#Cobham Drive

[kesara]

Blocks [IMG_0077] by Kesara Rathnayake Via Flickr: Urban Forest - wind sculpture by Leon van den Eijkel in collaboration with Allan Brown. The sculpture is installed in Cobham Dr, Kilbirnie, Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington.

[mountttmase]

Still Be Mine

Note - happy new year babies 🩷 thank you so much for all your love this year I really do appreciate you and I hope you enjoy this 🙊 feedback would be appreciated as normal 😏

Pairing - Mason Mount × Reader

Word count - 5.9k

Warnings - angst, smut and fluff

You’d never been a fan of New Year’s Eve. Always wanting to skip the parties so you could stay in and usually due to Masons scheduling arrangements there was never time for a big party. But this year was different.

You were currently in the car on the way to Ben's house. His and Masons fixtures were a little earlier than usual meaning they had time to do what they wanted this year and Ben wanted to throw a party so that Mason could be reunited with all of his ex teammates for a good catch up.

You didn’t mind this at all, itching to see some of your old girlfriends for a catch up too but as you got closer the nerves started to settle in.

You knew what Bens house parties were usually like and you were pretty sure they weren’t the best place to be having kids running around but he’d assure you that Ollie and Tilly would be more than welcome and it wasn't like a normal party of his.

You hadn’t been in the mood for it though as soon as you set off that morning. Driving straight from Manchester to Cobham and quickly stopping to see uncle Lew so you could change and get ready to go straight to the party and also drop Nala off with him so he could take her down to Mason's parents where you would be spending tomorrow.

You were tired and cranky and your new outfit that you loved yesterday now felt uncomfortable and tight. Not sitting how you wanted it too but just one smile and a compliment from Mason made all your troubles disappear into thin air.

To your surprise, it wasn’t like one of Ben's usual parties. The music was at a respectable volume and even though it was busy with most of the players, many had their kids with them and even Ben's parents and family were all there.

Your babies loved uncle Benji like he was a real part of the family. Running straight into his arms as soon as they saw him and it made your heart melt at how happy he himself was to see them. You missed having him around so much now so you knew times like these were extra special.

‘I got you this specially’ Ben smiled after you’d all hugged, walking you over to the fridge and pulling out a giant bottle of appletiser. ‘I remembered it was your favourite. Thought you could drink it out of a champagne glass and then you’ll look like the rest of us’

‘Oh yeah Ben, that’ll look really classy’ you laughed, your hand falling to your swollen belly. ‘Can’t wait to start a rumour that the pregnant lady is still drinking’

‘Yeah maybe you’re right, normal glass for you’ he laughed, pulling one from the cupboard and pouring you a glass. ‘I’ve set all the food up in there too for when the kids are ready and I can pop the tv on if you want’

‘Thanks Ben, I might have to. Tilly will go nuts if she misses Pupstruction’

‘What the fuck is that’ he laughed, clearly not up to date on kids tv shows and you were actually a little bit jealous.

‘I wish I could tell you, all I know is they don’t make shows like when we kids anymore’

Ollie and Tilly were running in soon after, followed by Mason who had the biggest smile on his face and your heart burst at how happy he was. Mason was a person who found joy in being around other people and the delight on his face let you know his was over the moon at being here.

‘You good?’ He asked, wrapping an arm around your waist and kissing your forehead gently and you instantly felt more relaxed.

‘Yeah, everything in?’

‘Yeah, bags are all in the room so we’re good to go’

‘Thank you’ you smiled, feeling him position himself behind you so he could hold your bump in his hands and kiss your neck repeatedly.

‘God guys, not in the kitchen’ Ben mocked just as two girls walked in that you’d never seen before. They were both beautiful and had their eyes on Mason immediately but given your current emotional state you felt your heart sink however Mason appeared to be none the wiser. Still holding you just as before as he rested his cheek on the top of your head. ‘Oh perfect timing. Guys this is Miaya, the girl I was telling you about and this is her friend Josie’ he told you both. Pulling the one stood closest to him into his side and you couldn’t deny you felt a little relief at knowing at least one of them was with Ben. ‘Guys this this Mason and Y/n and these two little cuties are Ollie and Tilly’

Miaya seemed nice, sending you guys a quick wave and you could tell she was a little shy but it was Josie who was making you feel uneasy still. The way she looked you up and down made your skin itch and you almost lost it when she did the same to the kids but it was when her eyes landed on Mason you felt the worst.

You knew that look, and whilst you didn’t think you were a jealous woman when it came to Mason she wasn’t making it easy for you. Mason had never once given you any indication than he’d ever look to someone else but with how self conscious you were feeling tonight you wouldn’t blame him for looking elsewhere and the thought terrified you. Gripping onto Mason even tighter and he must have felt you stiffen as he placed a quick reassuring kiss to the side of your head.

‘Nice you meet you guys’ Mason smiled but before he could say anything else, Bettinelli’s booming voice was shouting for Mason so he reached for your hand. ‘I’ll catch you guys around, I better go see him’ he laughed. Picking up your glass before pulling you into the other room with the kids in tow. ‘That was oddly intense’ he laughed, turning to you with a silly smile but you didn't have a chance to react as Betts was pulling Mason into a hug as Nadia did the same with you.

‘Look at you! You're the most beautiful pregnant lady I’ve ever seen’ she laughed holding you at arms length. ‘You’ve got the cutest bump, I can’t’

‘Don’t I feel like a whale’ you laughed, slightly envious of the way she looked in her dress as it hugged all the right place.

‘Well you look gorgeous’ she smiled sincerely and you felt your eyes sting but thankfully her eyes were on Ollie and Tilly who were standing next to you hand in hand as they looked on at her shyly. ‘Hey guys, don’t you two look smart. All the other kids are in the play room if you wanna join them’ she told them, sending Ollie a reassuring smile as he led Tilly off to play with the other kids and you let them know you’d come and find them soon.

Mason had been stolen by the boys, spending his time catching up with them and sharing stories from Manchester whilst you went and sat with the girls. Being introduced to a few new faces as you laughed and spoke about how this pregnancy had been. Most of them either childless or only with one so they had many questions for you but you were more than happy to answer.

You weren’t sure how long you’d been there but your glass was now empty and you figured you better check on the kids and make sure they weren’t causing any mischief with the others.

Thankfully you could see them playing nicely with the other kids but as soon as Tilly caught sight of you she was up and running over to you. A bright smile on her face just like how she normally looked when you got her from nursery and it made your heart thud at how happy she was to see you.

‘Hungry, mummy’ she pouted, reaching for your hand and Ollie wasn’t far behind at this point, nodding in agreement so you took them to the kitchen. Grabbing the pair of them a drink first before sneaking back into the main room to find Mason.

‘I’m just gonna take the kiddies to get some food’ you told him quietly, touching him on the back of the shoulder before he turned to you with a smile.

‘I’ll come with you’

‘No it’s okay, I got it’ you told him with a smile. Not wanting to pull him away from his friends that he hadn’t seen in a while so with a kiss to his cheek you grabbed Tilly’s hand and ushered her and Ollie into Ben's sitting room where he’d laid out all their favourite snacks.

Much to your dismay, you saw Miaya and Joisie in there, Josie’s eyes lighting up at the sight of you and Miaya gave you a small tight smile but as soon as you heard some shrill giggles you knew it was directed at you.

You let Ollie grab his own food but you knew Tilly needed some help, trying to focus on what she was asking for but a voice, you were presuming belonged to Josie, was getting louder and seemed to be the only thing you could hear anymore. Your tummy sinking with every word she said.

‘I mean does she really think he’ll stick around much longer with her looking like… that’

‘Jo’ Miaya sighed, trying to get her to be quiet but she didn't make too much more of an effort to make Josie be quiet causing her to giggle. Trying to mask it with her hand but you still heard it loud and clear and you felt sick to your stomach. Wondering if you should leave to go and get Mason but you felt a bit silly over reacting to what this random girl had to say about you.

‘I mean I get she’s given him kids but he could have anyone he wants. Like honestly if I was him I’d be ashamed coming here tonight with her looking like that. And those kids too like what must they think? I’d be so embarrassed’

You’d never felt so awful before, tears stinging your eyes as you tried carrying on but it was difficult as she tore you apart bit by bit behind you. Not seeming to want to give up as she giggled away at you and as much as you tried to hold your emotions in you knew you were about to lose it.

‘I’m surprised she even managed to squash herself into those shoes. You just wouldn’t bother would you?’

It was getting too much for you. Your hands shaking as you passed Tilly what you’d got for her so far before you felt a little hand touch your arm and when you looked down, Ollie was looking at you with a concerned expression.

‘Shall we go out, mum?’

‘I think so baby, yes. We’ll go up to our room, yeah?’ you answered. Grabbing Tilly’s shoulder so you could steer her out and over to the stairs but she nearly threw a fit about not getting the snacks she wanted so you let her know she could have them upstairs, you just needed to get out and away from that horrible girl.

You always stayed in the same room when you visited Ben so you quickly shuffled the pair of them inside. Popping Tilly up on the bed and passing her her plate before Ollie took hold of your hand and you almost burst into tears at his expression.

‘Are you okay, mum?’ He questioned, letting you pull him in for a hug when your eyes filled with tears but you were determined not to show him how upset you were.

‘I fine baby, I promise’

‘But those girls-‘

‘It’s okay, it doesn’t matter, yeah?’ You told him. Ruffling his hair before pulling back. ‘Will you look after Tilly a sec? I just need the loo’ you told him and after he’d nodded you dropped a kiss on his forehead before shutting yourself in the en-suite.

You couldn’t even look at yourself in the mirror, knowing if you did you’d start ugly crying so you pulled the toilet lid down and sat on it. Trying to calm your strangled breaths but it was no use. You felt humiliated and their words were replaying in your head on a loop.

Is that what people really thought of you? That you should be ashamed of yourself? That Mason would leave you soon because of how you looked and that your babies were embarrassed of you?

It all got too much for you, covering your face with your hands so you could have a little cry but a knock on the door snapped you out of it.

‘Y/n? You in there?’ You heard Ben call. Quickly making yourself look presentable before letting him in but he saw the distraught look on your face straight away and closed the door behind him. ‘Hey, what’s going on?’

‘Nothing, sorry. Just my hormones playing up a bit I think I’m alright’

‘Don’t lie, y/n. I know somethings up’ he told you with a sad smile before placing a comforting hand on your shoulder. ‘I heard you talking to Ollie just now and he told me someone was mean to you. Who was he talking about?’

‘It’s nothing-‘

‘Please tell me who it is, even if you think I’ll be upset’ he asked and you had a funny feeling he knew what was going on. ‘You guys come before anyone okay? so I don’t care who it is, I’ll sort it’

You didn’t want to tell him and make things awkward but there was no way you were leaving this room if she was still in the house so you dropped your eyes to the floor and played with your fingers.

‘It was Josie, Miaya didn’t do anything but she didn’t exactly defend me either’ you laughed, rolling your eyes. ‘She was just saying some not very nice things about me and how I look’ you told him, trying to laugh it off before you let out a small sob. ‘Is Mase anywhere, I just-‘

‘Shh come here’ he told you, pulling you in for a quick hug and it took all your strength not to break down in his arms. ‘I’ll go get him okay?’

‘Thanks Benji’ you hiccuped, trying to wipe your eyes and not smudge your makeup but from the black marks all over your hands you knew it was ruined by now.

‘That’s alright. I’ll sort it all I promise’. He sighed before leading you out and back to the kids. Sitting yourself next to Ollie who popped his hand in yours before Tilly eventually crawled over to sit on your other side. Clearly feeling the mood had shifted and wanting to hold your hand too and you all sat mostly in silence with them both leaning on your arms until you finally heard Mason running up the stairs and bursting into the room.

‘Hey, you all alright in here?’

‘No, I wanted cake’ Tilly moaned, and you couldn’t help but laugh at her tantrum. She really was her mothers daughter and you couldn’t blame her for missing out on cake since you were quite peckish yourself.

‘Ollie mate, can you take Tilly to go get some cake and then Uncle Ben’s got some sparklers in the garden for you okay?’ Mason told them and they were both quick to get up and rush out of the room. The prospect of cake and sparklers being far too exciting for them but that meant you were left with just Mason and you knew he could read you like a book.

‘Hey, come here’ he whispered, reaching for your hand as you felt your face crumple again. You should have known seeing Mason would have only set you off but you let him pull you up and into his arms. ‘Shhhhh it’s okay gorgeous, she’s gone now’

‘Sorry Mase, I feel like such a wally-‘

Don’t be silly baby, are you alright?’ He asked but you just nodded into his neck. ‘Come here, what did she say?’ He whispered, pulling you over to the bed so you could sit on his lap and once you were comfortable he just about caged you in his arms. Thumb lightly stroking your back as the other held your thigh.

