#colin hughes fanfic

[lassofics]

Air Jordans

Word count: 923

Timeline: Season 1

Warnings: None

Summary: Keeley teams up with Colin for a product promotional video, but Colin is hilariously awkward on camera.

“Aw, Colin! You look stunning!” Keeley exclaims excitedly, bounding up to him with a wide grin.

Colin, dressed in his kit, just offers her a hesitant smile. “I’m… literally just wearing my kit.”

Keeley lets out a laugh. “No, I’m talking about your eyes. Is that… mascara?”

Colin just groans, knowing full well what the makeup artist had done. “I don’t wanna talk about it.”

Keeley grins, then just makes her way over to the camera. “Right. Well, you know your lines, yeah? You know how you’re going to say them?”

Colin looks up at the camera and suddenly feels a slight flutter in his stomach. It’s so stupid to him — he can perform in a football stadium filled with 50,000 people, but the second he steps in front of a camera, he starts to sweat more than he’d sweat in a ninety minute football match.

Keeley, always perceptive seems to sense this and offers Colin a soft smile. “Take a breath.”

Colin internally curses himself, realizing how fucking stupid he probably looks. Quickly trying to salvage his image, he somewhat exasperatedly replies, “I’m fine.”

Keeley, used to this kind of attitude from the boys, doesn’t let her smile falter. Instead, she just gets ready to press the record button.

“Right, then. From the top.” She grins, then presses the record button, causing Colin’s heart to leap into his throat.

“And… action!”

As soon as Keeley utters the word “action,” Colin immediately — and embarrassingly — forgets the entire script. His eyes go wide for a split second before he decides to just improvise. After all, this is only the first take.

“Hey,” he says, trying to channel some natural swagger by picturing Jamie Tartt. “It’s Colin. Got these new, uhh… Air Jordans.”

He kicks his foot up to demonstrate. “Whether I’m on or off the pitch, they make my feet feel, like, really good. Feels like I’m getting a foot massage every time I take a step, innit?”

Keeley tries her absolute hardest not to cringe, but after the mention of a foot massage, she just lets out a little noise of discontentment and stops the recording. Colin’s cocky grin, meant to emulate Jamie’s, fades immediately.

“So, uh…” Keeley bites her lower lip with an awkward smile. “Good start, but… try and stick to the script, yeah?”

Colin lets out a quiet groan, one that only he can hear, then nods. “My bad. I blanked.”

“That’s all right!” Keeley’s voice is sweet and encouraging, as usual. She flashes Colin another small grin. “Do you need to review it?”

Colin quickly shakes his head. “No, no…” He holds up a hand. “I’ve got it. I swear.”

“All right.” Trying to take some pressure off, Keeley decides not to call “action!” this time. Instead, she just presses the button to start recording. “Whenever you’re ready, Colin.”

This definitely helps. Colin runs a hand through his hair, then flashes the camera that same cocky grin.

“On the pitch, every move counts,” he starts, sounding much more confident this time. “But it’s not just about what you do on the field — it’s about how you walk off it, too.”

He grins, gesturing down to his shoe. “Air Jordans are built for performance, but designed for that off-duty look, too.”

Keeley, watching from behind the camera, grins and flashes him a thumbs up, nodding for him to continue. But the moment Colin shifts his gaze from the camera to her and back again, his mind goes black.

Quickly, he tries to save it. “They feel bloody great, and… and look at the design, too. Makes you look rich.”

Seeing Keeley’s face change, Colin quickly holds up a hand. “But… not in a… spoiled, rich boy sort of way.”

Keeley lets out a soft sigh and stops the recording. “Aw, you were doing so well! What happened?”

Colin, now embarrassed for the third time within five minutes, just groans and drops the act. “I don’t know! I blanked again!”

“Well, that’s still okay,” Keeley says gently, still trying to reassure him. “We can cut the video into different segments. That first part was perfect!”

Colin lets out a sharp exhale. He isn’t sure why this isn’t coming naturally to him. He wonders if any of the other lads have had this much trouble making promotional videos before.

Keeley offers him another soft smile. “Oi. You’ve got this. Just… be you, yeah?”

Colin nods, watching as Keeley hits the record button once more. He takes a breath, then launches right back into it.

"Whether I’m training hard, or just keeping it chill, they’ve got me covered. Comfort, support, and that iconic style. It’s all in the details."

He grins again, more naturally this time. “‘Cause it’s not just about the game, but how you own the moment. Air Jordans — step into greatness.”

Keeley lets out a little squeal as she stops the camera. “Oh my god, Colin! That was perfect!”

Colin, feeling genuinely proud of himself, just smiles even wider. “Thanks. Felt pretty good about that one.”

Keeley just giggles. “You should! You should be proud of yourself!”

The way she’s being so sincere and genuine actually warms Colin’s heart a bit. He feels like she could actually be a really good friend if he got to know her.

Plus, the way she’s openly queer makes him feel some sort of connection to her, but that’s a topic for another day.

“I am,” he finally responds, a gentler smile coming across his face. “I really am.”

[teenmaximoff]

Learning in Public

Chapter 2: There's Something Happening

Colin & Michael's first date! :)

The slightest bit of angst and sexual content mentioned, but overall it's still 95% fluff.

[you-see-something-strange-here]

Imagine a “Best Friends-Off” with the Richmond team; Keeley pairs up the lads to answer questions about each other (with the classic whiteboards and dry erase markers yes) and it’s a fun little promotional video for the season.

Obviously with Isaac and Colin would be paired, then Jamie and Sam, I could see Jan Maas and Bumbercatch as an underrated duo, Dani could be paired with anybody on the team because he’s best friends with everyone.

The twist is when Jamie gets called to do the quiz with Roy at the end of the shoot, and both protest it (he’s not my best friend!). Needless to say, they end up mopping the floor and getting all the questions right, leading AFC Richmond to declare Roy and Jamie as the best besties on the team.

