#i want her in englands midfield for a long time to come

[foxbullfrog]

Tooney being the only English player ever, male or female, to score in a quarter final, semi final, and final of a major tournament rly gets me bc in the nicest way you would not guess it. Her passing can be disappointing sometimes and she doesnt make the most of chances when there's no momentum for her to feed off.

I think it proves how pressure rly focuses her (when she feels supported and comfortable in a team). It feels like her mentality is so dependent on external stuff and it makes her wildly inconsistent when at her best she is an absolutely world-class midfielder. Like she'll play lights out to prove she deserves to be on the pitch for England, but once someone's goes 'okay you do deserve it, you're starting' it's like a switch gets flicked or something and she turns down the heat.

[enwoso]

BIG ADVENTURE! — alessia russo x child!reader

full of fluff and cutest☺️ probably much needed after that game x

grumpy universe masterlist

the group of twenty-three english players were half way through their embark on their adventure down under to begin their preparations for the women's world cup however they had a twenty fourth player in the form of a four year old little girl - which was you.

the england girls had loved having your little infectious personality around camp so far and were looking forwards to watching you cheer them on throughout the tournament.

"lovie, c'mon!" alessia held out her hand for you to hold onto as you had been running around the lounge waiting to go down into the terminal to board the plane. alessia more than happy to let you run around hoping you would get rid of as much energy as possible before the flight.

keeping you entertained for the past few hours since landing in dubai for the short lay over— alessia had simply been silently dreading the second half of the long flight to sydney.

"mummy! is that the plane we go on?" you asked, holding tightly onto your mums hand as you backpack hung low on your back. you pointing out the window to the sight of the planes sat on the tarmac outside.

"that's right! we should be on that one" alessia bent down to match your height pointing to said plane that the team was waiting to be allowed to board.

"it's a big plane isn't it!" alessia smiled as your face was covered with a big grin as a small wow came from you.

a burst of energy coming from you as you dropped your mum's hand along with your backpack, running in the direction of where georgia and a few of the other girls were, excited to show them the planes which were outside.

"gee! look, look- the planes! over there!" you rushed out tapping the midfielder repeatedly on the leg interrupting the older girls' conversation with keira.

"woah- slow down tiny!" georgia laughed picking you up as you took a little breathe, "okay now what were you saying?" georgia asked, her eyebrows raising slightly.

"look! mummy says that we go on them planes!" you point over to the wide window, at the planes which were stood on the other side of the window. excitement flowing through you with a wide grin still on your face.

"i know! isn't that cool!" georgia smiled at your excitement as keira poured, "are you excited tiny?" keira asked as you nodded quickly.

"YES! mummy said we can see koalas and k-ka-kanroos!" you said focusing on trying to say the last word which you could say properly, your eyebrows knitting together with concentration.

"kangaroos?"

"yep them!"

a gasp then coming from keira, "are you not excited to see your mummy play football?" you smile dropping a little in confusion.

"duh, mummy packed my football tops and boots!" you smiled cheekily with a hint of sass in your tone making the two midfielders burst out laughing as your eyebrows furrowed a little wondering what was so funny.

"i'll hold you to that!"

"me too!"

the original plan for flying to australia was that you flew over with alessia's parents and brothers a few weeks later when the team had gotten settled — alessia originally thinking it would make it more smoother for the transition from one side of the world to the other.

however, as days went on alessia and the departure date loomed closer the blonde realised how much she didn't want to be away from her tiny terror for that length of time. instead changing the plan last minute, and getting your suitcase packed.

"lovie?" you heard your mum call out but where still in conversation with georgia and keira about the animals in australia and how you definitely didn't want to bump into any eight legged creatures.

"tiny, i think your mum wants you" keira tapped you on the shoulder pointing in the direction of where alessia was stood your backpack in one hand as her big pink bag hung from her shoulder.

sliding down georgia's side you yelled a quick bye as you ran off back towards your mum, "there you are! where you been!"

"talking with georgia and keira bout animals!" you beamed as alessia hummed in amusement as she crouched down to your height, zipping your little jacket back up as well as putting it back on your shoulders as it had slouched down.

"have you got esme?” alessia asked standing back up as you looked around, twirling around in a circle for your elephant teddy. your comfort teddy which you’d had since you were little however naming the teddy when you got a little older.

“um, oh she’s here!” you mumbled in a hurry to get the teddy from the table lifting the toy up in the air as if it were a trophy as alessia smiled, holding her hand out for you to grab as boarding had started.

walking along the tunnel to the plane, the chatter of the other lionesses filling up the small area. you looking around soaking in the whole thing it being a big adventure to you as a smile had not once left your little face.

“smile lovie!” your mummy nudged you out of your own little word as she pointed to the team of lionesses photographers holding there big cameras. you giving a small and shy smile as well as a wave before jumping the big small gap onto the plane.

“hello!” you waved to the flight attendants who were stood welcoming everyone onto the aircraft, the two flight attendants giving a big smile and wave matching your own little bubble of energy.

walking down the isle, saying a little hi to the lionesses who were already in their seats as alessia guided you both to your seats. “y/n, we are here” your mummy called out as you had walked a few seats ahead of her.

climbing into your seat, which was closest to the window as you watched the men on the ground load the bags and suitcases onto the bottom of the plane. alessia on the other hand began to sort through everything she would need in order to get through the twelve hour flight to sydney airport.

“boo!” you cheered as you jumped up at the back of your seat, scaring the person who was sitting behind you. millie jumping slightly as a bright smile appeared on her face as she looked up from her phone to see your head poking over the back of the seat with a cheeky look on your face.

“hello cheeky!” millie smiled sticking her tongue out as you returned the smile while also sticking your own tongue out back at the blonde. “who sitting there?” you asked pointing to the seat next to her — taking note of the face she wasn’t with her usual right hand, rachel daly.

“rach of course!” mille said as your face grew confused, “she’s down there with the important people asking boring questions!” millie pointed down towards the front of the plane hoping you now understood, exaggerating the word boring as she said it.

your confused look slowly rising, “oh!”

the long journey had begun and alessia was quite surprised as how well you were actually behaving, as she had definitely planned for worse. but the blonde had also been quickly reminded herself that there was still a lot of time to go — the flight only being 6 hours in, so there was most definitely time.

you were sat snuggled in your blanket with esme your elephant, watching a series of children programmes in the tv that was in the back of the seat. your pink princess head phones which sat proudly on top of your head, a small smile appearing on your face every so often when something funny happened on the screen.

most of the girls were asleep after being urged to sleep now by the team managers as it was in line with the time zone change that would happen. alessia had gotten around two hours of sleep, before you had woken her up tapping her in the arm as you’d dropped esme under the seat in front of you and your small arms were unable to reach it.

“mummy” you whispered, tapping your mum on the arm once again as she was half asleep, alessia mumbling for you to carry on.

“i go find someone to colour with?” you asked a small pout appearing on your face as you were sat with your colouring pens and books hugged up to your chest after you’d found them in your backpack.

“yes, but-“ you were quick to slide right off your seat at the response however your mum stopped you from running out into the isle with her foot. “but, lovie please don’t wake up any of the girls if they are asleep, okay?” alessia had a stern look on her face as you nodded.

“okay!” you beamed, alessia kissing your forehead before letting you walk off down the aircraft your colouring supplies bundled in your arms.

walking along the isle carefully not to drop anything, as you finally found one of the girls who wasn’t asleep — ella!

“auntie el” you tapped the midfielder who was watching a show on her ipad, headphones in totally unaware of her surroundings. a smile appearing on the brunettes face as she turning to see you poking her arm.

“hi tiny! what’s wrong?” ella whispered lifting you onto her lap while also being careful not to wake the sleeping georgia stanway beside her.

“need someone to colour with me” you smiled sweetly while holding up your colouring supplies proudly, hoping that ella would sit and colour with you as there was not many other girls who were awake.

ella’s heart melting at the sight, “well what are my options then” the midflieder asked pointing to the books in your hand. you setting out the three options on the little table.

“princess one, animal or random one!” you pointed to each book as ella sat deep in though assessing her options.

“oo tough choice — which are you going first?” ella asked, over exaggerating her thinking face as you pointed to the one you were doing — the book filled with random colouring pages.

once ella had chosen her colouring book, the two of you made small talk filling ella in on all the things you had done on the first flight and this flight. ella’s smile big as she listened to you as you sat concentrated hard trying not to colour over the lines.

“finished!”

you held up your picture in front of ella, the picture being of twenty-four people all frawn with there own little personalities and a small name scribbled underneath them.

“whose all them people?" ella asked, as you sighed beginning her explanation. talking through each drawing.

“there's mummy with number twenty-three, chloe, mary-“ you listed off each player of the england team having drawn them with an england kit on making sure to put the number at which they played

"and then there's you with a number ten and me with number twenty four!" you sat proudly with with ella as she looked at the picture closely a loud laugh coming from the brunette.

“tiny, don’t let your mum see you’ve given her brown hair!”

“my yellow pen ran out” you pouted.

“tooney shut up!” georgia groaned as she began to wake up from all the noise ella was making, you looking between ella and georgia hushed giggled coming from the two of you.

georgia rubbing her eyes before opening them, as you jumped into georgia’s chest, “hi gee!”

“oh hi tiny — what you doing here!”

“me and ella been drawin’ look!” you smiled holding up your picture in front of the girl who smiled sleepily, humming along as you gave the same explanation as you did to ella a few moments earlier.

“how’s my little artist!” you heard your mums voice as you turned around a smile on your face, the plane had began to liven a bit up as most of the girls were now awake.

“look!” you handed your drawing to your mum who looked over it with a smile.

“which ones me?” alessia asked as she looked up from the picture, as you pointed to which one was her. the blondes eyebrows furrowed slightly. “i don’t have brown hair!”

“my yellow pen ran out” you pouted hoping it wasn’t going to upset your mummy too much. “ohh that’s okay — it’s adorable!” she beamed as your pout turned to a big grin.

alessia stood with talking to both ella and georgia for some time as you sat on ella’s knee doodling away on a sheet of paper, the time ticking away before it was time for food.

“right come on little one, let’s get you something to eat!” alessia picked up the other two colouring books off the floor tapping you on the head.

“me eat here” you mumbled carrying on your doodles, alessia shaking her head as a frown began on your face.

“you can come back once you’ve eaten!” your mum compromised as you slowly nodded slipping down from ella’s lap, alessia picking up your colouring supplies as you said a quick bye to ella and georgia before being walked back up the aircraft to your seat.

the rest of the flight went quite smoothly for alessia, you sat eating for best part of half an hour, eating slowly as you watched the tv again.

then once by the time you got bored of that, you sat playing a little game with your mum which she had packed but you soon began to yawn it being a while since you’d had a sleep.

“which film?” alessia asked you as you were snuggled into her arms a blanket laid over you, as you pointed over to a disney film.

you watched majority of the film your finger twirling the end of your hair around it, before you fell asleep. you body going limp as you breathing slowed right down.

and that’s how you spent the last hour and half of the flight, not even waking when the plane hit the ground. however alessia then had the trouble of carrying you off the flight along with your backpack and her bag.

"tiny! we're here!" ella and georgia yelled together from behind alessia as you were being carried in alessia's arms unable to see that you were asleep.

alessia sending the pair a death stare, before swotting them on the shoulder as she shushed them. the pair making an oh sound as they quickly apologised moving up the line of lionesses as the group walked through the arrivals part of the airport.

it was both a blessing and a curse that you had fallen asleep when you did. a blessing because it meant that you would start on the australian time zone it being around eight at night when the plane had landed but a curse as it meant alessia had to carry you.

your big adventure down under was just beginning.

liked by keirawalsh and 738,246 others

alessia tiny on tour starts now! 🐨🌏🇦🇺🩵

comments —

ellatoone coolest one in the team!

1h         451 likes reply

-> stanwaygeorgia you said i was cool!

-> ellatoone yeh but tiny is coolER

lucybronze our little explorer🥹

1h         230 likes reply

maryearps can’t wait to see her face when she see the kangaroo

1h         107 likes reply

-> alessia betting on the chance of her crying and being scared of them icl

‘

[pitchsidestories]

New Romantics II Grace Clinton x Bronze!Reader

part 2 I masterlist I word count: 2534

a/n: hi, this is inspired by the cute request here. Anyone interested in a part 2 ?

You stood at the window of your London flat, taking in the view over the city. It was a surprisingly nice day but the restless feeling in your chest kept you from enjoying it. Your girlfriend watched you from the sofa on the other side of the room.

Unsurprisingly, as she had been called up for Englands Senior squad before. Something you have also wanted for a long time. And you were hoping that today would be the day your wish would come true.

A sudden buzzing sound jolted you from your thoughts.

It took you a moment to realize what was happening. You met Grace's eyes as you looked at your phone on the coffee table. It was still buzzing, the screen lit up with an unknown number.

“That’s her number, babe. Go and take the call!“, Grace exclaimed, bouncing on the cushions of the sofa.

“Okay, okay, calm down. You’re even more nervous than me.“, you joked before taking the call. “Hello?“

“Hello, y/n. It’s Sarina. I’m just calling to inform you that you made the team and we can’t wait to meet you.“, the national team coach immediately got to the point.

You could not stop yourself from beaming: “Thank you, Sarina. This call-up means a lot to me.“

With her typical dutch accent, she replied: “You really deserve it. I hope to see you soon.“

“I can’t wait.“

Your cheeks already started to hurt from smiling as you ended the call.

Grace walked over to you and wrapped her arms around you: “I can see from the look on your face that you got the call-up. Congrats.“

„Thanks.“ You shook your head in disbelief: “We’ll be going to the England Senior National team together. I’m so excited!“

You quickly pulled away from your girlfriend's embrace and turned on some music. You took Graces hands in yours and started moving the rhythm.

The midfielder laughed, trying to follow your movements. You had to admit that even though celebrating your call-up to the national team with a dance party was something you usually did when you played for youth teams, it never lost its fun.

However, one sudden realization made you pause after two songs.

“I guess I should tell my sister the big news…“, you said suddenly.

Grace turned off the music and gave you an amused look: “I wouldn’t be surprised if she already knew.“

“You’re probably right. Lucy loves to chat with Sarina about womens football, maybe she gave her a hint during one of their conversations.“, you laughed, thinking back about the time your sister had told you about her discussions with her coach.

“Probably.“, your girlfriend agreed.

With a look on your phone, you had to correct yourself: “In fact, Lucy is already calling.“

Eagerly you answered your phone: “Hi, Luce. Sarina called me up for the lionesses!“

“I know! About time that you finally join the grown-ups.”, your big sister responded in a jokingly tone.

Amused you shook your head: “About time? Lucy, do I have to remind you that you were 22 when you joined the senior England team and that I just turned 21 in February?”

“Excuse me? Do you know who I had to compete with? Alex fucking Scott.”, she huffed.

“Yeah, yeah you had no chance before that I know the story, you told it many times.”, you teased her while the Barcelona defender could hear Grace laugh in the background.

Because you two were on a video call you were able to see Lucy lifting an eyebrow in this exact moment unlike her eyes her ears were hearing everything:” Who is with you? Is that Grace?”

“Yes, that’s Grace, we celebrated our call ups together before you called and interrupted us.”, you explained smirking.

She rolled her eyes at you:” Sorry, that I wanted to congratulate my sister.”

“No, it’s cute.”, Grace interjected.

You both wrinkled your nose, pretended to be disgusted by her comment, while the defender was the first to speak again:” Ew, don’t call this cute.”

“Yeah, we’re not cute we’re cool sisters.”, you added.

“I’m going to hang up now. I’ll see you in camp.”, Lucy declared. You both didn’t need to say anything more because you two knew that the other was excited and happy to meet her sister again.

“Goodbye, Lucy.”, you waved at her before ending the video call.

Still smiling you turned around to face your girlfriend:” Where were we before she came between us?”

 “We danced but don’t worry I ordered our favourite dinner to celebrate this special day right.”, she winked at you.

Beaming you placed a kiss to her flushed cheek:” You’re the best.”

“If I was a Bronze, I would just say I know but I’m not so you’re welcome.”, Grace said, even a bit redder than before.

“No, I prefer you as a Clinton.”, you told her.

“Thanks.”

As the doorbell rang, she clapped her hands, looking thrilled:” Oh, that’s the delivery service!”

The days went by quickly, in just a blink of an eye Grace and you were arriving at St. George’s Park together. Your girlfriend didn’t even look like a boyfriend with her brown hoodie and cap on, she even had the attitude of one as the forward was attempting to carry both of your suitcases.

“Babe, I can take my suitcase perfectly by myself.”, you pouted at her, being a Bronze made you very independent although you secretly loved when Grace did something like this.

“No.”, she decidedly waved you off.

You both turned your heads to a cheerful scream coming from no other than Ella:”  My favourite young lovebirds have arrived!”

Next to the Manchester United player your big sister showed up grinning, warning your girlfriend:” Clinton! Let her carry her suitcase herself, she’s getting spoiled!”

“You don’t get to have a say in how I treat my princess, Bronze. Especially not when I saw pictures of Ona carrying your things.“, Grace retorted unimpressed and continued to carry your suitcase towards your room.

There was an audible gasp from the older players.

Lucy pretended to gag: “Princess?“

“Don’t you dare say anything more!“, you warned and followed your girlfriend to your room.

You stayed in these rooms before with the youth teams but this time, things felt different, more serious. You took your time to take in the room before you started unpacking.

You were in the middle of putting away your warm-up shirts, when there was a knock on the door.

“Come on in.“, you said, expecting Grace to stand in the door way.

To your surprise, it was your sister that opened the door and let her gaze wander across the chaos you had created while unpacking: “Of course it’s chaotic in here already.“

“Rude!“, you said and threw a shirt in her general direction.

Lucy casually caught it mid-air and shook her head: “Typical.“

You crossed your arms in front of your chest, looking at your sister: “So, what do you want?“

“Checking in on you.“, she shrugged casually.

“Aw, that’s sweet of you.“, you teased her.

Lucy raised an eyebrow: “Sweet? Sarina made me do it.“

“She did?!“, you laughed, knowing full well that your sister was just pretending to be too cool to care about you.

“Yeah, she’s such a mum.“, Lucy rolled her eyes.

“But we’re adults here, I don’t need a babysitter.“, you protested.

“The youngsters always get babysitters.“

“Oh wow. Any advice for camp life, Lucy?“, you asked.

You older sister lifted a warning finger: “Yeah, be good or you’ll get in trouble with your sister.“

Before you could reply that Lucy was horribly annoying with her overprotectiveness, Grace appeared behind your sister with an innocent smile: “Sorry to interrupt you two but it’s dinner time.“

“Let’s go. We can’t miss that. The food here is great.“, Lucy said, nodding in the direction of the floor.

“Coming.“ You took Graces hand in yours as you followed your sister to the dining room.

“Look at this cute couple!“, Beth yelled when you entered the room.

Alessia who sat next to her Arsenal team mate agreed: “They’re so adorable.“

You could feel your cheeks heat as you sat down at their table.

Lucy grimaced in disgust: “Stop it, one of them is my little baby sister you’re gushing about.“

Lauren James who sat down next to Lucy with a full plate gave her a smirk: “Looks like she got all the good genes, Bronzy.“

“LJ, what do you mean by that?! Don’t worry, I’ll beat you on the training pitch.“, Lucy threatened her with a grin.

“You can try, grandma.“, the youngster laughed.

“Don’t you worry.“

You were glad that their playful bickering was entertaining the table now.

Gently, you squeezed Graces hand under the table: “Let’s ignore them for now and grab some food, love.“

“It’s kind of funny though.“, Grace grinned and got up from her seat, pulling you with her.

“Yes, it is.“, you admitted as you walked over to the buffet together.

As the blonde was putting some salad onto her plate, she hummed:” I love this team.”

“Me too.”, you nodded.

After taking a bite from the pasta dish your girlfriend continued raving:”And the food is delicious.”

“Oh yes, you weren’t promising too much.”

You two were back at your table and you really enjoyed the food the cooks made for the team.

“Right?”, Grace beamed at you.

“Yes.”

“But wait until training starts tomorrow.”, the Tottenham player reminded you why you were here in the first place.

“I’m ready for it.”, you truthfully replied, you simply couldn’t wait to prove everyone that you had a right to be here and not because you and your sister shared the same surname.

Delighted Grace announced:” It’s going to be fun.”

The training over the next days was tough and light-hearted at the same time because the atmosphere between the girls was great even though you were all competing for the starting eleven or to be substituted.

You couldn’t believe your luck when Sarina told you during the match against Sweden to warm up.

“Nervous, little Bronzey.”, Khiara asked you amused.

“A bit.”, you mumbled.

“You can do it.”, Esme whispered into your ear before hugging you shortly.  

Making your way from the bench to the pitch Sarina patted encouragingly your shoulder: “She’s right, enjoy it, y/n.”

“Thank you, I won’t let you down.”, you promised the England coach before you stepped onto the grass. For a moment you felt overwhelmed by the noise and the crowd which showed up at Wembley remembering when you attended the first games of your big sister where only a few people came to watch it.

Naturally you looked for Lucy and for a second you exchanged a meaningful glance. Her green eyes which were the exact same shade as yours seemed to say Show them what you can do. You’re a Bronze. Now you were ready to play football.  

In the end you didn’t disappoint Sarina who believed in you enough to give you a chance tonight, you assisted Grace and scored a goal yourself in the last minute of the game. The stadium was buzzing with excitement and so were you: “We won, Grace!”

“What a game you had!”, she shouted back giddily before kissing your cheek.

Equally thrilled you remarked:” You were amazing too.” Wearing a bright grin on your lips you turned around to face your sister:” What do you think, Luce? Was it good enough?”

You could tell that your sister forced her face to remain blank as she shrugged: “You were okay. The kiss wasn’t necessary though.“

“Yes, it was!“, Grace protested by your side, her hands wrapped around your waist in a side hug.

“Absolutely not.“, Lucy said and rolled her eyes before walking past you into the dressing room.

Grace and you shared an exhilarated grin and followed suit. As soon as the door of the dressing room closed behind you, you turned to your girlfriend and kissed her quickly and passionately. As soon as two of you broke apart again, you found your sister demonstratively looking into the opposite direction. You smirked.

Keira elbowed Lucy with a thrilled expression on her face: “Your little sister feels untouchable tonight. Those two are lucky that they are cute.“

“They’re not even that cute.“, the defender replied unimpressed.

Leah sang along to the song playing in the dressing room while pointing to you and Grace: “Baby, we’re the new romantics. The best people in life are free.“

Keira shrugged with a laugh: “Leah’s singing is even worse compared to them.“

Finally, the corners of Lucys mouth quirked upwards.

It was already late when you arrived back at the hotel. You had enjoyed celebrating your debut with the rest of the team but when you reached your hotel room, you were exhausted and ready to go to bed. You had just changed into your pyjamas when there was knock on your door. Yawning, you opened it and found yourself face to face with your older sister.

“Hi, what’s wrong. It’s late.“

Lucy stood there and considered you for a moment: “I’m proud of you, kid. You played great tonight.“

“I thought I was only okay.“, you smirked.

“Shut up and come here.“, she just said and pulled you into a tight hug. Her hugs might have been rare, but they always carried a lot of love. It felt comforting, almost like being home for Christmas and you suddenly realized how much you have missed playing with her again.

