#he also better not start against Sevilla

[ikram1909]

The rfef officially announced that Lamine will be leaving the national team today

[gadriezmannsgirl]

hii honey how are you? how would you feel about writing something for antoine? like where he wants to ask reader out because he’s in love with her but she comes from a difficult relationship (it could be her ex was violent or he cheated) and so she’s not ready to date again but antoine being the kind man he is he’s ready to wait for reader for all the time she needs? thank you so much :)))

I feel absolutely incredible writing for Antoine. I'm gonna take the cheating option because I don't write about violence, disorders and those kinds of stuffs, 'cus I don't feel comfortable doing those kind of scenarios. And dk if it was just me but the request has gotten me "When You're Ready" by Shawn Mendes and "I'll be Waiting" by Cian Ducrot feels. So OF COURSE I'LL DO IT.

Also, what a game Atlético had against Sevilla 6-1 and of course Anto scored😌🇨🇵 (Also, I know I'm a bit late but Uni wants to kick my ass; I don't let it tho)

I really hope you like this, please let me know what you think!

°°° °°° °°° °°°

When You're Ready, I'll be Waiting - Antoine Griezmann

Summary: He's willing to wait for you for all the time you need for as long as you need to.

°°° °°°

No. This wasn't supposed to happen. Not to you. Not again. You couldn't give him what he wanted. You wouldn't allow yourself to fall again.

But you were kinda halfway through there.

And you wanted to stop it before it becomes too late and end up like the last time.

Alone and heartbroken.

"Please, don't get me wrong" You hurried up to say "I really like you too. And a lot!" You exclaimed before sighing "I just...-" You cut yourself off shaking your head "I'm-"

"It's fine, Y/I, it really is" Antoine said with a light smile on his face while grabbing your hands "I know..." You sighed looking straight into his blue eyes "And now, knowing you feel the same way, I'll wait for you"

"Yeah... I can't let you do that" You said shaking your head in disbelief "You're too good for me and you don't need to be waiting for my ass to get on its feet for a certain amount of time, when you can be happy and free with anyone else"

"But I don't want anyone else, I want you" He said with a smile on his face "And I will wait for you. Always. Whenever you're ready, I'll be here. For now, we can be friends and I'll be okay with it"

This wasn't the first time you felt a tug on your heart while being around Antoine.

You worked as part of the medical team in Atlético de Madrid, that was how you guys met each other. How you guys ended up becoming friends? That you didn't quite know for sure.

It maybe could've started with the usual player's check up, after some visits Antoine started cracking some jokes here and there managing to make you laugh and eventually hyping you up to say some jokes back.

Soon, it turned to asking for your phone number and then the texting came, at first it was a random times at day and only once a every two days but soon it started to become more frequently until you came to the way you were today.

During a night out that the guys had invited you, they had asked you personal questions wanting to get to know you better, after all, you only had six months working for them and they felt you were like a mystery because they didn't knew anything but your full name.

During those questions, your love life appeared, asked by Bea, Koke's wife.

"Any boyfriend? Fiance? Husband?" You shook your head lightly

"All single" You replied with a soft smile on

"Why? You're truly beautiful!" Ángel Correa's wife, Sabrina Di Marzo exclaimed impressed as you only lifted your shoulders shrugging

"Maybe some men don't see me that way" You said softly remembering how your last relationship ended

"Oh, but they are just assholes, I'm pretty sure about it" Antoine had said from besides you as everyone around the table agreeded with him

"You'll see, the right man for you will appear in the least moment you're expecting him" Yannick said with a soft smile

"He will" Antoine nodded at his words

"Yes, sure" You said before taking a sip from your glass of wine.

Maybe it was the little alcohol, maybe it was just you but you swear you could see in Antoine's eyes something and that was the first time your heart felt something you hadn't felt in the past eight months.

You recognized that feeling and you wanted it away.

But the thing was, you couldn't push Antoine away.

You tried to set your mind in work, see the players as patients and nothing else, but Antoine had other plans in mind, asking you to his house for a BBQ with his family, see Disney movies with his kids and what you thought it was friendly, it wasn't.

That's how you came here, in his house doing some red velvet cake as he let his feelings out for you.

And you liked him. A lot. You could see yourself being with him, but you didn't allowed it yourself. You weren't ready for a relationship. You didn't wanted to be broken again. You didn't wanted to cry yourself at night to sleep, you didn't wanted to feel alone after having company. You didn't wanted to mess up your friendship with a wonderful man, like Antoine is. But most important of all, you didn't wanted to feel how your ex made you feel, ever again.

You were scared. And it seemed like Antoine knew it.

"Don't worry, I'll wait and I'll help you heal. So you can be yourself again and never have afraid and I'll be here listening to you for everything you need" He said with a soft smile on, you were left shocked watching him impressed.

He knew how to read you from top to bottom.

"How'd you know that?" You asked watching him shrug a bit

"You're easy for me to read?" He asked with a smile making you crack on by yourself. You opened your mouth to speak but no words came out "You don't need to explain yourself if you don't feel comfortable" He quickly said as you smiled lightly

A comfortable silence stepped in between the two of you as you smiled at each other

"Thank you" You said softly "Want some?" You offered him some dough that was stick to the bowl as he inserted his finger and ate some of it.

You truly were in a bit of trouble if he keep on being like this

Three months have passed since then and things between the two of you were normal, just like before but now Antoine doesn't hide the fact he is attracted to you.

He tells you how beautiful he thinks you look, notices if you changed your nails color, compliments your hair, brings you your morning drink, some snack or just simply shares a small smile and tells you an 'We can talk later, sounds good?' and when you get overwhelmed, he's the first one to calm you down.

You were starting to look forward those later, you wanted to see him arrive at Civitas Metropolitano, laugh and spend time with him. He made you feel incredibly good.

Like no one else has done.

And meanwhile you liked that feeling, you still had your big doubts about it. You knew Antoine wasn't that kind of man, but you couldn't help it.

Today, it was a check up day. You had already checked up half of the team, cracking jokes and listening to any dolence of theirs and giving them recomendations, solutions and filling in their records when it was Antoine's turn.

"Hello" You said smiling bright watching him smile right back at you

"Hola" He said closing the door after him and giving you a one arm hug

"What do you have on your back?" You asked laughing slightly after his attempts to hide something

"Why are you noisy?" He asked back in between laughs

"Oh, I'm sorry!" You laughed pulling your hands up "Sorry" You shook your head

"I'm just kidding" He said pulling out his arm and showing you a little bouquet of sunflowers "Hope you like them" You inmediately smiled and nodded accepting the flowers

"They are beautiful" You said nodding "And my favorites too"

"Straight on point" He said raising his fist up in victory, you laugh lightly "How's your day going?" He asked while pulling his shirt up his head.

You smiled telling him about your day, a few events, nothing too exciting as his day probably was, but you loved the fact Antoine really cared for everything you had to say and acted as if everything was the biggest thing ever.

"I'm truly glad your niece is getting better. Hopefully we can go out with Mía and Amaro some day" He said after finishing pulling his shirt up

You smiled "Antoine" You softly said grabbing his attention

"What's up, chérie?" You stayed in silence for a while, looking at him.

You were processing everything, the rights, the wrongs, the pros and cons.

You wanted to give him a chance, you were happier with him. You weren't going to let some asshole, ruin your whole love life.

"My ex... He cheated on me" You started and paused for a long while, mentally ranking all the words from your head down your mouth, hoping they make some sense

"Y/N, you don't need to-" You cut him off by shaking your head with a smile

"He cheated on me with my best friend, said that the only thing I cared about was my job and basically how he thought I was fucking around with guys from my past work and that, that was the reason he cheated on me" You shook your head "That was bullshit" You said grading his response "I was truly and deeply in love with him and he simply broke four years of relationship in three months. It hurt me a lot because I really thought: 'This will be the man I want to marry and have kids with'" You shrugged your shoulders with a light smile

"I was-am" You corrected yourself "so afraid of falling in love again because I don't wanna end up broken hearted once more" You looked straight into his eyes stopping yourself from a moment "But... When I see you" You smiled "I can see myself doing everything next to you"

Antoine smiled lightly grabbing your hand "I like you so much" You said laughing lightly "And meanwhile I know you're not like my ex or any other kind of guy... I'm still afraid because I don't wanna mess anything up between us" You said smiling a bit "But I wanna be happy, I'll allow that to myself. Because I need it, I want it and I'm worthy of it"

"So... If are still on that waiting... If you still want me to go out with you someday, I just wanted to let you know that I'll love to do so"

Antoine smiled widely, he let go of your hands to wrap his arms around you and left a kiss on your cheek

"I'll always be ready whenever you are. This is our story, needs to be done with both of our ways but together as one. I will always wait for you" You smiled hugging him back "And get ready for the best date of your life" You laughed lightly "And thank you for trusting me with your past"

"Thank you for making me realize I have to give myself some priority and many chances as I'd like"

Antoine, proudly showed you his palm as you giggled unwrapping one of your arms from him to high-five him "That's my girl"

[archivingbarca]

https://www.tumblr.com/archivingbarca/764401889058209792/fermin-would-not-work-as-double-pivot-and-olmo-was

Fermin would obviously play as a 10 and not in the double pivot, and Olmo will be the starter ahead of him because he’s currently better than him but it has nothing to do with his price, otherwise Ferran would start ahead of Lamine. But still Fermin will be used a lot because Olmo won’t play all the minutes since he’s injury prone, and Fermin proved that he is good enough when needed. He’s also better than Torre who’s our other option for the 10, and last season he had to play a lot of games when everyone was injured and he scored important goals and helped us.

it was so unlucky that olmo and fermin got injured at the same time, i would have really liked to see how he plays off the back of winning the olympics! maybe we’ll see some minutes vs sevilla? i’m guessing flick will want a fully fit olmo against bayern and madrid. in any case i expect a similar goal tally from fermin as last season, probably even more

[realmadridnews]

Real Sociedad - Real Madrid 2:0

A great performance on Estadio Anoeta and another 3 points. Real Madrid has now 8 points more than the 2nd FC Sevilla, who played 1 match less and 16 points more than FC Barcelona, who also played 1 match less than Real Madrid.

The match was a total masterclass by Real Madrid against a really good Real Sociedad squad. A very big loss will be Benzema though, who went off in the 17 minutes with some muscle problems. First media information say that he won’t be able to play against Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid.

Although both sides played really good football. The first half ended with a 0:0 draw.

Real Madrid started with a quick goal in the 47th minute. Vinicius dribbled through a Sociedad player, played to Jovic into the box, who then tapped it back to Vinicius who finished that perfectly.

The second goal came just 10 minutes later. Kroos crossed the ball from the corner kick directly to Casemiro, who headed into the face of the goal, but when Remiro was ready to catch the pretty easy ball, Jovic dived in and scored his first goal of the season.

In the 86th minute Vinicius had another big chance. Militao initiated the counterattack with a perfect pass into Vinicius’ run, who then was one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but Remiro was better this time and saved the shot.

scorers: 1:0, Vinicius 47′

2:0, Jovic 57′

Real Sociedad: Remiro; Gorosabel (68′ Zaldua), Zubeldia, Le Normand, Rico (86′ Munoz); Januzaj (68′ Portu), Guevara (61′ Turrientes), Zubimendi, Oyarzabal; Sorloth, Isak

Real Madrid: Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Mendy; Modric, Casemiro (65′ Camavinga), Kroos (81′ Valverde); Rodrygo (81′ Asensio), Benzema (17′ Jovic), Vinicius

yellow cards: Zubeldia, Januzaj

Best Real Madrid players: Militao, Vinicius, Jovic

Worst Real Madrid player: Mendy

[klaumiel]

You are all I’ve got, Austin.// Chapter 2: Mama Knows Best

I was sitting in my favourite armchair in my parent’s house, sipping tea and chilling like every other Saturday morning. She makes the best tea in the world, like a magic elixir for all my fears and problems. Checking my phone every few minutes, I looked at my mum sitting on the sofa focused on filing her long red nails. She is beautiful as always, so classy and sophisticated, with her beautiful long black and curly hair, big brown eyes. She looked like a proper lady in her brown pencil skirt and white shirt neatly pushed inside, long legs like a model, nobody can tell that she just turned fifty-two. She was glowing. And yet, there was this familiar sadness in her eyes, I’ve seen it so many times, this look when she stares in the distance lost in her thoughts, hurts me every time seeing her like this because I know exactly what it means.

