#mariona caldentey imagine

[pitchsidestories]

ex's and snow II Leah Williamson x Reader

romantic masterlist | platonic masterlist | word count: 3583

summary: a snow-covered hut in the Swiss Alps with a few good friends and ex-girlfriend Leah Williamson. Can the former lovers find each other again before the snow melts, or are they simply not meant to be together?

author's note: our first fanfic of 2025, we took our time and tried to make it a bit longer than usual and hope you like it.🥰🥰

The laughter got stuck in your throat when you saw your ex-girlfriend in the corridor.

Just seconds before, you were talking to Mariona and Ana Maria about a funny moment in the dressing room when you were all still playing for Barcelona. The short walk from the car to the cozy looking cottage had felt to you like a scene from the Last Christmas music video where good friends were having a good time together in a snow-capped cottage like this one was.

The magic of the enchanting setting was gone when you looked into the blue eyes of your former lover.

“Leah.”, you muttered in utter shock.

The looks she was sending you across the room were cold as the ice: ”You.”

Behind your back Mariona, Lia and Ana Maria stood silently as they watched the drama unfold in front of their eyes.

Both of your heads turned around to shot deadly glances at your mutual friend. “Keira Fae Walsh!”

“I didn’t do anything.”, she clarified, raising her hands innocently.

Slowly you shook your head: “No, you didn’t tell me she was going to be the surprise guest.”

“If I had known she would be here, I wouldn’t have come.”, Leah said spitefully.

The midfielder rolled her eyes in annoyance: “Stop whining, you both wanted to be included so I invited you both. You’ll survive.”

Knowing that there would only be three bedrooms and a sofa in the cabin plus two couples you turned hopeful to your former Barcelona teammate:” Ana we will share a room, right?”

“Sorry, you'll have to share.”, Ana Maria explained, destroying your hope for some peace in the night and nodding in the direction where your ex-girlfriend was sitting with her arms crossed in front of her chest.

“What, no way!”, you protested.

A mischievous smile played on the Swiss woman’s lip: “Oh come on, you’ll survive. Keira and Lucy are exes and get along too.”

“That’s different.”, you told her. Their breakup has been smooth with no hard edges unlike yours with the England national team captain.

She quickly commented:” Yeah, they’ve a dog together.”

“Luckily, we never got a dog.”, you countered brusquely. Even though you were aware that ever since Lucy and Keira adopted the West Highland Terrier Narla the two of you dreamed of a dog yourself.

With an amused smile on her face Lia had followed your verbal duel until asking everyone cheerfully: “Before someone murders her ex-girlfriend and turns this into a cozy mystery, would anyone like a hot chocolate?”

“I do.”, Laura announced smiling, holding hands with the Barcelona midfielder. While Keira’s head rested on the older woman’s shoulder.

“Amor, I’d like one as well.”, Mariona beamed at her Swiss girlfriend.

Grinning, Lia kissed the Spaniard on the cheek:” Of course, I’ll make you one.”

Seeing the four being this in love with each other, showed through those simple gestures, was equally heartwarming to you as well as a bit painful, reminding you of your own singleness.

You tried to cover up your own feelings with a half-joke: “I think I’ll need something stronger than that to survive this weekend.”

Without missing a beat, Laura send you a smirk from across the room: “You can put something stronger into your hot chocolate. We came prepared.”

She got up from her seat next to Keira and opened a cabinet, revealing a surprisingly large collection of liquor bottles. Grabbing a bottle of Irish Cream, she came back and poured a generous amount into your hot chocolate.

You didn’t protest. You just smiled mischievously at her: “You’re the best.”

“It’s not my first winter vacation in a cabin.”, she winked back while pouring some alcohol into her own mug.

“I can tell. It’s quite cozy actually, except for that pouting blonde sitting next to your girlfriend.” You nodded towards Keira who had changed seats to sit next to Leah and was now whispering quietly to her.

Laura only raised a knowing eyebrow at you and grinned: “Don’t worry we can spike her drink too.”

“Oh, she’s horrible when she’s drunk. You should have seen her after the Euros final.”, you laughed, thinking back to the summer of 2022.

“Really?”

You nodded: “Yes, I think I’ve never deleted that video of her in our hotel room.”

Pulling out your phone to show Laura the video, you tried to fight back a fond smile. Everything had felt easier and lighter back then, not just because you won the tournament. Now, looking at the footage of a younger, more relaxed Leah pirouetting around the room, your heart started to ache again.

“Oh, that’s hilarious.”, Laura smiled as she watched your phone screen where Leah drunkenly fell over and pulled the curtains of the hotel room down with her. You both had had a few too many celebratory drinks that night and you really thought it was the funniest thing you had ever seen.

“She refused to fall sleep after that. No one slept for more than two hours that night.”, you continued to explain, the memories filling you with a nostalgic kind of happiness.

Laura laughed politely: “I heard some of those stories from Kei. It sounded like you all had a good time back then.”

“We did but then she changed so much… You know, the fame. Everything happened so fast afterwards.”

Your break-up had been like a tornado. It came suddenly and without warnings. All you knew back then was that Leah was busy with fashion stuff and advertisements and suddenly, she wasn’t your Leah anymore.

Lauras face turned serious, her eyebrows knotting together: “Wait, that was the reason you two broke up?”

“Yes.”

“I heard it was super messy.”, Mariona contributed to your conversation, sliding closer to you and away from the rest of the group.

“You can say that again.”, you sighed.

On the other side of the room, Keira and Leah had their own conversation.

“Kei, I’ll never forgive you.”, Leah hissed at her best friend.

“It’s not that bad, Leah.”

The defender rolled her eyes: “Sure, maybe for you.”

Keira groaned with frustration: “You’re so dramatic!”

Suddenly Leah decided: “I’ll lay down before dinner.”

“What about your hot chocolate?”, the midfielder frowned.

She had barely spoken the words when Lia handed the blonde a steaming cup that smelled deliciously of chocolate.

“Oh, thank you, Wally.”, she mumbled gratefully before sipping the hot drink.

With a warm smile the brunette promised: “Drink it, you’ll feel better afterwards.”

“Does she magically go away after I finished drinking this too?”, Leah wanted to know from her in a hopeful tone.

Hearing that question Lia chuckled:” No.”

“Sad.”, she pouted, closing her eyes for dramatic effect, wishing you’d somehow disappear like you did in the past.

No complaining about her change since you were gone, no one saying that the fame did change her character not for the better, but for the worse.

Wasn’t the England captain so much happier now? Or did the ACL injury made her slow down again to be in the here and now, forcing her to be more selective of the time she had. If you had stayed with her longer, you’d have witnessed it firsthand. The only thing Leah was certain of was that you were the reason her thoughts were running wild.

Clearing her throat the Arsenal midfielder innocently suggested:” Maybe just try to be open for the situation.”

“I hate you both so much.”, the defender growled.

Still smiling Lia stated: “No you don’t.”

“What are we eating?”, Leah swiftly changed the topic.

Amused the Swiss woman lifted an eyebrow:” Why? Are you hangry?”

“Yes, I’m indeed very hangry.”, she confirmed.

Her Arsenal teammate couldn’t help but to start laughing about her dramatics: “Typical.”

Leah knew she wasn’t known for her cooking skills, so the blonde offered:” I’ll do the cleaning who’s going to cook?”

“I can cook.”, Mariona volunteered.

“I’ll help you with that, Mario.”, you responded, squeezing her shoulder slightly.  Back in Barcelona the two of you often cooked for your teammates, it was a passion you both shared and over the years you became a good team in the kitchen.

“And Leah and I’ll clean.”, Keira threw in.

As always, when the cooked food was on the table, it was eaten up far too quickly, at least you could see from the satisfied smiles on the faces of your friends that they had enjoyed it and the sight of it was what made you incredibly happy.

When the chatting and laughing was over, you all went to bed. As you closed the door behind you, you realized that you had to share the bedroom with none other than your ex-girlfriend, and to avoid her for a while longer, you stayed in the small bathroom for an extra-long time. 

You took a few deep breaths to brace yourself, watching yourself in the mirror as you did. You then changed into a pair of pyjama pants and an oversized shirt before exiting the bathroom.

Leah was already lying on her side of the bed, one hand on her flat stomach: “God, I’m so full.”

You couldn’t stop yourself from rolling your eyes: “You never know when to stop.”

“It was too delicious.”, Leah shrugged, unbothered by the judgemental tone in your voice.

You didn’t feel like discussing with her so you just sighed: “I’m going to bed now.”

Leah watched as you climbed into your side of the kingsize bed and turned off the lights.

“Night.”

Sleep came surprisingly easy as soon as you were cozied up under the warm blanket. That was until someone gently shook you awake a few hours later. You didn’t open your eyes, you only managed to groan and bury yourself deeper into the sheets.

“Hey, I think the heater broke down… It’s s-so cold.”, Leah whispered, her teeth chattering with every other word.

“What?”, you yawned, too sleepy to understand anything she said.

“Can I get under your blanket? It’s freezing?”

Still half asleep, you lifted your blanket to let Leah crawl in. “Fine.”

”Thanks.”

Her shivering body pressed against your side, the two blankets laying in a big pile on top of the two of you. Leah felt so cold next to you that you had to pull her in, willingly sharing your body heat with her. “Come closer.”

The defender wrapped her arms around you, her skin icy against yours: “How is your body so hot?”

“Don’t know. You tell me.”, you grinned with your eyes closed.

Leah snorted about that before turning serious again: “No, really. You’re not getting a cold, are you?”

“Not with you warming me.”, you continued to joke.

“Good because Arsenal needs their captain.”

Finally you turned to your side, directly facing her: “Oh, so you should survive and I can freeze to death?”

“No, that’s not what I meant. Just that we both can’t get sick right now.”

You nodded slightly: ”Okay, that’s fair.”

The winter break would end soon and neither of you wanted to miss out on training.

You both went quiet for a short moment.

“I saw that… you played a great Champions League campaign so far.”, Leah suddenly admitted quietly into the dark.

You took those words in, unsure what to do with them.

“Are you saying you still watch my games?”

“Sometimes I do.”, she confessed quietly. But the blonde didn't add, because of Keira or Ellie, so you wondered if that included you.

However, you were too afraid to ask her about it and instead teased her about her beloved club: “ I couldn’t get myself to watch Arsenal this season, the beginning of their WSL campaign was so depressing.”

“Excuse me?”, she huffed, her figure looming over you.

Amused, you stifle a smile, it was very easy to wind her up: “Yeah, okay, Keira told me it got better after your female coach took over.”

“Yes, it did.”, Leah confirmed matter-of-factly.  

Even though you could feel her intense gaze on you, you began to feel sleepy: “That’s great for you, you must be very happy right now.”

“Sure, believe that.”, the defender smiled sadly, which you didn’t see anymore because your eyes were already closed.

You slipped softly into sleep.

The next morning, Ana tugged gently on her friend's upper arm:” Come on, Kei. We shouldn't wake them up yet, they look so cosy.”

“Look at how tight Leah is holding on to her. She was totally lying about having no feelings for her anymore.”, the midfielder observed.

Her girlfriend continued:” And the one who’s laying in her arms hasn’t let go off their shared past either otherwise she wouldn’t keep videos with Leah on her phone.”  

“Let them sleep. Let’s go and make breakfast.”, Lia spoke up.

Glancing at the Swiss Woman Mariona’s face lit up while she talked: “I could really need a coffee or two to be fair.”

“Me too.”, Keira replied.

The Spaniard cheerfully concluded: “Time to get the coffee machine going then.”

“On it.”, Lia answered in a good mood.

The smell of ground coffee beans and the golden rays of the sun touching your face and hers woke you both up.

“It smells of coffee.”, you mumbled happily.

Leah shook her head in amusement: “I hope they made some tea as well.”

“Ugh, I’ll never understand how anyone can hate coffee.”, you remarked.

She immediately countered:” And I will never fall victim to the coffee addiction that you all obviously suffer from.”

The two of you made their way to the open kitchen, where your friends were already there. Their faces were illuminated by the morning light, an open window was letting in some fresh mountain air while they were almost done with preparing the breakfast for an adventurous day ahead.

“Good morning, girls.”, the Arsenal captain greeted them smiling, hugging Lia from behind.

The brunette returned her grin:” Morning. I guess that means no coffee for you?”

“Oh, yes is that tea for me?”, she hummed delighted.

“Yes.”, Mariona confirmed as she pushed the steaming mug towards the blonde defender.

Leah took a deep breath, taking in the smell of the tea before she wrapped her hands around it: “Amazing.”

“You’re welcome.”

After taking a sip from her steaming hot drink, Leah looked at the group in front of her: “So what are we doing on our first full day here?”

“Skiing!”, Laura beamed at her.

You saw Keiras eyes widen nervously in the background, and you had to stop yourself from laughing.

“Yes, it’ll be so fun. For the ones who don’t know how to do that we have sledges.”, Lia explained patiently.

You knew exactly what that meant. Laura, Lia and Ana would enjoy their time on the ski slopes while the rest of you were stuck with sledges.

Leah didn’t seem too excited about that plan: “Just great.”

To lighten the mood and to spite Leah, you asked the group: “Sledge race anyone?”

“I’m in!”, Mariona nodded quickly.

Leah rolled her eyes which usually would have offended you if it weren’t for the way the corners of her mouth lifted into a smile: “Such children.”

Mariona and you got up from the table, ready to get dressed for a day in the snow.

In the meantime, Lia leaned over to her teammate and whispered: “You should talk with one of those children later if you ask me.”

“Shut it, Lia.”, the defender replied.

“No, deep down you know I’m right.”

“No.”

“Yes.”, Keira finally said, raising on eyebrow at her best friend.

“Guys.”, Leah sighed with a pleading tone which was deliberately ignored by her friends.

“Just trust us, Lee.”

“No.”

This time it was Keira who sighed with frustration: “I wish you two weren’t as stubborn.”

“We’re not.”, Leah said cooly and got up from the table, ending the conversation abruptly.

No one said anything about it for the rest of the day. You were too busy playing in the snow. The sledge racing quickly turned into a snowball fight which then turned into you all trying to build a snowman together until the sun set.

Your face and hands still felt frozen when you returned to your bedroom in the cabin. With a tired but satisfied sigh, you let yourself fall onto the bed.

“You look pretty done.”, Leah smirked as she pulled her cold, wet sweater off of her body.

You tried your best not to look so you stared at the ceiling: “In my defense, it was a long day and my manager just called to tell me that I have to leave early tomorrow.”

“You’re leaving again?”

You frowned. Was there actually a slight hint of disappointment in your exes’ voice?

You must have imagined that.

“Yeah… I have to go.”, you confirmed.

“Oh.”, she sounded disappointed.

You suspected with a heavy heart: “I bet you’ll be happy to have one day without me.”

Much to your both surprise the blonde revealed: “Actually I was just getting used to you.”

“Used to me?”, you repeated, puzzled.

The England captain shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly:” Yeah. You’re less annoying than I remember.”

“Excuse me? You’re way more annoying than me.”, you quickly corrected her. In a serious tone you reminded your former girlfriend:” You were the one who had to attend every event, take each interview, miss out on date nights and our friends’ parties.”

As she listened to your accusations, Leah wrapped her arms around herself protectively. “Because I had to, not because I wanted to.”, the defender clarified earnestly.

You remembered loudly, the memories of your breakup returning to you in waves:” You didn’t even cry when I left.”

“What would that have changed?”, your ex-girlfriend asked.

Your voice trembled with both anger and sadness: “It would have shown that you cared about us!”  

“I did care!”, Leah hissed back.

You snorted in disbelief: “Sure, Leah.”

“Okay, fine. Believe whatever you want, you’re gone tomorrow anyway.”, she waved it off.

“You were serious.”, you realized.

A frustrated sigh escaped her lips: “Of course I was.”

“Do you think we were together at the wrong time and place?”, you questioned cautiously.

The Arsenal player took the time to think thoroughly about your question before replying: “Maybe we were.”

“Who knows, right?”

“Not us. If we could just go back in time.”, Leah begun with a longing expression on her face.

You promptly interrupted her:” But we can’t. It’s impossible until time travel is possible.”

“Obviously.”, she said annoyed.

“Don’t eye roll at me, Leah Catherine.”, you warned her with a half-crooked smile on your lips.

The defender cheekily raised an eyebrow: “Or what?”

“Or I’m afraid I’ll have to shut you up somehow.”, you explained.

