#I love Marta's little nod at the start

[waverlyyhaught]

Favorite Marta and Fina Moments - Part 95 Sueños de Libertad

[pitchsidestories]

el sueño de una niña II Jenni Hermoso x Reader

part 2 soon I masterlist I word count: 2175

a/n: dear readers, the inspiration for this oneshot was Jenni Hermoso's speech at the Ballon d'Or ceremony, enjoy. 🖤💜

“Wait, I know that you’re a football player. Why did you come from my mamis bedroom?”

Jenni was on her way to sneak out of your appartement but when that small voice held her back. Curiously she turned the head around to look into the eyes of a little girl who the Spaniard estimated to be between five to six years old.

That must have been your daughter Mila Jenni thought to herself. It was the big confession after the great night the two of you had spent together.

Something in the reveal activated her flight mode, the forward’s plan was to leave and never look back. Her life was so chaotic she didn’t feel ready to be a part of a family.

Even though everything about yesterday touched her more than Jenni wanted to admit. Images of it flashed behind her eyes capturing passion, beauty and love. 

“Uhm.. you didn’t see me, okay?”, the raven-haired woman returned the question flustered.

“But you’re the Jenni Hermoso, right? The one who won the World cup with Spain.”, Mila looked at her big-eyed, her voice full of adoration.

“Yes, but don’t tell anyone.”, Jenni replied, pressing a finger to her lips to underline her words.

“Wow.”, the little girl whispered amazed.

“Sorry, I really need to leave now. I’ve a speech to write.”, the striker apologized.

This didn’t stop Mila to confide in the older woman. “I’d love to be a football player like you when I’m grown up.”

“You do?”, something of your daughter’s sincerity made Jenni stay despite her announcement earlier that she needed to go.

“Yes.”, the girl emphasized.

“Hm..”

“It’s a big dream of mine.”, Mila added smiling shily.

“You’ll have to work hard for it.”, the Spaniard told her seriously.

“I can do that.”, your daughter assured her.

“And people will try to keep you from it.. they will tear you down and hope you’ll be compliant.”, Jenni continued gravely, kneeing down so she could look into the girl’s eyes.

“Did they do that with you?”, Mila questioned empathetically, placing her small hand carefully to the dark-haired woman’s cheek.

“Yes. All my life. So, promise me one thing, okay?”, she confirmed.

“Okay?”

“Don’t let anyone tell you what you can and cannot be. Promise?”, Jenni pressed a kiss to your daughter’s fingers.

“I promise.”, Mila answered solemnly.

“If you excuse me now.”, the older woman gave her an apologetic look.

“Bye, Jenni. I hope I’ll see you back soon.”, the girl said in an optimistic tone that left no doubt that the football player would return to your appartement.

“We’ll see. Thank you though.”, Jenni answered gratefully.

“Thank you for what?”, your daughter frowned confused.

“You just gave me an idea for my speech.”, the football player’s face lit up with excitement as she spoke.

Jenni shuffled the pieces of papers once more while someone applied her make up for the Ballon D’Or ceremony.

The writing on her notes was almost illegible, she had scribbled down her thoughts way too quickly on her way to the venue. It didn’t matter. She knew now what she wanted to say on stage. Still, she refused to let go of her notes.

“Jenni, have you actually prepared a speech?”

Alexias face appeared behind her in the mirror, She was already in her suit, her hair pulled into a low bun.

Jenni was about to complain about the surprised tone of Alexias voice when Patri joined them: “No way! I thought you’d just start talking like you always do.“

Jenni raised one eyebrow at the reflection of her two Spanish teammates and grinned: “That was the initial plan but I had a better idea.“

“Did someone spark your inspiration?”, Marta asked innocently.

Once the make-up artist let go of her face, she turned towards them and nodded: “Yes. And I hope she’s watching.“

Her teammates exchanged unreadable glances without saying a word while Jenni walked past them, leading the way to the award ceremony.

For what felt like hours, they sat there and listened to men talk. Jennis gaze kept going back to the clock, willing the time to slow down or the speakers to talk faster so Mila had a chance to watch before her bedtime.

Finally, she was called up on stage to receive her award. There was applause but she knew a lot of the people weren’t satisfied with her nomination. She held onto her notes and it all faded into the background once she started speaking about the little girl that wanted to follow in her footsteps, the girl that deserved to have a safer environment to play football in.

Her teammates welcomed her back to her seat with standing ovations. Alexia nodded at her once with a set jaw while Aitana gave her an inquiring look: “You dedicated it to a young girl? Who’s that?”

“Someone I met this morning.“, Jenni replied truthfully as she sat down.

“She seems to have left quite an impression on you.“, Caroline remarked.

“She did. Sometimes I wonder why I put up with all this shit… but there are so many little girls out there that should have it better than we did back then.“

“I agree with that.“, Alexia chimed in.

Marta nodded in agreement: “Me too, obviously. We had to put up with a lot.“

“Let’s be honest, we still do.“, Aitana whispered.

Jenni answered with new-found determination: “Yes but until she gets older, we might have already changed some more things.“

“I bet we will.“, Salma said quietly, before they all went quiet again and focused on the next award recipient.

Much to the surprise of her national and former club teammates Jenni announced at the after party, the alcohol-free wine glass still resting in her hand untouched. “I think I’m going to leave.”

“Leave?”, Patri repeated puzzled.

“Yeah, this party is boring anyway.”, the striker shrugged. The other women secretly thought the same, they couldn’t celebrate like the men around them as they were having a national team game the next morning.

 Seeing Jenni step into your apartment while she still wore her glamorous dark suit jacket showing a large portion of her skin underneath felt almost unreal to you. It wasn’t that long ago when Mila and you watched the ballon d’or ceremony on tv and now she was back in flesh and blood. The football player was even more gorgeous here than on the screen.

Quickly Jenni revealed that the celebrations had bored her which was the moment you told her about your night.

“Mila stayed awake the whole time, she didn’t want to fall asleep until you were on the stage, Jenni.”

“She watched?”, the dark-haired woman asked happily.

“Yes, Mila loved everything about your speech.”, you nodded thrilled by the fact that your excitement was mirrored in the forward’s face.

“I’ve to thank her. She inspired me.”, she confessed.

“You inspired her as well.”, you admitted smiling.  

“Even if she’s the only one, I reached my goal.”, Jenni beamed.

“To be fair I think you inspired many more with your words.”, you remarked solemnly.

“I hope so.”, the dark-haired woman sighed.

“Trust me.”, you answered softly.

After a meaningful pause you added. “I almost thought you wouldn’t call or wanted to see me again back then you left without a word in the morning.”

“That would sound like me actually.”, the footballer cleared her throat nervously. She loved to play the game, haunting for the next great beauty to court and lay down in bed with before going on the haunt again, always being a restless player. All was fair in love and football.

“She’ll appreciate the thank you though, it’ll mean a lot to her.”, you said while you bit your lip.

“That’s why I’m here. I want to thank you both.”, Jenni looked at you sincerely.

“Shouldn’t you be at the grand afterparty sipping champagne and flirting with pretty women?”, you lifted an eyebrow curiously.

“Not many women there that aren’t my teammates. And I’m not allowed to drink, I’ve to be back with my national team tomorrow.”, the striker chuckled amused.

“I see.”

“And maybe I preferred to spend my time here.”, she acknowledged, one hand ran tensely through her long hair.

You considered her for a moment and nodded in the direction of Milas bedroom: “Sadly she’s already asleep…“

“That’s okay. I could stay if you let me.“

You knew you should have thought about it for longer but you couldn’t resist the thought of Jenni staying one more night: “Yes, you can. If you promise to say goodbye in the morning.“

“If I was planning to sneak out again, I wouldn’t have told you.“, Jenni half-joked.

You tilted your head: “Good point.“

“So?”

“You can stay the night.“, you finally confirmed.

Relief seemed to flash across Jennis face for a millisecond: “Thanks.“

“You’re welcome, Jenni.“

The next morning you were woken up by footsteps on the wooden floor. Your heart sank immediately, thinking it was Jenni breaking her promise so you refused to turn around. You didn’t want to watch her leave again. Instead you heard a tiny voice whisper in awe: “Jenni!”

“Woah, you’re already awake, little one. Good morning.“, Jenni yawned and stretched right next to you.

She was still here, still in your bed.

“I saw you! Last night!”, Mila said full of excitement.

“You did? And did you like my suit? It’s on that chair.“, Jenni smiled, pointing across the room.

You watched as Mila walked over and gently touched the fabric in awe.

“It’s beautiful.“

“Right? Next year I’ll take you and your mum with me.“, the football player said, winking at you as if to tell you that she knew you were awake.

While the smile fell from your face, Milas eyes lit up: “What? Really?”

“Yes, why not?”

You might have been desperate for her to stay another night but you weren’t delusional. Who knew where the two of you were in a year? Most likely not sharing a bed anymore.

“Don’t promise her too much.“, you warned the football player.

Jenni was unusually quiet before replied: “I… mean it.“

“You mean it?”

“I do. I want to keep seeing you and her.“, she said with determination.

Milas eyes had been darting back and forth between the two of you like she was watching a tennis match. “We want to keep seeing you too!”, she yelled happily.

Completely ignoring you, Jenni turned back to your daughter and pulled her onto the bed: “Would you like to see a football game in Italy tonight?”

Mila was bursting with joy: “Yes!”

“I mean isn’t that too spontaneous? Like what about the airplane tickets?“, you interjected.

“I can take care of it all. But only if that’s okay with you.“, Jenni offered while Mila put on her best puppy eyes: “Pleeease.“

Who were you to deny your daughter such a once in a lifetime opportunity?

With a hesitant nod, you finally agreed: “Okay.“

The day has flown by, Mila and you quickly packed your bag for one night, before following your lover to get on the plane. While the striker was on the team walk, your daughter and you did your own exploring the Italian surroundings. It was like a daydream from which you didn’t want to wake up.

In the evening, you could feel from the stands Jennis glances on you who was standing on the pitch with some of her friends. Next to you Mila couldn’t hide her excitement seeing her favourite players live. It genuinely warmed your heart to witness and share that special moment with your child.

“Pretty girl from next door? She’s so your type, Jenni.”, Laia Codina wiggled her eyebrows.

“That’s why she’s here.”, the forward winked at the defender.

With a smirk on her face Alexia bumped her elbow into her teammates side. “Who would’ve thought that Jennifer found herself a family.”

“Strange things happen, Ale.”, Jenni shrugged with her shoulders.

“Yes, it’s Halloween soon.”, Vicky threw in teasingly.

“Rude.”, the older striker commented smiling.

“Vicky.”, the Barcelona captain clicked her tongue reprovingly.

The test game ended in a draw, but that didn’t stop Jenni from giving you a passionate kiss.

“That wasn’t very subtle, Jenni.”, you laughed.

“I don’t care about subtle anymore.”, she clarified grinning.

“What about the others watching?”, you asked her, cheeks flushed.

“They just love to stare at pretty girls.”, Jenni stated firmly.

“Pretty girls, hm?”, you repeated. Admittedly under her intense gaze you felt more beautiful than ever before. She didn’t hide her desire towards you and wasn’t afraid to show it in the public.

“Yes.”, she confirmed.

“Kiss me again.”, you requested, your voice slightly hoarse from cheering. Before you even could finish your sentence, her lips were on yours, making both of your hearts flutter.

Everything started with a dream of a little girl which was your daughter, in which Jenni saw her younger self, Mila undoubtedly became her inspiration for the speech. The three of you would now dream together.

Keep dreaming.

gif source: https://www.tumblr.com/imverits/765621490900238336?source=share

[copper-16]

Scary

Several things go amiss during an El Clásico, but it is nothing that cannot be fixed with a little love and bravery.

(a/n: This might be a stretch to the imagination, but let’s just pretend that all the RM/Barcelona games are played at bigger stadiums in this universe. Also Marta Cardona still plays at RM in this as well, because I said so <3)

Ingrid and Mapi had made a small list of rules regarding their daughter when she was born. Some of them included things like: 

4. She would not attend any games at stadiums bigger than Johan Cryuff until she was three years old. 

7. She would never go to a Spain camp or a Spanish national team game unless situations change drastically. 

12. She would take turns being their mascot, unless it was a big event for one of their teammates, and they wanted Elena as their mascot. 

All of them had been good additions to the list, and they had stuck to their guns on it. They were made for her safety, to make sure that she wasn’t overwhelmed or overstimulated as a young child, or put in situations that could negatively affect her as such a young child. They did not regret their choices, but it did lend itself to an interesting situation just a few weeks after Elena’s third birthday. 

Ever since she had been born, all of the Barcelona vs. Real Madrid games had been played at large arenas, beyond the capacity that they wanted Elena to experience at such a young age. And just as they said, the toddler had never been to a Spain national team camp or game. She readily came to the Norwegian camps and games, but Mapi strictly forbade her from coming to Spains. 

When the Spanish defender had made the decision to go back to the Spanish national team, it wasn’t something she had taken lightly. But Pina and Patri wished to go back, and the brunette both wanted to protect her friends, and play for her country again. 

But hell would freeze over before she let her baby anywhere near that environment, near the coaches and structures that had played a hand in so much abuse, both physically and mentally. 

It was better for Elena this way, and Mapi preferred it that way. But it also meant that several of the Real Madrid girls who Mapi wasn’t necessarily as close with, had never met Elena. 

So when El Clásico is scheduled for early January at Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium, the mothers realize that it will be their first time getting to bring Elena to such an event. She had just turned three a few weeks ago, and they figured it was as good of a time as any to introduce her to the environment of a larger game, still safe with the two of them. 

And as it turned out, Mapi was the one who got Elena as her mascot that day. Which meant that early in January, the center back stood in the starting eleven lineup with her daughter on her hip, bouncing her lightly as they waited to walk out onto the pitch. 

Elena was slightly overstimulated, the roar of the crowd outside of the tunnel and the sheer size of the place around her slightly overwhelming for the young girl, so she was happy to cling to her mother’s side. She looked around at everything for a while, before settling on waving back at her Mama, who was standing in line behind her, holding the hand of another little boy. 

Mapi waved forward at Misa Rodríguez and Marta Cardona, who were both pointing at Elena with excitement. The Barcelona defender smiled, rubbing her daughter’s back up and down softly as she nodded - confirming that the two players would get to meet the little girl today. 

But it’s an exchange Elena misses entirely, only focusing fully back on her Mami when the players begin to walk out to the stadium properly. 

It’s an early evening game, the sun just beginning to set as Mapi tickles Elena’s stomach as they walk out, pointing at all the fans and explaining everything to her daughter. The little girl tucks herself into the smaller defenders side, happily pressed up against Mapi as she takes everything in, curious if not a little anxious. 

It’s the biggest environment she’s ever been in, but Mapi finds that their daughter settles quite quickly, waving at all the people as they stand in a line. 

“Hola!” Elena calls out happily, and the brunette smiles as many of the fans wave back, well aware of who was in the defender's arms. 

“I love you mi sol,” Mapi murmurs, pressing a kiss to her daughter's temple before she passes the little one to Irene, who would not be playing in the match, but rather resting. Ingrid comes over to kiss Elena’s forehead once before she runs toward the backline, leaving Mapi to jog after her, still looking at their daughter. 

“Adios Mami, good luck!” Elena called out as Irene carted her away, remaining happily placed in the older defender's arms for the remainder of the game. 

The game doesn’t end up being too hard of a match for Barcelona, with a scoreline of 5-0 in their favor. Ingrid had even scored one of their goals, a header off of a corner set piece they had played. 

When the final whistle blew, Irene released Elena and watched carefully as she ran straight to Ingrid, who was closer to the little girl than her wife. The Norwegian turned easily, opening her arms as she crouched down, scooping the toddler up into her arms and pressing kisses all over her head. 

“You won!” Elena cheered as she giggled, and Ingrid nodded, sweaty and tired but excited nonetheless. It had been a good match, and the crowd was rowdy and roaring around them, clearly equally as elated with the win. 

“We did!” Ingrid responded happily as she bounced her daughter on her hip, clapping her hands together as best as she could as she held her daughter, looking around at her teammates with a big smile on her face. 

The Norwegian headed toward the bench, intent on getting some water, when she was intercepted by one of the staff members. 

“They need you for media,” she explained with a grimace, her voice urgent, and the dark haired woman nodded her head in understanding as she looked quickly toward her wife. The Spaniard was standing off toward their bench, talking to some teammates. 

“Of course, let me just do a hand off real quick,” Ingrid explained, rushing over to place Elena down a few paces from where Mapi’s back was turned to them, as she hears her name being called more urgently. “You go over to Mami, okay Elena?” Ingrid explained as she brushed the little girl's sandy blonde curls back, and she received a small nod in response from her daughter. 

“María!” Ingrid called out as she turned around, running over to where they needed her for media. But just as she called out and turned away, Mapi started walking forward, away from her daughter as she was called to meet with one of the staff members. Ingrid’s call for her wife is lost in the crowd, and suddenly Elena is left standing on the sidelines of the pitch, with neither of her parents really in sight. 

The little girl looks around, hoping that someone in her Mami and Mama’s team will notice her standing all alone, but everyone is distracted. And the loud, rambunctious crowd that she didn’t mind so much when her Mami was by her side, suddenly seemed much scarier than it had a minute ago to the toddler. 

Elena doesn’t know this stadium like she does Johan Cryuff, but there are similarities. She turns around, eyeing the tunnel that she finds similar to the one in Johan, and she makes a run for it, weaving through legs in her quest to get to somewhere a little more quiet and contained. 

Once she gets there, she realizes that she’s maybe made a bit of a mistake. Because suddenly nothing really looks familiar, and the young girl struggles with what to do. At Johan, you turned right to get to the Barcelona changing room, so that’s exactly what she does. 

The little girl is near close to tears, and desperately hoping that she’ll stumble across the locker room, or one of the Barcelona players that she knows. She’s simply kept walking, going down hallway after hallway, trying to find something or someone familiar. By the time she decides that she should turn back around, she’s so lost she doesn’t know how to get back out to the field, and there are tears beginning to brim in her eyes. 

Elena comes to a halt in one of the intersections of a hallway as she realizes that she just wants her Mami and Mama, and she doesn’t know what to do. She isn’t the type to wander off, and she’s never been lost like this before. Armed with exactly no experience or skills in coping with such overwhelming feelings, the little girl can do nothing but burst into tears, which stream down her cheeks at a rapid pace as she stands there helplessly. 

Misa had been pacing up and down an abandoned hallway in Lluís Companys, staving off tears of her own, her face red as tears brimmed in her eyes. She was frustrated with her performance, with her team's performance, and she needed a second to calm herself down before talking to her teammates or the press, she had decided. 

What she didn’t expect, however, was to hear someone else burst into tears, in what sounded like the hallway down from her. Misa pauses, confused by how high pitched and small the noise sounded. It didn’t sound like one of her teammates, and when she rounds the corner, she is entirely unprepared for what she finds. 

There is a toddler, a little girl standing alone in the completely empty hallway, her shoulders heaving with the force of her cries, her hands covering her face. She has a little Barcelona kit top on, with the number 23 on it but the last name León across it. The Madridista immediately knows who it is, but what she doesn’t quite understand is why Mapi León and Ingrid Engen’s daughter is sitting in the middle of a hallway on the away side of the stadium. 

“Niña? Elena?” Misa calls out softly, walking toward the little girl, who looks up at her when she hears her name called. 

Elena looks up, finding a woman she doesn’t know walking toward her, and the first emotion that pours through her is fear. The woman is tall, like Mama, but her face is flushed and she’s wearing an alarmingly bright red jersey and shorts that the young girl doesn’t recognize. Her hands are large, considering that they are encased in goalkeeper gloves, but Elena doesn’t quite realize they are just gloves in her stressed state. 

All she registers is that there is a large, unknown woman walking toward her with big, scary hands, and if she was panicked before, it was nothing compared to now. She lets out a fearful squeak as she cowers from Misa, taking several unsteady steps back. 

“Hey, it’s okay, I am not going to hurt you niña,” Misa promises, even though she herself is cringing at her words. She’s never felt more like a child predator than in this moment, despite her intentions being more than pure. The goalkeeper had been excited to meet Elena, even more so after the loss, honestly. All of the girls often spoke about how much they adored the little girl, how smiley and kind she was. Misa felt like she could use just a little bit of that energy after the frustrating loss. 

And here the smiley little girl was, trying to get away from Misa because she was scared of her. It cracked the Spaniard’s heart right in half, and if she wasn’t upset before, she most definitely was now. 

Elena looked behind herself, finally and thankfully spotting a familiar face that had just turned toward the hallway toward the two of them. The Spaniard and Norwegian’s daughter ran as fast as her little legs could carry her, beelining for the Barcelona player who had just turned the corner with Marta and Olga next to her. 

Salma had just been coming back to talk to Misa with Marta when all the sudden she felt something slam into her legs, nearly sending her toppling over. 

“What the hell—o Elena!” Salma quickly corrected, trying to take in the scene in front of her with complete confusion. The little girl was cowering behind Salma’s legs, holding onto the forward for dear life, practically shaking. Salma instinctively placed her hand over the little girl’s hair, smoothing her curls as she looked up to see Misa walking slowly toward them. 

“Elena? What’s going on?” Salma asked helplessly, lost on what to do as she looked between the three Real Madrid players for some semblance of guidance. 

Elena had always loved Salma, from when she was a baby. The forward never knew what to do with the little girl, especially when she was younger. She had no experience with children, and she found herself often stunted and awkward in her interactions with Mapi and Ingrid’s daughter, but Elena’s love for her transcended any superfluous worries or awkwardness Salma expressed. 

“Scary,” Elena whispered as she pointed toward Misa timidly, her grip on Salma tightening as she tucked her head behind the young Barcelona player's legs. Salma looked up with a heartbroken expression, watching as Misa bit her lip to keep from crying, keeping her distance. 