Dad promised her that this will be his last deployment and he will retire so they can finally live their lives the way they wanted, but he said that last time as well and one before that. She knew that he always wanted to reach the Captain rank, and she let him follow his dreams. Even if that meant leaving us for months every year, missing Christmas, birthdays and challenging times. He got promoted four years ago and finally, after over thirty years in the army, he had his dream job. My mother never complained, she loves him too much, after all, he was her first love her ‘hero’ as he always calls him.

She was devoted to her work as a music teacher, that always helped her in worse times, we grew up with her beautiful songs and a voice of an angel, her powerful cante flamenco only proved how magical and emotional music can be.

It was tough for her to leave Sevilla, her family and friends, but she did it for love, for my Dad. My grandmother was against it, but she did it anyway. A nineteen years old music student with no language or money, completely alone only a handsome soldier that she fell in love with a few months before. She knew that she will have a beautiful life; she took a risk, and it paid off. Well, that’s what she uses to tell us, was it really what she always dreamt off? Being part-single single mother with two kids, praying every day for her husband to come back in one piece and not in the wooden box? I think she tried so hard to convince herself that in the end, she believed it.

She is the most caring and loving person I know, always two steps ahead of us catching us before we fall, still supporting even if what we are doing it’s just stupid and illogical.

We didn’t give her a hard time as kids, as twins, we naturally looked after one another without even thinking about it, if one was in trouble or going through a hard time the other one always knew. It always freaked me out how this is possible that being somewhere else I can still feel Shaun’s emotions and vice versa. We are the same in every aspect, like the same things, react the same way to everything.

‘Maya!’ She snapped me from my thoughts ‘I asked you if you want more tea and some cake? Lemon cheesecake your favourite.’ Did she just said lemon cheesecake !?

‘Oh my god, Mum! You don’t have to ask twice. You know that I would die for it’ She laughed and walked to the kitchen.

I looked at my phone again. Just a few silly messages from Gemma describing Greg’s best bed tricks. I swear she will eat this poor guy alive! After a few conversations with Greg, I convinced him to give her a chance, he finally understood that we can’t be together as the feeling wasn’t mutual.

They went on a date a few days after, and now they are inseparable, I felt a little guilty that I left this for so long I could’ve pushed them earlier to try.

I called Gemma while my mum was in the kitchen.

‘Hey, girl! What’s up?!’ She answered I could hear Greg in the background; I guess I just disturbed something. Did he just moan?!

‘Nothing much, I’m just chilling here with my mum and wanted to check how are you doing, but from your texts, and what I can hear I guessed you are nice and comfy whenever you are’ I laughed

‘Well, I’m with Greg … I had to pull him away from work, he spends way  too much time working on things that don’t matter, he needs to relax, reports and taxes can wait until Monday I am more important right now’ she giggled

‘You know he is a workaholic, but I can see you are doing a great job in changing that, I’m glad to hear it. ‘

‘And how is your prison bae? Did you decide if you are going to visit him? I thought that was your plan for today, to surprise him. Did you chicken out?’ I checked if my mum wasn’t coming back from the kitchen, and I lowered my voice.

‘I didn’t chicken out, I called yesterday, but I was late for booking. Plus I am not sure if surprising him is a good idea, maybe I should discuss this with him first ‘ I saw my mum coming back from the kitchen.

‘Is your call girl, you know him better, but you have to make up your mind. Six weeks of only texting and sending hot pics is a long time. You are long overdue for the next level. Just don’t get too invested if you are not sure if you want to make a move, plus is not like you two have much of a future… I think you should look elsewhere is pointless to waste your time on him at this point, he has no future ’ Not much of a future ?! Waste my time?! What the hell was that about?! I was just about to call her out, but I saw my mum in the living room pouring tea and putting three plates on the table.

‘OK, Gemma, I have to go. Have fun, just make sure you can walk on Monday. Sara is only waiting for a chance to shame you in front of everyone…Bye’ I hang up before she could answer. I couldn’t believe that she said that. What got into her? She was very salty about the whole Austin situation from the start, and recently she avoided me. Just talking about herself and Greg. Even in the office, we didn’t chat as much as we use to. I was puzzled and hurt at the same time, that was so mean and entirely not like her.

I tossed my phone on the table with anger, and I was just about to dig into my cheesecake when I heard a doorbell.

‘I will get it Mum!’ I run to the door, I knew it was Shaun I could feel it, smiling from ear to ear, his black curls wet from the rain falling in his green eyes.

I am always so happy to see him, my little brother. Well, three minutes difference, but still, he is younger than me, and he hates it.

‘Hello, sis! I think I need a towel is absolutely lashing out there’ He said, shaking his wet hair while coming inside.

‘Here it is sweetheart, just in time, cake is on the table.’ My mum always two steps ahead, always prepared. She hugged him and dried his head with towel messing his hair up.

As soon as we sat down, I heard my phone ping. A familiar tune that made me smile each time I heard it. It was him! Of course, it was, I didn’t talk to anyone else there. I grabbed it as fast as I could, Shaun and Mum were busy chatting about some series on Netflix that I didn’t see, so I took the opportunity to focus on the conversation with Austin. He had a shitty day, so I decided to cheer him up a little. I’ve sent him a picture of me holding a tray with the pie that I’ve made the day before from the recipe he gave me. I was covered in flour from head to toe my hair was all messy. He joked about the mess I made in the kitchen. We talked about our favourite desserts, we had the same taste, so it wasn’t surprising to me when he said that lemon cheesecake is also his favourite. It was a short conversation, his time in the library was over. He kept his phone there, in one of the books.

I was happy to have at least this ten minutes with him. Made me feel better that I managed to cheer him up a little bit, he was a bit tense lately. I had a feeling he is hiding something, but I didn’t want to push him.

I’ve put my phone down, and I saw Shaun and Mum staring at me.

‘What?’ I asked nervously looking around myself to see what they are looking at. ‘Did I spill some tea? ‘

‘Who was that sweetie?’ My Mum smiled at me ‘Was it Albert?’ Why would she think it was Albert?

‘No, why you think it was Albert? I didn’t hear from him for weeks, plus we left it as they were. I don’t want to waste my time on him. I don’t even know when he is coming back, could be months. I made my decision, one soldier in the family is enough. I want my man to be next to me every day. I am not strong enough to go through the same as you’ her smile dropped instantly. Fuck! My big mouth again! ‘ Mum I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to..’

‘It’s ok love, I know what you mean, and I fully understand it’s not an easy life, and if you don’t feel like he is worth that kind of commitment you shouldn’t waste your time and wait for him. I stuck with your father because he was the one, still is but if you don’t feel like Albert is that’s only fair’ she paused for a second, and her smile came back ‘ So if not Albert who was it then? You were smiling and giggling the whole time. I didn’t see you like this for a long time.’

She was right, I didn’t feel like this for a long time, this whole Luke situation messed me up pretty badly.

‘It’s nothing, is just a guy from Lovelink that I am chatting with. Really, not a big deal’ She didn’t believe a word I said. Shaun shoot me an angry glance. Mum always knows when we are lying.

‘You are not getting away with this, not this time, you just blew your cover by giggling like mad! He knew about Austin, I told him everything, and I felt like it is time to share it with mum. At this stage, I was too deep into this, and she already knew that I am hiding something. We never had any secrets in the family, we made a promise that we need to share everything so we can help each other when we needed, and I didn’t want to break it.

I looked at my phone again and saw the last message from Austin.

“Bye messy pie ’’

I smiled. He is so fucking sweet, sometimes. Took a deep breath.

‘OK, I will tell you but please don’t freak out.’

She poured more tea to the mugs sat comfortably on the sofa, put her hands on her knees. She was ready, that’s what she thought, but she wasn’t.

‘About six weeks ago I matched with this guy, Austin Russo. I wasn’t sure at first, but I swiped because he intrigued me, I saw something interesting in him. See for yourself.’ I showed her his profile picture and the one he sent me a few weeks ago with his pop. I kept shirtless to myself.

‘Wow, handsome man. So far, so good.’ God, she is so not ready for that. Shaun smiled, he knew I was shitting myself, I didn’t want her to know.

‘Well, we really clicked, not right away. In the beginning, I thought that he is a bit of a prick, rude and arrogant, but he started to open up and … we were texting every day, getting to know each other. He is a bit rough around the edges but is getting better. I think I am bringing his soft side now. You will like that… he is a poet.’ I had to start with the right things, prepare her. She loves poetry.

‘Oh, that’s so romantic. You seem to like him.’

‘Yes, I do. I feel like we have a connection, even tho we’ve been only texting, we didn’t really meet in real life yet, but we have something special.’

‘ He didn’t take you for a date in six weeks? Why? That’s a red flag sweetheart ‘ Fuck! Here we go. Just say it! I looked at Shaun, begging for help, but he nodded reassuring me. I took a deep breath and looked at my Mum. My mouth was dry as sand, I took a big sip of tea, brushed my hair nervously She is going to flip.

‘Mum, we couldn’t go on a date because he is in prison’ My heart pounded in my chest, I  desperately searched for her reaction. She had a poker face, but I knew she was shocked, she didn’t say anything because she knew this is not all ‘He was falsely accused of murder seven years ago.. he is innocent, but there is not enough evidence to prove it.’

She didn’t say anything, just looked away then down. I felt my eyes filling with tears. She is disappointed, she won’t even look at me. I caught Shaun looking at her. Finally, she said quietly slowly bringing her eyes back to me.

‘Well, this was unexpected.. how long is his sentence?’ Mum was very serious, but I could see that she cared, she was worried. There was approval in her piercing brown eyes. That approval that I needed right now.

‘He is on the death row.’ I nearly whispered, looking at the floor, tears flowing. I felt horrible. On one side, my mum, always wanting me to find a good Nobel man and have a perfect family, one that we never had. And on the other side Austin, the not ideal partner for her perfect daughter, another criminal

‘Oh my god, sweetie.’ She sat on the floor next to me, took my hands in hers and looked at me ‘Are you hundred per cent sure he is innocent?’

‘ Yes, I believe him.’ I whispered

I told her everything. How Austin and his pop ran a chop shop together, how his half-brother Bennie started using heavy drugs and his father kicked him out, so he decided to take them down with his new gang; they got into a fight and Bennie tried to shoot Austin but his pop pushed him away and took the bullet. Bennie and his thugs knocked Austin down and left him next to his dead father with the gun in his hand. Unfortunately, this was enough evidence to prove him guilty and sentenced to death.

I didn’t even notice that I was crying like a baby the whole time. I must’ve looked pathetic.

‘ I know that you think I must be stupid, he could be lying and just playing me, but I really have feelings for him. I can’t even explain it. I believe him, he would never kill his father, he loved him, I could feel it from the way he spoke about him.’ I took a deep breath trying to calm myself ‘I saw his rough side when we started talking, but now he is a different person…  he opened up ‘ Suddenly all the thoughts of losing him went through my head

‘Mum... I have to help him … I don’t know how but I can’t let him die.’ I felt her arms wrapped around my shoulders when she squeezed to sit next to me. She wiped my cheeks and lifted my chin.

‘ Sweetheart, I would never think you are stupid. Love is never stupid, I would’ve been a complete hypocrite to think this way. You are my daughter, my whole world, and I love you with my whole heart. You are exactly like me when you fall for someone you fall deep. I can see that you care about this boy. And your golden heart won’t let you just leave him like that.  Maya, if you believe he's innocent, I trust you’ She pointed at my phone ’ I don’t see a murderer in him, there is good in his eyes. And what’s most important you see a good person in him, you gave him a chance because you knew is right.’ Her expression softened ‘ We better start thinking about how we can help him.’

Shaun sat on the sofa, resting his head on his hands, suddenly he got up.