With your head was still buried on her shoulder, you whispered: “To be fair, I was a bit nervous… You made our family name so big in womens football and I didn’t want to let you or our team down.“

Lucy released you from the hug but kept her hands on your upper arms: “You couldn’t have let anyone down. You’re not me and people know that. One day, you might even be better than me.“

You gave her a weak smile: “Who knows, right?“

“Who knows.“

“But it felt great to play together.”, you admitted.

“We’ll have a few more games together, trust me. You’ll be called up again.”, Lucy replied seriously.

You felt your grin grew deeper: ”I’d love to play with you as long as possible.”

“You’ll.”, she promised solemnly while padding your back one last time before telling you good night and leaving the room.

“Finally, I thought she’ll never leave!”, Grace sighed relieved, the blonde had been hiding underneath the blankets during your whole chat with your sister.

“Grace!”, you exclaimed laughing.

“What? I could barely breathe under this.”, the Tottenham player said as she pointed accusingly to the bedding.

“Sorry, love.”, you apologized.

Her gaze at you turned soft:”Come here now.”

You quickly followed her wish and joined her in your hotel bed. Happily, Grace wrapped your arms around you. Feeling her warmth around you, you were starting to get sleepy:” That was a great game tonight, wasn’t it?”

“The best so far.”, your girlfriend responded, before she kissed the top of your head and turning the lights off. Today was certainly a day you both would remember and cherish forever.

[adascore]

The Awarded Silence

pairings: alexia putellas x lyonnais!reader / lucy bronze x lyonnais!reader / mary earps x lyonnais!reader / sarina wiegman x lyonnais!reader + mapi and ingrid cameos!

warnings: very awkward. angst. swearing.

author's note: lucy meddling with her two captains... nothing good can come of that, can it? hope you all enjoy this third part! also I’m aware the gif is not the right award ceremony, but couldn’t find a better gif.

part 1 | part 2 | masterlist

•••••••

With the end of a season also came the prestigious award shows, something both Y/N and Alexia were all too familiar with. Although it was different this time around; it would be the first time they would actually go up against each other in the big categories.

It was clear to everyone who would be walking away with each one of them. Not only had Y/N walked away with both the European Championship and the Champions League title, she'd been named the MVP of both those tournaments. Some of the media were trying to hype it up as another competition between them, but even Alexia was aware she had no chance of walking away with anything as long as Y/N was nominated for it as well.

First one up had been the UEFA Women's Player of the Year, which Y/N had taken home, alongside Sarina who had won for Women's Coach of the Year.

That was followed up by the Ballon d'Or. It was a big deal as they were the clear frontrunners, and whoever won would become the first player to win the accolade for a second time. Again, Y/N made history and had accepted the gold award. Alexia hadn't gone to the ceremony, citing illness as the reason why.

The England captain had been upset by her absence, she hadn't seen nor spoken with Alexia in months and had hoped the ceremony in France would have been an opportunity to catch up. She'd smiled when the midfielder sent her a congratulatory message, along with a shout-out on her Instagram story- stating how she was deserving of the award.

It would take a few more months before they'd see each other, at ‘The Best FIFA Football Awards' in Paris. Along with being nominated for Best Women's Player, they would both be featured in the Women's World 11.

The first interaction came when they were hastily put next to each other as they received their trophies. As the cameras clicked, Y/N and Alexia exchanged smiles that masked the tension between them.

''I think it would be difficult for anyone to beat this team.'' Lucy grinned, speaking into the microphone that was attached to her cheek.

The women received another applause and made their way off the stage, handing over their trophies that would be handed back to them at the end of the ceremony.

A few winners later, Kylian took the stage to present ‘The Best FIFA Women's Player' award. They showed a pleasant montage of Alexia, Y/N and Alex- a compilation of their season's highlights.

Y/N felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. She knew the PSG player would call out her name, but you never knew if they wanted to stir up some controversy.

The England captain was sat on the first row, meanwhile some of her teammates and fellow female players were scattered in the other rows. Alex sat right behind her, while Alexia sat on the other side of the room with her Barcelona teammates.

The room hushed as Kylian unfolded the envelope. ''And the Best FIFA Women's Player is… Y/N Y/L.''

Applause erupted, and Y/N nervously got up from her seat. On the pitch, the striker was confident, but making speeches in front of a full room filled with people in power and fellow players, was not something she had gotten used to.

The Brit turned around and reached her hand out for Alex to take, a silent sign of respect for the season the American had had. She would have done the same if Alexia had been seated there, but walking to the other side of the room would have taken too much time.

Y/N carefully walked up the stairs, trying not to fall as she was wearing heels. Kylian noticed, and made his way over to offer his arm to her. She smiled, and accepted, holding onto the striker's arm.

He congratulated her, pressing three celebratory kisses on her cheek. ''Félicitations, Championne.'' (''Congratulations, Champion.'') Kylian said.

''Merci.'' (''Thank you.'') Y/N grinned, and she took her place at the microphone.

''Uh, thank you so much to all the people that voted. It's a big compliment to have your fellow players and coaches vote for you, so thank you so much.'' She started off, her voice a bit shaky as her eyes darted around the room.

''I, also, quickly want to acknowledge Alex and Alexia. It's an honour to be nominated alongside you, and I want to thank you for all the contributions you have made so far and for the great football we get to see from you. Thank you.'' Y/N glanced at both of them, giving them a nod as the crowd applauded them.

The camera panned to both women. The American striker mouthed a ''Thank you'' to the younger player, once teammates at Lyon. Alexia clapped, but maintained a composed facade.

She had also clapped when the Brit's name was announced, concealing any type of disappointment she felt. While she had anticipated the outcome, the sight of Y/N claiming the award instead of her was something hard to swallow- in the same way it had been hard to watch her rival lift the Champions League trophy the previous year.

Her applause was genuine, and deep inside she knew that Y/N deserved it more than her, but Alexia would never admit that out loud. As the striker continued her speech, the midfielder struggled with being happy for her colleague, while dealing with her own unspoken desire for recognition.

Lucy, seated beside Alexia, offered her a knowing smile. The Barcelona defender had seen it from close by, how everything was a competition for them. She'd noticed it at her new club, where the lost finals against Lyon served as reminders for the team to do better, and to not let that happen again. She'd noticed it in her England teammate, and how tense she had been before the friendly against Spain.

On the other side sat Mapi, concerned over how her friend was handling it. ''It's okay, Ale.'' She whispered in their native language.

''I know, it's just an award.'' Alexia replied, not taking her eyes off Y/N.

The Spanish defender dropped it, giving Ingrid a look before focusing on the winner as well.

''… cause I couldn't have done it without them. Uh, yeah, congratulations to all the other winners as well. Thank you.'' Y/N concluded.

The audience applauded one last time, and she got off the stage. She hid her face in embarrassment as Mary whistled loudly, feeling hot as her friend hyped her up.

After was seemed like forever, the ceremony was done.

Most attendees got up from their seats, but didn't leave the main hall as they walked over to catch up with people they knew or to get to know other people.

Y/N got up after about a minute, deciding to go talk to Christiane and Wendie, her Lyon teammates. However, the universe or someone called Lucy Bronze had better ideas.

''Hey, Captain.'' She heard the defender greeting her.

As the striker turned around, she was met with a surprise. There stood Lucy, accompanied by none other than Alexia Putellas. The Brit wore a smile, her eyes gleaming with mischief.

''Hi, Bronzey.'' Y/N responded, slightly caught off guard.

The English internationals shared a hug, Lucy whispering a congratulations in her ear. ''Thanks, you too.''

As the two parted, Y/N's eyes fell on an awkwardly standing Alexia.

''Y/N, meet Alexia. Alexia, this is Y/N.'' Lucy said, her eyes darting between the pair.

The two captains exchanged an uneasy glance. ''Uh, yeah, we know each other, Luce.'' The striker stated, feeling very uncomfortable with the situation.

Lucy chuckled, completely unfazed by the discomfort she had purposely created. ''Oh, I know. It's just that fans online were saying that they wanted me to have you guys become friends, so I'm just keeping my promise to them.''

Y/N and Alexia forcibly grinned at the admission, both aware of what people said about them on social media. The latter cleared her throat. ''Uh, congratulations again. You really deserve it.''

The Lyon player nodded, a somewhat more genuine smile appearing. ''Thanks, I appreciate. You as well, with the, uh, World 11.''

''Thank you.''

Another pause hung in the air, the atmosphere thick with awkwardness. It was as if their shared teammate had conspired to make this encounter as uncomfortable as possible.

''Oh, there's Sarina, excuse me, ladies.'' Lucy swiftly escaped, using their Dutch coach as part of her scheme.

That left the players facing each other. The tension was uncomfortable, and neither seemed eager to break the silence that had settled between them.

After a moment, Y/N was the first to give in. ''So, how is your knee doing?'' She asked, noticing the Spaniard was no longer holding onto her crutches.

Alexia's eyes briefly flickered towards Lucy, who was signing with her hands to keep going. ''Uh, good. Yeah, if everything goes to plan, I should be ready by the end of the season.'' She replied, a small smile present.

''So… World Cup ready then?''

The Catalan shifted on her feet at the mention of the tournament. ''That's delicate right now.''

''Oh, how, uh, is that situation going at the moment?'' Y/N had momentarily forgotten about the mutiny going on in the Spanish national team. She knew Alexia supported the girls that had made themselves unavailable, but they'd never had any conversations about it.

Alexia shrugged her shoulders. ''It's being worked on, it's… a lot.'' From the way she was speaking, her colleague could sense it wasn't a topic the midfielder wanted to happily chat about.

''I understand. I just want to say that a lot of people are behind you guys, and want to see change happen,'' Y/N softly spoke, ''me included.''

''Thank you.'' Alexia sounded genuinely grateful for her words.

Y/N has been a huge advocate for women's football ever since she became a professional player, so her acknowledging the Las 15's stance meant more to Alexia than she could express.

''Sorry, could I get a picture of you two?'' One of the official FIFA photographers interjected, pointing at the two of them.

The pair shared a look, seemingly asking without words if the other was okay with it. They nodded at each other, and hesitantly put their hands on one another's back, posing for the camera.

''Thank you.'' The man thanked them, walking over to another group of players.

''It was nice talking to you. I'm, uh, gonna see what my teammates are up to.'' Y/N politely excused herself. The conversation was turning out more bearable than how it started, but she still wanted nothing more than to leave.

''Same. Um, good luck with your matches, and maybe we see each other in the semifinals?'' Alexia hinted at a potential Champions League clash.

The Lyon striker chuckled. ''We'll see, Putellas. Have a nice night.''

As Y/N made her way to her teammates, Alexia watched her departure with mixed emotions. Yes, she was happy that they'd had a conversation. But, it was frustrating that there still seemed to be a wall between them, and a big one at that.

What was it that always held them back from truly opening up to one another?

''You know she's going to kill you once she's finished with that conversation, right?'' Mary said to her fellow Lioness, subtly taking a glimpse at Alexia and Y/N.

Lucy smirked, her eyes barely leaving her two captains. ''Who? Y/N or Alexia?'' She laughed.

''Both.'' Sarina and Mary chorused, laughing now as well.

''Nah, they'll have to work together for that. Never gonna happen.'' She continued joking.

The England coach shook her head. ''Why are you doing this again?''

''Because I wanna have fun, and although I am happy with my little trophy, this show is super boring. Just want to spice things up,'' Lucy explained, ''besides, fans will love it. The Queens of football talking together. La Reina and La Reine.''

Sarina and Mary exchanged skeptical glances, unsure of how either players would react. ''I'm not so sure Y/N will appreciate your idea of fun.'' Mary commented.

''Oh, what could go wrong?'' The defender genuinely did not see the problem. ''See, they're even taking a picture together.'' Lucy pointed out, seeing the pair in front of the photographer.

After the picture, Y/N gracefully excused herself and began walking towards where Lucy, Mary, and Sarina were standing. She joined the trio with a forced smile, attempting to suppress any visible signs of annoyance.

''Nice reunion there?'' Sarina tried to lighten her captain up, noticing her gloomy expression.

''We talked.'' She answered. It wasn't a proper response, more like a factual statement.

Y/N wasn't sparing Lucy a glance, the defender, however, remained unfazed. ''That's nice.''

''Congrats, by the way, darling. No one deserves this more than you.'' Mary tried to deflect, not a fan of the tension. Sarina smiled at the reminder of all the awards her team collected. ''Yeah, congratulations.''

''Thank you, you too, Mearps. You almost made me cry with your speech. Sarina, you didn't make me cry, but yours was really nice as well.'' She turned to her coach, managing to still make a teasing comment.

Sarina laughed. ''Well, thank you.''

''Uh, I'm gonna say hi to my, uh, other teammates.'' Y/N nodded her head towards where Wendie and Christiane were standing with some of the Lyon staff.

She then glanced at Lucy. ''Or you want to set that up for me as well?'' She sarcastically chuckled.

''Hey, come on. I thought you guys were friends now.'' Lucy said, a lame attempt at defending herself.

''Who said that?'' Y/N frowned.

''Jill.'' The defender retorted.

''What a source,'' the captain scoffed, ''we're not friends, and I don't need you to make us friends.''

''How bad was that conversation that you're this pissed at me?'' Lucy asked, not expecting her friend to be this irritated over her actions.

''Just don't do that ever again. It was fucking embarrassing.'' With that, she made her way over to her Lyon teammates.

Mary and Sarina slowly glanced back to Lucy, whose smirk had been practically smacked off of her face.''What could go wrong, aye, Bronzey?''

On the other side of the room, Alexia carefully walked over to Mapi and Ingrid after Y/N excused herself from the conversation.

''You look like you need alcohol.'' The Spanish defender noted, taking in her friend's expression.

Alexia sighed, smoothing her hair down. ''Neither of us enjoyed that.''

''Lucia really did you dirty there.'' Mapi responded, glancing to where her teammate was speaking with the England camp.

Ingrid offered a sympathetic smile. ''I think she had good intentions, she meant it well.'' She chimed in.

The Barcelona captain nodded. ''I know, but it was so awkward.'' Alexia grimaced, cringing at the reminder of how the two football stars had just uneasily stood in front of one another.

''You'll be fine,'' Mapi caressed her back, ''one day you'll be able to laugh about this, trust me.''

Alexia gave her an unimpressed look. ''I'd rather not.''

The defender glanced at her girlfriend. ''So oblivious.'' She whispered to Ingrid.

''What was that?''

''Nothing.''

[lwwife]

Heyyyy please please please could you write a Leah Williamson fic where the reader plays with her for Arsenal and the reader keeps getting taken down during the match. It gets to a certain point and Leah starts getting angry against the person that keeps taking you down. I feel like the reader and Leah aren’t officially together but have always liked each other and dating maybe?? Thank you!!!

My bodyguard

Fluff, Injury, angst (not between reader and Leah)

Word count: 2,200

-

“How are you feeling about today?” Leah asks you, placing a comforting hand on your knee while you both sit in the changing rooms.

“A little anxious but I’ll be fine” You smile back at her. Today you play your old team, Man United. You’re still on good terms with most of the girls, however your ex-girlfriend, not so much. You haven’t played against her since you left last season, being sick for one of the games, and injured the other. Things already didn’t end well between you and Gabby, but when Ella accidentally let slip that you went on a second date with Leah, shit was she fuming. You received a few heated messages, to which you did not respond. So, today’s game, with you being a striker, and her being a defender, you knew you would have to be in her perimeter, and that scared you a little. You knew how good she was, but you also knew that she’d try to rile you up.

“You’ve got this” Leah whispered, inching forward to place a kiss on your cheek but moving back when she realised what she was doing, not knowing if it was okay or not. You two had always had a thing for each other. It’s been clear to everyone since your first England camp 3 years ago. Both were too nervous to make a move, especially since she had just come out of a relationship with Jordan. So, when Gabby asked you out, you said yes. The teasing and joking came to a stop once you and Gabby got together officially, but when you two broke things off and you transferred to Arsenal, it was back on in a flash. The second you saw her in the change room at London Colney you knew you had made the right decision. It wasn’t until 3 months later that Leah finally asked you out, very shyly. Your first date was electric, and everything felt right, the timing was finally right for both of you. A day later Leah asked you out for a second date, to which of course you said yes. Neither of you had embraced in anything more than gentle touches, and small moments of handholding, not wanting to mess up after waiting so long for the opportunity.

-

Stood in the tunnel at Meadow Park, you catch the sight of the jersey a couple of people in front of you on the line to your left “George” written across the back, you huffed, and she turned around making eye contact. You rolled your eyes and turned your head to face the front, where you caught sight of the jersey at the front of your line, “Williamson”, the long name curving and covering Leah’s entire shoulders. You smiled to yourself. She stood there, back up straight, armband on her left arm. She will play this game as captain since Kim is out with an injury. She turned back and looked at you, feeling your eyes staring. She had her game face on, and you were instantly turned on at the sight. You pulled a stern face at her “So serious” you mouthed. She rolled her eyes, but you caught her smile just as she turned back to the front.

-

The game started okay, Arsenal dominated the match, however, most of it was played in the midfield, and you were yet to touch the ball. In the 15th minute, Arsenal finally made a break, Lia had passed the ball through to Beth who then crossed the ball into the box, you jumped slightly trying to get something on your head when rather you felt a pair of feet swipe at yours subtly, hitting just enough to mess your landing and fall straight onto your front. You grunt hard trying to get up. Once you get to your feet you shake it off and turn your head to find Gabby smirking. You take a deep breath and continue on.

Gabby continued to make subtle digs at you through the first half. Harder hits when you were outside the box. You continued to get up, taking deep breaths, shaking it off each time. By the 43rd minute, she made a bold slide at least a good 3 seconds after the ball had left your feet, causing her to get fouled finally and you awarded a free kick. This time however you struggled to get up, having fallen weirdly on your previously injured ankle. You turned to lay on your back and propped yourself up, bottom still on the floor you rolled your ankle around, wincing slightly. That’s when you heard Leah a meter away from you. “What the fuck are you doing?!” She spoke quietly but still loud enough for you to hear. You turned to find her close to Gabby hands outstretched, but subtly, as if trying not to get noticed by the ref.

“What do you care? Protecting your girlfriend?” Gabby responded, scoffing.

“Just fucking chill out with it. You’ve been targeting her all game”, Leah walked away and jogged to your side. “You okay baby?” Your eyes widened at the nickname and your stomach filled with butterflies. Leah’s face remained concerned; brows furrowed. You stretched your ankle a bit one last time and moved your hand up to run your thumb over the line in between Leah’s brows.

“I’m okay” you smiled. “Your eyebrows will fall off if you keep scrunching them so much”, Leah giggled, the lines around her eyes creasing and you instantly smiled. “Now help me up”.  

Arsenal ended up scoring from the free kick, Katie banging it into the box, and Viv tapping her foot on it.

-

The half ended and you all walked back to the changing rooms. On the way back you felt a hard nudge in your back, it was Gabby, almost walking through you. “Really?!” you shouted at her; she continued walking, blatantly ignoring you. You sat in the changing room, listening to Jonas and the assistant coach setting up the game plan for the second half, your ankle still slightly sore. Leah noticed you wincing slightly and rolling your ankle around.

She turned to you, “Are you sure it’s okay?” she questioned, gesturing to your ankle.

“Yeah, yeah it’s fine, just a bit strained”, you replied, giving her a sad smile. She grabbed your hand.

“Come on, let the physio tape it up for you.”

-

The team returned to the second half feeling energised and motivated. Eager to keep a clean sheet and score another goal or two. The first ten minutes ran well until Gabby decided to start her hard hits up again. She would nudge you hard, or step on your feet in a corner, hard slides still coming in. Leah ran to your side each time checking you’re okay not before giving Gabby the coldest look you’ve seen. It wasn’t until the 83rd minute when Gabby had pushed you hard during a corner, that you hit your head on the post while falling. You smashed to the ground, unable to open your eyes, the light making your headache. Your forehead started to pound, and you felt yourself start to drift. It wasn’t until at least a minute later your eyes started to flutter open, the medic calling for you “Y/n we need you to stay awake. Y/n open your eyes, come on, slowly that’s it, good job”, You saw two of him, sometimes turning to three. You tried to look around, but everything was blurry. You could hear yelling and the crowd oohing and gasping. You turned your head to the right, not lifting it, where you found Leah and Gabby going at it. Teammates attempting to pull them apart.

“Don’t ever fucking come near her again!” Leah shouted, finger in Gabby’s face.

“Or what, what’re you going to do about it huh?” She edged Leah on, moving closer.

“Stay the fuck away from her,” Leah warns.

“I’m not going anywhere Leah, how about you stay the fuck away from her” she growls back, again moving closer.

“She wants me around, that’s the difference between you and I” Leah’s finger points into Gabby’s chest. “You think doing this shit will make her want you back? She deserves so much better than you.” Leah growls. Gabby loses it, shoving Leah forward. Leah instantly shoves her back. They both continued on until they were finally able to be pulled apart. “If you ever lay a hand on her again, I will fucking destroy you” Leah yells to her. Gabby gets shown a red for the push on you and on Leah. She walks off slowly, and Leah shoves her off the pitch to hurry her up. She happily takes the yellow and runs to your side.

“Darling” Leah whispers, running a hand softly through your hair.

“Ow,” you whisper.

“Shit! I’m so sorry baby” Your stomach flutters again, almost taking all the pain away. She grabs your hands instead, squeezing them nervously.

“She’s going to need to go to the hospital, they need to run checks that we can’t do here,” the medic informs her.

“Fuck okay, she’ll be okay though right?”

“Yes, she should be, it’s a pretty hard concussion, but we need to check for permanent damage.”

“Y/n” Leah whispers, “They’re going to take you to the hospital, okay? I’m going to meet you there. I’ll follow you” She turns to the medic.

“No” you try to tell her, but your voice is almost inaudible. “You don’t have to” you rasp.

“No, but I want to, I’ll be right there, okay? It’ll be okay baby.” She kisses your hand and squeezes one more time before getting up.

-

Your eyes slowly flutter open, and you’re met with the white-roofed hospital. Lights shining bright.

“Y/n! You’re awake!” Leah grabs your hand and presses a button next to you.

“Leah?” you rasp out confused.

“Yeah, I’m right here darling, are you okay?” Suddenly a nurse appears at your side, asking you how you feel whilst checking your blood pressure and heart rate.

“What happened” you ask, slightly confused. Leah explained the situation to you, Gabby’s push into the post. “Fucking hell” you mutter. “What are you doing here?” you question her.

“I wanted to be with you, I needed to make sure you’re okay.” She rubbed your hand and you smiled at her, your heart rushing.

“I’m okay” you whisper back, smiling lovingly, and squeezing her hand.

-

“Alright Y/n I’m going to discharge you but you’re going to have to have someone stay with you for the next 24 hours. Do you have a family member you can call?” The doctor asks you, clipboard in hand.

“I’ll do it” Leah jumps.

“No Leah, you’ve already done enough stop it”.

“No Y/n you stop it. I want to. I’m happy to do it, darling. Is there anything I need to know?” She asks the doctor. He runs Leah through some instructions, and you stare at her, she’s listening intently, nodding along, focus plastered on her face. Your heart swells at the sight and your mind begins to think all kinds of loving thoughts.

-

A few hours later you’re laying on the couch scrolling through your phone when a video of Leah and Gabby from the match appears on your screen. Leah enters the living room. “Y/n what are you doing? The doctor said no screentime!” She goes to snatch your phone, but you pull back.

“What’s this?” you question her, turning your phone to face her. She glances and the screen and her eyes widen. She snatches the phone off you, locking it and throwing it on the other end of the couch.