The goalkeeper knew that some people thought she was scary. She got it, she really did. She had an RBF that could probably win an award, and a very intense personality. But it was one thing for a conscious adult to call her scary, and another for a little girl who she had been so excited to meet to call her that. The goalkeeper's heart sank at the realization that this was how Elena was always going to remember her, as the scary woman who tried to kidnap her when she was three years old. 

Salma looked between Olga and Marta, silently begging for help. She still had no clue what to do, and appeared to be rather paralyzed by indecision. 

It’s Olga who crouches down so that she’s level with the little girl, her voice soft and kind. 

“Are you lost niña?” The defender asked gently, and Elena poked her head out from its spot against Salma’s calf, nodding slightly. Her lower lip wobbled heavily, but she wasn’t actively crying, so they all took it as a win. 

Elena regarded Olga kindly, if not a bit shyly. The two women with Salma were wearing white, nowhere near the angry red that the other, larger woman was, and the little girl didn’t find them nearly as frightening, all things considered. 

“Come on, why don’t we take you back to your Mamis,” Olga decided, holding her hand out for the young girl. Elena took it carefully, but not before reaching for Salma’s hand, making sure that the forward was still holding onto her. 

Salma sent the little girl what she hoped was an encouraging smile as they began to walk out toward the pitch. The Barcelona forward wound them down the confusing hallways, with Olga holding Elena’s other hand while Marta carefully wrapped her arm around the goalkeeper. Misa was fighting to keep it together as they all ventured back out to the stadium pitch together. 

After a few minutes of walking, Elena let out a small whine, looking up at Salma with big, wet eyes. 

“Carry?” She asked, letting go of Olga’s hand in favor of staring up at the tall forward hopefully, tugging lightly on her kit top. Salma looked around at the other girls, terrified and scared of disappointing the little girl. They all looked back at her expectantly in that moment, and she was struck with the fact that she was the one with the most experience with Elena, of the group. It both calms her and terrifies her at the same time, somehow. 

“Uh…sure!” She laughed nervously, reaching down to pick Elena up, gripping her under her arms. The forward was used to dealing with the toddler when she was planted firmly on the ground, and she hadn’t carried the sandy blonde girl since she was a baby. She had been so scared to drop the baby that she had shook anxiously the whole time, until Mapi took pity on her and took her daughter back. 

But she tries to remember how Mapi and Ingrid do it, settling Elena on her hip as she clings to the little girl for dear life. She would never forgive herself if she dropped her, and she knew she would never hear the end of it from the rest of the team if she did. They were all highly protective of her, a fact that they all prided themselves on. 

As the five of them walked out toward the pitch, they had no idea the chaos that was awaiting them out on the field. 

—

After her interview had ended, Ingrid had walked back over to her wife with a pep in her step, still overjoyed at the win and the goal she had scored. 

Mapi wasn’t hard to find, standing with the assistant coach, discussing a few tactics from the game after he had called her over to talk about some of their defensive lapses. Their daughter was nowhere in sight, so the Norwegian assumed that Mapi had passed her off to one of their teammates, but when she looked around, she couldn’t see Elena anywhere. 

“Who did you give Elena to?” Ingrid asked, a crease appeared in her forehead as her eyebrows furrowed together. Mapi looked back at her with equal confusion, shaking her head. 

“You have Elena, not me. She went to you after the game,” the Spaniard insists, now beginning to grow confused. Ingrid’s eyebrows flew into her hairline at that statement, shaking her head. 

“I gave her to you ten minutes ago, I sent her your way and called out to you,” Ingrid explains, and Mapi pales at the realization that she had never received her daughter. 

“I did not hear you, and she never came over to me!” Mapi cried, looking around wildly for her daughter. When she cannot see her anywhere on the pitch, her worry only balloons. “Oh my god, she is lost. She is not here!” The brunette cried out, panic washing over her in waves as she realized what this meant. 

The ironic thing was that generally, Ingrid was the anxious one between them. She was the one who worried for Elena, the one who baby proofed the house and took first aid classes and sat in the back of the car with her when she was the baby. 

But Ingrid was also exceptional in a crisis, and this was no different. 

Mapi, however? Not so good in a crisis, at least a non-football related crisis, that was. 

“Oh my god, Ingrid, she could be anywhere!” Mapi pitched as she clawed at her chest, her throat tightening with anxiety as she whipped her head around, looking for any sign of the little girl. 

“Do not panic Mapi, she has to be here somewhere. Come on, let’s go find her,” Ingrid insisted, forcing herself to remain calm as she pulled her panicking wife with her as she began to inform people, everyone scrambling to begin looking for the young girl. 

They alerted security, sent people all over the stadium to look for her as the Norwegian drug her wife back toward the Barcelona bench. 

“This was the last place I left her, so we should stay here. She’s around here somewhere, we just have to find her!” Ingrid insisted as she turned to Irene, who had come over as she got wind of the situation. Hot on the tails of the older defender is the Barcelona captain, looking close to tears herself. 

“Is Elena really lost? Where could she have gone? We must find her!” Alexia cried, baby hairs escaping her ponytail as she looked around, clearly frazzled and stressed at the news of the curly haired little girl being lost. 

“Yes she is gone–” Ingrid began, only to be cut off before she could even really start her sentence. 

“Well we must search for her then!” Alexia interrupted, looking around wildly, her own panic growing. 

“Alexia, this is not even your child! If anyone should be allowed to panic, it should be us!” Mapi interjected, her stress seeping into her tone as she gestured wildly with her hands. Alexia let out a huff of disapproval at that, clearly in disagreement. 

“She is my goddaughter, I love her too!” Alexia insisted, the two squabbling uselessly as Ingrid watched on with an unimpressed expression. 

“If I were not more aware I would assume that these two were the mothers, and not me,” Ingrid mumbled under her breath to Irene, who couldn’t resist letting out a small peal of laughter that she quickly masked as a cough when Mapi and Alexia looked toward her pointedly. 

“Who knew that all it took to reduce La Reina and the fearless Mapi León into a puddle of stress was losing a toddler one singular time,” Irene joked back, where she was promptly met with more unimpressed looks from her teammates, and a chuckle from Ingrid. 

But even the Norwegian, who was generally cool in a crisis, was beginning to grow worried as time stretched on. Her eyebrows remained furrowed together, her foot beginning to tap nervously as she looked around, letting out a nervous sigh. 

“She’s going to be fine, Ingrid. She’s just wandered off somewhere, kids do it sometimes. We lost Mateo in the store once, and found him in the freezer aisle cuddling with some old lady's little dog,” Irene soothed, and Ingrid sent her a grateful smile, even if she didn’t look convinced. She knew the stories, she knew it was normal, but it didn’t make it any easier when it was her own child. 

She just wanted Elena back in her arms, proof that she was safe and sound, and to not let her daughter out of her sight until she was twenty seven years old. 

“How about we go check the locker room again?” Irene suggests, and the dark haired woman jumps at the opportunity to do something, nodding insistently. 

“That’s a good idea,” Ingrid confirmed, and she was just about to head back with her fellow defender when she heard it. 

“Mami! Mama!” Elena called out from her spot in Salma’s arms, and both Ingrid and Mapi were booking it toward their daughter as soon as they heard it. The forward was entirely unprepared for both the Spaniard and Norwegian to plow into her, raining kisses down onto her head as they plucked her from Salma’s arms. Mapi hugged Elena tightly to her, as Ingrid pressed into her space, both of them crowding their daughter with an abundance of love and relief, the panic washing off of them at the sight of their precious little girl back safely in their arms. 

The forward flipped her braids over her shoulder in relief at the hand off, nearly stumbling over when Ingrid stepped away from her wife and daughter, pulling her younger teammate into a tight hug as Mapi cradled Elena to her chest. 

“Thank you so much Salma,” Ingrid murmured in the space above the forward’s shoulders, and despite accepting the hug, the younger woman shook her head. 

“It was Misa who found her,” Salma promised, and the dark haired woman wasted no time in moving toward the Real Madrid player, stepping into her space and immediately hugging the goalkeeper, regardless of the fact that they hardly knew one another. Elena looked up from her spot against Mapi to see her Mama moving toward the scary woman, and she let out a whimper as she turned, burrowing her face into Mapi’s sternum with fear. 

As the panic subsides from her chest slowly, Mapi takes stock of the whole situation. Elena seemed scared of the Real Madrid players, cowering into her arms as Ingrid hugged Misa tightly. Everyone else seemed focused on Misa, with Salma, Olga, and Marta watching her wife and the Real Madrid goalkeeper. The goalkeeper seemed on the brink of tears, something that the center back assumed was because of the game. 

She was informed otherwise when Marta approached her carefully, her voice soft as came close to the Barcelona defender. 

“Misa found her in the hallway, but I think she caught the little one in a bad spot, and now I think she’s a little scared of her,” Marta explained, looking toward the Spanish goalkeeper with worry before looking back at the Barcelona center back. Misa was getting a pep talk from both Ingrid and Irene, to what appeared to be little avail, if the tears in her eyes were any indication. 

Mapi nods slowly, rubbing her hand soothingly over Elena’s back, up and down softly. Her daughter is already a hundred times calmer, having regulated herself well in her Mami’s arms. That being said, Mapi knew they needed a few moments to regather themselves before they reintroduced her to Misa, if they could. 

“Okay, thank you for letting me know. Give us a few minutes?” Mapi asked gently, and Marta nodded before leaving, heading back to her teammate's side. 

It was just a few moments later that Ingrid appeared at her wife’s side, the Spaniard wordlessly passing her daughter to the Norwegian, who held her close and rained kisses down on her. 

“It’s okay, we’re right here Elena,” Ingrid promised, her own worry and stress evaporating at the content little sigh their daughter let out as she was held tightly to the Norwegians side. It was after a few minutes of holding her that Elena leaned back, looking calmer, if not a little more worried. 

“‘M sorry, got lost,” Elena explained gently, her lower lip wobbling as tears brimmed in her eyes again. Ingrid shook her head slightly, her words soft and soothing. 

“You do not have to be sorry, Elena. Just try to stay close to me or Mami next time, or someone you know, si? We do not want you to get lost where we cannot find you, because that would make us very scared, okay?” Ingrid explained carefully, and when she finished Elena nodded, a small smile finally appearing on her face as she settled in her mothers arms, back to the happy little girl she normally was. That was something wonderful Ingrid and Mapi both loved about their daughter being so small, how resilient she always was in situations like this. 

Mapi looked back over toward Misa, her heart breaking when she saw that the tears had broken through finally, her head buried in her hands. 

Elena looked from her mother to the Real Madrid goalkeeper, her little eyebrows worried together at the sight. 

“Mami, is she okay?” The sandy blonde girl asked as she looked toward Misa, recognizing the signs of someone crying. Mapi looked toward her wife for a moment, and after receiving a nod of approval from the Norwegian, the Spaniard took her daughter into her arms from her fellow center back. 

“That is my friend Misa,” Mapi explained to her daughter, her words slow and gentle. She stays where she is, but tries to convey her warmth to the woman regardless. “She has had a bad day, and I think she is just expressing that by crying, like you do sometimes too when you are upset,” Mapi continued, watching as her daughter stared at the goalkeeper with concern painted in her small face. 

“Friend? Tía?” Elena asked curiously, clearly trying to work everything out as Mapi nodded. 

“Yes Tía Misa, she is one of my very good friends. She is very kind and funny, just like you!” The Spaniard tried, and Elena looked over at her skeptically, but she chose to believe her Mami. 

“Maybe we cheer up?” The little girl asked, and Mapi raised her hand to run it over Elena’s cheek gently, in a soothing manner. 

“Are you sure, El? You do not have to, I know you thought she was scary earlier. I promise she is not though, she is one of Mami’s friends,” Mapi promised, not wanting to pressure her daughter to do anything she didn’t want to. 

“Cheer her up,” Elena decided, wriggling her body slightly to signal her mother to move. She stiffened suddenly as she looked from Misa to Mapi, with some fear clearly still present in her tone. “You come too,” she checked quickly, relaxing back into the Spaniard when Mapi nodded her agreement to the statement. 

Salma, Olga, and Marta had led Misa over to the Real Madrid bench, which was where Mapi brought Elena over to. The goalkeeper was sitting on the bench, her head in her hands as silent sobs wracked her shoulders. 

Marta looked over at Mapi with a hopeful expression as the Spaniard placed her daughter on the ground, taking Elena’s hand as she led her over to Misa. 

The young girl held her mothers hand carefully as she made her way up to the woman who had been wearing the angry red jersey. She was now wearing a white jacket over her kit top, and something about seeing her when Elena was in a calm state, and the lack of such an aggressive kit top helped to soothe the little girl’s initial concerns. 

“Hola,” Elena said softly, her voice small but fierce in its kindness as she stopped a few steps from the goalkeeper. Misa paused, looking up carefully, unable to keep the surprise off her expression when she realized who was in front of her, looking at her carefully. 

The goalkeeper looks up at Mapi in shock before she is wiping the tears from her eyes, offering a watery smile to the toddler. 

“Hola,” she responded, unsure of what else to say. Elena took another step toward her, offering a small smile. 

“My name is Elena,” she expressed quietly, watching as Misa rubbed the tears from her eyes. 

“Hi Elena, I’m Misa,” the goalkeeper repeated, trying not to burst into more tears. There was no fear in the little girl's eyes, only curiosity and kindness. Misa feels hope flying into her chest at the little girl's face, at the thought that maybe this whole situation was salvageable. Elena looks at the spot next to Misa, her eyebrows furrowing together in curiosity. 

“What are those?” Elena asked gently, pointing to the abandoned goalkeeper gloves that were sitting next to the Madridista. The Spaniard reached for them, holding them out to the little girl softly. 

“These are my goalkeeper gloves. Would you like to see them?” Misa asked gently, her voice hopeful. The little girl looked back at her mother for a second before releasing Mapi’s hand, nodding as she walked over to Misa, right up to where she was sitting, placing her hand on the goalkeeper's knee. 

“Here, you can put them on,” Misa said softly, everyone watching with relief as the goalkeeper slid her giant gloves onto Elena’s little hands, holding them on to help to keep them from falling off. 

The Real Madrid player was absolutely positive that Elena healed something within her when she giggled, leaning into Misa as she moved her hands with the gloves still over them, laughing happily at the sight. It was the goalkeeper's first real smile of the day, and her heart leapt into her throat when Elena climbed into her lap, beginning to talk her toddler nonsense to Misa, who held onto every single word she said. 

The Madridista carefully held Elena to her, making sure she was secure with no chance of falling. She looked up when the toddler gasped, seeing Pina and Jana still out on the field, passing the ball listlessly back and forth as they spoke about something. 

Elena turned back to Misa with excitement, the goalkeeper gloves falling off her hands in excitement. 

“Come play Tía Misa?” The toddler asked hopefully, her eyes big and filled with joy at the prospect of getting to play with all of her friends. Misa looked toward Mapi, who nodded her head in agreement before she smiled brightly, agreeing with Elena. 

“Come on!” Elena cheered as she took Misa’s hand after being set on the ground by the goalkeeper, and dragging the taller woman toward the younger girls. 

Ingrid had come over to join Mapi, Salma, and Marta, as the right winger shook her head in disbelief. Misa was sitting criss-cross applesauce on the ground, rolling the ball toward Elena, cheering when the toddler tried to kick it. 

When Elena finally managed to hit the ball back with some semblance of accuracy, Jana and Pina immediately cheered loudly. Elena giggled at both of them, smiling before she ran over to Misa, collapsing into a hug as she wrapped her arms around the goalkeeper, who hugged her back just as fiercely, a huge smile pulling at both of her cheeks. 

“What is it about children that just…heals any wrongdoing?” Marta asked wistfully, and Ingrid chuckled as Mapi shook her head. 

“You can’t not love them,” she acquiesced, letting out a final sigh of relief as they all moved to join the girls in playing with the toddler, who happily giggled away at all the attention raining down on her. 

[imbored1201]

Barca teen reader fighting someone in the crowd after that person insults the team and the team tries to calm her down. A hotheaded teen reader who is an adrenaline junkie. Love your writings very much. Thanks.

Hot Head

Word Count: 1.4k

Barcelona Femeni x Reader

This was your first Champions League, which is why you were pretty worked up about it. Ever since you came to the team, you were an inpatient little thing. Always getting into fights on the field, then complaining when you got into trouble for it. It annoyed Alexia, and no matter how many talks she's given you, you continued to do it. 

Considering it was the semi-finals, you had expected a lot of trash talk. The first game was at the opposing team's home. 

You were sitting on the bench for this one, but even when you were on the bench, all you heard was their fans behind you shouting everyone's name, trying to get into everyone's head. Saying stuff to everyone on the bench. 

Fridolina, who had just come back from her injury, noticed how tense you were and put a hand on your shoulder. "Block them out," she told you. "I am; I just want to get on the field," you told her. "And you will; be patient and wait your turn," she reassured you, putting an arm around your shoulder. 

The opposing team was playing rough, poor Aitana and Patri couldn't have the ball for a second before getting trampled, which was making it hard to get the ball to Salma and Caroline up front. You jumped a little every time you saw Alexia go down, worried she would get hurt again. 

The fans didn't seem to like you guys were falling over from every tackle, booing every time. By the 60th minute, you hadn't expected Jonatan to put you in the game with how close it was right now, but once he gave you that nod, you quickly got up and started to warm up. 

All the fans were booing as they saw you. You tried to hide your smile. Alexia's scoldings were worse than a packed stadium booing you. 

————

The call came in the late 88th minute when you dribbled in the box and got tripped up from behind. The game was tied 1-1; this penalty would give you the lead. 

As usual, Alexia was the one to take the penalty. You already had a bright smile on your face, knowing she was for sure going to make it. 

That she did, you jumped onto her back. Everyone else pulling you two into a hug. "It's not over yet," Alexia reminded you. 

————

You happily jumped around when the referee blew the whistle. "We did it." You spoke happily, hugging Alexia.

"1 more game, Ale," she ruffled your hair, giving you a kiss on the forehead. 

She led you to the Barcelona fans to sign their stuff, but a guy flipping you caught your attention instead. 

"You're all a bunch of pussies." Now that set you off. You glared at him and flipped him off. 

He didn't seem to like that as he pushed the person in front of him and jumped over the barrier to try to get to you. Security quickly tackled him, but now you were mad. 

You quickly made your way to where he was wanting to talk crap right in his face, but you were grabbed by Marta, who gave you a disapproving look and pushed you to go back. 

"Go cry to your mother, acting like a little boy." You heard him grunt as he tried pushing the security off as the rest of the police in the stadium arrived, roughly grabbing him by his shoulders and taking him away. 

You were about to talk more crap, but got your ear pulled. "Stop," Alexia said harshly, leading you away from the commotion. 

"That hurt," you whined, rubbing your ear. "You know not to be arguing with people twice your size," she slapped the back of your head when you rolled your eyes at her. 

You quickly hid behind Alexia when Irene and Marta approached. "Really? You're not scared of a huge guy, but you're scared of those two." Alexia shook her head at them as they tried dragging you out of your hiding spot. 

"You're going to apologize to him," Marta said strictly. "No," you simply said, earning you a glare from all three of them.

"He was mean." Irene looked frustrated by the whole situation. She would say you're acting like a kid, but you are a kid. 

"And he shouldn't be talking to people like that." "She's got a point," Mapi called out, making them glare at her. "Stay out of this, Maria; you're the reason she has this attitude." 

"Stop lying to yourself, Prima; you know how bad her temper is." "She's working on it," Alexia defended. "Well, I don't see any improvement." Ingrid smacked the back of Mapi's head. 

"Mapi, why don't you just focus on that leg" Now Alexia smacked you in the back of the head while Mapi glared at you. "I was joking," Mapi huffed, hug let out a little laugh. 

You giggled as you saw them taking the man away, knowing he was probably going to be banned from watching his favorite team now. 

"Stop laughing, or else I'm going to go defend him and fly him out to Barcelona to go to the next game," Marta said. "Sorry," you quickly said, Marta looked at you unsatisfied. "Apologize to him, not to me." You grumbled, slowly making your way back to him. 

————

"Sorry, dude," you spoke to him, still keeping your distance. He continued to give you a dirty look, trying to shuffle a little closer. 

"I didn't mean to get you into trouble," you said as you got closer. "Shake on it?" He still didn't speak, staring at your extended hand. You looked back at Alexia, worried, but she just nodded for you to keep going. 

"Ay!" You yelled as he leaped at you. It took the cops a while to react, but they quickly pulled him off you before he could actually get a hit on you.

While they pulled him, you were able to knee him in his stomach, making him groan. You smiled proudly to yourself as you watched them put him in handcuffs. 

You felt someone grab you, and you went into another fight mode, trying to shove away the person. "Stop." You went limp when you heard Alexia's voice. 

"You're okay." Everything had happened so fast that Alexia still couldn't really comprehend what just happened. You let out a little laugh as you looked at the guy again, watching as he was now being handcuffed. 

"Fucking asshole," you muttered, making Alexia pinch your hip. "He is," you shrugged. "Come here," Marta grabbed your arm and led you back to the locker room while Alexia's dealt with everything. 

"I just got attacked by a guy you forced me to apologize to," you whined to her. By the look she had on her face, she felt bad. 

"Quires dulces?" She asked, trying to distract you. "Si." You smiled at the team as you stepped into the locker room. 

"I was attacked," you said casually. "What?" Patri questioned, "The asshole attacked me." Claudia snorted, making everyone turn to her. 

"You just let him?" Marta glared at her, signaling for her to stay quiet before you started ranting about it. It was too late, though. "Of course not, Pina. He's lucky Alexia grabbed me, or else I would be walking out in handcuffs to" 

"Well, at least he's going to jail." Mapi shrugged. You smiled at that. "And Marta is getting me candy." 