‘Sis, we will figure something out. There must be a way to get him out of this, talk to him see what you can learn. I’m sure he knows what to do but is holding back, is too proud to ask you for help. He is too young and definitely not ready to die…Listen… Dad will be back in a few weeks maybe he can pull some strings, in the meantime try to convince Austin to let you help him.’

I wasn’t expecting my mum to understand, but she saw something more than just a stupid girl falling in love with the guy who most likely will never see the outside world before saying goodbye to it. She felt my determination and will to get him out of this shit, and as always she was two steps ahead.

‘ What was the other evidence apart from the gun?’ She asked while walking back to the sofa

‘ Partial DNA on him, which by the way is the same as Bennie’s, if we could have his DNA that would be a full match. I’m sure that would be enough to prove him innocent. I spoke with him about this, but nobody knows where Bennie is now, and police aren’t even looking for him. Plus is not easy to convince Austin to let me help him, he is stubborn, he lived with the idea that there is no chance for him to get out for seven years and now when there is a small chance he is scared, he won’t admit it, but he is scared someone will get hurt because of him again.’

‘You have to convince him’ Shaun said ‘ I am sure he knows something, a guy like Bennie can’t just disappear without the trace unless they are dead. Then we are screwed… Talk to him and don’t do anything stupid alone, you have me’ He smiled and flicked my nose

Next day I spoke with Austin about the possibility of finding Bennie, of course, he didn’t want me to get involved. How someone can be so stubborn!?

But that day, I decided that I had enough of him pissing around. After he got stabbed in the library by few of Bennie’s thugs who tried to cut his tongue, to make sure he won’t speak before the execution.

This was the point in which I drew the line, it was too much. My man was in grave danger, and I suppose to sit with my arms crossed? No fucking way! But before he managed to get proper angry he told me that we will give it ago, he had information where Bennie was last seen, he sent me an address and asked me to wait until we make a plan. He clearly doesn’t know me as well as he thinks he does.’

The moment Austin went offline, I put the address in my GPS  and drove there. I looked around the place that seemed to be a chop shop. Austin texted me when I was hidden behind the fence. He was fuming, I didn’t listen to him after all, he specifically told me to wait. Sorry not sorry, darling.

We confirmed that the bike outside the shop was Bennie’s, I went to look around searching for anything useful, but then my luck reached its end together with my common sense.

Bennie found me. I had only one chance to use this to my advantage, he was meters away from me. I only needed a bit of his hair, that's all.

I could stir it anyway I could, I had him right in front of me, but no. I did the only thing my stupid mind told me to.

I agreed to go on a date with a murderer. How wonderfully clever of me. Mama will be proud.

It was the stupidest idea ever, but it was the only chance I had to free Austin, or at least save his life.

Austin wasn’t happy with the idea, but he knew it is the only way. Only one shot, he’s the only door to freedom.

We planned everything, go in get the hair and get out. Simple as that. Nothing can go wrong, right? Right.

I called Shaun, I was stupid and desperate enough to go on a date a murderer but not dumb as to go there alone.

[palaugranetes]

☕️ Koeman so far at Barça...you are the wisest Culé I know, I always trust your insight ❤️❤️❤️

awwhh ☺

Okay, here we go

First,  let’s talk about how the fighting spirit is kinda back, sort of, as we saw clearly in the match against Celta Vigo with Clem’s sending off and the match against Sevilla when they scored and we instantly reacted. 

There is also the fact that FINALLY Couti is being used properly and he is doing well, clearly not as he was with Liverpool but a much better performance than before.

Now, on to the formation, the double pivot strategy... With the players we have, the amount of talent on the ball, to only have one midfielder up top is just a waste. When you have players like Riqui and Carles in midfield, players who can control the ball, create space and chances, and are so in sync with both D and F. and you still have them on the bench.... Busi cannot carry on for too long like that, he needs creativity. 

Speaking of not holding on for too long, we have players in their 30s... Not having rotations is not gonna be good for anyone and definitely will not be good for them, Jordi was proof. Especially in such an exceptional year. And beside fitness.. having players become too comfortable in their position is ruining their form. When a player is certain he will play all the time no matter what, he relaxes, well most do. And Ronald coming out and saying that rotations are not needed for the Sevilla match, kinda blew up in his.. See the last few minutes, they were the most intense attacking football minutes throughout that entire match.

Now as for Leo, he will need to sit out a few matches, every once in a while. There has to be a plan in case the worst happens, an injury not him leaving, And we have alternative players who can do that. Use them. 

Now I understand the season just started, and there are plenty more things to see.. But so far, those are the remarks. Hopefully it works out for the best for the team. I REALLY REALLY DO. 

[coloursflyaway]

not sure if you take just miscellaneous prompts but if you do; good omens, something soft and/or smutty with hands? this fandom is great for hand kink, yeah?

I’m so sorry it took ages, but thank you so much for the lovely prompt, I had so, so much fun with it ♥And since I had so much fun with it and it got slightly out of hand, you can also read it on AO3 here!

Aziraphale’sfingers are soft when they brush across Crowley’s knuckles, just a moment’stouch. They are soft like everything about the angel is, the curls ofsilvery-blond hair, the blue of his eyes, the way he looks at Crowleysometimes, when their conversation halts for just a moment, not uncomfortable,never that, just a second for both of them to breathe.

Aziraphale’sfingers are soft, leave a trail of warmth across the back of Crowley’s hand,and they mean nothing at all. Crowley knows that much, for after six millennia,Aziraphale would use his words to tell him if anything had changed, or if not,at least a gesture more substantial. Crowley knows better, but Aziraphale’s fingers are soft and when they pullaway, they have planted a seed of hope in Crowley’s foolish, loving heart.

 He picksthe angel up to get ice cream later that week. It’s a sunny day, almost toosunny for London, but Crowley has always enjoyed the sun, the warmth, so whenit takes Aziraphale a few minutes to come out of his shop after he has arrived,Crowley uses the time to get out of his Bentley, close his eyes and bask in thegolden light. It paints his eyelids red and pink, something Crowley has always found ascurious as lovely, the reminder that his useless heart is beating, blood isneedlessly pulsing through his body, transporting the oxygen he doesn’t need tocells that don’t have to produce a thing. In some way it is an indulgence tobreathe, to keep his heart beating and his blood rushing, but it’s one heenjoys too much to let go of, just like Aziraphale wouldn’t be able to denyhimself the pleasure of macaroons and frothy milkshakes.

At the sametime, though undoubtedly the only being Crowley knows to be even more prone toindulgence than himself, the angel is the last thing that made him forget abouthis heart, leave it unbeating for several minutes at least, until the weakmuscle screamed at him when being made to work once more. It had been a night like any other, spent with truffles Crowley had broughtwith him from Bruges, port wine Aziraphale had had for decades, the warmth of afire neither of them had started. His hair had been longer then, falling inginger waves just past his shoulders, and he’d been in the middle of a storyabout causing chaos during a bull fight in Sevilla when Aziraphale had leantin.

The lightemanating from the fireplace had been soft, made the angel’s skin glow golden,the ring on his finger glisten as he’d reached out with one of his hands, as ifto cup Crowley’s face. And Crowley, as foolish, as hopeful as ever, hadthought, finally. Finally, Aziraphale would kiss him, acknowledge the thing they both knew wasbetween them, finally, they’d go at the same pace, their pace, finally, they’d be what they were meant to be from thevery start.

BecauseCrowley might be a fool, might be too soft and too hopeful for a demon, buthe’s not an idiot and he has seen love often enough to recognise it when itpassed across Aziraphale’s face.Felt it every time he looked at the angel, for millennia by now.

He had felthis lips part in anticipation, all his attention, his entire being focussed onthe angel’s fingers, his smile, what couldn’t be anything but adoration shiningfrom his bright, blue eyes. And Crowley’s heart had stopped, utterly forgotten, while it seized up, readyto flood his body with love so overwhelming no one would expect a single organto be able to hold it all.

Only thatthe second that Aziraphale’s fingers touched his cheek, something changed inthe angel’s face, in the depths of his eyes, a sort of recognition sparkingthrough them like a bolt of lightening through a calm night. His fingers veeredoff their path, upwards to clumsily brush a strand of hair from Crowley’s eyes,and the demon could watch something ache so fiercely in Aziraphale’s eyes thatit had almost drowned out his own heart’s breaking.

Back inLondon, more than thirty years later, it’s the same hand that brings Crowleyback to the present, again by touch. Crowley’s eyes flutter open, leave behind crimson-tinted memories; Aziraphaleis standing in front of him, the same blue eyes, shining with affection, agentle smile on his lips, his hand on Crowley’s forearm, squeezing ever soslightly. He’s beautiful, but then again, he always is.

“I’m sosorry, dear”, Aziraphale says instead of a greeting, and he sounds it, too.“You seemed quite lost in thought, I didn’t want to disturb you at first, butthen again, it has been half an hour, so…”His voice trails off, his smile turning a little sheepish, and Crowley can’thelp but chuckle, noting distantly that Aziraphale still hasn’t pulled away hishand. “It’s quite alright, angel”, he tries to reassure, and watches Aziraphale’ssmile brighten. “Nothing but old memories, nothing important.”“Ah, well, that’s a relief”, Aziraphale breathes out, his hand lingering onCrowley’s arm until he takes a step back, presumably to get into the car. “Ihope there were only nice ones, of course, but I was looking forward to that ice cream…”

He keepstalking as he rounds the car, gets into it, and Crowley tries to listen, butfor another few moments the only thing his brain can focus on is that backthen, after Aziraphale had pulled away, a faint dusting of pink across hischeeks and the blue of his eyes dulled, it had taken Crowley three tries tocoax his heart into beating again.

 Crowley canstill remember the first time they touched, the sudden shock of warm skinpressed against his own, the tingling feeling Aziraphale's fingers left himwith, even if back then, he hadn't been certain if the cause for it had been Aziraphale'sangelic nature or the feelings that slowly and yet far too quickly developed inhis own chest.

It feelsthe same still when the angel’s hand brushes his now, handing him a strawberrylolly, the very last one that the man behind the trolley could find,inexplicably hidden in the container for another flavour in which the man haddefinitely checked before. A faint tingle, drowning out the vendor’s confused mumbling, the chirping ofbirds, the sun itself, because of how much Crowley needs this, even a touchthis small, has needed it, and will need it for the rest of his eternal life.

 A monthpasses, then another, then another, and it’s winter when they walk throughEdinburgh’s steep streets, Aziraphale bundled up in layers upon layers of whiteand beige, Crowley’s only concession to the cold being a slightly thickerscarf. “-and I am telling you, I need totake you to Salzburg sometime soon”, Aziraphale tells him, his cheeks rosy andexcitement painted across his entire face. “Before Christmas, that is, as theyhave the most charming Advent market. Especially in the evening, wheneverything else is dark, just the glittering lights, the ornaments, the music…Ah, and the Glühwein, you would loveit, I just know it. Let me take you, dear. My treat.”

There’snothing Crowley could ever say but yes, and Aziraphale must know it; still,when Crowley nods, the angel’s face lights up as if he’s been given the moonfor a gift. “Oh, splendid. Maybe next Thursday, if you’re free? Or Wednesday, maybe?”,Aziraphale answers, immediately starts to plan their trip, his excitementinfecting Crowley just a little, not because he cares about the delicaciesSalzburg has to offer, but because he’ll be able to share them with Aziraphale.And maybe it’s because of that that Crowley doesn’t notice Aziraphale shifting,changing his posture, his position, until a warm, soft hand slides into his,tangles their fingers together. It’s a shock unlike any other, making Crowleystop dead in his track, the entire universe, the universe he helped build, reduced to a few square inches of skin pressingagainst skin, warmth seeping from an angelic palm into his.

He looksdown to their hands, then up at Aziraphale, whose cheeks are even pinker now,whose eyes are still bright, but hopeful, scared. Yet, his hand is holding ontoCrowley’s, his thumb brushing across the demon’s knuckles, leaving a trail ofwarmth. “Is this alright?”, Aziraphale asks like he really doesn’t know the answer, andthe seed of hope he planted into Crowley’s heart months ago starts to grow afew vulnerable tendrils that latch onto his mind, ready to bud. “Of course, it is”, he replies, surprised when he finds that he can speak, andsqueezes Aziraphale’s hands in his. It feels right just where it is. “Justperfect.”