[fangirl-k8ee-ladyknight]

Is there/can there be a fic where for a team night, Richmond goes to see Deadpool and Wolverine and Collin loses his shit over welshpool?

1) Colin nearly crawls into the lap of whoever is sitting next to him in the theater with excitement.

2) Jamie giving Roy shit about “if the wolverine bloke can still look like that at sixty, what’s your excuse?”

3) after listening to Colin rave about welshpool (and the rest of the team rave about the movie in general), Roy sets up a friendly with wrexham so Colin can meet welshpool.

4) none of the team knows that Roy sets up the meetup but Jamie suspects and is adorable about it.

[tobebbanburg]

I just wanted to imagine a world where Trent writes a completely under-the-radar article for Colin’s hometown newspaper to address the rumours of him being gay without making a big deal about it.

Full article text under the cut:

At 28 years of age, Colin Hughes is something of a late bloomer. After a mediocre start to his career saw Cardiff City relegated to the Championship, the Barry native was transferred to the struggling AFC Richmond, a harsh environment for any young footballer trying to make his mark on the world. But after years of flying under the radar, Hughes is finally making himself known at both national and international levels, and one can’t help but marvel at how far this young man has come.

Hughes’s love for the sport was nurtured from a young age, here in Barry, and despite his recent success it is clear he hasn’t forgotten his roots. The modest yet respectable history of Welsh football is something that Hughes could lecture on at the drop of a hat (and indeed needs to be stopped from lecturing once he gets started), and even his favoured position as a left winger was chosen in homage to Welsh footballing legend Gary Speed, a man who still acts as an inspiration for Hughes today.

“He did wonders for our national team. He was the one who made us all believe that Wales could hold our own against the rest of the world. I don’t think we’d be where we are today without all the work he put in: now that I can, I’m doing my best to continue what he started,” Hughes says.

Hughes’s ‘best’, in this instance, has been to fund a new development program throughout Wales, offering summer bootcamp scholarships to children from underprivileged areas. One can’t help but feel that were Speed still with us, he’d be proud of what Hughes is trying to achieve, although perhaps a little bemused at lending his name to an indeterminable breed of dog that Hughes affectionally refers to as ‘Gazza’.

“Me and my boyfriend got him from the shelter last week,” he says, showing a picture of a large but scrawny dog being embraced on both sides by Hughes and his boyfriend, one Michael Chen. “We got him to celebrate Richmond’s second place in the Prem.”

Buying a dog is perhaps an unusually tame way to celebrate for most footballers, but unusual is rather how AFC Richmond operates these days. Whilst most teams would be disappointed with losing out on winning the Premier League by the slimmest of margins, many often claiming that third place is preferable to second, both Hughes and AFC Richmond are treating their status as runners up with dignity, and no small amount of delight.

“I’m not being funny, right, but if you’d told me a year ago that Richmond’d avoid relegation, let alone make it to second place, I’d’ve said you were full of ****,” Hughes says, then apologises after a gentle reminder not to swear. “It’s gutting to miss out on winning the whole thing, of course, but we’re proud of what we’ve done. And besides, it gives us something to aim for next year.”

Hughes succinctly brings us to the elephant in the room: the recent departure of Coach Ted Lasso. Whilst Lasso himself has always maintained the humble adage that Richmond’s recent success wasn’t wholly his doing, the fact remains that the club have never before performed so well over a single season, nor so swiftly reversed their declining fortunes. One can’t help but wonder what a future without Lasso looks like. Hughes, for his part, remains optimistic.

“Coach Lasso made a real difference. Not just in how we play as a team but in how we think, how we work. That kind of change is here to stay,” he says, before adding, “plus we’ve got facetime and all that **** so it’s not like he’s properly gone. I mean I could call him right now if you want?”

But what of Hughes’ future as an international player? After making his debut for Wales a little under a year ago, and with a surprise win against Uruguay under his belt from April, surely his prospects on the world stage are looking encouraging? With Gareth Bale announcing his retirement, is there a possibility for Hughes to follow in the steps of childhood hero Speed and take over as captain of his national team?

“****,” Hughes says, once again forgetting the request to forgo swearing. “I hadn’t thought that far ahead. I mean that’s the dream, isn’t it, but I know that any of the lads on the team’d do a great job in the role. Any one of us would bring something different to the job, so who’s to say?”

It’s modest, considered statements like these that give weight to Hughes’s earlier words of change: Lasso may have moved on, but his impact on the team is here to stay. I, for one, cannot wait to see where Colin Hughes takes it from here.

[sloth-babied]

Love Will Find a Way

Sam Obisanya x reader

Summary: After a year of trying to get over Sam Obisanya, Colin insists you attend a speed dating event with him. 

And would you look at that, Sam’s here too. 

Contains: Drinking, light angst, and fluff. No use of y/n.

Word count: 2.8k

Notes: The fact that there aren't a numerous amount of fics about Sam is actually a crime so I had to step in.

Enjoy!

“Welcome to the first day of the rest of your life,” Colin reads the pink chalk-written words on a wooden A-frame sign in front of the restaurant. He turns to you, pursing his lip while nodding as if he were impressed. 

You simply smile and nod, indulging your friend who suggested you come here with him.

You observe the room once you two enter—the quintessential red and pink balloons at every corner of the room, including pink lanterns hanging from the ceiling. Red and pink decor are set all around the place with a banner hanging maliciously over the seating area:

FOR SINGLES READY FOR LOVE

You sigh before you continue to look around. There’s a lot of older people here; people in their mid-forties and up. Makes sense. Those around your age usually rely on dating apps, but there are a few exceptions which, you guess, is a relief. 

You’re able to identify two other young people and realize one of them is Isaac. And the other is…oh, fuck, oh, fuck, oh, fuck.

You grab Colin’s bicep, hoping to reroute your plans. “You know what, actually I think I change my mind—”

“Wait, is that Isaac and Sam?” He notices, raising his damn hand excitedly. “Isaac! Sam!” Colin places his fists on his hips, shaking his head. “Who knew they’d be here?”