Leah nervously ran her hand through her loose hair, which shone silvery in the moonlight. “Somehow? You used to do that by..”, the blonde reminisced.

“Kissing you, yes.”, you ended the sentence for her. The air was full of anticipation.

She moistened her dry lips: “You’re not trying to do that, right?”

“What if I did?”, you boldly posed.

“But what about tomorrow?”, the defender pointed out.

You returned her gaze with the same intensity: “I told you I’ll leave.”

“We shouldn’t waste more time then.”, Leah decided, her face only centimetres from yours.

Before you could reply, her lips were on yours. Your heart skipped a beat and for a moment it almost felt like nothing had changed since the last time she had kissed you like that. Your brain went to autopilot, your body took over. Wrapping your arms around her neck, you pulled her closer. Your kisses grew hungrier, more impatient. Despite the knowledge that she was your ex, your body ached for her. You wanted her right then and there.

Apparently, Leah felt the same way when she pushed you back on your shared better, her lips never leaving yours. It was almost muscle memory how your hands slid under her sweater, caressing the body that you knew so well. You hadn’t realized how much you missed it.

The next morning, you stayed in bed as long as possible, sneaking kisses and holding hands on your way downstairs for breakfast. Before you entered the kitchen, you kissed Leah one last time on bottom step. Unbeknownst to you, you were being watched through the ajar kitchen door.

“Girls, look!”, Ana said from her seat on the kitchen table.

“What?”, Lia asked as she appeared in the open door, leaving the scrambled eggs unattended on the stove.

Keira pushed the other midfielder aside so she could see what was going on: “Didn’t she want to leave already?”

“I heard her call her management this morning to tell them we were still snowed in.”, Mariona explained, smiling knowingly into her coffee.

This caused a few gasps in the kitchen.

Only then you realized that you were being watched. You didn’t mind, you already knew that this was their plan all along.

Nobody said anything when you sat down at the table, they were trying their best to act casual and went on to prepare breakfast. You subtly reached for Leahs hand under the table. She smiled at you but your attention was directed towards the snowflakes drifting past the window.

A big part of you was hoping that your lie turned into reality, that the snowfall would be getting worse and you would have a few more days here.

But for now, you were comforted by the thought that you had your Leah back.

gif source: https://www.tumblr.com/tracksuitlesbian/769781520922755072?source=share

[magics-neptunes-things]

Shinning Like the Sun

Hi guys!

I have the new chant for Mariona in my head since yesterday, so this is my way to try to get ride of it 😂

It's kind of short and only fluff, I hope you'll enjoy it :)

Also if someone can tell me who make those gif, I try to find it back on Tumblr but I wasn't able to 😭

You smile while watching your girlfriend, walking behind her for twenty meters. You both just won your second game with Arsenal for the Champions League, and you feel like Mariona is literally glowing.

She’s walking with Vic, Vivienne Lia and Laia, all happily japing around. You know that she might be a little disappointed not to have scored today either, but she seems so happy right now that your heart clench with love for her.

Her move in north London had surprise a lot of people, she passed ten years of her life in Barcelona, in the same club. She was a very important player for the club, but she still chooses to come in Arsenal. You won’t complain about it, having your girlfriend after two years of being apart is something you really enjoy.

You both had a long discussion before her move, you wanted to be sure that she’s making this for the good reasons, not only for you. You were scared, you still are, that she realizes at one point how it was better when you just have the happily reunions and fun and sweet holidays together.

It seems to be perfect for now, but you are living apart of each other, even if you have to admit that the night you slept separately weren’t majority. Far from it to be honest.

It’s for the same reasons that you stay away from her for now, letting her enjoy her moment with the people who seems to become easily friends with her. You aren’t surprised, Mariona is sweet, kind, funny and always smiling. You feel like she took Barcelona’s sun with her.

“Staying away from the missus?”

You turn in the direction of the voice, smiling softly when you see Katie and Caitlin walking next to you. You shrug softly, you know it’s only a friendly teasing. They both tried to hide their relationship last year, before giving up and living their life like they wanted. It seems to be a pretty great idea, considering how happy they are.

“I just want to let her live her moment; you know?”

They both smile for any answer, and you look in Mario’s direction again. She’s now laughing with Alessia about something, probably the song Arsenal’s fan cooked for her. It probably will stay in your head for days, but you like it for now.

You walk around the pitch with Alessia and Kyra, before joining the rest of the team to hear a quick speech from Jonas. Leah smiles at you and pinch your ribs, like she always did when you played together and played well. It was the case today, you are pretty happy about your performance tonight.

When Jonas release all of you, Gooners are waiting for pictures and signatures, which you do happily. There are more people than when you began to play, but you like make people and kids happy. It’s only several minutes of your time and you enjoy it almost every time. You manage to spot the creeps pretty easily.

You gave your jersey to a little girl with cute blue eyes and a big smile, and you are in a black sport bra when you finally went to the locker room to take a shower and change. You spot Mariona not far from you, making her way probably in the same place and run to catch her.

When you are behind her, you pass your arms around her waist, tiptoeing to be able to kiss her cheek from behind. Her smile is beaming, and you are smiling too.

“Shake it Caldentey” you sing-tease her, your cheek against hers, your front against her back.

She laughs and manages to escape your arms, only to take her coat off. The weather isn’t awful tonight but it’s still way colder than Barcelona, so you aren’t surprised to see Mario wearing one of them. You didn’t expect her to put it on your shoulders, though.

“Aren’t you cold?” you ask, tightening the number 8’s coat around your body.

“A little, but you are the one half-naked here”

You hum and offer her one arm for her to side-cuddle while walking inside the tunnel going to the locker room. She doesn’t hesitate to go against you, and you went to kiss her cheek but sloppily went for somewhere behind her jaw and her neck. For your defense, you both were walking.

The Spaniard doesn’t seem to mind though, passing her arm around your waist for the last meters separating you from the locker room. You can hear the laughs and the music coming from it already.

You let Mariona go with a hint of regret when you are inside it, but you are soon taken by Kyra to dance around the room. Steph manages to save you from her after several minutes, letting you go take a shower. When you finish to prepare yourself, Mariona comes to sit on your cubby, quietly waiting for you.

“Are you both coming to have a drink?” Kyra asks you, suddenly popping next to you again.

“Oh” you say, glancing at Mariona.

To be honest, you would rather go somewhere with your girlfriend only. Maybe ordering something and relax in front of a movie. But maybe Mariona wants to go out with your teammates, you don’t want to deprive her of a good night.

You silently look at each other for several seconds, you trying to read into your girlfriend’s warm eyes.

“I… think… that we will go home” you answer slowly, still looking at Mariona.

The forward smiles at you and nod discreetly, filling you with relief when you understand that you have managed to correctly decipher her thoughts and wants.

“Ok Oldies, like you want”

You shush Kyra away with a foot on her ass, turning in Mario’s direction. She’s smiling again and you sometimes wonder how she never gets to hurt her cheeks. She stands up when you put your last things in your bag and grabs your hand when you leave, saying goodbye to everyone.

Leah and Beth keep you company until you reach your car, sharing a small talk with you. The night has fall for several hours now and the streetlights are on when you drive to leave the stadium.

“Yours or mine?” you ask her.

“Yours” she doesn’t hesitate. “Can I put some music?”

“Of course.”

You smile and roll your eyes when she puts some Spanish music on your Spotify. Since you know her, your algorithm doesn’t have any sense, but you like it. It was always nice to have a reminder of your girlfriend when you were driving around and she still lived in Barcelona.

To win some time, Mario looks for what you want to eat when you will be home. You let her choose and she’s still smiling when she passes your command. When you finally reach your house, you sigh of complacency before getting out of the car. You are living in St-Albans, like a lot of your teammates, in a semi-detached house with a garden.

You abandon your bag with your dirty clothes in the bathroom, choosing to make the laundry tomorrow. Mariona’s bag is waiting next to yours.

“Maybe I shouldn’t have taken a flat finally” Mariona comments with a grin from your couch.

You smile too, sitting next to her before cuddling against her. Her body is always warm and welcoming for you and you love it. You usually are more cold than warm so it’s the perfect contrast for you. You smile when she passes her hand under your hoodie, snuggling even more closer to her. You take advantage of your position to look at her, prodigiously ignoring the movie she had choose.

“You seem happy” you say carefully, not wanting to assume things.

She puts her eyes on you and smile softly before putting some hair behind your ear. Her touch send you shivers. She could have understand your sentence as happy right now, but she seems to catch what you mean easily.

“I am” she smiles. “It was hard to leave Barcelona after all this time, but London has even more to offer than I thought”

“Yeah?”

She nods, still smiling. You are looking deep in her eyes when you open your mouth again.

“So still no regrets?”

“No.”

Her hand stayed on your neck after she touch your hair and she uses it to take softly your face against her, kissing you lovingly. While you expend the kiss, she strokes your jaw with her thumb.

“I told you, I was sure it was what I needed. It’s not a surprise for me to see I was right.”

You smile shyly and kiss her one more time before getting back in your first position, you spread on her body. Unfortunately, this moment doesn’t last because soon the bell of your door is ringing in the house, making you jump.

“El sushi está aquí!”

You smile while looking at your girlfriend almost jumping to the door and gets up to go to your kitchen, to grab some extra soja sauce for the sushis. Salty for you, sweet for Mariona. You grab some things to drink too, finding Mariona on your couch, carefully opening the boxes she had choose. You let her decide, you have almost the same tastes for food. Except for soja sauce, maybe.

“I’ll cook something Spanish for you next time” Mariona says after several minutes.

You like to cook to be honest, but just after the games you don’t have necessarily the courage to do it. It’s easier to just use Uber Eat and chill on your couch while you are waiting for your food.

“I’ll help you” you smile.

Like this, you will be able to cook for her too. You don’t know any Spanish receipt but it’s not really a good excuse, you have a Smartphone, and you know how to read. Maybe you could surprise her with a tortilla or something like that. You really need to extend your knowledge on Spanish cooking.

That’s what you discreetly do when your plates are empty, and you are watching another movie. Mariona is now lying on you, her breathing slow and deep, informing you that she might have fall asleep. But you don’t mind.

Playing with her hair with one hand, you are scrolling in a website dedicated to Spain food and you learn a lot of things. Remembering where exactly your girlfriend comes from, you even search for specialties from Mallorca. You might not be able to find every ingredient of the receipts, but you will try your best to bring her some Spain touch in North London.

[httpswritings]

Being in a relationship with... — Headcanons; The Sextet edition [Love languages]

Alexia: [Physical touch + acts of service] Very family-oriented but no plans on having children. Alexia expresses her love by doing anything she knows you'd like her to do. She also enjoys giving you massages, as she has a constant need for skin-to-skin contact. Intimacy is very important to her. Loves to caress you and to take care of you, especially when you have a day off from work, as she likes to spoil you all day.

Misa: [Words of affirmation + Quality time] Humor is everywhere in your relationship. Misa loves to tell you how much she loves you and how happy she is with you. Because of football duties, she likes to make your time together worth it. Misa enjoys surprising you with cute date ideas. You two like the privacy your home brings you both.

Jenni: [Physical touch + words of affirmation] Jenni always tells you a bunch of jokes. She usually wakes up in a good mood while you tend to be grumpier. And of course, she teases you because of it but she ends up showering you with attention and beautiful compliments. She loves to kiss you everywhere and has a thing for biting you softly, as a way of showing you love.

Irene: [Words of affirmation + Quality time] You both got engaged a few months after knowing each other. Irene is really sweet, way more than she looks like in public. She made you fall in love with her with the way she talked about you. You've never felt someone could love you that well until you met her. You enjoy every moment you spend with her and time flies when you two are together.

Laia: [Receiving/giving gifts + words of affirmation] Adorable pairing. Laia is always laughing about your jokes. She loves to buy you things. She's a good listener so she knows exactly how to surprise you. She has a thing for writing poems about you, making you feel the luckiest person ever. She writes about you so lovingly, her words expressing the love and admiration she has for you.

Mariona: [Quality time + receiving/giving gifts] Love to try new things. Usually cooks for you, especially breakfast and always asks for your opinion. Outdoor dates. Mariona loves to set up a perfect date where you won't stop laughing at her comments, always making time to express the love you both have for each other.

[viandclintbarton-supremacy]

The Golden Balls (Barca x GN reader)

(Sorry for bad grammer and mistakes. also not fully up to date with both team's players so i tried)

It was a sunny morning at the Barcelona training grounds, and F/N was out on the pitch with some of their fellow teammates from both the men's and women's teams. They were engaged in a light training session, working on their passing and shooting skills.

F/N, known for their incredible goal scoring abilities, was feeling confident and wanted to show off a bit. Ter Stegen was waiting in goal, As Alexia passed the ball toward F/N, They decided to attempt a flashy, no-look shot. With a sly grin on their face, they hit the ball looking away from the net, thinking he could bend it into the top corner of the net.

However, what happened next was not what F/N had intended. They completely whiffed it. And missed the goal completely, not toward the net, but directly toward the group of coaches who were observing the training session.

In a split second, F/N's, Alexia's and Stegen's eyes all widened as they realized the impending disaster. The ball sailed through the air faster then the eye could see, hitting one of the coaches,

"AHHHHHHOOWW"

Coach Torres, right in the golden balls.

A collective gasp and ohs echoed across the training grounds as Coach Torres crumpled to the ground, clutching his aching groin. The players, both men and women, some froze in shock whilst others started to laugh at the puskas award worthy shot. Whilst F/N covered their face in embarrassment as they looked through the gap between their fingers

Coach Torres, in quite a LOT of pain but also trying to maintain his dignity, managed to mutter, "Well, that was quite the shot, L/N." whilst slowing holding up a thumbs up

F/N rushed over, a mix of concern and embarrassment on their face. "I am so, so sorry, Coach! I didn't mean to... I mean, that was a total accident!"

The other coaches and Xavi couldn't help but chuckle or try and hold their laughs. Coach Torres, still wincing, managed a weak smile but had some evil behind the eyes and said, "No harm done, F/N. Just a reminder we are doing quite a lot of conditioning with you today" F/N wanted to protest but didn't want to make a scene. They walked back to the other players to continue training

As F/N walked, still blushing from the embarrassing mishap with the ball and Coach Torres, they found himself face to face with thier teammates

Lucy Bronze, wore an amused but cheeky smile on her face. "Nice shot, F/N," she teased, giving them a playful bump on the arm and ruffling their hair. "I've seen you score some amazing goals, but that was a different kind of 'nutmeg' altogether." F/N sighed and walked past the lionesses

Kiera Walsh chuckled and said, "You might want to stick to those incredible headers you're known for, mate. I think we need to start practicing 'no-look passes' with you, Jack." before breaking into giggles again and tried to hide behind Bronze to control her giggles

F/N stood next to Alexia who was standing with her hands behind her back and tilted her head at them

Alexia: "Well, that was certainly unexpected, F/N." F/N looked down trying to not break. "Let's hope a unluckily Barcelona fan isn't in line for one of these in a game" F/N bit their lip, supressing a laugh. Even though it was a bad though, the image of accidently hitting their own fans with a ball whilst the fan is cheering them is funny

Lewandowski before he took his shot couldn't resist teasing, "F/N, you've got a cannon for a foot. Just be careful where you point it!" F/N mouthed "sorry"

Ona grinned. "You made our training session a lot more entertaining, F/N. That was a real 'kick' in the... well, you know."

Caldentey, rested a arm on Ona's shoulder and chimed in, "At least Coach Torres won't forget your name anytime soon." F/N scratched the back of thier head.

F/N: "This isnt going away anytime soon" as they looked down. To which Walsh head popped out behind Bronze

Kiera: "Oh never!" as they proceeded to giggle and hide again

Roberto chuckled and said, "Jack, that was some next-level trick shot."

Marc-André ter Stegen offered a sympathetic nod to Coach Torres and then turned to F/n, saying, "Don't worry, Jack. We've all had our share of embarrassing moments on the field. It's all part of the game."

De Jong, simply shrugged and said, "Well, I must say that was a memorable shot."

Y/N couldn't help but join in the laughter. They had inadvertently provided a moment for their teammates and it had lightened the mood on the training grounds.

"Thanks, guys," F/N said with a sheepish grin. "I guess even the best can have their off days." They said with a cheeky grins which was responded with eye rolls and laughs

French Man from spongebob:"5 Hours later"

F/N trudged back home, still nursing a bit of embarrassment from the incident on the training ground earlier that day and feeling the pain from the heavy conditioning workout Coach Torres had imposed on him as a "reminder" to keep their shots on target.

