#it's a 4-0 for today's matches just now

[adore-gregor]

ugh there it goes

[hellodropbear]

like she used to (III)

alexia putellas x sister

chapter I, II

edited this in 25 minutes and now I am going to bed... but alexia debut in here today :)

~~~~~~

I sat in the back of the car as Ingrid drove Mapi and me to Johan the next morning. The car was silent, my eyes focussed out the window, hyperaware of the glances that both defenders threw back at me every so often.

Mapi is worried about me. That much I can tell, but I don't know why Ingrid, who I've barely spoken to, seems to think the world is coming to an end. She was in the room this morning when Mapi told me that Mami had called to say that she would see me there. I don't think the tension in the room was hard for the Norwegian to identify. Or it could have been Mapi's wide eyes staring at me that made her think something was wrong. 

Alba is also coming to watch this game even though I told her I wouldn't be playing.

"you are part of the first team for the first time ever, hermanita! It is exciting just to watch you warm up."

I had rolled my eyes as she pulled me into a hug that day, but I appreciated it either way.

Ingrid led me to the changing rooms as Mapi made her way into the stands with some of the other injured players. My locker is beside Aitana's and she beams up at me when she spots me. I thank Ingrid quickly and make my over to Aitana and into her open arms.

"You ready?"

I nod, a smile on my face. For the first time in a long time, I do not think about my sister or what she would say, what her opinion would be. It is hard to grasp the idea that my dreams are maybe becoming a reality. 

E. Putellas 29

It is a dream that I have had for a long time, to have my name on a blaugrana shirt, to be in this very position. It is something I have wanted since I could kick a ball, since I watched my sister do the same thing all those years ago.

They had asked me what name I wanted on the back of my jersey. Because Alexia just had her first name, I could take the last name without the E but Mami said to keep the E. I think she wanted me to just use my first name as well but that is for Alexia. I am only new to this, I thought.

I will not play today, Jonatan told me, but he said he wants me to be a sub in a game with lower pressure after I've spent a few games on the bench and trained with the team for more than a week.

Despite this, Mami and Alba are sat in the audience, between a bunch of relatives and family friends.

A red flush creeps onto my cheeks as I hear them all cheering when I run out of the tunnel to start the warm up. Aitana's arm is around my shoulders and she gives me an extra tight squeeze before winking at me and releasing me from her hold.

I know I will be sitting on the bench for the whole game but just warming up with the team is exciting. The cheering from the audience during the warm up is ten times louder than any crowd I've played in front of, even in the most stressful part of a match.

I try to shrug off the goosebumps that creep over my arms as I take in my surroundings. It is surreal and I think I am in a state of disbelief when Patri approaches me.

"You ok, pequena?"

"I'm good." I look at her as she places a hand on my shoulder. "This is just big."

"I get it. You are very young. You should be very proud of yourself, Elena. You a right, this is a big thing. A huge thing. We are all very proud, remember that."

She squeezes my shoulder before letting go.

"Now get to warming up, stop drifting off with the fairies!"

~~~~~~

It only took Barcelona 5 minutes to establish their dominance through an early Salma goal and by half time they were already up by 4 to 0.

The second half started and by the end of the match we were up by 8 with a decent scoreline of 9-1. Patri pulled me off the bench to go on the rounds to all the opposition and the fans. I have seen this happen so many times that it still feels surreal to be experiencing it.

"Where is your sister?"

Patri's whisper is meant to be harmless but her words are like ice water down my back and my stomach flips inside out. She continues when I shrug my shoulders.

"I saw her earlier with Olga, she's probably sat with the other injured girls."

At the mention of the girlfriend I have not met, I resist the urge to throw up, saying goodbye to Patri and heading over to where my family was in the stands.

My whole family tells me how proud they are and I think Mami takes about a thousand pictures of me and Alba and gets Alba to take some of me and her as well. I am grateful that she ignores Alexia's absence but that does not mean any of us are happy about it.

Mami is frustrated, angry maybe and that is evident in the way she scans the stadium every few minutes and shakes her head or releases disappointed sighs every once in a while.

Alba is sad and it is obvious because she makes no effort to hide the tears that brim in her eyes behind her smile. She tells me it is proud but I know when she looks longingly over to where Alexia should be standing beside me that she is just as upset as I am.

I am offended but I do my best to hide my emotions. I try to be as happy as I can because I am somewhat exhilarated from the experience despite sitting on the bench for the full 90 minutes.

Keira and Ona were being rested for the whole match and it turns out that Keira is hilarious and Ona can provide the best commentary on any match. They are a good pairing and I enjoyed making fun of Keira as she struggled to keep up with our (very slow) Spanish.

I am definitely looking forward to playing at some point. The thought makes me so incredibly nervous but I don't think there will be a better feeling than finally stepping out onto that field with my name on my back and representing my childhood club.

Mami holds me in her arms after she's satisfied with the pictures and I feel a tear drop onto my head.

"I am so proud of you, nina, you have made me proud from the day you were born and you will continue forever. This is just the start of everything. Papi is looking down on us right now with pride too, he's telling all his friends that you are his baby bear and that he taught you everything you know."

I sniffle in her arms.

"Thank you for everything you have done for me Mami, I would be nothing if not for you."

"Oh, hija, I love you."

"I love you too."

Alba throws herself into the hug and proclaims it is now a group hug. Mami chuckles and extends one of her arms around her.

"Mi hermanita is all grown up!" Alba cheers quietly so only me and Mami can hear. "15 years old and in the first team, a record?"

"Only a record when I leave the bench, Alba." I whack the back of her head with my hand and she recoils from the hug in mock annoyance.

"I should go, Mami, I'll meet you out the front?"

She nods and I kiss her cheek before wandering back to the changing rooms.

I am surprised when they are empty but the sound of the showers tells me that I will not be alone for long.

It is supposed to be a happy feeling, but I can not help but feel alone in this room, full of the belongings of people who are older than me, more experienced, skilled. People who know my sister better than I do.

People who will always look up to La Reina. Who will always hang off her every word.

I wish that was me still because if it was, I would not be alone in this locker room right now, I would be celebrating with my sister.

But she is nowhere to be found.

She didn't even say hello to me, she didn't say congratulations, she didn't even acknowledge my existence. It hurts me more than I care to admit, but maybe that is what she meant when she said I was weak.

I wipe the tears out of my eyes before they spill and it is good timing because a whole group of girls walk into the locker room at the same time that Ingrid and Frido return from their showers.

"Our pequena!" Marta cheers when she sees me in my cubby and paces over to pick me up. "You are one of us now, welcome to Barca!"

Everyone cheers and a big smile takes over my face as I am thrown amongst the group of people, being hugged and patted on the back, loud yells in Spanish bouncing round the room.

Aitana holds me for longer than everyone else and whispers her congratulations in my ear.

"You need a lift home today?"

I shake my head and smile.

"Mami and Alba are taking me out to dinner."

Aitana nods and begins talking about how exciting it is that I have finally been introduced to the first team and how I have grown up and I zone out and scan the room.

The loud chatter is a far cry from the near silence that engulfed the room five minutes ago.

I spot Mapi in the corner of the room speaking animatedly to Ingrid.

Frido is also there, laughing with Caro and Marta

Jana is beside Bruna, a giddy smile on her face as they chat to Esmee.

That can only mean one thing, Alexia is somewhere in here but I do not want to speak to her. I do not want to see her and I do not want her to see me. I excuse myself from Aitana to quickly grab my change of clothes and I go over to the showers, spending the longest possible time rinsing myself and washing my hair and an even longer time drying myself and getting changed.

I spend a humiliating amount of time in the stall but I do not hear anyone else come into the bathroom so I don't really think anyone had noticed.

If I had known what was been waiting for me when I opened the door of my stall I probably wouldn't have opened it.

Because the bleached blonde hair was the first thing I clocked, but her confidence oozed out of her as she leant against the wall, her arms crossed, her head resting against the blue paint like she was bored.

I don't say anything when I see her, trying my luck by just walking straight past her but her hand reaches out and stops me from leaving.

"No, Elena, don't run away from me."

"What do you want from me, Alexia?"

She let out an exhale and her features softened slightly. I look down at her feet, willing myself to not make eye contact.

"Why did I find out you had joined my team through a post on Instagram?"

I roll my eyes and shrug my shoulders, making an unintelligible sound that tells her that I do not know and I do not care. I try to leave again but she just stops me again.

"Why do I not know anything about you anymore? Why did Mapi find you in the middle of the park near her house last night when you should have been in bed like Mami thought?"

At least Mapi didn't say anything. I was worried, she is terrible at keeping secrets.

I just scoff because I don't know how else to react to the irony.

"Where is your girlfriend?"

She sighs.

"Olga is in the changing room with the others. You can meet her if you would like."

"I do not want to meet her."

"Then why did you ask?"

"I just wanted to confirm it wasn't just another one of Alba's rumours. You never told me."

I am proud that my voice doesn't falter, that it doesn't break. It is calm, level, despite the emotions that are raging inside of me.

"And whose fault is that?"

I roll my eyes but I avoid saying anything. She hesitated before continuing.

"We were best friends Elena, what even happened? Why did you stop talking to me, why did you start skipping our thursday night dinners?"

I scoff as she tries to make eye contact.

"I am not having this conversation now, Alexia. This is supposed to be a happy day but you are ruining it. You don't remember, that is the problem."

"I should be part of this day with you. I am your captain now."

I hold back a laugh.

"yes, captain, anything you say captain." I salute her weakly and turn around to leave, pushing past her outstretched arm.

Mapi looks at me cautiously as I walk back into the changing rooms but she is chatting with Olga and I do not want to have any interaction with her. I wave goodbye to her and Ingrid and say goodbye to a few of the others.

"What did she say?" Aitana had walked out with me and had apparently seen Alexia enter the showers earlier as well.

"That she is my captain now." I don't think I will ever forget her coldness.

"She is also your sister, Lena, she must be proud?"

If she is she has not shown it.

"She is my captain before she is my sister." My voice is monotone and I stare straight ahead of me. "Football always comes before family. It always has for Alexia."

Aitana shakes her head.

"It should not, it is not healthy."

I can't help but agree with the midfielder beside me.

~~~~~~

Dinner with Mami and Alba is nice, although I shouldn't have expected the topic of my oldest sister to be completely neglected the whole evening. Thankfully, she waits until we are all in the car driving home to bring it up.

"Your sister should have been there today, Elena." She makes eye contact with me through the rear view mirror and I look away.

"There are many things she should have done but didn't." I mumble quietly so Mami can't hear me, but Alba does and she looks back at me weirdly.

"Alexia said she was going to talk to you, she told us how proud she was and I said that you would want to hear her say it to you."

"She's... proud of me?" My voice is soft and I can see my mother's eyebrows furrow in the mirror.

"Of course she is, you are her baby sister and you have just joined her team. She was upset that you didn't tell her and I don't think she really understood why but, Lena, she was practically crying. She is a very proud big sister. I told her to come with us tonight and she seemed keen, said she would meet you in the changerooms and come out with you."

"Why does she tell you all this but when she talks to me she is so cold?" My voice is barely a whisper yet both Mami and Alba hear me loud and clear.

"She went to meet you in the dressing room, she was excited for you to meet Olga and Olga was excited as well. What did she say to you?" Mami frowns, her eyes flickering over to Alba who also had creases in her forehead.

I shrug.

"She asked me why I didn't tell her that I had joined, why she doesn't know anything about my life anymore. She said she was my captain, she should be part of my life. I think she meant my football life, not my actual one."

"What makes you say that?" Alba is the one who speaks because Mami looks devastated.

I look around dramatically. "If she wanted to be part of my actual life she would be here right now, no?"

Alba runs her hands over her face in frustration but I don't think she is frustrated at me. Just the situation. I think it has upset Alba more than anyone else and I feel guilty.

"Sorry." 

"No, hermanita, this is not your fault, I just don't understand what is going through Alexia's head."

"It's ok, Alba, Mami. I don't mind. Really, I don't."

Mami just shakes her head. She is not happy and she clearly does mind.

"No, you and your sister need to sort this out, pequena, I simply cannot stand it any more. You will be home for dinner this Thursday and you will talk about it."

"But I have train-" I am interrupted.

"No you do not, you are not playing with the B team at the moment, don't be ridiculous. You will be there and we will discuss it then. We also need to discuss what we are going to do about your school."

I groan, although the change in topic is appreciated.

"Mami! I don't want to have to go back to school because I'd rather do this." She sighs and I roll my eyes.

"La Masia has made an arrangement that will allow you to continue your classes there but your days will be rearranged. You will go to training with the first team until 2, then you will go over to La Masia and do your school classes with your peers there. They will get you a tutor to study with you in the evenings when training usually is to make up for the school you missed in the morning."

Unfortunately, Mami has always been adamant that we get a good education despite mine and Alexia's obsessions with football.

I was quick to get out of the car when we arrived home, having dropped Alba off at her apartment on the way back. I went up to my room quickly, changing into my pajamas and heading to bed quite quickly.

Mami called out to tell me that she was going to see Alexia before bed, so I sat on my phone for a while, the doors locked and my lights switched off.

But my phone was plugged in and my eyes were closed when a soft fist hit my door twice. Thinking it was just mami, I called for her to enter.

But when I registered that bleach blonde hair for the second time that day, all I felt was regret.

"I am tired, Alexia. Please, just let me sleep."

"Elena, please." I hadn't noticed the tears that dripped down her face, the slump in her usual perfect posture. Her voice cracked when she said my name. "I miss you."

"Alexia. It has been a long day, I am tired, I want to sleep. Please, Alexia. Let me sleep." I am acting immature but I am tired, and I don't want to have this conversation now.

She let out a soft exhale, stepping towards me and placing a kiss on the side of my head that is exposed to the air.

I try to ignore the warm shivers it sends down my spine, it has been so long since she did that; since she did something she used to do every night.

She walks slowly back to the door, stopping as she reaches it and resting her hand on the door handle.

"Mami says you don't think I am proud of you. It is not true. I am so proud of you and I love you, pequena. But I don't think you need me anymore, I think you're fine without me. I am sorry, Elena. I am sorry for not being there for you when I should have been, but I will take a step back. I am so proud of you."

She pushed down the door handle and was gone just as quickly as she came and I resisted the urge to call out and tell her she had got it all wrong. I want her to take a step forward, she has already taken a step back. She has already taken 50 steps back.

I need her. More than anything.

But I can't rely on her. I can not be weak in front of her.

I am a Putellas. I can not be weak.

She has to be right. I am fine without her.

~~~~~~

She is still home when I walk downstairs in the morning, her eyes puffy and hair a mess as she sits on the kitchen table with a coffee. My sigh alerts her to my presence but I turn my back on her as soon as I enter the kitchen.

"Elena, please." I don't know how I changed my sister from a leader to a beggar, but today is not the day to ask when that happened.

I pour myself a bowl of cereal silently and head straight back upstairs, locking my bedroom door and eating my breakfast before sitting down on the piano stall, my fingers immediately jumping onto the keys, improvising and experimenting with new notes, chords and rhythms.

I don't know what Mami said to Alexia when she visited last night, but to be quite honest I don't want to know. I just need to keep being ok without my older sister, no matter how much I miss her. She said I should be fine without her, so I will be.

For some reason, I neglect to consider the other words she said.

"I miss you."

"I am so proud of you."

"I love you."

I think I ignore those statements because I can't seem to grasp their validity. If she missed me, she would have seen me; she would have come to my games. If she was proud of me I would already know, she would have told me like Mami had, like Alba had. Like everyone else who is proud of me has.

If she loved me... If she loved me she would be my older sister again.

I miss her, I am proud of her and I love her. It is true and I have never once doubted those emotions.

But it feels like she is just saying what she wants me to hear. What Mami said that she should say to me. I don't think she actually means it.

How could someone who loves me tell me that I am weak?

How could someone who is proud of me tell me that she doesn't want me to achieve my dreams, that she never wants to share a shirt because I am haven't had to work for it?

I don't understand how it could be true, both things at the same time.

I curse at the tear that spills out of my eye, rubbing it away aggressively and shaking my head at myself. No. I can not be weak. Not today, not ever.

My sisters words from today, from yesterday, from three years ago spin in my mind and my fingers become more and more aggressive on the keys of my piano, my song increasing in intensity; reflecting my emotions in the only way I know how. The keys are my home, the notes are my head and the song is my heart. 

Though sometimes the song sounds broken, like right now when there is so much going on. So many chords, rhythms. Increasing speed, increasing volume. My fingers moving at a million miles an hour, barely hitting one key before moving to the next. 

There is so much going on that it is overwhelming, so much going on that it could just explode. Into a million pieces. So many pieces that it would be futile to even try and put them back together.

It does that sometimes, and I have to fall back down to the softness and calmness of the easy rhythms, easily sailing away from the broken song like it never even existed. 

But it always existed, and it's remains will always be there at the bottom of the sea, haunting me, threatening to re-emerge. 

I realise I have been grieving my sister like she has died. I grieve the death of our relationship and how it has changed so quickly and so aggressively. I miss her more than anything, but the thought of what it used to be is overwhelming, it fills me with dread, with complete sadness. 

Those notes that exploded so long ago, still lying dormant somewhere, never gone, never forgotten. There are so many of them, I just wish she would help me pick them up.

My song has already exploded, so I resort to playing soft chords, tears now spilling from my eyes in a continuous stream. There are too many to wipe away and I know that my eyes will be red and my cheeks puffy when I eventually do. I have lost my sister in a way that is almost impossible to comprehend.

Because Alexia isn't dead, and somehow that makes her distance so much harder to understand, so much more hurtful.

She isn't dead, she has just decided she does not want to be a part of my life any more.

The song comes to a conclusion, and my fingers rest on the keys, my eyes staring ahead at the empty stand in front of me, trying their very best to not slip upwards towards the picture that I know hangs directly above it.

The picture of me and my family the day I was born, held in Alexia's arms as Alba tried her best to share me, both of them sitting beside Mami in bed as Papi watched on with a proud smile.