“Nothing. You shouldn’t be on your phone” she tells you off and turns to go to the kitchen.

“Not so fast missy” You stop her. “Come here” Leah turns to you, looking at you questioningly. “Here. Now.” you pat next to you. She walks over slowly, head down. “What did I just watch?” You asked her.

“Nothing, we were just chatting about the game” Leah keeps her head down.

“Nothing huh?” Leah nods her head quickly. “Leah, you know I could hear the audio, right?” She groans and puts her head in her hands. “Hey, don’t go shy on me now” you tease her. “You know you’re quite hot when you’re mad” you whisper. Placing a hand on her thigh. She turns to you, and her mouth opens slightly. She inches forward, slowly. You inch forward too, meeting her halfway. You both stop just before your lips touch and look each other in the eye. You nod and the next thing you know Leah’s lips are on yours. The pair of you grab at each other instantly. You deepen the kiss, and it feels perfect. It’s passionate, but gentle. You could call it loving. Your lips mould together as if they were made for each other and everything seems in place, the two of you are finally here, together. After a while, you pull back to breathe. You smile against her lips, “My bodyguard” you whisper.

“Shut up” and like that she dives in to kiss you again.

-

@y/ny/ln’s story

-

A/n: I feel like this wasn’t my best work but I tried, I do apologise for that, I hope you enjoyed anyway. Respectful feedback is always welcome in my comments, messages, or asks :)

[futfemfantasies]

For kyra, r isn't famous, doesn't play football, but start to work at the café kcc and all the girls goes to. Since the first time she see her kcc is down BAD, is all an awkward and shy mess around her and the girl at first are confused cause they never seen her like that but then they understand what is going on and after making fun of her help her in ask r out ecc

Hope you like it! Also thanks to @russo-woso for the help when I had writers block :))

Café crushes \\ Kyra Conney-Cross x reader

5:25am. It’s too early for anyone to be awake, let alone working. I reluctantly get out of the car and make my way into work. Work is a little cafe that my older sister and her wife own. They opened it about 3 years ago after moving over to England from Sydney. I initially came over for a holiday to visit but fell in love with London so I decided to move over and study over here as well. I unlocked the door to see your sister restocking the little pastries in the window while her wife was getting the coffee machines ready. I give them a quick hello before getting my apron on. As you finish tying your apron on, your first and regular customer comes through the door. 

A few hours later, a big group rocks up to the cafe and I smile knowing it’s the Arsenal girls coming in after training. 

“My favourite team, the usuals right?” I ask but notice there’s a new girl with them.

“Our favourite barista and yes the usuals. Oh Kyra, what do you want?” Steph asks, causing Kyra to pull her head from her phone. 

I look at the new addition to the team and give her a soft smile. Kyra seems to be shy as she kind of hides behind Alessia. 

“She’ll have a hot chocolate”

“No worries girls, I’ll bring those out to you soon”

Meanwhile, the girls go and sit on the long table outside in the sun and Kyra keeps looking at her phone. The girls keep talking while Kyra messages her best friend Charli.

Kyra: I need help

Cha cha: What’s wrong, you ok?

Kyra: No, some girls and I went to a cafe after training and we went to order and the girl behind the counter was so pretty. I froze when she asked me what i want

Cha Cha: Oh ky, you just need to woman up and ask her out! 🙂

Kyra: It’s not that easy, you haven’t seen her…

Kyra’s focus moved from her phone and to the hot chocolate that was being placed in front of her.

“And a hot chocolate for the newest member of the team” Kyra blushed and managed to get out a thank you without making a fool of herself. 

Over the next few months, I noticed the Arsenal girls coming in more than usual. Not that I’m complaining, Kyra can be a sight for sore eyes when the day has been unbearable. The girls again moved to the long table in the sun and I see Kyra and Alessia making their way to the counter. 

“What can I get my star striker and midfielder today?”

“I’ll have a hot chocolate and a muffin, what about you Ky?” Alessia asks Kyra. 

“Uh yeah, j-just a latte th-thanks” Kyra manages to get out. 

“Alrighty I’ll bring that out to you soon cutie” I wink at Kyra and her cheeks instantly turn red. 

Kyra immediately excuses herself to the bathroom and Alessia spills.

“I think Kyra has a crush on y/n and vice versa”

“How do ya know?” Katie asks.

“Everytime we come here and order, Kyra always gets all shy and awkward around her, not to mention the countless times she’s blushed over her. And y/n called her a cutie, with a wink!”

“So we try and help Kyra ask y/n out?” Leah asks.

“That’s exactly what we do”

Kyra comes back into view and makes her way to her seat. Everyone’s looking at her weirdly so she decides to bite the bullet. 

“Why is everyone looking at me weird?” Alessia tells Kyra and ultimately, Kyra confesses to her not so little crush. 

I brought out Alessia and Kyra’s order and added a little something to Kyra’s napkin. I walk behind the counter and see if she notices the little note on the napkin. An arm went around my shoulders and followed where I was watching. 

“Someone’s got a little crush huh?” My sister teased.

“Yeah well I put my number on the napkin hoping she’ll text or call but she probably has a more beautiful girl at the club or somewhere. Plus I don’t even know if she likes girls”

“Hey, you are beautiful too, don’t you forget it” My sister says holding my two cheeks before kissing my forehead. I turn out of my sister's hands to see Kyra leaving her table, wiping her eyes like she’s upset. 

Kyra leaves the napkin on the table and blamed that she felt sick, hence the sudden urge to leave. She walked down the street, wiping away tears until Kyra felt a hand on her shoulder. Kyra quickly wipes her tears before turning around to see someone who she didn’t expect.

“Are you okay? I saw you leave” 

“I- honestly no. I saw you with your girlfriend and - it doesn’t matter. I’m just going to go home” Kyra explained and started to walk away again, feeling as if the explanation was useless. I stood there confused for a second as I backtrack to my previous actions and realised where Kyra got confused. I jog after her and grab her hand, giving her a sweet smile before standing in front of her. 

“I think you got a bit confused. That’s my sister in the shop and she’s happily married to her wife” Kyra instantly found her shoes interesting as her cheeks turned a crimson colour upon hearing the explanation. 

“I feel like an idiot” Kyra mumbles.

“Hey no it was a misunderstanding. If the roles were reversed, I would’ve thought the same” I say giving her hand a squeeze and a small smile. 

“Let me take you out, as an apology?” Kyra offers with that cheeky smile of hers.

“I get off in about an hour, we can go after if you wait?” Kyra nods and I walk her back to the team. I ask her teammates if they want anything else and they all decline, claiming to have an early morning tomorrow with a gym session before training (or so you thought). 

A short while later I see the group start to split off and Kyra comes into the shop looking for a place to sit. She sits at a small booth that’s tucked into the corner, which turns out is my favourite seat. My sister built it for me when she first opened the shop so I had somewhere kind of quiet to study and have breaks. A nudge to my ribs pulls me out of daydreaming and I look over to see my sister’s wife. 

“Go bring her this, you can finish early” She says, sliding a cup with a neatly decorated milk foam heart on top.

“I only have half hour to go, plus I need rent money”

“Don’t worry about that. Just go talk to her”

I kiss her cheek before taking the apron off and carefully taking Kyra her latte. The saucer makes a small clinking sound on the table makes Kyra look up from her phone with that adorable small smile she sports. 

“A latte for the prettiest girl in the room, on the house” I say as I sit down and turn the love heart art towards her.

“I want to apologise again” Kyra starts but you stop her immediately, putting your hand on hers.

“You need to stop that or I’ll leave right now”

“Okay okay”

We talk for hours until I realise the shop is closing in ten minutes. Both of us say goodbye to your sister before walking down the streets of St Albans in the mid afternoon.

“Do you want to come back to mine? Movie and takeout night?” I offer, secretly hoping Kyra says yes.

“That would be good”

I arrive at the apartment building and intertwine Kyra’s hand with mine, making the Australian blush slightly out of sight. Eventually getting to your apartment and Kyra stands in the doorway, kind of awkwardly. I take her hand back in mine and pull her gently inside. She takes in the aesthetic and decor of the apartment and walks over to the photo collection of your friends, family and local soccer team championship wins. 

“I’m just gonna get something, I’ll be right back” I mention and Kyra nods before showing that adorable smile again.

I come back down the hallway and move over to Kyra. I saw her holding a photo of my parents and sister when they visited from Sydney last year. 

“That’s mum and dad, obviously you know my sister” Kyra giggles and puts the photo frame back on the little table. 

“Are we starting our movie night?” Kyra asks.

“Of course but first, we can’t have a movie night without a pillow fort”

Kyra and I spent at least an hour making the fort and it turned out perfectly. I quickly gather all the snacks from the kitchen my phone to order the takeout. Kyra gets settled in the fort first before I crawl in next to her. I suggest for Kyra to pick the first movie and she scrolls through and selects the Bratz movie. I roll my eyes at the selection and settle in for the movie. 

Throughout the movie both of you steal glances at each other, taking in each other's features and all the little details. Like the way Kyra’s hazel eyes shine in the fairy lights I hung up or how the freckles that line her nose and cheeks popped out due to the sunny day the past few days. I attempt to pay attention to the movie but feel eyes on me and glance at Kyra who looks like a deer in headlights. 

“Sorry” She mumbles, not taking her eyes off the screen. I put a hand on her cheek, moving her to look at me. 

“I really like you Ky, will you go on a date with me?” I ask nervously.

“I believe I asked you first” I look at her in confusion then remember back to the café and Kyra was right. I laugh and shake my head before realising Kyra is starting to lean in. I lean in the remainder of the way and our lips connect together in a soft kiss. Loud knocks on the door make us both pull away and move out of the fort to get the pizza and sides before returning quickly, the smell of pizza spreading through the fort. 

“This is going to be the start of something special” Kyra whispers as we both pick up a piece of pizza.

“I agree” I lean over and peck Kyra on the cheek and think that your life couldn’t get any better. 

[mrchiipchrome]

Knight In Shining Armor

W.C.- 800

Request- 'the reader is an introvert and not a hugging person. so, during camp w the lionesses, some players tease reader about it because the reader w Lessi is the opposite. Gf Lessi being protective of the reader?'

--------

Growing up as introverted as you did had been a challenge for sure, never really being able to open up to people making you feel left out most of the time. Maybe that’s why your parents made sure to put you to training in a teamsport as soon as they possibly could.

Still, you had major problems with getting and keeping friends, well until Alessia came along. 

The young blonde, then brunette, had defended you against some particularly nasty young girls at Charlton. They had pushed you over without any reason, making your newly washed kit all muddy again.

Then like a knight in shining armor, the short girl came over and stood right in front of you, so as to protect you from their nasty words and actions. 

With miraculous strength for a 6 year old, Alessia made sure that the two girls never bothered you again.

Ever since that day, your young heart only beat for her. There was nothing and no one that could come between your unbreakable bond, and with you in the midfield and Alessia up top, there was no better scoring duo than you two.

And at 7, you and Alessia got “married” after football with the trainer officiating. At 10, you and Alessia departed your childhood club in search of something bigger. At 11, you signed for the Arsenal youth academy and Alessia signed for the rival London club.

At 13, you transferred schools to be closer to one of your only friends and at 14, you confessed your obvious feelings for the other, sharing secret kisses between classes. 

At 16, you finally told your families about your relationship, your families who’d always known you’d end up with the other.

At 17, you signed your first pro contract with Arsenal while Alessia got offers to play at UNC. At 18, your heart broke for the first time as you knew how hard it would be to do long distance. At 19, you cried yourself to sleep every night because you were missing your soulmate.

At 21, Alessia returned to England and your introverted heart burst with happiness at your person being back in the same country as you. 

And when you won the euros alongside your love, you realized what a gift it was to have someone like her. Your very own knight in shining armor.

Even after becoming slightly less closed off to the world, there was still one thing you truly couldn’t stand, physical touch.

Whenever someone, excluding Alessia, touched you it felt like your skin was crawling and the feeling always brought tears to the corners of your eyes. 

It was the only non-negotiable thing, no touch. And Alessia had always been like a hawk, making sure to not let anyone touch you longer than deemed necessary.

So, when you once again arrive at camp basically attached to your girlfriend, it doesn’t take long for the other girls to start to tease you.

—-

“Hey Y/n/n, why don’t I get hugs like that?” You hear the unmistakable sound of Lucy Bronze’s voice echo through the lobby. The shell shocked expression on your face only makes Alessia tighten her grip around your waist, nearly putting herself in front of you in a protective stance.

“Yeah Y/n, I also want a nice long hug sometimes, maybe a kiss on the head” Georgia’s next as she sends you a quick wink to accompany her statement. The possessive growl Alessia lets escape her throat might be one of the hottest things you’d ever experienced.

“Come on Y/n, just give me a little hug, it would be nice!” Mary’s loud voice carries all through the lobby as she walks towards you with her arms fully open. 

That’s where Alessia’s had enough, her protective nature coming through in the most noticeable way possible. She moves her body fully in front of you, mostly blocking the three women's view of you as she holds her hand out to stop Mary from moving any closer to you.

“Right, that’s enough. Once is fine, but the two of you continuing when she’s obviously uncomfortable is just going too far. If she wants to give you a hug, then she’ll do it in her own time, are we clear?” Alessia’s booming voice is heard all throughout the lobby, and the three women in front of you nod their heads rapidly in agreement.

With a satisfied smile painting over her face, Alessia moves back to your side, hugging you protectively before leaning up and capturing your lips in a possessive kiss.

For good measure, as Alessia’s leading you towards the elevator, she turns back to the three women still standing in the same place as where she left them and winks. 

Yeah, Alessia was your knight in shining armor.

[me-loving-woso]

Drunken Confessions

Prompt: Alexia Putellas x reader: - “No matter how much time we’ve spent apart, I never stopped loving you.” - “Why are you staring at me?” “Because I think you’re beautiful.”

Today was the day. Not only Alexia made her comeback, but also we also won La Liga undefeated. 

You didn’t know which thing to be happier for, you winning your first championship since returning to Barça or your best friend returning to do what she loves the most, but most probably the latter option. You were so proud of her; seeing her again on the pitch and holding the trophy up while everyone cheered for her made your heart swell with joy. 

You had known each other since the La Masia days; you were inseparable. Alexia in midfield, you as a striker; you linked up so well that you didn’t need to talk on the pitch, as the other girl already knew what the other was thinking. As soon as Alexia signed for Barcelona, you decided to change air and went to London, specifically at Arsenal; you were a gunner besides being a Barça fan, as Thierry Henry was your idol.

In the beginning, you would talk to her almost every day, as you missed being in each other’s company, you maybe a little more than Alexia. You were in love with her, has always been, so much so that you never moved on from her; you tried and nearly did it, but you couldn’t. She was just it for you. And the fact that you would talk to each other almost every day didn’t help either. Late-night talks kept you awake till midnight, which wasn’t healthy for an athlete, but you didn’t care; you wouldn’t care about anything else if it meant just listening to her voice. 

But as months went by, everyday conversations became weekly, which turned into monthly. You initially didn’t think much about it, but then you realized that you needed to move on, so you tried. 

“I really don’t think it’s necessary,” You said to Leah as she pointed to a dress.

“Oh, come on, for how long you haven’t been on a date?”

“A, this is not a date, it’s a setup, and B, not that long ago,” you say defensively. 

Leah looked at you, tilting her head, “Okay, maybe I haven’t gone on a date in a while, but I am okay with it. I just need to get back to it.” 

You tried convincing yourself while taking the dress off Leah’s hands and going to the bathroom to change. Maybe you were ready. You hadn’t seen Alexia in a year; it was time for you to move on.

All changed in Euros 2022 when she got injured; as soon as you heard that she ruptured her ACL, you had to see her, even though you were in a different team; you played for England, and she for Spain. You asked Ona to help you find a way to meet her so nobody could see you. So the breakfast the day before England and Spain would face each other would be the day.

As soon as you saw her, all the intensity of your feelings for her came crashing; she looked older and even more beautiful than before. As your eyes met, she finally stood up with her crutches, and without saying anything, you went to her and hugged her. After a few seconds, which felt like hours, you put your foreheads together, just like you did when you were younger. 

“I really missed you,” Alexia whispered as a single tear threatened to fall down from her eye. You couldn’t talk, so you just held her a little tighter, hoping she would understand.

From then on, you decided to win the Euros for her, and you did. You won, scoring the winning goal against Germany, celebrating by putting up on both hands one finger to show 11, something that you would do back in your La Masia days when the midfielder assister you in your goals. That goal was for her. 

When Barça called, announcing that Asisat Oshoala would change clubs and wanted you to be their new striker, you didn’t hesitate; your dream was playing with Barça and winning the Champions League. You would miss Arsenal, but you knew this was a step for her to take to become an even better player. 

Being back with Alexia was something that you didn’t expect. All your progress trying to forget her went to zero when you saw the midfielder’s smile as she welcomed you back to the training center. 

All your teammates would tease how you looked together, especially Keira and Lucy; you guys were inseparable, especially when Alexia came back to train with the team. You would link up so well that anyone was scared to do drills against the two of you. You would score goals and dribble past your opponents just by quickly passing the ball to each other. You knew Alexia wasn’t still 100% fit, but you couldn’t wait for that day. 

When that day came, you were ecstatic; she was trying to downplay it, shrugging off your excitement. You were already winning the game, so the only thing that would top it, besides winning La Liga, was if she scored. You tried so hard to make her score, but nothing seemed to work. The game ended 5-2, with you scoring a brace. 

As soon as the game finished, you ran to her and hugged her. She held you up until your legs started to dangle. She put you down and gave your one of the biggest smiles you had ever seen, she was back, and that was the only thing that mattered. You put your foreheads together and whispered, “I’m so proud of you.”

She hugged you again, and nuzzling into your neck, she mumbled, “Stop it, you’re going to make me cry.” You chuckled, letting her go when all your team swarmed you to throw Alexia in the air.

After the trophy celebration, the team went into the dressing room, and then they all went home to prepare dinner with the whole club in the evening. The next day you didn’t have practice, so you decided to celebrate even further with a couple of teammates by going to a local club. You, Lucy, and Keira, were getting ready at your house, and you decided to go for something simple, not too revealing, as you only wanted to celebrate the win. 

“Do you think Alexia is going to come?” Lucy asks as you are putting on some mascara.

“I don’t know. I told her where it was and when, but I don’t know if she will come.”

“Mapi and Ana Maria are coming too, so maybe she’ll stop by.” Keira remarks.

After a few moments, Lucy added, “You know, I never understood the relationship between you two.” You looked at her through the mirror, with your stomach knotting. 

“She’s my best friend.” I shrugged.

“Only that?” Lucy replies suggestively.

“Yes, what are you trying to say?” I answer a little defensively.

“All I’m saying is that the hug you shared today wasn’t that friendly, if you know what I mean.” She jokes. 

“You got the hots for her, and she probably does too for you.” Keira remarks. 

You roll your eyes, “I’m too sober for this conversation.” Sitting on the side of the bathtub while scrolling through your phone.

“So you are not denying it” Lucy smiles. You gave her a disapproving look while slightly blushing. “You guys would be perfect for each other.” She added. 

“I think you should shut up.” You say jokingly. 

“Oh my god, now I finally understand why our little striker is always single.” Keira grinned. 

“I’m not little, and I don’t like Alexia. She’s way out of my league.” You sigh, standing up.

“So you do like her.” You don’t reply, Lucy laughed. “I fucking knew it.” She added.

“I’m done with this conversation; come downstairs when you guys are finished; I’ll call a taxi.” You go downstairs exasperated. 

As they go downstairs, you stand up from the couch and turn to them, slightly hesitating, “So you guys know how I get when I’m drunk.” You tentatively start. 

“Oh yeah, you have no filters when you talk.” Keira laughed.

“I remember when we went to the club after we won the Euros, you said to Leah that—“ You interrupted Lucy and rubbed my forehead, “You don’t have to remind me of that.” 

“Just please, don’t make me say something stupid; I like it here,” I asked.

When you arrive at the club, you are soon greeted by your other teammates, Mapi and Ingrid, Jana and Bruna, Ana Maria, Patri, and Aitana. There was no Alexia, you knew she probably wouldn’t come, as she didn’t like partying very much, but you still hoped. You soon got dragged by Mapi and Aitana to have some shots while Keira and Lucy still talked to the others.

You were drunk. The problem was that when you are drunk, you don’t have any filters; you say whatever comes to mind; sometimes, it's funny, whereas other times it’s not. Other than that, when sober you are not very touchy. Still, when drunk, you like hugging people and sometimes can get over affectionate. So initially, you were scared that Alexia would come and probably say something you shouldn’t. Still, she wasn’t there, so you indulged in some fun. It was already an hour since you came to the club; you were dancing and singing your heart out to songs you probably didn’t even know the lyrics. As you turn to your friends, you see a new figure approaching them, then you recognize her. Alexia was here. She laughed at something that Mapi said, but you didn’t care. You were just too happy to see her. 

You made your way through the crowd to your table, and you jumped in her arms, “Oh my god, you are here!” You say excitedly, slurring a little your words. 

“And you are drunk.” She chuckled. She looked at me properly.

“Pfff, me? I definitely am not. See?” You tried walking in a straight line, failing miserably.

“Yeah, I’m taking you home.” She gently grabs your wrist. 

“Come on, you just came here; at least dance with me for one song.” She sighed. “Okay, Only one, then I’m taking you home.”

“Alright.” You grabbed her hand and dragged her to the dance floor. She never was a good dancer, but you didn’t care. You were dancing with the most beautiful girl in the club, and you were happy. You looked at her, trying desperately to not make a fool of herself; you just smiled and kept looking at her. 

“Why are you staring at me?” She asked shyly. Without thinking, you reply, “Because I think you’re beautiful.” You see her blush at the compliment and give you a shy smile while you just quickly cover your mouth like a little child that said something she shouldn’t. 

“You are drunk.” She chuckles again. 

“Let me take you home.” She offers.

“You can do whatever you want with me, woman; I’m yours.” You say, retaking her hand as she leads you out of the club. 

You get into her car, and she drives. You were sitting in the passenger seat, and you began talking about the most random stuff you could ever imagine. 

“Since when are you so chatty?” She grinned, quickly looking at you.

“I don’t want to fall asleep. And talking helps.” 

“Just sleep. I’ll wake you when we get to your house.”

“No.” You pouted. “I’m a big girl, I will not sleep.” 

“Then go ahead.” You lasted five seconds being silent. Then you continued, “Can I tell you something?”

“Is this some drunken confession you want to make?” She chuckled nervously.

“Well, I probably won’t remember it in the morning, so I guess I’ll say it now, even though I shouldn’t.” You didn’t let her reply when you added. “I just think you are very beautiful, and I have been in love with you for the past eight years, and I can’t stop thinking about you.” She opened her mouth, trying to reply, but you continued again. “And I know that if I were yours, I would try my best to be the best girlfriend ever because you deserve only the best.” 

“Y/-“ You interrupt her once again. “And I know that you deserve better than me; that’s why I never said anything; you are amazing, while I’m just me, and you deserve to be with someone who is just as amazing and beautiful as you are because you only deserve the best. And I’m completely fine with it, okay, maybe not that much, but I’ll get it if you don’t want to talk to me anymore after this. I’ll be very sad, but eventually, I’ll move on. I’ll be okay.” You ramble. You let a quick exhale, and then you finally realize that the car has already stopped.