"What? That's not fair!" Salma protested, and everyone agreed with her. "She's a child, buy your own candy."

Everyone froze when Alexia came in, a stern look on her face. "We're pressing charges on him," she simply said, making everyone nod. Whatever La Reina said, everyone just went along with it. 

"As for you," Alexia turned her attention to you now. You gulped, hiding behind Marta. "Estas bien?" You nodded.

"Good, but you can't let those people get to you. If you react, they'll do it more. We won, that's all that matters. Don't let an angry fan take that away from you." 

"Yes, Ale," you muttered, watching as everyone fell back into their little celebrations now. You joined Patri and Salma in their singing, trying to keep up, at least. 

One thing was for sure, you were going to enjoy eating your butt off at Alexia's mama's place while that guy sleeps in a cell.

[lucyandalexiafan]

Car ride home | Alexia Putellas x reader

Summary: you have a big crush on Alexia, everyone makes jokes about this but Ale doesn't seem to understand, and you have to come back (to your) home with her after a three-day camp. What could possibly happen? Warnings: little "sexual" contact (hand on inner things), allusion to sex, little age gap not defined (something like five or six years).

Words: 2018.

Do not copy, translate or claim my works and fics as your own; if I find out I will report them and block you. Instead, write to me, my directs are always open, and ask me if you can publish your work/fic inspired by one of mine. However, you can reblog them!

“Are you coming home with me, little one?”

 I blush and try to protest.

 “Don't try, you won't take two trains to come back to Barcelona after a three-day camp”

The authoritative tone, an eyebrow raised as if she is daring me to protest.

I nod looking at her.

The others giggle.

Mapi messes up my hair.

She smiles mischievously.

She hugs me.

"See you Monday"

Behind her Ingrid waves her hand to greet me, a sweet smile on her face.

Ale snorts and there is more laughter, I look at the ground embarrassed.

“None of them will ever do something anyway” Marta adds.

I look at her, eyes slightly wider open.

Why do they keep insisting on joking about this?

Ona grabs my shoulder, laughing under her breath.

“Won’t you?”

“And that's it - Ale replies irritated – Bebita, do you have everything?”

I nod, slightly intimidated by the tone.

Is she mad at me?

I grab my bag and wave to the others, then follow her towards her SUV.

The trunk is already open.

She put her suitcase on the right, I put mine on the left and, on top of it, my backpack; I just take from it my phone before sitting next to her.

“I'm not mad at you, little one”

I blush at the nickname, looking at my hands.

“I'm sorry they always make jokes” I whisper guiltily, as if it were my fault.

It was so complicate bonding with her. She was the most reluctant to talk to me or communicate with me, the one that was cold from the beginning and very strict on the field; but she was like that only with me.

I had a crush on her even before we played together, but I never said it to her.

The fear of making mistakes is a constant in my friendship with her.

The fear of saying one word too much, making a rude joke or being intrusive.

The fear of ruining the friendship.

“Don't worry - she turns on the car - Put on some music, would you?”  She asks, handing me her cell phone.

I grab it, thinking about how the others had reacted when they saw me unlock it to change the song in the locker room when she asked me to.

How much they gossiped because no one knew her phone password. Not even Mapi knew it.

I put on a quiet 80s song that I know she likes.

Her free hand, due to the automatic control machine, is on her thigh.

After a while she points me to a town that can be seen from the road, she tells me that she had played one of her first women's soccer matches there.

Then, casually, she places her hand on my knee.

I hold my breath trying to act normal even though my heart is racing.

The thumb caresses my skin left bare by the short shorts.

“Did you enjoy the camp?”

“Mh?”  I ask, her eyes focused on his hand.

“If it bothers you, I'll take it off,” she whispers, giggling, her gaze fixed on the road.

“I… no, it doesn't bother me - the face getting hot - sorry���.

She chuckles turning left.

The hand goes up a little.

I move my leg towards her seat, spreading them apart.

She smiles slyly.

If possible, I am even more embarrassed by the gesture.

But I've been dreaming about this contact for months. A less innocent, less friendly, physical contact, something more than a hug.

I'm doing it wrong?

The next song starts and is her favorite.

“This is beautiful, I love it”

I smile nodding.

Her thumb pet my skin just under my shorts.

This is the first time we have had this contact.

What does it mean?

“So the camp?

Did you like it?"

I nod vigorously.

I turn towards her with my torso and her hand goes higher, about halfway up my thigh, under my shorts.

Fingers touching the inside of the thigh.

I gasp in surprise.

I try to recover quickly. “The… yes, it was n-nice” I reply, swallowing my saliva.

A nail scrapes across my skin and I feel a knot in my belly.

I gasp.

She starts talking about camp.

Of what I liked.

Of what could have been done better.

Of the coach.

I am too focused on her hand, on the humidity between my legs and concentrating on breathing to listen to her.

How long have you wanted this contact?

It means something doesn't it?

I mean, why else would it mean touching my inner thigh?

We had gotten closer in the last two months, it's true. We live six hundred meters from each other and, since I don't have a car, she accompanied me to the training and home quite every day.

But I didn't think she could look at me like that. She never showed any signs of it and she always said that I was too young, even though in the team there were relationships with multiple years of age difference. The others laughed about it and kept making more or less veiled jokes about the fact that we spent so much time together.

After a while of always seeing me arriving and going home with Ale, watching the way that we interact, the girls with whom I had bonded most in the few months since the beginning of my first year at Barcelona had asked me if I liked her.

I was at Lucy and Ona's house for a movie night, but I realized it was a trap the moment I entered the apartment and saw only the two that were living there, Aitana, Caro and Marta. I mean, it was a weird combination of people for a movie night knowing that Aitana is a person who talks a lot during movies, while Marta and Caro want absolute silence, and most of the team love the movie night, so why did there were few of them during a Thursday night?

I blushed as I looked at the ground when Aitana asked it; what I was supposed to say? Lying when it was so obvious to them was not the best decision, so I didn’t say something. After a few seconds Lucy hugged me giggling and Ona, while she was cooking, told me that "obviously she's feeling the same".

“We'll be home in ten minutes” she whispers.

I nod, snapping out of my thoughts.

"What are you thinking about?"

I observe her.

She smiles looking at the road.

Why is she so beautiful?

“I… nothing important”.

“Everything you think is important, little one”

I bite my lip.

She had started calling me that after dinner at her house, one of those we shared at the end of training when we came home late and didn't feel like eating alone, when I told her that I liked it as a nickname.

She had started using it in front of everyone after a couple of weeks and it was so nice to know that she had a nickname just for me; sometimes, when Ale is using it in front of Mapi, Mapi begins calling me the same, making jokes about us.

“Maybe you think of a boy or girl?”

I raise my eyebrow and she looks at me.

“Maybe you are thinking to someone, you're young and there's nothing wrong”

“Are you thinking of anyone?” I asked quickly without answering her.

I freeze at the idea that she does it and the person is not me.

Her hand rises higher when she stops abruptly the car in front of a traffic light; her middle finger which, if it were fully extended, would touch my soaked panties.

I moan at the idea.

I close my eyes.

“Actually, there is a person”

I widen my eyes.

I watch her.

“At first I tried to pretend that I didn't like her because she's younger than me and I've never had something with younger people-“

“You talk as if you were fifty,” I reply.

“Well, I'm twenty-nine.”

“How many does he have?”

“She - she replies - She, it's a she”

I bite my lip.

Even worse.

Overtaken by a woman.

A cursed and lucky woman.

“When… when did you understand?”

I hesitate when her fingers start to move exploring my inner thigh, my groin.

Why is she doing this to me if she has someone else on her mind?

“You know, for a series of reasons we found ourselves very close for a couple of days and at the end I had to accept that I like her - she smiles - And from there I look for every opportunity to talk to her or be together”

“She is a lucky girl,” I whisper.

She asks me to repeat when the car stops at a red traffic light.

Is possible that all the traffic lights are red?

The universe hates me.

Her eyes in mine.

I get lost watching her.

She is so beautiful… so perfect.

Her eyes, her nose, her cheeks…

“Mh?”

I open and close my mouth a couple of times when I feel her fingers brush the elastic of my underwear.

Should I move away?

I want it so bad, but I don't want her to do something with me just because maybe she can't be with that girl.

“She's lucky, the girl – whisper – Does she know?”

She giggles.

“You know, I don't think she has any idea of ​​the effect she has on me”

I close my eyes.

“She is so innocent and she gets embarrassed so often that her cheeks are always red… they are so adorable”

The gaze returns to the road.

She turns the wheel with one hand, turning left again.

She's so hot while she's driving.

Her fingers move, touching my skin.

But…

“She's a bit shy, but with the rest of the team she's much more relaxed than with me… I think I make her a bit uncomfortable”

Team?

I turn to her, her eyes wide, when I realize she's talking about me.

Cheeks on fire.

Is this happening?

“I can smell your arousal up here little girl – she tells me, looking at me while she parks the car under her house – You are so sensitive”

I gasp for air when she runs her tongue over her lower lip

I hold my breath when the tip of her finger goes under my underwear.

“Can I kiss you little one?”

I widen my eyes at the request.

I nod quickly.

She kisses me.

It's a slow kiss at first.

The lips playing with each other, the tongues coming into contact.

Her lips are soft.

The other hand, the one that is not between my legs, caresses my cheek.

Such a sweet gesture and in contrast to what she did throughout the trip.

I gasp as she moves the hand down my neck.

She smiles on my lips.

She breaks the kiss slightly.

I look at her scared, eyes open.

What if she just wanted to kiss me?

If it's not-

“Tell me you want me to stop and I'll stop — I shake my head at her, her hand still on my neck — Or tell me you want it and we'll go to my apartment.”

I nod.

I bite my lip.

I try to kiss her, but she moves her head away, the hand on my neck squeezing lightly.

I moan.

“The words little girl”

I moan loudly.

I squeeze my thighs together, her hand closed in the grip of my thighs.

“Can we go to your apartment?  Please?"

She smiles before kissing me hard.

She turns off the car and takes the keys out of the car.

I get out of the car at the same time as her and she locks it.

I start to walk to the building but she grabs my hand.

Her lips are immediately on mine, her hand caressing my cheek.

I moan when the other grabs my hip covered only by my t-shirt.

She smiles.

“So sensitive”

I bite my lip blushing while she grins openly.

Hi! This is my first fanfic and the first time that I try to write something in English that is not for school, so please be kind ahah; if you find some mistakes or if you have some advice write to me pls:)

[wosoragebaiter69]

BEACH!

barça femeni x teen!reader

request: here

A/N: i have cricket training today :( and my family decided to act like we were in an episode of the kardashians yesterday

TW: Coarse Language

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Today was going to be a fun day, the team were going to the beach for a couple days. Because… well why not? I’ve always loved the beach so when I was asked if I wanted to come, there is no other answer other than yes.

I look out to the white sandy beach, it’s so inviting and immediately run over with my stuff. Alexia, Marta and Irene do most of the carrying but some of the older girls carry some things as well. Not me though.

I place my items on the ground and take the time to actually look around. We’re in a cove, it’s pretty secluded, there’s a beach house we’re staying in for the next few days and it’s pretty big considering we all have to stay in it. We agreed that us younger girls could go straight to the beach while the older girls do all the other boring stuff.

Jana jumps on my back and I stumble forward into the ground beneath me.

“Janaaaa” I whine.

“Whattt.” She mocks me.

“This place is GORGEOUS.” She remarks looking around at the cliffs, crystal clear water and slight rainforest.

“I know right, so many fun things to do. What first?” I ask, her eyes light up.

“We should swim and find any cool areas that we can hide away from overbearing people.” She smirks.

“That’s a great idea, let’s go!” I run into the water, feeling the cool liquid against the heat of summer I felt before. I dive in when just deep enough, Jana is behind me. Patri and Pina are chasing each other on the shore as Bruna and Salma film them.

I swim to the edge of the cove where the cliffs are and after some swimming I come across a cave system.

“Jana! Look, a cave!” She swims over and looks at the small cave, it’s enough to fit a couple people and has a little beach, just out of sight from the main shore.

“Woah, we could have like a campfire here at night.”

“You think Alexia would let us leave? No chance Jana.” She sighs.

“There’s a thing called sneaking out and we both know she goes to sleep at like 10pm.” I stare at her with a blank expression.

“Ok, let’s go back now. I saw JetSkis and want to ride one. We probably need ‘adult supervision’ though.” She nods her head and we make our way back to shore.

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“Where were you two?” Ingrid says as Jana and I walk up and out of the water.

“Swimming.” I say, she looks disappointed.

“Maybe stay where we can see you so Alexia doesn’t freak out. You’re lucky she’s keeping occupied with her own stuff.” She shakes her head.

“Sorry Ingrid.” Jana says but the Norwegian just smiles.

“It’s ok, I just don’t want to feel the wrath of Alexia come down on me or anyone.” I nod in understanding then Mapi walks out of the house in her own bikini. I notice Ingrid’s gaze on her.

“You guys make me sick.” I make a gagging noise and turn away.

“You will learn one day nena.” Mapi wraps her arm around me.

“I hope not. Anyways, could we go on one of those JetSkis? Pleaseeee.” I ask and she immediately agrees.

“Yayy, vamosss!” Jana goes to speak with Bruna as Mapi and I walk over to where the 2 water mobiles are parked.

“Ok so am I driving or are you?” She asks.

“Could I?” She nods.

“I’ll teach you, get on and let’s do this thing.” She instructs me to get on and turn the JetSki on. She then says to initially take it slow because going to fast straight away will make the vehicle unstable. I do as told and slowly get faster.

“This is fun!” I say, as waves crash over the top of us.

“You’ve got it nena! Now you can go a little faster if you leave this cove, are you ok with that?” I eagerly nod my head and speed up to where there’s more water and less land.

We drive pretty fast as we crash into different waves and water splashes all over us, it’s really such a euphoric experience.

As the fuel starts running low, Mapi guides me back to where we are needed, the sun has started to set by now and everyone is chilling either in the water, on the beach or on the beach house patio.

We make our way up the shore and I’m exhausted, people are very right when they say JetSkiing is tiring. I plonk on the ground next to Keira and place my head against her shoulder.

“Bit tired are ya?” She says laughing slightly.

“Damn JetSkis man, so tiring.” I grumble.

“Well, I heard dinner will be soon. Not sure who’s making it since we’re all here but who knows.” She pats my leg and Lucy walks over.

“Hey kid, wanna play volleyball? We don’t have enough players on our team and I have selected you.” Suddenly feeling a burst of energy, I nod and follow her.

On our team is Salma, Ona, Lucy, Frido and I. On the other side is Patri, Claudia, Jana, Esmee and Cata. Bruna has made herself the referee.

“Lucy I’m not sure why you chose me because I’ve never played volleyball in my life.”

“Doesn’t your school offer it?” She questions.

“Just because my school offers it does not mean I do it. It clashes with tennis season!” Even though I play football, tennis has also been a big part of my life and I still play competitively.

“Well kid, use that hand eye coordination with your arms and you’ll be right.” I nod and get ready.

It’s a pretty nice game, it’s close but our team is winning, everything is going smoothly until Cata hits a ball too hard and heads straight for my nose. I fall back.

“Ow.” I whimper and feel liquid run down my face.

“Shit!” Lucy whispers.

“You alright kid? Move your hand away from your nose.” I nod half-heartedly and remove my hands.

“Oof, Alexia’s gonna freak!” As her name is said, she magically appears out of nowhere and leans down narrowing her eyes.

“Come on, you’re not playing anymore.” I open my mouth to argue but she shuts it down.

“Bye guys! By losers!” I shout to the other team who look slightly off-put.

Alexia takes me inside making sure I’ve got all the sand off before. She leads me to a bathroom and gets a first aid kit.

“Not broken but I will ice it for now. Ok?” I nod, knowing not to mess or argue with her.

After she wipes my face and clears the area, she takes a small ice pack and places it against my nose, taping it down.

“No more volleyball for today, come sit with me and the others and we can talk about anything you like. I think dinner is ready anyways.” I smile.

“Ok, thanks Ale.”

“Anytime.” She kisses my forehead. “Ready to go?” She takes my hand and we go out where food is set on the table and the others have came back from where they were.

The dinner is chaotic, nothing unusual for the girls. It’s a homely feeling to be here with each one of them. Mapi nudges me gently and slides over a small glass of wine.

“Drink. I say it’s a great day to get you to try it, have some fun nena. I spoke to Ale and she’s fine because it’s under supervision even if you and I both know it isn’t your first.” I blush and nod taking it.

“Thanks Maps.” She nods patting my back and I take a sip. It doesn’t taste bad. Mapi smirks and cheers go down the table.

This team and life is everything one could ask for.

[chrisevansonly]

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐰𝐨: 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐓𝐨 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤

𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐜 𝐱 𝐟𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫

𝐬𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬: the day had finally come to bring little matteo to the track. charles had been waiting for this day since he was born, but made sure to wait until you were ready. now matteo is 6 months old and his father couldn’t be more excited to show him everything he could about f1

𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬: mentions of anxiety, harsh media but other than that, lots of fluff!

𝐚/𝐧: here she is! chapter two and man have the past few days been taxing on me, i’m just trying to focus on writing and ignoring everything else so, i hope your enjoying this series and are looking forward to this chapter! it’s a bit on the shorter end but i hope that’s okay, i haven’t been feeling well lately<3

𝐰𝐜: 900 ish…?

🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️

It was finally the long-awaited day, well for Charles at least, where little Matteo was finally going to be heading to the track to watch the grand prix. Well technically you had agreed to qualifying day and if all went well then you would come back for the race on Sunday. It wasn’t like you didn’t want to bring your baby boy to watch his father do what he loves, you were still just an anxious new mom, and your husband knew that.

“Okay, extra bottles…his pacifier, pluto the dog”

“Baby, I think you have everything..”

Shaking your head you paused

“Charles, I need to make sure I have everything because if I don’t and he freaks out I-I just”

“Whoa..okay..”

Charles placed his hands on your shoulders, your eyes coming up to meet his which of course were full of nothing but love for you

“Are you sure you want to come?” he asked, no hint of disappointment at all

“Yes, I do..Char I promise I do..I’m sorry I just am all over the place I suppose”

Charles nodded, understanding exactly where you were coming from, thankfully the two of you were able to have a quiet moment together as Matteo napped before you had to leave

“It’s okay, I know you’re anxious, but we’ll take it one step at a time okay? When I can’t be with you I know Joris or Marta will be right?”

You nodded

“You also know if you need anything at all you can have someone from the team get me right away right..?”

He waited until you nodded once again before pressing a kiss to your forehead

“Right…no you’re right..okay I think I have everything ready to go then”

“Good, then let’s go get the little man and head out!”

-

Monaco was a beautiful city, but on race week and weekend it seemed to get that much more magical. The paddock was no different, familiar faces and friends could be spotted easily, Charles’s family around as well which was perfect for Matteo

“Bonjour petit ours!”

At the sound of Arthur Leclerc’s voice, Matteo squealed as he began to wave his little arms around, the younger Leclerc brother quickly coming over and taking him from you, before leaning forward to pull you in for a hug, placing a kiss on both of your cheeks

“Bonjour chouchou”

“Hi Thur, nice to see a familiar face”

He smiled

“Yes I would think so, this year is a bit crazy, I was just about to walk over to the Ferrari garage if you want company?”

“I’d love that! Where is Carla?”

Matteo placed a hand on Arthur’s cheek as he babbled away, his little eyes looking at everything around him

“Oh she is on her way, i’m sure she’ll be glued to you both”

Ever since you’d started your relationship with Charles and had the chance to meet Carla when she came into Arthur’s life, you’d been super close to one another, it was like having a little sister all in one.

“Well he seems to be quite content to be here”

You smiled as you looked at your little one, his eyes still enamoured by the sights and noises

“I’m surprised, I was so anxious he’d be scared of everything”

“He is a Leclerc, he was born for this.”

Arthur sent you a wink as you both arrived at the garages, truth be told the comment he made had sent a bit of worry throughout you. Charles grew up karting, and it was something he had begun to talk to you about with Matteo, and you were absolutely terrified. Terrified at the thought of him getting in that little kart, terrified to watch him go fast and potentially get hurt. It was a thought for another day.

Matteo had settled back into your arms as his uncle kissed his head and then walked away towards some of his F2 friends he’d spotted, giving you time to bring your baby boy over to the garage. It wasn’t long before he let out his tell tale excited squeal, and it meant he had either spotted his father, or Max Verstappen. Matteo’s relationship with Max was something so adorable, he’d gotten close to the dutch driver from a young age, and he and Kelly had always been two of the first people you’d call to babysit, besides your mother in law of course.

“Hey there little speed demon!”

You rolled your eyes at Max as he was quick to come over and take Matteo from you

“Oh sorry Y/N didn’t even see you there” he teased

“Sure, no I totally understand, I’m virtually invisible when I’ve got this cutie with me”

Max went to rebuttal when an arm slipped around your waist and a pair of lips pressed to your temple

“Tu n’es jamais invisible pour moi, chérie”

“Aww merci bébé!”

Leaning into Charles you laughed as Max was quick to cover Matteo’s eyes

“Come on, we need to escape, too much grossness here for you baby leclerc!”

“Bring him back before quali please!”

Charles yelled as Max began to walk away, the red bull driver yelling a ‘you got it!’ back before it was just you and your husband.

“How are you feeling now?” he asked letting you lean further into his side, knowing you needed a bit more comfort, especially when Matteo wasn’t around

“A bit better, Teo’s been loving every second..I should have known everything would be okay”

“No, it’s okay to be anxious you know that, it’s his first time here…I know you’re anxious right now knowing he’s not with you”

You hated how easily he could read you, and man did he know you inside and out like a book

“He’s safe with Max, i’m sure he’s gone to see Kelly as well, if you want I can call him?” he offered which had you shaking your head

“Oh no, let him enjoy his time, though i’m sure Maman will be over soon begging to take him, I think she’s jealous of Max”

This had Charles laughing as he nodded in agreement

“Yes she was telling me the other day that he spends far too much time with Max”

“We’re so lucky aren’t we?”