I would go back to that day in an instant if I was given the opportunity.

~~~~~~

I don't go back downstairs until I hear the front door close and Alexia's car drive away. I give it a few minutes before I actually leave the safe haven that my bedroom has become, ignoring Mami's watchful eyes as I slump onto the sofa, using the remote to switch on the tv.

I only watch it for five minutes before my mother switches it off, standing by the door and looking directly at me.

"She is confused, Elena. She doesn't know why this has all happened but she is angry with herself for not being there for you more."

I roll my eyes. Of course she doesn't remember.

"Maybe she should use her brain. Maybe she should just think."

Mami shakes her head at me, it could be in frustration, maybe disappointment. I still do not look at her.

"Maybe you could just talk to her! She doesn't know how to love you when you won't let her. She wanted you to meet Olga yesterday, but you left. She wanted to speak to you last night or this morning but you ignored her."

"But Mami, it is not my fault! It should not be up to me to fix what she has broken."

"She is trying, Elena, and at the moment that is what matters. This just can not go on, you are in the same family, the same football team! Mapi spoke to me yesterday, you know. She was practically crying, Elena, it's effecting even her."

"I never should have opened my mouth to her. Now she has involved herself in something that is not her business." My voice is poisonous and my words aggressive. I know Mapi would be heartbroken if she could hear this, she always has tried so hard to do what is best. Especially when it was about me.

I love Mapi, I always have. She never thought I did because I never gravitated towards her at training when I was little, but that was just because I thought she was another sister - she was like Alexia, always around.

When I was 11, maybe, I didn't realise how upset she got about me 'not liking her', and I had made a joke about never hanging around with Mapi. It was when she left the room that Alexia pulled me to the side harshly.

"Even if you don't like her, Elena, you have to pretend! She is my best friend and she loves you so much."

I remember looking at her with my mouth agape - I love Mapi, I always did. I was confused, it was a meaningless joke - a version of a joke I made all the time to Alexia.

Alexia didn't need to tell me to go talk to her, but I didn't know what to say when I walked out the door and found her sitting down with her back to the wall, tears pouring down her face. I explained everything and she apologised for being dramatic.

Since then, we have gotten along well and I have tried to spend time with her when I can.

It has been harder in the last couple years when I have fallen out with Alexia. They are best friends, I don't want to get in the way of that.

Mami's anger brings me right back to reality.

"That is enough, Elena! Maria only wants to help, but she can't, nobody can do anything except you and Alexia."

I resist rolling my eyes, instead releasing a huff of air.

"I'll think about it." 

My arms are folded and I turn back towards the blank screen, ignoring the way Mami sighs and walks away. 

It is only when I hear her door close that I let my angry facade crumble, my body shaking as I resist the tears. 

I need to stop crying. 

Alexia thinks I am strong enough to do everything by myself.

I need to prove to her that I can. 

Maybe then she will tell me she is proud of me. 

~~~~~~

this is pretty much all the prewritten stuff i have, will write more soon once my exams are done

let me know if there's anything you want to see in the next parts

part IV

[wileys-russo]

Mary Earps, "will you marry me"..."we're already married", nightclub/party/some sort of night out

marry me II m.earps

you weren't able to go to the game because of work but you'd heard how well mary played, score checking as often as you could when your boss wasn't looking though you knew he really wouldn't mind all that much being a united supporter himself.

finally on your afternoon break you'd had a chance to call her, getting the full recap on everything including what sounded like a rocket of a goal from both maya and ella, united going up 4-0 in one of their best games of the season.

it killed you to have to cut your wife off mid story but with only a couple minutes left mary was more than understanding as you promised to meet her with the team once you finished, not thinking you'd make it in time for dinner but they had plans to go out afterwards to a karaoke bar.

"-and i promise not to sing a single abba song until you arrive beautiful!" mary promised and you could hear the grin in her voice as you softened, the two of you having met when a rather tipsy mary had mistaken you for a friend and tried to sweep you off your feet to have a dance to voulez vouz years ago.

now it was your unspoken song, always making sure to get it requested whenever you went out with friends, the two of you in your own little bubble as you'd giggle and swing one another around like the lovesick idiots you really were.

telling her you loved her and again how proud you were of yet another clean sheet under her belt you ended the call and hurried back to your desk where a large number of emails awaited you.

you were somewhat grateful for how busy your afternoon was given that it made the rest of your shift fly past, your timer going to clock out jolting you from your chair almost as you saved the doc you were working on and shut down your monitor.

collecting your things you said your goodbyes to your coworkers and headed out, wishing you'd bought a second jacket as you speed walked from the office to the tube, settling a little once you were inside and headed home.

it was the same story as you power walked from the station to the bus, and then from the bus stop to your flat you shared with your girlfriend. your new years resolution this year had been to use public transport to get to work at least twice a week.

given the business you worked for operated seven days a week and you only worked five including like today the occasional weekend it was going quite well so far, even if also like today it was that little bit harder with the weather.

by the time you let yourself inside it was nearing half past seven, and still needing a shower and some food you sent your wife a message indicating as much with a promise to keep her updated on your eta.

you melted at her reply text, following her instructions and going to the fridge where indeed she'd already cooked you dinner earlier this morning, the food just needing to be heated up.

not wanting to chance spilling food on anything you ate before you showered, putting on the highlights of the match and watching on proudly with a smile, cheering as though you didn't already know the outcome.

finishing up you rinsed and stacked your bowl and the tupperware in the dishwasher which was nearly full, tossing a tablet in and clicking it on as you thanked your wife for the meal and ducked into the shower.

by the time you showered and changed, finally looking presentable, it was nearing nine and mary had already informed around twenty minutes ago they were headed to the bar from the restaurant and she'd see you there.

ordering an uber you slipped on your shoes and grabbed a jacket, greeting the driver but otherwise remaining quiet, grateful that he picked up on that and just turned the radio on as you messaged mary you'd arrived.

thanking the uber you stepped out and joined the small line to enter the bar, grateful for the jacket around your shoulders as a sharp breeze whipped through the night air.

you frowned a little when mary hadn't texted back, but assuming she just hadn't heard her phone you'd barely stepped foot into the bar before a couple of bodies tumbled into you.

"ya made it!" you laughed as millie lifted you into the air in a tight hug and ella hugged your other side, the two having spotted you enter from the bar as they hustled you back over with them to grab a drink.

you greeted a few more of the girls and their partners as you waited, looking around for your wife but unable to spot her. "you might want to prepare yourself babe." maya warned patting your shoulder and handing you your drink as you gave her a curious look.

"dumb and dumber here have been feeding mary shots so she's...a little bit tipsy." maya smiled apologetically as you chuckled, knowing from her tone that was clearly an understatement as you followed her back to the booths where most of the team was hanging around.

"hello beautiful!" you heard her before you saw her, the taller girl crashing into you as maya hurried to grab your drink from your hand or else you'd have wound up wearing it as your wife practically tackled you down onto the lounge.

"mary! watch out ya idiot." katie laughed with a shake of her head. "hi baby, having fun?" you smiled, taking your drink back off maya and settling it down on the table as mary sat up and nodded, arm draped securely over your shoulders.

"so much fun!" she giggled and you grinned at the bright red flush across her cheeks you knew only appeared when she'd had far too much to drink. "mm i can see that, whats this i hear about shots?" you teased sipping at your own drink.

"mary!" you groaned as you barely had a mouthful before the goalkeeper had taken it from your hand and downed it, her only response being to grab your face and smash her lips to yours causing your neck to warm and wolf whistles to ring out around you.

"okay okay! down girl." you laughed pushing at her chest as she again chased your lips with a grin. "no i missed ya, c'mere." she tugged at your dress as you shook your head. "you owe me a drink earps." you warned booping her nose with a grin.

"mary watch out!" you laughed again as she practically leapt over you and made a beeline for the bar, dragging millie along with her. "no more shots for her turner i mean it!" you yelled after them as millie only winked and you sighed.

turns out, there was more shots.

a couple of hours had passed since you'd arrived and having sung three times now both with your wife or friends you were ready to call it a night, mary barely able to hold her head up.

"i'm gonna get us an uber. can you help me get her up?" you chuckled to leah and millie, millie who had sobered up scarily fast considering you'd watched her do shot after shot with your wife who was near passed out on your shoulder.

"maz, baby. come on up we get, we're gonna head home!" you shook her lightly as her eyes fluttered open and she mumbled something incomprehensible and slumped back down. nodding to millie and leah once the uber was booked the girls helped mary up who thankfully could mostly walk herself once she was.

"for earps? thank you." you checked with the uber, leah shoving mary in the back as you sat down beside her and buckled her in, thanking both girls and waving them off as they made their way back inside.

"are we on the tube?" mary lifted her head squinting her eyes with a slur making you chuckle. "no you muppet, we're in an uber." you rubbed her knee as she hummed and collapsed into you with a grunt.

thankfully the bar wasn't too far from your flat as the uber pulled up outside and you gently pushed mary to sit up, exiting the car and quickly making your way to her door.

opening it you grunted as the girl near fell out, the sudden drop at least waking her up enough to allow you to pull her out of the car, closing the door and stumbling your way up the driveway.

"come on babe, work with me here!" you groaned as she leaned her much taller body into you with a moan and a mumble of something that wasn't english, your fingers freezing and struggling with the key in the door as you finally popped it open.

"down we go!" you dropped your wife onto the sofa as she giggled and blinked a few times, sighing as you hurried to the bedroom to change.

grabbing clothes for mary you joined her again in the living room rolling your eyes as she was now properly passed out, mouth hanging open and all.

"maz, maz baby." you crouched down beside her and poked at her as she groaned and swatted you away. "come on, we need to get you changed you idiot!" you laughed, shaking her a bit harder now as she awoke and you helped her groggily sit up.

"oh hello darling." mary slurred, grabbing your hands and tugging you down to sit on her lap. "when did you get here? i missed ya." she mumbled making you laugh and shake your head, well prepared to tease her relentlessly for this tomorrow.

you helped her get dressed, ignoring the comments about buying her dinner first and her little teenage giggles as with absolutely no assistance from your wife you managed to get her changed.

"you're so so beautiful." mary smiled lazily pulling you down onto her lap again making you sigh but crack a smile. "will you marry me? i think you should marry me." the goalkeeper grinned with hooded eyes making you laugh.

"we're already married my love." you grabbed her hand and held up your own, the taller girl squinting at the rings which sat on them. "oh lovely! tick that off the list then." she ticked mid air as you rolled your eyes.

"come on you big dope, time to go to bed with your wife."

[bruhnze]

PLAYING FOR KEEPS

CHAPTER 4 – Attraction

Summary: Ona Batlle has had a crush on Lucy Bronze for a little while now… how will it go when she joins Barça? A 10 chapter series.

Warnings: Slow burn, angst, fluff, smut. All the things, but I give this as a complete warning for the whole series. Not every chapter involves all the warnings :).

masterlist

October 5, 2023: vs. Valencia CF (6-0, home) October 8, 2023: vs. Real Sociedad (3-0, home) October 15, 2023: vs. Atlético Madrid (1-0, away)

It had been a few weeks since that night. The first night she and Lucy had been together in one bed. When Ona had been cuddled up against someone who made her feel far more than she'd ever admit. And it hadn’t been a one-time thing. During the next away game, they’d ended up sleeping like that again. Twice. Both nights they stayed there, the warmth of Lucy’s body against hers, the steady rise and fall of her breathing, had become something Ona looked forward to happening again.

Ona kept repeating to herself that it was just for comfort, for both of them. They were teammates, they were friends. Just sharing a bed for some cuddles, falling into comfortable silence after a day of travel or matches, it didn’t mean anything. But no matter how much she told herself that, she couldn’t help the excitement building inside her as another away game approached.

After two successful games at home, Ona’s focus wasn’t entirely on the field anymore. She had played well, maybe even better than usual, but beneath it all, she had caught herself enjoying Lucy’s company more and more. There was no denying it. She enjoyed how they teased each other, how they joked together, how they pushed one another to be better during practice. Even the coach had complimented them on how well they worked together.

Now, it was the morning of the trip. Ona was deep in thought as she stood in her apartment, unable to stop herself from feeling eager about the journey to Atlético Madrid. The game wasn’t until the end of the week, but today marked the start of their trip. They would travel early so they could rest and train there before the match.

She was going to meet Lucy in a few minutes to drive to the stadium together. From there, the team would have a short flight to Madrid, followed by a light training session at the fields near the stadium where the game would take place.

Ona glanced at the time on her phone. Almost time to go. She felt that familiar flutter in her stomach, the same one that seemed to arise every time she was about to see Lucy. Over the past few weeks, she had tried to ignore it, to shove it down and act like everything was fine. But it was getting harder. Lucy’s smiles, the way she teased Ona without ever seeming to notice how it made her heart race. It was too much sometimes. Ona was happy to have built up such a good friendship, but the closeness was also hard. A little painful maybe even. She was so close to having something she knew she’d never have.

Pulling her suitcase to the door, Ona couldn’t stop her mind from wandering back to that last away trip. The way Lucy had casually draped an arm around her as they watched a match of some other football club in their hotel room on Lucy´s iPad, like it was the most natural thing in the world. And then, later, when they had gotten ready for bed, it was like they didn’t even need to talk about it. They just curled up together. She could remember waking up with Lucy’s breath warm against the back of her neck like it had happened a few minutes ago.

And now, with this trip ahead, Ona could feel the excitement building again. She knew she was being ridiculous. Lucy was Lucy. Funny, playful, but most of all seemingly oblivious to anything happening beyond a friendship. But for Ona, those nights they shared were becoming something more. She had conflictive thoughts about how ethical all of this was towards Lucy. If she knew someone had a raging crush on her she´d definitely wouldn´t hold them so close, and definitely wouldn´t be wearing only some underwear.

Ona felt a little bit bad and definitely a little dirty about it, but the images she´d gathered from sharing rooms would make a regular appearance when she would have some alone time. But for some reason she felt ten times better then when she used to hold Lucy´s Instagram open, that used to bring a lot of anxiety for a stupid accidental like.

…

The team had arrived in Madrid, dropped off their bags, and gone through a pre-training routine. This time the schedule had been treatment, stretching, then Ona had had bit of downtime in the hotel room. But despite the team being together for most things, Ona hadn’t seen much of Lucy since they arrived. It was almost like she’d disappeared.

Now, everyone was in the dressing room, the team getting ready for field training. The mood was light, there was a familiar buzz of matchday -1 excitement as players chatted and prepped themselves, pulling on socks and tying boots. Ona sat quietly in front of her locker, her thoughts drifting as she laced up her shoes, listening only half-heartedly to the conversations around her.

Just then, the door Ona had been keeping an eye on, opened again. Lucy walked in. Ona looked at her surprised. Lucy’s usual bright and smiley demeanor was missing, replaced with a slight frown. She tossed her boots down with more force than usual, her movements quick and a little tense as she began putting on her training kit.

Ona watched from her spot, noticing how Lucy avoided looking at anyone, her jaw clenched. The rest of the team didn’t seem to pay much attention, continuing their own routines, slowly trickling out the dressing room one by one as they finished getting ready.

Patri and Bruna were the last to leave, still mid-conversation as they headed for the door. “You coming, Ona?” Patri asked, glancing back at her.

“I’ll be there in a sec,” Ona replied, her gaze still lingering on Lucy. She had been pretending to tie her boots for maybe 10 minutes already.

Once the door closed behind them, Ona hesitated for a moment before standing up and quietly making her way over. Lucy was sitting on the bench, still fiddling with her boots, her shoulders tense. Ona could feel the unease radiating from her. Without thinking much about it, she sat down beside Lucy.

“Hey,” Ona said softly, laying a hand on Lucy’s back. “What’s going on?���

For a moment, Lucy didn’t respond, her focus still on the boots in her hands. But then she sighed, her shoulders slumping as if she was finally letting go of some invisible weight. “It’s nothing,” she muttered, but her voice wavered just enough for Ona to know it was a lie.

“Doesn’t seem like nothing,” Ona said gently, leaning in a little closer.

Lucy’s hand stilled, her fingers tightening around the laces. “It’s just... my knee,” she finally admitted, her voice low, almost reluctant. “It’s been bothering me again.”

Ona’s heart squeezed a little at the confession. She knew how much Lucy prided herself on pushing through pain, how much she hated admitting when something was wrong. “Is it bad?” Ona asked, her tone soft with concern.

Lucy shook her head quickly. “Not physically. It doesn’t hurt too bad. It’s... it’s more the way I feel about it than the actual pain.” She reached into her bag and pulled out the knee strap she had been wearing off and on during the season. Her fingers hovered over it for a second before she dropped it onto the floor with a small thud. “I have to wear that stupid thing again.”

Ona looked at the strap and then back at Lucy, her expression softening. “Aww, come on,” she said, her voice light but warm, trying to lift the mood a little. “Let me help.”

Before Lucy could protest, Ona was already kneeling in front of her, picking up the knee strap. Lucy blinked, surprised by the sudden gesture, but she didn’t say anything, just watched as Ona carefully positioned the strap around her knee. ‘’This side right?’’

Lucy nodded, watching Ona attentively.

Ona worked quietly, her fingers gently securing the Velcro, adjusting it with a focus that made Lucy’s breath catch. She didn’t realize how good of a friend Ona was until now - how careful, how thoughtful she was being. For a moment, the tension in her body eased, but then, almost out of nowhere, Lucy felt a sudden sting of emotion rising in her chest. She blinked, trying to push it back, but her eyes betrayed her, filling with tears.

“Hey,” Ona said softly, her fingers pausing on the last strap as she looked up at Lucy, her eyes filled with concern.

Lucy quickly wiped at her cheeks, embarrassed by the tears. “I don’t even know why I’m crying,” she mumbled, her voice rough.

“It’s okay,” Ona said quietly, she was leaning with a hand on each of Lucy’s thighs, leveling their faces trying to catch Lucy’s gaze. “It’s frustrating, I get it.”

Just then, the door slammed open. Ona and Lucy both turned their heads to see Bruna standing in the doorway, her eyes widening slightly at the sight of them. “Oh, uhhh... I was just getting my shin guards, I forgot them.” Bruna stammered awkwardly, glancing between them.

Ona stood up, her hands falling to her sides as Lucy quickly wiped at her face again, standing up to grab her boots. Bruna, sensing the mood, quickly grabbed her gear from her locker and slipped out with a hurried, “See you out there.”

