#Pinoe on I’m not afraid

[melodiousoblivionao3]

golden age

[marsborne]

Untold Weight - Pinocchio x f!Reader

After the events that happened at Arche Abbey, Pinocchio is left to think about all that has happened. The thoughts that run around in his head are not very pleasant.

Set after the Rise of P ending

- warnings: sad pino at the beginning - word count: 1.6k

AU where Antonia lives

It’s been a few days since Pinocchio returned from the Isle of Alchemists with Sophia, and ever since, unease seemed to settle over him like a shadow. He’d shared everything with you—every trial he faced, from his battles against countless enemies to his fight with Laxasia, and even his confrontation with Simon. His silver hair, gleaming softly in the moonlight, a sort of proof of setting Sophia free and her being with him until the very end. She was happy now, radiantly so, and yet…something lingered.

He told you about Geppetto. About the Nameless Puppet. About Carlo. About his own heart.

When he returned, it was you he sought out first.

He found you in the library of Hotel Krat. There were no words, only action. He wrapped you in an embrace so tight, so full of sorrow, it felt like he was holding onto you for dear life, afraid you might slip through his fingers just like his maker.

He didn’t know what to think. His father—his creator, the man he had idolized and obeyed without question, had spoken such hateful words. Yet, he had shed tears for him.

Tears for a monster of a man.

And still, those final words haunted him.

"I’m sorry, son."

They echoed in his mind, turning over and over like the mechanisms in his chest. The more he thought about them, the more he believed they weren’t meant for him at all, but for Carlo.

Everyone at the hotel noticed the shift in him. Some more than others. It was Antonia who noticed first.

She called for him one day. Life at the hotel had started to mend—rooms restored, halls repaired, the echoes of despair replaced by the tentative whispers of hope.

He sat on a stool by the piano in the library, his elbows resting on his knees, his silver hair falling like a curtain to hide his face. Across from him, Antonia sat in her wheelchair, her gaze warm with quiet understanding.

He told her everything.

Antonia, who had loved Geppetto and Carlo so dearly, found her heart twisting in ways she hadn’t expected. She had never imagined this of Geppetto, the man she once held in such high esteem. Carlo was gone, but her love for the boy remained steadfast. Yet, in the time she had come to know Pinocchio, her affection for him had grown just as strong. In many ways, she saw him as a son.

But there was another weight Pinocchio carried, one he couldn’t voice so easily.

He worried about what you might think of him now.

His father’s words had cut deep, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t silence them. He was just a puppet. Nothing more.

But oh, if only he could see himself through your eyes.

Antonia saw it too.

“Oh, dear child. That girl holds you so very dear—more than you probably know. Don’t think I didn’t notice how she looks at you, from the very first day you arrived here. I may have been ill, but I wasn’t blind,” she said with a soft chuckle. “Talk to her and see for yourself. She has a pure heart, and she loves you truly. She would never discard you, just because you’re not made of flesh and blood.”

Her words stayed with him, echoing in his mind, until finally, he found the courage to come to your door.

You had been worried sick. For days, he had barely spoken to anyone, least of all you.

When you opened the door, his gaze remained fixed on the floor, unable to meet yours. You could see the weight he carried, feel it in the air between you. You knew what had happened—everyone did. You couldn’t claim to understand his pain. You didn’t, and you never would.

But you had resolved to be there for him, through it all.

He stood before you in his simple white shirt and dark pants, a picture of vulnerability. You stepped closer, your hands reaching up to cradle his freckled cheeks, gently lifting his face so you could meet his eyes.

His eyes shimmered—not with the polished quality of their craftsmanship, but with unshed tears.

“Pino, sweetheart, what’s wrong?”

It was a silly question. You knew what was wrong.

He said nothing, only wrapped his arms around you. Carefully, always carefully with his Legion arm. He buried his face in your shoulder, silent tears soaking into your shirt.

Your heart ached. You held him close, your fingers threading through his silver hair, offering comfort in the only way you could. For a while, the room was quiet, save for the soft ticking of his mechanisms and the steady beat of his heart. Then, finally, you spoke.

“You are enough.”

He froze. For a moment, even his gears seemed to halt. Slowly, he pulled back, his face a mix of surprise and something else—something raw.

“…What?”

“You are enough, Pinocchio.”

And just like that, he broke.

He kissed you with an intensity that stole the air from your lungs, his lips pressing against yours with a fervor that felt like a plea and a promise all at once. His hands moved with a careful kind of desperation—one resting on your back, pulling you closer, as if he could fuse you together and never let go. The other found its way into your hair, his fingers threading through the strands as though seeking solace in their softness.

It was not a kiss of hesitation or doubt—it was everything he couldn’t put into words. His fears, his sorrows, his love for you—all of it poured out in a torrent, raw and unrestrained.

For a moment, you were stunned, caught off guard by the sheer weight of his emotion. But then, like the tide rushing to meet the shore, you responded without hesitation.

Your hands found their place, one on his cheek and the other curling around his neck, pulling him even closer. The heat of the moment wrapped around you both like a cocoon, shielding you from the outside world. You kissed him back with everything you had, pouring every ounce of love, every whispered promise, and every silent vow into the connection between you.

His lips moved against yours with a mix of urgency and tenderness, as though trying to memorize every detail of this moment. He tilted his head slightly, deepening the kiss, and you felt a soft, shaky sigh escape him. The hand in your hair tightened just a fraction, his thumb brushing against your temple in a touch so reverent it made your heart ache.

Your senses were overwhelmed by him—the faint metallic tang of his scent, the warmth of his touch, the rhythmic ticking of his mechanisms mingling with the steady beat of his heart. It was a symphony of contrasts, both human and mechanic, and it was him.

When you finally broke apart, it wasn’t from a lack of desire but the need for air. His forehead pressed against yours, his silver hair falling between you like a shimmering curtain. His breaths came in soft, uneven gasps, mingling with yours in the quiet space between you.

For a moment, neither of you spoke. You simply looked at each other, his glossy eyes searching yours as if trying to confirm that this was real, that you were here, and that you loved him as fiercely as he loved you.

And you did.

Without a word, your thumb brushed against his freckled cheek, a silent reassurance that you weren’t going anywhere. His lips quirked into the faintest of smiles, and in that instant, you knew. No matter the hardships you faced, no matter the doubts that plagued him, you would face them by his side.

---

An hour later, you lay together on your bed. Pinocchio rested his head on your chest, his arms wrapped securely around your torso. The steady rhythm of your heartbeat was his anchor, grounding him in a world that often felt too overwhelming.

Your fingers played idly with strands of his silver hair, curling them around your fingertips as you stared at the ceiling.

For Pinocchio, this moment felt like heaven.

The thought came to him suddenly, yet it rooted itself deeply.

He thought of Julian, the gentleman who had entrusted him with his wife’s most cherished possession. Their wedding ring. His words rang in his head.

"Please remember the love Melody and I shared. Who knows? Maybe you'll find true love one day, too."

He thought of Polendina and the love he so clearly felt for Antonia—a love so pure and steadfast it seemed to transcend everything.

And then, he thought of you.

He adored you. Completely and utterly.

“I want to marry you,” he said, breaking the silence.

Your fingers stilled. Your heart skipped a beat, and he felt it beneath his ear.

“I…what?”

“I want you to be my wife,” he said, his voice soft but steady.

You blinked, unsure if you’d heard him correctly.

Now he lifted his head, propping himself up on his arms. His silver hair framed his face, strands brushing your cheeks like a veil between you and the rest of the world. Your face burned crimson, and he chuckled softly, a flicker of mischief breaking through his seriousness.

“You’re not…proposing to me right now, are you?”

He faltered, guilt flashing across his face as he began to sit up. But before he could pull away, you grabbed his face, pressing a kiss to his freckled forehead and tucking a few silver strands behind his ear.

“I’m not complaining,” you said with a soft smile. “And I want you to be my husband as well”

For a moment, he looked as though he might short circuit entirely.

Little did you know, the residents of Hotel Krat had already begun planning your wedding long before either of you realized you wanted one.

Heyy so school started and I'm not okay with that

Anyways I finished ng+ and immediately started ng+2 and my brain slapped me with this idea

I put my whole nervous system and brain power into that kissing scene I hope it's alright-

Also that ending was so random I felt the need to add that

[phonydiaries]

a Dance in The Dark - P x Reader

It’s late when you reach the puppet’s quarters. Long shadows loom along the walls of the hotel and a draft rustles past you, pajama-clad and disheveled from a night of restlessness. You hadn’t bothered to switch your clothes, knowing your dear puppet wouldn’t pay it any mind. You had half expected to find P dormant at this hour, but instead he’s laid out on the floor with his legs kicked over the side of his bed. A book -which he seems thoroughly engrossed in- is held up above his head, its pages illuminated by the yellow-green light of Monad’s lamp, which casts a soft halo about the edges of his face. You rap your knuckles against the doorframe and his eyes jump to you, startled out of their careful concentration.