‘Nothing I-‘

‘Please tell me. It can’t be nothing if you’re this upset’ he reasoned and you figured you might as well tell him. Hoping he’d be able to reassure you a little bit as you were feeling the worst you had about yourself in a while.

‘She basically called me ugly, said you’ll leave me soon cause you should be ashamed of me and the kids are probably embarrassed to have me as their mum’ you told him steadily, your voice slightly cracking at the end even though you tried hard to keep calm.

Mason's body tensed and you could feel the anger ripping through him but he kept it inside and just pulled you closer to his body. Letting you sob into his neck before pulling away so he could look at you.

‘I’m so sorry she said that to you baby but it’s all bullshit, you know that don’t you?’ He told you softly. You couldn’t reply, just shrugging your shoulders as deep down you were unsure of yourself but when you felt him tuck your hair behind your ear you looked straight into his soft brown eyes. ‘You’re the love of my life, I could never be ashamed of you’

‘But I’m all fat’ you laughed, your hand on your bump to emphasise your point but he just looked at you lovingly.

‘You’re pregnant babe, not fat’ he chuckled, placing his hand on top of yours as he tried to link your fingers together. ‘You’re sexy as hell to me when you’re like this’

‘Stop it’

‘I’m serious’ he laughed. Pressing a kiss to your cheek. ‘You’re carrying my baby, like do you know how hard it is to keep my hands off you? Every time I look at you all I can think about is what we did to make this happen’

You remembered it too. Mason telling you he wanted a third baby on a family walk and after trying for a while you started to feel the familiar signs that it might be happening. He was so in tune with you and excited about it this time though he managed to predict you were pregnant even before you realised yourself and when it was confirmed and you counted back you were both surprised to find you’d managed to fall pregnant that first night you’d tried.

‘And those kids adore you. You’re their absolute world baby’ he followed on, doing anything he could to try and convince you. ‘I know it’s hard but please ignore that twat. She’s not worth your tears okay?’

‘Okay’

‘And we don’t have to leave this room until you’re ready, okay? I’ll sit with you-‘

‘No mase, I’m fine. You’re here to see your friends not sit with me’

‘Well I’m still gonna sit here’

‘Well then I’m ready to go’ you laughed, standing up and pulling him with you but he was quick to stop you in your tracks and cup your cheeks. Pressing delicate kisses to your face before finally kissing you properly and you felt any sense of stress leave your body as he delicately brushed his lips against yours.

‘No more tears, pretty girl, okay?’

‘Love you, Mase’ you whispered, thankful you had him to settle you back down again and your heart was racing as he smiled down at you.

‘Love you, too’

‘You go ahead, I think I’m gonna change into something else’ you told him just as he was about to pull you from the room but the disappointed look on his face made you squirm.

‘What? Why? Is it because of what she said?’

‘Well no I just…’

‘Sweetheart’ he huffed, placing his lips on your forehead gently. ‘You look perfect. And you know I’d tell you if you didn’t’ he teased. ‘Come on, let’s go back together’ he told you and after a quick wipe under your eyes he was helping you back down the stairs and into the room where everyone else was.

They all seemed to be none the wiser, chatting away with you like nothing happened and you slowly felt yourself start to relax again in everyone’s company.

Mason didn’t leave your side for the rest of the night. Making sure you always had a drink in your hand or grabbing you snacks when you needed them and before long it was almost midnight.

‘I’m just going to the loo’ you told Mason, trying to peel your hand out of his as he seemed insistent on going with you but eventually he gave in. Letting you go by yourself but as soon as you were done and went to leave you were confronted by the person you wanted to see least.

Miaya was standing outside the bathroom door, waiting for you it seemed, as she didn’t look shocked to see you there and barely gave you a second before she started to speak.

‘Hi y/n, sorry I was hoping to catch you. Can we talk?’

‘Oh i um-‘

‘Please, it’ll only be a second. I really want to apologise’ she told you, her face full of remorse so you nodded your head into Ben's utility room for a little privacy. Thankfully she followed but didn’t give you a chance to speak once you were alone. ‘I just wanted to say I’m so sorry for earlier. What she said was awful and I should have stopped her or stepped in and I’m just so sorry if I upset you’

You didn’t want to say it was okay because it wasn’t so you stood playing with your fingers as you weren’t quite sure what to do. You’d never been that confrontational so this situation right now was a tough one for you but thankfully she kept talking.

‘I’d hate for you to think I’m a horrible person, cause I’m really not. And I really care about Ben so much so this whole situation is just a bit shit cause I really wanted you to like me’ she laughed, but you could hear the tears in her voice and when you looked up you could see them burning in her eyes. ‘I don’t even know why I didn’t say anything. I know what she’s like so maybe I’m just used to it but that’s no excuse I’m so sorry y/n’

‘Come on, don’t get upset’ you reasoned, reaching out to hold her shoulder to let you know she’d be fine as in all honesty you didn’t think she was a bad person. She’d just got caught up in the moment but you could tell she was really sorry now. ‘We all make mistakes’

‘I’ll make it up to you I promise’

‘It’s fine let’s just move on yeah? Start fresh with the new year and all that’

‘I see why Mason loves you’ she laughed, wiping her eyes as she sent you a kind smile. ‘Thank you’

‘Come on, Mason will think I’m stuck on the loo if I’m any longer’ you laughed, both walking back into the main room where Mason's eyes found you immediately. Bundling you into his arms so he could kiss your head gently.

Your legs were tired and your back ached but Ben had arranged for some fireworks to go off as the clock struck 12 so Mason stuffed you into his coat and took you outside with everyone else. You were pleased to find Ollie and Tilly running around filled with excitement before sitting down with Ben and Miaya who sent the pair of you a wink. Letting you know he had them and to enjoy yourselves a bit and you smiled as Tilly sat with Miaya as they chatted away.

‘Any New Year’s resolutions?’ You asked Mason, resting your hands on his chest and he’s wrapped his around your waist and his cheeky smile let you know he wasn’t about to be serious.

‘A few, there’s one I really want to stick to’

‘Oh yeah, what’s that?’

‘Remind you how much I love you every single day’ he told you sincerely before pressing a kiss to your nose.

‘You already do that’ you laughed, hiding your face out of embarrassment but he just used this as an excuse to attack anywhere he could with kisses.

‘Well I wanna do it more. The fact that you actually believed what that twat said about you earlier proves to me I don't tell you enough. If I did then you would have never believed them’

‘It's just getting to that stage you know? I’m tired and I ache and I look like a beached whale-‘

‘Stop that’ he laughed, pressing a quick kiss to your forehead before you heard everyone start to count down from ten. Joining in as you looked into Masons eyes and after screaming happy new year into the air you reached up to plant your lips on Masons.

The fireworks in the sky were no match for the ones on your tummy. Both smiling onto each other's lips and you slowly brushed them together and it’s like you could feel his love filling you to the brim. Your fingers and toes curling as your skin tingled and it's like the whole world faded into the background. You couldn’t hear or see or feel anything other than your man and far too quickly he was pulling away from you. Resting his forehead on yours as you smiled at each other shyly.

‘Happy new year gorgeous’ he whispered but before you could reply, the sound of Tilly’s shouts as she bounded over to you broke you apart and Mason was just quick enough to grab her and pull her up into his arms.

‘Happy new year baby’ Mason told her, you both kissing her cheeks as she giggled adorably before you turned, looking out for Ollie. Watching him come over with a bright smile and you pulled him in for a big squeeze and your heart thudded as he reciprocated.

‘Happy new year, Ollie’

‘Happy new year mum’ he told you softly, pulling back so you could both cuddle back into the other two.

‘This time next year we’ll have someone else with us’ Mason smiled, reaching out to touch your bump carefully. ‘Maybe next year we’ll keep it to us six, yeah? Us, Nala and the new baby?’

‘Sounds perfect’ you laughed. Already picturing you all bundled up together in bed and the thought made your eyes sting.

Soon enough it was time to do the rounds, hugging everyone you could and wishing them a happy new year but you could tell Ollie and Tilly had crashed and were on the verge of falling asleep so you all snuck off to put them to bed before they passed out downstairs.

The pair of you weren’t up too much longer. Spending a little more time downstairs with everyone else but the party was dying out with everyone taking their kids home and your legs were killing you so Mason helped you up to your room for the night. Getting you ready for bed before sliding in next to you and with a soft and loving kiss to your lips you both fell asleep.

The next morning you woke up to an empty bed, no sign of the kids or Mason but before you could question it the latter walked back in the room. Hair messy from sleep and you could tell he hadn’t been awake long but the lazy smile he sent your way made your heart thud.

‘Good morning beautiful’ he yawned, pulling back the covers and sliding himself back in next to you before his hand made contact with your bump and you felt the baby kick ever so slightly. ‘Good morning to you too little one’

‘Morning Mase, where are the kids?’

‘Chilly’s taken them out for breakfast and a run about in the park with Miaya, said he’d give us a bit of a break this morning’

‘Oh that’s kind of them’

‘Yeah he comes in handy sometimes’ he laughed, pulling you as close as he could so he could rub his nose against yours and you smiled at how soft he was being with you. ‘You okay mumma?’

‘I’m okay, Mase’

‘You sure?’ He whispered, kissing your cheeks. ‘Cause I’d hate for you to be thinking about what that girl said yesterday still, and I know you are’

You cursed him internally for knowing you so well. Truth be told their words had been playing on your mind as much as you tried not to let it show they’d made you feel more insecure than you ever had.

‘Well it hurt’ you whispered, trying to keep your tone flat as you didn’t want to cry in front of him again but he could clearly read you like an open book.

‘I know baby, but you know they were talking absolute shite’ he whispered. ‘You’re absolutely everything to me, I mean it’ he told you and when you tried to laugh him off he tilted your face up so he could let you know he was serious. ‘Its true. You are the most important person in my life by far and I genuinely wouldn’t be able to carry on without you. And it’s not just because you’re the mother of my children and you take care of all of us but you’re my girl, you know? Even without all that you’d still be mine and I’d still love you just as much’

‘Oh Mase’ you sighed, tears welling in your eyes at his sweet words but he was shaking his head at you lightly.

‘No tears baby, we can’t start a new year with you blubbering’ he joked, causing you to roll your eyes as the tears fell faster down your face. ‘Your mine okay? And I’m so fucking proud to call you that so please don’t ever think any differently’

‘I know, I’m so sorry’

‘Stop saying sorry’ he laughed, rolling you onto your back slightly so he could hover over you a bit and you melted as he stroked your cheek gently. ‘You wanna just head straight home today? My parents will understand if you’re not up for it’

‘No not at all, I want to see them. And we need to get Nala anyway’

‘Well we’ll leave whenever you want’

‘Mase I’ll be fine’ you laughed, your hand touching his forearm that was resting on your chest as bright smiles lit up both your faces. ‘I love you so much’

‘I love you too’ he breathed, a shy smile taking over his face. ‘I can’t believe I was lucky enough to get to spend another whole year with you’

‘Play your cards right and I might let you have another’ you winked. Reaching up to cup the back of his neck so you could pull him down into a heated kiss.

‘We should use this alone time to our advantage’ he whispered against your lips, hooking his leg around yours so he could part them and you couldn't help but chuckle into his mouth.

‘You are so predictable Mr Mount’

‘Would you have me any other way?’

‘No, not at all’ you giggled, sighing in bliss as he trapped your bottom lip between his teeth and carefully moved your underwear to the side so he had access to you.

‘I’ll be careful, okay? And just tell me if you’re uncomfortable’

‘Okay’ you nodded, a breathy moan falling from your lips as his fingers made contact with your clit and the slow circles he was rubbing into you felt like heaven.

‘That alright sweetheart?’

‘Mhmmm’ you breathed, your whole body relaxing instantly at his touch as a shiver ran down your spine.

In the beginning when you were pregnant with Ollie, you weren’t sure how you felt about having sex with Mason while you were pregnant. Wondering if it would feel like there was another person in the room with you but with Mason struggling to keep his hands away from you and your hormones always sending you into a spiral you couldn’t resist. Loving how extra soft and gentle he was with you and right now was no different. Fingers lightly tracing your folds as he kissed you before pulling back to look in your eyes.

‘You’re so beautiful, you know that? All full of me’ he breathed. ‘Gonna make you feel so good’

‘Please Masey’ you begged, your need to feel him making every other thought leave your brain and when he flashed you his cheeky smile you wanted to kiss it off his face.

