#2020/21 season

[piko-rose]

Sonic Wachowski in this artstyle 🥺

IMAGINE A WACHOWSKI FAMILY HI JINKS TV SHOW IN THIS ARTSTYLE??! 😭😭

(storyboards can be viewed here if you wanna check them out)

[hughesybear]

fun fact: Elias Pettersson is currently the Canucks’ leader in shootout success rate, having scored on 13/36 attempts so far in his career for a success rate of 36%

[sergeifyodorov]

AM34 is currently 138th all time in career goals.

CODY PREDICTION: By the end of this season, he will be inside the top 90

[starscelly]

do you ever watch a hockey game that you feel like you’re being held hostage by

[leosgreyfringe]

watching old highlights of ben at brighton is like….why on earth was he playing as a left-sided DM

[those-who-stay]

preseason four on four tournament winners 2020-21

[jonasiegenthaler]

I can’t believe he’s ours (Jack Hughes)

honestly it's so so exciting, it's been such a pleasure seeing him grow into his game and into the player he's become, you always knew he was gonna be an amazing dynamic player but he's exceeded his own expectations and it's just. fun. devils hockey is good and fun

[thisisreallyawkward]

So we have only two midfielders now.

[nbatrades]

New York Knicks Pluck Rose for a Second Time; Acquiring Derrick Rose from Detroit Pistons

On February 8th, 2021, the New York Knicks traded guard Dennis Smith Jr. and a 2021 second round draft pick (Isaiah Livers) to the Detroit Pistons for guard Derrick Rose. Detroit also received a trade exception.

When the New York Knicks dealt burgeoning star Kristaps Porzingis in a mega seven-player deal with the Dallas Mavericks, the trade was seen as a loss for the Knicks in the immediate but there was some hope for the future. The team acquired two first round picks from Dallas, but another piece for the future was Dennis Smith Jr.

A top-ten overall draft pick in 2017, Smith showcased scintillating athleticism but a questionable outside shot left more questions than answers in his future fit as a lead guard.

With the Knicks on a path towards another rebuild, Smith would get a chance to play during the second half of the 2018-19 season after the trade. The guard played in 21 games (18 starts) with the Knicks, amassing 14.7 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 5.4 APG and 1.3 SPG.

Though Smith had his moments like a 31-point outburst against the Detroit Pistons or a solid runner-up performance in the 2019 dunk contest, his efficiency numbers were concerning. His true shooting percentage was just 47.3%.

The Knicks continued to be one of the worst teams in the trade, going 7-24 over the final 31 games to finish 17-65. Despite having the worst record in the NBA, the Knicks had high hopes for the 2019 offseason.

New York was looking for luck in the lottery so they could grab the number one overall pick and select Duke star Zion Williamson. On the free agent front, the Knicks had two max salary slots and were eyeing stars like Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Jimmy Butler and Kawhi Leonard.

All of those goals would never come to fruition. New York fell to third in the 2019 draft and selected Williamson's college teammate RJ Barrett. Durant and Irving opted for crosstown rivals the Brooklyn Nets, while Butler went to the Miami Heat and Leonard chose the Los Angeles Clippers.

With not much of a backup plan, the Knicks signed several short-term deals with mid-tier free agents including Julius Randle, Marcus Morris Sr., Bobby Portis, Taj Gibson, Reggie Bullock and Elfrid Payton.

The new look Knicks got off to a rough start, going 4-18 in the first 22 games. Head coach David Fizdale was fired and replaced by assistant Mike Miller on an interim basis. The Fizdale exit had been in the cards.

After a November 10 108-87 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers dropped New York to a 2-8 record, Knicks president of basketball operations Steve Mills and general manager Scott Perry addressed the media, saying the team had fallen short of expectations.

"We just felt like given that this is our 10th game, we felt that we had an obligation to come and speak to [the media]. Obviously, Scott and I are not happy with where we are right now. We think the team is not performing to the level that we anticipated or we expected to perform at, and that's something that we think we collectively have to do a better job of delivering the product on the floor that we said we would do at the start of this season. ... We still believe in our coaching staff. We believe in the plan Scott and I put together and the players that we assembled. But we also have to acknowledge that we haven't played at the level we expected to play at."

The statement seemed to be an early sign that Fizdale would be fired. Under Miller, the Knicks played slightly better but still were clearly not playoff caliber. New York reached 21-45, before the NBA season was shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Smith had done very little in his first full season with the Knicks as Fizdale went other routes with point guard. Rookie RJ Barrett started at the point in the season opener. Elfrid Payton and Frank Ntilikina also started as the season progressed.

Smith saw limited minutes initially with the Knicks and missed some time due to the passing of his stepmother. He saw spot minutes throughout New York's season of dysfunction and even started a few games. Throughout the season, Smith appeared in 34 games (three starts) and amassed 5.5 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 2.9 APG and 0.8 SPG in 15.8 MPG.

New York went on a full reset throughout 2020. The club let go of team president Steve Mills and replaced him with former NBA agent Leon Rose. Later on, Rose hired his former client Tom Thibodeau as head coach.

In the truncated 2020 offseason, New York added rookie Immanuel Quickley in a draft night trade and Austin Rivers in a separate trade. The moves created even more of a crowd in the backcourt. The Knicks gave Smith some time in preseason, but by the regular season he was mostly out of the rotation.

Smith played in just three (3.0 PPG and 1.0 APG in 9.3 MPG) of the team's first 24 games before he was moved with a second round pick to the Detroit Pistons for Derrick Rose. The situation had been so dire that Smith had even requested to play for the Knicks' G-League team in the G-League bubble right before the trade.

He ended his time in New York with 8.7 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 3.7 APG and 1.0 SPG in 58 games. The guard shot 38% from the field, 28% from the three-point line and 56% from the free-throw line.

After a strong season as a sixth man for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Derrick Rose was able to keep his career in drive by signing a two-year, $15 million contract with the Detroit Pistons.

The guard was expected to be in a similar role as a scorer off the bench for the Pistons. Star Blake Griffin missed start the season due to a knee injury and the Pistons season quickly fell off the rails. Detroit started the season 4-10 and fell out of the playoff race quickly.

The Pistons decided to rebuild somewhat, trading center Andre Drummond to the Cleveland Cavaliers and bought starting point guard Reggie Jackson out of his contract. The Pistons continued to lose, falling to 20-46 before the NBA season was shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Once the NBA season resumed in the bubble in Orlando, Florida, the Pistons did not qualify for the bubble due to their record. Rose was solid even though he dealt with a few minor injuries. In 50 games, Rose managed 18.1 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 5.6 APG and 0.8 SPG in 26.0 MPG.

The 2020 offseason saw Detroit continue its rebuild. The team drafted Killian Hayes seventh in the 2020 draft, and also acquired first round picks Saddiq Bey and Isaiah Stewart through trades. The Pistons also added forward Jerami Grant though a sign-and-trade deal with the Denver Nuggets.

The Pistons began the year 1-7 and at 5-18, the club moved on from Rose, dealing him to the New York Knicks for Dennis Smith and a second round pick. As part of the trade, the Pistons created a $2 million trade exception.

Rose appeared in 15 games at the time of the trade and posted 14.2 PPG, 1.9 RPG, 4.2 APG and 1.2 SPG in 22.8 MPG. In 65 games with the Pistons, Rose put up 17.2 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 5.2 APG and 0.9 SPG. The guard posted shooting splits of 48/31/86 in that time.

When the Knicks acquired Derrick Rose, it seemed like the perfect match. Rose was reunited with head coach Tom Thibodeau for a third stint. The guard had previously been an MVP under Thibodeau's coaching with the Chicago Bulls. He then had somewhat of a rebirth rejoining Thibodeau with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Rose was brought in to add some scoring punch to a limited Knicks offensive lineup. New York was 11-14 when it acquired Rose. The team was ranked sixth in defensive efficiency, but was just 24th in offense.

Rose assumed a bench role, often playing with effective scoring rookie Immanuel Quickley, but he also closed many games with the starters. New York gradually played better as the season went on. With the team in eighth place with a 25-27 record, New York went on a massive run, going 16-4 over the final 20 games to finish 41-31. The finish got the Knicks to fourth place in the Eastern Conference after beating out the Atlanta Hawks in a head-to-head tiebreaker.

Rose played a significant part in New York's rise. The guard appeared in 35 games with the Knicks and compiled 14.9 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 4.2 APG and 0.9 SPG in 26.8 MPG. In the 937 minutes Rose was on the floor, the Knicks outscored opponents by 10.6 points per 100 possessions per NBA Stats.

The playoffs were a significant moment for the Knicks. The team faced the Atlanta Hawks and star Trae Young in the first round. Game One was the first postseason game played at New York's home arena Madison Square Garden in eight years. The game was very close throughout. In the fourth quarter, Knicks wing Alec Burks knocked down a three-pointer to give New York a 92-87 lead with 4:46 left in the game.

Atlanta answered with a 10-1 run in two minutes to take a 97-93 lead. Knicks wing RJ Barrett made a layup and forward Julius Randle knocked down a three to give the Knicks a 98-97 edge. A Trae Young three-point play was followed by two buckets from Burks that gave New York a 103-100 lead with 1:11 left.

Atlanta's Bogdan Bogdanovic nailed a three to tie the game with 55 seconds left. Barrett fouled Young on a drive with 28 seconds left and the guard hit two freebies to give the Hawks a 105-103 lead. Rose knocked down a midrange floater with 10 seconds left to tie the game.

After an Atlanta timeout, the Knicks took Rose out and put in defender Frank Ntilikina. With Ntilikina guarding him, Young was able to penetrate and make a contested floater with 0.9 seconds left. Randle was unable to get off a shot in time as Atlanta took a 1-0 series lead with a 107-105 win.

In the second game, Atlanta had control for much of the first half, taking a 57-44 lead at halftime. Coach Thibodeau went with Rose as a starter in the second half over Elfrid Payton. After Atlanta took a 67-55 lead with 7:43 left, New York went on a 21-8 run over the rest of the quarter to take a 76-75 lead into the fourth period.

The Knicks built a 10-point lead, but the Hawks tied the score 91-all with 5:06 left. Over the rest of the game, the Knicks outscored Atlanta 10-1 to tie the series with a 101-92 victory. Rose had a team-high 26 points and New York's bench outscored Atlanta's 55-22.

As the series scene shifted to Atlanta, Coach Thibodeau permanently moved Rose into a starting point guard role. The move seemed to work as Rose had 11 points in the first quarter and the Knicks took a 31-29 at the end of the opening frame of Game Three.

However, the Hawks went on a 22-5 run in the final 7:19 of the second quarter to take a 58-44 halftime lead. New York could never cut the deficit under single digits in the second half as Atlanta won 105-94. Rose had 30 points in the loss.

Game Four was close early on, but the Hawks turned a four-point halftime advantage into an 88-71 lead at the end of the third quarter. Young scored 27 points as Atlanta cruised to a 113-96 victory. In the series finale, Young had 36 points and Atlanta pulled away in the fourth quarter and held on for an easy 103-89 win. Atlanta won the series 4-1.

New York looked overmatched in the five-game series as its star Julius Randle struggled to score. Rose was a bright spot in the disappointment. He was New York's best offensive player, averaging 19.4 PPG on 47.6% from the field, 47.1% from the three-point line, 4.0 RPG and 5.0 APG in 35.0 MPG. By the end of the series, he did struggle to deal with the increased minutes and had a few "knick-knack" injuries by the end of it.

New York's surprise playoff appearance led to the team bringing back a group of free agents. The Knicks re-signed Alec Burks and Nerlens Noel to three-year contracts. After his strong playoff run, the Knicks rewarded Rose with a three-year, $43 million deal with a team option in the final year.

But the team knew there needed to be an infusion of offensive talent after its weak offensive performance in the first round. To address the issue, New York signed guard Evan Fournier from the Boston Celtics to a four-year, $78 million contract. The club also signed guard Kemba Walker to a two-year, $18 million deal.

The Knicks arrived to the 2021-22 season with increased expectations after the third place finish the previous season. The beginning of the season looked good as New York won five of its first six games. However, the team went 7-15 over the next 22 games. The Knicks see-sawed around the .500 mark, reaching 22-21 after 43 games.

The season would fall apart from that point. New York went 3-17 over the next 20 games to fall to 25-38. New York played better down the stretch but finished out of the playoff picture with a 37-45 record.

Rose began the season as a backup to Walker and continued to play with Quickley in the backcourt for the second unit. Ineffective play from Walker led coach Thibodeau to remove the point guard. That coupled with a rash of COVID-19 positive tests forced Rose into a few starts in December.

Rose injured his right ankle in a mid-December game against the Houston Rockets. Eventually, he underwent ankle surgery and was ruled out for eight weeks.

Rose was expected to return in February or March, but he later had a procedure on the same right ankle. He never returned as New York failed to qualify for the playoffs. Rose saw action in 26 games (four starts) and produced 12.0 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 4.0 APG, 0.8 SPG and 0.5 BPG in 24.5 MPG.

After the disappointing season, New York went back to the drawing board in the 2022 offseason. The club made a splash at the 2022 draft, offloading Walker, Burks and Noel along with draft picks in various deals to free up cap space.

New York used that cap space to sign guard Jalen Brunson from the Dallas Mavericks to a four-year, $104 million deal. The club also re-signed center Mitchell Robinson and added center Isaiah Hartenstein from the Los Angeles Clippers in a two-year, $16 million deal.

The Knicks looked to bounce back from a year out of the postseason. The team hovered around .500 but eventually fell to 10-13 after 23 games. That 23rd game was a pivotal moment for the franchise. In a Saturday afternoon jaunt with the Dallas Mavericks, the Knicks built an early 15-point lead in the first half. Over the next two quarters, Dallas outscored New York 93-46 in an embarrassing 121-100 defeat.

In response to the struggles, the Knicks removed Rose and Cam Reddish from the rotation while adding young guard Miles "Deuce" McBride in their place. Rose and Reddish joined veteran Evan Fournier as permanent bench fixtures.

With more minutes given to the defensive-oriented McBride and guard Quentin Grimes, New York picked up steam. The team strung together eight consecutive wins to reach 18-13. New York would trade wins and losses until the trade deadline. The club dealt Reddish and a first round draft pick to the Portland Trail Blazers for forward Josh Hart.