“Can’t sleep.” You sigh, gesturing down the hall with a tilt of your head. “Walk with me?”

With a twitch of a smile, Pinocchio tosses his book to the side and rolls haphazardly out of his place on the floor, clumsy with excitement. 

Knowing the hotel well enough, the two of you make your rounds of its many chambers in the dark, ever so often bumping elbows to each other’s ribs. Your barefoot steps cast dull echoes through the halls as you dip in and out of doorways, poke behind desks and rummage carelessly through shelves. In the deep blue foreignness of nighttime, you feel exploratory; curious like children let loose in an enormous garden just brimming with unrealized discoveries. 

Passing through the entrance hall, you seize the coveted opportunity to act a fool behind the front desk. “Hello, you’ve reached Hotel Krat.” You say, picking up the receiver of the hotel’s long-dead rotary phone. You’re sat on top of the desk now, your legs swinging over the side. Pinocchio glances up at you, his hands preoccupied diligently petting the hotel’s beloved orange tabby. You feign listening to the nonexistent voice on the other end of the phone. “Oh I’m sorry, Mr. Spring is busy at the moment. I’m afraid he’s in a very important meeting.” 

After thoroughly nosing about, you find yourselves settling in the piano room, you and Pino curiously flipping through pages and pages of sheet music. P’s interest is especially piqued by one booklet and he takes a seat at the piano, attempting to make sense of its pages. An admirable attempt is made as he plinks slowly and diligently away at the piece, tugging at your sleeve when he gets stuck. You barely know more than he does, and as you sit together at the bench your fingers tangle and trip over each other. The resulting notes are dissonant and clangy and you both fall into ripples of laughter at your duet's messy melody. 

The night wears on calmly, P fingering through a box of cobwebbed records, most of which are scratched beyond recognition. He retrieves one with some care and blows a layer of dust from the cover, his nose scrunching as it flutters across his face. 

You’re lying on the floor, limbs outstretched like a lazy snow angel as P futzes with the gramophone. There’s a few moments of anticipatory static before the record crackles to life; a somber piano score reverberates through the dim and intimate space. You close your eyes  as a woman’s wispy voice floats through the room, cool and calm. Something about the melody, the echo, the timbre of her voice makes your ribs fall heavy around your heart like a slowly but surely shrinking birdcage. 

Close your eyes,

Come to me,

Feel alright,

Just dance with me all through the night

“I can’t stand it.” You start, “It’s beautiful… but it makes me so sad.” 

You wonder if P is affected differently, maybe even more than you are by the emotional quality of the music. He certainly seems to have a fascination with it. “What about you?” You ask, your head turning to glance at the puppet. 

P’s eyes flicker towards the ceiling and his mouth twitches to the side in thoughtful consideration. He lifts a finger at you -hold on- while he rises from his place at the piano stool and arranges himself with precision beside the grand. He stands up tall, shoulders back, one arm held out just-so at hip level, the other outstretched as if resting on the shoulder of a ghost. You beam at the fine mimic work in front of you. 

“Really?” you ask, your brows knitting with intrigue. “Makes you want to dance, huh?” 

He nods enthusiastically and motions for you to join him. Your mouth hangs open for a moment. 

“Oh- no really I don’t know the first thing about it.” You stammer. Before your days at the hotel as Pinocchio’s companion, you had never known such affluent people and knew very little of high society or of their practices. Any formal knowledge of dance was utterly foreign to you. 

P assumes a swordsman’s stance and shrugs at you, nonchalant, as if combat training and dance were the most naturally drawn parallels in the world. 

“Sparring with you isn’t the same.” You say flatly, but P’s already made up his mind, and before you know it his hand is closing around yours and he’s tugging you up off the floor. You laugh nervously as you rise to your feet. “No, I’m serious! I don’t-” You begin to protest, but you catch a glimpse of his face, wide pleading eyes and creased brows. He smiles with all the calculated charm of a fox, handsome and cunning. You exhale deeply, steeling yourself before meeting his gaze. 

“Oh fine.” You relent, much to his chagrin. “Just watch your feet, I mean it.” 

P’s smile is annoyingly triumphant as he holds his hands palm-up out to you, seeking your guidance. Always so much concern for your comfort, you feel your cheeks warm just barely and hope the low light of the piano room masks it.

“Right. Um. Let’s see, you’ll put your hands…here.”  You say, taking his hands in yours and leading them to the crook between your waist and hips. He steals curious glances at you as you do. 

“And then I guess I’ll just…” You trail off, as your hands fold neatly together at the nape of his neck. You stand still for a moment, just looking at each other in the dark, the features of your faces obscured and foreign. This isn’t the way these things are normally done, you think, in pajamas, in the dark, but you can’t imagine it gets any better. If not for the undercurrent of music, you may have forgotten your purpose here entirely. P takes the first step, and you follow his lead with a dull anxiousness. Strangely enough, your movements feel still and mechanical compared to his. You try to loosen up, rolling your shoulders back, allowing yourself to be disarmed. P’s presence has a funny way of setting you at ease. 

The two of you move slowly in circles through the room, swaying gently like awkward young lovers. You draw into him as the music carries. Your cheek settles against his shoulder and his arms wrap around the small of your back and you breathe easy. It’s a lovely feeling, the way your bodies fit together like this, like they were made to. As you continue to step and sway, you close your eyes and listen to the gentle whirs and clicks of your companion’s heart…although… 

You maneuver slightly and press your ear to his chest. With some surprise you notice a skipping in its usual rhythm, bolder than you’ve ever heard it. You pull your head away and look up at P’s face in awe, a glinting smirk crossing your lips. 

“Pino, are you nervous?” You ask, cocking your head to the side. His face contorts and he opens his mouth as if to speak, but nothing comes of it. He actually looks flustered and you almost don’t believe it. “It’s just me.” You say simply. At this, Pinocchio’s face softens, his brows turning up as if he’d taken offense.

“Just you?” He asks, and the timbre of his voice surprises you. You spend so much time together, and yet hardly do you hear him speak. Your smile fades slowly, replaced with an expression of curiosity. You nod hesitantly and hum in reply. P shakes his head at you, deliberate and slow. 

“Not just.” He murmurs, his gaze holding yours intently. “Never just you.” You realize you’re holding your breath. A ghost of a whisper slips past your lips. 

“Oh.”

Your fingers itch for something you can’t quite name and you find yourself pulling the puppet closer. His head dips to meet you and you feel a stray lock of his hair brush your cheek. His breath is warm.

The song ends. 

The needle of the gramophone lifts and the air is stretched thin with a cutting silence. You’re left in the dark together again, frozen in place. It feels terribly long, like you’re both waiting for something.  

“The music’s stopped.” You say, shattering the stillness of the moment, and as P moves to retrieve the record you immediately wish you hadn't. Your hand extends to stop him, fingers closing around his wrist. “But- we don’t have to, you know.” 

In the dark, you think you see him smile. He holds you like glass, delicate, and picks up again, moving leisurely to the music playing only in his head. He hums the tune softly and you follow suit, the two of you meeting in a duet of somber sounds. You wonder if your chests swell the same, if your breaths and heartbeats synchronize, following each other blindly the way you do now. The motion feels like crashing waves, steady and rhythmic, comfortingly repetitive. You fall into the flow of it all over again, leaning against P, sturdy and secure. You wouldn’t mind doing this all night.

Feels alright, indeed. 

[13uswntimagines]

I’m just worried the new leadership at US Soccer and the USWNT will tolerate her cause they either think she’s that good and the future of the team or they’re afraid of the conservative backlash. Like how desperate is US Soccer for money and are they gonna try and bring back those conservative MAGA fans that stopped supporting the team now that Pinoe is gone???

I think it’ll work itself out.

People don’t play well when no one will talk to them.