 They go toSalzburg on Thursday, since the weather is just dreadful the day before. It’s quite charming, Crowley admits it freely, covered in kitsch andfresh-fallen snow; Aziraphale buys them both cups of steaming Glühwein and chocolate-coveredstrawberries, and laughs so sweetly it almost causes Crowley physical pain whenthe demon presents him with a gingerbread heart that spells out Für meinen Engel in white frosting. This time, when Aziraphale takes his hand in the midst of a bustling crowd andthe scent of cinnamon, of cloves, he doesn’t have to ask for permission.

 Wintercomes and passes; Crowley hardly cares about it, spends almost a month inSicily and brings back cannoli, cassata and sickly sweet limoncello as gifts. Wholebags of them, because there are almost as many versions of them as there areshops to buy them in, and Crowley doesn’t trust himself enough to pick the onesAziraphale will like best, so instead, he gets them all. They clutter the backseat of his Bentley, so Crowley forgoes driving to hisapartment after he has miracled both him and the car back to London’s streets,instead goes straight back to the angel’s bookshop.

It’s been amonth since he last saw it, just a short, inconsequential month, and yet hisheart seizes up in his chest when he sees the familiar sign, the red-paintedexterior.  There’s no light pouring from the windows, but it doesn’t have to mean a thing,at least Crowley hopes it doesn’t. Aziraphale prefers reading by light, butneither he nor Crowley need it to see.

So, Crowleyparks the Bentley, gets out with his arms full of boxes and plastic bags, afamiliar tightness fighting to close off his throat, wrap around his chest. Hecould, should knock, and yet doesn’t, partly because his hands are clutching toall the sweet treats he brought, partly because just barging into the shop likehe belongs there is a pleasure Crowley hasn’t been able to permit himself forvery long yet. The door flies open, maybe a little bit more forcefully than strictlynecessary, because Crowley hopes for a small cry of oh, do be careful, dear! in a voice he has missed more than helikes to admit. Nothing comes.

“Angel!”,he calls out, waits for a few moments, but there’s no answer, no Aziraphale.It’s not only the lack of a reply that tells him as much, it’s the atmospherein the shop, some key component of it missing. The angel’s warmth, his mirth,his kindness, and after having been deprived of it for weeks, Crowley feels thelack of it even more fiercely, even more so now that he is somewhere Aziraphalecould be.

Gingerly,as not to damage the pastries, Crowley sets down the bags and boxes on a nearbychair, before he looks around a little, finding nothing much has changed. A fewstacks of books seem to have increased in height, a thin layer of dust hasjoined the one he already had the chance to get acquainted with, and thegingerbread heart has moved from being propped up against a couple of books tohanging from a nail Aziraphale must have miracled into the wall for this sole purpose.He likes the look of it, a single piece of Crowley to have found its way intoAziraphale’s refugium.

There isnothing to do without the angel here, so Crowley doesn’t pretend there is, justgets a fire started in the fireplace with a flick of his hand, lays down on thesofa in front of it. It’s not enough to replace the warmth Aziraphale causes to bloom in his chest,but a good enough substitute for it; if he has made it a month without theangel’s touch, he’ll survive another few hours.

 He wakes upand the fire is still burning, illuminating the room in gold and copper, andfingers slowly weaving themselves through his hair, tugging gently at theginger strands. His head is still pillowed on his own arms, but Aziraphale issitting next to him, warm and solid, and for a few minutes, Crowley allowshimself to just enjoy the caresses, bask in the affection that seems to flowmuch more freely from Aziraphale nowadays.Maybe his heart is not quite so foolish after all, maybe this is what he has beenwaiting for, a world in which Aziraphale takes his hand in the middle of thestreet, threads his beloved fingers into Crowley’s hair, has finally caught upto the demon’s speed. And even if it isn’t, even if Crowley has to wait another millennium, he’lltake it.

Eventually,because he has missed Aziraphale, not just his touch, but the colour of hiseyes, the tone of his voice, the sound of his laugh, Crowley turns onto hisback, looks up at the angel. Aziraphale is holding a book in the hand he hasn’tstill buried in Crowley’s hair, but he diverts his attention immediately,looking at Crowley with more warmth in his gaze than the fire could ever hopeto possess. “Oh, you’re awake”, he says softly, in lieu of a greeting, starts to tease hisfingers through Crowley’s hair once more. It makes the demon’s heart skip abeat, maybe two.

He hums hisanswer, blinks up at Aziraphale slowly, too warm, too comfortable to find wordsfor another few moments. “How was Italy?”, Aziraphale asks, and scratches his fingernails gently acrossCrowley’s scalp, drawing a pleased noise from the demon. “Beautiful, I’mcertain.”“Was nice”, Crowley mumbles, just so keeping his eyes from slipping shut oncemore. “Very sunny. You’d have liked it. Spent a lot of time in Syracuse,remember that? They dug out all the old Greek stuff, was nice to see it again.”

A momentpasses with Aziraphale thinking, his fingers pausing their ministration, untilCrowley sees his eyes light up, a sunset in blue and gold. “Oh, right! We met there once, didn’t we?”, he asks, and Crowley nods, amazedand pleased in same amounts that the angel remembers. “You took me to thetheatre, didn’t you? Sophocles, if memory serves correctly. An absolutelydreadful performance though, of that I am certain.”Crowley doesn’t bother correcting Aziraphale, telling him that it wasAeschylus’ Persians they saw, justlike he doesn’t tell him he can remember almost every moment of that evening,from the colour of Aziraphale’s toga to the way he mispronounced several Greekwords and almost sent Crowley into a laughing fit. Instead, he says, “The main actor forgot half his words, it was a disaster. Butwe had figs, and those prickly pear things you liked so much, and afterwardsmore wine than we should have drunk.”

Somethingabout that makes Aziraphale chuckle, his eyes glaze over for a moment with theintensity of a memory. “Far more wine, you’re right”, Aziraphale says ever so softly, rubs hisfingertips across the tattoo on Crowley’s cheek in a way that makes him almost purrwith pleasure. “There was a moment after that, when we were walking alongsidethe coast, must have been almost morning, and you looked at me… it was just asecond, but I almost thought you’d kiss me.”

The wordssteal the air right from Crowley’s lungs, make his heart stop for just amoment; the world seems to freeze, because Aziraphale might not remember theplay they saw, but he remembers the important part. He remembers them.It’s the same feeling as standing on too-thin ice, threatening to break with asingle careless step, but Crowley can’t help but barge on, never could. Notwhen it’s Aziraphale and not when he loves the angel so much, he seems to burnup with the intensity of it, the feeling drowning out every other sensation,every other thought. “I know”, he answers, and all but prays for the ice to support the weight ofhis words. “So did I.”

And itdoes. For the world starts to move again, the clock next to the fireplace tentativelyreturning to ticking, the flames starting to dance once more, and Aziraphalesmiles down at him with overwhelming tenderness in his gaze. “Just in case you’re wondering, I think I would have let you.”

 They spendthe whole night talking, Crowley only sitting up when Aziraphale discovers hisgifts and insists on sampling all of them immediately.So, as the sun rises and London around them wakes, they feast on thoroughlyterrified pastries and sip limoncello from ceramic mugs, because Aziraphaleinsists that the fine crystal glasses aren’t dishwasher safe.

And thereis a moment, when the fire has just died, its glow been replaced by sunlight,and their eyes meet over the rim of Aziraphale’s mug, in which Crowleyconsiders kissing the taste of sugar and lemons off the angel’s lips.He doesn’t.

 SaintJames’s Park is prettier in spring than any other time of year, and so it’s nosurprise they find themselves there more and more often as the seasons change. Like today, a Tuesday with no particular significance, but with a sun thatseems to shine a little bit more brightly than it did just a week ago, birds singinglove songs from their branches.

Aziraphalehas gotten a new coat just the week before, cream-coloured, the lapels a littlebit sharper, the buttons on each side shining amber, and Crowley enjoys lookingat it as much as Aziraphale seems to enjoy wearing it. They’ve settled down on their usual bench, a small carton of strawberriesbetween them, two paper cups filled with what Aziraphale deems the bestespresso in town, and the angel’s smile so bright it rivals the sun.

“You know,I’ve been thinking, maybe we should visit Warlock”, Aziraphale says pensively,while he picks the leaves off a particularly luscious looking strawberry. “Iknow he isn’t the antichrist, but over the years I did grow fond of him. Wecould just pop by, have a cup of tea maybe. Dust off those old costumes,pretend we just happened to pass by and remembered our old charge. He musttwelve by now, right? Or thirteen? Open up dear.”Crowley obliges, parts his lips and lets Aziraphale feed him anotherstrawberry, fingers just so brushing the corner of his mouth. It’s delicious,even if he isn’t as partial to food as the angel is, he could get used to it ifit was Aziraphale feeding it to him.

“Don’t youthink it would look a little strange, both his nanny and his gardener justhappening to show up on the same day after having been gone for, oh, sevenyears?”, Crowley answers, still chewing, but Aziraphale just chuckles, start towork on another strawberry. “I doubt it”, he replies, pops the fruit into his own mouth this time, butdoesn’t give Crowley the time to miss the whispers of fingertips against hislips, because Aziraphale puts his hand over the demon’s, curling his fingersever so slightly. “I’m relatively certain most of the staff and at least partsof the family were under the impression we were a couple.”

He givesCrowley a smile that could almost be mischievous, squeezes his hand before hestarts to prepare another strawberry, apparently uncaring that the demon isstaring at him from behind his glasses. “What?”“Oh, yes. You know, with all the secret meetings in at midnight, the frequenttrips to London both of us took at the same time…” Aziraphale looks up from thestrawberry, brows furrowing all of a sudden. “Why, it doesn’t bother you, doesit, dear? Because if it does, if I’d known –“ “No, no”, Crowley interrupts the angel, gives him a smile he knows looks morehopeful than anything, more like how he feels. Light. Loving. “Not at all. Ijust assumed you wouldn’t much like the implications.”

The worryon Aziraphale’s face is replaced by kindness, by tender joy sparkling from hiseyes. “Oh, nonsense, darling. Not for a moment.” He holds up the strawberry, asks,“Do you want another one?”When Crowley opens his mouth this time, Aziraphale’s fingertips brush acrosshis lips in a way that couldn’t possibly have been an accident, and hope grows,just where the angel planted it in his chest.

 With aglass of Bordeaux in his hand, the dark liquid sloshing around in itdangerously, Aziraphale leans in, alcohol having slowed down both the angel’sspeech and Crowley’s thoughts. “Y’know”, he slurs, reaches out to put a hand on Crowley’s shoulder but findshis neck instead, curls his fingers around the sensitive, cool skin. “I’m gladthat the world didn’t end, I really am. Love it here, all the food, the books,even the people, but, if, you know, in case it had all gone south, I would’vebeen happy on Alpha Centauri. With you.”

Crowley’sheart understands what he is hearing before his brain has; the seed of hope haslong since grown into a little sapling, strong and new, soaking up the words,the honesty in Aziraphale’s eyes, the warmth of his touch as he drags his thumbacross the sharp line of Crowley’s jaw. “You din’ even want to go”, he reminds Aziraphale, even as he leans inslightly, just enough to feel the angel’s breath on his skin. “No”, Aziraphale agrees, and for a moment, Crowley thinks the angel will kisshim. He doesn’t, and he’s glad for it; it will happen, but when it does, hewants to be sober, wants to soak up every little detail of it. “I didn’t. But Iwould’ve come t’ find you, if you’d left. Even up there. Always.”

 Come lateJuly, they go to visit Warlock. It hardly lasts longer than half an hour of stilted small talk, but evenCrowley has to admit that it’s nice seeing Warlock again, who must have grownthree inches since she last saw him. Apart from that, though, it seems the boyhas stayed much the same, interrupts them both, makes faces at his mother whenhe thinks she isn’t looking and tries to sneak away from the table to play somesilly game on his phone the moment he’s finished his cake.It’ll be a shame to watch him die.