The door closed, leaving them in silence again. Lucy took a deep breath, her hand resting on the strap now securely in place around her knee. She glanced down at Ona, a small, tired smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. “Thanks,” she said, her voice soft.

Ona smiled back, standing up and grabbing her own boots. “Anytime,” she replied, her tone light but sincere. “Now, come on. Let’s go train.”

Together, they headed out to join the team on the pitch.

...

At the beginning of training, the team always gathered on the field to stretch. Everyone had seemingly started already, Lucy and here were the last ones on the field.

Normally, Ona would pair up with Aitana for these exercises, but today, Bruna had apparently insisted on stretching with her instead. She called Ona over. They stood a little away from the others, quietly looping the elastic bands around their legs as they began their warm-up.

Bruna shot Ona a quick glance as they moved in sync, stretching the bands with steady resistance. After a few beats of silence, she finally asked, keeping her voice low, “So... can I ask what that was? You and Lucy in the dressing room earlier?”

Ona hesitated for a moment, knowing exactly what Bruna was referring to. She’d seen her walk in while she and Lucy had been standing close, too close maybe. “Oh,” Ona said, trying to sound casual.

“Yeah, of course, you can ask.” She paused, pulling the band a little tighter. “It was to do about Lucy’s knee... it’s been bothering her again. She was just frustrated about it.”

Bruna gave a small nod, her brow furrowing slightly as she thought about it. “Right... I could tell something was off,” she murmured, glancing toward Lucy, who was stretching with a few of the other girls not too far away.

They both fell quiet again, focusing on their stretches for a few minutes, but Bruna wasn’t done. As they switched legs, she looked back at Ona with a hint of curiosity in her eyes. “You two... you’re getting really close, huh?”

Ona’s heart skipped a beat, but she kept her face neutral, trying not to let too much show. “Yeah,” she replied with a small smile, keeping her tone light. “She’s becoming a really good friend.”

Bruna didn’t say anything for a second, just nodded as if she was processing Ona’s answer. Then, with a knowing smile, she nudged her lightly with her elbow. “That’s nice. Lucy seems nice.’’

Ona’s smile faltered for just a split second before she nodded again, a soft “Yeah, she is,” slipping from her lips.

Bruna chuckled. ‘’A really good right back too, maybe she can teach you.”

At that Ona pushed Bruna, ‘’Oh shut up.’’ She chuckled.

As they finished their stretches, Bruna let the topic drop, and they rejoined the others, but the weight of Bruna’s words lingered in Ona’s mind, her thoughts swirling around the idea that maybe their closeness wasn’t going unnoticed after all. She was afraid everyone could notice from miles away that she had a crush on Lucy.

…

October 15

The day after their 1-0 win against Atlético Madrid had come to a close. They had completed their recovery session, shared a team dinner, and now, at midnight, they were ready for bed. Tomorrow morning, they’d fly back to Barcelona.

“What are you smiling about?” Lucy asked, her voice soft but her tone clearly curious.

“I’m just happy you felt good playing,” Ona smiled back, trying to keep her tone casual. “I heard you talking to the physio,” she added quickly, “sorry, I wasn’t eavesdropping. I just overheard.”

“It’s okay, I’m happy too,” Lucy chuckled. “Didn’t know your happiness was based on mine as well.”

Ona felt her face heat up, shrugging as she tried to play it cool. “Of course.”

“So... are we cuddling again or sleeping apart?” Lucy asked with a raised eyebrow, the casualness of her tone making Ona’s heart flutter.

Ona glanced at her, trying to keep her expression neutral, though inside she was screaming. "Whatever you like," she replied, trying to stay calm even though her mind was racing. She had been looking forward to this. The nights they'd spent curled up together had been the best part of her live since she’d joined this club again, and the thought of more made her feel warm all over.

“I’d like it,” Lucy smiled, eyes softening. “Am I coming to yours, or are you joining me?”

Ona didn’t hesitate. She was already on her feet before Lucy had finished the question.

Lucy laughed lightly, holding the covers up as Ona slipped under them with her. The small lamp on the nightstand flicked off, casting the room into the familiar quiet darkness. Out of habit, Ona nestled half on top of Lucy, just like they’d done before. It felt natural, almost like it was meant to be.

“Hmmm,” Lucy hummed as Ona buried her face in the curve of her neck. “I really like our cuddles too.” Her hand began tracing soothing circles on Ona’s back, the warmth of her touch sending pleasant shivers down Ona’s spine.

Ona’s heart thudded in her chest as she nuzzled against Lucy’s warm skin. She smelled so good, Ona thought, her senses overwhelmed by the closeness. She wanted to kiss the skin, feel the softness of Lucy’s lips. No, she tried to steady herself. It’s just cuddles... just comfort. But the sensation of Lucy’s hand slipping under her shirt, skin on skin, changed everything for her. It wasn’t just comforting anymore. It started to feel different, more intimate and suddenly, she was all too aware of how their bodies fit together.

Her breath hitched when she realized the pressure of Lucy’s thigh between her own. She shifted, trying to pull back slightly, her mind a swirl of confusion and want.

But Lucy’s arm tightened around her waist. “No, don’t leave,” Lucy murmured, her voice almost a plea. “I’m comfy.”

Ona chuckled softly, her tension melting a little.

She pressed her face back into the crook of Lucy’s neck and, without thinking, planted a soft kiss there. “Okay,” she whispered against her skin.

Lucy shifted beneath her. “Or... are you not comfy?” she asked, pulling her hand away gently.

“No, I am,” Ona hummed, almost instinctively placing another kiss, lingering a little longer this time. “Really comfy.” She took in the taste of Lucy’s skin, the scent of Lucy entering her nose.

Lucy, Lucy, Lucy. It was all her mind could come up with. Fuck, she really needed to get it together.

Lucy was quiet for a minute before asking softly, “Then why did you want to move?” It was a question but in some way it sounded like a challenge.

Ona froze, feeling the weight of the question. She didn’t have a good answer. Or rather, not one she was ready to say out loud. Why did she? Was she afraid? Nervous? The truth was, she wasn’t sure she could control herself anymore, not when they were this close. After a long pause, she sat up, straddling Lucy’s hips before she could second-guess herself.

Lucy blinked up at her, a mix of surprise and amusement. “What are you-”

Ona leaned down, her lips brushing against Lucy’s, barely touching. “Tell me to stop,” she whispered, her voice almost trembling.

Please, stop me if you don’t want this, she thought desperately, though every inch of her hoped Lucy wouldn’t. “Stop me if you don’t want this,” she repeated, barely audible, feeling Lucy’s breath on her lips.

For a second, there was silence. Lucy’s eyes were wide, startled maybe, but there was no resistance. No sign she wanted Ona to pull back. And that was all the encouragement Ona needed.

She pressed a tentative kiss to Lucy’s lips. A soft, experimental nip on her bottom lip before pulling away again, her heart racing so fast she thought Lucy might hear it.

She sat back slightly, her chest rising and falling as if she’d run a marathon.

Lucy sat up slowly, her eyes locked on Ona, cheeks flushed.

“Where did I deserve that?” she asked, her voice breathy, a hint of a grin forming. Their faces now inches apart.

Ona hesitated, her gaze flicking to Lucy’s lips and back to her eyes, trying to read her. She.. liked it? Ona realized, her own lips curving into a careful smile.

Their faces were inches apart now, and before Ona could think too much, Lucy leaned in. This time, Ona didn’t hold back, answering the kiss with all the emotion she’d been bottling up for weeks, months, years.

As Lucy deepened the kiss, Ona’s breath caught in her throat. Her mind was spinning, every nerve in her body on high alert, but it wasn’t overwhelming. It was intoxicating. She could feel Lucy’s hands sliding up her sides, resting just below her ribs, fingers pressing gently, grounding her in the moment.

Ona leaned in closer, her hands slipping around the back of Lucy’s neck as their kiss deepened further. Her body was reacting without her even thinking about it, the heat between them palpable. She could feel the way Lucy’s breath hitched every time their lips met, how her hands tightened on her waist, pulling her a little closer each time.

Instinctively, Ona shifted, her hips brushing against Lucy’s as she moved. The friction sent a spark through her, and she gasped softly into the kiss. She froze for a moment, her heart pounding as she realized what she had done. But Lucy didn’t pull away. Instead, her hands slid lower, resting at the curve of Ona’s hips as if encouraging her to continue.

Ona hesitated, her lips parting from Lucy’s just enough to catch her breath. Is this okay? The thought flashed briefly through her mind, but the way Lucy’s fingers pressed into her hips, the soft murmur of her own name on Lucy’s lips, erased any doubt.

Slowly, she began to move again, her hips rocking against Lucy’s, carefully at first, then with more confidence as she felt Lucy’s body respond beneath her. The soft fabric of their clothes barely separated them, but it was enough to let Ona feel every shift, every movement, the friction sending jolts of warmth through her.

Ona’s hands trembled slightly as she took one of Lucy’s, guiding it between their bodies with slow, deliberate movements. Her heart pounded in her chest, her mind racing as the weight of what was happening settled over her. But there was no hesitation—just an intense, overwhelming need.

The sensation of Lucy’s hand slipping under her waistband sent a shiver through her body. Ona gasped softly, burying her face in the crook of Lucy’s neck, her breath warm against her skin. She bit down on her lip, trying to stay quiet as Lucy’s fingers started to explore, tracing slow, teasing paths that made her body pulse with heat.

The touch of Lucy’s fingers sliding through her arousal was enough to make Ona groan, a breathless sound that echoed between them. She felt like she was unraveling, like every nerve in her body was on fire.

“Fuck, you’re wet,” Lucy breathed, her voice low and rough, the surprise and desire evident in her tone.

Ona lifted her hips slightly, positioning Lucy’s hand where she wanted it most. "Because of you," she whispered, her voice unsteady as her lips brushed Lucy's ear, the closeness amplifying everything between them. She let out a soft, desperate moan as Lucy’s fingers finally pressed against her entrance, the sensation sending sparks through her body. "Every time I see you in your underwear like this..." she groaned, her words dissolving into another gasp as Lucy’s thick fingers, the ones she had thought about so many times, slipped inside her.

The tight, exquisite pressure made Ona’s whole body tense for a moment, her breath catching in her throat. She pressed her forehead to Lucy’s shoulder, breathing heavily as she adjusted to the feeling. It was better than she’d imagined—better than all the nights spent wanting this, thinking about what it would feel like to finally have Lucy touch her this way.

Lucy’s other hand moved to hold Ona’s waist, steadying her as she began to move again, the rhythm of their bodies syncing naturally. Ona couldn’t think straight anymore; every thought, every sensation, every ounce of her focus was on the way Lucy’s fingers filled her, stroked her, the slow, steady pressure making her moan softly against Lucy’s skin.

Lucy swallowed hard, her breathing shallow as she pressed her fingers deeper. “You feel so good,” she murmured, her voice thick with desire.

Ona could barely respond, her body taking over, grinding against Lucy’s hand as the pleasure built steadily inside her. She clung to Lucy’s shoulders, nails digging in slightly as her hips moved instinctively, chasing the feeling she’d been longing for. The sound of Lucy’s breathing, ragged and heavy in her ear, only made her want more.

Ona’s lips found Lucy’s neck again, placing soft, messy kisses as she let herself get lost in the sensations. The way Lucy’s fingers moved inside her, the way her body responded to every touch, every thrust. Her moans grew louder, more desperate, as she felt herself getting closer to the edge.

“Lucy…” she whispered, her voice barely audible as her body tensed, trembling with the pressure that was building, threatening to spill over at any moment.

Lucy responded by curling her fingers, hitting that perfect spot inside her. With a few more minutes Ona’s world exploded in a rush of pleasure. She moaned loudly, burying her face in Lucy’s neck as her body shook with the force of her release, her hips stuttering as she rode out the waves of ecstasy.

For a moment, everything was hazy, nothing but the sound of their breathing and the pounding of Ona’s heart in her ears.

Slowly, she came down from the high, her body still trembling slightly as she collapsed against Lucy, exhausted but satisfied. Lucy carefully laid back down on her back, her arms wrapped around Ona, holding her close, her fingers now gently tracing soothing patterns on Ona’s back.

Ona smiled weakly, her face still pressed into Lucy’s neck. “You’re... good at that,” she whispered, her voice soft and breathless, still trying to process everything that had just happened, her body still humming from the intensity of it all.

Lucy chuckled quietly, the sound vibrating through her chest and into Ona. “Thank you,” she murmured, her tone light but warm.

Ona hesitated, feeling a wave of shyness wash over her. She leaned back slightly, her eyes meeting Lucy’s. “I-I’m sorry about that,” she stammered, her confidence shaken by the vulnerability of the moment.

“Why?” Lucy frowned, confused for a second, before her expression dropped, a hint of worry crossing her face. “Oh... regret? You regret doing this with me?” she asked softly, her voice suddenly uncertain.

“No, no!” Ona rushed to clarify, her heart clenching at the thought of Lucy misunderstanding. She reached out, her hands resting on Lucy’s shoulders as she tried to make her feelings clear. “I really liked this. I think you’re so hot. I’m just... I’m sorry if it felt like I used you?” Her voice faltered, uncertainty creeping in as she struggled to find the right words.

Lucy’s chuckle was soft but reassuring as she reached up to brush a stray lock of hair from Ona’s flushed face. “Used me?” she echoed with a smile. “You gave me more than enough chances to back out. No, trust me, this was really fucking hot. I liked it,” she added, her tone playful yet sincere, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

Ona felt her cheeks warm even more, the relief flooding through her. She leaned forward again, resting her forehead against Lucy’s collarbone, breathing in the steady rhythm of Lucy’s heartbeat. “I have to confess something,” she murmured, her voice quieter now, almost hesitant.

Lucy chuckled again, the sound deep and teasing. “You’ve always wanted to sleep with me, haven’t you?” she teased, her fingers gently tracing the back of Ona’s neck.

Ona’s face grew even warmer, and she leaned back just enough to meet Lucy’s gaze, eyes wide with embarrassment, but also a hint of playful defiance. “What if that was the case?” she mumbled, a half-smile playing at her lips.

Lucy, who had been chuckling until then, paused, narrowing her eyes at Ona with playful suspicion. But her expression softened again quickly, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. “Really?”

“Maybe,” Ona said, trying to keep her voice steady despite the fluttering in her chest. “Depends if you’d be into that.”

Lucy raised an eyebrow, her smile widening. “I think it’s cute,” she said, her hand cupping Ona’s chin gently, her thumb brushing over Ona’s cheek.

Ona swallowed hard, her gaze flickering down to where Lucy’s arm flexed subtly in front of her. She traced the curve of Lucy’s bicep with her eyes, suddenly aware of the depth of her attraction—how much she had always wanted her.

“I think you’re really hot,” she confessed quietly, her voice soft, almost shy. Her fingers traced the edge of Lucy’s arm, hesitant but drawn to the warmth of her skin.

Lucy’s teasing smile softened at Ona’s words. Her hand, still gently holding Ona’s chin, tilted her face up until their eyes met again. The playful banter they often shared seemed to fade, replaced by something deeper, more sincere.

“Well,” Lucy murmured, leaning closer until her lips barely brushed against Ona’s, “I think I can live with that.” She chuckled lightly, her voice a little lower. “And, for the record, you’re not too bad yourself.”

Ona’s cheeks flushed a deeper shade, the tension between them shifting into something more intimate. Before she could stop herself, a question slipped out. “How many…?” She trailed off, immediately shaking her head, embarrassed. “Never mind, sorry.”

Lucy’s eyes narrowed slightly, amused. “You really need to learn to say what’s on your mind.”

“Huh?” Ona asked, tilting her head slightly.

“I mean,” Lucy said softly, her hand moving in gentle circles along Ona’s back beneath her shirt, “you don’t have to hold back with me. Say what you want. Don’t be afraid.”

Ona chuckled nervously, burying her face briefly against Lucy’s neck before she whispered, “How many people have you… slept with?”

‘’Huh.’’ Lucy raised her eyebrows but smiled. “Is that really something you want to know?”

Ona nodded, still feeling the warmth of her blush. “Only if you’re okay with telling me.”

Lucy paused for a moment, her fingers still tracing slow, comforting patterns on Ona’s back. “Six people,” she said simply.

Ona blinked, processing it, then asked softly, “Am I the sixth?”

Lucy chuckled, shaking her head. “No, we haven’t slept together yet.”

Ona looked at her, slightly confused. “What do you mean?”

Lucy grinned, leaning in to kiss Ona’s forehead lightly. “I’d say we’ve fooled around a bit.’’ She chuckled, ‘’Sleeping with me, that’s a whole different thing, trust me,” she teased, her voice dropping to a playful whisper, “it would be way better then this.”

Ona laughed, her earlier nerves dissolving into the ease of Lucy’s words. “Is that a promise, Bronzey?” She said, her voice flirty.

Lucy smirked, her thumb brushing lightly over Ona’s cheek. “Mhm, it can be.’’

masterlist

[putellasawfc]

figured out ! (social media au)

sam kerr x spanish!reader

summary: after a phenomenal performance in the 2023 world cup, reader moves to chelsea where she quickly strikes up a connection with a certain australian striker.

faceclaim : alexia putellas (2 posts) & nathalie björn (rest of the au).

-

liked by aitanabonmati, marisabel_rguez and 148,279 others

youruser still can’t believe this is real life. no words right now. MUNDO CAMPEONAS !!!! 🥇🇪🇸🇪🇸

view all 379 comments

ynfan1 SO DESERVED !!!

ynfan2 BEST PLAYER AT THE WORLD CUP OMGGG

spainfan1 MUNDO CAMPEONASSSSSS 😭😭

jennihermoso 🧱🧱🧱

ynfan3 you were amazing the whole tournament! so proud of you 🤍

aitanabonmati noia estrella ⭐️

-

liked by youruser, ynfan1 and 28,776 others

barclayswsl after her phenomenal performance at this years women’s world cup, it has been reported that multiple clubs have shown interest in spanish defender yn yln, including: arsenal, vfl wolfsburg, atlético madrid and chelsea. where do you think she’ll end up?

view all 220 comments

ynfan1 any club would be so lucky to have her! so glad she’s finally being spoken about.

arsenalfan1 PLS PLS PLS ARSENAL

chelseafan1 yn and millie on the same team would be a dream 😭

ynfan2 but i wanted her to stay at levante :(

ynfan3 she’s wasting her potential there. definitely needs to go to a bigger club.

