CHAPTER 202: HEIDENHEIM

FWEEEE

FULL-TIME – EINTRACHT FRANKFURT 3–0 HEIDENHEIM

The final whistle blew beneath the glowing Frankfurt night sky, and the Deutsche Bank Park rose in applause. The cameras cut to the commentary booth as the broadcasters wrapped up the evening.

Derek Rae:

"Well, that will do very, very nicely for Eintracht Frankfurt. A professional performance, a controlled performance, and perhaps most importantly — the exact kind of match they needed between two huge Europa League fixtures."

Löthar Matheus:

"Absolutely. From the first minute they looked sharp. The early goal from Bahoya in the tenth minute settled everything. Great work down the left by Chaibi, lovely weighted ball across, and Bahoya just steering it home. You could almost feel the pressure lift from the stadium."

The match highlights rolled on the screen.

Rae:

"And you look at the second goal — that corner routine in the 42nd minute. Ekitike flicks it on, Koch at the back post completely alive to the situation, and it’s a tap-in. A simple finish but a brilliantly rehearsed set piece."

Matheus:

"Then in the second half, Heidenheim tried to push a little higher, but that left space... and Frankfurt punished them again. Nathaniel Brown threading that pass perfectly into the stride of Ekitike in the 71st minute — cool, composed finish from the Frenchman. He’s been excellent today, deservedly named man of the match."

Ekitike with his man of the match award was waving and applauding the fans.

Rae:

"And of course, a small cameo from Lukas Brandt late in the game — came on in the 85th minute, got a massive ovation from the home crowd. Frankfurt didn’t need him tonight, which is exactly what Dino Toppmöller would’ve wanted. Protect the legs, manage the minutes, all eyes on Thursday."

Matheus:

"Yeah, because the real test comes next week. Athletic Club in Frankfurt — second leg, finely poised. But tonight, this was about doing the job, keeping momentum, keeping confidence high... and they’ve achieved all of that."

Rae:

"Final score here in Frankfurt: Eintracht 3, Heidenheim 0. A comfortable victory, a clean sheet, and a confident step toward the crucial European night ahead."

Matheus:

"Make no mistake — Thursday is going to be huge. But this? This was exactly the performance they needed."

* * *

The evening had settled softly over Frankfurt by the time Lukas arrived at the hotel restaurant where everyone had agreed to meet. The air still carried the glow of victory; even though he had barely played, the 3–0 win lingered pleasantly on the city like a warm blanket. Through the glass doors leading into the restaurant, he spotted João and Joanna already seated at a corner table with Javi and Anne. They were talking over glasses of water, laughter occasionally rising in gentle bursts, the kind of relaxed atmosphere that only comes after a successful matchday and a good meal.

Lukas stepped in, and four faces immediately brightened. Joanna’s smile— that instinctive, warm, proud smile—hit him first. She stood up as he got closer, and he wrapped his arms around her briefly before greeting the others.

"Great match," Javi said as he patted Lukas on the back. "Even if you only came on for a few minutes, you looked sharp."

Anne nodded in agreement. "You helped move the ball around very well when you came in. You look ready for Thursday."

João, with his usual teasing grin, raised an eyebrow. "Bro, we waited ten whole minutes for you to get here. Starboy things."

They all sat, and the waiter returned with menus, though everyone already had an idea of what they wanted. Conversation flowed smoothly—football, school, Frankfurt’s form, Anne teasing Javi for trying to order something "too heavy" after complaining about indigestion earlier that morning. Lukas smiled more than he spoke; it felt good just being surrounded by people he genuinely loved, people who grounded him.

When dessert came, Joanna nudged Lukas lightly. "Wanna step out for some fresh air?"

Lukas nodded, and together they slipped away from the table, riding the lift up to Joanna’s floor. The hallway was quiet, dimly lit by golden sconces, and when they entered her room, she led him straight toward the balcony. The sliding glass door opened to a cool night breeze and the soft, distant hum of Frankfurt nightlife. The city lights glimmered below like a scattered field of stars.

They leaned on the railing side-by-side for a while, without speaking. Joanna broke the silence first.

"So... how are you holding up? Really holding up."

Lukas exhaled, eyes fixed on the skyline. "I’m... managing. The win helped. But tomorrow everything starts again—training, media, people waiting for me to slip." He hesitated. "And then the other stuff."

Joanna didn’t press. "The picture," she said quietly.

Lukas nodded. "I hate thinking about it. Not because of the photo itself—honestly, I... I don’t mind people seeing that. It’s just the way it happened. Someone hiding in the bushes or some shit, trying to make money from it. Trying to drag you into things you never asked for."

Joanna’s eyes softened. "I’m not scared of the world knowing about us. I’m scared of... the cruelty of people. Football fans can be harsh. Reporters can be worse. And you’re already in the spotlight, Luke. I don’t want to cause problems for you."

"You’re not causing problems," Lukas said immediately, turning to face her fully. "You’re probably the best part of my life right now. If anything happens, they’ll have to deal with me too. And I’ll protect you however I can."

She placed a hand on his cheek, brushing the side of his jaw with her thumb. "I know you will. But protecting me doesn’t mean shutting yourself out. We’re in this together. Whatever comes."

Lukas swallowed. "You really want to be with me? With everything that’s coming?"

She tilted her head slightly, amused by the question. "Did you forget who I am?" She stepped closer until her forehead nearly touched his. "Of course I want to be with you. I choose you, Lukas."

A breath escaped him—half relief, half something deeper. "I choose you too."

She smiled softly. "Then stop worrying. We’ll face it together. The blackmail, the photo, everything. You ever hear of a girl leaving her man because some random person snapped a picture? That’s not me. You’re stuck with me."

He couldn’t help the laugh that escaped him. "Thank God for that."

Joanna rose on her toes and kissed him—slow, warm, steady. Lukas breathed in the soft scent of her hair and the faint sweetness of the perfume she always wore for special occasions. The kiss deepened naturally, gradually, the kind that made time feel like it slowed, like the world quieted around them.

She pulled back with a whisper against his lips. "Come inside."

He didn’t need convincing.

Still holding hands, they stepped back through the balcony door. Joanna reached behind her, sliding the glass shut, drawing the blinds until the room was dim except for the golden light of a single bedside lamp. Lukas leaned in again as the blinds clicked into place, and she met him halfway.

The city outside sparkled on, unaware and uncaring, but inside that room, it felt as if the world had narrowed down to just the two of them—warm breaths, intertwined fingers, and a quiet certainty that whatever storm waited outside, whatever headline or scandal threatened them, they would face it together.