‘I got you love, it’s okay’ he told you, his hands moving to hold your hips and with a gentle push you knew exactly where he wanted you. ‘roll onto your side for me’

During your first pregnancy Mason turned into a very keen reader. Wanting to know the ins and outs of what the pair of you were about to go through and the most comfortable sex position was one of the first things he looked into. You’d tried a few but as you got bigger the only one that ever worked for you was when you laid on your side and he spooned you but the only issue was you couldn’t look at him as much as you would have liked to.

He made up for it though, pressing gentle kisses to every part of your skin he could access and when you finally felt him pressing against you you shuddered in delight.

‘That’s it baby’ he whispered, getting into a steady rhythm but not going too hard. ‘How’s that?’

‘So good’ you breathed. Hands fisting the sheets as his were all over you and you moaned louder when he hooked your leg up slightly to have more access to you. ‘Faster please, Mase’

You felt him speed up just a touch but you knew he didn’t want to go too overboard with you. In his eyes he needed to be gentle with you, to make love to you, and you couldn’t feel more taken care of if you tried.

You could feel your high building steadily, wanting nothing more than to look at him so you tipped your head back slightly. Yours eyes looking straight into his and the soft smile on his lips made you melt.

‘Mase I’m so close’

‘I am too gorgeous, let go for me’ he whispered into your hair and that was all it took for you to reach your high. The warmth of his body pressed against yours making it feel that much more intense and when you were both finally done you just laid there content in each other's arms. ‘Happy new year to us’ Mason laughed, tucking you side gently and you tried your best to turn so you could give him a quick peck on the lips.

‘Happy new year, Mase’

[thirstywoso]

Frustration | Niamh Charles x Reader

A/n: I haven't written a fic in around 7 years but after that "we are Chelsea" episode with Niamh I had to write this. It's not edited and it might not be very good but if you enjoy and want a pt2 or more fics send in your requests

Warnings: smut 18+ mdni

A little angst if you squint, fingering r receiving, oral r receiving, thigh riding, squirting, praise kink and masturbation

Word count: 3k

Let's go

Just like most days you were sat in the passenger seat of your girlfriends Skoda Enyaq, this time on your way to Jessie's new apartment for a bonding night with your other team mates.

Although you had your license Niamh preferred to be the designated driver in your relationship before you'd left your house you did insist to her that you we're more than capable of driving seeing as she had yet to drive around that part of Cobham. Just like you knew she would she declined and slipped into the drivers seat. Sighing defeatedly you huffed into your seat. Your girlfriend just smirking at you handing you the aux.

"Baby, you know you're my passenger princess and you are better at playing the car DJ" Niamh giggled.

"Fine!" You mocked offence.

Once down the road and into unfamiliar territory for Niamh you began to direct her telling her what lane to be in and when to signal even though she had the satnav on. She let you carry on a few times before huffing!

"Y/n/n, I've got it"

You knew she hated backseat drivers but you were just trying to be helpful, after a few moments singing along to one of the songs you had put on you'd all but forgotten not to direct Niamh's driving.

"You're in the wrong lane, Jessie's road is the last exit on the rounda... bout" you mumbled out the last part when you caught her eye and she had that stern look plastered on her face. You suddenly remembered what you had done, Niamh wasn't easily frustrated but you knew that was one of her pet peeves.

You could tell she'd stiffened up slightly where she was trying to keep calm and so you put your hand on her thigh and gave her a soft smile. She softened in your touch and smiled asking you to turn up the music as it was one of your favourite songs playing.

"Turning saints into the sea.." you sang in unison as you pulled up in front of Jessie's apartment noting some of your other team mates cars in the lot.

--

By now you had been at Jessie's for a few hours you'd all watched a movie, had eaten the pizza's you'd collectively ordered and had played some of the games as that's usually what you do at a games night.

You were currently playing Pictionary and you were on a team with Jessie whilst Niamh was with Guro, Aggie was with Cat and Zecira was with Nathalie. You and Jessie were winning by miles whereas Niamh and Guro weren't having as much luck. Yourselves mocking and teasing them, it was then you saw the way your girlfriends jaw clenched that she was genuinely annoyed at herself losing.

"Baby don't worry you'll do better next time" you laughed.

"Yeah baby, maybe we will go easy next time" Jessie mocked.

"Give over Jess, you know I could crush you any day of the week"

"Niamhy it's okay Jess was only kidding"

"Yeah Charles it's all good"

"Whatever, let's play a different game"

It wasn't often you drank considering you were a professional athlete much similar to the other girls in your presence, that's why at team bonding nights you all usually got carried away.

As it was getting later and you'd all had a fair bit to drink, Guro suggested that it would be fun to play a game of truth or dare. Which if it went the way it usually did would end in drama.

"Guro you have to go first as it was your idea, so truth or dare?" You questioned

"Hmm, dare"

After a few seconds of trying to come up with a dare for Guro, Aggie chimes in.

"I dare you to chug the rest of your drink"

"Easy" she retorted after swallowing her mouthful and tipping the now empty bottle upside down.

Zecira seemed slightly bored of the tame dares yawning slightly and took it upon herself to spice things up.

"Let's amp it up a little ladies, Jessie truth or dare?"

"Dare"

"I dare you to kiss y/n for at least 5 seconds"

"But.. Niamh"

"But.. but it's just a game Niamh won't care, will you Niamh"

"Sure go ahead" Niamh said nonchalantly, although when you looked at her to gauge how she was really feeling you could see a tinge of jealous behind the smile on her face.

"Fine"

With that Jessie leant over and pressed a chaste kiss to your lips before pulling away slightly, before she had fully sank back to where she was sitting you pulled her back in for a slightly longer kiss which she reciprocated.

"Finally, that's what I'm talking about"

Zecira always loved in her words to 'liven the party'

After a few more rounds and the feeling of Niamh's eyes burning into you, it was your turn.

"I'm going to go with truth"

Nobody had asked you yet but you had already given licked whipped cream off of Guro's cheek and gave Niamh a lap dance which definitely did not start a fire down below for her and the blush in her cheeks was from the alcohol she was drinking and couldn't possibly be anything else. You saw a smirk appear on Zecira's face and almost regretted asking for a truth.

"Who's a better kisser Niamh or Jessie"

Everyone's heads whipped around to look at you, Niamh almost getting whiplash and Jessie's cheeks burning red. You hesitated to answer because it was such a silly question, well to you at least. You soon realised that maybe hesitating wasn't a great idea because Niamh soon got up and stormed out onto Jessie's balcony.

"Thanks Z"

You went out into the balcony and shut the door, Niamh didn't even turn to look at you, she knew you were there but in the moment she didn't even want to look at you.

"Why'd you hesitate y/n/n?"

"What..? Baby please don't be silly right now. I didn't answer because it's obvious, you're the best kisser out there.. not that I kiss other girls. I mean not that I haven't in the past but you know since you and me, me and you"

Niamh chuckled whilst she turned and cupped your cheek kissing you gently.

"Sweetie shh, I know. I just get jealous sometimes like maybe you could do better than me and Jessie is so amazing and after seeing you kiss earlier it just kind of hit a nerve"

You kissed her again in reassurance

"You know you're cute when you ramble though, I'm sorry I walked out. My emotions are just not as in check as I'd like them to be, what with your backseat driving, losing game night and seeing you kiss my best friend"

"You're just a sore loser Niamhy but you know I only ever want you"

"Well after that lap dance I really want you"

"I'm that good huh?"

"That good" she smirked

"How about we head home and we sort out how emotionally.. and sexually frustrated you are honey"

Niamh didn't need asking twice she grabbed your hand and dragged you back inside. Making some poor excuse about not feeling well and needing to go home and she will make it up to them. With that she shoved you out the door quickly following bundling you into a taxi home.

Your teammates looking at each other knowingly and giggling at Niamh's excuse this time because this happened most game nights.

When you got back home Niamh couldn't unlock the door quick enough, when you finally did get inside you both kicked your shoes off somewhere random on the floor as a tomorrow problem.

Within seconds Niamh had you over her shoulder carrying you to the bedroom, you knew all that extra time she was spending in weight training was paying off.

After kicking the bedroom door closed Niamh dropped you onto the bed making quick work of her clothes and nodding at you to do the same.

Soon both of your sets of clothes were discarded haphazardly on the floor, Niamh signalled for you to move up the bed. You pushed yourself back until your head rested on your pillows and Niamh crawled on the bed above you.

For a second you thought she was having doubts because she hoovered above you staring down admiring the way your lip tucked behind your teeth and your chest heaved with need.

"Baby, if you'd rather not tonight we can cuddle instead"

"NO" she practically yelled

"Sorry, no I want to but I just couldn't help but take you all in, I can't believe you're mine sometimes" admiration dripping off every word.

"Shut up" you giggled and gently slapped her arm. Which flexed under your touch causing your breath to hitch. Niamh smirked knowingly and with that pressed her thigh down into your centre leading to another gasp.

Before long her lips were back on yours deepening the kiss, feeling your tongue run gently against her lower lip. Sighing and relaxing into the kiss. Your fingers scratching gently and the nape of her neck and tangling in the fine hairs there.

Biting your lip and carefully pulling away, her lips attached themselves to your neck slowly trailing up and down sucking on your weak points. Her favourite was just below your ear where your jaw met your neck, she could spend all day there if you let her. Listening to the way your breathing sped up and the small whimpers you made.

Niamh kept her attention there for awhile before sinking lower, peppering your chest with lazy kisses before taking your left peak into mouth and gently sucking and rolling the bud with her tongue. She meant on her elbow and caressed your face whilst swapping to your right breast and paying it the same attention.

Her free hand snaking between your legs making you gasp as she hit the jackpot. Her finger teasingly fuming through your folds causing her to smirk against your chest, mumbling around your nipple causing the vibrations to stir something in your lower stomach.

"So fucking wet for me"

"All for you" your head stretched back against the pillow eyes screwed shut needing more. Tight circles started to be drawn around your clit before gliding back between your folds just before it became too much. She knew your body well and better than yourself sometimes.

Your hands soon found their way into her hair as she kissed her way down your toned stomach and along your inner thighs. She continued to tease you before looking up at you. Two of her digits circling your entrance, she gave you a questioning look which you answered with a small nod.

"Words baby, you know I don't find anything sexier than consent"

"I always want to make sure you enjoy what I do and that you want it as much as me"

"Please Niamhy"

With that she sunk two fingers into you, your back arched slightly and she pressed gentle kisses to your thigh as she worked herself into you. It didn't take long for her to find a comfortable rhythm and it helped with you being so wet.

Then came the sensation of her gently blowing against your clit which made your legs twitch. Before you knew it her tongue was gently aiding her fingers between your legs and darted out of her soft pink lips rapidly as she lapped at your sensitive bud.

Alternating between suckling and flicking her tongue over where you needed her most. More of your juices coated her fingers and with that she slipped in a third which was rewarded with a moan that ripped from deep inside you. Curling her fingers deep inside you whilst you grabbed and her hair pulling her impossibly closer.

"Good girl baby, you're such a good girl for me"

Niamh knew how much you loved being called a good girl during sex and it worked you felt yourself getting closer to your peak.

"That's it baby, you gonna cum for me"

"Pl..please"

"Go ahead"

With a few more thrusts you were coming apart underneath her moaning her name, which she would deny but was a massive ego boost for her.

She then kissed her way back up your body before using her hips to aid in thrusting her fingers harder into you.

"One more please baby"

Before you even had a second to think your eyes went white with pleasure and you felt yourself gush into Niamh's palm.

"Fuckkkkk"

She had the biggest dopiest shit eating grin on her face, so pleased with herself.

"I didn't know you could do that"

"Neither did I" you said shyly

"Please don't be embarrassed, that was so fucking hot"

Kidding you sweetly before asking if you were ready for her to pull out. When you nodded she removed her fingers making your legs twitch slightly as your pussy ached to me touched again after what happened next.

Niamh took her finger into her mouth swirling her tongue around them cleaning every last drop of you off of her digits.

Her lips reconnected with yours before you could even think of something to say, tasting yourself of her lips brought another rush of wetness to your core.

You flipped over your positions straddling Niamh's muscular thigh which she tensed below you. Her hands gently squeezing on your breasts as you ground down. Your sensitive nub bumping along each definition.

"You want more?"

You knew she wasn't judging you and was just more curious about your needs than anything.

"Almost there"

Your hips rutted against her becoming more staggered the closer you got. Collapsing back on top of her after your third orgasm. Groaning in her ear as you came down, only adding to the rush of wetness between her own thighs.