“We are.”

It always occurred to you that unlike some families you would never ever run out of love, in fact you had an abundance of it. From your friends and family, to Charles’s friends and family. Matteo would always grow up with so many people around him that adored him just as much as you and Charles did.

Even if there was a deeper conversation waiting and gnawing at you to be had, it could wait for another day. Right now you only wanted to focus on your family and Matteo as he got his first taste at Formula One track life. Nothing could wipe the smile off your face seeing how happy your boys were. Charles had settled into being a father so gracefully, managing his time at work and at home in a way that had you so grateful.

“It’s almost quali..we should go find Teo”

“Good idea, Max has stolen my son enough!”

Shaking your head, Charles took your hand and began to walk towards the one spot you knew where he would be. Soon enough, you saw your little boy laughing and clapping as he was entertained by not only Max but Christian as well.

At least you knew if Ferrari didn’t pick him when he got older Red Bull would.

english translations:

Bonjour petit ours - hello little bear

Bonjour chouchou - hello sweetheart

Tu n’es jamais invisible pour moi, chérie - you are never invisible to me baby

Aww merci bébé - thank you baby

ʚlittle karter series tag list

@goldenmclaren @a1leexxa @piastricodedfr @treehouse-mouse @therealcap @goldenalbon @wintfleur

[queen-of-reptiles]

𝚆𝙷𝙰𝚃 𝙻𝙾𝙾𝙺𝚂 𝙶𝙾𝙾𝙳?

description: in which charli meets her future girlfriend in a coffee shop in london problem however - she’s bethany england’s cousin

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charli grant x female reader

disclaimer: this is all fiction! Do not take any of this seriously.

warnings: language, cuteness

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y/n smiley :))

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y/f/n1: vibe 😎

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y/n: ikr 😏

y/f/n2: so many smiley faces

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y/n: 🙂🙂🙂

y/f/n3: ☺️☺️

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y/n: 😘😘

bethanyengland4: 💙💙

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y/n: 💙💙

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username1: omg who is this ?!?!??

y/f/n4: that night was a weird vibe tbf

^

y/f/n5: i blame y/n 🤷‍♀️

^

y/n: oi fucker

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y/f/n6: you kiss your mother with that mouth 😏

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y/n: no but i kiss yours 😏

mart.thomas: what fun!!

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y/n: love you marta !!

^

username2: how does she know the spurs girls ?!

username3: 🧐🧐

y/f/n7: coffee, fashion, night out, wanna be aesthetic, bethany, TRAIN, daisy and the best band set up ever

^

daisy_c1: thanks for the info 😭

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y/n: why did he just dissect my post lmao

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daisy_c1: oi leave him alone - he can do whatever he wants 🖕

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y/n: you wanna fight 🧐

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daisy_c1: Y E S

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y/n hummed as she flipped another chair over, the morning sun slowly pushing through London, Bulls Cross road was just starting to get busy as people rushed toward the centre of London for work.

y/n flipped the sign at the door, smiling at Daisy the two workers letting out a joint sigh as they waited for the usual morning rush the coffee shop always had.

Since y/n could remember, her parents had wanted to own a coffee shop, and when y/n's father passed away when she was 18, her mum decided to do it.

The woman baked the best sweet treats and savoury paninis which people adored, she and her five kitchen staff worked out back - switching shifts and y/n with her rotated seven out front worked serving the customers.

y/n enjoyed the ability to bond with people over drinks, and the fact she and her mother mainly employed college/university kids who really enjoyed working and did so with a smile.

The bell echoed and the three shared a look before bursting into it, rushing and bustling as they worked swiftly for the next two hours, battling the morning rush, until the clock finally hit 9am.

"Oh my god!" Daisy groaned, the two slumping onto the counter in relief that the cafe was finally empty. The bell went once more and y/n sighed.

"Slacking on the job?" A voice asked, an amused tone shining through.

"Beth!" y/n grinned, rushing over to her cousin who scooped her up in a tight hug.

"Hey mini!" Bethany cheered. "Here for my morning dose of caffeine!" She adds and y/n nods as Daisy starts making Bethany's usual coffee order.

"How are you?" y/n asked her cousin as she moves back behind the counter.

"Good, we have a new signing starting today, so I'm excited." Bethany nods and y/n smiles.

"Yeah, Charlie Grant right? The Australian?" y/n asks and Bethany nods.

"You do pay attention, you do care!" Bethany says, grinning at the fact her cousin, who didn't really like football knew who their new signing was.

"Meh, a little bit." y/n laughs, holding up her pointer finger and her thumb to make a small space between them.

The two cousin's share a laugh before Daisy hands Bethany her coffe, the woman thanking her as Daisy shrugs it off, miming to y/n she was going to go outside for a minute and have a vape which y/n allows with a nod and a smile.

"I will see you tonight yeah, for dinner?" Bethany asks y/n who nods happily.

"Yeah of course." y/n smiles and Bethany grins, leaning over to press a kiss to her younger cousin's cheek.

"See you tonight! Love you." Bethany calls.

"Love you too!" y/n calls out, before the door shuts and the cafe is quiet once more.

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Only twenty minutes after Bethany had got her coffee the door opened again and a blonde wondered in, eyes wide as she looked around at the menu, mouth every so often moving along with the words of the items on the menu.

Daisy had been sent to get some school work done in the staff area out the back, y/n telling her to come back just before quarter to eleven, which was when their lunch rush would start until 2 - Leonard would also be in by then and then once 3 hit Daisy would go home.

"Hiya, can I help?" y/n asked, a smile on her face as the girl looked at her and her cheeks reddened.

"Oh, hi. Um, what's good in here?" The woman asked and y/n smiled at her.

"Depends, what do you like the look of?" y/n asked, turning to look at the menu which was big enough to have some variety on but not stupidly big.

"I like the look of you." The girl said, seemingly without thinking and y/n's head snapped to her, the girl covered her mouth in embarrassment and y/n giggled.

"Thank you, however I am not on the menu." y/n laughed and the girl giggled slightly. "I'm y/n." She added, holding out her hand.

"Charli." The girl introduced, shaking y/n's hand.

"I'm guessing from the accent, you're not for around here?" y/n asks.

"No, I'm from the motherland of Australia." Charli smiles and y/n chuckles.

"Well Charli, welcome to London! Now what can I get for ya?" y/n asked.

Once Charlie had ordered her drink, y/n got on with making it quick and putting it in a to go cup. She then handed it to the woman opposite, ignoring the way their finger bushed as Charli took it.

"Can I get your number, maybe you could show me around London, y'know?" Charli asks and y/n smiles.

"Tell you what, come back tomorrow morning, and I'll give you my number." y/n nods and Charli grins brightly.

"Okay, I'll see you tomorrow chick!" Charli before she leaves the cafe and y/n smiles.

"Wasn't that Bethany's new signing?" Daisy asks, y/n jumping in shock having not heard her appear in the back doorway.

"Maybe." y/n chuckled, Daisy rolling her eyes playfully. "What?" y/n asks. "She's really really hot." She adds and Daisy chuckles, grabbing a diet coke at the fridge and going back to studying.

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daisy_c1 just posted on her story

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y/n just posted on their story

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y/n huffed as she pushed through the restaurant door, moving toward the loud noise of what she was sure were the Tottenham players.

She lid off her coat, her relaxed yet classy dress being on display as she moved toward the table, Becky being the first one to notice her and get up.

"y/n!" Becky cheered, pulling the girl in for a hug.

"Hi Becks!" y/n smiles hugging her as several of the team also raised to their feet. After doing her rounds and saying hi to everyone, y/n noticed Bethany and Charli walking back from the bar, clearly having ordered some non-alcoholic drinks for everyone.

"There she is!" Bethany cheers, moving over to y/n and pulling her in for a tight hug. y/n looked over Bethany's shoulder, winking cheekily at Charli who was watching her with wide shocked eyes.

"Hi Beth, you okay?" y/n asks pulling away, her cousin nodded as she dragged Charli over.

"Charli, this is my cousin and the best coffee maker in town, y/n." Bethany smiles.

"Hi." y/n smiles offering her hand.

"Hey." Charli nods, shaking her hand as Bethany pulls y/n down to sit, Charli the other side.

"I ordered you your usual?" Bethany asks her cousin and y/n nods thanking her with a kiss on your cheek. Bethany then gets into a conversation with Marta, so y/n turns to Charli.

"So, Bethany is your cousin?" Charli asks. "My captain?" She asks again and y/n chuckles.

"Still want my number?" y/n asks hopefully.

"You are really fit." Charli sighs and y/n chuckles, the two sharing a laugh. "I guess you'll just have to see if I come in tomorrow." Charli hums.

"You better." y/n warns and Charli just giggles, before the two turn to separate people to talk.

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The next morning, y/n went through the rush and the watched the door impatiently, hoping to see a familiar blonde walk through the door.

At 9.05am y/n sighed and assumed Charli had gone straight to training so started making herself a hot chocolate, and one for one of the newbies that was currently studying out back.

"Can I get some service?" A voice asks and y/n jumps, turning to see Charli waiting with a cheeky grin. y/n furrows her brows wondering how she didn't here the bell of the door.

"You came." y/n said with a small smile.

"Well you see, there's a really good offer on the table of this beautiful chicks number." Charli sighs and y/n chuckles.

"Oh yeah, want me to go get her?" y/n asks and Charli nods.

"Would ya? She's stunning and may be related to the Tottenham women captain." Charli nods.

y/n chuckles before spinning on the spot and mockingly gasping at Charli, as if she didn't know she was there, at this Charli bursts into laughter.

"Charli, lovely to see you." y/n smiles and Charli smiles softly back.

"So..." Charli says, resting against the counter.

"You looking for this?" y/n asks, holding up a napkin with her number scrawled across.

"Yes I am indeed." Charli nods, leaning over and snatching it from y/n's hand before she could blink. The blonde had the number in her phone and ringing quickly.

y/n's phone vibrated on the side and Charli nodded, happy to know that the number was correct and y/n now had her number. y/n chuckled slightly as she grabbed her phone and added Charli as a contact.

"I have to go." Charli says softly. "But do you think we could meet up, outside of Spurs dinners and coffee shop counters?" Charli asks and y/n smiles softly, texting across her answer.

to charli: tomorrow here, 7pm.

Charlie looks up back at y/n, a bright smile on her face when she realises they are going on a date and she nods her head.

"Okay, I'll see you tomorrow." Charli nods before leaning over the counter and pecking y/n's cheek. "Bye!" Charli calls before rushing out.

y/n bit her lip, smiling softly before running a hand over her cheek, she then sighs and opens her phone quickly texting Bethany, who replies far quicker than expected.

to bethyyyy <3: if I asked to date one of your team-mates, what would you say? x

from bethyyyy <3: this abt Charli?

to bethyyyy <3: wtf - what the actual fuck - how did...

from bethyyyy <3: please a lesbian always knows

to bethyyyy <3: hahahahahahahah

from bethyyyy <3: go for it btw! xx

to bethyyyy <3: love you x

from bethyyyy<3: love you too xx

y/n smiled as she looked up from her phone, before grinning at the ceiling and fist bumping herself - all she had to do was take Charli to a good first date. And she had just the place.

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y/n umm hi everyone ?

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y/f/n1: soooooo many people omg 😶😶

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y/n: 🫣🫣

y/f/n2: a lotta coffeee that day ! 😝

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y/n: it was quite the day ! 😅

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y/f/n2: 😂😂

username1: is it me or is she so pretty ?!! 😍😍

samanthakerr20: was great to meet you pookie !! I WILL BE RETURNING FOR YOUR MOTHERS CAKES 😍😍

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y/n: 🥰😘

beckyspencer91: that night was so good ‘kiss me martinis’ yummm 😌😌

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y/n: 💋💋

username2: so she’s bethany’s cousin?!?!

charli_grant: i need to STOP taking selfies on your phone ! 😭

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y/n: no I like them !! ☺️

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cailtlinfoord: ‘no i like them’ 😶

daisy_c1: omg those flowers 😍😍

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y/n: you got them for me ?!!!!

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daisy_c1: i know i just wanted to make sure everyone knew what a great bff i am ☺️

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charli_grant: 🚨 DAISY IS A GREAT BEST FRIEND 🚨

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y/n: 😂😂😂

bethanyengland4: love you little one!!

^

y/n: Love you tooo!!!!!

kyracooneyx: that last photo took Charli and I wayyyyy to long to do 😅

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y/n: in the rain as well

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charli_grant: NO Y/N WAIT YOU HAVE TO GET THE AESTHETIC ANGLE - kyra after making us stand in the rain for five minutes 🙄

see more comments...

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y/n chuckled as her phone continued to go off, neither her or Charli bothered as they continued to skate around the empty roller rink, everyone having gone home.

y/n held her hand out for Charli, the blonde grasping it as they rolled over the wood, singing along to the music as they did so, Charli pulled y/n slightly, arms wrapping around her waist as she pulled the girl into her chest.

y/n breathed in shock, arms wrapping around Charli's shoulders as the blonde skates them both, y/n not attempting to skate backwards, just letting Charli bring her along.

"I really enjoyed tonight." Charli whispered quietly, pushing a strand of hair away from y/n's eyes.

"Does that mean you want another one?" y/n asks hopefully, Charli smiling as she skates them toward the exit.

"I'd love to." Charli nods, as she holds y/n's hands, letting her get from the rink.

"Yeah?" y/n asks, smiling as Charli nods.

"Yeah." Charli smiles, the two taking their skates off and thanking the workers before sliding their trainers back on and walking back outside.

"Come on, there is one more thing to do." y/n smiles, dragging Charli toward her car where the two get in, turning the heat on to keep them warm as y/n drives to a spot just outside the woods, the Tottenham training centre the other side of them.

"Have you brought me here to kill me?" Charli asks as they get out, coats zipped up.

"Shut up." y/n laughs.

"No, cause I warn ya, I'm scrappy." Charli says and y/n laughs more.

"Oh shush." y/n hums climbing onto the roof of her Volvo. "Come on." She adds as she lays back, Charli joining her with a furrowed brow.

"What are ya doing chick?" Charli asks her.

"Lie down and look up Charl." y/n says, Charli doing as she was told, a gasp falling from her lips. "Out here, the light pollution isn't as bad, so you can actually see all the stars." y/n smiles at her.

"It's beautiful." Charli says, y/n humming in agreement as she watches the scene above her. "Thank you for tonight, it's been fantastic." Charli admits softly.

"I think the company's been the best thing." y/n says, turning her head to face Charli, the blonde doing the same.

"You know, I would agree." Charli smiles softly, her hand reaching out to find y/n's, the two linking their fingers as they turn back to the stars.

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charli_grant just posted on her story

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END

okay there will deffo be a part two to this but once I have fought my way through requests!

-

Queenie! x

[formulapookie]

✨💍

under the cut to read on Tumblr, here to read on Ao3 (thank you @thesunthemoonthestarstheearth for being my beta reader)

Written in the stars rosquez, 4.5k words

It's sunny in Romagna today, but not the bothersome heated sunny day that gets you irritated.

It’s still fresh, a light breeze breathing, letting a chill temperature on all the guests.

People are seated, they’re talking, some more some less, who has a more hushed tone, who has raised their voice already.

Vale is anxious. He’s sweating a bit under the collar of the shirt, his fingers are twisting around one another, he can’t seem to stay still.

Luca gets a hand on his shoulder, it relaxes him a bit, but he’s still tense as a branch.

He can see many of his friends and family, even Graziano is there.

Marta with her and Luca’s kid is looking at him with pride in her eyes, as are Migno, Franky and Cele, giving him a thumbs up as they notice his stress levels spiking.

Uccio is not there, and he gets that, but still, it hurts a bit.

“Vale,” it’s Pecco’s voice calling him from a bit behind, he turns, meeting eyes with the boy “relax, it’s all going to be perfect” Vale nods, smiles, even if he can’t help looking at his left every three seconds with anticipation.

The location is really pretty, the trees cover the space and offer some repair from sunlight, and cool it down a little.

He hears Bezz and Pecco laughing about something, he snaps his head back, admonishing them with a gaze, and the two shut up, even if they still have a smug grin on their faces.

“Why am I so anxious Luca? Ooh God, I’m gonna die” he turns towards his brother, who has an understanding smile on, and grabs him by the shoulders.

“Vale. Pecco said it already, we all told you like fifty times this week only. It’s going to be perfect ok? This right here is destiny, fate, call it whatever you want. It’s all good, I checked it thousands of times.

Don’t worry Vale, really.”

He does a quick work of calming himself down, breathing in out, in out, in out.

Slowly, each breath is taken and released as if it’s the last.

His nails have now scratched his palms way more than usual, he feels the skin hot and sweaty under his own fingers.

His mind shuts up when he hears music starting to raise, voices dissolving and even the wind seemingly quieting down.

He breathes robotically again. In, out. In, out.

And then his thoughts become only one. Marc.

He’s walking with Julia down the short carpet leading them to the altar, the quartet of strings they booked playing a soft tune they came to love while spending time at the Ranch.

Marc is smiling so bright, it’s blinding., Hhe’s got his gaze fixated on Vale, who can’t keep a straight face and begins crying.

He can’t help it, he’s so beautiful, radiant, he seems like a god or an ethereal creature from some fantasy book written in the past.

He’s dressed in all white, light as a cloud and bright like snow, reflecting the sun. Vale feels like he could write poems about him right now.

Marc is crying a little too, but Vale is unbeatable, he can barely see the love of his life through all the tears he’s shedding.

“You are perfect” he mouths to Marc, who blushes and smiles ever broader than before “you too”.

They are lost in each other’s eyes, the officiant begins speaking, and after a ritual introduction asks the two to read out their vows.

Marc begins, his voice and hands trembling, he’s speaking in Italian the whole time, Vale smiles, he’s truly found the best love he could ask for.

He talks about the beauty of sharing so much together, of the light he had when he first met Valentino, of the fact they struggled, not referring directly to the wound it left.

He talks about how they overcame the many difficulties of being who they were, of their undying love that has always been greater than whatever obstacle they were put through, by themselves or others.

Vale and Marc aren’t the only ones crying, most people have tears in their eyes, Bezz is trying to keep his composure but he’s sniffing like those are his own vows.

Then it’s Vale’s turn.

He hesitates for a moment, his voice is caught up in his throat. 

But then he looks at Marc, to him, perfection made human.

And everything is calm. Tthere’s only love and joy in his heart.

His whole speech is written in Ccatalan, he’s revised it with Alex millions of times to make sure everything was how it should be. Perfect.

“Marc, I didn't think I would’ve ever seen you like this after what we went through, after the pain I dragged us both through as if I didn't care about you, about us.

But this moment, imagining and playing out in my head the day when I would’ve called you mine forever got me going, it gave me hope and made me take the step forward to come to you and tell you I was sorry, for everything I did and for every lie I believed or convinced myself of.

Not even when I said it have I ever meant I hated you, because it’s just impossible to feel that towards you” 

He stops for a bit, catching his breath, Marc is smiling like a baby, Alex has a proud look on his face, and he can hear Bezz crying as quietly as he can behind his brother and Pecco.

“I am sure nothing I’ll ever say will truly make you or anyone else understand what I feel for you, my love for you is just impossible to be spoken of, there are no words in any language I could think of to make you understand.

I want to give you the best life you can dream of, because that’s what you deserve.

I can’t say I’ll be perfect and that we will never argue but I will try to be the best for you because I know you’ve already done that all your life for me, and there’s no right compensation for it except doing the same.

Thank you, for always forgiving me, even when I was unforgivable, even when I made you feel like I hated you.

In the end the only thing I can truly say about you is that I love you, and that we will do and struggle through everything together, no matter what happens, because you are the love of my life and I could never think of anyone better than you to share my life with.

You made me believe in love and forever again”

And it’s cheesy, it’s unlikely for Vale to say those things many people wouldcould think.

But in reality it’s just a part of Vale that only Marc could find, clean from the dust it had fallen under, and bring back to life.

Vale is crying, smiling and just looking at Marc like nothing else exists in that moment, and Marc is doing the same.

The officiant asks them to take each other as spouses, and cherish each other always.

Both say I do.

Both are filled with love for each other.

The guests start clapping as the two finally kiss as husbands, the academy boys are all smiling, as are Alex and Dani and Jorge, the last two turning towards each other with honey in their eyes.

After a few hours they’re all at the reception, Vale and Marc seated beside one another, their hands have never broken their hold., Tthey thank everyone for coming there and Vale finally gives the go for food and drinks to flow in.

All the guests cheer, Marc and Vale chat, looking at all their friends happy smiles and laughing

And then they look at each other for the thousandth time that day, Marc has a blush coming up his neck and painting his ears red too, in heavy contrast with the candid white of his suit and smile.

“15 years since we met and still you blush like the first time I told you you were beautiful.” Vale says it nonchalantly, a fond smile painted on his face, planting a chaste kiss on Marc’s lips, smiling in the kiss.

A slightly tipsy Bezz yells from the groomsmen table to “go get a room, we’ve had plenty of you at the Ranch!”, making Marc blush even more and Vale kill his kid with a stare that could cut glass.

Bezz is also admonished by Cele, who’s laughing with him though, Bezz almost spilling the wine he’s served.

The setting of their reception is very cute, hints of blue and yellow for Vale and Red and orange for Marc, not too heavy in contrast but still evident to the eye.

They've gone beyond what they could think of and brought their bikes there too, Vale the M1 with which he won his 2004 championship, for Marc it was the 2013 one, the bike that made him a legend.