Hart proved to be the missing piece to New York's success. After he arrived, the Knicks went 17-8 over the final 25 games to finish 47-35, which was fifth in the East.

Rose received occasional minutes in garbage time after fans chanted for him to play at the end of blowouts. But he rarely played after his removal from the rotation. After the turn of the new year, Rose played just two minutes and 21 seconds. He appeared in 27 games, managing 5.6 PPG, 1.5 RPG and 1.7 APG in 12.5 MPG.

The Knicks returned to the playoffs after a season away and faced the fourth seed Cleveland Cavaliers in the opening round. Brunson had 27 points and Hart chipped in 17 points and 10 rebounds as New York took the first game in Cleveland 101-97.

Cleveland had a 20-point lead at halftime of Game Two and held on for a comfortable 107-90 win. Game Three saw Brunson and RJ Barrett combine for 40 points as New York routed Cleveland 99-79. Game Four was closer, but Brunson had a game-high 29 points as the Knicks pulled away with a 102-93 win.

In Game Five, Randle exited early with an ankle sprain. It didn't matter as New York dominated the offensive glass (17 offensive rebounds) in a 106-95 win. Rose played three minutes in the series.

New York advanced to the second round for the first time in 10 years and faced the eighth-seeded Miami Heat. With Randle out for the series opener, New York took an early double digit lead. Miami came back and took control thanks to a 31-20 third quarter advantage. The Knicks cut the deficit to three points on two occasions in the fourth quarter, but Miami held on for a 108-101 win.

In the win, Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler sprained his ankle and missed Game Two. Randle returned for that game and him, Brunson and Barrett teamed up for 79 of New York's 111 points in a six-point win. Butler returned for Game Three and had 28 points. Miami held the Knicks to 34.1% from the field and 20% from three in a 105-86 victory.

New York's offense was slightly better in Game Four, but Miami still led for much of the game and won 109-101. Facing elimination at home, the Knicks fell behind 24-14 in the first quarter. New York bounced back and led by 19 points in the third period. The Heat cut the lead to three points, but New York held on for a 112-103 win and made the series 3-2.

Brunson was amazing in Game Six, putting up 41 points. The game went down to the wire. The Knicks were down 92-90 with the ball and 30 seconds left but Brunson tuned the ball over and Miami eventually held on for a 96-92 victory. New York was eliminated 4-2. Rose did not play in the second round.

In the offseason, the Knicks declined Rose's $15.6 million team option for the 2023-24 season. He became a free agent after and he signed a two-year, $6.5 million contract with the Memphis Grizzlies. Rose ended up appearing in 88 games in his second stint with the Knicks and amassed 11.2 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 3.4 APG and 0.7 SPG. The guard shot 45% from the field, 38% from the three-point line and 91% from the foul line.

Smith played in 20 games with the Pistons after the trade. The high-flying guard managed 7.3 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.0 SPG and 0.7 BPG in 19.6 MPG. The Pistons went 15-34 after the trade, finishing the 2020-21 season with a 20-52 record. Smith became a free agent after the season and signed a training camp deal with the Portland Trail Blazers. He made the Blazers team for the 2021-22 season.

The 2021 second round pick Detroit acquired originally was owned by Charlotte. It ended up 42nd in the 2021 NBA Draft. Detroit used the pick on 6-foot-7 tweener forward Isaiah Livers from the University of Michigan.

A local product from Kalamazoo, Michigan, Livers spent four years in college, evolving from 3.4 PPG as a part-time starting freshman to a double figure scorer in his junior and senior seasons.

In his senior year, Livers was second on the Wolverines team with 13.1 PPG and led the team in three-point shooting. However, Livers' season was cut short when he suffered a stress injury to his right foot in a March quarterfinal game against Maryland in the Big Ten Tournament. He later underwent surgery on the right foot in April.

The foot issue would bleed into Livers' pro career. He missed 2021 Summer League and was unavailable for 59 of the first 60 games of his rookie season. Overall, the forward appeared in 19 games (five starts) and posted 6.4 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 1.1 APG and 0.7 SPG in 20.2 MPG.

Livers also played four games for Detroit's G-League affiliate, the Motor City Cruise. Livers averaged 4.0 PPG and 2.3 RPG in 15.5 MPG. Detroit began the 2021-22 season 1-8 and never recovered. The team was 5-28 after 33 games. The second half of the year was a tad better as the Pistons went 18-31 over the final 49 games to finish 23-59.

After the season, the Pistons held the fifth pick in the 2022 draft and selected point guard Jaden Ivey. The team also acquired the 13th pick in the draft, center Jalen Duren. On the veteran front, Detroit dealt away forward Jerami Grant while adding Alec Burks, Nerlens Noel and Bojan Bogdanovic in trades during the offseason.

Livers played two games for the Pistons' Summer League squad in Las Vegas, managing 14.0 PPG on 44.4% from the field, 4.5 RPG and 1.0 BPG in 30.1 MPG.

During the 2022-23 season, all of the change didn't matter much as Detroit was again one of the worst teams, getting off to a 3-15 start. At 15-42 after 57 games, the Pistons went 2-23 over the final 25 games to finish an NBA-worst 17-65. A key reason for the downfall was 2021 number one overall pick Cade Cunningham missing all but 12 games due to a left shin injury that eventually required surgery.

Livers missed 30 games due to various ailments including a right shoulder sprain, right ankle sprain and a right hip issue. He played in 52 contests (22 starts) and managed 6.7 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 0.8 APG, 0.5 SPG and 0.5 BPG in 23.1 MPG.

After the season, coach Dwane Casey resigned and Detroit hired Monty Williams with a then-record six-year, $78.5 million contract. The Pistons had the fifth pick in the 2023 draft and used it on athletic wing Ausar Thompson. The Pistons also added veterans Monte Morris and Joe Harris in trades.

Livers' injury issues continued into his third season. The forward suffered a grade III left ankle sprain and he missed the first 14 games of the season.

Detroit hoped that an established coach in Williams and continued development from its younger players would lead to growth. But the team continued to slide backwards. After winning two of its first three games, Detroit dropped an NBA record 28 consecutive games.

When he did return, Livers struggled to find his game. He appeared in 23 games (six starts) and shot just 34.5% from the field and 28.6% at the three-point line. Livers averaged 5.0 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 1.1 APG and 0.6 SPG in 20.4 MPG.

With the team at 3-36, Detroit made a move, dealing Livers, Marvin Bagley and two second round picks to the Washington Wizards for Danilo Gallinari and Mike Muscala. Livers showed promise as a potential three-and-D wing but injuries made it hard for him to be consistent.

In two and a half seasons with the Pistons, Livers managed 6.2 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 0.9 APG and 0.6 SPG in 94 games. The 6-7 forward shot 41% from the field, 36% from the three-point line and 79% from the free-throw line in that time.

Derrick Rose on his comfortability in joining the Knicks (via ESPN):

"Even though I couldn't say that at the time, I just wanted to be comfortable. Like I said, I've been knowing these guys ever since high school, eighth grade, high school, so coming here, like I said, it's family. I never really thought about anything else but really getting here and understanding they wanted me to help grow the young guys they've already got here."

On his relationship with Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau:

"The synergy we've got, I can't explain it. We're an odd couple, but for some reason, we understand the game. And the closest thing I probably can say is we're students of the game. We watch the game. We try to understand the game more and try to get better if not every day, every week, every month, every couple of months, every year. There's always room for improvement, and it's for the betterment of the team. Wherever I go, wherever he goes, we're always trying to win."

On playing with Knicks rookie guard Immanuel Quickley:

"It shouldn't be too hard [playing] with him. We're similar. He's getting double-teamed in his rookie year. There ain't too many rookies getting that type of attention. For him to see that kind of early, it's just going to make his game better. The game is going to slow down more. And he listens. That's the greatest thing about him: He listens. With that, you always got room for improvement. "He's a dog. He's a dog. I can't explain it. You've got to be a player to understand it. [If] we're in a fight, I know he's fighting."

Dennis Smith on the trade (via SNY):

"I was super excited, I was super excited. I was down in the G (League) and I was getting ready to play with the guys and have our first scrimmage, and I heard the news and I was just smiling all day. Super excited, couldn't really sleep that night and I'm just looking at it as an opportunity, fresh start -- like me and coach talked about -- and I'm going to make the most out of it."

Why his tenure with the Knicks never panned out:

"I can't -- I'm not sure,. But I will say I'm thankful for the opportunity that they gave me, and to all the people that supported me -- whether it's in media or even the fans that supported me -- I'm thankful for those guys as well."

On going down to the G-League and finding out about the trade:

"So, when I went down to the G (League), it was simply, simply just to play basketball -- I wanted to play basketball. Nothing else to it, like, 'Oh, he moved,' or, 'Such and such, whatever,' it's just I wanted to play basketball and I realized that would give me an opportunity to do that. So I took advantage of it and I went down there like I was ready to hoop. "I was down there with my boy, Myles (Powell), and I actually got close with a lot of guys on the team in the brief time that I was there. So that was just about hooping. And I was smiling hard because, like, I was excited for the opportunity. And I knew what kind of guy (Pistons) coach (Dwane) Casey was -- great coach, great person. So being able to be with him, I was looking forward to that."

On having a chip on his shoulder after the trade:

"It's super refreshing, and I'm going to go out there with a chip on my shoulder that I always had. I'm going to go out there and compete at a high level, try to execute and try to win games. In terms of coming out and trying to prove something, I think it's definitely more important to prove things to myself -- you know what I'm saying? -- and that's what I want to do. "I believe in myself and the people here that believe in me, and I think that's the first step to really tapping into some greatness here."

Detroit Pistons general manager Troy Weaver on the trade (via Pistons.com):

"We welcome Dennis Smith Jr. to the Pistons family. Adding another young player who was a high draft pick alongside a draft asset advances our goals in building for the future. We thank Derrick Rose for his contributions on and off the court during his time as a Piston and wish him and his family well as they move forward."

New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau on Derrick Rose (via NY Daily News):

"He's still one of the elite players in this league."

If Rose is in shape:

"He's lighter than he's ever been. He's telling me this is as healthy as he's been."

On his familiarity as a coach with Rose previously in Chicago and Minnesota:

"It's obviously someone I'm familiar with. We've been through a lot of things together. But the biggest part is what I felt he could contribute to our team. I've always been partial to good players. If someone is a good player, I'm interested. And I think he'll add a lot to our team."

On Rose's ability to be productive everywhere he's gone:

"When you look at what he accomplished after (his time in Chicago), even when you went back to the year he spent in New York, he still averaged 18 points a game. He averaged 18 points a game in Minnesota, he averaged 18 points a game in Detroit. So he's always been able to contribute. When you look at his playoff numbers, he goes to a completely different level."

How adding Rose and Quickley together gives the Knicks more ballhandling capabilities off the bench (via ESPN):

"I think you see it often when you have multiple point guards out on the floor, it gives you another ball handler, secondary ball handler, and you can probably include Alec (Burks) in there, as well. So it gives us three guys that can go off the dribble, and all three are very efficient in pick-and-rolls. Their versatility allows them to actually blend with both groups. So I think we'll see some of that as we go forward, as well."

Pistons head coach Dwane Casey on bringing along Dennis Smith (via The Detroit News):

“It's going to take all of us to help him along, but our coaching staff will assign someone to him to watch film and to go over things with him and the players on the floor will be able to help him. We've got a great group of guys that are willing to mentor and help. That's something that I think won't take very long for him. “He's a smart kid and he's a basketball junkie. One of the first things he said was that he wanted to watch film. He shouldn't have said that because I'm going to take him up on it. He's a good kid, he's got an opportunity, and this is the first team to me as a coach.”

How he gravitates to players that have something to prove:

“It's one of those things where I've always identified with guys like that… You want to bring them into your culture and fit them into your culture. They have something to prove to us and to the rest of the league, whoever that person is. It's not a bad thing and you can look around in sports — New England's done it for years. "It's a little tougher with a young team to bring guys in, but I enjoy it. I enjoy coaching guys like that, taking the challenge on from a coaching standpoint, teaching standpoint, molding standpoint, and let's prove the rest of the league wrong.”

Pistons guard Saben Lee on what he'll miss about Derrick Rose (via The Detroit News):

"I'll definitely miss Derrick. He was a great guy and a great person aside from being a great player. Just being able to hang out with him and get different words of wisdom from him and [being able to] pick his brain."

On Dennis Smith:

"He's an athletic point guard. He can get to the rack and is a really good playmaker."

Image Credit:

Dennis Smith Jr. via Getty Images/Layne Murdoch Jr.

Derrick Rose via Getty Images/Nathaniel S. Butler

[kirsctein]

season 22 -> need to buy battle pass with real money TWICE to get all seasonal rewards (each split separately). this is actual ass

addition: someone on twit pointed that premium+ gives access to all legends, and like… that is to attract new players?? who on their right mind would spend $20 per SPLIT to unlock all new legends when they’re new to the game. it doesn’t even take that long to gain legend tokens to unlock them permanently (…unless they’re taking that away)

[dashiellqvverty]

anyway follow me on serializd to see my legend of korra rewatch journey <3 might not be doing the rewatch all at once but i am definitely going to try to do this as a Project

[doyoulikethissong-poll]

Dali - Sailor Moon - Moonlight Densetsu 1992

"Moonlight Densetsu" ("Moonlight Legend") is a song that served as an opening theme for the anime series Sailor Moon. The song's original version was released in Japan on March 21, 1992, on a split single by Dali and Misae Takamatsu titled "Moonlight Densetsu / Heart Moving". It was a big hit and in 1995 it was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of Japan. Two different versions of this song were used for the anime. The first, performed by Dali and arranged by Daisuke Ikeda, was used for the duration of the first season and Sailor Moon R. The second, performed by Moon Lips and arranged by Yuuzou Hayashi was used for Sailor Moon S and Sailor Moon SuperS. The basic melody with severely altered lyrics was used for the theme song in several dubs around the world.