"Your turn" you mumbled sleepily

"Not tonight sweetie you're warm out, let me clean you up"

You didn't argue, you knew she was right and you were too tired to reciprocate. You weren't as worried as you would've been at the start of your relationship because you know that not every time is about give and take and some days it's just better to give than receive and visa versa. Although you'd never turn down your favourite meal. Niamh.

Whilst you were thinking about how lucky you were Niamh came back into the room with a wash cloth and some water for you which you happily sipped as Niamh carefully cleaned you up without trying to overstimulate you.

Once finished you cuddled up under the duvet, entwining your legs with Niamh's only for her to let out a little gasp as your leg connected with her centre by accident.

"What was that?"

"Nnnothing"

"It certainly didn't sound like nothing, you're still worked up aren't you?"

Niamh nodded her head but reiterated that she didn't want any reciprocation because she knew your body was exhausted.

"Fine, I won't touch you but I want you to touch yourself for me"

"Baby no, let's cuddle and get some sleep"

With that you gently cupped her discovering how wet she really was, she rolled her eyes in response.

"Please Niamhy, for me. I want to watch you get off for me"

Niamh didn't make an effort to move.

"It'll be incredibly hot knowing your thinking about me and then tomorrow it's my turn to treat you like a queen"

Niamh sighed knowing you wouldn't let up and knew it would be quicker to get it other with so you could go to sleep.

Niamh slid her fingers between her legs as you pulled back the duvet to watch. Her fingers slipped between her pretty pink lips and sunk into herself. She wasn't one for teasing when it came to herself. She had a job and she wanted to get it done.

"That's it baby add another for me, stretch out that tight pussy for me"

Niamh groaned as she added a second finger her brows furrowing and her lip caught between her teeth as she concentrated on your voice, you wrapped your hand around her wrist so you could feel closer to her enjoying the way her tendons flexed against your fingers with every thrust inside herself.

You didn't know where to look eyes darting back and forth between where her fingers disappeared and the concentrated and determined look on her face.

It didn't take long as she was so worked up

"Please can I cum baby?"

"Hmm I don't know"

"Don't fucking tease me, I'm so close! Please!"

You loved hearing her pleas and beg but tonight you just wanted to see her satisfied.

"That's it baby let go"

Niamh's head snapped back as she released. After a few minutes of catching her breath she disappeared to the bathroom cleaning herself up. She slipped into a pair of your training shorts and one of your old college tees. In return she brought you some of England shorts and a UCLA shirt Jessie had given to her one time after she'd gone back to visit.

She helped you into the clothes before laying down and pulling you onto her chest. Your head resting listing to her chest rise and fall rhythmically, your legs draped over hers. She kissed the top of your head and tucked you both under the duvet.

After awhile you thought she had fallen asleep as her breathing was shallow and steady.

"I love you Niamh"

"I love you too y/n"

"Now get some sleep"

[wosowrites]

Clothing Swap (Leah Williamson x Reader)

warnings: none

a/n: based off this request here

prompt: in which leah accidentally takes the readers chelsea pants one morning.

Leah had had a few embarrassing moments, some on the pitch, some off the pitch. But nothing compared to the morning of March 11 2023. Nothing.

You woke up to the song of the london birds and soft, warm sunshine. But the best part about the atmosphere was Leah’s body next to yours. You had fallen asleep after watching a few episodes of Sherlock, you in Leah’s hoodie, and Leah in yours. You turned over and noticed the clock said 8:00, which meant you had 30 minutes to get ready, and then 30 more to get to Cobham in time for the 9:15 training session. You knew Leah would sleep in, considering her training had been pushed back to 10:45.

You propped yourself up on your forearm, looking down at her peaceful body. Gently, you traced shapes on her toned stomach, her hoodie having rode up during the night. You pulled her hoodie back down, covering her up and then gently used your index to push back blonde strand of hair that were scattered on her face.

Her eyes fluttered just as you went down to kiss the tip of her nose, and when you pulled away, her eyes were open, barely, and tiredly, but open. "Hey, baby. I need to go to training," you said gently. "Mhmm… don’t leave," she said, lifting her arm up to rub her thumb over your cheek. "If I want to keep my place at Chelsea, then yes, I need to leave. Can’t be late," you told your girlfriend.

Secret girlfriend.

"But we don’t want that. We want you to come to Arsenal," she said, watching you stand up and pull off your hoodie. "No, you want that. I’m a blue through and through. It’s like if I asked you to come to Chelsea," you laughed, pulling on your white nike sports bra.

Leah made a disgusted face, making you laugh and throw a pillow at her. "Be nice!" you grounded her. "I’d never ever put on something with a Chelsea logo. Ever," she said. "I know, I know," you said.

You pulled on your training jersey and then shorts under the watchful and sleepy eye of Leah. "Don’t miss the next alarm, my love," you said.

You leaned in to kiss her before walking out of the room to grab a quick breakfast.

Soon enough, you were out the door, having peaked into Leah’s room to see if she had fallen back asleep. She had.

You had your own apartment, yes. The one that you hung out with your Chelsea teammates at, the one that they thought you lived in. Every time they came over, you would mess up the bed a little, and move things around to make it seem as though it had been lived in, when really, you only came here to do laundry because Leah’s dryer was broken. Leah’s apartment was home… no. Scratch that, Leah was home.

Leah woke up not one, but two hours after you had left, having slept right through the alarm you had set for her. It was now 10:15, and she had to be at training in 30 minutes. The training ground was 20 minutes away, leaving her relatively no time to get ready. She jumped out of bed, wrapped her hair in a bad messy bun with a hair tie that was on the beside table. She quickly found her Arsenal shirt and her black track pants that were lying on a chair in the corner.

"Shit, shit, shit," she grumbled, pulling on her runners without any socks on. Luckily, she packed her training bag the night before and simply had to grab it and run out the door.

Leah stumbled down the stairs to the parking garage and then found her car, driving off quickly.

She arrived two minutes late, meaning she was the last one in the locker room, and that all eyes were on her.

"Sorry, sorry. Late night, bad morning," she said, rushing into the locker room. "All good, Jonas isn’t- oh Leah…"

This was Kim speaking, as the sort of mother of the group, she was a natural comfort to everyone. "What?" Leah asked, walking to her cubby. "Holy shit! Williamson is wearing Chelsea joggers!" Katie basically screamed, making everyone’s attention draw to the pants Leah was wearing.

The english skipper looked down at her pants. Surely enough, the Chelsea logo was embedded on the left side, and on the right, in white letters, showed the number 29. "29? Who’s number 29?" Gio asked, smiling cheekily.

The girls thought for a second, Leah panicking and not knowing what to say. "Wait… 29 is the Canadian winger who’s been with them-" Beth started saying. "Fleming?" Viv asked. "No! Y/l/n! She has like 35 goals for them in 57 games or something," Beth said.

"You’re fucking y/n y/l/n? Really, Leah. A blue?" Manu said, jokingly pushing her friend. "Don’t say it so loud! Geez! Yeah we’re… together," Leah said, slipping off the Chelsea pants and stuffing them deep into her bag. "Hmm… y/n Williamson. Sounds good. Or would you take her last name? I think Leah y/l/n is pretty nice too honestly," Rafa said, making Leah scowl at her.

Leah had thought everyone was here, but there was one last late comer who made her way into the changing room. She wasn’t actually late, just talking with Jonas.

"Sabrina! You missed so much," Katie said excitedly. "No!" Leah yelled, trying to pounce on Katie. "Leah’s dating your teammate!" Katie said quickly, as a split second later, the blondes hand was covering the irish woman’s mouth. "What? Who?!" The keeper exclaimed.

Leah had thought she would have annihilated the threat by shutting Katie up, but Gio took over for the defender. "Y/n y/l/n," she said, shrugging. "GIO!"

"Everybody grab pinnies. Three teams please." Jonas said.

Leah grabbed a purple one randomly from the pile and slipped it on. "Hey, Leah! Look my pinnie number is 29! Get in bed with me?" Katie said, walking up to Leah and pretending like she wanted to give her a kiss. "Want me to call up Ruesha? We’ll see what she says about this!" Leah said, scowling at the girl. "No, no, no! I’m sorry," she said, quickly rushing back to her group.

"Good job girls, 20 minute break… be here for… 12:29," Jonas said.

"Okay who told him! You’re all doing it on purpose!" Leah exclaimed.

Jonas looked horribly confused, most girls were trying to hold in their laughs while the older ones looked around with stern faces. "C’mon, Leah," Kim said, gently grabbing Leah’s shoulders and guiding her inside.

"We’re just teasing you, you know," Beth said, gently placing her hand on Leah’s back. "I know. But you’re acting like you don’t like her or something. I really love her. And your opinion matters to me," Leah said, loud enough for some of the girls to hear as she walked into the changing room. "Leah… you’ve been��� sad, the last couple of months. And it would be a lie to say that the last three of those months have been completely different. If she puts a smile on your face then… well we love her," Jen said, looking around for the gunners approval. They all nodded at the woman’s words. "We’re just happy you’re happy," Katie said gently. "And don’t tell Rue I teased you because she’ll kill me," Katie said, basically pleading.

That day, when Leah got home, you were passed out on the couch. The training today had been intense, and you couldn’t help feel as though something was different, throwing you off your game a little.

Leah dropped her bag a little louder than she had meant too, making you spring up quickly, your heart pounding. "Hey, hey. It’s okay baby. It’s just me," she said, walking over to you and sitting down beside you. "Sorry. Tough day," you said, gently pushing her down onto the couch to lie on top of her. "Tell me about it… your day, I mean," Leah said, brushing her fingers through your newly cleaned hair. "Mhm… I don’t know. It was intense but I felt weird the whole day. Like someone knew something about me that they shouldn’t. It’s stupid. I know," you said, fiddling with Leah’s necklace. "Well… um… it’s not actually. Because I accidentally wore your track pants to practice today and now my whole team knows about us," Leah said, slightly scared of your reaction.

You lifted your body up quickly, placing your hands on either side of her and propping yourself up. "Really?!" you said, a slight smile on your face. "Yeah… i’m sorry-"

"No! It’s okay! Unless they hate me and they want us to break up. Oh my god do they hate me? The tackle against Rafa was an accident last game I swear. And Katie got me riled up I didn’t mean to call her the lucky charms mascot it just slipped out and-" you started ranting, panic spreading through your body.

"Hey! Hey. No. It’s okay. They’re happy for us. They’re happy. And i’m happy… and you’re happy… right?" Leah said, gently pushing your head back onto her chest.

"More than I’ve ever been."

[julianalvarez9]

whipped / christian pulisic

request: Are you still taking requests? If so can you do soft Christian wanting your attention and he’s just cuddling up to you sleeping on your boobs and then you post about it only for his teammates from club and country call him whipped 🥹

summary: christian only wants cuddles and attention when he returns home after an away game.

word count: 0.9k

going away always was the worst for christian.

he didn't like not having you around to tell you all his thoughts, console him after a loss or cheer for him after scoring a goal. but what was worse about not having you around was sleeping. christian didn't consider he had trouble sleeping, but he sure was restless during his night hours when your body wasn't pressed alongside his.

it had been a fun fact to discover, when you two first slept together, that his disturbed sleep pattern was fixed when you cuddled up to him.

"are you sure you'll be okay? i tend to move quite a lot when I sleep" christian, joining you under the covers just as you were doing grabby hands to pull him into your warm embrace. he gladly complied, letting out a warm breath fan into your skin. you softly whispered, playing with the hair at the nape of his neck. "christian, i don't care" pressing a kiss alongside his temple, you continued explaining "also, you've been yawning for the past 30 minutes. I'm sure you'll be asleep before you know it".

and it was true. he didn't know how, attributing the achievement to the double training session he had at cobham earlier on the day. but after sleeping with you following a free day the team had thanks to their latest win, he started to think that only you could make him sleep as deeply as he did when he was at your side.

and now that he wasn't, well, he could only hope his racing thoughts lulled him quickly into a deep slumber, so he could get home faster. but after the clock struck midnight, he knew that the sleep he would get tonight would be minimal. christian didn't want to follow your around everywhere, scared that you may find it slightly overwhelming, so during these days that you spent apart, christian tried not to bother you too much, even if you already said it was fine. so, he took your suggestion at heart, and knowing that you were probably still awake due to being a few hours behind his timezone, he messaged you.

christian sent: i can't sleep:(

baby<3 sent: just one more night, yeah?

baby<3 sent: free day at work!

baby<3 sent: we can sleep in tomorrow

-

you had picked both mason and christian from the airport, and due to your british friend being too tired to drive back home, your boyfriend assured him it was fine if he stayed at his place. after dropping to the store to buy a few snacks and drinks, the three of you were driving back to christian’s place, where you decided to watch a random movie before calling it a day.

but your poor boyfriend, who hadn’t been having the best sleep for the past few days, had other plans.