You give him a hardened stare before offering the other two footballers a disingenuous smile as they walk your way, drinks in hand.

Naturally your eyes drift to Sam and you can’t resist admiring his outfit for the night. A black turtleneck and brown khakis.

This is going to be a long night.

“Wild seein’ you here, innit?” Isaac says.

Colin nods fervently. “Yeah, weird coincidence.”

Sam gestures his drink in your direction. “What brings you here?

Oh, god, he’s talking to you.

You scratch the back of your neck nervously. “Colin was nice enough to invite me,” you tell him, though ‘nice’ is not the word you would honestly use. ‘Cruel’ sounds more accurate, but you digress.

Sam smiles thoughtfully, though he can’t say he doesn’t feel as awkward as you. “I’m sure you’ll find a match. Anyone would be lucky to have you.”

You ignore Isaac and Colin glancing at each other, gripping the strap of your tote bag just a tad bit tighter. “And to you, also,” you shoot him a finger-gun with your free hand. “ As well. Too.”

You’re insufferable, but Sam chortles anyway, thank goodness for that.

“Finally got Sam off Bantr.” Isaac pats Sam’s back.

Sam shakes his head. “I deleted my account a long time ago.”

And you know why. It’s hard to think about Sam’s relationship with Rebecca without feeling a little jealous…okay, a lot.

Sam sips his punch. “Isaac suggested I come here, so here I am.”

Ding, ding, ding!

You all turn your heads to a woman holding a call bell in her hand. “The event begins in five minutes!”

And so the night begins.

Each date feels prolonged despite being on a three-minute timer. Many people who are much older than you discuss topics beyond your time or too early in your longevity to experience. And when you meet people around your age, well, let's say a severe lack of chemistry is the only thing that comes into mind.

Admittedly, you debated pregaming before Colin picked you up. You decided against it until you saw Sam here, therefore during the five-minute break, you mumble, "Eh, what the hell?" to yourself before sneaking off to the bar, ordering a shot of tequila before you and Sam meet.

Liquid courage.

Sam greets you with a pursed smile, waving his questionnaire card (cutely) and taking a seat in front of you. "Hi."

“Hey.” You smile back a bit more enthused than usual. Less nervous. More loose.

“So how are your dates going?” Sam wiggles his eyebrows.

You lean forward closer to him, balancing a pen between two fingers. “Hmm. Oh, see that guy over there?”

Sam’s head stealthily turns to the man you point at—slick back gray hair with a salt and pepper beard. 

“Apparently, he owns 0.5% of West Ham.” 

Sam looks back at you, leaning closer. “Dealbreaker?”

You nod exaggeratedly, leaning away. “Very much so, Sam. You know I’m ride-or-die for Richmond.”

He pats his chest, smiling playfully. “I’m flattered.”

From two different areas of the room, Colin and Isaac are seated with their respective dates. Colin and Issac narrow their eyes on you and Sam, shushing their poor dates whenever they attempt to speak.

When you feel your neck practically burning, you swivel your stool, catching them do a questionable job at pretending they weren’t just hyper-focused on you and Sam.

Colin mouths fake words to his very confused date who will certainly write him off later. Isaac looks upward, chin on his palm, eyes squinted, and mouth parted as if he were in deep thought.

“Okay…” You murmur to yourself before facing Sam again. “How about you, huh? Meet anyone you fancy yet?”

He offers a sigh, tilting his head towards his previous date. “See that woman over there?”

You discreetly look to the left and see an elderly woman speaking with her date, a man fortunately around her age. They seem to be hitting it off.

Sam shakes his head, feigning a disappointed sigh. “I thought we had something.”

“Another older white woman stolen from you, man. You gonna take that?” You tilt your upper body towards the perhaps soon-to-be couple before sipping your ice water.

Sam’s shoulders bounce, chuckling. He turns to them. “Yes, I am.”

You also turn, feeling envious from the sight. You observe the woman’s incredibly pink face and the subtle red on the olive-skinned man’s cheeks. Mutually smitten.

You and Sam face each other in unison, both of your hands below the table as you lean your torsos against the round table. Sam’s hands clasp beneath the surface while yours continue to fiddle with your pen.

Colin hides behind his questionnaire paper below his eyes—espionage still at work—and Isaac ignores his date once again, enthralled by your date as if it were a movie. 

If only there were popcorn, he thinks.

Sam says your name, but you’re stuck in his trance, buzzed and hypnotized. His voice swims around the atmosphere he tends to unintentionally create whenever you speak to him.

Then you remember what occurred a year ago; you remember the reason why you slightly furthered yourself from him in hopes of moving on. Frankly, it didn’t work very well.

Isaac’s brows furrow even deeper than usual, and he looks over at Colin who shrugs at him, sharing the same concern as you back away from Sam. You sober your deluded mind with another drink of water, reminding yourself that Sam is just…Sam. He’s naturally kind, charming, and genuine. He gets along with everyone. You’re not special.

You hold your questionnaire out, smiling tightly. “What am I doing? We’re supposed to be asking each other questions. Uh, okay, let’s see.” You scan your sheet. “What’s your dream career?” You ask hastily. You awkwardly laugh at yourself. “That’s a stupid question.”

Sam repeats your name, but you’re too lost rambling about the stupid questions in your hand.

“Where are you from originally?” You cower behind the paper. “Know that, too. Uhm, okay, let’s see. Oh! Here, if you were an animal, what would you be—”

Sam says your name louder and places his hand on yours, lowering the paper from your face.

“A goldfish. If I were an animal, I’d be a goldfish,” he answers.

You peer down at your hands. “The ten-second memory thing Coach Lasso told you about.”

He slowly pulls his hand off yours, but it sits close by. He nods. “Exactly. There are certain things I want to forget; things I cannot change. But there are things that I can change.”

Things he can change? Where is he going with this?

He continues. “Last year when you asked me—”

Ding, ding, ding, you both hear, jumping at the sound of the call bell. Chairs scrape the red-checkered floor and the sound of shoes patter all around you. Time to go.