-

youruser added to their instagram story

-

liked by youruser, miafishel10 and 28,390 others

chelseafcw offically a blue! welcome to the club @/youruser. the colour suits you. 😉.

view all 293 comments

ynfan1 WE WONN !!

ynfan2 arsenal were right there .....

chelseafan1 dream come true!

chelseafan2 never seen her play before, is she good?

ynfan2 AMAZING!

-

liked by lj10, samanthakerr20 and 19,209 others

youruser first training session with the blues completed ✅

view all 167 comments

zeciramusovic first of many!

ynfan1 the chelsea badge looks so good on you !!!

ynfan2 imagine playing at spain for three years and then having to get used to english weather 😭

ynfan3 the neck warmer and gloves oh she’s struggling 😭😭

silvialloriss :(

ashley_lawrence10 💙💙💙

-

liked by youruser, catarina_macario and 31,474 others

chelseafcw first start for our newcomer. rate her performance out of 10!

view all 294 comments

ynfan1 129394/10

chelseafan1 what a signing!

chelseafan2 the reason we kept a clean sheet today 1000%

johannakaneryd 10! ☺️

ynfan2 more starts PLEASE

-

liked by mbrighty04, lj10 and 20,390 others

youruser settling in well!

view all 176 comments

mbrighty04 sisterrr 🫂

ynfan1 you look so good in blue !!!!

ynfan2 aww i love howv quickly she's fit in

ynfan3 need a goal and a badge tap next game to keep me sane

chelseafan1 transfer season done right.

_jesslcarter 💙💙💙

-

liked by kerrfan1, chelseafan1 and 286 others

kerrupdates sam today during the chelsea vs everton match. her two goals made it 4-0 for chelsea!

view all 93 comments

kerrfan1 absolute baller

matildasfan1 imagine having sam kerr play for your club and country ... i am so lucky.

kerrfan2 did anyone see sam and yn after the match???

kerrfan3 what happened?

kerrfan2 they were hanging onto eachother and whispering to themselves, giggling together they looked really cozy.

chelseafan1 so? that's what friends do .

kerrfan2 i'm just saying.....

-

samanthakerr20 just added to their instagram story

-

liked by ynfan1, kerrfan1 and 274 others

ynupdates yn spotted with chelsea teammate sam kerr out and about today!

view all 102 comments

ynfan1 ONG ????!

ynfan2 wait …. what ????

kerrfan1 omg i love them already.

kerrfan2 i don’t know, i think people are reading into this too much.

ynfan3 swear they’re literally holding hands in the first pic ?? how could we be reading into this?

chelseafan1 i ship it !!!

-

samanthakerr20 just added to their instagram story

-

liked by ynfan1, kerrfan1 and 2,1939 others

kerrupdates 'just friends' right sam?

comments on this post have been limited.

-

was meant to be longer but of course tumblr has a silly 30 image per post limit. would be open to a part 2 if any of you would like it?

[inuyashaluver]

bad influence - katie mccabe

katie mccabe x reader

description: in which katie gets dangerously tackled during a match, when she gets up to defend herself, her sweetheart girlfriend is doing it already, earning herself her first ever red card

warnings: swearing

⋆ ★ ⋆ ★ ⋆ ★ ⋆ ★ ⋆

as the arsenal women’s team began to line up in the tunnel, you could hear the crowd outside cheering and waiting for your team's arrival. you began to shift your weight on your legs. left foot, right foot, a sense of unease present on your face. your cleats softly padding on the floor as the rest of the girls engage in conversation or keeping their heads down in preparation for the match.

your eyes look down in front of you until you feel two hands applying slight pressure onto your shoulders. you turn around to face the eyes of the slightly taller girl and she smiles down at you.

“you alright, baby?”

her hands slowly moving from your shoulders, trailing down your arms until they reach your hands, taking yours into hers.

everything in this moment is completely silent as her gentle voice sounded in your ears. katie, notoriously known for her expert defending skills, was assumed that her harsh exterior would match her insides, unaware that you, nicknamed “sweetheart”, completely turned her soft. (only for you of course)

“I’ve got a bad feeling about today, mccabe”

“woah! who do you think you’re talking to like that, missy, it’s baby to you!” her thick accent putting a smile on your face.

“baby,” you mocked, “please, just, don’t be reckless” you cringed as the words came out, scared she would be offended.

“sweetheart, come on! I’m always a good girl aren’t I?”

the older girl smiled and winked at you. you giggle at her antics. then, as you turn around to face the front, her strong arms snaked around your waist, head hiding in the crook of your neck and placing a quick kiss there, a pre-game tradition that katie swore was necessary before every match. before she pulls herself from your body, she quickly taps your butt, smirking as you turn towards her with a really convincing glare, knowing that you were only joking. then, you follow the other girls, you both walk towards the pitch, ready for the game ahead.

arsenal was in the lead and you, a star striker along with russo had a powerful dynamic duo, scoring goals left, right and centre. arsenal was up 4-0 and it was only 12 minutes into the second half. due to the frustration of the other team, everything became sloppy and restless, the tackles, the energy and even their passes. another play had started and arsenal has possession, alessia passes the ball to you and you expertly pass the ball to katie, not even needing to look up, your connection was spot on, both of you knowing where the other was the whole time.

you begin to run up while katie has the ball, as she was about to pass it back to you, her entire body gets slammed off the pitch by her marker and she collides with the floor, whistle sounding immediately.

katie couldn’t even comprehend what was going on, her arm covering her face and she lay on the pitch. you on the other hand had the marker’s jersey balled up in your hands.

“are you fucking serious? who the fuck do you think you are?!”

everyone on the pitch was silent listening to your argument, faces all around shocked. sweetheart cracked.

“you touch her like that again and you’ll be so fucking sorry i’ll make you swallow the ball whole, you got that?”

katie, now was sitting in an upright position, watching your little outburst play. her face was evident with worry, her injury was cleared by the medics for her to continue to play and you were walking off the pitch. she quickly got up and ran over to you as you got to the sidelines, she grabbed the base of your neck, fingers grazing over your jaw, forcing your eyes to her.

“don’t let this bring you down, my girl, I'll come and find you after the match, okay?”

you entered the change room, showered and immediately dressed into katie’s training hoodie, her perfume enveloping you sat in your cubby, directly next to katie’s. while waiting for katie, you began to pull out green and white string, resembling the ireland colours, you began to make a friendship bracelet just as your national team mate esme had taught you. by the time you had finished the bracelet, the girls had slowly infiltrated the room, the first one being your girlfriend.

she had worry and frustration plastered on her face but quickly smiled as she saw her hoodie on you, scrolling mindlessly on your phone, the number 15 shining on your heart. she quickened her steps and made her way in front of you, separating your knees and stepping in between them looking down at you.

“there’s my cheeky girl, I think I’m a bad influence on you, baby, I mean red’s your colour but not like that, darlin’”

she once again held your face, eyes full with adoration.

“I don’t know what I would’ve done if you got hurt, katie. I would have lost it”

“my sweet girl looking out for me, getting a red card, best girlfriend ever”

she winked at you again and you wrapped your arms around her upper thighs, resting your chin on her stomach looking up at her with a slight pout.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t be there for you when you fell down, I just saw red and I couldn’t stop, I mean the nerve to fucking tackle you like that-”

katie leans down to place a short but passionate kiss, “baby, watching you get a red card for me has effects you won’t even imagine” you looked down, slightly embarrassed but flattered she found this attractive.

you looked down at the bench beside you and let go of katie’s legs excitedly, “look, baby! for you!” katie’s breath hitched, shocked at the handmade bracelet you had made for her in a time of your distress. even in your true sweetheart nature, you still do everything for her even when you needed to be there for yourself.

“my baby girl, I love you.” grinning as you grabbed her arm and delicately tied the bracelet, kissing the top of it when it was finally done.

“I love you more, mccabe”

“I’ll let that pass ‘cause you’re cute woman, let me shower and get your beautiful self in bed for katie cuddles.”

you nodded and smiled at her

“cuddles may be later though, I think I need to show you my appreciation for standing up for me like that.” she winked once again, something she knew made you weak at the knees

you laugh loudly and threw her towel, hitting her square in the face.

“we’ll see, katie, we’ll see” you wink, knowing you would do whatever she wants.

⋆ ★ ⋆ ★ ⋆ ★ ⋆ ★ ⋆

liked by stephcatley and 43,223 others

katie_mccabe11: my sweet girl, red is definitely your colour, but not on that silly little card 😉

view all comments

yourname: so when we get married, do I change my name to mccabe or mccard?

↳ katie_mccabe11: woman, I swear to god.

[emjayewrites]

are you with me or what? (fouled by fate epilogue) • aurelien tchouameni

SYNOPSIS: Aurélien Tchouaméni, one of football’s rising stars, is used to navigating the pressures of the pitch—but nothing could prepare him for an arranged marriage. With his family’s legacy and cultural traditions at stake, Aurélien reluctantly agrees to marry a woman he barely knows. But as they’re thrust into the public eye, sparks fly in unexpected ways. The two must navigate the complexities of love, duty, and fame, all while figuring out if they’re playing on the same team—or if their hearts are destined for different paths.

PAIRINGS: Aurélien Tchouaméni x Zuri Awanto Nchang (faceclaim Samira Ahmed @/iamsamiira)

WARNINGS: cursing, football b.s., dry humor/wit, slight arguing, friends to lovers, instant attraction, angst, eventual smut (18+/minors dni)

TAGLIST: @trenterprise @f1-football-fiend @lettersofgold @hopefulromantic1 @deonn-jaelle @perfecttrashface @2serenity0 @muglermami @sucredreamer @julescpu @azzurvertz @greyishbach @shelovesfootie @certifiedlesbianbaddie @trinitoldyouso @bbgkoo @lottins-only @pepfectionary @peyiswriting @rosiesdior @yeea-nah @kj77 @imjustheretomanifest @judesvirtual @whoevenisthiz

A/N: This is the official end to ZuZu & Aurelien's story! I can't believe we are done! ZuZu and Aurelien are my OTP - I'm so happy to complete their story.

The last echoes of the crowd’s chants still hung in the air as Zuri made her way down the stadium steps, linking arms with Lila and Senait. The outcome of El Clásico had been brutal: Real Madrid had suffered a harsh 0-4 loss to FC Barcelona. Despite the sting of defeat, Zuri found herself laughing with her friends, her spirits lifted by the infectious energy surrounding them.

Senait was the most surprising of them all. She had spent the match enthusiastically cheering for Jules, and seeing her wave her Barcelona scarf and shout his name had almost felt surreal. Now, as they waited for the players to emerge from the showers, Zuri couldn’t resist teasing her.

"Never thought I’d see the day," Zuri mused, nudging Senait. "You really are Jules’ number one fan now, huh?"

Senait rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide her smile. "Don’t get used to it. It’s a one-time thing," she quipped, though her gaze flicked to the tunnel with undeniable anticipation.

Lila snickered, while Zuri exchanged a knowing look with her. Jules and Senait might have been taking things slow, but today’s public display of support spoke volumes.

As the players finally began filtering out, Zuri’s heart softened at the sight of Aurélien. Despite the loss, he held his head high, his hair still damp and his shoulders tense from the intense match. She stepped forward, wrapping her arms around him, offering comfort.

"You were amazing out there," she whispered, even if the score said otherwise.

Aurélien exhaled, the frustration still evident in his eyes, but he softened at her touch. "Merci, mon cœur," he murmured, leaning into her embrace.

Meanwhile, Jules emerged with a smug grin, immediately gravitating toward Senait. His confidence was unshaken, and the chemistry between them was undeniable. Zuri couldn’t help but smile, happy that her friends were finding their way, too.

Jude, however, was another story. His disappointment was palpable, and his jaw was set in a hard line. Lila noticed, slipping her hand into his and whispering something softly. The concern in her eyes spoke of their deepening connection, and she led him away, promising to catch up with the group later.

The scene shifted quickly after that. By the time Zuri and Aurélien were back in their home, the focus had turned from football to something far more exciting: packing for New York City. Malik’s engagement party was just around the corner, and Zuri carefully folded her dress into her suitcase. The gown, a stunning piece designed by a renowned Eritrean designer, honored Brynn’s heritage with intricate, hand-stitched patterns that shimmered under the light. The rich gold and deep red fabric felt like a celebration in itself, and she couldn’t wait to wear it.

Aurélien came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. "You look like you’re daydreaming," he teased.

She leaned back into him, a smile spreading across her lips. "Just thinking about how far we’ve come."

Indeed, so much had changed. Zuri had filed the restraining order against her father, and Aurélien had secured a cease and desist letter, deciding not to press for defamation. Malik had been her rock throughout the ordeal, and her mother had begun to find her own strength. Now living with Malik and his fiancée, Brynn, her mother was healing, and Zuri’s relationship with her was growing stronger by the day. The future, once clouded with uncertainty, now felt full of promise.

Madison Square Garden felt like coming home in a different way for Aurélien. He'd been to countless Knicks games over the years, but this was his first time bringing Zuri. Usually, he'd come with Jules, Cama, or other football friends during off-season breaks, but watching Zuri's excitement as they walked through the tunnel to their courtside seats hit differently.

"I still can't believe you're a Knicks fan," she said, settling into her seat. "Thought all Europeans were obsessed with the Lakers."

Aurélien grinned. "Been coming here since I was nineteen. The Garden just hits different."

A few of the regular courtside faces nodded in recognition – they were used to seeing him here during his NYC trips. Jalen Brunson came over during warm-ups, dapping him up.

"Thought you had a match this weekend," Jalen said.

"It got postponed," Aurélien explained, then turned to Zuri. "Babe, this is JB. JB, my fiancée Zuri."

Jalen's eyes widened. "Fiancée? When did this happen? Last time you were here you were talking about focusing solely on football."

Aurélien glanced at Zuri, who was trying not to laugh. "Long story, bro."

The game itself was electric – Knicks versus Cavs always brought intensity. Aurélien found himself splitting his attention between the court and Zuri, loving how she got into the game's rhythm.

"Your brother teach you all this?" he asked during a timeout.

"Please. Malik wishes he taught me about basketball," she shot back, making him laugh.

Speaking of Malik – tomorrow's engagement party loomed in Aurélien's mind. A chance for both families to come together, to show that the drama with Ernest was behind them. Zuri seemed to read his thoughts.

"Stop worrying," she said, squeezing his hand. "Tomorrow will be perfect."

His attention shifted back to the game as the Knicks went on a run. The Garden erupted, that familiar electricity he loved filling the arena. Zuri jumped up beside him, caught in the moment, and he pulled her close when she sat back down.

During halftime, they grabbed drinks – him sticking to water while Zuri nursed a beer. The second half was even better than the first. Knicks pulled ahead in the fourth quarter, Brunson hitting clutch shots that had the crowd going wild. Watching Zuri celebrate each basket, trash-talking with the Cavs fans nearby, Aurélien felt that familiar warmth in his chest.

When the final buzzer sounded – Knicks winning 115-109 – Aurélien felt that familiar Garden high. Zuri was still arguing with a Cavs fan about a questionable call in the third quarter, her energy infectious.

"Come on," he laughed, pulling her away. "Don't start an international incident."

"Did you see that travel though?" she protested as they made their way through the tunnel.

"Clearly you've been watching too much football. Getting all technical about rules. I see you, lil' ref."

The night air hit them as they exited MSG, the city alive with its usual energy. They'd both walked these streets countless times, but tonight felt different. Maybe because tomorrow would change everything – Malik and Brynn's engagement party marking a new chapter for their families.

"You're thinking too loud," Zuri said, wrapping both arms around one of his as they walked.

"Just thinking about tomorrow. Your father—"

"Won't be there," she finished firmly. "Mom's coming though. And she's excited about the traditional dances Brynn's family has planned."

Aurélien nodded, remembering the last conversation with Zuri's mother. The way she'd apologized, really apologized, for doubting him. For letting Ernest's lies cloud her judgment.

They walked past the bright lights of Penn Station, the sidewalks still bustling despite the late hour. A few people recognized him, but no one really cared about European football players in this city.

"You know what I love about being here?" he said, guiding Zuri around a halal cart. "No one cares that I play for Madrid."

"Humble," she teased. "But I get it. It's nice being normal sometimes."

They stopped at Zuri's favorite late-night spot – a hole-in-the-wall pizza place she'd discovered in college. The owner, Tony, brightened when he saw them, and Aurélien was surprised that he remembered him from his last visit with Zuri weeks ago.

"Lil' Zu and her soccer boy! Where ya been?"

"Back in Madrid," Aurélien explained, ordering their usual slice. "Here for my future brother-in-law's engagement party."

"Malik's finally doing it, huh?" Tony said, sliding their pizza across the counter. He'd heard all about her family during her previous late-night visits. "About time."

As they settled into their usual corner booth, Aurélien watched Zuri devour her slice. These simple moments – pizza at midnight, post-game highs, walking New York streets – felt precious now. After everything with Ernest, every peaceful moment felt like a victory.

"Stop," Zuri said, not looking up from her pizza.

"Stop what?"

"Looking at me like that. All soft and worried." She met his eyes. "Tomorrow is about Malik and Brynn. About celebration. No drama."

"Tomorrow's going to be beautiful," Aurélien said, stealing a bite of her pizza. "The venue Brynn chose, mixing both of their personalities... it's perfect for them."

"Like us at our engagement party," Zuri smiled. "Though with less family drama."

"Your mom's been different lately," he observed. "More like herself."

"She is. Finally seeing clearly again." Zuri wiped her hands on a napkin. "She keeps apologizing, you know. For believing him."

"She's your mother. She was scared."

"Still. The way she treated you..." Zuri shook her head. "But tomorrow's not about that."