"i swear i never see him sleeping," said mason in a hushed tone, pointing with his head at your boyfriend, that was peacefully sleeping in your chest. you smiled when you lowered your gaze to appreciate his facial features, peace clearly visible on them. "just my magic powers i guess" you joked, which was answered with a quiet giggle coming from mason’s lips. unknown to you, he had taken a picture of you two and was ready to send to the group chat a few of the guys shared, more than eager to make fun of his friend.

hours later, when his fellow british friend had gone home, christian awakened from his peaceful nap. following the delicious smell that was coming from the kitchen, your boyfriend found you making dinner. he planted a kiss on your cheek and you smiled, gratefully, before asking him to get the table ready so you two could eat.

after dinner, christian went up to take a shower while you put the used items in the dishwasher and started getting ready to go to bed. you realized that you hadn’t checked your phone for the past few hours, and smiled when you saw mason’s message with the picture he had taken of you and christian before, snuggled up on the couch. ready to tease christian a bit, you posted it on instagram, just before he made his way towards the bed, dressed only in loosely joggers and with a towel drying his wet hair.

"baby" christian groaned, a few moments later, when he had picked up his phone to get it charged at his bedside table. "why did you post that?".

you smiled, know what he was talking about. "you looked cute in it, love. my big baby boy" pinching his cheeks like a little kid, which only elicited a whimper from him. "but they are making fun of me" christian replied, a big pout in his lips while he got comfortable against your chest again, ready to watch a movie and get his beloved cuddles until sleep caught onto him, and you dragged his body back to bed.

"the boys?" you said, questioningly. he just nodded, and the vibrations that arose in your chest after starting to giggle made him lift his head up so he could look into your eyes. "what's so funny, baby?".

"tell them to stop bothering you, or i can call the girls, and they will send me a hundred pics of them being the biggest babies on earth".

+ BONUS

[mountingpulisic]

YOU BELIEVE ME NOW?

part one

It had been a total of two days since you broke up with christian, yet that didn’t stop him from sending multiple texts or calling a dozen times a day. you had gone as far as blocking his number, not needing the constant reminder of his infidelity. 

your brothers had called you on three-way after your fight with christian, asking you if they needed to drive down to cobham and teach the pretty boy a lesson. you dismissed their protectiveness and assured them you were able to deal with this heartbreak on your own. 

you were an absolute wreck nonetheless, it felt as if someone came and ripped your heart out of your chest and stomped on it repeatedly. 

it was as if you were going through the seven stages of grief, but you had skipped the first four steps. 

the first night of your heartbreak you had cried. you cried watching the movie, someone great, you cried when you saw his favorite ice cream in the freezer and you cried when you had to fall asleep alone.

the second night of your heartbreak, you cried a little less. slowly accepting the harsh reality that the one person who promised to never hurt you, had. 

now here you were, at one o’clock in the afternoon, blasting taylor swift. christian had always asked why you sang with so much emotion to her break up songs even though you two were perfectly fine, you had told him that you were an empath, she made you feel her pain. 

at the moment however, you wonder if she felt yours as you belt the lyrics of babe. 

there was a light knocking at your front door as your favorite verse had started to approach, one that you could now relate to. 

“since you admitted it, i keep picturing it. her lips on your neck, i can’t uns-” your singing had come to a dramatic stop when the one person you were singing about, stood in front of you with the said girl you were also singing about. 

you went to close the door but christian’s hand had halted the movement. 

“five minutes. i am asking you for five minutes to let me explain.” christian pleaded, removing his hand from the door when he felt certain you weren’t going to shut it.  

“this is my sister’s friend rileigh, she is in town with her boyfriend on a business trip. I ran into her while we were both leaving the bar, y/n. I didn’t plan on meeting her there, i was actually with mason and ben. you would’ve known that if you had answered any of their calls.” 

you squinted your eyes at him in disbelief, was he really catching an attitude with you when he was the one caught cheating? 

christian qued rileigh to speak, jerking his head towards you when facing her. 

the pictures posted in the article didn’t do her any justice, she was a mix of bella hadid and freaking beyonce for crying out loud. 

“he is telling the truth, y/n.” you wanted to rip your hair out, her voice was even attractive. “ i tripped over my heels and grabbed onto his arm to steady myself, my boyfriend is even in the pictures, just a few feet behind us.” 

you didn’t know who her boyfriend was nor did you care, you weren’t looking at anyone else in the photo but her and christian, you didn’t need to analyze the people around them too. 

“then where’s your boyfriend now?” you asked crossing your arms over your chest, looking between them both, wondering where the one person who could help prove their case was.

“he is in the car, i can go get him if you want me to?” rileigh had offered. when you had just stared at her back she took that as a sign that she needed to go retrieve her boyfriend in order for you to believe christian. 

with rileigh walking off to go grab their star witness, it left you and christian in an uncomfortable silence. 

“you got a lot of nerve, pulisic. bringing your other woman to my doorstep, way to rub it.” you whispered shouted at the dumbfounded brunette, christian couldn’t believe you still thought he cheated on you.  

“do you hear yourself right, y/n? who in their right mind has all the evidence in front of them but still chooses to believe a magazine company whose livelihood depends on stirring shit up? and are you seriously listening to taylor swift right now?!” 

before you could respond back to him, rileigh was walking up the stairs hand in hand with her so-called boyfriend, she could’ve pulled him off the street for all you knew. 

“now do you believe me? this is her boyfriend, y/n. this is justin.” 

eyeing the couple in front of you, you couldn’t deny their obvious chemistry, he was holding her tightly around the waist as she leaned into him. 

“I’m not sure if i e-” christian had shrieked loudly interrupting you. 

digging into his pocket to retrieve his phone, he had tapped on it harshly a few times before he shoved it in your face. his screen reflected the same article you had read a few days ago.

“look closely, don’t focus on rileigh and i, focus on our surroundings.” pinching the screen, christian enlarged the photo for you. 

lord behold, there stood justin behind rileigh, holding on her waist as she gripped christian’s forearm, supporting the fact that she indeed had tripped and was using christian to break her fall. 

mouth opening and closing, you couldn’t find any words to stubbornly argue back and christian had realized this, his smirk growing an inch per second knowing he proved you wrong. 

you go to argue another theory but christian shuts you up by lightly pushing you back into your apartment with him following behind. you heard him thank the couple for their assistance and close the door. 

“I take payments for an apology only in the form of sex.” christian cheekily said as he made his way towards you, not being able to keep the smile off his face. he wrapped his arms around your waist, pulling you close to him. you rolled your eyes playfully as you melted in his touch. 

you felt like a complete idiot for even believing the article. however to your defense your emotions were at an all-time high after reading the scandalous title and seeing the picture for the first time. you had also felt ashamed of yourself for not trusting christian. 

“i’m sorry, baby. i shouldn’t have ever dou-” you were cut off by christian pressing his lips to yours, the two of you moved in sync as christian overpowered you for dominance of the kiss. needing to catch a breath, you two had separated, lips however still ghosting over one another. 

“I don’t care what you have to say because i know if it was you pictured closely with another man i would’ve reacted the same. y/n, i need you to know that you’re it for me. there’s no other girl that can make me feel the way you do, there’s no other girl that i want to have my last name, there’s no other girl y/n. I forgive you princess.  now i just want to forget that these past two days ever happened okay?” pecking you lightly on the lip, christian pulled you into an intimate brace. 

“christian, im seriously so sorry baby. what can i do to make it up to you?” you asked, pulling away slightly to admired his face. 

his famous grin started to make an appearance, bringing along his dimples this time.

startling you, he cupped his hands from right under your ass cheeks, swiftly picking you up and heading towards your bedroom.

 “I did say i only take apologies in the form of sex, princess.” throwing you down onto the bed, christian was swift to dispose of his shirt, showing off his toned biceps as he pulled the fabric off his body. slowly making his way towards you, christian began to kiss delicately on your thighs before he made his way up to your lips to kiss you hungrily. 

after a moment of passionately making out, christian pulled apart from you suddenly. 

“what? what is it?” you asked frantically, missing the warmth of his body pressed up against you. 

“my key, i want my key back y/n.” 

you were astonished at the moment; he had interrupted foreplay for a damn key? 

“okay christian, i will give you back your key after, now cmon.” you said pulling him back into the kiss but he stubbornly held his arm out to create distant between the two of you. 

“key first, then sex.” he sternly said, crossing his arms to physically tell you he wasn’t budging until he got it back. 

grumbling loudly, you dramatically got out of bed to go retrieve the stupid key he was whining about, christian was sure to give your ass a firm smack as you climbed out. 

as you sought after the key, christian sat content in your bed. he wasn't playing again games when it came to winning you back, and he proved that to you.

[galactic-academia]

There is a fury to Terry Pratchett’s writing: it’s the fury that was the engine that powered Discworld. It’s also the anger at the headmaster who would decide that six-year-old Terry Pratchett would never be smart enough for the 11-plus; anger at pompous critics, and at those who think serious is the opposite of funny; anger at his early American publishers who could not bring his books out successfully.

The anger is always there, an engine that drives. By the time Terry learned he had a rare, early onset form of Alzheimer’s, the targets of his fury changed: he was angry with his brain and his genetics and, more than these, furious at a country that would not permit him (or others in a similarly intolerable situation) to choose the manner and the time of their passing.

And that anger, it seems to me, is about Terry’s underlying sense of what is fair and what is not. It is that sense of fairness that underlies Terry’s work and his writing, and it’s what drove him from school to journalism to the press office of the SouthWestern Electricity Board to the position of being one of the best-loved and bestselling writers in the world.

It’s the same sense of fairness that means that, sometimes in the cracks, while writing about other things, he takes time to punctiliously acknowledge his influences – Alan Coren, for example, who pioneered so many of the techniques of short humour that Terry and I have filched over the years; or the glorious, overstuffed, heady thing that is Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable and its compiler, the Rev E Cobham Brewer, that most serendipitious of authors. Terry once wrote an introduction to Brewer’s and it made me smile – we would call each other up in delight whenever we discovered a book by Brewer we had not seen before (“’Ere!’ Have you already got a copy of Brewer’s A Dictionary of Miracles: Imitative, Realistic and Dogmatic?”)

Terry’s authorial voice is always Terry’s: genial, informed, sensible, drily amused. I suppose that, if you look quickly and are not paying attention, you might, perhaps, mistake it for jolly. But beneath any jollity there is a foundation of fury. Terry Pratchett is not one to go gentle into any night, good or otherwise.

He will rage, as he leaves, against so many things: stupidity, injustice, human foolishness and shortsightedness, not just the dying of the light. And, hand in hand with the anger, like an angel and a demon walking into the sunset, there is love: for human beings, in all our fallibility; for treasured objects; for stories; and ultimately and in all things, love for human dignity.

Or to put it another way, anger is the engine that drives him, but it is the greatness of spirit that deploys that anger on the side of the angels, or better yet for all of us, the orangutans.

Terry Pratchett is not a jolly old elf at all. Not even close. He’s so much more than that. As Terry walks into the darkness much too soon, I find myself raging too: at the injustice that deprives us of – what? Another 20 or 30 books? Another shelf-full of ideas and glorious phrases and old friends and new, of stories in which people do what they really do best, which is use their heads to get themselves out of the trouble they got into by not thinking? Another book or two of journalism and agitprop? But truly, the loss of these things does not anger me as it should. It saddens me, but I, who have seen some of them being built close-up, understand that any Terry Pratchett book is a small miracle, and we already have more than might be reasonable, and it does not behoove any of us to be greedy.

I rage at the imminent loss of my friend. And I think, “What would Terry do with this anger?” Then I pick up my pen, and I start to write.

Extracted from Neil Gaiman’s introduction to A Slip of the Keyboard: Collected Non-fiction by Terry Pratchett

[chelseachilly]

king of my heart - pt 7

i'd kiss you as the lights went out swaying as the room burned down i'd hold you as the water rushes in

pairing: reader x ben chilwell summary: disaster strikes at a chelsea away game... warnings: mentions of injury  word count: 2.8k

see my masterlist for previous chapters

As fall comes around and the leaves in London begin to change, you couldn’t be happier. Everything is going well for you - you’re excelling at work, you’re going out more and making new friends, and things with Ben couldn’t be better.

Chelsea’s season starts very strong, and the energy among the club’s players and supporters is electric as they continue their winning streak. You get the privilege of spending most matches cheering him on, whether it be from the stands or your couch.

When he’s not in training and you’re not at work, you two are inseparable. You make the most of the many wins Ben’s had lately - going out to celebrate with his mates most Saturday nights and being too incandescently happy when you wake up next to him on Sunday to care about how hungover you are.