As they arrived home, they greeted his their loyal and understanding Rottweiler, Leo. who wagged their tail in response. F/N plopped down on the couch, feeling a mixture of exhaustion and relief that the day was finally over.

Just as they was settling in, they heard a familiar voice from the window across the street. It was Mapi León, one of his neighbors, along with Ingrid Engen. F/N leaned over to peer out his window as Mapi called out to him.

"Hey, F/N!" Mapi said with a mischievous grin. "Have you checked the groupchat lately?"

F/N furrowed thier brow. Mapi and Ingrid weren't at training today, so why were they bringing up the groupchat? F/N picked up thier phone and quickly opened the team's chat.

As they scrolled through the messages, their E/C eyes widened in disbelief. There it was. a CCTV video clip of their earlier mishap with Coach Torres, shared by Raphinha who somehow got the footage.

The video was accompanied by a chorus of laughing emojis, crying-laughing GIFs, and comments from teammates who had been absent from training.

"I can't stop laughing!"

"F/N, you're a legend!"

"Best nutmeg ever!"

"Poor Coach Torres!"

"This made my day!"

F/N couldn't help but laugh themselves, even though they was the subject of the video. It seemed that the Barcelona team had an uncanny ability to find humor in even the most embarrassing situations.

Mapi and Ingrid, still hanging out of their window, were practically in stitches. "You, my friend, have provided the team with entertainment for weeks to come!" Ingrid exclaimed.

F/N chuckled and shook his head. "This is really isn't going away anytime soon"

The trio continued to chat and laugh about the incident, turning what could have been a humiliating moment into a shared joke among teammates and friends. Not knowing that a Lucy Bronze with an evil smile is uploading the video to twitter

[alotofpockets]

Stories

Anniversary

[desperate-gay]

christmas request for leah williamson:

"Just because we’re stuck under mistletoe doesn’t mean I have to kiss you.”

“Scared you might enjoy it?"

A Christmas Tease

Leah Williamson x fem!reader

summary: your teammate has quite the reputation and she will do anything to catch your attention

a/n: just a quick blurb i thought id write due to a sleepless night

“There she is!” Katie shouts, arm extended with a beer in hand, announcing your late arrival at the party.

“Yes, here I am. My tires are horrible with the snow and everyone drives like there’s a whole blizzard outside.” You roll your eyes, removing your outdoor gear to throw on the coat rack and embrace the warmth of the house.

You greet everyone with a smile and catch up to all the conversations that have happened within the last 20 minutes you have missed. You’ve gotten extremely close with many of your teammates despite only playing for Arsenal for only a couple of months. Once your USWNT teammate, Emily Fox, was signed, you weren’t too long after.

You had already known a lot of your teammates from international games and previous clubs you had played for, so there weren't too many people to get used to.

Besides one very obnoxious player.

Leah Williamson.

She has a reputation for sleeping around and placing girls in her trophy case. The team jokes that she’s challenging herself to sleep with every girl in London, and, unfortunately, her new target is you.

“Were you too busy answering prayers, angel?” A thick british accent breaks you out of your trance, making you jump in surprise.

“More like digging myself up from hell.” You say, giving her a plastered grin before taking a sip of the champagne that rests in your hand.

“I’ll have you one day, you know.” Leah states confidently, earning herself a sharp glare from you in which she only returns with a cocky smirk.

Not even wanting to argue with the girl, you scoff and walk over to where Lia and Mariona sit and join them in conversation. You’d never admit this to the blonde, not wanting to make her ego swell bigger than it anyway is, you used to have the biggest crush on her before you transferred to Arsenal.

You always found the blonde extremely attractive, especially on the pitch, but when you finally met her and found out about her off-the-pitch affairs, your crush faded away.

“You still there, amiga?” Mariona asks softly, noticing your silence.

“Yes, of course. Sorry, just a bit distracted.” You smile apologetically, twisting the glass in your hand for distraction.

“No need to apologize, but if I may, does this have anything to do with a certain english blonde defender?” Lia smirks teasingly as you roll your eyes and shake your head rapidly.

“Absolutely not. You know my feelings about that, Lia.” The swiss girl allows the conversation to disappear although she doesn’t believe you one bit.

—

“Next question, what is everyone’s favorite christmas song?” Kim asks the team who all are huddled around in the living space, you coincidentally smushed on a loveseat with Leah.

Many shouts are thrown across the room from voices trying to top each other, debating on what christening song is the ultimate song, including your voice.

Noticing the girl next to you zoning out and not participating, you bump your shoulder into hers, asking, “What about you? What’s your favorite christmas song?”

“Rockin’ around the christmas tree.” Leah nods in confidence.

“Why that one?” You immediately regret asking when that familiar cocky grin stretches along the older girl’s face.

“Because I know I can rock your world when you finally let me.” She whispers, leaning closer to you so no one else can hear, and quickly snapping back when you push her in disgust, making the girl chuckle and take a sip of her drink.

Many hours pass by with more questions, movies, karaoke, and so on before people start to trickle out to head back to their destined homes. It was only you and a few people left, cleaning up the snacks that were on display and garbage littered in small areas.

Leaning against the wall of the archway, someone clearing their throat grabs your attention next to you. You quickly see the blonde locks and huff in annoyance before turning back to look at what you were.

She taps your shoulder and points above the two of you, causing you to scoff when you notice the holiday plant hanging down by a string. Leah’s white teeth shimmer at you before puckering her lips and making exaggerated kissy noises.

“Just because we are under a mistletoe does not mean I have to kiss you.” You declare, watching the older girl with squinted eyes.

“Afraid you may enjoy it, darling?” Leah questions, pulling herself off the wall and moving slightly closer to you with a wide grin plastered on her face.

A weird shock runs through your body from hearing her husky tone, but you shake it off as the thought of a cold shiver. You swiftly look around to make sure no one is around before closing the gap between you and Leah, grabbing her arms and placing them on your hips while yours wraps around her neck.

The blonde’s smile fades and instead is replaced with a huge face of shock.

“I know I’ll enjoy it. I have been dreaming of you railing me into the mattress over and over again, having your way with me on every surface of every room, and making my legs shake violently with every orgasm you give me.” You whisper, lips brushing against the girl’s ear as her hands grip your hips together with every word.

“Yeah?” Leah’s voice shakes.

“Oh yeah, but this won’t ever happen except in your daydreams.”

With that, you down the rest of the drink in your hand and strut off to help Kim with the rest of the cleanup, leaving the defender in complete bewilderment and arousal.

Merry christmas indeed.

[woso-dreamzzz]

Helper IV

Mariona Caldentey x Child!Reader

Summary: You show Mariona around

The car pulls up and you rock back and forth twice on your feet. You tap your clipboard in sets of twos as the car door opens.

Mariona steps out, looking around and shaking everyone's hands before her eyes finally rest on you.

She kneels down to your height, a smile on her face. "Hello, y/n."

"Hi!"

She glances around. "Where is Lia?"

You shrug. "Somewhere. I'm showing you around!"

"You are?"

You nod earnestly. "Uh-huh! I've got a clipboard!"

"I can see that."

"I see you've found our special helper," One of the staff says," Y/n is a big part of the team. She keeps everyone in line."

You nod. "Captain Kim says it's an important job. People have to listen to what I say."

"Well, I suppose I should do the same," Mariona says.

The tour starts at the gym and you lead Mariona in by the hand. She marvels over how big it is as you tick it off from your list.

Next are the pitches.

They're big and green and Mariona talks about how she was at Barcelona for ten years.

That's a long time, you think. You're only little so Mariona was at her old club for longer than you've been alive. That's a very long time and Barcelona is a lot hotter than England so Mariona must have spent a lot of time being hot.

She plays for Spain too though so you suppose that she must have been used to it like how you're used to the rain and clouds of England because you were born here.

"And this is Win."

"Win's not on the list," You whisper to the staff member after looking down at your clipboard.

You hadn't factored in seeing Win and that makes your tummy get all fluttery in a weird way. You wrote out your list specifically for this moment.

Mummy always says having a routine and a plan is important.

Like in the morning when you wake up and brush your teeth before getting dressed, having breakfast and doing the dishes right before you leave for training.

You do that everyday and it makes you feel nice and prepared every time for training.

Mummy even lets you tap the front door twice before getting you in the car.

You tap your clipboard in rounds of two anxiously as the tour is delayed while Win gets belly tickles from Mariona.

You shuffle forward a little bit, leaning against her shoulder as she crouches down to stroke Win.

"She is cute, huh?" Mariona says and you nod, still tapping your clipboard.

"I didn't know Win was coming out," You whisper, just low enough for only Mariona to hear," I'm sorry."

Mariona shakes her head, easily tucking you under her arm. "It's okay. You didn't know."

"But I should have! I'm sorry!"

Your eyes water and the staff have the decency to turn off the camera and turn around as Mariona pulls you into a hug.

"It's okay," She says," I don't mind."

"But I'm sorry!"

Mariona feels nice and warm. She holds you like Mummy holds you, turned away from everyone else and hidden in her neck.

"It's alright," Mariona says, rubbing your back in a quick one-two motion.

The tears don't fall as harshly anymore, just a few running over your cheeks. You yawn, completely exhausted and Mariona stands.

She lifts you up with her, resting you on her hip as you lay your head against her shoulder, eyes sagging shut.

You're very tired. It was a late night for you as you made your list and then an early morning to get here before Mariona. All of that coupled with your sudden crying fit has left you so tired and in desperate need of a nap.

Mariona's shoulder is comfortable and she's so warm that your eyelids drop automatically and you shuffle a bit in her arms to get more comfortable.

"Oh!" Mariona says," Are you having a little sleep?"

"Yes, please."

"Alright then. I'll wake you up when Lia's here to pick you up."

[leah-lover]

Hot women football club mostly know as awfc

[rottenbologna]

A Shift in Rhythm

Pairings ~ Mariona Caldentey x reader

Genre ~ angst

Summary ~ Mariona gets a little too comfortable

Mariona was used to it. The rhythm you both had; she would go out and play the best football she could while you did..pretty much everything else. Every morning Mariona's coffee would be brewed the way she liked it, breakfast prepared, fresh kit, clean boots and kit bag packed and layed out for her to go. Laundry was always done and put away, the house always clean and tidy and a hot meal always set out for her return home.Mariona never had to ask y/n always went out of her way to make her girl’s life easier and without even realizing mariona began to expect it.

So when she came home after a particularly rough training session to find all the lights in the house off, laundry basket thrown recklessly in the living room, ingredients on the kitchen counter, dinner not prepared. Mariona’s anger increased tenfold.

“y/n” she hissed out after tripping on the cord of the vacuum left out in the hallway. She got no response and that only added to her already burning anger. The brunette walked to your shared bedroom to find you in bed but completely missed the way your breaths came out in wheezes and the way your body shakes even though you were covered in three layers of blankets.

Mariona frowned. “You didn’t cook and the house is a mess y/n and you’re in here sleeping?’

Your body jumps in shock not hearing your girlfriend come in. you sit up with flushed cheeks and messy hair something out of character for you but if mariona noticed she didn't acknowledge it too routed in her irritation.

“I’ve been sick all day. I can barely move mari.” you stated still confused from your rude awakening.

“I had a long day y/n the least i was expecting was a clean house and food on the table” your girlfriend snapped carelessly kicking off her boots and throwing her kit top somewhere in the room carelessly. “You could have ordered me something or even text me so i could something up”

“You think I didn't want to? Mariona i'm burning up and i can barely breathe” y/n stared at the older girl in disbelief.

“I dont give a fuck about that right now y/n im exhaustted and hungry. I work hard and the least you could do is have something ready to eat when I get home” the older girl snapped back.

The room goes silent, the words from your girlfriend cut deep. The truth was that you had a job as well. Nothing flashy like being world champion or a ballon d’or nominee but it was a job, the pay was decent and can be demanding but still you always put your own exhaustion aside because you wanted to be a bit of calm in the chaos of lengthy football matches and media duties that your girlfriend lives in and to have her blatantly take that for granted to hurt you. Your eyes burned from the tears forming as you got up on shaky legs to pack an overnight bag.

Mariona’s eye widen as she observed you for the first time since she got home her irritation quickly replaced with guilt and worry as she finally took the time to hear the way your breath came out in short wheezes and how you struggled to move around while tossing clothes in the bag she reached out to help you sit on the bed but you slapped her hand away weakly and continued packing

“Wait cari please…what are you doing? Mariona panicked

“I'm going to stay with Alessia for a few days.” you mumbled not having the strength to go an octave higher.

Mariona wanted to plead with you to stay, but you already left closing the door quietly behind you, leaving her to sit in the silence and her guilt.

[misfit0789]

Regret

Lia Walti x Reader

Summary: Lia has many regrets in life.

Word Count: 3.5k words

Warnings: Angst?, toxicity from Lia

This is pure fiction! I did make Lia is the bad guy here. Let me know what you guys think!

Twelve years.

It's been twelve years.

Twelve years since Y/n and Lia have seen each other or spoken to each other. Lia put her full focus into football and Y/n fell into the background before eventually being forgotten altogether. Y/n went on to become one of the best veterinarians in the world. Pets and animals being flown in from all over to be seen by Y/n. But Lia wouldn't know that. Y/n however knows all about Lia. She can't go online without seeing the Swiss woman's face on her social media.

The two were said to have been soulmates. But Lia let football overtake her life and Y/n paid the price. Y/n tried to move on, but Lia was one of a kind and no one has ever compared to her... Lia's parents still reach out to Y/n. The girl was their daughter's best friend turned girlfriend. They tried talking to Lia about Y/n, but Lia never seemed to listen.

That brings us to now Lia was watching Calvin with Mariona, Mariona having picked up an injury, so the couple agreed to watch Calvin while Steph was in the states with the Matilda's. Lia  had also picked up a minor injury during training, so she stayed back from national team duties this international break. Lia, Mariona, and Calvin are currently on a walk in the park near Steph's apartment.

The couple have their hands intertwined, Lia holding onto Calvin's leash, as they conversed. Lia and Mariona are so into their conversation they miss Calvin setting his sights on a bird in the distance, only realizing when his leash is pulled from Lia's hand as he takes off.

"Calvin!"

"Calvin! Get back here!" The two call taking off after the dog. They dodge and weave between the others in the park trying to catch up to Calvin. The couple moving even quicker when they hear Calvin cry out in pain. Finally reaching him they see him sitting on the ground holding up his left front paw as he cries.

"Oh Calvin, what happened?" Lia asks crouching down by the dog and trying to offer him some comfort.

"Excuse me?" The couple look to see a girl around seven or eight and what looks to be her father. "I saw what happened to him. He was chasing a bird, but he stepped on the tree branch and hurt his paw." The little girl explains, the couple glance at the father to see him nodding confirming what his daughter said.

"Thank you …" Mariona trails off.

"Rosie," The father supplies.

"Thank you, Rosie," Mariona says giving the young girl a smile.

"We better get Calvin to the doctor so they can look at his paw," Lia says, grabbing Calvin's leash. She turns to the father and daughter. "Thank you for helping us, Rosie. If you see is or Calvin here again feel free to come say 'hi'. I'm sure Calvin would love to play when he feels better." The girl gasps looking to her father, who nods a smile on his face, before turning to look back at the couple and Calvin a large smile on her face as she nods excitedly.

"Yes, please!" The couple chuckle at the enthusiasm from the young girl.

"Well, we better get Calvin to the doctor. Thank you again Rosie. You telling us what you saw will help Calvin! See you around!" Lia says leaning down to pick up Calvin, so he doesn't hurt himself further. The couple wave to the two before quickly making their way to the closest vet that Mario found on her phone.

After a quick ten minute walk the couple enter the vet office, Calvin still in Lia's arms. She gently sets him down, handing his leash to her girlfriend.

"Stay here with Calvin while I go check him in. There doesn't seem to be many people here so it shouldn't be too long of a wait." Lia says Mario nods in agreement taking Calvin's leash sitting in one of the empty seats in the waiting room. Lia moves to the reception desk.

"Uh hi, I'm looking after my friend's dog, but he hurt his paw in the park. Is someone able to look? He seems to be in quite a bit of pain." Lia explains. The receptionist nods.

"Is the dog a patient here?" The girl asks.

"Uhm, I'm not sure. Your office was the closest one to the park, so we came just here."

"What's the dog's full name? I can see if he is in our system to save you from having to fill out paperwork."