They finished their pizza and headed out into the night again. A car zoomed by, hip-hop blaring from its windows. Tomorrow would be all tradition and family, cultural dances, and ceremonial blessings. But tonight was just them – a footballer and his fiancée, full of pizza and post-game excitement, walking New York streets like any other couple.

"We should head back," Zuri said eventually. "Early morning tomorrow. Brynn will kill me if I'm late helping with preparations."

Aurélien flagged down a cab, but before opening the door, he pulled Zuri in for a kiss. She tasted like pizza and possibility, like home and adventure all at once.

"What was that for?" she asked when they parted.

"Because I can," he smiled. "Because we made it through everything. Because tomorrow we get to celebrate love winning."

"Not you being a full-on sap."

"Only with you."

The cab ride back to their hotel was quiet, Zuri curled into his side, both of them watching the city blur past. Tomorrow would be grand and meaningful, but these moments – just them, just peace – were the ones Aurélien treasured most.

_______________________________________________

The evening was vibrant, alive with the rhythms of Cameroonian and Eritrean music blending seamlessly. The venue in Brooklyn had been transformed into a kaleidoscope of culture, draped in colorful fabrics and traditional decor. Brynn looked radiant, her intricate Habesha kemis dress sparkling under the twinkling lights, while Malik beamed with pride beside her.

Zuri’s dress caught the attention of many, the gold and red fabric flowing around her as she moved through the crowd. She found her mother near the dance floor, and before she knew it, they were swaying together to the beat, laughing like they hadn’t in years. The weight of the past few months seemed to lift in that moment, replaced by the pure joy of celebrating love and family.

Aurélien soon joined them, his broad smile lighting up his face as he pulled Zuri into his arms. They danced together, caught up in the music, the energy of the room, and the warmth of each other. Zuri felt her heart swell with happiness. They had faced so much, but love had carried them through every storm.

Malik’s voice cut through the music as he raised a toast, his arm around Brynn. "To family, to love, and to the future we’re all building together!" he declared, his deep voice full of emotion.

The room erupted in cheers, and Zuri felt tears prick her eyes. She caught Aurélien’s gaze, and he leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead.

"I love you," he whispered.

Zuri looked up at him, her smile radiant. "I love you too."

They danced into the night, surrounded by laughter, love, and the promises of tomorrow.

in december…

The Alpine air was crisp, a delicate chill carrying the scent of pine and freshly fallen snow. Megève looked like something out of a snow globe, with its cozy chalets draped in twinkling fairy lights and the hum of holiday cheer spilling from bustling cafes. Zuri had never seen anything quite like it, she couldn’t help but marvel at the beauty around her.

The lodge buzzed with activity. Lila, bundled in a thick cable-knit sweater and her hair pulled back into a bun, was bustling around the kitchen, making hot cocoa for everyone. Jude stood beside her, watching with an amused expression as she meticulously arranged marshmallows on top of the steaming mugs.

Zuri joined them, her own chunky sweater swallowing her frame, and she reached for one of the mugs. "Is this your famous hot chocolate recipe?" she teased Lila, who was known for adding a secret ingredient to make it extra sweet.

Lila grinned. "Of course. Only the best for our holiday crew." She passed Zuri a mug, then handed another to Jude, who pulled her in for a kiss.

Watching them, Zuri couldn’t help but feel a pang of happiness for her friend. Lila and Jude’s relationship had grown so much, and it was clear how deeply they cared for each other. Their love had a quiet strength to it, something Zuri admired and felt inspired by in her own relationship with Aurélien.

As she sipped her cocoa, she glanced over at Senait, who was lounging on one of the benches outside. Senait was bundled in what looked to a sweater belonging to Jules, her dark curls framed her thoughtful expression as she watched the snowflakes fall. Zuri's eyes then moved to Jules, who made his way into the kitchen to grab a mug of cocoa.

What's going on with these two? she wondered before grabbing another mug and making her way outside.

"Senait," Zuri's voice broke, appearing beside her best friend. "You're doing that thing again."

"What thing?"

"That soft smile you get when you look at Jules." Zuri handed her a mug. "You know, the one you swore you'd never have?"

Senait accepted the cocoa, breathing in the sweet aroma. "Therapy's helping," she admitted. "Making me see things differently."

"Like?"

"Like maybe being scared of something good is worse than risking getting hurt." Senait took a sip of her cocoa. "And maybe Jules is worth the risk."

Zuri's smile was knowing. "Finally figured that out, huh?"

Inside, laughter erupted from the kitchen. Jules had lifted Lila away from the stove, declaring her marshmallow-to-cocoa ratio "criminally sweet." Jude was recording the whole thing while Lila protested in between giggles.

"They're good people," Senait said softly. "Your friends."

"Our friends now," Zuri corrected. "That's what happens when you stop fighting the good things, Sen."

Later that afternoon, the group made their way to the ski resort, the mountain a breathtaking landscape of pristine white snow. Zuri had never skied before, and she was grateful to have Aurélien as her instructor. Dressed in sleek ski gear, he looked every bit the confident athlete, and she couldn’t help but tease him as he helped her adjust her boots.

"Are you sure you won’t leave me stranded at the top of the mountain? Like how Gabriel did to Emily?" she joked, her nerves bubbling to the surface.

"Fuck no," Aurélien scoffed, standing up then leaning in to kiss her nose. "I’ve got you, mon cœur. Always."

She rolled her eyes but felt her cheeks warm at his words. With Aurélien’s patient guidance, she managed to make it down the bunny slope without falling too many times, and by the end of their practice session, she was laughing so hard that her sides ached.

Senait and Jules had opted for snowboarding, and they moved together with an ease that spoke of unspoken understanding. There was a connection between them that couldn’t be denied. Senait caught Zuri’s eye at one point, and they shared a grin, both of them feeling the joy of the moment.

Jude and Lila, on the other hand, had ventured further up the mountain, their playful banter echoing through the air as they raced each other down the slope. When they finally rejoined the group, Lila was breathless and giggling, while Jude wore a triumphant smirk.

"I totally won," Jude declared, though Lila was quick to argue.

"No way! You cheated, and you know it!" she accused, her laughter spilling out as she playfully smacked his arm.

Watching them, Zuri felt a contentment settle over her. There was something magical about being surrounded by love and friendship, especially during the holiday season.

________________________________

The next day, Before Lila and Jude headed to the airport for his family’s Christmas celebration in Norway, the group had planned a special late lunch at a charming mountain restaurant, complete with twinkling lights and a roaring fireplace. Zuri had dressed in a velvet green dress that hugged her curves, and Aurélien couldn’t stop staring.

Much later that night, as Zuri and Aurélien lay in bed, tangled in each other’s arms, she felt a deep sense of gratitude. This year had been a whirlwind, full of highs and lows, but it had led her here, to this moment, with the man she loved.

Aurélien kissed her forehead, his voice soft in the darkness. "Merry Christmas Eve, mon amour."

Zuri smiled, her heart full. "Merry Christmas Eve, Aurélien."

And as the snow continued to fall outside, blanketing Megève in its gentle embrace, Zuri knew that this Christmas would be one she’d cherish forever.

THE END........

PLEASE CHECK OUT IN BETWEEN THE LINES FOR JULES & SENAIT'S STORY BUT HERE'S SOMETHING FIRST.....

June 2030

The morning sun streamed into the room, casting a golden glow over Aurélien and Zuri as they lay entangled in each other’s arms, the remnants of their passion still heavy in the air. Zuri, now seven months pregnant with their second child, tried to catch her breath, smiling at the way Aurélien’s fingers traced patterns over the swell of her belly. He kissed her shoulder, his lips warm against her skin, and grinned.

"You’re insatiable, you know that?" Zuri teased, her voice breathy but amused.

Aurélien chuckled, pressing another kiss to her neck. "I can’t help it. You’re beautiful like this." His hands gently cupped her belly, and she rolled her eyes at his shameless adoration.

"Right," she replied, laughing softly. "Enjoy it while you can, because after this one, I’m done. Two is the limit."

Aurélien gave her a mock-horrified look. "We’ll see," he teased, but Zuri playfully smacked his chest, making him laugh again.

______________________________________________

"Eti, please don’t give Mama and Papa any trouble today," Zuri begged as she finished packing the diaper bag. Aurélien walked in, effortlessly lifting their wriggling son and planting kisses on his chubby cheeks, eliciting a giggle from the baby.

"Ready to go?" Aurélien asked, his tone full of the practiced patience of a seasoned dad.

Zuri nodded, her fingers trailing over her bump. "Let’s hope Eti behaves for Uncle Jude and Auntie Lila."

Yet, as fate would have it, the drive to Lewis' Tuscan villa was interrupted by a major blowout. They’d suspected it might happen, which is why Eti wasn’t in his little wedding suit yet. By the time they changed him in the car, both parents were laughing and shaking their heads in disbelief.

"Alright, second outfit of the day," Zuri declared, her voice dry with humor.

Inside, Zuri was greeted with the familiar chaos of a wedding day, and an hour after they arrived, her son had another blowout. She cradled Eti as they navigated through the villa, finally arriving at the groom's room, where Jude and his groomsmen were making last-minute preparations. She paused just outside, bumping into Lila's maid of honor, Jade, who was rushing by.

"Hey, Zuri!" Jade called, then noticed Eti's situation. "Oh no, another one?"

"Would you mind?" Zuri asked, nodding towards her son.

"Of course not. Come here, sweet boy," Jade cooed, taking Eti. "I'll watch him while you talk to the guys."

Zuri then poked her head into the groom's room, spotting Jude among his groomsmen. All the guys were dressed in their tuxes, the room thick with cigar smoke and laughter. She made a beeline to her husband and whispered in his ear.

"Another blowout?" Aurélien asked, kissing his teeth in exasperation. "I'll be right back. Eti had another blowout."

"Damn, what are you guys feeding him?" Trent joked, adjusting his bow tie.

"Seriously," Jobe added with a laugh. "Give him some medicine or something. Poor lil' dude has to have tummy issues."

Zuri was about to follow her husband out when Jude caught her wrist. "How's Li doin'?" he asked, nervous energy radiating off him.

She folded her arms over her bump, giving him a pointed look. "No, I can't tell you anything."

"What? Not even if she's okay?" Jude deployed those puppy dog eyes that probably worked wonders on Lila. "Please, Zu, just tell me."

"Fine," she groaned dramatically, leaning in closer. "She's eating... and crying because your Mum gifted her something blue. It was your grandmother's earrings."

"At least she's eating," Jude mused.

"Yeah... weird stuff too... like she's—" Zuri stopped abruptly, her eyes narrowing as she studied Jude's face. She leaned in to whisper, "She's pregnant?"

Jude's smug grin was all the confirmation she needed.

"Wow, wasted no time, did you?" she teased, though she couldn't hide her surprise.

"They both have my last name, so it doesn't matter," Jude shrugged, still grinning.

Zuri shook her head, laughing softly as she left the room. Trust these two to start their family before they even made it down the aisle. But then again, who was she to judge? She found Aurélien holding a wriggling Eti while thanking Jade profusely for watching him.

"Two blowouts already," Zuri gave a tired but amused sigh. "He's determined to make today memorable."

Jade laughed. "It wouldn't be a family event without some chaos."

They found a bathroom and changed Eti into a plain shirt and chinos, deciding to fully forgo the suit. As Aurélien gave him some medicine to settle his stomach, he shook his head. "Maybe those strawberries for breakfast weren't such a good idea."

"We should probably make an appointment with Dr. Martinez when we get back to Madrid," Zuri mused as they left the bathroom, watching their son's face for any sign of discomfort.

"Hey, Jules and Senait are here," he said, nodding down the hallway.

Senait's face was flushed, eyes brimming with frustrated tears. At five months pregnant with her and Jules' first child, she was visibly emotional. Jules' face had concern etched into his features as he tried to soothe her.

"What happened?" Zuri asked, rushing over.

Senait sniffled. "I wanted a chocolate bar from that shop we loved in Florence, but they're out. And it's not available anywhere else in Italy!"

"Oh honey," Zuri pulled her into a hug, careful of her bump. "Pregnancy cravings are the worst."

"It's not just cravings," Senait hiccupped. "I wanted to share it with the baby. Tell them about our first trip to Florence, how their papa scored the winning goal that night."

Zuri bit back a laugh, exchanging a knowing look with Aurélien. "Hey, they've got some amazing snacks in Lila's room," she said, wrapping her arm around Senait. "Go on, I promise it'll make you feel better."

Senait nodded, allowing herself to be comforted, and made her way to Lila's room, leaving Jules and Aurélien to talk. The men shared a chuckle, with Jules shaking his head in disbelief. "Pregnancy, man. Never a dull moment."

Aurélien smiled, his eyes drifting back to Zuri. "Tell me about it." He adjusted Eti, who was now babbling happily, oblivious to the chaos he'd caused.

"I'm taking Eti to the groom's room," Aurélien informed Zuri, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "I'll see you soon, okay?"

Zuri watched them leave, her heart swelling with love. Despite the mishaps and the stress, there was a deep sense of peace she felt in moments like these. Her family was her world, and as she made her way to check on Lila one last time, she couldn't help but think about how blessed they all were to share in this day.

Lila was fussing over the final details of her dress, looking every bit the fairytale bride and Senait was in much better spirits.

"Sometimes I still can't believe this is my life," Senait admitted softly from the couch. "Barcelona, Jules, the baby... if you'd told me six years ago this is where I'd end up..."

"You'd have run screaming in the opposite direction?" Lila supplied.

"Probably."

"And now look at you," Zuri stepped in and squeezed her hand. "Living your dream life with your dream man, growing your dream baby."

Tear welled up in Senait's eyes. "Stop, I just fixed my makeup."

"Blame the hormones," Lila suggested cheerfully.

A knock at the door interrupted their laughter. Jules poked his head in, his expression softening when he saw his wife surrounded by snacks and friends.

"Better?" he asked.

Senait nodded, holding out her hand. He crossed the room to take it, pressing a kiss to her temple.

"Guess what?" Zuri heard him murmur to Senait. "Aurélien made some calls. That chocolate shop? They're sending a box directly to Barcelona. Should be there when we get home."

Tears spilled from Senait's eyes. "I love you," she said to Jules.

"Je t'aime aussi, mon coeur." Jules' hand found her bump. "Both of you."

Zuri's heart swelled at their tender exchange. Sometimes, her friends could be too adorable for words.

"And on that disgustingly sweet note," Lila announced, making every stare at her, "I need to finish getting ready. I have a wedding to star in."

The bridal stylist jumped in at that moment and helped Lila with her veil.

When she was done, Zuri placed a gentle hand on her friend's shoulder. "You look so perfect," she whispered, her eyes taking in the custom Zuhair Murad gown that fitted Lila exquisitely.

Lila smiled, her eyes glistening. "Thanks, Zu. I just can't believe this is finally happening."

Zuri smiled, her hand resting protectively over her bump. "Believe it, girl. This is your moment."

_____________________________________________

Looking around the small, recently renovated church at the edge of Lewis' Tuscan estate, Zuri couldn't help but smile. It had been six years since Jude first fell in love with Lila, and now here they were. The white roses and silk drapery seemed to glow in the Italian sunlight, the entire setting as romantic as anyone could dream.

Her hand rested on her bump as she thought about her own journey. Aurélien's proposal in late 2025, their wedding in 2026, deciding to wait for kids until she felt ready. Now here they were, expecting their second while Eti, safely nestled in Jules' arms in the crowd, kept them on their toes. So much had happened in those years - Aurélien's Ballon d'Or, France's Euro and World Cup victories, and her own success in building one of Madrid's most respected boutique influencer marketing agencies. Life had unfolded in ways she never could have imagined when she first arrived in Madrid.

The sound of "Ave Maria" starting pulled her from her thoughts. It was time. As she stood in her place with the other bridesmaids, Zuri caught Aurélien's eye across the aisle where he stood with the other groomsmen. He winked at her, and her heart swelled just as it had the first time they met. She watched as Anthony walked Lila down the aisle, tears streaming down his face, barely able to speak when the priest asked who gave this woman away. Lewis had to step forward to comfort their father, and Zuri felt her own eyes welling up at the emotion of it all.

Some arrangements might start unconventionally, but they could still lead to the most beautiful love stories. Looking at Jude and Lila exchanging their vows, at Lewis’ three daughters, at her own growing family, Zuri knew this to be true. Love had its own timeline, its own way of working things out.

______________________________________

six months later…..

The late afternoon sun cast a warm glow over their Madrid home's garden, transformed for Zulaika's naming ceremony. Aurélien watched with pride as Zuri, dressed in vibrant traditional fabric, spoke confidently in Bamum and French, directing the preparations with an ease that made his heart swell.

This was a far cry from the uncertain woman he'd met six years ago. Now she commanded respect effortlessly, switching between languages as she consulted with Elder Nkeng and greeted arriving family members.

Mamie Adzoa, Zuri's grandmother, hadn't stopped beaming since she arrived from Cameroon, constantly cooing at four-month-old Zulaika in her arms. The sight reminded Aurélien of Etienne's ceremony - how nervous they'd both been then, first-time parents trying to honor traditions while navigating modern life.

"Your wife has grown into her heritage beautifully," Elder Nkeng commented to Aurélien in Bamum, nodding approvingly as Zuri organized the ceremonial elements.

Amina, Zuri's mother, was directing the food preparation, while Malik and his wife Brynn struggled to keep their twins from disrupting the carefully arranged offerings. The boys had been much smaller at Etienne's ceremony, barely walking. Now they were energetic four-year-olds, fascinated by their new baby cousin.

As Elder Nkeng began the blessing, bestowing Zulaika with her ceremonial name - Ngouenet, meaning "blessed gift" - Aurélien caught Zuri's eye. They'd already planned their next trip to Cameroon, waiting until Zulaika turned nine months and completed her vaccinations. Just like they'd done with Eti, they would introduce their daughter to her ancestral homeland.

The ceremony blended traditional elements with modern touches - ancient Bamiléké blessings alongside contemporary celebrations. It was a perfect reflection of their family: rooted in tradition but growing into something uniquely their own.

"Photos!" Brynn called out, corralling her twins. Aurélien stood next to Zuri, who held Zulaika while Etienne stood in front of them. Mamie Adzoa insisted on being seated in front next to her great-grandchildren, her face glowing with pride.