With your lives now so fully intertwined, it just makes it harder when Ben has to go away for international break or an away game you’re unable to attend.

This week, it’s a Tuesday match against Brighton that you can’t make due to work the next morning. You leave work a bit early on Monday so you can spend some time with him before he has to go. Brighton’s only a little over an hour away, but the new manager prefers that they either bus or fly out the night before every match.

“I’m gonna miss you tomorrow, I think you’re my good luck charm,” Ben murmurs into your hair as the two of you snuggle on the couch watching some reality show.

“You don’t need me to win,” you insist, patting his thigh. “That’s all you, baby. And I’ll still be watching on the telly, cheering you on from home.”

“I know, I’ll miss your good luck kisses, though,” Ben smiles, kissing you firmly to accentuate his point.

“Well, you can have a congratulations kiss after you win and get your arse home to me,” you giggle.

You’re not officially living together, but you definitely spend more time at Ben’s than your own place these days. Charlotte is too busy with work and Mason to miss you much, though you still go back to yours to hang out with her whenever the boys are having a lads night.

“In that case, I’ll be home straight after the match. I’m serious - I won’t even shower first.”

You laugh and ruffle his hair.

“Oh, Ben, as much as I love you and want to see you, I wouldn’t subject your teammates to an hour on the bus with you all sweaty and gross.”

He pretends to scoff before leaning in to kiss you again, this time running a hand through your hair in a gentle motion.

You continue to kiss and hold each other a while longer until Ben knows it’s time to go. You offer to drive him to Cobham to catch the bus, but he says he’ll just get an Uber since you’re clearly tired from a long day of work.

“I’ll see you tomorrow night, though realistically, it might be pretty late after press and everything, so don’t wait up,” Ben says, holding your waist as you stand near the door waiting for his car to show up.

“Just wake me when you get home for your congratulatory kiss,” you smile, pecking his lips. “Now, go kick those Seagulls in the nuts and show them the Chelsea way, yeah?”

Ben laughs out loud and squeezes you tighter, shaking his head slightly. “God, I love you.”

“I love you too,” you reply, leaning in to kiss him.

You kiss passionately for a few moments, relishing the feeling of his body heat against yours before you have to be without it for the rest of the night and all of tomorrow.

You’re interrupted by a chime on Ben’s phone, signalling that the Uber is here.

“Okay, baby, good luck,” you say with one last kiss to his lips. “Call me before the match?”

“Of course,” Ben smiles, slinging his bag over his shoulder. “Have a good night, sweetheart.”

He cups your face and kisses your forehead before heading out the door, leaving you swooning over your dreamy boyfriend.

Just as you settle back into the couch to continue watching your trashy TV and miss Ben’s arms around you, you glance at your phone to see he’s already texted you.

Ben ❤️ - 5:56PM Miss you already x

You - 5:57PM Clingy much 😉 But I miss you already too tbf xxx

-

The next night, you and Charlotte are sat on Ben’s sofa preparing to watch the match, you pouring a couple cups of tea while she pets Oscar.

“I love when Ben’s away and I get to enjoy his posh house and adorable puppy,” Charlotte says in a cutesy voice, ruffling Oscar’s fur. “But I get the sense you don’t share that sentiment.”

You roll your eyes. “No, of course not. Do you love it when your boyfriend is away?”

“No, but Mase and I aren’t nearly as clingy as you two,” Charlotte teases, making you throw a pillow at her.

“We’re not clingy,” you insist. “We’re happy and in love.”

“Same thing.”

You both settle in for the match with some snacks, ready to watch your boyfriends hopefully cinch another victory.

The first half is relatively uneventful except for one close shot on goal by Brighton that Kepa managed to block. Chelsea is playing a strong defense and retaining possession well, so you’re hopeful a chance will be created soon.

When the second half begins, you’re on the edge of your seat as Chelsea starts strong.

In the 60th minute, Reece passes the ball to Ben, who begins to run quickly toward the midfield looking for a teammate.

Then, out of nowhere, one of the Brighton players attempts to steal the ball and slides right into Ben’s legs, both players collapsing to the ground.

What follows is the worst sound you’ve ever heard in your life.

Ben is rolling on the ground, clutching his knee, screaming in pain.

“A nasty tackle, certain to be a yellow card if not a red, and Chilwell is in obvious agony. Chelsea’s medical team are on their way out to assist…”

The commentary, the fans, Charlotte speaking to you from a few feet away - it all fades away. All you can hear are Ben’s screams, all you can focus on is the screen as they replay the tackle over and over.

“Y/N,” Charlotte says a bit louder, grabbing your hand and snapping you back to reality. “Hey, look at me. He’ll be alright.”

You try to nod, but you can feel tears threatening to spill from your eyes and your heart racing in your chest.

On the screen, Ben is now covering his face with one arm and pounding the grass with the other as the doctors look at his knee and Mason and Azpi attempt to comfort him.

“I…it looks bad,” you breathe, now looking at Charlotte with teary eyes. “He’s not getting up.”

As another minute drags on and the Chelsea doctor motions for a stretcher to be brought out. Watching Ben being loaded onto the stretcher and given a pain reliever to inhale makes you sick to your stomach, tears now steadily streaming down your cheeks as he’s carried off the pitch.

“Char, I-I need to-“

“I know, you need to go to him, babe,” Charlotte says softly, finishing your sentence for you. “It’s gonna be alright. I can drive you.”

You nod, springing into action as you glance at the TV and once again see the playback of Ben’s pained expression. You rush to grab an oversized sweatshirt and your purse, and you text one of Ben’s best mates who you know has a key to come take care of Oscar as you have no idea when you’ll be home.

Within ten minutes, you’re in Charlotte’s little Audi, trying to get out of the London traffic and on the road to Brighton as quickly as possible.

You’ve texted and called Ben a couple times, but to no avail so far. The match is still wrapping up, but you don’t even care who wins at this point. You just need to see him.

A few minutes after the match ends with a goalless draw, you finally get a call from Mason on Charlotte’s phone. She’s driving, so you pick up and put it on speaker.

“Mason, how is he? Are you with him?” you say immediately, skipping any greetings. “We got in the car as soon as he got taken off the pitch, I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

“I…I’m not sure,” Mason admits, making your heart drop with his nervous tone. “They haven’t let me back to see him yet. He’s with our doctors, I’m not sure if he has to go to the hospital.”

“How bad do you think it is?” you ask, trying to calm your frantic breathing. “Be honest.”

There’s a sigh on the other end that you know can only mean one thing.

“Honestly, Y/N, I haven’t seen him in that much pain before,” Mason says sadly. “We can hope for the best, but…I don’t know. We’ll have to see.”

Your heart is clenching painfully in your chest as you try to the fight the tears, Charlotte glancing over at you supportively as she drives.

“One sec,” Mason says, and you hear muffled voices on the other end. After a moment, he speaks again. “I just spoke with the doctor and they’re taking him to the hospital. She also said he’s been asking for you, he might be a bit delirious from the pain meds. Can I tell him how far out you are?”

You feel another pang in the chest, wishing you had gone to the match tonight so you could’ve at least been there to hold his hand.

“The GPS says 54 minutes, just send us the hospital address,” Charlotte answers, reaching out to squeeze your hand briefly.

“I will, babe,” Mason says to her, and you can hear him in motion. “And Y/N, just try to relax. I’ll let him know you’re coming and stay with him until you get here, alright?”

“Okay,” you respond, your voice a bit quieter now. “Thanks, Mason. I’ll see you soon.”

After hanging up, you turn the radio on quietly - you don’t care what’s playing, you just need something to drown out the sounds of Ben’s cries still ringing in your ears.

Charlotte gets you to the hospital as quickly as possible, and you feel rage in your veins as you pull up to the A&E entrance and see that there are paparazzi stationed outside, probably hoping for a glimpse of Ben leaving.

“Do you want to look for another entrance?” Charlotte offers.

“No, I need to get to him,” you sigh. “It’s fine. They can take my fucking photo if they want, it’s not exactly breaking news that I’m visiting my injured boyfriend-“

“Hey, just take a deep breath,” Charlotte says, grabbing your hand again and squeezing. “Ignore the paps. You go in and I’ll park the car and find you later, okay?”

You nod slowly. “Okay. Thanks, Char.”

You climb out of the car and ignore the flashing lights and many reporters yelling at you, asking you about Ben’s condition. They can all fuck off, frankly. You just need to get to him.

You run up to a reception desk and begin speaking to the nurse there.

“Hello, I’m looking for Benjamin Chilwell, he was just admitted with a knee injury-“

“Do you have proof of relation?” the nurse asks curtly, raising an eyebrow at you.

“No, he’s my boyfriend,” you say, the word sounding a bit silly when it leaves your lips. Of course, any random girl could come in here and claim she’s dating a footballer. “Um, I can show you a photo of us-“

“I’m sorry, miss, but I can only allow family at this time.”

“Please, you don’t understand,” you plead with her. “He’s hurt and I really need to be with him, you can ask any of the Chelsea staff who I am-“

Before you can argue with the nurse any further, your tone growing more and more desperate as you grow more anxious to see him, you see a familiar face come around the corner.

“Hey, she’s with me,” Mason says to the nurse, who clearly knows who he is.

You run over to Mason and he pulls you into a quick hug. He’s wearing his Chelsea joggers and zip-up, and he looks exhausted from playing the full 90 minutes and the stress of Ben’s injury.

“How’s he doing?” you ask quickly, your eyes wide with concern.

Mason just shakes his head. “They think it’s probably his ACL, they just brought him here to rule out any broken bones and stabilize his knee. They’ll have to do an MRI tomorrow back in London.”

You sigh - you suspected an ACL tear, as did just about everyone who saw what happened, but you had foolishly hoped it was something less serious. This could take him out for the rest of the season, possibly even for the Euros, which would devastate him.

“I need to see him.”

Mason nods and leads you down the hallway to a private hospital suite. You see a few Chelsea staff before you see Ben, but when you finally lay eyes on him, your heart splinters even further.

Your boyfriend is laying in the hospital bed, connected to an IV, with his leg elevated and hooked up to some machine. It’s awful seeing him like this, still dressed in his white away kit, his hair still messy and sweaty from the match, his eyes slightly red.

“Y/N,” Ben says, his voice hoarse and his hand reaching out for you.

You waste no time rushing to his side, gently taking his hand in both of yours.

“Hi, sweetheart,” you say softly, looking into his sad eyes with your own watering. “How are you feeling?”

You know what the answer will be, but it’s still hard to watch his face even more, a grimace of pain overtaking him as he shifts just slightly.

“It hurts,” he croaks, leaning into you. “I felt it pop.”

You immediately wrap your arms around him, pulling him close and letting him hide his face in your neck. He grips your sweatshirt with both hands and you can feel his hot tears on your skin as you run your fingers through his hair, trying to provide him with any comfort.

“I know, baby,” you say softly, “it’s alright. I’m here, it’s gonna be okay. Everything’s gonna be fine.”

You wish you felt more certain about that, but based on the looks on the doctors’ faces and the way Ben is trembling in your arms, you can’t help but fear the worst.

When you eventually pull away, still keeping Ben’s hand in yours, you can see that there are significantly fewer people in the room than before. It’s only the two of you, Mason, and the head doctor for Chelsea, who you recognize.

“Alright, Ben, we’re just about wrapped up here,” the doctor says in a gentle voice. “We’ll get you set up with pain meds to get you through the night, and you’re scheduled for an MRI at noon tomorrow. I’ll be there to oversee everything, of course.”

“Thanks,” Ben manages to mumble, leaning into you still.

“I don’t want you in the car for any longer than necessary, so we’ve arranged for the club plane to take you home. It’ll be a quick flight and we’ll get you as comfortable as possible.”

Ben nods and looks up at you, and squeeze his hand in assurance. I’m not going anywhere. I’ve got you.

They get him fitted into a big clunky knee brace and help him into a wheelchair to get him to the car and to the airport. You’re there the whole time, holding his hand and talking to him in soothing tones.

“I’ll drive home with Charlotte,” Mason says as you reach the car. “I’ll talk to you in the morning, alright, mate?”

Ben nods, clearly too exhausted for much conversation.

By the time you reach the plane, he’s nearly passing out from the pain medication, but you and the team doctors help him get situated on the bed set up for him. It’s in a separate room from the rest of the jet, giving you two some privacy.

“Try to sleep if you can, we’ll be home soon,” you say softly, sitting on the bed next to him and stroking his hair back from his forehead. “Is there anything I can do to make you more comfortable?”