"Calvin Cately,"

"He is a patient here! The doctor is in with another patient now, but I will take you to a room to let Calvin settle before seeing the doctor." Lia nods, turning to wave Mario over. Mariona picks up Calvin following Lia and the receptionist to a room where she sets Calvin on the ground once more. "As I said the doctor should be almost done, so she'll be here shortly," the couple nod as the girl leaves the room, shutting the door behind her.

"I'll text Steph to let her know Calvin is at the vet." Mariona tells Lia who nods continuing to pet Calvin hoping to bring him some type of comfort as he continues to cry softly. The couple look up at the sound of the door opening. Lia freezes when she sees who walked in.

"I heard my favorite boy was here!" the doctor says in a baby voice. Calvin jumps up excitedly as he recognizes the voice. Though he quicky stops and cries in pain when he puts his paw on the ground. "Oh buddy, what happened?" the doctor looks up, expecting to see Steph but is surprised with who she sees instead. She schools her features to not show her shock.

"Y/n." Lia whispers still in shock. Mariona looks at her girlfriend in confusion.

"Hi, I'm Dr. Y/l/n, this I know is Calvin and I know neither of you are Steph so…who might you be?" Y/n asks, directing the question more to Mariona as she already knows Lia, kneeling by Calvin offering him pets and a treat from her pocket. Mariona, seeing her girlfriend still frozen, answers.

"I'm Mariona, this is my girlfriend, Lia. Steph is our teammate. We are watching Calvin while she is away." Mariona explains, her accent heavy as she speaks. Y/n nods.

"Well, nice to meet you. What seems to be going on with my friend Calvin here?" Y/n asks carefully taking Calvin's paw in her hands to inspect it. Calvin calm as Y/n does so, not trying to pull away.

"We were walking him in the park, but he saw a bird and took off. We chased after him, but he stopped and started crying. A little girl explained that he had stepped on a fallen tree branch after we had caught up to him." Lia explains, having broken from her shock but not breaking her stare from Y/n, observing the person she once not only called her best friend but her lover. Y/n is taller and more built than she remembers.

"Well Calvin is okay it looks like he got a splinter from the branch stuck in his paw." Y/n turns on her knees to grab the tweezers from the counter in the room. "Let me just -" Y/n carefully grabs the splinter with the tweezers, "-there!" She holds the tweezers up. The sliver of wood between the ends. "Still crazy to me how something so small causes so much pain, in humans and animals," Y/n jokes, the couple laughing. Lia looks at Y/n a sad smile on her face realizing how much she has missed Y/n.

Is it too late to start over? Lia thinks forgetting about her girlfriend who's in the same room.

"Calvin should be all set! I'll give him a small dosage pill to provide some pain relief before you take him home, but he should be back to normal in a couple of hours." Y/n explains, standing to grab her clip board she had set on the counter when she walked in. The couple nod moving to stand.

"How much do we owe you?" Lia asks. Y/n waves her off.

"Nothing, Calvin is great, and it was only a splinter so no need to charge. A nurse will be in shortly to give Calvin his pill then you guys are all set. It was nice to meet you." Y/n says opening the door and walking out. The door closing softly behind her. Lia quickly turns to her girlfriend.

"I'll be right back," Mariona goes to question her but Lia is out the door before she can.

Lia walks out the room seeing Y/n talking to the receptionist from earlier. Lia walks to the two clearing her throat to gain the attention. Both women look to Lia. Y/n looking at her in confusion.

"Uhm, Y/n? C-Can I t-talk to you?" Lia glances at the receptionist before adding "Alone?" Y/n glances at the receptionist with a look Lia can't decipher before Y/n nods.

"Sure, let's go to my office, Alex I'll be back" Y/n says turning towards her office. Lia follows nervously fidgeting with her hands trying to figure out what she wants to say. Y/n stops in front of a door with her name written on a name plate attached to the door. Photos of Y/n with various animals stuck on the door. Lia smiles seeing a photo of Y/n and Calvin when he was a puppy. Though her heart stutters at the photo of a young Y/n and Lia with Y/n's childhood pet, a sad smile on her face remembering that day well.

----Flashback----

"Y/n/n! Charlie! Wait up!" Six year old Lia laughs chasing after a six year old Y/n. Y/n giggles running ahead of Lia, Charlie right next to her barking as he tries to grab his toy from Y/n's hand. The six year old dog, Charlie, being Y/n's best friend, aside from Lia of course. Y/n's family had just adopted Charlie when they found out Y/n's mom was pregnant with Y/n. Charlie and Y/n got to grow up together, Y/n didn't know it yet but Charlie would be the reason she becomes a veterinarian.

"Gotta be faster than that Lia!" Y/n says gaining speed and growing the distance between her and Lia. Lia huffs pushing herself to run faster to try and tag her best friend.

"Girls! Dinner!" The two stop and turn seeing Y/n's mom, Jean, on the back porch, both turning and running towards her. Both smile at her, dirt all over their faces from where they were rolling in the dirt with Charlie. "What has happened to you both?"

"We were playing with Charlie!" Y/n explains, Lia nodding in agreement. Jean lets out a sigh but smiles at the happiness radiating from the girls.

"You two need to get cleaned up before you eat," Jean says, licking her thumb to brush some of the dirt off of Y/n's cheek. Y/n groans pushing her hand away.

"Mom," Y/n whines, Jean chuckles.

"Let me take your picture then you two need to get cleaned up for dinner." Jeans says. Lia and Y/n nod, sitting on the ground next to Charlie, all three looking at Jean, large smiles on their faces. Even Charlie as Jean snaps the photo. "Okay, now go get cleaned up," Jean says shooing the two off. The girls nod walking into the house. Y/n turns to her mom smiling, her hand resting on Charlie's head as the dog walks next to her.

"Mom? Can we eat with Charlie?" Y/n asks a hopeful look in her eye.

"Not tonight girls. Charlie needs to eat in his spot, and you two need to eat at the table with the rest of us." Jean explains, the two girls nod, a frown on their faces as they move to get cleaned up for dinner, Charlie still following behind.

----End of Flashback----

"What do you need Lia?" Y/n asks leaning back on her desk, her arms crossed on her chest as she looks at Lia. Lia shakes her head ridding her mind of the memory, moving to step into Y/n's office shutting the door behind her.

"Uhm, how are you?" Y/n quirks an eyebrow at Lia's question.

"Really? After all this time that's what you ask me?" Y/n asks. Lia sighs shaking her head.

"No," she breathes out, "I just don't know what to say," Lia whispers. Y/n lets out a scoff.

"You could start with an apology and an explanation." Lia looks at Y/n in confusion. "Do you know how long it's been since we've seen or talked to each other?" Y/n asks instead of explaining. Lia takes a second to think before shaking her head. "Twelve years." Y/n says. Lia takes a step back eyes widening in shock.

Had it really been that long? Lia thinks.

"Twelve years since you last responded to one of my messages." Y/n lets out a humorless laugh, "I didn't even know if we were still together. Your parents tried to talk to you, but you kept brushing them off. I eventually gave up trying with you. We had been dating for three years, best friends since we were five and you didn't even have the decency to break up with me. You just left." Y/n says tears building in her eyes as she voices what she's been wanting to for the last twelve years since Lia disappeared.

"I-I don't know why I did what I did." Lia sighs, starting to pace the room as she tries to gather her thoughts. "I guess I was scared," Lia stops turning to face Y/n who looks at her confused. "We were 18, you were getting ready for college, I was going to play in Germany, things just didn't feel possible with the distance." Lia explains. Y/n lets out a laugh, Lia looking at her in confusion.

"I got accepted to a college in Germany!" Y/n exclaims. Lia looks at her in shock, "If you had answered your phone and talked to me instead of running away like a coward, things would have been fine." Y/n says throwing her arms up in frustration. Lia shrinks in on herself at the tone of Y/n's voice.

"I'm sorry. Maybe if I never ran, things would have been different." Lia says moving to stand between Y/n's legs where she still leans on her desk, her hand coming to rest on Y/n's cheek. Y/n sighs but doesn't pull away. She needs closure on this part of her life.

"Do you regret leaving? Leaving me?" Y/n asks. Lia sighs her thumb brushing over Y/n's cheek.

"Yes. You were are my soulmate and I was too dumb to see that then. I still love you Y/n." Lia says, Y/n sighs and goes to speak but her office door slams open. Little feet barreling through the now open door as a little voice screams.

"Mama!! Look!" a smile instantly forms on Y/n's face as she pushed away from Lia to bend down and grab the little body and standing with them now securely in her arms.

"What is it you have there Lila?" Y/n asks, noticing the familiar stuffed animal in Delilah's hand, sparing a glance at Lia noting the look of recognition on her face at the item in her four year old daughter's hand.

"Auntie Val was cleaning at grandma's and found it! She said I could have it!" Deliliah exclaims, holding the stuffed bunny out in her arms for her mama to see. Y/n smiles sadly as she looks at the bunny that holds so many memories. Y/n places her hand on the bunny brushing her thumb over the patch that had to be sewn on the bunny's head from where the material was torn.

"This bunny was very special to Mama when she was little, you know." Y/n says, Delilah looks at her mom eyes wide In wonder.

"Really?" Y/n nods, sparing a glance at Lia seeing her with tears in her eyes.

"Yup, Clover was given to Mama by Mama's best friend. Clover went with Mama everywhere.  I thought Clover was gone forever. I had her one day then she was gone the next. Grandma must have found her and forgot to tell me. I'm glad she found you though." Y/n smiles, poking Delilah's stomach, eliciting a laugh from the child. That same bunny Lia had given to Y/n was meant to be passed down to their child. Now Clover belongs to only Y/n's child. Y/n has a knowing smile on her face as she hears someone running down the hall.

"Delilah! You can't run just run past me like that!" Lia looks up, her heart stopping at the sight of the receptionist from earlier, the woman looking exactly like the child in Y/n's arms, aside from a couple features that are all Y/n.

"Sorry, Mommy." The child says, a pout forming on her lips. "I was excited to show Mama the bunny Auntie Val gave me," Deliliah says.

"It's alright sweetheart, just don't do that again, you scared Mommy." The woman says moving to stand next to Y/n pressing a kiss to her cheek.

"You can't keep scaring Mommy like that love," Y/n says ruffling Delilah's hair. "Sorry love," Y/n gives the woman a smile pressing a kiss to her lips. The child gagging brings a laugh out of the two.

"I'm sorry did you want kisses too?" Y/n asks sharing a look with her wife before both lean in pressing kisses to the child's face, causing Delilah to erupt into a fit of giggles. Lia clearing her throat to hold back her tears breaks the little family from their moment. Y/n's eyes widening having forgotten Lia was there. "Oh, I'm sorry. Uhm Lia this is Alex, my wife, and Delilah, our daughter. Alex, Delilah this is Lia… an old friend." Y/n says. Alex now looks at Lia with a glare, knowing all about Lia and the hurt she had caused Y/n, compared to the sweet smile she had earlier before she knew exactly who Lia was.

"Delilah, why don't you go see Auntie Val at the front. Mama and Mommy will be there shortly." Alex says giving her daughter a smile. The little girl nods, wiggling out of her Mama's arms and running out of the room to find her Aunt. Alex shuts the door behind her daughter, walking to stand next to Y/n. Y/n sighs knowing this isn't going to end well now that Alex knows who Lia is.

"Y/n I -" Lia is cut off by Alex.

"What more could you possibly have to say to my wife? Haven't you done enough damage to her? Do you have any idea of the walls you made her build up? It took me years to break those down. You broke her and now you think you-" Alex stops her rant at the feel of Y/n's hand on her back, drawing soothing circles trying to keep Alex calm.

"It's okay honey," Y/n whispers pressing a kiss to Alex's head. Alex lets out a sigh, leaning into Y/n's side, her hand gripping the bottom of Y/n's shirt as she remembers all of the nights she held Y/n as she cried wondering what she did to lose her not only her lover but her best friend. Alex was jealous at first but she realized, even if Lia did come back into Y/n's life their relationship would never be what it once was. "Let me," Y/n whispers to Alex before looking at Lia. "Look Lia, I heard what you said but I'm sorry I don't love you anymore. I may have been your soulmate and I once thought you were mine too. But you broke me by just disappearing. You don't get to show up after twelve years and declare your love to me. Alex helped rebuild me. She brought me back to life. She is my soulmate." Y/n glances behind Lia a sad smile on her face when she notices Mariona and Calvin entered the room, "You can't be declaring you still love me, especially when you already have someone in your life." Lia turns seeing Mariona there, tears in her eyes.

"Tell me she's joking Lia," Mariona says, her voice breaking from the emotion she is feeling. Lia opens her mouth to explain but nothing comes out. Mariona scoffs shaking her head. "I left my home for you, I left the club I played at for ten years for you. I left my friends for you. This is what I get in return? You declaring your love for someone else? Someone who is married?" Mariona asks, her voice raising.

"Mario I'm-" Lia says trying to apologize. Mariona shakes her head. Y/n and Alex are sitting by Y/n's desk watching the scene unfold, Y/n feeling especially sorry for Mariona knowing what it feels like to be left behind by Lia.

"Save it. I'm taking Calvin back to Steph's, then I'll be staying with Laia until I can get my own place. We. Are. Done." Mariona spits, leaving the room, Calvin following behind. Lia lets out a sob realizing what she's done.

"I think you need to leave," Y/n says. Lia turns to look at Y/n tears in her eyes. She nods and walks out of the room making her way to her apartment she used to share with Mariona.

"I regret everything." Lia whispers as tears stream down her cheeks.

[ceesimz]

We're All We Need Today

Hey, long time no story! I'm back with this, something I had the idea for a long time ago but it was low on my list of favourites. Then I re-jigged it and re-worked it and now it's done! Everybody's favourite trope, or mine at least, angst to fluff!

It should have been just a normal Tuesday. A normal evening on a random day mid-week in May. Training for you both that ended just after lunchtime, before meeting up at Alexia's apartment early evening after the pair of you attended meetings or completed other pieces of work. That all went smoothly, it was perfectly fine.

Alexia shouldn't have looked at your phone without your permission though. She shouldn't have looked at your messages in the first place, nevermind doing it behind your back.

"I cannot believe you told your friends and did not tell me first!" Alexia shouted at you as soon as you walked out of the bathroom, your phone opened onto your friend groupchat in her hand.

"What? Alexia, what are you doing? Are you looking through my phone?" You cried out, marching over to snatch it back, but she holds it in the air out of your reach like a high school bully. "What the hell do you think you're doing!?"

"You told your friends without conferring with me first. You went behind my back and you know I didn't want anyone knowing!"

"You've gone behind my back too, looking through my phone! Why did you do that?" You jumped and grabbed your phone, confirming exactly what you thought.

She had gone through your phone whilst you were out the room, had clicked onto a chat with your closest friends who you trusted more than almost everyone in your life, and she had read just one message that said 'What does your weekend look like in sunny Barcelona? Any plans with A?'

"No, no. You aren't flipping this around. You swore to me-" She jabbed her finger harshly against your chest as she spoke. "-that you would not tell anyone until I said you could."

Is she for real right now? Who are you even talking to?

This is not the woman you fell in love with almost seven months ago. This is not the woman who used her captaincy as an excuse to get your number. This is not the woman who asked to be your girlfriend in such a shy and awkward manner as she stumbled over her words whilst eating dinner with you on her sofa. This definitely isn't the woman who cares for you how no one else has, nor is this the woman who loves you infinitely and shows it in ways you never could have thought possible.

This is a selfish, egotistical, self-centred, and downright cold-hearted person you do not recognise. The version of Alexia in front of you here is one you thought you'd never, ever encounter. Yet, look at the situation now.

"So, what, I have to run everything by you? I can't tell my closest friends possibly the biggest detail in my life? I can't tell them I'm in love and happier than ever?"

"No. Not now. We promised we wouldn't tell anyone, and you have betrayed me." Alexia huffed angrily, her hands on her hips as she turned away from you.

"I wanted to share this part of my li- you, with them! And, Ale, you've told Alba and Eli, why can't I tell my friends?" You moved to stand in front of her so you're facing her again, and she fixed you a disapproving glare with a jut to her jaw.

"Friends are different to family - I've never met these people! What are their intentions? I don't know, and I don't want them knowing private facts about me. That is why I'm mad." Alexia gritted her teeth as she spoke, fury swimming through her veins as her hands gripped her own hips so tightly you were sure there'd be bruises the next time she looked.