“See ya, Sam,” you hurry to your next date who just so happens to be the captain of the Richmond football team. “Isaac, hey.”

He simply shakes his head. 

Four more rounds pass until the host of the speed dating event gives out the last announcement.

“Alright, everyone! Whoever you scored most with is your match. Say ‘hi’ to your potential partner! And give yourselves a round of applause for putting yourself out there tonight!”

Two pairs of hands clap with her, hands belonging to Colin and Isaac. You refrain from rolling your eyes at them when the bartender approaches you.

“What can I get you?”

“Uh, a Jack and Coke please.” You face her before turning around again.

You observe Sam speaking with one of the organizers of the event. The organizer reluctantly hands Sam his score sheet with a confused expression on her face. He nearly catches you staring until you turn back to the counter.

“One Jack and Coke.” The bartender sets down your drink, but not without noticing you eyeing Sam. She smirks, wiping down a glass cup with a cloth that was previously on her shoulder. (Classic bartender move.) “Obisanya your match?”

You study the small sheet in your hand, analyzing the scores and the contact information of someone already on your phone.

“Oi! How the hell did you match with me?” You hear Isaac stomp behind you. 

You smile mischievously, gesturing your head toward him. 

The bartender nods, pouting her lower lip before finding another customer, and you use the counter to spin yourself around to your distressed friend.

“Maybe we’re soulmates,” you suggest facetiously, lifting your drink towards him.

Truth is, you might have taken a peek at his questionnaire sheet when he kept exchanging looks with Colin. His disappointment earlier combined with Colin’s invasive questions about your date with Sam after you got through all your sessions helped piece things together.

Plus, Colin’s insistence that you come to this event in the first place. 

“Get in line.” He stands with his arms crossed next to Issac.

Isaac sits and harshly waves his sheet. “Why copy my sheet when your real match is-”

Colin clears his throat, poking his elbow against Isaac’s arms.

“Somewhere in this room,” Isaac finishes.

The only one in this room who piqued your interest was Sam. Towards the end, there were potential candidates. However, neither was Sam Obisanya.

You scoff, sipping your drink. “Nice save, Lindsey Lohan. I’ve seen Parent Trap enough times to know what’s going on here.”

You wonder why they’d want to pull something like this, especially after you told them that Sam turned you down. Pestering Sam to go on a stupid date with you is not something you would ever do, nor something a normal person should do, period.

God, you hope Sam doesn’t think you did this on purpose.

Isaac continues to eye you disapprovingly before his gazes shifts upwards to a new presence behind you, this presence being none other than Sam leaning his side against the counter. And now you’re sitting between him and the other two sneaky bastards.

“Sam! Who’d you match with?” Colin reaches in front of you and snatches Sam’s score sheet. He frowns. “No one?”

Isaac yanks the sheet from Colin’s hand. “What? How’s that even possible?”

Sam plucks his sheet back from Isaac, stuffing it in his back pocket. “If it’s alright with you two, I’d like to discuss something with them.” He looks down at you. “Alone.”

Your cheeks burn up, easily. Is it the whiskey? Is it Sam? Either way, you’re taking another sip. 

Isaac gets up immediately, rapidly nodding alongside Colin, saying, “Yeah, ‘course, bruv,” before the two footballers leave, whispering to each other. 

You place your drink down and fold your arms on the counter as Sam sits beside you. 

His sweet smile doesn’t cease. “Hi.”

“Hi,” you respond sheepishly. You take a third sip before speaking again. “So no one, huh?”

Sam shakes his head. “Thought I maybe had a chance with her,” he jokes.

You find the elderly lady from earlier matched with the elderly man. He leans on his cane with one hand and his other hand snakes around his date’s arm, hooking it with his. 

Maybe speed dates work after all. 

“Who’d you match with?” He asks curiously. You hand him your sheet. “Isaac? How did that happen? Wasn’t he just glaring at you the whole date?” 

“Pretty much, yeah.” You laugh, placing the paper back on counter.

Wait a second. Sam was watching you?

You try not to look too much into it.

He reaches for his earlobe, lightly tugging at it. “There was something I wanted to tell you before our date ended.”

Oh, god. Is he going to admit how uncomfortable you make him? Is he ending your friendship right now? Yeah, you added some distance between the two of you, but in your defense, you had no intentions of actually ending your relationship.

He speaks a little louder. “Last year, you told me you liked me. Romantically.”

Fuck, you despise the recap.

“And I told you I didn’t feel the same way.”

You clasp your hand around your glass, however Sam stops you, hand on yours.

“Let me finish. Please.”

You dubiously comply, releasing your hand from the cup and nod, letting him continue with whatever gut-wrenching news is going to wreck you for the next few months.

Your head faces his direction, but you stare off at nothing in particular.

He continues. “I was telling the truth when I said I didn’t feel the same way. But as time passed, the more we got to know each other and the more things in my love life started to unravel, I started to fall in love.”

You furrow your brows, meeting your eyes with his. 

“With you,” he adds. “And I understand if you don’t feel the same way anymore. But I just…wanted to tell you how I felt.”

What the hell is happening? This is a prank, right? 

You take a look behind you, wondering if perhaps there was someone beside or behind you who he was confessing his feelings to instead.

Nope, just you. You’re barely tipsy, so there’s no way you’re misunderstanding him. 

You remain quiet, not quite sure what to say. The expression on your face worries him and he calls your name.

You softly shake your head. “I’m sorry, can you repeat that?” 

Now it’s Sam’s turn to internally freak out. He glances at your drink, wondering if he could ask for a gulp.

“Uh…” Sam tugs at his earlobe again and chuckles nervously. “I like you?”

Maybe two sips, he thinks. Three? No, no, that’s irresponsible, he decides.

“Can I have a glass of water please?” He raises his palm at the bartender, politely ordering to fill the silence.

You grab his wrist and lower his hand on the counter, sliding your hand over his, adding, “Make that two,” to his order, because there is absolutely no way you’re getting drunk after what he just told you.