[my-life-on-parade]

Mark and I just returned from a four day getaway in New Mexico with our friends Mimi and Doak (and our 18 month old Chiweenie dog Spartacus, his first roadtrip). We rented a cabin in the Pinos Altos Mountains just seven miles from downtown Silver City, an awesome split level cabin, rustic and cozy and nestled in a forest of Ponderosa Pines with a long covered bridge leading to a spacious front porch (with a Ponderosa tree growing up thru the center), a full kitchen, a dining area, a living room with a fireplace and a bathroom on lower level, and two bedrooms (with king size beds and flat screen tvs) on the top level and a large covered balcony with Adirondack chairs (great for sitting with our morning coffee). We had such a relaxed stay, just hanging out, talking and laughing, listening to music, cooking meals together and drinking cocktails by the fire in the evening. One day we drove about an hour to the Catwalk located in the Gila National Forest, a half mile long suspended bridge that’s winds thru a narrow volcanic canyon high above a rushing creek that flowed into turquoise pools and waterfalls. To be honest, I felt a little uneasy walking on the bridge because I’m afraid of heights and you could see through the grates of the metal floor, but just the same it was such an exciting and amazing experience. The Catwalk was once used to access a large water pipe which transported water to a mill. Of course, we also spent some time in Silver City visiting various shops and walking along the beautiful and eerie riverfront walk which runs along the back of Bullard Street. All in all, we had such a wonderful getaway that we didn’t want it to end. October, 2024.

[outsideratheart]

It’s Not Your Fault (Alexia Putellas x reader)

A/N: so my team lost in the cup final to penalties but writing this has made me feel a little bit better. Hope you guys like it!

Finals are hard, games against Canada are hard but this gold medal match against Canada will go down as one of the hardest games you have played in your career. The match ends 1-1 thanks to your 87th minute goal but extra time comes and goes with neither time scoring which means it is going to penalties.

When penalties were brought up in the match day minus 1 meeting nobody was surprised when Pinoe offered to take the first penalty and you put you hand up for the fifth. This is the way it had been for years as you two were the best penalty takers on the team, you hadn’t missed a penalty in years. 

Much like the game, the penalties are tied going into the fifth round. Christine Sinclair steps up and slots the ball in the bottom right corner, her experience showing when the ball hits the back of the net.

You walk to the penalty spot, place the ball the way you always did, you took two steps back and one to the right. You hit the ball perfectly but miraculously Stephanie Labbe gets her fingers to it sending the ball over the crossbar.

You had missed, you had cost the US a gold medal.

Walking back towards your team, the majority of them on the floor no doubt heartbroken by the loss. Christen is the first person you lock eyes with, you try your best to remain stoic but it would be impossible to not show the pain your are feeling. She wraps her arms around you whispering reassurances just as you did back in 2016 but her words fall on deaf ears.

You apologise to each one of your team mates and each one responds the same, it isn’t your fault, you knew it was though and nothing they say would make you think differently.

After the ceremony, you all go back to your hotel with your silver medals around your necks. Kelley tells you that they are going to celebrate but you aren’t in the mood, it was painskatingly obvious that it would take a while for you to get over this loss.

Due to the COVID regulations, all athletes had to leave Tokyo within 48 hours of their final event.

You team mates tried to persuade you to stay in Tokyo with them and explore the Olympic Village but you declined their invite. Your argument is that you aren’t in the best mood and didn’t want to ruin their day.

There is only one place you wanted to be and that is home.

“You sure we can’t change your mind?” Tobin asks as she helps you put your bags in the car.

“I’m afraid not Tobs. This is going to sting for a while and whilst I love you guys, I think I just need to go home” you explain.

Tobin and Christen watch as you leave the hotel.

“You need to text” Tobin begins to say but Christen cuts her off.

“I texted them as soon as Y/N told us she was leaving early. I even got the flight details off Ryan so that they will know when she lands” 

***************************

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Mapi asks as she helps Leila hang the banner.

Alba had suggested throwing you a welcome home party after the gold medal match. Truth is Alexia was planning on throwing you one to celebrate you winning gold but after watching the game she knew you would be in no mood, her sister however refused to drop the party idea.

“Y/N will love it, you know she loves a good party” Alba says.

This is one of the times Alexia is envious of her sister. Alba didn’t understand what losing a game felt like, let alone a final. Alba told Alexia that you would still want to celebrate the silver medal and after several attempts at telling her otherwise, Alexia gave up but told her sister to try and be sensitive to the situation.

Alexia is in the kitchen with her mum and Jenni.

“How is she doing?” Alexia’s mum asks.

“Honestly, I don’t know. She called me after the ceremony but didn’t say much” Alexia tells her.

When you called Alexia you did so with no intention of talking, you only wanted to hear her voice. She knew a little bit about what you were feeling since you lost the Supercopa semi final the same way earlier on in the year. When she asked to switch to FaceTime she could see the hurt on your face.

“I knew Y/N wouldn’t say anything so I text Christen. She told me that Y/N didn’t speak to anyone after the ceremony, she just went straight to her room. Some of the US players tried to get her to celebrate the fact that they won silver but Y/N said no”

The Putellas women listen as Jenni speaks.

“She’s here” Patri shouts from the living room window trying not to be seen. Alexia, her mum and Jenni join the rest of the team waiting for you to walk through the door.

“Surprise” everyone shouts as you enter.

You feel your throat close as you look at the people in front of you, the people who you now call your family.

Alba is the first one to you.

“Congratulations” She tells you and you thank her in response trying not to sound too ungrateful.

The rest of the team greet you in a similar way but most them just tell you they missed you and that they are happy to have to back in Barcelona.

Ironically the last person you get to is the first person you want to see. Alexia.

“Here’s me thinking I could surprise you by coming home early” You tell her as you wrap you arms around her waist, burying you face in her neck.

“And not let Alba through you a party” Alexia replies.

“So this was all Alba?” You say playfully.

“It was” Alexia argues “I would have been happy with a night in with you and Nala, speaking of” Alexia says as she bends downing picking the small dog up.

You take her from Alexia, letting the dogs lick your face.

“Nice you see you too Nala, I wish your mummy welcomed me home like this” you whined.

“The night is still young, mi amore” she says causing you to laugh “I did miss you Y/N and I know it didn’t end the way you” 

You cut Alexia off, you didn’t want your soon to be sour mood to ruin the night.

“I’m not talking about it Ale” you say before walking away “I’m going to take a quick shower, 19 hours of travelling feels disgusting” 

Alexia looks towards her mum, both of them sharing a concerned look.

You walk towards you bathroom but stop at mapi.

“I’ll be back in 5 minutes, any chance of a mapi sunrise?” You ask the defender.

“Extra strong?” Mapi suggests trying to gauge your mood.

“Absolutely” you sing as you walk down the hallway.

***************************

Once out of the shower you get the little plush toy you for Nala got from the olympic gift shop. When you enter the living room you give it to her and watch as she takes it to her bed.

You go to the kitchen, taking a seat on the countertop. You thank mapi as she gives you your drink and watch as she goes to talk to Leila.

“Is she the only one who gets a present?” Jenni asks as she stands next to you pointing to Nala.

“As promised I have a team USA Y/N Y/L/N jersey in my bag for you” you tell her.

“I feel honoured” she jokes.

“You should be, it’s even from the gold medal match” you say.

Jenni hears the way your voice changes when you mention the game.

“It wasn’t your fault. I know you blame your self, Christen told me” Jenni tries to comfort you but fails.

“You’ve been talking about me behind my back” your insecurities now coming to the surface.

“Y/N, it wasn’t like that” Jenni tries to defend herself “I know what it’s like, I missed mine against atleti”

You scoff at her response.

“That was a domestic cup semi final, it’s not the same” you explain.

At this point Alba came to join the two of you.

“Let’s not talk about football” Alba suggests but it is what she says next that pisses you off “I mean I get you’re upset but I think you need to let it go” 

“Alba!” Jenni snaps getting the attention of everyone in the room.

“No Jenni” Alba looks at you “I have thrown you this party and your mood is ruining it. It’s a little dramatic don’t you think. So what you missed the penalty that cost you gold, you still have a silver medal”

You have to bite your tongue. You know that Alba has had a couple of drinks and she isn’t purposely trying to hurt you, she didn’t understand football and the pressure that comes with it.

“Silver isn’t good enough Alba” you say as you walk away and towards the balcony of yours and Alexia’s apartment.

Alexia goes to follow you out there but her mum grabs her arm.

“Let me” she says.

You feel your chest tighten and you throat close as the cool Barcelona air hits you. As you lean on the rails you hear the door open and close.

“Ale, just give me 5 minutes and I will be fine” you say not looking behind you.

“Carino” Eli says causing you to turn around “You’re not ok and that is ok” 

When you see your girlfriend’s mum, words fail you. Eli has been like a mother to you ever since you moved to Barcelona in 2015.

“You know you can’t lie to me. We’re worried about you” she says referring to her and Alexia.

“I’m fine” you repeat.

Eli shakes her head.

“How many times have you said that in the past 48 hours?” She asks and you cannot answer, not because you can’t but because you don’t know, you have lost count.