You look at Alexia for the first time after your big speech; you can only see her smile through the street lights outside the car. You react at her loss of words by asking, “I fucked up our friendship didn’t I?” Tears started flowing down your face, and you felt utterly sober for the first time during the night. 

She put her hands on your cheeks and rubbed off the tears from your skin, and gave you a sincere smile, “You didn’t fuck up anything. Let’s get you inside; we’ll talk in the morning when you remember what I say.”

You just nod, and as soon as you get inside, she follows you to your room; she helps you clean your teeth by putting her hand on the small of your back in support for your dizzy body. 

She helped you to bed, and you held her by the arm as she was about to leave. 

“You don’t feel the same way, do you?” You mumbled sadly, nearly asleep. She let out a shaky exhale as her lips curled upwards.

“ I’ve been in love with you since I saw you the first day at training, and no matter how much time we have spent apart, I never stopped loving you. And don’t say you don’t deserve me because you are the most wonderful person I have ever met, and you, too, are also very beautiful.”

“Yes!” You replied very rapidly, showing all of your enthusiasm to her.

“Now go get some sleep, I’ll come by tomorrow, and we can talk then.” She was about to get up, but you stopped her again, “Can I get a hug?” You whispered shyly.

She laughed and sat down on the bed, waiting for you to change position so you could be seated too, and then she held you in a tight embrace, making you feel all fuzzy on the inside. As you removed yourself from the embrace, you put your foreheads together and closed your eyes. After a couple of seconds, she gave you a kiss on your forehead and whispered. “I’ll see you tomorrow, mi amor. Sleep well.”

She closed the lights in your room and shut the door. After a few moments of smiling dumbly at yourself, you finally fall asleep, thinking about the woman who was just here merely a few minutes ago. 

[httplilyyy]

𝐅𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐍 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐀 𝐋𝐈𝐄 || 𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐀 𝐑𝐔𝐒𝐒𝐎

pairing: alessia russo x reader

summary: in which you had fallen for a lie

warnings: smut, fingering (r giving), oral (r giving), fluff, angst, hurt without the comfort & swearing | minors dni

word count: 7.7k

a/n: it's a bit rushed but i hope you enjoy!

woso masterlist

You were known as being the reserved type. Much preferring to be introverted than extroverted.

When you joined Arsenal it came as a huge shock to you. Everyone on the team was outgoing and full of energy. Whereas you would much rather be by yourself doing some small drills or at home with a nice cup of tea sitting on your sofa and watching a movie.

Although, parts of that changed. You had wished to be with someone. A certain someone.

And that person was none other than Alessia Russo. The other newbie on the team.

From the moment you met her, you couldn't tear your eyes away. To entranced by her pure beauty and stunning smile. You had fallen hard.

You, of course, never said anything about these feelings and kept them to yourself. Too afraid that you’d ruin the friendship that you have with her. Constantly telling yourself that it was better to have her in your life as a friend rather than not at all.

You had gotten to know her after being paired with her for some drills during training and due to this, the two of you had grown close as well as your feelings.

International football was now here and it was your first time being called up to the England squad. After your outstanding season at your old club, all eyes were on your move to Arsenal, especially Sarina’s.

She was immensely impressed with how you’d come into your own and grown as a player and she knew you were someone she wanted on the England squad.

Walking into St George’s Park for the first time, you couldn't contain the anxious butterflies that flew around your stomach. Keeping to yourself, you made your way to the pitch, picking up a ball along the way.

Not knowing how long you had been by yourself, the sound of people chatting seemed to get closer and closer. The chatter, however, seemed to come to a stop when they saw you.

Pinging another ball into the top corner, you took a little break to get some water. Turning around, you were met with the whole team.

“Well, well, well. If it isn’t a newbie.” Ella Toone’s voice cut through the silence.

“Go easy on them, Ella. They’re only ickle.” Mary teased, messing up the midfielder’s hair.

“Hey, y/n.” Alessia smiled, noticing your discomfort with all the attention.

“Uh, hi.” You greeted, waving slightly.

“I see you’ve all greeted our newest member.” Sarina called out, sending you a warm smile.

After introducing yourself to everyone properly, you were all split up into little groups for training. It was nothing heavy, just a few passing, dribbling and shooting drills to get you warmed up.

As training went on, you felt more and more a part of the group but you didn’t let yourself be fully open, opting to hold back. You weren’t sure why, perhaps it was the nerves.

Before you knew it, Sarina called you all in for a run down of how she thought training went and ushered you all to the showers. Although you were happy with your first session with the girls, you held back, waiting for everyone to go before you.

Each of the girls were busy doing their own thing when you made your way into the locker room, placing your bag on the side, away from the hustle and bustle of the room.

Quickly showering and getting into some clean clothes you were about to leave when you heard someone call out your name.

“Y/n?”

“Hmm?” You hummed, turning round to see everyones eyes on you.

“Are you doing anything later?” Alessia asked.

“Um, probably just watching a movie, why?” You wondered, rubbing the back of your neck, rocking backwards and forwards on your feet.

“Seeing as you aren’t doing anything, come hang out with us?” Alessia said, gesturing to everyone in the room.

“Oh, uh, I don’t- I dont really-”

“C’mon, It’ll give you a chance to get to know us better.” Katie spoke up.

“I- um- I-” you let out a nervous chuckle, “maybe you could just come to mine instead?”

Out of all the things you could’ve said, you said that. You well and truely wanted to kill yourself right there and then. The words slipped out of your mouth before you could stop them and now you wanted the ground to swallow you up whole.

“Can your house fit all of us?” Millie asked with astonishment.

You didn’t trust yourself to speak again so you settled with a small nod.

“Okay, sugar daddy.” Georgia teased.

“That's me.” You mumbled as a small laugh died in your throat.

“Well, send us your address and we’ll be there.” Keira smiled.

“I- uh, don’t have your numbers?” You said, cursing yourself for still being nervous.

“I can send it to you all.” Alessia said, saving you from all the attention.

With a small confirmation nod from you, everyone seemed to filter out of the room one by one. Thinking everyone had left, you sat in your cubby, placing your head in your hands and letting out a long sigh.

After taking a few seconds to yourself, you finally looked up, surprised to see Alessia still standing there, playing with her fingers.

“Less?” You questioned gently. “I thought you’d left.”

“I actually came to ask for a favour.” She said sheepishly.

“Sure, what’s up?”

“Could you possibly give me a ride to yours?”

“Yeah, of course.” You smiled, your heart pounding just a little quicker than normal at the thought of more time with Alessia.

“You sure? It’s just that I came with Ella but she’s seemed to have left already.”

“I promise, it’s no trouble at all. Just let me quickly pack everything away.”

In record time, you packed your bag and got everything ready. Although you were really good friends with Alessia, you couldn't help how your heart thundered in your chest.

Walking out of the training ground and into your car, you placed your bag on the back seat before finally getting into the front and starting up your car.

“Do you want the aux?” You questioned, handing her the little wire.

Alessia smiled and whispered a small ‘thank you’ before plugging her phone in and turning on a random song from her playlist.

Looking in your mirrors you made sure it was safe to reverse out of your spot. You placed your arm around the back of Alessia’s chair and looked over your shoulder and out of the back window, using one hand on the steering wheel to reverse.

Alessia watched you carefully, the way your hand manoeuvred around the steering wheel effortlessly and how as you looked out the back window your side profile was on full display.

After pulling out of your parking spot, you made your way back to your house. The journey back was in silence, a comfortable silence, that was occasionally broken by the two of you singing to different songs.

You could only hope to god you wouldn't crash your car. Her perfume was intoxicating, it was slowly driving you insane and every time you looked over at Alessia all you wanted to do was pull over and give her a kiss.

Gripping your steering wheel with both hands, your knuckles turned white at the sheer force you were using. Trying to swallow the lump in your throat you kept reminding yourself that Alessia could never like you back. How could she? You were you and Alessia was… Well she was Alessia. Your Lessi. The girl of your dreams.

Even being in close proximity to her sent your mind reeling. All these different scenarios popped in your head and you could only dream for them to be real.

“You okay?” Alessia questioned, placing her hand on your thigh.

“Huh? Oh, yeah.” You said, clearing your throat as you internally panicked, eyes widening as you stared at the road ahead.

“You’re usually talkative.” Alessia shrugged, taking her hand off your thigh and you immediately missed the feeling.

“Just a little nervous.” You mumbled as your fingers tapped absentmindedly on the steering wheel.

“There’s no need to be nervous, is it about later?”

“Yeah, I don’t usually have people over.” You said, shuffling in your seat, trying to concentrate on the road.

“You can always cancel.”

“I think it’s a little late for that.” You mumbled, pulling up to your driveway and seeing multiple cars parked on the front.

“And is it a little late to tell you that I also invited someone else over?” Alessia questioned sheepishly, cautiously looking over at you as you put your car into park.

“Oh? And who is this someone?” You teased, trying to ignore the pang of your heart when you pictured Alessia with someone.

“It's not like that,” Alessia said, huffing out a laugh as she smacked your shoulder, “you actually know her.”

“I do? What’s their name?”

“You can figure it out.” Alessia said as she got out of the car, enjoying teasing you.

“Okay… but would it kill you to tell me who this person is?” You asked, scrambling out of the car yourself.

“Nope, but I'm still not telling you.” Alessia said in a sing-song voice.

“Oh come on, just tell me.” You begged, rounding your car to shake her shoulders.

“You’ll find out soon.” Alessia laughed, causing your face to light up at the sound.

“Or you could tell me now.” You said, not letting go of her.

“Am I really that bad that you wouldn't tell them about me?” A voice said, making you turn around.

“Oh! Um, hi.” You said, giving them a smile which turned out to be more of a grimace.

“I’m Leah, since Alessia decided to not tell you who I was.” They said, a warm smile on their face.

“Y/n, uh my name is Y/n.” You said, picking the skin on your fingers.

“I heard you’re the new kid on the block.” Leah said, trying to start a conversation.

“Uh-huh. That's me.” You said, giving an awkward smile to the blonde.

“Sorry that I haven’t seen you around, at Arsenal as well. I’ve been doing some rehab for my knee.” Leah explained, pointing down at her leg.

“T-that’s okay.” You said, not really knowing what else to say.

“You’re cute.” Leah said, before going over to the rest of your teammates.

“Okay, what was that?” Alessia chuckled, walking up to your side and nudging you with her elbow.

“I uh I don't know. I think I malfunctioned.” You said quietly, not taking your eyes off Leah.

“I saw.”

“Was it bad?” You asked, turning to Alessia with a slight grimace.

“Not at all.” Alessia smiled softly.

“I also think you forgot to mention that the person you invited over is Leah fucking Williamson.” You mumbled out, looking back at the defender.

“That’s on me.” Alessia chuckled, patting you gently on the shoulder as she walked over to where everyone was.

Shaking your head, you tried to get rid of all your thoughts and taking one last deep breath you went to greet everyone.

A few hours went by since you said your ‘hellos’ and after many slices of pizza and drinks you had all gathered around in your living room. You were all engaged in a conversation with each other. Talking about anything and everything.

At first it was teasing Alessia for being so clumsy or how Ella was so loud. Even going on to talk about how Rachel and Millie were the troublesome duo and an honourable mention to Mary’s tiktok.

Then it was how you were inexperienced in pretty much everything.

“But how?!” Lucy exclaimed, raising her hands in the air to slap them back down onto the sofa.

“I don't know.” You mumbled with a shug, looking down at your fingers.

“But everyone has had sex.”

“Apparently not y/n.” Lauren piped up with a laugh.

“Lauren.” Alessia said, sending the girl a warning look.

“What have you done then?” Alex questioned, leaning her elbows on her knees.

“Uh, I've kissed someone?”

“Was that a statement or a question?” Jordan chuckled good heartedly.

Alessia looked over at you and noticed your leg bouncing up and down at an increased rate. The striker desperately wanting to say something, but not knowing what.

“I uh-” You struggled, not liking how everyone's eyes were on you. You could hear your heartbeat in your ears and it felt that everything around you was spinning.

“Okay I think that's enough.” Esme said from beside you, placing a comforting hand on your shoulder.

You looked over at her and gave a grateful smile but the questions didn't falter. Your heart pounded even quicker and you suddenly felt as if you were trapped.

"I have to use the bathroom." You said quickly, coming up with an excuse.

You placed your drink on the coffee table as you stood up and slipped off down the hallway.

Shutting the bathroom door behind you quietly, you let out a sigh, tension melting from your body as you leaned against the door.

“C’mon y/n, pull yourself together.” You muttered to yourself, moving over to the sink.

You placed both hands on the side, letting your head hang low as you listened to the faint laughs from your friends coming from the other room.

“Stop being a loser and have some fun.”

You tried to give yourself a pep talk but nothing seemed to work. You were snapped out of your haze once you heard a knock on the door.

“Just a minute.” You panicked, pretending to flush the toilet and wash your hands.

Opening the door, you stepped back out into the hallway and came face to face with Leah.

“Oh! Hi!” You stuttered out, hands stuffing themselves in your pockets.

“Hey!” Leah chuckled, “I was going to head out with the others but I wanted to say thank you for a great time.”

“Oh, how long was I in there?” You mumbled to yourself, looking back at the bathroom behind you.

“Not long, don’t worry.” Leah smiled, placing her hand on your arm.

“That’s uh that’s good then.” You said, stumbling over your words at her touch, feeling your body freeze.

“I’ll see you around?”

“Y-yeah, for sure, yeah, definitely.”

“Okay, cool. See you later y/n.”

Walking back into your living room, you spotted Alessia cleaning up all the mess that was thrown around the place. The blonde noticed your presence and looked up at you with a smile before going back to cleaning.

Wordlessly walking up to her, you gently took the rubbish from her hands before putting them in the bin in the kitchen. The two of you continued to clean so your place was practically spotless.

Once you were both done, you flopped onto the sofa, sitting shoulder to shoulder but still not saying a word. Fiddling with the hem of your shirt, you looked around at everything in the room but Alessia.

“Is it alright if I stay the night?” Alessia wondered, causing you to finally look at her.

“Y-yeah, of course.” You nodded, getting up from the sofa and holding your hand out for the blonde to grab.

Alessia took your hand without question and let you guide her into your bedroom. She sat on the edge of your bed whilst you rummaged around to find something for her to wear. Picking out some old joggers and a top, you handed the items of clothing to her.

She gracefully took them, getting up from the bed to place a soft kiss to your cheek before walking into the en suite to get changed. You stood rooted to your spot, face beet red and eyes wide.

It seemed like all the air had been taken out of your lungs, Alessia had never done that and now you didn’t know what to do. It seemed foolish to be hung up on such a small thing but it sent your mind reeling.

Not realising how long you had been standing for, you turned around with haste as you heard the bathroom door open up.

“You okay?” Alessia questioned, looking at you quizzically.

“Y-yeah, thought I saw a spider.” You said, looking like a deer caught in headlights.

“You’re scared of spiders?” Alessia teased, placing her clothes on top of the desk of drawers.

“Definitely not,” you mumbled, shaking your head, “nope.”

“Okay.” Alessia chuckled, shaking her head before going to lay on your bed.

“That's, erm, that's my bed.” You said, pointing weakly to the piece of furniture.

“Yes?”

“You're laying on my bed.”

“Is that okay?” Alessia wondered.

“Mhm, I’ll just sleep somewhere else.”

“You’re not sleeping in here?” Alessia questioned, looking up at you with curiosity and you could feel your palms become sweaty.

“I didn’t want to make you uncomfortable.” You shrugged, suddenly feeling small.

“You could never.” Alessia smiled, patting the spot beside her. “Now come here.”

“You sure?” You asked, feeling very nervous at the thought of sharing a bed with Alessia.

“Yes, now come on. I don’t bite.”

“O-okay.”

Squeezing your eyes shut for a brief second and releasing a shaky breath, you made your way onto your bed. You laid next to her, as stiff as a board, not exactly knowing what to do with yourself.

Mentally cursing yourself for being so awkward, you moved a little closer to the blonde, the latter trying not to laugh at your actions.

“Y’know Leah was right earlier.” Alessia spoke up, looking over at you.

“Huh?” You questioned, confused as to what she was getting at.

“You are cute.” Alessia said, taking matters into her own hands and moving so you were laying shoulder to shoulder.

“I-” You let out a chuckle but it died in your throat causing you to let out a small cough.

“Get some sleep.” Alessia said, trying to contain her smile and shifting to get more comfortable which led to her head resting on your chest.

Nodding, you realised she couldn't see you causing you to fight the urge to slap yourself in the face. Leaning over ever so slightly, you managed to turn the lights off and get into a comfortable position yourself.

Letting yourself drift off into a deep sleep, you prayed to the gods above that Alessia couldn't hear or feel how fast your heart was pumping.

Many hours passed and the morning sun came around all too quickly. Some time during the night, the two of you had shifted, the blonde now somewhat fully laying on top of you.

Her leg was draped over yours, tangled together and her hand had made its way up your top, resting on your stomach, just above the band of your joggers. Her head had moved into the crook of your neck and you could feel each breath she let out, the action causing goosebumps to rise on your skin.

You were completely trapped by her, not that you had anything against it, in fact you couldn’t think of anything better than the moment you were in right now. Assuming Alessia was still asleep, your fingers began to mindlessly trace shapes on her arm that was slung around your waist.

“That feels nice.” Alessia mumbled, hiding her head further into your neck.

She felt you freeze underneath her, your ministrations coming to a halt and all of a sudden the situation became too much to bear. Your position seemed very domestic, and if the two of you were caught like that everybody would immediately assume you were a couple.

A couple. You could feel your heart crack at the thought. Staring up at the ceiling, you placed a hand behind your head, the other trapped underneath Alessia’s body.

You don't know how long you were looking at the ceiling for until you felt Alessia’s body shift beside you. The blonde moved so she was now leaning on her arm, her body hovering over yours. She looked at you questioningly, but you didn't say anything.

“Are you doing anything today?” Alessia asked quietly.

“No, why?” You responded softly, still looking up at the ceiling.

“Do you want to do something? Like go see a movie?” Alessia questioned.

“Of course,” you smiled, finally turning to look at her, “but may I ask why?”

“Can’t friends go see a movie with each other?”

“They can.” You said, nervously looking around the room.

“Okay, what movie do you want to go see?”

“Not sure, you?”

“What's new out?”

“Um, let me see.” You mumbled, reaching over to your bedside table and grabbing your phone.

Alessia laid herself down again, her head resting on your shoulder as she watched you scroll through your phone.

“What about the nun 2?”

“Absolutely not, I hate horrors.” Alessia said firmly, shaking her head.

“C’mon, I'll hold your hand.” You teased.

“Tempting,” Alessia said, trailing off before ultimately nodding her head, “okay fine, but only if you hold my hand.”

“I promise to not let go.” You smiled, quickly booking the tickets.

You both decided to stay in bed for a little while longer, scrolling through your social media until it was time to get ready. You let Alessia choose some clothes from your wardrobe to get changed into and before you knew it, you were putting on your shoes and making your way into your car.

Alessia had the aux once again and you were both singing to your heart's content. On the way there you kept sneaking glances at the blonde next to you, unknown to you that she saw exactly what you were doing.

The drive to the cinema was short, not getting caught in any traffic leading you to arrive in record time. Putting the car into park, you found a space quite close to the entrance.

The two of you got out of your car, making your way to get some popcorn and drinks. You bought the food, much to Alessia’s dismay, giving a cheeky smile to the blonde in response.

It didn't take long for you to find your seats and now all you had to do was wait. You placed the popcorn in between you both and the drinks in the cup holders.

Reaching your hand out, you picked up a couple pieces of popcorn but dropped them instantly once you felt a hand on top of yours. Looking to your right, you saw Alessia’s cheeks flush.

“Sorry.” Alessia mumbled, pulling her hand back.

“Don’t be.” You smiled, your hand going back into your lap.

The screen in front of you turned on and the adverts began to play. You sat patiently waiting for the movie to start, occasionally glancing over to the blonde beside you.

As the movie began, you had your whole focus on the screen ahead. Popping the odd pieces of popcorn in your mouth you almost forgot about who was next to you.

That was until a jumpscare came up on the screen and a hand flew onto yours. Your eyes widened, looking down at the hand that was clutching your own. Turning your head to Alessia, she looked between you and the screen.

She tried to take her hand back but you intertwined your fingers together, resting them on her lap. Carefully, Alessia rested her head on your shoulder, looking up slightly, silently asking if what she was doing was okay.

That question, however, went out the window when another jumpscare came up on the screen. You bit back a smile as you felt Alessia shift in her seat beside you and hide her face in your neck.

As the movie went on, your mind seemed to drift off to somewhere else. Noticing the direction of your gaze, Alessia did a double-take to find you staring at her. At this point, you were no longer watching the film but instead, you were watching her.

“You okay?” You questioned quietly, lowering your head to make sure that you didn't disturb the people around you.

“Mhm.” Alessia hummed, burying her head into you further.

“You sure?” You asked, double checking just to make sure.

“Yeah, you're holding my hand.” Alessia smiled and you could feel her smile into your neck.

You felt a blush creep up the back off your neck to the tips of your ears, a beaming smile making its way onto your face.

The movie went on and Alessia hadn’t moved, her hand still in yours and her head still on your shoulder. As the credits played, you couldn't help the frown forming on your face. You really didn't want this time with Alessia to end.

Watching as everyone got up and left, you tried to stall the time you had with Alessia. She moved her head from your shoulder but didn't move either. Sending a small smile her way, you finally stood up, pulling Alessia up with you, not letting go of your hand.

Smiling to yourself, you left the cinema, gently swinging your hands back and forth between the two of you. You opened your car door for her, as well as closing it once she was fully in.

Running round to the drivers side, you sat down with a little huff, trying to think of something to prolong the time you had together. You tapped your fingers on the steering wheel, you mind coming up short on ideas.

“Want to get some food?” Alessia asked, fingers fidgeting in her lap.

“Yeah, sure. What do you want to get?” You questioned, turning the car on and pulling out of the space.

“Drive thru maybe?” Alessia said, looking out the window. “I don’t mind where.”

“Well, McDonalds is the closest?”

“McDonalds it is.” Alessia nodded.

Looking over at Alessia you noticed that she was still playing with her fingers, so putting on some big boy pants you reached a hand over and intertwined your fingers once again.

You drove in a comfortable silence until you pulled up to the McDonald’s. You ordered what you both wanted before paying, collecting your food and driving to find a parking space.

After finding somewhere to park, you turned the car off and dug into your food. Still, the two of you didn't say anything to each other, occasionally looking up from your food and when your eyes met you would exchange small smiles.

Once you finished your food, you waited for Alessia to finish hers. Not wanting to sit in an awkward atmosphere, you turned on the radio. ‘Rock your body’ by Justin Timberlake came on and you turned the volume up.

Dancing in your seat, Alessia laughed at your actions as she finished up the last of her food. Her eyes widened in confusion as you got out of the car, rounding to her side and opening her door.

“What are you doing?” Alessia wondered, looking up at you.

“Care for a dance?” You questioned, holding your hand out for her to take.

“What if someone sees us?” Alessia asked, hesitant but still taking your hand.

“So what?” You said, a blinding smile on your face as you danced with Alessia in the car park. “Besides, it's late, no one will care.”

“You’re an idiot.” Alessia chuckled, but dancing nonetheless.

“True.” You shrugged, spinning her around.

“I can’t believe I'm dancing in a McDonalds car park with you.” Alessia smiled, shaking her head.