Sam looks away from the bartender and he takes notice of your hands. His ears warm up.

“Definitely wanna be sober for this,” you tell him quietly, and the edges of his lips curve upward. Hesitantly, he entwines his fingers through yours like they belong there.

“Two waters.” The bartender drops off your drinks, glancing at your hands. She raises her brows before leaving you alone.

Sam uncombs his fingers from yours, getting up from his chair. He moves closer to you and spins you by the backrest of your chair, so your body faces him. Then he cups your face. “I don’t know if they allow PDA here, but may I kiss you?”

You gently hold on to his wrists. “They host speed dates every week. I’m sure one kiss is fine.”

He giggles, moving his face closer to yours, murmuring, “One kiss?”

You flicker your gaze between his eyes and mouth. “Or two.” You shrug. “But yes. You may.”

Sam licks his lips before sinking them into yours, and his eyes and yours instinctively shut. You inhale deeply through your nose, breathing in the person you didn’t know would expect to eventually reciprocate your feelings.

His lips are so soft, pillowy against your own. He massages his lips on yours, enveloping himself deeper against you by tilting his head. You feel lightheaded—a delightful combination of his kissing skills and the faded work of the alcohol you ingested earlier. 

Your daydreams do not serve the real thing.

You’re the first to pull away, catching your breath. “Seriously though, how didn’t you match with anybody?”

Sam smiles proudly and pecks your lips. “I asked one of the event-coordinators not to score my sheet. Told her I changed my mind.”

You stand, removing his hands from your face without letting go. “Good.”

From a distance, Colin and Isaac sit at a table, gazing at the other couple like before.

Isaac holds his plastic cup out, smirking. “Too easy, man.”

Colin clinks his cup against Isaac’s. “Too easy.”

[abubblingcandle]

🌹🌹🌹 Any Dutch sky blue update? 🙏🏻🌹

Always! I've actually decided that I am going to be aiming to post Dutch Sky Blue in it's entirety as part of whumptober for the prompt Making Amends on Day 31. So I am going to be working on it and trying to push through to the end.

Here's a little tidbit!

They had an emergency meeting the night after they got back from Amsterdam. As soon as everyone was in various seats in Colin’s living room, he dived into the tale. “It can’t have been Jamie,” Zoreaux muttered. “It was, you don’t think I’d recognise Jamie?” Colin exclaimed, throwing his hands up as he paced. “He does have a very distinctive butt,” Reynolds whispers and there were murmurs of agreement around the room. “Where’s he been the last two years?” Sam asked, quiet as a mouse. Colin sighed, it took even a mention of Jamie for all the hard work of the last two years in bringing Sam out of his shell to disappear. Colin and Isaac had been assholes and others had jumped on the Jamie Tartt Bandwagon but Sam was the main player that bore his ire. Colin had never worked out why. He had never worked out why meek little Obisanya had irked Jamie the way he did. He had never bothered to ask Jamie when he was around. “That’s not the important bit,” Colin exclaimed, shaking those thoughts out of his head. “The important bit is why he’s hanging off Jan in a Dutch club when Jan told the coaches he was going for food with his family.”

[writer-and-thrasher]

The Dichotomy of a Friend

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Ted Lasso (TV) Rating: Mature Warnings: Creator Chose Not to Use Archive Warnings Characters: Colin Hughes, Isaac McAdoo, Trent Crimm, Roy Kent, Trent Crimm's Daughter, Trent Crimm's Ex-Wife, AFC Richmond Players (Ted Lasso), Ted Lasso Additional Tags: Character Study, Canon Compliant, Missing Scene, Episode: s03e09 La Locker Room Aux Folles (Ted Lasso), Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Hurt/Comfort, Homophobia, Coming Out, Internalized Homophobia, sorta, Homophobic Language, More Homophobic Language Than in Canon, Homophobic Violence (past), LGBTQ Themes, Friendship, Team as Family, The Author is a Lesbian Your Honor, I have to say it this time, Because I wanna fuck Trent's Ex-Wife, Trent Crimm's Crush on Ted Lasso, It features heavily

Summary:

Colin was adamant about maintaining his well-crafted disguise, and Trent couldn’t begrudge him that. So there were no rendezvous or late-night text messages or even casual hangouts. Just because Colin now had someone who saw him in the closet didn’t mean he was keen to crack the door open any wider. He’d been doing just fine without Trent, and he could be fine for longer with him.

Which is why Colin’s presence in the office, clearly to talk to Trent individually, is so alarming. The blinds are open, his teammates are feet away, and yet Colin is breaking every rule he has to talk to Trent right now. ________ Or, Trent's perspective on Colin and Isaac's fraying friendship.

SEE NOTES FOR RATING AND WARNING-RELATED INFORMATION

---

It took me over a month extra to write it, so I more than doubled the word count for what I expected -- seemed fair. For real, though, I really hope you enjoy this, it's a huge labor of love for me, so let me know what you think!

[veryace-ficrecs]

Ted Lasso fic recs

This list will include all ratings and tags, so read at your own discretion! :)

Wings Wouldn't Help You Down by ViolentlyRed - Rated G

He thought the most awkward thing he'd have to endure was a rigid Roy Kent embrace in the Man City locker room months ago. He was wrong. And he’s getting better at admitting when he’s wrong, so. Turning up on Coach's doorstep at two thirty in the morning was infinitely, infinitely more awkward. Or, Jamie's hurt and not about to say much about it, and Ted's a good coach.

Reset With the Sunset by fandomfrolics - Rated G

Sam tries to figure out how to navigate his first Ramadan in the English Premier League. Set in S1.

Mull River Shuffle by bibliothekara - Rated G

Ted falls in the Thames; Beard, Rebecca, and Sam to the rescue.

The First Rule of Fight Club is No Fight Club by Lolapola - Rated T

A few days after relegation, an angry investor pays a visit to the Richmond AFC locker room, and he has his sights set on Ted Lasso. Fortunately, Roy Kent has been well and truly won over by now, and - yeah. He's not about to stand for this.