An online survey conducted in 2008 by Goo recognized it as the most popular song from an anime series for karaoke from 1991 to 2000. "Moonlight Densetsu" won first place in the Song category in Animage's 15th and 16th Anime Grand Prix. According to a poll conducted by Japanese music magazine CD&DL Data in 2016 about the most representative songs associated with the moon, the original version by Dali was ranked 4th by 6203 respondents aging from teens to thirties. In 2019, the original Dali version won the Performance Award of the Heisei Anisong Grand Prize among the anime theme songs from 1989 to 1999. "Moonlight Densetsu" was ranked 12th in Onegai! Ranking Series' derivative variety show "130,000 People Vote! Anime Song General Election" broadcast by TV Asahi on September 6, 2020.

"Moonlight Densetsu" received a total of 84,9% yes votes!

[copper-16]

Remind Me That There’s A Room To Grow Part 4

Life looked different for the two of you now, but that doesn’t mean you can’t grow together.

(a/n: Hi guys! So just a little personal update - I had a bit of a mental health episode recently and as a result I'm now spending a solid 10-12 hours of my week in therapy to try and get some help with that. I'll be fine, but I might be a little delayed in updating sometimes! Appreciate those who are willing to stick with me here.

Reminder that COVID doesn’t exist here, because I said so! This is a little bit of a longer part, and it details the rest of the 2020-21 season. Next chapter we’re going to be going over the 2021-22 season, so if there are any not to miss moments I should be writing about, do let me know! I hope you guys enjoy :)

Subconsciously, you had resigned yourself to the fact that Alexia would be gone in the morning when you had fallen asleep last night. Even without having spent much time with her now, you knew how the brunette was. She was forever busy with training, extra training, media responsibilities, and that had been when you were both eighteen! You assumed there was even more placed on her shoulders now that she was a prominent member of a big club. 

However, when you felt yourself rising from sleep, you looked down and realized that there was still an arm wrapped around your torso. You blinked slowly, your mind whirling as you stared down at Alexia’s hand, her palm resting gently over your stomach. 

“G’Morning,” you turned your neck as far as you could back, realizing that Alexia was awake as well as she greeted you. The footballer pressed a kiss to the base of your neck before you flipped over in bed so that you could properly face her. 

You were pretty sure you’d never seen anything more gorgeous than Alexia in that moment, a tender smile on her face. Her hair was mused with sleep but not messy, her eyes still half lidded with sleep. They trailed down your face, as though she was attempting to commit every single ounce of you to her memory. 

“Hi Flori,” she whispered softly, and you ducked your head in a vague pursuit to hide the flush that adorned your cheeks. The footballer didn’t seem to like that though, reaching her hand forward as she tucked her fingers under your chin and lifted your head back up. 

Despite your initial shyness, you couldn’t help but bask in the openness of it all as you looked up. No longer was it a dream to wish for her to be here - she was here. Right next to you, looking at you as though no amount of time had passed. As though she still adored you just as much now as she had when you were both eighteen. 

“I love you,” you murmured gently as you reached one of your own hands up to card through some of her hair. You allowed your fingers to come back to her face, to trail down her cheeks, her jaw, her neck. The warmth under your fingers proof that she remained here, that she was not a dream. 

The Catalan accepted the touch easily, taking it a step further as she pulled you into her. You allowed yourself to be moved and manipulated easily, until you were laying practically on top of the brunette, her arms tight around you. 

Her skin was warm against your own, and somehow she still smelled just as she did when she was eighteen. For every thing about her that seemed so vastly different, there was always something that had remained the same about her. It surprised you honestly, but you were grateful for it nonetheless. The strength and security with which she held you felt unyielding. After years of sleeping alone in your bed, you had forgotten what it was like to be held with such a reverent touch. 

You released a sigh that you hadn’t realized was building, lolling your head into Alexia as she pressed a soft kiss to your temple. The content feeling of just laying there soon gave way to a certain curiosity after several minutes had passed. You unlooped your arms from the midfielder, sitting up and looking down at her with a raised brow. 

“When did you get so…muscly?” You questioned suspiciously as you poked at her abdomen, your heart skipping a beat at the peal of laughter Alexia let out in response. She puffed her chest out a little, and you could feel her trying to flex in bed. 

“I train at the gym a lot more than I did before,” she smirked, clearly looking rather proud of herself. You rolled your eyes, wholly unimpressed. Alexia had always been attractive to you, and her being in the best or worst shape of her life meant nothing to you compared to having her there. 

“Alright, relax muchisimo,” you quipped, though trying to hold your laughter in was futile. Alexia leaned forward suddenly, snatching you at the waist and pulling you back onto the bed, squeezing you tightly. You allowed yourself to go willingly as you giggled, the sound ricocheting off the walls. 

Had they ever heard such happiness before? 

Surely they had not, because rarely had you been this happy without her. 

“But it means I get to do this,” Alexia explained as she finally sat up, but this time with you wrapped in her arms. You squealed as she carried you toward the kitchen with your legs wrapped around her tightly, setting you down on the kitchen counter as though you were the finest piece of porcelain. 

She stepped back just a touch after she let you down. She allowed her hands to reach up as she tucked a lock of hair back behind your ear, her face softening as she did so. 

You watched as the footballer turned toward your fridge, finally giving you a moment to work up the courage to ask the question that has been on your mind ever since you had woken up. 

“Do you not have gym today? Or training, or anything like that?” You asked hesitantly, almost as though you were bracing for her to say she was leaving. 

It wasn’t as though you thought she could stay forever. But for whatever reason, the thought of her leaving at this very moment felt like it might tear you to shreds. The Catalan turned back toward you, instantly worried about the tone of your words. She shut the fridge, stepping closer to you as you slipped off the counter to stand in front of her. 

“I called in earlier and told them I wasn’t coming. I’m here with you for today, and as long as you’ll have me,” Alexia promised, and by the tone of her words, you knew she was talking about more than just football practice. 

You stepped forward at her words, wrapping your arms around her and hugging her tightly. She met you halfway easily, tucking her head into the side of your neck. The footballer allowed herself to breathe in deeply, grounded by the notes of violet and sandalwood in your perfume. 

Even when you tried to step away and release her after a few seconds, the midfielder only gripped you tighter. 

“Please, just a few more seconds. Just…stay. Just one more minute,” she nearly begged, and you stepped back into her body with a speed you were unaware you possessed. Your hands around her were firm and consistent, just as they always had been. 

Just as she remembered. You angled yourself into her, pressing a kiss to her cheek before you tucked her into your body even further. Alexia was certain in that moment that if she could have crawled into your skin she would have, but still you were here. 

“Thank you,” the brunette breathed out, and you only held her tighter. 

“Always,” you promised, and it was a promise you intended to keep this time. 

—

Alexia ended up staying for the entirety of the weekend, to your absolute delight. It didn’t even need to be anything special for the two of you to bask in the closeness that enveloped the two of you. 

The brunette was incessantly clingy, following you from room to room like a lost puppy. Even now, she dragged you into bed under the guise of taking a nap, but you knew that secretly she just liked the closeness. Some things never changed. 

You laid down flat on your back with Alexia climbing in after you. You turned your head toward the brunette, who was on her side with her elbow and hand propping her head up. She seemed to be holding something back, but what that was, you weren’t sure. 

“What is it?” You inquired, your eyebrows furrowed together at the way she worried her lip between her teeth. 

“I…I don’t know how to ask?” Alexia seemed to be questioning herself, as though she were lost in her own mind. You reached up to smooth the crinkle that had formed between her brows with the pad of your thumb, and felt as she relaxed slightly under your touch. 

“Try me,” you replied, ready for any question that the midfielder might ask. 

“How have…how have things been? Since…well, since, you know–” Alexia managed to cut herself off as she began to ramble, clamping her mouth shut as she shook her head with annoyance. She was getting frustrated, but for what you were not sure. 

You were confused about the request considering it seemed like a perfectly normal question to ask. You had asked her that earlier in the weekend, checking on how her family was and how football had been. For whatever reason though, Alexia seemed nervous to do the same with you. 

“What’s wrong, mi alma?” You asked after a beat, sensing there was more to the story than Alexia was letting on. 

“I just…I feel horrible for saying this. I don’t like thinking about you living your life in the last nine years. I feel as though there is this big gaping hole in my knowledge of you…this big gaping hole where…” 

“Where you were not there?” You finished for her gently after she trailed off. She nodded in defeat, the shame she felt rippling within her. You leaned forward to press a kiss to her forehead, your hand coming to cradle her cheek as you sat up. “That is perfectly normal, Ale. It bothers me as well, of course it does. But when I think of it, I try to remember how much I know you missed me. For every good moment, I spent twice as many missing you, and I know that you were not far off,” she agreed instantly, and you smiled at her steadily. 

“I also know that I am not going anywhere, so we might as well fill in the time we missed and move on,” you described, something that seemed to renew some of the faith in the Catalan. 

She began asking you questions about everything she had missed. She asked about your diagnosis, how treatment had been. As much as she tried not to shy away from it, you could tell it pained her immensely to hear about the experience, so you sped through the details as much as you could. 

You informed her the whereabouts of your brothers, how their lives were going. You told her all about your university degree, how she had gotten the job to come to Barcelona. When you explained that you picked the job offer that got you here, she squeezed you just a touch tighter. 

But finally the heaviest question laid ahead, and you knew it was going to be a knife to Alexia’s stomach. There was simply no way around it, no matter how hard you tried to steer the conversation away. 

“How is your Mama?” Alexia asked hopefully, excited for the update on Paula. She was never particularly close with your mother, much like you yourself were not, but your mother had been nothing if not fun to be around. She had always loved you, and loved that you and Alexia were together immensely. 

Secretly, Paula loved the way that Alexia gave you the space to relax where she and your family could not. She knew it was something you needed, and though the two of you never spoke about it, Paula had felt that loss for you when the footballer had left. 

Secretly, she had always hoped that the two of you would find some way back to each other. 

“She…” you paused for a second, bracing yourself. Alexia tilted her head slightly, wondering why you had trailed off. “She passed away a little over a year and a half back, Ale.” 

The midfielder froze just a second after you had finished the sentence. Her heart skipped a beat, and her breathing ceased for several moments. Though her body did not move, her eyes were on you in a second. 

“What?” She asked, barely a whisper. All you did was nod, a sorrowful and apologetic look on your face. You watched as crack by crack appeared in the brunette’s expression, emotions spilling through until the whole thing collapsed. Not only had you lost your mother when she was not there, but you knew it would bring up all of the memories of her own father’s death. 

You hated yourself for saying it, even if you knew that the brunette needed to know eventually. 

You were right there to support the footballer as she began to cry. You knew her, and you knew that she would be taken aback by your statement. 

It still pained you to be right. 

You tucked the Catalan into your arms easily as silent tears slid down her cheeks. It was easy for you, to care for her and hold space for her. It was what you had always done, for as long as you had known. 

“I’m so sorry I wasn’t there for you,” she whispered into your shoulder, and all you could do was turn your head to the side to kiss her cheek gently, moving one of your hands to wipe the tears that rained down from glossy eyes. 

“You didn’t know, mi alma,” you beseeched as you allowed her to lean back into you. Your forgiveness was endless, and you would throw it recklessly if you needed to. You would hold her for as long as she needed to be held, that was for certain. 

—

It was Friday afternoon, the day of Alexia’s first game back since you had come into her life once more. She had spent most of her time with you since the two of you had reunited, practically living out of your apartment in favor of her own. 

The brunette clung to you like a koala, and though you did not mind, you found it rather amusing. You’d all but had to shove her out the door for the game today, or else she would have been late. It took three kisses, two hugs, and a promise that you would find her directly after the match for her to finally step toward her car. 

The brunette had explained to you that she had gone over to her mother’s house after leaving your place last weekend to apologize to them. She had promised you that at the game you would sit with her family in the family and friends section of the stadium, which was where you had always belonged, according to the brunette. 

When Alexia had inevitably left your house on Sunday evening, the first place she went was to her Mami’s house. She knew that both Eli and Alba would be there, and she knew it was time that she apologized properly. 

The door was unlocked, leaving the brunette free to enter the house without needing an introduction. She toed off her shoes before she walked over to the living room, where she heard the voices of both her mother and sister. 

Both of their voices petered off when Alexia turned into the living room, and both of them seemed rather surprised to see the footballer standing there. 

“Um…hi?” Alexia tried, but she shook her head instantly. 

“That was awkward, I am sorry. I came here to apologize to both of you,” she explained swiftly, and though Alba started to interject, the brunette stopped her sister. 

“I came to both of you in a moment of anger, and I never should have done that. It was unfair of me to place blame on you guys when all you did was offer a perspective for me to consider. I’m really sorry for the way I treated you both, and I promise I will work to be better,” she pledged, with both Eli and Alba looking at her with compassion in their expressions. 

“No Ale, we are sorry. We were both very judgmental and unwilling to consider a different perspective. I am sorry it caused things to go poorly with Flori,” Alba expressed, and Alexia could simply see in both her mother and her sisters' faces that they were steadfast in their regret. 

The brunette walked over to both of them, sitting down on the couch between them and pulling them into a tight hug. 

“I love you guys,” she said gruffly, trying to hold back tears. God, she really had done a lot of crying this week. 

“We love you too honey. Have you had a chance to talk with Flori again?” Eli inquired as they all pulled away, genuine concern in her tone. Alexia nodded, a slight flush to her cheeks as she held back a smile. 

“We…we have. We’re back in each other's lives now, even all these years later. I know it might sound stupid but…I still love her,” the footballer admitted, much to the delight of her mother and sister. 

“She’s coming to the game on Friday, so the two of you need to be on your best behavior! I told her that she could sit with you guys,” Alexia looked at both Eli and Alba with a serious expression, and her sister held up her hands in surrender. 

“We will be nice Ale, we promise!” She declared as she looked over at Eli with excitement. 

You had felt secure in Alexia’s words and promises, until now. It was the day of the game, and suddenly your nerves were through the roof. You made it into the stadium just fine, allowing someone to escort you to the correct section before they left you to attend to other matters. 

For a second you allowed yourself to take a deep breath, trying and failing to center yourself. 

You made your way down to your seat slowly, watching Eli and Alba the whole time. They seemed lively, animated, whispering to each other and laughing afterward.