“You don’t have to pretend around us. We are family” she says and she holds her arms out. You take a couple of steps forward and let her wrap her arms around you.

“It’s all my fault Eli. They counted on me to score, to keep them in the game but instead I caused us to lose. I wouldn’t blame them if they hated me” you told her.

Anyone outside of football may have called you dramatic but Eli understood although sometimes she didn’t have a choice, her daughter and someone who she hoped would one day become her daughter-in-law, are professional athletes.

Eli let you rant having a feeling this is the first time you are saying what you really feel.

“I practice them with the girls all the time after training but when I came down to it I failed”

Words fail you as your vision gets blurry with the tears that brimmed your eyes. Alexia’s mum felt them on her shirt, she rubbed circles on your back in attempt to sooth you.

What you didn’t know is that everyone inside is watching the moment between the two of you. Alexia heart warmed as she watched you confine in her mum, albeit she was a little jealous it wasn’t her.

“Have you finished?” Eli asks you.

You take a step back, brows furrowed in confusion, regardless you nod your head with a small smile on your face.

“First of all, I am so proud of you. Alexia told me that you said it was really difficult being so secluded and I saw you during the games, you were sweating and exhausted and that was only in the games that were 90 minutes”

Thinking back to it, there were a lot of factors that affected your playing but you never made excuses and you weren’t going to start now.

“Another thing” Eli paused “We all watched the gold medal match, it was one of the greatest games you have ever played, you were all over the pitch, covering for your team mates who made mistakes. Ale was shouting at the screen telling you to calm down or you would hurt yourself” she smiles thinking about her concerned her daughter was “and it was your goal that kept you in the game”

When Eli looks you in the eye she sees that her words aren’t having the affect she hoped.

“You know Alexia blames herself for the supercopa loss” she tells you changing to subject.

“What why? She played incredibly” your inner captain coming to light.

“She told me that if only she would have done more during the game, perhaps she could have scored or assisted you” 

You shake your head at what you are hearing.

“It wasn’t her fault. We win together, we lose together, it is never one person’s” you stop talking when you see a grin on Eli’s face and you realise what she is doing.

“Ok, I see what you are doing but it isn’t the same” you say trying to defend yourself. You turn away from her choosing to look over the city of Barcelona instead.

“I know it’s different and I know that this will hurt for a while but it isn’t your fault” 

Your roll your eyes at her words, words that you have heard from so many people.

“Say it” she commands.

“It wasn’t my fault” you say and it takes a huge weight off your shoulders.

Eli smiles and nods her head as she feels like she has accomplished her mission.

You both go back into the apartment. When you see Alexia you smile which causes her to smile, you might not be ok but she sees her Y/N for the first time that night. You talk with Mapi and Leila while Alexia thanks her mum.

***************************

The party last until the early hours, Alexia notices your tiredness and politely tells everyone to go home.

You’re sat on the sofa with Alexia tucked into your side.

“I have been waiting to have you to myself all night” Alexia says “I love those girls but nothing compares to this”

You place a kiss on her temple “I love playing for the US but the longer I’m with you, the harder it is when I’m away”

“You know if we get married, you could play for Spain” Alexia says looking up at you.

“If we get married?” You pretend to be offended.

“Ok, when we get married” she corrects herself.

“That’s better but it’s never going to happen. Like I said I love playing for them even if it hurts sometimes” you say.

You both sit in silence for a few moments. Alexia can feel you heartbeat quicken and she knows you are thinking about the game in your head.

“I know you’re hurting and it will hurt for a while but I have an idea” your girlfriend tells you “We could go to Ibiza a little bit earlier and then meet the rest of the girls later on” she suggests.

“I like the thought of that. Just the two of us, sound amazing” you smile at thought of you and Alexia lounging by the pool, taking a stroll along the beach in the evenings.

“You know it’s just the two us now” Alexia says raising her eyebrows.

You lean down pressing your lips against hers, it is the first kiss the two of you have shared in weeks. Alexia pulls away first causing you to frown but then she stands up holding her hands out which you take.

Once you are both on your feet, you lips are against hers straight away. The kiss deepens almost immediately, your hands move from her face to her hips to back of her thighs, she jumps and wraps her legs around your waist. You walk the two of you to your bedroom, Alexia making it her personal mission to make you forget all about Tokyo.

You are the first to wake up, alexia still asleep with her arm draped around your torso. When you look down you realise that although you lost an important game you would always be a winner because you could call the beautiful girl in world yours.

[duckymcdoorknob]

Pardon me for being the resident hurt/comfort slut of our little community of people but.

Here’s this little RodyDeku blurb

𝕆𝕜𝕒𝕪 𝕓𝕦𝕥 𝕚𝕞𝕒𝕘𝕚𝕟𝕖...

One night under the stars, Rody is absolutely worried to the point of physical discomfort. To say he was worried sick would be an understatement. He could lose his mind at any moment. He feels sick, dizzy, and ready to cry at the drop of a pin. Except he continues to do what he does best: suppress and forget.

That is... until he met a friend who truly cared...

“Rody you alright?” Izuku asked quietly.

“Huh? Yeah... just uh... tired is all” he replied with a forced smile, hugging his knees to his chest and resting his chin upon them.

Pino stares up at Izuku with tears leaking down her cheeks. The sweet little bird looked so lost, and alone and afraid.

“Don’t worry about anything.” the hero replied with a patient smile.

Rody’s eyes widened and welled up with tears as he felt tight arms wrap around him. He let himself cry in comfort and safety after a practically silent comment:

“I’m here...”

——————✞♡︎✞♡︎✞♡︎✞♡︎✞♡︎✞♡︎✞♡︎✞♡︎✞——————

[ohstylesno]

Harry’s House review

music for a sushi restaurant

I instantly really loved this. Great choice for an opener. Groovy, fun, and the horns take it to another level! I was skeptical about the scatting, but I like it in this song, I love the playfulness it has. Sick bass line too.

late night talking

This is so cool. Love the chorus. Fun, funky. Summer tuuune 🍍

grapejuice

Love the way he whispers 1,2,3 - 🥵. I wanna ride a bike during summer while listening to this song. The voice effect during the verses I kinda wish they’d drop. But that’s nitpicking.. The guitar and bass + synth bass is really sick in this and I esp love the choruses. 

as it was

Not gonna say too much about this, other than that I like it but it’s not a fave off the album. But the message from Ruby in the beginning is sooo cute 🥺

daylight

Love the effect that’s on the keys in this! So nice. «If I was a blue bird I would fly to you» idk why it’s so cute when he sings that. It’s so airy and groovy. Love the part from 1:52 and onwards. I dig this. A shot of serotonin. 

little freak

Here I was expecting Medicine or Kiwi part 2 and then I got this curve ball and got emotional instead. But I reeeally love this. The stacked vocals, the falsetto.. the soft guitar. Some of the lyrics are a bit trite like «Track suit and a pony tail, you hide the body all that yoga gave you» but he gets away with it lol ‘cause this song is just SO sweet. 

“I'm not worried about where you are or who you will go home to. I'm just thinking about you”🥺 

matilda

This song is so special because it’s so relatable for many, which is the beautiful side of music 🥰 The acoustic guitar is so tender in this, and I love how he’s singing, it feels so intimate. Like he’s singing to you on a chair in your living room. LOVEEEE the way he sings «for leaving and growing up» and «for doing it on your own» lyrics. 

cinema

Obsessed. «I guess we’re in time if you’re getting yourself wet for me» tysm harry. I love the groove this has from the get-go. Him singing «do you think I’m cool too, or am I too into you?» is so cute. He’s head over heels with his gf, to the point where he’s afraid he’s being ridiculous. Harry Styles, Mr. Cool himself, is afraid of how he’s coming off! You know he’s down bad because of this song.

«I bring the pop to the cinema» I see what you did there, H 😌

Oh, I also dig John Mayer’s tasteful guitar playing on it. A special, special song.

daydreaming

Another fave. Love THE «baya bababa» background vocals (ykwim) and Harry’s high «OOooohhHHs» throughout the song.

The bass is so good, which makes sense 'cause he got Pino Palladino to play on it. (One of the best bass players in the world who’s a staple on tour with John Mayer.) The rhythm breakdown starting at 1:52 is John’s playing for sure and I wish we could hear more of his soloing in there, but maybe we’ll get that live one day? A fave. Love this song. SUMMER VIBES ☀️

keep driving

This is really smooth, again I just love the groove.