Diary by TwoAces - Rated G

It’s not a diary, really. At least, not in the traditional sense. It’s supposed to be an appointment book—a gift from Keeley, so she’s not having to text him reminders all the time. He’s promised to use it, and is surprised that it’s actually mad convenient to help remember events, so he starts using it for other things, too.

that mask will never look the same by tensecond_memory - Rated T

“Right. Okay. Is that… it?” “No, actually,” she says after a beat in which she fights back another wave of that mysterious Guilty Face, “there’s one more discussion on the agenda courtesy of one Coach Ted Lasso,” her voice is quieter now, and suddenly something shifts in the air and it feels like she’s the one who’s turned back into a scolded child. Jamie stares at her. “There are some… specifics regarding the… premature termination of your loan last season that Ted, rightfully, believes you deserve to be informed of, now that we’re all more aware of how the decision impacted your well-being,” OR Jamie isn't the only one who owes some apologies.

Little Kitmen Have Big Ears by andrealyn - Rated T

Most people don't really notice when Will's in the room, which leads to him hearing some very unique conversations. Every now and again, though, he's seen and it makes all the difference.

we're not in kansas anymore (we're now in missouri) by ceterum - Rated G

Shortly after the devastating loss on final matchday, the West London’s Finest are back in action. After a compilation of their… innovative plays goes viral, they are invited to play a friendly against Ted Lasso’s home state’s MLS club. AFC Richmond’s pre-season one(-and-a-half)-stop American tour, as observed by Trent Crimm, The Independent.

Adding Steel To The Team by BrittaTheBest - Rated T

“I feel… really weird, Roy.” “Yeah, I’m not surprised. Listen, I think you should lie down, yeah?” - Quick little fic. Ted is stabbed outside Richmond the night before a match. Mostly Roy-centric, but also feat. the rest of the club

Journalism Continues To Be The Villain That Moves The Plot Forward For This Show by MagpieWords - Rated T

When the press finds out Ted uses an unknown intramuscular substance, speculation runs wild while our favorite coach avoids dealing with his feelings. alternate titles lovingly include : "lost in the sauce" and "a saucy misunderstanding"

The Official AFC Richmond TikTok by mariip - Rated T

Keeley isn't there to manage their socials anymore, so when Jamie and Sam ask to make a TikTok for the club, everyone decides it will be a good idea. (Or, completely self-indulgent AFC Richmond silliness)

Make them Gold by mariip - Rated T

Roy realizes he has no idea when Jamie's birthday is, and when he realizes it's only a week away, the only solution is obviously cake in the dressing room after training. Or, the himbos manage to pull off a surprise party.

every boy wants to be like his father by themightyduck - Rated G

"It turned out all right in the end, though," Jamie says quietly, ears burning red. "Oh yeah?" Ted asks. "How's that?" Jamie gestures at the pizza and the beer and the TV. "Watching a game with me old man, ain't I?"

did i really say that? by believeinbelieve - Rated G

For the first time in history - AFC Richmond have won the premier league trophy. It was a tie game until Colin scored a historic goal in injury time. Everything was going perfect for him — until the press conference. The game went to his head and next thing he knew everyone was telling him about how brave and inspiring he was — but he had no clue why. or ~~~ Colin accidentally comes out after a major victory.

stand a little stronger as I walk a little taller all the time by inlovewithnight - Not Rated

Post season 2, Jamie does a PSA for the National Council on Domestic Violence. He does not expect anyone to notice this. He is not aware that he's surrounded by people who notice everything.

The Art of Seduction by jumpfall - Rated G

"Is Coach cheating on us with another football team?" Sam asks. "Worse," Roy says. "An American football team."

[jamietarttsnorthernattitude]

5. 10. 15, 20!

5. Is there any scene you're excited about writing?

I’m excited to rewrite the Mom City scene where Jamie goes home for there is no other land. Roy has already lived it where he and Keeley followed Jamie home so he knows about the posters and Georgie and Simon. It’s also Roy’s first full scene with Jamie after the boot room disaster and trying to convince him that he cares for him, etc.

10. If unpublished, can you show a sneak peek of what you've written?

Here is a bit earlier when Roy is discovering some of the changes that happened without him training Jamie via googling:

He ignores the tremble in his hands as he types Jamie Tartt + Roy Kent into the search bar.

Articles, tweets and videos filled the screen and most were dated within the last week.

Dejavú at the Dog Track - Tartt & Kent come to Blows…Again

Rivalry Reignited at Nelson Road

Tartt Bloodied and Booed

Roy reluctantly clicks on a video, ignoring the slight trembles of his hand.

The video shows the match from a little over a week ago, they were home playing against Liverpool. They’d won the match 3-1 with goals from Sam, Richard and Dani. Jamie had assisted on all three. The video shows the score as 2-1 with Liverpool leading. Jamie is subbed off and then it shows Roy getting into a screaming match with him on the sidelines. Eventually yelling turns to pushing. Roy closes the screen before he can see more. He wouldn’t fight Jamie. Only he had, only a few short weeks ago. His fist clenches reflexively and he can almost feel Jamie’s nose under his fist.

15. Do you have any unwritten scene that you think about a lot?

There’s a scene in rage, rage against the dying light where Jamie and Roy are recovering together and they’re just Grumpy Old Men-ing it and complaining to and about each other.

20. Give a vague description of something that will happen without revealing too much

I’ll drop a random tidbit from all of the WIPs in no particular order.

Jamie worries Roy will knock over his Christmas tree.

Someone wraps Jamie in a blanket.

There’s a bus ride.

Richmond plays a football match.

Ola’s hosts a New Year’s Eve bash.

Rebecca is unhappily married.

“Roy, mate. You’re not that special.”

Jamie FaceTimes with Roy.

Phoebe takes money from Jamie.

Even when he’s not there, Roy Kent is still everyfuckingwhere.

Colin posts about Welsh Independence.

Roy calls his sister.