Your stomach twisted in anxiety, because despite Alexia’s apology to them, you had no clue if they still felt that you were a horrible person or not. Each step felt like it was torture, taking you closer to a reality you didn’t want to live in. 

You had always loved both Alba and Eli, and they had loved you. If you never saw them again, in your head they would love you forever. Even if it wasn’t realistic, it was a nice thought. 

Both Eli and Alba’s heads turned to look at you at the same time as you entered into the row of seats, and you paused in your movement. You didn’t even realize you were holding your breath until they stood, making their way over toward you. 

It was Eli who reached you first, and she immediately tugged you into a big hug. You stood stock still for a moment, not expecting that she would treat you so kindly. Your hand lay listless at your side, your body tense as you struggled to relax. 

After several moments your mind seemed to come back to you, and you relaxed into the hug as you wrapped your arms around the older woman. 

“Hola Flori,” Eli smiled as she pulled back, allowing Alba to rush past her to hug you tightly as she murmured a greeting in your ear. You were prepared this time, and returned the hug back with fervor. When the two women finally stepped back to truly take you in, you noticed how wet their eyes were. 

You looked away from them for a moment, swallowing thickly. You fought the urge to look at your shoes as you spoke, instead facing your fear directly. 

“You two aren’t…mad?” You questioned softly, trying to restrain the fear in your voice and failing spectacularly. Eli shook her head earnestly, and she reached forward to pat your cheek affectionately. 

“I think we were sad, and we missed you. We did not understand then, but Alexia told us what had happened. Now all that we wish is to be here with you, as we should have been the whole time,” she replied easily, as though her forgiveness was something to be given out freely. 

Perhaps it was, when it came to you. 

It was you who reached forward for a hug this time while you struggled to keep the tears at bay. 

“We love you Flori,” Alba added on, and you reached behind Eli to grasp her hand tightly, trying to convey all your gratitude in one glance.  

“Come on now, we have a football match to watch!” Eli declared as you pulled back from the hug. She dragged you back to your seats, squishing you in between Alba and herself. 

“It’s strange to see you here without a single piece of homework, I must admit,” the older woman teased, and you released the first real laugh in the afternoon, shaking your head as you knocked her shoulder with your own. 

No matter how hard you tried to convince yourself that you didn’t, you had missed this. You had missed spending time with them, being loved by them. They were so affectionate and kind, and despite all this time, it felt as though they had hardly changed. 

The three of you kept chatting as the players began to stream out onto the field. You were much closer than you typically were at these games. The three of you were sat basically right above the end of the tunnel, so much that you could see the highlights in some of their hair as they ran out onto the pitch. 

While you were engaged in the conversation, it was obvious to both Eli and Alba that you always kept one eye on the field, waiting. 

She was one of the last ones out onto the field, and instead of just running straight into her warm up, the brunette stopped and looked back at the stands. Given that the three of you were seated practically front and center, you were not hard to find. 

You tried not to let it show, but there was a rush of relief within you when Alexia’s whole body seemed to light up at the sight of you. Her very essence seemed to relax, and suddenly she became so incredibly settled. 

She was settled for the warm up, she was settled for the game. 

So settled in fact, that when she scored the first of her two goals, she turned to the stands and blew you a kiss. When you realized what she was doing you could feel the flush rising on your cheeks, coupled with the unhelpful fact that both Eli and Alba turned to you in excitement. You ducked your head to hide your smile, though your heart soared. 

It seemed to stay there after the game as well. Instead of going to sign and take pictures as the Catalan sometimes did, she opted to make a beeline for the stands - for you. 

And there you were, more than prepared and willing to accept the hug as the footballer took the steps up two at a time, clattering in her boots as she came to give you a huge hug. 

You didn’t say a thing when she pulled back and kissed you soundly on the lips either, despite the fact that there was a crowd. 

—

You knew this was coming eventually. 

It was a day off, and you and Alexia had spent the morning in bed together, snuggled under the covers  and pressed into one another. It had been a few weeks of peace, and still, you hadn’t slept together. 

The brunette seemed in no hurry to rush you, but at the same time you could tell she was waiting. Your anxiety transcended every logical thought that you had, steam rolling it until all you felt was worry. 

Sure, at one point you had known one another's bodies, but a lot can change in nine years. Where Alexia had toned, gained muscle, become something solid and secure, you felt innumerably more delicate. Scars littered different areas of your chest, back, and ribs, and they were not something you typically shared. 

You wore high cut tops to cover them, avoiding crop tops and swimsuits. 

But there was something about the way Alexia pressed her lips to you that morning, a sweetness and curiosity that had you pressing further, deepening the kiss. Despite your worries, you still wanted her. There was a closeness in sex that you found familiar and comforting, and you wanted that with Alexia. 

The Catalan met you stride for stride, easily leaning into the kiss while still allowing for you to take control at the same time. It was only when she started to move closer to you that you pulled away from her, suddenly feeling overwhelmed. 

When you looked over at the midfielder, you expected judgment but received only concern in response. 

“What is it?” She questioned gently. Nine years didn’t change the fact that she knew you like the back of her hand. The footballer could tell that something was off, and you weren’t feeling right. You flushed, looking away for just a moment before you shrugged slightly. 

“My body has…changed from the last time you’ve seen it,” you admitted quietly, as though it was a secret rather than just a fact of growing throughout life. “You’ve gotten fitter, and I…well I just look different now.” 

Alexia watched you for a moment, noting the discomfort that seemed to ripple through you with every movement. Admittedly, she cared little for what your body looked like, no matter the shape, size, marks, whatever it was. 

“I love you not because of how your body looks, but for you,” she explained softly, placing her hand palm up on the blankets. It was an open invitation, and the footballer watched as you stared at it for several minutes, almost as though you were considering a business deal. 

You fought with yourself internally. You knew Alexia would never lie to you. At the same time, insecurity felt as though it would overwhelm you. 

But above all, you trusted her. You really wanted to continue doing so. 

When you reached out to take her hand, it was tentative, gentle, and slightly fleeting. The brunette moved toward you carefully, leaning in to kiss you carefully. You allowed yourself to relax into the motion, into the familiarity of it all. 

Alexia knew you. 

Even now, she still did. 

When her hand tucked under your shirt and splayed over your hip bone, you felt yourself arching into the warmth of it. Her hands trailed upward as her lips trailed down, sucking gently at the juncture between your jaw and neck as your shirt was pulled upward. 

The midfielder pulled back for long enough to gauge your reaction, and she waited until you gave her express permission before she removed your shirt carefully. 

You braced her for to be appalled at your body, your eyes screwed tightly shut. But when her hands returned to your body, it was with a gentle, fluttering touch that caused the entirety of your being to relax. 

She traced your scars, the physical presence of everything you had been through since she had been in your life. There was reverence in her touch, an aching sincerity as tears shimmered in her eyes at the sight of you. Not repulsed by you, but rather upset that she hadn’t been there. 

When you were just about to finally break the silence, the footballer dipped her head, pressing a featherlight kiss to your old port scar. She did the exact same to every single foreign mark on your body as you felt yourself melting back into the mattress at the feeling. 

It was such a strange feeling, to be worshipped and loved with such an effortless touch. 

Alexia’s hands were everywhere and yet nowhere at all, nothing but gentle and loving and reverent. She kissed down your body, deliberate in her faith in you, in her care. You found yourself growing relaxed, the insecurity you once felt giving way to something akin to need. 

You arched into her, tugging at the sheets and fighting the urge to chant her name like a prayer. Perhaps it wasn’t a prayer but rather one answered, especially when her mouth met where you needed her the most. 

She was gentle at first, as though trying to remember exactly what you preferred. But as much as you were changed, some things had stayed the same, and it took barely any time at all for her to be reminded of exactly what you needed. 

The brunette was gentle with you. It was not hot and heavy, not by any means. But the two of you had time for that, and she knew that what you needed now was something entirely different. 

You found yourself grinding down against her, your back curled off the bed as you struggled to keep the whimpers and wanton moans at bay. 

When you felt her hand tap at your ribs, you instantly reached down to interlace it with hers, a place of tether as you felt the heat building within you. It was reminiscent of something younger, the tapping at the ribs that meant she wanted you to hold her hand. 

The familiarity of it gave you peace, a tether to know she was there with you, that she still loved you. It was when she finally pressed two of her fingers into you that you felt yourself start to collapse. 

You moaned her name as you came, and she followed your body off its precipice, never once leaving you. You crashed over the edge violently despite her softness, your entire body shuddering as you let out a cry, a rush of intensity followed by an instant soothing as your body relaxed. 

When Alexia had cleaned up the mess she made, she moved herself to lay beside you, cleaning her fingers before she stroked your forehead, down your cheek, over your neck and chest before she tugged you closer to her. She wrapped her arm around you protectively, and you met her easily as you collapsed into her, heady off the smell of sex and Alexia. 

“I’m yours,” you whimpered slightly as you pressed a chaste kiss to her neck, and you could feel her tremble under your touch. Whether it was with emotions or want, you weren’t entirely sure. The arm that kept you close to her tightened, and when you finally opened your eyes slowly, you found her staring down at you with adoration you never thought you’d get again. 

It lit a fire within you, and suddenly you found yourself sitting up and slipping your hands under her shirt, trying to keep yourself from moaning when all you found were muscles that seemed to ripple under your hands, as though they belonged to you. 

If you were to ask the brunette as you straddled her, they did belong to you in that moment. 

Wholly and completely. 

—

You were supposed to be at her apartment at half past nine. After a full day of training and a dinner that was necessary for a sponsorship she was doing, Alexia was so excited to see you and decompress. 

The footballer honestly had forgotten the joy in how nice it was to have someone to come home to. She felt that it had made her more whole, more relaxed, and allowed for peace she was unaware was possible with her lifestyle. 

That was, until it was ten in the evening and you still hadn’t arrived. Alexia had tried calling you several times, but received no answer. You weren’t the kind of person to do that. You never stood up plans without alerting someone, and you were not the type to arrive late without at least a warning. 

Before she could spiral further, the brunette simply decided to drive over to your apartment. She gathered her wallet and keys, jogging down to her car and pulling out of the car park. It was possible she was overreacting, but something felt off. 

You wouldn’t just leave her. 

Would you? 

She gripped the steering wheel with a vice while she drove, counting down the seconds until she arrived at your place. 

The drive over was quick, helped in part by Alexia’s not-so-subtle speeding on the way over. She didn’t care though, throwing her car into park as she bound up the steps to your second floor apartment before she knocked on the door. 

There was no answer. 

She paused for a moment, knocking once, twice, three times. Each more aggressive than the next, and still there was no response from inside. 

Alexia found herself growing uneasy, and she finally fished for her keys. She had no clue if she was overstepping boundaries wildly, or making a very intelligent choice. You had given her a key in case of emergency, and right now this felt like an emergency to her. 

Regardless, she unlocked the door and stepped inside, announcing herself loudly as she entered. 

“Flori? Flori, are you here?” She asked, looking around at the kitchen and sitting room, both of which were entirely empty. 

“Ale?” You called out, the sound vaguely weak and coming from your bedroom, changing the path of the Catalan instantly. The brunette pushed the door open, enveloped into darkness as you sat up slightly in bed. 

“Flori, my love,” she breathed out in relief before she walked over to sit on the edge of the bed. She twisted slightly to turn the bedside table lamp on, and she frowned only when she turned back to you and found that your cheeks were flushed. When the two of you spoke, it was at the same exact time. 

“Are you feeling okay?” 

“What are you doing here?” 

Alexia raised an eyebrow as she glanced at the clock, and you followed her line of sight before your eyes bulged, realizing your error. 

“Oh God, I am so sorry! I was feeling a little under the weather and I came in here to lay down and must have fallen asleep,” you admitted sheepishly. The midfielder could feel her own heart rate regulating at the sight of you in one piece. 

“No, no, it’s okay, I was just worried about you,” Alexia promised simply, and you seemed to relax at her words, tucking your head down at the sweetness of them. However, the feeling left your body in a rush as you realized the implication of Alexia’s presence. 

“Ale, I am sick. You have a game in two days, you need to go home before you catch what I have,” you insisted, which went over as well as you expected. The footballer acted as though she had not heard you, getting you water and medicine before she pulled on some of your pajamas and laid down in bed with you. 

“I’m not going anywhere,” she insisted, feeling something within herself ease at the feeling of having you right up against her. If she was there, nothing bad could happen to you, and she would make sure of that. 

—

When the brunette woke up in the morning to her alarm, it was immediately noticeable that you were warmer than the night before. In fact, it was the first thing she noticed as she blinked her eyes open, and concern flooded through her at the thought. 

She sat up, shaking your shoulders impossibly softly to rouse you from sleep. The only response she received was a grumble about the time, and you rolling toward her looking for solace. When you found nothing, you cracked an eye open to look for the Catalan. 

Alexia did not miss the way that you winced at the light coming in from the curtains, or the fact that you seemed out of breath just sitting up to greet her. But still, you smiled warmly, the picture of sincerity. 

“Good morning mi alma,” you breathed gently, delighted at the smile you received in response. It was easy to tell that the footballer was nervous about you being sick, but you did your best to assuage her fears as you rested a hand on sternum comfortingly. Even as her eyes flitted nervously over you, your voice was soothing. 

“I am fine Ale. You have practice soon, you have to go if you are going to be on time love,” you said matter of factly as you looked over at the clock. Alexia didn’t even spare a glance at it, too focused on observing every single moment you made. 

Everything was screaming at her to stay. Her anxiety was bubbling in her throat, threatening to overwhelm her. What if you were sick again? What did it say about her if she left? What if something serious happened in her absence? 

The pit in her stomach grew larger and larger, and her eyebrows twisted in worry. You reached a hand out to soothe them with your thumb, but all the Catalan could focus on was the slight tremble in your fingers as you did so. 

“I am worried,” she stated plainly, as though the fact wasn’t written into the very lines of her face. You nodded, trying to stave yourself of any symptoms and reassure the brunette of your health. 

“I am okay, Alexia. It is normal to get sick, it is probably just a cold. I will be okay, and when you come back from practice we can cuddle on the couch and watch a movie, alright?” You promised her, conviction in your tone. You knew she needed to go to practice today to prepare for the match the following day. 