«choke her with a sea view» - love learning something new about Harry 💀 

Could do without the drug references, but I really like this song. 

satellite

Loveee. Such a banger! THE WAY he sings «spinning out waiting for you, to pull me innnnn» and the falsetto in «don’t you know that I am right here» The vocals on this album?? ✨ CHORUS CHORUS CHORUS. ✨ So good. Love the bridge and onwards. It’s giving Kings of Leon 🔥 A fave.

boyfriends

I really love the idea and sentiment behind this song. A lot of people will relate to this. And it’s a beautiful song, I love Ben Harper’s playing on this, love Harry’s vocals and the multitrack harmonies, it’s so lush 😭 It feels old soul but it’s also current, you know? 

love of my life

Again, obsessed with the vocals. This is a really beautiful song to close off the album with. 

Overall thoughts: 

The production level is so high on this, it’s clear he’s got some of the best people in the business with him. He’s taken command of his voice in an impressive way on this record, and his confidence as a songwriter is also more clear now. As I’ve mentioned before I could do without the corny/unnecessary drug references, but alas..This is a very, very solid, cohesive album and I just love how he’s just doing his own thing and not caring about following trends. I can’t even imagine how good he’s gonna get and I’m so proud of how far he’s come and he keeps improving and improving. 🥰 Right now my faves are: satellite, daydreaming, cinema, matilda, little freak, daylight and music for a sushi restaurant! 

[beckysauerbrunn]

Pinoes comment on Syds post though, lmao that FO and Cromwell are both trash. I can’t wait until the pin drops and we find out the tea.

she once again did not miss i’m afraid

[uswntfics]

Mates? Part 2

A/N: Hey everyone! Thank you so much for your lovely comments and likes on part 1! I hope you enjoy this one as always I welcome requests for what you’d like to happen next and I’m taking one shot requests as well.

Y/N felt like she was frozen as she was carried toward what must be the USWNT locker room by her two favorite players who just happened to be her mates?!

Y/N snapped out of her thoughts when she was gently sat down on the bench. She looked up to see two sets of beautiful eyes on her, filled with adoration.

Becky had gently set her omega down on the bench, Alyssa and herself sitting on either side of their newfound mate.

Alyssa gently ran her hands soothingly on their mate’s back, hoping it would help to calm the anxious omega, whose breathing was still a little fast.

“You’re safe, we got you.” Alyssa said softly. Becky started to purr softly releasing soothing pheromones as she rubbed their omega’s back. Y/N’s breathing finally settled down as she blinked her eyes, suddenly so exhausted that she couldn’t keep them open.

“Sleep little one, we’ll protect you.” Alyssa said scooping the omega into her lap and kissing her forehead.

The pair were startled out of their adoration of their sleeping mate when the door to the locker room opened and loud voices started to pour in. Becky got up and growled, careful not to scare her newfound mate awake as Alyssa glared down their teammates who now looked apologetic.

“Sorry Naeherbruun. We didn’t mean to startle anyone” Pinoe Said.

Alyssa rolled her eyes at the incredibly stupid ship name that Pinoe had created.

“It’s fine.” Becky said.

The team stared at Becky and Alyssa and their sleeping mate. Becky and Alyssa were waiting for the barrage of questions from their crazy friends.

Surprisingly it was Julie who broke the silence. “Is she…” Julie trailed off,not wanting to finish her question if she was wrong. The omega defender knew first hand that through rooming with her at away games that her alpha club teammate and Becky were starting to lose hope that they’d ever find their omega.

“She is our omega mate.” Becky confirmed with a smile, slowly slipping out of enraged protective alpha mode as she glanced at her newfound mate who was peacefully cuddling into Alyssa’s arms where she’d always be safe.

Ali squealed at the adorable sight, causing Alyssa to look up from her omega to glare at the defender. She gently shushed the omega who started to stir, but Alyssa’s purr caused her to settle back to sleep, curling even closer to Alyssa.

“Sorry.” Ali said semi-quietly as she launched herself at her fellow defender. “I’m just so excited for you both!” Becky rolled her eyes at her fellow defender but couldn’t fight off a smile, hugging her friend back.

The two were often roomed together during national team camps the night before games. (Mates were Always roomed together except for the day before games because the coaches learned the hard way that most of the mates players didn’t obey their ‘no sex before game day’ rule if they were roomed together.)

Ali had comforted Becky so many times when the alpha defender could feel hurt or sadness through their mate bond that wasn’t from Alyssa. Becky just wanting so badly to find their omega and protect them.

“Thanks Ali. Becky said quietly, Alyssa smiling and nodding.

Abby (Wambach) broke the silence by asking the question the rest of the team was too afraid to ask. “So what exactly happened? All I saw was Broon growling and scaring the shit out of everyone and Ashlyn holding a panicking omega.”

Everyone looked to Ashlyn including Alyssa, really wanting to know what happened to cause their omega to panic so much.

“Well I was walking toward that side to sign for some fans. I had seen her before the game and it seemed like she was having major social anxiety so I tried to get people to back off. So after the game I went to go check to make sure that she was okay.” Ashlyn paused, rage filling her eyes again as she thought about the terrified look in the omega’s face when that sleazy alpha had put his hands on her.

“A sleazy alpha put his hands on her and when she smacked his hands away he slapped her and then put his hands around her neck. I pushed him off of her and took her onto the field while Pinoe, Hope and Tobin held him down while we waited for security to come with police officers. Ali and I tried to calm her the best we can, Broon must have caught a glimpse of her and went all protective alpha on everyone.” Ashlyn explained.

Alyssa, Becky, Abby, Tobin and a few other veteran players started to lowly growl at the thought of the alpha hurting the newest member of their family.

Ana started to stir again, whimpering slightly as she started to come to. The alphas abruptly stopped growling and the omegas put themselves between the young omega and the alphas, the look in Christie’s eyes daring anyone to come closer or growl again as she purred soothingly, moving carefully toward the omega, careful to not set Becky or Alyssa off.

Christie gently stroked the omega’s arm. Y/N’s eyes started to flutter and she blinked her eyes open. Ana startled a little at the sight of all of her favorite soccer players looking back at her.

However she felt soft hands rubbing each of her arms. She looked and saw her newfound mates. She expected to be afraid being surrounded by a lot of strong alphas but I felt so safe with my mates and the rest of the alphas on the team, standing behind a wall of omegas all smiled and released soothing pheromones.

“So it wasn’t a dream? I really found you?” Y/N asked, making Alyssa and Becky grin, kissing her cheeks, causing their omega to blush.

The veterans cooed over Y/N making her blush more.

Maybe not all alphas weren’t so bad after all? She thought as her mates cuddled her closer.

[rookieforlife]

so i’m doing a research project for school about pinoe and specifically her activism. do you remember any articles or pieces that speak of her treatment in 2016, her suspension, crystal speaking about 2016 and how she was afraid to kneel?

I’m gonna answer now cause there’s a chance someone reads this and wants to help! (please send messages or submissions 🙏🏼 @ everyone. I will post everything)

I’m gonna try to find all I can about it. I’m going to sleep now 😴 but I promise I will reblog this ask again tomorrow with the content I find.

[naivesilver]

In response to your question about SinoAlice's story: basic jist is that every character has a different defining trait and their main goals are all the same- to revive their author, which means they have to kill the other characters/nightmares. And they all want to revive their authors for different reasons, usually respective to their trait (Pino wanting to be told what to do by his author [Dependance], for example)

This is a very loose summary because I don't want to spoil anything (which is why I only used Pino as an example, since you shared screenshots of his story), but that's the basics of it, so I hope it helps. And if you need any other tips about the gameplay itself don't be afraid to ask people, this game isn't the best at explaining and it's fairly hard for beginners to get into it, even with the new updates they've given. Regardless I wish you the best.

Oh thank you for taking the time to stop by and explain, I really appreciate that! I'm glad the first reaction I got wasn't a cascade of insults, my experience with stepping into Pokemon Showdown had already destroyed my expectations akshdkfhdsh

Mostly after having vaguely grasped the premises of the story (which I'd expected to be dark, but not SO dark) my main problems were a) actual game mechanics, since the Parrah-Noya tutorial covered the fighting basics but not, say, how to check inventory/upgrade stuff/pick a grimoire to buy etc. b) in which order I should go through the chapters, AKA if I should do a full character story first and then get to the others or what. Rn I'm doing a few chapter 1s so I have a stable foundation and then I'll see.

It probably didn't help that this is the first game of its kind I play LMAO I was more interested in the story to begin with, I'm not well-versed in the fighting part. Hopefully it doesn't require me to do co-op playing too much to continue with the story, I have no interest in rankings and such.