“I’m full of fun ideas.” You said, coming down as the song came to an end.

“Mhm, you sure are.” Alessia agreed, stopping only inches away from you, her bright blue eyes staring into yours.

“Let’s get you home.” You rushed out, afraid that you’d do something to embarrass yourself.

“Okay.” Alessia said softly, sitting back down in your car.

“I’m just going to put the rubbish in the bin.” You mumbled, pointing to the take out bag.

“Don't die.” Alessia teased.

“Better keep your fingers crossed.” You replied with a chuckle that died in your throat.

As you walked over to the bin you slapped yourself on the forehead, muttering a small ‘idiot’ and squeezing your eyes shut.

You told yourself that you weren't going to fall for her and now look at you. She was turning you into a pile of mush.

Shaking your head, you tried to clear your mind before getting back in the car with her.

The radio was still playing but at a lower volume as you drove Alessia back to her place, your hand intertwined with hers as it rested on her lap. Pulling up to her place, you found somewhere to park.

Not really knowing what to do, you stayed in your seat, looking out the window, your eyes scanning whatever they could see.

“Thank you for today.” Alessia said, opening her door.

“Yeah, of course, it’s no problem.” You smiled, turning to look at her.

“Goodnight, y/n.” Alessia said, placing a kiss on your cheek before getting out of your car and walking off.

You groaned, smacking your forehead on the steering wheel, feeling your cheeks heat up. Contemplating for a split second, you made the quick decision to get out of your car and catch up to Alessia.

“Y/n?” Alessia questioned, as you jogged up to her side.

“Thought I could walk you to your door.” You said, stuffing your hands in your pockets.

“How chivalrous.” Alessia teased, bumping her side into yours.

“I have some perks.” You replied, with a smile.

The two of you continued to walk to Alessia’s place, neither of you said anything but it was perfect the way you were. Just being in each other’s presence was enough.

So lost in your mind, you hadn't noticed you were now standing outside Alessia’s front door.

“This is me.” Alessia said, opening her door before turning around to look at you.

“Yeah.” You trailed off, rocking backwards and forwards on your feet.

“Thank you again, for tonight.” Alessia smiled.

“Of course, I'll see you at training?”

“Yeah,” Alessia nodded, “goodnight, y/n.”

“Night.” You smiled before walking away.

Just as Alessia was about to close her door you turned back round and spoke up again.

“Hey, wait, uh-”

“Everything okay?” Alessia wondered, opening her door again.

“I don't want to get the wrong impression, but, erm, I kinda felt like this was a date? Was this a date? If not I’ll-” You said, your finger pointing back and forth between you and Alessia.

“Do you want to come in?” Alessia said, ignoring your question with a smile.

“T-that doesn’t answer my question.” You replied dumbly.

Not saying anything, Alessia reached out and took a hold of the collar of your top, pulling you into her and placing her lips on yours.

Once you pulled away, you stared at her in shock, eyes blown wide and mouth slightly parted.

“Does that answer your question?” Alessia teased, smiling at your reaction.

This time you didn't reply, pulling the blonde back into a kiss. The two of you stumbled into her apartment, kicking the door closed behind you. The sudden impact had stunned Alessia, her breath catching in her throat.

Her eyes were blown wide and she didn’t know what to do with herself. Her brain started to register what was going on and she finally kissed you back, wrapping her hands around your shoulders.

You both sighed contently into the kiss. Easily getting lost in each other’s presence.

The kiss, however, what was once full of tenderness and caution soon turned into hunger and passion. The two of you unable to keep your hands to yourselves.

“We’re friends?” You questioned breathlessly between kisses, unknowingly moving your way to her bedroom.

“Uh huh.” Alessia replied, pulling you closer.

“Friends don’t do this.”

“Definitely not.”

“But we’re still going to do this?”

“One hundred percent.”

Alessia felt her back hit a wall, the blonde gasping in response. You trailed kisses down her neck, gently nipping in different places but not enough to create marks. Stumbling your way into Alessia’s bedroom, clothes were strewn around the room.

Pushing Alessia onto her bed, you hovered over her. She placed a hand at the back of your neck, pulling you down and bringing your lips back together. You slid your tongue against her bottom lip, the blonde immediately granting your access.

Alessia moaned into your mouth, her mind fogged with nothing but thoughts of you. Your roaming hands squeezed at her thighs, trailing up to her waist. You pulled away breathlessly, looking into her eyes.

“Why’d you stop?” Alessia questioned, trying to bring you back in for another kiss.

“I just wanted to make sure you were okay with this?” You replied, “I don't want to do anything too soon.”

“As sweet as you are. If you don’t fuck me now, we are seriously going to fall out.” Alessia said, rocking her hips against your thigh.

“Oh! O-okay.” You rushed out as your cheeks heated up.

Moving your hand to rest beside Alessia’s head the other trailed its way down to where she desperately needed you the most. With one final look of confirmation, you slid two fingers inside her.

You nearly moaned at the sounds Alessia was making beneath you and assuming you were doing a good job, you curled your fingers.

“Fuck y/n.” Alessia whispered through heavy breaths, moving her hips with the rhythm of your fingers.

Gulping back your pleasure, you focused solely on Alessia. You watched her every move, seeing the way her body reacted to your touch. She bit her lip, suppressing her from letting out any moans.

“Hey, let me hear you.” You said, pulling her lip from her teeth.

Alessia’s skin was tingling, goosebumps spreading like a wildfire as her orgasm approached with fierceness. Her hand moved down to your forearm, nails digging into your skin as her hips instinctively bucked at your touch.

You pressed your thumb down onto her clit, relishing in the way her eyes almost rolled into the back of her head at the action before coming back to focus on you.

“Shit, I'm gonna come!”

“Yeah?” You whispered, moving down close to her ear, “come for me.”

Her hips began to rock almost of their own accord along with the lazy circling of your thumb over her clit. Her head was thrown back and her hair was stuck to her forehead. Sweat dripped down her neck as she tried to chase after her high.

You could feel her beginning to clamp around your fingers, a noticeable tremble to her body, it was obvious she was close and with one final curl of your fingers and a firm press of your thumb against her clit, she arched her back off the bed. Her eyes screwed shut, body shuddering as her orgasm washed over her.

You pulled your fingers out of her, Alessia let out a small whine at the loss. Kissing her softly, you began to trail down from her lips to her jaw, neck, collarbone and then to the valley of her breasts.

“You okay?” You asked, pressing feather-like kisses across her chest.

“Yeah.” Alessia nodded, trying to catch her breath.

“Good.” You replied, trailing your kisses down further, stopping just above her pubic bone.

You nipped and sucked along her thighs, leaving small marks here and there. As much as you were enjoying creating hickies, only for you to see, Alessia was getting impatient.

She bucked her hips, hoping to hurry you up. Trying to hide a smirk, you pressed a few teasing pecks to her clit. A sudden ripple of pleasure soared through Alessia’s body. She squeezed your head between her legs, one of her hands tangled itself in your hair whilst the other went to play with her breasts.

Alessia’s eyes fluttered shut as she succumbed to the pleasure she was feeling. She moved one of her legs over your shoulder, hips moving in time with your tongue to chase her building orgasm.

When you began to feel her clenching around your tongue, you picked up your pace, only stopping to whisper breathy praises into her, using your thumb to stimulate her clit and it wasn’t long before Alessia’s body was convulsing around your head, her legs shaking as you rode her through her orgasm.

Kissing your way back up to Alessia’s face, you propped yourself up with one arm, the other, brushing strands of hair out of Alessia’s face. Taking in her appearance, her eyes were dilated, her cheeks coated pink and her lips were swollen.

“You okay?” You questioned, looking down at Alessia’s blissed out state.

“Yeah, just calming down.”

“Take as long as you need.” You smiled, placing a kiss on her hairline.

“Are you sure you haven’t done that before?” Alessia teased, trying to regulate her breathing, mentioning to the other night.

“Uh- yeah, I kinda went with the flow.” You blushed, hiding your face in your hand.

“It was perfect.” Alessia said, leaning up to kiss you softly.

“I'm glad, um, let me get you some water-”

“It’s fine, just lay with me.” Alessia said, holding you from going anywhere.

“Let me, at least, clean you up-”

“Y/n, just lay with me.”

“Okay.” You smiled, getting into a comfortable position and feeling Alessia cuddle up into your side.

The two of you didn't say anything, enjoying the tranquillity of the moment which led to the two of you drifting off to sleep.

The next couple of weeks flew past in a blur. After waking back up the following morning, you and Alessia were inseparable. You went out on every date imaginable, the two of you growing closer and closer.

You were falling when you met her but now you had landed and she had caught you. On the sixth date you asked her to be your girlfriend and to your surprise, she said yes. You hadn’t told your teammates nor any family members as you were new to all of this.

You wanted to take it slow and Alessia was quick to agree. But that went flying out the window when you let it slip that you loved her. Although the two of you hadn’t been together for long, among the pleasure one night, soft ‘I love yous’ were sighed out into the air.

Since you had been friends before, you didn't want to do anything to ruin what you had. The two of you were inseparable and you felt as if nothing could break you.

The two of you didn’t care about what anyone else thought, you were in love and nothing else mattered.

But now the time had come for international football again. After proving yourself in training, Sarina had put you in the starting eleven. You couldn't be more nervous, but luckily Alessia was there to help.

“Feeling okay?” Alessia questioned, her hand intertwined with yours.

The two of you were sitting on the coach, somewhere near the back, away from the hustle and bustle at the front.

“Yeah, just in my head that’s all.” You replied with a small smile.

“Don’t be, you’ll do great today.” Alessia said comfortingly.

“Fingers crossed.” You mumbled, resting your head against the window, watching as the world went by.

It had seemed as if you were on auto pilot, getting off the coach and changing into your kit before going out to warm up. Even the warm up went by in a flash and before you knew it, you were standing in the tunnel waiting to go out and face the Netherlands.

Although it was only a friendly, this was your first time in the starting eleven and it felt as if even more pressure was on you. The back of your mind kept telling you how everyone wanted you to fail, how you were no good, even going as far as saying that you were no right for Alessia.

You only snapped out of your thoughts when the ref blew her whistle. The game was gruelling from the start, each team putting in their all from the get go. England had a few chances and the Netherlands even less. Tackles were being made left, right and centre, each of them becoming harder than the last.

Losing yourself momentarily, your mind drifted off meaning you couldn't prepare for an incoming slide tackle. You passed the ball on, milliseconds before two feet came flying at your ankles.

Tumbling to the ground with a harsh thud, you felt all the wind being knocked out of you. Rolling onto your back with a groan, you stared up at the sky, trying to collect your breath.

Your teammates gathered around you but you waved them off, promising that you were fine. The referee had called a foul, a free kick for England in the perfect spot.

The ball was placed in your hands, the pressure of scoring almost weighing you down but you tuned everything out, finding a certain pair or blue eyes amongst the chaos on the pitch.

With a soft nod from Alessia, you knew you would be alright. Taking in a deep breath, you prepared for the free kick. After the refs whistle, you took your chance. Your foot connected with the ball, soaring its way towards the back of the net.

The stadium erupted into cheers, you had scored. The game started up again and it was as if England had found a new fire from within.

The match continued, chances at both ends but eventually England came out on top.

Everyone was in high spirits, singing and dancing around the locker room. You were all washed and changed, sitting to yourself once again as you waited for Alessia to get ready.

“Hey, we’re all going out later, do you want to join us?” Ella asked, coming to sit beside you.

“Big crowds aren’t exactly my thing.” You mumbled, picking at the skin of your fingers.

“Alessia said she’s going.” Ella said, wiggling her eyebrows in your direction.

“Um, where is it you’re going?” You questioned, looking down at your feet but you could still sense the smirk on Ella’s face.

“I’ll text you the address.” Ella said, patting you on the shoulder before walking back off to her cubby.

One by one, everyone piled out of the locker room. Leaving you and Alessia alone once again. The blonde was finishing off getting ready whilst you were scrolling through your phone.

A message from Ella popped up at the top of your screen, the notification telling you where everyone would be meeting later.

“Hey.” Alessia said, stepping in front of you.

“Hi.” You smiled, turning your phone off and opening your legs so she could stand in between them.

“I told you, you were going to play well.”

“Mhm.” You hummed, leaning forward to rest your head on her stomach.

“Are you coming out later?” Alessia questioned, running a hand up and down your back.

“Probably not, I fancy watching a movie with a nice cup of tea.” You replied, sighing contently.

“Can I come over after?”

“Of course.” You said, looking up and resting your chin on her stomach.

“I love you.”

“I love you.” You said, standing up to place a peck on her lips.

Time flew by once again and you had suddenly found yourself standing outside a random bar in the middle of god knows where. You tugged on what you were wearing, seeing what everybody else had on made you feel ridiculously out of place.

Taking in a deep breath, you made your way into the bar. Cheap perfume, sweat and a potent smell of alcohol flooded your senses. You scanned around the place trying to find someone you knew and to your surprise you did.

Making your way over to everybody, you stopped in your tracks once you saw Alessia. It was as if an angel had fallen from the sky and you were so lucky to be able to call her your girlfriend.

Finding a new found confidence, you walked over to her, wanting nothing more than to be in her arms.

“Did you do it then?” Lauren asked, looking up from her drink.

“Do what?” Alessia replied, looking behind her and trying to find you but you were nowhere to be seen.

“Get y/n to believe that you fell in love with her.” Lucy said as if it was obvious.

“I did but-”

“Who would've thought Alessia had it in her?” Rachel teased.

“No it's not like that-”

“Well, how are you going to break it off?” Ella questioned.

“I’m not, I-”

“That’s rough.” Mary muttered, sipping from her drink. “Making her believe that you fell in love for a dare and not breaking it off, sheesh.”

“It was a dare?”

The question that made everybody freeze.

Alessia turned around and all of a sudden everyone's eyes were on you. Stunned in silence, you could feel your heart shattering with each second passing by.

“Y/n-” Alessia started, walking towards you cautiously.

“Answer the question.” You said firmly, holding your hand out, stopping her from getting any closer.

“Baby, I-”

“Answer the question, Alessia. Did you pretend to fall in love with me for a dare?”

“Yes but-”

“Oh.”

Oh. You felt it there and then, your heart falling out of your chest and onto the floor, the blonde in front of you stepping on it a thousand times over.

“It was a dare at first but I really do love you.” Alessia said, begging for you to believe her.

“Uh huh.” You replied, nodding numbly, not being able to feel a single thing apart from pure heart break.

“You have to believe me, I love you so much, I really do.”

“Hey, no, it’s okay. I, erm, kind of figured.” You mumbled, eyes brimming with tears as you ignored Alessia’s pleas. “I mean, why would Alessia Russo fall for someone like me?”

“Y/n-”

“I'm- uh- I’m just gonna go.” You said, sniffling slightly as you pointed to the door.

Nodding to yourself, you looked down to the ground before leaving. Your teammates behind you desperately tried to get your attention but it was no use.

You had left, leaving everyone behind. Leaving Alessia behind. Leaving your heart behind. As, after all, you had fallen for a lie.

i know alessia would never do anything like this, it’s just for story purposes:)

[lucawrites11]

russo and stanway vs. france (away)

stanway and russo are both 25, they came up through england youth at the same time but stanway joined up with england first in 2018 since beig consistently in the man city senior team since 2015 while alessia wasn't called up until 2020 while at the tar heels and then had a significant time out with injury, missing the olympics, until late 2021

furthermore, georgia plays as a central midfielder both defensively and in attacking motions but she preferred as a defensive midfielder for both club and country. this is a position that is historically difficult to fill whereas alessia as a striker faces a lot more competition for her place. for context, stanway is probably one of the top five defensive midfielders in the world with amandine henry, lena oberdorf and keira walsh alongside her. alessia russo doesn't go near the top ten yet and that's okay. strikers tend to hit their best a LOT later in their careers, the average age of the ea fc top ten strikers (best list i could think of) is 27.8 with the youngest sophia smith at 23. russo is undoubtedly england's best option though with so much room to improve and she's doing so every season

however, the biggest element of both alessia russo and georgia stanway's games is that they play their roles a little outside of the mould set for strikers and defensive midfielders

stanway loves to shoot especially from outside the box which is rare and she's also a lot faster that the average defensive midfielder. keira plays as a classic defensive midfielder. so far in the liga f season, she's averaged 0.05 goals per game (one) and stanway has managed 0.29 goals per game. if this is brought up to goal involvements (goals and registered assists), stanway still take the lead with 0.48 per game while keira has just 0.23

THIS IS NOT BAD. it's just showcasing that georgia stanway has an exceptional ability to shoot and score that is not often seen in a defensive midfielder. this also comes with an insane speed, an insane penalty and an insane ability to pick a pass and send a long ball over heads going forward whereas keira walsh prefers a pass cutting through the midfield across the floor. she has insane vision to pick out players (it's why they are SO good on the pitch together for england because their play styles compliment each other)

stanway plays with her sights set on going forward, another rare quality in a defensive midfielder that normally prefers to press, win the ball, keep the ball and then give it to someone else to take it forward with quite a few passes. walsh does this and it's why she fits perfectly into the barcelona set up of tiki-taka football which is a style of play where there are a lot of passes in a game to get the ball forward and keep the ball and make the oppositiona chase them and get exhausted while they do very little (however this play style is incredibly difficult and relies on insanely talented players)

having this attacking-minded defensive midfielder gives a fresh dimension to england and bayern munich's play. it allows for goals to come from not just long balls over the top that traditionally come from centre-backs and goalkeepers (leah williamson and hannah hampton are both reknown for their balls over the top - leah's created that goal for beth in her first game back v reading if anyone wants an image of what i mean when i say long balls over the top) and give england a lot more creativity in how they create chances through the midfield

however, this is only possible if stanway has those touches on the ball to create chances and both she and keira were marked out of the game in the home leg against france and failed to get themselves into space. in the next leg, keira and georgia both improved and found themselves in space and this allowed their play styles to thrive in creating chances particularly down the left with lauren hemp. a change in alessia russo, ensured these chances weren't wasted

as i said above, alessia doesn't play like your classic number nine striker. to think classic number nine, think sam kerr, alex morgan, ada hegerberg. especially sam kerr, they stay in the box, typically good at headers, strong at short passes, decent pace and then all the classics hallmarks of striker: decent pen, good volley, good finishing, power behind their shots, the ability to do a decent long shot and often a really good dribble too with a lot of control where alessia lacks is occasionally her finishing, it's good but she'll miss a sitter and then score an impossible goal pretty often

however, alessia is more than just a striker. the best part of her play and the thing that sets her apart is her hold up play. hold up is when she gets the ball, dribbles, holds on to it against defenders and waits for support and then passes the ball out wide. if you watch arsenal or england you see it a lot, often the ball goes to whoever is in the 10 and those on the wings then she gets in the box. meanwhile, someone like sam kerr or stina blackstinieus are just waiting in the box. alessia goes and gets the ball, holds it up, creates the chances and then gets in the box but this delay getting into the box often means a chance is missed. ideally, when she lays off that ball, she needs someone else in the box

and you can't just lose that chance creation from alessia russo, it was there in the build up to both goals even if she's just acting as an extra player in midifeld, pulling a centreback out of position and allowing another player to get into the box or on the ball unmarked. her vision and that movement is crucial to getting past good centrebacks like renard and lakrar last night. she can create a chance from nothing and england need that in the big games. however, it's not the easiest striker to play with and sarina failed to coach the midfield and wingers how to play with her in the last game or they just forgot. whatever it was, alessia russo is the focal point of that attack and the style needs to adapt to her and not the other way around. if england wanted a traditional striker, they are available, sarina can put them in but she wants russo's play style so the team has to work with it

the other facet of alessia's game that is insane and you need to watch closely is her first touch. this isn't relevant to last night but just go watch her score goals. she has an insane first touch that brings the ball away from the defense often requiring her to turn her body insanely fast and then chases after the ball either dribbling and creating a chance or just shooting and it's BEAUTIFUL (srsly watch her goal complimations and her first touches)

back to her dropping into the midfield to create chances, the combination of her and stanway in the forward-mindedly midfield linking up well with the wingers, especially lauren hemp, to create chances and score goals in a way they just weren't against france in the home leg

lauren hemp was also crucial to this but she plays her game as the perfect left winger and it's not so fun to analyse, but it was the link-up of these three that made the game and it's a link-up that hasn't had the time to develop and build. the bayern, man city and arsenal tactical systems are all different so coming into england they need to adjust fast to very different players. hemp is used to playing with that direct nine in bunny shaw and stanway is more accustomed to the similar directness of harder and schüller

stanway and russo grew up playing together but russo played a different role back then and was only move into the nine in university. russo links up well with mead and toone having been with them at arsenal/united and with more practice, hopefully over this summer, that whole frontline should develop into a well-oiled machine that it hasn't been given the chance to become with injuries and such a packed schedule

this was so long and a wall of text was overwhelming so i put the pics in to break it up, thought i'd end with a classic of them as babies

[basicallyblank]

Jordan Nobbs: The Unbreakable Footballer.

Jordan Nobbs was once one of the world's best. She was widely renouned for her passing, her pace, and her ability to find the back of the net, from anywhere on the pitch. One of England's brightest talents, she highlighted her dreams of playing in World Cups, Euro's, and her biggest dream of all, the Olympic Games. Jordan looked like England and Arsenal's midfield maestro for years to come, but things don't always work like they're supposed to.

Here's how one of the worlds best midfielders was brought back down to earth.

Jordan started the 2014 season on a high, it was her 4th season in the WSL, and her 4th as an Arsenal player. She'd long since carved out her starting spot, and was one of their best performing players. She played Arsenal's first 4 champions league matches, scoring 4 goals in 4 games, but then picked up a back injury. This left her out of the entirety of Arsenals victorious FA Cup campaign, and left Arsenal struggling at the bottom of the table.

This injury didn't deter her though, as by the end of the season, despite only playing 9 games, she'd score 5 goals, which made her joint top goalscorer that season, alongside Casey Stoney.

In her time out, her absense was noticable, Arsenal had only won 1 in their first 5 games. She was known for her intelligence on the pitch, and without her pulling the strings in midfield, the team suffered.

The 2015 season was important one, it was a World Cup year. The tournament was set to be held in Canada, and Jordan was one of England's best talents that was looking forward to showing what she could do on the worlds biggest stage.

Determined to make the final squad, Jordan slept with a picture of the 2015 World Cup plastered to her TV.

On the 30th of April, in a 0-0 draw with Chelsea, Jordan would pick up a nasty hamstring injury, just a month before the tournament, and her World Cup dreams were looking in doubt. At 22 years old, Jordan looked forward to playing in her first major tournament, having made her debut for the Lionesses in 2013 against Italy.

On the 11th of May 2015, the World Cup squad would be announced, and Jordan's name would be on that list and not only that, she had been named Vice Captain for the tournament. At 22 years old, one of her biggest dreams, to play in a World Cup were coming true, and she would be helping lead her national team in their efforts to glory.

Jordan's legacy was writing it's self, and this looked to be her breakout tournament, she was the breakout player of the WSL, and people couldn't wait to see what she could do on the world's biggest stage.

Jordan would go on to make just 1 appearance at the tournament, in a group stage game against Colombia. Her hamstring injury would make a reappearance, and she wouldn't be able to perform at her usual level.

She'd play the full 90 minutes against Colombia, but would admit she played through 'agonizing' pain, and would have to run over to the dugout to be supplied with pain killers during the match, as she was unable to sprint.