"What are you even saying? Do you hear yourself right now?" You scoffed, your anger almost tripling when the woman in front of you chuckled.

"Trust me, I hear myself. I also hear you denying everything, denying the fact you've outed our relationship, denying the fact you've broke my trust. Betrayed the one thing I asked you to promise not to do. Maybe you're the one who needs their ears checking, remember when I said 'let's wait some time to tell people.' Maybe you misheard me and thought I said 'how about we tell every fucking person in the city?' So yes, I hear myself. Very clearly, you don't have to worry about that."

You stared, glared, at her for a few moments, gobsmacked at the turn of events whilst also trying not to burst into tears. This is a situation you never thought would occur between you both, and the vile way she spoke to you paired with her foul accusations had you slipping on your shoes and leaving her apartment. And, possibly the worst part of it all? She didn't even try to stop you.

Why was it always about her, about what she wants, always on her terms?

What about your opinion? She didn't care to hear you out, and it sounds like she doesn't give two flying fucks what you've got to say. Alexia Putellas and her dense head coming into play again, only caring about herself and her legacy and what people say about her. You'd think that as someone who, to the public, seems so very secure and content in her position as the best women's player still in the game, that she wouldn't be so worrisome and out-right vile if there was a chance something wasn't going her way.

No, she wasn't like that with you at least, not at all. You hadn't been together long, but the secrecy and, what you inferred now as shame, seeped into your mind and with each step as you walked home that day, you grew more and more, not only utterly infuriated, but overwhelmingly perturbed at the prospect of just... everything.

Perhaps your whole relationship had merely been a fluke. Something Alexia didn't take serious in the slightest, and nowhere near serious enough for you to tell people about it. Maybe, at the end of the day, you were too much for her to deal with, and the only way the Catalan could cope was by keeping you behind closed doors. The theories your mind was coming up made you sick to the pit of your stomach, and it was a miracle that you made it to the bathroom of your apartment by the time you were emptying the contents of your body.

There was some kind of higher power watching over you, because this whole fiasco had occurred when there were two days off afterwards. It was coming up to the tail end of the season, and as the latter half of the month was jam-packed with tense games, you had planned to make the most of the time off. With a few social events scattered across the two days, you had been greatly looking forward to spending time with your teammates outside of the pitch, your friends, and at the time most importantly, Alexia. That all didn't seem enticing anymore, nor did it even seem possible.

For the time being though, as you stumbled your way out of the bathroom and fell into bed, the breakfast catch-ups and evening dinners were the last things on your mind. The only way you wanted to spend your time off, was wallowing in a trench of self-pity.

And that's how you found yourself in the gym of your apartment complex some fourty hours later.

Jab, jab, hook. Jab, jab, hook. Right hook, then a left uppercut, and another right hook to follow.

Punch after punch after punch after punch. There was no stopping you in this mindset. Not with the things your head was chanting, Alexia's words circling endlessly around your mind. They were what fuelled you right now, allowing you to lay into the punching bag before you with no second thought to the consequences.

And those consequences were sure to bring you a lot of pain later, in your hands that weren't wrapped up like they should, nevermind wearing gloves.

There was music playing through the earphones you had in, but for the life of you, you couldn't even register it right now. Your vision was blurred by pure rage, failing to recognise the cuts forming with every unrestrained punch and the bruises beginning to form along the bumps of each knuckle. You had tunnel vision on one thing and one thing only, and that was trying to dispel yourself of the all-consuming anger that had plagued you for almost two days now.

"Amiga! Basta, basta, hey." A soft voice broke through your trance as your earphones were delicately tugged from your ears. "Hey, you hear me?"

As your hands were gently taken ahold of by the figure to your right, you took a deep breath and leaned forward to rest your forehead against the bag. It was now that the woman beside you realised just how poor your breathing was, and she brought one of her hands to rub caringly up and down your back.

"Más despacio, relájate. Tómatelo con calma, vale? Relájate." Her voice soothed you a little, giving you the peace of mind you needed to set your breathing back to normal. "Are you with me?"

At that, you nod and take some more breaths before leaning up and taking in the person beside you. It was Mariona, who you shared the same apartment complex with, a fact you had forgotten about. In this moment, you weren't sure if you were thankful for that fact or if you resented it.

"Yes, with you." You wiped your face on the sleeve of your shirt before properly looking at her.

"Are you okay?" Mariona knew it probably wasn't the wisest thing to say, but for the moment as she collected her thoughts and did an internal assessment of the situation, it was more of a buffer than anything.

"Um, I guess there's no point lying, is there." You state flatly, the Spaniard smiling sadly at you and shaking her head. "Things aren't great... right now, so."

"Okay. That's okay." Mariona's smile was perhaps the brightest thing you'd seen, and with her looking at you the way she was, with so much care and a major lack of judgement, it was hard to reject the help she was soon to offer.

"Will you let me take care of you? I have a first aid kit in my apartment that I can use for these." She gestured down to your bruised and battered hands that were growing more painful by the second. "We can talk if you want, or you can at least let me patch you up and I can call somebody else. It's up to you."

You thought you knew what you wanted, and it wasn't this, but now that the offer is glaringly right in your face, your inner monologue urged you to fall to your knees and beg for assistance, for someone to scoop up all the negativity in your mind and lift the weight of it from your shoulders.

Isolating yourself from everyone, as you had done in the last days, wasn't healthy in the slightest, and rationally you knew the excuses you gave for doing so were completely unwarranted. Yes, you were the newest signing, and yes, Alexia was the captain and the glue of the team. However, that did not lessen your worth, you still deserved your spot on the team and you deserved to be treated with humanity. As Mariona had shown in the span of a few moments, your teammates wouldn't pick sides depending on how long you had and hadn't known people, and they certainly wouldn't treat you any less just because you had fallen out with - foregoing her team title - your girlfriend.

You were only human after all.

"I would appreciate that, thank you, Mariona."

Once more, the forward smiled politely at you and nodded, moving to wait at the door to the gym to wait for you as you collected up your things. Each movement of your hands had you grimacing in discomfort, a fact not lost on Mariona as she took the items, like your water bottle and your jumper, from you just to take the edge off a little.

You weren't too close with Mariona, you had gravitated towards the likes of Ingrid and Fridolina and Aitana when you joined (and Alexia, of course), but at the end of the day she was still your teammate and you often found yourself in a group with her in training since you were also a forward. The 28 year old was a hard-worker, yet she was also one of the most laid-back people you'd ever met, so in her presence it was hard not to allow yourself to relax even just a tiny bit. The aura that radiated off of her was oddly settling, and as you both made your way up to her apartment in relative silence, you were offered your first slice of serenity since that day not too long ago.

"Would you like a shower first? You look like you worked yourself hard in there." Mariona offered as she closed the door of her apartment behind you.

"No, it's okay, thanks." You gave her an awkward, tight-lipped smile, feeling somewhat embarrassed at having been caught in such a vulnerable moment - a moment when you were filled with such rage and negativity, that all you could do was lay into a harmless object like a woman possessed.

"Alright. Sit down at the counter, I will get all I need and be with you in a second."

With a sheepish nod, you complied and sat at the island counter in the kitchen, taking a moment to compose yourself before you knew an emotionally charged conversation was about to take place. You were tempted to take Mariona up on her offer to call somebody else, but honestly you were already exhausted and just wanted to get this whole situation off of your chest.

You'd been lugging it around for days now, encumbered by the weight of anger that, as time went on, was bleeding into exasperation and disconcertion because, in all honesty, you just wanted your girlfriend back. That was a little difficult though, because the woman in question was still being as cold as ever and for the life of you, you couldn't get a good read on her to figure out what her stand was on it all now. Whether she'd confided in Mapi or Irene or her sister or even Mariona, you had no idea, you just hoped there was still an ounce of her that cared for you in just a sliver of the way you did for her.

Though you hadn't seen or heard from her since that evening, her actions and her words were still fresh on your mind, and no matter how much time you spent mentally going through each doing of hers, it all made zero sense. In no way shape or form had Alexia portrayed such viciousness towards you, nor had she ever been so horrible and completely unfair in the time you had known her. Maybe it was a case of only knowing her for a short-ish amount of time, but her behaviour seemed so out of character that it set a feeling of uneasiness in your chest.

Hopefully, bumping into Mariona, someone who had been good friends with Alexia for a long time, would give you some insight into why the Barcelona captain had acted in such ways.

"Here we go. I'm sorry if I hurt you, but it is unfortunately a necessary evil in this case." Mariona purses her lips forgivingly as she pulls out two alcohol wipes that already have you wincing at the thought. "Are you ready?"

"Yep, just get it done with. Please."

You hold your breath as she rips open one of the packets, then you watch on as she takes hold of your left hand first and lightly runs it over and in between each knuckle. It hurts a hell of a lot, sure it does, but with the tenderness that the Spaniard treats you with, all you can focus on is trying not to burst into tears at the kindness you're faced with. Your mind has been anything but towards you, and the last proper human interaction you had that had been longer than a few brief minutes was your intense argument with Alexia. So this moment here was overwhelming, in many more ways than one.

"That's one done, your right hand looks a bit worse. Am I okay to carry on?"

Honestly, why couldn't you have fallen for someone like Mariona, instead of the ignorant, hot-headed woman you were in love with?

"Yeah, it's fine."

The silence between you both is weirdly not unsettling or awkward at all, instead it's relatively comforting and for the first time in days, your skin isn't crawling at the fact you're left alone with nothing but the sound of your endless cycle of thoughts.

The Spaniard standing beside you was correct, your right hand was indeed slightly worse off than your left, and that was only made more clear with each brush of the wipe, clearing away the blood only to show cuts in the divots of your knuckles and bruises covering the entirety of the right end of your hand.

"You have a good punch on you, ever thought about boxing instead of football?" Mariona joked, trying to uplift the heavy atmosphere in the room.

"No, wouldn't want to mess up this face." You replied, the forward laughing quietly and nodding.

"You are right, and football is much more easy to watch."

You supplied her with an agreeing smile, trying to hide your discomfort as she moved your hands around to assess the damage and make a plan of action.

"Okay, I think I will apply some antiseptic cream for your cuts and wrap them up with bandages. Then I will give you an ice pack for each hand, does that sound alright?"

"That's perfect, Mariona, thank you." You smile gratefully at her, and thought it's not a genuine smile, you hope she understands the appreciation you hold for her.

"It is not a problem. We look after each other at Barça, sabes? Anything you need, please do not be afraid of reaching out. To any of us."

And there is her segue into striking up the conversation you'd both danced around since she saw you.

You had to give it to her, she let a few moments pass by so it could come across as a bit less obvious, but nevertheless it happened just as you had expected.

"Are you comfortable talking to me about what happened in the gym?" She took note of the hesitation you greeted that question with, so she put the tube of cream down and faced you fully. "That was a bit concerning to walk in on, and I wouldn't be at peace with myself if I let you out of here without checking in on you."

"I... I guess, yeah." You sighed.

"Thank you. How would you like to start?" Mariona wondered with her ever-present smile, pairing it with a nonchalant shrug, further evidence of her care-free nature that continued to draw you in. "You can start talking about what is on your mind, or I can ask some leading questions to help. I am fine with anything, I just want you to leave here feeling a bit better."

Mariona had asked you a few moments ago if you had ever thought about boxing. Now, you wanted to ask her if she'd ever considered being a psychologist.

"I think it would help if you asked some questions, maybe." You decided, and she nodded instantly. She grabbed the tube of cream again and started applying it at the same time she uttered her first query.

"Do you normally practice on the bag without gloves on?" It was a very light one to start off with, perhaps something to be grateful for, but despite feeling a little calmer now, your mind was still in turmoil and wasn't fully recovered yet.

"No, I always wrap them up. I didn't even plan on using the bag today, it just... I was on the treadmill and then I saw it and wanted to use it. I wasn't really thinking straight, so. Yeah. This is the result of that." You took a sharp breath as the forward smoothed over a particularly bad cut with the antiseptic.

"Mhm. And, forgive me for this one, was it your intention to hurt yourself?"

That one took your breath a little.

"No, no, not at all. It wasn't even a thought in my head, I swear, I only wanted to get my anger out." You responded hastily, trying to convince her that you were relatively okay and that this was just a blip, and you didn't need some kind of intervention.

"Okay, thank you for being honest. I'm very glad to hear that, and I'll take your word for it." After finishing with your current hand, she squeezes it comfortingly and moves onto your other one. "Are you willing to tell me what's wrong? Why you needed to get some anger out?"

"Yeah... yeah, I am. I have to give you some context though, and I'd be really grateful if you kept it between us."

Mariona wasn't a gossip by any sorts, but as a result of the months of Alexia's words drilling into you of how nobody can know about you both, it was still an anxiety you had. Yet, the woman looking after you in such a heart-warming way was quite possibly the good samaritan you needed right now, her acts of kindness a reminder to not lose all hope with the world around you. You were well within your right to freak out in the way you had - not only were you in an entirely new city, learning a language you hadn't paid any mind to since school, but rather naively you had probably depended on Alexia more than you should have.

It was a lesson to be learnt, a mistake you wouldn't make again, though in the future even if you didn't recognise it yet, you'd look back on your time so far and wouldn't even regret it that much. After all, every moment of the past ten months had led you to the love of your life, and nothing was ever completely perfect. You would take a few bumps in the road if it meant you could end the season with a few medals around your neck and the greatest woman you'd ever met on your arm. Sure, you might not think the greatest of her right now, but you would mend it. You were sure you would. Hopefully.

"Of course, I won't tell a soul. You can tell me anything and no one will ever hear a word of it." Mariona reasurred you and though you hadn't really doubted her in the first place, you were still beyond grateful to hear that.

"So, um... Alexia and I have been in a relationship for a few months."

Yet again, Mariona continued to surprise you with how marvelous she was. Or maybe it was just an after effect of how much Alexia's words had got to you, because when the islander simply raised her eyebrows for a millisecond before nodding as you revealed your news, you're shocked at how much of a low-key reaction she gave. Whether she had an incredible poker-face or she just didn't care half as much as Alexia thought people would, your body sagged in relief at that minute response. As far as human beings go, this one right here wasn't too bad at all.

"And, for reasons I still don't understand, she was adamant that we keep it a secret. Like it was some kind of war tactic we had to keep safe. She made it out to be a make or break situation for us. But she told Eli and Alba less than a week after we made it all official, which I didn't think much of. I talked to her about it back then, wondering if it was just something she wanted to keep quiet while we were only in the dating stage, but she told me I still couldn't tell anyone. I guess because I was still relatively new here, with not many close friends and still with the mindset of trying to earn my place in the team, I agreed. Then as time went on I got a bit... annoyed with what Alexia wanted, but whenever I brought it up with her she would immediately shut the conversation down. I figured I could do it slyly, without telling her and without telling anyone any kind of intricate details of our relationship. So I took matters into my own hands."

You sighed and pinched the bridge of your nose at this point, knowing it was here in the story where things got quite rocky. Mariona had finished applying the antiseptic at this point and was now getting the bandages ready, prepped with the medi-tape beside her to secure her wrapping. With each new fact you unveiled, she nodded along in understanding, completely on the same page with you. She didn't understand the actions of her friend as of yet, wondering why on earth she'd be so intensely secretive about her relationship to the point of not telling a single soul, but those were thoughts she wouldn't voice yet.

Mariona herself was in a private relationship, and she was happier than ever in it. However, it wasn't a secret. Sure, she wasn't posting photos of herself and Lia all over her social media, but if you looked close enough the facts were clearly there. Plus, pretty much everyone in her personal life and Lia's knew about the pair of them, and nobody was fussed. So why Alexia was acting in this way, she didn't have a single idea.

"I told my closest, most trusted friends that I was in a relationship, and that the name of the person I was with began with 'A'. That was genuinely all I gave. I warned them not to nag me with guesses of who it was as that would break my own personal rules, because after all I didn't want to go behind Alexia's back more than I already had. Then... Alexia went through my phone. She saw that my friends were making plans in the group chat back home, and then they wondered if I had plans with 'A' over the weekend."

"She went through your phone?" Mariona questioned, in disbelief at the invasion of privacy you'd experienced.

"Yes, she did. The text flashed up on my lock screen while I went to the bathroom, and then she just went on my phone and looked through my messages. I don't know how in depth she went, but..." You shrugged, averting your gaze to your aching hands, ultimately defeated by now; by Alexia and her stubbornness, by your own mind, and lastly by the fact you had been so suddenly caught out by one of your teammates.