Jamie cuddles his Mum.

[allthingsmustfall]

Ted Lasso, Season 3, Episode 6

Look you know, I don’t even go here, but That Episode of Ted Lasso in Amsterdam, with Trent and Collin and the complexities of coming out has been sitting in my head all week (I mainlined the third season in about 2 days, sue me).  

I’m sure Tumblr has already had several schisms on whether or not this was done well, but as someone who came relatively late in life that I’m a dyke, the conversation between Trent, who has a complex backstory that implies that he came out while he was still married to his wife and whatever hell and heartache that followed after (even if she was unhurt and supportive, that could not have been easy), and Colin, a young man with very simple, heart wrenchingly wants and goals from his life, while they sit quietly, gently in front of Homomonument while the bells of Westerkerk chime is just - 

OK, back in ye olden times of fanfic, so many of the stories were a bit hamfisted (me, me, i’m talking about me) treatises on coming out or coming to terms with attraction or what have you.  Character A wants Character B, but to see if they really want Character B, they have to bang some chicks to prove they’re not REALLY gay or something something - it wasn’t always great, but what i remember from that era was that the fear of being gay/being exposed was a part of those stories.  And I’m not saying it was always necessary or done well, but it did feel a bit more grounded in reality.  In more recent times, probably as a function of fanfiction being more acceptable and some of the stigma around queerness that i felt in the 90s and aughts easing (things aren’t good now, not with our trans brothers and sisters suffering so acutely and publicly, but i’m just saying there’s been a culture shift), those sentiments have become more of a footnote in fanfic.  And good!  Not everything has to be a realistic take on every inch of what queerness looks like, and I am 100% behind the freedom of enjoying fiction in which the sorrow and anger and confusion that I have felt is not an important part of how the characters feel.  We deserve uncomplicated joy and happy endings.  

But what I think might be missing from stories now (and oh yes this includes my own) is how earth shattering a queer community is when you’re making your first forays into being out.  Pride is our celebration because for so long what the world asked of us was shame.  The celebration of a history that you weren’t born to but came to later, that you claimed as part of your lineage because suddenly, things like Stonewall aren’t just historical events of note, but your progenitors throwing bricks through the obstacles we’ve now never known.  

So yes, a young and somewhat fearful gay man sharing his pure hopes with another gay man, who has been through his own struggles, while they sit in front of a monument to queer folk who lost their lives to blind persecution, while bells of hope peel on - it reached into that small aching part of me that clawed my way to a community that loves and accepts me, and a community that taught me my own history.  

I just adored this representation deep down in the depths of me

[babytarttdoodoo]

Fanfic Masterpost (Ted Lasso)

Gen

i should be the poster kid for this shit The team finds out about Jamie’s first experience in Amsterdam. Post-S3 | 6,979 words | Content warnings: Implied sexual assault, discussions of underage sex, canon-typical swearing. (Original Post) (Read on Ao3)

high hopes are getting low Jamie seeks out Roy’s company after a run-in with his dad. Post-S3 | 2,278 words | Content warnings: Discussions of alcoholism, implied/referenced child abuse, canon-typical swearing. (Original Post) (Read on Ao3)

every emotion that i'm meant to express Jamie has a panic attack during the events of Mom City. S3 Coda | 1,802 words | Content warnings: POV description of a panic attack, canon-typical swearing. (Original Post) (Read on Ao3)

just remember to smile The AFC Richmond players discover something unpleasant about Jamie’s childhood and react accordingly. Post-S3 | 963 words | Content warnings: Implied/referenced child abuse, mentions of blood and dental injury, discussions of anxiety dreams, canon-typical swearing, canon animal death. (Original Post) (Read on Ao3)

why am i bent and burned Jamie is diagnosed with ADHD. Post-S3 | 1,520 words | Content warnings: Discussions of neurodivergent behaviour, canon-typical swearing. (Original Post) (Read on Ao3)

act like you're torn apart Jamie doesn’t tell anyone he’s injured until it gets very bad. S2 | 3,177 words | Content warnings: Canon-typical swearing, physical injury, vomiting. (Original Post) (Read on Ao3)

reignited with a vengeance Roy watches Jamie tackle his Manchester demons in very different ways. S2 & S3 | 1,189 words | Content warnings: Canon-typical swearing, physical injury, implied/referenced child abuse. (Original Post) (Read on Ao3)

pick up the pieces Jamie and Roy go for a drink. It goes much better than last time. Post-S3 | 1,567 words | Content warnings: Canon-typical swearing, mentions of surgery. (Original Post) (Read on Ao3)

before i get put down again Colin is injured during a match and Isaac worries. Post-S3 | 1,362 words | Content warnings: Canon-typical swearing, physical injury, implied/referenced homophobia. (Original Post)

Roy Kent/Jamie Tartt

accused of appearing insincere Roy becomes protective of Jamie when a fan makes unwelcome advances. Post-S3 | 1,852 words | Content warnings: Mentions of sex and alcohol, non-consensual physical contact, exceptional levels of swearing. (Original Post) (Read on Ao3)

effort to make it look effortless Jamie attends training at Nelson Road while sick and makes everyone very worried. Post-S3 | 1,364 words | Content warnings: Implied illness, canon-typical swearing. (Original Post) (Read on Ao3)

puzzled together again Jamie has a bad day. Roy helps. Post-S3 | 1,697 words | Content warnings: Canon-typical swearing, plus Spanish swearing. (Original Post) (Read on Ao3)

laugh about it all All of AFC Richmond get a big surprise - and not the one they planned for. Post-S3 | 2,185 words | Content warnings: Canon-typical swearing. (Original Post) (Read on Ao3)

[baseballbatdreams]

Writer's block is kicking me in the ass rn I was up until 4am last night and wrote...2 sentences of a WIP, and they weren't even good sentences.

Anyone, if you have any like requests/prompts for colinxisaac/royxjamie/colinxjamie please please please give me them i need inspiration

[you-see-something-strange-here]

tbh comedy peaked in ted lasso s1 when colin said “he hit my head so hard, the doctors said I couldn’t drink”

…..and then proceeds to take a slug of his beer.