[rayslittlekitten]

another prompt if you feel inspired: It occurred to me that expediters are basically kitchen dom(me)s which got me thinking.... kichen confidentials, becky/jack, prompt: "becky is daddy" 👀

(I feel like you gotta throw Jim in there somewhere)

“Becky is Daddy”

500 Follower Ficlet Challenge Masterlist

A/N: Okay, I didn't think this was going to happen, but it happened. Also, it's a little less Becky/Jack and more like Becky/Kitchen Staff. Hope you enjoy this. I had to go back to the brunch episode for research. Gosh I miss this show. Also, I’m not tagging anyone in this because I honestly don’t know if anyone but the requester is even interested in reading this, or is even familiar with Kitchen Confidential.

Rating: T

Fandom: Becky x Kitchen Staff (Kitchen Confidential)

Contains: Typical KC banter, Becky cracking the whip on the kitchen staff, Jack getting butt hurt, Steve being Steve, Teddy, Jim and Seth making appearances.

"WHERE IS THE SHRIMP RISOTTO FOR TABLE FIVE?" Becky shouts. "I NEEDED IT TEN MINUTE AGO!"

"WHAT THE HELL IS THIS? I'VE SEEN PRETTIER PLATING IN A TOILET! RE-MAKE THIS, STAT!" She tosses the plate of food aside and notices eyes rolling.

It is a typical Friday dinner rush and Becky is in charge at Nolita. She knows how to run a tight ship and is not afraid to crack the whip when she needs to. Her entire kitchen staff are men, but she's use to it. She's grown a thick skin over the many years since culinary school.

"That plating was perfect and you know it!" Jack shouts.

"It wasn't. Make it again!" Becky steps up into Jack's personal space.

"Uh oh, are mummy and daddy having a row again?" Steve asks as he flips some steaks, turning behind him to Teddy at the cooking station.

"Yeah, mommy doesn't like that daddy's running the kitchen."

"Wait, isn't Becky in charge?" Jim passes by struggling to hold a big sack of potatoes.

Both Steve and Teddy glare at Jim.

"Obviously, Becky is daddy," Seth says into Jim's ear as he comes out of nowhere behind him while whisking something in a bowl.

"No! I'm not making it again!" Jack shoots back.

"If you are incapable of producing quality and presentable dishes, you can leave my kitchen or go in the walk-in and cool off. Your choice," Becky tells him.

She looks around and notices she has an audience. "WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT? SHRIMP RISOTTO! TABLE FIVE! NOW!" Becky bangs on the steel working surface and walks away.

**********

Jack has a scowl on his face as he's stirring the arborio rice over the burner, making what must be the 1000th shrimp risotto he's made since he started at Nolita. He's use to the one telling his line cooks what to do and how to do it, but the roles have changed. Becky convinced Pino to let her run his kitchen for a day after Pino had to shut down the restaurant he had her running due to the pandemic. This was no surprise as many restaurants, particularly in New York City, had got hit terribly.

"First she sacrificed us for brunch, and now this?!" Jack starts stabbing the risotto with the wooden spoon.

"No, you sacrificed us for brunch, okay?" Teddy corrects him as he's butchering a salmon. "All because you wanted to eat some fish!" Teddy slaps a the filet down onto his prepping station.

"Easy, ladies! This is exactly where she wants us," Steve jumps in. "She's a sadist and she gets off on bossing us around and making us feel like the scum beneath the deep fryer after a long week. Don’t let her get to you,” he scoffs.

“WHERE ARE MY TWO RIB EYES FOR TABLES 13?” Becky shouts.

“COMING RIGHT UP, CHEF!” Steve immediately stiffens up and turns back to his grill.

Jack and Teddy glance at Steve.

“What? It’s kind of hot,” Steve shrugs.

[13uswntimagines]

You’re in Wubble Now (Bino x Teen!Reader)

Request: R is Sue and Megan daughter(14 years old) ? Like what is being at the wubble together?

Authors note: Hey dudes, I really don’t know much about basketball, or its players, but I hope you enjoy this! Hit me up with requests, questions or if you just wanna say hi!

You smiled brightly up at the sky, enjoying the way the sun fell on your face. You had missed the feeling of the sun on your face and cleats on your feet for the past 4 months you had spent in quarantine. You were glad that wubble included an outdoor area where you could practice your juggling in. You didn’t want to lose your edge over your Aunt Tobin.

You glanced down at the ball, flicking it up to balance on your toe-box, before starting to practice the various tricks you knew how to do. All the while moving towards the place that you had designated in your mind as “goal”. As you neared the area, you tapped the ball a little too hard, sending it careening over the small fence and directly onto the outdoor basketball court. You groaned loudly as it collided with one Sami Whitcomb. 

“I’m so sorry,” You tried to cover your giggle with your hand, but failed. 

“Trying to take her out so Chicago Sky has the advantage kid?” Jordin Canada laughed, sapping a hand on your shoulder, and you shot her a cheeky smile. You and your Aunt JJ had a running joke that the Stars were your favorite team, though you were rather partial to Portland, just to annoy your mothers. 

“Hey short stack, you’re good with your feet, but are you any good with your hands?” Sami joined in the banter, spinning the soccer ball on her finger before tossing it back to you. You smiled and caught it on the top of your left foot and began to juggle again. 

“Are you kidding me? She’s got Pino’s height and none of Bird’s skills,” Breanna Stewart joked, resting her elbow on the top of your head. You huffed. Yes, you were short, and the USWNT always liked to remind you of that, but next to your mom’s teammates, you were practically a dwarf and they didn’t mind telling you about it. 

Just because you preferred soccer didn’t mean you weren’t any good at basketball. Hell, you and your mom had done nothing but play pickup games in the driveway since the whole COVID thing started. You weren’t terrible, to begin with, but you had definitely gotten better if you did say so yourself. You had even pulled the basketball version of a nutmeg on your mom. Plus, you never backed down from a challenge. 

“I think I could take you,” You smirked, puffing out your chest. The women laughed at your adorableness. They knew just how competitive you were, they had seen it in your determination to make the U15 soccer team, and in all of the stories about you, Sue had shared with them. 

“Be careful what you ask for kid, just because you’re a Rapino-Bird doesn’t mean we won’t whip your ass,” Jordin said seriously, (gently) bumping your shoulder. You set your jaw in a way that they had come to recognize as your ‘I’m going to win any way I can’ face. 

“Sounds like a challenge to me,” Sami laughed at how cute your determined face was, patting your upper back in a way that reminded you of your mom. 

“Oh, you’re on. 2v2 me a Sami vs you and Breanna” You nodded at Jordin, who flashed Sami a wink. They couldn’t let the soccer players teach you everything, now could they. 

****

The game was going well for you, as you and Sami were up by 12, and you were about to extend that lead. She crossed you the ball, bouncing it in between Breanna’s legs. You collected it, realizing that if you tried to dribble, you’d most likely fall victim to Jordin’s marking. So you took the shot, Jumping up just outside of the three-point area. Jordin, not expecting the move, bumped into you milliseconds after the ball had left your fingertips, sending you careening into the concrete floor. 

“You alright kid?” Sami asked, watching as you got back to your feet, and gasping when you turned around. 

“Shit, Sue’s going to kill us,” Jordan mumbled when she saw the gash that had formed just above your right eyebrow, and the red substance that was seeping down your face, staining your brand new Re-inc popsicle shirt. 

“Kill you is more like it,” Breanna smirked, shoving Jordin’s shoulder lightly. 

“And I’d be more worried about Megan,” Sami murmured as she took a closer look at your cut. 

“I’m fine guys,” You grumbled, pulling your head out of Sami’s gentle hands and turning to find the basketball. The rapid movement caused even more blood to drip down your covered face, and land unceremoniously on the pavement. 

“Yeah, let’s get you to the medic,” The women rolled their eyes at your insistence, Jordin grabbing one arm, and Breanna grabbing another while Sami placed a hand at the center of your back to get you moving forward. 

The walk to the First aid room had been relatively uneventful, as the women wouldn’t budge on their stance that you needed to get checked by the doctors (though several other players sent you worried looks as you passed them). 

“I’m going to need to call one of your mothers down here for consent to treat you,” The doctor said quietly, handing you a piece of gauge and motioning for you to hold it to the cut that was still freely bleeding. You rolled your eyes at him and nodded for Sami to call your mom. She was always more level headed than Ma when you got hurt. You should have guessed that they would be together and that they would not be happy to find out that you’d been hurt… again. 

“What the fuck happened?” Megan exclaimed, bursting into the first aid room, racing over to you and glaring at the women who were accompanying you. It was kinda funny cause even though she was so much shorter than them, they all shrunk under her gaze. 