It was at this point that the numbness dispelled and gave way for shame, embarrassment, and a bit of anxiety. After all, you didn't know anyone from the team in depth, you were still just getting to know them, and the first thing you had done when you arrived was dive head first into a relationship with their captain. There was an endless possibility to the vast amount of opinions each person could hold for you and how they felt about your relationship (even though there was almost no way at all they could know about it), and as the silent seconds ticked by, it started eating away at you.

Though, somehow, in some magical, god-given miraculous way, Mariona saw right through you. And from now on, you were to make it your life mission to give back to this messiah in the form of an attacking footballer from the Balearic Islands of Spain.

"Hey." She tapped on the counter in front of you to get your attention, achieving that when you look up at her. "You don't have to... to get defensive with me. I can bet what you're thinking, and you don't have to worry about all those thoughts. I am neutral here, helping a friend. I will not go and tell Alexia or anyone about this, not if you don't want me to. And trust me, I am on your side. I have never heard of her acting like this, I am shocked and slightly outraged too."

That was undeniably relieving to hear, for a number of reasons. But for the most part, you were glad to hear that because for the past few days your mind had been trying its damn hardest to manipulate you into thinking this whole commotion was your fault, that you were the fault-line in the relationship that had caused this rickety earthquake.

No, that was no longer a worry, because here was possibly the human example of sunshine saying she shared your view and was just as displeased as you when it came to the Catalan's behaviour. Now, knowing you had at least one person on your side, this obstacle felt a little easier to climb over.

"I do have one thing I'm wondering." After a curious hum from you, she explained. "Is there anything you would like me to do in this situation? Like, bring it up with Ale? Because for both of your sakes, I want this to be solved in the easiest way possible."

Was it a good idea, judging off of Alexia's already toxic reaction to the point where she refused to hear you out? Most likely, but, not only did you think Mariona could teach her a thing or two when it came to human interactions, there was a small (actually fairly large) part of you that wanted to fight back against Alexia's unfairness by showing her you simply were not one to be trampled on.

There were two people in this relationship, and in this moment you realised that rank, longevity, and status in a football team were measly things to worry about.

"I think that would be a good way to start. Having someone knock some sense into her." You answered, quietly delighted when Mariona laughed momentarily at your words.

"I will try to do exactly that, for you. Promise." For the millionth time that evening, you found yourself completely under the influence of that goddamn smile.

"You're very good at communication. Unnervingly good." The hearty laugh you got in response forced the first genuine smile out of you all evening.

"Well, when you have a very emotionally intelligent girlfriend, you have to keep up."

"If you could give Alexia some lessons, I would appreciate that a lot."

"I will talk to her. Don't worry."

You left Mariona's apartment not too long after, both hands wrapped precariously and feeling significantly better than you did during that gym incident, finding solace in the fact there was now a fairly solid plan of action.

The only thing you could do now, was wait.

That was harder said than done, because for the rest of that day you didn't hear from Mariona at all. Nor did you hear from her before training the day after, and for the first time since you arrived, you were wracked with nerves as you walked into the building.

Not once during the whole session did Alexia glance towards you. Not once did she even acknowledge your existence. It drove you crazy, her acting as if you were invisible. As if she couldn't get anymore fucking immature. It took a lot of self control to not act like a petulant child towards her, desperate to piss her off in a quarter of the way she had to you, but you were better than that.

So when she rocked up outside your apartment later that day, with freshly dyed blonde hair that was styled in a frustratingly attractive way, a bouquet of chrysanthemums in one hand and a takeaway bag in the other, it took all of your strength to not slam the door in her stupidly hot face.

"What are you doing here?" You asked flatly, followed by a sigh that clearly indicated she was the last person on earth you wanted to see right now.

Well, with that haircut, maybe not the last person...

"I have a lot of explaining to do, I know that. And a lot of grovelling too. I was hoping you didn't hate me that badly to let me in." Alexia smiled sadly down at you, a slight shrug to her shoulders when she speaks.

Your mind goes back and forth for a few moments, briefly running through pros and cons of letting her in, before you decide fuck it, worst comes to worst you can show off your new boxing skills.

Eyebrows raised, you walk away from the door back towards your sofa, leaving her to wonder what to do for a moment. Ultimately, she decides to slowly follow after you once she'd softly closed the door. A quick glance around your apartment tells her you hadn't eaten yet, and she takes that as a small win before heading towards where you were seated.

"I brought your favourite takeout. Would you like to me dish it up?" She asks, a little disheartened when you shake your head.

"If you came here to talk, we're gonna talk." You state firmly, waiting expectantly for her to come sit with you.

She should have expected this really, knowing how royally she'd screwed it up with you and how disgusting she had acted. But hearing you speak so sternly was a bit unnerving, even if Alexia did recognise she more than deserved it.

A second later, she nods and places her items down on your dining table before making her way over to you. Rightfully so, she leaves some space between you both when she sits down, and you have to stifle a laugh as to not ruin your façade with how on edge she looks.

"Uh, so, me first, or..." Staying silent, you raised a daring eyebrow at her, thoroughly enjoying putting her through this slight torture. "Sí, okay, me first."

Anxiously, she wipes her clammy palms on her thighs. Then she cleared her throat, glancing at you periodically before taking a deep breath and starting her explanation.

"I am well, well aware of how bad I have acted towards you. I want to make that clear first. I acted like an idiot, to the worst degree. I was selfish, rude, I invaded your privacy, and I completely fucked it all up."

Hm, not too bad of a start.

"Congratulations, you took responsibility!" You responded sarcastically, fighting the urge to give her a round of applause too. Then you're fighting off a bubble of laughter at the nervous chuckle she gives before speaking again.

"I will regret my actions until the day I die. I promise you, I will never behave like that ever again. I've never been more ashamed of myself in my life, and knowing it's you who I acted like that towards makes it a hundred times worth. Because, you..." She shakes her head and waves her hands in the air like she's speechless. "You're you. You're the most selfless person I know. Your heart is something I do not deserve to have, because of how pure and kind and beautiful it is. You are so caring, and you love with every fibre of your being. Not only that, but you're so open, and I really admire that, because that is something I'm not. I'm... I'm ashamed to admit that even now I'm still anxious, and being secretive is how I've lived all my life. I want to be more open and care-free, I really do, it's just... hard for me."

With each word, each compliment, and each reason she gives, your hardened exterior towards her is slowly getting chipped away. You're not a grudge holder, it's not in your nature. And no matter how much you tried to fight it, it was inexplicably hard to not get wrapped up in her.

"Mariona... Mariona said you didn't even tell your friends it was me you were with. She said you only told them my name began with A, and that was it."

Alexia trusted Mariona of course, that was something that naturally occurred having known her for so long, but she wanted to get confirmation from you.

"I did. They don't know it's you I'm with." You told her, and if it was somehow possible, Alexia's heart shattered just that bit more.

"Well, I'm sorry, amor. I'm sorry for jumping to conclusions, it was really stupid and unfair of me. I really appreciate that you didn't break my trust, like I thought you had. I... that just shows how little I valued you. And I swear, that's something you'll never have to doubt again. I value you more than anyone in my life. I have a reason for why I was... more than reluctant to tell people about us. But I don't know if you want to hear it. I don't want you to think it's some flimsy excuse."

"Well, I mean, you may as well say it now." You scoffed, watching as she gulped nervously before nodding.

"My last relationship... with Jenni. That's why I'm so worried about telling people. Because even now, years after we ended our relationship that I would never ever want to go back to, people still talk about us, comment on our posts, make edits of us, and freak out about every little fucking interaction between us. It drives me crazy, even now, when I know I should not let it get under my skin, but it does and I can't stop it."

She shrugs dismissively as she talks, eyes cast down on her hands as she fidgets with the rings on her fingers. It's clearly a topic for her that's hard to discuss, and you want to reach out and take hold of one of her hands, but you don't want to distract her.

"When I was with Jenni, I was nowhere near as 'famous' as I am now. Now, I get the most vile and intrusive articles written about me, there are always cameras on me, paparazzi trying to figure out where I am at all times, and it really worries me because I don't want to involve you in that. If the media started writing things about you that were even just half as nasty as the things they've said about me, I would never be able to live with myself. It would eat me up, amor, I don't want you to go through that."

Okay, out of all the overthinking you've done in the last three days, your mind had not mustered up this point of view. This was undeniably sweet, a stark contrast to the way she'd treated you during the argument. You'd been with Alexia long enough to be more than familiar with how she acted on her anxieties in rather unhealthy ways for herself with harmful consequences for those around her as a result. Most likely, you realised, her recent behaviour was a demonstration of that very fact.

"And though those reasons shouldn't excuse my behaviour, because I should never have acted like that, I hope it gives you a tiny bit of insight into my head and allows you to recognise my actions came from a place of love, not malice. I showed it in completely the wrong way, but I swear to you from this moment on I will treat you better than I ever have, if you let me live up to that promise."

A shaky breath leaves the woman beside you, signifying the end of her ramble. And, to be honest, you'd forgiven her long before she finished speaking.

"Thank you for opening up to me. I forgive you, I do, but I won't forget how you treated me. If you ever show even a hint of that behaviour ever again, I'm out, Alexia, you must know that." You give her a clear warning, despite the fact your heart is crying out for you to just jump right back into her arms.

"I do know, I absolutely do know that." She seems to make the leap for you, as she shuffles along the sofa and gently takes ahold of both your hands. Your wounded hands. "Amor, what... what happened?"

Her voice is filled with concern, immediately overcome with nausea as a result of the worry she feels at the sight. However, that's nothing compared to the guilt she feels when you tell her what happened.

"Oh, um... an unfortunate run in with a punching bag not too long after our argument." You reveal sheepishly.

Alexia's heart drops. It drops from her chest, to the ground, through the core of the earth, and all the way down to China.

"This... this is because of me?" She whispers the question like she's terrified to utter the words. She's even more terrified of the answer.

"I guess. Yeah. I had to get my anger out some way, and I'm sure you're glad it wasn't your face." You try to joke, but it lands flatter than a pancake.

"Amor, I..." She can't find the right words within her to even attempt to apologise.

The great thing about mental health, was that 99% of the time you couldn't see it. That meant Alexia couldn't see the psychological damage she had caused you with her words.

But this, this was concrete evidence of just how much her treatment had affected you. She had done so much damage to your self-esteem, that you had no choice but to lash out to the point of injury. That, she feared, she would never get over.

"I guess Mariona failed to mention this part to you." Another pitiful attempt to lift the mood.

"She took care of you?" Alexia asked tentatively, the tiniest bit relieved when you nod.

In a split second, her arms were wound tightly around you as she tugged you into her lap. A rush of Catalan spilled from her, of which you gathered were words of apologies and sweet nothings to convey her intense regret. You didn't catch a word, not too familiar with the language despite playing for the pride of Catalunya, but you got the gist quite quickly and it didn't take you a moment longer before your arms were wrapped around her neck.

You were flooded with relief now that you were back in her hold, the embrace finally silencing the relentless voice in your head that had been going non-stop for days now. There were tears dripping onto your neck though, something that has you furrowing your brow and urging her to lift her head up.

"Ale, what's this for?" You asked, delicately wiping some of the tears that were overflowing.

"I just... I fucked it up so bad. So bad. Dios mío, you've ended up hurting yourself because of it. I'm just so sorry. I'm so so sorry."

Alexia falls apart then, breaking out into sobs that, though it's a rather a harsh thing to admit (not that you ever would, verbally) really exemplify her guilt and regret, and tie off her apology. You hate seeing her cry, hate seeing her so ruined, but all you can do now is hug her just as tight back and hope your words provide her some comfort.

"I forgive you, Ale, I do. My hands aren't your fault, it's a result of me not being sensible when letting my anger out. It's not your fault, mi corazón, not your fault at all."

You carry on spewing words of comfort for her until her cries finally subside a few minutes later. How she rubs at her eyes is something you find adorable, the way she does so reminding you of a young child. Your own hands follow her calloused ones, treating her with the same care she had complimented you on not so long ago. It warms her heart to no end, and it offers her a little reassurance of the fact you don't hate her guts.

"It's my fault a little bit." She mumbles, and there's a speckle of humour in it that you're not hesitant to jump on.

"Maybe a tiny bit." You whisper scandalously, smiling at the tearful laugh she lets out. "But I don't resent you for it. If I did, we wouldn't be in this position right now, okay?"

"Whatever you say, amor." Alexia nods, a semi-genuine smile on her face as she leans forward to rest her forehead on your shoulder.

"There's one thing I need from you for us to move past this." You state seriously a few quiet moments after.

She lifts her head up and nods vigorously, prepared to do just about anything you asked for if it meant she could love you for the rest of her life.

"I want to be able to tell people that are important to us. My family, my friends. Your family and friends. Our teammates. I'm not asking for us to go public on social media, I'm not asking for anything like that. I just want us to be more open. I want to be able to walk around Barcelona with you, like we did together when we started out dating. Because those moments with you, where you showed me your favourite restaurants and cafes and places special to you, they're some of my favourite memories with you. I just long for us to have a normal relationship, not one kept in the safety of our apartments behind closed doors. Because it's embarrassing and... and soul destroying being treated like I'm invisible. Just... treat me like a human fucking being in training, please? In public?"

It felt rather humiliating to be begging for such normal things, but that was the exact word you would use to describe this whole thing for you. Humiliating. To be treated like you had by, arguably, the sole person who shouldn't treat you like that, was something you never wished to experience again. Because, if you did? Well, there was simply no coming back.

But, you supposed, being in love was all about taking chances on people and relationships couldn't be built without a steady foundation of trust. That's all you could do now; trust in Alexia to nurture your heart like a delicate blossom where she cherishes every petal with gentle devotion.

"I will. Mi amor, I will do that and more. I will do anything you want me to, I promise that I will change my bad habits so that you never have to suffer at my hands again. I will love you like it's the last thing I'll do. You could never be invisible to me, you never were. From the first time I saw you, in your two-sizes-too-big Barça jumper on your first day, you've been everything but invisible to me."

Finally, the nail in the coffin to this whole ridiculous thing. And man, were you glad to see the back of it.

"As long as you don't embarrass me by one-upping me with your flawless free-kicks."

Despite the push to the shoulder you give her, you giggle and pull her back in for another hug. You'd been deprived of her embrace for far too long, and you planned to make up for it.

"I can't make any promises, unfortunately." You teased, grinning into the skin of her neck as her hands splayed out over your back, rubbing up and down comfortingly.

"I think I will take that." Alexia murmured, hugging you just that bit tighter before she leaned back. She moved her hands from your back to softly cradling your face, her eyes jumping from each feature to feature, trying to commit her favourite art piece in the world to her memory. Then, she met your gaze, and the sincerity and earnest present there was breathtaking. "We'll be okay?"

It was asked in such a vulnerable tone, you couldn't help but smile down at her.

"We'll be okay, Ale."

Going into training the next day, there was a spring in your step. Alexia had stayed over at yours the previous night, near enough refusing to leave. That meant she was wearing the same trousers as the day before along with one of your sweaters that, to your amusement, was evidently slightly too small for her as the cuffs ended just shy of her wrists. Call it your revenge perhaps, but as you both arrived at training together, chatting freely with content smiles on your face, it felt like a new leaf had been turned.

Alexia had made many mistakes with you, that she knew. She also knew she had no more chances, so she was going to try her absolute hardest to never act like such a fool again, even if it killed her. However, the shy smile on your face when she bounded up to you after Jona demanded the team to get into pairs for 1-on-1 practice, was enough proof for her to realise that it wouldn't be such a shame to go out of this world as a result of your love.

She almost came to regret that though when you handed her ass to her on a plate with each of your attempts to get past her. Because, quite frankly, you did embarrass her. Crossing her sides and body-checking her and out-skilling her each time was satisfying to no end, and it was exactly what you needed really. At one point, there was an ounce of worry that perhaps Alexia would be annoyed, but that dissipated immediately when she would laugh and slap her own forehead each time she was outshone.

That tiny speck of worry was completely forgotten about when, after the last attempt of the day, Alexia ran up behind you and lifted you up off the ground with her arms around your torso. Her mouth found its way to your ear as she took a few steps whilst carrying you, squeezing you tightly once.

"Never embarrass me like that again." She murmured jokingly, fighting back a grin as you laughed unabashedly in her hold. Afterwards, she put you down and moved to walk closely beside you, heading back to the main building as Jona called the end of training.