[lassofics]

Best Man

Word count: 868

Timeline: Post Season 3

Warnings: None

Summary: Isaac finally decides to propose to his long-term girlfriend, and he can only think of one person he wants to be his best man.

Isaac McAdoo doesn’t overthink things.

He’s the kind of guy that trusts his gut. Like when he picked up a football as a child and decided to play because it just felt right. Or when he asked his high school crush to the prom — and of course she said yes. Or, nowadays, when he dives right in for a slide tackle without worrying about getting injured.

To him, overthinking things is not important. The most important things in his life are football, his family, his friends, and his girlfriend. And Isaac really loves his girlfriend.

He’s been with Liv for a long ass time — longer than he’s known anyone on the Richmond team. They’re high school sweethearts. And at this point, she knows almost everyone at the club.

She’s been asked by almost everyone — but most notably Jamie — why she’s still with Isaac, since she’s so “out of his league.” And every time, she just smiles gently and says, “I love him.”

For almost three seasons now, the boys have been pestering Isaac nonstop, asking when the wedding is, when he’s going to tie the knot, or — in Jamie’s case — insisting that he propose as soon as possible. “Before she changes her mind… or finds someone better,” Jamie would laugh.

Isaac’s answer would always be the same: “Soon, bruv.”

But today, that was going to change. Isaac had made the decision: He’s going to propose to Liv this weekend. And there’s only one person he wants to tell.

They’re at his place, playing video games, sitting on the couch right next to each other like they do every Sunday evening. Colin reaches over and grabs a handful of popcorn, shoving it into his mouth before continuing to play.

“Oi, can I get the diamond pick?” Colin asks, not looking up from the screen.

Isaac just sits there in silence for a couple more seconds before pressing the pause button on his controller. Colin, confused, looks up.

“I’ve gotta talk to you about something serious, bruv,” Isaac says, his voice calm and even.

Colin puts his controller down and looks directly at his best friend, trying to gauge how he’s feeling. “Yeah, of course. You okay?”

Isaac just gazes at Colin for a few more seconds before breaking into one of those smiles of his. “I’m gonna propose to Liv this weekend.”

Colin’s eyes widen slightly, and then a wide grin spreads across his own face. “Holy shit, man! It’s about bloody time!”

Isaac chuckles and shakes his head. Colin reaches out, giving him a playful shoulder punch.

“Real talk… that’s awesome, Isaac,” Colin says, his smile softening a bit. “I’m happy for you.”

Isaac smiles back, a sense of relief washing over him. It feels so good to get that off his chest. “Thanks.”

Colin reaches for some more popcorn, then smirks. “So… you pick out a ring yet? I imagine you’d be bloody hopeless with jewelry,” he remarks playfully.

Isaac gives Colin’s shoulder a playful punch in return. “Not yet.”

Colin snorts. “Well, you can’t propose to her with no ring.”

“I know that!” Isaac reaches for some popcorn himself, then chucks one of the kernels at Colin, who just laughs.

“I’ll go one day after training.” He suddenly gets an idea and looks over at Colin. “You’ll come with me.”

Colin grins a little, feeling touched. “Of course I will, mate. Wouldn’t miss it.”

Isaac nods approvingly, then just takes a breath. There’s something else he wants to say, too. He’s horrible with emotions, but he also doesn’t want to just��� spit it out. He kind of wants this to be a moment.

So, he just speaks from the heart.

“You know how much I love Liv,” he muses, trying to find the right words. Colin just nods, having seen Isaac demonstrate his love for her a thousand times over, having heard all the stories.

“Well…” Isaac shifts slightly on the couch, fully facing Colin now. “I want to marry her. But… I don’t want to do it unless you’re my best man.”

Colin’s eyes widen, and his gaze snaps back to Isaac. For a moment, he’s speechless. He’s never been in anyone’s wedding before, let alone been a best man. He’d assumed the first wedding he’d be in would be his sister’s — or his own, depending on which one of them settled down first. Somehow, he’d never even considered the possibility of being in Isaac’s, let alone being the best man.

“Isaac…” Colin breaks into a wide grin, putting a hand over his chest. “I’d love to.”

Isaac mirrors Colin’s smile, then reaches out to grab Colin’s shoulder. He squeezes it briefly before deciding to just pull his best friend into a bro hug. Colin reciprocates with a soft smile, patting Isaac’s back briefly before they both pull away.

And with that, Isaac grabs his controller again and resumes the game, as if nothing out of the ordinary had just transpired.

“Diamond pick,” Isaac murmurs, opening up his inventory and virtually tossing the diamond pickaxe to Colin.

Colin just lets out a laugh of disbelief, surprised at how quickly they’ve fallen back into their usual dynamic. But he doesn’t complain. Instead, he just shakes his head with a soft smile, cherishing this moment of their friendship.

[tobebbanburg]

Snippet from a fic I'm working on where Jamie drags Colin along to his training sessions with Roy that is still so far from being posted but also I'm loving writing it so much:

“So you’re training me, which is great, but what if you also trained Colin too?” Jamie asked, deciding that there was no good, natural way to bring the conversation around to where he wanted. “Colin? Colin’s fine,” Roy said, giving Jamie a confused frown. “Why’d you bench him then?” Jamie argued. “Why not Richard, or Bumbercatch?” “Because Richard’s more aggressive and Bumbercatch knows my National Insurance number.” “Why the fuck does-“ “Doesn’t matter. Point is, Colin works better as a reserve where we can slot him in wherever he needs to be.” “Ok, well, what’s the harm in training him up to be an even better reserve? Wait, you want me all to yourself, don’t you? Don’t want to have to share all this with another man,” Jamie said, gesturing at himself. “Bet looking at my dick this morning was the most fun you’ve had in months, bet it-“ “Fuck, fine, I’ll take Hughes on too. Just stop whatever the fuck this is,” Roy growled.