“Meg, chill.”Sue interrupted, stepping between her wife and her very afraid teammates. Megan may have been short but she was called your mama bear for a reason.“What happened?” Your mom asked you directly, crouching down so she was eye level with you, and taking the soaked gauze from your grasp. You sighed dramatically. 

“We were playing a game of pickup, and I got bumped. They freaked out,” you scoffed, waving your hand at the three women who were still covering inter you Ma’s gaze. 

“I think our response was well deserved,” Sami grumbled, gesturing towards you. So maybe there had been a lot of blood, but your Aunt Ash had always said that head cuts always bled more. 

“It was just a scratch,” You rolled your eyes, your annoyance leaking into your tone, sure that if it had been any one of your mom’s teammates, you would still be outside on the field, enjoying the sun. 

“Yeah, like Kelley’s nose during the World Cup,” You am sent you a pointed look, and you froze. 

“I don’t stop in the middle of games,” you grumbled, pouting and crossing your arms, pulling off a flying squirrel impersonation that would make the woman proud, “and plus this is nothing compared to the time Aunt Toby took me surfing” You pointed out, shivering just thinking about the experience. The almost drowning part hadn’t been the worst part, the cuts from the coral on the bottom had. 

“You got caught under a wave and almost drowned,” Sue said sternly, forcing you to look her in the eyes, and grabbing another wad of gauze, as you had bled through the first two. 

“See, this is just a baby cut compared to that, or liked the time I went skateboarding with Emily,” You shot her a grin, and she sent you back a grim smile. 

“Yeah, that time you broke your collarbone,” 

You huffed. It had been Lindsey’s idea for you to try and jump the fire hydrant, and Emily’s fault that she hadn’t cleared the sidewalk for you. If you had followed through with the landing, you probably would have creamed the family of 4 just trying to enjoy their day. 

“I’m going to have to put stitches in,” The doctor interrupted, peeling back the gauze and setting up to treat your cut. 

“You’re not allowed by yourself with our teams anymore,” Megan huffed, glaring at the three women who were watching your interaction with their captain in awe. 

“Hey, it’s not our fault the shrimp-“ Jordin started to protest, only to be cut off by a glare from her Captain. 

“I don’t want to hear it,” Sue said, her voice dangerously low, before turning back to you. “You’re benched for the rest of the season kid,” She finished, cupping your cheek. You closed your eyes in frustration. You didn’t want to have to sit on the bench with your ma. 

“Hey, I’m not that bad,” Megan pouted at you, obviously offended by your reaction. You loved your Ma, you did, but you had way too much energy to not be able to play sports, even though you probably had a concussion. 

“No, you're not,” You said back lowly, and Sue laughed at your sad face. She knew that there would be no way to stop you from playing sports, but maybe the promise of cuddling with your Ma would at least give your cut time to heal. 

“Love you, my dear,” Megan whimpered, placing a careful kiss on your cheek, followed by another from Sue.

[dear-evans-hansen]

DEAR EVAN HANSEN MOVIE RANT

So the news dropped today that Danny Pino will be playing Connor and Zoe’s Stepfather in the film adaptation of Dear Evan Hansen. It’s a big change from the original play wherein Larry Murphy was Connor and Zoe’s biological father. And as excited as I am to see Amy Adams and Danny Pino opposite each other, I do have some issues with it.

First of all, this will likely go one of two ways, and I don’t like either of them if I’m being honest:

Possibility #1:

This new stepfather character will absorb Larry Murphy’s arc and Larry Murphy/the biological father will be mostly if not entirely absent for the film.

I like this possibility better, because I‘ve seen tons of Danny Pino’s work and he deserves a chance to shine. Larry, Alana, and Jared are already the three smallest parts of the original play (yet those are the only parts so far that they chose to cast as actors of colour...?) so it would be nice if they kept a significant arc for this new Larry.

What I don’t like is what this would mean for the story and the characters. A big part of why I loved the original play is that the Murphy family didn’t have some huge trauma to cause Connor’s behaviour. He grew up with two parents and a little sister in a stable(ish) home, yet still had anger issues and a troubled childhood. We’ve seen countless movies and books where children of separated parents act out, and I’m afraid that people will now assume that the root cause of Connor’s behaviour is the fact that his parents separated and his biological father isn’t around (they better not throw in a “You’re not even my real dad!” moment with the stepfather or I quit entirely). By having Connor’s parents still together in the original play it showed that mental illness doesn’t always have an “explanation” or a “cause”. How many movies have already been made where the dismissive explanation for a “troubled kid” is divorced parents?

Also, this completely changes the Dad’s arc by having Connor not be his biological son. They’re making the reason for his and Connor’s distance the fact that he’s not Connor’s biological father, which is a trope we’ve seen countless times and is another damaging image for stepparents.

What I’m trying to say is if they take the story this way, it will be less original than the source material and portraying stereotypes for both children of divorce and stepparents.

Possibility #2:

Larry Murphy still exists and maintains his original arc, and the stepfather is just an additional side character.

This possibility is haunting me right now. I don’t even know if I could handle this. I honestly don’t know if I can talk about this one.

So the gist of this theory is that Cynthia Murphy divorced from Larry and remarried this new stepfather character. However, after Connor’s death Larry returns and him and Cynthia reconnect as he struggles with having been distant with Connor and hard on him much like in the original play.

If this ends up being the case, why make this new stepfather character just to push them aside with little to no arc...? Like usual, it has me thinking that this casting was just to score diversity points. They cast a Latino actor as “The Stepfather” just to make him a flat character and give the entire father arc to some other white guy. And he’s not Zoe and Connor’s biological father so they don’t even have to cast Latinx actors in the other (bigger) roles.

Can you imagine how incredible it would’ve been to see Larry, Connor, and Zoe played by Latinx actors?

All this to say, I don’t understand why they made this change. Larry’s arc in the play was original and compelling. I love Danny Pino, and I want to see him have a fully fleshed-out character with a great arc but I just don’t think there’s any possible outcome of this change that I’d like better than the original story.

[yayeetsonny]

Big surprise~USWNT x Baby reader

Prompt: Team finds out baby r is dating a famous person via instagram live.

Requested by: @khiaraaa-in-spacee​

Y/N PRO

Being a professional soccer player and playing in both the NWSL for the Orlando Pride and at the national level for the USWNT at the age of 18 is a great honor and privilege, I got to play the sport I loved nearly everyday and I was able to make a living from it, but it can be exhausting at times. Which is why I’m glad that we have a few weeks off before I have to report to the next national camp for our next set of friendlies. I live in LA with my girlfriend Billie Eilish and being able to spend some quality time with her after months of being on the go is great. The only drawback is that the team has no idea I’m dating someone famous, I have kept that part of my life private, It’s not that I don’t trust them, I do; they’re like sisters to me and the older players even sometimes act as parental figures, but Billie and I agreed to keep our relationship as private as possible and agreed that when the time was right, she would meet the girls.

Speaking of Billie she and her brother Finneas were working on some music in the little studio like set up she created in our basement so I decided to bring them a snack.

“Hey babe, I thought I’d bring you guys a snack since you’ve been working so hard.” I said, handing her the bowl of berries, and handing Finneas a bowl of popcorn.

“Aw, thank you baby. That was very sweet of you.”

“How’s the song writing going?”

“Slow but we’re making progress.” Finneas said

“Good to hear.”

I spent some time with them looking at what they had written out so far and listening to some of the beats they thought of using before excusing myself to go do an instagram live. Even though I was technically on vacation I made sure to still engage with fans and I looked forward to the weekly lives. I had previously sent out a tweet and posted on my instagram story that I would be on live soon so I knew a substantial amount of people including some of my teammates were bound to be on fairly quickly.

“Hey guys! How’s everyone doing today?”

I watched as the comment section was flooded with people telling me how they were or sending in heart and heart eye emojis.

“I’m doing great, can you say happy birthday Abigail?” I said under my breath.

“So glad to hear it! Happy birthday Abigail!” I said

I continued to read the comments as they came in, squinting as I did so and laughed when I saw a familiar name pop up.

“Hey Alex, no I’m not blind. I’m squinting because the font is small.”

She sent several laughing emoji’s in return.

“Hey Pinoe, Jess, Abby, Julie, Moe, Christen, Tobs, Tierna, Mal, Sam, Emily and Rose.” I said, out of breath after reading all their names off in one go. My eyes widened when I noticed several more of my teammates had joined the lives.

“Ah, and Hi Becky, Carli, A.D., Lindsey, Crystal, Allie, Ashlyn, Ali, Alyssa, and Kelley.”

I was practically wheezing by the time I finished listing everyone’s names.

“The gang’s all here I see.” I laughed.