"En français!" someone called.

"Non, en Bamum!" another voice contested.

"Just smile!" Malik laughed.

After the formal photos, Aurélien pulled Zuri close, pressing his lips to hers in a tender kiss. Malik's twins made exaggerated gagging sounds while the adults chuckled.

"I love you," Aurélien murmured against her lips.

Zuri's eyes sparkled as she looked up at him. "I love you more," she replied, then added in Bamum, "Forever and always."

Watching their families blend together - his parents chatting with Mamie Adzoa through a mix of gestures and translated phrases, their children being doted on by relatives from both sides - Aurélien felt complete. This was everything he never knew he needed until Zuri walked into his life.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

[onceuponaoneshotfanfic]

We’ll Always Have Chelsea

I'm Bright Baby Blue, Falling Into You

Chelsea!Roy Kent x Coach's Daughter!Reader

1.7k words

Warnings: Language, lying/sneaking around, no Ted Lasso characters except for Roy, extremely protective father, angst, maybe some slut-shaming

A/N: Thank you for all the love you've shown this story! Let's consider this a "mid-season finale" of sorts. I'm currently working on the second half of this story, and once it's complete I'll resume posting it. Feel free to send asks and questions about the Chelsea!Roy universe in the meantime; it seriously keeps me motivated!

(And thank you to @kissykissymouth for the chapter title!)

“Let’s go, Roy-o!” you shrieked from your seat as the announcers called his name in those booming voices that echoed through the stadium.

Katie rolled her eyes playfully as she clapped along with the roaring crowd. “You are the most obvious human being I’ve ever met, you know that?”

“I can afford to be obvious now,” you said with a smile. When Katie quirked a curious eyebrow at you, you leaned in close. “He asked me to make things official last night.” You sounded like a silly little teenage girl, all giddy and delighted over a boy, and you didn’t care one bit. “To be his girlfriend. To stay together even after I’m back at uni. That whole thing.”

Her smile was soft and genuine. “Oh, that’s so great!” she gushed as she grabbed your hand. “Now we can plan some real double dates. Go out on the town, all four of us.” Her glee faded as she studied you for a moment. “But what about your-”

“We’re telling him after the match.” For the first time since Roy climbed back out your window in the early hours of the morning, you felt confident in the idea of telling your dad. This wasn’t just a summer fling anymore; it was something real, something that would hopefully last.

And your dad was going to have to figure out how to deal with it.

Katie let out a low whistle. “Well, good luck with that,” she hummed, giving your hand a squeeze. “Let me know if you need help planning Kent’s funeral.”

You gave her a friendly shove and turned your attention back to the pitch, not bothering to hide the way you couldn’t keep your eyes off of Roy. In a few hours, your dad would know, and there would be no reason to keep anything a secret from anyone. You’d be able to come to every match and proudly wear Roy's name on your back, the way all the wives and girlfriends did, and wrap your arms around him when he emerged fresh from the showers. He could take you to post-match celebrations and charity events and any of the fabulous places a fella like him would take his girl. And you’d be able to bring him home, have him spend time with your family, properly introduce him to your mates.

As long as your dad didn’t kill Roy first.

~

After the match- a flawless 4-0 Chelsea victory, much to your relief- you lingered by Katie’s side to wait for the men to come out of the changing room. When was the last time your palms were this sweaty or your heart raced this fast? Every time a player walked out the door, your mouth went dry, wondering when it would be Roy. Somehow, you just knew that his sparkling brown eyes would be enough to calm all your nerves.

Jules emerged with a smirk on his face. After kissing his wife, he quirked an eyebrow at you. “Kent’s pretty jealous.”

“What makes you say that?” you huffed, pretending you weren’t utterly pleased at the mere mention of Roy's name.

Jules tugged on the sleeve of your kit playfully. “Apparently he doesn’t like that you wore my kit instead of his today.” He quirked his eyebrow. “Mumbled something about his girlfriend being unsupportive already.” His eyes shifted to a grinning Katie before returning to you. “Want to explain to me why the hell Kent’s calling you his girlfriend, princess?”

“Because she fucking is.” Roy smirked down at you, his fingertips twitching as he shot you a wink. “And at our next match, there better be a six on your back, gorgeous.”

You beamed up at him. “You were great today, Kent.” Fuck, you wished you could grab him and kiss that smirk. Next time, you promised yourself as the two of you batted your eyes at each other, probably making the married couple roll their own eyes. Next time you’d be wearing his kit, and you’d be able to greet him with a girlish squeal and a kiss. You’d get to finally be Roy Kent’s girl.

All you had to do was break the news to your dad.

“Your dad’s already in his press conference,” Roy murmured with raised eyebrows. “Should we… go wait in his office?”

There was that dryness in your throat again. “Yeah,” you managed, blinking rapidly. “Guess we should.” You offered Katie and Jules a tight smile. “We’ll see you guys later.”

“Good luck,” Katie called in a sing-song voice as you and Roy turned to walk down to the coaching offices.

Sure enough, your dad’s office was empty and dark. You flipped on the light and turned on his television, greeted by his face as he sat in front of the crowd of reporters. His normally stern expression was relaxed as he answered questions about the match, clearly glowing from such a great win. If there was ever a day to tell him that you were dating his completely off-limits star midfielder, it was today.

Roy leaned against the edge of your dad’s desk, next to the framed photo of you and your brother that sat by your dad’s computer. Roy took your hand and tugged you to stand close to him, pressing the tiniest kiss to your temple as his thumb stroked the back of your hand.

“It’s gonna be fine,” he whispered.

You gulped and nodded, keeping your eyes trained on your dad’s face. “I know.”

“-performed very well today,” your dad was saying as he picked up the water bottle that sat beside a microphone. “For goodness’ sake, the man scored two goals today. Don’t know what all this is about a slump. I hope all the fellas fall into this kind of a slump.” He chuckled good-naturedly and pointed off-camera. “Next question.”

“Moving on from today’s match,” a cautious voice called out. “Coach, what d’you have to say about those photos of Roy Kent and…” The reporter cleared his throat. “… your daughter?”

For a moment, your father’s face was bright red as he set down the unopened water bottle. “I’m sorry?”

Your blood ran cold while the reporter continued. “There are photos of them at a casino. They were with, uh, Jules and his wife.” He cleared his throat again. “They were quite cozy.”

“Fuck.” Roy squeezed your hand and tore his eyes away from the television. “I-”

“I don’t comment on my players’ private lives.” Your dad’s jaw was tight as he sat up at his full height. “Especially Roy Kent.” His laugh rang hollow in your ears. “If I commented on every rumor about that kid’s love life, I’d never have time to manage this team.” He moved to stand, not quite looking at the camera. “Now, if there’s no more football-related questions, I think we’re done here.”

Roy let out a low growl and switched the telly off. “Well, fuck.”

“You should leave,” you murmured, looking into Roy’s panicked eyes. “Seriously, Roy. This is so much worse than we thought. It might be better if you go.”

He shook his head. “Fuck no.” He let go of your hand in favor of wrapping his arm around your waist. “We said we’re doing this together,” he said slowly. “So, we’re doing this together. I’m not going to be the kind of prick who runs away when things get hard.” He sighed and closed his eyes. “And this is going to be so fucking hard.”

The two of you flinched when you heard doors slam and feet stomping. Instinctively, Roy removed his hand from your hip, but he stayed close enough for you to feel his warmth. A smart move, you had to admit. A smarter move would be for him to run away from Stamford Bridge altogether, to never speak to you again, but you were glad he stayed. Something besides fear swelled in your heart when you realized that Roy was sticking by your side, even in the face of your father.

Your father, whose raised voice you could hear down the hall. “Where the hell is my kid? And where the fuck is Kent?”

Your entire body trembled as his footsteps came closer, finally stopping in front of the open door of his office. His eyes widened when he took in the sight of you, standing far too close to Roy Kent in the office that held framed photos of your childhood and crayon drawings from over a decade ago. He stormed in, ignoring you in favor of grabbing Roy by his t-shirt.

“What the fuck is wrong with you, Kent?” he barked. “All the fucking models and actresses in London, and you decide to shag my daughter?”

Roy shook his head frantically, hands up in defense. “Coach, it’s not like that-”

“Get the fuck out, Kent.” He released Roy and pointed to the door. “Before I take a real good look at your contract.”

You found your voice. “Daddy,” you said shakily. “Roy’s not going anywhere.” You reached down and intertwined your fingers with Roy's, ignoring the player's wide eyes. “We’re dating, Dad. Me and Roy.” You gave Roy’s hand a squeeze. “We-”

“One rule.” Your dad’s voice was low, filled with anger. “I had one rule for you hanging around here. No. Footballers.” He pointed at Roy. “Especially that one.” He shook his head at you. “What were you thinking?"

“I’m thinking I care about Roy and he cares about me.” You gripped Roy’s hand like it was a lifesaver. “And I’m thinking I’m an adult. You can’t tell me who I can and can’t date. I’m not sixteen anymore.”

Your dad’s eyes were full of rage and pain as he stared at you, looking at you like you were a complete stranger. “You’re sure acting sixteen, sneaking around behind my back.” He shook his head, eyeing Roy with disgust. “But you’re right. You’re apparently all grown up now. Do what the fuck you want.” He grabbed his bag from behind his desk and made his way to the door. “Besides, you’ll be back at school soon enough.” His gaze was steely, lacking any of the usual affection he sent your way. “And Kent’ll be back to his normal self. Once you're gone, he'll be right back to his models. Maybe then you’ll realize I was right about him all along.”

Taglist:@gee72sstuff@book-of-roses@kissykissymouth@emmy2811 @hart-kinsella @klaine-92@dearvoidgoodnight@misshall14@issieruby@royal-sunflower@kissmekent@itswhateveripromise@slaymybreathaway@darkmagazineblaze@larascorneroftheworld@infinetlyforgotten@caught-the-feels@rae4725@sisinever@cskidjgsjaoaknayan52782@dd122004dd@veryprairieberry@spacecluster@dark-academia-slut@her-fandom-sanctum@wosokirby @mmmgl29 @aadu2173

[adore-gregor]

It's true sometimes others doubting you really is the best motivation :))

[virgoilluminati]

World Class

next chapter

Chapter 4.

Previous chapter

A/N: hey guys! It's been a while, I'm so sorry that I haven't posted in AGES but I started Uni! And its honestly just one of the weirdest experiences of my life. This is the next chapter of this world class series, honestly dk when this will be finished or when the next chapter will be but enjoy :)

Word Count: 3.4k

Warnings: y/n being main character lmao (the angst is so extra and unnecessary but i wanted to make this story so extra). Jude Bellingham being a cutie pa tootie and swearing lol. 💕

leahwilliamson

Liked by y/nmorrison, maryearps, lucybronze and 200,000 others

leahwilliamson we won the fifa match

View all 50,000 comments

keirawalsh you may have won the battle but i will win the war 💥💥

leahwilliamson Leah 1, Keira 0. Easy peasy!

y/nmorrison @leahwilliamson I have now officially had a coffee overdose thanks to you two.

The soft morning light struggled to pierce through the curtains, and there you were, dragged into an unexpected adventure. Leah, the early morning dynamo and the team's captain, had leaped onto your bed with the grace of a ninja sloth.

"Rise and shine, superstar!" Leah declared, bouncing on your bed like it was a trampoline.

You, still half-asleep, attempted to process the bizarre situation. "Leah, what on earth are you doing?"

But Leah was on a mission, grabbing your wrist and dragging you downstairs like a determined detective chasing a criminal. Downstairs, in the living room, she pointed to the TV with the seriousness of an FBI agent about to crack a case.

"The TV."

You blinked, slowly realizing the gravity of the situation. "Leah, it's just a TV."

"No! It's FIFA!" Leah protested with the conviction of a conspiracy theorist. "I've been trying to beat Keira since the dawn of time, but she always wins. The only way I can beat her is by practicing."

You, still in your pajamas and jet-lagged from a recent trip to Spain, sighed. "When's your next game?"

"Today at 8 AM," Leah replied, her eyes gleaming with determination.

"So, let me get this straight," you said, trying to wrap your head around it all. "You woke me up at the crack of dawn to help you practice FIFA so you can defeat Keira at 8 AM?"

Leah nodded vigorously. "Exactly!"

You rubbed your eyes and reached for the coffee maker. "Alright, alright. But first, coffee. Lots and lots of coffee."

As you all gathered around the TV, your FIFA boot camp began. Mary joined in at 6 AM, bewildered by the early morning antics. "Leah, Y/N, what are you—"

But one glance at the TV, and she got it. "You've been sucked into the Keira vs. Leah saga, haven't you?" she asked, shaking her head.

You, already on your second cup of coffee, groaned and begged Mary to show you how to take a penalty kick, realizing that this absurd adventure had no end in sight.

As if on cue, the door swung open, revealing the towering figure of Bronze, the star defender. She surveyed the scene with an arched eyebrow and a bemused smile.

"What on earth is happening here?" Bronze asked, her voice a blend of curiosity and amusement.

Leah, still fervently determined to achieve FIFA greatness, answered before you could. "We're gearing up for the ultimate showdown with Keira. It's a matter of life and death, you know!"

Bronze chuckled, crossing her arms. "Alright, let me show you kids some of my international soccer wizardry." With that, she grabbed the controller from your hand and began demonstrating advanced maneuvers, earning impressed nods from the rest of you.

The living room had transformed into a battleground of FIFA enthusiasts, with tips and tricks flying faster than a Messi free-kick. The clock ticked on, the sun climbed higher, and the smell of coffee became a permanent fixture in the room.

Just when you thought your day couldn't get any stranger, the door creaked open again, and in strolled Daly. She eyed the chaos with a raised eyebrow, her imposing presence making the room feel smaller.

"What's all this commotion?" Daly asked, her deep voice cutting through the virtual crowd.

Leah, still on her mission to recruit everyone for the Keira vs. Leah face-off, eagerly explained. "It's Keira vs. Leah, Daly. I need to outmatch her at FIFA, and we're in intense training mode."

Daly considered this for a moment, then grinned. "Count me in. Let's give Keira a run for her virtual money."

With Daly on your side, your team was complete. The living room had evolved into a makeshift soccer arena, where tactics and skills were honed with determination. As the sun reached its zenith, you were more resolved than ever to dethrone Keira from her FIFA throne.

Keira, little did she know, was about to face a united front. A team of fierce competitors, armed with newfound FIFA skills, and fueled by caffeine and sheer determination, was poised to take her on in the virtual soccer showdown of the century. The saga had become a sideshow in itself, and it was only a matter of time before the epic showdown unfolded on the pixelated pitch.

The living room had been transformed into a battlefield of pixelated glory as Leah and Keira prepared to face off in the ultimate FIFA showdown. Each was seated on one end of the sofa, clutching their controllers like they were the keys to victory. On either side of the room, their respective teams had gathered, divided into passionate discussions of strategy.

Keira's dream team consisted of Millie, Chloe, Alessia, and Ella, all known for their formidable FIFA skills. The tension in the room was palpable as the match commenced.

Leah, her eyes fixed on the screen, whispered to herself with determination, "I've trained for this moment. It's time to show Keira what I'm made of."

Keira, on the other hand, couldn't resist a sly grin. "Ready to be humbled, Leah?"

The virtual soccer field came to life, but it wasn't just about the game; it was about the comical chaos that unfolded around it.

Millie cheered enthusiastically for Keira. "Go, Keira! Score that goal!"

Georgia, on Leah's side, leaned in and whispered, "I heard Keira practices her penalty kicks in her sleep. No pressure, though."

Alessia, trying to distract Leah, chimed in, "Hey, Leah, did you hear there's a new cafe in town? Great place to celebrate your impending defeat."

Ella, sipping on a smoothie, added casually, "Oh, sorry, Leah. Were you trying to concentrate?"

Leah's team wasn't about to be outdone in the banter department.

Daly couldn't resist mocking Keira. "Keira, did you confuse the FIFA controls with your phone again?"

Bronze joined in, feigning shock. "Oh no, Keira scored? Must be a solar eclipse or something."

Mary, pretending to be a commentator, announced, "And Keira makes a pass... to the wrong player. Classic Keira move."

The living room was a cacophony of shouts, laughter, and exaggerated victory dances. Even the cat decided to join the spectacle, chasing an imaginary ball across the floor.

Leah, nudging you for help, said urgently, "Y/N, give me some tips!"

You, struggling to concentrate amid the chaos, replied, "I can't, Leah! I'm still recovering from the espresso overdose this morning!"

As the match intensified, the score remained neck-and-neck, and the room's atmosphere became increasingly charged with suspense. It all came down to the final minutes of the game.

Keira, her nerves showing, urged her team, "Come on, team, we can't let Leah win!"

Leah, filled with unwavering determination, rallied her team, "This is it, folks! Let's show Keira what we're made of!"

Then, in a moment of sheer absurdity, Leah's team executed an unexpected maneuver, resulting in a goal that left Keira's team in stunned disbelief.

Leah's Team erupted into cheers, shouting, "We did it! We did it!"

Daly laughed heartily, "Looks like Keira's reign of terror is over."

In the final seconds of the match, Leah's team secured their victory, much to Keira's chagrin.

Leah, grinning triumphantly, declared, "I did it! I actually did it!"

Keira, grumbling and refusing to accept defeat, growled, "Rematch. We need a rematch!"

As celebrations erupted and laughter filled the room, the living room had borne witness to a chaotic, comical, and utterly unforgettable FIFA battle. The rivalry between Leah and Keira had reached a new level of absurdity, and it was certain that this saga would be recounted with laughter for years to come.

y/nmorrison

liked by judebellingham, leahwilliamson and 600,000 others

y/nmorrison football ilysm

View all 75,000 comments

realmadridofficial thank you for coming to see us perform

y/nmorrison @realmadridofficial you guys never disappoint

y/nmorrisonno.1fan. Wait- she came all the way from australia? For a match?

user234 @y/nmorrisonno.1fan and it was jude's debut?

user345 are they making it official?

judebellingham

liked by y/nmorrison,harrykane and 900,000 others

judebellingham Thank you to everyone that came out. Tonight was extra special. 3 points up, we go on...

view all 150,000 comments

user190 extra special for what reason jude? 😏

y/nmorrison no.1 fan <3

user2457 not y/n using the same comment as jude earlier this week!

user567 guys! they are soft launching so hard right now.