They’re placed beside their table, and even when Celin had said it was the cringiest shit they could come up with, they still went for it.

It was their wedding after all, no one else’s.

Sure, they’ve given their blessing to one of the academy boys to propose, but just because they knew that they were gonna be the center of the day anyway.

It doesn’t take long before they are asked to go dance, and it’s now Vale’s turn of being embarrassed.

Marc knows how to dance, hell Marc knows how to do everything at this point. Had he asked him “Can you draw exactly like Leonardo Da Vinci?” he probably could.

Vale on the other hand can barely get two movements right in a row, despite having Marc teach him every move and how to do them correctly.

They dance for a bit, then signal to the others to all flood to the dance floor, and the music changes, going more for a party/dance style which they didn’t let Bezz have a say in., Abecause as Vale said “I don’t want your depressing music playing at my wedding, reserve it for when you think your boyfriend wouldn’t love you if you were a worm.”.

Dickhead.

They are surrounded by love, they are love and in love, continuously kissing each other and never interrupting their smiles.

“Amore mio” calls Vale, and Marc jerks his head towards him with the speed of light “Mh?”. “Ti amo” like he hasn’t said that three thousand times already.

But Marc can’t help smiling at him, it’s so pure, sincere and bright he can’t possibly not smile.

“Jo també”. Vale loves Marc’s accent, how he speaks both in his native language and in Italian. It’s so cute, it makes him feel trusted when Marc speaks catalan, it feels like family.

They get up to dance again, together with the guests, looking at Pedrosa and Lorenzo who are talking to each other like they’re the only ones in the room, asking themselves how long it’ll take the two Spaniards to understand they’re disgustingly in love and should marry right now.

After a while it’s Luca’s turn as Vale’s best man to make a speech.

It’s not too long, filled with small details from their life all together at the Ranch and the strength they had to go on despite everything, and wishing them the best about their future.

Alex, acting as Marc’s best man, gives a similar speech, a bit more focused on Marc’s difficult times when Vale wasn’t there, but otherwise praising the older as much as he could.

They all toasted to the perfect couple they had there, some still not believing they were actually married now, not just in their imagination as it always would’ve been.

Bezz and Celin were dancing a lot, especially the more romantic songs Marc managed to slide into the playlist to force Vale to dance with him.

It soon comes the time to cut the cake, it’s a classic white three tiers cake, but it's decorated with one of the best moments in the couple’s life.

It’s the moment in which, back in 2013, Vale had taken Marc’s hand and almost bowed to him after his first victory in MotoGP, it has both men smiling, thinking of how long ago it was now, 15 years after their first podium together, Marc still a kid worshiping Vale and Vale beginning to break to the idea he could be a real one. 

Again, when they had told the academy, Celin had frowned and said it was once again embarrassing, but the pair had shut him down once more., Iit was their moment, the kid hadn’t lived it through like they did, they didn’t hold it against him.

They cut the cake, Vale playfully steals a bit of whipped cream and puts it on Marc’s nose and lips, Marc doing the same., Iit’s so corny and Mig makes the gag sound making the boys laugh , but ultimately they shut up when they see the love in their friend’s and his now finally husband’s eyes.

Once the cake is takenbrought away Marc decides to go for the throw of the flower bouquet, Vale is already smiling, they’re doing it for one person and one person only.

There’s the countdown and when it hits zero Marc makes the quickest sprint of his life to leave it in the hands of a shocked curly boy who stands with his mouth agape.

Aas Celin turns to his side Bezz is there, a hint of a tear in his eyes, a bit red from wine and all the dances they had together, he’s looking at him with his stupid smile on his face, kneeling, with a small wooden box holding a pretty ring, not nearly as shiny or bold as the one Vale got for Marc but once again, he’s not a millionaire like his boss.

He asks the question with a trembling voice, Pecco and the whole academy waiting with more anxiety than anyone else.

“I- oh my god Bezz I didn’t- yeah yeah of course what yes I want to marry you I- kiss me come on”

Celin stutters through the entire time he speaks., Hhe just can’t believe he got proposed to, like yeah they’ve talked about it., Hhaving a wedding on the track, he’d looked it up, you can do it, then a few laps alone around the circuit just for the two of them and the beautiful view of the sunset on a track they love. 

But being proposed to for real was just…perfect.

Bezz smiles, raising from the ground and putting the ring on his boyfriend’s finger, kissing him softly.

Behind them, Pecco uncorks the Prosecco bottle they reserved for the occasion, spraying the two as if they were on a podium.

Luckily they were smart enough to have a change of clothes, so they gowent to grab them and come back clean, but obviously it took a bit more than it should, celebrating privately must feel great, especially after you’ve just been proposed to. 

Marc and Vale would know something about it for sure.

When Vale proposed it wasn’t a romantic date at the beach, or at a fancy restaurant, or in any elegant city in Europe where the two went on holiday to.

It should’ve been like that, Vale had planned it.

A trip to Capri, the sunset on the sea, his yYacht stalled somewhere fairly far from the shore to have their privacy, two flutes of Prosecco and the marine breeze. 

But instead the proposal had coame in a rush, in a peak of adrenaline and happiness.

At the Ranch, only the two of them present, racing together, trying to beat each other like they always did.

Marc winning, dirtbikes crossing the line with less than a tenth difference, Marc laughing, taking off his helmet and smiling at Vale so kindly he thought it was heaven.

And it just struck him, the beauty and perfection of the one person he always knew was tied to his soul in ways no one else ever could dream of.

So Vale slowly removed his helmet, panting, looking at Marc with a love so pure in his eyes he didn’t even recognise himself.

“Marry me.” it wasn’t even a question, he could fear his ears ringing, time seemingly sitting still for a moment so long it could’ve been eternity., Tthe only thing he could hear was the blood running through his veins, his heart beatingpulsing.

Vale climbed off the bike, removed his gloves and unceremoniously threw them to the ground, taking a speechless Marc still gloved hands in his.

“Marry me.” he repeated it, he needed to do it, he needed Marc to hear it again, to have him realize he actually had asked him to be together their whole life.

“Vale are you- are you” he had tears in his eyes, he never thought the day would’ve come, not with Vale’s insecurity about marriage, not with lots of things going on all at the same time.

“You are really asking me to marry you? You-” and he started to cry, holding Vale tightly in his arms, sobbing and laughing, his laugh mixing with the tears he was shedding.

“Yes. Yes yes yes yes I will marry you!” and Vale was the happiest he had ever been, he was crying too, relief taking over the fear he felt when Marc didn’t respond right away.

“Te amo, Marc. Te amo te amo te amo!” and the kiss they shared was charged with of devotion and promises, love and forever, both of them laughing in the kiss, their bodies glued together.

“I-I should’ve proposed in two weeks, in Capri. Marc I had it all planned I- it was perfect and romantic and instead I just proposed to you wearing dirt-stained leathers at my- our Ranch sorry I wanted it to be perfect I really planned it.”

Marc smiled, so brightly it seemed unreal.

“Vale. I love the idea you had, but you proposing here it’s just as perfect as Capri, I don’t care for expensive or romantic or anything else.

This right here was perfect, in our Ranch, I would marry you even if you asked me while watching your stupid movies or while we fix the bikes.

Ti amo Vale, and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you”

Then they had shared a slow and romantic night, cooking, baking, smiling, making love, falling asleep with the knowledge of a promise.

Marc snaps out the memory when he feels Vale’s body against his, hands intertwining, his husband’s chin on his shoulder, slow dancing at a tune that has all the couples hold each other a bit tighter, their heartbeats becoming closer, their souls touching.

 The rest of the reception is spent between dancing and laughing, a short video projected on the room’s wall featuring moments Marc and Vale shared: holidays, trips, races, podiums.

Marc is smiling, blushing at the pictures during the time they both raced, you could see from kilometers away the love in his eyes when looking at Vale.

As if summoned from his thoughts Vale leans closer to him, and whispers in his ear with a grin.

“I had a few more pictures of you in my phone but I don’t think they’d fit the romantic atmosphere we’re creating here” and that only makes him blush more, kicking the man lightly.

By the time the clock hits three in the morning, people are leavinggoing away, Bezz and Cele disappeared a few more times during the party, always coming back a bit flushed., Tthey were also the last to say goodbye to the couple, Bezz thanking them both for helping him propose, Cele doing the same.

And that way Vale and Marc were the last left in the room, music playing softly in the background, lights dimmed and their eyes shining with love.

Vale holds out his hand, Marc does the same, they reach the center of the room and start dancing, only for themselves, glued to one another, the tune from their wedding opening creating an atmosphere it’s only theirs.

“Ti amo” Marc says, his forehead on Vale’s shoulder, Vale’s on Marc’s.

“Jo també amor meu”.

They stay like this for a while, until Marc suggests they head back to their hotel.

They have two beautiful bikes waiting for them outside, white livery, the writing “just married” on both of them.

They ride tountil the hotel, park their bikes and go inside holding hands, Marc is rubbing his wedding ring, smiling like a child.

Marc goes to climb the stairs but lets out a surprised yelp when Vale takes him in his arms, bridal style and carries him up.

“You’re my husband now, need to have some chivalry, no?”

It makes Marc laugh, one of those laughs that could brighten up your darkest day.

He throws his hands around Vale’s neck, still laughing until they reach their room, a beautiful suite decorated for them.

They struggle a bit to get in, because Vale doesn’t want to let go of Marc despite it making getting into the room extremely difficult, but when thewy do and Vale kicks the door shut Marc’s breath is caught in his throat.

Rose petals scattered lovingly on the floor, leading to the enormous king sized bed Vale insisted on having.

As they reach it Vale gently lies Marc on it, pressing a deep and gentle kiss on his mouth, joy sparkling like fireworks between them.

“Vale?” 

“Si?” 

“Make love to me”

And the kiss they share is magical.

Intense, mouths finding each other like they were starving for their touch, charged with devotion and promises, love and forever, just like back at the Ranch.

Vale’s hands find the buttons of Marc’s shirt, slowly undoing them, no rush or thrill of adrenaline chasing after them, just the intimacy of them two finally tied together.

Marc does the same, unbuttoning Vale’s shirt, his fingers almost trembling with longing.

They remove their clothes, lips almost never breaking away.

They’re finally both naked, Marc layslaid on the bed, his legs parted, Vale hovering over him, leaving caring open mouth kisses on his husband’s jaw and neck, making him moan softly at the action.

“Vale” it sounds like a prayer, Marc tangles his fingers gently in the other’s hair, pulling him towards his face to kiss again.

Vale grabs the lube from the drawer next the bed, coating his fingers with it, pushing a finger in as he feels Marc get more and more pliant under his touch.

By the time he pushes a second finger in, they both need more, much more, Marc making those quiet moans he loves and Vale groaning and biting his lip as he imagines how Marc will feel once he’ll be inside him.

He takes his time to open him up anyway, he wants this to feel so good, it’s perfect, so that they both will remember this night with pure adoration.

He adds a third finger and goes back to kissing Marc, featherlike fingers dancing on his chest, Marc hands have always been softer and kinder than his, despite being equally scarred.

“Te amo, Marc te amo” he says as he finally removes his fingers and slowly pushes inside Marc, so slowly Vale can feel every thrill of electricity inside Marc’s body.

Marc’s lips are in a perfect “o” shape, something that is barely a whimper is let out by him, one of his hands goes to grab the back of Vale’s neck, pulling him closer, closer.

They stay still for a second, lips touching, until Vale speaks again, smiling brightly .

“Sei bellissimo” and Marc giggles, before feeling his lips against Vale’s, as he begins moving slowly, but deep, he feels complete, like they’re puzzle pieces sealed together.

Marc grips at Vale’s bicep with one hand, the other still tangled in his hair as the older lowers himself to kiss Marc’s neck, slow like his thrusts, and just as perfect.

“Vale please kiss me”

He can feel his husband’s smile on his neck, lips trailing to his brushing past his jaw and sealing together.

It’s sweet, deep and soul binding.

It’s everything it hasn’t been before they got back together and everything it will be from now on.

Both of them are close, Marc’s soft moans making wonders to Vale’s brain and same thing the other way around.

“I swear you’re perfect everyday more amore, just when I think you can’t be more beautiful than today tomorrow you’re even more breathtaking”

Marc is smiling and blushing, Vale has this sweet and romantic side to him that he only ever let Marc see.

“You’re perfect too Vale, I love you so much. This is the most beautiful day of my life”

They come in unison, Vale hiding his fav win the crook of Marc’s neck and biting at his collarbone lightly, Marc arching his back and tightening the grip he had on Vale’s air and bicep.

They stay like this for minutes, slow breathing and the smell of them together in the room.

After a while Vale starts laughing lightly, sliding out Marc and sitting up to look at him.

“Why are you laughing?”

“I just can’t believe you said yes, and then that we got married for real and you looked so beautiful and that you - I just can’t believe someone like you loves someone like me”

Marc smiles back, the smile Vale loves over everything else in his life.

“Stop being stupid Vale, I always loved you nothing ever changed that, and of course I said yes I would be crazy to say something else, and you looked way more than beautiful in that suit you know? Made me question my morals while getting married wasn’t very pure of yo-”

Vale shuts him up by kissing him, both still laughing in the kiss, like teens stupidly in love.

“Run me a bath? I need it” “Everything for you amore. You want the blue bath bomb or the orange one?” “Blue, smells more like uuuh” “Lavender” “Yeah that one yeah” “Don’t. Even think about walking there I’m taking you to the tub once it’s ready” “You will get me fat if you don’t let me move Vale” “Fat is happy as my nonna said so no problem in that no?”

Marc laughs again, staring at Vale as he goes to ready their bath, putting the amount of bubbles he likes and throwing in the bath bomb, making it fizz.

He’s sure he couldn’t have been luckier in any other life, because this is surely the most beautiful of the finales for him.

[futbol16]

Mi Hermana  • Alexia Putellas

I really hope you guys like this! I’m super happy about how well the first part did and thank you to the anon that requested it!

Requests: To ‘Alexia Jr’: Awesome… possible part 2 with alexia ripping into the team about how they’ve been acting?

can we please have more of Alexia jr 😫

I love alexia jr is it possible to do a part 2? Thanks ❤🦄

Part 1 Alexia Jr

Word count: 2,8k

Since that night on the pitch with your sisters, Alexia paid more attention to the team’s interactions with you, or sometimes the lack of it. Now that she has been cleared to start working with a ball again she is around the team more often and though she still has training separate from you, she’s also a lot closer and can hear how the girls talk to you. To say she’s baffled would be an understatement and it’s only been two days since your admission about the situation. 

Although she wants nothing more than to give them an earful when it happens, you had made her promise to handle it in a mature way. You didn’t want to mess up the team dynamics even more.

 Barca’s game that following week, your sister watches you play from next to the benched players and the proud smile is hard to miss. However, cameras that were supposed to be on you at this moment as you dive down the length of the field with the ball at your feet, are on Alexia instead who’s wearing that pleased look. It’s wrong of them to focus on her when you’re in the midst of showing exactly why you’re in Barca’s first team. 

She cheers loudly with the rest of the girls as the ball is chipped over the goalkeeper and you nod towards the fans, your hand above your eyes as if you were shielding them from the sun, almost like you were saluting the crowd. Your signature celebration. 

That prideful glint in Alexia’s eyes turns into disappointment when she notices that none of your teammates celebrate with you or congratulate you. She does however feel a slight sense of relief when she sees Mapi clapping in her position, far back on your side of the field. The brunette’s jaw clenches at the lack of support you’re receiving from your team after each and every good pass or chance on goal, she is beyond saddened. 

It’s only moments later when just as you receive the ball from Patri the defender on the other team comes in fast and takes your legs out. The air time you get before harshly landing on your side is something Alba would joke about but when you don’t immediately get up your sister realizes this could be serious. While you lay there for a bit, gripping the grass for a second to take your mind off the searing pain in your ankle, the defender gets her yellow card. 

Still, Mapi is the only one coming to check on you near the left side of the pitch. 

Once again, Alexia is grateful that her best friend is looking out for her little sister but she feels like the rest of the girls have let you and her down at the same time, she expected more of them. She shot up to her feet the instant you were tackled and she had leant forward wanting to see more and make sure you were okay. You slowly get up though, thankfully, assuring Mapi and the referee that you’re good to continue playing. Your sister plops back in her seat with a long exhale of worry and Marta, who’s sat next to her sends her a reassuring smile. 

Eventually the match comes to an end and you wander off the field with a 5-1 victory, shaking the hands of the opposition as you do. Most of the girls have already ran off towards the bench, no doubt wanting to see your sister and your thoughts are proved to be true when you look in the direction. Alexia’s eyes connect with your own and though she holds a bright expression, happy for the team, there’s a look in her eyes that you don’t quite recognize. 

Paula swings an arm over your shoulders, the Levante player a good friend of yours from the national team. You look over at her, noticing the way she purses her lips in thought and you nudge her to start talking.

“Do they always just leave you like that?” she voices her thoughts as she watches your teammates interact with your sister. Not one of them had clapped your back after the final whistle was blown even though they’ve done it to each other. You shrug at her.

“Most of them.” the sympathetic look she gives you is one that makes you regret answering the question and you bid her goodbye as your team starts their way towards the changing room. 

You’re rather surprised to find Alexia waiting for you in front of the door and you give her a questioning look before she pulls you into a hug.

“You were so good out there hermana, I’m so proud of you” she tells you sincerely as she rubs a hand over your back and you sink further into her embrace.

“Gracias Ale” your voice is muffled by her shoulder but she presses a kiss to your forehead nonetheless. “Are we gonna go in or..?” 

“Sí, but I’m going to talk to them and-”

“Ale, no” you plead with her, shaking your head rapidly. “Not now please, we just won I don’t want them to be upset because of me” 

She stares at you for a second, her eyebrows furrowing and her signature frown on her face, but she gives in with a sigh. Even in times like this when you were so deeply hurt you put others’ feelings above your own.

“Vale, not today, but I will and you won’t get to stop me then” she holds the back of your head as she explains, bringing you into another quick hug. “They need to know what they’re doing is cruel” 

You roll your eyes at her wording, but nod along as you open the door and walk in with your sister behind you. 

“Good game chicas” you clap your hands only to be met with silence until one of them looks up and squeals at Alexia’s arrival. 

You thought most of them already had their fair share of time with her outside but even now they surround her, turning a blind eye to your presence. 

With another huff you get changed quickly and shove the last of your things into your backpack. Alexia tries but fails at hiding her annoyance at the team’s behavior and when she sees you about to exit she shrugs off the rest of the girls lingering around and with a half-sincere apology she’s out the door.

Patri stares at the now closed door in confusion. “What just happened?” 

“I don’t know, but nice goal you scored today” Aitana shrugs as she praises the brunette. Patri looks at her.

“I didn’t score a goal.” 

“Yes you did.” Some of the girls turn to the two as they continue.

“No I didn’t.”

“Yes you did, the 40th minute! Don’t you remember?” Aitana looks to the others for confirmation but they shrug.

“That wasn’t Patri, it was Y/N’s goal” Mapi corrects the two, angrily gritting through her teeth. 

“Oh” 

“Yeah, oh” the blonde bites back.

“Mapi-” Ingrid tries but is cut off by Nuria.

“What about the one after half time?”

“That was also Y/N” Irene joins, wondering just how blind the girls have been. Nothing more is said as the girls go back to changing, sensing the obvious tension in the air. 

The next day you have recovery day with the team and as you finish up the last of it you enter the locker room to find most of the team there already. They pay you no mind as you take a seat, though as the minutes tick by Pina finally looks up from her phone. 

“Y/N!” you’d be stupid to think she’s happy because she’s noticed you. “Alexia is coming today, right?”

“Yeah, she said she would!” Bruna adds excitedly and more of the girls turn to you, waiting for an answer.

“Yep, a bit later though” you confirm, not meeting any of their eyes as you change your socks.

“She must be here already then, no?” you glance up at that, sighing at the eager expressions you’re met with. “Could you get her? You know she will come in earlier if it’s her sister asking.” Jana’s words are accompanied with nods from around the room and as you stand with an annoyed huff you only hear one voice thanking you. 

You wander down the corridors towards where your sister was just finishing her rehab session but as you walk the hallways you can’t help but get lost in your thoughts again. 

You didn’t understand what more you had to prove to the team to be accepted by them, to not be as transparent. It seemed that no matter what you did they were only interested in you when it was about your sister. Alexia this, Alexia that. Will we get to see Alexia today? Is Alexia going to be at the game? It’s never, hey Y/N how are you? Or a simple bon dia. Nothing.

You did worry less about your performance however. 

Before, you had compared your every touch of the ball to the way your sister would have done it, wondering if the way you were playing would be even close to her excellence. But the number of times your name has appeared on the scoresheets assures you that you were definitely doing something right, you weren’t only here because of who your sister is. 

You patiently wait outside the gray door after knocking and soon one of the physios greets you with a smile. 

“Hola, is Alexia here?” you ask, politely smiling at him. He nods as he lets you into the room, having recognized you.

“Someone’s genes are strong” he lowly whistles as you approach your sister but the two of you only send him another nod, eyebrows raised. 

“Estás bien, pequeña? Why are you looking for me?” the brunette looks down at you with a tilt of her head.

 “The girls told me to come get you, they wanna see you” you inform her as you lean into her side, needing some comfort from your older sister. Her nails graze the skin of your arm as she lightly moves her hand up and down.

“But I would’ve come anyway” she furrows her eyebrows, sighing at the way her team was behaving. You shrug at her, not saying more. Thankfully her session did just end and so the two of you walk back the way you’ve come and you tell her about how recovery has been before you get to the entrance of the locker room. Alexia abruptly stops in front of the door, effectively stopping you from reaching for the handle as she holds onto your shoulders.