"You're the one that partnered up with me, Ale." You nudged her in the side with your elbow, gazing up at her with an adoring look that had Alexia's heart jumping in her chest.

"Maybe, but I only have one thing to say."

"What's that?" You hummed.

"Thank god for Mariona." She murmured, smiling as you giggled and nodded.

That smile was wiped off her face when an arm flung around her shoulders not a second later.

"Thank god for who?"

"I don't need your bragging right now, Mario, you're ruining a nice moment."

"I made this nice moment happen, Ale, you better thank me properly soon."

With that, the islander left just as quickly as she had arrived. When Alexia noticed the teasing grin on your face at the interaction, she shoved at your shoulder with a grumble under her breath.

"She really got through to you, then?"

"Oh, yeah, she beat my ass."

[pitchsidestories]

✨Mariona Caldentey appreciation post on her birthday ✨

Mariona Caldentey Masterlist I image sources: pinterest, lia wälti instagram story I

[magics-neptunes-things]

Sweet Sickness

Hi guys!

This is a short one from a sweet request that you can find here :)

I hope you will enjoy it, it was great to write for Mariona ♥

TW : Sickness, throwing up

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You're not feeling well. It had started yesterday night while you were falling asleep, a strange feeling in your stomach had wake you up and before you knew it, you were throwing up everything you had eaten some hours before.

You thought that it was a gastroenteritis at first, but it seems like it finally is a food poisoning. You went out with several teammates to eat something sweet after the diner last night and it wasn’t really a good idea.

You managed to call the duty nurse during the night, who came to help you. She wasn’t able to do a lot to be honest, she just gave you something to stay hydrated, took your fever and look after you several times during the night.

You finally fall asleep when the sun starts to wake up and you missed the breakfast. When you wake up several hours later, your girlfriend is sitting on the side of your bed in her kit, probably ready to go to training. When she saw that you are up, she strokes softly your face.

“Why didn’t you call me?” she whispers, her eyes full of empathy.

“You needed to rest” you mumble softly.

You put under silent the fact that you didn’t want your girlfriend to see you puke all the night. With you playing outside of Spain, you aren’t able to see Mariona as much as you wanted. You were looking at that camp with impatience, you couldn’t wait to pass time with your girl again.

“I still could have look for you”

“I didn’t want to make you sick. And I feel gross”

She rolls her eyes and keep looking at you. You are under the cover of your bed; you have sweat a lot during the night and now you are cold. As you wonder silently if someone could give you clean sheets to change them, Mariona boop your nose.

“Let me help you to take a shower and I’ll ask someone to come to change your sheets yeah?”

“Don’t you have training?” you frown.

“Madre Mia Y/N. Stop your questions and let me take care of you.”

You put but let her grab your hand to help you sitting on the bed. After checking that you are alright, Mariona grabs your other hand to help you to get up and take you very slowly to the bathroom.

You look at her starting the shower and after checking the temperature, she turns to face you.

“Will you be okay alone several minutes? I’ll just ask for the clean sheets.”

You nod and smile softly at her. You are not used to have someone to take care of you like that, Mariona is the sweetest when you are together but it’s usually on holidays or during your free time. Mariona smiles back and after having close quietly the door, she's out.

The hot shower makes you shiver, but it’s really appreciated. You don’t hear any noise outside of the bathroom, but you are in a semi-coma under the hot water when Mariona comes back almost fifteen minutes after having left you.

“You alright here?”

“Yeah” you smile, feeling a lot better now that you are clean too.

You turn off the shower and grab gratefully the towel Mariona hold you. You let her wrap you in the towel and smile at her in the mirror. Her smile is affectionate and you feel a rush of love for her.

“Come on, let dress you up before you catch a cold.”

She helps you to put a shirt and an underwear on and you take advantage of being in the bathroom to wash your teeth too. You are relieved to find your bed back just after. You now feel comfortable and clean, way more relaxed than earlier.

“Thank you for coming for me” you say while Mariona lies next to you.

“Of course. I was worried not to see you in breakfast and when no one could tell me where you are. Until I ask one of the staff.”

“I’m sorry Mario” you mumble, cuddling against her.

“It’s ok” she kiss your head softly and stay silent some minutes. “I have to go to training now, but I’ll come to see you when we are finish yeah?”

You knew it was coming and you wasn't really in love with the idea of having your girlfriend with you in this state before, but now you can't help but feel a little sad.

“Ok. I hope they won’t make me go home”

You are really scared; you were so happy to be here. And to be here with your girlfriend, of course.

“I don’t think they will. You will be ok soon and can start the training again. But message me if you need anything, yeah?”

You sleep almost all day, waking up in the late afternoon. You look at your phone and answer Mariona’s texts when you wake up. She asks you to tell her when you are awake, which you did just before getting up to open the windows to change the air in the room.

You don’t know if you are really hungry to be honest, but you still drink the beverages the nurse gave you. You realize that someone went to change them and are happy to find fresh bottles.

When someone knock on the door, you go to open the door to face a smiling Mariona. This time, you are able to give her a real smile back.

“You look better than this morning” she smiles, looking at you.

“I feel better” you confirm.

She gives you a hug and kiss your head several times before coming in the bedroom and closing the door behind her.

“Isn’t it the movie night tonight?” you ask Mariona.

“It is.”

You have tradition during the camp and at least once a week your little group come to watch a movie together. Laia, Alexia, Misa, Leila, Irene, Jenni, Mariona and you are in this group, and you love having time with them.

“You will have a better time with them rather than me. I’m okay if you want to go” you assure her.

But your girlfriend shakes her head and smile at you again. You love her smile, it’s sweet and makes you warm inside.

“If you feel better enough, I thought that we could come here to watch it. Misa can plug her computer on the TV, and we can look it that way. We can put the single beds together to have a big one and take some of the bean bag to put them in the ground to have enough space. What do you think?”

You could literally devour her with kisses right now, but you are sick and not sure that she would love kisses from you right now. So, you just gave her a big smile and nod happily.

“It would be awesome!”

“Perfect!”

She takes her phone to send a message and when you hear your phone vibrate on your nightstand, you understand quickly that she sent it on your WhatsApp’ group.

“Don’t you dare” she warns you when you want to help her to move the bed.

You don’t have time to argue though, because there is another knock on the door, way more energetic than Mariona’s. You aren’t surprise to find Jenni right in front of you when you go to the door. Laia and the others are following when she enters, Alexia closing the procession with a meal tray in her hands.

“From the medical staff” she tells you. “They want you to eat what you can without forcing yourself.”

“Thank you Ale” you smile gratefully, looking at the tray.

There is bread, dry meat, banana and some granola.

“How are you feeling Nena?”

“Way better”

She smiles and tap your cheek with affection, before going in the room too. There still have a free spot on the bed so you settle on it with your tray, just next to Leila. She smiles at you too and hug you briefly, while Misa and Mariona are preparing the computer.

You start to munch your granola, but when Mariona turns in your direction, you see her frowning deeply. Before you are able to swallow and ask what’s happening, she comes on the bed and makes Leila get out of it.

“My girlfriend, my spot” she growls, taking you possessively against her.

You ignore Jenni’s teasing and the others’ laugh to look lovingly at Mariona. You are together for two years now and you are still surprised sometimes by the amount of love and affection she can gives you. Which is totally stupid, because Mariona is the most simple and loving person you know.

You feed her with some granola while the movie is beginning and finish with a tentative kiss.

“What’s that kiss?” she whispers, not to drag the others’ attention. "Are we in our teenager era again?"

“I’m sick” you point.

“I don’t care” she rolls her eyes.

Without letting you the time to answer anything, she takes softly your face in one hand and drag your face close to hers. She then kisses you again, far from the butterfly kiss you gave her several seconds before.

The kiss didn’t last long though and you know that it’s because she won't have to deal with more teasing right now. But you cuddle against her again, half lying on her.

“I love you so much” she whispers in your ear.

You smile and raise your eyes on her, kissing her jaw.

“I love you more” you whisper back.

The grimace she makes makes her nose wrinkle and you can’t help but laugh softly when you see her. You then kiss the tip of her nose and when you cross Laia’s amused eyes you lye again on your girlfriend, sticking out your tongue at her.

You pass out in the middle of the movie, but when you will wake up tomorrow morning, Mariona will still be here, cuddling you from behind. You will feel better enough to get out of your bed and go to the training ground, even if you didn’t follow all the training. But at least you are able to watch your girlfriend playing and that’s more than enough for you.

[queen-of-reptiles]

𝚂𝙴𝙲𝚁𝙴𝚃𝚂

description: ona was finally where she had dreamed, she was back at barcelona with her best friend and loving every moment. only problem? she's dating her captain's younger sister, you.

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ona batlle x putellas!reader

part of the 'hidden' universe

part two here

part three here

mapi leon x bronze!reader here

disclaimer: this is all fiction do not take any of this seriously !

warnings: swearing, slightly suggestive - cuteness, queenie needing to use google translate because her Spanish is sub par! x

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y/n just posted

liked by alexiaputellas, taylorswift, and 13.9m others

y/n life dumppppp 💕💕

comments limited

alexiaputellas: Estoy muy orgulloso de ti hermanita!

so proud of you baby sister

^

y/n: ily !! 💕

lucybronze: The little one of me says you're cool!

^

y/n: tell her I miss her! 😔

blanca_suarez: my little daughter! 🙂

^

y/n: my movie mama!! 😙

florencepugh: I wanna see the photos of after you did that jump

^

y/n: shut up 😩

^

florencepugh: no

^

y/n: I'll fight you Flo

^

florencepugh: come at me pipsqueak !!

ona.batlle: Looks like fun ! 😌

^

y/n: Would be more fun with you here ;)

^

alexiaputellas: y/n, no flirting with my teammates.

^

y/n: awwww :(

MariaLeonn16: MISS YOU ! 💙

^

y/n: MISS BAGHEERA MORE 💙

^

MariaLeonn16: hmmpf.

see more comments...

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y/n hummed as she stepped around her kitchen, her fluffy socks keeping her feet warm from the cold tile, which was cold as she couldn't be bothered to put the heated floor on.

Her Persian cat, Milo, rubbed against her feet and she smiled, bending down to pick him up and press a kiss to his fluffy head before placing him back down.

y/n then moved over to the bowl of food she had ordered, smiling when her phone lit up with the familiar name which kept her warm for almost a year now.

"Hi baby!" y/n smiles, her Spanish accent not as thick as it used to be when she spoke English.

y/n had been in England for a few years now, on and off, and due to the fact she mainly spoke in English and acted with either English or Americans, y/n's accent had dulled slightly.

"Hola!" Ona called back.

The two had been secretly dating for nearly a year now. Why secretly? Because Ona's captain was Alexia Putellas. Alexia Putellas was y/n's sister. Her over-protective older sister.

The two were aware they were nothing short of fucked. They were aware of that. But the two had fallen in love while Ona was playing in Manchester and at the time, they couldn't keep away.

Now, their relationship existed of long phone calls and sneaky hook-ups when y/n came to see her as best she could, as well as trying to avoid flashing cameras and nosy people.

Truth is the only other person to know about them was Lucy Bronze's younger sister, and that was only because Ona and her were best friends and she was dating Mapi Leon in secret as well. They really were a group.

"How was training?" y/n asks Ona as she settles on the sofa, propping the phone up on a few cushions as she bought her bowl of noodles toward her.

"Aburrida, todo en lo que estaba pensando era en ti mi amor." Ona sighs and y/n chuckles.

Boring. All I was thinking about was you my love.

"Eres tan romántica!" y/n laughs at her girlfriend.

you're such a romantic.

"Do not pretend you do not love it, mi amor." Ona says and y/n hums.

"Well, I do love feeling the way you make me feel." y/n sighs jokingly and Ona's smile widens. "But, you should be paying attention in training." y/n finishes and Ona huffs.

"Ay! You are worse than Ale!" Ona states and y/n sighs. "What are you eating?" Ona then asks, trying to get the focus off of Alexia.

"Wagamama." y/n grinned, Milo jumping next to her and curling onto the sofa, his head resting on y/n's thigh.

"Milo." Ona cooed, the cat looking up and letting out a small meow as he blinked at Ona.

"Look, it's mama Milo." y/n says softly, placing her fork down to stroke at the cat's head. Ona smiles softly as Milo meows, Ona chuckling as she moves to get Coco, her own dog who pants excitedly at the sight of Milo.

Despite being and cat and a dog the two pets got on like siblings and y/n couldn't help but smile as Milo purred at the sight of his sibling.

The two facetimed for the rest of the evening, settling into bed a few hours later, both watching each other on their screens, wishing they were face to face instead of watching through a camera.

"What are you thinking about Amor?" Ona asks softly, noticing y/n had gone quiet.

"Quiero contarle a Ale sobre nosotras." y/n said quickly.

I want to tell Ale about us.

"¿Cómo? No no no no no." Ona begins and y/n sighs.

what?

"I know you're afraid." y/n begins. "¡Pero cariño, por favor! No puedo ocultar esto más."

But darling please, I can't hide this anymore.

"But Alexia!" Ona tries.

"I'll talk to her! Explain everything." y/n tries and Ona pauses. "Please Ona, I'm so sick of us hiding." She begs softly.

"Okay. Okay." Ona promises. "Por ti, mi amor, enfrentaré la tormenta Alexia por ti." She nods and a soft smile grows on y/n's face.

For you, my love, I will brave the storm Alexia for you.

"Thank you." y/n whispers. "I love you Ona." She promises and Ona smiles.

"I love you too amor." Ona promises.

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y/n just posted on her story

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y/n smiled softly as she opened Alexia's apartment with her spare key. Now on international break, the Barcelona captain was at home resting before having to go to national camp in three days.

At the sound of her door opening, Alexia stood up, pausing the most recent Barcelona game she was re-watching for notes and faced her door worriedly before her mouth dropped.

"¡Niñera!" Alexia called in shock.

Baby sister

"Hola Ale!" y/n called, pulling her suitcase to a stop as Alexia raced over. The taller girl pulling her into a tight hug which made y/n chuckle as she returned it.

"¿Qué estás haciendo aquí?" Alexia asked. "Ven, siéntate, ¿tienes hambre, sed?" Alexia rapidly questioned making y/n smile as her sister dragged her to the sofa.

What are you doing here? Come sit down, are you hungry, thirsty?

"Estoy bien, vine a ver los partidos de la liga de naciones." y/n explains.

I'm fine, I came to watch the nation league games.

Alexia makes a noise of understanding as she leans over and presses kisses over y/n's face, exclaiming how happy she was to see her and how beautiful she looked.

y/n laughed it off, telling her she was always too flattering to her, Alexia saying it was what an older sister did. The statement wracking y/n with guilt.

"Ale." y/n began. Alexia looking at her with furrowed brows, confused at her sister's shift in tone.

"Are you okay?" Alexia asks softly.

"I'm dating someone." y/n spills out. "And, hemos estado saliendo durante más de un año." y/n admits.

And we've been dating over a year.

"Oh." Alexia says softly, eyes softening as her sister ducks her head, fiddling with her fingers. "It's okay." She promises.

"Even if I hid it?" y/n asks quietly.

"I would like you to explain why for so long and who, but yes it is okay." Alexia promises.

"The who kind of explains the why." y/n admits and Alexia pauses. "Ale." She begins.

"Who?" She asks, though it was far more a demand. She repeats her demand.

"Ona." y/n says ducking her head.

"Hijo de puta." Alexia mutters.

motherfucker

y/n sighed, leaning forward and putting her head in her hands and her shoulders sagged. Her heart felt as if it was pushing into her throat and it made her sick.

y/n and Alexia had been close as children, the three sisters were best friends, and knew each other too well. They told each other everything, to the point where this would be the first time she had ever lied to either sister.

And even though she felt terrible for upsetting her older sister, for betraying her, there was something so relieving about finally admitting it.

Slowly, Alexia reached out and place a hand on y/n's shoulder, her warm and calloused palm so much kinder than what y/n felt she deserved as she looked up.

"No puedo negarlo y decir que no estoy herido, porque lo estoy. Preferiría que me lo hubieras dicho, pero entiendo que no quieras." Alexia begins, her voice soft.

I cannot deny and say I am not hurt, because I am. I would rather you had told me, but I understand you not wanting to.

y/n could have cried as she closed her eyes, feeling so guilty at hurting her sister with something that she couldn't have helped.

"¿La amas?" Alexia asked, her eyes full of understanding and kindness which calmed y/n's heart.

Do you love her?