The Lionesses would go on to win bronze in Canada, but Jordan would be left struggling with the fact she wasn't really able to play like she wanted to.

She would later explain in an interview a couple of months later that 'On a personal level, I was really disapointed to have the injury. I felt like I could have made an impact at the tournament and I missed not being out on the pitch with the girls.'.

“Hopefully there will be a lot more tournaments for me to make more of an impact. I want to be a major part of this squad and help us to keep on improving.”

The next few years went perfectly, she was one of the leagues best midfielders, and quickly making her name was one of the worlds best. She was one of the first names on the team sheet, and the future looked like it had been layed out in front of her, all she had to do was take it.

She became Arsenal's vice captain in 2017, and remained England vice captain alongside captain Steph Houghton. England were considered a better team when she played, and Jordan was ready to prove that she was the determining factor in the squad. The next major tournament was taking place soon, she was ready to redeem herself for what happened in the 2015 World Cup, in the 2019 World Cup that was being held in France.

Jordan started the 2018/19 season with a bang, in her first 10 appearances in all competitions she had scored 9 goals, she was on top of her game, and it was going to take something tremendous to slow her down now.

On the 18th of November, Arsenal would face Everton in the league. The match would end 4-0 to the Gunners, and Jordan would score in the 49th minute, a goal that would see her go to the top of the All-Time WSL top goalscorers list.

In the 82nd minute, Jordan would go in to challenge Chloe Kelly for the ball. However, she would fall to the floor with a non contact injury, after being seen by the medical staff and being supplied with oxygen on the pitch, she would be stretchered off the pitch and the captains armband would be passed to Leah Willamson.

With only 8 months to go until the World Cup, the anxious wait for test results began, as another major tournament hung in the balance for Jordan.

On the 20th of November, a statement would be released regarding Jordans injury. She had torn her ACL, and would be out for atleast 8 months. Jordan would completely miss the 2019 World Cup, and she was now out for the rest of the season.

It was the toughest blow for Jordan, but the hard work was only just beginning, she had been looking forward to proving herself on footballs biggest stage after it wasn't to be in the 2015 World Cup, at 26, she had just been entering her prime.

She stated in her documenatary 'Jordan Nobbs: Heartbreak and Healing' that she had felt 'very tired' leading up to the game and that as soon as she felt the 'pop' in her knee 'there wasn't a doubt that I'd done something serious.' and knew immediately that she wouldn't be at the World Cup in the summer.

Whilst she begun her rehabilitation, the BBC gave her an offer that felt like a lifeline, an oppurtunity to still be in France supporting England. They invited her to be a pundit during the England games, joining the likes of ex team mate Alex Scott and swapping the football boots for a microphone. She also did a column for 90 minute magazine, wanting to support the Lionesses in anyway she could.

Speaking in an interview with SportBible about being a pundit for the tournament, she said 'I think if I was going over there just to watch the games, I just couldn’t do it. It is heartbreaking to not be on the pitch and to think about what I could be doing if I wasn’t injured. For me to focus on a media job role, it allows me to still be a part of everything but it gives me something solid to focus on. I’ve been doing bits and pieces on the media side throughout my career so it doesn’t feel too daunting and perhaps the injury has been a blessing in disguise as it’s opened up this opportunity to still be involved in the World Cup through a slightly different lens than normal.'

That season, Arsenal would go on to win their first WSL title in 6 years, Jordan would lift the trophy alongside captain Kim Little after winning against a Man City team who had gone unbeaten.

Whilst the 2019 Women's World Cup kicked off in France, Jordan was looking forward to entering the final stages of her rehab, the start of the new season was her goal, Arsenal had a WSL championship to defend.

On the 25th of August 2019, 295 days after she had torn her ACL, Arsenal would play a BCD friendly against Tottenham Hotspur. She'd come off the bench for the game and score on her first touch, Arsenal would go on to win the match 6-0, and the Jordan Nobbs come back was well underway.

She would make her WSL comeback on the 8th of September as a substitute for Vicki Schnaderbeck in a 2-1 game against West Ham. She'd go on to make 28 appearances for Arsenal in her comeback season, scoring 8 goals across all competitions.

Jordan Nobbs was officially back, and she was ready to prove her worth. She'd have to fight for her place in a packed Arsenal midfield, that boasted the likes of Kim Little, Danielle Van De Donk, Jill Roord, and an injured Lia Walti who was making her way back to full fitness.

Disaster would strike again, as just when she was finding her rhythm back and getting into good form, the Covid-19 pandemic would cause the WSL to end early in March, this would result in a third place finish for Arsenal, and an even longer wait for Jordan.

In April 2020, she would go on to sign a new contract with the Gunners. “Arsenal is my everything now,” said Jordan after putting pen to paper. “I think football has overtaken my life since the age of seven, but I think I’ve got Arsenal in my blood now and I’m very proud to say that. I think I’ve got some great years to come.”.

She believed that signing a new contract with Arsenal would be the best step going forward, Arsenal had become her home, and this was the key into getting back to where she was in Winter 2018, back to being one of the best, at the club that knew her best.

She had her sights set on the next big thing, the Tokyo Olympics. They would start in the summer of 2021, and after making it onto the initial 30 player Team GB squad in 2012, but then not making the cut and then Team GB not qualifying at all for Rio in 2016, Jordan was prepared to work in order to achieve one of her biggest dreams.

She would end the 2020/21 season making 20 appearances for Arsenal and scoring 7 goals in all competition. Internally, Jordan felt unsure of herself, she had been played on the left wing all season, which wasn't her ideal position, preferring to excel in central midfield, but she would play wherever the team needed her to.

Hege Riise would be the woman in charge of taking Team GB to the Olympics that year, an interim coach after the departure of Phil Neville.

The season would end on the 7th of May, the anxious wait for a call began, as the squad list would be announced later in the month.

On the 27th of May, the 19 player list would be announced; Jill Scott, Ellen White, Leah Williamson, Lucy Bronze would all be named as apart of the squad, Jordan would not, she wouldn't even make it onto the reserves list.

Alex Greenwood and Beth Mead were among the shock emissions from Team GB. In an article from The Athletic, they stated that in a bid to not include Jordan in the squad, Team GB would be 'weaker for it'.

Speaking on it in an interview with Arseblog, Jordan reflected 'If I had played in central midfield a bit more, maybe I would have got in; but I definitely think I could have improved or helped the team, given the chance.', Team GB would go on to be beaten by Australia 4-3 in the Quater finals.

Jordan didn't have long to dwell on the disapointment of not making the team, as the next major tournament was in sight, and this one was extra special.

A home Euros. Games would be played up and down the country, with the final being at Wembley stadium. A dream for any footballer.

Arsenal and England would also have new managers. Arsenal would employ Jonas Eidevall, previously of FC Rosengård, and England would take on Sarina Weigman, previously of the Netherlands, which of whom she had won the previous Euro's, and had made it to the World Cup final in 2019.

This was 2 managers she would now have to prove herself to, they would both bring a different vision and Jordan knew she would have to work hard to have any place for club and country, but disaster would strike before it had all even began.

Ahead of the 21/22 season, Arsenal would play a preseason friendly against Chelsea at Emirites stadium. After enduring a tackle from Erin Cuthbert, her ankle would buckle awkwardly and she had to be stretchered off the pitch. Scans would later reveal that she had damaged the ligaments in her right ankle, and despite previous fears that she would be out for 4 months, the injury wasn't as severe as first thought and she would be out for 2 months.

Speaking to Arseblog News about the injury in November 2021, she said it was still really bad timing because I was raring to go for the season and that all took a knock. That injury really felt like the final mental hurdle that I could take, it really knocked me back quite a bit.

“I have worked hard with every setback though and I believe that will pay off. I’ve worked hard every time. It was tough, especially when I thought the injury might be worse, I was just thinking ‘oh my God, this is not happening again?’ Touch wood,” she says, tapping her head, “I am back fit now though and I have a lot of opportunity to shine with Arsenal.”.

That season, she'd go on to make 27 appearances for the Gunners. She'd go on to mark her 250th appearance in a 4-2 victory against Birmingham City as she'd be a stoppage time substitute. She would also score her 50th goal in a game against Everton.

Things were going well for Jordan at this stage, her body was feeling good and she felt ready to compete for a place at Euro 2022.

She was still getting regular England call ups from Sarina Weigman, speaking in an England article about looking towards the Euro's, she said, “I am not looking too far ahead because of what has happened in the past but I have to focus on what I can do and that is performing and playing well.”.

Could she finally be getting redemption ? Jordan had played in Euro 2017, where they would get knocked out by eventual winners the Netherlands after being defeated 3-0 in the Semi Finals. Could she help bring it home in a home Euro's ?

On may 1st, Arsenal would face Aston Villa in the penultimate game of the WSL, things were heated in the title race, with Arsenal in for a chance to get their hands on the trophy for the first time in 3 years.

Jordan would come on in the 73rd minute as a substitute for Vivianne Miedema. She'd only be on the pitch for 12 minutes.

She'd be running with the ball, when suddenly, she'd pull up and drop to the floor. She'd get back up, but it was noticable that she wasn't comfortable and was having severe issue with her knee/ankle. She'd play on for a short while, visibilly getting emotional, she knew what an injury at this stage would mean for her Euro's hopes, and possibily the future of her career, it had been a tough season for her in terms of game time, what message would this send to the manager ? She hadn't had an injury free season in years, and the fact she wasn't playing regular football was making her more susceptible to injury.

She'd hop and jog around the pitch for a little while longer,former team mate Fara Williams on commentary saying 'I really hope she's sensible here if she's hurt, she needs to make the right decision. She'll try and fight through because she's missed major tournaments through injuries and I'm sure thats playing on her mind.'.

She'd eventually come off, in tears and looking heartbroken. As she got a standing ovation from the fans, in commentary they were saying the thought that was on everyones mind, 'I wonder if this could be a farewell [...] her future not certain at this club, the club that she loves, the club she's been with for so long.'

Could this be a goodbye for Jordan ? The anxious wait for test results began. Yet again.

On the 17th of may 2022, it would be announced that Jordan would be out for the remainder of the season, and would also be out of contention for the European Championships that summer.

Once again, Jordan threw everything behind the Lionesses that summer. She partnered up with JustEats 101 initiative, that was helping to fund grassroots teams and making football more accessible to women and girls.

By July 19th, she was back on the grass and training on Arsenal pitches.

Speaking in an interview, she said 'Naturally I wanted to fight for a spot in the squad [...] I've been there, done that, even though it's not the situation I want to be in. I won't ever shy away from tough times of my career that mentally I've struggled with.'

She would attend the games alongside her fellow Arsenal team mates, cheering on her team every step of the way. She knew her role, she'd been here before.

England won the Euro's and the 22/23 season was almost here, it would be Jordan's 12th season with Arsenal.

The season begun with a 4-0 win against Brighton on the 16th of September, Jordan wouldn't appear in this match, this was soon a noticable pattern. She didn't start a game until the 27th of October against Zurich, where she scored a goal that was named Arsenal's goal of 2022. She would then be brought on in the next game against West Ham after an injury to Kim Little, she'd score after 90 seconds with her first touch of the game.

This brought her to be called up by the lionesses, but she'd have to pull out due to a small injury. Fans believed the Jordan Nobbs Revenge Tour was well underway, Jordan would start the next 3 games, getting a good amount of minutes.

She'd make a league appearance as a substitute against Aston Villa, scoring Arsenals 500th WSL goal in a 4-1 win. She would make her final appearance for Arsenal in a Champions League group stage math against Zurich, she'd come on in the 62nd minute and play what fans didn't know was her last Arsenal match.

She'd come off the pitch crying, and this was all the fans needed to know, now they just had to wait for the inevitable.

On January 5th 2023, it was announced that Jordan would depart Arsenal after 12 years with the club. In an open letter, she wrote 'I’m leaving the love of my life behind and that’s something really quite scary for me. But I’ve got no regrets in my mind because it’s been the perfect fairytale and I’ve achieved everything I ever wanted to and a whole lot more. 270 appearances, 81 goals, three WSL titles, four FA Cups? Where did the time go? I think a 17-year-old Jordan would have been very happy with that. It’s very rare these days to stay at a club for such a long time, and quite simply, there’s no other club I would have rather done it at.'

Jordan's departure left a bitter taste in fans mouths, it was later revealed that she had tried to leave the club during the summer, but the club had asked her to stay. A few felt she had been mistreated by the club in the last few years, but Jordan knew that this was a decision she had to make for herself, and ultimately, her career. She was going to Australia in the summer no matter what.

She had a successful last half of the season with Aston Villa, with them having their highest finish in the WSL yet, 5th. Jordan would score 4 goals for them, a hattrick (her first ever) against Brighton, and then 1 against West Ham. She'd suffer a knock towards the end of the season, to which herself and the club thought it would be best to end her season there. She wasn't willing to risk jeporadising her spot on the World Cup squad.

On the 31st of May 2023, Sarina Weigman announced her 23 player squad that would go to the World Cup, Jordan's name would be on that list.

She had fought her way back onto the international stage, putting on exceptional performances at Aston Villa, after missing the last 2 major tournaments as well as the Olympics, Jordan felt rejuvanised.

'I'm still waking up now with the butterfly feeling. Everyone dreams of playing in major tournaments.'

As we now come to the end of the 23/24 season, Jordan has played 1375 minutes for Aston Villa this season, and started 16 games, Scoring 2 goals and getting 2 assists. She has been without injury all season, being one of the only Villa players to do so.

She's carved her name into WSL history books, she's the only player to score in every WSL season, she's never lost in a game where she's scored. She is the only player to make an appearance in every WSL season. She's also 2nd in the all time WSL appearance holders list. She has the highest number of wins with one club (Arsenal, 121)

Although she isn't the player she was once, she's had to slow down due to her injury issues and has had to adapt her playing style in an attempt to avoid injury, added on to the fact that she is 31 years old now, she's still full of energy and has been one of Villa's best players this season, playing out of position at DM.

It's hard to see her getting called up for England again, even as the curent longest serving Lioness, it felt like we only had her for a brief moment, and then she was gone.

Her career didn't go the way it was supposed to, one of the worlds best has been reduced to a classic case of a talent ruined by injuries, but she remains positive. She now enjoys her football again, getting consistent minutes and seeing out the final years of her career.

She leaves a legacy to be proud of, and i hope she is.

[sunshine-theseus]

Slow | Chloe Logarzo x Reader

Words: 1.9k Summary: despite a rough relationship with your parents, your closeness to your sister brings you Chloe, the only girl for you. Warning: NOT PROOF READ I have no clue if this is any good and I’m so sorry I think it might be one of my worst ones😭, I know the WBBL started in 2015 but who fucking cares, I changed it – no COVID but Olympics still postponed for some unknown reason :D Requested by - @charligrantismygirlfriend - not happy with this one at all i'm genuinely so sorry

Sport wasn’t something I was unfamiliar with. In fact, it was my favourite thing. As a kid, my mum and dad put me through many different clubs for different sports, from tennis to AFL. We always landed back at the same lush green cricket pitch in the western suburbs of Sydney on a Saturday morning, surrounded by other girls of all ages who shared my passion.

On Sundays my younger sister would play her soccer games, so we’d spend the weekend in a hotel in the city, then go to each other’s games, pretending to do our homework as we watch.

Not long into Ellie’s soccer journey, our parents decided the move from Cowra to Sydney was necessary for her to develop. The hours long trips to and from training in the depths of Sydney every afternoon proving to be more difficult as she progressed in school.

I no longer lived with them when they made the move, but I resented Ellie for a while. I’d been playing cricket before she could walk, albeit poorly as a 6-year-old, and had moved up through the stages into the best group in the academy by the age of 14. My parents insisted nothing much would come of it, so there was no reason to make such a drastic move and leave the farm and small-town life behind.

-

I started playing professionally for Sydney in the Twenty20 Cup at 17, the same year I got my first call-up for the women’s national cricket team. We, or they, still didn’t live in Sydney, so I dropped out of high school my senior year, and lived with one of the older girls who was also on the national team. I made my national debut a couple months after in a test match against England. My parents didn’t come, Ellie had some important game on that was simply impossible to miss.

-

At 15, when they finally joined me in the city, Ellie joined her first W-league team, and had her first senior team call-up. I made sure to be there for both debuts, avoiding my parents who sat in the crowd nearby. I cried the moment she first touched the pitch in a Matilda’s jersey, and rushed down from the stands to pick her up and hug her when the match was over.

That’s when I first met her… Chloe. My age, a beautiful brunette in the midfield who celebrated with my sister after their 9-0 win against Vietnam. We introduced ourselves and exchanged numbers but nothing much came of it. I can’t deny the many nights I spent awake dreaming of the girl.

The next time I saw Chloe in person was a Sydney Derby. Naturally I’d come to support my sister, but I couldn’t help but cheer whenever the older girl got a touch on the ball. I met up with her and Ellie again after the game, shouting them both dinner. That’s when Chloe asked me out on our first date.

It was somewhat rushed. Her departure for Newcastle was pending and it limited our options, leaving us to grab some shitty take away and dance around in a field down the road from where I lived. The sun was bright, but her smile was brighter. I stumble on my own feet whenever she looked at me, her beauty beyond compare. The beginning of a sunburn kissing my cheeks only provided me so much of an excuse as to why I was so red.

“I’m going to come to every single one of your games.” She whispers in my ear as we lay on the picnic blanket, beneath the over looming gum tree, me playing with her hair as she rests a hand beneath my loose linen shirt.

“You have your own training. And you can’t drive 2+ hours back and forth once a week. Also we have away games you can’t possibly make...” Despite my desperate want for her to be there every game, I begin to list all the reasons it wasn’t logical.

“I’ll find a way. And if not all, most home games.” She gives me a satisfied smile, one that tells me she knows she’s won whatever little argument we had.

-

Chloe keeps her promise, and I join her in my own. We both attend each other’s home games as often as possible, and very rarely, we managed to catch an away game. It usually happened when we were both playing a game in the same city, but we took whatever we were given.

Things went down hill when she moved to Sweden.

She hadn’t been the one to tell me. Ellie was spending a week with me after returning from the Olympics, which I had managed to attend most of, and asked me how I felt about the move. Chloe and I had been dating for a year, so the shock that she hadn’t told me was bigger than the shock at the news.

“What do you mean? She would tell me if she was moving to Sweden.” The pity in my little sister’s eyes is enough to break me. She pats and rubs my back as I sob into her shoulder. My whole body shakes as I moan and weep, and by the time I stop my eyes burn and there isn’t a dry spot on her shirt.

-

“So this is it? You’re breaking up with me because I’m moving?” Chloe looks at me like I’ve got 2 heads as I stand on her front step.

“No, I’m breaking up with you because I had to find out from my little sister, by accident, that you’re moving. Were you ever going to tell me? Or was I just going to have to find out when The Jets removed your name from the squad list?”

“I’m going to come back for the A-League season anyway! It’s not like I’m never coming back, I’ll barely be gone 8 months. And I was going to tell you!”

“When? Once your plane touched down in Stockholm or wherever you’re going? In 5 months when I called you so you can explain why you didn’t come to my game? When were you going to tell me Chlo?” I’m met with silence.

“That’s what I thought.” I turn and walk away, never expecting to see her again.

I can hear her shouting something at me as I continue to walk down the road, droplets of rain beginning to fall on the pavement in front of me. Nothing really registers until I’m standing in front of my sister’s apartment door, clothes heavy with rain and a face void of any other emotion except heartbreak.

-

I don’t see Chloe for years to come following the tragic end of our relationship. Despite her coming back during the summer to play for Sydney, I had no reason to watch her games, Ellie having moved to Portland to develop her career.

Then Ellie moved to Lyon, and I decided to move with her, putting a pause to my cricketing career. Further away from Chloe and closer to Ellie seemed like the perfect deal.

So I helped Ellie move and meet her new teammates. Every morning I’d make her breakfast and then walk around the city, usually finding myself in a café or museum and writing a book. Something I never planned on doing anything with, but found a solace in.

That’s how I found myself in the same café I go to every Saturday, typing in the same document I have been typing in for 5 months. Desperately pressing the backspace as I sip the now cold coffee, I don’t notice someone sliding into the seat across from me.

“Fancy seeing you here.” I’m surprised I didn’t get whiplash at the speed in which my head snapped up to look at the girl across from me.

She looks different. Not really, just… older. And her hair is bleached, skin just a fraction more tan, eyes still that shimmering blue. Still beautiful

“Chloe- what the fuck are you doing here?” the words nearly get caught in my throat as I try to process what’s going on.

“Well, I’m playing for Bristol now, in case you didn’t know. Only spent 2 seasons in Sweden then went back to Sydney, went on loan to Washington for a season, back to Sydney, now I’m in England. We have a small break so I thought I’d come see Ellie. Planned everything around you, knew you wouldn’t want to see me. I didn’t take into account you might still like coffee as much as you used to.”

“How’d you even know I’m with Ellie?” it’s a dumb question but I ask it none the less.

“You think I stopped tracking your career because we broke up? I have to say, when I read the “renowned cricketer Y/N Carpenter taking a break for an unforeseen amount of time to help her little sister, Matildas star Ellie Carpenter, settle into the big leagues at Olympique Lyonnais.” headlines, I was shocked.” I finally managed to meet her eyes, the crow’s feet that crack at the corners making her ever the more pretty. It’s aggravating.

“Thought it’d help me get away from Sydney.”

“Sydney? Or me?” I almost want to grab her by the shoulders and scream at her how much I miss her, but I stay sat and silent. A satisfied hum escapes her lips and a smile graces her face.

“I miss you.” She says what I’m thinking, and I begin to think how much of a coward I am. It was so easy for her, why am I struggling?