But thepart Crowley will remember comes when they are about to leave, and Aziraphaletakes her hand, something they have both gotten so used to that Crowley hardlythinks about it anymore. For a moment, Mrs. Dowling’s face changes, grows soft like she is rememberingsomething she thought she had already forgotten, then she looks up from theirjoined hands up to Crowley’s face. “I’m happy for you both”, she tells them, and for the first time since theywalked through the door, she sounds sincere. “We always wondered – but thatdoesn’t matter. I’d tell you not to make the same mistakes as Tad and me, but Ithink I know you won’t.”

She looksdown at her wedding ring, her own hand that maybe should be holding another,and Crowley feels a moment of ache seize her heart. They won’t, they couldn’t, but still she wishes she knew how to tell Mrs.Dowling that sometimes, drifting apart is inevitable.

 When theyget back to the Bentley, Aziraphale turns to her, reassurance shining from hisblue eyes as he squeezes Crowley’s hand. “I couldn’t do much”, he tells Crowley, brushes his thumb across her knuckles.“But I gave her a bit of hope. Today when her husband comes home, she will atleast feel that there’s worth in trying to fix what they have broken.”And he’s right, it isn’t much, but maybe it’s enough.

 It’s a warmnight, the kind poets write whole books about, and they’re on the roof ofCrowley’s apartment building, looking up at the stars above them. It’ssomewhere Crowley has always felt comfortable, under a star-speckled sky,looking up at suns he can remember creating out of empty space. And it’s better still with Aziraphale next to him, pressed against his side,his head resting on Crowley’s shoulder and their tangled hands in between theirthighs.

“Tell meagain which ones you helped build”, Aziraphale mumbles into the warm air aroundthem, sounding soft, sounding just like Crowley feels.In love. Slowly, Crowley raises their joined hands, points them at a star, so far awaythat human eyes wouldn’t even be able to see its light. But he does, and heknows Aziraphale does, too. “That one. And – “, he moves their hands a little bit upwards, slightly to theleft, “And those two. Twin stars. They were always my favourites to make, twosuns, circling each other until they go out together. It always seemed, I don’tknow. Better, somehow.”“Is that why you wanted to go to Alpha Centauri?”

Crowleypauses for a moment, lets their hands sink down back to his lap; it’s somethinghe never considered, never thought about. He’d been desperate, close tomindless, scared, and yet there had been a million of places he could havepicked and yet he chose a set of suns that revolve around each other. “I don’t know”, he confesses, and Aziraphale next to him shifts slightly.“Maybe. I never thought about it.”“Perhaps we can go someday. Not forever, but for a holiday. Or you could showme those other stars, the ones you made. I’d like to see them.”

Crowleysmiles, even though he knows Aziraphale won’t be able to see it, rests hischeek atop the angel’s head before he looks back out into the vastness ofspace. “Yeah, sounds good”, he tells Aziraphale. “Wherever you want to go, angel. I’llgive you a ride.”

 It’s stillthe same night, if anything, the sky has gotten darker around them, andAziraphale stirs slightly against Crowley’s side. At first, the demon expects him to sit up, but Aziraphale doesn’t, even if heseems to hold his breath for a second before he speaks. “Why haven’t you kissed me yet?”, Aziraphale asks into the silence, and Crowleyexpects his heart to skip, but it doesn’t. Maybe it’s because this whole nighthas been heavy with love, with affection, maybe because they have been buildingup to this for more than six thousand years now, because every touch Aziraphalehas bestowed upon him in the last two has been a word in a silent confession. Aconfession Crowley has been waiting to hear ever since he can remember.

“I didn’tknow you wanted me to do that already”, Crowley replies softly, gives himselfanother moment or two, before he sits up a little straighter, removing hischeek from where it has been resting on the angel’s head. Aziraphale does the same, turns around to look at Crowley and it’s the look inhis eyes that finally manages to take Crowley’s breath away. He’s built stars that didn’t shine so brightly, has looked at God’s face andfound her love not as overwhelming, has lived since the beginning of time andyet hasn’t seen anything looking so determined.

Theirfingers are still intertwined, and Crowley tightens his hold on Aziraphale’shand a little as he waits for the angel to speak. For a long time, he doesn’t, just watches Crowley’s face, and the demon letshim, knows he will give Aziraphale all the time, all the answers he needs. Andmaybe it’s just that what Aziraphale needs, because whatever he finds inCrowley’s face seems to be enough. Half a smile tugs on angelic lips, and when he speaks, his voice is softer thanfresh fallen snow, than Banarasi Silk. “Oh, darling”, Aziraphale says, “I’ve wanted you to for years.”

The world around them holds its breath, and yetCrowley seems to breathe freely for the first time in centuries, his eyesunable to tear their gaze away from the angel’s face. “Oh”, Crowley murmurs; the hopeful sapling in his heart blossoming, blooming,stretching out tendrils that touch every molecule of his physical body, everyparticle of his eternal one. “I would have waited.”“I know.” Aziraphale shifts again, and Crowley thinks he sees a hint of a haloaround the angel’s head, illuminating the night just enough to make the rest ofthe world fall away. He raises the hand that isn’t clutching Crowley’s and cupsthe demon’s cheek, holding it like Crowley is precious, like he is somethingAziraphale couldn’t bear to break. “I don’t want you to.”

He doesn’t know which one of them moves first,but it doesn’t matter, couldn’t matter, because their lips meet in the middle,Aziraphale’s as soft as his gaze was. Crowley’s eyes flutter shut, block out everything that isn’t the angel’s touch,the slide of lips against lips that he has been waiting for his entire life.There is no hope necessary anymore, so it turns to devotion within the confinesof Crowley’s body, turns to love as his heart beats faster, turns to tendernessas he holds onto Aziraphale’s hand to keep himself from being swept away. The angel tilts his head sideways just enough to deepen the kiss, and Crowleyparts his lips, lets Aziraphale take from him whatever it is the angel wants.

The hand that isn’t clutching Aziraphale’scomes to rest on the angel’s thigh, even while Crowley kisses his love ontoAziraphale’s lips, pushes it into his mouth, pains it across his skin withevery single breath. And Aziraphale responds in kind, thumb brushing across Crowley’s cheek as if tosteady him, his tongue writing his confessions against the roof of Crowley’smouth, promises love as it draws soft sounds from the demon.

It’s easy to lose himself in the sensation, inthis one moment that seems to stretch forever, so Crowley does, clings toAziraphale until the sun has risen, painted the clouds around them first pink,then orange, then gold. The city beneath them has been roused, started theirday, without knowing that two immortal souls have become one above them, onlyfinding themselves well-rested, more optimistic than they have felt in weeks atleast. Above them, feeling like they both have lost any connection to the ground,Crowley only pulls away once he knows he has committed every detail ofAziraphale’s lips to memory, has heard every of the angel’s sigh, tasted hislove until it’s the only thing left on his tongue.

Aziraphale is the first thing he sees once heopens his eyes again, and the angel looks more beautiful than Crowley has everseen him look before, his skin glowing with angelic light, his lips kissed redand his cheeks dusted pink, his eyes so blue, so clear that Crowley almostexpects to see his own face mirrored back in them. His hand is still resting on Crowley’s cheek, so the demon turns his head topress a kiss to the palm, to Aziraphale’s wrist.

“I’ve loved you for six thousand years”, hemutters against the angel’s skin, and Aziraphale curls his fingers justslightly, allows Crowley to bestow kisses to the tips, worshipping each one ofthem with his lips. “I know”, Aziraphale responds, brushes his thumb across Crowley’s love-bruisedmouth before he captures it in another kiss, shorter this time, but just assweet. “I’ve loved you longer than I am even aware of now.”“I’ll love you forever”, Crowley whispers back; neither of them has moved away,so he can feel the hitch of Aziraphale’s breath against his lips, can taste thelove it carries with it. “I know. And I will love you just as long.”

[addc10]

Thoughts on the match?

We really need to find a way to get rid of these spells, whether they last 10 minutes or 45, where we just completely fall asleep. Today, Granada scored two against us at home in the second half and were clearly the better team for a while afterwards, until really James’ last minute goal. I think it is a mentality thing, as so many of these devolutions begin with individual errors.

But onto the good things. Our first half was great today. We should have built the lead through Carvajal twice or even Benzema again. But ultimately, putting this game away any earlier would have been a moot point. Something I was incredibly impressed with was our pressing. On Hazard’s, Modric’s and James’ goal, they all began after a turnover resulting from our press. I love a good well organized press. And I really do mean I love one. A real key to this was Valverde’s energy and I think when Modric shifted in, that midfield duo pressed excellently. In the first half, Granada’s goalkeeer has the most touches, just showing how we really forced them back with no options of playing forward. Valverde was a standout today with some amazing through passes, and he is really proving Zizou’s trust in him well placed.

Areola had a great first half, it was unfortunate that his error not only led to a penalty and a goal, but a change in tide of the game where Granada started to take control. Varane played well, but it was his man who was lost at the back post on the second goal and really, we just need to do better. Hazard seemed to struggle before his goal but after, in addition to bagging an assist, he seemed to come into his own. Hopefully, this is just the start.

Odriozola also had a fantastic game, combining with James who was great energy off the bench, for our fourth goal. He was a terror up the wing the whole game and truly stepped up to the challenge. Bale had a jaw dropping assist for the first goal and something that easily could have been called a penalty, though I don’t have huge issue with it not being called one. There were more good things in this game than bad I think.

A good showing and a great win, but something about this Real Madrid team remains... untrustworthy. As we have seen, better teams punish us in these spells of lax play. With a 4-2 scoreline, it’s easy to think that Real Madrid gave up some of the defensive prowess shown in the last few league games for offensive power. Real Madrid gave up 5 shots on target against Granada at home compared to just 1 against Sevilla away, Osasuna, and Atletico away. But other than this spell after Areola’s mistake, we mostly held good defensively. At this point, it is a matter of consistency, both within a game and between games.

But it’s never a bad thing to go into the international break with a win, and of course it is never a bad thing to be top of the league.

[piquira]

“Anfield was a nightmare that’s going to stay with us...”

Gerard Pique interview with EL Pais, talks about CDR final this Saturday against Valencia, his feelings after Champions League exit, Valverde, new signings, his future, etc. 

Question: Do you agree with the general idea that this has been your best year as a professional yet or do you think people undervalue other seasons?

R: It’s difficult to value [our performance] because people tend to stay with what’s most recent. I agree its been a good season in which I have played almost all of the games, and feeling physically very good because I haven’t been with the NT. I haven’t had any injuries and I have felt very good and haven’t played a single game feeling pain, which has happened in other seasons. But I do want to give value to other seasons that were phenomenal as well. In other years where we were able to win the treble, for example, we all reached a level that was close to perfection both at an individual level and at a collective level.

Q: Have you notice there being a difference since you stopped playing with the NT?

R: [In total] They’re 4 weeks that help you disconnect and help you catch your breath. Participating in the NT is a huge commitment that never ends. It takes a lot from you at a mental and physical level. 

Q: There was criticism against you for playing for the NT, now there is criticism for you not playing. Do you understand it?

R: I understand it all, it’s part of the game. It’s impossible to have everybody happy, and in this country everybody has their opinion. But that’s why I have to do what’s right for me and the team that pays me. It was just that ideal moment for me [to retire]. 

Q: Are you a better player now than in your 20′s?

R: Different. As the years pass, age holds an important role in my game, despite going to the nutritionist, working out at the gym, and other positive stuff that could potentially help my body. But I do think that I have improved in many things because experience helps make better decision. And that in my position is vital. A while ago, I understood that I needed to be less physical and instead be more intelligent, concentrated, and improve my positioning. Being a centerback requires us to use our head, especially at Barca where we know there is always going to be risks and a lot of meters to cover. If you’re head functions perfectly, you don’t need your body as much. We have to learn how to take care of ourselves so that age isn’t a huge inconvenience.

Q: Does being a veteran player increase the responsibility of what happens in the teams defense?