“Are you sure? It is a double today with recovery, I will not be home until later today?” She explained, but still you gently pushed her out of bed. 

“This is your job Ale, you need to go. I will call if anything goes wrong, I promise,” you implored, and though she didn’t seem to agree with you, the midfielder finally walked toward your closet to retrieve clothes. 

Even as she dressed, all Alexia did was watch you with thinly veiled anxiety. Every single movement you made, she was just one step behind you as though she were your shadow. When she trailed behind you to the kitchen like a lost puppy, you finally turned around and fixed her with a glare. 

“Alexia,” you said with exasperation. 

“What?” She asked, playing dumb as she looked at you with innocence. There was too much worry swirling around in her stomach to play it well though, and she stepped forward to press her hands to your forehead in a clear show of anxiety. 

“You’re too warm,” she declared, worrying her lip between her teeth as she moved past you to grab medicine and dole out the pills to you. Though you took them willingly, you placed your hand on the brunette’s arm. 

She was practically vibrating with concern, her eyebrows having seemingly collected a permanent crease in between them as she took you in. 

“It is only a few hours. I promise to call if anything is wrong, okay? It is just a cold, I will be perfectly fine,” you insisted once more, and finally the footballer forced herself to relax, even if it was just a tiny bit. 

She stepped forward, wrapping her arms around you tightly, her hand cradling the back of your head with care. 

“Okay, okay,” she said after a moment, more to herself than anyone else though. You relaxed into her, relishing in the coolness of her body. In truth, you felt like shit and didn’t want her to go anywhere. But you knew she had a life, an important one, and you weren’t going to ask her to stop her entire day simply because your body felt like it was on fire. 

“You call me if anything is bothering you, okay? I do not care about training, just call me, please,” she begged as she cradled your cheeks in her hands, watching with intensity as you nodded your head in understanding. She moved forward to press a kiss to your forehead, internally trying to fight the wave of anxiety she felt at how warm you were. 

Even after she had left and was driving to training, her entire system felt as though it was pushed off its equilibrium. You were ill and it was her job to take care of you, and yet she wasn’t there. 

How many times had she not been there? 

She tried not to think about it as she arrived at training, forcing herself to place a mask of indifference and orderliness on her face as she made her way toward the changing room. 

“Good morning Capi!” Jana sang out, a greeting echoed by the rest of the team as they watched their vice captain step into the locker room. 

“Morning,” she replied curtly, making a beeline for her locker. She grabbed her phone, turning it off of silent mode and checking for any messages or calls from you, only to see there were none.

Everyone watched as she clutched her phone even as she changed and walked out to the pitch, clearly looking for someone. When she finally found who she was searching for, the Catalan split off from her teammates, moving toward Cata. 

The goalkeeper was out with a meniscus injury, though she tried to observe practice as much as she could. The young woman straightened up when Alexia approached her, sitting up in her chair. 

“Yes Alexia?” She inquired, looking down at the older woman’s phone in her hand. 

“Here is my phone,” the brunette explained cautiously, the worry clear in her tone. “If anyone calls during practice, speak up and let me know, please? It’s really important,” the vice captain explained, her voice edging on desperate. 

The goalkeeper had never heard Alexia with such concern in her tone, and she nodded wordlessly, clearly grasping the importance of the request. When Alexia felt she had appropriately showcased the gravity of the situation, she turned back toward practice. 

“What was that about?” Leila asked her as the midfielder walked onto the pitch, falling into line with the defender. 

“Nothing,” Alexia snapped, instantly softening as she realized her rudeness. “I’m sorry Leila, I didn’t mean that. It’s just something personal, that’s all,” she amended concisely. The tension between her shoulders betrayed her, and something about her face seemed more pinched with worry than it usually was. 

Personally, Leila held no animosity but only rather curiosity. It was unlike Alexia to be so concerned about something not to do with the pitch. 

The defender gently patted her on the back, silently accepting her apology with ease. But Alexia remained the same for the rest of practice. She was unfocused, often peering over at Cata as though the keeper was her lifeline. 

She played fine, nothing for the team to complain about. But it was clear to everyone her head wasn’t in it, that there was unease in her heart. 

As it turned out, it was Mariona and Vicky who managed to get out of her what was wrong. 

“What is going on Alexia?” Vicky questioned as she approached the midfielder with Mariona during a water break. Alexia was torn from her doom spiral, physically jumping at the arrival of the two. They looked at her with clear surprise, instantly followed with apprehension at her behavior. An uncomfortable silence settled over them for a moment as all three of them looked at each other.

“Flori is sick,” Alexia blurted out after a second, ending the awkward silence abruptly. Both Vicky and Mariona nodded in understanding, despite the oddness of the vice captain's words. It was common for people to get sick. Nothing about this should have been alarming. 

But Vicky and Mariona seemed to understand despite Alexia’s vagueness, glancing at one another for a beat before they turned to their friend, who was very clearly in distress. 

“Alexia, are you sure you don’t want to go h–” 

“Alexia!” 

It was Cata who cut Vicky off, her voice filled with alarm. The midfielder didn’t even bother with formalities before she was sprinting toward the keeper, slamming to a stop in front of her. 

“Someone named Flori called, but just as I answered the phone hung up,” Cata explained, handing the phone off to the brunette as though it were a hot potato. Alexia opened it quickly, hitting your contact as Vicky, Jenni, Mariona, and Marta came jogging over. 

“Come on, come on, pick up for God's sake!” Alexia ground out desperately, trying to calm the rapid beating of her heart. The phone rang and rang, but you didn’t answer. She tried once more, with the same result. 

When the midfielder turned around, her eyes were wild with stress, and she seemed almost lost. Like a prey animal that was caught between a rock and a hard place, with nowhere to go. 

“I have to get home,” Alexia announced abruptly, barely waiting for a reply before she was taking off for the locker room, Jenni and Vicky hot on her heels. 

The vice captain stopped abruptly as she turned toward the two women who had followed her, still on the pitch. Her mind had caught up to her, and formalities taunted her need for urgency. 

“Can I go home, please?” She asked Vicky, the woman nodding instantly at the begging tone present in the brunette’s words. 

Vicky wasn’t sure she had ever heard Alexia Putellas beg for something. She was the picture of sophistication and grace in moments like this, as a professional. There was nothing professional about her voice now, about the way she looked on the precipice of tears. 

“Go, Alexia, go,” Jenni all but shoved the brunette toward the locker room, pressing her to head home. She certainly didn’t wait for another instruction, taking off toward the changing room with a speed she usually reserved for balls coming in from the wing. 

Jenni and Vicky watched her as she went, something akin to sadness in their expressions as they turned back to practice, a sea of equally concerned faces staring back at them. 

—

Alexia’s heart raced as she drove home, and it soared as she flew up the steps. She all but kicked the door down to get into the apartment, immediately calling out your name. 

“Flori? Flori? Estás aquí? Flori!” She thundered as she moved from room to room as she attempted to find you. It was only when she entered the bedroom that she noticed the ensuite light was on, and she nearly sent herself crashing to the ground she moved so quickly. 

There you were, passed out on the floor of the bathroom. 

“Fuck, fuck, no,” Alexia all but sobbed as she fell to her knees in the bathroom besides you. Her hands were everywhere and nowhere all at the same time, ghosting over your body with panic. The brunette finally settled on your face and shoulders, shaking you gently and trying to get you to stir. You were breathing but not responsive to her, as though you had fallen into a deep sleep. 

Your face, your entire body was unbearably hot. Alexia looked around in a panic with the realization that she had no clue what to do. You stirred slightly under her, wincing at the light and the overwhelming pain all over your body. 

“Help,” you croaked out, unsure of who exactly you were talking to or what you were instructing, but also knowing this wasn’t bearable. 

“Right, help, oh God,” Alexia repeated breathlessly, looking around the bathroom before she made an executive decision. She stood up, rushing back through the apartment to gather her keys and wallet once more. The footballer barreled back into the bathroom, lifting you up with the urgency of a 96th minute goal and the gentleness of a soft breeze. 

Although you were relatively similar in stature to Alexia, she picked you up with ease and began to move back through the apartment. Suddenly, each and every session she spent weightlifting felt as though it was worth it. 

You were awake now, tucked safely into Alexia’s chest as she hurried you down and into the car. She placed you in the passenger seat before reclining it back for you. The midfielder buckled you in, glancing around her car before she finally saw her sunglasses. She tugged them from their case, easing them over your eyes with cool fingers. 

You brought your hand up, holding her hand there in place as you let out a relieved sigh and leaned into it. The Catalan allowed herself a moment to take a deep breath before she bowed her head to place a gentle kiss to your forehead. 

“You’re going to be just fine, Flori, okay? I am right here. I’ve got you, I love you, I love you so much,” she commanded, more than thrilled when she got even just a small nod from you as you tried your hardest to smile. 

The pain was both everywhere and nowhere at the same time, and you despised it. The ride to the hospital, every pothole and turn was agony as it jostled your body. 

Alexia was barely keeping it together, knowing that she was the one bringing you pain as she drove. She sped slightly, despite her aversion to doing so on a regular basis. Her Cupra flew into the hospital parking lot, and the footballer gave no mind as she illegally parked in a reserved spot. 

You were the only thing she cared about. 

By the time she had come over to your door, you had slipped the sunglasses off, opened the car door, and were trying to stand up. It ended up being a good thing that Alexia got there when she did, because as soon as you placed weight on your feet, you faltered. 

The brunette wasn’t interested in playing games, all she wanted was to get you inside so you could get help. She dipped down to pick you up once again as she ignored your slight protests, charging you into the hospital as her heart struggled to match the amount of anxiety that swirled in her veins. 

“Help, she needs help!” Alexia barked as she marched into the emergency room, and immediately you were met with a swarm of doctors, a gurney she placed you on, and nurses who tried to pull her away. 

“No, no! I need to stay with her,” Alexia pleaded as she pushed the nurses off to stay with you, trying not to be cruel in spite of the fact that she was stronger than they were. 

“You need to let the doctors do their work first, Miss. As soon as she is stable, we will take you back to see her. Right now I need you to help me fill out some intake forms,” the nurse coached  carefully, and finally the Catalan allowed herself to be pulled away from you. Her eyes stayed on you as they briskly wheeled you back though, until you had completely disappeared from sight. 

She took the forms from the nurse, settling down in the empty waiting room and attempting to get started on them. If only they could have distracted her from the haywire feeling she had inside of her entire body. 

—

“Hello? I’m here for my sister, she was admitted about an hour ago.” 

Alexia recognized that voice. 

The forms she hadn’t managed to complete were sitting in front of her, woefully filled out. Turns out, the best of her ability wasn’t very much when it came to information on you. She knew so little about your medical background, it was pathetic. She couldn’t sit here and claim you were the love of her life if she knew nothing about you. 

But that voice, that voice took her back ten years. It took her back to sunny afternoons spent in the park running after each other, fighting over who was the fastest. 

It reminded her of summers spent with an ice cream cone dripping down her hand, the hand of one of littler kids in her hand. 

“Leo?” She called out, and his head snapped to greet her own. There was surprise in his features before he schooled it expertly, an air of calm settling over him. He turned to apologize to the nurse before he walked toward her, the footballer standing as Leo approached her. 

“Alexia, it is good to see you,” Leo admitted as he hugged her. The midfielder took the hug graciously, trying to hide the fact that her hands shook with worry. Even with your brother in front of her, all she could think of was you. 

Were you okay? Were you in pain? 

Were you safe? 

It was a harsh realization, understanding that no matter how hard she tried, she could not protect you from the world. She hated it, even if she knew it was something she had to accept. 

“Good to see you as well,” Alexia answered, offering a brief smile before she sat back down heavily. Leo sat next to her, leaning forward only to grab the remaining forms and beginning to fill them out. 

The Catalan looked over at your brother for a moment, her eyebrows furrowed together. He seemed so calm, so prepared for this. She didn’t understand where his concern was. Your brother seemed…more resigned than anything. 

“You didn’t ask what happened,” she pointed out, and Leo paused in the middle of his writing. He glanced over at the brunette, looking at how tense she was, practically vibrating in her seat. He set the clipboard in his lap while turning more fully toward the footballer. 

“She’s going to be just fine Alexia,” Leo stated clearly, but it was clear in her expression that Alexia didn’t really believe him. The younger man sighed before he placed the clipboard down on the table once more. 

“After she was declared in remission, and eventually cancer-free, the doctors told us everything would go back to normal for her. But her immune system has never been quite the same after that. Sometimes she gets sick and she’s fine, other times she goes downhill fast and has to come into the hospital,” he explained, sympathy oozing out of his tone as he tried to assuage Alexia’s fears. 

“How often does this happen?” The hazel-eyed woman inquired as she stole a glimpse toward the hospital wing. She hated this, hated that you had been forced to live like this for years. She swallowed thickly, trying to stave off the tears she knew were fighting to release. 

“Once, maybe twice a year. It doesn’t happen every time she gets sick, but when it does, it comes on quickly. She called me and told me I would need to come this morning,” Leo described, and Alexia shifted nervously in her seat. You hadn’t told her a thing, and insecurity rose within her unbridled from logic. 

“Alexia,” Leo’s hand on her arm interrupted her thought process in its tracks. “She wouldn’t have wanted you to know. She was hoping I would get here before it got bad so that way you wouldn’t have to miss training or any games.” 

“Screw work! She’s in there, in pain, football is the last thing on my mind! All I want is to see her,” Alexia started loud, rising from her chair with a bite to her tone. The energy drained out of her by the end of her last sentence, and she collapsed back into the chair beside Leo with a wobbling lip. 

Your brother reached forward to place a hand over hers, quiet about his support. With his other hand he returned to filling out the forms the doctors had asked for. After having a few minutes to collect herself, Alexia peered over at the paper, and eventually leaned in and began asking questions. 

If she had to come here again, she would know every single small detail about you down to the tiniest freckle on your back. She was sure of that, if nothing else. 

—

You were fast asleep by the time Leo and Alexia were allowed to see you, but they went in anyway. Alexia pulled her chair up right close to your bedside, gently taking your hand in her own and staring at it as though it were her lifeline. 