He’s already got his leg elevated on some cushions, meds coursing through his veins and some of the best sports medics in the country looking after him, but you’ll do anything you can to alleviate his pain a bit more. You would do anything to take it away.

“No, thanks, love,” Ben mumbles, “thank you for coming.”

“Of course,” you say, smiling a bit sadly and leaning down to kiss his forehead. “Now rest. I’ll wake you when we land.”

more angst on the horizon...i apologize in advance 😔

next chapter 💙

[jflemings]

I think in the first trimester of pregnancy with baby 2, Piper would be pretty freaked out about reader getting so sick (especially since i imagine she is a little bit traumatised for seeing so many of her aunts be injured 😭) and they have to assure her that for the moment she is okay to carry on playing football because it’s not that type of sick!!

she’s at training with you and you abruptly run off the field in the middle of a passing drill. you hunch over and immediately kyra is by your side rubbing your back and offering you a waterbottle. you can barely get a word out before you’re throwing up again and piper is sitting by the goals being picked up by manu because she’s just so worried.

you’d been throwing up a lot recently and after watching the endless amount of injuries to some of her most favourite people in the world, it’s safe to say she’s pretty scared.

manu and leah do their best to distract her but she can’t help stealing glances over their shoulders as you’re ushered inside.

steph ends up driving you home and despite her pleas to stay with you, she gets dropped off at cobham so that jessie can at least attempt to calm her down.

jessie takes a break from training and sits down with her to explain that mummy’s only sick because of the baby and that she doesn’t have to stop playing football for a little while yet.

the three of you cuddle after dinner and you and jessie continue to reassure her that you’re not that type of sick, that they baby doesn’t mean to make you throw up and that yes, you will be playing against auntie macca, auntie mini and sam’s pretty fianc�� kristie that weekend.

[kesara]

Urban Forest [IMG_0075] by Kesara Rathnayake Via Flickr: Urban Forest - wind sculpture by Leon van den Eijkel in collaboration with Allan Brown. The sculpture is installed in Cobham Dr, Kilbirnie, Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington.

[tomhardyitalia]

Ig @inside_my_world_13

Well this just made my morning!! Met @tomhardy at Cobham Services on the way to my Mustang Driving Experience! What a lovely guy for stopping 🥰 #tomhardy #thebikers #Havoc #venom #v3

[masons-tours]

lol I thought that was his parents house in Portsmouth where Jaz announced her pregnancy

Yes I think it’s the same house! I’m sure after the Q&A tho he was spotted out in London after which makes me think it’s another London property. No proof someone saw him & woody driving & posted it on twitter. Also remember the TT of the guy taking the new footy boots? Sure it was that house

Your right it was his first Cobham House.

[wosowrites]

I Can Be Your New Home (Jessie Fleming x Reader)

Warnings: None

A/N: how cute is this gif!! it’s a long long fic so settle in. based off this request:

Prompt: In which Jessie is homesick so during a training session, you make sure to do a bunch of little things to make her feel better.

You and Jessie had clicked instantly. You were bubbly, smiley and outgoing off the field, and on the field you took a new role. The one of the stone cold, rough and slightly reckless player. However Jessie was more reserved, quiet and introverted off the field, she really found herself on the field. Jessie had been with Chelsea for a month now. It was the middle of August and London was as rainy as always.

Jessie arrived to training at 9:20, as an on field training session would start at 10:00, while a recovery gym session would take place for an hour from 11:45-12:45. Most of the team was on the pitch, hiding from the rain under the sheltered benches. "Jesus. I was really hoping to have a sunny session today." Sam groaned, slouching down lower in her seat.

Jessie was looking around the field, searching for you. She did that every day, even though she knew you always came a little later than you should. Jessie’s hood was up and her hands were hidden under the long sleeves of her coat. "I bet you’re missing sunny California now, Jessie." Erin said.

Her comment was harmless, absolutely innocent. But the thing Jessie had failed to mention to anyone on the team, was how horribly home sick she was. She missed London, Canada, but she also missed LA, where she had spent years playing soccer under the sun. The only time she felt good, the only time where she forgot how far from home she was, was when she was with you. Jessie’s eyes welled up, tears streaming down her cheeks, causing the players she was close to (Sam, Erin, Magda, Pernille and Niahm) to widen their eyes in panic. "I didn’t mean too-" Erin started saying. "No. No. I’m sorry." She sniffled, quickly rushing into the interior of Cobham, leaving a confused group of blues.

You were driving peacefully in your car. It was 9:25 and you were jamming out to music, singing to yourself loudly. You were a horrible singer, and any time you wanted to annoy your teammates, you would sing them a song. Your music was annoyingly interrupted by an incoming call from Magda. You answered it. "Hey, Mags." You said to her. "Y/n. How far from Cobham are you?" Magda asked. "Uhh… like 10 minutes." You answered, switching lanes. "Damn it." Magda said, and you heard mutters from around her. "Why? What is it?" You asked. "It’s Jessie. I don’t know what happened really. One minute she was looking around and the other Erin mentioned California and she started crying and rushed inside. No one wants to go talk to her because she’s so… well she’s shy. You’re the only person who can get her out of her shell." Magda said. Your heart raced as you heard Magda say there was something wrong with the Canadian. "Okay. I’ll be there in five." You said to her, entering the highway. "You said you were ten minutes away." Magda said. "I will be there in five." You said sternly.

You hung up Magda’s call and quickly pressed your foot on the gas.

As promised, you were there five minutes later. You rushed out of your car, grabbing your bag and hurrying towards the field in your slides. "Where is she?" You asked a group of the girls, they all pointed towards the door leading to the Cobham changing rooms. You nodded sternly and tossed Millie your bag. "Catch."

You didn’t waste time looking to see if she had caught it or not, instead, you pushed open the doors and walked towards the changing rooms. There were two, you chose the left one. You were right. Jessie was sitting on the bench, her head in her hands. She was still wearing her wet raincoat. "Jess?" You said gently. Her head shot up and you saw her bloodshot eyes. "Hey. Sorry, I’ll be out in a minute." She said, her voice shaky. "No, it’s okay. And you can take all the time in the world. Can I sit down?" You said to her, ending towards her slightly trembling frame.

She nodded and you took a seat beside her. "What is it?" You asked her. "And don’t say nothing because I can be really annoying and I’ll get it out of you." You told her. "You aren’t annoying." Jessie said. "I am. Magda made me promise not to be annoying to you for the first three months. It’s been really hard." You told Jessie.

She let out a laugh and you subconsciously smiled wildly. "Did she really?" Jessie asks, looking up from her feet to look at you instead. "Yep. Payed me twenty pounds and everything. I get twenty more if you don’t complain about me by the end of the three months." You added. "Well i’ll make sure not to complain then." Jessie smiled. "Thank you."

There was a pause between you both, broken by you repeating your question. "What’s wrong?"

"Im homesick. Like… really homesick. And it’s so stupid because I’m a grown adult and I was barely homesick when I went to university but now… I don’t sleep, I have trouble eating. Everything is unfamiliar." Jessie confessed to you, looking back down at the ground. You took a minute to think, wanting to say the right thing. "Jess, it’s normal. You just moved to a whole new continent in the middle of a pandemic. You can’t go see your family, and they can’t come to you. And that… I can’t relate and I don’t know how it would feel but your obviously close with your family. I don’t blame you. You have a sister, right? Elysse?" You asked. Jessie’s head shot up at the mention of her little sister’s name, and her brows furrowed in confusion. "How do you know her?" Jessie asked. "She followed me on instagram. The last name caught my eye. Some wild fan probably talked to her about me." You joked. "That would be me." Jessie said. "Really?!"

Jessie laughed again, when she laughed, you felt good. "Jessie if you miss your family that much, if you miss your friends from UCLA then that means there’s something to miss. And that’s good. It means you have people back home that love you. When I moved to London I was 19. I’ve been playing for Chelsea for 3 years now and not once have I missed my family. We were never close and they were never good to me. So moving here was a relief more than anything else. When I go back to the Netherlands, it’s to see my real Dutch family. Viv Miedema, DVD, my international teammates. And you… you have your family and all the Canadian team. I know missing them hurts, but it’s just a twisted way for your mind to tell you how much love you have for them."

Jessie seemed deep in though and the tears were back in her eyes. "Shit. Fuck I’m sorry I didn’t mean to make you cry again. I-" You started saying in a panicked tone. "No, no it’s not you. It’s me. You’re just right. You’re really right." Jessie said.

There was a knock on the door but it didn’t open. "Wait a second." You told her.

You slipped out of the room to find Magda on the other side. "Could you tell Emma we need a couple more minutes. Oh and tell the team that if anyone looks at her weirdly I will kick the ball at them so hard that they’re organs come pouring out of their mouths." You threatened.

That was a genuine threat, your shot was incredibly strong, you had once broken a net by shooting it at the post so hard, and during practice penalty kicks, Emma didn’t let any keeper go in net for their own safety.

Magda nodded to you. "She’s okay though?" Magda asked. "She’s fine mom." You teased her. "You’re funny." She said sarcastically before heading back outside, pulling her rain coat over her head.

You walked back into the changing room where Jessie seemed to be sorting herself out. She had re done her hair and splashed water on her face. "I wanna do something with you." You told Jessie, patting the spot next to you on the bench. She sat down and looked at you. "Okay, go ahead." Jessie said.

"I’ve heard that one of the hardest things of moving somewhere new is that you don’t know anyone. There are no other Canadians here, and I get that, there are no other dutchies that play for Chelsea, so you don’t really really know anyone. So get to know me. You tell me a fact about you, and i’ll tell you one about me. No follow up questions aloud." You told her.

She seemed to contemplate the idea, having always been a reserved person, but eventually she gave in. "Okay. You go first." She said, bringing her legs up on the bench and sitting in a criss cross position. "I love skincare. Like I have so many products and I spend all my money on it." You told her. "Hmm. I still hold the record for fastest 5K race at my high school." Jessie said. "When I was nine, my dream job was to be a trophy wife. I just wanted to marry a rich man." You told her, making her laugh. "I’ve had four dogs, all of them golden retrievers." Jessie told you. "I’ve never told anyone this… but on my first cap for the Netherlands, right before we walked out of the tunnel, I was so nervous I threw up. And then I went on to play 90 minutes." You told Jessie. "Didn’t you score like two goals on your debut?" Jessie asked. "No follow up questions!" You grounded her. "Okay one last thing from both of us because we need to go to training." Jessie said. "Deal."

"I hate being in front of the camera. It gives me so much anxiety." Jessie said. You had noticed that. She would often hide behind you while walking out of the team bus or in other situations with photographers. "Hm. Well, I’ve been cheated on twice and one time by Sam’s teammate which is extremely awkward." You told her. "Really? That’s horrible. But who?" She asked you.

You stood up and extended your hand for her to take. "Jessie Fleming. Have you learned nothing? No. Follow. Up. Questions." You said.

She groaned and you laughed, opening the door for her and letting her out. "You’re okay though. Right?" You asked her, grabbing her hand and gently rubbing your thumb over the back of it. She looked down at it before looking at you for a second. "I am now." She said.

You walked out, your heart racing and not letting go of her hand. You only dropped it when you guys made it outside. The rain was still coming down heavy but as promised, the girls weren’t looking at you. You ditched your jacket and threw it to the side of the field. "You’ll be cold!" Jessie told you as you both jogged towards the group who were doing a rondo. "I won’t."

You trained for a bit less than two hours and then you went inside for a gym session. Everyone was given a quick fifteen minutes to dry up and that’s when you regretted taking off your coat. Everyone was soaked but you… it was a whole other story. You and the girls changed, and when you took off your shorts and your shirt, you realized how the rain had soaked your underwear and sports bra. You groaned loudly as the wet fabric, making the girls look at you. "Holy shit you’re soaked." Guro laughed at you as you slipped on another pair of shorts. "Thanks, Guro. I noticed." You told her. "Urgh the material is sticking to my skin this is gross." You groaned. "Should have worn your coat." Jessie said as the teamed looked at her shocked. "Is Jessie Fleming being cocky?" Sam asked, walking up to her and shaking her shoulders, making her laugh. "I learned from the best." She said, nodding towards you. You took a bow and then walked into the washroom to stand under the hand dryer to try and dry your bra. You were in an awkward position, trying to get under the dryer when the girls walked in, phones out and filming you. "You guys are assholes!" You yelled at them, flipping them off. "Oh this is gold." Magda said. "I would expect better form you Eriksson!" You told her. "C’mon, the captain needs to have a little fun too."