R: Yes. It’s inevitable. I feel and hurt with every goal we concede because 90% of those goals are errors. And even if i’m not directly involved, i’m the one that has been here the longest and I might have been able to avoid it with better indications. Of course I’m very aware of that.

Q: Should Valverde continue next season?

R: It’s not my job [to decide] because Valverde is my boss and he’s the one that decides if I play or not. It’s irrelevant what I believe. But what I can say is that his gestation of the squad has been excellent these two years. He’s helped us improve in a tactical level and helped us win multiple trophies as well, which we hope to extend with the Copa final. Of course we can always play better. Always! And we know how much Anfield hurt, but I think we’d always be content with winning the league and CDR.

Q: The public argues that the style of play is boring and one dimensional...

R: That goes with out way of living football. Cules and Catalanes are very demanding and we like to look for perfection. It’s not about just winning anymore, but about the way we win. To top it all, Guardiola’s era is very recent which was when we play our best in and where people most like to watch us play. That debate will always remain regardless of who the coach is. But I can assure you that it’s the same style that Valverde wants to play. I’m part of the dressing room and can assure you that’s what he transmits. But it’s not something that depends solely on him, it depends on those who are playing and the rivals we’re facing... now we get pressured very high and it becomes almost impossible to play out of the box, when before it used to be very simple to be able to use our goalie. That’s why sometimes its better to play out with a long pass. Regardless, there are many factors [that can influence] but people tend to focus on the coach or on a certain player when in reality in a team sport there are many variables, many of which are intangible.  

Q: Did it help you guys that Madrid wasn’t much competition in the league?

R: WHen one of the two isn’t performing at the level expected, it always helps the other team. We have been very regular and solid with out results. I imagine that Cristiano Ronaldo leaving has influenced somehow because football can be seen in different forms and one of them is through statistics. You have to have a player that can score goals every year, which they lost when he left. 

Q: Is that a warning [for Barca] for when Messi leaves?

R: For that we don’t need any warnings. When Leo leaves we’ll suffer for sure. But the extent and time for which we do, will depend on how the club decides to adapt to his farewell. 

Q: Do you think substituting you will be complicated?

R: Not much. We’re all here temporarily and that’s something you learn with time. It could take months or maybe even a couple of season but in the long run we’re all going to be replaced. The day will come when another player will be better because football is always evolving. Now it is more spectacular, more technical, and physical. I always say that the best defenders in history are the ones playing now because they are much more complete than those of the past. Adding context, its possible that Beckenbauer was the best, but if you compare him with a modern defender, he probably wasn’t better with the ball, maybe he was slower, could have read the game less... Before, for example, they used to be far more lenient with fouls, you had to practically kill a player to be sent off. Now we’re much more exposed in that sense. It’s the evolution of the sport, and that’s that. 

Q: Can Barca evolve with De Jong and possibly De Ligt as new players on the squad? Does it worry you to have another centerback on the team?

R: They’re players that understand out football because we’ve sipped from the same fountain, which is Cruyff’s. And if I were worried about the defenders that the team has added since my arrival, I would have not been able to sleep in years! It’s been one of the positions in which the team has mostly added recently. I think it’s very logical and I like the competition. I don’t know what’s going to happen but De Ligt has a lot of qualities, especially with his age. And De Jong has a lot of potential and future. He’s an exciting prospect because of his style of play.

Q: Will there be another documentary about Griezmann’s decision?

R: No, I won’t do it. Once was enough. It’s been a while since I last talked to him but we’ll see what happens. I don’t know much more. 

Q: After losing in the first leg in both Levante & Sevilla, and with many substitutes in the team, it seemed as if not a lot of value was given to winning the CDR this season, is that true?

R: Those games were in January where there were many games in dispute. People might sense that there’s an ideal starting XI but I think the coach has regulated the squad perfectly. We had some losses and we were able to comeback because we are stronger at Camp Nou. But let it be known that we don’t like to throw away any competition. Passing to the final was very celebrated among us, and when we get to a final we intend to win it. We are a team that likes to win. We’re the team that has won the Copa the most and that shows how much we value it. 

Q: What has been the discourse that has most been repeated in the dressing room to be ready for the final after the fall in Anfield?

R: That we have to end the season well so we can end on a good note. Although Valencia is very dangerous team and they’ve gained momentum in the last run of the league. They also did a fine job in the European League up until the semi finals. They are a tough rival. 

Q: And what happened at Anfield?

R: When something like that happens, it’s just that everything or almost everything goes wrong. I think that our mentality was affected by what happened last year in Roma because it’s still fairly recent. With the first goal being scored, which happened very early on, unconsciously the images of Roma were there. Then the next two goals happened quickly as well, and that just seemed all to much like what happened last year. Surely it was a mental block, but also we lacked football. We lacked a lot of things. And they pressured high with a lot of intensity, Anfield also played a role there... we just weren’t capable. Something it happens. It was a tough day. It has cost us a lot to pick ourselves up from this because even as the days past you can’t get over the loss. It’s a loss that we’re going to remember for a long time. But we still have to move forward.

Q: We also didn’t see the team motivated, or moved by the goals that were conceded. 

R: It was a difficult situation. You see the team that isn’t working, while they’re pushing forward all while last year’s loss is still so recent. But we can’t torture ourselves either. It’s true it’s one of our worse defeats but that’s how sports work. It was a nightmare and we have to take responsibility for that otherwise it’ll happen again. We also have to understand why it happened so that it can help us improve because we want to lift the Champions league again!

Q: Do you still see yourself as Barca’s president in the future?

R: For a while I was very excited about the prospect, and I don’t shut the door to the idea, but I don’t see it happening in the near future. I have so many other things happening in my life right now, that I want to concentrate on those things first.

[sergio-para-siempre]

Hello, I hope you’re well! If possible, can you gif some moments from this match where Fernando is coach? The time stamps roughly give or take a second or two are 3:10, 3:55, 18:36, 27:02, and 30:24. Also! You absolutely don’t have to do them all if you don’t want to! And if for any reason, whether that be you’re busy or any copyright/quality issues, or you simply don’t feel like it, that’s fine too!!

Regardless, once again, I hope all is well, and you’re not stressing too much about life or Sergio! I’m so excited to see him play again. I personally can’t wait to see if he plays again against real, despite what the fans may or may not be like, I think his heart or a big chuck of it still loves Madrid, the team, the stadium and I hope despite anything that may or may not happen and despite what did happen that he still feels like it’s his home (cause I very much think it is) I love watching him play and I can’t wait to keep seeing more of him😊💖💖💖

That's a lot of gifs, but i'll see what i can do 😉

Work is pretty stressful at the moment, but i'm doing fine and seeing Sergio during his press conference yesterday was such a nice treat. It made me feel a lot better about the UCL draw.

He definitely still loves Madrid and it will always be his home in some way. Despite what a lot of people think about him, he's a very loyal person. To a fault even. He still carries Sevilla in his heart and he'll always carry Madrid in his heart, like he'll eventually start to carry PSG in his heart too (or maybe he already does the way he talks about them sometimes).

It's gonna be interesting to see how the Madrid Fans will welcome him, if they're gonna give him the reception/farewell he deserves or if they've all bought into Perez's lies and believe all the shit he made the press write about him. It's almost like in Spain or at RM at least they take some kind of sick pleasure in watching their legends fall and crumble and fail, so we'll have to see what's gonna happen.

But one thing is for sure, if he's fit and well enough to play, he's not going to give them an inch. He might carry Madrid in his heart, but he'll fight tooth and nail for PSG to win, because he has something to prove and because that's just the person he is.

[footballpet]

UEFA Champions League

Juventus vs Malmo FF

Massimo Allegri, Juventus coach: “We have to keep winning, step by step, then we'll see We have to create the conditions to do better than we have in the last two years in the Champions League. Another tournament begins [in the round of 16 and] on Monday we will see who will be playing us. First or second? The discussions are still open, then you also need luck "

Juventus vs Malmo FF：

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Zenit St. Petersburg vs Chelsea

Thomas Tuchel, Chelsea manager: “[Saúl Ñíguez] is one of the guys that needs minutes. He is always in our thoughts. I think he struggled a bit with the intensity and he's a bit unlucky he played against Aston Villa, Southampton and Watford: all three were high-intensity games, above average. We will not stop encouraging him and trying to bring out the best. It's a high possibility he will improve tomorrow.”

Zenit St. Petersburg vs Chelsea：View match predictions now

Bayern MunchenBayern Munchen vs FC Barcelona

Julian Nagelsmann, Bayern coach: "Barça still have world-class players. They are under pressure in the table and have to win, and they will give everything to do that. It's not about knocking them out, but about the three points for us. I still see them as candidates for the title."

Bayern MunchenBayern Munchen vs FC Barcelona

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Benfica vs Dynamo Kyiv

Looking a bit chilly as Benfica get ready for the Dynamo game

Benfica vs Dynamo Kyiv

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Atalanta vs Villarreal

Gian Piero Gasperini, Atalanta coach: "We can’t have negative thoughts; we have to be optimistic. We will have to be good at making the most of our opportunities and prevent them from taking any chances that come their way. It will be a spectacular match."

Atalanta vs Villarreal

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Manchester United vs Young Boys

Ralf Rangnick, Man. United manager: “Can we win the Champions League? It is too early [to say that] now. I have only been here a week and played one game. Obviously with a club like this we are ambitious in all competitions. Everybody has the chance to perform and present themselves. I am happy to give game time to quite a few of them tomorrow.”

Manchester United vs Young Boys

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Red Bull Salzburg vs Sevilla

Matthias Jaissle, Salzburg coach: "Going into the last game, we have it in our own hands to win a place in the last 16. If someone had offered us that situation at the start of the campaign, we would probably all have taken it."

Red Bull Salzburg vs Sevilla

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VfL Wolfsburg vs Lille

Florian Kohfeldt, Wolsburg coach: “A big challenge awaits us tomorrow, especially when it comes to our opponents' ability on the break. We have to win and must go for it at the right moments.”

VfL Wolfsburg vs Lille

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[klaumiel]

You are all I’ve got,Damien.// Chapter 2: Mama Knows Best.

I was sitting in my favourite armchair in my parent’s house, sipping tea and chilling like every other Saturday morning. She makes the best tea in the world, like a magic elixir for all my fears and problems. Checking my phone every few minutes, I looked at my mum sitting on the sofa focused on filing her long red nails. She is beautiful as always, so classy and sophisticated, with her beautiful long black and curly hair, big brown eyes. She looked like a proper lady in her brown pencil skirt and white shirt neatly pushed inside, long legs like a model, nobody can tell that she just turned fifty-two. She was glowing. And yet, there was this familiar sadness in her eyes, I’ve seen it so many times, this look when she stares in the distance lost in her thoughts, hurts me every time seeing her like this because I know exactly what it means.

Dad promised her that this will be his last deployment and he will retire so they can finally live their lives the way they wanted, but he said that last time as well and one before that. She knew that he always wanted to reach the Captain rank, and she let him follow his dreams. Even if that meant leaving us for months every year, missing Christmas, birthdays and challenging times. He got promoted four years ago and finally, after over thirty years in the army, he had his dream job. My mother never complained, she loves him too much, after all, he was her first love her ‘hero’ as he always calls him.

She was devoted to her work as a music teacher, that always helped her in worse times, we grew up with her beautiful songs and a voice of an angel, her powerful cante flamenco only proved how magical and emotional music can be.

It was tough for her to leave Sevilla, her family and friends, but she did it for love, for my Dad. My grandmother was against it, but she did it anyway. A nineteen years old music student with no language or money, completely alone only a handsome soldier that she fell in love with a few months before. She knew that she will have a beautiful life; she took a risk, and it paid off. Well, that’s what she uses to tell us, was it really what she always dreamt off? Being part-single single mother with two kids, praying every day for her husband to come back in one piece and not in the wooden box? I think she tried so hard to convince herself that in the end, she believed it.

She is the most caring and loving person I know, always two steps ahead of us catching us before we fall, still supporting even if what we are doing it’s just stupid and illogical.