You sat in your hotel room in Australia and a phone call come through. You answered, and fran's voice came through the line, tinged with concern. "Hey, Y/N, it's Fran. We wanted to talk to you about Jude. He's been a bit down lately. Missing you, I think."

Your heart sank at the thought of Jude feeling lonely and stressed. "Oh, Fran, I miss him too. I want to do something special for him. Can you help?"

Fran grinned, even though you couldn't see it. "That's exactly what we were hoping you'd say. We've got a plan to surprise him before the match. Wear his favorite color and bring his favorite flowers. We'll make sure he is ready."

The Santiago Bernabéu stadium buzzed with electric anticipation as you prepared for your most anticipated match of the season. Jude, your beloved boyfriend and the newly signed star player, was about to make his debut in the iconic white jersey. The air was thick with not just anticipation but also an underlying sense of suspense in the locker room.

Meanwhile, thousands of miles away, you found yourself in Australia for the Women's World Cup, where you were a talented soccer player yourself. Your team had a few days off, and while you were enjoying the thrill of the tournament, you couldn't shake the longing to see Jude before his momentous match.

You had planned meticulously, coordinating with Jude's teammates for your surprise visit. You knew that blue had always been his favorite color, and you had chosen a stunning blue silk dress to wear for this special occasion. In your hands, you held a bouquet of fresh white lilies, knowing they were Jude's preferred flowers.

As you entered the stadium, your heart raced with excitement, but there was an undeniable sense of suspense in the air. The journey from Australia had been long, but you were determined to be there for Jude on this significant day. Your presence would serve as a symbol of your unwavering support for each other's soccer careers.

The match began, and the stadium roared to life. You sensed that something extraordinary was about to happen, and the suspense was almost unbearable.

As the final whistle blew, signaling Real Madrid's victory, the crowd erupted in jubilation. Jude had played brilliantly, scoring a crucial goal. The suspense that had been building throughout the match reached its peak, and the stadium lights shone brightly, casting long shadows across the field. The cameras and microphones surrounded Jude as the interviewer started asking questions about the game and how he felt scoring the goal.

skynews

liked by bbcnews,fifaofficial and others

skynews: Shortly after his much discussed transfer to Real Madrid, Jude Bellingham scores on his debut! Full interview in our bio.

View all 25,000 comments

user120 his eyes are somewhere else...

user618 @user120 i think you mean on someone else 😏

user120 that boy is absolutely smitten 🥰

judebellinghamsswife this man is so fine, y/n is a lucky girl🔥

Jude began to speak, trying to keep his focus on the interview. But then, amid the chaos, his eyes searched the stands. And there, like a beacon in the night, he spotted you. Your blue silk dress seemed to glow, and the bouquet of white lilies in your hands was a vision of beauty.

The suspense that had been lingering suddenly exploded into a moment of pure astonishment. The crowd held its breath as Jude's face lit up with surprise and joy. His voice wavered as he answered the interviewer's questions, clearly distracted by your presence.

"You're stunning," Jude whispered, his voice filled with admiration as he gazed at you in your beautiful blue silk dress.

You blushed, a warm smile gracing your lips. "Thank you," you replied softly.

His eyes were locked onto you like a magnet, tracing every curve of your form. Unable to contain his affection, Jude leaned in and showered your face with a cascade of sweet, tender kisses, each one filled with his overwhelming love and joy at your surprise visit.

"Ew, Jude, you're sweaty," you teased, crinkling your nose as you embraced him.

"Just how you like," he replied with a playful smirk, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

You rolled your eyes but couldn't help but smile at his charm. You leaned in to hug him tightly, reveling in the familiar scent of his sweat and the warmth of his embrace.

As you shared this intimate moment, Jude's keen eyes caught sight of a nearby camera. Concern flickered in his eyes, knowing that your surprise visit might not sit well with some fans, and your typically discreet nature when it came to public displays of affection.

"Y/N," he murmured, his voice low and cautious, "there's a camera over there."

You, ever fearless and passionate, followed his gaze and spotted the camera as well. Instead of pulling away, you pulled Jude closer, capturing his lips in a sweet, lingering kiss. The audience erupted into a loud cheer, their love and support for the couple evident in the thunderous applause.

Your relationship with Jude had always been a beautiful blend of openness and privacy. While you never officially announced your romance to the public, it was an open secret among your closest friends, family, and avid fans. You chose to softly reveal your relationship to the world, letting moments of your love story unfold naturally, leaving fans to connect the dots.

Your relationship became a game of reading between the lines for your followers, who delighted in the subtle signs of affection you occasionally shared. There were stolen glances and knowing smiles, but never a direct confirmation of your romance. Well, until now.

Jude, momentarily surprised, couldn't help but smile into the kiss. He realized that sometimes, the world just had to know about your love. As you finally parted, he whispered, "Well, I guess everyone knows now."

You grinned mischievously, "Let them cheer, Jude. We've got nothing to hide."

In the post-match interviews, reporters couldn’t resist asking Jude about that iconic moment. “Jude,” one interviewer grinned, “that kiss with Y/N at the end there was quite a spectacle. Can you tell us more about your relationship?”

Jude, initially taken aback by the attention but never one to shy away from his feelings, chuckled and replied, “Well, I guess the cat’s out of the bag. Y/N and I have been together for a while now, and she’s an amazing person. We met through our love for soccer, and it’s been a fantastic journey together.”

Another reporter, eager to keep the conversation going, chimed in, “Jude, your girlfriend is a phenomenal player on the Women’s England team. Can you share your predictions for her upcoming match?”

Jude’s face lit up with enthusiasm. “Absolutely! Y/N is incredibly dedicated and skilled on the field. I have all the confidence in the world in her and her team. I predict they’ll give it their all and come out with a resounding victory. I’ll be there cheering them on, just like they were there for me today.”

Just as the interview was hitting a high note of positivity, a third interviewer, with a stern expression, jumped into the conversation. “Jude,” they began in a somewhat accusatory tone, “some people argue that women’s football is not the same as men’s football and that your girlfriend, Y/N, might have gotten away with some questionable plays. What’s your response to these critics?”

Jude’s smile faded, replaced by a determined look. He leaned forward and replied firmly, “I have to disagree with that sentiment entirely. Women’s football is just as competitive, skilled, and exciting as men’s football. Y/N and her teammates train just as hard, and they play with the same passion and integrity that I do. Accusations of cheating or undermining their abilities are completely unfounded.”

Jude’s words resonated with a sense of conviction, and it was clear that he was ready to defend not only his girlfriend but also the entire Women’s England team. The interviewer, taken aback by Jude’s strong response, quickly changed the subject, realizing that they had struck a sensitive chord.

hellomagazine

liked by user156, user781 and others

hellomagazine Real Madrid and English football player Jude Bellingham spotted kissing and holding hands with fellow english footballer Y/N Morrison after she came to a real madrid match during her camp at the womens world cup in Australia.

view all comments

user156 leave them alone, poor guy looks so bothered

user350 poor guy is just trying to get to his car and protect his girlfriend

user103 i heard one of the paparazzi started harassing y/n, and he had to step in. Why can't people just leave them alone man. They are humans too!

But as Jude and you tried to leave the stadium, you find yourself surrounded by a persistent crowd of fans and reporters. Despite Jude’s best efforts to steer the conversation towards your respective careers and love for the sport, the questions about your relationship grew increasingly personal and intrusive.

“Jude, can you tell us more about your romantic getaways with Y/N?” one reporter pressed.

You, visibly uncomfortable, interjected, “We’d appreciate it if you could focus on our soccer careers and the game we love.”

But the questions kept coming, probing into their private moments, and both Jude and you began to regret ever announcing your relationship in such a public manner. You exchanged frustrated glances, realizing that your intention to celebrate your love had unintentionally invited a wave of invasive curiosity.

Before you could reach the safety of the car, the relentless paparazzi continued to hound you, snapping photos and shouting questions.

Paparazzo 1: (shouting) “Jude, over here! Tell us about your relationship with Y/N!”

Paparazzo 2: (shouting) “Y/N, how does it feel to be with Jude? Any wedding plans?”

Jude, his patience exhausted, turned towards the paparazzi, his voice filled with frustration.

Jude: (shouting) “That’s enough! Show some respect! Give us some space!”

His voice rang out, commanding attention, and for a moment, the paparazzi fell silent, taken aback by Jude’s sudden outburst. In that brief respite, he continued to guide you to the car, determined to protect you from the invasive questions and cameras.

Furious at the paparazzi who had continued to hound you with intrusive questions and cameras despite your distress, Jude couldn't hold back any longer.

Jude: (shouting) "Can you all just fuck off."

His voice carried a powerful anger, and for a moment, the paparazzi fell silent, taken aback by Jude's fierce outburst. In that brief respite, he continued to guide you to the car, determined to protect you from the invasive questions and cameras.

But before you could reach the safety of the car, the situation took a horrifying turn. An angry fan, infuriated by his team's loss, shoved you away from Jude with a forceful motion. You stumbled backward, your shocked expression giving way to one of disbelief and fear.

Jude's reaction was immediate and protective. His face contorted with anger as he stepped between you and the fan, his voice laced with a threatening edge. "Touch my girlfriend again and I'll fucking kill you. I don't know who you think you are, but you're a fucking idiot. It's a football match get over yourself.

The fan recoiled, shocked by Jude's intense response. The surrounding crowd, already outraged by the fan's behavior, now watched in stunned silence as security personnel rushed in to apprehend the individual responsible for the attack. They ensured that you and Jude were safe from further harm.

Once inside the car, the overwhelming emotions finally overcame you, and you collapsed into Jude's arms, sobbing uncontrollably. Jude held you tightly, his protective instincts firmly in place, as you both sought refuge from the relentless scrutiny.

Inside the taxi, after the harrowing encounter with the fan, you and Jude found a moment of respite. Emotions still ran high, but the leather seats and the warm glow of the city lights outside offered a semblance of security.

Jude held you close, his protective instincts still coursing through him. The trauma of the fan's aggression weighed on both of you, but the taxi ride allowed a brief pause in the turmoil.

Y/N apologized softly, "I'm so sorry, Jude. I just wanted to surprise you."

Jude, gazing into your eyes, furrowed his brow in confusion.

"What?" he asked, curious.

You continued, "I'm sorry-"

Before you could finish, Jude cut in, a mixture of concern and frustration in his voice, "No. Why are you apologizing? You did nothing wrong. If anyone is in the wrong, it was that fucking fan. If I see him again, I'll-"

At that very moment, the taxi's engine roared to life, propelling you away from the chaos. The vehicle became your sanctuary as it glided through the city streets, the comforting embrace of the backseat cocooning you both.

A faint smile crossed your lips, appreciating Jude's protectiveness.

"You'll what?" you teased, looking at him.

Through the taxi's windows, the city lights passed by like a shifting dreamscape.

"I'll kill him.," Jude declared,before cringing. "He touched my girl. He atleast deserves a good punch."

As the taxi journeyed further from the ordeal, you and Jude found solace in each other's presence. Gratitude welled up between you, an unspoken acknowledgment of the support you had offered each other during a trying moment.

Amidst the hum of the engine and the soft glow of the taxi's interior, you shared affectionate glances. The city's rhythm became the backdrop to your unspoken connection.

Jude winced slightly as you two shared another embrace, the ordeal now safely behind you.

"What?" you asked playfully.

"Nothing, it's nothing-" Jude replied.

You pressed further, "No, what is it?"

Jude couldn't suppress a mischievous grin.

"It's just... you smell like booze," he teased.

Smiling, you responded, "You like it."

With those words, you nestled your head on his chest, finding solace in the comforting rhythm of his heartbeat. The taxi carried you both through the city, offering a sanctuary where you could cherish these moments of connection and affection amidst the chaos.

y/ns story

After the chaotic surprise at Santiago Bernabéu, Jude and you decided to make the most of your precious time together in Madrid and not let the match get to you. You strolled hand in hand through the enchanting streets of the Spanish capital, admiring the architecture, savoring delicious tapas, and enjoying each other’s company.

As you walked along the picturesque cobblestone streets, you couldn’t help but express your awe at the beauty of the city. “Jude, Madrid is incredible. I can see why you love playing here.”

Jude nodded, his eyes never leaving you. “It’s even more incredible with you here, Y/N.”

You found yourselves at a charming outdoor café, where you settled into a cozy corner table with a view of the bustling plaza. The warm evening breeze carried the scent of flowers and laughter from nearby tables.

Over glasses of rich Spanish wine, your conversation deepened. You talked passionately about your journey in the Women’s World Cup, describing the dedication and hard work that fueled your ambition.

“Imagine if you did win the World Cup,” Jude mused, a glint of excitement in his eyes.

“Jude,” you started, a hint of modesty in your voice.

“What?” He leaned closer, his gaze locked onto yours. “You must have pictured it! Imagine scoring the winning goal! It would be life-changing.”

Your cheeks flushed, but you couldn’t help but smile at Jude’s enthusiasm. “Hmm, I guess.”

Jude chuckled, his hand reaching across the table to gently squeeze yours. “You guess! Y/N! You’d be everywhere, I’d be chasing you around. Billboard after billboard. It would be inspiring—”

You interrupted, your voice filled with humility, “It would be pretty amazing, wouldn’t it?”

Under the Madrid moonlight, Jude and you felt closer than ever. Your love was as boundless as the cityscape before you, and you knew that no matter where life's journey took you, you would face it together, hand in hand, just as you did on that unforgettable night in Spain.

Your conversation about the future and the Women's World Cup continued to flow, weaving seamlessly into your dreams of a family.

"Imagine the things you could do with that kind of influence," Jude continued, his voice filled with wonder. "The futures you could inspire."

Your eyes sparkled with the possibilities. "And imagine our future. Imagine our kids running around and being able to play wherever we are in the world."

Jude's heart swelled with warmth at the thought. "Now that's something I would love to imagine..."

As you gazed into each other's eyes, your thoughts turned to the family you both longed to create together. Jude's expression softened with a dreamy smile. "I've imagined it, you know. Two boys who look exactly like me, brown scruffy hair, brown eyes, and that mischievous grin of mine."

You laughed, picturing the future he described. "Two little Judes running around, huh? They'd be a handful."

Jude nodded, his gaze filled with affection. "A handful, but they'd have your spirit and determination. And then," he continued, his voice gentle and dreamy, "our little girl, a perfect mix between you and me. With your beautiful eyes and my stubbornness."

Your heart melted at the image he painted. "Our family sounds incredible, Jude. I can't wait for that day."

You held onto that vision of your future, where love, dreams, and the joys of parenthood awaited you. In that moment, as you shared your hopes and dreams under the Madrid moonlight, you knew that your love was strong enough to overcome any obstacle life might throw your way.

The Madrid morning sun streamed through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the hotel room where Jude and you lay tangled in each other's arms. The night had been filled with laughter and whispered promises, but the dawn brought the inevitable parting.

You sighed softly as you gazed at Jude's peaceful sleeping face. You knew you had to leave for your training camp in Australia, but the thought of saying goodbye tugged at your heart.

Jude stirred, his brown eyes fluttering open as he felt your gaze on him. "Morning," he mumbled, his voice husky with sleep.

"Morning," you replied, your fingers tracing lazy patterns on his chest. "I have to go soon."

Jude's arms tightened around you, pulling you closer. "Can't you stay a little longer?"

You smiled sadly, brushing a strand of hair away from his face. "You know I can't, love. Duty calls."

Jude sighed, pressing a gentle kiss to your lips. "I'll miss you so much."

You returned the kiss, savoring the taste of him. "I'll miss you too, Jude. But we'll be together again soon."

You both reluctantly untangled yourselves from each other's embrace and got out of bed. Jude, determined to make your last morning memorable, surprised you with breakfast in bed. He had ordered a delicious spread of pastries, fruits, and coffee, arranging it all on a tray with a single red rose.

Your eyes sparkled with delight as you took in the sight. "You really know how to make a girl's morning special, don't you?"

Jude grinned, handing you a pastry. "Only for you."

You spent your morning indulging in breakfast, sharing stories and laughter as if time were standing still. But the clock on the wall ticked relentlessly, reminding you of the minutes slipping away.

As the moment of departure drew nearer, Jude showered you with kisses and cuddles, trying to make every second count. His lips found yours repeatedly, and his arms refused to let you go.

"I wish you didn't have to leave," Jude whispered against your lips.

You held him close, tears brimming in your eyes. "I wish that too, Jude. I love you."

"I love you too," he whispered, leaning in for a tender goodbye kiss.

Then, with a heavy heart, you stepped out the door, leaving behind a piece of yourself in Madrid as you embarked on the journey back to Australia, where training camp awaited. Your love would endure the distance, and you both held onto the hope of being reunited soon.

judebellingham

Liked by y/nmorrison, leahwilliamson and 1,000,000 others

judebellingham <3

view all 350,000 others

user1890 they finally announced it!

user3567 you guys!!! I am so happy for you

user2019 they are so cute!

y/nmorrison my no.1

judebellingham @y/nmorrison mine

[dgrailwar]

Round 4, Day 2 - MoonCancer vs. Alter-Ego

"Unfortunately, setting up a surveillance networks can't be entirely done inside. Well, it could, but only if I had a good idea of the map. And since I don't, then--"

Her commenting was stopped by a swift bladed attack swinging towards her head. The MoonCancer tripped, stumbling out of the way as she clicked her tongue, staring back at the source of the danger.

"...Okay, now this is feeling intentional. I had actual plans today, dammit. I never have those."

"You're the big threat my Masters want me to go after? You seem like the type that can't do anything more than run and hide, like a little mouse. Still, I suppose you're not her... no, if someone's a MoonCancer, then she has something to do with it."

"Why do people keep considering me a threat! But--ugh! That face… that's what I thought. You're one of those 'Sakura Five', huh? One of BB's little mistakes. The small-chested one."

"Your snide comments aside… I wonder… you recognize me, but I don't recognize you at all. Then again, only one person really held my eye at the time… were you a part of that little 'student council'?"