She doesn’t let me reply, getting up and walking out. I get up to follow her but she’s vanished in the crowd, so I sit, letting my coffee grow colder, thinking about her.

~~~~~

“Ellie this is a bad idea.”

“Common. Meeks is bringing Harley and Kirstey. You love Harley. You can babysit!” my little sister is determined, although my fighting is useless as we drag our suitcases through the airport.

“Chloe is going to be there El.”

“Chloe is going to be here.” I nearly bump into her as she stops in front of us.

“And she’ll be your plane buddy.” The cheeky grin I was once so familiar with graces her face and I can feel the corner of my own lips twitching as my heart clenches. Fuck.

“Oh goody.” I try to ignore the sweat that begins to prick through my skin as Ellie stalks away from us to meet Emily Gielnik.

-

“Real talk.” Chloe’s face is serious as soon as we take our seats on the plane.

“I miss you, and I want to try this again. I get you may not want to but you can’t tell me you don’t still feel even the tiniest bit of love for me still.” Her finger waggles back and forth between as to indicate exactly what she’s talking about and I sigh.

“I miss you too…” I meet her eyes and I can see the hope that grows behind them.

“But if we try this out again, we have to take it slow. Like go out on a few dates to start with.”

“I can do that.” She eagerly nods her head in agreement.

“I’d really like that.” I smile back at her, and that seems to end the conversation.

As the engine rumbles and we begin moving along the tarmac, I rest my arm on the armrest. I gently slide my hand into Chloe’s and rest my head on her shoulder, closing my eyes. Maybe slow wasn’t necessary, I love her too much.

[grealishy]

LOVER - Jack Grealish

summary - while visiting your best friend from high school, you run into and old friend, but things aren’t the same between you two.

pairing - jack grealish x fem!reader

warnings - slight uses of profanity, mentions of alcohol cunsumption

song inspo - lover, taylor swift

word count - 2k

this is my first fic and i hope you enjoy it!

I also have to make this multiple parts, so sorry about that!

can we always be this close, forever and ever?

after four long hours from London, you had finally arrived in Manchester. You stepped off the train and headed to the arrival area to meet your friend Maddie.

You and Maddie had been best friends since primary school, but ever since you moved to London three years ago, and Maddie living in Manchester since University, you had barley seen her, although you try to make time to see each other at least once a year, however every year she had come to London. This was your first year visiting her in Manchester, and you were eager to finally see Maddie.

After walking around the pick up area for a good 10 minutes, you finally see her car. Excitement fills your body and you can't help but rush over to her with an embarrassingly huge smile. As Maddie sees you run over she gets out of her car and spreads her arms out wide.

You two meet in a hug, both not wanting to let go. It had been so long since the two of you had been together.

"MADDIE!"

"Y/N!"

"It's been forever! How are you!"

"I'm good, how are you? How was the train ride? Good?"

"Yeah, it was really good. Although the breakfast sandwich I ordered really got me through it" You said with a chuckle.

Maddie helped you with your bags and brought them to the trunk of her car. Once you both got settled in the front seat, Maddie turned the radio on and she started driving to her place.

Once you pulled into the driveway to Maddie's house, you brought your things inside, being met with barks of her little toy poodle, jasper, and the smell of apple cinnamon from a candle that was burning. It was a warm type of feel, like a warm hug.

There was a Manchester City v Liverpool game on the tv which was fitting since Maddie was a HUGE Manchester City fan. You were a Chelsea fan since living in London, but all in all, you didn't keep up with football as much as you used to when you were still in school, however when you were an avid football watcher, Manchester City was naturally your team.

"OH! Y/N! I forgot to mention, I got us tickets for a Man City v Tottenham match on Friday! Should be a good game!"

"Oh my God! Thanks Mads! I'm sure it will be"

The two of you ordered Chinese food and sat down, watching the game carefully, getting frustrated with the ref, and cheering when possession would change back to City. Just as the game was coming to an end, your food had arrived.

"ANDDDDD...... END, 2-1 CITY!! LETS GOOO!" Maddie screamed, giving you a high five.

It was like you and her were never separated.

-

You and Maddie spent the whole week going shopping, eating out, and watching movies.

"Y/n, did you bring your City jersey? Because if not we NEED to get you one to wear to the game. And, I mean, I could lend you one of mine, but why not use this as an accuse to get another. In fact, I'll just buy you one!"

You both make your way to the Manchester City fan store and you are met with an overwhelming amount of light blue everything. Surrounded by numbers and standard blank jerseys, you look around picking out one you would wear for the game.

"How about Haaland? He's the best on the team I'd argue. Or, oh my God, you need a Grealish jersey!"

Jack Grealish. Star football player. Midfielder for Manchester City and England's national team. Who didn't know who Jack Grealish was.

The funny thing was that he was an old classmate of Maddie and Y/n, from primary school all the way to high school.

"Very funny Mads."

"No, I'm being serious. It's not every day that your best friend, after me of course, from school becomes a professional footballer who is loved across the nation and plays for one of the best teams in England! You need his Jersey Y/n, you two used to be so close!"

You fool your eyes. It's true, the two of you were close, but you live very different lives now and it's not like you are still friends with him.

"I'll just get the Haaland jersey Mads."

"If you say so."

-

"NEXT!"

You and Maddie step up to check into the match, excitement flooding your body. The energy at matches were always so electric.

As you were walking towards your seats, you realize that you keep walking, getting really close to the pitch.

"here." Maddie says. You are one row from the pitch, sitting on the end of the second row.

"Maddie, what the fuck."

"What?" she says cheekily.

"These seats are insane, I mean really fucking insane"

"Only the best for the best"

You hug her and take a seat.

Before you know it kick off is happening and the game starts. The stadium is rumbling from cheers of mainly Man City fans, and the energy is something that is like a drug. You catch a sort of high from the pure adrenaline.

The game stops for half-time and you are excited to see the players walk by as your seats are right near the tunnel to the locker rooms.

As the players walk by you are met with a familiar face.

It is none other than Mr. Jack Grealish. You make eye contact with him as he walks by. You don't think anything of it, until he does a double take and smiles widely. But that was just a friendly smile, right?

-

Was that? Can't be... Unless.. No, she lives in London... But it looked just like her...

"GREALISH! ARE YOU LISTENING BOY?! WE ARE DOWN ONE-NIL, FOCUS UP DAMMIT" Pep yells.

Pep finishes giving his speech, which was honestly more like screaming at the squad until they feel threatened enough to make a difference in their game, and Jack is eager to get back on the pitch, especially seeing a girl that looked a little too similar too his childhood best friend.

The boys run back onto the pitch, and Jack makes a point to look closely at the girl. Although she was preoccupied at admiring Tottenham's Son who was already on the field, Jack could tell that the girl was definitely his old friend, however he noticed that she had a sparkle to her, something he had never noticed before, or something she gained while in London. Whatever it was about her, Jack could tell that she was still the same. Same best friend, same hair, same style, and even the same winter coat. It was intriguing.

-

The final whistle blew, indicating the match was over. Cheer erupted in Etihad Stadium. Both you and Maddie snuggling together as you clapped and cheered.

Just as the two of you were about to leave you heard you name being called.

"Y/n! Y/l/n!"

You looked around to see Jack Grealish coming over to you. The surrounding fans tried getting the Midfielders attention, but he was only concerned with you.

"Hey, Y/n! It's Jack!"

You smiled at his recognition of you.

"I know. How are you Mr. Grealish? Great game today!"

He smile warmly at your slight teasing tone. You felt like you were talking to a close friend of yours, not a Manchester City player., even though technically, it was a friend.

"How about you meet me at The Pen and Pencil after for a drink, you too Maddie."

You agreed and said your goodbyes as he ran back to his team.

"Well would you look at that. Looks to me that double trouble is back"

"Shove off Maddie" You chuckled.

-

As you pulled up to the pub your stomach starts to turn. Yes, Jack was an old friend, yes, you two were extremely close, but he also looked more mature and handsome than he ever had before and you found yourself a little attracted to him. Maybe it was because you hadn't seen him in a while, or maybe it was because he was in his football kit that fit him ever so perfectly. Regardless of attraction, you were in Manchester to have a good time with your best friend and to let loose.

"Ay, you made it" Jack said as he noticed you walking through the door. He comes over to give you and Maddie little hugs.

"Can I get you a drink, it's on me of course!

"I'll take a Cider"

The three of you catch up, sort of getting to know each other all over again. It was a natural conversation, no awkwardness or silence. It was truly like high school days again.

within the next hour, Maddie was off with some guy flirting, leaving you and Jack by the bar, still talking.

"So, how's life in London. I feel like that should have been the first this I asked, but y'know, I got sidetracked with other topic of conversation."

"No, it's alright. And, I love it. I've been there for about three years now. Don't get me wrong, I really miss Birmingham, but there is just something about London that I am so drawn to, and I have never looked back since moving. I just feel at home there, y'know?"

"Yeah I feel the same way here in Manchester"

-

It was nearing 2 in the morning and you were getting tired, especially since you and Maddie had stayed up late the night before.

"I think I'm gonna find Maddie, I'm getting pretty tired."

"Alright then, I see you on your way out?"

You nodded and headed to find Maddie.

After searching for a solid 15 minutes you couldn't find her. It was a relatively small pub, but trying to find someone in a dark crowded pub was not the easiest. You soon came to the conclusion that Maddie wasn't here. You open your phone to see a text from her.

Maddie: Hey girl! So I met this cute guy and we are going out to this other pub. I was trying to give you the car keys so you could drive since I know you were only having one drink, but I couldn't find you. Anyways, I'll pay you back for a cab since I know you'll need one. The garage code is 1234. Sorry, luv u

crap.

"Find her?"

"She actually left.."

"Oh damn. You need a ride? I was thinking of leaving anyways, I could just drive you."

"You sure? I can always get a cab or an uber."

"No need to waste money, I can drive you, I only had one drink so I'll be fine."

Jack closed his tab and you both left the pub, getting into his car which was parked out front.

-

You were fighting the urge to fall asleep in the car, but your tiredness took over, and before you knew it you were at Maddies place, and Jack was waking you up.

"Hey, Y/n. We're here." He says as he nudges you awake.

"Oh, God, sorry, I didn't mean to fall asleep"

You get out of the car and straighten out your clothes before shutting the car door.

"Thanks Jack. I really appreciate it."

"Anytime. Before I leave though, how long are you staying in Manchester?"

"Um, I think a week more? Why"

"Here, give me your number, I want to hang out with you again before you go back to London."

You exchange numbers and Jack get back in his car to leave. He rolls the window down and gives you a wink before driving off.

-

You had just gotten changed and grabbed a granola bar and were just about to turn your light off to go to bed when your phone dings.

(0161)111-1111: Hey, it's Jack. You busy tomorrow afternoon? Was thinking we could go to this one local restaurant that is the BEST. What do you think?

PART 2 (coming soon)...

[pitchsidestories]

Just a little crush II Kim Little x Beattie!Reader

masterlist I word count: 3192

a/n: sorry, It's a lengthy one, but we hope you still enjoy it. ❤️

“Lee, who’s that girl talking to Jen?”, Kim Little asked Arsenal’s vice-captain while licking her lips nervously. They and some other family and friends gathered for a party to send Jen Beattie off who was going to California to join Bay FC.

There was something about that young woman standing next to her friend which was making her feel and think things the midfielder never did before, but she didn’t want to dwell on them any further as it would lead to much more questions and less clear answers.

Amused Leah Williamson raised her eyebrows:” Oh Kimmy, you don’t recognize her? It’s Jennis baby sister, she’s fresh out of Edinburgh University!”

“That’s not Jen’s sister! She looked so much younger last time.”, the Scottish woman shook her head in disbelief.

Still smiling the England captain replied: “Yes, it’s, she’s 25 now.”

“Oh wow.”, Kim muttered.

Noisily Beth Mead took part in their conversation:” Who are you two gossiping about? I want to know.”

“Jens little sis.”, Leah answered with a smug smile on her face.

“She turned into a real beauty, right?”, the blonde forward winked watching Kim turning red.

Much to her dismay the defender noticed it:” think our captain would agree with you.”

“Stop it.. I’m not.”, Kim explained slightly embarrassed.

“Having a little crush?”, Beth teased her teammate grinning.

Tuning in Steph Catley chirmed:” Oh Kim, that’s so cute.”

“I don’t have a crush.”, their captain disagreed. She felt relived when Jen came along distracting from the gossiping football players.

“Hi guys, remember my little sister?”, the tall Scottish defender asked.

Cheerful you greeted them:” Hi, everyone.”

“Hello great to see you again. Even though the reason is kind of sad.”, Beth responded with a sad smile.

Empathetically you nodded:” No, I agree but shamefully can’t wait to visit her soon in Cali.”

“You all act like I’m disappearing forever.”, your big sister laughed. Even though you knew the farewell felt equally as bittersweet to her.

Quickly Lia Wälti hugged her: “We can’t help how we’re feeling, Jen. It’s a big loss for us and a big win for Bay FC.”

“You girls are the sweetest.”, Jen whispered, she was so grateful for the friendships she made during her time at Arsenal.

Big eyed Steph Catley responded:” I’ll miss my favourite neighbour.”

“I’ll miss living next to you too, Steph.”, the defender answered truthfully.

This was the moment you found the time to talk to Kim directly to express your gratitude towards her:” Thanks for letting me stay at your place for a few weeks, Kim.”

“You’re welcome. Now that your sister can’t let you stay anymore.”, the older woman waved it off.

“I really appreciate it.”

With a small smile the midfielder told you in a reassuring tone:” You can stay as long as you want. Don’t worry about it.”

“I’m sure you’ll have a great time together.”, Jen intervened confidently.

You gave your sister a nod: “I’m sure we’ll.“

As the evening progressed, the atmosphere became more and more relaxed. You felt right at home with your sisters teammates who happily shared stories about Jen with and made sure your glass was never empty.

It was only after midnight that Kim appeared right in front of you, reaching out a hand towards you: “Come, I’ll get you home.“

“Now?“, you asked, surprised by how drunk you sounded already.

Kim just raised an eyebrow but did not comment on it: “Yes, it’s late.“

“Bye, Jen!“, you shouted across the room to your sister while Kim helped you into your coat.

With one swift motion, Jen came over and pulled you into a tight hug: “Bye, you two.“

Luckily, the way home in Kims car was short. You were by sleep and found it difficult to keep your eyes open. Once Kim led you into the guest room of her apartment, you let yourself fall onto the bed with a relieved sigh. Kims dog curled into a ball at your feet.

“This is really cozy.“, you mumbled, burying your face into the soft pillows.

Kim watched you from the doorway: “Glad you feel at home here.“

“Good night, Kim.“

The corners of her mouth quirked up as she closed the door behind her and you fell into a dreamless sleep.

You woke up early the next morning and decided to make coffee for yourself and Kim. The coffee was just done brewing as Kim came back from walking her dog. Beaming, you handed her a mug: “Morning, this one is for you.“

She gave you a surprised look first but then took the coffee from you: “Oh. Thank you.“

“You’re welcome. Also I hope I didn’t say anything weird when we went home last night.“, you said as you sat down at the kitchen table together. You took a sip of coffee to hide your reddening cheeks behind the cup.

“No. Like what?“, Kim asked inquiringly.

You decidedly ignored her question and only reacted to the first part: “Oh good.“

“You almost immediately fell asleep.“, she explained plainly.

Changing the topic, you suggested: “Do you like Pizza? When I’m done with my interview, I could get some on the way back.“

Finally, a small smile appeared on the football players face: “Sure, why not?“

“Okay, great.“

With a glance toward the kitchen clock, Kim announced: “I have to leave for training now. So, see you later?“

“Yes, see you.“, you smiled at her.

Just before Kim walked out, she paused for a moment: “Oh, wait.“

“Uhm, yes?“, you patiently looked at her as she walked back into the kitchen.

“I forgot to give you the keys.“, she said, carefully tossing them in you direction.

You caught them with a grin: “Right. Thank you, Kim.“

“See you later. Good luck with your interview.”, Kim replied.

You were almost at the door when you turned around to face her beaming with hopefulness: “Thanks. Have fun in training!”

During training Kim warmed up with Cloé Lacasse. The Canadian striker asked her curiously:” So you got yourself a roommate, Kim?”

“I was more or less assigned a roommate, Cloé. She was supposed to stay with Jen, but she decided to leave us.”, the Arsenal captain explained with a deep sigh.

With a mischievous smile on her lips Leah came to a stop right next to the older women: “The most important part is though that Kim has a Girl crush on said roommate.”

Annoyed by her comment Kim rolled her eyes at the defender:” I don’t have a girl crush, Leah.”

“Kim is straight too.”, the Canadian forward added.

“Right.”, the Scottish midfielder nodded. Although deep inside of her something didn’t sit right with it although it has been true for so many years at this point. Why did your presence make her question things she thought she knew about herself.

This didn’t impress Leah in the least: “You should have been there Cloé when they met at Jens Farewell Party.”

“Well, I can’t wait to hopefully meet her soon.”, Cloé answered politely.

Frustrated Kim intervened:” You guys are making a way too big deal out of it.”

“If you need to chat though we’re here for you, Kim.”, Beth offered warmly.

Stubbornly the Scottish woman shook her head: “I don’t need to chat. She’s just staring at my place.”

“Alright, just saying.”, the England forward mumbled.

“It’s not a big deal.”, her captain repeated in a serious tone which made obvious that she was done with talking for now.

Reading the signs Leah decided:” Let’s get back to training.”

Finally, Kim thought relieved as they started to move again, distracting from the whirlwind, which was currently inside of her, giving her a peace of mind for the moment.

In the early evening you returned to Kim’s place announcing cheerfully:” Hi, I got the pizza.”

“Thanks. How did your interview go?”, she wanted to know from you.

As you were setting up the table for dinner, you told her about it:” Not too bad, actually. They said my writing is promising but they asked me if I really want to stay focused on women’s football.”

Interested the Scottish woman looked up to you:” What did you say to them?”

“That I don’t want to change my focus, I love writing about women’s football and the culture surrounding it.”, you responded.

Proudly Kim remarked:” Your sister would have done the same in your position.”

“She would’ve, right?”, you asked her cautiously.

Kim nodded once with conviction: “Absolutely.“

“There’s still such a long way to go… although the recent success helped a bit.“, you thought out loud, a sad smile tugging on your lips.

“You don’t have to tell me.“, Kim replied with her gaze trained on the kitchen table.

You could sense that the football player felt a similar way about the topic. Your curiosity was piqued so you continued: “For you and Jen it must have been an amazing progress to live through.“

“Yes. We’re lucky to be part of this generation. Selling out stadiums is something that a few years ago we thought was impossible.“, she explained calmly.

You were reminded of your sisters first football games. She was not getting paid to play yet and the number of fans was ridiculously low compared to this season. You bit your lip: “Yes, I remember that too.“

“I appreciate that you want to keep focusing on womens football.“

Hearing her say that made your heart flutter for a brief moment. But you were also reminded how quickly the atmosphere had changed. You sighed and with all the enthusiasm you could muster, said: “We should eat the pizzas now before they get too cold.“

“You’re right.“

As you both sat down, taking the first slices of the pizza, you admitted: “But I do love talking about football with you.“

“We can continue at another time if you want.“, Kim suggested a little more relaxed.

“Yes, I’d like that very much.“

“Me too.“

“Great.“

Kim put her slice of pizza down and looked at you thoughtfully: “We’re playing at home on the weekend. You should come watch.“

“Yes, I’ll be there.“, you politely smiled back at her.

Kims focus had already shifted back to her pizza: “Great.“

 The stadium was starting to fill on the following Sunday while players walked out to warm up. You were engrossed in a conversation with your friend Emily who after a long time of convincing had finally agreed to come to the game with you. You completely missed that Cloe Lacasse walked out on the pitch with Kim and curiously nodded in your direction: “So that’s her?“

“Yes, that’s her.“, Kim replied, a frown on her face as she spotted you close to the field.

“Is that her girlfriend? The one who’s standing next to her?“, the Canadian wanted to know.

Kim shrugged and shook her head: “She didn’t say anything about a girlfriend.“

Still, her gaze lingered on the two of you for a little longer.

The game ended with an easy win for Arsenal. Apart from the goals of Cloe and Alessia Russo, Kim also converted a penalty. The atmosphere in the stadium after the game was great and you immediately felt at home. However, the mood between the players on the pitch was less elated.

Leah Williamson bumped her captain with her shoulder: “Kim? You’re even quieter than usual.“

“What? I’m just focused.“, the midfielder replied, pulling away from her teammate.

The younger player couldn’t ask any further as you hugged the Scottish woman and sung:” Kim, you had a fantastic game, Kim!” Seeing the England captain you added blushing:”Hi Lee.”

Smiling Leah couldn’t help but to notice the height difference between you two, you were almost as tall as Jen while your roommate was fairly small: “Our skipper was great, right?”

“Yes, she definitely was.”, with that said you let Kim down.

Much to your surprise she didn’t look happy despite the comfortable win:”Thanks.”

The midfielder didn’t say anything further instead she left the room and left you clueless. Puzzled you turned around to look at her teammate: “Well, that was a bit strange do you know what’s going on, Leah?”

“I think she’s a bit jealous.”, the blonde replied seriously.

Baffled by that you let out a shaky laugh:” Jealous? Kim?”

Leah grinned: “Yeah.”

“Why?”

“Because you brought your girlfriend.”, the defender replied, crossing her arms in front of her.

“My girlfriend? Emily is just a friend!”, you corrected her, shaking your head in disbelief.

Sceptical Leah rose an eyebrow at you:” Oh, is she?”

“Yes, wait, did Kim think that Em was my girlfriend?”, you questioned her.

Thoughtfully Leah responded:” Maybe.”

“I need to talk to her.”, you decided.

With an empathetic smile on her lips the blonde held you back: “Maybe not now.”

You listened to her advice, so you went back to Emily and brought her home before making your way slowly to Kim’s home. In your mind it already was yours too.

On her car ride home Jen phone called the Arsenal captain:” Hi mate, great game!”

“Thanks, Jen. How’s California?”, Kim asked her.

“It’s been really great so far., the defender sounded happily before turning more serious, but you texted that you needed to talk?”

Earnestly Kim told her: “Yes. About your sister. Did you know that she’s dating someone?”

“What? No, she’s single.”, she mumbled convinced.

“What do you mean? She brought someone to our game today?”, the midfielder frowned.

Quickly Jen explained: “Yes Emily, she’s just a friend of her, Kimmy.”

“Are you sure? They seemed close?”, Kim almost felt something like relief by her former teammates reply. Although she didn’t dare to trust the news yet.

“Kim, I’m sure of that besides Emily has a boyfriend.”, Jen chuckled.

“If you say so.”

“But you can ask my sister again. Kim are you jealous?”, the defender wanted to know from her friend.

Offended Kim scoffed at her:” Why would I be jealous? I was just wondering why she’d stay with me when she’s got a girlfriend here.”

“Now you know. I need to go to training, hope to hear from you soon, mate?” After a few goodbyes they ended the phone call and the Arsenal captain tried to focus on the drive instead of the turmoil which was inside her.

When the door closed behind Kim, you looked up from the food you were cooking. While the Arsenal players showered and debriefed at the stadium, you had hurried to get home and surprise your housemate with a freshly cooked dinner. “Kim? Hi, I started cooking…“, you greeted her.

The football player raised her eyebrows in surprise: “You’re already here?“

You nodded: “Yes, Emily had to go back to her boyfriend who has a bit of a cold. Otherwise we might have gone to a pub. Do you want a drink to celebrate the win?“

“No, thanks. I usually don’t drink after games.“, Kim answered plainly, putting her bag down next to the kitchen table.

You grimaced: “Oh, right. Sorry. So water?“

“Sure. What are you cooking?“, Kim asked, looking over your shoulder at the food while you poured two glasses of water.

You smiled while handing her one of the glasses: “Some pasta dish. It’s one of the few things I can cook.“

The football player nodded impressed and smirked slightly: “That’s more than your sister can cook.“

“That’s true.“

You both sat down to enjoy your home-cooked meal, talking about the game again even though Kim kept her answers short. You took the empty plates and set them down at the sink: “I guess I’ll let you sleep now.“

“You don’t have to. I can’t sleep yet anyway.“, Kim replied to your surprise.

You slowly turned back to her, biting down a nervous smile: “Okay but you know you can just ask me on a date instead of running away and sulking after the match, right?“

Her eyes widened in shock: “Wait, what are you talking about?“

“Leah said you were jealous because of Emily and you really don’t need to be.“, you shrugged, trying to keep the nonchalance in your voice.

“I wasn’t jealous.“, she protested.

You looked back at the dishes in the sink, waiting: “Good.“

“That’s ridiculous.“

“Kim…“, you started but when you looked back to her, she had already bridged the gap between you two and pressed her lips to yours. You gasped into the kiss: “What?“

“That was a mistake. I’m sorry.“, she sighed, shaking her head in a mix of confusion and guilt.

She wanted to turn away from you but you grabbed her wrist: “No, please, do it again.“

There was an urgency in your voice that made Kim search for your eyes: “Are you sure?“

“Yes.“

“But… okay.“