We didn’t give her a hard time as kids, as twins, we naturally looked after one another without even thinking about it, if one was in trouble or going through a hard time the other one always knew. It always freaked me out how this is possible that being somewhere else I can still feel Shaun’s emotions and vice versa. We are the same in every aspect, like the same things, react the same way to everything.

‘Maya!’ She snapped me from my thoughts ‘I asked you if you want more tea and some cake? Lemon cheesecake your favourite.’ Did she just said lemon cheesecake !?

‘Oh my god, Mum! You don’t have to ask twice. You know that I would die for it’ She laughed and walked to the kitchen.

I looked at my phone again. Just a few silly messages from Gemma describing Greg’s best bed tricks. I swear she will eat this poor guy alive! After a few conversations with Greg, I convinced him to give her a chance, he finally understood that we can’t be together as the feeling wasn’t mutual.

They went on a date a few days after, and now they are inseparable, I felt a little guilty that I left this for so long I could’ve pushed them earlier to try.

I called Gemma while my mum was in the kitchen.

‘Hey, girl! What’s up?!’ She answered I could hear Greg in the background; I guess I just disturbed something. Did he just moan?!

‘Nothing much, I’m just chilling here with my mum and wanted to check how are you doing, but from your texts, and what I can hear I guessed you are nice and comfy whenever you are’ I laughed

‘Well, I’m with Greg … I had to pull him away from work, he spends way  too much time working on things that don’t matter, he needs to relax, reports and taxes can wait until Monday I am more important right now’ she giggled

‘You know he is a workaholic, but I can see you are doing a great job in changing that, I’m glad to hear it. ‘

‘And how is your prison bae? Did you decide if you are going to visit him? I thought that was your plan for today, to surprise him. Did you chicken out?’ I checked if my mum wasn’t coming back from the kitchen, and I lowered my voice.

‘I didn’t chicken out, I called yesterday, but I was late for booking. Plus I am not sure if surprising him is a good idea, maybe I should discuss this with him first ‘ I saw my mum coming back from the kitchen.

‘Is your call girl, you know him better, but you have to make up your mind. Six weeks of only texting and sending hot pics is a long time. You are long overdue for the next level. Just don’t get too invested if you are not sure if you want to make a move, plus is not like you two have much of a future… I think you should look elsewhere is pointless to waste your time on him at this point, he has no future ’ Not much of a future ?! Waste my time?! What the hell was that about?! I was just about to call her out, but I saw my mum in the living room pouring tea and putting three plates on the table.

‘OK, Gemma, I have to go. Have fun, just make sure you can walk on Monday. Sara is only waiting for a chance to shame you in front of everyone…Bye’ I hang up before she could answer. I couldn’t believe that she said that. What got into her? She was very salty about the whole Damien situation from the start, and recently she avoided me. Just talking about herself and Greg. Even in the office, we didn’t chat as much as we use to. I was puzzled and hurt at the same time, that was so mean and entirely not like her.

I tossed my phone on the table with anger, and I was just about to dig into my cheesecake when I heard a doorbell.

‘I will get it Mum!’ I run to the door, I knew it was Shaun I could feel it, smiling from ear to ear, his black curls wet from the rain falling in his green eyes.

I am always so happy to see him, my little brother. Well, three minutes difference, but still, he is younger than me, and he hates it.

‘Hello, sis! I think I need a towel is absolutely lashing out there’ He said, shaking his wet hair while coming inside.

‘Here it is sweetheart, just in time, cake is on the table.’ My mum always two steps ahead, always prepared. She hugged him and dried his head with towel messing his hair up.

As soon as we sat down, I heard my phone ping. A familiar tune that made me smile each time I heard it. It was him! Of course, it was, I didn’t talk to anyone else there. I grabbed it as fast as I could, Shaun and Mum were busy chatting about some series on Netflix that I didn’t see, so I took the opportunity to focus on the conversation with Damien. He had a shitty day, so I decided to cheer him up a little. I’ve sent him a picture of me holding a tray with the pie that I’ve made the day before from the recipe he gave me. I was covered in flour from head to toe my hair was all messy. He joked about the mess I made in the kitchen. We talked about our favourite desserts, we had the same taste, so it wasn’t surprising to me when he said that lemon cheesecake is also his favourite. It was a short conversation, his time in the library was over. He kept his phone there, in one of the books.

I was happy to have at least this ten minutes with him. Made me feel better that I managed to cheer him up a little bit, he was a bit tense lately. I had a feeling he is hiding something, but I didn’t want to push him.

I’ve put my phone down, and I saw Shaun and Mum staring at me.

‘What?’ I asked nervously looking around myself to see what they are looking at. ‘Did I spill some tea? ‘

‘Who was that sweetie?’ My Mum smiled at me ‘Was it Albert?’ Why would she think it was Albert?

‘No, why you think it was Albert? I didn’t hear from him for weeks, plus we left it as they were. I don’t want to waste my time on him. I don’t even know when he is coming back, could be months. I made my decision, one soldier in the family is enough. I want my man to be next to me every day. I am not strong enough to go through the same as you’ her smile dropped instantly. Fuck! My big mouth again! ‘ Mum I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to..’

‘It’s ok love, I know what you mean, and I fully understand it’s not an easy life, and if you don’t feel like he is worth that kind of commitment you shouldn’t waste your time and wait for him. I stuck with your father because he was the one, still is but if you don’t feel like Albert is that’s only fair’ she paused for a second, and her smile came back ‘ So if not Albert who was it then? You were smiling and giggling the whole time. I didn’t see you like this for a long time.’

She was right, I didn’t feel like this for a long time, this whole Luke situation messed me up pretty badly.

‘It’s nothing, is just a guy from Lovelink that I am chatting with. Really, not a big deal’ She didn’t believe a word I said. Shaun shoot me an angry glance. Mum always knows when we are lying.

‘You are not getting away with this, not this time, you just blew your cover by giggling like mad! He knew about Damien, I told him everything, and I felt like it is time to share it with mum. At this stage, I was too deep into this, and she already knew that I am hiding something. We never had any secrets in the family, we made a promise that we need to share everything so we can help each other when we needed, and I didn’t want to break it.

I looked at my phone again and saw the last message from Damien.

“Bye messy pie :)’’

I smiled. He is so fucking sweet, sometimes. Took a deep breath.

‘OK, I will tell you but please don’t freak out.’

She poured more tea to the mugs sat comfortably on the sofa, put her hands on her knees. She was ready, that’s what she thought, but she wasn’t.

‘About six weeks ago I matched with this guy, Damien Jones. I wasn’t sure at first, but I swiped because he intrigued me, I saw something interesting in him. See for yourself.’ I showed her his profile picture and the one he sent me a few weeks ago with his pop. I kept shirtless to myself.

‘Wow, handsome man. So far, so good.’ God, she is so not ready for that. Shaun smiled, he knew I was shitting myself, I didn’t want her to know.

‘Well, we really clicked, not right away. In the beginning, I thought that he is a bit of a prick, rude and arrogant, but he started to open up and … we were texting every day, getting to know each other. He is a bit rough around the edges but is getting better. I think I am bringing his soft side now. You will like that… he is a poet.’ I had to start with the right things, prepare her. She loves poetry.

‘Oh, that’s so romantic. You seem to like him.’

‘Yes, I do. I feel like we have a connection, even tho we’ve been only texting, we didn’t really meet in real life yet, but we have something special.’

‘ He didn’t take you for a date in six weeks? Why? That’s a red flag sweetheart ‘ Fuck! Here we go. Just say it! I looked at Shaun, begging for help, but he nodded reassuring me. I took a deep breath and looked at my Mum. My mouth was dry as sand, I took a big sip of tea, brushed my hair nervously She is going to flip.

‘Mum, we couldn’t go on a date because he is in prison’ My heart pounded in my chest, I  desperately searched for her reaction. She had a poker face, but I knew she was shocked, she didn’t say anything because she knew this is not all ‘He was falsely accused of murder seven years ago.. he is innocent, but there is not enough evidence to prove it.’

She didn’t say anything, just looked away then down. I felt my eyes filling with tears. She is disappointed, she won’t even look at me. I caught Shaun looking at her. Finally, she said quietly slowly bringing her eyes back to me.

‘Well, this was unexpected.. how long is his sentence?’ Mum was very serious, but I could see that she cared, she was worried. There was approval in her piercing brown eyes. That approval that I needed right now.

‘He is on the death row.’ I nearly whispered, looking at the floor, tears flowing. I felt horrible. On one side, my mum, always wanting me to find a good Nobel man and have a perfect family, one that we never had. And on the other side Damien, the not ideal partner for her perfect daughter, another criminal

‘Oh my god, sweetie.’ She sat on the floor next to me, took my hands in hers and looked at me ‘Are you hundred per cent sure he is innocent?’

‘ Yes, I believe him.’ I whispered

I told her everything. How Damien and his pop ran a chop shop together, how his half-brother Bennie started using heavy drugs and his father kicked him out, so he decided to take them down with his new gang; they got into a fight and Bennie tried to shoot Damien, but his pop pushed him away and took the bullet. Bennie and his thugs knocked Damien down and left him next to his dead father with the gun in his hand. Unfortunately, this was enough evidence to prove him guilty and sentenced to death.

I didn’t even notice that I was crying like a baby the whole time. I must’ve looked pathetic.

‘ I know that you think I must be stupid, he could be lying and just playing me, but I really have feelings for him. I can’t even explain it. I believe him, he would never kill his father, he loved him, I could feel it from the way he spoke about him.’ I took a deep breath trying to calm myself ‘I saw his rough side when we started talking, but now he is a different person…  he opened up ‘ Suddenly all the thoughts of losing him went through my head

‘Mum... I have to help him … I don’t know how but I can’t let him die.’ I felt her arms wrapped around my shoulders when she squeezed to sit next to me. She wiped my cheeks and lifted my chin.

‘ Sweetheart, I would never think you are stupid. Love is never stupid, I would’ve been a complete hypocrite to think this way. You are my daughter, my whole world, and I love you with my whole heart. You are exactly like me when you fall for someone you fall deep. I can see that you care about this boy. And your golden heart won’t let you just leave him like that.  Maya, if you believe he's innocent, I trust you’ She pointed at my phone ’ I don’t see a murderer in him, there is good in his eyes. And what’s most important you see a good person in him, you gave him a chance because you knew is right.’ Her expression softened ‘ We better start thinking about how we can help him.’

Shaun sat on the sofa, resting his head on his hands, suddenly he got up.

‘Sis, we will figure something out. There must be a way to get him out of this, talk to him see what you can learn. I’m sure he knows what to do but is holding back, is too proud to ask you for help. He is too young and definitely not ready to die…Listen… Dad will be back in a few weeks maybe he can pull some strings, in the meantime try to convince Damien to let you help him.’

I wasn’t expecting my mum to understand, but she saw something more than just a stupid girl falling in love with the guy who most likely will never see the outside world before saying goodbye to it. She felt my determination and will to get him out of this shit, and as always she was two steps ahead.

‘ What was the other evidence apart from the gun?’ She asked while walking back to the sofa

‘ Partial DNA on him, which by the way is the same as Bennie’s, if we could have his DNA that would be a full match. I’m sure that would be enough to prove him innocent. I spoke with him about this, but nobody knows where Bennie is now, and police aren’t even looking for him. Plus is not easy to convince Damien to let me help him, he is stubborn, he lived with the idea that there is no chance for him to get out for seven years and now when there is a small chance he is scared, he won’t admit it, but he is scared someone will get hurt because of him again.’

‘You have to convince him’ Shaun said ‘ I am sure he knows something, a guy like Bennie can’t just disappear without the trace unless they are dead. Then we are screwed… Talk to him and don’t do anything stupid alone, you have me’ He smiled and flicked my nose

Next day I spoke with Damien about the possibility of finding Bennie, of course, he didn’t want me to get involved. How someone can be so stubborn!?

But that day, I decided that I had enough of him pissing around. After he got stabbed in the library by few of Bennie’s thugs who tried to cut his tongue, to make sure he won’t speak before the execution.