“Why don’t you get that ankle of yours checked out, have it strapped.” she gestures to the ankle you’ve hurt during yesterday’s game. You study her for a second before agreeing and with a kiss on her cheek you leave towards the physios. She didn’t want you hearing what she would come next. Alexia exhales as you round the corner and disappear out of her sight before pushing the door in and entering. 

Enthusiastic yells are soon silenced by the look on her face. She’s wearing a hard scowl, her jaw set and fists clenched. Her eyes are sharp as she looks over the people in front of her, Mapi watching her with her own arms crossed over her chest. She has been waiting for this moment, wondering just how long your sister would wait before going off on the team. 

The team holds their breath as Alexia takes a ragged breath, they’ve never seen her so angry.

“What the fuck is wrong with all of you!” she explodes, and suddenly she’s forgotten all about you asking her to handle it maturely, but how could she do that when they’ve been hurting her baby sister?  Her pent up aggression comes out as she starts, many of the girls’ eyes widening at her tone. 

“What you’ve been doing to my sister is unacceptable! The way you’ve been behaving makes me question if we are a team!” She rages on, making sure to hold eye contact with each and every person as she catches her breath. A second later multiple voices ring out as they try to argue her words but she’s having none of it.

“Enough!” she shouts, a slap echoing throughout the room as she smacks the surface of the door with a spare shirt. They stand, like soldiers waiting for what would come next, beyond frightened by their captain’s rage. “I have seen enough. I have heard enough. You guys, all of you treat Y/N like she’s nothing! Not an ounce of respect in you for her, any of you!” her eyes connect with Mapi, assuring her that she’s not included in this. She had, after all, been the only one to treat you like a person. 

“What does someone have to do to prove their worth? To be included? You all throw her away like she’s some useless rag and I will not have that, especially not when it’s my little sister.” she takes a breath to calm down, her head pounding from all the frustration she just let out and the remaining still in her. The girls cower back into their seats as they realize how they’ve been acting towards you.

 “I am beyond disappointed in this team for making a teammate, you hear that? A teammate feels worthless, because you’ve neglected her even when she’s doing everything in her power to satisfy you all.” 

“I agree, she’s done nothing but show how good she is on the field.” Irene adds that though Alexia is not looking for anyone’s approval, far beyond the point of caring, nevertheless, she does give the woman a nod for backing her up.

“She is insanely talented, without question better than I was at her age. She’s got the passing accuracy down to the millimeters, she shoots goals like no one else on this team and dios mío, she can dribble past all ten players and then finish perfectly!” Alexia throws her hands up in exasperation. 

“She does get us a lot of goals.” Claudia admits quietly.

“And she’s super good at outsmarting defenders” Jana agrees, having experienced your skills firsthand.

 “Yes she's a great player, but she's also a person with feelings and all of you have been ignoring that part.” Your sister concludes as the girls look down shamefully.

“That part too.” Mapi nods, angrily chewing on a piece of gum. The team stays quiet, each of them replaying their interactions with you and chastising themselves for how harsh they’ve been, how uncaring they were.

“We’re really sorry” a chorus of voices say and Alexia nods at that in understanding, finally unclenching her fists.

“I’m not the one you need to apologize to” she shakes her head, flashing the team another disappointed look. “Tomorrow, one by one -I'll make sure, you will all apologize to her. I want actual sorrys not half-assed ones because I asked you to.” she points through the girls who eagerly nod at her, many of them already thinking of ways to show you how much they regret their behavior.

The midfielder does not say goodbye as she slams the door behind her to punctuate all she’s said, though she did make sure to let Mapi know she doesn’t blame her too. 

By the time Alexia gets to the physios room you’re already putting your shoe back on, animatedly conversing with the physio who’s sharing his own stories just as enthusiastically. She smiles at the interaction, happy to see you content even after a day of people ignoring you, people who were supposed to be your friends.

You jump in your seat in surprise when her hand squeezes your shoulder, but you hop off the table with another beaming smile. You wave goodbye to the physio before holding onto Alexia’s waist as you exit the training facility, herself pressing a kiss into your hair.

“Alba and I are taking you out for sushi tonight.” she informs you with a smile as you sit in the driver’s seat of her car. You were still adamant on not letting her drive, you didn’t want her to hurt her knee in any way.

“How come?” 

“We’ve just missed you and besides, sushi is always good” she chuckles when you nod.

“Yeah and I’m always hungry” you cast a glance her way as you pull out of the parking lot of the Estadi Johan Cruyff.

 “And I’ve missed you guys too” you admit, a confession that warms your sister's heart. Of course the three of you have seen each other almost everyday, especially you and Alexia, but you missed hanging out with them. You missed how peaceful your mind was when you were with your family. 

Alexia stares ahead at the road as you drive the two of you home, forever grateful to have sisters like you and Alba. And you’re forever grateful for your big sisters, both who’d protect and love you no matter what.

It was now only your team’s job to recognize just how much they’ve hurt you and try to rebuild their relationships with you. No one was going to cross you again, not if Alexia could have a say in it.

[justagalwhowrites]

Lavender - Ch. 21

When someone you dread comes to the QZ, Joel takes matters into his own hands. A continuation of Lavender Ch. 1-20 found on Tumblr here.

Pairing: Joel Miller x Female Reader

Warnings: Description of past SA, PTSD response, torture. No use of Y/N. 18+ only, minors DNI!

Length: 7.2k

Friday, April 17, 2015 - Four Years Later 

“So you’re not going to be Dr. And Mr… Fuck, what was his name again?” Andrew snapped off a bite of jerky. 

“His first name was Simon,” you said. “I’m not actually sure if I ever got his last name.” 

“So you’re not going to be Dr. And Mr. what’s-his-name why?” 

“Because he had a weird problem with the fact that he’d sometimes have to share a bed with my best friend,” you shrugged. 

Jess groaned. 

“He was fine with it at first when he assumed the best friend had a vagina and he thought he could finagle a three way out of it,” you said, taking a drink of water. “Got a little less OK with it when I said the name Andrew…” 

“You guys don’t even do that much anymore!” Jess said. You and Andrew both looked at her for a moment. She sighed. “You do that every time I go outside the QZ don’t you.” 

“It’s like you don’t know me at all,” Andrew kissed her temple. She sighed, leaning into him. 

“Almost like he’s attached to his wife and has a hard time coping when she’s out dealing with the end of the world,” you said. “He’s just strange that way…” 

She rolled her eyes. 

“Who knew I’d be a part of the codependency club…. Well, hopefully now that the new batch of guards are coming in they won’t need me as much,” she sighed. “They’re supposed to be getting a few other people who are equipped to go help with field psych evaluations with this bunch…” 

“I’ll believe it when I see it,” Andrew muttered. “They’re only after muscle, they don’t give a shit about anything else.” 

“Isn’t this group supposed to be pretty big, though?” You asked. “We’ve got Marta coming in to help with processing for health screenings in like an hour…” 

“You say that like it’s not going to just be more goons,” Andrew said. “With all the shit that’s going on… There was a shoot out just a few blocks away the other day. FEDRA’s losing their grip.” 

“They ever bug the clinic break room we’re going to be next on the executioner’s block,” you muttered. 

“Makes me nervous, talking about this stuff here,” Jess said. “No one likes it but…” 

You were quiet for a minute. 

“Any other dates coming up soon?” Jess changed the subject. “I still liked Sean…” 

“He did stick around for a bit,” Andrew nodded. “He lasted, what, four months?” 

“Yup,” you nodded. “I liked him, too. But, you know…” 

They didn’t respond. They didn’t need to. Sean had said “I love you” and had expected to hear it back. You just weren’t comfortable lying to him. He didn’t stick around long after that. 

“Nothing on the books yet,” you shrugged. “We’ll see what happens.” 

“You’re just going to end up fucking Tommy again,” Jess narrowed her eyes at you. 

“Yeah, I don’t know if I should be proud of you for figuring out how to have casual sex or if I should be frustrated with you figuring out how to do it with just one person,” Andrew said. You glared at him. “Don’t get me wrong, it’s very on brand for you…” 

“Hey,” you cut him off. “Why are we talking about my sex life? I don’t get to talk about your sex life…” 

“Ours is boring,” Jess shrugged. “Yours is way more fun.” 

You weren’t sure if fun was quite the word you’d use for it. 

Yes, you’d managed to branch out a bit since your split with Tommy. It took a few months but, when a guy in line for rations had asked if you wanted to hang out sometime, you’d said yes. Sure, you ended up having nothing in common with him but it was a start. Something you were now comfortable doing. Now you were having dates somewhat regularly. Even if you weren’t always sure you understood the point of it. 

You’d only been broken up with Tommy a few months when he showed up at your door late one night, just before curfew. You were already in bed when he knocked on your door. You frowned. Even months later, you recognized the knock. You all but jumped out of bed and tore the door open. 

“Hey Kid,” he gave you his signature, cocky smile. His bicep was bloody. 

“Of course you’re bleeding,” you sighed, opening the door. He smiled sheepishly but came inside. “You’re always fucking bleeding.”

He sat on your bed where he always had as you’d stitched him up and shrugged out of his shirt, hissing as the fabric passed over the cut on his arm. You gathered the supplies and turned on enough lights that you could see what the fuck you were doing. 

“Who’d you piss off this time?” You asked, cleaning the knife wound. It was jagged. 

“The usual,” he said. “Believe it or not, this isn’t how I wanted to see you again…” 

“Weird that you still go out and get into trouble then,” you muttered, checking the wound before starting to suture. 

“I’ve been thinking about coming by, saying hi for a few weeks,” he said. “Missed you. Weird not seein’ ya all the time. This was just… the push I needed.” 

“Everyone else OK?” You asked, glancing up at him. 

“Fine,” he said. “Tess made it out unscathed. Joel’s leg is better. He just got decked in the face this time out, which he probably deserved for somethin’ else stupid he’s done lately.” 

You laughed a bit at that. 

“Probably did.” 

By the time you’d stitched him up, it was past curfew. 

“I can take the couch,” he said, but you waved him off. 

“We shared a bed for a year,” you replied. “Just shower first, you’re gross.” 

You were reading when he climbed into bed beside you. 

“Kind of a weird place to ask it but, think we could be friends?” He said. “Meant it when I said I missed you. Don’t expect anything else but I’d like to be friends.” 

You looked at him for a second, the shadow of familiar longing in you. You ignored it. 

“I’d like to be friends, too.” 

And you were just friends, for a while. It took some adjustment but you liked Tommy as a friend. He was funny, he shared a lot of the concerns you had about FEDRA and what was going on in the world, he was unfailingly kind. 

A few weeks after you broke up with Sean, the two of you were sitting on your couch, watching a movie Tommy had found on his last trip outside the QZ, Cruel Intentions, something you’d never bothered to see before. You liked it well enough but the sex scenes… you hadn’t had sex since the split with Sean. The scenes were making you fidget on the couch, rearranging yourself to try to get some kind of relief from the ache between your legs. 

The movie finally, mercifully, ended and Tommy looked at you. 

“Proposition,” he said. 

“Shoot.” 

“We have sex.” You raised your eyebrows, he pressed on. “As friends. We’ve already done it, I have a good time, you have a good time…” 

“You’ve just got a one track mind,” you rolled your eyes at him. 

“No,” he said. “I can just tell when you’re turned on and I’m tryin’ to be a gentleman.” 

You glared at him. 

“No strings, no pesky feelings, just sex when we both want it,” he said. “That’s it.” 

You thought for a second. Could you do that? You supposed the last time you’d had sex with Joel it had been just sex. You’d kind of hoped it would be more but you knew that it wouldn’t be. 

“Just sex?” You asked. 

“Just sex,” he nodded. 

Just sex with Tommy turned out to be pretty damn fun. It wasn’t something you did all the time but it was enough to you from being too focused on the sex part on the rare occasions you did try to date someone new. It was easy enough to cut off when he found someone he was interested in or you did and easy enough to fall back into when you were both single again. 

It was during one of the “just sex” periods that Tommy brought you to meet some of his… friends. 

He’d just gotten back from a smuggling run and had a pack full of stuff when he showed up at your door with a broken finger. 

“Figured why try to fix it myself,” he teased you. You just rolled your eyes and let him in. 

“So I’ve been thinking,” he said slowly as you set his finger. You just raised your eyebrows at hm. “I’ve got to run this stuff to a meeting tomorrow night. You should come.” 

“What kind of meeting?” You frowned. 

“Just some like minded folk,” he shrugged. 

“You’re being awfully cagey, Miller,” you said. He shrugged again. You smirked a little. “I’m not going to a swingers club with you…” 

“Damn, killing all my dreams here, Kid,” he teased back. 

The next night, he came by the clinic as you were finishing, the pack on his back, and led you across town to a building that FEDRA hadn’t done anything with yet. 

Your body tensed. It reminded you of being outside the QZ, like a clicker or a raider was going to jump you at any second. 

“You’re OK,” he said quietly, leading you down a hall. There was a firefly insignia painted on the wall where he turned.

“Tommy,” you hissed. “Are you mixed up in…” 

“Just listen to what they have to say,” he said quickly. “It’s not what you think.” 

“Don’t know what the hell kind of death wish you have,” you muttered. He ignored you. 

The meeting was informal. It was Tommy, a handful of other people and a woman named Marlene who seemed to be running things. They didn’t seem to want to talk openly with you there, but they seemed to have enough understanding of whatever the fuck it was they were doing to not need to say much explicitly. Something told you that Tommy had mentioned bringing you along before. 

After the meeting, you hung back with Tommy and waited until Marlene was alone. 

“This is the friend I told you about,” he said, nodding at you. Marlene looked you over. 

“So you’re the doctor,” she said. 

“So they tell me.” 

“Tommy says you’re doing some research,” she said. You glanced at him. “I’d be curious to learn more.” 

“Not a lot to say at the moment,” you shrugged. “I’m trying to use some preexisting research on slowing the growth of fungal infections to see if I can develop a way to stop cordycep progression after transmission. Like an emergency injectable or, maybe someday, a vaccine. So we can have time to excise or amputate the infected tissue. I haven’t found anything that works yet, though.” 

“What if you thought a little bigger,” Marlene said. 

“Bigger.” 

“Bigger,” she nodded. “Bigger like a cure. Like it doesn’t matter if you’re bitten beyond needing some stitches. Bigger like we get our fucking planet back.” 

You laughed for a moment before you realized that she was being serious. 

“You’re talking about developing a cure for cordyceps,” you looked at her. 

“I am,” she said. “And I’d like your help. You don’t have to only develop what FEDRA wants…” 

“FEDRA barely tolerates the work I’m doing now,” you scoffed. “I’m not developing this for them, I started doing this on my own and my boss was willing to let me use some facilities to do it in…” 

“But a cure…” 

“A cure is so far beyond unlikely,” you said. “We have nothing to build a cure off of. Right now, I’m looking for a bandaid…” 

“Bandaids don’t do much for bullet holes,” she replied. 

“When you’re the one patching people up, you come talk to me about bandaids,” you snapped. “Until then, let the professionals handle it.” 

She laughed darkly. 

“Didn’t think you’d be such a supporter of FEDRA,” she said. 

“I’m not,” you replied. “I’m just a realist. I wish FEDRA just didn’t exist but they do and we’re stuck in the reality we’re stuck in. I’m not going to sit here and wait for some magical cure to manifest, I’m going to work with what I have and try to do what I can to make it better.” 

She considered you for a moment. 

“If your research pans out,” she said. “Would you consider sharing the formula with us?” 

“Yes,” you said. “Of course. I plan to give it to anyone who asks for it. A hope for survival shouldn’t be a tool for power, I don’t intend on just giving it to FEDRA to leverage as they see fit.” 

“We have a lab,” she said. “Out west. We could provide you all the support you’d need…” 

“No,” you shook your head. “No, I’m not going out there with infected and raiders if I can help it. And my life is here. My friends are here, the clinic, the kids at the school… I’m not going anywhere.” 

She sighed. 

“Well, Tommy knows how to reach me,” she said. “If you change your mind. Which I hope you do. You would be an asset to our mission.” 

Tommy walked you back to your place in silence. He stopped outside your door and you just sighed. 

“You’re being an idiot with them,” you said. “Don’t let it get you killed.” 

You doubted he listened to you.

Marta poked her head into the break room. 

“Just got word from the front gate,” she said. “They’re heading our way.” 

“That’s my cue,” Jess said, getting up and stealing a kiss from Andrew. “See you when you get home. Try not to wear yourself out.” 

“I make no promises,” he said. She rolled her eyes, waved by to you, and left. 

Andrew looked at you. 

“Ready to get fucked by FEDRA?” He asked. 

“Sounds like your average Friday to me,” you replied, cracking your neck, downing the rest of your water and heading to the exam area. 

Things went smoothly at first. Marta and Andrew divided the men up, each of them handling intake for half of the 100 or so troops FEDRA was sending in from other QZs and training facilities. Then, the men went back to the exam area where you and the other doctors and nurses did quick exams and sent them on their way. You were on your 14th exam when you knocked once on the exam room door and went inside, without paying much mind to the name on the chart. “Hello,” you said, opening the file. “I’m…” 

“I remember you.” 

You looked up. Your stomach clenched. You had to swallow to keep from vomiting. Your heart pounded. Your hands shook. It took everything you had to not run. 

You looked down at the file in your trembling hands, skipping over the first name and going to the last, even though it was burned in your memory, just like his face. 

McCarthy. 

“Always wondered if you’d made it through,” he smirked at you. “You look good, hardly know it’d been 12 years. How old were you then?” 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” your throat was dry. “I’m just here to do a quick exam.” 

“Oh, c’mon now, I know what we had was more memorable than that,” he said, looking you up and down. Your stomach turned. “Know it was for me. You had… Well let’s just say, been looking for a girl to measure up since.” 

“I just need to take some vitals,” you managed, getting the blood pressure cuff off the wall. 

You barely remembered taking his vitals. Everything sounded like a high pitched whine, you could hardly hear or register anything he said. You were hyper aware of the feel of everything in your body, of every blood vessel, every muscle, every function. Breathing took conscious effort. So did blinking, swallowing. All you wanted to do was throw up. 

After what felt like an eternity, you stepped back from him. 

“You’re all set, Officer McCarthy,” you said. 

“Have to look you up now that I’ll be in town,” he smirked. “Good to know that I can just start here.” 

You knew your eyes must look like dinner plates, so wide and afraid. He seemed to like that. 

“See you around, Doc.” 

He winked, closing the door behind him. The second he was out of the room, you locked the door and doubled over the trashcan, throwing up. Your body just rejected everything you’d eaten that day, coughing and choking in its rush to expel it. 

You’d spent the last 12 years pretending that McCarthy didn’t exist. That it had never happened. When he came to mind, you tried to shove the thoughts down, tried to avoid them, deny that there was anything to think about to begin with. 

You rinsed your mouth out in the sink and tried to keep your tears under control before you rushed out of the exam room to find Dr. Lee. 

Thankfully, he was just stepping out of an exam room when you did. 

“Lee,” you said quickly. “I need you to cover for me, I have to go home.” 

He groaned. 

“Come on, we’re slammed…” 

“I know,” you said, looking up at him. “But how often do I ask to go home early? I have to go home, I can’t…” 

He looked at you and frowned. 

“Yeah,” he said. “Get out of here.” 

You all but sprinted for the door and out into the sun. You took moment when you got outside, doubling over with your hands on your knees to catch your breath before starting your walk home. You needed to curl up under your blanket, feel safe in your own space. It seemed like you might snap in half if you didn’t. You’d just started to calm down, to get your heart to stop racing, when McCarthy stepped out from an alley and grabbed your wrist, pulling you back down it with him. 

You froze as he put your back against the wall, his arms caging you in. 

“Now I know you remember me, pretty thing,” he smirked. “I’m the guy who saved your life, the lives of those kids you were with, you wouldn’t forget a guy like me…” 

“You have me confused with someone else,” you could barely talk. He ran his nose over your cheek, smelling you. 

“Bet you still feel the same,” he said. “Bet I could find out…” 

“Please,” you choked. “I just…” 

“Hey!” 

Suddenly McCarthy’s body was pulled away from yours and Joel was in front of you. 

“The fuck is this?” He asked, facing McCarthy. Your hand went to your chest, clutching the fabric of your shirt, desperate to get your heart to slow down. “Because it looked an awful lot like you were hasslin’ this girl.” 

“No trouble,” he said. “Just… an old friend. We go way back, all the way back to the outbreak. Don’t we, Sugar?” 

Joel looked over his shoulder to you but you couldn’t bring yourself to look at him. 

“Get the fuck out of here,” Joel snapped. “Catch you botherin’ her again you’ll regret it.” 

“Careful who you talk to,” McCarthy tried to step up to him, but Joel had several inches on him. “Probably don’t want to piss off a FEDRA officer.” 

“I don’t give a shit who I piss off,” he growled. “Get the fuck out.” 

He stood there and watched him go before he turned to you. 

“Hey, Baby,” he said gently, reaching for you. You flinched back, your stomach turning. 

“Please don’t touch me,” you managed. 

“I just want to help…” he began but you cut him off. 

“I know,” you said. “But just… don’t touch me, please don’t touch me, just don’t touch me…” 

“Won’t touch you,” he said, hands up. “Promise.” 

You nodded quickly, trying to not hyperventilate. 

“Want to talk about it?” He asked, standing close enough that he could catch you if you fell, far enough that you didn’t feel like you needed to cower away from him. You managed to shake your head. “Want me to get someone? Like Andrew or Jess or… I could get Tommy.”

You just shook your head again, holding onto the wall, trying desperately to ground yourself. Joel hovered, watching you. 

“I’ll be fine,” you glanced up at him. “You don’t need to stay…” 

“Not going to just leave you here like this,” he said, voice gruff. “Especially if you won’t tell me why.” 

“Doesn’t matter,” you said, standing up straight and leaning back against the wall. You took a deep breath, closing your eyes and focusing on your diaphragm, pushing it low in your stomach to draw as much air into your lungs as you could. You breathed out slowly. 

