywhere. I'm in this for the long haul."

I swallow hard, my fingers tracing the ring. "I know. I just... I didn't want to upset you."

Caitlin's grip on my waist tightens slightly. "Whatever it is, we'll get through it. You know that, right?"

Taking a deep breath, I finally tell her. "Jonas is sending me on loan. Until the end of the season."

There's a beat of silence, and then Caitlin kisses the back of my neck softly. "Okay."

"Okay?" I whisper, surprised by her calm reaction.

"It's not ideal," she admits, "but we'll make it work. We always do."

I turn in her arms, meeting her eyes. "But we just moved in together."

Caitlin smiles, brushing a strand of hair away from my face. "We'll still be living together in our hearts, even if we're apart for a bit. You've got me, Els. We're solid."

Her words ease the tightness in my chest. Caitlin always knows how to ground me, even when my world feels like it's spinning out of control. She isn't shaken by the loan or the fact that we'd be apart. She's calm, steady, and so sure of us.

"I'm scared," I admit. My voice small as I curl deeper into her arms, hiding my face in her neck. "I don't want this to be the start of us drifting apart."

"We're not going to drift apart," she says softly, pressing another kiss to the top of my head. "We've worked too hard to get here. A loan, a few months—it's nothing compared to us."

I play with the promise ring on my finger, the cool metal reminding me of everything we've been through, all the promises we'd made. Caitlin's words echo in my head. She's right, but that doesn't mean it isn't going to be hard.

"I don't know how I'm going to do it without you," I whisper, feeling vulnerable in a way I rarely let myself be.

Caitlin's fingers trace gentle circles on my back, her touch soothing. "You're stronger than you think, Els. And I'm not going anywhere. I'll be there at every game I can get to, and when we're not together, we'll make time. We'll talk, we'll FaceTime, and before you know it, you'll be back at Arsenal, right here with me."

I look up at her, finding her gaze already on mine, filled with nothing but love and certainty. Her faith in us is so strong, so unshakeable. I feel the weight of my worries lighten, just a little.

"I'll miss you," I say quietly, my voice thick with emotion.

Caitlin smiles softly, brushing her thumb across my cheek. "I'll miss you too, but we'll get through it. You've got this, Els. You'll go there, you'll kill it, and then you'll come home to me."

I close my eyes and lean into her touch, letting her words wash over me. I don't know how she stays so calm, so steady, but it's exactly what I need right now.

"Promise?" I whisper, feeling the last of my walls come down.

"Promise," she says, her voice sure and soft. "Always."

I let out a deep breath, feeling the tension finally leave my body. Caitlin shifts closer, pulling me tighter against her, and for the first time all day, I felt like I can breathe again.

As I drift off to sleep in her arms, I cling to her words, her promises. We're going to get through this. Together.