Due to the material of your sports bra, it did not dry, but you went to the gym anyways and did your sessions. The photographers were there, taking pictures and videos of all of you. The camera man came up to you and you jokingly flexed your bicep, earning wolf whistles from the team. The media team was filming one of those videos, he had been filming your workout, along with other players. You saw him heading towards Jessie’s direction and you stopped your reps to walk over to her. You stood behind the camera man who was about to start filming and ushered her towards you. She got up from rolling out her muscles and walked towards you. You put your hands on her shoulders and spun her around so that you were standing between her and the camera.

The camera man panned around the room and he didn’t get a shot of Jessie as you stood in front of her. "Thank you." She said. "It’s all good, but you should get used to the camera, it’s a big part of our job." You told her. She nodded, understanding and smiled at you adorably. "Hey, spot me?" You asked her. "Of course." You guys headed towards the bench press section and you put the weights on the bars. You completed your reps, too busy on making sure your posture was good to notice that Jessie was looking down at you with a special look in her eye, and you were both too focused to notice the camera filming you.

The gym session ended and you all went back to changing room to shower and then put on your change of clothes. "You guys wanna get coffee?" Sam asked the group as you all changed. The rain had stopped so you put on a pair of white shorts and a big yellow crewneck along with white socks and your favorite beige air Jordan 1’s.

Most of the girls already had plans but you didn’t, and to your joy, Jessie didn’t either. So, you, Magda, Pernille Sam, Guro, Zecira, Lauren, Jessie and Niahm all walked to the parking lot in a big group. Everyone took their own cars to get to the outdoor coffee shop you guys loved, and Jessie, who didn’t have a car yet, ended up carpooling with you.

"You should get a car, Jess." You told her, plugging in your phone to the bluetooth and starting up the car. "Driving in London makes me nervous, the sides of the road are different." Jessie told you. "Ahh, I understand that. Then I’ll drive you." You told her. "Where do you live?"

Jessie gave you her adresse. "That’s only like ten minutes from my house. It’s barely a detour. Let me drive you, please." You told her, looking away from the road briefly to give her your best puppy eyes. She cracked immediately. "Fine."

You cheered and Jessie laughed. What you hadn’t told her was that you did not live ten minutes from her. You lived about thirty minutes from her. But you would have drove an hour to have her in your car every morning. To have her to yourself a bit longer than everyone else.

[julianalvarez9]

rising tensions / kepa arrizabalaga

author's note: this man, am i right? this was sitting in my drafts for a bit but I finally got to finish it ksjskdj hope you like it! i don't really know what's going on but well 🥴

warnings: smut with a bit of plot. sprinkles of size kink, praise kink, fingering, hate sex?? wc: 1952

everyone around thought your relationship with kepa was funny.

whether it was because of your notorious height difference, the incessant amount of bickering, or the fact that you were silently learning spanish only to be able to roast him in his mother tongue too, some found your inability to be in the same space without trying to murder each other with words or actions unbelievably funny. others, though, were utterly annoyed, prompting a bet to take place behind closed doors: who would break first?

everyone around cobham was marveled at your persistence to get under kepa's skin, which was difficult to do since he was perceived by everyone as a calm, quiet guy.

"no entiendo por qué no la soportas" (i don't know why you can't stand her) joao said, tilting his head to point sneakily in your direction. you were just getting out onto the pitch with christian, after helping him with some recovery sessions for his knee. the american was clearly laughing at something that you had said, and kepa clenched his jaw at seeing you smile so proudly for making his teammate laugh so much. he wondered why you couldn't be like that with him, always seemed to focus on making him lose his mind instead.

kepa frowned at the disrespectful comment that his teammate had dared to say. "no digas estupideces" (don't say stupid shit), he  grumbled, while trying to ignore the way both joao and enzo looked at each other while hearing kepa seemingly getting protective over you. "después de todo, ¿por qué no le preguntan a ella qué problema tiene conmigo?" (after all, why don't you ask her what's her problem with me?).

"es insufrible" (she's insufferable) he rolled his eyes, while putting on the gloves, almost ready for his practice of the day. "quizá si ustedes dos sólo aliviaran la tensión" (maybe if you two just relieved the tension) enzo wondered, a devilish smile on his face that hinted exactly what he was thinking of. the goalkeeper would never admit it out loud, but he had given the idea some thought over the last couple of weeks. she was clearly pretty in his eyes, but he didn't think that was behind his clear dislike for chelsea's physiotherapist.

still, the thought that enzo had reignited seemed to not extinguish itself as quickly as it usually did. it bothered kepa to no end, and the only thing he wanted to do was get into your office and slam you against the nearest wall to curse you for not leaving his mind.

you begrudgingly let him, rolling your eyes when his big frame brushed slightly against your extended arm. “god, you've got no manners," kepa grumbles under his breath, and it only makes your browns furrow more. "not with tontos like you, no," you assure, while leaning onto the desk, not once averting your eyes from the goalkeeper that was standing across from you, looking attentively at you through squinted eyes. “why did you come into my office, arrizabalaga? quit playing, i don’t have all day”.

when practice had finally come to an end, he was convinced he had thought about 100 scenarios where things went sour: you, yelling at him, screaming profanities and cursing his name for everything he did. which wasn’t that far from what was considered normal conversation between the two of you. still, kepa found himself going straight to you. he realized that, even if he didn't knew where he had to go, his legs would drive him to your office door just the same.

his fists knocked on the metal even before he could make up a lie as to why he was at your door. "what are you doing here?" was the first thing that you asked, feet planted on the floor and no intention of letting him in into the room. "como si no supieras" (as if you didn't know) the goalkeeper grumbled, shooting his brows up as if looking for permission to come in. "will you be a good girl and let me in now?".

what you said seems to have gone over his head, cause he doesnt allude to it when he opens his mouth again. "little girl speaks spanish now. ¿querías impresionarme?" (did you want to impress me?) he cockily says, and you’re sure your eyes are gonna get stuck at the back of your head due to how frequently you’re rolling them. "just looking for new ways of telling you que te vayas a la mierda" (to go to hell) you smile widely, too exaggerated to actually be real, although you don’t really care to hide that it’s fake.

"you've got a dirty little mouth, don't you?".

it’s not the first time you realize that the once innocent banter shared between the two of you was quickly mutating into these sinful sentences, but it’s the first time that he did so while you two were alone. normally, you could escape -both the feelings that his words erupted and him- just going to somewhere else: but kepa’s got you cornered into your office now, and you can see in the glint of his dark, brown eyes, how much he’s enjoying watching you squirm under his heated gaze. he smirks like he's conscious about the fire that every word lights inside of you: it's crystal clear that you feel the rising tension too, and he sees the green light to continue his teasing.

“¿qué ha pasado, niña bonita? ¿te han comido la lengua los ratones?” (what happened, pretty girl? cat’s got your tongue?). you gulp, closing your eyes to try and avoid his presence for a second, but when you open them back up, you can see his face impossibly closer. his wide frame is towering over your smaller one now, and with your body already hardly pressed against the desk, you got nowhere to go. “dime que no lo sientes. dímelo, y paro” (tell me that you don’t feel it too. tell me, and i’ll stop) he mutters, warm breath fanning your face. and although you don’t quite understand what he’s saying, it’s the last tip you need to trip over the edge, losing the smallest thread of critical thinking you had left in your body.

you ragged breath told him all he needed to know: that you needed him the same way he needed you. his lips ghost over your neck, and you whimper at the smallest contact between your skin and his mouth, but he doesn’t kiss you yet. he wants to savor this, to remember how everything was; the before. he’s enchanted by your scent already, and he’s sure that everything will be erased for him after he gets to taste even the littlest piece of skin: and to no surprise, he’s right.

you roll your eyes, annoyed that he stays being insufferable even during this moment. “sí, kepa. por favor,” (yes, kepa. please), you plead in his mother tongue, and that’s all he needs. his mouth finds yours in a hasty kiss, lips hard against yours as you continue to drag him down by his neck. the next time you need to part for air, kepa grabs the back of your thighs and lifts you effortlessly to place you onto your desk.

kepa starts leaving wet kisses on your neck, and you tilt your head backward to give him more space to work on, while you get your hands onto his hair to draw him impossibly closer. there’s no part of you that’s left untouched by his clothed frame when he separates to ask “do you want this? is this okay?” inches away from your lips, but this time in a language you can actually understand. you nod frantically but he doesn’t go back to kissing you. “i need words, princesa”.

your hips buck into his hands when he grazes your clit, and he smirks against your cheek, before lowering his head to nibble onto your ear. "por favor," you moan again, looking through doe eyes full of pleasure while you beg him to do something, anything. kepa inserts one finger first, slowly going in and out of your warm entrance, and he feels your walls tightening against him. he kisses you again, harder this time, when he inserts another one, curling with more pressure and bringing you closer and closer to the edge.

“will you be my good girl and stay quiet?” he asks against your ear, his body separating your legs to keep them open. his right hand wanders on your left thigh, until his finger’s hover where you need him most. once he moved your underwear to the side, his digits become drenched with your arousal and you moan softly at the newfound pleasure. kepa’s looking intently at your face now, analyzing your features to understand what you like most while his long fingers dance through your folds. 

a sudden knock against your door breaks the moment, and you panic slightly at the possibility of being found in a compromising situation.

knuckles deep inside of you, kepa urges you to look at him. "focus for me, yeah?" he says, and you avert your gaze from the door to his brown eyes, again. "i can feel you're almost there," he encourages, while starting to move his fingers in and out of you at a ruthless pace, making your breath shallow and your high rapidly approach again. "let go for me, princesa," he groans, and hurries to meet his lips against yours to catch any noises you could make during your release. 

you’re not sure how you get to hop down the desk and sit on your chair with the way your legs are trembling due to your orgasm, but somehow, you make it. you cough to clear your voice, and make sure that your tone is even when you tell the person knocking that it’s okay to come in.

kepa locks eyes with you when you both notice who it is. "oh. sorry" christian shifted awkwardly when he saw his teammate sitting directly in front of you, sensing that he had interrupted something. you two were never alone in a private room, and if you were, you two could be heard by your angry shouts from miles away. instead, you’re awkwardly smiling while the goalkeeper is pretending to be concentrated over some papers that were resting on the desk, trying -and failing- to justify his presence in your office. “i just came to get my phone back,"  the american gestures to the artifact resting on the massage table.

when christian finally gets what he was looking for, he’s ready to walk out the door: he doesn’t ask why are you two alone, and he certainly doesn't try to prolong his stay any longer than he has to. although his friend doesn't say anything, kepa knows that the american had noticed all of the signs of what had gone down. he just smirked slyly when the curly haired boy looked his way, and muttered "see you later, kepa," at which the goalkeeper nodded. 

“do you think he realized?,” you anxiously ask once the american has left the room, and you hear his footsteps subsiding. you start gnawing on your lower lip, afraid that, if your superiors get to know about your little encounter, your position in the team could be in jeopardy.  “unless he’s blind, yeah, he did,” kepa laughs, and your cheeks heat up under his wicked gaze. you elbowed him as vengeance, and even though he folds in pain, he has enough air to mutter “everyone already knew that you were in love with me, princesa, no need to hide it any longer”.

[projazznet]

Billy Cobham – The Art Of Four

“With 2004’s Art of Five, the fusion drums pioneer Billy Cobham indicated that his mid-life return to his bebop roots was a hot ticket. And this album proves to be another, with a fizzing Cobham driving a pedigree postbop band featuring alto saxist Donald Harrison, short-lived pianist James Williams (on one of his last recordings) and the bass legend Ron Carter. Most of the material here is original, and the improvisation is often scorching – Williams’ jubilant sweep across bop, modalism and Cecil Taylorish abstraction in particular. Good for the Soul and Cissy Strut have a heated Art Blakey atmosphere. Harrison and Williams play solos of such fresh phrasing that they almost seem to reinvent the postbop language, and a fast The Song Is You has Harrison in biting Jackie McLean mode over fiery drumming. Carter’s Last Resort is like a sardonic Stan Tracey piece, and Williams’ Four Play is a rugged, Breckerish tour de force of fast blues. It’s four stars for the blowing quality alone.” – John Fordham/The Guardian.

[macybeckham7]

Ben and reader working out together to get back to full fitness and you fall for eachother

You got injured nearly at the same time, within a week of getting back into the gym you both get introduced to each other and you started to work side by side in the gym. It was better than being alone and working out with no one else to bounce off. You enjoyed Ben’s charisma and how he saw the bright side of things. You started to hang out outside of Cobham, you would drive together and go for dinner or go to the cinema. You were each others friend as everyone else was off on away days or on the normal schedule that didn’t align with yours. Your teammate would see you both run laps and how you were playful and how you both would laugh, it was obvious that you both had fallen for each other even though you were both scared to admit it to yourselves, let alone one another.