"Más de lo que creía posible Ale. Ella lo es todo para mí, de verdad." y/n admits to her sister who lets out a sigh at the emotion in her voice.

More than I thought possible Ale. She's everything to me, truly.

Alexia sighed and wrapped her arm around y/n's shoulders, pulling her into her side as she lent her head onto y/n's own one, inhaling the smell of her shampoo.

"Entonces de acuerdo." Alexia sighs softly.

Then okay.

y/n's heart broke at that, how one person could be so good to her was beyond her thought, beyond her idea of humanity, but Alexia had once again, proved her wrong.

"Eres demasiado amable conmigo, eres demasiado amable conmigo." y/n repeats at her sister.

You are too kind to me, you are too kind to me.

"Esto no es bondad, esto es familia." Alexia says to her and y/n sighs.

This is not kindness, this is family.

The girl turns, wrapping her arms around her sister as she pulls herself snugly on-top of Alexia, clinging to her shoulders as she pressed kisses into the woman's hair.

"Thank you Ale." y/n said softly, repeating the words again and again.

"Oh mi pequeña princesa del drama. Eres tan mayor ahora." Alexia said softly.

Oh my little drama princess. You are so grown up now.

y/n said nothing, just continued to cling to Alexia as if she was 6 all over again and Alexia 14. The Barcelona captain couldn't help but enjoy the closeness.

It had been so long since they had hugged like this, the youngest Putellas always so busy, always moving, working and filming.

Eventually the two parted and Alexia sighed tucking a strand of her sister's hair behind her ear as she watched her.

"Do you and Ona plan to tell?" Alexia asks and y/n hums.

"I want to tell your team first, then we can think about everything else." y/n sighs. "Are you mad at her?" She then asks with a wince.

"Oh furious." Alexia nods, a smile on her face to show she wasn't really. "She treats you well?" She then asks and y/n smiles softly.

"She loves me just as I do her." y/n answers and Alexia smiles.

"So she loves you well." Alexia says and y/n nods. "Do you want to see her?" She asks and y/n hums.

"Tomorrow." y/n says before snuggling into her sister's side. "I want to spend the night with you." She says.

"I love that idea." Alexia sighs, pressing a kiss into her sister's hair.

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Tomorrow came far too quick for y/n's liking, before she knew it she was stood at Ona's door, flowers in hand as she waited for the patter of her lover's footsteps to open the door.

"¡Mi amor!" Ona yelled in shock, dragging y/n inside so no prying eyes could see.

y/n's hair was up in a bun, she was wearing a sweet summer dress due to how hot it was outside, however she also had shorts on underneath, because she knew what could happen once Ona knew they were out.

Ona smiled softly, taking the flowers from y/n's hands and placing them on the counter, before jumping at y/n. The woman sighed in relief, bringing Ona's legs around her waist as she wrapped her arms tightly around her.

"Oh my love." y/n said softly, breathing in the sweet scent of Ona's hair.

Ona buried her head into y/n's neck, pressing soft kisses against the skin which had y/n breathing shaking as she walked them to the sofa, sliding her shoes off as she went.

Coco immediately moved over to one of her discarded trainers and stuck his head in it, inhaling which made y/n roll her eyes at the dog fondly.

y/n sat back against the sofa, Ona quickly looking up and greedily connecting their lips, hands scattering around each other's bodies, re-familiarising themselves.

Ona's tongue dipped past y/n's lips, sweeping the inside of her mouth which caused a groan to slip from her. Ona giggled into the kiss, before they pulled away, both breathing deeply as they stared at one another.

Ona was in a white shirt, black shorts, her hair was pulled back and she looked like she had woken up just an hour ago. And to y/n, she had never looked more beautiful.

All their time apart meant these moment, Ona sat on her lap, hands combing over her shoulders lovingly, were all that more precious to y/n.

"How are you here?" Ona asked her softly, leaning forward to cuddle into her chest as y/n wraps her arms around her.

"He venido a ver los partidos." y/n explains softly.

I've come to watch the games.

"I'm so glad you're here." Ona sighs in relief, y/n holding onto her as she sighs.

"I have a confession Ona." y/n says softly and Ona sits up, y/n moving her off her lap and to the side she could face her.

"Amor?" Ona asks, worry flooding her voice.

"Ale knows." y/n says simply. "I told her." She adds.

Ona's face goes through several emotions, relief that this wasn't a break-up, fear of Alexia knowing, realisation that her captain was no aware and hurt that y/n hadn't warned her she would tell Alexia like that.

"Why?" Ona asks sadly.

"Because I want to be with you. In front of her." y/n says strongly and Ona's eyes fill with panic. "It's like we discussed Oni, please." y/n tries.

"Get out." She says softly. "Please go." Ona repeats.

"You said you would fight for me." y/n said softly.

"You didn't give me time to prepare." Ona tells her. "Alexia is my captain, and I am with her little sister, and instead of telling her together, you decided to tell her on you own." Ona continues.

"Because I knew I could keep her calm about us." y/n promises and Ona sighs.

"Please go. I need some time." Ona says softly and y/n blinks away tears before standing up and walking to the door, expecting Ona to call out, stop her. But she doesn't.

And y/n's heart breaks.

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END

Mapi part one will be out in three days ;) xox

[httpswritings]

The coffee shop — The Sextet x Reader 

Warnings: none

Word count: 860

Summary: Spending the afternoon with The Sextet.

“Hi Alexia…”

Alexia looked up and, forcing a shy smile, she greeted you. 

It wasn't like she didn't like to acknowledge people who approached her, but her usual facial expression used to mistake her shyness for annoyance, therefore she had to try to look more friendly when people approached her.

You had been following women's football for a while so you were briefly familiar with Alexia's shyness, being quite shy yourself helped you understand her behavior better.

“Don't worry, I'm not going to ask you for a picture. I just wanted to give you a bracelet. There's another one for Misa, can you give it to her? I apologize for not having any other for the rest of the girls, though.”

The truth is that you weren't expecting to bump into Alexia when you entered the coffee shop, so you had to improvise a quick gift, only having two golden bracelets around your left wrist.

Alexia analyzed them carefully, her face showing a more relaxed expression and a sincere smile. She wasn’t familiarized with receiving gifts from fans as much as she was asked to take a picture with them.

“Thank you. It's beautiful. Are you sure you don't want to take a picture?”

Deeply inside, you knew the answer to her question, but still refused to make her uncomfortable. 

“No, it's fine. Just tell Jenni everyone is really proud of her and of how she stood up for herself.”

“I'll tell her. Thank you for your words.”

You said goodbye and turned around to exit the coffee shop, your embarrassment making you feel uneasy and no longer wanting something to drink, but then she called you.

“I was wondering if you could wait with me for around half an hour. The girls are coming over here to spend the afternoon.”

As she noticed your eyes widening, Alexia made sure to emphasize that it was up to you and there was no pressure to accept her offer. 

There was nothing more you wanted to do than spend the afternoon with them, but you were afraid of bothering the friend group as an intruder.

“Do not worry about that! We're all pretty friendly. Misa and Jenni will probably tease you a little bit, but that's not new coming from them.”

You finally accepted the invitation and sat down next to Alexia, who was probably telling the girls the new member of the group for this afternoon.

You were playing with your hands as Alexia left her phone on the table.

She noticed how shy you were and for a moment, she saw herself in you. 

Your hand holding onto the other, your inability to hold eye contact for more than five seconds, your nervous giggles and your short answers followed by a soft smile. 

There was a brief moment of silence between the both of you, but it was enjoyable.

Tranquility filled the coffee shop until you laughed looking at each other after hearing loud voices approaching your table. 

“And we're heree!”

“We could tell. You guys are so loud.”

You giggled, and all eyes were on you, making you blush uncontrollably.

The girls began to introduce themselves, so did you when they approached you. 

You instantly felt calmer when you sat next to Laia, who shared a similar personality with Alexia when she was not eager.

Alexia followed you and sat next to you.

Misa teased Jenni by placing her cold hands on the older woman's cheeks.

“Misa, colega! (dude)”

Everyone was laughing but Alexia, who was sighing with her hands over her head.

“You both are insufferable.”

An hour passed by, and you felt more comfortable and confident to speak. 

“We still have time until we have to return to Mordor. Let's do something fun.”

Mariona explained to you that they referred to the headquarters of the Spanish National Team as Mordor. 

“Tonight, there's a cool match we could attend in th—” Misa tried to suggest, but she was quickly caught off by almost everyone on the table.

“Misa, we're not going to a Real Madrid's game. Don't even try it,” Irene said.

“C'mon! What do you want to do then? It's not like we have curfew anymore.”

As almost everyone refused, Misa's eyes were on you. 

“What about you? Do you want to come with me?”

Alexia was quick to stop her.

“No, she doesn't. She's spending the rest of the day with everyone, not only with you.”

“Well, if you guys don't suggest anything else we could do, maybe she wants to accept my offer! We're probably boring her.” 

Laia, who was probably the most serene person around you, asked the golden question.

“What's your favorite team? Because maybe she's a Real Madrid fan, and we're here clipping her wings off.”

You noticed how everyone was looking attentively at you, waiting for your answer.

“You guys have scared her, c'mon! Was it that difficult to behave?”

You never felt as reassured by a “stranger”, as you were by Laia, who you thanked her with a soft smile. 

“I'm actually... I'm actually an Atlético de Madrid fan...” you announced, as you couldn't stop laughing at their shocked faces. 

[pers1st]

dancing with the devil - alexia putellas x reader

pairing: alexia x singer!reader

warnings: mentions of drugs and alcohol

Meeting Alexia hadn't been an accident. If anything, meeting anyone, for you, was an accident, because more often than not, people were screaming into your face, demanding pictures and autographs and spinning theories about your private life that you were pretty sure could be considered conspiracies.

You hadn't intended, however, to meet Alexia. And she hadn't intended to meet you. The first time you'd seen the Catalonian woman had been on Keira's instagram. Your lifelong best friend and childhood neighbor was the only reason you were interested in women's football - or sports in general. You'd never shared your father's passion, or joined the local team like your brother had. If it wasn't for Keira, you would have no ties to the sport whatsoever, and even this way, you grew annoyed every time the strawberry blonde and her insufferably confident girlfriend tried to explain the offside rules to you.

Still, you followed Keira's life everywhere she went, and although you hadn't been happy with her move to Barcelona, you had forgiven her the minute you'd spotted the Catalonian woman on the sidelines.

Keira had warned you, but really, she should've warned Alexia. You enjoyed the lifestyle that came with being a singer, relished in parties and one-night-stands and rebounds that Keira doomed forbidden. More often than not, she'd threatened to hang up on your FaceTime call when you'd phoned her from London to tell her about your latest hookup. But Keira, as different as the two of you were, was still your best friend, and so she listened to every word you said, or sung, and was your number one supporter. This wasn't missed by her new teammates, who started following your socials the second Keira had first shared the promo picture of your new album. That's when Alexia had followed you. Keira should've warned her then, but a few years down the line, you were glad she hadn't. Because what was supposed to be a bed for you to spend a night in when you next visited Keira and Lucy in Barcelona blossomed into your second home, and the woman who was supposed to be yet another hookup blossomed into your girlfriend.

You had spent the past year somewhere between London, New York and Barcelona, desperate to spend time with Alexia, Leah and your producers all at the same time. The fans had quickly taken notice of your and Alexia's relationship, although, to be honest, not one of you had tried to hide anything. Alexia was easy, Alexia was simple, and most importantly, Alexia was safe. She was the one to ground you whenever you struggled with your mental health, whenever you were overwhelmed with pressure, anxiety, or any emotion alike.

But a few months ago, with Alexia's return to the pitch, the World Cup and the crippling pressure to perform, at all time, that grasped your every cell, things had taken a turn for the worst.

You were on tour, and had witnessed the public abuse of Alexia and her teammates via FaceTime and instagram, trying your hardest to console the captain as best as you could from so many miles away. It hadn't been an easy task, and with the everlasting rehearsals, concerts and afterparties, you had neglected to take care of yourself.

Drinking was easy when you had the excuse of missing your girlfriend. Using was easy when you had the excuse of just living a little.

Nothing was easy now, as you stood in your girlfriend's flat in Barcelona, the woman halting across from you.

"I'm... home", she breathed, taking in her surroundings. There was no way to hide the bags packed behind you, the way you were still wearing your shoes despite the fact that Alexia had taken so much time to drill the habit of taking them off at the doorstep, the way you seemed to be ready to leave when you had just come home.

"What is going on?", she asked, dropping her bag with a soft thud. Alexia had expected you on the couch, with a mug of tea in your hands, in her sweatpants and fluffy socks, just the way you liked during the colder months. She had expected you to be nuzzled under a blanket, perhaps napping as she knew the jet lag robbed you of energy whenever you took the plane from the States to Spain.

"I'm leaving", you breathed, staring into her face blankly. You tried to remember. Tried to take in every dimple, every freckle, the color of her eyes and the baby hairs that were flying off her hairline. If you could have, you would have taken a picture. You had so many pictures of Alexia in your phone, ranging from ones to her sleeping, from her at training, from her during matches, from her at dates you took her on or standing in the crowd of your concerts. They were never going to be enough - realistically, you knew that. But, realistically, you could never forget Alexia either, no matter how much time you would spend away from her.

Alexia looked confused. Her eyebrows furrowed slightly as she opened her mouth and closed it again. Her lips looked like she had been picking them, the way she always did when she was stressed, but you wanted to kiss them anyways.

Her feet guided her into the kitchen, walking straight past you as she inspected the apartment. She noticed your favorite mug - one that she had given you for Christmas last year - wasn't where it usually stood next to her favorite mug. Why would you take your mug? You never took your mug when you went away from her, to concerts or recording sessions or award galas.

If she looked any closer, she might've noticed the broken handle of it laying next to the trash can. The dish had been sent to the floor when you had frantically grabbed at it, desperate to leave the flat before your girlfriend came home, and shattered into a million peace. Each one of it was tucked in a plastic bag in your suitcase, but you had forgotten the handle. Alexia didn't notice. Her eyes were back on you.

"What are you talking about?", she asked. In that moment, you were grateful more than ever that Alexia had taken the longer route to grab your favorite sushi from the one restaurant on the other side of the town, the only one you liked, because it had given you enough time to pack everything before she came home. You had almost been out the door - you had put your shoes and coat on already, leaving your favorite scarf, the pink one that she liked to wear, in the hallway.

"I'm so sorry." Your voice was barely above a whisper, and you had to tear your eyes away from her, down to your dirty sneakers, when you felt your lips wobble. If you took another glance at Alexia, you would cry.

The handle of your suitcase was cold as you gripped it tightly, bending down to pick up the bag still on the ground.

"I'm so sorry, Alexia."

It wasn't just another statement one said during a breakup without any meaning. You truly meant it. You truly were sorry. In the past months, both yours and Alexia's life had spiraled completely, and although you had been there for her as best as you could have, and lost yourself in the process. The shell of a person that was left of you was nowhere close to what Alexia deserved. You weren't sorry for leaving her, you were sorry for the person you had become, and you were sorry you couldn't be the person for Alexia anymore. You couldn't be her loving girlfriend anymore, the one that loved her endlessly, that made her laugh, that took her worries away with soft kisses and whispered nothings. You couldn't be the person to make her happy anymore. If Alexia took a closer look at you, maybe she would notice your blown pupils, the redrimmed eyes of yours, the bags beneath them. Maybe she would notice the amount of weight you lost, the leftovers of white powder beneath your nose, maybe she would've noticed how broken you were.

You didn't give her the chance, instead tearing your gaze away from her and shuffling towards the door with soft steps, desperate not to ruin her hardwood floor with the crunch of broken glass and splashes of alcohol on your dirty shoes.

You heard Alexia cry behind you, heard her pleas for you to stay, heard her questions, her yells, but you were out of the flat quicker than she could've pulled you back. The air of Barcelona hit you colder than it had before, and a part of you wished you would've worn the pink scarf, knowing it would've kept you warm and smelled of Alexia's perfume.

The black SUV was still parked right next to her driveway the way you had instructed Lois, your driver, to wait. He didn't ask a single question as you slammed the bags into the backseat, following in shortly after, tears streaming down your face. You needed to leave. You were doing the right thing. Alexia would realize it, at one point.

17th December, 2023:

Breaking news: British singer Y/N Y/L/N's summer tour cancelled after drug overdose.

notes:

there goes my first oneshot! please let me know what you think and also if you want a pt2 bc i have so much more in mind about thus story :)