I saw several of their comments popping up, all of which seemed to be referring to the same thing.

“Breath little one.”

“Drink some water, please.”

“Are you okay?”

“That wheezing doesn’t sound too good.”

“Go get your inhaler.”

I rolled my eyes playfully at their fussing, even from miles away they found a way to baby me. I was the youngest on the team so they felt the need to be protective.

“Guys relax, I’m perfectly okay. I just forgot to breath for a sec. And I’m 18 years old Chris, I’m not little.” 

Several of them sent comments back disagreeing which I chose to ignore.

“Okay guys send in your questions and I’ll do my best to answer most of them.”

Comments began flowing in and I started to answer some of them.

“What’s your favorite holiday?”

“Well I’d have to say Christmas for sure. Not only is it a time for me to spend with family and the food is great I’ll admit I like getting and giving presents too.”

“ Who would you want with you if you were deserted on an island?” “I’d have to say… Alyssa and… Julie. I’d want those two with me because Alyssa would keep mostly to herself and not drive me crazy like Kelley or Emily would with their endless energy but she would be a great conversationalist and she would share her warmth by cuddling with me, and Julie because she’s tough as nails and I feel like she would be good at gathering food and finding a way to provide shelter.” 

Alex, Pinoe and Tobin voiced their offense at not being chosen while the others, minus Christen just said they would let me fend for myself if we ever got stranded together. Christen said

“They are excellent choices and I agree.” 

Julie and Alyssa gloated 

“Ahaha we’re her favorites.”

“Now we know who the favorites are and I can’t say I’m surprised that I’m one of them.”

I continued to answer questions, they ranged from asking what my favorite color was to what my best moments the field was. I was in the middle of answering a question about my most embarrassing in-game moment was when Billie suddenly came running into the room, excited to show me something.

“Hey babe, Finn and I got down this amazing chorus, wanna hear it?”

I tried to find a way to mute the live while I talked to her but it was too late. She realized what I was doing, and her eyes almost popping out of her head. She looked at me worriedly while I just laughed nervously. I knew everyone had heard her call me “babe” because they began asking who I was dating and begging to see them. Emily commented

“Yeah Y/N spill the tea.”

Billie and I just stared at each other, slightly communicating with our eyes before she nodded and made her way over to sit next to me. We were both nervous but knew that everyone had to find out sometime, and while this wasn’t the way we had planned for the girls to find out I hoped they were cool about it.

“Guys… I’d like you to meet my girlfriend Billie. Billie Eilish.” I said to the camera.

“Hey guys, this wasn’t planned but I’m glad to be here.” She said

What followed was an outpouring of support and joy from the fans and I was incredibly relieved, we both were.  I didn’t see any comments from the team and that was slightly concerning. I knew they were all still on and paying attention. Did they not like her? Were they mad at me for hiding my relationship from them? 

I smiled at the camera, both Billie and I thanking fans for their love. I hadn’t told her this yet but I was starting to worry about what my teammates really thought of Billie. After answering a few more questions we decided to call it a day and promised to do lives together often.

“That was fun! Sorry for putting you on the spot like that I totally forgot you were doing a live.” Billie said coming up to hug me.

“It’s okay, everyone seems to love you and support us.” I said absentmindedly scrolling through my phone waiting for something, anything from the girls.

“You okay Y/N?”

“Yeah I’m okay, I just haven’t heard from the girls since you came on the live and none of them said anything after.

“Wait the whole team was watching?”

“Yeah they were.”

“And they didn’t say anything after I came on?”

“Nope.”

“Do you think they have a problem with us being together?”

“I’ll be honest, I’m not sure.”

After some more waiting I finally got a text from Morgan in the group chat.

“Group Skype in 5, be there.”

Yikes that was a little cold. I wasn’t one to be afraid of my teammates, except on the rare occasion one of them was in a mood but I couldn’t help but be nervous to talk to them. I told Billie what was going to happen and I could tell she was nervous too but she decided to wait in the other room to give us some privacy, only joining if requested.

“I’m sure it won’t be long. I love you.” I said kissing her.

“I love you too.”

As soon as I joined the call it was silent.

“Hi guys.” I said timidly.

“Y/N.” Kelley said

“So… A famous girlfriend huh?” Megan said

“Yeah… she’s really talented and I’m so proud of all she’s accomplished. Our relationship is really special to me.” I said more confident than before.

“She seems very nice.” Chris said

“She is so kind and sweet.”

“Does she make you happy?” Mal asked me in a serious tone.

“Incredibly.”

“Then that’s all that matters to us.”

“I-I thought you guys were mad at me or didn’t approve of her.”

I saw several of the girls’ eyebrows furrow and they all looked confused and concerned.

“What made you think that?”

“Well for starters, none of you commented anything after she came on the live and then after no one texted me for over an hour. I really thought you were upset or something.” I said sadly

“Aw, bub. We’re sorry. We didn’t mean to make you feel like that. Looking at it now, we see how it looked but we were just texting each other, trying to plan a way to fly out and surprise you and meet her in person. We got caught up in taking about how you, the baby of the team; our baby is dating someone as famous as Billie Eilish, much less dating anyone at all.” Alex said, everyone else agreeing

“You guys didn’t think I could be dating anyone?” I asked slightly offended 

“No, no. We didn’t mean it like that. We just meant that you did such a good job at hiding it from everyone and you never talked about liking any girls or boys or non-binary people that we thought you weren’t interested in dating at the moment.” Ali said.

“Oh.”

 I understood now why they thought that, I had never shown any interest in anyone but it was simply because I was already taken and saw no reason to entertain, think about or talk about the idea of anyone else.

“We love her as an artist and are sure she is a great person, especially if she makes you happy.” Allie said.

“Would you guys like to talk to her right now? She’s just in the other room, I can go get her.”

“OMG YESSSS”

“ABSOLUTELY”

“WHAT KIND OF A QUESTION IS THAT?” Crystal, Sam and Abby all boomed 

“And everyone else who isn’t trying to break your eardrums agrees too.” Ashlyn said giggling.

“Next time warn earbud users will you? Geez” Megan said rubbing her ears

“I’ll be right back.” I said chuckling at their antics.

I went into the room next door to get Billie so she could say Hi to the girls.

“Hey babe.” I said

“Hey, how’d your call with the team go?”

“Actually it’s not over yet. They want to meet you.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah, they were never mad or upset. They were just planning to surprise me and come out to meet you in person.”

“Oh wow. Not what I was expecting to hear but that’s very nice of them.”

“Yeah, you ready to meet my “moms” and sisters?” I said giggling

“As I’ll ever be.”

When we reentered the room we could hear them all chanting 

“GO, GO, GO, GO.”

When I looked at the screen I saw Mal chugging a giant bottle of sprite.

“What in the world? I’m gone for all of 5 Minutes and come back to see… whatever Mal is doing.”

“We triple dog dared her to chug the bottle of sprite after she pulled it out and took one measly sip of it.” Tierna shrugged

“You’re all so weird.”

“But you loveeee us.” Emily said 

“That I do. How you holding up, Pugh?” I said looking back at Mal and seeing she didn’t look so good.

“Moms, I don’t feel so good.” She said referring to Christen and Tobin

“Well baby, maybe you shouldn’t have chugged the whole thing.” Chris said pouting at her sympathetically.

“You were chanting with everyone else!” Mal said annoyed

“didn’t want to be a buzz kill.” She shrugged

“Wait a little bit and then heat up yourself some chicken noodle soup.” Tobin said

“Okayyy.”

Mal flopped dramatically back on her bed as some of the girls gave her props and others laughed at her very apparent sore stomach.

“I’m so sorry. They’re always like this.” I said turning to Billie 

“It’s cool. Props Mal, that was impressive.”

“Thanks Billie.”

“So Billie, how long have you and Y/N been together? Who kissed who first, and have you guys had sex yet?” Kelley asked

Of course she’s gonna be the one to put my girlfriend on the spot. Classic Kelley O’Hara

“Umm…” Billie looked at me uncomfortably

“We-we’ve been together for 7 and a half months. I kissed her, and no we haven’t.” I said covering for her as she froze.

“I see.” She said scratching her chin.

“Kelley, cool it with the grilling. We just met her.” Alex said coming to Billie’s defense.

“You’re right, sorry about that. I just want what’s best for Y/N. We all do.” She said sheepishly

“Nah, it’s cool. I totally get it.”

We continued to talk and the girls got to know Billie pretty well and they hit it off. I was relieved that they approved of her and that they were happy for me. They told me when they would be arriving in LA and how long they would be staying and we all got excited at the idea of seeing each other soon.

//

Sorry for any mistakes

-N