“You left work early for it,” he said. You lifted your head off the wall and opened your eyes, looking at him. He shrugged. “I try to stay away from you. Usually safe over here right now.” 

You scoffed a little. 

“Didn’t know I made it unsafe for the big bad smuggler,” you tried to smile but you weren’t sure that it worked. Judging from Joel’s expression, it didn’t. “Really, it’s fine. I’m just going to go home, have a drink, put on some music. Maybe take a bath. I’m fine.” 

“Who was the asshole?” He asked. 

You winced. 

“I really don’t want to talk about it, Joel,” you said. “I just really don’t, OK? Please don’t make me. And please don’t say anything to anyone about it, I’d just rather pretend this never happened, OK?” 

“Tell me who he is and I’ll drop it,” he said. “Won’t tell anyone.” 

You searched his face for a moment. 

It had been a long time since you’d been this close to Joel. Probably since the night you’d walked him back to the QZ with his broken leg. 

It hadn’t been as complete of a shut out as the year before, at least. Not this time. You’d occasionally bumped into him when out running errands. He’d give you a nod of acknowledgement, which was better than you’d really expected. He’d come into the clinic once - you saw him in the waiting room - but Andrew put him with another doctor. You’d even seen him once at his apartment. You’d come by when Tommy said to meet him there, he’d said not to worry about Joel. But Joel came home as you stood in his living room, waiting for Tommy to grab the last of whatever it was he needed for whatever it was you were going to do - you’d since forgotten all that, too distracted by seeing Joel. He’d just stood there for a second, frozen, looking at you. You’d smiled tightly at him. He just went to his room, brushing past Tommy on his way by. 

His hair was starting to gray, but otherwise, he looked the same as he had for as long as you’d known him. His picture was still on your bedside table. You slipped it into a drawer if you were having Tommy over or you were seeing someone but outside of that, you had a reminder of what he looked like before beside you all the time. It still killed you to look at him, made your heart ache with missing him and who he was to you once. 

In spite of everything that had happened between you, you didn’t think he would hurt you on purpose. 

“I don’t know his first name,” you said, looking down at his feet. “His last name is McCarthy.” 

You managed to look back at his face. 

“Please, Joel,” you begged. “Don’t tell anyone, please don’t tell anyone. I just want to pretend like it never happened and I can’t… if people know I…” 

You were starting to hyperventilate again. You closed your eyes and forced yourself to take a deep breath and hold it for a moment before releasing it slowly. You looked back at Joel. 

“I’ll do just about whatever you want, just please don’t tell anyone,” you said quietly. 

“Won’t tell anyone,” he said. 

You nodded, relieved. 

“I’m walkin’ you home though,” he frowned. “In case that fucker shows up again.” 

You just nodded, not feeling up for fighting with him. You tried to gather yourself for a moment and then started off, Joel staying an almost awkward distance from you as you made your way through the QZ. Like he wanted to be close but not so close that he might risk accidentally touching you or have someone thinking you were walking anywhere together. He didn’t say anything, just looked over at you every minute or two like you were a bomb he was expecting to explode. 

“Thank you,” you said, stopping at the communal door to your building. “I appreciate your help with him. I wasn’t prepared for that, I will be now.” 

He just nodded gruffly. 

“It was…” you paused. “I don’t know if good to see you is the right word but… It was nice. Seeing you.” 

He paused, looking you over for a moment. 

“You too.” 

He crossed his arms, watching you. It took you a second to realize that he was waiting for you to go inside. You opened the door. 

“Night, Joel.” 

“Night, Kid.” 

***

Joel waited until you were inside to go lean against the building opposite yours, in an alcove where he was tucked away and largely out of sight. He was pretty certain this McCarthy fucker hadn’t followed you but he wasn’t about to take any chances. 

Whatever that asshole had done, it was bad. Joel had only ever seen you that horrified once, when a raider had his hand around your throat. The way you’d panicked when he’d reached for you… 

He ground his teeth. He needed to know what this man did to you so he could make sure it wouldn’t happen again. 

Joel stood sentry outside your apartment for hours. After the clinic closed, he saw Andrew go up, but he was only there for a few minutes. You must have lied to him, he doubted he would have left if you’d told him the truth of it. He waited until curfew was only minutes away and went home, making it inside just in time. 

“Out late,” Tommy observed, sitting on the couch. 

“Got held up,” he said. 

“Trade go bad?” He asked. 

“Turned out OK,” Joel replied. 

Tommy didn’t press. He wondered if you’d ever told Tommy whatever had happened. The two of you had stayed close after breaking up, you might have told him something you’d never told Joel… 

He could think of just one person who would almost certainly know. McCarthy had mentioned the outbreak. Andrew must know, must have some idea. 

Tommy went to bed but Joel stayed up. He’d told you that he wouldn’t tell anyone. You’d begged him not to tell anyone. But he needed to keep you safe and to do that, he needed to understand the threat. But what you didn’t know wouldn’t hurt you. 

The moment curfew lifted in the morning, Joel was out the door, walking quickly to Andrew’s. He had to pound on the door a few times and it took a few minutes for him to answer, looking half asleep. 

“Miller,” he said, stifling a yawn. “Thought I wouldn’t have to deal with your shit anymore.” 

“McCarthy,” Joel said quickly. “FEDRA guard. Name mean anything to you?” 

Andrew’s eyes went wide for a moment before he grabbed Joel by the shoulder and pulled him inside, closing the door behind him. 

“Where’d you hear that name,” he asked. He looked wide awake now. 

“Not important,” Joel said. “Who is he. What’d he do to her.” 

“He here?” Andrew growled. 

“Tell me what he did.” 

He looked Joel up and down before he laughed darkly. 

“God, you never even tried with her, did you?” He asked. “To busy with your own shit so she never told you…” 

“What did he do.” 

Andrew glanced down the hall, making sure Jess was still asleep and looked back to Joel, his voice low. 

“He fucking raped her is what he did,” he spat. Joel’s stomach twisted. “She’s never called it that, she never calls it anything. She likes to pretend it never happened but that’s what it was.” 

“What happened.” Joel’s teeth were clenched. His whole body was coiled like a spring. He needed to hit something, the energy and rage needed to go somewhere. 

“We came to a check point,” Andrew said. “Two guards, both armed, three of us. I was a kid, I was 18 but I was a kid and Jessica… She was trying to take care of us. They had guns and he told her the way to get through, made it clear he’d start shooting if she didn’t listen. She gave me the gun, told me to protect Jessica, he took her to the woods… She never told me what happened, she never talked about it. She just came out different. I should have fucking killed him, I should have shot him the second she gave me the gun…” 

Joel felt like he was going to be sick. He’d left you. You’d been alone with two children and his child inside you and you’d been forced…

“Where is he?” Andrew snarled. “I’m going to rip him apart…” 

“One of us needs to be there for her and it can’t be me,” Joel replied. “Needs to be you. She trusts you. You take care of her, I’ll take care of him.” 

Andrew looked like he wanted to fight him for it but eventually he gave him just a single, stiff nod. Joel turned to leave before he turned back to him. 

“Pretend you don’t know,” he said. “Promised I wouldn’t say anything but… Couldn’t protect her if I didn’t know what I was protecting her from.” 

“When are you doing it?” Andrew asked. 

“Today,” he said. “I’m going to hers now, make sure he doesn’t show up. I’ll get her to work OK and take care of him, dump him somewhere tonight.” 

“He shows up at the fucking clinic and I’ll kill him,” Andrew said, his voice eerily calm. “I don’t give a shit.”

Joel nodded once. This was the first time he remembered ever really liking Andrew. He could leave you in his hands at the clinic and you would be safe, that he knew. 

He all but ran to your apartment, leaning against the building across from yours, waiting for you to come downstairs. He’d been waiting for about an hour when he spotted you. You’d French braided your hair, like you were expecting a long day. You hadn’t put on ribbons. 

He caught you quickly. 

“Good morning,” he said, falling into step beside you. You nearly jumped out of your skin. “Sorry, wasn’t tryin’ to scare you.” 

“What are you doing here?” You asked, frowning up at him. 

“Making sure you get to work safe,” he said. You clearly hadn’t slept, you looked exhausted. 

“I’m fine, really,” you said, continuing on. Joel walked beside you. You frowned at him again but didn’t argue the point. He walked you to the front door of the clinic in silence, you just giving him a tight smile and a small wave before going inside. Joel found a spot near the door he could wait, make sure McCarthy didn’t come in before Andrew got there. 

Andrew spotted him on his way in, stepping over to him and keeping his voice low. 

“He probably came in with the transfer guards that showed up yesterday,” he said quietly. 

“Temp housing,” Joel said. 

“Exactly,” Andrew replied. He looked Joel up and down. “Good luck, Miller.” 

With your friend on site, Joel finally felt safe leaving you. 

Moving to hurt the man who hurt you quickly eased the tightness in his chest. He may have failed you 12 years ago but he wasn’t going to fail you now. 

He went home and got supplies. He didn’t intend to make McCarthy’s death easy. He needed to make sure he had what he needed to make it worthwhile. 

Joel stood at the edge of the small market that was near the temporary housing for FEDRA employees. He figured McCarthy would need to come through here at some point. He was right. 

Shortly after noon, McCarthy came through the stands, pondering what there was to buy. Joel waited until precisely the right moment, reaching out and grabbing the man by his collar and pulling him into a darkened alleyway. He yelped but it wasn’t loud and it didn’t take the man long to recognize Joel. 

“You again,” he smirked. “Here to apologize?” 

“Here for information,” he growled. “What did you do to her.” 

“To who?” The man smirked challenging him. 

It was a dumb move. Joel was so mad he couldn’t see straight. He grabbed the man by the throat and thrust him into the wall, hard enough to make him cough and choke. 

“Tell me,” he demanded. 

Now, the man just looked scared. He punched McCarthy hard across the face, enough to knock him out, and slung him over his shoulder, moving quickly for the abandoned building he’d spotted earlier. 

He ducked inside, going for an interior room where his screams wouldn’t be heard. 

There was a chair in the room, and old folding one. He tied the man to the chair and smacked him to bring him around. 

“What the fuck?” He looked around, straining against his ties, his eyes wide. “You don’t know who you’re fucking with…” 

“I know exactly who I’m fucking with,” Joel said. “I think it’s you who doesn’t know.”

He pulled out his knife and took the second chair and pulled it up close to McCarthy’s, getting right in his face. 

“Tell me what you did to her,” Joel said. 

“Look,” he said quickly. “It was the outbreak…” 

Joel sighed, opening the knife and shoving it into the man’s thigh. He screamed, doubling over as well as he could given his bonds. Joel smiled. 

“You’re going to tell me what you did to her,” he said. “I want to know it all. Tell me what you did to her.” 

“Please,” he whimpering now. “I swear…” 

Joel pulled a pair of pliers from his pocket. He held McCarthy’s head still as the man started begging and pleading. It fell on deaf ears. He pressed the pliers around his one of his middle teeth and pulled. 

It felt good, expending energy this way. He was taking action, doing something. It didn’t even feel like he needed to pull that hard. 

McCarthy screamed, blood pouring from his mouth. Joel gave him a moment to catch his breath, watching him bleed. He liked his blood. He wanted to see more of it. 

“What did you do to her?” He asked through clenched teeth. 

“She wanted it!” He sobbed. 

“Wrong answer,” Joel ripped the knife from his leg and thrust it into his shoulder. The man screamed again. “What did you do to her.” 

“Took her into the woods!” He screamed, panting for breath. Joel gave him a minute to pant. He could wait. 

After a minute he spoke again. 

“How did you get her to the woods, McCarthy?” He asked. The man’s eyes glistened with tears. 

“I…” his voice cracked. “I told her I could give them a code to get through the other checkpoints in exchange…” 

“In exchange for what?” Joel patted the man’s knife wound on his leg. He cried out again. 

“In exchange for sex!” He cried out. “I told her I’d trade sex for safe passage, said I didn’t know the next time I’d see a woman, I didn’t want to waste it…” 

“Did you have a gun?” Joel asked. The man looked confused. He grabbed his face, holding his cheeks harshly in his fingers, forcing him to look at Joel. “When you told her you’d trade for sex, did you have a gun?” 

“Yes,” he sobbed. “Yes, I had a gun…” 

“So you threatened her,” he said. “You threatened her and the children she was with.” 

“No,” he man moaned. “That’s not… I swear, it wasn’t like that…” 

Joel sighed and pulled the knife from the man’s shoulder before he thrust it into his uninjured leg. McCarthy wailed. 

“I threatened her!” He panted, gasping. “I knew what I was doing, I wanted her and knew how I could get it so I threatened her…” 

“And you took her into the woods,” Joel said. The man nodded. “With your gun.” He nodded again. “What did you do then?” 

“Told her to get undressed,” he groaned. “Told her she had great tits… once she was naked, told her to lie down…” 

He choked and cried. Joel sighed, reaching over and smacking his face, forcing him to look at him. 

“Then what,” Joel’s voice was harsh. 

“I…” he swallowed. He looked terrified. “I got on top of her…” His voice broke. “Please….” 

“What. Next.” 

“I put my dick in her,” he groaned. He was crying now. “I fucked her…” 

“That’s not what you did, is it?” Joel grabbed his hair, holding his face close to his own. “Call it what it was McCarthy!” He screamed it. “What did you do to her!” 

“I raped her,” he sobbed it out. Joel released his hair. 

“Where’d you touch her,” he asked. He looked confused. “You touched her when you raped her, right? Where.” 

“Her chest,” he sniffed. “Hips, waist…”

Joel remembered the parts of you that made you freeze when he touched them, parts of you that never made you freeze before. He wasn’t sure you even knew you did it. Now he knew why.

“That it?” Joel asked. He nodded. “You cum in her?” 

“Please…” 

Joel pulled the knife from his leg. 

“You don’t seem to fucking get it,” he growled, getting in his face. “I like hurting you. I want to hurt you. I don’t need much reason to but you saying please? Makes me want to hurt you more. I want to fucking flay you alive every time I hear you beg. So answer the goddamn question,” Joel thrust the knife into McCarthy’s other shoulder. “Or I will do what I want.” 

“Yes!” He cried it out. “I did, I came in her…” 

Joel sat back, panting for breath for a moment, looking McCarthy up and down. He was covered in blood. He was weak, slumped over like he couldn’t hold himself up.  

Joel wasn’t done with him. 

“You know she was pregnant when you did that?” He asked. McCarthy lifted his head just enough to look at Joel. He shook his head. “Well, she was. With my kid.” 

He stood up, rolling his sleeves up to his elbows. 

“I wasn’t there to protect her then,” he said, flexing his fingers before curling them into fists. “But I am now. Can’t let you live with what you did, McCarthy. I have to kill you for her. But when I make it hurt? That’s for me.” 

He swung, punching him in the middle of his stomach, knocking the air out of him. 

“And I’m going to like it.” 

***

The clinic had been fairly quiet that day, quiet enough that your mind wandered to places you didn’t want it to. 

Andrew was no help. He was oddly withdrawn, only really responding when prompted, not initiating much conversation himself. But he didn’t fight you when you put on Joni Mitchell, so you were taking what you could get. You were dreading going home but didn’t have a reason to tell Andrew you wanted to sleep over, either. You were debating about how up front you wanted to be when there was yelling outside the clinic. 

“Help!” Someone screamed. You looked to Andrew for just half a second before running for the doors. 

Two FEDRA soldiers were hauling in a third man, holding him by his underarms and knees, the man’s body totally limp. He was so covered in blood you were almost certain he couldn’t still be breathing. 

“Jesus Christ,” you said before yelling over your shoulder. “Kristen! Trauma!” You turned your attention back to the men. “What happened?” 

“Don’t know,” one said. “Just found him like this, he transferred in with us there’s no way someone here hates him enough to do this yet…” 

“Let’s get him back,” you said, Kristen running up to you as you headed back toward the exam rooms and the surgical suite. “We need O-, a lot of it…” She glanced around you to the injured man.

“Not sure that’ll make a damn difference,” she said but she ran to obey. 

“We’ll start him in an exam room,” you said quickly. “Want to try to maintain a sterile area in the OR but I’m sure we’ll need it…” 

They carried him into the exam room and lifted him onto the table. You quickly washed your hands and gloved up before diving in, looking the man over. Kristen ran in with the O- and quickly hung it as you cleaned up a place on his arm to start a transfusion. 

“Do you even know who this is?” You asked the men who carried him in. The man’s face was beaten beyond any kind of recognition. His lower lip was barely hanging on, eyes swollen shut, nose crushed. 

“He had his dog tags,” one man said. “It’s Lewis McCarthy…” 

You froze, your stomach twisting. Your head spun. 

“Doc, I don’t think we can do much here,” Kristen said from McCarthy’s side. “He’s lost so much blood…” 

“We should try,” you said, on autopilot. You tried to find the worst injuries on the man. He was missing teeth. He’d been stabbed numerous times. His whole body was covered in blood and bruises, not a single inch of him left unscathed. You swallowed before pulling down his pants to see what might be on his legs when you saw it. 

“Oh my God,” you jumped back from the table and into Andrew, who’d come into the exam room at some point and you hadn’t noticed. He caught you. 

“What?” Kristen asked before looking herself. “Oh!”

She jumped back, too. 

Where McCarthy’s penis had been, there was nothing. Just an open wound. One of the men who brought him in gagged and ran for the trash can, throwing up. You stared at it, the place where the part of him he’d weaponized against you had been torn away. Andrew held onto you. 

“We’re losing him,” Kristen said, her hand on his neck. “Doc, I don’t think… there’s nothing we can do here, there’s nothing we can do with this.” 

You nodded, shaking as Andrew kept you upright. He looked to the men. 

“You should go,” he said. “Don’t need to see this.” 

They nodded, trembling as they left. 

“I’ll go get a bag,” Kristen said, staring wide eyed at him. “Stuff to start clean up…” 

She left you and Andrew alone with the body. 

“Andrew,” you whispered. “Did you talk to Joel?” 

“He had questions,” he said, voice flat. 

“Oh my God,” you stared at the body. “What did he do?” 

“The right thing,” he said, squeezing your shoulder. “The right fucking thing.” 

A/N: AHHHHHHH THE McCARTHY CHAPTER. I've been waiting for Joel to go off on him since chapter 8 and we finally got here. So satisfying to write, hopefully satisfying to read!

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Thank you, everyone, for reading and commenting! It's been a dream to see how people feel about this piece while I'm writing it. Love you all, thank you for taking the time to read my work <3

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[fandomnerd9602]

Being a Thrombey and Being with Marta Cabrera

Headcanon

How it Started…

You were Harlan’s favorite grandchild. You’re the second born after Hugh or Ransom as he prefers to be called.

Unlike the rest of the family, you were actually interested in writing like your grandfather. You could pick his brain for hours. He always loved when you brought him your latest novel or screenplay.

It was under one such occasion that you met Marta. She had just begun her time as Harlan’s nurse and you were instantly smitten. Her smile, her demeanor, her spirit. It just made your heart beat out of your chest.

You and her started hanging out after her shifts with Harlan. Little cups of coffee lead to lunches and dinners.

Harlan, despite what others might say, approved of you and her. He often found the three way conversations to be lifting to his spirits. As far as he knew, you and Marta were his real family. Everyone else was a parasite.

What it’s Like…

Marta is devoted to her family and they welcome you with open arms. You join Marta and her mother for breakfast before driving Marta to Harlan’s estate.

You’ll sneak little gifts to Marta when Harlan’s not looking. You’ll give her little nose kisses.

Your favorite thing about her is her eyes. You love to kiss her fingertips and nose. She’ll giggle every time you do that.

She loves your lips and holding on to you. You’re her rock in a storm.

She loves laying in your arms, staring into your eyes. It makes her feel loved

You’ll bounce ideas off of her and she’ll be as constructive as possible. You encourage her to take night classes to eventually get her doctorate.

The rest of the Thrombey family wasn’t aware of your relationship with her. Knowing them, they would’ve thought it beneath them to date the help.

You propose to her after setting up an elaborate puzzle with Harlan’s help. Marta, once she figured it out, simply nodded her head fiercely before diving into your arms, crying tears of joy.

You marry her with only Harlan Thrombey and Marta’s family as your witnesses.

Right Before Knives Out…

The family arrived for Harlan’s birthday. Before then you were mostly defending Marta’s honor and name against the racist attacks of your uncle. Trying to play peacekeeper.

You and Marta try to play nice but occasionally you sneak away to soothe her nerves. She collapses in your arms after one particularly nasty word.

“Your family will never love me” she states through her tears.

“But I do. I love you. You are my family” you whisper to her, “them out there? They’re parasites” you kiss her fingertips to comfort her.

Knives Out…

Harlan’s birthday started out normal and then came the “suicide”. Marta was shaken. You didn’t know the full reason why at the time.

And then came the police and Benoit Blanc. Surprisingly the southern detective is a fan of your work.

And then came the will, Harlan left everything to you and Marta. The family practically freaked out.

Marta explained everything to you instead of talking with Ransom. Being the burgeoning detective that you are, you knew something was up.

You convince Marta to be upfront and honest with Blanc. He was immediately convinced of your wife’s innocence.

The three of you set a trap and Ransom sprung it. Culprit arrested and case closed.

Now there’s only the family to worry about.

You threw your Uncle Walter a bone and gave him a mystery film screenplay that you and Harlan wrote in secret. If he wants a movie, that’s the only one he’ll get.

As for Blanc, you still talk to him from time to time. You send a a Christmas card to him and his husband. You and Marta have gotten into playing Among Us with them.

Whatever happens next, you’ll stand next to Marta. You’ll kiss away every fear and try to run the company in the way Harlan would’ve wanted.