The doctor came in not long after to explain everything. You had been dehydrated with an overly elevated fever on account of a virus that your body had struggled to fight. The hospital gave you fluids and some medication, and said you would be fine to leave tomorrow. You just were not supposed to do any strenuous activities as you healed in the next few days, and you would likely be low energy. 

Alexia hung on his every word in a way that Leo did not. Your brother was understanding, warm, and followed the doctor's instructions perfectly. The footballer was practically a disciple, hanging off every word that left the man’s lips. Leo looked over at your girlfriend with a thin layer of amusement, but deep down he understood. 

He remembered the first time this had happened and how he had been there, how beside himself he was. You were his big sister, and seeing you knocked down to your knees was more unsettling that he remembered it being when you were sick. 

It didn’t sit right with him, it tore away at him until he felt raw. Over the years it just became…normal. 

Somehow. 

It was just a part of your life they had come to accept, he supposed. 

Seeing Alexia suddenly reminded him of how nauseous he had been that first time, and even the second time. It brought back his intense fear that you were going to die, taken from this earth entirely too soon. 

“I’m going to step out just for a moment,” he said suddenly, only a few minutes after the doctor had left. Alexia nodded absentmindedly, far too enraptured by you to notice the dread that had settled over your younger brother. 

It had only been a few minutes of Leo being gone before you began to shift in bed, squeezing Alexia’s hand in your own. A few seconds later you were blinking your eyes open, and the rush of relief that released in Alexia’s body felt like a high. 

“Hey you,” you rasped as you opened your eyes slowly, squeezing her hand once more. The footballer stood, leaning down into your face to tuck your hair back and press a kiss to your cheek. 

“Hi hermosa,” she breathed out after a moment, her smile unwavering. You closed your eyes briefly before you opened them once more, taking in your surroundings. 

“I’m sorry for scaring you,” you murmured after a moment, but Alexia shook her head vehemently. 

“No apologies Flori. You are okay right now, and I am here with you and not going anywhere,” she promised, gripping your hand tightly in her own. You smiled up at her softly, before you paused for a moment. 

“No, no, you have a game tomorrow Ale, you cannot mis–” 

“I’m not going. You’re more important than some game Flori, and I say that with all the truth in the world,” Alexia proclaimed, and she didn’t miss the nearly imperceptible way that you relaxed at her words. She knew at that moment she had made the right decision, and it was not one she regretted. 

“I love you very much,” you said in a hushed tone, bringing the midfielder's hand to your lips so you could kiss the back of it before you placed it down on the hospital bed without your own. When Alexia began to protest at the lack of contact, you shushed her gently as you began to move over in bed. 

When you’d finally managed to shift over, you patted the space next to you with a silent invitation. 

Alexia did not need to be told twice, sliding into the bed on her side and instantly pulling you into her. It didn’t matter that she was squashed, or that in twenty minutes she wouldn’t be able to feel one of her arms, she didn’t care. 

She rested her forehead against the top of your head, breathing in deeply and finally allowing herself to relax into the feeling. 

You were okay. 

You were safe. 

You were going to be fine. 

She was right here with you. 

When Leo returned from his momentary break, he found you and Alexia curled up in the bed together. Where one of you ended and the other began, he wasn’t entirely sure.  

—

A week and a half later, you had made a full recovery. Leo stayed for a few days to help, especially when you forced Alexia to return to training. You regained strength day by day until you were fully functioning once more, given the full green light. 

Alexia had planned a casual dinner for you to meet her teammates later in the week, but it seemed that the universe had other plans. 

You were waiting in the parking lot, leaned back against your car when the first person stepped out of the building. Practice was just now ending, and Alexia had instructed you to wait in the parking lot for her before the two of you drove to your lunch reservation. She had given you a guest pass to park in their lot, and instructed you to wait there. 

The one thing she had forgotten to do, however, was explain to her teammates that you would be there. 

When the first woman stepped out of the building, you knew instantly who it was. 

However, Vicky Losada had no idea who you were, and she was not the kind of person to be polite in her displeasure. 

“What are you doing here?” She asked suspiciously as she approached you, looking around as though she was expecting someone else to pop out from behind your car. 

“I am waiting for someon–” you couldn’t even finish your sentence before she was cutting you off with a huff. 

“Fans are not allowed to wait in this parking lot, it is forbidden!” She exclaimed with frustration, and you could do nothing but blink back at her in surprise. You were a fan, technically, but you were here for a player. 

“I’m just here for one of the players, I am with–” you tried to explain, but the older captain just shook her head. 

“So is everyone else! That does not give you the right to our parking lot! Speaking of parking lots, how on earth did you even get in here? There aren’t supposed to be passes for random peo–” 

“Vicky?” Alexia called out, a clear amount of confusion present in her tone. When Vicky stepped away to reveal you, the midfielder’s eyes widened in surprise at who her captain was speaking to. 

You looked like a deer in the headlights, frozen and too scared to speak up for yourself, leaving your girlfriend to handle the situation. 

“This random woman was here, just loitering in the parking lot and waiting for one of us to…what are you doing?” Vicky trailed off before she hissed the latter part of her sentence to Alexia, who began to walk forward with focus. 

She bypassed the older woman completely, brushing off Vicky’s vague attempts to stop her as she enveloped you in a huge hug, turning her head to press a kiss to your temple. 

“Hi you,” she murmured into your skin, and your body finally managed to unclench as you melted into her arms, burrowing your head into her shoulder for a delicious moment. When the brunette stepped back, she kept an arm around you protectively, raising an eyebrow at her captain. 

“Vicky, this is my…my Flori,” she explained with emphasis, struggling over what exactly to introduce you as. Meanwhile, you were just fighting to keep your own laughter at bay, considering how panicked both of the women looked. 

Now it was Vicky’s turn to look like a deer in the headlights. Most of the girls had stepped out of the building and were greeted with the sight of Vicky completely floundering as she realized the implications of her actions. 

“I am so sorry,” Vicky stumbled over her words, turning bright red as she looked from you to Alexia and back again. She couldn’t even seem to gather the correct words, fighting to finish sentence after sentence and still seemingly coming up empty. 

After staring at her sternly for a moment, Alexia finally released you solely so she could double over with laughter. She couldn’t control her breath with how hard she was laughing, and she shook her head with clear amusement as she kept her hands on her knees and caught her breath. You patted her on the back with a roll of your eyes, stepping forward to hold out your hand. 

“Nice to meet you Vicky,” you offered with an apologetic smile, looking back at the brunette in amusement. The Barcelona captain stepped forward to take your hand gratefully, her entire face sheepish. You were nothing if not understanding, and you waved to the rest of the team with a kind but reserved expression on your face, as the eyes of twenty women stared back at you in surprise. 

“Hi!” Mapi finally called out, breaking the silence with relative excitement. It was in a rush that the team stepped forward, thrilled to meet you after hearing so many good things from Alexia. 

It was easy to understand how easily Alexia loved if these were the people she surrounded herself with every single day. 

—

When the first goal went in, Alexia was relieved. 

When the second goal went in, her goal, Alexia was floored, filled with euphoria as she turned toward the stands and let out a euphoric cry. 

She screamed and celebrated for her family, for her Mami and Papi and Alba. 

She screamed for the fans who had been with her every step of the way. 

She screamed for the hundreds of thousands of girls who never had the chance to be here. 

She screamed for you, for second chances and a love she had never imagined having once more. 

When the third goal went in, her joy was unbridled. 

When the fourth goal went in, all she felt was euphoria. 

Sure they had to play another sixty minutes, but it didn’t matter, did it? They held control, they remained calm and sure footed. And when the final whistle inevitably went off, she fell to the ground in relief. 

For everyone who had been a part of her journey, for herself, for the team. 

The booze flowed freely, champagne poured down her throat and a medal placed around her neck. The feeling of the cool metal of the trophy underneath her fingertips, as she clutched it tightly. 

The relief and exhilaration she felt when she finally found you hours later, clutching you to herself. It was an accomplishment for herself, but she had done it with you, and that somehow felt like so, so much more. 

She found the trophy eventually, dragging it back to her table and pressing it into your hands. She snapped picture after picture, nearly heady off the idea that she had the two great loves of her life in one photo. 

No sacrifice. Just a relative moment of peace, the understanding that two things can, in fact, exist all at once. 

“I love you,” you whispered to her, a softness to your voice despite the loud music that pounded around you. She pressed her face into the side of yours, her nose pressed into your cheek as tears slipped down her cheeks. 

“Go away with me?” She asked after a moment, and you pulled back to look at her directly. She stared back at you earnestly, and you reached up with one hand to brush the tears from her cheeks. The midfielder’s eyes fluttered shut at the warmth of your hand, and she leaned into your touch as though she was addicted to it. 

“Always,” you murmured, passing the trophy back to her, an encouragement to go party. She didn’t care, however, much more content to spend the time here with you than partying. 

“I love you,” she vowed softly, ignoring the trophy in front of her in favor of holding you, pressing your body as close to her as physically possible while the trophy was cast aside. 

Sure, the trophy might be proof of one of her biggest achievements with her and the team, but it was just a moment. 

You? 

Well as far as she was concerned, you were the rest of her life. 

—

“Nope, no swimming. You stay right here,” Alexia declared, her arms a cage as they wrapped around you tightly. You squirmed in her hold, managing to flip over so your chest was pressed into hers and you were face to face. 

It was the summer, and Alexia made good on her promise of going away with you. There was nothing but the two of you and this private villa for kilometers, and you used it to the fullest. 

Neither you were bothering with tops, roaming around in just your bikini bottoms. It was a view Alexia certainly was not complaining about, and neither were you for that matter. 

That was, until the Catalan had decided that the only appropriate location for you was to be attached to her side at every moment. If you had thought Alexia was clingy before, it had nothing on now. You hardly took a step without the brunette trailing after you, trotting after you gleefully wherever you went. 

“You are supposed to be right here Flori,” Alexia continued, and you acquiesced as you melted back into her body, your face tucked into her neck. 

You peppered light kisses along the skin there, relishing in the way it made Alexia’s whole body shiver. The midfielder had hardly so much as looked at a football since the two of you had arrived, far too focused on having your full attention and presence. 

The brunette leaned back slightly, and she looked down at you with glossy eyes. 

“Thank God I found you again,” she whispered, her voice broken with emotion. You reached up to swipe a singular tear with your thumb, leaning forward to press a kiss where your fingertip had been. “You are my salvation.” 

“As you are mine,” you echoed, allowing your arms to wrap tightly around Alexia and fall into her embrace with complete trust. 

[cheriladycl01]

Pushed Down and Down - Grid x Driver! Reader

Plot: Suffering with mental health issues as a driver isn’t easy - but when people actively don’t help it can only get worse.

Based on that one tiktok edit sound.

A/N: as someone who struggles with her own mental health this was a true comfort for me to write and reread. Drivers who talk about their mental health and how they do struggle literally have my whole heart (Lando, Lewis etc)

Warnings: Talk of mental health, depression, anxiety, etc, all drivers are a little mean to Y/N

From a very young age you were told you wouldn’t be able to do karting, and you wouldn’t get very far as it was strictly a man’s sport.

Your mum tried to sway your opinion as you were clearly the athletic type and get you into gymnastics or dancing. But the smell of the petrol and the adrenaline you got from going round the tracks was like nothing else.

Your dad on the other hand fully supported you, he was a mechanic so he did struggle to afford decent gear for you but you made do with what you had.

This however never stopped you, and as a child going into a teenager and young adult it didn’t affect you too much. You took your wins as and when they came and you worked hard for them and you took your losses as opportunity to learn from.

Oh how you wish you could go back to those days.

You proceeded to be asked in 2016 if you wanted to compete in British F4, you had your License and it seemed like you were this up and coming British talent.

You came 1st in the British F4 championship in 2017 right after Lando Norris and Max Fewtrell won the years before you. The two behind you being Oscar Piastri and Logan Sargeant. You didn’t win a race for the whole season, just pure consistency.

You then came third in the UAE F4 Championship in the same year. Oscar and Logan were also in that series with you. Logan being right on your toes coming in second place. This season you were close to taking your first win, but Logan had crashed you out taking the win for himself and leaving you down in P8.

Both Oscar and Logan of course moved up to bigger and better things in 2018. Both of them moving up to doing Eurocup Formula Renault whereas you weren’t offered anything.

In 2018 you competed in Formula 4 United States and came second place again. Your team let your American team-mate pass you on the last race of the season through team orders even though you were on equal points.

You took the loss and moved on because that just the kind of race driver you WERE.

In 2019 you were promoted to F3 and got to drive with Max Fewtrell, Logan Sargeant, Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson. You came second and you actually were insanely close to Robert, but it never felt like a win. You were with Prema, and you fought tooth and nail.

In 2020, Oscar and Logan rejoined you in the feeder series and were in the same team as you as you remained with Prema.

Prema, unfortunately for you and Logan prioritised Oscar and with an insanely dominant year for Prema Oscar won the championship through the help of team orders. There were many chances for you to take wins but you knew you couldn’t get promoted to F2 just get, even though you spend to years in Prema and come second both times.

This was when Red Bull noticed you and backed you paying for the rest of your career which was lucky really considering your dad wouldn’t have been able to afford another season for you in F3 with all the debt he was already in.

2021 came around and Red Bull helped you further your career getting lots of sponsor shops along the way and finally securing you an F2 seat for the 2022 season.

In 2021 you finally won a championship, but you didn’t feel like it was a win. Everyone had something to say about this achievement, that you’d only won thanks to the team, and that it wasn’t driver capability. As a young 21 year old these comments really affected you going into the F2 season.

Once you got into F2 in 2022, you were head to head with Felipe Drugovich. Red Bull also came forward asking for you to become a reserve driver for Red Bull alongside your F2 driver Liam Lawson. You were back in the standings with Logan too, Oscar having won back to back championships and now becoming the golden goose on his route to F1 with Alpine.

This year halfway though the season you had to experience the unfortunate passing of your dad, the only true supporter you ever had. It was utterly dismal for the few races that came afterwards.

The season was closing out and there were only 3 points between you and Felipe with Theo and Liam not far behind. With a dramatic qually in Abu Dabi that had most of you at the back of the pack when starting the race, you prevailed winning the race and taking the championship.