She kissed you again, more patiently now. This time you could savour the taste of her lips on yours and only then you realized that she had to stand on her tiptoes to reach you. You were so charmed by this that you could not stop yourself from smiling.

As you both pulled away, you could see an uncertainty in Kims eyes. It was definitely not the kiss, you could feel that you both enjoyed it. Another thougth raced through your head: “Am I your first woman? Don’t worry, we have time. When is your next free day? Maybe we could go to a restaurant.“

“I have tomorrow off.”, she told you straight away.

A relieved sigh escaped your mouth:” Perfect, with a smirk you continued, also, you’re not a bad kisser, captain.”

“I never said I was.”, Kim laughed, you could tell some weight fell off her shoulders.

“No just saying.”, you shrugged.

The midfielder put a loose string of hair behind her ear:” Thanks.”

A month later Kim and you had a video call with your sister. The first thing you told her was that you two became a couple. “You two are dating?! You better take good care of her little sis!”, Jen warned you in a jokingly tone.

“What?! Me?!”, you huffed.

Grinning the defender nodded: “Yes, you heard me.”

“Wow.”, you ran a free hand through your hair.

Meanwhile your girlfriend seemed to have ignored that part of the conversation as she reassured Jen:” Don’t worry, I’m taking good care of your sister.”

“I can already see that.”, your big sister observed amused.

“Jen, you’re a terrible big sister.”, you teased her.

“I’m the best big sister.”, she countered quickly.

“Sure.”, you rolled your eyes at her.

“Stop it you two.”, Kim demanded in her captain voice.

Smiling Jen answered:” No, get used to it, Kimmy. You’re part of the Beattie family now.”  

“Oh yes.”, you added, while giving the midfielder a kiss on her blushing cheek.

Coming to London to move in with one of your sister’s oldest friends was one of the best things that could had happen to you.

As for Kim she never knew she could fall for a woman until you came into her life, but the midfielder was very happy to have let her change her mind about that. Turned out you were more than just a little crush.

[adascore]

The Golden War

pairings: alexia putellas x lyonnais!reader

warnings: swearing. for culers the ‘22 uwcl final ig. jona is kinda mean in this.

author’s note: this is the same reader from my ‘one for the money, two for the show’ fic of the lionesses!captain. reader is basically ada hegerberg lolsies :) will be turned into a series.

masterlist

•••••

Turin, Italy - May, 2022

''The final has been dubbed as a duel between you and Alexia Putellas, do you experience it as that?''

The Lyon captain fought the urge to roll her eyes at the question, despite having expected it. ''It is a final between Barcelona and Lyon, nothing more than that.'' She answered, diplomatically- the way they had rehearsed it.

''Lyon is the underdog coming into this final- FC Barcelona has been unbeatable so far. What do you need to do in order to beat them tomorrow?'' Another reporter asked, a pen ready in his hand to take notes.

There was a slight change in her expression as the question left his lips, the man succeeding in poking through her stoic expression. ''Well, we have never lost to Barcelona- I don't know if you remember 3 years ago or even last year,''

Lyon had comfortably beaten the Spanish club in 2019. In that Champions League Final, Y/N had become the first player to score a hattrick in a UWCL final. Their last meeting had been in 2021, in the pre-season, where Lyon had won 3-2, the Lyon captain again putting one in the net.

''We have won this competition many times. There was football before Barcelona, and it was being played by us.''

Her last sentence of the quote had struck a nerve with the Barça captain.

''She acts like she has already won the whole thing.'' Alexia remarked as she read a transcript of the press conference.

Patri and Mapi glanced at one another, a knowing look in their eyes. ''Technically, there is nothing wrong about what she said, Ale. How many times has she won this competition now? 6? 7?'' The defender said, not having a problem with the opposition's words.

''She's just pissed that everyone is talking about us now.'' She ignored Mapi, continuing berating her opponent.

The rivalry between the captains of the two top teams had been something made up by the media, seeking a female counterpart to the famed Ronaldo-Messi rivalry. Both Alexia and Y/N led Europe's premier clubs, won the Champions League, captained their national teams, and earned the Ballon d'Or. This fueled incessant comparisons.

Alexia and Y/N hadn't given it much thought at first. There were also many differences between them; Alexia is a midfielder, while Y/N is a striker. Despite their similar ages, their careers took diverse paths. Alexia remained in the Spanish league, while Y/N gained experience across various countries.

Over time, an unexpected shift occurred. They began caring about each other's achievements. Yet, they knew the comparison wasn't fair.

Despite being younger, Y/N dominated women's football for longer, winning the Champions League seven times – twice with Wolfsburg and five times with Lyon. In contrast, Alexia secured one with Barcelona. Neither had won anything major with their national teams, though she had come close with England a few times. Furthermore, on the accolades side of things, Y/N led with a repertoire that most players could only dream of.

For a long time, it hadn't bothered Alexia. She had watched in admiration as the younger player became the first recipient of the Ballon d'Or, a huge step in women's football. Y/N's advocacy for the sport also didn't escape the Spanish player.

However, her admiration had turned into envy.

The turning point came in the 2019 final against Lyon. She had observed the way the English striker had celebrated with her entire team- how the Lyon squad immediately ran to her once the whistle blew and how Y/N bathed in all the (rightly deserved) glory. Alexia wanted that for herself. For years, Y/N had been the nail in Barcelona's coffin, scoring the goals that made sure they couldn't continue in the competition- in the captain's opinion, the striker had made a joke of her team for years, even if she didn't meant to do that.

Their interactions over the years were limited to polite handshakes before or after matches. Occasional encounters outside the pitch were rare and brief, seldom extending beyond a few sentences.

Alexia's surprise peaked when Y/N congratulated her on winning the Ballon d'Or through both private and public Instagram messages. Despite her reservations about comparisons and rivalry, receiving praise from someone she admired as one of the best in the game left Alexia with a positive feeling.

''No, I think she's just not a fan of being referred to as an underdog.'' Patri defended the Lyon striker.

This explanation didn't sit well with Alexia, evident from the displeasure on her face. ''Whatever,'' she retorted, looking forward to settling matters on the field that Saturday.

Saturday, May 21, 2022

Excitement, adrenaline, nerves, and tension permeated the tunnel of Juventus Stadium as Alexia, tightly gripping her pennant, stood at the front of her lined-up team, awaiting the opposing captain.

The sudden hush among the Barcelona team signaled the arrival of their counterpart. Turning around, Alexia frowned at her teammates' fascination with the approaching striker.

This is not the time to be fangirling, she thought to herself, as she saw most of her players' eyes following the striker's figure.

As the two top players faced each other, uncertainty lingered about whether they should exchange greetings. Y/N broke the silence, deciding to offer some acknowledgment. ''Hey, you alright?'' Her charming English accent filled the air.

''Yeah, and you?'' Alexia almost cringed at her own quick response, not giving her brain time to think.

''I‘ll see in about 90 minutes.'' The younger one grinned.

I'll wipe that smirk off your fucking face, Alexia said in her mind, not a fan of the confidence the striker was oozing.

Ten minutes later, the referee blew the whistle, signaling the start of the highly-anticipated final.

Lyon applied intense pressure right from the start, managing to create two goal-scoring opportunities within the first three minutes of the match.

However, the audience were offered their first initial glimpse of the rivalry in the 6th minute of the game.

Y/N positioned herself strategically, eyes fixed on her teammate readying a precise pass to her. The ball zipped across the pitch, and in a heartbeat, both Y/N and Alexia were locked onto winning it for themselves.

The striker, a master of timing, surged forward. Simultaneously, the midfielder closed in on the target. The collision was inevitable.

Both players fell with a thud, groaning at the contact with the ground. Despite the force of the clash, they both showed resilience as they wanted to use the momentum to their advantage.

They were momentarily entangled, fighting for control of the ball. It was a brief display of the rivalry that had brewed between them.

Y/N rose swiftly from the turf, eyes filled with determination. The collision had only fueled her competitive fire. With the ball firmly at her feet, she accelerated away from the mess, leaving Alexia behind.

The crowd erupted in gasps and cheers as Y/N, now in open space, scanned the field. Seizing the opportunity, she unleashed a powerful strike from well outside the box.

Time seemed to slow as the ball sailed towards the goal. Panos's desperate dive was in vain as the ball found the back of the net. The roar of the crowd echoed through the stadium, a symphony of cheers and applause for a goal that showcased the skills and spirit of the Lyon captain.

A fleeting scowl crossed Alexia's face, frustrated at the missed opportunity.

Y/N turned on her heels as the net rippled, ready to embrace her teammates who were rushing to her.

''Vamos!'' She roared, the Spanish word escaping her lips like a battle cry.

Yet, she found herself face-to-face not with the familiar sight of Lyon jerseys but with the intensity of Alexia's determined gaze.

Her expression froze for a quick second, confusion adorning her features. Y/N's eyes widened in realization, and for a brief instant, the two captains locked eyes in an unspoken exchange.

The celebration continued around them, teammates engulfing Y/N as they screamed with delight at their captain's prolific opener. The air was filled with jubilation, but within the chaos, the tension lingered between the two captains, adding an intriguing layer to the unfolding drama on the pitch.

The match unfolded further, Barcelona grabbing a few opportunities of their own, but not being clinical enough to score an equalizer. The Spanish squad remained calm, showing no signs of panic in their play, despite being behind.

Selma and Melvine played a great one-two with each other, and the young defender shot a beautiful cross towards the box. Anticipating the trajectory of the ball, Y/N skillfully pulled away from Leon, who undoubtedly had the impossible task of marking the striker.

The ball connected with Y/N's forehead, falling perfectly into the mesh. The scoreboard illuminated with Lyon 2, Barcelona 0. The narrative had shifted as the favorites stomped the ground in frustration, while the ''underdogs'' celebrated another goal from their captain.

The first half flew by. Y/N managed to assist Catarina to make it 3-0, but Alexia found the back of the net to get one back.

3-1.

The second half saw more scoring opportunities for Barcelona, but no one managed to finish the job.

After contact with Martens, Griedge cited experiencing a cramp and asked for treatment- a request that the Barcelona side was not having. Y/N, understanding the frustration of time-wasting, especially when behind in a match, stood aside.

However, the Lyon captain didn't appreciate the scolding she received from the opposition's coach. ''Tell your player to stop the comedy, what a shit job!'' Jonatan exclaimed to the English captain, who observed the scene from the sideline.

Y/N didn't budge, paying him no attention, knowing it was all tactics. She gave an unimpressed look toward the referee, who had been observing the one-sided interaction.

The official ran up to them, pulling a yellow card from her pocket and holding it in front of the manager. ''Step back, please. Don't talk to the opposition.'' she instructed him.

The match eventually resumed. In extra time, Paredes almost managed to pull off a header, but it went flying over the post.

In the last minute of the game, Y/N teamed up with Eugénie to score a last-minute beauty, but the volley slammed against the post.

The piercing sound of the referee's whistle resonated through the stadium, marking the conclusion of the final. Lyon emerged triumphant for a record-extending 8th time.

Overwhelmed by her own emotions, Y/N fell to the ground as the whistle echoed in her ears. It didn't take too long for her teammates to rush up to her, colliding in a chaos of hugs, kisses, and jubilant shouts.

They had done it again, proving once more why all the records were tied to their name.

''Y/N, you're a fucking legend!'' Lindsey yelled in her ear, kissing her cheek multiple times.

As her teammates slowly got up from their celebratory cuddle with the ground, they formed a protective circle around their captain. Hands reached out to help her rise from the grass, and she found herself enveloped in a symphony of gratitude.

Eventually, she shook off her glorious daze, a wide grin etched on her face.

Y/N turned her attention to the defeated Barcelona players, spread out across the field with tears and disappointment staining their cheeks. She approached them, offering a helping hand to those still on the ground and sharing comforting words. Acknowledging the effort they had brought, she assured them that they gave her team a greater fight than the scoreline implied.

Before the Lyon squad embarked on their victory lap to greet the traveling supporters, Y/N's gaze fell on a heartbreaking scene. Across the field, the Spanish captain, Alexia, was cradled in a comforting embrace by a Barcelona staff member as tears streamed down her face.

Y/N hesitated, caught in a ''should I or shouldn't I'' moment with herself.

She chose to make an attempt to resolve whatever tension had built up between them.

Tears glistened on Alexia's cheeks, a testament to the intensity of the match and the dreams left unfulfilled. The Barcelona staff member, offering solace in the face of defeat, glanced up as Y/N approached, and let go of her.

''Alexia,'' Y/N greeted her softly, putting her arm around the Spaniard, ''thank you for the great battle.'' She hadn't prepared what to say, because what do you say against someone you feel like you are supposed to hate? What do you say against someone you've been constantly compared to for over a year?

To the striker's surprise, Alexia reciprocated, feeling an arm on her lower-back. ''Congratulations, you deserved the win. You played phenomenal.'' The midfielder told her, a forced yet genuine small smile making a way onto her face.

''Don't let this hurt you. You are literally one of the best players I have played against- your team is amazing. Use this, like in 2019.'' Y/N advised her, not particularly caring if the opposing player would take it or not.

''We will. I hope we can play many more finals. You make me- you make us grow.'' Alexia stuttered.

Y/N nodded. ''I hope so too. It's been fascinating to see the growth you guys have made these last years.''

The stadium now bore witness to a quieter exchange between the two captains. Almost every camera lens and watchful eye fixated on them.

As Y/N and Alexia exchanged words of mutual respect, their moment of shared understanding was abruptly disrupted by the Barcelona coach.

''Congratulations on the win, Y/N.'' He acknowledged briskly, his gaze quickly turning toward Alexia. His extended hand to her seemed more like a formality, but Y/N accepted it.

Almost forcibly, he placed a hand on Alexia's shoulder, a non-verbal cue that spoke volumes. ''Come on.'' He declared, his tone leaving little room for negotiation and they were off to wherever he needed her to be.

Alexia casted an immediate glance back at Y/N, a mix of emotions played across her face- gratitude for the moment, and frustration at its abrupt end. She hadn't responded to her words yet.

As the Spaniard was led away, Y/N's eyes lingered on the departing figure, a tinge of melancholy in her gaze.

The brief encounter had sparked a momentary connection- a bridge attempting to break through the perceived rivalry and show praise for a strong opponent. However, Jonatan's swift intervention acted like a pair of scissors, cutting through the threads that held that connection.

In Y/N's mind, Alexia had seemed appreciative of the opportunity to have a genuine conversation. She figured there must have been a good reason for her to have been pulled away like that, especially by the head coach.

The Barcelona captain had reacted with a hint of irritation when her coach suggested to the Lyon player to remove her arm from Alexia's shoulder. She tried asking Jonatan why he had coaxed her away, but she didn't receive a proper answer.

The whole thing had left a bitter taste in her mouth. The potential for a more extended, sincere exchange was cut short, leaving Alexia with lingering frustration. There was a desire to understand Y/N beyond the competition, but it was cut short.

She hoped her last glance had worked as a silent acknowledgment of what could have been.

[cookies-sports]

England 2 - 1 South Africa

I found it tricky to get a good sense of how I wanted to word the performance on Tuesday. I don't know if it was because there were so many changes in the team that I expected there to be a lot of inconsistency (which is why changing so many of the starting 11 may not always be as useful as some people think), or whether it was just the lack of the team finding a solid rhythm... It was an odd one to watch.

South Africa were interesting to watch; I always enjoy watching international games where the opponent is a team who I haven't had the chance to see play often, either as a whole team or individual players. They have players in the SAFA Women's League, Liga MX Femenil, the Saudi Women's Premier League, the NWSL, and the Lithuanian A League, which aren't easy (or, in some cases possible at all) to watch in the UK. Some teams stream their matches to their own YouTube channels or Facebook pages, others have select games available for international viewing, some have no streaming at all from what I can tell.

When the camera panned around the stadium and you saw South African supporters out to cheer on the team, and then when you see clips from the end where the team go around to thank their fans, it is clear how important growing the visibility of all women's football globally is.

I know that England were the favourites for this game and there were low expectations for South Africa after the game against Denmark, where visa problems saw them missing multiple of their starting 11. However, the way some people talked about South Africa pre- and post-match really bothered me. I enjoyed watching them play, they have talented players, and I feel that for some the focus has been too much on what England didn't do and not what South Africa did do.

More below the cut.

Rather than go play-by-player, I've ended up with a few thoughts about some of them and left the others, then some additional thoughts outside of player-focused at the end.

Positive Game for Some Younger Players

For me, Clinton, Le Tissier, and Naz as some of the young players on the pitch had a good game and I definitely felt there was a lot more positive to say about them than critiques. Clinton has been widely praised; she was very strong, composed and mature in that midfield. She played roles in attack and defense and just seemed to work so hard. I would put her into the starting 11 conversation, and if not there yet then she should be getting 30, 40+ minutes in games.

Le Tissier was much more confident this time than the last game she started, getting an assist to Clinton's goal and having decent pace to get up and down that pitch. She showed good reading of the game for some long balls and her assist as well. She didn't do as well when she was moved over to the LB position to make way for Bronze, but still a reasonably decent 30 minutes out there. I would like to see her getting game-time as not just Bronze's back-up.

Naz often found herself surrounded by defenders as soon as she had the ball, but never seemed to be phased by it. She also passed in a very calm and well-timed assist in a busy eighteen-yard box for Williamson's goal. She did drift out onto the wings more than you might want for a striker, but that's likely due to her predominantly playing on the wing for Spurs, though she has played as a striker before. I liked seeing Naz and Hemp on the field at the same time during the Germany game and I would like to see how Hemp on the left wing and Naz on the right, with Russo or Beever-Jones in the striker position would go.

Earps Back in Goal this Game

Earps did fine in goal. There wasn't a lot for her to do, though when there was it was often with a dash of on-field chaos... She got momentarily squished under Clinton and Magaia, had to basically take out Morgan by claiming the ball from her feet in a slide, and came out for an important save when Bright made a defensive error shortly after coming on.

With the conceded goal, as I predicted would happen in the long post I wrote before, some fans of Hampton have already claimed she would have saved it, just like fans of Earps said she would have saved the goals Hampton conceded. The second Germany goal and the South African goal had some similarities in lead-up and execution. For Gwinn's goal, Hampton chose to stay back; for Kgatlana's goal, Earps chose to close down the angle. Hampton was criticised for not closing down the angle; Earps was criticised for being so far forward. Can't win, can they, goalkeepers? Maybe if each of them had chose to do the opposite, they would have saved them, maybe not. Who knows.

Anyway, I think it makes sense to put your experienced goalkeeper on the pitch when there are many younger, less experience players on the field.

Williamson...an odd game

I feel like Williamson's overall performance has been overshadowed by her first goal (for her fans) or her passing error leading to England conceding (for her detractors). She was better than she was against Germany, with some confident challenges and blocks, and pressing players back defensively more deliberately than the other game. Her pace, however, is still off and it was her mispass error that led to the goal, which seemed to shake her a bit.

Could be still coming back from her ACL, could be some mental component to it, could be struggling to refind form, could be so many things. Only time will tell, I guess. I think she wasn't as bad as her detractors claim, and she wasn't as good as her fans claim. What I think is clear, though, especially with the how Bright got outpaced when she came on as well is that the Bright-Williamson pairing shouldn't continue.

At times physical (and occasionally chaotic) game, Stanway did not stay out of the duels as Wiegman asked them to!

I actually think Stanway got more of a knock than first realised during one heavy collision; she was limping afterwards and seemed to make more mistakes. I thought she would get subbed out, but she played the full 90.

It was a physical and fast-paced game; which I think is an important learning experience, especially for young players. Football is a physical sport and you will get clattered, and you've got to learn to keep your head, keep your composure, and not let it rattle you. Some of them have experienced it at the domestic level, but experiencing it at international level can be very different. Good learning opportunity and I think the younger players coped quite well.

Not many yellow cards. That said, one could have been a red since it looked to be quite a reckless challenge on Russo that connected with her achilles, which I've seen players sent off for many times before.

South Africa making England's back-line panic!

Kgatlana is a brilliant player to watch, isn't she? She gave the England defenders so many problems and was just everywhere in the attack when they got into England's third. The players sat behind her in an attacking role, Magaia and the Cesane twins, also had their fair share of opportunities to drive forward and sow panic amongst the England players.

When South Africa got on the attack or the counter-attack (via some well-placed long balls for some of them from the defense and midfield) they looked promising. A bit more work on composure in finishing and they will have a strong counter-attacking threat.

Also, it's not easy to be a goalkeeper coming on halfway through a game, but Dlamini had a composed time in front of goal when she had to sub in for Swart at half-time.

Commentary on South Africa

Because all my social media feeds have women's football in the algorithm, and the England team specifically, I get a lot of stuff coming up from all kinds of people interested in women's sport. Sometimes, I see opinions that lead to me hitting the block button and wishing I could hit it a few times more. I really didn't like the tone of some after this game.

There was mockery of the South African players for going down after making or being on the receiving end of tackles, and of the South African medical team when they came on and off the pitch. Now there were a fair few collisions and heavy tackles; as I said, it was a physical game, and the South African players often came off worse than the England players, leading to their medical/physio staff having to come on the pitch.

Some of the comments, however, really felt like they were coming from a nasty, Anglo-centric perspective, and there were absolutely some that were just racist or xenophobic. The latter were predominantly on TikTok, which can be just as much of a cesspit as Twitter.

Related to that and some of the comments, I think some fans of women's football do not consider that there are many barriers and fewer resources for a lot of women's football teams around the world. While women footballers in England still face barriers, mistreatment and other issues that impact their equal access to the game, many of them (and especially those playing in the WSL) are in a much more privileged position than many players worldwide. There was a report released recently exploring this with players from a number of countries. Thinking about this and acknowledging it also doesn't mean downplaying the talent or the performances of players in those teams; it's simply understanding how much of impact different barriers have.

Commentary on Naz vs Beever-Jones

Now I understand that some people were frustrated that Beever-Jones did not get minutes this international window. What I don't understand is why, for some, Jess Naz is being dragged into this. Some people have claimed she doesn't deserve to start over Beever-Jones, that she's not a particularly good player, their various stats have been dragged into it from last season, some are claiming Naz is "over-hyped" (Where? From a quick search, she certainly doesn't have more articles about her than Beever-Jones, nor more social media commentary, so it can't be a direct comparison they're going for), and all kinds of other stuff.

Naz is a decent player and deserved her opportunity to start. I think she has shown positive play and promise every time she's come on for England. Naz being on the pitch does not prevent Beever-Jones being on the pitch; they can both play multiple positions. As I said above, you could try Naz on the wing and Beever-Jones central. If people are unhappy about Beever-Jones not playing, I understand directing criticism towards Wiegman or the tactics, but I don't understand why Naz has been dragged into this.

I've also seen a few people suggest Beever-Jones needs to start refusing England call-ups or be allowed to stay at club if she's always going to be left on the bench? She's been called up twice so far, both this year. May 2024 was her first senior call-up and we're in November 2024, with two international windows. I don't think any disappointment she may or may not be feeling is quite at the point yet of refusing to join the squad... If she keeps not getting minutes, sure, but it's a little dramatic right now. That said, men's football also has some of this kind of dramatic commentary, too, so presumably it's a fandom meets sports thing.

Anyway, I enjoyed the game. Didn't like some of the external commentary. Glad we got to watch South Africa play, and now I need to choose my fantasy WSL team before I forget... trying to figure out who took knocks on international duty.