[pitchsidestories]

the law of attraction II Ingrid Engen x Mapi Leon x Reader

masterlist I word count: 1880

a/n: hi, it's based off this lovely request here. On a different note, how adorable are Ingrid and Mapi in that gif ?! ❤️

“Here comes our little genius, girls.”, Mapi told her teammates proudly while you walked towards the injured defender. Their curious glances made your face turn hot.

“Maria, we’re the same height, so stop calling me little!”, you playfully rolled her eyes at her.

“Sure.”, she shook her head in amusement.

“Girls.”, Ingrid intervened smiling.

“Ingrid, hi.”, you greeted her, happy to see the Norwegian again.

“Hi. Nice to see you.”, the dark-haired woman responded, wrapping her arms around you for a hug.

“Great to see you too. Also watching you two at training is something different than Uni.”, you mumbled thankfully into her embrace.

The weight of the library books in your rucksack reminded you of what you’ve been doing the whole day. Spending too much time in front of your laptop without successfully coming closer to solving the mathematical issue you’ve been working on.

“She’s getting some distraction from a math problem.”, Mapi explained to the fellow footballers with a smug grin on her lips.

“Yes, maybe the distraction helps me to solve it later.”, you replied in a hopeful tone.  

“Worth a try.”, Ingrid nodded.

“Exactly.”

“Such a smart ass.”, the tattooed Spaniard teased you.

“Maria.”, the Scandinavian scolded the older woman before she continued beaming at you, maybe we can all grab some food together after training?”

“Yes, that sounds like a good idea.”, you answered happily, you could really need a distraction and being in your friend’s apartment with Bagheera who loved to cuddle with you sounded delightful in your ears.

“Math nerd, it’s time for the beauties to get to work.”, Alexia reminded the three of you winking.

“I’m not keeping them from it.”, you pointed out laughing.

To her captain the defender said slightly annoyed:” Yeah, yeah, we’re coming.”

On their way to the training pitch, Marta remarked:” I mean you two have a personal supporter here so you should be motivated.”

“She's probably calculating some stuff in her head instead of watching.”, Mapi commented with a smirk.

Ingrid agreed: “As usual but she looks adorable while doing so.”

“Yeah, she does.”

Both of them watched on as you stared into space, too occupied with the equations in front of your inner eye.

Alexia shot her two teammates a suspicious look and teased: “One could almost think you two are in love with her.”

Mapi laughed nonchalantly: “Oh, please.”

“We're not.”, Ingrid protested, a pinkish hue appeared on her cheeks as she jogged off to warm up.

Alexia followed closely: “Just focus on training.”

“I am focused.”, Ingrid said.

The team captain looked over her shoulder at Mapi with a raised eyebrow: “I mean both of you.”

“Ale!”

She shrugged Mapis complaint away: “I just want to train.

Right after training, you found yourself at Mapis and Ingrids apartment. The takeaway you picked up on your way back filled the kitchen with a delicious smell of freshly cooked Thai food. You gathered around the kitchen table as Mapi started to set the table.

“You girls did so well.”, you remarked as you opened the styrofoam boxes, eyeing the food.

Mapi chuckled: “It was just a training session… or did you mean picking the food?”

“The food actually.”, you grinned, cheekily stealing a fork full.

“Of course, we're great at that.”, Mapi replied.

You started to spoon some food onto your plate and smiled: “Trainingwise, you both seemed a bit distracted.”

“Distracted?”, Ingrid echoed, almost dropping her fork in surprise.

“Yes.”

Her girlfriend swiftly changed the topic: “Tell us instead if there's someone distracting you from doing too much uni stuff.”

“No, no time for that. Besides you two do that already.”, you answered truthfully.

The norwegian blinked at you innocently: “We're not doing anything.”

“Right, we only invite you over for dinner or games.”, Mapi nodded.

“See?”, you only asked, the couple clearly already made the point for you.

Mapi gave you an unimpressed look and said around a mouthful of food: “You could just say no.”

“Yes, but I like going.”, you had to admit.

“And you can't work on your uni stuff all day round.”, Ingrid joined in.

“Exactly.”

You sighed. It was charming that they worried about you but in the end, you had chosen this career path and you loved what you did.

“It's kind of my job…”

“Yes, and we're so proud of you.”, Ingrid said, carefully reaching across the table to take your hand in hers.

You took a deep breath before confessing:” Thanks. It just gets lonely at times. Sometimes I want to have a relationship but then I again, I don’t think I would have time for that.”

“You know we’re always here for you, right?”, Mapi asked you in a cautiously tone.

You shot her a grateful glance: “I do, and I appreciate that.”

“You know, I think there might be a solution for this.”, the Spanish defender begun.

“You do?”, you lifted an eyebrow curiously at her.

Turning her head to face the Norwegian, Mapi continued:” I think Ingrid is thinking the same.”

“I am.”, her girlfriend nodded earnestly.

Confused you looked between the football players:” What are you talking about?”

“Tell her, Mapi.”, Ingrid urged the Spanish woman to keep talking.

“We could provide the relationship stuff for you while you focus on your studies.”, the defender suggested.

“Wait.. are you saying..? You must be joking.”, you responded, the surprise clearly written all over your face.

“No, we’re serios, y/n.”, Mapi reassured you.

“We both want to be with you.”, Ingrid emphasized the previous words of her girlfriend.

“I thought I was the only one with the crush.”, you replied still shocked by the offer of your friends.

“Oh dear, you might be very book smart, but..”, the defender smirked.

“But not when it comes to girls.”, the Norwegian ended the sentence of the older woman equally amused.

“The laws of attraction.”, Mapi hummed.

“That’s something they don’t teach in University.”, you answered, running one hand nervously through your open hair.

“No worries, we can teach you that like you taught me math at school all those years ago.”, the defender promised in a soothingly voice.

“I think I would like that.”, you declared smiling.

“So would be.”, Ingrid grinned satisfied.

“I can’t believe that.”, you giggled in disbelief.

“You better start believing.”, Mapi said.

“She’s a mathematician, she probably needs proof, Mapi.”, the dark-haired woman reminded the older player.

The Spanish defender mumbled:” Good point.” She was the first to kiss you, Ingrid followed swiftly. Both kisses tasted like the start of something new and exciting.

“What do you think? Enough proof?”, the Scandinavian midfielder gave you a challenging look.

“Yes, I think that was enough to make me believe that you were serious about this.”, you responded with a shy smile on your lips.

“That’s what we wanted to hear.”, Mapi commented beaming.

It took you some time to get used to a new relationship but a few weeks in, you could confirm that you felt happy and safe with your two girlfriends. So, of course you were a tiny bit sad when they left for the Champions League semifinal in London while you had to stay in Barcelona and work on your thesis… Or at least that was you told them.

Ingrid stood on the perfect green grass at Stamford Bridge right before warm-up. She watched the stadium slowly fill through a curtain of rain.

With a soft sigh, she said: “It's sad that y/n couldn't come with us to London, Mapi…”

“Maybe she can join us for the final if she isn't too busy.”, the injured defender shrugged.

“I mean it's in Spain which might make it easier for her.”

“That would be great.”, Mapi agreed.

A sudden grin appeared on Ingrids face as she pointed over towards the away fans. A red and blue flag had caught her attention. “Oh look, someone in the stands has the same flag as you, Mapi.”

As Mapi followed her gaze, Ingrids jaw dropped in shock: “Wait, is that y/n?”

From your place in the stands, you had no idea what your girlfriends said but the way their faces went from shock to lighting up with excitement told you everything you needed to know.

“There's no way!”, Mapi exclaimed.

“That little bi-…”, Ingrid started but was quickly interrupted by Marta who nodded in Vickys and Salmas direction. “Ingrid, not in front of the children!”

“Sorry.”, the Norwegian laughed before pulling Mapi with her towards the stands.

Laughing, you waved your Barcelona flag as they came to a stop in front of you: “Hi Ingrid, Mapi.”

“What are you doing here?!“, Mapi asked, leaning over to plant a kiss on your cheek.

You shrugged: “Surprising you girls.”

“You said you were too busy!”, Ingrid pouted.

“And I was busy but one of my fellow students reminded me that you only live once, so…” You gestured around the stadium with an innocent smile.

Mapi shook her head: “Why do you listen to them but not to us?”

“It's a scientific fact that we only have one life…”

She did not let you finish and instead rolled her eyes: “I can't with you nerd.”

“Me neither but I'm really glad you’re here.”, Ingrid smiled at you.

You grinned: “You're welcome.”

“You'll be our lucky charm.”, the defender winked and you could feel the blood rushing into your cheeks.

“Hope it works.”

Ingrid gave you a quick kiss: “See you after the match.”

“Have fun but win this.”, you called after her as she hurried away to warm up with the rest of the team.

Over her shoulder, she replied: “With Mapi and you we should be able to.”

“Ready, Mapi?”, you asked the Spanish defender smirking.

She took your hand in hers, replying confidently: ”Ready.”

“I can’t wait.”, you exclaimed as they started playing the hymn of the women’s champions league.

Despite the rain the team of your girlfriends were eager to win this and Mapi and you tried your best to support them from the stands. After the match ended in a 2:0 for Barcelona, your friend cheered:”Y/n, we won!”

“Ingrid was amazing, right?”, you wanted to know from her, your eyes lit up with excitement.

“Yes, she was.”, Mapi grinned at you. Both of you were too caught up in your bliss, so you didn’t saw the Norwegian coming.

“Hey!”, she greeted you, mirroring your bright smiles.

“You were so great, Ingrid.”, you told her proudly.

“Thanks.”, Ingrid responded.

“We’re so proud of you.”, Mapi mumbled while wrapping her arms around the taller woman who lifted her up easily in their hug.

“You were amazing support.”, the younger player declared.

The Spanish defender who was pulling you into the group huddle announced with a cheeky grin:” That means you’ve to come to the final too.”

“I do?”, you questioned amused.

“Yes, absolutely, you can’t say no.”, Ingrid tuned in.

“I’ll see if I can make it happen.”

“We’ll count that as a yes.”, Mapi winked at you before kissing first the Norwegians cheek than yours.

And indeed, you were able to come to the Champions League final much to the happiness of your girlfriends. The law of attraction didn’t allow anything else. Love has won before any of the teams graced the pitch.

[feyhunter78]

Hi! Would you be able to do hcs or a fic (your preference!) for Elrond taking care of his s/o when she’s sick? I’ve been feeling pretty under the weather as of late and the way you write for Elrond brings me so much comfort🥹 no pressure though if you have a lot of requests!!

Hi love!!!! I'm so happy to hear my Elrond brings you comfort, that really boosts my confidence in writing his character!!! I'm sorry you're not feeling well :(((( I hope this makes it a little bit better! <3

Elrond and Sick Reader HC

Elrond first knows something wrong when you miss lunch. You two had plans to meet at a small restaurant run by a sweet older couple who doted on the two of you and served the best tea and cakes you’ve ever had in your life. It wasn’t like you to miss plans the two of you made, so he thanks the couple for the tea, and hurries to your quarters.

You have a seasonal illness, a nasty one, one that keeps you in your bed, head pounding, stomach rolling, your body swinging between burning up, and freezing. You’re covered in blankets, and your throat hurts from coughing.

Elrond knocks softly, and you almost don’t hear him enter.

When you see him, you realize you missed lunch and feel awful. You start to apologize, but your voice gives way to a coughing fit, and you sink back into your pillows.

He's immediately by your side, asking you dozens of questions, and pressing his lips to your forehead to check your temperature. He soon determines you have a fever and makes it his mission to nurse you back to health.

Elrond brings you some water and fluffs up your pillows, urging you to rest before disappearing for a while. You’re half asleep when he returns, and he sits beside you, smoothing your hair down. He places a cool rag on your forehead and begins to brew you some herbal tea, promising it will ease the soreness of your throat.

As you drink it slowly, he goes to open your balcony doors, letting fresh air and sunlight into your room, dispersing the stale air that had lingered as you fitfully tried to sleep the night before.

Once he’s finished bustling around and giving you every kind of herbal treatment possible, he sits with his back against your headboard and has you rest your head in his lap. As his fingers run through your hair, he tells you about his day so far, and how much he missed you when you didn’t show up for lunch.

You apologize again, and he shushes you gently, shaking his head. “Do not apologize y/n, you are ill.”

“But I should have sent word, or attempted to show, if only to tell you I was not feeling well.” You protested weakly. “I feel terrible thinking of you sitting there all alone.”

He chuckled and kissed your forehead. “So stubborn, so strong of heart, my starlight is. Do not fret. I had a wonderful conversation with Marta and her husband, while I waited.” His expression was kind and open, no hint of irritation or anger. “Truly, I only left because I was concerned for your wellbeing.”

You gave him a soft smile, raising one hand to up his cheek. “And I am grateful you were.”

He leaned into your touch. “I will always be concerned for you, you are my love, my world, your pain is mine, and I would willingly take this illness from you if I could.”

Your heart swelled, and you blinked back tears. You were so tired, the illness sapping your strength. “I love you, Elrond, more than the sun loves the sky, or the moon the stars.”

He took your hand and kissed it reverently. “You are my sun, my sky, my moon, and stars, but even the celestial bodies must rest, and you should follow in their example.”

You nodded, already feeling sleep tugging at you, your eyelids growing heavier and heavier. You slept soundly, safe and comforted in the arms of your love.

Tag list: @nyctophilic0vitnir, @elronds-pointy-ears, @elrondscalaquendi, @dilf-superiority, @jesticace

[justplainwhump]

a scene-ish thing i’d really love to see is Noor having a comfy moment with Marta :)

i hope you feel better soon <3

Hair

Thank you, anon! I'm almost back on my feet, but this ask didn't let me go!

Content: BBU recovery

There was a knock at Marta's door, so light and quiet that she would have dismissed if she hadn't heard the soft shuffle of feet moving away.

She swung her feet over the edge of the bed and opened the door.

"Noor?"

He immediately turned to face her, gaze dropping to the floor.

"I'm… I'm sorry for disturbing you, Mis-…, Marta. I'm sorry, Marta. I'm... It was nothing."

She stifled a yawn and leaned to the door frame, shaking her head. "It's fine. You can come to me about little things, too, Noor, you know."

"But... But you are tired, and... and you need to deal with important things."

"I do." Marta gave a half shrug and smiled. "Like you. You are important to me. What is it?"

"I... You... You said I should come and ask if I ever..., if I needed something."

"I did." Marta nodded. "What is it?"

It was rather early, she thought to herself. They compared notes sometimes, in their own group and with other safehouse workers. Sometimes, when times where light enough to be easy going about it, Marta imagined them like young parents, trying to figure out what it meant that their kids took certain steps earlier or later than others. Sleep a full night alone. Lock the door behind them. Say no. Pick their own clothes.

Formulate a need or want.

"I... I need a hairdresser."

It was never what you expected.

"Okay," she said and gave him a reassuring smile. "Sure. It's... I might need to ask around a little, because of our situation. But I'll find one who can come here and take care of you. Is there anything in particular bothering you? Something we could start with?"

He looked at her, a little nervous, soft crease between his brows, and she asked herself how much of this insecurity had been there before, how of it much they had given him.

"It... It's meant to be shiny," he explained. "Shiny and soft, and just a little bit tousled, for that freshly fucked look."

She bit her tongue. Yeah. That definitely was courtesey of WRU.

"Mh-hm." Respecting his wishes, that was the thing that mattered. "It's important that you feel good in your own body." She stressed the you, maybe a little bit too much, but his face lit up with relief.

"Thank you, M... Marta." He set to turn around.

"Wait, Noor? Give me a second." She stepped into her bathroom, rummaged through the cabinet until she found what she was looking for and emerged again. "My... My mother in law, she's a weird woman, but very stylish, and very cultivated. Anyway - she wants me to keep good care of my hair and she gave me this." She handed him a bottle of conditioner. "If you like the smell, you can have it. I never used it. I'm sure it's very good. For long and thick hair, it says. Could be what you need. I'll still find you a hairdresser, of course. This is just... a first step, in a way."

Noor took the bottle very carefully, almost suspicious, his eyes flitting between it and her face. He held her gaze, while he smelled at it.

"Yes." The soft smile that spread on his lips was heartwarming. "I... I would like to use this."

"Do you know how to -" She paused. No. This wasn't actually what she meant, or what he needed. There was something else.

It wasn't like she had to be anywhere else, now or in the morning. She could be there for him.

She smiled back at him, before she started again. "If you'd accept it, Noor, I could wash your hair. With Shampoo, and conditioner, and I even think I have a hair mask somewhere."

Noor's eyes widened in disbelief. He clutched the bottle close to his chest, struggling for words. "But, you are... you are a person, Marta, and I'm... I... Do you want me to wash your hair? I could -" Something shifted in him, his posture, his voice, the tilt of his head, everything falling back into the shape he'd been looked into. "I could spoil you, until you forget -"

"Noor," Marta interrupted him gently. "Yes, I'm a person. And you're a person, too. A person, whom I care for. I'm very happy with my hair right now. You aren't so happy with yours. And I would like to be there for you, as a friend."

"Pets don't -"

Marta raised an eyebrow and Noor stopped, just silently looked at her with huge eyes.

"Person to person. Marta to Noor. Do you like getting your hair washed? I promise, I can be gentle."

"Yes," he said and swallowed thickly. "I... I like it very much."

"May I do it, then?"

He nodded. "Yes."

It was all but a whisper. But it was enough.

[wosoamazing]

Trimester 2

Baby x3 | Baby, Baby... Baby?

Summary: The second trimester

Warnings: none?

“We have some news to tell you all,” you said to the team as you presented the new tactics for the season, the slide swapping to a photo of your ultrasound and Alexia stood up, handing you a mini Putellas Jersey to hold up whilst she held up two of them.

“We have some new mini teammates joining the team soon,” Alexia said and a collective gasp was heard from the team, before they all stood up to congratulate you, each hugging you and Alexia.

“How far along are you?” Marta asked as she hugged you.

“Only 13 weeks, but because there is three I’m going to start showing quite obviously a lot earlier so we thought we’d tell you all even though there are still risks,” she nodded before moving along to hug Alexia

“But why the number 11 still if they say Putellas?” Patri asked you and Alexia as she hugged Alexia.

“My number at Chelsea was 11, so it seemed fitting,” you replied, earning a smile from the younger girl.

“Ale, babe, I’m home,” you said as you walked through the door, having finally finished the coaches meeting in regards to the game tomorrow night.

“Merda,” you heard her say in a hushed slightly stressed tone, and you followed the sound, finding her in front of the stove cooking something. You walked up behind her, and wrapped your arms around her waist placing your chin on her shoulder, looking into the pot and humming.

“Hola bebé, sorry dinner isn’t ready yet, I was meant to have it finished before you got home,” she said before turning her head to place a kiss on your lips.

“It was my night to cook dinner, you didn’t have too” you told her

“Sí, it was, I wanted to do it for you, one less thing to worry about,” she brought a spoon up to your mouth, for you to taste, “good?”

“Good,” you nodded into her shoulder, before moving to get you a bowl each, you both sat down at the table and spoke about your days, in a way debriefing, it was something you’d both introduced early on in your relationship, it meant you couldn’t keep your feelings bottled up.

-

“I have something for you, stay there and I’ll get it for you,” Alexia said later on when you were sitting on the couch together, relaxing before bed.

“What the,” you couldn’t help but laugh as alexia walked into the room struggling slightly, as she carried a massive pillow.

“It’s the biggest one they had, I know you like your pillows and I thought because we're having three maybe having one earlier will be better,”

“Thank you baby, I love you” you told her as you curled into her side and she chucked the pillow down to the other end of the couch before her hand slipped down to rest over your bump, as she did every night, however tonight it was greeted with a soft kick.

“Did they?” Alexia asked as she looked at you wide eyed.

“I think so, but I didn’t think you felt them start moving until 18 weeks, that’s other 4 weeks,”

“Maybe it’s different because there are three of them, less room,” Alexia smirked and you shoved her, knowing she was subtly calling you short, something she often did, because you were 2 cm shorter than her.

“Good morning bebé,” Alexia said as she walked up behind you placing a kiss on your shoulder.

“Good morning Ale?” you questioned, thinking you’d already done the morning greeting thing.

“How are the nadons today?” she asked as her hands slipped under your stomach, softly lifting it up, causing you to let out a comfortable breath.

“Good, we’ve got training soon, you need to get ready,” you told her.

“One more minute,” she told you and you nodded, before relaxing back into her more, so she was supporting your weight. It was something she insisted on doing often, wanting to help you anyway she could.

“And as you can see here, Baby A is a girl,” the ultrasound tech pointed out on the screen and you smiled at Alexia, knowing how much she wanted a little girl.

“So they’re all girls then,” you said softly as you smiled at Alexia who had tears welling in her eyes, she’d always said she wanted one of each but you knew deep down that she really wanted a girl and with this pregnancy being three you both were very unsure whether you would ever try for another baby.

“They are, I’m stilling going to check that just incase but they should all be girls,”

“Are we still going to give the team cupcakes to tell them?” You asked Alexia who nodded still staring at the screen in amazement.

“Do you want to buy a pump?” Alexia asked and she immediately felt your walls go up.

“I don’t want to breastfeed at all, like only formula, no expressing, no one off,” you blurted out, feeling like you might break down into tears, which you did, the second your eyes connected, “I’m sorry, I know-”

“Bebé, it’s okay, you don’t have to breastfeed if you don’t want to. You’re no less of a mother if you don’t and I want you to feel comfortable and good, and if that means we bottle feed, we bottle feed,” 

“You sure?”

“Si, do we want three bottle warmers then?” alexia asked as she wrapped her free arm around your shoulders pulling you into her side.

“Yes, it will make it easier,” 

You were baby shopping having chosen all the nursery furniture you needed already and also the required items for getting out of the house, including car seats, prams, porta-cots, bags, and the list went on, it was safe to say having three babies at once was not cheap.