You got out of that car celebrating only to see your team not there for you. You awkwardly celebrated with the team of the drivers from 2nd and 3rd place but you couldn’t understand why they weren’t there for you.

But he was there for you…

Christian Horner in his Red Bull team gear, white envelope in his hand that he presented you in the quiet room.

He was the first person to truly believe in you and see see potential apart from your dad and it was refreshing getting the contract that was going to sign you on as a rookie along with Oscar and Logan in the 2023 season.

F1

Liked by y/user, f1mia and others

f1: BREAKING: RedBull announce Y/N Y/L/N to drive for them in 2023 meaning all seats for the season have now been filled.

#f1 #redbull #womeninthepaddock

View all comments

user1: oh Lord I’ve followed her since F3, so proud of her!

y/user: this is a dream come true! I can finally tell my mum I made it!

lewishamilton: so proud of everything you’ve done to get women this far in the sport @y/user

user2: god they just keep on ruining this sport

redbullracing: So excited to have Y/N join us on the team!

-> y/user: I’m so thankful to you guys to be given the opportunity!

user2: oh this year is gonna slap.

maxverstappen1: welcome to the RedBull Family!

First was the Bahrain Grand Prix, it was your 3rd time in and F1 car and you were obviously very nervous. It was your first race weekend and you didn’t know where to place yourself.

The whole weekend didn’t really feel like your debut it just felt glazed over with Sergio Perez leaving and no longer being in F1. A lot of the team had hushed whispers around the situation, and Max tried his best to make you feel welcome but his awkwardness made that hard.

“So like what do you do, you drink beer?” Max awkwardly asks as you’d both been sat in the hospitality together waiting for Christian or one of the engineers to come grab you.

“Oh erm, no I don’t drink at all actually” you smile with a little furrow in your brows.

“Oh … right” Max sighs and thankfully that conversation was cut short when Christian came round the corner to collect you both.

You both were racing and for a rookie you had incredible tyre management making the agreed one stop strategy seemingly start to work despite the temperature on track. You were very quick, maybe even more quick than Max.

However coming out the pits, your tires are already starting to complain and tyre marbles are going left right and center.

Y/N Radio: What happened guys, my tyres are degrading so quickly I thought we agreed on hards?

Static was all that was received back.

Y/N Radio: Guys did you put me on softs?

Race Engineer: Sorry Y/N mess up at the pits, pit in 5 laps.

And once word got out to the other teams that they’d fucked up your race strategy and that you were basically free game your race was pretty much over.

P4 wasn’t bad considering the mistakes made, but you knew you’d could have gotten a podium on your first race.

“Y/N amazing first race in F1 you really know how to make an entrance to the sport huh?” The interviewer says cheerfully happy that you’ve done as well as you did.

“Yeah” you say with a smile.

“Not happy with the result it seems?” She pushes and you sigh.

“I’m of course so happy, getting P4 was amazing and I know my team are happy and I’ve made eveyone at home really proud. Thank you dad and I hope you’re watching! But it’s always a little … disappointing? I don’t really know if that’s the right word for how I’m feeling right now, when the outlook of something is going so well and external forces out or your control tamper with that it’s not a nice feeling. I’m really proud of the team today and of course Max had a great win today so we collected a lot of points for the team and remain top in the constructors” you explain and she nods slightly shocked with how open and honest you had been.

Eventually you were taken away by your PR manager who was starting to worry about what you were saying, a little scolding that you weren’t sure what for afterwards.

People spoke too, Lando and Oscar shocked you most.

“Y/N was kinda dangerous on track today, can’t believe she was that ballsy as a rookie man” Oscar said having know you the best driving with you for as long as he had.

“She’s talented for sure but I can’t help but feel like she’s gonna wash out” Lando admits with a sigh.

Was he right, would you have one good season and then that was it?

Things went the same in Saudi this time you managed to place your car in pole position, leading the race while Max had an unfortunate start from P15.

However after team orders came in to let Max take over once he got to a close enough gap behind you made you obey the team, not wanting to get on their nerves and make them regret choosing you. After that a botched pit stop and Oscar driving like a lunatic and bumping into your side left you down from P2 to P6

“Y/N what an incredible drive despite all that happened and you’ve hauled some good points for the team! How are you feeling?” The interviewer asks pushing the mic closer to you.

“Hot, I’m so hot right now” you joke trying to lighten the mood, wiping the sweat away from your forehead.

“Yeah I can’t imagine with this heat and the fact that the car is incredibly warm here” she smiles back and you take a breath before answering the second question.

“Yeah I mean today didnt go as planned. I got pole, I was on track to win, I did everything right but I just don’t think it was meant to be today and you know I’m going to fight really hard in Australia and see where we can get us hopefully something better than what I’m doing now” you say with a polite tight lipped smile and nod before going to the call down room.

You sat against the cold plastic door of the room head against it as you held in your tears. You always told yourself to never cry over a loss as you can’t expect to win them all. But this was supposed to be your race and you can’t help but feel like if you had Max behind you defending the incidents with the pits stop wouldn’t have occurred as you wouldn’t have done that second pit stop that cost you time.

In debrief you couldn’t believe what you were hearing.

“Are you kidding?” You laugh looking towards Max and then back at Christian.

“You didn’t move out the way from Max quick enough and you should have caught up quicker! What were you even thinking out there colliding with Piastri like that!” Horner announces making your cheeks flush a little red from embarrassment.

You didn’t think the collision with Oscar was your fault, but maybe it was.

Then you’d heard Daniel talking to Carlos, and your thoughts continued to spiral.

“She’s a tricky one mate, can’t see her having that seat for long” Daniel admitted to Carlos at the restaurant they were at with some of the other drivers.

Y/N was sad when she didn’t get an invite seeing as many of them were there but she didn’t take it to heart having fun eating alone while people watching.

“Yeah, I wonder how many times they have to tell her team orders” Carlos had added.

The next race was Australia.

You had the faster car, better starts and you beat Max going into turn one. It was a ballsy move on your part but it was clean racing, no damage done.

Race Engineer: Y/N give back position now

Y/N Radio: But I have the faster car Zayn, I got fresher tyres and my deg is fine. I have the stats don’t tell me I’m wrong when I’m the one in the car

Race Engineer: Y/N Max is fighting for the championship, team orders slow down and give position back

And so you did, you gave Max his position back and trailed behind him creating a DRS train behind you, Hamilton and Alonso not being able to pass you to potentially overtake Max.

After this race you started to keep a mental health diary and your coach thought it would be a good idea to see a therapist to help with your quick thinking and decision making on track, of course not for your mental health and you start to struggle with coming to the terms that Max needs a second driver and that’s what Red Bull hired you for.

So you became his second driver.

Constantly being criticised by the team and Horner, constantly having Max tell you that you need to be a second driver for the season and that’s it. Nothing else. Having interviewers wondering why you keep having these near misses.

When your home Grand Prix the British Grand Prix came around you’d just about had enough of being called a second driver. You took matters into your own hands. You spend hours in the sim working out the best angle for the corners of Silverstone and seeing how much you could push the provisional car down the straights.

When it came to qualifying you smashed everyone out the park in all three sectors. The media were buzzing at your stone face for the duration of the weekend.

“Y/N what an amazing qualifying for you, you were really flying out there. And your starting on pole tomorrow with Max behind you, is there going to be team orders to let him through?” The interviewer asks smiling at you.

“I mean there have been the whole season no?” You laugh with less sparkle and glimmer in your eyes than the start of the season.

“Yes, so you’re saying Max will be let ahead tomorrow!” She asks and cock your head to one side.

“He’ll be asked yes” you nod before you leave.

Race day came and you did not listen to team orders.

Race Engineer: Y/N let Max through, then we’ll pit you first to defend the lead while Max pits.

Y/N: what about, no? Come on guys, I’ve done everything for the team you’ve wanted me for. Just let me race him.

Race Engineer: Max will race you too hard, you risk loosing both the cars Y/N let him through.

Y/N: im sorry, but i have to do this for me, to prove I’m as good a driver as i try to be.

Race Engineer: Y/N don’t do this.

And with that you celebrated your first race win. Max had ended up DNFing when he got a little caught behind and skidded onto the gravel trap trying to make up too much time to catch you.

It was a full Brit Podium, you Lando and Lewis. You were thankful you had both of them there to celebrate with you as your team didn’t show up again. Probably all consoling Max on his first DNF of the year. He wasn’t happy at all and you could tell.

“Are you okay?” Lewis had asked you as you guys had stepped away from the podium. The man wasn’t blind and could see the disappointment on your face when no one was there to congratulate you on your first win and celebrate with you.

“M’fine” you say shortly before leaving and going straight to your drivers room, tears following. You spend hours writing away in your self help book. But you couldn’t wallow it was time to take on the words of Taylor Swift in her Reputation Era.

You never thought something you loved so dearly could kill of your spirit so quickly and easily. But Max go tougher as the season went on. Only allowing you one more win in spa where you once again ignored team orders. Max was incredibly unhappy with you up there on the podium and you just knew the media would have something to say about the awful tension between you and Max. He didn’t celebrate with you in Spa only the third place podium which happened to be Charles.

The Red Bull team member immediately celebrated with Max and Charles, as much as you tried to join in however you weren’t able to get close enough. You were royally fucked off.

Singapore felt like a breath of fresh air for you when it happened, it was a new feeling that had your toes curling as you pressed on the brakes knowing that Carlos and Lando were leading with you hot on their tales and Max being nowhere in sight.

Celebrating with them felt different, but everyone could tell that the happy bubbly girl who they’d started the season with was no longer apparent.

The season closed, and honestly your team, Max and Christian all seemed like 2024 wasn’t worth sticking around for … as a great driver you owed it yourself to find your worth in F1 and that wasn’t with Red Bull

Taglist:

@littlebitchsposts @hockey-racing-fubol @laura-naruto-fan1998 @22yuki @simxican @sinofwriting @lewisroscoelove @cmleitora @daemyratwst @lauralarsen @the-untamed-soul @thewulf @itsjustkhaos @purplephantomwolf @chasing-liberosis @summissss @gulphulp @starfusionsworld @jspitwall @sierruhhhh @georgeparisole @youcannotcancelquidditch @tallbrownhairsarcastic @ourteenagetragedy @peachiicherries @formulas-bitch @cherry-piee @spilled-coffee-cup @mehrmonga @eiraethh @curseofhecate @alliwantisadonut @dark-night-sky-99 @i-wish-this-was-me @tallrock35 @butterfly-lover @barnestatic @landossainz @darleneslane @barcelonaloverf1life @r0nnsblog @ilove-tswizzle @laneyspaulding19 @malynn @viennakarma @landosgirlxoxo @marie0v @yourbane @teamnovalak @nikfigueiredo @fionaschicken @0picels0 @tinydeskwriter @ironmaiden1313 @splaterparty0-0 @formula1mount

[hamilando]

ੈ✩ just a race habibi (smau) ੈ✩

pairing : f1 grid x fem reader ; lewis hamilton x fem reader

summary : that one race which goes down in history

tw : emotional, fluff, angst

fc: irina shayk

a/n : THIS IS PART2! thank you so much to @amberjazmyn for suggesting this ! lysm 🫶🏻 this ends on a cliff hanger ! and the time span is during the 2020- 2021 grid 🫶🏻

·:｡･ﾟﾟ･ ✩ ･ﾟ ･ﾟ·:｡･ﾟﾟ･ ･ﾟ·:｡･ﾟﾟ･ ✩ ･ﾟ ･ﾟ·:｡･ﾟﾟ･･ﾟ·:｡･ﾟﾟ･ ✩ ･ﾟ ･ﾟ·:｡･ﾟﾟ

liked by lewishmailton, user1, charlesleclerc, user2 and 1,839,378 others

ynshayk I do have a knack for fast things 💋ྀིྀི 🏎️

view comments

user1 MOUTH DROPPED

user2 BRAIN SHOCKED

user3 STONE ROCKED

user4 MA'AM HARDLAUNCHED !?!?

user5 visuals !?

user6 even I would sacrifice 8 wdc for a girl like that

user7 SHE IS GOING TO BE WITH HIM FOR THE EIGHT !

user8 this season is going to end with Lewis winning the 8th💪🏻

charlesleclerc great, now I am replaced by lewis in your feed

ynshayk you have Carlos 👏🏻👏🏻

user9 I just want max to stop winning

user10 istg, max can win his first wdc next year, let lewis win this year

lewishamilton damn, guess need to speed up my cardio

ynshayk the gym’s on your way 😚🤓

user11 oh god, she has turned Lewis into a freaky being

user12 wasn’t he always one ?

liked by lewishamilton, carlossainz55 and 1,983,468 others

ynshayk a summer away from vrooms 🌿🍵🍃⛰️

view comments

user1 she knows the emojis right ...?

user2 MA'AM YOUR HUSBAND IS STILL AN ATHELETE

user3 y/n being unfazed about posting drug emojis

user4 she was probably high in weed

user5 or Lewis

user6 or high on weed while on Lewis !?

user7 AYOO 🔫

lewishmailton sweetheart, you surely didn’t mean those emojis ?

ynshayk what? they are green and associate with nature

user8 yn….😊

user9 y/n 🫡

user10 y/n 🫠

liked by lewishamilton, mercedesamgf1 and 2,578,289 others

ynshayk P2 for the history tomorrow 💪🏻

view comments

lewishamilton ❤️

liked by ynshayk

landonorris I am invited to the party yeah ?

ynshayk nope, you are underage landonorris I am 21! ynshayk sure, you have been drinking since you were 16

user1 MA’AM THE POLICE!?

user2 y/n exposing Lando in comments 💪🏻

user3 YALL, LEWIS WILL BE THE 8 TIME WORLD CHAMPION 💪🏻

user4 let’s go lewisssss

user5 GET IN THERE LEWIS

user6 ITS HAMMERTIME LEWISSS

user7 stocking up my champagne 🍾

user8 DU DU DU MAX VERSTAPPEN

mercedesamgf1 we second you on that 😊

ynshayk LESSSGOOO BONO 💪🏻

user9 sitting in the church the whole day

user10 what if max wins ?

liked by user1, user2, user3, user4 and 4,829,379 others

ynshayk a hard day to accept with tears, but I love you my champ, you were, are and always will be the world champ in my eyes 💫🏅

view comments

user1 I really don’t know how to respond

user2 does it mean she thinks max should not have won?

user3 Lewis was the winner! The bloody car !

user4 it was all because of the flag !

user5 Max won it fair and square !

user6 I just know that y/n would be fuming at FIA

user7 I am so glad that she is retired, she would have slammed into max otherwise

user8 LEWIS WE LOVE YOU

user9 y’all really be hating on max

user10 face it, max is the winner, not your Lewis 🫶🏻

user11 I think it’s problematic for her to post the comment online !

user12 ma’am should have kept her views to herself !

user13 So the red bull principal can say Lewis is 8 time champion but not her own girlfriend?

comments on this post has been limited

liked by user1, user2, user3, maxverstappen1 and 782,492 others

f1news BREAKING! Formula One World Champion Max Verstappen was seen fighting with 7-time Formula One World Champion’s Girlfriend, Y/N Shayk.

view comments

the post has been removed due to guideline restrictions

[sweetbans29]

Little Flirt - CC

Pairing: Caitlin Clark x Reader

Summary: Caitlin and you flirt for way too long (based on THIS request)

Warnings: fluff

Word Count: 3.2k

Sweetbans Masterlist

AN: Switching up the prompt just a little but I think it will help with the flow.