This was the point in which I drew the line, it was too much. My man was in grave danger, and I suppose to sit with my arms crossed? No fucking way! But before he managed to get proper angry he told me that we will give it ago, he had information where Bennie was last seen, he sent me an address and asked me to wait until we make a plan. He clearly doesn’t know me as well as he thinks he does.’

The moment Damien went offline, I put the address in my GPS  and drove there. I looked around the place that seemed to be a chop shop. Damien texted me when I was hidden behind the fence. He was fuming, I didn’t listen to him after all, he specifically told me to wait. Sorry not sorry, darling.

We confirmed that the bike outside the shop was Bennie’s, I went to look around searching for anything useful, but then my luck reached its end together with my common sense.

Bennie found me. I had only one chance to use this to my advantage, he was meters away from me. I only needed a bit of his hair, that's all.

I could stir it anyway I could, I had him right in front of me, but no. I did the only thing my stupid mind told me to.

I agreed to go on a date with a murderer. How wonderfully clever of me. Mama will be proud.

It was the stupidest idea ever, but it was the only chance I had to free Damien, or at least save his life.

Damien wasn’t happy with the idea, but he knew it is the only way. Only one shot, he’s the only door to freedom.

We planned everything, go in get the hair and get out. Simple as that. Nothing can go wrong, right? Right.

I called Shaun, I was stupid and desperate enough to go on a date a murderer but not dumb as to go there alone.

[singaporecmd368]

Mourinho raises well-worn gripes as Roma slide into turmoil

Jose Mourinho's honeymoon period at Roma is well in the past, after a shock 3-2 defeat by Venezia on Sunday (Nov 7) left the capital club in crisis and their Portuguese manager raising familiar gripes.

Mourinho enjoyed a strong start to life in Rome, winning six games in a row in all competitions, but since then performances have slid and the 58-year-old has criticised his players, Roma's transfers and referees.

He said after the defeat in Venice that "this is not the year to dream big", complaining that his squad is unbalanced and that "when you lose a player to injury or suspension, you have to invent something".

A lack of squad depth is already a familiar complaint but there were few excuses for the result.

Venezia, promoted from Serie B last season, are fighting relegation and began the day with the worst attack in the league.

Roma were the first team to concede three times to Paolo Zanetti's side this season, and did so after holding a 2-1 half-time lead.

The result saw the Giallorossi drop to sixth, with just one win in their last seven games in all competitions and four points from their last five league matches.

Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport described Roma as in "freefall".

Their report highlighted that Roma's average points and goals scored have slid from 3 and 3.1 respectively in their first six games, to 0.8 and 1.3 in the last six, while the average goals conceded per game has risen from 0.4 to 2.3 in that period.

Mou moans

The Venezia setback was not Mourinho's first embarrassment.

Last month, a second-string Roma side lost 6-1 at Bodo/Glimt in the Uefa Conference League, Europe's new third-tier competition.

"If I could pick the same players every time I would, but it is a risk. There is a difference in quality between one group of players and the other," Mourinho said after the game in Norway.

Mourinho's subsequently left five players who started in Norway - Bryan Reynolds, Marash Kumbulla, Amadou Diawara, Gonzalo Villar and Borja Mayoral - out of his squad for a 0-0 draw with Napoli, filling his bench with youth players instead.

The coach was sent off in that game for complaints to the referee, and has since tried to hold his tongue despite being visibly furious with the officiating in a 2-1 defeat by AC Milan and against Venezia.

He also hit out at the club's summer transfer business, complaining that the signings were "reactive" and that "the squad is not better than last year".

That was despite a net transfer spend of around €100 million (S$156 million), the highest in Italy.

Familiar story

Parallels between Mourinho's public outbursts in Rome and those in his previous two jobs at Manchester United and Tottenham have not gone unnoticed.

At Spurs, the manager was widely criticised for his treatment of Dele Alli, who was regularly left out of the squad and made two league starts last season before Mourinho was sacked in April.

The Portuguese also said in February 2021 that Gareth Bale's social media post saying he had a good training session was a "a contradiction of reality".

At United, Mourinho repeatedly picked out Luke Shaw for criticism, and his relationship with Paul Pogba broke down.

The Frenchman was stripped of the vice-captaincy in September 2018 after being dropped for key games the season before, including their Champions League last-16 second-leg defeat by Sevilla.

Mourinho has emphasised that he has three years to make his Roma project a success, but the club's demanding fan base will hope to see the slump reversed soon, and a more positive atmosphere return.

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[footballghana]

Barça fans look towards an African-born teenager for salvation

Barcelona fans are wondering what has gone wrong with their season.

After nine La Liga matches, they are in ninth place – five behind their arch-rivals Real Madrid and six points behind the table-topping Real Sociedad [who have, however, played a match more].

On Sunday Barça lost the El Clásico 2-1 at home, having earlier also been beaten 2-0 by the reigning champions Atlético.

The Catalan giants’ record in the Champions League makes even more dour reading as they are in serious danger of failing to escape the group for the first time since 2000.

They missed out on the Champions League in 2003/4 after finishing a disappointing sixth in La Liga. Since then, they have been on a run of 17 consecutive appearances in the knock-out stages of the competition.

It is not surprising that Barça fans are desperate to find something to give them hope to salvage their season, especially as the player who previously had been able to turn every game or season into something special – Lionel Messi – has left.

The Culés are now hoping that an African-born teenager is the player who can turn things around.

Born 18-years ago in the Guinea Bissau capital of Bissau, Ansu Fati grew up in Seville after coming to Europe with his parents. He started his footballing career in the youth teams of Herrera and Sevilla, before joining the famous Barcelona La Masia academy as a 10-year-old.

In July 2019, when he was just 16, he signed his first professional contract and a month later - without having ever played for the reserve side – he became the second youngest-ever Barcelona player when he came on as a late substitute in a 5-2 win over Real Betis.

Just six days later he became the clubs’ youngest goalscorer when he found the net in a 2-2 draw with Osasuna. And since then, he has gone on to break a host of other records.

Like so many other African footballer before him, Fati has chosen to represent his adoptive country and in August 2020 he received his first call up for La Roja, debuting on 3 September in a 1-1 draw against Germany. Three days later he became Spain’s youngest scorer in a victory against Ukraine.

But his career has also had it downsides as he suffered a serious knee injury in a La Liga match against Real Betis in November 2020, prompting a ten-month lay-off.

Fati is being billed as the new Messi and has this season been given the No 10 jersey which the diminutive Argentine international had made his own for so many years.

Despite wearing the same jersey number as Messi, he is not feeling any pressure. "No one is going to equal what Leo has done. I'm going to follow my own journey. I still haven't done anything. I hope I can have a career like [he has] had.”

He has received some backing from club president Joan Laporta. "We didn't put any pressure on Ansu, but the No. 10 suits him very well because of his style of play.”

Fati returned from his injury a few weeks ago – and albeit being introduced slowly – has given Barcelona fans hope for better things to come.

The teenager and his teammates will have two opportunities to show whether his presence can make a difference as La Liga has two matchdays coming up.

Barcelona are away to Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday and face Alaves at home on Saturday.

To catch those and other La Liga games, African football fans can watch La Liga live and in HD on the StarTimes channels.

source: https://footballghana.com/

[tkmedia]

What Arsenal can expect from £50m defender Ben White

11:18 AM ET- Tor-Kristian KarlsenThis article first appeared on ESPN on Feb. 21, 2021, and has been edited.At 23, Brighton's Ben White has become one of the most highly rated young centre-backs in England. Man United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal have all been linked with the defender in recent months, but it was the Gunners who spent £50 million to land the England international as United moved for Raphael Varane, Liverpool for Ibrahima Konate, while sources have told ESPN that Chelsea want Sevilla's Jules Kounde.2 RelatedHaving taken a few years to reach the top level, White now looks comfortable in the Premier League and should strengthen Arsenal's backline after the exit of David Luiz. Here's the lowdown on a defender who idolised Rio Ferdinand and who could become a star for club and country in the future.- Arsenal complete signing of Brighton's White - Stream ESPN FC Daily on ESPN+ (U.S. only) - Don't have ESPN? Get instant accessWhere has he come from?Born in Poole, White is a product of the Southampton academy. After not making the grade there, he was picked up by Brighton at age 16. After a few years in the youth teams, he spent the entire 2017-18 season on loan at Newport County in League Two, where he showed signs of things to come with an outstanding performance to hold off Harry Kane in a 1-1 draw at home against Tottenham in the FA Cup fourth round in January 2018, although he was less impressive in the replay as they lost 2-0. He then moved up the ladder with a League One loan spell at Peterborough the following year.Something of a late bloomer, his proper breakthrough came during his loan spell at Leeds United in 2019-20. During their successful promotion campaign, White didn't miss a single minute in the Championship, which prompted efforts from the club to secure his services on a permanent basis with three offers, the last which was reportedly £25m.However, having kept a close eye on the player's development under Marcelo Bielsa, Brighton knew better and wisely rebuffed any interest. White signed a new four-year contract with Brighton last September and went from strength to strength in the Premier League before the club eventually accepted a huge offer from Arsenal.PositionVersatility is certainly a factor in why the 23-year-old is held in such high esteem. During his spell at Leeds, Bielsa mainly played White as a centre-back in a back four, although he did make a few cameos as a holding midfielder in the Championship.Tor-Kristian Karlsen is a Norwegian football scout and executive and is the former chief executive and sporting director at AS Monaco. He will write regularly for ESPN on the business of soccer and the process of scouting. With Brighton this season, he's started to appear more frequently further up the pitch, shielding the back three (or back four, on the rare occasion) from a defensive midfield position. Especially impressive was his performance in the 1-0 win away at Elland Road (ironically) a few weeks ago, in which he delivered a mature display; picking up loose balls, intercepting potential danger and distributing efficiently."I have taken all the knowledge from the games I played in central midfield for Leeds and tried to fit it in for Brighton," he told The Athletic. "It's obviously a different team, different players, different league, but the basics are the same. You need to run, put pressure on people, get people's heads down and try to turn the ball over for your team."While Brighton manager Graham Potter has recently seemed to favour White as the right centre-back in his back three, he also possesses the attributes to easily fill in at right-back.StrengthsWhite offers a happy marriage between an old-school centre-half and the modern-day sophisticated centre-back. On the one hand he's one of the most eager tacklers in the Premier League and he does not shy away from the physical dimension of the game, while on the other he's mobile, quick at changing direction and moving around the pitch, calm in possession and a measured passer of the ball (the latter two qualities being useful in escaping pressing from opposing forwards).Added to that he's aggressive, regularly wins the ball high up the pitch (obligatory in a Bielsa team and another reason why the Argentinian boss values him) and is confident enough to bring the ball out of defence, often dashing past a couple of opponents before releasing it.White also plays with a high level of focus; he rarely "switches off," which is backed up by his penchant for spectacular goal line clearances.Ben White is a top young defender who should go far. Richard Heathcote/Getty ImagesWeaknessesHe is still a young, developing centre-back with just half a season's experience at the top level, so inevitably there's room for improvement in certain areas. Having said that, it seems that there are no severe shortcomings to his game, which is impressive, given his age. He already looks set to enjoy a fine future in the game, having been called up for England at Euro 2020.Being mainly a proactive and aggressive centre-back -- who commits relatively few fouls for a player with his set of characteristics -- White is probably better off playing alongside a partner with a more calculated approach to defending (Lewis Dunk clearly fits this description at Brighton), as he can still appear overly eager to regain possession or take individual gambles.At 6-foot-1, his lack of height is also a matter of trade-offs; if he were a few inches taller, he'd obviously win a higher percentage of his aerial challenges (he's in the 65%-70% range, somewhat on the low side for a centre-back), but he would not be as efficient at recovering the ball or winning challenges on the ground.What's next?As a quick, adaptable, alert centre-back who is good on the ball and keen to recover possession high up the pitch, it's no surprise that Arsenal moved for him. Having rendered himself so useful for Bielsa (albeit at one tier down), Mikel Arteta clearly appreciates the same skills that the Argentinian fell in love with, and White's mobility and pace should come in handy at the Emirates. Though whether he provides a return on the club's £50m investment remains to be seen. Read the full article