"Uh-- I'm just a nobody, really. I was a coward wallowing a bit in my own self-pity when you struck, so I don't have a good idea of your skills-- that, and I'm sure the Grail is blocking some of my memories…"

"But whatever! C-Consider this a grudge match, Pointy BB Junior! I'll make sure to do my part this time around!"

The boosts for this round are:

Ganesha: +3% Meltryllis: +6%

Servant Skills:

Meltryllis (Alter-Ego)

Melt Virus (EX Rank) - When engaged in a Free-for-All, inflict all foes with a -3% demerit. If Meltryllis gains 1st place in the Free-for-All by a margin of 10% or more, inflict a -3% demerit to your foes for their next round and gain a +3% boost for your next combat round.

Crime Ballet (A Rank) - When engaged in a one-on-one, increase the Alter-Ego Class Trait one-on-one boost to +5% rather than +3% (+6% if targeting a Servant that's Playing Defensively).

Sadistic Constitution (A Rank): When engaged in a Free-for-All, gain a +3% bonus to your score. Additionally, if you end up in 1st place, inflict a wound on both the Servant in last AND the Servant in 2nd place.

Ganesha (MoonCancer)

Vinayaka (EX Rank): When 'Playing Defensively' gain a +5% bonus to scores, and you cannot be caught off guard. If you are unbothered, then this increases by 1% each time you are not attacked, resetting back to 5% once you're engaged in combat. However, this negates the inherent MoonCancer trait of ‘being unable to be targeted while Playing Defensively’. (Current boost: +5%)

Broken Tusk (B Rank): When engaged in a 1-on-1 confrontation (while not Playing Defensively), gain a +3% boost. Additionally, apply the MoonCancer Class Trait of 'not taking damage if there's a 3% difference in scores' to 1-on-1 battles as well. If Ganesha has been ‘Playing Defensively’ uninterrupted for 3 or more turns (in a row), when she goes on the offense, her attack bonus increases from 3% to 6% for that specific round. (Current defensive turn count: 0)

Due to landing in 3rd-5th place last round, MoonCancer is afflicted with a -2% demerit this round!

[faithhopeloveandtherapy]

We spent the weekend away at the coast with Sibling, Toddler and the Baby (who are now 5, 4 and 3 so have outgrown their names) and their families.

They are all still doing so well. The two families they placed with are quite different personality wise, but both families are perfectly matched to their children. The Baby is the most laid back easy going little person and his parents are similar, whereas Toddler and Sibling are much more high energy and high need and their parents are just the people you would want do that role.

One of the parents referred to us all as “our amazing blended family” and that felt so special to be included in that.

As of today, we are open for a placement of two children, age 0-5, so now we just wait for the phone call. It could be this afternoon or it could be in three months time, there’s no way of knowing 🤷‍♀️

[ouiouibaguettt]

Love beneath the shirt

Jana Fernandez x Aria O’Hara (oc)

@liverpoolfan96​ hope that you like!!

warnings: no one

words: 1k

Masterlist - part.2

─ ⋅◈⋅ ━─┉┈◈❖◈┈┉─━ ⋅◈⋅ ── ⋅◈⋅ ━─┉┈◈❖◈┈┉─━ ⋅◈⋅ ─

ARIA’S POV:

"ARIAA" shouted my roommate, Lola as she threw herself at me to wake me up, "Lola, let me sleep" I grumbled. "No, it's game day today!!!!" she said as she got up to open my curtains to help me wake up.

"Who are we playing again?" I asked her as I got up and went into the bathroom to shower and start getting ready. "Against Barcelona, so get a move on, it's going to be a tough one this afternoon" she said as I left my room.

I had already been at Atletico Madrid for almost a year, I joined on loan before the club's season started, so towards the end of Gotham FC's season. I had a hard time getting used to the change of temperature, landscapes and peoples, but the most bizarre thing was to be so far away from my sister Kelley, we have always been inseparable since I was born, I've always followed her in everything she's done, she's my inspiration even though I'm in her shadow, but now I'm finally going to be able to reveal myself to the world as Aria O'Hara, a midfielder for Atletico Madrid, and not Aria O'Hara, Kelley O'Hara's sister.

//

When it was time to leave, we took the bus to the Johan Cruyff stadium and went down to inspect the pitch before going into the dressing rooms to change. Once the shirts were on, we went to warm up.

"Aria come here please" said Manolo, my coach, "Yes what's going on?" I asked worried. "Don't worry, it's nothing serious, I just wanted to tell you that I was going to start you in the game today, I believe in your ability to win the duels in the middle of the field" he said, "Wow, thanks a lot coach, I won't let you down" I told him with a surge of confidence in myself. "Go finish your warm up, I want to see you shine tonight" he said, patting me on the shoulder, "Yes boss, right away!" I said half seriously and half jokingly as I mimicked the salute, and headed back to my teammates.

I was in the line, in the tunnel before going out for the match, when I saw her, number 5, Jana Fernandez, a young girl coming out of La Masia, I had always found her to have an unconditional charm, despite her fiery personality on the pitch. I suppose you can excuse her temper when she's adorable off the pitch.

//

We were in the 72nd minute of the game, when I saw on the board that she was going to come in for Irene Paredes, sadly we lose 3-0, it seems impossible for us to come back to equalize. 80th minute, we are trying to get the ball back, when all of a sudden Guijarro makes a bad pass that I intercede and I move forward with the ball at my feet but I feel a foot collide with my ankle, so I fall to the ground but despite the pain, it was quickly replaced by anger especially against the person who tackled me, and suddenly I was on my feet pushing the number 5. You could tell that this triggered something because one player punched me to the ground.

"Please, Aria stop, you're going to get a card" Lucia announced, from what I could understand despite my lack of Spanish, I knew that Jana was also being calmed down by Marta Torrejon, "Number 5, and number 28, come here please" the referee told us, we walked towards her and gave us a yellow card each. Knowing me Lucia stopped me before I went to protest the referee's decision.

//

The final whistle blew, we lost, 4-0, it hurt knowing that the end of the game was hot, but we will bounce back. As I was about to make my way back to the dressing room, Virginia and Carmen grabbed me and made their way with me to Jana who happened to be in the same position as me with Marta and Irene around her, "Well now I think we can agree that you behaved like a child tonight," Carmen said looking at me mostly, but I looked down to avoid her gaze. "We'll let you two talk, try not to kill each other" laughed Marta and Virginia as they left for the changing rooms.

"I'm-" "I'm-" we said at the same time, "oh go ahead if you want to start" I smiled politely, "Thanks. I'm sorry about the tackle, it was inappropriate and I'm sorry about my teammate who punched you" she smiled at me and looked at the floor, "Don't worry about the tackle, I'm sorry I pushed you, I don't usually react that badly, and don't worry about the punch, in a few days the mark will go away" I said, now was my chance to ask her.

"I wanted to know if you'd be willing to, you know, get to know each other? because you're very pretty and-" I said "Yes I'd love to" she cut me off before starting to leave but she turned around before adding "You've got my instagram anyway, just give me the address and the time and I'll be there. And you're very pretty too" she said, winking at me.

I was shocked for a good 5 minutes before Lola came to pick me up as we had to get back to the hotel.

─ ⋅◈⋅ ━─┉┈◈❖◈┈┉─━ ⋅◈⋅ ── ⋅◈⋅ ━─┉┈◈❖◈┈┉─━ ⋅◈⋅ ─

[arsenal-womens-1]

The footballers diary

19/11/22 

 

Today was like any other match day. I woke up showered, got ready, waited to be picked up from my apartment. Training was normal, so was the bus ride. Everything leading up to that moment was normal. It was extra time. I was near the goal. The only thing I saw was Beth and Hannah Blundell both running towards the ball. Out of nowhere, Beth dropped her knee in her hands. Pain was written across her face. 

 

20/11/22

 

I woke up to the sound of my phone blowing up and picking it up. The first thing I saw was the first text Vivian sent. 

 

Viv: Beth wanted me to tell you all that they did some tests and she has ruptured her acl. 

 

2:23 am 

 

15/12/22

 

Its been exactly 27 days since Beth did her acl todays yet another home game. I didn't start the game a few seconds into extra time from where I was sitting. You couldn't see what happened. Lyon plays run into a group hug and the fans cheer. The match restarts. Viv gets the ball, passes it to lotte, who then passes it forward to Lia. Three Lyon players close on her and get the ball. Viv goes for it and tries to knock the ball a way from the Lyon player. She falls straight to the floor. Lia passes the ball to Katie. She must have seen. She passes the ball back to Frida. The ref blows her whistle. 

 

16/12/22 

 

It was like deja vu. Only this time it's a text from Beth. I opened my phone and clicked on the Arsenal group chat. 

 

Beffy: Viv asked me to text you all she doesn't know how to tell you all. so she asked me to text and tell you all that she tore her ACL last night. 

 

18/4/23

 

Tomorrow is match day, and I'm scared. A lot of the girls are it’s like this team has some sort of bad luck in under 4 months. It's the World Cup, and everyone is scared that they will be next. 

 

19/4/23

 

Match day nerves ran through the team we were playing in a 4-3-3 i have no clue what happened i had just been sent off less than 5 minutes before for a tackle on ella toone  it was a shit tackle i know but she was pissing me off i was in the changing room when i heard the sound of football boots 2 horse after it was confirmed leah had ruptured her acl im scared im going to be next 

 

1/5/23

 

What the actual fuck? It has been 13 days since Leah did her ACL. I just got the text confirming that Laura has ruptured her ACL. What is happening? 

 

5/5/23 

 

I just got the call from Sarina Wigwam asking if I would like to go to the World Cup. Of course, I said yes. 

 

22/7/23

 

We played Haiti, and we won 1-0. Georgia scored the goal. Apart from that, there's nothing much to say today. 

 

28/7/23 

 

We played Denmark today, and we won yet again. 1-0 lj was the one to score. In other news, I saw a kangaroo today. A few of us made some tiktoks and went for a walk. 

 

1/8/23 

 

We won 1-6. I'm tired, so there's not a lot to say. 

 

16/8/23 

 

Forgot about this. Sorry, we won today 1-3, which means we are going to a final. I can't wait. 

 

21/8/23 

 

Well, we lost, Spain won. I dont know what happened. All I can think about is the pop. I knew what it was the second I went down. I have had it described to me a thousand times. Now I am sitting here on the other side of the world in the same place. Four of my team members have been Why did it have to be me?

[mariequitecontrary]

2024 TF Reverse Mini Bang Memories Part 1

With the @tf-bigbang discord server closing today, I thought I'd share just a few of my favorite memories during my first community fandom event :)

Not to be dramatic, but this event changed the trajectory of my part in the transformers community for the better. It felt like I was at a 4 month long summer camp! I had so much fun talking to everyone and making so many precious, precious friends that I truly hope to stay in touch with.

So buckle in and grab some boba or your preferred drink of choice, because this is going to be long and sentimental.

A Welcoming Start

I joined at the beginning of April, due to someone reposting the Big Bang's twitter post about how writers were still welcome to join. I thought, "Only 5k word requirement over the course of a few months? Yeah sure. I can do that." Little did I know I'd actually committed to writing a fic almost 5 times that length

The vibes in the discord server started out with a bang (heh). Everyone was immediately kind and welcoming to one another. It was an immediate safe space to be excited, let loose and show our freak XD I loved how ferally affectionate we were with bringing new friends into the fold.

A sketch by @nepetacataria-art perfectly shows this I think XD

The Support and Love Shared

The sheer amount of love, comradery, and support shared with one another was astounding. Almost 200 writers and artists shared tips and tricks and offered advice and encouragement to each other! It was unreal and I learned so much. It truly encouraged me to improve in my craft and even inspired me to want to learn how to draw again!

Oh, and the RECS everyone shared!!! Everyone shared so many fics and art pieces that I am now obsessed with! I have been blessed with a LOT of quality, amazing content that I never would have seen otherwise! My tbr list grew from large to neverending haha <3

Teasing the Artists Before Match Ups

I'm ngl, I had WAY too much fun once the sketches were released to the writers and the secret-authors-corner channel was made. We all OBSESSED over all of the art and fangirled over each one! But we also talked, and talked, and talked. And dropping out of context messages into the public channels for the artists to see was too much fun!

Talking Transformers

IT WAS THE BEST THING EVEERRRRRR!!!!! WOWOWOWOWOW! I loved raving about characters and lore, both canon and fanon! Even when I wasn't a part of the conversation, just lurking and reading what people talked about whether it was AUs, comics, shows, character breakdowns, brainstorming ideas...it was all so cool and so fun. Everyone is so creative and thinking about the sheer amount of fun we all had makes me tear up.

Like, SO MANY plot bunnies were made with everyone! Myself included! Sometimes people would just say a random ass thing and then five others would hop on, riffing against each other and developing that little idea into something concrete and so so JUICY.

Two out of many MANY conversations that I personally loved were the video games x transformers ideas and talking tentacles and transformers in the nsfw channel XD

Writers Panicking, As We Do

It was all in fun, but it was very entertaining and validating to be in a space where we can all stress about our writing, our fics, and approaching deadlines.

The mods clearly enjoyed adding endless fuel to the fire and (lovingly) watched us all scream and run around in a fiery chaotic panic over every little thing.

Streaming

I didn't get to join many, but it was always so cool watching artists draw! I also had a lot of fun streaming Hades 2 with a few friends with it was first released :)

Team 0 - A King Julien Starscream Fic

It all started when Writer's Choice Period began...and the example inspired many of us writers to obsess over this...I'll let the screenshots tell you XD

A King Julien Starscream fic just WORKS and you can't tell me otherwise! @mendely's sketch REALLY sold it to me as a thing that's GOTTA happen.

Madagascar AU FTW

AND THEN THE MODS MADE IT A THING THING

@useless19's king julienscream puppet owns my soul and their little vid is possibly the finest piece of silent cinema I've ever watched in my entire life. I was ENRAPTURED.

@sxpaiscia's art KILLS ME. PUTS MY HEART IN A CHOKEHOLD. Julienscream lives in my head rent free and 50% of it is imagined with their art in mind.

The sad end to the story is...the Team 0's fic wasn't completed within the time requirements to be posted with the rest of the Mini Bang's fics :( Do we still plan on continuing and finishing it? HELL YEAH WE ARE!

To Be Continued...

Did you know that there is a limit to the amount of images you can share in one post? SMH.

Link to Part 2!

[harlequinoccult]

HEY! dnd anon here again, I meant for this to be a daily thing but I missed yesterday because I got busy with irl stuff.... rip but don't worry! I have both Sweetheart's and Elysium's Classes ready to be sent today..... although I will be sending them in separate messages just as a heads up anyways here is Sweetheart with the Obsession Domain! I quite like sweatheart, I think he is such an interesting character and I think the class captured his 'vibe' pretty well.... although I guess your the judge of that lol --------

Obsession Domain: it is not uncommon for clerics to worship ideas of Love, Union and Companionship, to wish to act as match-maker, to find their soul mate, however….. clerics who take this to the extreme…. to have the ideas of love go to a point of mania and insanity…. they become Obsession Domain clerics…. clerics of obsession have an unhealth love for the concept of true love itself, it's also important to note they loathe any who break the bonds of love and punish them with violent retribution

1st: Obsession Domain Magic at the following levels you gain these spells, they count as cleric spells for you, are always prepared and do not count against spells you have prepared 1st: Dissonant Whispers, Ceremony 3rd: Crown of Madness, Warding Bond 5th: Bestow Curse, Life Transference 7th: Confusion, Death Ward 9th: Synaptic Static, Rary's Telepathic Bond

1st: Bonus Proficiencies At 1st level, you gain proficiency with martial weapons and heavy armor.

1st: Soul-Mate By spending one hour with a willing creature, you can dub them your 'soul-mate' while bonded both always know the location and emotional state of each other, when one attempts to heal the other that healing is always maximized and when you or your soul-mate make Wisdom, Charisma or Intelligence saving throw and both of you may use your soul-mate's saving throw modifier so long as it is higher than your own. Additionally you may cast warding bond on your soul-mate without a spell slot, when casted this way, it no long becomes limited by range and lasts for 8 hours This bond can only be ended by a 4 hour ritual, in which the bonded creatures must make contesting wisdom rolls, the loser taking 8d8 psychic damage which cannot be reduced in anyway

2nd: Channel Divinity: Heartbreaker by using a use of your Channel Divinity you can label a number of creatures equal to your wisdom modifier as Heartbreakers worthy of being purged, for 1 minute, the you gain a +2 bonus to attack rolls against the selected creatures as well as the creatures taking an additional 1d8 psychic damage whenever you hit them with a melee attack

6th: Punish the Disloyal At level 6, you learn how to punish heartbreakers even further, Creatures marked by your Channel Divinity: Heartbreaker now take 2d8 psychic damage and have disadvantage on all Charisma, Wisdom and Intelligence saving throws against your spells

8th: Divine Strike At 8th level, you gain the ability to infuse your weapon strikes with divine energy. Once on each of your turns when you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can cause the attack to deal an extra 1d8 psychic damage. When you reach 14th level, the extra damage increases to 2d8.

17th: After Death Do Us Part at level 17, When you or your soul mate are reduced to 0 hitpoints, the one reduced to 0 hitpoints remains conscious for 1 minute but still must make death saving throws and suffer the effects of taking damage a 0 hitpoints, once this minute ends you die as normal if you failed 3 death saving throws otherwise you are knocked back unconscious, however in a stabilized state. the other is sent into a frenzy, causing them to have a -2 to AC, +5 to all attack rolls and all all damage they do as well as a +3 to their spell save DC and +20 movement speed -------- Every time I do one of these I feel like I triple check it to make sure there are no glaring errors in like grammar or spelling or any mistakes in like putting the wrong title and I don't see any and then I see my ask in your response and then I see the issues and I die inside a little but anyways, I'd love to hear what you and Sweetheart think!

oh as a DM, After Death Do Us Part is a very very interesting one 👀 im a sucker for abilities that can mechanically link people that can lead into RP. wonderful.

Sweetheart would really really really like the Soul-Mate ability. wishes he really did have it, he's vaguely familiar with ttrpgs by way of his extended family so he wouldn't be a total noob