2020/2021

Life as everyone knew it had flipped. The end of your freshman year in college was not what you had expected in the slightest. It went from being one of the best things you had ever experienced to what felt like nothing. Due to the pandemic, your freshman year was cut short which also meant your first season as a collegiate athlete was also cut short. It was a bummer - to say the least.

So when Fall came around you were excited that your school welcomed back part of the student body. Under very strict guidelines your team was welcomed back and given the green light to begin your sophomore season. Before you got there, everyone was required to quarantine alone for 2 weeks in a nearby hotel before being able to move onto campus. Once you were able to get to campus, they did another quarantine, in groups, as a secondary precaution. It sort of made sense considering the people you were going to be around the most were your team.

Once the month of quarantine was over, you and your team were finally able to hit the gym. It was great to be back with the team and welcome the new freshman. It didn't take them long to warm up to you on the court considering everyone's lack of human interaction had people longing for connection. After the first few weeks, everyone played as if you all had been together for a few months. It began to feel like things had gone back to normal.

When games started you were reminded how not normal the world was. Everyone had to get tested multiple times before playing games which wasn't the weirdest part. The weirdest part was the fact that there was absolutely no one in the stands. Every school you played at tried their best, yours included, but it wasn't the same.

The games were still competitive and a little more physical than you recall. None of it really mattered considering you were just happy to be playing again. All of this leads you to today's game.

It is an away game for your team as you travel to Iowa for the first time of the season to play the Hawkeyes. You weren't a huge fan of away games, all thanks to the pandemic but your love for the sport kept you going.

Both teams are warming up and you begin to scout the other team. There are a few girls you take note of - one of them being their center. Another is a smaller girl, sort of scrawny frame but can shoot from anywhere - anywhere being multiple feet behind the arc. You know you are going to have to switch up the way you play defense but aren't too worried.

You look at her again and begin to really study her features. After a few minutes of watching her, it clicks. It's Caitlin Clark. You've heard of her. One of the things you always enjoyed doing was scouting out the next group of freshmen coming up and she was one of them. There were a few girls coming into the college game that caught your eye, Caitlin being one of them. You were excited to play against her.

When the game started, you saw yourself being challenged. You had the task of guarding the freshman and she was a challenge. She was everything the scouting report and media said she would be on the court. Her range was amazing, she never stopped taking shots and she had a solid pull-up game.

Throughout the game, the two of you kept going back and forth on who would win the little matchups. You could see the competitiveness in her eye and would send her smirks to get her riled up even more any time the play went your way. She would make it a point to come and mutter some sort of trash talk to you when the possession went her way. It became a little game within the game.

The game ended and your first matchup between the new star went your way. Even with the loss of her team, Caitlin dropped 21 points which you found impressive. After the game, you made sure to pull her aside.

"Hey, Clark!" You called after her as she was heading back to the locker room. She turns back and you can tell she is pissed but the loss - you can only assume you are the last person she wants to see right now. When she sees it is you, her hard exterior breaks and she gives a shy smile.

"Hey," she says and stops walking making you walk to her.

"You are going to be a little pain in my butt these next few years, aren't you," you say teasing her. Her smile grows and you can see a little blush creep into her cheeks. You were only a year older than her, but could tell you had an effect on her.

She just shrugs not really knowing what to say.

"I just wanted to come over and let you know that you are going to do great things. I am sure people say that to you all the time, but as someone who has now played against you - I hope there is a day when we can be on the same side of the court instead of opposite ones," you say and give her a genuine smile. "I look forward to our next matchup."

Your hand grazes her arm and gives her elbow a little squeeze. You give her one last smile and begin to head back to your team.

"Next time, I won't go as easy on you," she calls out to you. It makes you smile but you don't turn around to let it show, instead, you throw up your hand, flashing her your middle finger. You hear her laugh and you shake your head.

You know she means it, the next time you match up she won't go easy on you but it goes both ways. Now you have both seen how the other plays and know the next few years are going to be fun.

You played Caitlin once more during this season and her team took the win. The game was exactly how you expected it to be - she trashed talked a little more than you had expected which you did your best to return but your team losing put you in a slump. At the end of the game when your teams high-fived after she leaned in and whispered 'Now we're even'. Let's just say her words fueled you.

2021/2022

When you looked at the schedule for the year, you noticed that you would be playing the Hawkeyes three times. You have three chances to show her you are not one to just let her win.

Your first meeting was a fun one. They started letting some people into the crowd and that only fueled your little rivalry with Caitlin.

It really wasn't a rivalry but anyone looking in could see that the two of you talked more than any other competitors. The first two meetings between the two of you were back to back which was new to you and your team. Typically you would play teams a little further apart but this matchup was different.

Caitlin's team took the first win and she would not stop talking to you about how she was on top and would always be on top. You on the other hand were determined to never lose a game to her again.

Your little conversations on the court started to be noticed by both of your teams, not that either of you cared. You both had the stats to prove that you belonged in the starting line-up and on the court.

Your second meeting got a little heated as you tried to get into Caitlin's head a little more.

"Your hands have found my hips a lot tonight Clark," you say as the two of you are standing in the backcourt as one of her teammates is taking her free throws.

"It's called defense," she says like it is a known fact. You step a little closer to her to make sure she is the only one to hear your next comment.

"If they go any lower, we may have a different problem on our hands," you say just above a whisper and watch her reaction. All the color drains from her face and you nudge her. "I'm kidding, babe."

You can see the tenseness in her shoulders release as the game continues. Your team came out with the win and just like that you were tied again.

Your last meeting for the year was the toughest yet. Your two teams battled valiantly, taking the game to overtime. By the end of it, you were beat. Before you headed into the locker to felt someone grab your arm. Turning you see Caitlin.

"Clark," you say surprised. You give her your best smile which isn't much considering how tired you were.

"I just wanted to come over and say good game," she says and you can tell she is a little nervous. If you weren't so tired you would keep the conversation up but you were exhausted. So instead, you pulled her into you and enveloped her into a hug. She melts into you and the two of you stand there hugging for a few minutes.

Your eyes are closed as you hug her. It wasn't until you felt her arms wrap around you did you realize how much you missed physical touch.

Caitlin on the other hand had been dreaming of this since your first meeting. She stood there in your arms and knew for sure she wanted to be in them forever. She would never tell you that of course and decided to keep her little crush to herself.

You give her one last squeeze and pull away.

"The way you had me running up and down the court," you say with a laugh. "You have me needing a week to recover, babe," you say and give her a little nudge.

"Me? You literally pushed your team to get you into overtime," she says and pushes you back.

"Ya, whatever. I wasn't going to let you win again," you say.

The two of you parted ways for the night. As you went to bed that night you decided to DM Cait.

[You: Looks like you are no longer on top ;)]

2022/2023

It is your senior year and you decided to declare for the WNBA. It had been time, you felt like you had a good college run and were ready for more. Your team was the first to know you were declaring and then you decided to tell Caitlin. The two of you had talked a lot more and would often DM at least once or twice a week so it only felt right to let her know.

Caitlin fit into your routine really seamlessly. You credit the fact that the girl was always on her phone but really it was that her care and love for the game matched yours. The two of you went from being 'rivals' to friends and you would now consider her one of your best friends.

It's your draft night and you were likely to be the first pick of the 2023 WNBA draft. Even in that, you were extremely nervous. The night goes by in the blink of an eye. You were drafted to the Indiana Fever and could not be more excited. When you were lying down in your bed that night, you finally had a chance to look at your phone. The first thing you looked for was a message from Cait.

[Caitlin: Congrats on going first in the draft, can't wait to watch you ��]

[You: Thanks Clark - you'll have to hold down the college scene until you hit the draft]

You decide to message her your number, which in your opinion is long overdue but felt like it would lead to something more than it should be as rivals during your college years.

She immediately messages you.

[Clark: Can't get rid of me now]

[You: Oh I have my ways if I really wanted to]

[Clark: Hey! Just because you are a professional now doesn't mean you need to be mean]

[You: Don't give me a reason and we’ll be okay]

2023/2024

Your rookie season is a hard one - the transition is one that everyone says is going to be difficult but experiencing it is a whole other thing. You were tested physically and mentally and really leaned on your team and those around you.

Caitlin would always check in and give you her little trash-talking notes via text whenever you played. They would always end with some sort of praise but it wouldn't be Cait if it didn't have some sort of attitude.

Caitlin was the first to call you when you got named Rookie of the Year. She had slowly become your biggest fan and sent over a giant bouquet of flowers the second it was announced.

You would also check in on her during her season as she got closer and closer to breaking the NCAA women's scoring record. You even made it to the game when she broke the all-time NCAA scoring record. When one of the TV stations found out you were there, they asked if you would do a little interview.

"What brings you all the way to Iowa?" The interviewer asks.

"Well, that's simple. Clark," you say with a beaming smile.

"Do you know her well?"

"I would say so, she can be a pain in my butt but she's fun. Great player and her IQ for the game is one that is just memorizing to watch." You say.

"She hasn't explicitly declared for the draft but if she did, there would be a high chance of her getting drafted first similar to you which would mean she would be heading to Indiana. How do you feel about the potential of playing on the same team?"

"Well that is quite the hypothetical," you say with a laugh. "But I think it would be really neat to play on the same team as her, we have always played against each other and I think we would be pretty dominant on the court together."

Caitlin broke the scoring record that night. She was on Cloud 9 after the game. More so over the win than the record, it was cool but that wasn't the reason she played.

You had made your way down to the court to find her. When you did you ran up behind her and wrapped your arms around her waist. It took her s second to realize it was you and when she did, she started jumping up and down. When you released her, she flipped around and pulled you into a bone-crushing hug.

"Way to go Clark," you whisper in her ear. "Proud of you babe"

She doesn't let you go and you feel like people are starting to suspect something. You bring your hands down to pinch her sides and she jolts back with the cutest disappointed look on her face.

"Why?" She asks and you laugh.

"Looks like there are people who want to talk to you," you nod your head over to the people waiting to get a picture or interview with her.

"Are you staying in town?" She asks hopeful but you shake your head no.

"Don't worry, I'll see you soon," you say and pull her in for one last hug.

"I'm gonna hold you to that," she whispers in your ear. She nuzzles her face into your neck and inhales your scent. You feel the tickle of her on your neck and give her one last squeeze.

You follow her and her team as they head in March Madness. You go to support her again when her team makes it to the Final Four. It is a nail-bitter the whole time but Iowa is headed to the championship.

At the end of the game, you make your way around to some of the players. You go to all the players you know, ending with Caitlin. You tell her how excited you are that she declared for the draft and make a joke about soon being teammates.

Before you know it you are dressed and on the orange carpet of the WNBA draft.

You being the no.1 draft pick the previous year and Rookie of the Year, were tasked with interviewing all the girls that came down the walkway.

The one person you were looking forward to seeing had finally gotten to you.

"Clark!" You yell as you welcome her and give her a hug. You make sure it is a quick one but Caitlin has something different in mind as she does not let you go. It didn't matter too much considering you had already seen the edits of the two of you but you were supposed to be the professional. You pinch her side, like you typically do to get her to release you and she complies.

"Okay, how do you feel about draft night?" You ask her.

"It is all sort of surreal. Like I can't believe I am here," she says with a beautiful smile.

"Well you are here and you are looking better than ever. Prada? Girl you are stunning," you say and play with the bottom of her jacket. She looked so good but you made a mental note to stare for too long. She laughs and puts her hand on your arm.

"Ya, the first Prada dressed someone in the W, it's pretty cool," she says and takes note of you checking her out.

"Well I will let you keep going but it is really great to see you and who knows, there is a potential we will be playing together soon," you say.

"Thank you," she says and leans in to give you one last hug.

Caitlin was drafted first of course and you were beyond excited. After she was interviewed and pulled back for some photos you found her and gave her a huge.

"We're teammates," you practically yell in her ear. She laughs.

"You are going to blow out my eardrum," she says but doesn't break the hug.

"You're being overdramatic, Clark. I am just excited," you say.

You pull her to the side once she is done with the shoot.

"So now that you'll be coming to Indy, you gonna let me take you out on a date?" You ask and she begins to smile and blush like a little schoolgirl.

She nods.

"4 years is a long time to make a girl wait, Clark," you say with a smile of your own.

"Ugh, why do you always call me Clark," she says as if it annoys her and hides her face in your neck.

"Well because it annoys you of course," you say and rub her back.

She mumbles something in your neck.

"What was that babe?" You ask.

"About time you asked me out," she says and you push her back in disbelief.

"Oh, now this is on me now? That's funny Clark," you say and she wants you to hold her again. You keep her at arm's length.

"Hug me," she says, borderline whines.

"Not until that date," you say and slowly begin to back up. She is now the one looking at you in disbelief. "See you at training camp!"

AN: This is a cute one. Let me know what you think! And as always, thank you for your love and support 🤍